melodiesofeternity | Event || The Festival of Light

Event || The Festival of Light

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.

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A. Midnight Airship

[ Ashelia stands on the outdoor viewing platform at the front of the ship, wine glass in hand and a fur draped ever so precisely around her shoulders. It may be the summer festival, but this high up, it's necessary. There's also, of course, the fact that it's hamster fur, a conversation piece that's already helped her secure several mercantile contracts. It was doing its job. ]

[ Of course, once the business is taken care of, there's still a good amount of time to enjoy the fireworks and look over the city, so that's what she does. She knew that Sen Riqeaux was Aqures Ixen as soon as she stepped off the transport from the Curti Center, but she'd kept the thoughts at bay for the most part, focusing on the job at hand. Now, though, looking over the city and seeing all the landmarks, it's impossible to ignore. Her eyes glisten, but she doesn't cry. In a way, she's happy to be back. ]

"And back home, feline wizards tended to specialize in transport magic," S'reee said. "I'm... not sure. I'm not good with weird on land. It's all weird."

"The opera... I... well, my story is still ongoing, isn't it?"

She's never going to get used to how humans who were not the wizards from her world reacted to her.

"They probably can as well, but they can't exactly talk back in a way I can understand. I don't speak a single word of Ailurin, and whatever lets me be understood by the locals only applies to some species."

[ ... Again? Without realising it, Sylvarie had found herself standing before the house yet again, its flowers waving lazily in the mild breeze as if they were mocking her, for not finding what she expected sleeping amongst them.

But that was the frustrating part—so much of her mind was occupied with thoughts of her brother, so why did she keep expecting to find him instead? At least no one seemed present to bear witness to her confusion, the young woman squeezing her eyes shut and rubbing her temples vigorously. ]

Get it together, Jue...

Okay, maybe not shoes. Force of habit in mentioning those. But there are plenty of other things!

[Hmm, a demure lady, then.]

Alright, there are plenty of other more subtle colors to go with. The good ting about black is that it goes with anything. How about a deep green or red?

An animal that craved affection? Huh.

The kitten was so small that Finn could easily hold it up with one hand, so he did and scratched underneath its tiny chin. The purring was pretty immediate, but the cat still wiggled and meowed at the awkward hold. Finn kind of ignored that last part, more fascinated about the kitten's first reaction.

Purring is good, right?

"This is... really cute... I don't know what I'm supposed to do. You can't come with me, cat." Right? "They can't come with us, right?" he asked Adrien.

[Normally Salieri is hard to shake, but without his ability to shift into his natural and incorporeal state, he had to learn to take threats like this a little more seriously. But at the same time, he was just disappointed that this young man wasn't receptive to help.]

Come now, I don't mean to insult you. It's something I honestly like helping with. Don't take it as an attack on your personal style.

[Are you really going to fight this guy, Okuyasu? He's about 5'5" and 120 pounds.]

Aha. [ He kinda laughs but mostly just blushes. ] It's for Valli, my friend. I thought maybe she'd like it. What do you think?

Finn rubs at the sore spot on his chest. "Thanks for- Oh." Chose their people. He eyeballs the kitten. "That's what that was?

But I don't- I can't take one home, right?"

Finn turns to see Castor and laughs. "That's good advice if I wasn't already full. Maybe this is all about timing..." He then takes a peek at her treasure trove. "You've been busy."

His eyes widen when the box is presented to him. "Oh, I-" He gingerly takes it, looking at Ena for confirmation. "You sure?"

It was easy to spoke Baiken, true enough, but she looked like she wanted to be alone. Finn didn't think it too wise to disturb her.

However, when he noticed something was up, the need to intervene outweighed his hesitance. "What's wrong?" he asks without much of greeting.

"The way I see it, if the kid's that hungry, he hasn't had enough yet."

The zora calls out, seemingly impressed with Beast Boy's ability to clean a plate. Dante's busying himself with his own ice cream dessert.

"Just remember to breathe and you'll be alright."

"It was motivated by something. If not by food, then by special interest." She keeps hold of the kitten while Finn fiddles with the scratches, then offers it back to him once he's done. "But who can say for certain. People often speak too sentimentally about their pets. As for your latter question, you need only ask the locals and I doubt they wouldn't oblige you. Judging by how they treat them, they may even consider it a favour."

He's not even bothered because yeah he might become a Catmancer, but he most likely won't. Just something to consider if things didn't end up working out. Heck, Plagg will probably be pleased, but still scoff at all the not cat enough.

"Yeah... I got it...!"

Though, standing with two cats still on his shoulders and trying to pick up four from his lap only for more to crawl on does complicate things.

[Takeshi was just about to head back in when he sees one of the Curti Center workers standing at the sidewalk. He raises an eyebrow, before quietly heading over to check on her. She seems a bit out of it.]

Are... you okay?

Talk about walking hairballs, Adrien and his pile of cats stop to watch the tangled ball of cats supported by thin legs try skittering past. The moogle overhead - Melody apparently - isn't helping whoever's inside.

"Where you guys headed?"

She's just a big ole job snob, anyway. She isn't, however, anti-cat or anti-helping, so when it becomes apparent that the kitties aren't going to let his lap remain unoccupied, she attempts to scoop the closest cluster of them away so that he might have a chance at rising to his feet.

"I'd say they beg to differ."

"See? You got it."

Though, he doesn't really have the holding thing down. The kitten, despite its purrs, would likely prefer to have more support while being held.

"... You know, I don't know. Seems like some people around here wouldn't mind a few less cats."

I : Time Mage Guild

Orcelito staggers out of the guild at his Moogle’s guidance, her paw on his back because his concept of reality is no longer certain that he is exiting the building. They both need a moment to breathe, to make sure the here and now is still… there. And once Orcelito is settled on a bench, his hands are over his face and his shoulders are shaking with strained laughter.

“Did that make sense to you?” He asks. Mari shakes her head. “It was incredible.” He catches his breath and pushes his bangs back. They both stare at the sky while Orcelito makes up his mind. “Do you think they’ll let us see more? Maybe even….” He meets her gaze, and her dark eyes widen as she catches on.

Stacking Tactician with Time Mage… Oh, the possibilities….

II : Study Session

In a quiet café open in the evening at Sen Riqeaux, a Moogle flies past carrying a cup of black tea. She navigates empty tables and chairs to a blond boy sitting within a semi-circle of tablet, books, and hand-written notes. Mari places the cup in a clear spot and sighs. “You shouldn’t stay this late, kupo.”

“Mari, we don’t know if we’ll be able to come again so… we have to make the most of it.” He takes a sip of the tea – it’s bracing – and gives his teammate a smile. “Besides, I do some of my best work at night! Pass me the notes we took on the statues, will you?”

[Force of habit... Well, depending on how the rest of their conversation goes, they would see.]

Red would be more preferable.

[ So much for no one to see her, now Takeshi gets to witness the brief moment of being flustered before she coughs to collect herself, gaze to the side in an attempt to avoid the awkward eye contact....

Who is she kidding, she’s probably made this unnecessarily awkward before she’s even had the chance to speak. ]

I’m not—sorry, would you happen to be staying in this house, sir?

(There is a less populated area to break away from the crowds and still get a view of the fireworks. There's a hill outside the city that even breaks away from the festivities themselves and there's already someone there.

The girl, to her credit, doesn't seem all too phased by Vanitas' spider-like form. Instead, she offers a nod.)

Needed to get away from the crowds, too?

"Ooh, tea sounds really good right now."

She breathes a sigh at the offer, relieved. She could go for some tea. Though it...does feel a little odd, going through someone else's things like this. Provisions from the empire, maybe? She'll definitely join him in looking through the house's selection.

"I think I've had my fill of outside for today. It's fun and all, but I might actually hit sensory overload."

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Event || The Festival of Light

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