A Festival Of Lights (Round 2!)

[rekindlemods]

Who: Everyone
Where: All around Saeng Seong!
When: 13th July to 20th July
Summary: The residents of Saeng Seong are celebrating their annual summer festival, and the offworlders are invited to take part!
Warnings: Inbox death may occur. System overload at own risk. Long information post ahead, beyond the cut.



There's been a general sense of excitement among the natives of Saeng Seong for the past week or so, now; anyone who's stopped to question them about it (or has been close enough to hear them discussing it amongst themselves) will hear mentions of "the festival." Those who have been here long enough might have a good guess on what's going on, or about to happen. When the 13th rolls around, things become very clear.

Each year, the residents of the city come together to celebrate the summer. Setting the festival up is an all-day affair; taking part in the festival's events will make for an entertaining week; and tearing down the booths and decorations is another extensive process. But in the end, the residents usually agree that it's worth it, and this year they would like for their would-be saviors to take part.

July 13th
The flickers of activity start on the 13th, as all through the open districts, the natives move about with a sense of purpose. A committee has formed, focusing on decorating and assigning tasks to different groups of people. (And any curious individuals who might be willing to give their time!) They are centered in the Second District around the welcoming center in assigning tasks, but can be found everywhere.

The committee needs people to help with preparing and placing decorations all over the city; paper lanterns, twinkling strands of lights, and garlands of flowers, though they'll note that the flora is fake. They also need people to set up tables, chairs, and makeshift stages at the riverbanks that wind through the districts. Help is also needed redo the outdoor marketplace to make it more accommodating for booths hosting festival foods, games, and trinkets for purchase. Physically stronger characters may be asked to assist with setting up carnival rides in the free spaces - everything from a towering Ferris wheel (because clearly a second one is needed for such a festival!) to a carousel to bumper cars, and many others besides.

During this time, characters can also volunteer to man the booths on certain days, if they have anything they would like to contribute or would like to assist with anything.

Given how this happens on the same day as new arrivals come in, there may be some confusion for the newcomers! Fortunately, information is readily available in the form of written pamphlets, and the arrivals even get a complimentary jar of fireflies to hang onto.

Those jars are also available for other people to pick up. The jars are filled with fireflies (or the closest thing Saeng Seong has to them) and glow all through the festival. Though oddly enough, the jars seem to produce that much more light if the jar holder is in close proximity with someone else. Locals will also inform characters that it's good luck to hang onto the jars all through the festival.

And finally in the fifth district, the theater has set up a special film festival and is trying to distribute flyers and posters all through the city. Not only are they going to be showing films non-stop through the week (mostly following a summer theme) but admittance and kettle corn are free if someone brings a friend! Or have a great discount if they help distribute the promotional materials.

Characters who take part in the setup will be awarded with five vouchers, good for use during the festival. These vouchers can be used for the purchase of food, admittance to rides, or to allow them to play some of the games for free.


July 14th
The festival begins early morning on the 14th - that is, the booths are open and ready for business, selling all manner of street food - crepes, kabobs, funnel cake, shaved ice, almost anything you can imagine - along with a wide variety of other things for purchase, like one-of-a-kind clothing, hats, scarves, and the like, as well as jewelry and other trinkets. There are also booths where you can get your face painted, where you can have your fortune told, and all sorts of other activities.

There are also the games. Standard festival stuff: Knock down a milk bottle, win a prize. Throw a dart and pop the right balloon, get a prize. You can play a game to catch and take home a goldfish, if you like, or try your luck at any of the other games that are interspersed with the other booths.

These booths will be operating all throughout the festival, until the closing ceremony on the 30th.

The opening ceremony doesn't actually take place until sunset, despite the fact that the booths have been operating all day. It's a simple ceremony, though this year it has moved locations. It now happens at the shrine in the fourth district, with a speech about how summertime begets togetherness and how everyone should be thankful for the opportunities they've been given. All in all, it may be a little boring for characters with shorter attention spans. However, at the end of it, everyone lights a candle, makes a wish, and moves down to the river bank where they can set it adrift on the river once the sun has gone down entirely; the flickering candles will drift around the river all throughout the festival, and they never seem to burn down.

July 15th
The rides and games are going on full-force outside from the time the sun comes up, but in the afternoon characters will find that it's not as crowded as the day before. That's because there's dancing going on in the convention center - the afternoon is full of traditional group dances, the kind that are easy to learn the steps for and join in on; the natives will be especially delighted if their visitors teach them some of the dances from their home.

In the evening, it is not quite so energetic, though the dancing doesn't end. The songs slowly fade into slower, perhaps more romantic tunes, and the final dance will end precisely at midnight.

There will be refreshments available for free in the convention center during the dances, though not anything so filling as what characters will be able to purchase from the booths outside - mostly water, lemonade, cheese, and crackers. There is also a bar where specialty drinks and foods may be purchased.

July 16th
This day's special event happens after dark, though it's easy to see the preparations for it happening around the shrine, the welcoming plaza, and along the river front in fifth district. When the sun sets, one massive bonfire at the shrine is lit, along with two substantial bonfires at the plaza and river front. Many people gather, some with benches, to bask in the firelight. Some even write down the things they'd like to accomplish during the rest of the year onto slips of paper and cast them into the flames, in the hopes that the smoke will carry their wishes into the heavens.

Others gather around to toast s'mores and chat. Still others continue the dancing from the night before - off to the side to begin with, though as the night wears on they may expand into a bigger dance that will involve large groups of people circling around the fire in spirals.

Even away from the plaza, there are blazing lanterns throughout the city, and some smaller bonfires crop up in areas where it's not likely that anything important will catch fire.

July 17th
This day's festivities begin early on. The morning and early afternoon are devoted to a cooking contest - there are categories for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert, and a winner for each - that both residents and visitors alike can take part in. Characters who cook delicacies from their own worlds may find the natives crowding them and asking for information about the dishes, and recipes to try on their own.

The late afternoon also has to do with food, and the characters are once again invited to take part in a variety of eating contests. There are your standard hot dog, watermelon, and pie-eating contests, as well as many others - the more daring may find themselves taking part in a contest where contestants are blindfolded and made to eat as much of rather... interesting concoctions as they can.

Characters who take part are given a voucher for use at any of the booths or rides in the festival; winners are given additional prizes. The winners of the cooking contest are determined ICly by character vote, so if there's a dish they especially love, make sure to mention that they'd vote for it so a tally can be kept! This time around, winners are largely up to player-character decision; there's no shortage of prizes to be given out, at the very least! (Though some might be on the silly side, such as a new cooking pan, or similar.)

July 18th
The extra activities on this day include showing off your physical prowess and your ability to cooperate with others.

On foot, there are three-legged races; pick a partner and try not to fall as you make your way to the finish line! There are also relay races - in teams of four - and you'll want to pick your teammates' positions well to ensure maximum speed. These races will take place multiple times during the day.

There are some other events to take part in as well: Thumb-wrestling tournaments, arm-wrestling tournaments, and outright wrestling tournaments.

This year's festivities bring a new event as well, in the form of cooperative boat racing. With a long stretch of river now open, characters can race from the start of the river in the fifth district down to the bottom of the third district. A specially decorated warehouse marks the finishing line, and the banks are packed with spectators cheering the racers on. It's encouraged that participants bring a friend to help them paddle, but individual racers might also be found. The boats in question vary from personal made boats to inner tubes to more...Creative options involving furniture. Hopefully none of them will sink, though!

At the end of the day, there will be a massive tug-of-war. Everyone who's mingling around and wants to take part will be sorted into one team or another, and then the two teams will face off.

Participants will receive festival vouchers; winners will receive additional prizes.

July 19th
The last day of the festival continues on like normal - the rides and booths are all operating, at least until the start of the closing ceremony that begins mid-afternoon and continues until the sun goes down. Winners of the various contests are once again recognized, the people who made the events a success are thanked, and the speech ends with a wish for pleasant experiences throughout the rest of the year.

The ceremony is timed such that there will be about twenty minutes for everyone to position themselves where they would like to be by the time fireworks begin being set off from a barge floating on the river between the second and third districts. There will be spaces on the riverbanks for people to watch from, though they can most certainly be seen from any other vantage point a character might like to try watching from, should they want to avoid the crowds.

At this point anyone who has been carrying a jar of fireflies is encouraged to release them. The little bugs appear none the worse for wear from being in a jar all week, and eagerly fly up into the night sky. Locals whisper another wish or hope as they do so, as the little dots of light mingle with the fireworks overhead.

July 20th
This day is a blur of activity as well, though not as fun as the past few days. The residents of the city are packing everything away and taking down the decorations, and they could use a little help if the characters are so inclined.

Characters who assist with the teardown will be rewarded with leftovers from the festival - plush prizes, food, maybe even some little trinkets characters have had their eyes on that haven't sold. No one's getting any fireworks, however.

Feel free to put up your own top-level comments, but be sure to put when and where the action is happening in the subject line!

Comments

Re: July 19th - Fireworks

[heismymission]

[It may not be an entirely good idea that Bucky is sitting down near the riverbank and waiting for the fireworks as he was instructed by a festival attendee, given his violent history and lack of knowing what exactly to expect.

Although he keeps his eyes on the sky for several moments as he's waiting, he finds his attention drawn to the jar of insects he was given earlier in the week. They are still somehow alive and glowing periodically, and it's somewhat hypnotic; they've kept him in a relatively calm mood despite all the ruckus that's been going on thanks to the festival.

He'll release them as he was told. Just... not yet.]

[lightstrike]

[Lightning's own jar of fireflies start glowing a little brighter than usual, but after days of carrying them about, she now knows why they do so. She just grips the jar a little tighter when she realizes who's in close proximity.

It's difficult to forget someone if they have unusual features. Especially a man with a metal arm.

She doesn't avoid him though, but instead walks casually, making her boots make some sound against the ground to announce her. She remembers just how tense he'd been when they first came across each other, and she'd rather not have a fight happen again. Not during a time like this, or even at all.]

Are you fitting in well?

[heismymission]

[Lightning doesn't have to come close for the soldier to hear her approach, and when he turns to look, he recognizes her immediately. That pink hair is distinctive, and he isn't about to forget someone who appeared strong enough to take him on. Not to mention the electricity thing he learned is called magic.

But he'd gotten a... talking to after nearly killing Steve's other friend two weeks past, so he stays where he sits, watching the woman with a wary eye. Best not to make any enemies here should they turn out to have something he needs, he guesses.]

What do you want.

[He never said he was going to be nice.]

[lightstrike]

Just a talk. [Surely both of them are capable of a decent round or two of conversation without spiraling downwards into a scuffle.]

I'm not interested in a fight, and I don't think anyone would like it if it were to happen during their festival.

[She holds up her jar of fireflies just to show that she's participating in whatever events are in store for all of them.]

[heismymission]

[Although somewhat placated by her statement, he keeps his gaze focused for any sudden movements. He puts his jar down in his lap for now, and after a pause, because his brain works in strange ways, he decides to answer the question he initially brushed aside.]

Dunno.

[lightstrike]

[She's not put off by the short non-answer at all. Lightning's done it before herself, after all.] Then let me rephrase.

What have you been doing since your arrival?

[heismymission]

[He doesn't think there's any real reason for him to not answer the question, though he has no intention of detailing his every move.]

Observing the surroundings and possible threats. [That was the important part, of course.] ... Meeting people. I found someone I know.

[What a strange concept. Knowing someone. But as he considers his words, he thinks it may be a good idea to establish more allies... Steve seems to gather them so easily.]

You know him. Steve.

[lightstrike]

[Lightning turns her head to look at him properly, having only viewed him from the corner of her eyes when she arrived. She doesn't know how this man has come to that conclusion, but she's come to her own.

It's easy to put two and two together when it's this blatant. This is the friend Steve had told her about.

This conversation has taken a really strange turn.]

Yes, I know him.

[And because it's better to let this out now than keep it in like some kind of secret:] And you're probably the friend who doesn't remember.

[heismymission]

[A look of combined realization and resignation comes to his face as she confirms that Steve has spoken about him to other people. He takes a slow breath and stares at nothing in particular as he works his jaw.

He really would prefer that he didn't mention him, but especially not the amnesia part.]

Yeah.

[smallspot]

Hello, Lord James!

[Diarmuid runs up to James and sits down next to him, looking up at his friend with excited eyes. He hasn't been around the festival as much as he would have liked to be, but that is because he is working on finishing things up for a festival of his own. However, he loves the fireworks and there is no way he is going to miss them.]

Do you remember what fireworks are or is this going to be a surprise?

[heismymission]

[Diarmuid is full of energy as always, and at his enthusiastic greeting, the soldier's full attention focuses on the boy.]

Fireworks. [He seems to consider it for a moment before answering the question. Come to think of it...] I remember some.

[smallspot]

Yay! They are one of my favorite things! I saw them for the first time last year. My friends Suzaku and Lord Wing told me about them. It was really magical. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

[He notices the firefly jar that James has and holds up his own.]

I have one too! Aren't they neat? I named my fireflies. They are Ériu, Banba, and Fódla! They are the mothers of my homeland, and I am going to think of good wishes for my home when I let them go!

Did you name your fireflies, Lord James?

[heismymission]

[He notices that both of their jars seem to be glowing brighter. It's as the ones who gave him the insects said, it seems. He's about to ask about these mothers of Diarmuid's homeland, but he's quickly distracted and frowns slightly, looking to the boy with some amount of perplexity.]

Was I supposed to? [He is largely unfamiliar with the concept of names, much less giving them.]

[smallspot]

It's nice to give them names, I think, but you don't have to...

[Diarmuid looks at the brightly glowing fireflies in his jar.]

I mean, they are doing something for us. They are giving us light! I think the least we can do for them is recognize them with names for that!

[Even if they are just bugs...]

[heismymission]

[Despite the answer, Diarmuid seems to find it important. That's enough for the soldier to consider it as something that should be done.

He looks back to his own jar, examining it as if it would help with the task.]

I don't know a lot of names.

[smallspot]

That's okay! You don't have to know a lot of names. If you want, you can just name them after yourself. Or after the people you have met here.

[There are only a few fireflies in the jar. Surely, James has met enough people now that he can think of enough names?]

It's nice when the names are special, but they don't have to be. They can just be names you know. You could even name one after me if you wanted to!

[heismymission]

[He glances at the boy with his final suggestion, deciding that he can probably manage that. There are only four fireflies inside; he does know that many people.

The soldier nods, deciding on the names as he looks at each one. The boy said they were doing something for him, so he decides they should have the names of those who'd helped him here so far.]

[arnhaid]

Now there's somethin' I ain't seen in ...

[He'd thought he was talking to himself. He probably would have kept right on doing so if sensors hadn't picked up the briefest flicker of someone else. An organic someone else.]

[He's up a little ways from the human, his own firefly jar at his feet. He squints into the flashing light, to try and make out the form.]

... someone down there?

[heismymission]

[Though he was initially somewhat startled by the sound of the fireworks, he quickly came to regard them as harmless--the explosions are far in the sky for whatever reason, so he has no reason to be bothered by them.

Neither does the presence of the red Autobot standing nearby bother him, which is why he didn't bother to move or speak. At least, until he's addressed. His arm is covered in the sleeve of his jacket this time, but his metal fingers are still visible, shining against the light of the jar and the fireworks.]

Yes. [What was it Steve said he should say, again? Ah, that's right.] Hi.

[arnhaid]

[Oh, he knows that voice. It even makes him approach a few paces closer, his footsteps not even remotely quiet. Easy enough to tell he's coming.]

Hey.

[The human from the first day. Good to see he's still around.]

[Nearing him, Ironhide pauses a few feet away, and gives the human a firm nod of greeting.]

Good to see you again. You holdin' up all right?

[heismymission]

[The soldier nods in response and moves his head to watch the Cybertronian approach, but otherwise remains where he is. He doesn't seem to be bothered by how much he has to look up.]

No major injuries. I've addressed the other issues I've encountered.

[Like the horrible flashbacks and his arm not working for a while. And the touch quota? With his apparent best friend around, it's not really an issue anymore.]

Are you... having difficulties?

[arnhaid]

Hey, that's always good.

[He offers a lopsided sort of smile, shrugging broad shoulders.]

[But the grin fades, and his posture tenses, somewhat, at the next question. Was he having difficulties? Yes. More than he could really explain. Because you didn't just drop the memory loss bombshell randomly. Or try to explain Brain Hacking to an organic -- or partial organic, in "Strongarm's" case.]

[He scrubs a hand over his face.]

You could say that.

[heismymission]

[The soldier didn't tend to drop the memory loss thing on people either, except there was a certain someone who was apparently telling people about his friend who lost all his memories.

God damn it, Steve.

Ironhide has his full attention before he even answers; the shift in posture is enough for him to tell there are things wrong.]

Do they need help to be fixed?

[arnhaid]

Nah... It...

[He scrunches up his face, trying to figure out how to best word this.]

It ain't really me havin' the problems. Buncha bots I figured I could count on... ended up doin' things they shouldn't be.

That make sense?

[heismymission]

Your allies made mistakes.

[Hm. That could definitely cause problems for someone, depending on the mistake. He can see why it would be bothering the Autobot.]

Maybe you can find new ones. [Attachments. Pfffffffft.]