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[menphina]

[ When the video comes on, a very cheerful looking literal cat-lady will be on screen, holding up a miniature bamboo tree with colourful papers on the branches! ]

This must be the date! Hoy there, everyone! Name's Megumi, Matriarch of the Utakata Tribe! I'm a healer and huntress from the star of Hydaelyn, and it's time for a story!

[ Isn't this fun? Pay attention! She sits up with her ears wiggling enthusiastically. ]

I've heard it differently back in Yanxia on my world, but it seems like there are some people here who have a more romantic version of it! Eorzean Moonfire's just violent when you think about it but at least we wear cute outfits... Anyroad! This one's about a Star Festival!

[ She perks up. ]

The general story I've heard is that there's a Princess, and a Cowherd! The Princess' job is to weave beautiful fabric for her father, the Sky King, but is sad because she never gets to meet anyone because of her work. Her father arranges for her to meet a handsome Cowherd who lives across the river, and they eventually fall in love and marry! But because they're so distracted, they're not performing any of their regular duties, so the Sky King separates them across a river they can't cross. The lovers are in despair! Finally, the Sky King relents, allowing them to meet on the seventh day of the seventh moon, er... month at the river.

But when they reach the river, there's no bridge to cross! How in the hells did the Sky King get the Cowherd there in the first place?! Suppose the bridge plot's there for drama, but, anyroad!

[ She hates plot holes!! But, she puffs her cheeks and continues- ]

The Princess cries so much, that a flock of birds offer to create a bridge so she can visit her husband. And so it's said that when you see a bridge of stars in the heavens on a clear night, on the seventh day of the seventh month, that's the Princess and Cowherd meeting across the star bridge! I don't know how the birds made a star bridge, but they must be bloody amazing birds- But if it rains, they have to wait a year to meet again! That's so depressing!

[ Then, she claps her hands. ]

Anyroad, back home, to commemorate the day, we'd write wishes on these colourful paper strips which you should absolutely make, too! They'd be shaped in different little shapes too, and hung on bamboo branches. So, you should all make a wish too! I think you can go "anonymous" on here, so how about using this little post to make wishes?! Consider it your personal bamboo tree! Here's a little guide, but really, you can wish for anything however you want.

【 tanabata attachment 】

And if you want to make any wishes in person, I've got bamboo trees outside my clinic [ location provided ] and lots of tanzaku! Come by and make a wish!

What sorts of traditions do you have in summer? Tell me about them too! [ She sighs deeply- ] I need something new to write about, so inspire me! Oh, and if you get sick or feel sad, come to my clinic! We'll help!

✨ Matriarch, out!

[ ooc; feel free to threadjack with permission and make anon wishes or just chat! Or un-anon. Have fun! ]

Comments

[menphina]

Don't rush it if you don't have to.

[ She suddenly sounds serious, her ears lowering along the sides of her head but then she smiles, a little quietly. ]

I know it's exciting to want a boyfriend, but take your time knowing someone first, aye? Not that a little making out isn't fun every now and then, but that's not going to make a relationship strong, aye?

[ But then she smiles. ]

Sounds like you put a lot of feelings into whatever you bake, then. That's like me with my gardening and writing! Making medicine is relaxing too. Say, do you like reading stories?

[ragingnature]

I guess.

[ She sighs and tries not to look like she's pouting but it's something she wants. She's twenty years old and has never had a relationship, it's frustrating! Especially since it was never really her choice. ]

I know a little bit about making medicines but not a whole lot. It seems like something that would be useful to know. [ Less so for her own use, of course. ]

Of course! [ Smiling. ] Reading is as important as breathing to me.

[menphina]

[ Oh no, cute. She can't help but be endeared. ]

Not saying not to do it if you've someone you trust and feel safe around! That's how I ended up married in my nineteenth summer. Even if we drifted, we're still friends now and he's the father of my children! Never settle for anyone, though! Your happiness is important!

[ She's never been one to deny any lady her own desires. ]

I write stories about adventure and romance here! Maybe you could see if you like them. I'm looking for more people to read my works before I publish again!

[ragingnature]

After a life of rarely being able to make my own choices I would never settle for anyone but the person I want most.

[ Aaaand that's Hades. But things are complicated. ]

[ She perks up quite a bit when Megumi says what kind of stories she writes. ] Romance stories are some of my favourites!

[menphina]

[ Not make her own choices? Her ears stand alert. ]

... Hold. Why couldn't you make your own choices? Were you held anywhere?

[ Sorry, Persephone. She's experienced imprisonment before and she's just protective when it comes to people who can be taken advantage of in general. ]

[ragingnature]

My mother is very protective. She almost didn't let me move to Olympus so I could attend school.

[ She shifts a little, lips twisting in a frown as she glances away. Maybe her mother was right to worry so much, to insist that she commute. But she just wanted any bit of freedom she could get. ]

So no, I wasn't exactly held somewhere but I certainly never had any freedom and rarely a moment to myself.

[menphina]

You sound more and more like the princess. Her fathers were very protective of her but she insisted on leaving so she could learn all the dances she could. My brother looks after her.

[ Her gaze grows firm- ]

Can't say I agree with anyone being restricted, but I've always been with a tribe. We're free to do as we want so long as we look out for one another. Those other Gods from your world- you trust them?

[ragingnature]

I think the only reason my mother let me leave was because I would be staying with another member of a group she wants me to join.

[ She shifts and glances away again.

She smiles when she turns her gaze back to the camera. It's that fond kind of smile that suggests she has some strong feelings for the two. ]

The two that are here? Yeah, I do.

[menphina]

What kind of a group is that? Is it one you want to be in at all?

[ Her mother never enforced anything aside from grooming her to be the next matriarch- a duty she wanted to undertake herself. Though at least, it seems Persephone is around good people. ]

That's good. Having familiar faces around will help you a lot more when you're trying to be in a new place.

I know we've just met, but ever you need an unbiased ear, I've got two adorable ones.

[ She gestures with a playful little ear wiggle. ]

[ragingnature]

[ She sucks in a breath and holds it in, puffing out her cheeks as she slinks down in her seat before letting out the breath. ]

The Goddess of Eternal Maidenhood. A good community and a noble pursuit but... [ Her mouth twists into a frown. ] I don't think that's what I want.

I've been here for a little over half a year if anything I'm the one helping them.

[ The ear wiggle draws a chuckle from her. It's cute. ]

And if you ever want something baked I can do that for you.

[menphina]

I need to step up my work! A cute goddess like you around and I haven't seen you about for a year? Shame on me!

[ A gentle tease, but her eyebrow lifts at that. ]

Eternal Maidenhood? The hells? Unless you were born from an egg, I don't think your mother's in any position to claim that. For you or herself.

[ This might be a subject she's intense about. ]

[ragingnature]

To be fair I've been pretty reclusive until a few months ago.

I might have been? [ She shrugs. Given she has no father there's no telling how her mother came to have her. If it weren't for the fact their abilities are so similar she would wonder if maybe she was adopted. ]

I-it's complicated. I've been groomed for it since I was fourteen and Hestia has put so much time and effort into preparing me for becoming a member. [ As she speaks her hand moves to her hair, playing with the ends of it. ] She... she even awarded me the scholarship so I could attend university. I don't want to let anyone down, you know? And I'd feel guilty to just take the money so I have to find some way to repay it...

And... [ She shrugs helplessly. Technically she doesn't even fall into the criteria for an eternal maiden. ]

B-but it's not really my choice, is it? Everyone's been telling me its what I want but it's not really. I want... I want to figure out what I want for myself.

[menphina]

Right, goddess things. Think there's a story about the princess being born from a flower, but it's a story — she's not a goddess. People just tell that story because she's a looker.

[ Yeah who knows. That still doesn't make it right and her tone grows more firm once Persephone is done talking. ]

The Hells? If you don't want it, you don't want it! No means no. You've just got to put your foot down. You didn't choose to be born, and being born doesn't mean you exist just to satisfy this Hestia or whoever the hells wants you somewhere you don't want to be!

[ She's big on freedom. But she does soften a bit— ]

Isn't my right to dictate it, especially here where it doesn't matter. You're free here, aye? Still frizzles my tail to think anyone thinks it right to control anyone else! Goddess or not! I follow Menphina's ways because I want to. What do you want for yourself, lass?

[ragingnature]

[ She shrinks down a little as Megumi seems to get so riled up by Persephone's situation back home. She hasn't had anyone get angry on her behalf about it.

She chooses to focus on the questions. She's right, she's free here. She can do whatever she wants because none of it matters back home (and she has been since she realized that). But what does she want for herself?

She can think of one thing, or rather one person. She bites her bottom lip and puls the ends of her hair over the lower half of her face as blue flowers bloom in her hair. She knows they're there, they always pop up when she thinks of Hades. But she's not about to voice the fact that she wants him because its so complicated back home and what if he happens to stumble across this? What if she embarrasses him? ]

I want to be my own person. [ That's a safe enough answer and it's true. ] I'm not sure what that means yet but I guess I have time to figure that out.

1/2

[menphina]

[ Woah— the flowers just appeared out of nowhere! That's not a filter either, is it? She stares in surprise, lifting a hand to the side of her own head, before sighing loudly and sinking. ]

Don't we all. Anyroad, that's a start, but a little vague, don't you think? Suppose you've time to work on it like you said. Try and focus on something you really want to aim for. Even if it's something simple like eating every type of cake or learning how to play music! Hells, you said you wanted a boyfriend, didn't you? Then look for one that will not only be a friend, but who will care for and respect you! Even if it's in a place like this!

2/2

[menphina]

[ Though... ]

Sorry. It just makes me furious when people try to hold others down. Eternal Maidenhood? [ It almost sounds like she's cursing it when she says it in that tone. ] That's a choice you should decide on your own, no one else. It's your body. No one has any right to it but you.

Those flowers are pretty, by the way. Do they grow like that because of your feelings?

[ Magic works the same way in her world so she's just assuming her goddess of the spring power has something to do with it. ]

[ragingnature]

[ Her cheeks darken as she rolls her eyes upward as if trying to see the flowers. Frowning. ] Y-yeah. It's kind of embarrassing really.

[ It's your body. No one has any right to it but you. She goes quiet as those words echo in her mind for a bit, reminding her of what Eros told her back home. The flowers in her hair wilt, blue petals raining down around her before she manages to squash down the negative feelings enough to focus on the rest of what Megumi said. ]

I think right now I'm just trying to figure out what I like with other people. [ And there she goes blushing again because she does not mean that in any innocent way. ]

[menphina]

I don't think it is. It's cute. Just what I'd expect from a Goddess of the Spring—

[ She has enough sense to understand what wilting means. Her own ears are traitorous that way, too, so she smiles apologetically. ]

Sorry if I said something that brought up bad thoughts, lass. This is definitely worse for you, aye? But exploring is a start! If you need help, I can always give it. I help my girls back home with their questions too!

[ Her ears flick up as well. ]

Wouldn't mind seeing how much blooming you can do, but I don't mind just talking about it either. Think your imagination could do a better job too, if practicing with a woman isn't to your interest!

[ And she winks, slightly flirting, but she's always respectful about it. ]

[ragingnature]

D-don't worry about it. [ She smiles and waves a hand in the air as if to wave the enter thing away.

It takes a moment to realize what Megumi is getting at before her cheeks glow hot pink. ]

O-oh, um! I... I actually don't kn-know if I do? I've always found it really easy to be close with other women but that probably comes from the fact that I always had flower nymphs for company and they're very physical.

[menphina]

Huh, that so? I've grown up and led mostly women too. Not that I judge what anyone identifies as—

Have you ever been with your flower nymphs intimately, then? My tribesmaidens and I used to spend some heats together. We learnt a lot! Helped us with our mates later on, too.

[ She's blunt because she doesn't see intimacy as anything to be ashamed about. ]

[ragingnature]

No. Shortly before I arrived here I'd never had feelings for someone or really thought about being intimate with anyone. [ The last bit isn't exactly true but she got really good at repressing those feelings. ]

Plus the nymphs were like family. Sure we would bathe and sleep together but that was about it. [ Sometimes she misses sleeping in cuddle piles. ]

[menphina]

Hmm, hmm, that happens too when you're closer to them... but surely you have moonlacing partners now, right?

[ She always slept in cuddle piles until she got older- she can at least commiserate if she ever finds out! ]

[ragingnature]

[ She shrugs. ] Depends on how you define partners.

[ Because to her, a partner means someone you can regularly turn to for moonlacing. ]

[menphina]

People you have sex with. Or at least kiss. Or in other scenarios, just cuddle a lot and hold hands with. I've had all sorts.

[ There's teasing there, but she smiles earnestly after. ]

Suppose it's not any of my business who you're doing any of that with, but surely you've done some of that if you've been here a year?

[ragingnature]

[ Her cheeks instantly being to glow hot pink while white flowers bloom in her hair. ]

I...I, um! [ She fidgets with the device for a moment in an attempt to swap it to private, unfortunately, she's so flustered she fails. When she starts speaking she speaks quickly, almost rambling. ]

I-if you mean reg-regularly no. N-not really. I have a few people I can go to if I really need to Moonlace but it's all platonic. [ Which only helped her so much when she burns through Chroma so easily due to the lack of control she has over her powers. And she always feels like she's being a bother given almost all of them have romantic partners so it's not like they're hurting for Chroma like she often is. ]

Since Eros arrived we have a kind of nightly routine of snuggling up on the couch for a bit before bed. A-and sometimes I sneak into his bed because I don't like sleeping alone. B-but it's all pretty innocent! [ Except for those few times it hasn't been.

She finally pauses so she can breath. ]

But he's only been here for a few weeks now. [ She's been struggling for months before his arrival. ]

K-k-kissing and s-sex though... [ She brings her hands up to grab her hair, which has grown longer over the course of her rambling and begins twisting it around. Is it possible for her to blush more than she already is? She certainly feels like her entire face is on fire. ] I've done that a little and i-it's nice and the extra Chroma makes me feel better...