[open] kappa rehousing time

[playfoul]

Who ⬤ Yuri + Sutoku members (& other charitable Lost Souls)
What ⬤ Kappa crowdfunding
When ⬤ Late April
Where ⬤ Warehouse within Sutoku's grounds
Content Warnings ⬤ N/A


OOC Context: Yuri is coordinating relief efforts for the displaced Kappa and mods have approved temp housing for them in a warehouse provided by the Alliance. He'll need help from Lost Souls to get supplies there! Sutoku members will receive a message from him. If your muse is not Sutoku but would like to pitch in, you can assume word got out through the grapevine.

Hi gang. Been a fun month, hasn't it? Especially for our Kappa friends.

On a serious note, the Kappa are in need of shelter. I spoke with the Alliance and they've agreed to convert an unused warehouse to housing space. I'm looking for help with set up and supplies, as well as with getting the word out.

Message me if you can lend a hand. Every bit helps.

-Yuri

[ If you express interest, Yuri will follow up with details and the address of the warehouse. He'll ask you to use discretion who you share the location with since he doesn't want to attract trouble for the Kappa.

When you reach the location, you'll find a warehouse with running electricity and racks that have been pushed to one side to make room. The warehouse has been sectioned off into a sleeping area, a common area, and a storage area that the Kappa have been filling with equipment they've managed to retrieve from underground. ]





[ Yuri will be seeking volunteers to serve food at the food lines the Alliance has negotiated for from local restaurants. We'll need drivers to help transport nonperishable donations to the warehouse. People to carry it all. Bookkeepers to track the numbers. Anyone willing to network with nearby businesses to procure supplies or temp jobs for the Kappa to get back on their feet. Idk... morale boosting activities? Maybe someone can hook up a karaoke machine. Feel free to bring your own ideas!

If you need to get in touch with me, you can drop me a PM or message me on plurk ahlyo! ]

Comments

[playfoul]

[ There's the clinking sound of cans when they lift the boxes. It's foodstuff, so on one hand, no Kappa will be going hungry, on the other hand, these aren't fluffy pillows and they'll need to put some back into it. Yuri takes them towards the shelves where food is being stored, his boots clicking on the hard floors under the added weight. ]

I still have that novel you lent me. Haven't read a page of it since the Parade, I'll be honest. If you don't hate the work after today, come again tomorrow and I'll bring it to you.

[ Might as well return it at this point. He's not exactly sure when he'll be in a novel-reading mood. ]

[rainswords]

[ Without much of an idea of what exactly is contained within each box, all Xingqiu had done was speculate on the contents therefore he had no idea of the true weight when it comes to boxes full of canned food. Fortunately, heavy lifting isn't unfamiliar to Xingqiu (despite willowy appearance), although it's a bit different than having to carry tall stacks of books and thick volumes to his room.

Once he is led towards the shelves he takes care in setting his own box down, then peers down at it quizzically. The clinking sounds gave him some idea of what may be inside but opening the box is the surest way to know what he will find.

...Sliced carrots. It's a box full of cans of sliced carrots and his disgust he doesn't swiftly hide. The attempt is there as he smiles at Yuri. ]

Oh. Is that so? I actually had a mind to seek you out for it but then I realized I never exchanged information with you that day and with everything going on... Are you certain you don't want to give it another chance?

But anyway, I am not here for enjoyment. I am here to help, so yes, expect me tomorrow.

[playfoul]

[ It's brief, but Yuri catches the look of disgust. He doesn't say anything of it, but the box he opens contains several similar-looking containers that he sets down next to Xingqiu's stack. It would seem the carrot merchants have been generous with their donations. Hopefully this vegetable's part of the Kappa diet. ]

It's yours, you sure you wanna let me make off with it? [ Implying that it could be more than a long time. ] Why don't you tell me how it turned out? I did like that pirate kid. Quite the character, that one.

[ Unsurprisingly, his favorite is the rogue, and a resourceful one at that. Yuri does love a good scheme. ]

[rainswords]

[ Here is hoping none of the Kappa follow Xingqiu's dietary regiment, which has become lax with no father or older brother to insist that he always eats a proper meal. It hasn't devolved into pure sugars (yet), but baked goods do take precedence, and before he considers food he thinks of his next stop at the book shop. There are other ventures he sets money aside for but... he is fine.

Still, even he has to wonder if the Kappa will be satisfied as he picks up a can and places it on the shelf. They should empty the boxes correct? That is before they bring in more? ]

It's a normal edition of the novel, nothing I can't replace if need be. Besides, it's a way to get along.

[ Xingqiu takes a moment to consider how to best summarize the tale. He almost feels compelled to tell Yuri he doesn't want to spoil the end, but he relents as he continues to empty the box's contents. ]

The hunt for treasure while exciting certainly wasn't without danger. Mutiny aboard the ship, discontent, that young boy made the choice to never sail the seas in search of treasure again. As for the repentant marooned man, he left piracy behind with a portion of treasure which he, unfortunately, spends in just a few days. The captain from injuries, and though temperamental he does reward those who stand at his side. As for the doctor who incurred the captain's wrath for abandoning his post, you could say without his intelligence and composture things would not have gone well against the pirates.

Oh, as for that one-legged mutineer with his mockingly named parrot. A cunning man he was, for all the turns the story takes, he escapes making off with a portion of treasure. That boy can only hope that the old pirate manages to find a quiet life. As for him, he will no longer seek treasure. You see, while they all made off the island they only took a portion of riches with them leaving the rest behind, and after the ordeal, that boy gained wisdom but the journey left its toll. At night, in horrid dreams, he can't still hear the pirate's parrot scream: pieces of eight!

That basically wraps up the story.

[playfoul]

[ Yuri listens to Xingqiu recount the tale as they begin to unload the boxes. There are turns he didn't expect, and sides to the characters that he hadn't realized. As the last can is emptied, the story, too, reaches its conclusion.

The ending's not the victorious heist it could have been, but an unexpectedly somber way to close out the adventure with its boy hero giving up seafaring and haunted every night by ghosts. ]

Guess a rouge life's not for everyone. After all that, they only took a portion of the treasure, huh. I suppose we're meant to think that wisdom is its own treasure.

[ Not that wisdom by itself does much to put food on the table, but he gets what they're going for narratively. There's definitely a moral here, and it makes him crack a smirk. ]

Makes me wonder if I've been too greedy.

[rainswords]

[ Recounting the tale is distracting enough that he doesn’t have to ponder too much on the fact that every can retrieved from the box has the same distasteful content. They’re all carrots: baby carrots, diced carrots… It would be enough to make anyone ill. Yet despite dislike Xingqiu arranged every can neatly with the labels facing forward. No one can claim he is incapable of putting in effort.

As the last can is sorted into place, he picks up the empty box then settles his gaze on Yuri expecting further directives. ]

Perhaps. Although it all depends on how wisdom is applied? In that case I would say there is some contentment to be found in a life had?

[ It’s barely perceivable but Xingqiu does tilt his head as he considers Yuri before he finally shrugs. That could all be based on perspective. Perhaps in the eyes of another man everyone is greedy to some extend. ] Do you truly think so? What would you consider to be greedy?

[playfoul]

The amount of money I signed for in my contract. I don't know if I trust them to deliver, but unlike pirate boy, I wouldn't walk away with only half the treasure.

[ It's as shady of a deal as they come, but how could he say no to that sum. It's as if they peered into his heart's desires and put them to paper. Unsettling... but Yuri would make a deal with the devil if it meant he could get what he wanted.

He can look for contentment in life and all that once his people are taken care of.

Straightening up, he takes Xingqiu back out to grab more food. Before picking up another box, though, he cracks open the lid out of curiosity to find that ...yup, it's carrots again. In fact, this whole stack might be. ]

What a balanced meal.

[rainswords]

[ It's shocking that anyone would reveal the terms of their contract with such ease, he finds himself silent for far too long not to be noticeable. But what is he supposed to say? Money had never been an issue for him. In fact, using the funds from his own personal vault he was once able to buy all the Cor Lapis for sale through Liyue. He won't fault anyone who seeks riches, not everyone lives a life of opulence and wealth. Not everyone has even their basic needs met. He can't imagine anyone who would ask for any sum of money has had an easy life.

As for his own contract, it's not something he goes into detail about. Even when speaking with Chongyun he had been rather vague about his desires. He doesn't say anything, mulling over Yuri's words. Another round is made, another box is picked up, and he looks practically ill once they get this set of boxes open. ]

For some time now. I've been considering what my contract truly means. If you believe yours may make you a greedy man then my own only serves to highlight selfishness.

[ He picks up a can, a passing glance is given to it before it is quickly set on the shelf. These poor Kappa. What revolting meals await them. ]

[playfoul]

[ In the silence that follows his flippant admittance of what he desired, Yuri finishes unloading the rest of his box. There's no such thing as excess food in his opinion, but as the rack fills up with even more carrots, he's thinking he'll need to get creative with the recipes. ]

I'm sure you have your reasons, just like I have mine. If we were saints, we wouldn't be here.

[ Xingqiu's response makes him curious as to what the other signed for in his contract, but he won't press for an answer. Yuri has his own share of personal information he'd prefer to keep to himself. What he desires out of his contract just isn't one of them. He's never pretended to be a better person than he is. ]

Do you think there's deeper meaning to it?

[rainswords]

[ If Xingqiu were among the Kappa, then he would choose starvation. Not that he would be able to even look at any carrot-based dish let alone actually ingest any of those creative meals. He isn't delicate, nor is he particular picky though he does favor some styles of cuisine. But carrots — he just can't.

He finishes emptying his own box still pitying the creatures. ]

No. I suppose in some regard you are correct. Most people are not without fault or sin, yet I wouldn't discard them to a place labeled hell without some comprehension.

As for each contract? It's hard to tell. Would you call what you were promised your deepest desire? Or would you say it is more conducive to achieving your goal? See, I imagine agreements vary wildly. People are different. [ He can't help a sigh. Generally, he doesn't speak of his contract but given the topic, he can't completely avoid it without any change in the subject being noticeable. ] For me, what I want, I will achieve it through my own effort; but for that, I need the time needed to devote myself to my work. That's all.

I do wonder what is necessary for a lost soul to hold up their end of the bargain. How long must a person remain in service of their faction, and what do they need to achieve in order to meet the contract's obligations? Perhaps it's endless?

[playfoul]

That I agree. The punishment should fit the crime, but they'll cast just about anyone down here.

[ He might deserve it, but he can't say that for most people he's met. ]

I've often wondered the same thing myself. They were suspiciously vague about the length and terms of the contract. Maybe they intend to keep us under their thumb, and the papers are nothing more than empty promises to keep us cooperative. We're making deals with the devil here, after all.

[ He's weighed the possibility that it's all a sham and still decided cooperation was better than not. It's not as if they've been given much choice, and if there's even a slight possibility they'd deliver on the reward, what he's been promised would go a long way to see his goals through. For that, Yuri's willing to gamble with the devil.

Even if it turned out to be a false promise, the knowledge he's gained here has given him ideas for how to better their way of life back home. Which is quite unexpected from a trip to Hell. ]

[rainswords]

[ It would only be just and yet despite idealized notions, Xingqiu comprehends that the world can be entirely unfair. It is one factor that drives his actions, although in hell he has to be completely pragmatic, and grounded in reality away rather than let notions of right and wrong drive his every action. He can't take up battle with every villainous person he crosses paths with. He has to pick and chose his battles.

And lacking a complete picture he cannot truly know what is right, what is correct. Not in hell anyway.

But the more time that passes, the more suspicious he grows of the contracts the Lost Souls are under. As Yuri mentions their leaders wishing to keep them under thumb he nods in agreement. Perhaps they were under their service for all eternity.

Already he wishes to unshackle himself from his own contract. It was an utter mistake, not only due to the fact he hadn't fully grasped the terms of the agreement but as he mentioned he found his own wish to be selfish. ]

Do you intend to continue collaborating with them?

I'm sorry, that was rather rude to ask.

[ Rude and completely personal. Each person had their own decision to make as to what their best course of action is. He would have to figure that out for himself. ]