prismatica | Video - Something borrowed

Entry tags:

Video - Something borrowed

[The feed starts in the rather nondescript living room of one of the apartments new arrivals get directed to when they first make it here. Home decor hasn't yet been a priority since Moran has arrived, and even if it were, he would leave it entirely to his more savvy housemate.

Addressing a video feed is a bit weird, because he is just talking at a machine, but his face is nothing but pleasantly inquisitive. He knows how to hide discomfort.]

Greetings.

I am looking for someone who could possibly point me in the right direction. I wish to have a fan custom made.

It needs to look like this.

[He grabs a fan on the nearby table and opens it, and though trial and error for a few seconds, manages to angle it so the motif is visible.

The fan is dark green silk, with a delicate drawing of a lotus flower and clouds in white on it. After a few seconds, he turns it around to show that the reverse has exactly the same color, except the décoration there is Chinese characters, also written in white. A few more seconds and he closes it and puts it away.]

I need it to be exactly identical, except for the colors which need to be reversed. I would be very grateful if anyone knows of a maker who could accomplish this.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Then I would be very grateful for your assistance. What would you require as payment for such a thing?

[He'd used voice because it was a convenient way to speak without having to be face to face with others. But if the other party insists on otherwise then...

Well, actually, with anyone else he may still have just continued on as is, but since they know each other...

After a long moment of consideration he switches over to video too.]

Pleasure sounds like an exaggeration.

[Certainly, he'd count himself lucky if the people he talks to aren't just waiting for him to leave so they can relax again.]

With so many here, surely there has to be someone who paints.

Edited 2019-11-03 19:58 (UTC)

... Why would it not be?

[Listen, could you please just take him at his word that's he's happy to talk to you?]

I have actually found someone who offered to embroider the motif, but she can only supply the fabric. Would it be possible for you to make the frame if I show the original to you?

...generally, when I walk into the room all conversation dies until I leave.

[He's had a decade of experiences like that. So it's hard for him to take that at face value.]

It shouldn't be a problem. I'm used to this sort of handiwork back where I'm from.

[Though usually he was working on a warfan. But he wouldn't have offered if he didn't think it was within his capabilities.]

Of course.

[ He comes closer, reaching out to place his hand in Moran's without hesitating. ]

I am speaking to you, am I not?

This would be a great help. And since we have only met over this device for now, where shall we meet in person?

I told you I would get you a new one, didn't I?

[And right now, he think it's very important for him to hold his promises, especially to you.]

I don't that this is going to help much.... but you just don't look right without it.

You did - and I never doubted that. It's the part that it would be the same that...

[ His mouth twists a bit, but it's not pained. Just. Too many words trying to come out. ]

I was going to get us a new matching pair as soon as I found or could make something appropriately made. But this is - good. Even better.

[Hmm. She probably should, shouldn't she? Truth be told she can't really think of anything that she'd need. She's decent on Chroma and nothing else really comes to mind. Yet giving her work away for free makes her feel like she doesn't take pride in it.]

Knowledge. I am new to this world and only know the very basics of its currency and how it is transferred between other Moonblessed and the Prismals. Anything you could impart to me on how that functions would be sufficient.

[Well...yes. And yet...it was hard to believe all the same.

But he's promised not to imply he was a liar so he doesn't really respond except to nod.]

That's fine by me. Did you have a meeting place in mind?

Ah. Well...

[The answer is both very satisfying to him - finally someone who gets him - and a bit of a problem.]

I myself have only been here for one week. I can certainly impart what I have understood of how it works, but all of it is my own conjecture and what I have read.

Ah... I have been spending most of my time at the Lunar Scientia headquarters. I believe they have a space where they offer drinks?

I know the place.

[He's dividing his time between the Academy, preparing to join the Knights as well as taking advantage of every avenue available to him to gain more information so he's been familiarizing himself with places such as that.]

I can meet you there.

Is now alright? I apologize if it is a bit of a rush, but it is important for me to have it done as quickly as possible.

[Oh, and another thing...]

We can discuss payment then as well, although I will not stop at any expense to have it done. You can name your price.

[This is a Very Important Fan.]

Now is fine.

[He the sort of person who prefers to strike while the iron is hot anyway.]

There's nothing I need.

[Which is to say, his price is nothing.]

Excellent. In that case I shall be there in about ten minutes.

... And are you certain you do not wish for anything at all in exchange? As I said, you can name your price, no matter how big or small.

[It doesn't seem fair not to offer something in exchange, and Moran prefers people owing him favors than the other way around... and to him, this is a very, very big favor.]

[Error: Irreparable invalid markup ('<:small>') in entry. Owner must fix manually. Raw contents below.]

Excellent. In that case I shall be there in about ten minutes.

... And are you certain you do not wish for anything at all in exchange? As I said, you can name your price, no matter how big or small.

<small>[It doesn't seem fair not to offer something in exchange, and Moran prefers people owing him favors than the other way around... and to him, this is a very, very big favor.]<:small>

[He nods.

He...really didn't want anything? But as someone who has a reputation for refusing gifts and has a tendency to ask for receipts when anyone buys things for him, he Gets It.]

There really isn't anything I need. But if you're amenable you can pay for my drink.

[That must mean that he (they? She's not entirely sure how to tell with humans and is simply going off his voice) must have arrived at the same time she did. Hopefully he hadn't seen the trouble she had caused.]

That would still be welcome. More information is always better.

[Well, Moran was already planning to do that because since he invited the man out, it's only polite, but he will take him at his word that it is sufficient payment... and at least he has a record that this is what was said in case it comes back to bite him later.]

Very well. I shall be expecting you there, then.

[And he will go and commandeer the best booth in the Lunar Scientia cafe and wait for his guest.]

Excellent. Well then, I would need to show you the original so you can work from it. When would be a good time to meet?

[There are people who believe in being fashionably late. Chu Wanning was not one of those people so he's there on time, possibly even a minute or two early.

He spots the person he's looking for and goes to sit down.]

Lord Chen.

[That's all the greeting you're getting. Sorry he's not one for small talk or long greetings.]

Chu Wanning.

[Believe it or not, Moran can appreciate that. He is royalty, yes, but mostly, his time is precious and he dislikes empty flattery anyway.]

Have a seat, please and order what you would like.

[His own fan, the green one he showed to the camera, is ont he table. Next to it is another one who has obviously seen better days, and as Moran mentioned the colors of it are reversed, the background white and the indentical motifs dark green on it.]

I shall be free in about an hour. Any time after that would be amenable to me. Where shall we meet?

I can usually be found at the Lunar Scientia library in their headquarters. I believe there is an establishment that serves drinks on the ground floor, if it pleases. We could meet there.

Very well then. I shall see you soon.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 2 of 4

Video - Something borrowed

video

[ video ] but only reluctantly

[ video ]

[ video ]

Action

[ video ]

Action

no subject

video

[ video ]

video

[ video ]

[ video ]

[ video ]

[ video ]

[ video ]

Re: [ video ]

video

[ video > action]

video

no subject

no subject

video

video

video