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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Oh no, she didn't mean to unbalance him! And she oughtn't laugh, but the look of him juggling his many suppers in surprise has her covering a smile with one hand - only long enough to get her composure and reach out to help steady him.]

Arenvald. [Sympathetic to his plight she has always been. Her smile here and now has even more wrapped up in it.] Finding you here is a wonderfully unexpected surprise.

[ He can’t help the way he stares at her for what is probably a heartbeat too long. He would almost wonder how such a thing is possible, if not for the fact that he remembers Alphinaud explaining to him that people are sometimes pulled here from different points in time. Such things are way, way out of Arenvald’s wheelhouse, but it would nicely explain Minifila’s presence here.

Of course, that has him wondering what she last remembers before arriving, but… hells, that can wait, can’t it? ]

I didn’t know you were— how long have you been here?

[She knows.

It's in her smile, even, the faint wistfulness and certainty of it. She can imagine how Arenvald must feel, and she knows how she herself felt and will feel. At once the sad conviction is replaced completely with all her usual fondness.]

A week, perhaps? Would it reflect poorly upon my confidence if I told you the first few days are rather mired in uncertainty?

[There are so many here from Eorzea. From Hydaelyn. She has to wonder. ...But she'll keep that wondering to herself, for now.]

It is a comfort beyond words to see so many familiar faces about.

[ There is something in the way Minfilia looks at him, something knowing, that makes his chest twist, but for now the feeling does not make its way to his face. It’s so good to see her, he can hardly let old hurts ruin this moment. ]

Not at all. I’ve been much the same way.

[ “Welcome to the Circle, good luck, go” seems to be the extent of the welcome wagon. He has to be grateful that there are so many people here who are willing to help. ]

You’re a sight for sore eyes, yourself. Have you spoken to Alphinaud and Alisaie yet?

I've had the chance to speak with Alphinaud, but until today I was not aware that either of them were here, much less both at once.

[Alphinaud was...well, she hadn't thought of seeing him, but if she had, his hesitation and uncertainty would be what she expected.]

It would be terrible of me to keep talking while you stand there laboring under the weight of all your suppers. [But there is an empty table nearby! What luck. She motions to it and reaches to relieve some of his culinary burden.] Why not situate yourself there before this goes any further?

[ Oh. Now he feels kind of self-conscious. Minfilia has done so much for him, after all, and he wants nothing more than to make a good impression on her. ]

Er, yeah. I guess I got a bit carried away.

[ He sets out whatever it is she doesn't take. Looking at it now, it sure is a lot of food. ]

Thanks.

[He has already made several good impressions at various times in his Scion career. ...Though she recalls he tends to forget those.

She smiles, unreserved, at his thanks, standing beside a chair until he seems ready to sit.]

What do you make of what you know about our purpose here?

[It may sound like business, and it is, a bit, but the opinions of her friends on their forced arrangements are also invaluable to her personally.]

[ As far as Arenvald is concerned, he will always have to prove himself. Not that he minds, because it insures that he will always be trying his best, but it’s just the way of the world for someone like him. ]

I am willing to give this Astoria the benefit of the doubt for now. I don’t particularly agree with her methods, but I mentioned to Alphinaud that I can’t just ignore trouble once thrust into it. If someone needs help, I’ll help.

[ A shrug. ]

It’s all we can do in this situation, right?

All we can do for the moment, yes, I agree.

[Unlike Hydaelyn, Astoria seems to be the sort to create an entire plan and then send her people to carry it out, rather than offer them guidance from afar but leave the planning to the people.]

All we have ever done at home, as well, is it not? Offer what help we can to those who would falter otherwise.

[The days of focusing solely on disassembling Primals and making friends of beast tribes are long over.

Minfilia looks expectantly at Arenvald's many plates.]

What are you going to try first?

[ He has to smile at that – true, what Astoria has them doing here is not too far removed from the purpose of the Scions, and it is a comfort to hear Minfilia herself put it in that light. (That doesn’t make the kidnapping any better, though.)

He surveys the wide array of festival food with consideration. ]

Not sure. Do you see anything that catches your eye? I’m glad to share.

[ Twelve knows he has more than enough. ]

[No, no it doesn't, but then they both have some small experience with performing tasks at the behest of an absent god.

Minfilia looks over his food, delicately selecting a long skewer with several unidentifiable, fried shapes drizzled in sauce. It matters not what they are, she is sure of how they will taste.]

This looks promising. [So long as he doesn't mind, of course; she works out an empty plate she might use to collect a bite of this and that other treat.]

I must admit, for all my expectations once I learned more of the nature of this world, a carnival of sorts was not among them.

SUMMER FESTIVAL: TEMPLE OF BEGINNINGS

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