Cherry Blossom Festival (May 4-6)

[stringmods]

Who: EVERYONE
Where: Central Park (Capricorn Ward)
Summary: Open - Post-event log for everyone!
Warnings: Nothing

The battle was over, and the city was busy licking its wounds and trying to repair for the next few days. Amidst all of this commotion, however, Golden Week continued and with it, the weekend and next Monday was a day off to enjoy the Cherry Blossoms. And despite the fighting that had been going on, Hinito-Ri continued to adapt, and enjoy what little time that they could.

After all, fighting for such beauty did make you a lot more appreciative of it.



Tens of thousands of trees dotted the park's landscape, but it was the Cherry trees that were the stars of the weekend, the pink petals creating a heavenly smell only enhanced by the small stalls that were busy selling hot yakitori (grilled chicken on sticks), takoyaki (octopus balls on sticks), shioyaki (Salty grilled sea bream on sticks ) and kakigori (Shaved ice with syrup, not on a stick).

The prime picnic places were being taken and families grouped together to eat homemade lunches and bento, but there were still many spots and trees to go under should you wish to do so with friends. Townsmen would nod towards you, knowing that you had helped last week, young couples walked hand in hand, and many young students sat under the trees, reading books or playing games.

In the central area, Shinto monks had set up a O-Mikuji area, where you could-- for a mere 10 yen-- hope that questions on love, family or fortune would befall you favorably.

The danger had passed for now. Life continued to flourish.

Enjoy it well.

[OOC - And don't forget to add your character's tag!]

Comments

Fortunes [OPEN TO ALL]

[stringmods]

Thousands of small pieces of paper are tied to three large conifer pines with colorful string. Each tree had a sign in Japanese (that you could read) above it; Fortune, Family and Love. A demon held out a small box, where you could put in the ten yen coins for each fortune you wanted to draw. If you didn't have physical money, you could get some at a small booth nearby using your Visitor card. The coins were part of the experience, after all!

[OOC - Write on top what you want your character to draw from. You are allowed one from each maximum, but you don't have to do all of them. Keep in mind that these predictions are for the most part true - so if you get a bad luck, feel free to have your character have a bad luck day! On the other hand, good effects may bestow you some bonuses. May the odds be ever in your favor!]

ALL OF THEM \o/

[blessed_by_the_world]

[She went and got out enough coins to draw one fortune of each type. This is her first time at a festival on her own, so she got a little excited. The sight of the demon manning the box does make her hesitate though. She's still not used to them.]

Hello....

Um, I'll take one of each. Please.

FORTUNE

[emperor_penguin]

[DeDeDe's usually pretty content to hang around at the club for most of his days, but even he enjoys a nice stroll in the park once in a while. He'd gotten used to living in a place devoid of nice scenery, so he's actually feeling somewhat at peace for a change. Catching sight of the fortunes, he heads over to see what it's all about.]

...Huh. Well, can't hurt to give it a try.

[Fishing out a coin, he flips it into the box before drawing out a fortune.]

Wonder how the club's gonna do this season.

Love, Family, Fortune

[travelingtheworlds]

[Sasha loved pretty much anything to do with fortunes, so when she learned about this tradition, she made a beeline for the tree with the fortunes.]

Can I please have one of each?

OTA!

[terminally_clever]

[Fumi's typically more at home in front of a computer monitor than under a cherry tree, but even she likes to get out and about and enjoy nature every so often. And this time, there's another reason for her to be here - she's on a quest from the Velvet Room.

With a somewhat outdated Polaroid camera at the ready, Fumi makes her way through the festival, snapping pictures as she goes. She takes pictures of the trees, the food booths, local wildlife... anything that looks interesting.

And if she happens to spot anyone she knows, she'll hold up the camera at them, too.]

...Say 'cheese.'

[greyerrant]

Why cheese? [ Loken looks puzzled, and a little angry at Fumi ]

OTA!

[all_wound_up]

[Nano's out for a stroll among the cherry trees, enjoying the beautiful scenery as everything is in full bloom. She worked hard at the marketplace all weekend, and now she hopes to enjoy a little rest and relaxation time at the festival.

Most of her time is spent staring up in wonderment at the striking pink color of the trees and trying to catch falling petals between her fingers, but she also walks around the different food stalls, enjoying the sights and smells.]

Everything is so pretty!

[She also happens to be carrying a small stack of bento lunches with her, just in case she runs into any of her friends here. She wasn't sure if any of them had plans of their own and didn't want to intrude, so instead she just made about a half-dozen of them or so, intending to hand them out as she goes.]

[charmedbymemories]

[Naminé is sitting on a bench under one of the trees, preferring the soft hush of the petals falling to the cheerful noise of the festivities a little ways away. If she looks exhausted, she tries not to show it as she waves briefly at her friend.]

Hi Nano.

OTA!

[travelingtheworlds]

[Sasha was sitting under a cherry tree with her notebook in tow in case she met anyone interesting. Right now, she wasn't doing much but passively enjoying the nature, but that could be subject to change. Maybe she could at least check out the food or something...]

OTA

[blitzkriegzwei]

[The Taurus incident had been exhausting for Ludwig, to say the least. When the urge to clean absolutely everything and block out every noise in the world had subsided, he felt like something had been taken out of him. Had he even done that much for the city this time? He had managed to take out small squads of bulls here and there, but it just didn't feel like enough. Well, everyone contributed to a war effort in their own way.

Ludwig had been to Japan on numerous occasions, so these cherry blossoms weren't totally unfamiliar to him. They were still a pleasant sight to see as he walked through the park, trying to clear his head and legitimately relax for a change.]

OTA

[justjustice]

[Apollo was still a bit shaken by the Taurus event, to the point that he was nearly afraid to go outside regardless of how nice it was out. However, he managed to kick himself out of his apartment and take his work outside with him. It was mostly just paperwork and things to read over for a future case, but the reading still needed to get done anyway. So there he was, sitting under one of the cherry blossom trees, reading and enjoying some yakitori. This stuff wasn't too bad!]

[gigglesnortpriestess]

[She only met him once but it was hard not to recognize him.]

Still working during the festival?

OTA

[skyofreverie]

[Sora is wandering the streets, not really sure where he's going or even caring. One of his family members was comatose while the other sat at her bedside. It was worrying. They had to find a cure for this clone sickness because Sora wasn't sure he could handle either of them dying again.]

[There had to be something. Ever since she'd gone unconscious Sora has spent night after night pouring over medical books he can't quite understand. All of it is so far over his head, even with all the time he spent learning how to treat people without magic.]

[As he moves through the cheerful families and happy couples, he can't bring himself to look at either. Not even returning the nods he'd get from them. No, Sora looks a lot like a shuffling zombie - bumping into people he doesn't quite notice, looking paler then usual and with dark circles forming from the lack of sleep he gets each night.]

[If he does bump someone all he manages to do is mumble "sorry" under his breath.]

[charmedbymemories]

[Naminé had noticed Sora's absence at the hospital earlier that day, and it was equal parts worrying and relieving. Worrying because she couldn't keep an eye on him and goad him into eating and napping, but relieving because he was out of the hospital and (hopefully) getting some time to relax.

When Aqua took over sitting with Kairi, she'd gone out to the festival to see what she could see. Her sister would appreciate being told about it when she woke up, she was sure. But walking amongst the other city dwellers, she'd caught sight of Sora. And seeing him so exhausted and run down broke her heart.

Naminé took a quick detour to the takoyaki stand, buying a couple of sticks of the stuff before winding through the crowd to find him again.]

Sora.

ota

[terra_nullius]

[It takes a while to find a good spot, as most of the best places are taken early, by families with big sheets who are far more familiar with doing this. In one corner where the view isn't too bad and there's not too much sun, Xehanort spreads out the sheet he'd bought (emblazoned with popular children's characters). He's wearing his hakama and hakamashita and carrying a bag of food, which he sets down before slipping out of his shoes to sit down.]

Ah, sorry... I didn't realize we'd have to leave earlier to find some shade. I hope this is okay...

[Xion meanwhile, is slightly pink and shakes her head, fidgeting slightly but still clearly happy and a little bit overwhelmed]

Don't worry about it, really. You… you didn't have to go to all this at all.

[She breaks off then, looking away with a sheepish smile before sitting down next to him and wrapping her arms around her knees.]

It's really pretty here.

[He starts pulling things out of the bag, setting them out. Some cups and plastic bottles of juice and tea, and random snacks that are easily eaten. He hands her a small plastic bag of utensils, before snapping open a pair of chopsticks and starting to pick at the food.]

I've never seen anything like it, but that's rather relative...

[He closes his eyes and smiles.] It's nothing. Thank you for coming with me. It's better to enjoy these things with good company.

[ooc: specify in your reply if you want to talk to Xion, Xehanort, or both of them]

Both

[terminally_clever]

[As the two are unpacking their picnic supplies, Fumi comes walking up carrying a Polaroid camera. She holds it up briefly to the two of them.]

Would the two of you mind if I took a picture? You seem to be enjoying yourselves. It's for an acquaintance of mine who couldn't make it here herself. I think she wanted to see photos of other people having fun in her place.

[All of which is technically true. Fumi's tone is flat and awkward, but she's never been that great at dealing with people. Machines are so much easier.]

OTA

[electricyousei]

Ruri walks around the festival, with her usual bland look till she sees the food stands. At that she lets out a breath and turns away, doing that whenever she sees a stand, almost like there is some sort of force field between her and the food.

After a while she stops and gets a cheap looking bamboo flute, moving to sit under a tree and play. While once it may have in fact been the cheery tune food carts use to announce their presence, its slowed down almost to the pace of a dirge.

[selematpagi]

Yukko has been hit by sensory overload. There was a large crowd of people, much grander than Yukko had expected. Normally Yukko thrived in excitement but all of this activity was getting to be exhausting!

Yukko spots Ruri sitting up against one of the thousands of trees scattered about on the outskirts of the festival. She frowns, taking a few steps closer with her hands behind her back.

"... Hey." Yukko cocks her head. "What's wrong?"

OTA

[trombeoverride]

As people walk along, sometime after the mid afternoon, they may notice another dinner booth, one with a goggled man that is also in front of a large black and red robot (see 50 meters tall large). If you want takoyaki, or teriyaki, sikuyaki or german cooking its all there, and it smells great. Just ignore or bask in the shadow of the robot and enjoy.

Later: The stand is also open during the dark hour, the robot is still there, and the pistols are no longer hidden in the jacket of the chef but he'll still gladly serve anyone as long as they don't cause a scene.

Re: OTA

[greyerrant]

"Nice titan you have there."

Loken says, walking over after he smells the food.

"Interesting food too. I haven't seen the like of either before."

OTA

[greatseal]

[On the first day of the festival, Minako stops by in regular clothes, just to scope things out. She visits the fortune stand and then browses the stalls, paying special attention to the food. She doesn't stay too long, though - and she seems to have something on her mind, because before she leaves she stops at one of the small clothing shops doing a brisk business on the edge of the festivities and buys a yukata.

It's the late afternoon of the second day that she reappears dressed in her new outfit, elegant black with a cherry blossom pattern to match the occasion. She already owns another yukata, in pink, but she's worn that on to festivals here before - and around the specific person she wants to impress. So it was time for a change. Another change is her hair, which instead of her usual style is up in a more formal bun secured by cherry blossom hair sticks.

Instead of plunging into the festivities like last time, she (attempts to) demurely wait by the entrance, watching the crowd as it passes.]

2nd day

[electricyousei]

Ruri peers over at Minako, lowering her flute for a minute and nodding a little.

"Waiting for someone?"

OTA

[darkens]

[Hoshi takes an odd sort of comfort in the festival occurring, in spite of recent events, because it's so normal. Wandering the streets, enjoying some takoyaki, drawing some fortunes, and taking in the scenery... This is exactly what she would be doing, were she still back home in Sugikishi.

The only difference is that she is alone now.

But that's all right. Though she wasn't brought here with her friends, she did get to keep her camera, which she has with her today. Once she's done with her obligatory participation in traditional festivities, she sets about snapping photographs - of the cherry trees, the buildings around town, and whatever else that might catch her eye.

Occasionally, she'll lower the camera and simply observe, watching the crowds of people walk past, though she never actually photographs them.]

open!

[doesasordered]

[Nikolai's never partaken in such a festival before, and it's a nice change of pace from the recent ruckus. He's out alone as usual, but he at least looks like he's enjoying himself, at least. While he wanders around, he approaches the food stand. He's not sure what to think about it.]

Ah, octopus... is it really any good.

[terminally_clever]

[Fumi happens to be nearby, eating some sushi she'd gotten from one of the neighboring stands.]

The texture is rather rubbery, but it absorbs the flavor of whatever it's prepared with rather well. I understand it tends to be something of an acquired taste for westerners.

OTA

[hetried]

[Daichi didn't really have much purpose in being around here-- he'd just kind of wandered over, and he'd already gotten his fortune. And he'd had pretty damn good luck with them, too! Even if you know, nothing had actually happened.

By now he had wandered over to the food stalls, a takoyaki stick in his house and one in his hand (maybe he should grab some for Yamato or Kaito?), and a yakitori stick tucked in between another two fingers, though he seemed to be spacing out a bit as he ate his food.

The fortunes... well, hopefully it meant that his mom and dad were OK somewhere-- but that 'Love' one... He let out a small sigh. Boy, it was kind of sad when a piece of paper attached to a tree was telling you to get over yourself. It felt pretty bad, man.]

OTA

[celebrity_commentator]

You look kinda depressed for a guy at a festival...

...oh, hey, we met on the firetruck, right?

ota!

[jumyouboshi]

[The Taurus event wasn't exactly pleasant (more like a harsh slap to the face, really. "Oh, you thought you had a modicum of free will like your other self? How cute."), and dwelling on it wouldn't help his anguish or guilt, so when the opportunity to observe humans (and human culture, especially!) more arose, he didn't exactly pass it up. It was a way to take his mind off things, so to speak...although of course, he was weighed down by guilt, constantly reminding himself about it, and doubting if he even deserved to be amongst the humans here, considering his actions on the 26th. All his movements and thoughts were guilt-laden, but at least he tried not to show too much of it. He's never partaken in a festival before, and unless someone drags him, he probably won't be anytime soon.

Nevertheless, because Alcor is Alcor, and even when he's anguished he can be curious, (a little) whimsical, and strange, he'll be sitting on a branch of a cherry blossom tree, the branch high enough to just be a little bit overhead human height. (Sitting around in tall places is a preference for him. So is sitting in general.) And when he feels he has an inquiry that needs an answer, and there aren't too many people hanging around to see him (avoiding the townspeople's lines of sight especially, knowing what he's done; although he's kind of hard to miss too, red and black amongst pink petals), he'll simply...

...lie back and swing himself downwards, hanging upside down from the branch, possibly quite visibly right in someone's face or path. (Though he's taking precautions to refrain from doing that to a townsperson or someone he recognizes, accidents happen.)

It wasn't as if he had to worry about gravity, after all.]

[hetried]

[Daichi'd already had some pretty good luck when drawing the fortunes-- so it was only a matter of time before his luck actually failed him again like it was wont to do. Honestly, in a city like this, he shouldn't have been surprised, but the abrupt presence of someone swinging down right in front of his face made him give a yell in surprise, jump, and completely drop the takoyaki he had been carrying around.]

G-- Wha-- Saiduq?!

[Yep he's still got a bad habit of calling both stars by that name, it was a hard habit to break, alright! Especially when he was currently having a heart attack.]

W-What are you doing...?!

[Jerk.]

OTA

[nemophila]

[Jun had spent most of his time rather in his own apartment, or browsing through the library at the University-- which was kind of ironic, since he was skipping high school, but eh, what're you gonna do.

He was mostly unaffected by all of the events that had happened during Taurus; odd behaviors... weren't exactly new for him. No, the whole reason he was mostly here, was for the Cherry Blossom trees. And all of the threes, really!

He had stashed the fortune slips into his pocket-- mostly he had completely disregarded the 'Family Blessing' anyway-- and was happily strolling along the paths, in between the trees, smiling and holding his hand out, as he caught some petals in mid-air.]

OTA

[bondsofsuffering]

[Hizumi's just kinda wondering around, a stick of yakitori in one hand and another plus two takoyaki sticks in the other. If he sees people he knows, he'll give a jaunty wave - well, as jaunty as one can give when trying not to lose the food in hand.]

Hey! Enjoying the flower viewing?

Re: OTA

[capitalbackup]

[Miyako is eating some shioyaki when Hizumi just came up to her. Swallowing her bite, she turns her attention over to him.]

Hello, Mizushiro. The view is pleasant.

OTA

[eyewillprotect]

[Aah... it's superstition, really, but at the same time, this is Hinoto-Ri...

Which is why Aoi can be found attaching a curse to one of the trees, looking slightly sheepish. Hopefully it doesn't come to bite her too badly.

Alternately, she'll be wandering the grounds and thoroughly enjoying the view of the trees. Why keep your nose in a book when you can see the flowers during the short time their beauty is in full?]

[echo_of_a_jedi]

That's very gracious of the tree, I think.

[Aoi might recognize the woman in a robe (as opposed to a kimono or yukata) commenting on her curse-disposal. Or she might not. Meetra only remembered Aoi's name because she had a fairly good memory.]

OTA

[primordial]

[This...isn't that bad, actually.]

[Sam can be found sitting under a cherry tree, looking somewhat more relaxed than his usual nervous, pathetic-seeming self. From time to time, he'll even put down his fairy tale book to stare at the people walking by...however, if any of them meet his gaze, he'll quickly put up the book again in front of his face, as if embarrassed.]

[There are even some cherry blossom petals in his long mess of brown hair, though he doesn't seem to notice. He's enjoying this peace way to much to do so.]

[bondsofsuffering]

You're looking unexpectedly happy!

[...Yeah, we're calling that happy, because for once he doesn't seem to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

Then again, even Hizumi seems to be in a particularly excellent mood, munching away at the yakitori he'd obtained at a nearby stall.]

OTA!

[gigglesnortpriestess]

[After having her fortunes read (and sticking one to the tree so no bad luck would come her way), Yukiko decided to wander around the park and just watch the cherry blossoms. Plus, it's a good way to make use of her new yukata she had gotten after the crazy that was the past few days.

Too bad she was alone for the moment but her friends would most likely catch up to her later.]

[all_wound_up]

[Speaking of friends, here's one of them now, also fresh from the fortune booth.]

Yukiko-san! You look beautiful!

OTA

[ineedthemforanalyzing]

[Latooni had traded her normal dress for a lavender yukata - not only did it look less out of place at this festival in general, but she didn't especially want to draw attention to herself after last week. She was fairly sure the Government was keeping an eye on her, or at least that's what would happen back home, and she didn't hold it against them.]

[At the same time, though, she didn't really know what to do here, so she mostly wandered aimlessly around the part, looking at the cherry blossoms with a sad sort of nostalgia.]

OTA

[capitalbackup]

[After the Taurus event, Miyako have been keeping to herself, ashamed by how she's been affected. She's usually better whenever she challenge someone to a duel, a lot more polite, too.

And she even turned her blade onto Yamato. Her self-control was pathetic.

When she heard about the festival, she decided to come out and check the sites. The flowers would make for a nice distractions from her thoughts. And the food too.

Which was why Miyako's staring at the various food stalls, somewhat indecisive over what to buy. She knows about takoyaki, thanks to her brother, but the other food...hm...

It's enough that Miyako didn't realise a few cherry blossom petals fell and land on her hair.]

Re: OTA

[greyerrant]

You again. [ Says a massive, gruff figure. ]