The Festival Continues [Day 144]

[bastionmods]

Who: Everyone
Open: Open
When: Day 144
Where: all over the Bastion
What: Day 2 of the festival because that other post filled up fast
Format: any
Warnings: none

Day 2 - Day of Hope and Bravery

Once again, at midnight, another torch arrives - this time with a horse along with the gear and bullshead. As before, they are list by Zulf. Some of the other decorations fade out, to be replaced by Yudrig or Lemaign-specific decorations like horseshoes, saddles, hammers and plants made of colored metal. This will continue to happen throughout the festival, with new decorations overshadowing old ones, but the old ones still remaining here and there.

During the previous day, conversations with a any of the NPCs (or the recently arrived Uras) will bring up the topic of the second day of the festival. Should you care to listen, you'll learn that they use the very early morning of this day to make wishes, wishes that you must think in to a horseshoe that will be left on the side of your home that faces where the "sun" would be rising (the closest approximation to "east").

Speaking of horses! There seems to be a pen with stallions! Unlike Pyth, one must ride one of these stallions and try to stay on it as long as they can while it bucks and jumps about wildly. Good luck to whoever can manage this, it is not an easy task at all! Only one person can win Yudrig's favor, because at the end of the day the stallions will all take off back to... wherever they came from. The person that manages to stay the longest, though, will win a lovely pair of Yudrig boots, and will gain a single very fast horse for the Bastion to keep.

Along with the horses, there will also be races! Three legged races, races while balancing odd objects on spoons, so many races! Most of these are for the kids to make up for the lack of kid-focused things from the day before, but adults are encouraged to help and participate.

Incidentally, respect is also given to those considered soldiers. Be it by their own mental thinking ("I am a soldier for justice/I am a protector, etc") or by their actual title (this includes exorcists, exorcists in training, rebel leaders, etc) but they will be honored on this day for their bravery, comittment and efforts. The same goes for masons. There will be a table set up with charms for the bracelets, specifically hammer shaped ones - everyone is welcome to take one, but anyone who isn't of this persausion may find them too heavy to wear. The charm can be removed, though, but remember to keep the bracelet!

With that in mind, about midday the center of the Bastion will be cleared and people will be asked if they would like to participate in a game of "Defend Lemaign". It's basically Capture the Flag, but with a singular goal in mind - only one team has a "flag" (actually a small hammer statue) and that team must defend it from the other team. Teams can be any size, but once that statue is grabbed and brought to the other side, OR the timer runs out with Lemaign still within his "temple" the game is over. This will continue throughout the afternoon.

When evening falls again, the second torch for the day will appear to be lit, this one decorated with hammers as well as the standard gear and bull. The day begins to wind down, though there are once again other things to do - this time an entire area dedicated to various sizes of building blocks ranging from small to huge. Go nuts, build what you want, show off your creations! And keep them, they will come in handy later! This is not just for kids, even if it seems like it.

There's also jousting taking place. Nothing as dangerous as true jousting - just wooden horses on tracks that have to be manually pushed along (so be sure to take a willing friend with yout) and padded poles that strike padded armor. Winners will find more charms for those bracelets that were given out as their prize, and five shards per win.

Also, something to keep in mind: Since the day is focused around bravery quite a bit, anyone who shows off a particularly awesome show of bravery (be it personal like asking someone out that you like, facing a mild fear and not running away from it, or something even more spectacular) you will inexplicably find your entire room decorated with horseshoes. Horseshoes everywhere. Why? Yudrig, that's why.

And anyone who visits Lemagin's shrine, for whatever reason, will find themselves inexplicably hit with a wave of optimism. Just for the day, though.

This night winds down much the same as before, and again the children are encouraged to sleep outside while lulled to sleep by tales of Yudrig and Lemagin's adventures.

Comments

PRESENTS

[bastionmods]

Many more presents are in the gazebo today, all with name tags attached. Here is a list of who gets a present, as well as what they get.

Crona - Picture of Marie, along with a pair of long purple socks that have little black dragons knitted into them

The Kid - Sledge Head for his Cael Hammer, plus some nice practical socks with Pyth designs on them

Rin - Exorcist Jacket with some cute cat socks to match

Colin - Scale model Firestorm, with some socks he might appreciate nearby

Viola - Leatherbound photo album w/Beat's Pictures, set atop some music themed socks

Gohan - Power Pole, with silly socks like monkeys nearby

Ryu - Gold Top fishing lure and very colorful socks that will fit snugly

Jazz - Arrows for Viola, a whetstone for his blade, and socks with his name on them

Tris - Sandry-made clothing, plus cloud themed socks

Rikki - Julia's locket, and colorful warm socks

Ippo - Speed bag, and boxing appropriate socks

Zia - Pecker's egg, nestled on top of some cute socks

Maka - Photo Album from home, and pink skull socks

[freedom_engineer]

[Colin's first stop for the day is to check the Gazebo. And hoo boy, is he suprised. He didn't figure the gods for today would see this much attention.]

[When he sees the model of his ship, though, there's an absolutely thrilled smile.]

Well, hello there beautiful. Have you missed me? I've sure missed you...

[He picks up the model in his arms, careful not to jostle it, and he looks at the socks curiously. And then, he grins.]

Sock science means never have to say you're chilly. MWA HA HA HA!

[Colin, what is wrong with you?]

[hellpyre]

[Rin hadn't been expecting to get anything. Sure, her certification had been on her mind recently (it had even come up in two conversations yesterday) but it wasn't like she had asked for something related to it.

She vaguely recalled putting her cloth in for Yudrig some time back, so she slipped over to the gazebo today only to be mildly surprised by the thin tissue paper wrapped clothing sitting there with her name on the tag. The socks on the top were really cute, but it was the bigger thing that earned most of her attention.

She had just barely torn the paper enough to see the familiar gleam of the blue, red and silver pin when her hands started to shake.

It couldn't be...

She tore the rest of the paper to reveal a brand new, never worn Exorcist jacket, exactly in the style that Yuki used to wear. Exactly like what Rin would have gotten, if she had gone through her certification back home.

She lifted the jacket up, letting it unfold, feeling the weight of it in her hands. Comfortable, but heavy enough to offer protection. Durable fabric, with a thin belt attached for around the waist and the pin shining at the top left side.

She bit her lower lip, trying to keep it together, but a few seconds of that was too much. Should anyone walk by, they're likely to find her with her face in the jacket, hugging it close.]

[stormsinbraids]

[ Finding a package with her name on it was a little odd, but the cloth inside-

Tris's eyebrows go up after she slips the socks into her belt.

Its totally normal to take a handful of dirt and drop it on a dress you just got, right? Right.

That's what Tris is doing, though. ]

[blackblooded]

[Oh. The socks are really cute. Crona has never owned anything that cute. Crona hadn't even realized that socks could be anything but plain white.

Crona promptly sits down to put on the new socks. The meister's outfit is all salvaged clothes (a pale blue tunic shirt with long sleeves sticking out from under the black of a trench coat with far too many buckles, an Ura skirt in bold stripes, and heavy brown leather workboots). The socks go on, and even though they're hidden by the boots and skirt, just having them is enough to bring a little smile to the meister's face.

(The picture of Marie was looked at, then carefully tucked away in a pocket, to be put on Crona's dresser later).]

[evacuate]

[Zia's grin at the sight of the pecker egg labeled with her name is so wide that it hurts her cheeks. She sits down in the gazebo and turns it over slowly, gently in her hands, then presses the egg against her ear.

It takes a few seconds, but a soft, muffled chirping sound comes from inside the egg.

Clutching the egg to her chest, Zia leaps to her feet, leans down to take her new socks, and rushes off to find Kid and Zulf.


After, she'll be found wandering about with her pants rolled up a few inches to show off her cute new socks. Sitting on her shoulder or flying by her head is a teeny pecker, whom will occasionally peep at her, to which Zia will imitate a peeping noise right back.]

[rebellionsheart]

[Jazz stops by to check and see if the arrows have arrived. Though it turns out the god has another thing planned for him. He looks over the whetstone and smiles. Though what really makes his day are the socks. It takes him a moment to realize they have his name on them.

Then he just starts laughing.]

Ahahahaha! The gods do have a sense of humor!

holy crap baskets this got long

[lamentingly]

[ Gohan hadn't really meant to end up at the gazebo. For the most part, he'd simply been wandering around, watching all the festivities taking place. Given how lively things were yesterday, he figured today was probably going to be more of the same. He was glad to see he was right, given how much everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves with all the activities going on.

There wasn't anything specific Gohan felt like attending though. Really, he was wondering if maybe they could have another eating contest, given how absolutely delicious the food had been. However, as he walked along the gazebo, he couldn't help but catch something in the corner of his eye. So he turned, looked, and found... wait, was that his name? ]

... Huh?

[ Getting a gift was already strange enough, especially without it being a gift from the gods. But for a few moments, Gohan wasn't sure whether to actually open it, or check if maybe there was another Gohan around that it might've belonged to. It was a silly thought, given there weren't very many people with his name, but he honestly wasn't sure how to react to this.

So for a good few seconds, he just stared. Not sure whether to leave the presents, or actually accept this token of good faith. He wasn't sure what inevitably prompted him to move forward and open the presents, but once he did, he didn't regret it.

The socks were... well, Gohan got a chuckle out of them, at least. They broke whatever tension he'd managed to create, which went a long way toward helping him deal with the actual present proper. It was a small present, some sort of staff covered in wrapping. However, when he opened it, he felt his breath catching in his throat. ]

N-No way...

[ A simple red staff, tucked inside a equally-simple sheath; with a piece of twine tied to each end of the sheath. There was nothing spectacular about it, compared to all the other gifts around. But Gohan knew better, given who this staff belonged to. He bent at the knees, crouching down to grab the staff in his hand. And as he inspected it, he honestly wasn't sure if he felt like crying, or smiling.

In the end, he ended up doing both. Although to his credit, he at least tried to wipe the tears away. ]

... T-Thank you, Yudrig.

[ Anyone who came across Gohan after that was going to find him beside the gazebo. Completely engrossed in his training, and attempting to master using the red staff. It was probably the most energetic he'd been in a while, aside from the eating contest of course. And as he swung the staff around with all the discipline of a martial artist, he couldn't help but smile like a child. ]

Stallion Pen

[bastionmods]

[forhyrule]

[ Zelda watched the horses for a long time. A long time, attentively noting every little movement, watching who was thrown and how, what upset the horses. Her riding lessons were extensive and she had helped break horses before, so when she saw the horse pen at the festival, it immediately caught her interest. ]

[ Eventually, she decided she was ready. She climbed into the pen and pulled herself up onto the stallion whose movements she felt she had memorized. Just as soon as she was in the saddle, they were off. ]

[croceamors]

[You know who's never had to ride a horse in his life? This guy. Not saying he got bucked right off... But that's basically what happened. Saix is trying not to look too awkward and-or even embarrassed as he retreats to the other side of the fence, going back to watching the others as if he can figure out the issue this way.]

[freedom_engineer]

[Colin's usually pretty good with animals. Stallions are somewhat different from Chocobos, but Chocobos are wirey, agile little bastards when they want to be. He's learned plenty about riding by helping with his dad's flock when he was younger. That said, watching some of these horses in action just went to show that he was probably going to get a lot more use out of his zero-gravity training than his other experience.]

Okay... don't let go. Hold on for dear life, unless your life is in more immediate danger by hanging on... Why does it always sound so easy?

[There's no uncertainty to his quiet monologue, just a simple statement of the facts. He approaches a chestnut-colored stallion, and holds a hand out to it in greeting as he draws near.]

Hey there, big guy. You're gonna be my foe this morning. Gimme your best, huh? I'll never learn otherwise.

[The horse eyed him, but it gave no indication of hearing or understanding him. When Colin mounted the horse, there was a quiet moment of tension... and then, the horse was off!]]

[amnesiadragon]

[Ryu is totally up for this. He lifts himself easily into the pen and approaches a horse. Strangely, they seem slightly calmer when he approaches... still wild, though. He reaches out to pat the one he's chosen, a light brown horse, and swings up onto its back.]

[Not so ba - oh man there goes the bucking.]

[Welp. Now he's hanging on tightly.]

[evacuate]

[So, okay, wild and rip-roaring Pyth is too frightening to even think of approaching—but maybe, maaaybe it would be okay to try riding one of the stallions? Zia's been milling by the pens for a while now, her baby pecker sitting on her shoulder, trying to decide if she can do it.

Well, Yudrig is the deity she chose, right? And these are his horses, right? So she should, she definitely should at least try—and this is a day for bravery. So she should be brave!]

Isn't that right? [She turns to ask her pecker, who cannot read her thoughts, but chirps back at her like he approves anyway. Zia nods, scoops him into her hands, lifts them up, and nudges him until he flies above her.] You wait for me. I'll be right back, okay?

[After picking out the smallest stallion, she hops over the fence and goes to pet his muzzle.] Hey there. Go easy on me, all right? [She takes a deep breath, stretches, glances about, takes another deep breath...and, heart pounding, hops up onto the saddle.

For about seven seconds, Zia manages to hold on, and she feels so triumphant that she almost starts to laugh—and then her hands get sweaty and she gets bucked right out of the pen.

Zia screeches right up until she hits the ground. Her pecker flies circles around her head, squawking until she grunts and sits up.] Sssshhhh... Ugh. Worth a try, huh? [The pecker is still wailing, so clearly he must disagree.]

Races

[bastionmods]

[croceamors]

[Alright, so horses he can't do. That much is obvious. But Saix can run, so if anyone is interested in some simple races against one another... There's always this guy to heckle.]

[coolerthansora]

[Did someone say races? Somehow or other three adolescent chocobos have made it to the festival today, and they are quite excited by all this activity. They aren't nearly big enough to ride yet, but they're certainly grown enough to give anyone a run for their money. These birds were built for speed.

Of course, they may not entirely understand the rules, but it involves running, right? They are happy to join in whenever they see it happening.

Roxas is standing nearby keeping an eye on them--well, mostly just watching them enjoy themselves--if you wanted to ask someone what was up with the colorful birds running around.]

[hellpyre]

[It takes Rin a little while to get her composure back, but eventually she gets calm enough to check out the rest of the festival. She leaves the stallion pen alone because that's one thing she's not stupid enough to try, especially after her bout with Pyth yesterday. (She will be going against the bull again later though)

But the races, that catches her attention. It reminds her a bit of the PE classes they had to take in cram school, only minus getting chased by a giant toad demon.

At first she just watches a little, actually dressed in that new exorcist jacket and those cute socks she got as presents. Should anyone challenger her to a race, though, Oh it would be on like Donkey Kong.]

Charm Table

[bastionmods]

Re: Charm Table

[croceamors]

[Well, that sure is a thing looming over by the charm table.]

[For anyone who's been paying attention, they might recognize the Berserker Nobody as something that's been known to follow Saix around for the most part. It hasn't usually been seen interacting with anything else, but here it is... It's also holding a Golden Retriever on a leash, which seems far more happy to get in anyone's face because dogs are full of love.]

[Sure is a sight...]

[freedom_engineer]

[Colin made absolutely sure that he made a stop by the charm table to grab a hammer charm, today. It was just a quick detour, he had a lot of plans for today, and only a couple of them involved the festival. But the charms seemed important, and he was not about to forget one today of all days.]

Defend Lemaign

[bastionmods]

Bastion VS Paarthurnax: Intro

[wayofvoice]

[There's nothing much but a large shadow and heavy wingbeats to hint at Paarthurnax's mindset, but it will all become extremely clear when the dragon suddenly lands heavily in the area. His large body looms over the little hammer statue protectively, and he draws back his long neck to look down at the rest of the Bastion.]

I would like to participate in this. I need only myself to defend.

Il mii koraav waan un mulaag los rinid.

[So... yeah that sure is a giant dragon making up the entirety of the defending team.]

Building Blocks

[bastionmods]

[coolerthansora]

[Roxas isn't totally sure what he's supposed to be making with these, but it seems like fun. Sort of like making sandcastles... Maybe he should try making a castle.

Care to contribute?]

Story Telling with Zulf

[bastionmods]

[fuckthemancers]

[It sure does look like somehow Zulf has gotten wrangled into something. But it's been noticed how many people don't exactly know about the Gods here, so..]

[Have a question about them? Just want to hear a story about them all, or one in particular? Heckle this guy.]

Everything Else, Everywhere Else

[bastionmods]

The amazing wandering engineer

[freedom_engineer]

[Colin's going to be ducking in and out of the festival today, mostly to grab food and check in on everyone. Otherwise? He's going to be working in his shop. He's got laser-gauntlets to build, a dragon-sized comm rig, and quite a few other things!]

[Feel free drop in on his workshop if you need something, or grab him while he's snagging some food.]