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

I can carry people if you need it, but... hopefully you won't.

[It was bad enough to be pulled from her home, to find herself in this crazy, magical place... but to think that they would have to go somewhere dangerous, where people might get hurt...

She didn't want to think about it.]

We were working on a shrine, actually, on the mountain. For the souls lost in the wars.

I will hope for the same; just know that even what you consider unimportant can be very, very important to others. Give yourself a little more credit, hmm?

( It's simply Angela's first thought; being able to transport multiple injured people at once? That would be a godsend in most scenarios she's ended up in. Moving on, though, as she scoops up another spoonful of vegetables. Her expression lights up to the mention of a shrine, remembering pictures she'd seen of shrines in Japan— they were always so beautiful and organic, unlike the marble and concrete slaps she so often sees these days. )

That sounds beautiful. It must be rewarding work to know you can assist in something so timeless.

[People kept telling her that. They were kind. It wasn't like she'd ever had a particular self-doubting streak. Not before, not in her own world. She knew her place well, knew how everything worked- She was confident.

But this place...]

I hope it will be!

[So she smiles.]

I think I'll miss the dedication, though... We were almost done. I'll have to see it when I get back!

( It's understandable, when it all boils down to it. Everyone is so far out of their element here, she's sure, on one radical end of the spectrum or the other. She has a hard time wrapping her mind around a world where fantastical people that are half-horse exist, let alone those familiar with the magics of this place.

Konoha lights up anew as they circle back to the memorial shrine, and she's glad she hasn't brought her down too hard. )

What usually happens during a dedication?

Oh, you know-

[The usual??? Except here she couldn't just say things like that, she's realized now, so-]

We call a priestess up to the mountain, there's prayers... a votive dance... that kind of thing. You have to call the gods to the shrine proper and all.

( That's right, new friend, the world isn't so easily made black and white in their experiences! Angela's resting her chin in one hand as her spoon rests at the bottom of an empty bowl, listening intently, trying to imagine it. )

That sounds beautiful; it must be quite humbling to watch. Is it a celebration or is it a solemn affair, as a memorial?

( Either way, she thinks, could be appropriate. A celebration of the lives remembered to encourage protection, or a quiet memorial pleading for peace and safe passage of the souls interred. She's not the most religious person in existence, but still, there's beauty in it, isn't there? )

More solemn at first.

[It feels kind of weird still to be explaining things that to her are just common knowledge, but... the lady seems interested, so it must really be new to her.]

You have to bow, and be purified, and stay quiet... but afterwards it's more like a celebration. Food, alcohol, all that. Mostly the workers, not the priestess, of course, but.

... Actually I guess they're kind of separate, but. You have to celebrate being finished, or there's nothing to work towards!

( She is used to other memorials in other countries— but Japan has always had such a rich culture, protected and treasured for so long. She's only heard bits and pieces of it before. Whatever Genji saw fit to share before clamming back up.

Either way, she listens, smiling as she imagines it all. )

Well, you have to welcome the gods too, I'm sure. Let them know you appreciate their presence and you're glad for it. I remember something about offerings; is that common as well?

Yeah, of course. You offer a dance, or alcohol, and food... That kind of thing.

[Rambling about her own world was easy, and Konoha smiles a bit as she just... keeps explaining. A bit awkwardly, because she's never really had to explain these sorts of things except to Gonta and Mikuni, since they'd never come down the mountain before, but.]

And sometimes they take the gods from the shrine and parade them all around the village so that they can see their land.

( Even for a sober affair with an important purpose, isn't it nice to know that humans find the joy in everything? No matter the circumstances at hand. She's always enjoyed that about people, no matter where they came from or how they were raised, what composed them organically— because yes, she may not know of anyone half-horse back where she's come from, but she knew sentient, genetically-modified animals. She knew of robots with an artificial intelligence that has rivaled humanity in their extent of learning and empathy. She's far more accepting of the unknown for all these reasons and more.

The thought of the parade has her laughing into her hand, because really, didn't that sound perfectly charming? Such humble and patient gods that weren't as omniscient as others thought, enjoying a tour. )

Hmm, as much as you say otherwise, it sounds like quite a bit of fun. I should hope I get the chance to see it, some time. I'm sure you'd like to share your hotpot with others, however, so I should let you go. But it was lovely speaking with you, and I'm glad we've met. Thank you very much for the welcome, and the meal. Where shall I take this to wash...?

A- Ah, yeah! I feel the same!

[Angela reminds her that she definitely should probably get back to hosting, or, feeding people, really, but! She'd met someone interesting and really lovely and strange, so-]

Right over there, please-

[Pointing toward where the dishes are ending up, Konoha smiles and gives a last wave.]

I'll see you around!

( She hadn't meant it as an order or offered direction by any means, but Konoha's cheerfulness in resuming her "duties" is heartening, and when she points, Angela rests a hand on the outstretched arm in a fond little pat before she's off with the bowl and spoon. )

I'm sure that's so; take care of yourself, miss Konoha.

( And she'll just quietly be peeking back over her shoulder to make sure she isn't being watched after dropping off her bowl— she'll return a moment later to wash them all up in the nearby basin of water, left upside down in a tidy row to dry. )

SUMMER FESTIVAL: TEMPLE OF BEGINNINGS

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