(no subject)

[yinyangwizard]

The elves, Seimei has decided, have become something of a problem.

He has observed that destroying them only makes the problem worse, so he is trying a different approach.

That's why he's setting up a small Shinto shrine in a booth. The housing of the shrine looks like one of those dioramas you put a miniature Nativity scene in. It's adorned with miniature Christmas decorations, including tinsel, lights, and even a doll-sized tree with ornaments and little presents underneath.

(This whole thing makes him feel ridiculous and even a little physically sick, but he feels obligated to do what he can, and this is all he can think of at the moment.)

Seimei rather solemnly offers a gingerbread cookie and some eggnog at the shrine. He steps back, bows twice, claps twice, and then bows again.

This has no immediate effect that he can discern. Perhaps he should try a different offering.

(no subject)

[the_cupbearer]

At a table in Milliways there is a young man with a single pomegranate, a small bowl of pistachio nuts, and a knife; he's skilled at skiving the calyx end off, digging the end of his birds-beak knife into the pale pith and scoring lines down each of the ridged sections. When he pops it open a few of the arils burst in his hands, staining his fingers with the juice. Out of boredom the thinnest slice of skin from the fruit is getting shaved off in a long peel, suitable for rolling up into a red rose.

As he eats, he lights a thin cigarette and practices blowing little smoke-rings with it as he rolls a few of the pale green nut kernels between his fingers. They make a reasonable small meal together, and the smoke is fragrant and calming. The nights are growing longer, the days ever shorter; they're almost at the solstice now.