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

Re: Evening

[capitalbackup]

They always seem to know how to celebrate.

[Very lively compared to how the Hotsuin clan celebrate. Miyako looks back at Fumi, noting the JP's coat. She was going to wear hers but...]

Someone insisted.

[terminally_clever]

Someone?

[Fumi's clearly got ideas here.]

[capitalbackup]

Yes. Misato invited me to come.

[Miyako is unaware of those ideas.]

[terminally_clever]

I suppose the yukata must have been her idea, then? It suits you. Maybe I should have worn one too.

[capitalbackup]

You're correct. She said it's more fitting to wear one. [In Aoi's way of saying...] If you wish. There might be a place selling them around here.

[terminally_clever]

Well, if even you're getting into the spirit of things, I don't see how I could pass up the chance.

[capitalbackup]

[Even her? Heh, Miyako knows how she is.] Are you going to buy one now?

[terminally_clever]

I suppose so.

[capitalbackup]

Do you know where they are?

[She's coming along. But she's not paying for it. Maybe.]

[terminally_clever]

I haven't found the stand yet, no.

[capitalbackup]

We can walk around for it.

[terminally_clever]

All right, then. I don't imagine it'll be difficult to find.

[capitalbackup]

[And off they went to search! Miyako came from this direction, so they can try...that a way.]

[terminally_clever]

Ah, here it is.

[Yes, it wasn't hard to find at all.]

[capitalbackup]

[There's a pretty decent selection on sale. Miyako glance over at the yukatas, ignoring the more brighter colours.]

Which one will you get?

[terminally_clever]

I've never been much of a fan of bright colors. Something in greyscale is fine.

[capitalbackup]

[Over on one side, there's a some yukatas on display and some on racks.]

Are you fine with this grey one?

[terminally_clever]

Yes, this one will do. The leaf pattern is nice, but understated. And I suppose I'll need to get some sandals to complete the look.

[capitalbackup]

Which shouldn't take long.

[Miyako glances around, before stepping out a bit to see better.

...Ah, there we go.]

Next door have some sandals.

[terminally_clever]

Ah, good. We'll stop there next, then. Here, hold this for me.

[Fumi removes her JP's coat, handing it to Miyako before heading into the yukata shop. After about ten or so minutes, she's bought the one they were looking at before and walks out of the shop wearing it.]

There. How do I look?

[Not that she cares, honestly.]

[capitalbackup]

[Miyako holds Fumi's coat in her arms, looking up to see the older woman in the yukata.]

Pleasant enough.

[The yukata does look good on Fumi, and Miyako didn't find it disagreeable. She hands the coat back to her. She's not going to carry around all night.]

Sandals are next.

[terminally_clever]

Good.

[Of course. She hadn't expected her to. Fumi drapes the coat loosely around herself as the two of them head next door.]

Yes. Well, that shouldn't take long. There's really only one style for this sort of thing.

[Sitting down on a small stool, Fumi slips off her shoes and sets them to the side before taking a pair of wooden sandals and putting them on.]

There. I think these will do.

[She picks up her other pair of shoes, standing and taking a few test steps around the grounds in front of the stand, looking down at her feet for a moment and wiggling her toes.]

Hm... the night air feels surprisingly good.

[capitalbackup]

It's summer right now. The compensates for the heat during the day.

[And why she doesn't mind working up a sweat at this hour, on any other night.

Miyako looks over Fumi again. Yep, still good.]

Is there anywhere you would like to go?

[terminally_clever]

Sushi.

[One of her two favorite foods, and the much likelier one to show up at a festival.]

[capitalbackup]

[Unsurprisingly.]

It shouldn't be too hard to find the food area.