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

[priforprince]

[ He's causing those? The servile god utterly lacking in presence or poise despite his excellent taste in shirts???

Hibiki reins in her horses before she causes an incident and looks down on Johan from on high. As is only proper. ] Quite the extravagant tableau you're contributing.

[ Still loses to her, though. Look at this. She's got a carriage. Indoors.

Aw yes. ]

[rainbowmaster]

[Johan blinks upon hearing Hibiki's voice, looking over and smiling.]

Yeah, hope you don't mind.

[Sapphire Pegasus regards Hibiki for a moment while Cobalt Eagle folds his wings.]

[priforprince]

It pleases the audience. [ And is therefore fine by her. Honestly, the surprising part is that you know how to do something cool.

And it looks like you've handed out quite a lot of flyers, so...

She nods to her carriage. ] Join me.

[rainbowmaster]

[Johan is a bit bemused, but he does nod and joins her on her carriage.

He looks after Sapphire Pegasus and Cobalt Eagle, seeing them nod and take flight once more.]

[priforprince]

[ Okay, that looked like how people might interact with their managers, which is another box in Hibiki's mind those creatures could fill (the other ones being "generated constructs" and "like Princess Celestia", but these seemed to lack the same...noble airs).

Asking is for people who aren't geniuses, though, and as long as people enjoy their presence and think better of CelePara Talent Agency for it, Hibiki frankly does not care what they are. ]

A splendid evening.

[ It's going...okay. Not as many guests as she'd imagined, but those that are here do seem to be having a good time. That's the most important part. ]

[rainbowmaster]

[Johan hums, looks over at her.]

Are you pleased with how well it's turning out?

[Because he knows that Hibiki has planned for it to be a grand evening, filled with more people. However, it is still a fun place to be.

Though, he wonders if there's more to what Hibiki is feeling.]

[priforprince]

[ A slight exhale at the question, since....it's true, she had rather expected everyone to flock to her doors. But life is what it is. Hibiki suffers no illusions that she's aware of about that fact. ]

It's a start.

[ This young man needs to stop being so relaxing. That utter lack of presence keeps making her think she has Ando back. ]

Do you enjoy this sort of work?

[rainbowmaster]

Mm, there are more chances to come, yeah?

[What she calls a lack of presence is what he calls just easy-going. Johan never likes attention, which is why he often goes out of his way from being in it.

He shrugs.]

It's pretty fun.

[priforprince]

You'll be duly compensated.

[ She's not really looking at him, preferring to check and make sure everything's functioning properly. And everyone is having fun....Everyone....

...That godless spirit over there is looking rather lost. Hibiki picks up the reins higher to steer the horses. ]

[rainbowmaster]

[A curious expression masks his face as they heard over to the godless spirit.

Though, he lets Hibiki handle it since this is her show, after all.]

[priforprince]

[ Hibiki pulls up alongside the spirit and smiles. She looks way nicer than she ever has before. In full solicitous mode. ]

What discomfort stirs in your soul, mademoiselle?

[ The spirit blinks. Everything is just so...so bright....w-wow....

One of the horses snorts, and the spirit jumps practically out of their burial clothes. Everything here is just so much!!

Hibiki blinks. She looks confused at the idea that anyone could find her aesthetics, ah, "much". ]

[rainbowmaster]

[He watches, somewhat bemused.

When it seems that the poor spirit is trying to explain what it means, he leans forward a bit and flashes them a smile.]

Hey, calm down now and take deep breaths. Guessing this isn't something you're used to?

[priforprince]

[ The spirit shakes their head. They've been....staying out...of the way....because of all the things that say it tastes good. But there are none here, so they thought...it'd be safe....

This information gratifies Hibiki. ] But of course. This is a paradise no negative aura can--

[ ...But now all the loud colors are just as scary as the monsters.

Hibiki's eyes nearly cross. ]

[rainbowmaster]

[....Ah.

He looks at the spirit as it jumps and tend to curl up and then his eyes shift up to the fireworks.

Well, that makes sense. Immediately, he gives the spirit a reassuring look.]

Fireworks can be a little scary, but don't worry, it won't hurt you.

[priforprince]

[ They won't? Then....

Then what about the patterns on the walls and the loud rattly machines people are strapped into and the noise coming from those doors marked "stage" over there and the--

Hibiki looks somewhere between offended and utterly lost. ] What, exactly, did you come for, anyway?

[ Drat. There went the temper. She presses her lips together. ]

[rainbowmaster]

[A glance over at Hibiki and then back at the spirit.]

If it seems all so scary to you, then why did you come? [Tilting his head to the side, Johan blinks at the spirit.]

If you came because you think it's safe, then it is. You shouldn't be scared to try out new things and see new sights. Otherwise, it's just not going to do you any good if you stay here and you remain to be afraid of everything.

[priforprince]

[ It's safe? The spirit blinks several times, looking with admiration at Johan, not Hibiki. It's all just noisy? None of it is going to eat them?

Noticing which way the guest is looking, Hibiki coughs into a fist, rallying. ] Shall I cast a spell upon you? To protect you from your fears.

[ The spirit finally looks over at Hibiki, thinking this over.

Good. ]

[rainbowmaster]

[Johan gives the spirit his best smile, though he has to laugh softly upon hearing Hibiki's words.

Guess she doesn't handle being in the background well.]

Her spell casting is the finest here. [He gives the spirit a thumbs-up] You won't feel any fear at all once she's done.

[priforprince]

[ He plays along immediately?? Hibiki certainly does know a useful man when she sees one. The spirit seems reassured, too, and turns towards Hibiki to receive the spell.

Hibiki shifts in her seat on the carriage, lifting a hand. She swipes two fingers across the spirit's face, purple sparkles trailing from them, and silently activates her illusion powers. A golden half-mask appears on the spirit's face.

Satisfied, Hibiki sits back. That's a fairly minor illusion. Maintaining it atop everything else shouldn't be an inconvenience. ] There. No one who wishes you harm will recognize you now. You may dance free from care at the masquerade.

[ The spirit touches their face, which doesn't feel any different, but catches sight of the illusion in one of the many polished surfaces around. Their eyes light up. It's true! They don't look like themselves in this!

Hibiki smiles. She honestly does look pleased the spirit is happy. ]

[rainbowmaster]

[There is something similar to awe in Johan's expression. It's something like magic for sure, but Johan also knows it's not magic either.

Sapphire Pegasus is quick to tell him what's happened, the Duel Spirits generally unaffected by this world's rules since it doesn't pertain to their own. Either way, Johan can't help but smile, genuinely happy to see the spirit so happy.]

Told you that you don't have to worry.

[Johan's smile turns into a grin.]

So enjoy yourself, alright? Have fun.

[priforprince]

[ Is he communicating with those things? Hibiki watches Johan out of the corners of her eyes, but most of her attention is on the spirit, who nods. They're going to - um - they'll go try one of those machines, then!

And off they go. Hibiki sighs, sitting back in the carriage.

That got sticky. She'd nearly had a dissatisfied customer, and she's too Perfect for that. ]

[rainbowmaster]

You okay?

[Johan can feel himself getting a bit tired from summoning two of his Monsters, enough that they finally disappear. Though no longer visible to Hibiki's, Johan can still see them just fine.]

[priforprince]

I'm fine.

[ A hand brushes her bangs, and Hibiki centers herself in the carriage. It was the littlest thing, that mask, but here it comes. She is getting a headache, after all.

At least it seems mutual. The creatures have vanished, too. ]

Perhaps we should advertise outside the temple....

[rainbowmaster]

[A smile.]

Maybe. It'd be better that way, I think.

[priforprince]

I'll drop you off.

[ It's funny, how quickly "we" turns to "you". But Hibiki has to stay and ensure her guests are all delighted. Why, nothing could possibly tear her away from this important task... ]