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

[capitalbackup]

...What?

[Now she sound genuinely confused.]

[bondsofsuffering]

[...Of course.]

Well, if you can't guess, never mind.

[capitalbackup]

[She give him a look, before deciding to drop the subject.]

If you have nothing else to say, I can go on my way.

[bondsofsuffering]

Whoa-- leaving so soon? You didn't even want to spend time together now that we've met up?

[capitalbackup]

Why should I spend time with you? [Give her a decent...ish reason.]

[bondsofsuffering]

Because I'm friendly and already staked out the booths with the best food!

[Yep.]

[capitalbackup]

I'll have to judge that claim for myself, Mizushiro.

[Prove it with food.]

[bondsofsuffering]

What if I said I already found a place with yakiniku?

[capitalbackup]

...Then show me the way.

[bondsofsuffering]

Whoa, that was a quick expression change!

...Could it be, you're actually looking forwards to this?

[capitalbackup]

I enjoy yakiniku. Is it that strange that I want to know where you can get them?

[:|]

[bondsofsuffering]

Normally, you're never this eager. I guess you really do understand how great it is!

[He's so, so proud of you Miyako. And also beginning to lead the way!]

[capitalbackup]

[She follows after him.]

Yakiniku is delicious. Whether it stay as "great"...we will have to see after I sample the other foods in the festival.

[bondsofsuffering]

You don't get as much choice here, but something about the ingredients they use...

It definitely won't disappoint!

[Aaaaand so they arrive! The booth is pretty crowded though, so it may still take a while, even with Hizumi standing on his tip toes to try to see past the people ahead of him.]

[capitalbackup]

Oh? What about their ingredients?

[She wait beside him, glancing at Hizumi and seeing him trying to look over people.]

Impatient?

[bondsofsuffering]

Well, it's the only thing I can think of. Even though my timing at cooking it has been perfected, these guys manage to give even me a run for my money!

[He pauses to glance at Miyako.]

You aren't? [How could you not be excited for yakiniku?!!]

[capitalbackup]

They might have use a sauce for their cooking.

[Unless they add more ingredients into their yakiniku. She give a quirk of a smile.]

I can be patient.

[bondsofsuffering]

Well, I can't!

[Gee really, Hizumi.]

We're wasting precious moments of our lives here...!

[capitalbackup]

I'm sure you can spare a few moments of your life, Mizushiro.

[Cry moar.]

[bondsofsuffering]

How do you know? I could be about to drop dead any second now, waiting for my last taste of yakiniku before I pass on-!

[Wow, way to be melodramatic there, Hizumi.]

[capitalbackup]

That would mean I can eat your share of yakiniku.

[Wow, way to sympathise, Miyako.]

[bondsofsuffering]

Uwah-!

...You're like a demon.

[capitalbackup]

Oh? Do you have a problem with that, Mizushiro?

[bondsofsuffering]

Does your cruelty have no bounds...?!

[capitalbackup]

It only went as far as it needs to be.

[Demons, negotiations, work and, even, supplies like food.

Which apparently counts yakiniku.]