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

[eternitynpc]

I'm not quite sure myself, they just showed up one day and brought all their damn cats with them. Nearly make you wish the world would really end.

[mech_and_mutt]

"C'mon, be sportsmanlike. ...though, uh, not like I haven't thought about bringing my mecha in there sometime. Sadly, don't think the ref would go for it."

"Looks like they're doin' some rotations. You want me to grab you somethin'?"

[acapriciousreaper]

The genome glances over at the strange woman, studying her face for a moment. Who is this?
"By itself, perhaps not. But surely a small pleasure and the chance to bring about more is preferable to an eternity of non-existence?"

[eternitynpc]

Indeed. [A pause.] Would you so happen to be one of the outworlders we've heard so much about?

[eternitynpc]

I work at the Crystal Temple and, just take my word for it.

[ She takes a sip of her coffee. ]

I wish I could say more, but it's nice having gotten that much off my chest at least. Just, go and do crazy stuff while you still can.

[eternitynpc]

Aha, I guess it's something that happens once in a while!

[ She nodded. ]

Of course! What is it you need?

[mech_and_mutt]

Yeah, three times so far. Don't worry, this place is weird but you start gettin' used to it after a while.

[Not like he didn't miss home, either, but he's not going to mope in front of the new guy.]

Didja see those big robot lions around Vaikuntha? I think those set the record. Then again, a lotta major hardware's been comin' through recently...

[regalblaze]

[For a moment, Ignis is happy that none of the people he knows chose the job as a Summoner. After this information, it's giving him a very bad vibe. A job that, perhaps, brings on more trouble than it is worth it. He is trying to appear as unfazed as he can but it is becoming rather difficult.]

Why did the Goddess choose Bahamut? You mentioned countless of Eidolons. He was not unique and yet he was handpicked by Death herself.

Also, the Calamity. I've heard it being mentioned several times before. Most of them believe it is a legend. However, [Ignis pushes his glasses up,] where there's smoke, there's fire, the saying says.

What do you believe?

[eternitynpcs]

I think I'll remember it, it's a really nice song.

[ She smiled at him and stared into the distance. ]

This place is nice too, isn't it? Nostalgic even.

[mech_and_mutt]

Yup! And not a moment to--

[Wait. He'd heard that name before. Didn't Bonnie mention something like that, too?]

...Hold on. That ain't the first time I've heard of somethin' like that. Crystallis is a world a lot like this one, right?

[mech_and_mutt]

Yeah. I guess it's pretty obvious, huh?

[Back to tucking the doll under his arm. Oh well, this would make for a good break from haggling.]

I don't think I've seen any dog people from around here.

[immortalmarshal]

Neither does Cor. He really had hoped, when he first settled into this world, that their stay in this world would help Noctis and his companions - let everyone recover from their ongoing battles, exchange info, stock up on new powers and supplies for their inevitable return (or so Cor thinks)... All without some threat from home hanging over them.

Alas, that might not be the case now.

"Of course," he replies immediately. "And well we should...all of us."

[immortalmarshal]

"...No problem." Sure. He could play along with that kind of cover. It's brief, and shows signs of friendship - or at least, friendly acquaintances. "What do you think of the festival so far?"

The tone sounds casual, but his eyes hold a more serious, inquiring look. Never hurts to hear it from those he can now trust enough to lend a helping hand.

[warpstriking]

[He never doubted that Ignis would catch on to it. He smiles faintly, nodding again. Ignis had a point.]

Sounds good. Much as I'd love to carry an entire store's worth of goods again...

[He's kidding.]

[keymemory]

[ Sora huffs at the ruffle of his hair but mostly focuses on his fruit cup. He brings it up to his lips with a loud slurp; unaware of how cautious Takashi is being of his own cup of fruit. Sora had about half the cup finished before he spoke up again. ]

What’re you worried about? I mean… about this house? Think someone’s gonna come home when you’re asleep?

[ It got him thinking about his own reserved home and he wondered if it’d be as nice as this place. Hopefully it had some meals in the fridge, he wasn’t much of a cook but he’s learned a few - a few - tricks through his adventures with Donald and Goofy. Still, if there was a choice between frozen meals and making his own… he’d go for the frozen. ]

[immortalmarshal]

"Well, at least they won't have to worry about that with the three of us." He can take the subtle cues, but he's not stepping down his alertness (read: low-key paranoia) one bit.

"At least, so long as we're not foolish enough to invite certain guests back to this place." It's a half-hearted attempt at a joke, but it bears some truth...and a touch of a warning. Not to Regis, of course...but still...

[mech_and_mutt]

Hey, it's not--

[OH NO SAD AZUSA ABORT PLAN ABORT PLAN THINK OF SOMETHING NEW. He looks back down to the weird doll with the creepy maternal fixation. Come on, there had to be a way...

Before his brain could catch up, his arms were already holding out the doll for Azusa.]

--why don't you take 'im? I mean-- I think you're right. He obviously needs a friend, and I don't have much back home for 'im. [He could... probably find another way to get himself a Kuja.]

Besides, I... don't really think I'm cut out to be a mom. I don't even think I know how any of that stuff goes.

[balancingedge]

I'm - guessing there's a time difference between you guys? [Honestly that answer was just plain confusing, and he'd prefer a blunt response over... that. Yet he gets the feeling the guy's just as confused about it as he is.] I know the feeling. Shiro and Hunk were a similar case for us, too.

[Yes, us. He pets his wolf between the ears before said space canine walked over and sniffed Sora, tail wagging. Friend? ...Friend. He nudges Sora with his nose.]

Yeah. We split up briefly to cover more ground, but he's here.

[...He's totally not worried about him what are you talking about.]

[regalblaze]

[Ignis opens his mouth to say 'utensils as well' but- that joke is too old now. He then just sighs-]

It is in times like these we actually learn to appreciate the things we had.

For example- the armiger. [They wouldn't have to detour to home if they had it.]

Now that I mention it- have you ever completely cleared out the armiger from thumbtacks and whoopie cushions?

[immortalmarshal]

"Ah...so you've had some prior experience, then?" Cor's just casually curious. He's seen and heard of card games before, but this one is a little unique even for him.

[regalblaze]

It would seem that time for their healing has come to an end with the Empire opening its gates. The name of the city in the vicinity is only adding to the stress.

"I will try to look into some technology here. Perhaps there is something I can acquire to use it as a news source." He drums fingers against the counter: "Linkshell is good, but it is not as reliable. And the fact that it is public doesn't help the matters."

[immortalmarshal]

"I'll leave that to you, then."

Cor then takes another, longer sip of his coffee, lost in his thoughts for a few moments. "It's strange, though... They can create this world's version of tablets, but not mobile phones." There doesn't seem to be any other kind of phones, either...

[acapriciousreaper]

"A pity. It would probably be entertaining to watch, at least. And no, I think-" He looks down to an empty box. "What the hell did I just eat?"

[wildlinks]

A-Ah... fair enough.

Well then! I guess I'm taking you with me, little one. [Souji grins down at black and orange kitten then bends over to pick it up.]

Oh! If you don't mind one more question! [He's probably being annoying right now but it just hit him.]

How... did this happen?

[wildlinks]

Unlucky day for Kanji, Souji guessed. And they were all really hungry. The crackers didn't help much but it kind of kept their stomachs from protesting TOO loudly.

"Then that's good! I think I'll try some more of this food." Translated, things he's never seen before. "I think there was a deep-fried, spicy snake skewer. I'm curious, I have to admit."