ASC-01-27-20

Writing Prompt: Share a story about a way that you have given or received tangible recognition / largess - whether formal (such as a blood drop from a Pelican or a leaf from a Laurel) or a pass-down legacy largess item, or even something simple.

Thomas de Groet

It was Sunday morning at Steppes Warlord, AS LIV, and I was sitting the Consultation Table with Tostig and Castellana, when Her Excellency Adalia, Golden Staff Herald, came up to me with His Excellency Count Daffyd in tow. Adalia indicates me with her hand, and Daffyd asks for my services as a Calligrapher. Their Majesties, it seems, had been having difficulty with leaving or losing their mundane keys while in garb, and they needed something to attach to them in order to prevent this unenviable fate from continuing. Therefore, Daffyd calls on Adalia, who is not a calligrapher, but she points Daffyd to me. He explains the situation, and I quickly walk to get my supplies. I take two strips of Bristol paper, write "King" on one, "Queen" on the other, and the offending keys are attached to these. To me, this is nothing special, it took longer to get the materials than to actually do the calligraphy, but Daffyd stops me before I can leave, and explains about the tradition of the Pelican's Blood Drop, in preparation for reaching into his pouch to present me with one.

Alain de la Rue

The years have passed since this moment, but I remember it well. It was my first event or close to it, held in the Shire of Emerald Keep. There was a great feast held in those halls and my friend Prudence was preparing it. She needed help. Understaffed and overwhelmed, she raced against time. I did what I could, not really knowing much about anything really, but what I could do was help serve. So I hurried back and forth from the kitchen, bringing out plates and so forth. All of that part was a blur, a whirlwind of food and drink and people. It was apparently very taxing. When feast was finished, I found a table and rested my eyes for a good while.

As I was walking around afterward, a man approached me, thanked me for serving and helping out. He explained a little bit about some bird that that would peck itself to give blood to their offspring. I had no idea what that meant. Then he gave me this bead that looked very much like a drop of blood and thanked me once again.

I thanked him and shuffled off, unclear about what had just transpired. My wife, who was more involved at the time, listened to me explain my story. Then she impressed on me the significance of the Order of the Pelican and the blood drop I received.

I’m a bit more well-versed now, but I look back on that humble beginning fondly. I’m glad someone took time from the event they were enjoying to take notice of me; taking notice of someone who’s story was just starting.