Just a spoonful of sugar

[young_oldman]

Who: Sanae Kochiya and Lu Meng
What: Prayer 13
When: April 20th
Where: Around the city
Warnings: None

[Journeys to the near shore are always as exhilarating as they are exhausting. It's easy to be overwhelmed by all the sights and sounds of the modern world, to gape at every new marvel and stare at every feat once deemed impossible to man, but lo and behold! Men can now fly into the sky on metal carts that can lift themselves up into the air and soar seemingly with ease.

So much to see, to observe, to take in and experience. And all so temptingly within reach.

He resolves to someday come to this world on his own time. But for today there's work to be done, and he's keeping his attention focused solely on the latest prayer that's made it's way to his god's ears:

"I can't stop sneezing and I'm not getting nearly enough sleep. If I don't get my allergies under control soon, things are going to start getting bad, ugh."

It had taken only a little explanation on what allergies are. The issue was that the man didn't have enough money to go see a doctor...which was how the two of them ended up pouring over books and websites featuring both traditional and modern medication for a bad case of sinus. Finding a book on traditional Chinese medicine gave him a jolt of familiarity and nostalgia; it's heartening to know that the knowledge from this time has lived on even until today. He doesn't dwell too long on it though lest his thoughts take a less favourable turn; he doesn't want to risk wondering too much about the past. Instead he must dedicate his mind and focus to the time he has now and the task ahead of him.

It's Sanae that discovers a potential cure, though the strange reaction she had when she first spoke up about it made him a little wary.]

I didn't know you were familiar with a healer's art as well, Lady Kochiya. [An innocent enough remark to get this round of interrogation started. He sticks close to her as they cross the road, passing out apologies as unsuspecting passer-bys accidentally bump into him. To his side he can hear and see the metal carriages that run without horses, held at bay by the red light above the pedestrian walk. Seeing them all lined up, rumbling and ready to screech forward at the first flash of green makes him slightly nervous, but he does a good job hiding it, focusing instead on the list of items they were going to need to make this home cure for allergies.]

Nor did I know that ivy comes in more colours than just green. Blue ivy...I wonder how it turned such a strange shade.

Comments

[miraculo]

[ She pauses, and then realizes that she's being rather unfair to him. She shouldn't have an attitude just because she didn't get to research more about these ingredients and making something herself! ] Why are you apologizing? You are right.

[ Being a god, she can do that. But not having fun? That's the difficult part to swallow. Yet ultimately she does know it's good to be cautious, even if she does think she'll be right to perfect the medication on her own without a miracle. ] I can always try to make something on my own later-- what's important is to help this young man first. [ See see he's gotten through to her!! ]

[young_oldman]

Being right and being mindful of people's thoughts and feelings are two separate issues. I could tell that you had your heart set on making medication for that man.

[He helps her pack her notes up.] I'm not sorry for standing my ground against you. It is true that that man is the priority here. But I do understand that you were looking forward to creating that remedy for him.

[miraculo]

[ Ah. Now she understands. ]

In that case... [ She slides her notes and books into a bag, and slings it over her shoulder. ] I'll have to find something else to look forward to, no? [ That's easy enough for someone like Sanae to do, so nothing much is lost. She smiles at him, beginning to walk past him.

Casually, ] Hmm, now that I think of it, we should buy a cute cup to put the medicine in.

[young_oldman]

[Well. That didn't end with another awkward moment between them. He's relieved, letting out a silent sigh. Dealing with Sanae hasn't been all smooth-sailing, and the lines between guide and servant are a little unclear especially when she was proving to be a little immature for her age.

Long strides to catch up with her, he slows his pace once he's at her side.]

What would you have on that cup? Another frog?

1/2

[miraculo]

A frog...? [ Aaah he knows her so well already. It's almost embarrassing, her idea that frogs are cute.

Rather it should be embarrassing, but no. To Sanae, frogs are cute. ] Who said anything about a frog?

[miraculo]

--There would be three frogs on it, of course.

[young_oldman]

Only three? Are you getting tired of them already?

[Behold, the rare teasing Lu Meng has appeared. So rare is this side of the shinki, and so subtle in appearance (the same serious, strict voice, with just the barest of smiles), it can still easily be mistaken for the more common no-fun Lu Meng.]

[miraculo]

[ Alas she hasn't known him long enough to pick up on this subtleness.

She's treating this and him seriously. ] ---You're right about that, too. There should be at least ten!

[young_oldman]

...I was only speaking in jest, my lady. Three frogs are more than enough.

[He's honestly surprised that her temple isn't full of frogs just yet, surrounded by all that water and all.]

1/5

[miraculo]

But three frogs wouldn't be eno--

[miraculo]

[ Wait. ]

[miraculo]

[ Did he just-- ]

[miraculo]

[ OMG HE DID. ]

done

[miraculo]

---You were joking! Ah, I mean "jesting"!

[ WOW is this the first time? Maybe? Well, either way Sanae is ecstatic, and her mood has now been recovered. She beams at him, bouncing closing to him. ] Aaaaah, I couldn't even tell, you have such a straight-man poker face! You could have gone on joking for hours and I wouldn't have even known...!

[young_oldman]

[Personal space PERSONAL SPACE. He immediately leans away from her the moment she bounces closer. That's...quite a reaction to a joke. What's the big deal, it's not like he came up with a cure for allergies or something.]

Yes, it was a small joke about your fascination with frogs. I don't see what the fuss is about.

[miraculo]

[ She laughs. ] But that you-- you joked! That's wonderful-- that means you're having fun, right?

[ Leaning closer. Obnoxiously. ] Riiiiight?

[young_oldman]

[Leaning away. Warily.] Of course. I enjoy the time I spend with you, Lady Kochiya. Every excursion to the Near Shore we've had so far has been educational and pleasant, or at least they have always ended on a positive note, with us learning more about each other and how best to serve the people that worship you.

[miraculo]

[ He says it so calmly. Like he's writing a conclusion to a report. So she reaches a little more-- ] But...! But. You haven't joked every time we have been out, so this means this trip is special.

[ Hands on her hips, leans even closer. More obnoxiously. ] Riiiight?

[young_oldman]

[OK, that's really too close for comfort, and if he leans backwards any further he's probably going to topple over. He firmly grabs her by the shoulders and gently pushes her away.]

There's nothing special about this trip. But I suppose it does means that I have gotten to know you more, my lady. I wouldn't joke around with someone I am not familiar with.

Now, shall we look for that frog cup? That man's allergies must be seen to as soon as possible.

[miraculo]

[ "I wouldn't joke with someone I am not familiar with."

....That is something she can see to be as true for him. And it warms her heart to know that he does consider her to be someone with whom he is familiar, at the very least. ] --Oh, yes! There are some cute shops around here that may carry some. [ Hopefully he's noticed by now that she likes to laugh and giggle and smile. ] And.... I hope to hear more of your jokes. [ She adds softly, glancing at him as she walks. ] Don't be shy if you have any more!

[ She'll lead the way, and lo and behold, there is a convenient glass shop they can browse just a few blocks down. Entering it, she bows towards the shopkeeper before she begins browsing. There are all sorts of trinkets and glass engravings, hand-made too. She begin in the nature-themed section, believing that that area may be her best bet to find some frog-themed glass vials. ]

[young_oldman]

If an occasion presents itself, then I shall keep your words in mind. [Whiiiich translates to once in a rainbow coloured moon. Honestly she made such a big thing out of a little joke.

The old man that minds the shop notices Sanae since she set the little windcharms attached to the door off, but he doesn't even give Lu Meng a second glance when Lu Meng follows behind her. To be polite Lu Meng still bows to the shopkeeper, but it is rather strange to do so to a person that can't see you.

While Sanae peruses the cups, Lu Meng wonders around the store, peering at the colourful display of knick knacks, snacks and drinks, as well as stationaries. He'd just been experimenting with the different pens on sale when he spots a green package tucked away on the lower shelf amidst all the white and blue. Bending down, he pulls it out to discover its an origami set...with instructions on how to fold different animals, including frogs.

By the time Sanae has found her cup and paid, Lu Meng will be outside waiting for her, the origami set in hand.]

Would my lady like to have this? In case you couldn't find a cup sufficiently to your liking, we could fold a paper frog instead.

[miraculo]

[ In the end, Sanae does find a cute glass with a couple of frogs on the exterior, and she unwraps it once she exits the shop to show to Lu Meng. It will do nicely.

That isn't to say she doesn't acknowledge the origami set. ] --Oh. I used to make origami all the time back in middle school! That's how we'd pass notes to each other. [ She giggles, remembering that they made of game of how far their paper frogs could "hop" with a press of the folds from one desk to the next. ] Did you want to learn how to, yourself...?

[young_oldman]

Your offer is kind, but I have no interest in folding paper animals.

[Shot down!!]

Shall we dispense the medicine then?

[miraculo]

[ .......Wait really. No lessons in origami?? He's shot her down, and now she's clearly bleeding because of it. After he had been obliging of the handshake, she was so very excited in teaching him a New Thing, too!

But she respects his refusal after a moment, and she gets to working on the medication. Like all of her miracles, they contain no excess pomp, no lights, no drawing of power. It simply is a shift in what lies before hand: first, an empty vial to contain the medication. Then, it's the wish and hope of the young man that wishes to be cured of his allergies-- or whatever the true cause of his sinus problems is. Sanae herself has an idea of the ingredients she had worked on before hand, and one by one they appear in the vial as if they were meant to be there, but the true factor is the prayer itself. The want to be cured.

In the end, she could have used water. Or rock. Or nothing at all. The miracle works with any of these factors because it behaves by the will of the recipient, granting them exactly for which they wish. What appears in the vial is a viscous, blue-green syrup. She holds it up, letting the light reflect off of the bottle's contents. ] ...This should be it.

[young_oldman]

[His god swings from emotional highs to lows and back again in a heartbeat. He's slowly coming to understand that she puts everything she has into each task and offer she makes; but it also means that when there is an error or a refusal, she takes it very hard.

He's glad she respects his choice, but it doesn't sit well with him as she works in silence. Normally she'd be chattering all about the different ingredients and the science behind everything, but her disappointment bears down on him like divine judgement. It bothers him like a never-ending itch; he could simply give her time to get over it. They'll find something cute along the way home, her eyes will light up and it'll be like this never happened.

But it's not right, he thinks. They do need to draw a line, of course, of how much she can push on him, but right now it doesn't costs him much to learn how to fold a paper frog. And it ties back to something else that he's been thinking about as well. Might as well bring up the suggestion to her now.

He's made up his mind when her voice draws his attention to the cure in her hand. He nods at her.]

Let's get it to that man then. But before we do so...I have been thinking. Some gods are associated with certain symbols that take on the form of multiple objects or living beings. Any sightings of those symbols around miraculous acts often point to the god's intervention.

Would my lady like to adopt the frog as her symbol? We already have the cup, but a paper frog would be easier to create and leave behind after every completed prayer. And if that would be the case, then I would most certainly need to learn how to fold a paper frog.