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

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.

[all_wound_up]

Naminé! Hello!

[She smiles cheerfully at her friend as she approaches, waving back.]

Aren't the trees beautiful?

[charmedbymemories]

They are. This is the first time I've seen cherry blossoms.

[She picks up a stray petal and looks it over.] They're so delicate and different in comparison to the palm trees from home.

[all_wound_up]

We have them where I come from, but I've never seen any as colorful as this before!

[Nano giggles lightly, clearly in a good mood today.]

What are palm trees like? I've only ever seen them on TV.

[charmedbymemories]

Really? I wonder why that is.

[She hums thoughtfully.]

They're very tall, and their trunks are very thick. The wood itself is rough and almost scale-like. The fronds are smooth and have leaves that are very...pokey. [She smiles faintly.] And on Destiny Island, the palm trees bear star-shaped fruit called paopus.

[all_wound_up]

Paopus? What are those...? I've never heard of a fruit like that before.

[charmedbymemories]

It only grows on Destiny Island, so I'm not surprised. It's mostly used in desserts since it's so sweet. [She smiles faintly.] There's a saying that if you share a paopu fruit with someone, your destinies will be tied together forever afterwards.

[all_wound_up]

That sounds very romantic!

[prettytamer]

Nano!

[Midori had been checking out the stalls as well, but upon spotting Nano, she waves enthusiastically.] Come here, this one's the best food here!

[all_wound_up]

Midori-san, hello!

[Nano waves back, jogging over to catch up with her.]

Which stall is that?

[prettytamer]

It's this one, the yakitori. I'll buy you some!

[And before Nano could protest Midori was already paying.]

[all_wound_up]

It's all right, I have enough!

[Nano reaches for her change purse.]

[prettytamer]

No way, I insist!

[:P]

[all_wound_up]

Well, if you're sure!

[prettytamer]

[And so Midori bought Nano delicious things.]

[all_wound_up]

These are really good! Even better than the ones at home!

[darkens]

[Hoshi's checking out the cherry trees as well, avoiding the hustle and bustle of the streets and stalls. The scenery is similar to what she would find back home, and that familiarity is oddly soothing.

She's standing under one such tree right now, camera in hand, trying to get a good shot of the falling petals. A few of them get stuck in her hair, which she casually ignores for the sake of her photographs.

It's not long before she spots Nano attempting to catch the petals through the lens, and she quietly watches for a moment before finally deciding to approach.]

Shinonome-san. [She lowers the camera and nods in greeting.] Hello.

[all_wound_up]

Hello, Takeda-san!

[Still on a last name basis, as Nano generally starts out with everyone new she meets. She'll probably switch to Hoshi-san after they talk a few more times, though. The little robot does look genuinely happy to see her, though.]

Are you getting some good pictures of the festival? There's so much lovely scenery to choose from...

[darkens]

[Meanwhile, Nano will likely be at surname-san status forever because Hoshi is overly formal and distant. :|a The moebot's friendliness still baffles her somewhat, but it makes her a little easier to talk to, so she muscles through her awkwardness.]

I am. Mostly of the trees. [She shakes her head, swishing her long hair about and shaking out some of the petals.] They're... pretty. Very bright and colorful. The photos should turn out well.

[all_wound_up]

[Hoshi's distance reminds Nano a little of how guarded she was initially when she came to Hinoto-Ri, so that's probably why she warmed up to her so quickly. She wants everyone to have the welcoming feeling she had back then.]

The atmosphere is nice and relaxing, too.

[darkens]

Yes. The calm after the storm. [Hoshi nods in agreement, her expression softening slightly, and reaches out to catch a petal in her hand. If she wasn't stuck here, she would be doing the same thing at home, more or less. Relaxing with friends.] It reminds me of home, somewhat.

[all_wound_up]

You're from Japan too, right?

[The name is a pretty good indicator.]

[darkens]

Correct; Sugikishi, if you want to be exact. [aka made up generic animu city.] You are Japanese as well.

[It's not a question, not really, because yeah, it's pretty obvious.]

[all_wound_up]

Yes, that's right!

[City name withheld because Nichijou never lets us know what it is. /fistshaking]