Event || The Festival of Light

[eternitymods]

Who: Everyone!
When: August 18th - 25th
Where: The Empire
What: The Festival of Light is here! Feel free to use any of these prompts. NPCs tag will come sometimes this week. Please mention it in your top-level if you'd rather not be tagged by a random NPC.
Warnings/Notes: N/A

EXPOSITION OF THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHT
— Third District || August 18th – August 25th || 10:00 to 23:00 —
The museums in the 03rd District are open to visitors and are home to many relics predating written history. A lot of those old relics are items of archaeological interest or look like they could be really advanced technologies if they weren't broken beyond repair. Prototypes for Magitek Armor of a new age are exposed, alongside fragments of what are believed to belong to the legendary WEAPONs, machines that belong to the same category than Ultima WEAPON.

The section for Eidolons has all the Eidolons the characters have met so far as well as others yet undiscovered displaying on a gigantic wall-covering painting. The largest Eidolon on the painting appears to be a dragon some characters may recognize as Bahamut, he is so big he dwarves the other Eidolons and should one pay attention, his wings are actually the background of the painting.

Interestingly, someone has doodled something that looks like Ultros over Leviathan on the painting...


SUNNY STARLIGHT
— Ninth District || August 22nd – August 25th || 07:00 to 19:00 —
Do you really believe because it’s summer, you can escape the beauty and magnificence of Christmas? Think again. There is one thing all the nations on Vaikuntha are of one mind on: the wait from the December 26th of a year to the December 24th of the next is too long. This is why a band of Moogles, Lalafells, Bangaas and Zoras from all across the Empire have occupied half of the Ninth District. Decorated trees, Christmas music, people dressed as Santa Claus (and probably dying because of the heat), fake gift boxes as well as a very large and pretty box for donations all await you!

Kids below the age of 15 will all receive a gift if they come: plushies made in the likeness of the main villains of numbered Final Fantasy games! And when you press the button hidden on their stomach, they speak a random line. Who doesn't want a Sephiroth plushie saying "You are a puppet" or a Jecht one repeating "Cry, cry, cry" all day long?

It's like a dream come true!


MIDNIGHT AIRSHIP
— Twelfth District || August 20th – August 24th || 23:00 to 06:00 —
For the late sleepers, it is possible to board a special airship prepared by Hypellos to party up in the sky. The Airship flies all around the Imperial Territories and should characters so desire, they can ask to stop by one of the two other cities. Whether they want to dance, to eat or to enjoy the view, it might be a very fun and relaxing activity. It is also a very good place from where to watch the fireworks… Or to scout for an incoming Tarutaru and her weapon toy.

Note that all the personnel onboard are Hypellos. They are very serviceable and nice, but can try the patience of those not used to their accent. Of note, one Hypello is green and appears to be angrily stalking anyone heading for the "Sunny Starlight" event. He is quite sneaky though and will always manage to get away before being approached.


MOGNET EXPOSITION
— Ninth District || August 22nd – August August 25th || 07:00 to 19:00 —
The half of the Ninth District not occupied by Christmas fanatics is occupied by the Moogles working for the Imperial section of Mognet. Split for the regular Mognet for a decade, Imperial Mognet has managed to thrive. Imperial iMog Slates have all sorts of functions other iMog Slates could only dream of, such as games, grammar check and that kind of stuff. All of those things can be visited at the exposition! Not only that, but the Moogles are also putting on display things that have nothing to do with Mognet but more to do with Moogles themselves.

Come and visit the exposition to discover the rich and amazing culture of the Moogles! Kupo Nuts, Fur Dye, Fake Kupo Nuts, Pom Shiner, Carved Kupo Nuts, booklets titled "How to Use Your Cuteness to Exploit People," Mognet Bags, Deluxe Kupo Nuts, Sheets to Prepare Future Strikes, Mog Beds, Explosive Kupo Nuts, Kupo Champagne—

There is no end to what might be learned from Moogles!


CHOCOBO RACES
— Sen Riqeaux || August 23rd || 15:00 to 20:00 —
A Chocobo Race will be held all around the city! Will you compete? Shall you win? There are no prizes as all the money earned through the race is given to the Safety of Sparks Golsaucia movement. Those participating can bring their own Chocobo or get a temporary one from the people organizing the race. It will be a very bad Chocobo though, so they shouldn’t expect to win… Beware the Hamsters and Marlboro during the race though. It’d be a real shame to end up getting eaten while racing.


SHOPPING
— City's Outskirts || August 18th – August 25th || 07:00 - 20:00 —
On the city's outskirts are all manners of stalls by shoppers eager to make some money. You can find everything there: plushies, food, clothes, souvenirs, books and even cosmetics. Why, one of the merchant is even selling contact lenses covering nearly all of the rainbow's spectrum aside from green while another sells all kind of swords, even the supposed legendary Excalibur! This might be the perfect place to take on O'aka's Quest if you so wish!


MINI SPARKS GOLSAUCIA
— Eleventh District || August 19th – August 24th || Anytime —
Specially for the festival, stallholders from Sparks Golsaucia were invited and brought a few attractions to display what they can do. Noticeably, there is a shooting stand—Once again, a treasure chest game where characters are presented with ten chests and can open only one-- Prizes range from one Gils to gigantic plushies. The novelty this year is something called the "Kupo Boxes," Boxes you punch open and you get something: perhaps something wonderful like a 1 million gil ticket, more often than not though absolutely nothing. Will you try your chance? Be careful, your wallet might not survive it.


TOURNAMENTS
— Tenth District || August 19th – August 23rd || 10:00/15:00/20:00 —
There is a Blitzball Competition taking place during the Festival of Light! Characters are free to go and watch the matches, so long as they can pay for the tickets. At the same time, a Triple Triad competition is taking place. Characters are free to enter the Triple Triad tournament if they so wish. Characters who know Triple Triads have decent chances to win. And even if your characters lose, what matters is trying, right? There are no prizes to be won, as all money goes to the Triple Triad For Everyone associations.


CULINARY ATTRACTIONS
— Second District || August 18th – August 25th || 12:00 to 13:30 / 19:00 to 21:00 —
What would a festival be without free food and banquets? Not really a festival. In the fourteenth district, there is a banquet and many stands held by people from all over the Empire. All kind of food can be found here-- Refined food, pastries, cakes, cooked meals, etc. It's virtually impossible not to find something to like in all of this, and it's all free! There are, however, guards standing around on the lookout for Gourmands who would be tempted to ruin the fun for everyone. After what happened two years ago, better be careful.


THE OPERA
— Ninth District || August 18th - August 24th || 22:00 —
There is an opera every day for all to see for free, titled "A Goddess's Tears." It is a retelling of the creation myth, but shown from the (presumed) perspective of the Goddess of Death. The play depicts the Goddess as someone who started out as a rather sweet person, but whose life took such terrible turns she wished to die and resented life. Yet, death was too scary of a prospect for her and she couldn't choose what was better, Life or Death. As the play progresses, she decides both are equally terrible and resolves to create a world where those very notions shall no longer exist.

As the play unfolds, toward the ends the story becomes what people are more familiar with. However, rather than letting her die wordlessly, the four heroes appease the Goddess's soul by singing. As the four heroes sing, the Goddess smiles and sheds a single tear before passing away. It is said the play is very emotional, sensible people might want to pass on it.


HOUSING
— Fourteenth District || August 17th - August 27th || Anytime —
Before, after and during the Festival of Light, the characters will all need a place where they can rest. Thankfully for them, people coming with the Curti Center delegation are all given the keys to stay in one of the abandoned houses in the 14th District. Truth to be told however, those house look anything but abandoned. Why, it's as if people had been living in them up until very recently, given how either clean and ordered they are for some, or chaotic and neglected they are for others (Characters who were present in Melodies of Life will be able to notice the houses are nearly identical to what they were just before the time skip during endgame, though there are a few eerie differences).

At least, it's a good place to sleep!


ARDYNIAN DISCOVERY
— Fifteenth District || August 18th – August 25th || 10:00, 15:00, 20:00 —
Everyday, it will be possible to get wheeled motor vehicle driven by imperial soldiers and go visit one of the other cities, case in point, Ardynia! Not much is done over there for the Festival of Light, but it is worth checking out, if only for the Wizard and Jester Jobs. It is a thriving city with people from all over the Empire, and it appears to be something of a shopping center for the imperial region.

And most importantly, discover the official headwear of Ardynia: the Fedora! It is said Archaeologists have imported this fashion trend to Ardynia when they pass by, but none know whether this is true or not. While most citizens have enough senses not to actually wear this dreaded hat, those who do wear it really look dumb doing so. And those who don't look dumb look like they'd make jokes about your pet's untimely demise while you're still crying about it.

Perhaps is is best to stay away.


PARASRAYA DISCOVERY
— Fifteenth District || August 18th – August 25th || 10:00, 15:00, 20:00 —
Everyday, it will be possible to get wheeled motor vehicle driven by imperial soldiers and go visit one of the other cities, case in point, Parasraya! Not much is done over there for the Festival of Light, but it is worth checking out, if only for the Archaeologist and Catmancer Jobs, as well as the Weapon Master Association. It is a technologically advanced yet small and cozy city...

... If it wasn't for a tragedy plaguing the city: cats, cats everywhere. If the meowing doesn't kill you, the constant flow of cats asking to be pet, fed and to sit on your lap might. You may even encounter a few tired citizens paying you money to take care of the cat infestation around their house. Others however are really defensive of the cats and will hunt anyone trying to bring harm to them. Of course, the source of all these cat-related troubles can be traced back to the origins of the Catmancer guild.

But, perhaps it is a story best left for another day.


FIREWORKS
— First District || August 18th – August 24th || Midnight —
Fireworks will be launched from the Castle starting 00:00 and will end at 01:00, everyday of the Festival. No matter where you are in the city, anyone should be able to watch them with ease if they so wish. Unfortunately, it means falling asleep before midnight may be a bit hard with all the noise. On the 25th, characters will be with dining with the Empress as the fireworks happen.

Comments

[keymemory]

It took Sora a moment to wipe at his eyes before he was able to see the other clearly. “Ahh, hmm.. mm? Yes!” He saw the handkerchief and reached for it and used it to wipe at his nose. “Thank you!” He said, congested, then offered the material back to the stranger. “Heh..” Honestly he didn’t realize what he was getting into, he was doing just fine for the first few blocks but then he found himself under attack of all these sneezes and the waterworks that just kept streaming down his face.

“The..re’s sure a lot.. ah… ah..” His eyes squinted and his head fell back and he took back the handkerchief to hold up to his face for the sneeze that followed.

He wobbled a bit but soon found his purchase back against the cool building. “Cats..”

[keymemory]

[ The fabulous thing about being here, without Donald, was he didn’t have to be reminded to keep the world order (border~) and so Sora was very open with his experiences! ]

Oh, yes! I took my ship from world to world! It was called a gummy ship and .. Cid would upgrade the ship through blueprint designs, so .. if I wanted to put on some more guns, or … or like a shield or something he would do that!

What about you? Have you ever flown a ship!?

[regalblaze]

Curious. I always believed they did. And the fact that you 'don't have dreams' is because the catcher caught them already. So you are having peaceful sleep instead of a nightmare.

[He... believes in a lot of things when it comes to this stuff, especially after Carbuncle's totem King Regis gave Noct.]

[righthandstand]

[He thought he was starting to get his sobbing under control until Ena had to make that observation. Someone who used to be a good person twisted by the circumstances he - rather, she - grew up in. Was it inevitable that the Goddess of Death would become, well, the Goddess of Death? Was it right to mourn her? Does it mean she can be forgiven?

He hiccups.] Y-yeah. [And continues crying.]

[keymemory]

“Kuja…” Sora had a small nod. “Yes, I did .. though.. I feel like I have to see it again, like.. I’m not sure on everything that’s happened.” He swallowed and looked to the other’s moogle before looking to his own, Nunumu. His moogle had what looked like a glass of champaign in his hand. Sora had a quick expression of confusion before he looked back to Kuja for a question. “What did you think?”

[ladair]

[While she did agree with the sentiment — His face might indeed scare off some poor citizens — Working on making his appearance and behavior less scary would be far more profitable in the long term than sending someone to do the work he couldn't do himself.

That's what she would have replied if something else hadn't caught her attention. ]

Are you implying I am predictable?

[ She didn't sound offended or angry, but she did finally turn to look at him. ]

Jester Guild

[righthandstand]

[Okuyasu gets the amazement at the new Jobs. He's thinking Time Mage would be wicked awesome. The ability to look a few seconds into the future would help so much. He could be unbeatable! No one will ever land a hit on him!

He has a fedora, thanks to the convincing shopowners, when he approaches his housemate and responsible adult. "Caretaker" is too strong of word, so Uendo is just a roommate to him.]

Hey, you thinkin' of pickin' this up? It's kinda weird, but I guess it suits you.

[He's a performer, right? He's looking for better ways to make a show. Uendo sure is multitalented.]

you... picked a rather mature prompt :'D

[regalblaze]

Well- it was logical for someone more younger to feel this way about a house. Although, in this situation, Ignis can't tell whether is it because of the age or because the guy has a different outlook on things. Perhaps it is lack of experience? That could definitely be it.

Ignis offers the boy a smile:"Perhaps. The festival isn't that bad so far. Only these... accommodations. But, we will make it work in the end."

Translated: they will keep guard through the night. Or at least Ignis will. Nothing with 'Empire' in the name should be trusted.

"Is the coffee too bitter for you? Would you like some sugar or cream?"

[peninhand]

"No, I couldn't fall asleep so I got up to come see."

It took her a lot more than she'd ever admit to keep playing it cool and normal. But she couldn't fail now. She had to keep a facade of confidence and certainty. It was important, especially since she was going to... Well, time would tell.

"You know, I still haven't told you. The thing I mentioned on Mognet the other day."

[4got10]

As their own moogle goes to talk to the others to try and find Blanc, Chara continues to scan the crowd. They have to admit, it actually is hard to tell some of them apart from the other.

"Do you know if there are any kinds of things they like to do that are around here? Maybe it caught their eye or got them excited enough they had to follow it?"

Exposition

[4got10]

Museums weren't quite Chara's favorite thing, but they understood they could actually get some information about the world here. The Eidolons were also some of the first things to really catch their eye. The man who seems familiar with them helps too.

"You know who they are?" Chara asks.

Living in the Future

[4got10]

That is some high-living you've got going there, Frisk. Very high living. Chara isn't entirely sure how the economy works here quite yet, but however long you've been here, you've managed to get enough scratch to buy some pretty nice things.

Like...weapons. A few weapons, from the looks of it. Chara's glad that they get the face they make out of the way before they think of actually going over to Frisk. Chara hasn't been here long enough; what on earth could you need weapons for.

There's only one thing to do when you see someone you know carrying a bunch of merchandise, some of it potentially dangerous. You wait until they're sitting down or standing still, then you sneak up behind them and put the plush of Garland you got right next to their ear and squeeze it so it shouts "I WILL KNOCK YOU ALL DOWN!" into that person's ear.

At least that's the plan. Chara doesn't feel as agile, as able to sneak here as they do back home. Their powers are gone. But that doesn't mean they aren't naturally skilled at sneaking.

If it's enough to get the jump on Frisk though, they don't know.

[fixed_destiny]

It's a shared shock, but Xehanort has the benefit of being used to being told there's someone else out there who looks like him. He just didn't really expect to ever encounter him.

But it's still a shock, and one that comes with a flicker of unease and uncertainty, so at first he doesn't respond. He's looking for differences, not similarities - and there are some. Not as many as he'd like. Terra's eyes are lighter. Grey? Blue? Shorter hair, but not by too much, brown instead of his own silverywhite. The rest.. He's not even sure about the voice, he knows everyone hears themselves differently from how everyone else hears them.

But eventually, there is an answer, careful and rather reluctant. He's not moving, but he's also taking careful note of where exactly he might escape to if he had to. He knew what he was capable of, and if they were anything alike... "That depends on what you plan to do if you don't like the answer."

That sounds and looks like someone who's run into bad reactions before.

Salieri | open

[aethereally]

[Blitzball - 19th]
[Salieri was generally indifferent about sports, but he has never stopped to actually watch a blitzball game. Now he's found himself enthralled in this sport and the absurdity of it. Being a non-human creature in reality, living in a world full of magic, something like this shouldn't be so impressive. But here were these athletes giving it there all without any magical aide. It was pretty impressive, even if he didn't really understand everything going on.]

Oh-- Ohh! That was-- that was a goal, right? He scored?


[Shopping - 21st]
[Ever so slowly, Salieri was beginning to delve into the fashion of this world. Mostly due to necessity, since he can't just wear his one suit all the time, and he can't afford to get new ones made on his meager salary. Plus, he needs something nice to wear to meet the Empress, though nothing here seems quite right to him. While reluctant to try something new, he's confident in his choices. Yours, however... he just can't help himself on critiquing.]

You know you could pick a much better color than that, correct?


[Parasraya - 24th]
[A city full of cats sure sounds like a fun place to visit. Salieri was also looking for a pet since moving to his new apartment alone in Hisan City. He's never had a pet before, and some company sounded great. Surely this city with its surplus of felines could afford to part with one for his sake?

In order to entice some cats his way, Salieri had bought a packet of treats and brought it with him. What he didn't know what that the swarms of cats were not exaggerated, and he doesn't realize what he's got himself into. He barely has the packet open when the cats catch the sent, and dash his way. They completely overwhelm the small man much faster than he was expecting, and there's a tiny yell from him as he trips over backwards, and is covered by cats before he's barely landed on the ground.]

No, this is too much--! Someone, help!

[rivieran]

[ Oh dear. It looked like jumping right into discussion didn't help. She wasn't sure how to comfort a crying boy...

But now that the leaving crowd in the lobby was starting to thin out, they stood out much more. Ena smiled politely at everyone that stared in their direction, but she didn't want to stand here forever. ]

Come on, let's go outside. We can discuss it more there.

it's ff1 edition btw

[sassafrisk]

Frisk had been fairly certain someone's been following them since they bought their shiny new ninjatōs. Call it an instinct from all the times they were kicked out and had to live on the streets for a few weeks. They wind and wander for a little while, trying to figure out who's been tailing them, but other than that niggling feeling it's really damn hard to pick anybody out in this massive crowd. But curiosity drives them to not try and lose whoever's been following them, but rather to stop for a while to play at a gacha plushie machine, turn on Transience, and...

When Chara reaches for Frisk, they instead catch a plushie Garland, who repeats the phrase right back at them. "Geez. If you wanted to talk to me, you could've just messaged me and not get all tsundere on my butt. Not that I don't appreciate the effort," Frisk teases from behind Chara, smirking.

[songbird_slayer]

Good! Wonderful. ...Ah, forgive me for staring; I've never seen a Drider up close before, they tend to stick to their underground cities.

Sparks Nevada | Open

[red_planet_blues]

[Housing - 17th]
[Sparks had walked around this district with a complicated expression on his face. He's at once intrigued, dismayed, and confused. It all definitely looked familiar, considering he'd lived in a similar place in Aqures Ixen for years. What did it all mean, though? Was this place really just Crystallis's future? No, these weren't the exact same houses, that would be impossible. But they sure were close. Too close.

It was A-03 - or what used to be A-03? - that he had stopped outside of. He half expected Duster to walk out of it any moment.]

Yep. That's the one. That's where I used to live.

[Midnight airship - 21st]
[Sparks has learned that the best place to watch fireworks is from up on high. It's a nice place to let the wind cool you down while having a drink and enjoying the sights. And with no Ultima WEAPON on the horizon, it was indeed a good night. Join the marshal in the seat next to him, won't you?]

Not a bad show, huh?

[Chocobo Race - 23rd]
[Drawing the short straw, Sparks has been chosen to represent the Von Oktavia police force in this race to help support its charity. Sparks Nevada has never been a fan of chocobos, and the months here without his trusty rocket steed have been long and annoying. The odds on the marshal are pretty high, considering he can't even get his bird to hold still while they get ready for the race. It's like it can sense that its rider is not fond of it and would rather he go away now.]

C'mon, would you-- Can you not-- Hold still already, wouldya?

[acapriciousreaper]

That gives him pause. He has to admit, when he'd first met the boy back in Lavode, he hadn't figured Sora for an enthusiast. "... I found the Goddess's struggle with the pain of her existence to be... particularly compelling. I don't think I want to see it again, or at least not very soon, but I felt it was an exceptional performance, if that makes sense."

Johnny D'Amico | open

[charming_jerk]

[Museum Expo - 18th]
[A former Crystallis resident, Johnny had an interest in seeing if anything in this display was even the slightest bit familiar. He's leaning into those displays as close as he can, making the museum guards a little twitchy. Johnny ignores them. This is important!]

Man, I dunno. It just looks like, well, old museum junk.


[Culinary attractions - 21st]
[Johnny eats like his stomach is a never-ending pit. Some of the vendors look dismayed at the amount of food he's taken, whether it's free or not.]

Look, I'm gonna eat all of it. I mean it. Don't look at me like that.


[Opera - 23rd]
[Some of Johnny's fellow bard friends convince him into attending the opera, lauding the performances and ignoring his protests. He finally gives up and goes along, outvoted when he suggests maybe going to see some blitzball instead.

He really regrets losing that vote. Even if the music isn't something he likes, he can appreciate the performances. Sure. It's too bad the story and script seem dumb as rocks to him. He's barely keeping awake, slowly nodding off in boredom. Better look out, or those horns of his might start leaning your way!]

[topgun_textiles]

I can feel the love comin' offa these things! They need to exist for a while longer, right? S-so everyone can look at 'em first!

[topgun_textiles]

They're so brave... I'm- I'm not scarin' 'em off like the ones back home!

[Oh, his voice was cracking. This was too much for him.]

L-lookit this little guy makin' biscuits on my jacket...!

Re: Exposition

[acapriciousreaper]

Kuja is pulled out of his reminiscence by the voice of a child beside him. His tail twitches in mild agitation, and he reflects, briefly, on how he seems to be attracting children, of late. "I do. They're present on my world, as well. I don't know if they're the same, but we've... met, on a few occasions."
He points to one of the figures. "That would be Shiva, the Queen of Winter, Odin the Destroyer, Atomos the Ever-Ravening, er- what on earth did they do to Leviathan? The most famous of course is Bahamut, the Wyrm-King, who seems to be the primary subject of the painting since his wings form the background."

[chatwithdeath]

[She raised an eyebrow.]

It's fine, but a... what?

[pishirogane]

"It is, and I've already had a main dish..."

Like Naoto would have dessert before trying some of the offered main dishes for dinner.

She shifts back a little, staring at the steak. "Raptor... steak. Ah, no thank you, Senpai..."