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

[yinyangfox]

"There is no point thinking on it. It is over and done, in the past and you made the right choices in the end, by your own estimation. Brooding over it serves no one, least of all yourself or your companion," the onmyoji pointed out, gesturing to Zoroark.

"The trouble with could have and would have is that it all amounts to cannot. You cannot change the past, you can only learn from it. So take the lessons from your friend and from your mistakes and make a brighter future. You will doubtless find many complications, but if you wish to do the right thing and strive towards generally good goals, you will never fall so short of the mark that someone else cannot reach out and catch your hand to help you the rest of the way."

[unwrittenformula]

"Hilda has said the same thing, and that she cares about me regardless of what I've done in the past..." But it was clear he continued to have doubts, no matter what anyone said to him about it.

He wasn't one to rebuke good advice when it was given, though, and he nodded to what Seimei said.

"I'm certain it won't be easy, but I will do my best regardless."

[yinyangfox]

"Nothing worth doing is ever easy," he answered with a small smile and tilt of his head. "In the end, its about how you see yourself more than how others see you, however. That I can fully understand. While many people may have a good opinion of someone, if they had a poor opinion of themselves, nothing else really matters. I certainly hope you can see the merit in how others view you and find yourself of the same mind in time."

[unwrittenformula]

"But is it better to have a more humbled opinion of ones self then to be mired in the fallacy that is hubris and ego? Who I was before... that person was arrogant, and convinced that his ideals were the right ideals, regardless of what they did to other people..."

Even if that was the person that Ghetsis raised, on stories of heroes and kings, convincing his son that he would rise to be that one day with his help. It wasn't as if N made himself that way.

[yinyangfox]

"Humility is very important and very admirable, except for where it cripples your ability to go forward and fills you with doubt and self-recrimination. It is a difficult line to balance between modesty and courage. Most people cannot do it alone. Fortunately you did not have to in the end and you were given a light with which to find the right path," the onmyoji replied, considering his little building thoughtfully before returning his gaze to N.

"You are able to recognize the wrongs you made, feel guilt for them and move on. You will be fine, I think. so long as you have those who care for you and motivate you to continue down that long road," he remarked, inclining his head to indicate Zoroark.

[unwrittenformula]

"I was, yes. Even though I left Hilda for a time to find my own way, I still had Zoroark and even the legendary dragon, Zekromm as my friends. I regret leaving her at all but I thought it was right at the time. Luckily, we found one another again."

In Vatheon, but still. It was better than never seeing her again.

"I am determined, at least, to not make the same mistakes again. ... we've gotten distracted. You wanted to learn more about Pokemon?"

[yinyangfox]

"There is no harm in distraction. Rushing from place to place only causes one to miss the smaller things so often overlooked, but yes. I would like very much to learn more about Pokemon. I am actually compiling a library based on the lives, experiences and knowledge of others in the Bastion. I have already spent a good deal of my personal time setting to paper everything I know, but there is so much from other worlds that should be preserved as well. Your knowledge may become invaluable to other survivors," the onmyoji reasoned, tilting his head to regard the youth curiously.

"Would you consider visiting my home from time to time and assisting me in expanding my library? My home is always open, and the library in particular is important to offer to others. Education is more important than ever, right now. If you have a language unique to where you are from that would also be valuable. Whatever history you can impart. It is my sincere wish that everyone in the Bastion come and add to the stores."

[unwrittenformula]

That earned a quiet laugh from N, a bit odd sounding since he didn't laugh often, but it was an amused noise none the less.

"I wouldn't mind that at all. I have a fairly extensive memory of what I read in my time alone, at least regarding the Unova area. I may have to turn to AZ for assistance regarding regions I was never able to get as much information on, but I doubt he would have a problem with such a thing."

[yinyangfox]

"In regards to that, please invite him as well. The gardens are peaceful and everyone is invited to enjoy them, but most importantly the library. There is no such thing as too much knowledge. The more people that contribute, the more useful the library will be. There's no telling when others might need the information, and it is always important to pass down one's history," the onmyoji insisted with a slight nod.

"Anyone you are acquainted with, please let them know as well. I am honored by every guest and their tales."

[unwrittenformula]

"I'm sure he and Floette would enjoy them a great deal," N noted with a nod. "I'll be sure to pass the message along. And thank you for the offer."

[yinyangfox]

"Not at all, no thanks needed. You all honor me with your presence and certainly would have paid for any minor inconvenience in full by offering your history for the library. I hope to see you all soon. I do hope both of you take care of yourselves and find time to visit soon," the onmyoji stated, inclining his head and indicating Zoroark.

[unwrittenformula]

"I'm sure we will find the time to do that soon."

N nodded again, then rose to his feet and motioned for Zoroark to follow him. There was more of the festival to see, after all.