oo1 ( video )

[omajitsa]

[ The video opens on Anavha sitting in his room. His dark hair is pulled to the side and tied off with a white ribbon. He looks almost prim and proper, except for the shagginess that's started to cover his face. He scratches at his cheek, just under the beard and frowns. ]

I'm sorry if I'm interrupting anything...

Ah. [ He frowns. ] Someone told me today is a holiday called Thanksgiving? It's not one we celebrate at home, but I wish any who do celebrate it a Happy Thanksgiving. I still don't quite understand this holiday... [ He adds softly.

He shifts awkwardly, not looking properly at the camera. ] That isn't what I wanted to ask, though...

Someone offered to help me with... this. [ He gestures to the gruff on his face. ] It's very uncomfortable. [ He's never let it go so long.... ] But neither of us know where we would find a blade for shaving. I was hoping someone here might be able to help?

[ There's a slight moment of hesitation before finally. ] And make-up. I would like make-up if there is any to be found. [ He sees it on women here usually. He assumes there's some somewhere. ] Kohl for my eyes and gold powder, specifically.

[ He gives a quick, and sharp bow now. ] Thank you, everyone.

Comments

text

[rathercommon]

You'll probably find what you need at the chemist's.

-Lizzie

text

[omajitsa]

i'm afraid I don't know that that means...

text

[rathercommon]

It's a type of store. There's one about two blocks from the government flats, if you know where those are. It's called VCS. I think I can send a map.

text

[omajitsa]

i think a map might be best.

i'm afraid i might get lost in even two blocks. this city is far larger than i am used to.

text

[rathercommon]

Then I'll try to find a good one. Where are you now?

text

[omajitsa]

the government flats. that is where i live.

text

[rathercommon]

Right. Hold on, then.

[ About seven minutes, and then...a rough, hand-drawn map, made on paper; she's taken a snapshot of it and emailed it to him. The streets are labeled, and a path is drawn from the apartment building to the pharmacy. A minute later: ]

Did you get it?

text

[omajitsa]

i did. thank you. [ These devices are still so miraculous to him... ]

did you make that yourself?

text

[rathercommon]

Yeah. I hope you can read it.

text

[omajitsa]

i was able to.

i only hope i did not put you out, miss. i'm sorry. i hadn't realized you would make the map.

text + video

[kinesia]

[ Grey is watching this closely, hoping someone would have advice. Meanwhile, he lifts his hand to give Anavha a little wave. ]

someone will know .

how are you today ?

text + video

[omajitsa]

[ Anavha can't help but smile a little and waves back. ]

i hope so. my face is uncomfortable...

i'm okay. how are you grey?

[kinesia]

[ He doesn't really know why Anavha minds having a beard so much. Most of the men had worn them on the Train. Razors had been few and far between, especially the kind sharp enough for shaving. ]

we can fix it .

im ok . april asked me to come, for the thanksgiving . today . will you come, if we find the razors ?

[omajitsa]

[ Men aren't supposed to be so hairy where he comes from.... ]

thank you. i've never done it myself.

are you sure? i don't know april. she may not like my presence.

[kinesia]

[ He'd been clean-shaven in Grey's dream, even though Grey has never seen him that way. He knows that's how Anavha sees himself. ]

how was it done before ?

she told me to bring my friends . shes kind

she will like you .

[omajitsa]

our head daijian always did it for me. and the boys at the mardana district.

do you think?

if you would like, i will come

[kinesia]

[ What's a daijan? Grey just looks blank. Boys, though, that's the gist of it. Anavha's used to having helpers.

That's okay. Grey is used to being one. ]

what is that word ? daijan

id like it . you can meet people there .

[ He knows you've been hiding out in your room, Anavha... ]

[omajitsa]

dhai slaves. dhai are a people.

then i will come. [ He's a little anxious about meeting more people. He'll probably stay close to Grey's side... ]

[kinesia]

you kept slaves ?

[ Grey doesn't know what to think of that. ]

but why ?

[omajitsa]

[ Anavha looks surprised, then perplexed by the question. ]

i'm not sure i understand what you are asking. there have always been slaves.

video;

[grimreaping]

The origins of the holiday are culturally specific, but the general observance and reasoning behind it isn't. The name says its purpose: to be thankful for the people and good fortunes that one has.

video;

[omajitsa]

Is that not what worship to the goddess is for? Thanks for what she brings us?

Re: video;

[grimreaping]

The holiday of Thanksgiving in the context it's being spoken of here isn't explicitly a religious holiday, but it would not surprise me if there were similar analogies across multiple cultures.

[ Kid's got a pretty mellow opinion of religion, in that he generally stays far away from it. A death god can't be seen to be favouring one of the other after all, and he's of the opinion that any beliefs that keep people's souls from becoming evil is fine, and the rest is all details. ]

video;

[omajitsa]

What is the context of this holiday? We have nothing like it in my world. You give thanks daily to the Empress and the Goddess. That is all that matters for the,

Re: video;

[grimreaping]

In brief? That two different cultures overcame a longstanding animosity to sit down together for a feast to celebrate their harvest together.

[ There is of course, far more to it than that, but the way Anavha speaks, Kid suspects he doesn't have the same background. ]

In America, where the tradition was initially founded, it was intended to be separate from adherence to faith or allegiance to homeland. Not to replace those expressions of thankfulness but to give it a more specific focus for the day.