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[wife_material]

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text, un: mouthfuloflies

[doctor_uhh]

[During this exercise...]

Eh, Lao Di. Have I become so boring you're looking for challenges elsewhere? I could probably manage a game of Qi if you bring the board.

[wife_material]

Good idea. I could probably borrow it if I win.

Though if you want to play, why not make the pieces yourself? More your speed than the cups. Good practice.

[doctor_uhh]

If? Are you that uncertain of your chances?

Hey, if you don't like my cups you don't have to drink from them. The fruits of my labor I share with friends and hear nothing but complaints. Are you trying to crush my spirit? Maybe Di-Mengzhu should make the pieces and we'll see if he can do a better job!

[wife_material]

That's the point. What do you think my chances are? And who's your money on?

Nice try. The best job is the one that's finished, so you do it.

[doctor_uhh]

Who said anything about money? Lao Di, if I bet money every time you find yourself a competition, won't I be a poorer man than I already am? I think her chances are better if you rely on your first victory to earn you a second.

What, because you'll leave the job unfinished once it's started? That doesn't sound like you.

[wife_material]

Not if you bet properly. Though now I'm insulted and not taking any bets. You think winning a word game is enough to make me complacent?

No, because I'm not starting it. It's your hobby, so you can have the opportunity to improve.

[doctor_uhh]

Hah, you should really grow a thicker skin in your old age. At this rate, just anyone will be able to get under it. I think losing one will make her fiercer, is all.

And what about your hobbies? Have you got any yet? I'm telling you, what if you're a natural at this and you'd never know if you don't try? Wouldn't that be a shame, eh?

[wife_material]

Just anyone??? Fiercer at Qi? Should I be afraid?

I shouldn't risk crushing your spirit with usable cups. Maybe a different hobby will present itself.

[doctor_uhh]

Scary thought, isn't it. Isn't it so strange, somehow I thought a master of wuxing would know it's never just a match of Qi. How about this, you tell me if you should be afraid when you come back from your social engagement, eh?

Well they won't present themselves if you keep sneering at them. But fine, fine! Don't listen to what an old friend has to tell you. My vastly superior experience with hobbies will just continue to be of use to me and me alone.

[wife_material]

Isn't it just as strange that I'm not any such thing. So I'll be lucky to make it back at all, from one Qi match next door with a weird scholar. Is jumping at shadows one of your newer hobbies?

And I'm not sneering, I just don't like the mud. What else can your vastly superior experience suggest?

[doctor_uhh]

[You know what, she can have him.]

Alright well have fun and good luck, don't forget to bring back the board if you win. And the pieces.

My experience suggests trying everything until you find something that suits. But we can discount things that may stain fine clothes, eh? Oh, how about music? Lao Di, have you ever tried to play an instrument?

[wife_material]

[Unfortunately, she may now prefer to collect the set.]

I wouldn't dare.

And ruin everyone's peace? My own most of all. How about something quiet?

[doctor_uhh]

A phoenix, though? Have you ever heard such a maltreated metaphor before? Be honest.

Well I'm not suggesting you warble a little tune to the autumn wind on a flute. There's quiet instruments, you know. Don't you think a qin could suit you? The immortals are always playing those things by waterfalls.

[wife_material]

Being honest, I think I've never heard so much nonsense at once, but isn't that called two tigers sharing a mountain? You would know best.

Then I'd need to find a waterfall, for best results.

[doctor_uhh]

And if Di-Mengzhu adds the calf we'll have us a real menagerie. You're right, I don't think you know anything about this. That must be why you're not helping.

Then it's a deal. You find a waterfall, I'll find a qin. Hah, I'd tell you not to worry about the rest, but I know you won't.

[wife_material]

Now who's maltreating a metaphor. And what am I leading these days that you can call me any of these things? You don't seem to need any help.

Know I won't worry, or won't take this deal?

[doctor_uhh]

Oh I see how it is. Fine, I'll light a signal flare next time I'm being harassed on the little device, since Di-Mengzhu needs a special invitation.

You've already taken this deal. I'm all for trying new things, but playing coy doesn't suit you.

[wife_material]

My fault, for thinking a little harassment would be nothing to you. It does seem to be a rite of passage.

Then I hope playing the qin does. I don't want to know what the next choice would be.

1/2

[doctor_uhh]

I'm glad Di-Mengzhu recognizes his fault and will know better in the future. Am I not made of flesh and bone? Do words not prick my heart and pride? You shouldn't be so thoughtless with these things.

Wise words, wise words. After all, I'm full of good ideas and have nothing but time.

[Now who is being thoughtless? Talking to Di Feisheng is still dangerous, it seems, even these days. Especially these days.]

2/2

[doctor_uhh]

Anyway, come try this cake. I think it's quite good. If it's missing something I want to know before Xiaobao get back and starts his complaining.

[labyrinmods]

[ One morning, as your character steps out of their home, they are greeted by an owl messenger, bearing a letter. The letter tells them that they have been selected to participate in a gift exchange, and they are to deliver a gift to Hunter by the end of the month. The letter says nothing more, and once the letter is read, the owl will fly away. ]

[notsonewbie]

Hello Di Feisheng! This is Meryl Stryfe. I’m working on putting together a survey for both new and old arrivals, and I was hoping you might be able to give me a few answers! It’s mostly to figure out where everyone’s interests lie, and to see if we have any commonalities between each other! I’ve included a form down below to fill out. Just respond to this message and I’ll get to work on tabulating the results.

Thank you!

[As promised, there is indeed a form that can be filled out! Looks pretty straightforward! It's definitely for what Meryl describes, and not for anything else!]

<br><b>Name</b>: <br><b>Age (Approximate)</b>: <br><b>Arrival date (Month is fine!)</b> <br><b>Favorite Food:</b> <br><b>Favorite Dessert:</b> <br><b>Favorite Drink:</b> <br><b>Favorite Color: </b> <br><b>What have you missed most about home?:</b> <br><b>What items would make you feel more at home?:</b> <br><b>Is there anything you <i>need</i> to survive that you’re missing?:</b> <br><b>What do you want most out of this world?:</b>

[wife_material]

Good luck.


Name: Di Feisheng

Age (Approximate): 32

Arrival date (Month is fine!) November

Favorite Food: sweet glutinous rice cakes

Favorite Dessert: chocolate covered strawberries

Favorite Drink: gingerbread oatmilk chai

Favorite Color: Actually I'm slightly colorblind, no need to worry.

What have you missed most about home?: Back home, I am in charge of a large organization that requires keeping up with a lot of people and their affairs, allocating budgets and work forces, training new recruits and strategizing our next moves. There's also a lot of diplomacy, let me tell you. I miss the opportunity to apply my organizational and fine detail oriented skills here!

What items would make you feel more at home?: To tell you the truth, I'm a bit afraid of sleeping in perfect silence. So any item that emits noise at random intervals would be appreciated. The harder to destroy, the better, as I am a little clumsy with my own strength sometimes.

Is there anything you need to survive that you’re missing?: My cultivation has been stagnating lately, so any little tonics and elixirs for physical advancement might assist me. I don't need to know what's in them, naturally I'm not afraid to test the effects on myself.

What do you want most out of this world?: New friends. My haughty nature, lack of manners and intimidating appearance make it hard for me to seem approachable, and I'm too shy to reach out. But I'm actually quite friendly!

[And also as promised, here is the completed survey, painstakingly filled out definitely by Di Feisheng and not anybody else. No need to worry, it is one hundred percent accurate.]

[notsonewbie]

[Concerning! But it's probably fine!]

I appreciate your compliance! I really think this will help me make sure everyone is adjusting to this new place. Thank you so much!

text; un: epiphyte

[fragmentaryblue]

[Following (an embarrassingly short time) after this exchange concludes.]

I leant upon a coppice gate
When Frost was spectre-gray,
And Winter’s dregs made desolate
The weakening eye of day.
The tangled bine-stems scored the sky
Like strings of broken lyres,
And all mankind that haunted nigh
Had sought their household fires.

Which is to say: Hello. It's very cold out. I hope you have likewise taken to seeking your household fire.