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

[untodeath]

[ That's become a theme between them, hasn't it? Don't do reading into things too much. With the slightest smile, Grell hums, acknowledging his comment - perhaps, even, trying it.

An archway is all that separates the room from her personal bath, but similarly to the balcony, a sheer curtain will provide some effort at modesty between them. The redhead tugs it closed behind her, before she turns on the water and takes a seat at the steps of the inlaid bath, to begin undressing herself. ]

I have half a mind to insist that you join me, what, with spending weeks in bed.

[death_glare]

You should already know my answer to that.

[ The curtain is hardly necessary as William's gaze is set on his phone. He isn't certain just how many weeks he'd been out of commission, but scrolling through the BBS network gives him a bit of a hint. Quite a lot has gone on since the last time he can recall any of the posted messages.

Two, in particular, catch his attention. ]

The Phantomhive brat is here now, too?

[untodeath]

Oh, yes, but can't blame a girl for trying.

[ By the time she's finished undressing, there's enough water to sit in, at the very least. Grell can't help herself, and dips in her feet as she waits. ]

Brat, indeed. The boy couldn't even bother to arrive with Sebaby. What a waste... [ Turning her head just so, she calls more clearly over her shoulder, then. ] Although, someone else came along, it seems. Did you see?

[death_glare]

Must you call him that? Honestly, it's disgusting the way you throw yourself at that demon filth.

[ Watch it, William, or you'll start to sound jealous. He even has to catch himself as he looks up with quite the perturbed look on his face. But quickly distracting himself with another adjustment of his frames, he returns to his phone. ]

Not that I've come across, yet.

[ Perhaps he really was out longer than he originally presumed. He's scrolled back pretty far already. ]

[untodeath]

Well, William, once you've decided that you'd like to make an honest woman of me, then you can concern yourself with my interests.

[ Don't think she relishes in the very idea of making him jealous; however, he does have every reason to grimace at the very notion of conversing with a demon.

Turning off the faucet, she carefully removes her glasses to set at the poolside. It's finally full enough to enjoy-- ah, and she shall. Within a moment of slipping into its warm waters, she's sighing with relief. ]

It's Eric, by the way. [ Leaning back, she dips her head into the water. Contently, she pushes back her hair from her face. ] And he doesn't remember a thing.

[death_glare]

[ Grell's first comment will be met with nothing more than a grumble under his breath.

But Eric's face suddenly slides into view on the news feed just as Grell spoils the surprise. ]

Slingby now, too? [ He's really beginning to question if this is all a coincidence, or something more. ] I cannot imagine Humphries is taking that well. [ He'd told William, himself, that he didn't want Eric to arrive here. ]

[untodeath]

I suppose it was a matter of time, mm?

[ Plucking off her false lashes, Grell sets them beside her soaps, and helps herself to some face wash. ]

Alan has been doing his best to cope, and yet-- no, he can't do quite well in this situation, can he?

[ Lathering off her makeup, she must admit that it feels heavenly right now. Working out the matted blood from her hair ought to be just as nice... Ah, but she's already feeling so tired! ]

[death_glare]

Seems like that is the case. Perhaps I should speak with him about it.

[ Not that William would be good at consoling someone but just to let Alan know he can come to any of them if he needs to.

It's a moment more, but Grell should be able to hear William record a simple reply to Eric's post. ]

[untodeath]

[ Ah, isn't that sweet of William? Part of her wants to be petty and jealous over Alan receiving such care from their superior, even if the man could use it right now.

With a careless hum, she starts at massaging shampoo into her scalp. ]

Hm. I'm certain he'd appreciate that.

[ Overhearing the conversation, it takes her a moment to realize what in the world Will is going on about, lowering her arms to tilt an ear his way.

With a sigh, Grell will go on to finish her bath, while he and Eric speak. Why, she even takes the time to brush her teeth, moisturize, and work some oil into her hair! Perhaps, even, add a bit of lip tint.

Once finished, she'll robe herself, wandering over to slip her arms casually over William's shoulders from behind. Hopefully, he isn't still on call. ]

[death_glare]

[ Thankfully, William has just ended the video. Even without Eric's memory of who they are, he could certainly do without the man's sarcastic remarks about the two of them.

William shakes his head as he tucks his phone back into his jacket. ]

He already seems fixated on Humphries. Even without his memories.

[untodeath]

[ With an absent little hum, Grell rests her cheek atop William's head. Even if it earns her a smack, it will be worth it; she's always liked the smell of him, and it seems so very welcoming in all her lethargy. ]

They can take a man's memories, but not who he is. Eric was meant to be his soulmate, I think.

[death_glare]

If you believe in such a thing.

[ It's pretty obvious William does not. And rather than a smack, he will merely stand up, as if Grell wasn't clinging to him, at all. Don't trip over the back of the chair if you decide not to let go! ]

[untodeath]

[ Not only does he end up pulling her over the back of the chez lounge, he also managed to headbutt her cheek in the process. Bare legs dangling, Grell just cups the side of her face, whining. ]

Wiiill--!

[death_glare]

What?

[ As if he doesn't already know what she's whining about. Obviously it's her fault for not letting go. ]

[untodeath]

That was especially cruel, you know? [ Shuffling, Grell rolls the rest of her body onto the lounge, just barely avoiding indecency when bringing her legs over. ] No regard for a lady's face... [ POUT. ]

[death_glare]

You are the one who put your face there, to begin with.

[ see, your fault. ]

So, have you calmed down sufficiently enough?

[untodeath]

[ Pulling her hands away from her face, palms exposed in issue, question begins to form on her lips--

That is, until he's reminded her that she had reason not to be calm. ]

No, I certainly have not!

[ Grell pushes herself upright to sit, her head tilted imploringly! ]

Do you truly not believe in love, William?

[death_glare]

What?

[ Sorry, but that transition threw him off a bit. He gives a more perplexed frown, this time. ]

What does that have to do with anything I've said?

[untodeath]

You'd said that you don't believe in soul mates, right?

[ Challenging that frown with her own, she's grabbing the throw pillow from the chez lounge to cradle on her lap. ]

Really, do you not think that there's someone meant for you?

[death_glare]

Soul mates, no. I do not believe such a thing exists.

[ He looks to the side for a moment. This really isn't a conversation he should be having with Grell. Especially not when she's been acting out. ]

Honestly, it would be better for both of us if we didn't discuss this matter.

[untodeath]

[ Hearing that he doesn't believe in soul mates... Grell's lips pucker into something of a pout! ]

What? Why? I just think it's terribly sad, is al--...

[ That's when realization hits, breath leaving her. ]

It's. Someone else.

[death_glare]

We're not talking about this. You have already proven that you're not particularly stable this evening.

[ A sigh, and he's taking that pillow out of her hands, then indicating the direction of her bed. ]

Now, go. Get some sleep.

[untodeath]

[ While she allows him to take the pillow, it leaves her hands to curl in only upon themselves - and when he questions her stability... ]

Not particularly stable, is it!

[ Ah, how many times has she been accused of that, now? Having her sanity questioned has been a reoccurring theme throughout her days; something she's even come to embrace, in many aspects!

And yet, in this instance, being incapable of genuine human (or otherwise) connection hits a sore spot. More like an open wound, it feels!

Standing, her lips pull taunt, a lopsided grin taking her features. A disappointed hiss of breath escaping past those pointed teeth. ]

You've done your civic duty, William. You can leave.

[death_glare]

[ William's certainly familiar with Grell's sudden mood shifts. But even this comment takes him off guard. ]

It was not meant to be an insult.

[ As close to an apology as William is probably capable of making. But he honestly wasn't trying to speak down to her. If anything, he was hoping to spare her the pain of knowing about his past. Hey, he never claimed to be good at consoling people.

But now comes the more important question: Is it wise to leave Grell alone? Especially now that he seems to have undone any progress they'd made? He's not sure there's a good answer for that. ]

But, fine. If you no longer want me here, I will leave.

[untodeath]

[ In truth, she doesn't want him to leave. William urging her to bed had been his exit, in her eyes. She can't agree to it; instead, her jaw tenses, until she wills herself to walk past him, toward bed, as he wished. ]

You might see me as an obligation, but I'm not--... [ Unable to bring herself to sit, she raises a hand to leans against the bedpost. ] Yours. To consider.

[ There's many things that she dies want - to say, to do. In this life, she's never had an issue acting on impulse before, and yet, she'd never again allowed herself to stew in such emotion.

Perhaps she isn't stable at all. ]

Stop doing what you should, you damn fool. Do what you'd like, for once; leave.

[ Even for her, this is dramatic! She can't help but press a hand to her face in exasperation. ]