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

[fuckthemancers]

[Zulf gives a shake of his head, a slight smile on his face.]

I will have quite a bit to organize, then. I will do my best to tell you all that I know, although you may have to speak to actual Caels in regards to their homeland. I only know so much, you see- I only started to live there recently.

[yinyangfox]

I would like to hear about your personal experiences just as much as anything else. [ He admitted with a soft chuckle and nod. ] The stories of people's lives are often more meaningful than recited history. I of course will be taking your advice as well.

Hopefully, in time, everyone in the Bastion will be either writing or dictating their lives and world histories - as much as they know them - so that they will be available and preserved. I have already been writing as much as I can about my own land. Fortunately my...boyfriend I believe is the word? He is from the same world so far as we can tell, only a different time, so he can fill in the parts I do not know. There is a thousand years difference between us.

[fuckthemancers]

[Zulf listens intently, fingers shifting to press against one another. It's still... hard to grasp that there are entirely other worlds, sometimes. Entirely different times? Goodness.]

That's... quite a gap.

[yinyangfox]

[ he blinked slowly, lips curling into an almost shy smile as he looked to the side, eyes downcast. ]

It has certainly caused innumerable complications.

[fuckthemancers]

[...It might be best not to press. Zulf once again tries to ignore how complicated everything has become and merely nods.]

Well, I hope Hense guides you both very well in your relationship. We should all be glad to find others to share our time with, especially after so much and so many have been lost already.

[yinyangfox]

Hm. I could use the help. [ He muttered without really thinking about it before wincing and reaching up to cough softly into a fist. ] Pardon me. My troubles are not your concern. No one can be bothered with my trifles.

Ahem. Time sharing. Yes yes. Hm.

I suppose I do have one pressing question at the moment. [ He redirected, suddenly sober and steady-eyed. ]

You keep touching the things you wear - everything crimson - and I would ask about that. If, of course, it is not so personal that I overstep bounds I did not know existed. I noticed you did so a great deal, so it obviously has some meaning to you. Several things do, in fact. [ He cast a meaningful look towards the monument, arching a brow and letting that question go unasked. ]

[fuckthemancers]

[The glance towards the Monument makes Zulf stiffen slightly and he thins his lips before giving a slight shake of his head.]

I suppose I hadn't noticed my own habits. It's an Ura tradition- you won't find any of the Caels here indulging in it. To be more specific, it's a funerary tradition.

When we send away our dead, we dress them completely in gray like the stone. It's a way to help them accept their death and move on towards Micia's light. In contrast, those who are living always wear colorful clothing. Red in particular.. It is meant to symbolize our blood, you see. When you're still alive, your blood is fresh crimson. But when you cut the dead... The life in them is lost.

That is another reminder, for both us and the souls of the departed. It reminds us that we still are alive, and it reminds them that they are not. To keep the dead stuck in the land of the living is seen to be a sad thing... So we do our best to ensure there isn't anything trapping them here or slowing them down in their journey to the Lorn Mother.

However, there are times when Micia's guiding light is said to be strongest and the Harvest Festival is one of those times. It is her and Pyth's festival, overall, although all the Gods partake in it. During such a time, her star heart is clearer than anything. The spirits of the dead can travel from their land to ours without losing their way and see what has changed in their absence.

The living use this time as remembrance for what they have lost, and the red helps the dead find us so that they might see that we are still well.

You'll see many of the other Ura wearing red as well, but it's best not to inquire too much. It is a sensitive topic. [A smile, but it doesn't reach his eyes.] I'm used to answering such questions, so I don't mind as much. I wear the string about my neck simply from habit in living in Caelondia for so long. I didn't wish to draw too much attention to it.

The ring is... [A pause, not able to fake the smile for any longer.] Well. Many were lost in the Calamity. As I said- it's good that you've managed to find someone to be with during these times.

[yinyangfox]

[ Seimei listened with the sort of rapt attention usually only found in children or the very slow. His eyes hardly blinked though he never looked glazed or distracted - he simply stayed there and took in what the Ura said with an unusual level or respect and dedication. His expression shifted only once, from silent understanding to quiet sympathy. He offered no words in regards to his feelings on the matter - not everyone appreciated sympathy or commiseration - but his face said that he heard, listened and understood, simple as that.

His gaze only left Zulf's face when certain things were mentioned, drawing his attention to them briefly. the rest of the time the Ura had him. When the other man closed mentioning Seimei's own position, the onmyoji bowed his head in acknowledgement. ]

Your point of view on the celebration is not unlike those of my own people. We have many means of speaking with those past, and there are times of the year considered sacred to the link between the living and the dead. It was a large part of my occupation to placate lost souls and guide them to resting places, so I am very familiar with the concept of reassuring those already departed.

[ He considered for a moment, eyes lingering on Zulf a bit longer before he gestured vaguely with one hand and offered a low bow of respect. ]

Thank you for telling me, though I know it must be difficult for you. I do hope you take my invitation seriously and find my home a peaceful sanctuary where you can study and hopefully impart knowledge of your own.

[fuckthemancers]

It's alright. I've had plenty of time to mourn, so the wounds aren't so fresh.

[Another polite smile, weighed down by weariness.]

I'll be certain to take your invitation, once everything has calmed down. Hopefully what I tell you will be of use to you. Until that time, however, are there any of the Gods you would like to hear a tale about? [This next smile is a bit more composed.] I ask just in case. It has been what I've been doing for the most part, after all.

[yinyangfox]

All of them. [ He answers simply, lips curling into an enigmatic smile. He liked this man and his thin veneer. He felt sympathy, of course, but as he had already enjoyed the company of people similar, yet very different, Seimei was curious what this lonely bird might bring to the Bastion. ]

I would learn everything there is to be told, of course. There are few things creatures like myself enjoy more than knowledge. I am blissfully free from the compulsive desire to create mischief, at least, but my voracious appetite for learning will never be satisfied. However I cannot possibly take up your time here and worse, you've already been telling stories all day. It would be unkind of me to monopolize you further. You could surely do with some rest.

[fuckthemancers]

I could talk for much longer if I decided to, you may trust me on that. [A dry smile passes over his face.] Still, the consideration is much appreciated.

[yinyangfox]

I imagine you could. Anyone with anything worth saying can talk forever. The interesting thing is that those with something worth saying seldom speak, and those with nothing worth hearing never shut up. [ He chuckles, arching a brow and folding his hands into his sleeves. ]

Nevertheless, sir, I would prefer not to tax you more than you have already been. When it pleases you, come and enjoy my gardens, share a meal and talk to me at your leisure. Until then, I do hope your time here is pleasant enough and that you won't let your pain prevent you from finding friendship as well.