22 - Harvest Moon Viewing

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
What: Harvest Moon Viewing
When: September 10, 6 PM
Where: The Meeting Hall grounds
Summary: The Heavens are throwing a moon-viewing party!







Party Games

Children are dashing all over the moon-viewing grounds in the early evening, flying kites or playing tag and other games. Many of them are wearing cute seasonal rabbit masks made of paper, or sporting ink curlicues and scribbles drawn over their faces, if they've lost too many games.

Card games and spinning top battles, a few practice archery butts towards the edge of the park, poetry-composing competitions, and even badminton: there's something for everyone, and anyone who doesn't look too busy may find themselves offered a rabbit mask and a game to play. Or perhaps you'd like to try your hand at drawing people into your own game?

Moon Viewing

The moon rises not long after sunset, looming over the garden in hazy golden and red splendor thanks to the volcanic fumes in the atmosphere. The games are winding down as darkness falls, and the faint scent of burning incense fills the air as people settle to view the moon rise. Shinki in their festival best, adorned with Amaterasu's golden chrysanthemum, are serving the guests. They set out trays of fresh seasonal fruit (Japanese pears, persimmons, and chestnuts) and plates of mochi, serve sake, and light portable grills to cook sweet potatoes and skewers of meat.

Mazed & Confused

Part of the grounds have been rearranged into a hedge-maze made of tall, plumed grasses packed close together. A sign at the entrance reads, "Bring back my ribbon from the center of the maze,
and I'll give you a special prize!"

Unfortunately, that's harder than it sounds. The maze is full of dead ends, confusing turns, and twisty little passages, which all look alike. It's almost magical how easy it is to lose your way inside, and the tufted grass will prove to have painfully sharp edges if anyone tries to cheat by pushing their way through the "walls" of the maze.

Those who successfully find their way to the center will find a white ribbon fluttering from the top of a tall pole. If they can climb the pole, pull the ribbon free, and make it back to the entrance, they will hear the sound of a child's laughter, and the ribbon in their hand will disappear to be replaced by a round cake of mochi. Enjoy the prize!

Wild Moon

One of the children participating most energetically in the games of tag and dashing around the party is wearing an oversized gray hoodie with the hood pulled up right to the edges of his happy rabbit mask. He's not being very careful, either: he keeps bumping into other party attendees and barely taking the time to mutter an apology before he sprints away.

Although nothing noticeable happens at the time, anyone who's been tagged or bumped into by that particular child will begin to feel more emotional, quicker to react, and less self-controlled as the night wears on. Those who he only brushed by won't be too powerfully affected, but the more times that he has run into someone, the stronger the effect will grow.

(Note: This won't cause anyone to have emotions that they wouldn't feel otherwise, but both ongoing moods and temporary reactions could be amplified.)

In Summary:

• Play party games
• Relax with snacks
• Try to solve the hedge maze
• Go wild
• Have fun~

Comments

Sousuke Yamazaki ~ OTA

[takenwithhim]

Party Games – So You Want to be an Archer

[It’s hard to tell which he likes best, day or night. Most people who see him, tall, dark, handsome, intimidating, brooding, would think he’s definitely a night. But there are so many things to do during the day… But Sousuke does like the night. The cool of it and quiet (sometimes) helps him relax after his occasional harrying days. Normally he’d be inside now, doing something mundane with Rin or practicing his swimming or cooking something. But he festival was going on and well… He goes where Rin does.

As it is, he’s wandering through the moon-viewing grounds, wearing dark kimono and giant red umbrella he got from don’t-ask-where. What captures his eye, however, is the archery butts edging the park. Though he’s never fired a bow before (as far as his amnesiac mind suggests), there’s allure there. Soon enough, he’s standing in place, sleeves folded up to expose his arms as he draws back on the bow. Teal eyes narrow on the target in the distance and in quiet solemnity, he releases the arrow… and lands within the red. Beginner’s luck or he’s got untapped prowess. Who knows?

Come admire or give the swimmer pointers.]

Moon Viewing ~ Meal with a View

[Night’s finally fallen and Sousuke’s retired from the games and amusements the sunset had brought. As the incense wafts through the night air, he situates himself near one of the trees, umbrella folded and lying beside him like a thick red spear. Back to the trunk, one arm folded across his stomach and lost within the hang of his sleeves, he observes some of the other shinki serving the other guests. Being a shinki himself, and considering his dress, he’s been asked once or twice by mistake for a refill or retrieval of food. One of them he acquiesced to, the other, not so much…

As it is, his free arm is doing an impressive display of holding a plate of food (mochi, potatoes, and chestnuts) between his fifth and fourth fingers, with the other digits staked with a few skewers of glistening pork and draped with tied-together festival fruits hanging down below for later consumption. The scent of the various foods seems to cling to the air around him, but also carries the ever-present tangy hint of chlorine. A swimmer does that after all.

Sousuke leans into the tree’s firm slope, eyes lingering on the rising moon. Despite missing his memories, there’s a lot in his head he can muse on without trouble. His time here, his place as a shinki, his god, other things that are more private… Perhaps you want to share the food, comment on the moon, engage him in one way or another?

Or maybe you mistake him for a serving shinki and want to get something refilled…]

Hedge Maze ~ Whale Shark with no Sense of Direction

[He’s not lost! He just… has to retrace his steps; that’s all. It’s too bad he has no memories to remind Sousuke Yamazaki that he’s completely terrible when it comes to directions. It’s also too bad he had enough pride to assume the maze will be an easy challenge to tackle. The worst thing of all? He might have forgotten he’s terrible with directions… but he’s still terrible with directions. It’s part of him and not going anywhere.

And right now, neither is Sousuke. That’s the fifth dead end he’s arrived at and one accidental stumble earlier taught him the hard way that there’s no pushing through the hedges, much less climbing them. Half of him’s doggedly determined to refuse admitting defeat and find the ribbon at the center! The other half is content to just find the damn exit.

Seriously, someone’s going to have to find him and lead him out of there or he’s going to starve to death inside, eternally lost and too proud to admit it.]

Wild Moon ~ Emotions of a Rising Tide

[Tch! That’s the third time that kid in the bunny hood’s run into him. Sousuke’s ignored it the first time, but the second time earned a sharper look and frown. This time, however, doesn’t get off so easily and the shinki actually gives a small snarl towards the retreating kid. Someone either needs to put that thing on a leash or take it back home before it gets kicked into the lake. Matter of fact, he might end up being the one to do it if it happens a fourth time. Normally, Sousuke’s got a very nice grip on his self-control and emotions, but for some reason, that’s not happening right now.

Muttering silently to himself, he heads out into the fields again, wandering through the trees, the light of the moon basking down atop him in silver glows. There are, however, other emotions swirling within him, agitated by something he can’t put his finger on. A melancholy brooding that dwells on the things he’s lost and the sport he struggles with despite his passion for it. A spitfire of anger towards his role as a shinki and his place and experiences here within the two Shores.

And then there are things that have to do with being a teenage boy with certain urges that he normally handles on his own alone time...]


[OOC: Feel free to tag into any of the above prompts! Got other ideas or places or settings you want to run into Sousuke at? Go right ahead and toss them up! As the Wild Moon prompt suggests, that prompt is open to more adult things if it piques your interests. Sousuke’s permissions and preferences are in his journal. If you want to get in touch with me to discuss something, PM Sousuke’s journal or contact me at StarSeed69!]

Party Games

[deniles]

[Niles spends plenty of time at the archery butts, mainly to get a view of the people who are trying, and failing, to shoot bows and arrows. He can, occasionally, give advice, but overall? Hes' here for his amusement. And no amusement is as great as the one he has watching someone new come in and try. And fail.

If they succeed, however, it's now competition.

And that's what it is now with this man. Seeing him in the red, he silently slides up next to him, prepares, aims, fires. And gets a bullseye.]

Do the red again.

[And don't try to get out of it.]

[takenwithhim]

[Sousuke focuses on the target again. Without any real coaching, he’s mostly got instinct and assumption to go on. Aim the tip of the arrow? Focus down the straight side of the bow? Try to point the entire length of the arrow? One of those or a combination has to work somehow…

Pushing those thoughts to the side, he draws another arrow from the standing quiver beside him, notches it, and—suddenly realizes there’s someone standing next to him. When did he-? The arrow zips out from the stranger’s bow and nails the bullseye. Flawlessly.

Sousuke narrows his eyes, momentarily unsure of this is an impromptu competition or a show off. Do the red again. Oh now it’s a competition.

He lifts his arms, draws back on the bow, his form definitely not perfect to a technical/expert archer, but it’s athletic and focused and decent enough. Focus… and lets fly. The arrow slams into the red, right on the outer rim. But still red.]

You’ve had practice.

[Obviously.]

[deniles]

I'm an archer. Of course I've had practice.

[It is still red. But it's far less impressive the second time around. Niles just smirks, crossing his arms as he rests the bow down against the booth side.]

Now, if you want to learn techniques.

[He moves up beside him, a hand moving to touch his arm, slowly stroking it.]

I can teach you that and more.

[takenwithhim]

I can see that.

[Considering he just sank a bulls-eye without anything coming off as "luck" from his pose to his results. And that smirk. Sousuke accepts the look without comment.

It's when the additional part comes that he hesitates, a brow arching.]

I'm listening.

[Entering his personal space and suddenly touching--well, stroking--his arm earns a slight frown.]

Oy.

[Archery, stranger. Archery. Right?]

[deniles]

Good.

[He looks at him, smirking hard as he meets his frown.]

Relax. I'm getting you into position.

[At least, that's what he's saying now.

Someone to tell Zoro about for sure.]

Move your arm back against your side. Which ever isn't your dominant arm, grab the wooden part of the bow with it.

[takenwithhim]

[If he says so. Sousuke accepts the reasoning and lets the other guy do as he wishes. The smirk’s… minutely suspicious, but whatever.

The swimmer nods and moves his arm to his side and takes hold of the bow with his left arm, fingers around the grip in the middle.]

Like this?

[deniles]

Correct.

[He grabs an arrow and hands it over to him to grip into his fingers.]

Now, notch it in the string. And pull it back with your right arm and keep it steady.

[He's so willing to listen and follow along. It does intrigue him.]

[takenwithhim]

[He may be a stubborn guy, but he can take directions well enough. As the arrow's passed to him, Sousuke accepts it.

And then fits the notch onto the string; that part, he at least does well and fluid. Once it's set, and still keeping his arm as he's supposed to, Sousuke lifts the bow and draws back on the arrow, keeping the notch between his middle and ring fingers.

Eyes focus on the target and the tip of the arrow, the bow held steady in his grip.]

All right.

Hedge maze

[papillonprincess]

[ She had been too focused on finding her way out to notice where she was going. Her eyes and one hand are on the wall, trying to follow that old belief that if you keep your right hand on the wall, you'll find your way out.

What she doesn't count on is walking straight into someone's chest.

When she looks up, it's at a familiar face. ]

Sousuke-kun... Fancy meeting you here. I take it you came to challenge the maze? Or did you happen to stumble in by accident?

Re: Hedge maze

[takenwithhim]

[He's passed a few people, all of whom are obviously looking for their way out of the maze. Once he might have shadowed someone until another dead end met them. So he's back to going at it alone. Arms folded in the sleeves of his yukata since there aren't any pock--]

Mhn-!

[And someone rams into his chest right as he turns the corner. Quick as a flash, he's got one leg braced behind him to prevent falling, and his other arm extends to catch (or at least prevent) the other person from doing the same.]

Kuroyukihime? [He's not seen her in a while, but it's nice to see a familiar face. Sousuke lowers his arm.] Aa. I thought it'd be fun to challenge it.

[papillonprincess]

[ She murmurs a thank you as he catches her before pulling back to dust herself off. There's a stray leaf on her shoulder on the same side that had been pressed against the hedges. ]

Well, since you're here... shall we go together? Two heads are better than one, as they say. Navigating this labyrinth should be easier if there are two of us.

[ At least that's what she thinks. She hadn't been making much headway for now but then, she just got here. ]

[takenwithhim]

[Sousuke silently brushes the leaf off her shoulder before his arm goes completely away. The invitation earns a slight arch of his brow, but he glances off to the right, towards the "hall" beside them.

And nods.] Aa. Sounds like a good idea.

[He's sure he can conquer this thing. With her help, they should be out of here in no time, right?]

Do you want to aim for the center or the exit?

[Honestly, now, either of the options is good with him.]

[papillonprincess]

The center. I'd be lying if I said the prize didn't intrigue me... whatever it was.

[ Mystery prize. Knowing heaven, it could be anything. So she places her hand on the wall again before looking up at him. ]

Shall we?

[takenwithhim]

[To the center it is then. He's curious as well, and stubborn too. The sign promised something interesting, so... Sousuke nods moves to her side, noticing the way her hand goes to the wall again.

Oh. That "keep your hand on the wall and eventually you'll get out" idea.]

How have you been?

[Something to talk about while they walk.]

[papillonprincess]

Incidentally I was going to ask you the same question.

[ She was, too. It's been a while since they spoke, after all. Her hand remains on the wall as they walk, not quite pressing into the hedge. She heard trying to pass through it was a bad idea. There's a small hum of thought as she walks, wondering where exactly to begin. ]

I suppose things have been... alright. Rei-kun's back... but he hardly remembers me so I suppose that's something though I haven't quite decided if it's a good or bad thing. And yourself?

[takenwithhim]

[He thought so. A slight lift of his shoulders in understanding.]

Ladies first.

[Sousuke occasionally glances towards her as they move, other times looking back to the path. And yes, trying to push through the hedge is not a good idea. He’s picked the leaves off himself by now, but he’d been a bit of a mess after his attempts previously.]

They erased his memories from his first time here?

[As Sousuke’s network post back so long ago admitted, he hates the shinki’s requirement of losing their memories… He wants his own back, but how to go about that is apparently taboo for shinki.]

I’ve been quiet. Mostly training, spending time with Rin.

[Dealing with shinki things and feelings…]

moon viewing

[kokuyoyo]

[The events Heaven hosts are things that Chikusa now approaches with conflicting thoughts about. On one hand, he's never really been a people person for all that he seems to know a great deal of people that are in the Far Shore. Chikusa's easily learned that about himself since he first arrived, and it's not something that's really changed. People are exhausting, tiring, and really don't seem to make sense a lot of the time in Chikusa's personal opinion. Whenever he attends one of these gatherings, he inevitably spends the next day sleeping half of it away with only Pookie the cat's demands rousing him at any point.]

[On the other hand, there's free delicious food. It evens out.]

[That certainly explains his own plate, stuff to an almost alarming degree with whatever he'd been able to reach from meat on sticks to mochi to all sorts of things. Unbelievably enough, his partner is off right now to get even more. With this much food... Chikusa already knows that standing around to eat it would be a dumb idea. So he wanders around the edges, looking for somewhere that the pair of them can sit and eat at. He initially starts to pass by the tree with the red umbrella.... Only to pause at the faintly familiar face.]

Ah.... It's you.

[It's been a long time since he's seen the other shinki.... But it's hard to forget the person who first taught him borderlines on top of a wall against possessed floats and undead hordes.]

[takenwithhim]

[The evening’s been an interesting rush of sensation and perception. From his work at the archery fields to the time spent not getting lost in the hedge maze, plus the obvious option of food currently decorating his hands and arms. Sousuke’s content with the turnout, though since he’s definitely not as outgoing or sociable as his energetic god and friend, he’s taking some time to himself. It feels nice, relaxing in the quiet beneath the moonlight, gazing out over the fields as the tree hangs overhead with its draping branches…

Someone passes by, he’s apt to ignore them, but the person stops. Initially, Sousuke doesn’t mind the hesitation, figuring the other’s thinking or looking at something that’s not him. But then the soft words come and he turns his head slightly, eyes continuing the “turn” to find the other’s face. For a moment, there’s a question in his teal eyes, but then recognition dawns on him. It’s been a while, but it’s hard to forget the guy who he more or less “trained” in his shinki abilities during that crazy Festival of the Dead or whatever the proper name of the event was.]

Hi.

[Sousuke lifts one arm and tears a chunk of red-glazed meat from the skewer, chewing a few times before swallowing. Lowering again, he face Chikusa more fully this time.]

Been keeping up with your training?

[kokuyoyo]

[If he'd been ignored, or shooed off, Chikusa wouldn't even have taken it as an offense. It's been a long time and, while significant, one life or death event doesn't mean people have to have any interest in each other. If that were the case, after all, he'd be a lot more in touch with a lot more people with the level of disaster the Far Shore has to deal with every other week.]

[Yet it only takes one mouthful of meat before he's addressed. That's enough of a greeting for him. Minding any space between them, he sinks down onto the ground and lets his legs sprawl out in front of himself. He doesn't want to bother with any more standing or walking for the moment, at least if he has the opportunity to avoid it. It puts them as quite a mismatched pair. Unlike the other shinki, Chikusa hasn't bothered to dress up at all today. Instead, mindful of the approaching autumn chill, he's slipped on a light hoodie over a plain shirt, and his jeans can deal with any wear that might occur tonight. His red and thick beanie (the choice for tonight) is actually starting to become in season instead of just a worrying fashion choice that heralds potential heat stroke.]

Mmm.... Yeah. It's a lot sturdier now.... I can participate in ablutions now. It was annoying having a weak borderline, so...

[Not that it helped that Urashima was able to break through his not long after he learned how to make one, although the experience is probably one of the reasons why he's been working so hard on it.]

[takenwithhim]

[He’s not so rude as to blow off someone who he’s simply not seen for a while. Now, someone he doesn’t like, on the other hand, would be a different story. But Chikusa’s not one of those people. Sousuke’s knows the other guy’s a quiet type (as far as he’s seen), which makes it easier to accept the invite to visit. They do have a little bit of a history together as well, so there’s that too…

Sousuke’s content to remain leaned against the tree like some kind of buttress, legs slightly angled to brace himself in the shade. The scent of meant, fruit, and something sweet mingles with the flavors currently in his mouth. Plus the addition of what aromas come drifting off Chikusa’s plate. Sousuke glances to the mound of food, silently surprised at just how much the other shinki’s managed to pile atop it without losing balance or having something roll off into the grass. It’s impressive.

He notices that Chikusa’s not dressed like the seasonal festival would dictate. But that’s fine; to each their own. The other guy looks comfortable enough. The beanie is a little striking, he’ll give him that. Settling again, he bites a sugar-dusted fruit from the skewer and chews silently during the update.]

Ablutions? The group effort to entrap shinki? [He recalls that’s something to do with purifying a shinki if they’re blight-infested, but maybe he’s getting it mixed up with something else…]

[kokuyoyo]

[In Chikusa's favor, he's an expert in hoarding food- or at least that's what he's learned after what feels like dozens of events and invitations to train at Bishamon's temple. While the experience is helpful, it feels normal to handle a lot of food and take what he can before something happens. What "something" means.... is a feeling he can't quite explain or understand. It's a habit him and his partner share, however- which is another reason he's become a professional at so much food.]

[Neither him or Ken seem to really care much about sharing when it's with each other. Certainly it's the habit they've fallen into as they've become closer ever since they holed up at the school as children, and then settled into it after viewing fireflies. So even if Chikusa finds that he doesn't like whatever nonsense he's picked up, without fail Ken will eat what he doesn't, and vice versa.]

[As he looks around with the plate carefully set to the side, his partner still isn't back from getting things of his own, however. That's fine. Ken would probably be nosy and impatient in a conversation like this anyway.]

Yeah.... When the blight is too much for holy water, but they're not ayakashi yet... Me and some others had to learn it suddenly.

[Disrupting a pile like his seems like a recipe for disaster... So Chikusa just reaches for a piece of mochi that's balanced on the top, taking a nice big bite from it.]

[takenwithhim]

[Sousuke doesn’t think it’s hoarding. Merely the guy’s got a good appetite and can balance things on his plate skillfully. Why else would he have it? Asides from some children running around and bumping into people, there’s no risk of food vanishing or getting stolen. In his semi-ignorant opinion. He’s pretty loaded himself, though more from the hang-and-dangle variety than the balancing. So far, Sousuke’s never had to compete for food. Well, minus the competitive dorkish moments with his god.

Between them, however, they polish off whatever they make, either at the table or saved for leftovers later or recreated into something else if the leftovers need to be more appetizing. Though he came here as a loner, Sousuke’s grateful for his partner. Both for the serious things, like fighting, and the benign things, like meals.

Sousuke glances at the plate carefully saved by the side. So that’s for someone else, is it?]

What do you mean, had to learn it suddenly?

[He might be a little out of the loop about some of the news in the Shores, but he’s willing to update as he needs to catch up. Giving a quick nod towards the plate resting nearby, he added.]

Are you waiting for someone?

[kokuyoyo]

Another person and I came across a soulless shinki.... It would have become an ayakahi if it was left alone. Someone we knew suggested an ablution... which is when I first heard of it.

[Really, it's probably when most of them heard it: him, Kairi, Izumo, and Goten. The only exception he knows of is Hakkai, and to that, Chikusa has never been surprised. If there's one person who probably knows the most about things in the Far Shore from people to spells... Well. There's a reason Chikusa had thought to call him above anyone else when him and Kairi had been deciding on what to do.]

[Now that the older man is no longer a shinki... Chikusa has to admit that there are far worst people who could have him and Ken named. He's not sure anyone is as reliable.]

[With the subject being on something that's- professional? Chikusa isn't sure what to call it, only that it's part of what had the two of them know each other in the first place. Regardless, as that changes, he blinks a bit and slowly looks down at the plate as if having completely forgotten it's there.]

My partner... Joshima Ken. He's getting more food as well....

[takenwithhim]

Ah. [He should be able to find Chikusa here.

But something else lingers in his mind and the other shinki frowns at it. It doesn’t bode well in his mind, shinki who can become soulless.]

A soulless shinki? I know shinki can become ayakashi if they mess with their memories, but how does a shinki lose their soul?

[Ignoring the obvious answer of “any number of strange monsters or ayakashi we normally have to deal with” or something to that manner. Sousuke still hates the idea that their memories are blocked and he has to literally, mentally dodge around several issues to prevent bad things from happening.]