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

[death_glare]

You were acting off, even for you.

[ So perhaps there was a bit of concern that leaving her would cause something more to happen, just because he wasn't by her side. But he won't say so. ]

[untodeath]

[ Oooh, but THAT has her turning just enough, so that she can peek up to him hopefully! ]

So-- you're saying that you were worried for me?

[death_glare]

I said no such thing.

[untodeath]

But do you mean to?

[ With a playfully wicked grin, her hold on him becomes just the slightest bit tighter, cheek smooshed against him!! ]

[death_glare]

Absolutely not.

[ The tighter Grell clings, the more tense William's posture becomes! ]

[untodeath]

Of course.

[ She repeats, something of a giggle on her breath! Thank goodness it was a brief squeeze, or he'd possibly turn to stone! ]

[death_glare]

Stop it.

[ He'd smack her but this coffee is too precious to discard. ]

[untodeath]

Stop what, Will? It was only a little love squeeze-- I stopped already!

[ Ah, how could she not be in good spirits, like this? Grell can't help but hum delightfully. If William suddenly became sentimental, something would have to be terribly wrong, after all - and he's still here, allowing her to hold him. ]

[death_glare]

Mocking me with your words.

[ That's more uncomfortable than any love squeeze! ]

[untodeath]

[ With a light sigh, Grell shakes her head - an opportunity to nuzzle him in the most subtle way possible, however! Score. ]

Oh, darling-- yes, but I merely tease. I very well know how it is...

[death_glare]

Honestly, I would think you would have enough sense not to try my patience when I'm allowing you to be close like this. Unless you would like me to leave.

[untodeath]

I certainly would not.

[ She retorts, green eyes peering up at him with a pout. ]

Just having a bit of fun, is all! Don't leave.

[death_glare]

[ A heavy sigh as he shakes his head. Why does he put himself in these situations? ]

Honestly, that is all you ever do.

[untodeath]

[ With a blink, Grell's features ease back into a smile - and she too, eases to nestle into his side. ]

Only to live my second life to its fullest. [ Pausing, she'll hum! ] I don't think I've ever seen you attempting a bit of fun... What does William do in his free time, to bring himself happiness?

[death_glare]

[ A question he's never been asked, or even thought about himself. His brow creases and he's quiet for a good amount of time, as if trying his hardest to come up with an answer. ]

...Nothing.

[untodeath]

Nothing?

[ So the redheaded reaper repeats, concern evident in her voice! Why, she even shifts onto her stomach a bit, so she can prop herself to look up at him! ]

Oh, no, we must fix that. Tell me something that you enjoy most! Off the top of your head-- no thinking!

[death_glare]

Ah.

[ No thinking?? ]

I... used to play violin.

[untodeath]

[ Brows raising and eyes widening, Grell's hand catches in the fabric of his robe! ]

No-- did you really! [ But that look of utter shock is soon replaced by a grin. ] Oh, Will, how terribly unexpected! I would love to hear you play, sometime!

[death_glare]

[ He immediately shakes his head, taking Grell's hand firmly and removing it from his robe. ]

No. I doubt I remember enough to sound even remotely decent.

[untodeath]

[ That seems to do little to deter her, although she will concede to grabbing onto the blankets, instead! (Not that she will remove her arm from its place, draped over his middle, still. ) ]

Oh, come now, that's nothing that a bit of practice can't fix! Why don't we go shopping, and find you a new violin!

[death_glare]

You do realize they are extremely expensive. Especially if you want one that is high quality. Which I see no reason why you would settle for anything less.

[ It's obvious there's still a bit of passion attached to this old past time of his. ]

[untodeath]

Oho, is that right?

[ William, you're talking to the girl with a leather Chanel notebook-- hefty price tags aren't likely to faze her. ]

Then it's undoubtedly worth saving for, mm?

[death_glare]

[ He'd never really thought to pick up that hobby of his again. If Grell hadn't asked, it never would have come to mind. Maybe it would be nice to have more motivation to fulfill prayers besides just 'it's your job.' ]

I suppose I could begin setting some money aside.

[untodeath]

[ Raising that free hand of hers up to her lips, she'll croon with happiness! ]

Yes! I think this will be fantastic for you, I really do!

[death_glare]

Don't expect me to play for you any time soon.

[ That's not a 'never' though! ]