kenoslogs | taxfest log

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taxfest log | open

Who: Alenroux residents and visitors!
What: It's Taxfest: an Abadaran holy day celebrating the local community on the day taxes are collected
Where: The settlement in Alenroux
When: Mid April (Pelu)
Warnings: None expected (Warn as appropriate in headers!)

A HOLY DAY FOR TAXES

Every spring, after last year’s profits have been tallied and Alenroux’s snowy winter has melted away, the time comes for the local citizens to bequeath a portion of their earnings back to the growing little town; it’s tax season.

Over the past century, a tradition has grown in the quaint little settlement, influenced by the local church of Abadar: the holy celebration of Taxfest. On this special day, citizens celebrate the town, each other, and the future they hope to build together. It is a day for business, but also for contemplation, as priests cite the public works the citizens’ past contributions have funded and speak on those planned in coming years.

The business of the day is conducted in person. Rather than mailing cheques, residents hand theirs directly to collectors who go door to door all throughout the day, each accompanied by one of the temple priests or acolytes, who observe to ensure the proceedings are respectful and just. Abadar’s clergy thank each citizen for their contributions, offer comfort to the poor, and hear any concerns or suggestions about how the money should be best used.

Throughout the day, tax collectors from the town can be seen accompanied by white-robed acolytes, or priests in yellow-trimmed raiment. Aside from these busy individuals, most of the town’s folk spend their day on leisure, having earned a respite from the last year’s labours.

~~EVENING~~ AFTERNOON FESTIVITIES

Traditionally, the festivities of Taxfest would begin with sunset. Due to Alenroux’s 48-hour day–night cycles, however, business is typically concluded well before noon, and the day’s celebrations begin when the sun is still high in the sky. Just as the morning had been dedicated to reflection on the year’s efforts, so the rest of the day is spent in celebration. Local tradition dictates that partying hard on Taxfest both honours the work of the past year and brings good luck in the one to come, so locals and visitors alike are encouraged to let their hair down and enjoy themselves thoroughly.

Throughout the town, entertainment and refreshments are on offer, organized by the Abadar’s temple and provided by local businesses. Offerings vary by neighbourhood, and over the years different parts of town have become a little competitive over who can throw the best festival celebration. Priests officially begin the festivities with a brief dedication to Abadar, to Alenroux’s town and to its people, and the rest of the day is devoted solely to merriment.

On the town’s eastern side, a spacious park hosts a cheerful, whirling mass of dancers in groups or in pairs, dancing to the tunes of talented musicians from around town. Food and drink stalls line the perimeter, luring people from their revels with sweet and savoury scents.

One of the stalls, selling little sweet buns with coins stamped on them, swears it’s good luck to find someone bearing a coloured token matching one you find inside your own bun. (Not all the buns have tokens, of course, so better buy a few!) Those with matching tokens will feel more trust and closeness with their matched person for the rest of the festival.

A broad plaza on the town’s west side sports a slightly more carnival air, with entertainers and game stalls taking up much of the available space, some offering rather strange prizes. One of the games, involving a spinning wheel covered with paper balloons, advertises a free drink at the associated tavern for anyone who can hit five balloons without hitting any “bad” ones. Bad balloons will burst in a puff of coloured smoke, causing a minor magic effect lasting for the next hour:

• Higher or lower voice
• Slight intoxication
• Ability to blow smoke or bubbles
• Small objects you hold float away (for a while) if released
• Small objects you touch stick to you as though magnetic
• Other harmless, temporary effects (Pick your own!)
In front of Abadar’s church, the clergy themselves host a cheerful (if quite obviously religious) celebration with tables of food and a hearty ration of wine for everyone in attendance. This year, it seems the clergy member to bless the wine was over-zealous, as partaking may instill feelings of contemplation even in those disinclined to melancholy. Hymns to Abadar are sung, and everyone who attends is given a token for an extra wine ration, which can be traded in by those who attend a church service within the next month.

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You think so, do you?

[Although Liem doesn’t necessarily put that much stock in Sebastian’s purported opinions about facial hair, the demon is still quite literally the first person Liem actually knows to tell him his beard looks good on him, and his dry expression does twitch briefly closer to a smile. Whether this is because he’s pleased or just amused by the irony remains a mystery.]

Certainly, you may. [Just the first of probably many times Liem will say this while squashing lowkey anxiety over the demon’s company. He already knows he can’t just avoid him forever, though, especially given Sebastian’s new faction leanings, so he may as well be civil.] I might not be entirely familiar with the hymns themselves, but as far as context goes, I’m well-supplied.

[Even if Sebastian might not have visited or heard of the Church of the Key before, it should be obvious that he works there. If his clerical robes weren’t enough of a hint, the fact that the dwarf on the church steps is wearing almost identical vestments should make it obvious.]

Though, I should mention, it would be more appropriate to call me Father Talbott, at least while I’m on duty.

[ Sebastian nods gratefully as he takes the seat, though it’s just as much for the rhetorical question. You do look good, Liem!! I hate that Sebastian is the only one to say it what the fuck!!!! ]

Ah— [ At the correct, he laughs almost sheepishly and nods. ] Yes, then do excuse me. Father Talbott it shall be. Is that what you would prefer all the time, in fact?

[ He’d have no problem switching how he address Liem. In fact, he’d privately find it funny, in this case… There’s good humor in being a “devout” demon. His stint as a teacher at a Catholic school was his favorite recent example. ]

Well, I suppose my first curiosity is a simple one. I do not spend much time in Alenroux, admittedly, so I missed the establishment of the church in the first place. Is it yours, or did it spring up while we were at rest?

Only if we’re in public.

[There’s a reason why Liem never insisted upon that title before, even though he was made an ordained priest long before he came to Kenos. It seemed pointless and probably a little self-important, when he’d spent decades being a priest in name only due to the church’s refusal to assign him a clerical position at any of Taldor’s temples.

Now, though, he is nominally the head of this church despite his century-long sleep, and he figures his authority doesn’t need anything undercutting it, even something as small as a fellow shard-bearer calling him “mister.”]

I’d been arranging for this church’s creation for some time, yes. It was only completed a few weeks before the Oracle Trial, though, so I can understand why you might not have been aware of it.

[He’s glad that he was able to at least finish it before his sleep, though the fact that the acolytes were left for so long without his guidance is… concerning.]

[ Sebastian nods agreeably, and at the very least, Liem won’t have to worry about it with him. Despite being what he is, he’s probably one of the most orderly Shard-Bearers and cares a great deal about manners… It’s why they get along well, and yet. ]

Oh, goodness, really?

[ He laughs a little, but it’s not at Liem’s expense. It’s more incredulous at that, so he’s just laughing at the timing. ]

What poor luck… It is good to see that it at least thrived during your rest. [ He thinks, anyways? He looks back to the church itself and cants his head lightly as he watches the people curiously. ] Well, has it become what you hoped? That is a good amount of time for a congregation… Why, there would be humans that could have spent their entire lives there from birth to passing, after all.

[Sebastian is definitely right that a century is a decently long time for a church to be around, especially one without a larger clerical body governing it. Certainly it’s long enough for the church to become cemented as a part of the community… though in what way, is the question.]

It seems to have been a boon to the community, which is as I would have hoped.

[Discussing this with a demon is most strange; he cannot imagine Sebastian has any but the most passing interest in what kind of good his church has done for the citizens of Alenroux’s little town. Though, from what he has heard about Sebastian’s Earth, probably none of the many churches he’s sure to have seen would have been dedicated to the support of commerce.]

Fortunately, I had the foresight to translate my copy of The Order of Numbers before the church opened, so the clergy were not entirely without guidance. It has probably resulted in some interesting interpretations, though.

And I do regret that I could not have done the same for The Manual of City-Building.

[That book is just too big, though. Useful though it would have been over the last century of the settlement’s growth, Liem simply hadn’t had the time to translate the entire tome before his sleep, nor the foresight to know that he would have needed to.]

[ Liem is absolutely correct to be doubtful of Sebastian’s interest, and indeed, it’s not completely innocuous. Where there’s religion, it’s ripe grounds for Sebastian to prey upon… If he ever wanted to, at least. That’s something he has no real opinion on, at least at the moment, so for now, his interest is quite academic.

So, fittingly, he perks up a little as the books are mentioned, but it’s with interest. They had spoken about Abadar before, but it was a while ago indeed—even more with their rest, technically. ]

Religious texts of Abadar, I assume?

[ He feels like he should confirm, since while the titles both fit with what Liem had told him about his worship, he can’t be sure. There’s valid interpretations where they may not, after all. ]

…This may be an odd question, so do pardon me for being rude, if it could be considered such. But what are they… about, I suppose it would be? They sound much more instructional than the religious texts of my world, hence phrasing it so.

[ how to politely say "your bible sounds kinda like a textbook", ]

[If Liem finds Sebastian’s questions at all rude, or even strange, he doesn’t express it. Rather, his bearing becomes, if anything, a little more composed, and one might get the sense that he has answered many questions about his faith, particularly in the last few months (from his own perspective). He is pleased enough to answer queries about Abadar’s religious texts, just as much as any other question about his religion.]

The Order of Numbers is the core text of Abadar’s church. It is quite instructional, yes, as it contains detailed guidelines for the faithful to follow, though it includes writings about Abadar and his works as well. The copy I translated is the same one I used to bring with me on my travels, when I was in Taldor.

[Liem’s own copy has accompanied him all over the country, escaped the destruction of his world and persisted over his century-long sleep. It has seen much use; he’s consulted it so frequently over his life that he can quote many of its passages without even needing to open it.]

The Manual of City-Building is a little different. It’s not meant to be especially portable. [The word “tome” comes to mind.] Traditionally, a copy would be kept within the oldest Abadaran church in any given settlement, and it is, essentially, a compendium of advice concerning the founding and development of towns and cities. It contains knowledge and plans regarding many matters related to urban planning: trade, defence, infrastructure, expansion, and the like.

[It is 100% a textbook.]

Also, as you might imagine, unlike the core text, the Manual of City-Building was revised quite regularly. I obtained a copy during my time here, but it is simply too large and too dense for me to translate myself in any timely way.

How fascinating…

[ Sebastian laughs a little, but it’s not mocking. He does seem genuinely interested, and this is because, well. He is a nerd. ]

It is very different from how religion was expressed in my world, hence my interest. The knowledge in your Manual of City-Building is just as crucial, certainly, but it was never especially a manner of worship. That was a matter of governance, and while the two overlapped, certainly, religion was more concerned with matters of the individual—morality, the purpose of life, that sort of thing. So, the texts were— Ah, well.

[ He starts to explain, but it occurs to him that it’s a rather long-winded explanation that can be demonstrated a bit more simply. It’s also a comical bit of sacrilege, but. That’s funny to him, mostly…

Sebastian holds out his hand, and from the wrinkles of his clothing comes a rush of whorls of darkness. It’s surprising in their suddenness, perhaps, but they simply solidify into a dark little book that’s a little bit bigger than his palm. Emblazoned in gold on its cover is simply “Testament”, and he closes his fingers around the cover only to hold it out to Liem. ]

Well, this is but one of their holy books, but all lend themselves more to stories. It leaves it much more open to interpretation as a result, which is… Well. I shall not bore you with the history of my world. It is only an illustration of why the difference surprises me.

[ And if Liem flips through, he will find that it’s the New Testament, conveniently already translated in Kenosian because Sebastian is a cheater. ]

[Does the religion and governance of Sebastian’s Earth have any real bearing on anything Liem needs to care about in Kenos? No—but he is also a nerd, and obviously one with an interest in both topics, so when the man conjures the little bible and offers it to Liem, he takes it curiously and opens it to leaf through the neatly-printed pages.]

I see…

[And he does see. The passages inside this text are certainly familiar in character, given his interest in religious writings in general, but they are unquestionably different from either of Abadar’s holy books. Even the more historical portions of The Order of Numbers tended to be, at the very least, a bit more well-organized.]

Some religious texts in my country were like this. The most prominent holy text of Iomedae was similar; it described her miracles as a human woman, prior to her ascension to divinity.

[But certainly the Acts of Iomedae would not have been written in Kenosian, and he doubts this Testament was written thus either. Liem looks back up from the book’s pages, regarding Sebastian with interest.]

This book is an accurate copy of those that existed in the world you came from?

[ Sebastian makes a light noise of affirmation, and he does watch Liem flip through it curiously. It’s purely academic, since encountering any new religious text has always interested Sebastian personally, so he wonders how it is for others. ]

How interesting… Why, I imagine we could have a stirring conversation about the mere structure of theology between our worlds, but I would not keep you for hours, Father.

[ He laughs, but. There’s part of him that’s totally serious… He would have that conversation, since the idea that a mortal would become divine is a little bit novel. Saints could arguably be such, but that was very arguably, he’d say. Tossing in the “Father” was being playful, though, for sure. ]

Ah, yes, precisely so. [ It’s a bit funny to now need to explain these sorts of things again when he had kept his capabilities so secret from Meri before, but he does so without hesitation. ] My memory does not falter, so I can create more or less whatever I wish so long as I understand it. Books are easiest, since that is just a matter of recalling text on the page, and so long as I have seen it once, I will not forget it.

[ He nods to the book lightly, and his tone is very humbly matter-of-fact. Clearly, this isn’t something particularly special for him to be able to do, but that’s almost absurd. ]

Translation takes a bit more consideration, but not too much. At worst, artful language could be lost, since that does take a bit more creativity than I have, but I do my best to convey the meaning, if not the art.

[Liem must grudgingly admit that he does still want to have that hours-long discussion about theology with Sebastian, even if he is an evil demon. Perhaps at least partially because he is an evil demon. No matter how repugnant his nature is—and this is on a deeper level, given that in casual conversation Liem finds his manner deceptively pleasant—Sebastian inherently presents an interestingly alien perspective, and Liem cannot help but want to understand it, even if he can never condone the fiend’s actions.]

Perhaps another time.

[When he is less busy, and has a few hours to kill when nothing else pressing needs to be done. (So, never, unfortunately.)

Liem doesn’t at all miss the implication of what Sebastian tells him: that in order to recreate this holy book, which seems quite normal and un-demonic to Liem, he would have had to have read it cover to cover. This sort of thing is the main culprit for why, even though Liem disapproves of evil demon activities, he unfortunately keeps finding he has things in common with Sebastian.]

To have created a complete translation so quickly, though—that is impressive.

[Liem no, don’t consider hiring the soul-eating demon to translate your ultra-dense, extremely literal urban-planning holy textbook. Fortunately Sebastian doesn’t know Taldane, so he can rule out this possibility.]

[ He nods lightly, since he’d very much enjoy that kind of conversation too, and for similar reasons. Because Sebastian is such an alien creature, he’s naturally curious about others’ perspectives, and there are some matters that are just better understood through conversation, such as an individual’s view of theology. Thus, he’ll be disappointed when Liem never finds the time, tragically… ]

Oh, thank you very much.

[ His head dips deeper the second time, more of a humble little bow when given praise. He appreciates all praise, naturally, but this one is a bit humbler because it’s not for any special effort on his part. ]

It is a bit difficult to explain, since the way we retain knowledge is seemingly fundamentally different. But it is not a terribly difficult thing to do, at least for a demon of my caliber. Language is crucially important, so I always made it a focus, even when my methods were clumsier… So, there are very, very few languages within my—hm, operating region, we shall call it—that I do not know, even extending back thousands of years. They all exist to me simultaneously, so I do not run into the problems of switching language that I have noticed in humans.

[ So, naturally— ]

If you would like, I would be happy to provide a translation of The Manual of City-Building for you. It would only take as long as I would need to read it.

[Even if Liem doesn’t quite understand Sebastian’s demon mind and how it relates to his mastery of languages, he’s quite willing to accept the self-evident ease with which Sebastian is able to translate one language into another. The book still in his hands is proof enough of that.

Honestly, even the demon’s inability to use his own judgment when translating more creative or metaphorical passages does not concern Liem. It would make him completely unsuitable to translate any of Shelyn’s holy texts, obviously, given that the music and poetry written into the goddess’s scripture was every bit as important as the contents, but the text in the tome under discussion is about as literal as it’s possible for a work to be.

Liem frowns, considering the offer despite his better judgment.]

Well… that would certainly be convenient, but the entire book is written in Taldane. Could you read such a text?

[Sebastian didn’t mention possessing any skills that would allow him to read languages he doesn’t know, and Liem has to imagine that it would take even a demon like him some while to learn a language from a foreign world.

If he could, though… would there be a reason not to trust him with the book’s translation? Liem wouldn’t consider it for The Order of Numbers, but in this case, what was the worst that could happen? Sebastian messes with all the numbers so the book is full of bad information? A quick cross-referencing throughout the book could allow Liem to catch anything so obvious, so surely not…]

Oh… Well, if you could teach it, yes?

[ As would be expected, he can’t read it, or so he assumes. Who knows, if he had the book in front of him and discovered It Was Simply Italian, it could be instantaneous, and he’d be amused about it. ]

It is more difficult when I cannot do self-study, as I assume there is not much here in Taldane, but I certainly have no problem taking language lessons. It would still take time, I imagine, but it could expedite it, I suppose.

[ And naturally, I regret to say that Sebastian is actually the best/worst kind of demon because he would never purposefully mistranslate something. He's simply too much of a perfectionist. ]

[Truly, what if it was just Italian… But no, presumably the language is different, despite the cultural similarities.

Liem does assume that teaching Sebastian would be faster than teaching his language to anyone else. Given what the demon has said about his memory, it sounds as though the requirements of learning and memorization would take no time at all. Still, he has to imagine the process would require no small amount of time and effort on his part, especially since books written in Taldane are indeed rather uncommon here. As far as Liem knows, he is in possession of the only ones.

Basically, even with Sebastian’s unfair demon powers, getting that translation would still require work. And yet, the possibility continues to dangle tantalizingly within reach.]

And what kind of payment would you require for such a service?

[He hopes Sebastian isn’t going to tell him he’s volunteering his assistance for free. He doesn’t want to accept that kind of charity from him.]

[ The question isn’t surprising (it’s perfectly reasonable, actually), but unfortunately for Liem’s hopes here, he just shrugs. ]

Oh, I do not really need payment.

[ But with Liem in particular, he does actually clarify. Since he’s a religious man and/or a bit wiser to the ways of demons, he feels like it’s worth doing so. However, his expectations for why Liem would be concerned about it might be a bit off. ]

I really do not need much, so. What I am generally interested in is a very high price indeed, and far more than such a service is worth. I am not the sort where a verbal agreement is strictly binding, if that is a concern? Giving my work or my word is no different than if you were to do so.

[Though Sebastian’s response is quite expected, it’s still the opposite of what Liem was hoping for. He isn’t interested in engaging in any Faustian deals, but he also can’t really regard Sebastian as an ordinary freelancer when he’s declining to ask for money—or even an exchange of services, which would have been equally acceptable in Springstar.]

If I were to offer my work, [Liem points out,] I would also be prepared to offer a quote for compensation.

[Admittedly he would likely forgo such a thing if he was offering his assistance as a favour to a friend, but he and Sebastian are not friends. Even were Liem’s personal standards low enough to permit him to make friends with evil otherworldly beings—which, unfortunately, they are—he can never be the demon’s friend as long as his relationship with Hayame is what it is.

For a little added context, though, because he doesn’t want to get into that particular topic right now, he speaks up again.]

It is, in part, a theological tradition. Trade is at the centre of Abadar’s faith; in fact, clerics are forbidden from donating money to charity. The giving away of wealth or material goods goes against Church doctrine.

[ Sebastian nods a little, since admittedly, what Liem points out is quite fair. It’s not precisely what he’d meant by making the point, but it’s understood regardless. He makes a thoughtful little noise and frowns, but as Liem explains further, his expression brightens again. ]

Ah, I see.

[ Unsurprisingly, this seems to be something that Sebastian accepts far more. He’s a very orderly demon that follows rules and traditions, somehow… So, naturally, this helps convince him that it’s something worth doing. He does bring a hand to his chin lightly as he thinks about what might be fair or even something he would want (since now his idea of just asking for a wage and giving it away seems a bit ill-advised). ]

…Well. You offered lessons on cooking, as I recall? Would recipes from your home suffice? I have been attempting cuisine of other worlds since I arrived in Kenos, so adding to my repertoire would be nice…

[ truly sometimes it’s hard to remember that Sebastian is The Worst ]

[Though Liem is prepared to just give up on Sebastian’s offer entirely if he insists on offering his services for no compensation, he finds to his mixed pleasure that the demon accepts his preference without any quibbling whatsoever. Certainly it is convenient that Sebastian seems to understand his point of view so well—he’s just not sure if he likes the implications very much.

What does it say about him, if he and this fiend keep finding things in common?]

You want Taldan recipes?

[Liem blinks, surprised. Even though he knew that Sebastian cooked, he hadn’t expected this kind of suggestion when he brought up the matter of compensation. But, if the other man isn’t interested in money, recipes are certainly a more agreeable thing for him to ask for than some other, less savoury things he might want.]

I could provide some, yes. [Then, after a moment’s thought he adds,] I could even write them in Taldane. It could be instructive in more ways than one.

[ It means that Sebastian is a weirdo, not you, Liem, don’t worry, ]

[ Sebastian does know it’s a bit of an odd request, though, so he nods with a serious expression. He perfectly means it, and thus Liem’s acceptance makes him smile, then brighten a little more at the additional usefulness. ]

Ah, yes. That would be perfect.

[ Since orderly as he is, naturally the additional opportunity is pleasing! ]

And if there are any that are a bit more difficult, if you would not mind providing feedback, I would also appreciate that. My sense of taste is very different, so my cooking is very… objective would be the best word for it. So feedback about what is incorrect is very valuable. Hopefully it is not as complex as an Indian curry, but that was also a very fun challenge…

Edited (i just hated the formatting when i pressed send) 2024-05-28 15:09 (UTC)

[It’s so simple to make Sebastian happy, at least in this small, mundane way. Horribly, this almost makes Liem seriously wonder if, given the right set of circumstances, the demon couldn’t be persuaded to be a functional member of society. Especially given that Liem’s education specifically included areas in which violence and torment might be applied for the good of a greater populace—hashtag Just Inquisitor Things—he can pretty easily imagine Sebastian’s less-savoury proclivities being harnessed for useful ends. But nothing good lies down that road…]

On that, I couldn’t say.

[What is curry? What is “Indian”? Liem will just have to assume that Sebastian is speaking of a dish that is monstrously complicated to create well, given that difficult tasks generally seem to pose no trouble for him.]

But I wouldn’t expect too much complexity. All the recipes I still have, I had to simply recall from memory—and I don’t cook challenging dishes enough to have any memorized.

[He’s a busy man; he can’t be spending hours in the kitchen every single day. Mostly, he just has a few favourites he revisits for nostalgia.]

Even so, I certainly can provide feedback if you wish it.

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taxfest log | open

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Excuse Me Sir, Do You Have a Moment to Talk About Jesus Christ?

yes he does have a moment

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