The Coming of Age

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Who: Anyone
Where: Capricorn Park
When: The 13th of January
Summary: A celebration
Warnings: Stay away if you are allergic to celebrations and fun.

In a city where the mortality rate is determined by the whims of demons and danger, those that manage to survive until they are 20 and enter the adult age are to be celebrated, just as the child festival two months ago. Last year the month of January was marked by a Grand Prix destroyed by the Anoli. This year the mayor had wisely decided to pool the city’s budget into something a little more quiet, refined, yet full of the hospitality and jubilation that only Hinoto-Ri could offer. They were a proud people, for better or worse. Despite all of the ills thrown at them, they continued to survive.

The park was illuminated by bright orange lanterns and white lights on every tree, both representing hope for the future… and all the lives that had been lost last year.

The young adults going to celebrate Seijin no hi were wearing outfits either bought or borrowed. Females were decked in furisode, the white fur coats draped over their outfits to provide warmth. The males were dressed for the most part in traditional hakama, but a few wore the suit and tie business combo. If someone from the visitors was reaching twenty this year or last year, they were invited to join as well. It didn’t matter that upon returning those ages might be lost, this celebration was open to all. When the snow started to really fall later during the evening, participants were handed white umbrellas.

With the children becoming adults, there was much more emphasis on adult food and games; you might get lucky and win a bottle of sake by playing a ring toss, or even Japanese beer (of course this was only opened to those above 20). For those a little lower age, there was apple and grape sparkling drinks.

More traditional games were lined up as well including the popular goldfish scooping and bobbing for apples. Tables for chess, Japanese mahjong and go were set up close to the park, as elders and the new adults faced off. Crowds gathered to see how they would do and once in a while a group would clap in glee when the younger emerged triumphant. It was a sign of good luck for years to come.

Later that night there was to be a talk by the city officials and priests, as well as a concert, that was going to be hosted by one of the visitor's own.

And for one of the rare times, the feeling was that of peace and quiet. Maybe things were looking up after all that work you’d all been doing.

[OOC NOTE: Open post mingle log! Start your own threads or join the ones that will be opened up by the moderators. There are links for some of the descriptions you'll have an easier time seeing them if you click on the post. Thank you, and have fun!]

Comments

ARRIVALS

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[Characters can post their arrival to the festival here! The festival’s official starting hour is at 5pm. Make sure you mark it if your post is closed, it is assumed they are open to all by default.]

OTA

[helenchanted]

Decked in a golden and red kimono, Miki wasn't at the right age for this ceremony, so she wore something a little less high class than a furisode. White fur boots lined her feet due to the cold, which meant that, thankfully, Jiji wouldn't be getting a geta to his head (probably). Her hair was arranged simply, she was here to party and maybe try to sneak a bit of alcohol when no one was looking. Aww yeah rebelling stage.

She gave the new adults bows in greeting when they passed by, or a grin when she spotted another Visitor.

Re: OTA

[hachitaro]

One of the Visitors heads over to her, a drink in his hand. Taro's dressed in a brown hakama, but only for the moment. He might change its colors later.

"Hey there. How are you doing?"

He grins and holds the drink out to her. Rules? What rules?

[boxingemperor]

Akihiko is slowly falling back into a habit he developed when he began getting to know Minako; a mindset known none other than 'the overprotective big brother' approach. He left after Miki to attend the festival, but rather than kick back and enjoy himself, he has a nagging notion in the back of his head that something bad might happen.

When he does find her, he passes by and pretends not to expect passing her by. "H-hey! Miki!"

[hawkattack]

Blackquill is too old for any sort of coming of age ceremony, but he's still wearing a black and white hakama. He looks a hair more relaxed than usual, though he's still a bit stiff. Taka sits on his shoulder, his bandanna freshly washed. Every so often he reaches up to scratch his feathery partner under the beak as they walk around, looking at the various activities.

OTA

[resipiscent]

"We sure have a lot of festivals," Riku mumbles to himself as he enters the festival grounds. Not that he's complaining -- festivals are way better than experiments every week and praying for your loved ones to pull through past reset. He frowns just a little -- without his family here, even though he can celebrate, he kind of wonders... what the point is.

[eyewillprotect]

"It's not an entirely bad thing though, is it?"

Hello, Riku. It looks like Aoi's just arrived to, wearing her kimono and all. However, her look is much plainer than those who are actually turning twenty this year - it wouldn't do to dress up too much on a day meant to focus on others.

[egotrigger]

Allelujah is in a suit tonight. He's not entirely sure if he counts as twenty or not, considering the difference in months when he was brought to the Tower. In any case, he's curious about this festival. He's never really participated in festivals.

... He just has to ignore Hallelujah's insults. He looks fine. This suit is fine. He doesn't look like an idiot, no matter what Hallelujah says.

OTA

[badluckhealer]

[Agatha is only here because she's pretty sure that, if she didn't go of her own volition? Her family and friends and girlfriend would probably have dragged her out. By force, if needed. ... It still surprises her that she has these things now. Family that cares - a girlfriend who knows who and what she is and doesn't care - at least one friend, even if Desco is still a child and kind of odd, she's still a friend.

It's a warm feeling, and makes her smile to herself. She'd been doing that more often lately, especially after facing her other self.

At any rate - she's still too young to be counted as an adult, so instead of going for the sake or anything, she's going to be trying for the goldfish scooping and trying out the various games.

It's okay to have fun here, right?]

[tyrantball]

"Hi Aggie!"

Oh look. Desco has somehow managed to remove and/or hide her customary chitin dress and is currently floating around in a purple-and-red yukata. The bottom most edges of the golden eyes set in her wrists peek out from the flowing sleeves.

[meaningdies]

[There is suddenly a large red stuffed bear in your face, Aggie.]

... Here.

[He thought of you, okay? Tsun...]

OTA

[spiritofjustice]

Dressed in his usual white suit, Bobby gives off the air that he either didn't think to wear a hakama or simply didn't care to. He's still not wearing socks in his shoes either. Despite what might be considered a wardrobe malfunction, he seems to be enjoying the festival just fine. Most of his time is going to be spent by the goldfish scooping booth. He's determined not to leave this festival until he's won himself one. ...This may take a while.

[phantom_envoy]

"...If you close your eyes for about ten seconds, I can guarantee you'll have a goldfish when you open them again."

A girl in a strange outfit speaks up after watching him for about twenty attempts.

"Unless you want to keep making this guy a fortune."

[softreset]

It helps if you aim at it from its head and not chasing after it.

OTA!

[eyewillprotect]

[Aoi arrives in a kimono. Not a furisode by any means, but one of her household ones, the family crest embroidered into the fabric.

Naturally enough, she'll be greeting anyone she knows, even if it's just a small recognition from around the city or school.]

Hello there!

[the_tv_is_a_lie]

Naturally, Souji isn't too far off from the celebrations. It was a nice way to help him meditate on a lot of the things that happened on his first month here, and help him get his bearings back together. He's dressed to fit in with the occasion, a hakama and sandals to match.

Of course, when he's greeted by Aoi, he promptly raises a hand in a simple greeting.

"Lively, isn't it?" It was a lot more than he'd gotten to see in Inaba.

After the concert

[electricyousei]

After the concert, still in her stage Kimono, Ruri moves to the edge of the fair and sits under a tree letting out a breath. She managed to pick up a soda somewhere along the way and is quietly drinking it with a very tired expression.

[unbroken_chain]

Kotoha quietly sits down next to her.

"Hey."

Slowly, slowly...

BOOTHS

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[If your character is trying to win something or just having food an relaxing, feel free to post here! The booths are self-regulated (meaning you RP what you want with them) so have fun winning (or losing)!]

OTA!

[bondsofsuffering]

[Hizumi can be found at the goldfish scooping game, a rare frown on his face. It's not for any lack of fish - rather, he seems to be fixed on catching the larger, black goldfish swimming around the pool, to little avail. After soaking in the water for a while, the paper on the scoop is just too weak to hold it.]

One more scoop! C'moooon, stop getting away-!

[otakuro]

Chi! I mean. Pon!

[Atsuro snags a tile from the middle of the table.]

Three sticks!

Heh. And my teachers said Internet mahjong was a waste of my time.

CELEBRATION CEREMONY (FOR THE 20 YEAR OLDS)

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[Characters who are 20 this year or the previous year can come and receive their blessings and be purified by the priests. This will be turned into a 2 week IC blessing that will last until the end of the Astrology event, and a small present.]

DAH MAYOR’S SPEECH

[hinoto_ri]

[Later that night, the mayor walks up to the stage. With Junko by his side, ever watchful of anything that could happen, he delivers his speech.]

Good evening, friends and colleagues, ladies and gentlemen.

As we gather here this evening to celebrate those that will join us in the adult world, let’s ponder just a few of the ways the city has been growing the last few months.

Despite the recent attacks, our city is safer than it has been in years, with murders at an all-time low since the catastrophe.

We are growing more quickly than we have in years as well, with more births in the last two years. Our population may soon turn the death to birth ratio which is astounding in itself! This could not have been doing without the efforts of all, and the Visitors who have joined us for a year and a half now. And that growth shows no sign of stopping.

Hinoto-Ri is booming with new businesses, new development and newly revitalized neighborhoods. We are also making major progress on our goal of becoming strong enough to hold on our own. It’s obvious to longtime residents that the city is now entering a new era.

Last year in my State during the Grand Prix, I laid out a bold vision to manage and grow our progress and our refusal to bend. This year I continue to say the same; Hinoto-Ri shall not bend! Not to anyone!

Let me share with you what I envision for our city. I envision that, in the not-so-distant future:

We will have complete and total safety in all wards.
We will have a diversified economy
Our residents will live more safely, more healthily, and more sustainably

And this can only happen if our new adults aid us in this vision! This celebration tonight is for you! Help us continue to make Hinoti-Ri as great as it can be!

Join me in making this vision a reality!

Thank you, and good night!

[And it goes by without a hitch. Hammy yes, but no one is injured tonight. Thank goodness.]

EVENING CONCERT

[hinoto_ri]

[At eleven, the concert stage lit up. Raised above a platform, it was easy for everyone to look at, although the camera crew were cursing so many lights.

While Ruri was a last minute addition with the other singer unable to attend due to getting sick, her music had been loaded in the system. The side crew had done a very quick practise run with her, it was time for the real thing. The stagehand walked over to her, giving her a thumbs up, while barking up orders to the others.]

Ruri-san, we are all ready when you are. [She gives her a smile.] And again, thank you! You don’t know how much you’re saving our skins right now.

Re: EVENING CONCERT

[electricyousei]

Ruri nods and walks out in her blue kimono, taking the microphone and bowing to the stagehand. "Its all right, we all need to do what we can to support the people sometimes, right?"

With that she looks at the crowd for a minute, deadpan as always and ponders.

"I have a few songs from home that I hope you'll enjoy, and perhaps a local one in honor of the past pilots of the Nadesico."

With that she motions to the band and begins http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej31nOz6K4A

After finishing she looks at the crowd, "Any requests?"