Tanabata - [Open City Post]

[stringmods]

▼ Evening of the 7th

 

Who: Anyone
Where: The entire city
When: July 7th
Summary: The Star Festival
Warnings: That depends who is there. Remember to mark your titles clearly if any warnings need to be issued!

▼ A tale of two lovers...

 

The bamboo leaves rustle,
shaking away in the eaves.
The stars twinkle
on the gold and silver grains of sand.
The five-colour paper strips
I have already written.
The stars twinkle,
they watch us from heaven.

▼ A festival for a growing city

 

It is perhaps the most classical love story that most of the Hinoto-Ri natives knew about; the story of Orihime, the weaving goddess, and Hikoboshi. Instantly falling in love, the two gods would often forget about their duties to the point of negligence in order to be together, so much so that the other gods forcibly separated them. Crying for each other's comfort, they were allowed to visit each other on the 7th day of the 7th month...as long as it didn't rain.

Today, the sun is high in the air, a small wind making the overall experience not too unpleasant. Clearly it's a time for celebration so the lovers may meet again.

In the Capricorn ward, at the edge of the Central Park of Hinoto-Ri, numerous booths have seemingly sprung up overnight. Colorful banners decorate every single tree, and you can spot the faeries fluttering about, the very same ones who caused the Visitors so much trouble up to just a few days prior, helping out by adding their own personal touches to the festival, be that a good thing or a bad thing. Most of the leaves are filled with perfect droplets of dew, reflecting the sun and giving everything a jewel-like appearance.

Even with the harsh life, Hinoto-Ri knew how to make each celebration special. The booths themselves had everything one could hope in such a festival, from mountains of star candy to spinning top toys to booths selling small bambo and basil plants decorated for the occasion. Booth food, as always, was delicious and fresh, and you could attempt to catch goldfish or even turtles if you had money to spare.

Walk around in the more traditional outfits or in your normal clothing, no one is going to complain in this mixture of demonic heritage and human initiative.

Giant streamers were attached to the largest tree trunks and many large bamboo trees had been brought in, covered in paper cranes and wishing paper, blank sheets nearby so you could add your own. In fact, it is encouraged! What wish did you want to write down today?

At night, entire rows of the city are covered in bright lights and laterns, the festival lasting until early morning, despite the 13th hour. Just be careful where you're going, they set up parameters for this, but it just wouldn't be a star festival without viewing them up in the sky, right?

The giant telescope at the astrology center is made public for all those who wish to see the heavenly lights. Just don't linger too long, as others want to get a glimpse too! It's important to share...

...Especially when the fireworks go off later at night! Not only are they absolutely stunning to watch, but there's an evident bit of magic involved in them, as they take on figures and animals, telling the mythological tale of the two lovers, now found.

During the day and through the night, you can hear sounds of the Taiko drums in the various public squares. There are a few groups, each with their own set giving you a listening experience unlike any other.

[Feel free to start your own threads! The festival is open to everyone, day and night and you can do anything at zombocom at the festival. If you want to get a better understanding of what your characters might see and do, these videos will help.]

Comments

Open, after sunset.

[imbodytemp]

[As the sun goes down, Mesousa decided that he wanted to take a closer look at the stars. Unfortunately, most of the telescopes are people sized. Determined to make the most of his new lease on life he looks around to try and find something that he could use to stand on, setting on a rock. Unfortunately, this task is somewhat difficult for him due to an anatomical limitation common in most rabbits. Defeated, he slumps forward against the rock, moaning sadly.]

[shibuyasmusic]

Would you like some help with that?

[Joshua crouches down by the rabbit, brow raised at the strange creature who seemed to be having difficulties. While his demeanor is non-threatening, and his expression mostly kind, the large scar over the left side of his face might be a little offputting.

Still, he puts out his hand for the telescope.]

It's too bad the new moon is almost here, you won't be able to see yourself on it until later this month.

[imbodytemp]

[Mesousa turns to look at Joshua] Oh... um...thanks.

[The rabbit gets up, but hesitates before walking back towards the telescope
.]

You...you don't mean that literally, right?

[shibuyasmusic]

[Joshua laughs a little and snatches up the telescope, positioning himself so he can hold it for the rabbit.]

Have you ever heard of the rabbit on the moon? The one who pounds mochi. You can only see him when the moon is full. It's only a small sliver tonight, at best, probably very hard to spot.

Tell me when you want me to hold it for you, I'll do my best not to poke your eye out~

[imbodytemp]

Oh, I have. It's very famous among Japanese rabbits. I was just worried that you might actually... actually send me to the moon.

Do you know anything else good to look at in space? I don't really know much about it.

[shibuyasmusic]

Trust me... I don't think you have to worry about being sent to the moon.

[Joshua snickers a little, wondering where this rabbit got such a silly idea. At his question, he looks up to the sky, at the stars above.]

There are many constellations visible in the sky. In fact, you can see Sagittarius this time of year. My star sign~

[He scans the sky with his one good eye, peering through the telescope himself until he spots it. Joshua then lowers the telescope for the rabbit, aiming it at the constellation.]

[imbodytemp]

[Mesousa walks up the the telescope and looks.]

It looks like someone with a bow. Thanks mister... uh...

[shibuyasmusic]

Saggitarius is the archer. [He gives a soft smile in return.] It's Yoshiya Kiryu... but everyone calls me Joshua. What about you? I wouldn't want to just call you 'rabbit'... It doesn't seem proper.

[imbodytemp]

Oh! Right.

[The rabbbit turns to Joshua and bows deeply.]

My name is Mesousa. It is nice to meet you Mister Joshua.

[shibuyasmusic]

Mesousa? [Joshua almost blurts out that the rabbit's name sounds a bit pathetic, but he catches himself. He was at least attempting to be less blunt about these things, so he tries to be more tactful with his words.]

That sounds a little sad, doesn't it?

[imbodytemp]

[The bunny's mood falls a bit when Josh asks that.]

I-I suppose it is. It was a name my companion gave to me...

[shibuyasmusic]

[Joshua presses his hand against his mouth to keep himself from laughing.]

Well that wasn't very nice of them... But if you'd like, that's what I'll call you, Mesousa-kun~ How did you get a name like that anyway?

[imbodytemp]

Oh-oh, it's ok. It's the only name I've known. It's what Becky called me after she got mad that I wasn't carrying her bag quickly enough.

[theultimateshadow]

Hpmh.

[ That's Shadow for "Aw you poor thing, here let me help you, see I have thumbs so I can pick that up for you, just stand aside!"

...oooor maybe it's just "Hmph you stupid feeble creature you don't even have thumbs how pathetic!"

It's probably the latter.

(It's the latter.) ]

[imbodytemp]

[Mesousa slowly rolls over to look at Shadow.]

Oh, is this your rock? I'm sorry that I laid on it...

[theultimateshadow]

Don't be ridiculous.

[imbodytemp]

I'm sorry. I try not to be but sometimes that is the sad fate of a rabbit.

[theultimateshadow]

I doubt it has anything to do with being a rabbit.

[imbodytemp]

I...I know. I shouldn't pin my problems on my species.

[theultimateshadow]

Hmph.

[ One has the impression that he says "Hmph" a lot. Maybe, in this case, it is his way of saying hello and goodbye, because he starts to walk away after saying it. Because he's a social butterfly who's gotta talk to all the people in the festival. Yeah, that's it... ]

[imbodytemp]

[Mesousa looks around confused for a few moments as Shadow walks away.]

B...bye then?