acatalepsy_logs | SUMMER FESTIVAL: TEMPLE OF BEGINNINGS

Entry tags:

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

[ 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 ]

Edited 2018-07-09 04:57 (UTC)

[Yep, that's a tiny torch of shame. Wash looks at the bubbling black marshmallow and then at the person responsible for its grisly fate.]

Have you done this before?

[Probably not, but best not to assume.]

I haven't... I grew up in a city, so I never really learned about things like this.

[ she can grill a burger in a kitchen just fine, but open flames are a bit more intimidating. she laughs softly, a bit embarrassed. ]

It's that obvious, huh?

You did say it was the third one.

[He holds a hand out for her burned marshmallow skewer and offers her his fresh one.]

Want a few pointers?

...Right. I said that out loud.

[ that's incredibly embarrassing, but she'll take the offered fresh marshmallow. she's confident that she'll get it after watching a demonstration, but it doesn't make things any less humiliating. ]

If you wouldn't mind!

[ One could take a look at how Leo's behaved, for most of the day, and say that he probably shouldn't be considered "responsible."

But the moment that he sees a young girl struggling with her marshmallow... his big brother instinct kicks in, as he feels a pang of familiarity. It's definitely a reaction that Ruka would have, he thinks, so there's a bit of fondness there that's built in for her as he hops over. ]

Hmm~m, crispy! [ no shit. but he reaches to pat her on the head. ] But, don't worry, don't worry.

Want to try it together? Maybe we can get one to come out right, you know?

But it's not supposed to be crispy, right? At least not this much, anyway...

[ she just can't seem to get that golden brown outside, chewy inside outcome. raw or burnt seem to be her only pinpoints; she looks especially embarrassed about that when Leo offers his assistance. ]

If you wouldn't mind! [ she just really wants a marshmallow... ] I'm a quick learner, I promise!

Not that much, unless you like molten lava. [ Helpful.

Leo gets himself a stick of his own, and two marshmallows. One he puts on the edge, and the other he offers to her between his thumb and forefinger. ]

Here, here. We'll see if we can get it just that ri~ight brown color. [ With a little twirl of the stick in his hand, he holds it out into the fire. It's directly in the flames, at first, but then he pulls back a bit. ] Let's do our best!

I definitely don't!

[ said assuredly, to make sure that he doesn't get the wrong idea! she is decidedly not a molten lava eater, but she appreciates his patience and enthusiasm. with a determined expression, she nods and takes his offered marshmallow and sticks it onto her skewer. ]

Right. This time, we'll do it for sure!

[ this is very intense. ]

[ It's good to know, really - he often looks at lava and is one of those people that wonders what it'd be like to touch or eat it. But, then again, Leo's a weirdo. She seems definitely not weird. ]

I believe in us! [ There's a visible musical note to go with that chirp, kinetic energy manifesting off his magic in a bright and confident color, before it fades away when he focuses on the marshmallow in the fire currently. ]

It won't hurt to pull it out a little every now and then to check, right? [ So he does that, puffing out the bits of flames that stick to the corners. Most of his marshmallow is only a faint gold so far, but, progress. ]

You know what they say...fourth time's the charm!

[ Literally no one says that, but he's trying to remain upbeat here! For her sake, as well as his own. Prompto's mallows haven't fair much better, and he's tossing his own from the roasting stick into the flames and grabbing a fresh one to roast. ]

I'm always great with the s'mores! Must be something wrong with the fire...

[ Yeah, that's it... ]

I don't think anyone actually says that... But thanks.

[ he makes her smile, anyway. it's nice to know that she isn't being outwardly judged, and that this might actually be harder than it looks. ]

Maybe we can figure it out together? There has to be some sort of angle to it.

[ Now she's talking! Prompto skewers his new marshmallow onto the roasting stick, ready for the next attempt. ]

You mean, like a team attack? [ Sure, Prompto, sure. ] Yeah, let's give it a shot! You wanna get your 'mallow evenly roasted, so maybe we need to develop some kinda...twirling system.

[ How technical. ]

Mm... sure! [ that sounds like something Kasumi would say. it's endearing, if a little dorky. ] Okay. Almost like it's on a spit, right?

[ she skewers her new marshmallow as well, narrowing her eyes at the flame as she carefully inches it towards the flame. as she does, she starts to sloooooowly turn it. ]

Yeah, that's the idea! Slow and steady wins the race! I mean, not literally, but you know what I mean.

[ As a resident speedster, he'll be the first to argue how untrue that old adage is in practice... ]

Hey, you new? I haven't seen you around before.

[ He'd definitely remember that hair... ]

(no subject)

shuwarin - 2018-07-24 00:52 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

punshots - 2018-07-26 05:36 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

shuwarin - 2018-08-05 23:42 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

punshots - 2018-08-08 01:57 (UTC) - Expand

You're placing it too close to the flame.

[ A professional s'more connoisseur she is not, but Celes has done enough camping outdoors to know how to cook by campfire. Sure, a bonfire is something of a different beast, but the same concepts still apply. In theory, at least.

Circling behind the young idol, a roasting stick in one hand and a marshmallow in the other, she spears it before standing next to Aya. Catching the girl's eye for an instant, the blond holds the marshmallow close to the flame, twisting the stick slowly. ]

Like this. Let the heat cook it rather than the flames.

[ See? Easy. ]

Right! That makes sense!

[ she watches the stranger with wide eyes, the process finally beginning to click. it's the same at her fast food job, right? it's not like you cook burger patties on an open flame - that would just char them. maybe the size of the bonfire had just intimidated her. ]

I'm so used to having the flames separated by a grill... I never really thought about it before.

[ it looks like it'll take some patience, but she's willing to give it another shot. ]

A grill?

[ Her gaze flicks to the girl beside her, then back toward the marshmallow. Celes adjusts the skewer, turning it a bit before pulling it away from the flame and offering it to Aya. Here, take it. ]

You have to work quickly, it won't take long for something this small to cook over a fire this hot.

[Don't worry, Aya, you have an expert nearby, willing to swoop in and help save the day. Ann winces when she catches a glimpse of the marshmallow's charred remains, and she invites herself to scoot over and offer her assistance.]

You have to hold them just a little bit higher— it takes longer, but that's how you pull it off without letting them catch on fire. I have trouble waiting sometimes, personally.

[She offers a lopsided smile, along with a shrug.]

Sometimes I just eat them when they're half-done, instead. Or without toasting them at all!

[S U G A R]

[ though she's momentarily surprised by the scoot, Aya gladly makes room for Ann to sit next to her. at this point she'll take any advice, but especially from someone with such a cute hairstyle! ]

Right! So the flames won't quite reach, but the heat will... That makes sense!

[ silly as she may feel for not thinking about it like that, the other girl's relaxed tone makes her comfortable enough to smile shyly. ]

They don't have to be totally brown, right? As long as they're melty and have a little bit of colour, I think that's okay.

[Pigtails are clearly what mark someone as a trustworthy source! Ann nods in agreement.]

Right! You've got it.

[Ann spears another marshmallow of her own to demonstrate. Also, because she wants at least five more marshmallows.]

You can let it get as brown as you want, but even just a little bit will make the insides gooey. That's the important part.

And you can sandwich it between graham crackers and chocolate, right? I've seen people do that on TV!

[ it looked really good... and now her stomach is audibly wondering. so many failed attempts have made her hungry; she yelps in embarrassment, curling up a little. ]

Soon...

[There's a bit of a light laugh as Aqua watches the scene unfold, hiding a smile behind her hand as well. The poor girl's luck hasn't changed a bit, and while she doesn't usually laugh at others misfortune, she can't help it.]

Try holding it at the top of the flames instead of close to the coals. It might not burn so much there.

[Not that she's a marshmallow expert, but it makes more sense to her.]

Please, don't laugh...

[ she looks a little disheartened, but tries her best to smile it off. it doesn't mean much in the long term, but this is still embarrassing! not to mention the bad first impression it makes... ]

Like this? [ she moves her empty skewer upwards from where she had it, looking to get Aqua's approval before she makes another attempt. it still looks a little too deep into the fire, but it's better. ] Or maybe a little more shallow?

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to.

[She does smile and look apologetic, really feeling for the girl. She is embarrassed and that... wasn't the best or nicest thing to do. Her smile grows a little more fond and stronger after a moment, hoping it helps her nerves.]

That's better, but I think a little more shallow would be better. You can always lower it some more if you want it a little more toasted. [There seems to be a good amount of marshmallows here so supply wouldn't be much of an issue if this one catches fire. But Aqua wants to encourage her more so she gets it right.]

Unfortunately, these sweets seem to catch fire quite easily.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only