Entry tags:
August-September 2024 Test Drive Meme
August-September 2024 TDM
Introduction
Welcome to Folkmore's monthly Test Drive Meme! Please feel free to test drive any and all characters regardless of your intent to apply or whether you have an invite or not.
All TDMs are game canon and work like "mini-events". For new players and characters, you can choose to have your TDM thread be your introduction thread upon acceptance or start fresh. Current players are also allowed to have in-game characters post to the TDM so long as they mark their top levels ‘Current Character.’
TDM threads can be used for spoon spending at any time by characters accepted into the game.
Playing and interacting with the TDMs will allow characters to immediately obtain a canon item from home, especially weapons or other things they may have had on their person when they were pulled from their worlds! There will always be a prompt that provides some sort of "reward" to characters who complete certain tasks.
🦊 New Star Children meet the Fox still in their worlds, and she brings them into the new realm of Folkmore. As you follow her, your body begins to change and new characteristics emerge. These may stay for a while, or perhaps they will hide away after. And during all of this, the Fox explains to you where you will be going: to Folkmore.
and then... you fall like a shooting star, falling to the land in a burst of starlight.
🦊 Experienced Star Children are already familiar with this time of the month. There are shooting stars all across the sky, and some fall to the land, which means the Fox has brought new arrivals. These newly arrived Star Children will face some tests, but Thirteen wants the more seasoned residents to participate as well.
Perhaps you follow the falling stars on your own, or perhaps the Fox simply teleports you there, but it appears you too will be part of this.
Content Warnings: Potential Wilderness Survival, Potential Death
New Star Children arrive in Amrita Academy, the largest school in Folkmore. They might arrive in the medical wing, or they could arrive in areas of the school that don't look like a school at all: forests with animals to hunt or gather, including for their medicinal properties; rocky crags with climbing routes; fields full of growing grains; meadows with sheep covered in soft wool; lakes and rivers with unusual denizens. It's like a miniature of Folkmore all in one school.
A fox with a clipped ear and a few scars greets each Star Child upon arrival. She explains that while things can be summoned with Lore, the best survivors learn to scavenge and to find what they need. New Star Children haven't earned much Lore yet, so that surely applies to them double. In fact, as befits a survival school, there are items that will help Star Children survive hidden all around and immediately outside the school. Star Children are directed to make a list on their Relic of everything they think they need to survive. Once made, the list cannot be changed. They will be more likely to find those items than others (though it will not be impossible).
Race, jog, or stroll around the expansive school in search of these items: clothes, bags, first aid kits, tents, survival supplies, etc. They might be harder to find than expected as they will be miniature and in little cubes aka survival squares (a misnomer). These cubes may be tucked away above, below, beside, or inside something. They also may float against a rock face or in the air among tree branches. The most likely locations are those densest in Lore. The longer Star Children explore, the more they will realize that these cubes are best and most easily obtained by working together. In fact, they will try to dodge and avoid the grip of a Star Child more than ten feet away from any other Star Child. Perhaps that's because two Star Children interacting are creating Lore and a Lore dense location? Once two Star Children touch the cube at the same time, the cube will disappear, and the item inside will grow to full size. Congratulations on being one step closer to survival. Remember to share.
Come mid-September, few cubes will remain inside the school. Star Children will have to check the perimeter of the school to find more survival squares. That task grows exponentially harder as the cubes are in the molasses-thick moat of concentrated Lore surrounding the school. Should anyone dip their spoon in the moat, in the Lorasses if you will, they will find that it tastes sweet, a rich spicy sweetness. Amazing! Less amazing? It is impossible to get past the moat of Lorasses. No matter how strong a swimmer or oarsman, it is impossible to make headway through or atop the Lorasses. Anyone attempting to fly across the moat will find themselves slapped by a giant sticky slappy hand rising like a goliath from the depths with perfect aim. Star Children can find themselves slapped anywhere from the shore to the center of the school. Star Children are free to get creative with ways to dig the survival squares out of the Lorasses, but beware! They'll have difficulty freeing themselves on their own from the sticky substance, should they fall in.
Since Star Children are likely to find themselves in sticky situations quite literally, they may be pleased to know that Amrita Academy has showers available for use. Unfortunately, due to one student's experiment, the shampoo is all made of beer. That's right, beer. It's good for one's hair! Or so the study should demonstrate. Be sure to fill out a feedback card outside the locker rooms.
New Star Children arrive in Amrita Academy, the largest school in Folkmore. They might arrive in the medical wing, or they could arrive in areas of the school that don't look like a school at all: forests with animals to hunt or gather, including for their medicinal properties; rocky crags with climbing routes; fields full of growing grains; meadows with sheep covered in soft wool; lakes and rivers with unusual denizens. It's like a miniature of Folkmore all in one school.
A fox with a clipped ear and a few scars greets each Star Child upon arrival. She explains that while things can be summoned with Lore, the best survivors learn to scavenge and to find what they need. New Star Children haven't earned much Lore yet, so that surely applies to them double. In fact, as befits a survival school, there are items that will help Star Children survive hidden all around and immediately outside the school. Star Children are directed to make a list on their Relic of everything they think they need to survive. Once made, the list cannot be changed. They will be more likely to find those items than others (though it will not be impossible).
Race, jog, or stroll around the expansive school in search of these items: clothes, bags, first aid kits, tents, survival supplies, etc. They might be harder to find than expected as they will be miniature and in little cubes aka survival squares (a misnomer). These cubes may be tucked away above, below, beside, or inside something. They also may float against a rock face or in the air among tree branches. The most likely locations are those densest in Lore. The longer Star Children explore, the more they will realize that these cubes are best and most easily obtained by working together. In fact, they will try to dodge and avoid the grip of a Star Child more than ten feet away from any other Star Child. Perhaps that's because two Star Children interacting are creating Lore and a Lore dense location? Once two Star Children touch the cube at the same time, the cube will disappear, and the item inside will grow to full size. Congratulations on being one step closer to survival. Remember to share.
Come mid-September, few cubes will remain inside the school. Star Children will have to check the perimeter of the school to find more survival squares. That task grows exponentially harder as the cubes are in the molasses-thick moat of concentrated Lore surrounding the school. Should anyone dip their spoon in the moat, in the Lorasses if you will, they will find that it tastes sweet, a rich spicy sweetness. Amazing! Less amazing? It is impossible to get past the moat of Lorasses. No matter how strong a swimmer or oarsman, it is impossible to make headway through or atop the Lorasses. Anyone attempting to fly across the moat will find themselves slapped by a giant sticky slappy hand rising like a goliath from the depths with perfect aim. Star Children can find themselves slapped anywhere from the shore to the center of the school. Star Children are free to get creative with ways to dig the survival squares out of the Lorasses, but beware! They'll have difficulty freeing themselves on their own from the sticky substance, should they fall in.
Since Star Children are likely to find themselves in sticky situations quite literally, they may be pleased to know that Amrita Academy has showers available for use. Unfortunately, due to one student's experiment, the shampoo is all made of beer. That's right, beer. It's good for one's hair! Or so the study should demonstrate. Be sure to fill out a feedback card outside the locker rooms.
- All new Star Children arrive in Amrita Academy.
- Star Children are greeted by a fox who prompts them to write a list of what they need to survive. These lists cannot be changed once made.
- Star Children search for tiny cubes with survival supplies, especially ones on their lists.
- Star Children must work together to catch & open the cubes.
- Come mid-September, Amrita Academy is surrounded by a Lore-rich molasses moat—Lorasses. Thou shalt not pass.
- Once the moat arrives, most cubes are in the moat. Shower to get clean afterward with beer for shampoo.
Content Warnings: Forced Close Contact, Coerced Behavior
It can be stressful to arrive in a new place among strangers and strange things. It can be even more stressful, sometimes, to be among people one knows. The fact remains that in Folkmore, no one is an island. The Shattered Spoon Shrine is a testament to that. Interact or perish. Those interactions usually don't even have to be positive. An emotionally charged argument generates Lore same as a touching reunion. However, Amrita's iteration has taken charge of Folkmore this month. She values cooperation and connection.
What does this mean for Star Children? It's time to get along.
When Star Children fight—physically, vocally, emotionally—they get stuck together in a magical t-shirt. This plain white t-shirt has 'This is our get along shirt' written on it on both sides, one in each Star Child's handwriting. (If a Star Child does not have handwriting, Thirteen will invent a handwriting she feels best represents them). The shirt works exactly as written on the tin. Until the two Star Children can get along, they will be stuck together in the shirt. Getting along can look a few different ways. It could be working through the reason they were fighting. It could be cooperating to accomplish something else. It could be helping someone else together. It could be large or small. Somehow, Star Children will have to get along to accomplish something.
The shirt will disappear, leaving them standing next to each other, only to reappear duplicated in each of their hands, perfectly sized to fit each individual. Should they so choose, either can be used for a repeat performance, with both of them trapped inside again. While the same condition will apply—they must get along to get out of the shirt—the shirt will now make it easier for them to work it out. Note: only the two people who originally wore the shirt can put it back on. No one else can wear these shirts.
One time only, a Star Child's cooperative escape will have an additional prize: their souvenir t-shirt will be wrapped around an item from either their home universe or their partner's. That's right, getting along can get a Star Child something from another universe.
It can be stressful to arrive in a new place among strangers and strange things. It can be even more stressful, sometimes, to be among people one knows. The fact remains that in Folkmore, no one is an island. The Shattered Spoon Shrine is a testament to that. Interact or perish. Those interactions usually don't even have to be positive. An emotionally charged argument generates Lore same as a touching reunion. However, Amrita's iteration has taken charge of Folkmore this month. She values cooperation and connection.
What does this mean for Star Children? It's time to get along.
When Star Children fight—physically, vocally, emotionally—they get stuck together in a magical t-shirt. This plain white t-shirt has 'This is our get along shirt' written on it on both sides, one in each Star Child's handwriting. (If a Star Child does not have handwriting, Thirteen will invent a handwriting she feels best represents them). The shirt works exactly as written on the tin. Until the two Star Children can get along, they will be stuck together in the shirt. Getting along can look a few different ways. It could be working through the reason they were fighting. It could be cooperating to accomplish something else. It could be helping someone else together. It could be large or small. Somehow, Star Children will have to get along to accomplish something.
The shirt will disappear, leaving them standing next to each other, only to reappear duplicated in each of their hands, perfectly sized to fit each individual. Should they so choose, either can be used for a repeat performance, with both of them trapped inside again. While the same condition will apply—they must get along to get out of the shirt—the shirt will now make it easier for them to work it out. Note: only the two people who originally wore the shirt can put it back on. No one else can wear these shirts.
One time only, a Star Child's cooperative escape will have an additional prize: their souvenir t-shirt will be wrapped around an item from either their home universe or their partner's. That's right, getting along can get a Star Child something from another universe.
- When Star Children get in a fight of any kind, not just physical, they get stuck together in a magical t-shirt.
- The shirt says “This is our get along shirt” front and back in characters’ own handwriting (or imagined handwriting).
- As written on the tin, Star Children are stuck until they figure out how to get along
- When they separate, both partners will get a copy of the t-shirt that fits them. They can choose to get back into said t-shirt together to figure out how to get along easier in the future.
- One time only, Star Children receive an item from their home universe or their partner’s.
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[Should Jing Yuan ask, whether for explanation or clarification, he would receive it this time. Really, no matter what it was he was asked, Dan Feng had no further intention to return to the silence he'd left behind when he'd followed the Fox here.
As for why he kept his silence... he has no doubt that Jing Yuan has in fact figured it out. Even as a young Lieutenant, the man was far more brilliant than most around him -- something Dan Feng had heard well before they'd met.
Still, he'd never really stopped thinking of what he owed his old friend at this point... so his voice is quiet, if audible enough.]
Any answer you should ask of me will be yours.
[Ah. There's some tension in his shoulders when Jing Yuan steps closer... but it's a tension that bleeds away at the weight of warm hands on his shoulders.]
A new beginning, then.
[He pauses, one of his hands lifted to find Jing Yuan's on his shoulder.]
.. with no more secrets.
[Though that would seem a small promise from many... from someone who'd kept so much to himself, it was far weightier than many others he could make.]
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with no more secrets. jing yuan smiles, and it's tired, and raw, but genuine still. ]
Most importantly, we need to get through this ordeal, first.
[ this strange little survival game. between the two of them, jing yuan is sure that they will manage it, but daylight is burning, and they will need to begin working toward securing food and shelter for the evening. and warmth, for dan feng. ]
Have you found any supplies, yet?
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[Though Jing Yuan's smile doesn't necessarily draw much of one to Dan Feng's lips... he does allow himself to drop just enough of his control to at the very least hint at just how truly weary he is. Even out of the shackling prison, his pain lingered still like a stubborn, angry specter.
Jing Yuan was, of course, correct about getting through this ordeal being what they should focus on first. He certainly had every confidence in their chances, even if wilderness survival was more Jing Yuan's skill than his own.]
Unfortunately I've been here for less than an hour yet. I'd not even begun to search before you found me here.
[His time with the Fox was far less certain... but that wasn't especially important just yet. In the end... he was still getting used to how it felt to no longer be suspended in chains when he'd been found.]
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[ withdrawing his hands, jing yuan shrugs a canvas bag off of his shoulder, kneeling to open it up. inside is a water purifier, a pack of matches, a book on local plantlife, and a small cast iron pot for hanging over a fire. there's also a glaive over his shoulder - not starfall reverie, of course, but it will do. ]
I'd like to find blankets or sleeping bags for the night, if possible, but securing food and drink should likely be our first priority.
[ it's been a long time since he's hunted an animal, but he can still manage, he thinks, most especially with dan feng's help. ]
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Dan Feng forcibly shifts his focus from the way warmth lingers on his shoulders, instead watching as Jing Yuan kneels to open his bag. It's a moment before he crouches as well to peer into the bag at just what his old friend had -- and yet the first thing he does is swat the tuft of his own tail away without a thought. Having such a long tail... it really would take considerable getting used to.]
For our priorities, I'll certainly defer to your better judgment. Between us, I can't imagine we'll have too much trouble either way.
[It really was best to defer to Jing Yuan at this stage. Food... after so long, he'd stopped really feeling hungry -- and after centuries it simply slipped his mind. Best not to bring that up.]
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well. he's sure that dan feng can care for himself, he's a capable man, powerful even now, but even still, jing yuan is content to lead. ]
Right. Well, the lake here should suit our needs for water just fine. Why don't you flip through this book and familiarize yourself with the plantlife? You can gather some herbs and greens while I hunt something for us to eat.
[ between the two of them, they'll have a decent meal for the evening. ]
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[For all that admitting to weakness was still a point of frustration... one could really lose quite a bit of pride over the course of centuries. That, along with the fact that Jing Yuan remained one of the few people he'd trust with anything at all is easily enough for Dan Feng to simply trust his old friend's lead without question.
When he's offered the book on plantlife, he breathes a quietly interested hum... and his tail quirks at the tip in full betrayal of the actual level of his interest. He's already opened the book before he responds -- not that it takes him any longer than it would have otherwise.]
Mm, shouldn't take me any longer than it's likely to take you to hunt something.
[For all he'd relied rather heavily on his cloudhymn for the majority of medical treatment... Dan Feng is still rather thankful he'd learned quite young to memorize the qualities of various plants. He stands as he flips through the pages of course... the tip of his tail idly flicking all the while as he reads.]
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dan feng seems to like the book, so jing yuan nods and leaves him to it, straightening up again. ]
Excellent. I'll return soon, then.
[ and he's off through the underbrush, ready to hunt. ]
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It doesn't take him especially long before he's found a reference for the plants nearest the lake's edge and set himself to beginning to gather various edible plants to go along with what Jing Yuan may end up hunting for them... and some herbs as well once he's stepped a bit away from the edge of the water to search a bit farther out.
He doesn't stray too terribly far from where they'd parted though, and by the time Jing Yuan returns with what he's hunted, Dan Feng has tied his hair back in a simple knot and tucked his long black gloves away -- what he's managed to gather is separated out carefully. He's settled nearby as he waits of course, reading a few more pages of the book as he considers what sorts of preparations to aim for with what he's found.]
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laying eyes on dan feng is no less of a shock. it's going to take.. quite a bit of time to get used to it, he thinks, to get used to just seeing him exist.
stepping back into the glade, jing yuan sets the rabbits down on a flat stone and rinses his hands in the lake water, before he's setting to work at the fire, gathering water in the small pot to use for their stew. once it's set over the fire, jing yuan takes a seat on the ground, tugging meat off of the rabbit bones to toss into the simmering stew. ]
You seem to be enjoying yourself.
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Bright eyes do finally lift from the book he'd been given when Jing Yuan settles nearby -- expression far more at ease than it would've been in any recent memory. Enjoying himself... he supposed he was.]
... even when I was young, I'd still not had the time I might've liked to learn of plants that hadn't been grown aboard the Luofu.
[He pauses for just a moment to enter a bit of information into his Relic which he'd rested atop his leg.]
Though most of what I found haven't much use beyond culinary, the more remedies I can learn of, the better prepared for the future I can be.
[For all his power... he really still thought quite like a medic... and besides, it had already slipped his mind upon arrival to think of more than the simplest food as priority, so of course most of his interest was directed toward toxicities or any medical qualities.
... he did still gather actual food while Jing Yuan hunted, of course.]
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It suits you, I think.
[ jing yuan knows enough about healing to understand that plants are heavily involved with it - at least, with traditional healing. cloudhymn requires no such thing, but dan feng is a conscientious man, it stands to reason that he would want to learn healing from many angles.
jing yuan himself even knows a bit about it. he's led a very long life, of course, and medical knowledge goes a long way on the battlefield. nevertheless, the plants he needs right now are the ones for eating! ]
Which should I add to the stew?
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... there was also someone here whose health he wanted to look after, however much or little it would come up... the more he could learn, the better.]
In the end it simply feels like the wisest course.
[He does set his Relic aside completely after a moment, casting his thoughts away from medicinal purposes and to culinary which was the point of this from the beginning.]
Mm... these two can go in now.
[His first gesture is to first a single bundle -- something to be removed before eating... and the other a little pile of something relatively crushed rested atop a leaf. There were a couple of the little cloves whole beside the pile that could remain out, of course.]
And once it begins to boil, this can be added in.
[What Dan Feng gestures to this time looks like a small pile of carefully washed, bite-sized potatoes. From what he'd read, they should finish cooking at a boil when the rabbit had also finished. And with a level of certainty that Jing Yuan remained a better cook than he'd needed to become, there should be no trouble with the preparation.
... aeons he really had found more medical herbs than culinary...]
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Understood.
[ he's good at following orders, and decent enough at cooking in the rough like this, so together they are able to prepare the stew relatively well. the herbs and greens go in, the stew begins to boil, and the potatoes are added as well, giving the meal a little more bulk. it smells fragrant soon enough, and jing yuan removes the first bundle of herbs, setting it aside in the grass as he stirs the pot with a stick cleaned of debris and bark. ]
I think we've managed something edible, hmm?
[ he chuckles softly, then uses a handkerchief pulled from his breastplate to take the pot off of the fire, allowing it to cool. there's just enough for both of them to have two bowls. ]
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The entire time he spent bundling each small pile inside of a leaf, to be tied securely closed with a few slim vines, the tip of his tail had flicked idly -- satisfied with keeping himself busy after so long of... well, nothing positive. By the time Jing Yuan speaks up again, he's split these little bundles into two piles and set them both aside -- the pile for Jing Yuan rested nearest his pack, which he's also just returned the book to.]
I'd never any doubt in your cooking, regardless of how little familiar components we've found.
[The compliment comes easy -- and the honesty there is quite clear as can be. For all they'd mostly eaten prepared meals as a group, he'd always had a fair amount of confidence in the skills of each other member of the Quintet.
... aeons it had been so long he'd forgotten what a proper meal smelled like. For all he'd forgotten about food upon his arrival... well, he hadn't any longer.]
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Well, let's hope your faith is not misplaced. It has been a long time since I last needed to cook for myself.
[ being the arbiter general comes with its perks, after all.
sitting beside dan feng in the grass, jing yuan crosses his legs and begins to eat. the stew is.. not so bad, really, considering what little they have to work with. it's a bit bland without salt and pepper, but the herbs help, and it's certainly edible. he takes a few mouthfuls in and chews thoughtfully, before glancing toward dan feng's profile. how long has it been since he enjoyed a proper meal..? ]
We should get some rest after this.
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I'd be rather surprised if it was misplaced.
[The statement is rather matter of fact, even after so long removed from one another's proper company. But for now... well, for now it was best they eat.
At his best estimation, his faith in Jing Yuan is precisely where it ought to be. They were lacking in a great many things, but the stew remained easily good enough. Perhaps it was a symptom of being locked away so long... but this was the finest meal he'd had in centuries.
He's just taken a bite when Jing Yuan speaks up again, and Dan Feng considers quietly as he chews. It had been late afternoon when he'd first arrived here...]
I agree, though it may be wise to seek shelter at the very least. You'd mentioned wanting blankets or sleeping bags, before hunting.. and unfortunately I've not found anything to help with that in the time that's passed.
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[ though he can certainly make do in the grass if need be. it's been quite a long time since jing yuan slept anywhere besides a bed (not counting naps), but he could certainly manage. and after all that dan feng has been through, jing yuan can only assume that grass would be downright comfortable in comparison with the shackling prison's accommodations, but..
well. he'd like for his old friend to have a better place to sleep. ]
We can scout for a few more cubes. We have an hour or so before it gets too dark.
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It would be wise to find somewhere more ideal to sleep than the lakeside, certainly. [A brief pause.] There should also be no harm keeping a lookout for a few cubes during our search.
[A faint smile tugs at the corner of his lips, before his eyes shift once more to their surroundings -- primarily turning toward where he'd found a couple of the herbs he'd gathered while Jing Yuan was hunting.]
... I recall catching a glimpse of one nestled among tree branches not terribly far from where I found those soft cloves I'd set aside for the stew.
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[ jing yuan's brows rise, and he smiles, then nods, before he's scooping more of the stew into his mouth and swallowing it down. it's not half bad, if he does say so himself. once his bowl is finished, jing yuan refills it, and dan feng's too, so they do not waste any of the food. he would hate to have to dump it aside. ]
Well then, once we're finished we can head off.
[ the sooner they are prepared for the night, the better. ]
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[Dan Feng hums softly in agreement, gaze lowered to his bowl when Jing Yuan refills it. In truth, it has been quite some time since he's eaten anything he would consider a filling meal... and his appetite has ever been less than his old friend's even in his prime. Still... he isn't about to complain. He appreciates it, no matter how odd it may feel now to be full.
He tries not to eat too slowly, and he breathes a slow sigh when he finally finishes.]
The walk to the one I caught sight of should be short enough, which ought to hopefully leave us more than enough time to find a suitable place to rest.
[Slowly, he shifts his tail so that it isn't wrapped as carefully around his legs where he sits -- enough to be able to stand more easily when he does.]
If we've any luck to count on, we may find more on our way.
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soon enough he finishes his own portion as well, then takes both of their bowls as well as the pot, to carry them to the lakeside to clean them off. ]
Very well then, let's be off, when you're ready.
[ shaking the water from the bowls, he packs them into the small pot, which then goes into his bag. leaning a hand down to help dan feng to his feet, jing yuan smiles. ]
Come then, old friend.
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I'll be ready when you are.
[And indeed he is. It doesn't take him long to pack away the little parcels of herbs along with his Relic and Spoon after all.. and he's decided against pulling his gloves back on by the time Jing Yuan offers his hand. He does hesitate only briefly before accepting the help to his feet, and Jing Yuan is as warm as he's always been.]
Thank you.. [The words are quiet... after so long he's no longer used to accepting help.] ... the cube I'd caught sight of was in this direction.
[In the moment before he lets his hand slip from Jing Yuan's, he both turns and faintly tugs the direction he turns -- as if to direct his old friend to follow along... to keep him close even if he drops the contact in the end.]
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he gives it a little squeeze, before dan feng's hand drops away. ]
Lead the way, then.
[ he says, gesturing, as they begin to move forward together, through the grass and beneath the boughs of the trees, toward the cube in question. it's beginning to grow a little chilly, with any hope the cube will contain exactly what they need. ]
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He couldn't help but to wonder if he would ever have such a thing again, even as he leads Jing Yuan along at a measured pace, eyes raised to the branches once they've reached the trees.]
Ah-- there.
[He indicates which tree with a light gesture, the cube nestled so serenely in the branches as if cradled.]
Would I be correct to assume you're familiar with how to obtain these?
[Considering how many things his old friend had at this point, surely it meant he'd found more than a few.]
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