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

[nibelungvalesti]

You underestimate my ability, and the strength that comes from battle, but you are not wrong. Do you then see that my duties are not so easily discharged? Such free time as you mortals must take is not my fate.

[declamando]

So then, I have to ask. Why is it that you came to this party? [It definitely doesn't seem like duty's striking here - the only problem is one Lenneth can't really deal with effectively.]

[nibelungvalesti]

Ayakashi often appear at such gatherings.

[Her answer is simple, straightforward, and certainly not wrong...]

[declamando]

But I don't see a shinki with you. [She's not sure whether Lenneth has a soulless shinki or a more typical one, but she'd have to search through the party for them if there was an attack.]

[nibelungvalesti]

They cannot be defeated, but they can be forced to retreat, and those who are weaker or at greater risk from them may be protected.

[Simple logistics. She does not quite have the closest relationship with her shinki, and so this is what she has to work with.]

[declamando]

I see. [Maria isn't too fond of sitting idle at a time like this, though - there's others she should be trying to check on with what's happening, and it seems unlikely she's going to get anywhere with Lenneth. With that in mind, she stands from where she's been for the last few minutes, looking around to spot for anyone she recognises.]

I'll leave you to it, then. Apologies for the bother.

[nibelungvalesti]

[The Valkyrie shakes her head slightly.] It is no bother. Comrades in arms must supply aid to those in need, whether it be in battle or out. Otherwise, we are not an army, merely individuals all struggling in generally the same direction.

I do not know if I am the right person to have tried, but I hope that I was able to provide nonetheless.

[declamando]

[Despite her current mood, Maria manages a slight smile and a nod at that.] I wouldn't say we're an army, but comrades is true enough. And you've given me some things to think about.

[Waving a hand, she starts to head off.] See you again.