The problem is... flowers wilt, so they won't last as long as I think most of us would like. Being able to do something a little more permanent might be nice.
...can I ask you something? Do people do anything special in Sumeru to honor their dead? [ this is both "maybe there are ideas" and "i am just curious." ]
There are different traditions for that sort of thing in the forest regions of Sumeru and the desert regions of Sumeru...
[me screaming in "why would you do this to me" as i frantically look up anything i can find about sumeru lore to see if they like. mention it. anywhere.
anyway, she launches into an explanation of some of them as they walk to the library. the desert traditions are a lot more like ancient egyptian ones than the rainforest ones are.]
[ STOP I DIDN'T KNOW IF SMTH CAME UP IN HER SECOND STORYQUEST I'M SORRY.
anyway yeah, he's just going to listen attentively as they walk. he doesn't interrupt, seemingly focused on the words and the traditions, and he doesn't really say anything until she's done and they're in the library itself. ]
That is...a lot more elaborate than half the stuff we do where I'm from. Not that I don't think they deserve it, but wow.
When it comes down to it... the important thing is that they're remembered.
[...]
When the Goddess of Flowers passed away, the original version of the Padisarah flower went extinct along with her. I tried to help cultivate a new type of Padisarah in her memory, but... [she shakes her head.] It's not the same. Still, it's a rememberance. Anyone in Sumeru who sees one will think of her.
[ ...there's a nod to that because he can agree. the importance is in the remembrance. ]
I've never heard of a whole species of flowers dying with someone, but I've never met a goddess or anything before either. As long as her memory is attached to these things, they're still hers. [ into the library...but his voice is a little softer because they should be quieter. ]
Usually for us...there's a funeral. Or a memorial service. Sometimes they let you see the deceased for final goodbyes, and sometimes they don't. Depending on the family's wishes. People who cared about them will gather to pray and say their goodbyes and blessings for a safe journey to the afterlife, and then afterwards usually is the time people share their memories of the person who's gone and honor them.
But after the funeral...less and less people go back to visit the gravesite. [ a soft blip of something like annoyance. maybe lowlying frustration. ] Like the big event is what matters and nothing after makes a difference. But some people will find the person's final resting place and pay respects. Sometimes with flowers, sometimes with words.
[ he pauses. and then shakes his head. ] Maybe it's not so different.
[that annoyance and/or frustration brings forth a gentle concern from nahida, who looks up at him as they make their way to the bookshelves with crafts books in the library. the concern is underscored by curiosity, but -
she tries to tamp down on it, because just because she's curious doesn't mean it's okay to ask. especially if she can feel that he isn't entirely happy about it.]
...maybe it's not. Right now, though, we can make sure it's not just the big event that is all that matters. [they don't have to remember the murders and the executions. if that's all they remember, that's just too sad.] We can remember the time we spent with them, instead.
[hmm. some of these shelves are out of her reach. she studies them like she's plotting out the best course to just climb right up.]
[ the thing about emotionsharing is that it goes both ways. so he can feel her curiosity, and it makes him equally curious what she's curious about. a stupid cycle, really. ]
You raise an excellent point. Since we're the only ones responsible for ourselves, we can do what's right. [ but then he like. sees her thinking of how to scale the shelves and he sort of laughs under his breath. ]
I can give you a boost if that'll help. Kind of looks like you found something interesting.
Only one way to find out. [ and he just sort of bends, cupping his hands together to provide her with a step so she can climb and also use his shoulder as a stepping ladder. let her be tall. ]
she heads on up with the practiced ease of someone who has been getting boosts and shoulder rides for like two and a half weeks now and pulls the book off the shelf.]
Oh, it looks like it's a lot of pictures of flowers that have been pressed... There are some instructions, though!
[ NOOOOO BABY. he immediately looks a little flummoxed by her sadness, but he's quick to shake his head. ]
Well. Remembering them isn't just a one-time thing. Just because the rule says we have to do it this week doesn't mean we can't start nothing now for another week. I think the intention behind it counts for the rule. So...we can check out the book and start pressing some of these. When they're ready? We'll take them to the memorial that's already set up.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
no subject
The good thing is it won't just be us doing nice things. [ hopefully. ] Whose idea was it for the flower crowns?
no subject
[time to walk along!]
The problem is... flowers wilt, so they won't last as long as I think most of us would like. Being able to do something a little more permanent might be nice.
no subject
no subject
no subject
Do you want to head there first then? It'd be...smarter than just guessing.
no subject
[onward to the library! she will keep her eye out for flowers to pick on the way so they can try it out.]
no subject
...can I ask you something? Do people do anything special in Sumeru to honor their dead? [ this is both "maybe there are ideas" and "i am just curious." ]
no subject
[me screaming in "why would you do this to me" as i frantically look up anything i can find about sumeru lore to see if they like. mention it. anywhere.
anyway, she launches into an explanation of some of them as they walk to the library. the desert traditions are a lot more like ancient egyptian ones than the rainforest ones are.]
no subject
anyway yeah, he's just going to listen attentively as they walk. he doesn't interrupt, seemingly focused on the words and the traditions, and he doesn't really say anything until she's done and they're in the library itself. ]
That is...a lot more elaborate than half the stuff we do where I'm from. Not that I don't think they deserve it, but wow.
no subject
[...]
When the Goddess of Flowers passed away, the original version of the Padisarah flower went extinct along with her. I tried to help cultivate a new type of Padisarah in her memory, but... [she shakes her head.] It's not the same. Still, it's a rememberance. Anyone in Sumeru who sees one will think of her.
no subject
I've never heard of a whole species of flowers dying with someone, but I've never met a goddess or anything before either. As long as her memory is attached to these things, they're still hers. [ into the library...but his voice is a little softer because they should be quieter. ]
Usually for us...there's a funeral. Or a memorial service. Sometimes they let you see the deceased for final goodbyes, and sometimes they don't. Depending on the family's wishes. People who cared about them will gather to pray and say their goodbyes and blessings for a safe journey to the afterlife, and then afterwards usually is the time people share their memories of the person who's gone and honor them.
But after the funeral...less and less people go back to visit the gravesite. [ a soft blip of something like annoyance. maybe lowlying frustration. ] Like the big event is what matters and nothing after makes a difference. But some people will find the person's final resting place and pay respects. Sometimes with flowers, sometimes with words.
[ he pauses. and then shakes his head. ] Maybe it's not so different.
no subject
she tries to tamp down on it, because just because she's curious doesn't mean it's okay to ask. especially if she can feel that he isn't entirely happy about it.]
...maybe it's not. Right now, though, we can make sure it's not just the big event that is all that matters. [they don't have to remember the murders and the executions. if that's all they remember, that's just too sad.] We can remember the time we spent with them, instead.
[hmm. some of these shelves are out of her reach. she studies them like she's plotting out the best course to just climb right up.]
no subject
You raise an excellent point. Since we're the only ones responsible for ourselves, we can do what's right. [ but then he like. sees her thinking of how to scale the shelves and he sort of laughs under his breath. ]
I can give you a boost if that'll help. Kind of looks like you found something interesting.
no subject
Yes, that one there. I think it's what I'm looking for.
no subject
Only one way to find out. [ and he just sort of bends, cupping his hands together to provide her with a step so she can climb and also use his shoulder as a stepping ladder. let her be tall. ]
no subject
she heads on up with the practiced ease of someone who has been getting boosts and shoulder rides for like two and a half weeks now and pulls the book off the shelf.]
Oh, it looks like it's a lot of pictures of flowers that have been pressed... There are some instructions, though!
no subject
Go ahead and pull it out and let's take a look. If nothing else, we'll at least get the right idea.
no subject
and then her ears droop.]
Ah... the process takes a few weeks. I don't know if we would have enough time...
no subject
Well. Remembering them isn't just a one-time thing. Just because the rule says we have to do it this week doesn't mean we can't start nothing now for another week. I think the intention behind it counts for the rule. So...we can check out the book and start pressing some of these. When they're ready? We'll take them to the memorial that's already set up.
no subject
[she smiles a little. as long as they're still alive at that point, but - no point in being pessimistic. they'll survive.
they'll try their best to survive.]
I'm going to check this out from the front, then... and then maybe afterwards, we can look for flowers?
[this is probably a good place to wrap it and start something new tho]