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

taking down the time-of-day-triarchy

[hetried]

[When he noticed her approach, he smiled and waved back, flipping closed the phone he had open and tucking it into his pocket. Thankfully it hadn't taken much time to find another familiar face after he'd separated from Kaito, despite all the people that had accumulated.]

Hey! [He met her half way with a grin.] Having a good day so far? Gotta say, this is probably one of the better festivals I've been to! We went to one in Ikebukuro once, but that kind of got out of hand when the fireworks misfired..

[princessofheart]

It's been really great! I've never been to a festival like this before, it's so exciting. They should really come with a warning for your wallet, though.

[She smiles widely, rocking back on her heels, but she winces a little in sympathy at the fireworks part.]

Jeez! I hope no one got too hurt, that's like a horrific accident waiting to happen.

[Kairi tilts her head a little.]

What booths have you visited so far?

[hetried]

Nah, it was fine. [He said with a wave of his hand.] I think a booth caught on fire, but no one got hurt.

[Ahahahah ok we should move on now probably.]

I've been to a few of the game and food booths with Kaito, but other than that I've mostly just been eating.

[Festival food was great food.]

[princessofheart]

Which side did you come from? We can head in the opposite direction and take a look down that way~

[Yes, conversations about things on fire definitely wasn't a topic they ought to remain on.]

I don't think I've ever met Kaito before! Is he a friend from home or Hinoto-ri?

[hetried]

The right side, over there. [He said, gesturing at the appropriate direction before making his way towards the opposite end as he spoke.]

Oh-- from back home! He's my friend-- my best friend, actually! I've known him since I was little, we basically grew up together. I... honestly, probably wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for him saving my ass during the invasion back home.