tranquilforest: (Default)
Consort Jing, Lin Xinyao [林訢瑤] ([personal profile] tranquilforest) wrote in [community profile] acatalepsy_logs2018-07-07 09:37 pm

SUMMER FESTIVAL: TEMPLE OF BEGINNINGS



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: OutdoorsSet Up: IndoorsSign-InBamboo WishesGamesFoodTablesPerformancesBonfireLanternsClean-Up ✧ or your own!))
winn: (14)

[personal profile] winn 2018-07-08 05:30 pm (UTC)(link)
-- that's harsh.

[ but well told, he followed and even related. ]
lumberlady: (考える)

[personal profile] lumberlady 2018-07-08 05:36 pm (UTC)(link)
I guess so.

[She... never really thought about it that way, but.]

I just figured it was a life lesson about not neglecting your job on account of handsome cow herds.
winn: (Elementary my dear Watson)

[personal profile] winn 2018-07-08 05:40 pm (UTC)(link)
That's more of a life sentence - and I mean, all work and no play's no good either, handsome cowherds should have a place too.

[ he pats the bamboo and backs away to take in the bigger picture. it's pretty. kara would probably like this tradition.

he will probably freak himself out the day he goes a full 5 minutes without thinking about her, won't he. ]
lumberlady: (ごほん)

[personal profile] lumberlady 2018-07-08 05:49 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't think I've ever met a handsome cowherd. That's how you know it's a story.

[Mostly just... crusty old ones. But.

Her wish looks as perfect as she can make it, so she shuffles away to look at it from a distance and just. Make sure.]
winn: (18)

[personal profile] winn 2018-07-08 05:51 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't think I've ever met a cowherd - [ he shrugs ] I don't think it has to be that specific.

[ though, with his luck... ]
lumberlady: (あら)

[personal profile] lumberlady 2018-07-08 05:54 pm (UTC)(link)
None at all? I guess it really is a big city place where you're from, huh...

[He'd said it was, but dang... no cowherds ever?]
Edited 2018-07-08 17:55 (UTC)
winn: (23)

[personal profile] winn 2018-07-08 05:57 pm (UTC)(link)
It's a pretty decent size, right by the water so you get that cool ocean breeze.

[ not that he's outside a whole lot, but there's nothing like being away from home to make you miss every single aspect of it, including ones you don't really take advantage of when you're there. ]
lumberlady: (いいんじゃない?)

[personal profile] lumberlady 2018-07-09 01:09 am (UTC)(link)
So a fishing port then? I get it! Those can be really big, and I guess you don't need cows as much. Makes sense.

[... Konoha stop trying to apply your 17th century logic to this man's strange town!!!!!

Is what she thinks to herself, but. She's trying!!]
winn: (47)

[personal profile] winn 2018-07-09 04:59 am (UTC)(link)
[ there is some local fishing action so he's - he's not even going to bother. they just got out of a confusion-spiral, why start that up again over something that doesn't really matter anyway? ]

Kinda. So -- wanna go play a game or something? [ it's been so long since he's played a carnival game. he made some of the ones available to this one, but they still stir uncomfortable memories that he wants to vanquish. ]
lumberlady: (聞こえた)

[personal profile] lumberlady 2018-07-09 12:31 pm (UTC)(link)
A game... ?

[She might be familiar with Tanabata, but. In her age, there weren't really games. Sure, she'd helped set up the tents, but. She had paid less attention to what they were for and more attention to if she was getting the support posts in deep enough.]

What kind?
winn: (18)

[personal profile] winn 2018-07-09 12:37 pm (UTC)(link)
There's a bunch of things, like ring toss and darts and stuff like that - I actually made some of them. I got maad crafting skills.

[ not to brag or anything~ (okay so a little brag. his computer skills aren't exactly working a whole lot for him here, he needs a little ego boost, so sue him.) ]
lumberlady: (何?)

[personal profile] lumberlady 2018-07-09 01:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Ring toss...

[Darts make sense. She's heard of hunting with darts, so it must be like an archery competition... ?

Still a bit confused, she mimes a sort of... lasso-ing motion.]


What do you have to catch?
winn: (25)

[personal profile] winn 2018-07-24 04:31 pm (UTC)(link)
You toss the ring at a target and it's supposed to catch on it -- you know what, I think it'll be easier to just do it.

[ theoretically, if he were good at putting his extensive scientific insights into practice in physical ways. all those years of playing video games have taken a toll on his carnival-game...game. ]
lumberlady: (優しい)

[personal profile] lumberlady 2018-07-26 04:43 am (UTC)(link)
Okay.

[It's one of the easier things she's agreed to since she arrived in this weird place, she supposes. Konoha gestures for him to lead the way.]

I'll copy you.
winn: (Elementary my dear Watson)

[personal profile] winn 2018-07-27 07:32 am (UTC)(link)
[ copying him -- maybe not the best idea unless they're talking tech but he's not about to enlighten her of that particular fact. ]

It's fun, and if you win you get a prize. [ he leads the way ]
lumberlady: (説明)

[personal profile] lumberlady 2018-07-27 02:28 pm (UTC)(link)
What kind of prizes? Sweets or something?

[Konoha follows along behind him, clipping her stride so that she doesn't overtake him with her longer legs, ducking down so that she can get inside the tent without bonking her head on the tent poles.]
winn: (72)

[personal profile] winn 2018-07-27 03:06 pm (UTC)(link)
[ it's appreciated, winn isn't terribly out of shape - but he's also not in shape, either. ]

Check it - [ he gestures towards the trophy shelves that include, among other things, some very pretty elaborate origami pieces contributed by yours truly. ]
lumberlady: (憧れ)

[personal profile] lumberlady 2018-07-27 03:27 pm (UTC)(link)
["Check it"...

But it works out, she follows his finger to the shelf... and is that...

Actually, what is that... She's about a century too early for this...]


Are those butterflies? Or- birds?

[... Paper ones?]
winn: (46)

[personal profile] winn 2018-07-27 03:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, you like? s'my own design.

[ it's probably not nice, to boast to someone he just met and all, but winn learned long ago that no one would give him any credit if he doesn't give it to himself. heck, even when he does he barely gets some crumbs of appreciation. but it's not really appreciation he's sicking right at this moment - it's a distraction, a reason to keep smiling and not think about the horrifying truth of their predicament. ]
lumberlady: (瞬き)

[personal profile] lumberlady 2018-08-01 01:22 pm (UTC)(link)
You must be very good with your hands!

[Maybe it isn't nice... but Konoha certainly seems duly impressed.]

Does that mean you're good at throwing, too?