004 [ video ]

[rightfoot]

Name: Louis
Date: 3/15
Format: Video.

[ The video clicks on and a familiar face appears on here. Everyone's favorite Deer, who is absolutely not a monster at all. He doesn't seem too concerned or distressed, despite the past couple of months and the things that have happened. But, he's here for a few reasons - among them is to greet the new arrivals. His antlers look fully grown in, especially compared to the last time anyone saw him up here. ]

Good afternoon, everyone. It's been awhile. For those who don't know, and may be new: yes, I am a deer. I am not a faun. I am a Witch, too.

And now that this is out of the way, I actually have questions.

That's right, questions.

[ The camera is still, but he leans in, placing his head in the palm of his hand, getting comfortable. ]

First, I need some advice for magical cleaning methods, specifically ways that help with animal fur. Our house is going to end up with a lot of fur in it, so I figured I'd get ready. At home, we'd just have vacuums and specialty cleaners, but neither are really a thing. And I don't know if a broom will be sufficient.

So, if anyone has any tips or advice, please let me know.

[ He tilts his head, there's a curious hint because he's learning so much. ]

Alright, since I said I had questions - what sort of traditions do you have at home? Not just for holidays, but whatever you may celebrate. Last year, I had heard of Christmas for the first time. I've learned since arriving that the way my home does things is pretty different from everywhere else [ duh ]. So tell me about yours - whether it's during a big holiday or your birthday. Whatever it may be.

And, since I'm asking, it's only polite to answer one we have that I am sure is unique to my home. We'd typically be having the Odd Soul Festival right now, it happens on the odd months of the year - and since it's the third month of the year, we'd probably be having it right now. I haven't gone for a long time, and I never much liked it, but it's herbivore tradition.

Comments

video; (un: aragaki)

[hoboagogo]

[he is literally in another room of the same house.]

You can't just tell the name and leave it at that. What the hell is an odd soul festival, and why's it only for herbivores?

[rightfoot]

Well, it's where herbivores gather and indulge in things that celebrate them not getting eaten by a carnivore. It's filled with superstitions and doing things that also make you not tasty to a carnivore. There's a lot of strange things like fortunes that say whether or not you will be food.

Anyway, it's basically a 'yay, I haven't been eaten, or I won't get eaten' festival.

Which, you know - isn't something that is a common worry in most other places.

[hoboagogo]

[ .......



...................]



You guys need better holidays.

[rightfoot]

Probably. Probably shouldn't celebrate not getting turned into someone's dinner. Or have a bit old note of "doesn't work if you volunteer to be food".

text; (un: taco bell)

[itsjiaheng]

well
everyone would have days off work during the lunar new year
also right around now is white day
it's like valentine's day
which i know got celebrated here
only on white day men are supposed to give sweets and stuff to girls
on valentine's women are supposed to give chocolates and stuff to guys
but i guess for valentine's everywhere else people just
???
everyone gives everything to each other ?
people might do something special on the equinox day too or whatever
holidays are kinda new to me too in general so
good question

you totally gotta elaborate on the odd soul festival though
what do you do ??
do you get gifts ??

[rightfoot]

Yeah, we don't have Valentine's Day exactly, but we have holidays similar to it. It's not really a big gifting festival.

Being herbivores, it's essentially an "I didn't get eaten" and "I won't get eaten" festival.

Which sounds morbid to humans, probably.

[itsjiaheng]

oooh
i can see why someone might wanna celebrate that
and i can also see why some people would not
it's not really morbid if that's like the reality you live with though ??
shifts the perspective on what a 'win' feels like
i get it

[rightfoot]

It's all superstition and seems to believe that things we do as herbivores can stop themselves from being eaten.

Most of us just live our lives normally, like a human would. Most of us aren't victims.

text. un: triskele

[scyldig]

It's not magic, but there's these things that look a little bit like pumice stones? They're made out of glass with some big holes/former bubbles in them. Really good for getting fur out of cloth furniture and carpets.

As for the other thing--my birthday is on Christmas so things were never that traditional growing up.

[rightfoot]

I'll have to look into that. Thanks, Trixie.

[ Sorry, but he's friends with...her so... ]

So did you like...celebrate them together? It seems like you'd almost have to pick one to celebrate now, one later.

[scyldig]

It's Derek.

We'd have a separate birthday thing at dinner time for me. Cake, presents. Sometimes I'd get a present on my half-birthday too.

[rightfoot]

I bet it is.

[ sorry ]

Ah, that's not so bad. Wait -- people really celebrate half-birthdays? Like - you made it six months, congrats.

[finesseblade]

The calendar here is bizarre. Back home, this is our last month of the year, and a time to reflect and gain wisdom from its events.

...which is a stupid tradition, because dwelling on the past benefits no one. But the point is, we start our new year with the spring, as it should be.

[rightfoot]

It makes sense to start the year in spring, absolutely. But here - this calendar is one I'm used to, too. I think this is actually what a lot of people are used to.

[finesseblade]

What, starting your new year in the dead of winter? You'd freeze to death before you had the chance to celebrate. People are usually too busy starving in their homes for it, anyway.

[ Did he mention back home is cold and it sucks? Because, well... ]

voice;

[crowsfeat]

My people believe in sky burials.

[ Well. Morbid way to start things off. ]

[rightfoot]

Ah? How does that work?

[ Not bothered, it's fine. ]

[crowsfeat]

When we die, we are left on hillsides or other tall bits of land, for the sky to claim us.

It's why crows are considered particularly sacred to my people.

video; un: Hank

[fuckingpassw0rd]

Why don't you just Fantasia it and get yourself a bunch of brooms. Just don't try to chop them all down and cause a flood.

[Fantasia probably does not exist in his world but Hank will not pass a joke about it.]

There's a bunch of concerns organized once a year. There's a pretty good classic rock event held in Detroit each year. Although - no offence, Odd Soul Festival sounds kinda fucked up.

[rightfoot]

What? Do what? And brooms...only help with so many surfaces. That may need to be explained.

[ Stares, deadpan. Yep, the reference went over his head...It's fine. ]

None taken. I didn't attend it really as I got older because it is pretty messed up. That classic rock event sounds much more worthwhile, to be honest.

text; (un; Ienzo)

[truescholar]

I can't exactly offer magical solutions for cleaning, but perhaps a lint roller of some kind would help in cleaning up fur?

[ Could you even procure such an item here? Ienzo's not actually sure... ]

As for traditions from home. My own is in a somewhat unique situation, as it's currently in the process of being rebuilt. But, I remember from my childhood that a festival celebrating spring took place. All the gardens were brimming with flowers and colour.

I'm rather interested in your Odd Soul Festival, that's quite a unique sounding name.

[rightfoot]

It might be a start.

[ But...Louis imagines all the fur between himself, his bonds, and their several pets. He has a headache. ]

Ah. Spring Festivals are pretty popular, I'm finding. What they are is different, but a lot of places have them.

Odd Soul Festival is a festival that takes place in the odd months of the year. Herbivores celebrate not getting eaten, or find ways to prevent getting eaten by a carnivore.

video | un: taru

[seemstressed]

<sub>[Deer meet Lalafell. Honestly, Tataru finds nothing strange about there being a 'talking deer' man on the feed. Beastmen are common throughout Eorzea and beyond and so to her that's simply what he must be. Far more refined than those from tribes she's heard of but still - his existence makes sense.

The talk of holidays is what gets her attention, as she has no fur to really deal with herself. Considering she's currently in the throws of preparing for Little Ladies Day the topic is clearly a hit with her. Her face is one Louis should be familiar with by now, as he'd offered her assistance with planning for the Eorzean celebration a few weeks ago, and she's just as smiley as she had been then.]</sub>

Eorzea has a slew of traditions! _{[By the Twelve there are so many...]} Oh...it's hard to pick just one. I suppose what would be happening next after Little Ladies' Day is Hatching-tide? One of the traditions of that holiday is an egg hunt!

_{[Tataru loves holidays...sorry...she's excited.]}

Tell me about your Odd Soul Festival! I'd love to hear about it! I've a question of my own though - what do you mean exactly by a 'herbivore' tradition?

[rightfoot]

What types of eggs do you hunt? Chicken eggs? That seems weird to me.

[ Head-tilt. Pardon his confusion, here. ]

...Herbivore. Uh -- they tend to be prey animals. It's a celebration of not getting eaten in the odd months of the year. January, March, May... and so forth. We also think of ways to increase our luck to prevent getting eaten.

It's a festival of superstitions.

[seemstressed]

An assortment? Edible ones. They are dyed and decorated and then hid to be found later. It's quite fun!

_{[Look. It's a great time okay.]}

Ah...I see. _{[There's a small, nervous laugh that slips her.]} We haven't a celebration like that in Eorzea but I do believe it would suit me well, personally.

_{[Lalafell are unfortunately on the menu for a lot of monsters.]}