015 | Sky Full Of Stars

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
What: Tanabata Festival
When: All day July 5
Where: The Near Shore
Summary: The Heavens are throwing a party and you're invited!

Edit: OVERFLOW is here!



With Tanabata drawing close, the Heavens have decided that there is nothing wrong with a little celebration for the annual occasion. So they have invited everyone on the Far Shore as well as a large number of people from the Near Shore to attend a festival for Tanabata. Tanabata festivals are not uncommon in this area, so the Near Shore residents are none the wiser, though some of them are a little uncertain about where this street they've never heard of popped up from...

Tanabata is a festival held to celebrate the one time a year that the lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi can meet across the vast expanse of the Milky Way. Many birds have been working their tail feathers off to create a bridge for the two lovebirds and that bridge - perhaps unsurprisingly - touches down on this street, in the middle of the festival.

The Heavens have prepared entertainment, food stalls, and as many tanzaku as might be needed for everyone to write down wishes, along with plenty of bamboo stalks to hang the wishes from.

New arrivals will find themselves ushered to the festival and offered traditional clothing after their normal briefing at the Meeting Hall.



Stalls

There are festival stalls of every kind present, all run by shinki dressed in white robes and bearing the golden chrysanthemum of Amaterasu. Many of them seem a little bruised still, but they are happy to smile for anyone who comes to the stall they are running. There is food, games, and drinks available of all kinds, so feel free to roam around to your heart's content sampling everything that you can.

Performance

A large stage has been erected at one end of the festival street. The Heavens know that there are many talented gods and shinki present, so they are more than willing to clear spots in the scheduling for those people to perform. Anytime a Far Shore resident isn't on stage, there are plenty of Near Shore acts to go on, ranging the gambit from traditional music and instruments all the way to a rock band that has somehow found themselves here for the celebration.

Wishes

Pieces of paper called tanzaku have been strewn about a number of bamboo shoots all over the festival. There are brightly colored decorations on the bamboo and the papers themselves exist in every color of the rainbow as well. Attendees are encouraged to write down any wishes they may have and hang them from the bamboo, a normal Tanabata tradition. Wishes can range from 'I want a soda' to 'World peace' and anything in between. Obviously, some of these wishes may not be able to be granted during the time of the festival, but gods and shinki alike are encouraged to answer any wishes they can as well.

NOTE: Please report any wishes your characters answers to the first comment on this post along with a link to where the wish is answered. There will be small bonuses awarded for answered wishes.

The Bridge

As stated previously, the bridge that will allow Orihime to meet her lover touches down in the very center of the festival's street. It may be made of tiny pieces, but the bridge itself is sturdy. While it may not be able to take just anyone who sets foot on it across the Milky Way, you are allowed to walk along the bridge yourself, though you will always find yourself turned around after a short time and heading back towards where you stepped on. Lovers in particular are encouraged to walk the bridge together to deepen their bonds, but be cautioned! If you walk onto the bridge with someone, you might start feeling affectionately towards them even if they are your sworn enemy! Such is the power of love on this day.

In Summary:

• Enjoy the festival
• Watch some quality entertainment
• Make and/or answer wishes
• Meet Orihime
• Traverse the bridge
• Have fun~

Comments

Ota!

[mermaiding]

[Stalls]

[FOOD. There's food! Festivals are literally The Best as far as Oona's now concerned. There's grilled fish and grilled octopus and takoyaki and--

And Oona wants to spend money on none of it. She's snitching pieces here and there when she can, but when the attending shinki start to get wise and pay closer attention, Oona switches to plan B. She immediately attaches herself to the arm of someone near any food stall that catches her eye. Her yukata is already scandalously short and deliberately half-falling off one shoulder, and she grins]

Hey, hey! It looks good, yes? Human food can look and smell so nice, but have not tried many of these before! Have you? Can try together, yes? [She then immediately turns to the attendant and holds up two fingers] Two! [And then back to the person whose arm she's on] Well? Give them money!

[Wishes]

[Oona doesn't seem to realize that she can just use like, one or two papers or something. She's currently taken about 50 and is trying to find places on the bamboo for them all. (Stop her from climbing, not just because it's dangerous but her yukata is too short for this--) A couple flutter out of her grip without her notice, but they all are variations on the same theme: "want salmon," "want tuna," "want a takoyaki," "want 10 takoyaki," "want 5 iyayaki," etc. Most are food, but some have things like "want a kiss" or "want pretty necklace."

There's one, though, that's been much more carefully written then any of the others, and Oona spends a long time staring at it before she begins to hang it up. She then seems to get some doubts though, because she doesn't finish the movement and steps back with the paper again, frowning.]

Stupid. Wishes do not come true so easy. [Printed on this one is "I want to turn back into a mermaid. I want my tail back."]

[Bridge]

[Of course Oona's going to want to see this bridge everyone's making a fuss over! She hums, pleased, slowly nibbling on a big candied strawberry as she eyes it]

So, once a year, meets lover here? And is only time she can meet him? Ah, romantic and tragic... [Oona sighs happily. Who doesn't love a good romantic drama? She hums again, the sound sounding vaguely inhuman-- it's music, sure, but it sounds like several different people humming at once, in tones that probably shouldn't be achievable by human voice alone. It somehow gives the vague impression of sympathy and hope as she begins to walk across the bridge herself.]

Stalls!

[misterfrumpyface]

[Erk immediately pulls his arm away, looking downright affronted as he smooths the sleeve of his yukata. Who is this woman? He doesn't know her. He's certainly not buying her anything. And why...

...Why are her clothes falling off her shoulder?

His annoyed glare is rendered much less effective by the blush that colours his face. Still, he tries his best to maintain it.]

I'll do nothing of the sort. You ordered the food, and you can pay for it.

[mermaiding]

[The blush is just what she's looking for and she smirks to herself before she moves up against his side again, pouting]

But, you are getting some too! Is only right to pay!

[They don't actually have to pay anything at these stalls, apparently, since the shinki manning them seem perfectly content to give them away for free but whatever.]

Give me money for your half, at least, then!

[misterfrumpyface]

[Nope, Erk's having none of this. When she moves into his personal space again, he takes a step back. It's not proper to be so close to a strange woman, especially when that woman is showing more skin than is probably appropriate for the occasion.

He makes a concerted effort to keep his eyes on her face, not her bare shoulder. If only he couldn't feel his own face getting redder by the moment...]

Certainly not. I don't even want any!

[mermaiding]

But, is already ordered. Would be terrible to waste it, yes?

[She clasps her hands behind her back and leans towards him, pouting.] Went through trouble of ordering, even if you do not eat, could least pay for your half! Is already being made, after all!

[For $10,000 a month oona will stop]

wishes

[minogame]

( From nearby, there's bright laughter as Urashima helps a particularly small child reach for a high branch to tie their fortune to. )

Did you wish to grow taller? ( He jokes and the child laughs back, shaking his head no.. but it looks like Urashima's given him another idea and after tieing his fortune, the child runs away. Waving good bye, Urashima lets the branch go gently and sees Oona nearby, ) Ah... Oona!

Are you making a wish too?

( He should be asking if she's making another wish, tbh.... but how is he supposed to know how many wishes she's made! )

[mermaiding]

[Oona watches him with the kid, head tilted in interest. Did he have children or younger siblings back when he was alive, she wonders? Probably not his own children, she thinks, because she can't imagine someone like Urashima with a mate, let alone taking care of a small baby.

When he acknowledges her she blinks slowly and makes a soft 'Mm' noise, nodding. She look down at the...several strips of paper still clutches in her hands and waves them at him] Many wishes! If make many, one or two have to come true, yes? Is, ehh... Proba... Probability? Something like that.

[WHATEVER. That's not even how this works, Oona, but whatever] Have you made wish yet?

[minogame]

( The truth is, Urashima actually has many younger brothers but given his size and form of his spirit, he's always played the role of the little brother. He didn't mind back then... he loved being spoiled and cared for by his brothers. Now, if only they would just get along... )

Right, right. ( Is that how it works? He doesn't know but her logic seems sound. ) Ah... I haven't made one yet.

( But he looks a little embarrassed at the question. He definitely has one in mind, it seems. )

Um! I'll help you hang your wishes. You have a lot!

[mermaiding]

Go get paper and make one, then! Just wish for anything. What do you want most? [She flaps her papers at him s if to say 'shoo, shoo!'

Does she have a lot?? She looks at her handfuls of papers and figures that maybe she went a little overboard in her enthusiasm.] ...Want many things. Did not say had to only wish for one thing, so, will wish for many!

Especially food, there is so much good food here! Should have festivals every day!

Bridge

[kokuyoyo]

[Chikusa. Chikusa doesn't love a good romantic drama.]

[But then.... Something about this whole thing makes him want to grind his teeth, and he can't quite pinpoint what it is. Only that it's.... infuriating. But he mostly keeps quiet as he watches everyone fuss over it, including someone he hadn't pegged for any kind of romantic.]

[It's her humming, however, that has his attention, and he listens to it even as she drifts farther away onto the bridge. When she finally comes back, he tilts his head slightly to the side.]

What's that sound?

[mermaiding]

Hm? Sound? [It cuts off as she speaks and acknowledges him, one eyebrow raised]

Ah, sound, like this? [She hums again, the subharmonics resonating again before she grins] Is me. Mermaids voices are special. [She looks smug about it] Talk like this, through tune and songs and sound.

Is-- Cool, yes?

[kokuyoyo]

[Something actually like active interest lights up his stare a little, although the rest of his face doesn't seem to be catching up anytime soon, and he gives a nod after a moment's thought.]

It... seems simpler that way. Easier to be understood.

[mermaiding]

[Oona nods, her smile more soft than her usual beaming grin]

Humans use so many words, so useless. Use many words to say one thing, when only couple could get meaning across just as well.

Wishes

[clothes_make_the_man]

That's... quite a few wishes, Oona.

[It's hard to miss how many she's sitting there writing.]

How did you like the sandals? Are they helping at all?

[Is she wearing them tonight?]

[mermaiding]

Eh? Is it not enough? [OONA NO.]

Ah, sandals, yes! They help, a bit. [She holds her leg up and wiggles her foot to show the sandals he's made that she's definitely wearing. They're not a perfect solution, but they still help.]

Can move for longer, before hurting starts, but even then does not hurt as much as before. They are good gift.

[clothes_make_the_man]

What did you wish for?

[He's curious if there's anything else he can help her with. But he does smile as he sees her foot moving back and forth.]

That's good to hear. I'm glad I was able to help with the pain. I'll fix them up for you if they ever wear out, too.

bridge

[redotiertwo]

[Davesprite has been hovering in the general vicinity of the bridge for a while, mostly because it's an interesting landmark and also because it's kind of hilarious seeing some of the stuff going on when people go up it. Oona's unusual humming as she starts going up it piques his attention, though, and he glides down closer to the base and drifts around her with a wave of the hand.]

That's some otherworldly music you've got happening there. Feels appropriate for the occasion. [Something about romance, something about stars...Davesprite really has barely any idea what this celebration is actually about.]

[mermaiding]

[Oona turns quickly and then grins when she recognizes him] Davesprite! Yes, it is good, yes?

Perhaps can be like sister-sirens and lure people away. [She gives her fingers a wiggle like some 'ooohh ~Magic~' gesture and laughs.]

Is just nonsense song, anyhow. Silly song to sing to children, back home. You should sing too!

[redotiertwo]

It's pretty fucking high quality tunes, even compared to what they had going on that stage. [Davesprite would be offended that there weren't any embarrassingly terrible acts, except the whole thing had been genuinely enjoyable enough for him not to be.

Davesprite definitely looks a little amused at the sister-sirens idea, but when she actually suggests him singing, he holds up his hands.]

Nah, I'm more the spitting rhymes type, and it's hard to do that on the fly unless you're locked in some deadly serious rap battle shit. And compared to what you were just putting out, I'm not sure it would pale so much as vanish into the howling abyss yonder.

Wishes

[starfestival]

[There's a wan smile that crosses her face. She pulls her hands into her pale purple yukata and she nods.]

I must agree with you. Wishes do not come true so easily.

[Then she raises her eyebrows.]

Are you going to write on the tanzaku regardless?

[mermaiding]

[Oona yelps in surprise and whirls about, not yet decided if she's going to be angry about being startled or not, but her possibly-angry retort dies in her throat when she sees who it is.]

E-eh? You are... [She feels suddenly, inexplicably, nervous, and twists her Important Wish around in her hands.]

...Do not know. Have it written, but... [She glances at the bamboo and frowns] To put it on display does not make me happy either. It is impossible wish, so what is point? [Oona shrugs, then peers almost shyly at Orihime through her lashes]

Will you be putting a wish up?

[starfestival]

[She smiles, but it's thin and contemplative.]

My apologies - I do not quite understand. Do we know each other? Or do we not? I can answer your question once I know that.

[She'd met so many new gods and shinki lately that she seriously considered the idea that she'd spoken with this person and completely forgotten about it.]

Stalls (+ a wish sort of, because I couldn't choose)

[thirdbeauty]

[While Natsuru was hanging her own wishes, a single piece of paper fluttered by and landed on her arm. Written on it was a rather... bluntly written wish, that made her cheeks flush a little. Just the words 'want a kiss', with no mention of a particular person or anything.

It's while clutching this small slip of paper, trying to hide it from view lest someone think it's her wish, that she's suddenly tackled by a familiar blonde. She's no stranger to scandalously short skirts herself, but the way Oona's half-wearing that short yukata while clinging to her makes her cheeks turn even redder.]

Oona-san?!

[With how suddenly this has happened, and Oona's excitement, it takes her a moment to catch up.]

W-Well, I don't really know-

[Oona doesn't seem to particularly care whether she's tried it before or not, though. She's already insisting that the attendant give them two, and pushing Natsuru to pay. In the moment, she can't think of a polite way to get out of this, so she just... goes along.]

Um, sure...

[The attendant gets paid, and they both get their food, so this appears to be a win for everyone. Except maybe for the very confused, flustered, and now slightly poorer Natsuru. Who is still trying so hard not to say anything about Oona's state of half-undress.]

Is this the first time you've been to a festival like this?

[mermaiding]

[Oona munches happily on the food, looking quite pleased with the whole turn of events. She got food for free and Natsuru can safely say she's answered one of Oona's wishes, so in the end everyone wins, right?

She glances up at the question, not taking notice just yet of the paper wish Natsuru's been holding onto.] Hm? Ah, yes. Have celebrations within families, but our clans spread too wide. Once year there is big gathering, but it is difficult to go to, sometimes.

Have never been. [Will never be, she thinks bitterly, but she shoves more food in her mouth to avoid saying that.] Humans have these festivals often? There is so much food!

[thirdbeauty]

[Natsuru's still not sure what to think of Oona talking about humans like that. The blonde hasn't actually mentioned what she is, and Natsuru isn't sure if it'd be rude to ask. It shouldn't really matter, anyway, aside from her own curiosity.]

Only once a year?

[Well, compared to that...]

Yeah, there's lots of different festivals! Not all of them are big like this, but there's a few different ones every year.

[She smiles, and even giggles softly at how happy Oona seems to be about all the food. That's definitely one thing all the festivals she can think of have in common.]