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

[nopixiedust]

Wow, he's a lot cuter than I thought he'd be from your description of him!

[But maybe that's just because he's super drunk.]

[Crouching down a small distance from the slumbering god with her hands resting on her knees, Wendy looks over him and then glances up at the surprisingly soft expression on Archer's face.]

Mm, I guess looking like that means you haven't been messing with him much tonight, huh?

[boneofsword]

Oh, I never said he's not handsome.

[There's a mischievous spark in Archer's eyes.]

Depends on your definition of messing, but, [he chuckles lightly.] I'm affected by whatever is going on tonight.

[nopixiedust]

Huh? [Blinking, she looks back to Archer again.] Something's going on?

[It's not that she's been completely oblivious, but.... There's actually something serious happening?]

[boneofsword]

Emotions getting out of control. Things that I usually can keep on a leash are much stronger than usual.

[Archer explains with a shrug. He's not affected as strongly as others, true, but that doesn't mean he can't feel it. Seeing Wendy's reaction he can guess that she wasn't affected, which is a relief.]

[nopixiedust]

Oh.

[A pause as she looks around, trying to find a sake bottle or cup to stare pointedly at.]

I just thought it was people being hammered out of their minds.

[boneofsword]

[There's none nearby, since Caster lost the entire collection of sake cups he managed to gather earlier.]

It's not related, since it started before anyone managed to get drunk. This [again Archer pats Caster's shoulder.] is the aftermath.

[nopixiedust]

Jeez... Now I feel a little bad for wanting to mess with him.

[But only a little. He seems unconscious and happy, it's fine. Leaning closer, she squints up into his face.]

How are you feeling?

[boneofsword]

[Looks like she got the same idea he did earlier. Archer chuckles lightly. But then she leans closer to look at him, and he reflexively tries to school his expression into something neutral... and fails.]

I suppose 'content' is an apt description.

[nopixiedust]

Yeah, you look like a big dork. [She's smiling as she says it, however.] Think the two of you will be alright if you just relax here if people are being weird?

[boneofsword]

[Archer shrugs. He's not really concerned; it's better to let the curse or what-is-it run its course than fight it..]

I can protect us both. Although he's going to kick my ass if I get injured.

[nopixiedust]

Well, don't do that, then.

[SIMPLE SOLUTION. Although maybe the simplest isn't obvious yet, so she can at least bring that up.]

How's your borderline?

[boneofsword]

[Instead of replying Archer swipes his hand in familiar gesture. His borderline is steady and strong.]

It's fine.

[nopixiedust]

Good. So you'll be prepared in case anyone is stupid.

[Of which, she doesn't doubt, there will be a lot of.]

Still, you can call me if anything happens.

[boneofsword]

Thank you. So can you, in case you need it.

[For some reason Archer is sure that Wendy is much older than she looks like, and that she can take care of herself. So he only adds with a grin.]

In case you need someone to play an adult or something.

[nopixiedust]

Don't worry. [Playfully, she offers him a mock salute.] I know plenty of people that I can rope into things.

Besides, at this rate, I'll probably just be dragging Hibiki away before the really weird stuff can start to happen.

[boneofsword]

[The same way she roped him into help. Not that Archer minds, tomboys are a bane of his existence.]

Better do that, since some may get violent. [a pause.] Cho Hakkai's shinki Ayumu is also working on a home for shinki, I gave her your number.

[nopixiedust]

Really!? [Perking up, she leans forward with clear interest.] I only know Hakkai a little bit, but that's great to hear!

I'll wait to hear from her, then. You gave her the right one, right?

[boneofsword]

Yes, I did. She's very enthusiastic about it and will surely call you. [Archer gives her a short outline of what Ayumu told him.]

[nopixiedust]

[Wendy listens attentively, and grins when he's done.] It sounds like we're on the same track then! I can't wait to get her call.

Maybe I'll even see her around here or something!