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 Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2022 9:20 am
A crisp breeze has rolled into Tendaji, bringing the temperatures down both on land and sea. Along with the shortening of days, this is a sign that it is time to harvest food and resources to prepare for the winter months.
Typically, harvesting is a community effort. Be it the family all coming together to ensure the produce is picked before it sours, or the community coming in to help till the fields, it is quite the event. Most don't mind stepping up, considering the hard work always pays off with a festival, but some do find it quite a burden.
Either way, if the community wishes to come together and survive another long winter, it's time for you to step in and play your part.
[ The fall harvest is back again. This time, you have been asked to play your part. Be it helping gather materials like wood and furs or plucking the fruits and vegetables from the fields, your task has been laid out for you.
When replying to this event, we are looking for your character to be actively helping with the fall harvest. Maybe it's a team effort with a friend, or a thoughtful reflection of what fall means. Take the time to explore how your character feels doing such work during this time of year. ]
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Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2023 5:02 pm
While Emiyn enjoyed the scenery of southern Belrea, there was one thing that he was quickly realizing…he was far more comfortable on the ocean now. The very thought brought a chuckle to the Matori’s lips as he surveyed the area where he waited on Yokka to join him after their belongings got dropped off with her family. They had departed from the Misty Maiden earlier that week to venture out into the countryside where Yokka’s family stayed. While their sons went off somewhere with cousins, Emiyn found himself drafted to also help with the harvest. It was a good time for their visit with festivities around the corner, but no one could fully participate in everything without having done something to help out the family during the actual harvest. It was still strange to experience autumn, the very chill in the air making Emiyn tug the scarf around his neck tighter as he fought against the urge to shiver. It was definitely a lot easier to participate in the changing of the seasons back in Matori and Oba where even fall and winter rarely froze anything and the beaches and desert stayed warm year round. In Belrea though Emiyn found himself always wearing scarves and gloves like today while he waited on Yokka to hopefully stay close to her, a protection against the colder weather while he resisted the temptation to simply summon a warm breeze which would surely gain the attention of others working nearby. And they definitely were working! Emiyn had to jump out of the way of a pair of teens racing past with wheelbarrows, the wooden contraptions creaking as they bounced over the ground while full of golden grain taken straight from the nearby fields. While others worked on the actual gathering there was already a group back in the kitchens working on making the food and canning the rest that would be saved for winter. Talk about a busy day. Emiyn could only shake his head, a rare smile of amusement crossing his lips as he refused to be grumpy about anything today including rampant teens with dangerous wheelbarrows.
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Posted: Thu May 04, 2023 9:33 pm
It was nice to be back on the orchard. Not great, but nice. Yokka enjoyed visiting her family, but it was pure chaos with the slew of nieces and nephews that had sprouted while she had been away. Trying to catch up with her parents' and siblings' lives while updating them on her own was nothing short of draining!
When it came time for the harvest, she was actually relieved to be recruited into the work. Despite the passing years, she remembered the work clearly enough that a slight update was all she needed before heading out. Not much had changed in the process, unsurprisingly.
When she spotted Emiyn, she couldn't help an amused, contemplative smile. It was strange to see him out in the field rather than on a beach or the deck of the ship. Almost surreal, really. Like most of her life, he wasn't what her family had quite expected for her. Of course, she wouldn't change a thing. "Gotta watch out for those wild barrow drivers," she mused as she carried two large baskets over. She held one out to Emiyn with a playful grin. "Ready to harvest some apples?"
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Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2023 5:30 pm
"You're not kidding." Replied Emiyn with a soft chuckle, the petite Matori holding out his hands and accepting the basket. It was almost amusing to see how large it looked in comparison to him, but still he was determined....even if physical labor had never truly been his strong suit, how hard could it be to harvest some apples? Though if they were to fill that whole basket then maybe he would have to try to find more of those wild barrow drivers to help out!
"I know your family can be energetic, but I've never seen them so busy before. Harvest season is not a joke, there's so much to do before winter." Emiyn mused quietly as he shifted the basket and smiled towards Yokka. "I'll do my best to help out. Ready whenever you are." The orchards were that way, correct? Emiyn's gaze went towards the path, the first of many trees appearing just on the horizon. It was probably for the best that they had gotten drafted for apple picking, he couldn't imagine swinging a scythe like others were in the wheat fields at the moment. Wait...did the boys go to help with the fields? Please don't tell me that they were given those... Emiyn frowned before shaking his head at the thought. Surely not. For now it was just best to focus on his own task and not worry about having to run through acres of farmland to track down his mischievous and sometimes reckless sons.
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Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2023 6:51 pm
Yokka nodded as she lead the way to the section of the orchard they would be tackling. "This is when the bulk of the money is made here. We've got a few smaller sections for the other seasons, but now is the big one. You know, some of these trees are over a hundred years old. Been in the family for generations." While farming wasn't what she was drawn to, she still felt pride in what her family had. They were a determined and passionate bunch, that was for sure. "It's all day work, too. Let me know if you need a break at all." She looked to Emiyn and grinned playfully. "Mjor (sister) and Qaplin (brother) both bet you'll pass out during dinner tonight."
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Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2023 7:25 am
"Interesting. My home was more focused on fishing, there was a good season for it as well, but nothing quite like the harvest." Emiyn acknowledged as they continued along, his gaze brightening at the idea of ancient trees. "Really? That's impressive!" The summoner smiled at the thought, reaching out to tap against one of the larger trees and wondering if this one was as ancient. To be giving fruit for so long in this very orchard....he couldn't even imagine it. The ocean was immortal with its never ending waves but it was hard to believe that things could grow on this earth for centuries as well, if allowed. Though if he were a tree, Emiyn would rather live his centuries closer to the southern seas...the cool breeze of autumn only supported that decision as Emiyn tugged his coat closer to fight off the cold.
"Pass out during dinner, hmm?" Emiyn pursed his lips thoughtfully as he reached up to pluck at one of the lower hanging apples, the golden sphere fitting perfectly within his palm. "I suppose that just means I'll have to wait until after dessert to pass out for the night." He joked lightly with a smile towards Yokka. "I do love proving others wrong so consider me motivated even if you may have to carry me upstairs afterwards." If his exhaustion wouldn't do him in then surely the sheer amount of food served at dinner would. Emiyn had quickly learned that harvest season meant a full table with all sorts of goods prepared as the whole family came together to swap recipes and ideas along with preparing everything for market.
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Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2023 6:44 pm
Yokka nodded. "Some crops will give multiple harvests, but these in particular don't. Gotta watch them close for the week; don't wanna grab them before they're ready, but waiting too long will make them harder to sell." She looked over at the tree that was touched and cocked her head briefly at the silent question implied. "I think this section's from about 80 years ago. If I'm remembering correctly."
She smirked lightly and gave Emiyn a playful wink. "You better last long enough. I bet against them that you'd at least finish your meal, and I don't like losing to them. Anything less and you'll just sleep right there at the table." She knew Emiyn had a lot more stamina than it looked. Of course, this was a different kind of work compared to what they got on the ship. With a thick belt, she secured the basket to her hip and started picking. "Remember, a bright green color is not ready while mucky brown is either too old or just isn't good." Her family was vigilant with keeping pests and crop illness at bay, but things happened.
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Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2023 2:10 pm
"That's fair. It's almost like migrating fish...just all about the timing though hopefully trees don't migrate." Joked Emiyn as he crouched and picked up a stray apple from the ground, twisting it in his fingers. It seemed to be more golden than green without any bruises surprisingly and so he kept it in his basket. Perhaps one of the cart bearers had been a bit too reckless running through the orchards earlier and knocked a few of the fruits down from the lower hanging limbs. "Eighty years is impressive...the trees are still blooming despite being so much older than most of us here." And the oldest generations of earthlings definitely did not seem to keep growing like the trees, if anything they felt like they were shrinking in comparison to the taller and bulkier youths that played throughout the trees while helping with the harvest. Another pair ran past even as Emiyn thought about things, a loud whooping noise making him nearly jump as the boys smacked at each other before darting away again with their baskets full of apples.
"I'd be awake for days if I had that much energy." Emiyn commented playfully, glancing over at Yokka as he simply shook his head at the antics of the teens. "I'll do my best to survive. Though out of curiosity is there a perk to winning this bet?" Emiyn started reaching for apples out of the lower hanging branches, working along Yokka as he continued talking with her while also avoiding any rambunctious teens that may continue coming their way.
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Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2023 8:07 pm
Yokka managed a laugh and smirked playfully. "Actually, they can migrate, in a way." She pointed down to a couple apples that were already on the ground, clearly already nibbled on by the local fauna. "Animals come around and eat the fruits, and any seeds that survive the digestion process end up wherever the beasties have gone. You'll find a few wild fruit trees out there if you look."
She could remember that age herself... she could have been on the run all day, every day. She liked to think she hadn't slowed down that much with the passing of time, but she did enjoy getting a nap in each day now... "A perk? The satisfaction will be its own reward, surely." She aimed a new, more mischievously playful look over her shoulder at her lover. "Why? Is there something in particular you're hoping for?"
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Posted: Wed Sep 27, 2023 7:57 pm
"I'm glad you provided an explanation. The last thing I wanted to do was imagine roaming trees." Teased Emiyn with a laugh of his own. Talk about a strange image! Walking trees would make for a great story, but for a very troublesome reality. At least that was his opinion. As much as Emiyn loved nature, the movements of the wind and ocean was tricky enough on its own without adding in some wild trees.
"I do enjoy the satisfaction of proving others wrong." Admitted Emiyn with a smile as he picked up another apple, tossing it in his basket with others as he continued along. "But the idea of an evening together before getting back on the Misty Maiden is also very enticing. It could benefit you as well." He gave a slight shrug. "Simply watching the stars together is enough to satisfy me, but I know that most of the crew talk about going out to town to impress their dates...maybe it would be interesting?" He was a scholar, content to stay hidden in his study with his maps and books, but at the same time spending more time with Yokka always made him happy. Going out would most definitely be worth it if he could spend more time with his beloved...as long as their sons didn't somehow set something on fire while they were away for a night.
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Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2023 8:04 pm
Yokka shrugged with a smirk. "I know some who would enjoy having moving trees. Let them come to you for harvesting rather than having to walk the fields to each individual one." Actually, that sounded quite pleasant indeed to be able to save so much time and effort. She let out a breath to boost a small jump and grabbed at a low hanging apple. Let the trees pluck themselves as well...
Her brow cocked as Emiyn mused on the idea of an evening together reward. "We can watch the stars pretty much any night. Going out on the town though.." That was certainly an intriguing thought! An actual date just for the two of them? Heck, she would have been fine with him suggesting a night behind a locked door, but a whole evening out for them? "How kind of you to think of my benefit as well," she chuckled lightly before her smile took on a warmer tone. "As it is.. that really does sound lovely."
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Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2023 6:40 pm
Emiyn chuckled. "It sounds lovely in theory until you wake up one morning to a moving army of trees or they decide to go elsewhere with their fruits." It would also be chaotic to watch an army of trees trying to walk through a town or someone's farm! Unless they were peaceful sentient creatures...well Emiyn didn't even want to give any life to such thoughts.
"Fair enough. Hard to go out to town when you're in the middle of the ocean." He replied with a small smile, understanding the temptation of doing something that was a rare chance for them. Certainly their ship visited ports but there were also plenty of weeks spent traveling between every location, sometimes even a couple of months depending on their Kahi trips with a few stops on islands that held no towns to help the crew keep their sanity. "I do try." Replied Emiyn, a flush on his cheeks at the teasing. "Maybe in a couple of nights, right before we have to leave?" They would be busy with celebrations until then thanks to the harvest, but the night after that could work. Emiyn nodded at the thought, another apple joining the rest in his basket as he continued along.
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Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2023 8:54 am
Yokka snorted with an amused wince. "Ooh, good point. We would have to put up some really big fences to keep the trees from leaving or going too far." The image of herding trees made her laugh. Emiyn really could bring out the silly side of her. She plucked up another apple and wrinkled her nose. This one had holes... either a worm or birds likely. Either way, she sighed and tossed it over her shoulder.
It was one of the best things to do as the nights stretched on the ship. Once it was down to the skeleton crew of the night shift, she and Emiyn could climb up to the crows nest and relax together under the stars before bed. It was almost strange now to not have that cramped space before bed each night! "Yeah, no breaks during the harvest. I'll have had my fill of picking and preserving these fruits by then." The apples were prepared in a variety of ways to sell, from chunky sauces to smooth juices. It was an intense process... "We'll make sure the boys help instead so everyone else won't miss us as much. ..What's something you want to be sure to do while we're out?"
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Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2023 9:13 am
"Mmmhmm." Emiyn nodded, somehow looking serious despite the silliness of their conversation until Yokka's laughter broke his façade and the Matori couldn't help grinning at the sight. Today was nice and he truly was getting into the spirit of this harvest so it was hard to not be happy, as long as the cold autumn breeze would stop trying to freeze him that was. Though the sweater and scarf did help as strange as it was to wear something with heavy wool like this. It definitely was a different life in Belrea compared to his warmer childhood in Matori, that was for certain.
"As long as the boys actually help instead of causing chaos." Replied Emiyn with a chuckle. "Though I suppose it will be hard to miss us in chaos as well. As for what to do? Maybe a nice meal and we could go shopping or just wander the evening market after trying out one of those afternoon hayrides? I hear that you can find some pretty unique things there from local artisans. Dancing at the square as well throughout the harvest festival though I'm not the best at such things unless you enjoy swaying back and forth." He had in fact done his research about the area, asking Yokka's cousins here and there so if anything Emiyn felt somewhat more knowledgeable about what they could do to enjoy themselves for an afternoon.
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Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2023 7:12 pm
The cool breeze that chilled Emiyn felt invigorating for Yokka. This whole little trip back to her roots was refreshing. It gave her such joy to see her sons bond with her family despite how much time they spent away on the ship. To come back and help out with the harvest.. it didn't feel like it used to. She would help, but then she would be able to leave again for the horizon...
"I'm pretty sure this place is constant chaos as it is," she mused with a chuckle. As Emiyn went over the options, she looked over with a little surprise. He must have done some investigating already! The thought warmed her smile further. Then dancing was mentioned and she snorted roughly. "A little swaying isn't so bad, but maybe we'll leave the real dancing to everyone else."
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