audio; un: eliasainsworth

[thornydisposition]

Good evening.

[Though the subject matter behind his reasoning for addressing the networks was far different now than the first time he had the previous month, his even, dispassionate tone of voice is exactly the same.]

I've come to realize that the time in which we will be returning back to Oska is very close to—if not exactly on—the winter solstice. [He's used to a duo of sing-songy fae stopping by his house and giving him forewarning. He actually had to use a calendar this time.] Though I doubt all worlds follow the same laws and traditions, it is a day of great importance in my own. There are several rituals I am... curious if anyone would wish to help me carry out, to give us auspicious passage through the winter months.

As I don't think the old gods of winter have any particular sway over these distant realms, I am fairly confident nothing will be dangerous.

Please let me know if you might be interested, or if you might have any questions.

Comments

text, @TARANTO

[heavyhitter]

oh shit is it gonna be blood rituals
human sacrifice
i'm there just tell me when

text; un: eliasainsworth

[thornydisposition]

[RAMIR, NO]

I... I suppose one could perceive it as a bit of a sacrifice, but it is not one of human flesh or blood, no.

audio | username: olivia

[winces]

[ "rituals" sounds a little... concerning. especially the way ramir has chosen to interpret it. but!! olivia is willing to give elias the benefit of the doubt here...

also it would be nice to have something to do as soon as they got back to oska. ]

Um, if there is anything I can do to help, please let me know!

audio

[thornydisposition]

[Truth be told, Elias should probably curate his vocabulary a little bit so people don't automatically jump to that assumption. Given his general mien, it might be all too easy...

Elias' tone doesn't really modulate, but there's a slightly swifter cadence to it that seems to indicate he is pleased.]

It's very possible you may lend some specific aid, Ms. Olivia.

Would you say that, with the time you've spent in Oska, you are familiar with the greenhouse that is kept there?

Video

[grunehexe]

[DID SOMEONE SAY SOLSTICE RITUALS.]

Though the calendar is difficult to follow considering our world hopping, it is good to see someone else values such things. I should have expected no less.

The last solstice I carried out alone- so I would be honored to assist and observe.

video

[thornydisposition]

[siglinde busts into elias' mental inbox like a tiny kool-aid man.

He seems pleased enough, though—which is a little difficult to discern for someone who doesn't emote at all, but he at the very least gives her an appreciative nod.]

That's sorrowing to hear.

[Well, not really—he doesn't feel sorrow, but... there is a recurring dull sort of pain in the center of his chest that he can't ignore when he thinks of it. The last time he had done these rituals (a few short months ago), he had done them with Chise. The thought of doing them alone had been repugnant for some reason, so he had thought to ask...]

At least we can rectify this now. Though away from my own world, I see no reason to ignore tradition.

I am curious. What did you do personally last year for the winter solstice?

[Some of their observances might overlap...]

AUDIO. UN: LOKI

[selfimage]

It's certainly been a while.

[ a long while. a long, long while. ]

What are the mortals doing these days in terms of rituals?

audio

[thornydisposition]

That would depend.

[Intoned dryly. Elias isn't quite sure whether or not to include himself with "mortals"—he might have living flesh, unlike the fae, but he had also been living for several centuries now.]

From what I have seen, it involves a lot of panic over the purchasing of gifts. For myself, I tend to follow some of the older traditions.

video; un: G.SLQHV

[twinpeak]

Winter solstice already? Man, the calendar between worlds gets weird.

video

[thornydisposition]

From what I understand, yes.

It is rather difficult to tell. The solstice passed only a few months ago for me back in my own world, but everything I can reference informs me that it is to pass once more.

video; un: urahara

[predomination]

[Urahara takes most things during winter Very Seriously, including things that don't necessarily fall under his cultural purview. Like Christmas.

but never New Year's, because fuck you that's his and Yoruichi's birthday.]

I've never actually seen a solstice ritual carried out before. You wouldn't mind a spectator, would you? I promise I've never offended any gods, old or new.

[technically he is one if you take "death god" literally, but no one should.]

video

[thornydisposition]

[In a way, Elias would see doing these types of rituals as a way to appease creatures like and unlike Urahara. The old gods of winter were powerful and attuned to the death intrinsic in their season of reign. They were also very capricious. The rituals he sought to undertake were typically done to appease them and ward away their misfortune.]

Not at all. It is not a particularly complicated event. It just might take some time to decorate properly.

video: un: PERIDOT5XG (COULDN'T DECIDE BETWEEN THEM SO YOU GET BOTH)

[slapfight]

[Peridot is curious by nature. people saying words she doesn't know usually begs questioning. and there were a lot of words she doesn't understand in this particular context, but, honestly, the one thing that catches her attention.]

Gods... of winter?

[she's not even 100% sure what a "god" is, having no structural religion on Homeworld, much less what "winter" is. she's hopeless.]

video; THIS IS FINE AND I WELCOME IT

[thornydisposition]

Indeed.

Those that I have personally come into contact with are the Horned God and his Dark Lady. They are extremely powerful and... capricious entities. The world becomes their domain in the months of winter, and it is best to do what you can to appease them.

voice | un: greencyborg

[backthatup]

Like ... Christmas?

I would be honored to help!

voice

[thornydisposition]

Concurrent, but not quite.

[Elias might occasionally help out the English church, but he had no particular affinity for their religion.]

It is specifically the observance of the solstice and Yuletide. Regardless, I am appreciative for your offer, and I will be sure to contact you when preparations are to be made.

text; un: white_lotus

[pummelling]

[SHOVES WAY INTO THIS POST DID U SAY COOL SOLSTICE RITUALS]

What kind of rituals are we talking about? As long as nothing's being, you know, actively blood sacrificed, I'm here to help if you need it.

text

[thornydisposition]

[why does everyone think it has something to do with blood sacrifice...

Okay, yes, he knows why, but it's still frustrating.]

I assure you it is nothing of the sort.

[Actually he worries it might be more boring than what people might be imagining...]

The main tradition is the gathering and the burning of the yule log. There are other smaller things which can be done, which typically involves creating charms and wards from various types of flora.

audio; un: cardmaster

[fateality]

Reckon that depends on the ritual, but you definitely got my attention. What'd you need done?

audio

[thornydisposition]

I assure you, it is very simple.

Much of it is simple preparation. Certain plants need to be placed in certain areas of the house, as to ward misfortune. And we might need to fell a tree...

( audio ) ID: Arima

[prodigism]

A ritual? [ Hello Elias have one stoic Japanese man replying to your post. He never had the time for such things, although the last time he was with Haise and the Qs for Christmas he found in rather enjoyable, but here was the exception of course. But he wouldn't mind seeing whatever ritual this happens to be. ]

If you wouldn't mind another spectator...

audio

[thornydisposition]

[Your familiar, stoic tone of voice is music to Elias' similarly-disposed ear, Mr. Arima.]

With so many spectators I might have to make it more of a show than normal.

You are, of course, welcome to attend.

video | un: Princess

[assent]

Ah! This is the holiday that coincides with Yule, is it not? If there is anything you may need help with, I am more than happy to help!

[ She's practically puffing up from excitement for this, though sadly her knowledge of this is limited to Questionable Sources as well, where livestock was sacrificed then the meat cut and boiled to indicate a healthy year of hunting. It is also centuries old guesses by historians so you... know. Good times. ]

Shall I find a goat for us to use?

[ i'm sorry ]

video

[thornydisposition]

Indeed. Or perhaps it is the holiday of Yule that coincides roughly with the winter solstice... there are still many arguments on this.

[Because it marked the shortest day of the year, many had attributed something special to the day. Elias himself believed it was because the fae were fond of it, drawn to the auspiciousness of the turning-point where the days would steadily grow longer until summer. Regardless, it was an important time of year.

Sonia looks so excited and prepared, it threw Elias off a bit when she posed her question.]

Ah - pardon? [He tilts his head slightly to one side.] For what reason?

[oh, no...]

video; un. flameo hotman!

[twinkle_toes]

[The sudden bonehead might be an alarming sight if Aang hadn't already made the acquaintance of a literal skeleton. As it stands, he simply gives Elias a cheery smile and a wave.]

I can help! What do you need for these rituals?

video

[thornydisposition]

[Good... Elias is always unsure when faced with a child, but at least it's not a child screaming at his appearance. He gives Aang a nod.]

Hmm, let me see. [A gloved hand lifts into the frame to rest at the edge of his jaw.] We will need to prepare the yule log to burn, then make some small decorations, and then there is setting the decorations up around the castle... And we will need to gather all of the plants for this as well.