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

[brynwieldr]

We spend so much time together, I'm worried you'll get tired of me. So many others do, since I lack the tact I was born with--to quote an old nanny.

[onedrinkwithme]

If that was true, I would not be here right now.

[Aymeric was right and the festival is less crowded but he can't help but put a hand on Leo's shoulder for reassurance.]

Just because some say you 'lack tact' does not mean anything. I know a very good man who does the same but he and I are wonderful friends and have been for the past ten years. If that is so, then you have nothing to fear.

[brynwieldr]

[He looks up when Aymeric rests a hand on his shoulder, smiling a little.]

One day I will have pretty words to say about you that are more than just "a wonderful man I'm honored to know". One day.

[Now, which way do they want to go....]

[onedrinkwithme]

You need not florishing words to flatter me, it is your actions that I value much more.

[Actually, Aymeric does take notice of something: the bridge. Oh, Tanabata does have a bridge in the origin story. And there is little people nearby. Hey, maybe they can cross it and see what's on the other side.]

What about this path?

[brynwieldr]

And I am very thankful for that.

[He glances at the path and nods, heading down it]

The bridge, right?

[onedrinkwithme]

Yes, it doesn't have many near by. There seems to be no harm in walking across.

[brynwieldr]

Then that's where we'll go.

[It's strange how abandoned it is and Leo thinks maybe it's unstable.

But the first step on is stable and the bridge hardly moves]

I wonder why no one else is here.

[onedrinkwithme]

Hmm, is this not supposed to be a symbol of the bridge for the celebration today? Mayhap only those of the Far Shore are supposed to cross?

[brynwieldr]

I guess. Oh, well. That just means fewer people to avoid.

[He smiles up at Aymeric and is struck for a moment by how pretty he is in this lighting.]

[onedrinkwithme]

[He nods and the moment he steps on the bridge, Aymeric can't help but feel lighter almost. Its a strange feeling but also intense; he always feels joy whenever he sees Leo smile but right now? It's much more than that particular emotion.

That and he's standing much closer to him than before. Huh.]

[brynwieldr]

[Wow, they are awfully close now, aren't they? Leo spends a moment or two just...admiring Aymeric before he manages to shake himself a little and take a few more steps on the bridge.

Before stopping again to either wait for Aymeric or just enjoy having him so close? It's hard to tell. He just really, really wants him close for some reason all of a sudden. Sure, he enjoys his company, but...

(Somewhere in the dark recesses of his mind, Leo remembers Niles suggesting the bridge as somewhere to go with Aymeric.)]

Aymeric...

[onedrinkwithme]

[Certain feelings Aymeric does know of and has felt included infatuation. But this however is far from, perhaps even deeper than those simple emotions. As they continue walking, he can't help but notice just small matters about his partner; such as how the festival lantern lights make the prince have something like an ethereal glow around his face. Or the paces in his steps.

Hells, its only Leo's voice that snaps him out of his somewhat trance.]

Hmm? Is aught amiss?

[brynwieldr]

No, nothing's wrong. I was just...

[Leo shakes his head, hesitating before reaching for Aymeric's arm]

I don't know. You didn't seem to be here, that's all.

[onedrinkwithme]

Well...this may sound foolish but I was rather caught up watching you.

[Surprise?]

[brynwieldr]

[Leo just gapes for a moment before closing his mouth and turning a very nice shade of pink]

You...were? Is there something wrong...?

[onedrinkwithme]

N-Nay! Nothing like that!

[How can he be fine with speaking to thousands and to dragons but dealing with a friend with feelings beyond carnal? How does handle?]

When the lights came upon you, I could not help but admire it.

[brynwieldr]

...admire?

[That makes him chuckle a bit]

How funny. I was doing the same. You're beautiful, Aymeric, and in this lighting it's even more obvious. To me, at least.

[onedrinkwithme]

[Wait, he was doing the same? At least Aymeric won't feel as awkward now.]

How...long have you seen me in such a way?

[brynwieldr]

Oh...to be honest? I have no idea. It just...dawned on me, so to speak, after we'd known each other for a while. I learned a long time ago that physical beauty is the last thing someone should be judged on, unless you're picking up a whore.

[onedrinkwithme]

Of a likemind we are.

[He can't help but chuckle.]

[brynwieldr]

Indeed. It's why I like you so much, Aymeric. I don't often find people like me that I can tolerate--and I actively seek out your company! It's amazing.

[He shifts, the hem of his yukata catching on a bit of the bridge and causing him to lose his balance a little. No cliche falling into Aymeric's arms, just a bit of awkwardness]

[onedrinkwithme]

[It might not be cliche but Aymeric can't help but hold onto the other man. Tripping is serious business and what not.]

Careful, these yukata I suppose are only worn on occasion for a reason.

[brynwieldr]

No, I'm honestly just that clumsy. I've gotten better, but when I was a child I'd knock everything over.

[He shakes his head.]

Thank you, Aymeric.

[onedrinkwithme]

[Why does that sound cute? Also not letting go.]

You did not move with such grace as now? Perish the thought!

[Just by how he's laughing and the twinkle in his blue eyes, it's more for fun than actual teasing.]

[brynwieldr]

You wound me, Aymeric. And here I thought you liked me.

[But Leo's laughing too, smiling and swatting Aymeric's arm.]