SUMMER FESTIVAL: TEMPLE OF BEGINNINGS

[tranquilforest]

It’s something like summer here at the Temple of Beginnings, or close enough to it. The weather’s been rainy and hazy for the past little while, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find some way to enjoy ourselves, right?

The day dawns cloudy and drizzly, but people seem determined to carry on anyway. The space slowly takes recognizable shape as a festival, even if a small one. There are tents set up outside, some of which are transformed into game opportunities, complete with prizes (some of an...interesting nature), surprisingly sophisticated target shooting games, ring toss, and other activities of skill and chance. A few more become stations for the food and drink that had been prepared, and the rest consist of chairs under canopies for people to sit and talk in case the rain continues.

Luckily, as the day goes on, the rain stops and the clouds move on, until the blue of the sky is visible once again. By early afternoon, there are only a few scattered clouds still remaining, and it seems likely that the weather will hold true for the evening. Strings of paper lanterns and other decorations are brought out and hung between the different stalls, around the makeshift stage, and placed at the tables. Some pots of bamboo are brought out and set in two clusters at either end of the line of tents. Each cluster has a corresponding table with strips of colorful paper and pens laid out carefully on a table and weighted down with rocks to prevent them from flying off.

A handful of figures come out and inspect the set-up, focusing especially on a shallow ditch that had been dug earlier, now drained and lined with weighted down tarp and rocks, running parallel to the tents and curving to end abruptly just beyond the fire pit and the stage at both ends. After some discussion between them, there is a flash of flame, as though something were burning, and then the strangest thing happens. The ditch fills with fresh, clear water. Even after a few hours, the water doesn't drain away or grow stagnant, still flowing somehow despite having nowhere to come from or go to.

The sunset that day is a brilliant, auspicious red, and evening sets in with a cooling breeze refreshing everyone outside. As the first stars appear, the lanterns are set alight, the music starts, and the first performer steps out onto the stage, surrounded by floating light.



SUMMER FESTIVAL
Welcome to the summer(ish) festival for Astoria’s Circle! We hope you have a wonderful time.

Layout
Even from the buildings that are actually being lived in, the lights of the festival are visible. If you strain your ears just a bit, you may even hear some music being played in the distance, muffled by the stone walls. Why don’t you come join in?

Once arriving at the festival itself, you may be struck first by how bright it is. Light seems to be a theme, from the bonfire set up in one of the firepits closest to the rest of the complex, the lanterns strung up between the tents and stalls that are set up in a line leading from the other buildings towards the gated sparring area that you may already have availed yourself of. Just in front of that area is a makeshift stage, little more than a raised platform of wood and stone, also lit up well by additional lanterns.

Opposite the tents is the river.

It might not seem that exciting at first. It’s hardly a river, really, just a shallow trench of water about seven feet wide and one foot deep, lined with rocks along the bank closest to the tents, stretching in a not quite parallel path opposite the stalls and tents that have been set up, beginning at the stage and ending near the bonfire. The water is crystal clear and clean, and murmurs as if it is flowing from some unseen source, but it’s not clear where it is coming from at all. As the night goes on, and more people take the opportunity to make floating paper lanterns at the station located close by, the little stream itself lights up, the water reflecting the lights, and just beyond, the stars in the sky.

EVENTS:

Sign-in
While definitely not mandatory, in the direct path from the living quarters to the festival itself, there’s a table set up with sheets of paper and writing utensils where you can sign-in. Let us know (ICly!) who you are. Maybe add a fun fact about yourself. Or draw doodles all over the pages. Whatever floats your boat.

Wishes
As is traditional in the home countries of some members of the Circle, there are some bamboo trees in pots set up on either side of the little river, and tables close by with colored strips on loops of string and pens. Write down a wish, or anything you’d like, really, and hang it from the bamboo. Or, browse the bamboo yourself and see if you find anything interesting. Later on after midnight, they’ll be burned for luck!

Games
You’ll find the usual games in the various stalls, some with a decidedly cobbled together look, using what materials were available at the temple, and some with a little more sophistication, thanks to the particular gifts of those within the Circle. Try your hand at shooting a target, a game of chance, or take over a stall yourself and introduce your fellow Circle members to something you used to play at home. There may or may not be prizes involved, depending on which stall you find yourself at.

Food
You’ll find your usual fair fare, though with a decidedly cosmopolitan flair. The foods themselves are somewhat limited by what was easily obtainable within the Temple itself (or improvised), and some Circle members may have contributed decidedly experimental dishes. It really is a potluck, so take a look and see what interests you! Strike up a conversation with your fellow diners as you pick up your food and then find a table to sit at, but keep in mind that most of these are home made by others here, so the cook may be close by, listening…

Performance
What’s a festival without any entertainment? In addition to the music being played on speakers in the background by our very capable DJ, there is also a stage where you can show off your gifts. In addition to singing or other traditional performances, this is an opportunity to demonstrate any interesting abilities or gifts you might have, including new ones you may have gained upon arriving at the Temple! There is an additional sign-up sheet near the stage, so write your name down and what you plan to perform, and we look forward to seeing what you can do.

Bonfire
It’s a really big fire. Enough said (hopefully). Sit and relax, or chat with those around you. If you’re lucky, there may even be some additional entertainment. At a little after midnight, the bamboo bearing the wishes will be burned here and the festival closed for the night.

Lanterns
If you’d like to give it a try, there’s a small station set up where you can make your own lantern out of paper! You can choose from one that floats in the air or on the water (or both, no one’s policing this). Make your own design, and let it fly aloft or float on the water with the other lanterns, chat with others who are working, or just settle down by the water and watch the lanterns and the stars.


**If your character (even if you were just accepted!) would like to participate in the set-up for the impromptu festival at any point, or just wander around and ask what’s going on, please feel free! All the set-up would have been occurring in the space between the TDM and this post. If your character would like to handwave having helped set up, this post is also an option!

(( Set Up: Outdoors ✧ Set Up: Indoors ✧ Sign-In ✧ Bamboo Wishes ✧ Games ✧ Food ✧ Tables ✧ Performances ✧ Bonfire ✧ Lanterns ✧ Clean-Up ✧ or your own!))

Comments

FESTIVAL - BONFIRE

[tranquilforest]

[[OOC: The usual campfire shenanigans! There may or may not be marshmallows available...]]

[digestive]

[Mikuni has been participating all evening. Quietly--sort of. He doesn't want to stand out, but it's hard not to when you stand at least a head taller than everyone else and also have four horse legs. Based just on the gentle, almost regal way he carries himself, though, he acts comfortable, confident that he belongs here as much as anyone else.]

[The truth is a little more complicated. He wants to keep a watchful eye on everyone; what better place to do that than at a party? Even if it's overwhelming, full of unfamiliar sights and sounds--well, he's going to have to get used to that, isn't he.]

[So he finds a place to stand and rest near the warmth of the fire, quietly observing and participating in conversation as the hour turns later. He introduces himself to anyone who seems interested in speaking to him, but by later in the night you can also find him inspecting marshmallows with an extremely confused look on his face.]

What is this . . .

[bowtiedbones]

[Eliza's set on spending most of the evening by the fire, fussing around it at all hours to keep it burning its biggest and brightest best. The lanterns and the bamboo wishes are unfamiliar to her, but heck if she doesn't know about campfires. And by her measure, you can't have a campfire without s'mores.]

It's a marshmallow! They're like a kind of candy?

[oculusriffs]

[Dave is not the Strider with an appreciation for horses, but he is boundlessly curious — and there's no way he wasn't going to go try to chat up this guy — see if he can get his story.]

If you don't feel like eating it, it's torch fuel.

[that is to say, his marshmallow is currently on fire. he absolutely did that on purpose.]

[bleps]

[Connor, who happens to be nearby and content to people-watch, is quick to supply an answer.]

Marshmallows.

[The usual display of data doesn’t conveniently pop up in his mind’s eye, so to speak, but after a small pause, he finds himself drawing up the details in his head the normal way. Like pulling something slowly out of a vast, deep sea.]

Sugar, water, gelatin. Potentially corn syrup, but I can’t verify that completely. But safe to consume — common enough, where I’m from.

[lumberlady]

[Later on in the day, after she finishes her conversation with a certain immortal mobster that had involved a wave Mikuni's way... Konoha actually trots over, bell(ies) now full and ready to rest. In need of something familiar, more like, after countless conversations with people she didn't quite understand and concepts that flew totally over her head.

It was more tiring than she thought. Hoped.

But she makes sure to be smiling by the time the light from the bonfire illuminates her expression, waving with a quick curl of her fingers before whispering "excuse me"'s to people and weaving around humans until she finally gets to Mikuni's side.]

Find something interesting?

[bowtiedbones]

[Eliza's camped out by the bonfire, tending the flames and keeping a general eye on the area. Need to learn how to roast a marshmallow? Don't know what a marshmallow IS? She is here to help!

There's some spots set up for sitting by the fire, too— a couple logs deemed too heavy for burning, a few chairs dragged from outside, and some open spaces where a blanket could even be put down.

There's also a small bucket of... baking flour? And sugar?]

Hey. Hey hey, want to see something cool?

[southernphoenix]

Of course.

[Nihuang thought the marshmallows were the cool thing. She tried to eat hers delicately at first, but somehow some of her fingers still wound up glued together. It happens? She gestures encouragingly with the unstuck hand, confidant that Eliza won't lead her astray.]

[rootandbranch]

[he's outside the circle of firelight, but Eliza's probably aware of Geir's presence -- and would Geir miss the opportunity to beg Eliza for sweets? never.]

Of course I do!

[rootbound]

Actually, it looks like you're going to show me something hot.

[he...seems interested, though.]

[oculusriffs]

[this sounds suspicious. it sounds suspiciously like shenanigans.]

[it sounds suspiciously like scientific shenanigans, considering his impression of her is that she's basically the Circle's version of Bill Nye the Science Guy.]

[Eliza Aberdeen the Science Queen?]

[in other words, Dave's interest is piqued.]

Yeah, okay. Go for it. [it's all you now, Eliza, do the sciency thing.]

[teratias]

--Hm?

[Waver stops, because he sees a bucket and now he's fascinated. His intention had been to call it a night, as everything was starting to wind down, but this...]

Is this a chemistry experiment?

[funneral]

[Sunlight or even too-bright lighbulbs make Antigone want to hiss and hide, but the giant bonefire is quite nice, as long she's staying at a safe distance.

Trouble is, fire casts shadows. Said shadows have totally engulfed Antigone, hiding her from view.

And she has no idea this is happening.

When someone comes to stand beside her, Antigone assumes they're trying to start conversation. Why else would they stand so close? They're even looking at her, or through her, the two are basically the same when it comes to her. Figuring they're probably feeling awakrd as she does, Antigone clears her throat and braves the first step.]

...hello.

[Who said that.

Alternatively, you may have just walked right into her, in which case she yelps and snaps an angry Watch where you're going!

...it still sounds like the dark itself spoke.]

[lonered]

[Keith wouldn't call himself completely jumpy. But uh. He sort of is. Enough time spent fighting a war, running with the Blade of Marmora infiltrating one Galra installation or another, and well, when he bumps into nothing and then hears the sound of a voice too close when he can't see the source of it is enough that he reacts.

The sword (glowing faintly violet as always) is drawn and in his hands immediately, up and leveled at the "empty" spot the voice came from.]

...who's there?

[Sorry he's definitely already sorry.]

[unrecovered]

[Wash has finally succeeded in toasting the perfect marshmallow and is in the process of moving away from the fire in order to give someone else a chance when he runs smack into-]

[-nothing, evidently-]

The hell?!

[-and fumbles the marshmallow. Unless someone acts quickly, that's going to land on the ground.]

[quakeitoff]

--Whoa! Hi!

[..."Hi," he says, obviously having no idea who he's talking to, head whipping around as he looks in every direction (including up!) to see if he can spot whoever spoke to him. He doesn't seem put off, however, only startled!]

Oh, um! Sorry! Where are you?

[unimpeded]

[This is a tradition that Geordi has actually never taken part in. He's been handed a stick with a marshmallow on it, and he's just sort of staring at it while rotating it between his fingers. It's an odd thing, because what? Why is it on a stick?]

...Odd, but I guess we're supposed to eat it that way? Seems a little unsanitary.

[...Rescue him.]


Later on, option B

[Once Geordi has figured all of that out, he's staring contemplatively into the fire, the light reflecting off his visor as he mulls over the last few days. Frowning to himself, he concentrates, trying out this supposed power of his...and after a moment his right hand begins to glow slightly. Greenish light ripples down his arm and he stares at it.

Dumbfounded...]

That shouldn't be possible.

[bleps]

[He stands nearby, close enough to register the heat of the bonfire and to allow strange, flickering shadows to play across his features. Connor replies, plainly, his circular LED at his temple glowing gently in the dark.]

You can always politely decline. But roasting marshmallows is something of an outdoor tradition.

[Not that he has any real experience doing so.]

...According to what I know.

[complementing]

[She looks up from where she's dragging one of two marshmallows off her own stick.]

People usually buy bamboo sticks from the store for this...but using these kinds are just more authentic to the camping experience, I guess.

b;

[parttimes]

Shouldn't be, but it totally is.

[Sup. Kou couldn't help but notice that light show a bit, and so he's coming closer, expression curious.]

We all got saddled with some weird sort of magic--what'd you end up with?

[bowtiedbones]

It's fine, it's fine~ Sticks are just sticks, and you're going to stick it in the fire anyways.

[gesturing encouragingly with her own marshmallow-on-a-stick, waving it like a baton.]

B

[spaceforged]

But it is. [He extends his own right hand the fire making the metal gleam. Purple light rolls down his arm making the edges ripple as the light consumes the entire arm.]

You're right that it shouldn't be. I'm still not used to it either.

[The light snaps off. Shiro drops his arm back to his side.] If you've got questions I might have a few answers. Call me Shiro.

[shuwarin]

[ though sticky sweets are more of Hina's thing than Aya's, she feels like she could use something like it to wind down after the day that she's had. unfortunately, her experience with roasting marshmallows is literally zero, which means that this is going to be a matter of trial and error. this particular attempt can't really be called a "success", mostly due to the poor marshmallow being engulfed in flame when she pulls her skewer away. ]

Woah! Way too much!

[ she desperately tries to blow the flames away, but she unfortunately isn't fast enough to save the poor marshmallow from a crisp, burnt fate. at least the flame is out, but she doesn't look too happy. what could she be doing wrong? ]

Geez... That's the third one, too!

[ halp ]

[unrecovered]

[Wash is currently laser-focused on toasting the perfect marshmallow, and from the looks of it, he's doing a pretty good job. It's almost done, so now is the perfect time to bother him if you want toasting technique pointers, or to know what the hell he's doing, or to try to distract him so you can steal it.]

[protettore]

[Oh man, he's so glad he helped with all this, this is totally worth the effort he put into helping. It feels like ages since he's seen a bonfire. Gladio is quick to find an empty spot to sit at as he gazes at the fire, feeling it warm against his skin, bringing back the fondest of memories.

He can't wait to go back to Eos. But this is good enough, he supposes. Sweets aren't really his thing as he opts out of putting together s'mores from the supplies he sees someone has set up, so Gladio mostly just sits and seems to contemplate, lost in thought.

And before you ask, yes, eventually he's eating cup noodles. He can't even contain his joy as he gives a loud slurp and heavenly sort of grumble to himself.]

Shit, cup noodles next to a fire. Ain't nothin' better than this.