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

[acapriciousreaper]

The train of Kuja's thought grinds to a halt. "I think I would really-"
"Love to."
Beat.
"Excuse me?"
Mojito shrugs. "You've got nothing else going on, boss. Besides, think of it as a learning experience."
"If anything, I'd be the one teaching him, Mojito-"
"Yeah, sure, we'll say that's what I meant."
Kuja gives his 'assistant' a glare that promises retribution, but at this point he's tempted to just acquiesce to prevent a damned scene.

[keymemory]

“Great!” Sora brought a hand up to wipe at his eyes. He wasn’t necessarily teary eyed, but there was definitely some moisture that came back from his wipe. He looked down to Nunumu was on board with getting some food. He then looked to Kuja’s moogle and happily nodded toward the other. “I bet there’s a lot in there I hadn’t even thought of..”

He looks then to Kuja, “what kind of food do you want?”

[acapriciousreaper]

Kuja snorts. "That could not have been more blatant flattery. I fear I'm as much a student as you would be, in this instance. However, I could pass along notes, I suppose. I lose nothing by doing so."

[4got10]

"If we're passing notes, you can count me in."

omg

[acceptedlife]

[Silly Sora; he wasn't expecting room service. He was just going to dump his things in a room and come back down. Still, he isn't going to say no.

And if he ever finds out about that, he's going to be very, very hurt, Sora.

He sighs, ruffling Sora's already messy hair.] Sorry; I'm a bit overly cautious.

[At least he apologizes before checking the seal on another fruit cup for any sort of tampering and, finding none, opens to eat it himself as well.]

[modelcivilian]

"... A gift? But, he wouldn't have to do that." It would be a nice gesture, but Adrien shook his head. "If anything, I should try finding something for him. Then he can have two souvenirs, but I'd still have to figure out something good."

Was that Blanc? No, different colored pom.

[pishirogane]

Alright. Let's go...

[She doesn't think she has to say they needed to move slowly to avoid suspicion, but she would see. So far, they still hadn't drawn any eyes towards them.]

[pishirogane]

"'Maternity neurosis'?" Naoto wasn't a medical expert or anything, but that just sounded like a lie. If anything, postpartum depression would probably had sufficed. There had been cases, but perhaps she shouldn't be sitting here thinking about how flimsy the lie was, but the fact the lie was purposed and people more than likely bought it...

... Futaba had believed it.

"Hm... Now I see why you were interested in the Apathy Syndrome cases," she sighed. "Still, this is the first I've heard of someone's Shadow being successfully killed."

Kirijo would likely know more when it came to Shadows, but that source of information wasn't present.

[promiselisting]

"Yep," there's a definite bitterness and self-deprecation in Futaba's voice, saying in tone if not in words that she agreed wholeheartedly. A very obvious lie, a very stupid lie. One that a part of her (a very Specific Part) had always known for what it was. But she'd been thirteen, and horrified, and immediately thrust to an until-then distant family who was all too happy to accept that Wakaba Isshiki's fatherless child had been the cause of her death. It'd all been a matter of psychology from there.

Psychology and some cognitive psience on top.

"All I know is that cases of mental shutdowns started happening early 2014. My mom died on August 21st of that year. It... was early enough that everybody pretty much accepted the cover-up, and nobody ever thought to check back," she paused, hands still tight in fists.

"The thing is... the only Persona user that we know of for sure outside of the Phantom Thieves is Goro Akechi," she lets those words hang in the air for a second, "And we know for a fact that he's been using the Metaverse a lot longer than he claimed to us that he has been."

It's not solid proof. She doesn't have that yet. But the implications are all leading in one major direction.

Keith | OTA

[balancingedge]

Exposition of the Festival of Light
[To say he wasn't interested in what the museum is a gross understatement. While Keith is new to this planet, he has a need to learn all he can both as a leader and to sate his own curiosity.

... Which means, yes. He may or may not be scanning the plaques and taking a few photos with his iMog. Leave it to the space ninja in order to find that particular application without even asking about it. Especially the prototypes for Magitek Armor and the broken fragments. Even despite the casual attire, he can't just turn off his honed instincts that this might be important later.

It's when he gets to the Eidolon section that he pauses, noticing the giant wings of the draconic god filling the background of the rest of the massive painting.]

Whoa. [His eyes widen considerably, taking in the images with both his eyes and the device in his hands. At least, until he gets to the graffiti. His gaze narrows in disbelief that someone would defame a work of art like this.] Aaand I'm guessing that's Ultros.

[He remembers that conversation on the airship well.]

Mognet Exposition
[So far, he hasn't been surprised to see how eccentric the Moogle culture is. Living in a house with several of them has already taught him a lot, especially with how prone they are to strike if there isn't a certain amount of kupo nuts involved per day. So, he's at least nice enough to pick up a bag of kupo nuts for Sven. A small act of a truce and an apology for being a bit of a panicked mess the last week or so.

That is, until he eyes Sven going through a booklet he can tell what it is even at this distance. It's been floating around the Ninth District so much that it would be a surprise if he didn't.]

And here I picked these up for you... [He could always return them? But then Sven hears it and looks affronted.] Z-zat von't be necessary! ...Can't we at least talk it out?

[...Sven, acting cuter is not going to make you exempt from the time out corner cargo hold. Stop giving him the puppy eyes; it isn't working. Especially with his large cosmic wolf right beside him, staring up at the two of them.]

Put the booklet down, and I won't return these.

[Sven does so immediately. Well that was the easiest negotiation ever. He hands him over a kupo nut before placing the rest of the bag on a satchel tied around the wolf's neck.]

Ardynian Discovery
[It took a bit of convincing to assure the driver that, so long as the wolf remained at his side, he would not chew anything. Or worse. Now was the best, and maybe the only time he'd get to check out the city of Ardynia, and he heard enough to be interested in it. Not because of the guilds there (for some reason, his wolf would not stop growling at the poor people in charge of the Jester Guild and they had to leave), but because of the pyramid in the distance.

Plus, he's no fashionista, but he's pretty sure hats like that went out of style centuries ago.

To most, he likely seems like the typical tourist walking with their pet (despite his wolf being very odd with his natural fur coloration), but sharp eyes take in the locations of interest as he passes. One hand casually hovering by his iMog resting in a pouch on his belt. He may not be able to get inside with his currently available skills, but he'll at least get a look at the exterior and the murals of the old legends.]

Two different creation myths... Surprised there's not more of them.

Wild Card
[ooc: Want him anywhere I haven't made a top-level comment for? Just want to marvel at the cosmic wolf friend he found in the Dream Width? Feel free to poke me at twilitfall!]

Takashi Shirogane | Open

[spaceforged]

A. Third District
[He knows he's out of sorts but he can't afford to let it slow him down. They hadn't had time to do more than pile into the airship and head away from the dream width. He'd pulled on his Garrison uniform he'd retrieved what felt like a lifetime ago. It's a little tight but it fits exactly as it should.

That's more comforting than he ever knew it could be.

Shiro walks slowly through the halls taking in the relics. Pieces of tech that can't be fixed are set beside fragments that look like they once belonged on weapons. He pauses at intervals to take it all in. This is history in the way he can understand it best. He's quiet, not speaking at all until he reaches the painting of the Eidolons. His eyes widen as it dawns on him they're all there. Even ones they haven't seen.]

...Are all the names here? [He steps closer to it and scans the painting looking for anything he can find and his brows come down, his shoulders slightly raising.]

Of course, Ultros would deface this.

The Opera

[When he'd heard about the opera, "A Goddess's Tears" he had to come to see it. It's a creation myth they might not get the chance to see again. He hadn't ever had the time in his life to sit and watch an opera or a show in this way. He'd been too busy reaching for the stars in any way he could. Then it was surviving. Fighting a war.

It's an experience that catches him entirely by surprise. Watching movies and seeing tv shows, even news reports is different from watching actors on a stage performing with all of their heart.

He stares. Despite himself, it reminds him of the Voltron Show. But the purpose of this telling is different from retelling the lives of five people in a war. Yet the end goal is the same, to tell a story and inspire people. When it's over he claps along with everyone else, his thoughts swirling in circles. He moves carefully, pausing at the end of an aisle.]

Wait for most of the crowd to pass, then go. [He says to the person behind him as he moves to let them pass. He fully intends to let people go while he waits for his own moment. He needs to regroup with the others and discuss what he saw.]

Housing

[Shiro sets his duffle bag down on the bed in their assigned housing and notes where everyone is. Keith is primarily the lead but in a way, he supposes he's stepped up a little higher into Allura's former position. He has the contacts, the funding, and experience to guide and give advice. It's not so bad. He's still part of the team.

Shiro sighs. Their team needed to double up to get everyone into two houses. He'd looked to Keith. They know each other's secrets and there won't be any unpleasant surprises while they share space. Anyone dropping by to visit Team Voltron and co will find him prowling through both houses, taking a look at the main areas and on the street.

His brow is often furrowed as he studies and observes anything going on around him.]

Parasraya discovery

[It turns out cats absolutely love him. He's covered in them. Their rumbling purrs and meows are so loud he has to raise his voice to be heard.] What? No. I-

[He closes his eyes and turns his head to the side with a heavy sigh of annoyance. He ignores the cats dangling from his arm like colorful fuzzy tassels. One kitten takes this chance to climb up and burrow up against his neck. He's given up trying to get them off.]

I'm looking for the Archaeologist guild. No, you can't pay me to take these guys off your hands. I don't-

[Another sigh, his shoulders coming up and cats climb up his back making him wince. ]

How about this. I'll take them to the Catmancer guild. They can deal with it and you'll still be free.

[The cats cuddle closer to him, twinning around his legs, and curling up on top of his boots. He puts just enough of a plead into his voice.]

Please.

Wildcard
[Got ideas? Pm this journal or hit me up on skyheron.]

[sullenstallion]

I can think of someone who'd like them, too, except it's because she's creepy and scary.

[He turns over the Brahne doll in his hands and gives a second squeeze. It starts to cackle like a noblewoman crossed with a hippo.]

The head's creepy, but this one is just...disgusting somehow.

[sullenstallion]

Nunu...what?

[By the time Sora's eyes catch up with the chick, Dylas is already cutting off the bird's way of escape by circling it with his long, serpentine tail. To someone who doesn't know Dylas, he might look like a snake-man getting ready to catch and eat his tiny prey.

Maybe.]

It's not a Chocochic. It's Yakitori.

[Calling it 'chicken skewers' isn't helping him any.]

[sullenstallion]

I didn't have a choice, remember? Something thick was weighing me down all night.

[He should really stop using that word to describe people in public. Dylas crosses his arms and straightens so that his human torso is at Gladio's height.]

I dunno what I'd buy. Everything here is a little too loud for me. [But he's here anyways. He wants to buy something for Yue.] This stuff's perfect for a guy like you, though.

[Somewhere, Noodle and Salmog are having an adventure of their own, yes/yes?]

[thehurricane]

Hm...if you're as much of a digger as that other boy, I suppose it wouldn't take long, no.

[He, too, has too much experience burying...but it's better to bury than be buried.]

Oh, you know how it is. I thought I'd take a walk away from the festivities. It's awful loud in places.

[thehurricane]

Is that what I said?

[He rubs his neck like there's a kink in it, sighs like he's said something he shouldn't have and is about to make an apology. He wouldn't call Mòrag predictable. She's too sharp for that.]

You have a good head on your shoulders, I think. You pay attention. A fool like me can't keep up with people like you. That's what I think. You're sensible, that's all.

[mythmaker]

You don't usually...?

[She missed the last part there over the sound of Red being so very motherly. She joins her hands together and giggles.]

There's nothing weird about having a stuffed friend. I think the two of you are really cute together.

[mythmaker]

Hmm...would it be alright if I just called you 'Naoto,' then? I didn't find out until...

[Ah. Kanji didn't want her to say anything. What to do, what to do...ah. Red is usually pretty forgiving...he'll understand, won't he?]

...Wolf-kun...I mean, Red told me. I hope you aren't too upset with me.

[She channels her actressing skills into making her pause look as natural as possible, correcting herself on Red's name on purpose.]

[modelcivilian]

Maybe you could save it for her.

[He shrugs, but then, there's a chill down his spine at the cackling.]

It's something alright... but someone made it so someone wants it?

[chatwithdeath]

Hm? Which other boy?

[She might have an idea who he's talking about, but just to be sure...]

Is that right? Well, you came possibly to the right place...

[pishirogane]

[Naoto's brows furrow.]

Savarin-san? I doubt he knows...

[Either way, Naoto shrugs.]

I wasn't exactly keeping it a secret... Still, I would prefer 'kun'.

[mythmaker]

Mm, not quite. It was his Moogle, Mocha.

[She places her hand on her cheek and tilts her head.]

But then again...it could have been any Moogle. Ah, well...you know how my mind is. Ufufu~.

[A flawless recovery! Kanji is safe! But now that her offer to use just 'Naoto' has been rejected...]

Um...that special thing I was going to show you...there's a stall selling mystery novels from the Empire near the gyashl chips stand. If you like that sort of thing, of course.

[thehurricane]

I'm not sure quite what to call him, and I don't think comparing you to him is fair. Let's just say you have something in common?

[He's not going to call them spider-people, that'd just be rude?]

I've never been much of a party person. I'm not very popular.

[sullenstallion]

She's dead.

[That's a blatant lie, and Dylas immediately thinks 'Crap! You idiot!' to himself. You can't just lie about whether someone is dead or not.

He looks away, and then he looks back, wondering how not to dwell on that.]

But she deserved it. Anyways, I guess that's true. Yeah. You're right. Maybe they're collectibles or something.

[whirluendo_of_puns]

It's bizarre enough that anyone would want to heap praise on that guy, but they didn't even try to make it look nice. It looks like a kid's doodle.

[Maybe it really was a kid who did it? Or...]

...You think Ultros could have done this himself?