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.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Kuja nods. "Understandable. Fear not; I fully intend to offer my support. I certainly can't allow the world to be destroyed; wherever would I put my things?" He grins, a little. And maybe it'll make up for what I almost did to Gaia.

"Y.. yuhss.. aa..aah~" Sora wobbled a bit, his focus moving between the moogle he knew to the moogle he did not know! "Wa.. hullo!" He offered in a kind tone, albeit congested. "Oh!" His eyes finally caught sight of the napkin being held out to him and he took the offering with gratitude.

After wiping at his nose and eyes he had a fresh sneeze to offer the kind strange moogle.

Ena doesn't realize that Wimbledon is talking to her right away, but by the time she does, Shiro has already made himself known. She turns to him, her expression briefly changing to that of surprise before it settles to a more neutral one.

"Oh, Shiro. Hello there." She glances at his Moogle again and does notice something...amiss, but she's too angry at the moment to really register it. Or his new hair.

"I'm...fine, I suppose. My blasted Moogle flew off and now who knows when the naughty thing will be back!" She extends her arm out into the direction Alvin flew off in, almost hitting a passer-by in the face in the process.

I take it it was as sad as this, then?

[ Good, some of his coherency was coming back. ]

Oh no.

When she heard it, it felt like something stung her. Ena blinked, her brows slowly drawing upward in anxiety.

The only other person to ever tell her they loved her was her brother. And her mother, too, but that was ages ago. She remembered what the familial love felt like when their family had been whole, and she clearly remembered the adoration she felt for her brother. That was the love she knew.

But this was different.

This was the kind she'd read about in books, the storylines that acted as the basis for playwrights' performances. This was the kind of love that adolescents dreamed about, and hoped to one day experience for themselves. The fireworks softly illuminating Monika's profile, the sweet summer air, the two of them alone... It made for the perfect setting, really. One that any dramatic writer would construct.

But the worst part was, Ena didn't feel anything. Well, that was wrong - she felt flattered. She felt nervous, she felt worried for her housemate, she felt concerned that she might hurt the other girl, and a slight twinge of jealousy that she felt the same towards other people. But not romantic love.

"Monika, I..." she gulped. "I don't know what to say."

[ Luckily for Okuyasu, her brand of elves don't count ages. As far as she's concerned, he can drink what he wants. ]

Just shitty beer. [ There's a sting to her words when she says shitty. ] Nobody seemed to mind when I took the whole thing.

It's the sound of an unfamiliar voice that gets her attention, and Pidge glances up to peer at Amanda. "Nope. This is just another stop on what's turning out to be a very strange road trip. Space trip? Hmm..."

Meanwhile, Bobble has maneuvered himself into such a position as to covertly snap a couple (dozen) photos of Pidge and Amanda. For posterity!

[His smile grows wider, eyes bright with affection.]

It's good to be back. [He said the words before but saying them again is nice. It feels like coming home. He releases Keith and sighs.]

We should do a sweep for bugs and any sort of listening devices. I...don't want to leave that to chance. [He will do a sweep with Dragon sight for any possible listeners that aren't otherworlder.]

What's a little doom every now and again? Especially when it's the fluffy kind of doom.

"Mm. Enough that you'll have to mind your step. There were times when I could barely see the ground ahead of me." And times when she considered scaling the buildings and travelling across rooftops, or turning back around and crossing her fingers that Catmancers would never be relevant, or burying herself beneath a pile of cats and never emerging because of the severe loss of dignity she suffered while trying to walk unhindered through them. Not that she'll vocalise any of that, of course, though after a moment's thought she does carry those thoughts to a conclusion by adding, "You may wish to consider recruiting backup."

Chocobos seemed to have no problem approaching Prompto, mostly because they were rewarded with a big grin and he pulled out some greens from his pocket, holding them out. "Come on over here!"

Prompto smiled at Souji and nodded. "Y-Yeah, I mean they're great. They're super gentle and smart, they like people and greens and they're very soft and cuddly, and fast!"

'M sleeping, bug Iggy.

[Prompto spoke in his sleep, nuzzling his face into the side of Noct's neck, although his words made no sense since he likely wasn't going to let go of where his hand and clenched at Noctis' shirt wherever he could grab ahold of it.]

That too, I mean, we can't send Iris any messages.

[Which is too bad, because it means Gladio might feel better if he could get in touch with her, but since they can't, he'll have to carry on without that assurance.]

That's true. [He chuckles.] I like cats and all, but dogs are better.

[Such blasphemy.]

He jumped a little bit, startled and he smiled at her.

"A-Ah yeah I'm okay!" His gun was out of his hands by then and he was accepting a giant stuffed chocobo, the best prize.

"I mean. Hi."

"Hey Hunk!" He said cheerfully, his concentration not broken as he took his shot. Perfect bullseye.

He cocked the gun again and fired the next shot the same. It was a natural gift.

"I haven't heard anything otherwise." Prompto confirmed, musing thoughtfully.

"I mean this whole thing is just one big party display, showing off, but you know, I bet if the people here were hurting, we're not meant to know it."

He had to wonder what they were hiding all that time. Secrets, he thought, didn't end well.

We have. Shirogane Takashi, remember? Last time I was in my Paladin armor. [He gestures with his remaining hand now that the cats let him move it.]

It was white and black like my hair used to be, remember?

I don't know what to say. The words hit like a punch. She didn't need to say more, really. That was the kind and polite way of saying "I don't love you."

Was she so terrible and unlovable? Had she said and done something wrong? The player had deleted her, Ena had rejected her... Perhaps that was why she had been a side character in the game. Had Monika still been in her old mindset, that wouldn't have been the end of it, she'd have tried gaining her affection in a number of other ways.

But now? She wouldn't. Love... That meant accepting the choice of the one you love, even if that means they'll never love you. That was all she could cling onto now.

There was barely a split second for Ena to see how utterly devastated Monika looked before she put her facade back on.

"Ahaha!"

Monika smiled sweetly, as if nothing had happened. Of course, this was all fake. But as far as fake smiles were concerned, hers was probably close enough to a genuine smile that it would be next to impossible to see she was faking it. Of, she wanted to cry and scream, but she would do so in an isolated place after she'd be done here.

"Well, you know what they say. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!"

The way she spoke, it was as if they were having the most casual discussion in the world, as if what had just happened had had no effects on her. She had carefully practiced what to do in case of rejection and she planned to play her part with perfection. If only for Ena's sake, so she wouldn't have to feel awful about all of this.

"Gosh, you must feel so uncomfortable. Sorry, I just really needed to get this off my chest. Even though you don't love me, I feel better now. It was probably like I said, a side effect of the Dream Width."

[He has a brief thought of a clean apartment and the narrow back of a man with sandy hair that he quickly squashes. Why he thought of him, he's not sure.]

I'm not particular. And I think I'll write up a report on exactly what happened before and after I went missing. I can send you a copy if you'd like that.

I think it's important to spread this information as widely as we can.

[More than they will deal with it.] Castor was the first to vanish and return. I was next. Hunk was third.

None of us came back without some kind of changes. [He taps his very right arm. What's left of it.] Physical and mental.

Perhaps you could start by working on your manners.

[ That wasn't physical in any way, no need to get rid of those scars. And... ]

You speech would profit from some rework as well.

[ Truly, he was speaking as would a brigand. And to an extent, wasn't he behaving as one too? ]

Of course, your most unethical habits would need to go too.

[ Such as sneaking on people. That and really, the way he dressed didn't help. ]

And I suppose your clothing style is questionable.

[ Basically. Be less like yourself and more like her. ]

Mòrag had been looking at the various pieces of Magitek exposed in the museum. Technology that had existed so long ago, there was no trace left of those who had made it... Did it come from this world's Morytha? If so, the answers they all sought likely lied in them. She was interrupted from her musing when the green-haired girl addressed her.

She turned to her, hands clasped behind her back, and looked at the WEAPON piece.

"It could be anything. Hundreds, maybe thousands of years."

She took steps toward the WEAPON piece, looking down at it.

"Historians likely have a cutoff date. But beyond that, it would be impossible to know with exactitude what era it originates from."

She nods in agreement. "The noise and the crowds. Especially the crowds, in my case. I can only handle so many of those at one time before I need to recover, you know?"

Matilda decides to browse through the tea selections while Souji's working on the water. There's a few that sound familiar, some that don't...something new sounds like it'd be fun though!

"How about you? Did you need to get away from all of that, too?"

[He listens and paints the pictures in with his mind. The cat sounds a bit like Ignis himself, unwilling to leave Noctis's side. He keeps the thought to himself as he leans just a hair into his friend. It eases some of his own burden and might make Noct feel better.]

I've been getting a lot of sleep. And, [He holds out his hand to the cat Noct is pettint intent on showing he means no harm at all.]

You can have pets now, can't you?

[His eyes widen. He meets Hunk's eyes with alarm in the depths of his grey eyes. Shiro moves to help block other people as he clears the text block and types in his own message.]

I have a packet of notes to share with you later.
But we need to keep this in mind. I know you want to be wrong.
I'd rather we both be wrong, but my instincts say we need to keep a sharp eye on everything.
I've secured more information about the Eidolons. It won't pay off until we're out of here.
That's something as well.

[He puts his hand on Hunk's shoulder and squeezes it.]

No matter what, we'll face this together.

[Nope, Biggs and Wedge are not telling Dylas what they thought.]

Um, don't worry about it.

Our race is over. We were just leaving.

[They are trying not to make eye contact with the monster who is now wearing his chocobo chick. ~~Everyone knows you're supposed to carry around tiny weird creatures on your back, not in a harness on the front.~~]

Enjoy the festival.

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Event || The Festival of Light

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She likes sports and she don't care who knows?

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