video 🌸 un: white heron

[mistsplitter]

[ The video starts with two people– a young lady with bluish white hair, bright yet silver, almost blue, eyes, with a distinguishable mole under her left eye, pink ribbons tied around the hair that frames her face. She waves at the camera shyly, before gesturing to the blond next to her. With those sharp red eyes of his, it's bound to capture one's attention. ]

Greetings, everyone. My name is Kamisato Ayaka, and with me is Mister Kaveh, a renowned architect from the city of Sumeru in Teyvat.

[ Somehow, she doesn't say anything about where she's from, but THAT'S OKAY AND DEFINITELY ON PURPOSE. ]

Back home, I, along with my brother, head an organisation within our nation's government that handles its cultural affairs, as well as festivals and ceremonies. Since we all come from different worlds, Mister Kaveh and I had discussed the possibility of organising some sort of art festival for us– for all of us here who were pulled into this world.

Since we may be staying here for some time, I think it is a good idea to have something that is just for us. And it would be fun and exciting to learn about the other worlds and cultures out there through literature, music, dance, and other forms of art. Any income generated for this would be used in our own efforts, as well. If there are other events we would like to organize, or if we need to help our fellow refugees in need, then we can use the funds for it.

[ kaveh steps forward and chimes in, ] And let's not forget baking and cooking. [ since it would be nice to sample the drink and food of other places. ] But~ before all that fun can be had we'd like to see if there's interest. Not only that, but we'd also like to know if you'd want to get involved. [ he pivots, pointing dramatically at the video feed. ] Help us bring this festival to life, because it’s sure to be a good, no, great time!

Now, [ he clears his throat. ] if you don’t mind, please tell us if you’d like to attend, participate, or both - thank you.


[ OOC: We were thinking of doing this late next month, if there's enough interest! :) ICly, it may be in Amberfall, and Ayaka will rent a big events place for it. The festival will last a couple of days! Maybe 2-3 days or so. ]

Comments

[noarchitact]

[ fatui...
...harbinger. ]

I think it should be fine as long as you're on your best behavior. I heard about what your colleagues did in Sumeru.

[monoceroscaeli]

[Laughing to himself because Ayaka said the same thing, man no one has faith in him to not be awful, he can't imagine why-]

I'm far from interested in brewing those kind of schemes. All I seek is a good fight. But I think it would be more appropriate to place the blame on your own sages more than anything else. They were, in fact, the ones who kept the Dendro Archon locked up long before the Fatui staked any claim in Sumeru. Such is the hubris of the sages.

[But that's neither here nor there anymore, right? Not to him, at least. He hardly cares, at the end of the day.]

[noarchitact]

I'm not saying that the Sages aren't to blame, but the Fatui took advantage of an already bad situation, thus making it worse and leading them even more astray. Both parties are to blame and nobody looked good, but I'm not looking for an ethical debate.

All I want to do is put this festival together.

[monoceroscaeli]

Then I suppose you and I still seem to be on the same page then. I actually don't care for or about that situation at all, and would much rather focus my energies on having a little fun. It's been quite some time since I last was able to enjoy a festival in any capacity.

So really, I appreciate the effort from both of you, and I'd be more than happy to offer any other assistance as needed.

[noarchitact]

Good. We're all in the same boat besides. We have a fresh start, because our former positions don't mean anything to the people here.

I appreciate the enthusiasm, and I'm glad you're willing to help. That said, I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of dishes you have to put forward

[monoceroscaeli]

Believe me when I say you aren't going to want to miss out.

[Kaveh can't see it, but he's beaming with confidence.]

You know, I did offer Ms. Kamisato her own special dish from me, as an olive branch of sorts. Not that this is exactly the same, but it does seem a bit rude for me to not show the same hospitality to you as well. So? Got a Snezhnayan dish you particularly like, if one at all? Or do I get to choose?

[noarchitact]

[ free food,
sign kaveh up. ]

How kind of you. I'm not about to turn away an honest attempt at camaraderie. I'm afraid I don't know any Snezhnayan dishes, so you can choose one of your favorites.

[monoceroscaeli]

Splendid. I'll see to it that I make something exquisite. Guess I'll have to scour the markets around here for ingredients...there'll be enough that you'll have no choice but to work it off after you're done.

[cough cough spar with him, kaveh!]

[noarchitact]

[ GOOD LUCK GETTING HIM TO SPAR, CHILDE. ]

You sound so sure. I'll be the judge of that.

[monoceroscaeli]

[CHALLENGE ACCEPTED]

Oh, is that a challenge then? I'm curious, what does the palate of a renowned architect favor? I guarantee it'll be something from Snezhnaya before the end of the festival.

[Kaveh plz]

[noarchitact]

[ no. ] Yes. I'm not going to be giving you any hints, Tartaglia. I want to see what you come up with on your own. Perhaps I'll even make you a Sumerian dish in return.

[monoceroscaeli]

I wouldn't mind getting a little taste of Sumeru while I'm here. Alright, just you wait. I've already got a good idea in mind of what I want to make.

[noarchitact]

I think I have a dish in mind too. When and where should we meet Mister Harbinger?

[monoceroscaeli]

How about in two days time? In Dayrise. If you haven't already made your way out there, I think you'll enjoy the sights of the architecture there. I'm sure we can easily find a park for lunch and do our little culture exchange.

[noarchitact]

Dayrise in 2 days it is. I'll find us a nice spot to set up. I'm looking forward to it, so don't disappoint.

[monoceroscaeli]

Don't worry. I always bring my best.

[And with that, Childe makes preparations to show off his cooking skills. Granted, he hadn't gotten the chance to really cook a whole lot nowadays as a Harbinger, but he hasn't forgotten how to make some good food.]

---

[Two days later, Childe's texted the location of a spot he's found in Dayrise. It's a nice, small little park that's surrounded by all sorts of shops and other services, along with other buildings showcase the very architecture that Tartaglia wanted Kaveh to see. Off in the distance looms the Grand Coliseum, a fast favorite spot of the Harbinger, setting for a nice view of the district that he's come to enjoy in the little time he's been here.

He's even thought to bring a blanket along with plates and utensils he bought while he was grocery shopping, along with a large bag that he's got the food he brought with in. Childe gives Kaveh a friendly wave to the man he's supposed to meet up with today, assuming it was him since no one else seems to be looking for someone other than the blonde man.]

Hey! Kaveh, I presume? It's a pleasure to finally meet you.

[noarchitact]

[ kaveh had spent the last couple of hours preparing a number of sumeru dishes, including his own specialty, but he promised to introduce childe to sumerian flavors and that's just what he intended to do. he brings an umbrella with them, to keep the sun from beating down to hard on them, and as he approaches he throws childe a wave. not too many red heads around, so he's easy to pick out. ]

Kaveh, yes, and you're Tartaglia, if I'm not mistaken. It's nice to finally meet you too. [ he sets the basket he's got slung over his arm down onto the corner of the blanket. ] I hope you're ready for a meal you're not going to soon forget. [ is this some kind of a contest, yes, maybe. he likes showing off, he can't help it. ]

i was so disappointed that half the recipes i had bookmarked went down over time :(

[monoceroscaeli]

Oh, I've been looking forward to it. C'mon, let's sit down and dig in. I've made sure I left plenty of room for everything you've brought and more.

[The Harbinger sits down on the blanket, putting his own bag down and opening it. He takes out the dishes, all carefully packed away in various pans and bowls that he brings out one by one. Two bowls are brought out as well, because Childe didn't come here to lose their unofficial contest, placing one in front of Kaveh.]

Alright. Since we're here for a nice lunch, allow me to show you what I've brought first. This is called pirozhki, they're little meat pies that have beef and mushroom in them. I've also prepared a little Snezhnayan salad for you. We call it olivier salad, and to accompany that to try I've made some traditional borscht from my hometown. As the main dish, I've made a simple chicken kiev for you to sample as well. The taste is going to be far different than what you're used to- but I think you'll find it delectable all the same.

[He smiles, excited to see what Kaveh's brought for him today, confident that the other man will like what he's made.]

It's been a while since I've had to cook so much, but it was fun and I rather enjoyed it. Let me know what you think.

it's alright, lol, and this entire thing has made me hungry.

[noarchitact]

[ kaveh can do nothing but stare as dish after dish after dish childe makes a spread of food on the blanket for them. he listens intently, nodding along with each of the explanations. it all sounds so good. ] I don't doubt that it's going to be different, but that's half the fun of trying new things, no? I'm not interested in the same old flavors.

Perhaps we can make this a thing then.

[ kaveh also has some plates to set out and then he unzips his own bag to being with his spread. ] First up we have the appetizer, Pani Puri. It's a crispy puri stuff with masala, or a potato, onion, chickpeas, & coriander chutney. Next is a Roasted Tandoori Chicken. It's all about the marinade with this particular dish, one made of yogurt and dozens of spices. This, here, is my personal specialty. [ and it's just as extra as he is. ] Crispy golden scones sitting in a beautifully made yogurt sauce. [ i don't know wtf his dish is based off just yet, but i had to include it! ] And finally baklava, which is nuts and honey in crispy phyllo dough.

i want to make all of these recipes guahgshgaljf

[monoceroscaeli]

[Everything that Kaveh brings out looks great, smells great, and he can already feel his mouth start to water. He's tempted to reach out and just take one of the pani puri balls, but it would be better to wait until they're both ready to eat before just digging in. He very obviously stares at Kaveh's signature dish, noting how that seems to look familiar for some reason...]

That chicken dish smells heavenly. You've really gone to great lengths to impress today, haven't you?

[As if it weren't already obvious, but Childe appreciates it all the same.]

I hadn't even considered you'd create a building out of food. Why does this look familiar to me?

[He points to the small model of the Palace of Alcazarzaray. He can't quite place it...]

i need to get something real good tonight to make up for all the salivating i've done, lol

[noarchitact]

[ kaveh makes a motion over the spread that childe prepared. ] I'm not the only one. Are you trying to get on my good side, Tartaglia? [ it's merely a joke, one that he laughs off as he starts taking samples of all of the dishes the harbinger prepared. ]

No? Food, like most things, is an art. What people manage to do with the flavors shouldn't be where it stops. You can- ah, a keen eye. [ he points his fork at it. ] It's made to resemble the Palace of Alcazarzaray! my greatest achievement!!

[monoceroscaeli]

[He'll help himself to those dishes Kaveh's made! He grabs a plate and starts to dig in, he's hungry after all and he made sure to come ready to eat. The pani puri is tried first, popping one into his mouth to savor the taste, followed immediately by tasting the tandoori chicken.]

Ah, this is splendid! Getting to taste this delicious food makes me regret not visiting Sumeru myself. Guess I really missed out on a lot of great food, and seeing the palace...oh, yes.

[He looks at Kaveh's dish again...yes, that is the Palace of Alcazarzaray, isn't it? He pulls out another bowl out of his bag, filled only with sour cream to set between the two of them for their Snezhnayan dishes before nodding to Kaveh.]

That indeed is the headquarters of Lord Sangemah Bay herself, isn't it? I'll admit, I've never been there myself, I've only seen photos of it. I thought it looked familiar...you're the architect that built that?

[noarchitact]

Sumeru isn't going anywhere. [ kaveh moves a couple of pirozhki onto his plate, his eyes dipping temporarily to the sour cream as it placed in between them. ] If you have the time you could probably stop by... however, if your status as a Harbinger comes to light, then you may not find yourself so readily welcomed. [ he's not throwing shade in childe's direction, but merely stating a fact, since the sages and il dottore did quite a number on the backbone of the nation. ] But that just means we could go on a shopping spree and get you some new clothes while you're staying! [ look, it's okay, there are OPTIONS. ]

[ kaveh nods, ] Yes, that's her. [ kaveh snaps his fingers and mehrak appears beside him, a floating briefcase with the happiest little face on it. ] Mehrak, show Tartaglia the Palace. I know this isn't necessarily the same, but... [ a fantastic little light show appears over the food, the structure of the palace appearing along with all the flora decorating the outside. ] I certainly am. [ he puffs out his chest and grins, proud. ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[That is the downside to Fatui activity- being barred from nations just because you summoned an ancient god lure out an archon or something of the like...but that's alright. He has ways of sneaking in undetected anyway, and that sounds like fun to be able to see Sumeru anyhow. Maybe taking some leave is in order...]

I'm not one for the finer details of architecture, but needless to say, I'm impressed. I suppose I'll have to commission you if I ever want a nice home built, won't I?

[He studies the plans laid out over their lunch, as well as taking note how:

1. cool Mehrak is,
2. how cute Mehrak is,
3. can he get one for his siblings, but a toy version? Maybe even a fully functional version just like this?]

But anyway, that wouldn't be for the far future as it is. I personally would enjoy being shown around Sumeru, and if we need to go shopping, well. I certainly wouldn't mind. I like shopping, it gives me an opportunity to find little knickknacks and other things to send home to my siblings.

[noarchitact]

[ and kaveh is willing to help him disguise himself, so there's that. kaveh smiles at the compliments, preening just a little. ] If you'd like to. I haven't ever built something to flaunt Shezhnayan architecture, but it would certainly be interested to start looking into it. [ he assumes that childe would want something built in his homeland, but he could, of course, be wrong. ] Haha, of course. If you're ever in the area, you can certainly come find me.

[ as soon as mehrak finishes showing off the palace the display ends and he floats around to kaveh's other side, making another cute face as the two seem to be having a good time. ] Have you been shopping here? I'm sure there's all sorts of things to be found. I didn't get a chance to see too much, but... perhaps after we eat? [ don't mind him looking just as excited as a child might at the prospect of spending. ]