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

[shadowsthedawn]

There is recognition in his expression when Roxas mentions Ryslig, but not for the reasons he hopes. He's heard that name before from someone else that he's had a rocky start with. There has to be a connection there, right? Maybe Roxas knows something about this Vanitas.

"No. I've never been there. But it's interesting that you're not the first person to ask me that." Well, Vanitas hadn't asked so much as assumed. He studies Roxas closely as he speaks, looking for any indication that he might already know who Riku is talking about. And if for any reason he doesn't...well, he should at least be informed that there's a spider monster running around with Sora and his face.

[einspine]

[...Oh. Wowie. That's heavy. So heavy, in fact, that it takes several moments for Papyrus to process this.

Gulping, he casts a glance back at the relics. Dangerous, giant robots you could control... It reminds him of something Undyne wished to create. Admittedly, for as cool as it sounded on paper, the fear of technology rebelling was present there, too.

For it to have a mind of its own as well, though? That was guaranteed disaster.

Oof. Now his prior enthusiasm seems out of place.]

BUT THESE HEROES DID STOP IT, RIGHT? IF IT WAS THAT BAD, THAT IS! THOUGH HAVING EXTRAS CERTAINLY DOESN'T BODE WELL IF THESE MACHINES WERE THAT TREACHEROUS.

NYEH... HEH HEH. PERHAPS WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL THESE AREN'T IN WORKING ORDER.

[conanima]

If she is offended she doesn't show it. She's more curious about the moogle. "You mean you've never actually seen her? That's weird."

The roommate, whoever they are, says they have, says she exists though. And leaves things. Is this some weird joke? Wait, what would be the point of that?

[acapriciousreaper]

Kuja is skeptical. "Some local eidolon, then?" That would make sense. Dressing up in particular clothing to pay homage to a god. "Omniscience, however, does seem a bit suspect. Most likely exaggerated; goodness knows it was said how Titan could level mountains and leviathan could flood the world."

[einspine]

AH, LEATHER! THE CLASSY MATERIAL. YES, THAT'S A GOOD START.

[He rubs his chin. Hrmmm...]

DO YOU THINK THEY COME IN FLAME PATTERNS? OR PERHAPS FLAME-PATTERNED PANTS WOULD GET THE JOB DONE...

[shadowsthedawn]

[His gaze follows where she's pointing and he nods.]

Yeah. I was thinking about stopping by there anyways. I'm not looking to pick up a new asterisk or anything, but I'm...curious.

[For example does the Catmancer asterisk come with cat-like abilties? He needs more information.]

Ready? [He starts heading in the direction of the Guild only to be halted by a large grey cat twirling around his leg. He huffs in amusement and bends down to scoop the cat up.]

I guess he wants to go too.

[peninhand]

Upon hearing the "you know," for a second Monika's hopes were rekindled. Perhaps she hadn't interpreted her meaning correctly...? But no. She was obviously clinging onto any thread of hope she could see.

And as Ena mentioned her departure from the Curti Center... Well, Monika was glad she couldn't see her face. If things had been going according to plan, Monika had planned to offer her to get a house together in Myste Aura. She had already imagined just what kind of house they could have the finance for together and how they could have decorated it, lived in it... But that had been only a dream, hadn't it...?

With the dream gone, the wisest thing to do was to put as much distance as possible between them. That was her thought process, anyway.

"I..." A pause. "I've been thinking of trying to apply for a job at the Great McGard Library, so we probably won't see each other very often any more. But it was nice while it lasted." And the others... Ah, she wasn't even thinking about them any more at this point. "I don't think I'll confess to them. I confessed to you for a reason, you know." She laughed. "My feelings for them were already fading... And the same will probably happen for yours now."

Finally, she stepped back and turned away from Ena. She turned her head to smile at her.

"I'm gonna go closer to the castle, I'd like to get a better look at those fireworks." Of course she actually wanted to find a place to be alone at, but she wouldn't mention it. "You probably should go back to sleep. I'll see you tomorrow, alright?"

[einspine]

LIKEWISE, OF COURSE!!!

[And he's beaming right back. Please do pardon the loudness. This one's excitable.]

SO! I TAKE IT YOU LIVE IN THIS EMPIRE? IT MUST BE INTERESTING. ...THEN AGAIN, THAT'S COMING FROM ME, AN OUTSIDER. I PROBABLY JUST SOUND LIKE A TOURIST.

[Nyeh heh... Syill! It's certainly not a bad place to live. Hopefully. Closed borders aside.]

[einspine]

"WELL, MAYBE NOT AN EIDOLON WHERE I'M FROM, BUT I SUPPOSE IT IS POSSIBLE HERE." Contemplating this, he strokes his bony chin. Interesting! Very, very interesting...

"BUT I ASSURE YOU! SANTA'S POWER IS LEGENDARY. IN JUST ONE NIGHT, HE'S ABLE TO DELIVER PRESENTS TO EVERY LITTLE BOY, GIRL, AND GENDERLESS INDIVIDUAL!

WELL, EXCEPT FOR THE ONES ON HIS NAUGHTY LIST. THEY JUST GET COAL."

[topgun_textiles]

Huh... I didn't know that. But I guess that's how it is for all animals, right?

Hmmm. Wonder why that guy's offering a ton of money to take the cats out, though...

[pishirogane]

Ah... That. I heard there's an abundance of cats in a city nearby. Parasraya if memory serves correctly...

[princeandscholar]

Orcelito tucks the pen in the pages and returns with his own wave and a smile. "Not really. I arrived here this month." He just studies every moment he isn't sleeping. It's been exciting, to say the least.

The question brings his attention back to the painting with a small frown. "Do they? I meant they could tell us about this world. But if some of them are so large, wouldn't we have seen them by now? Perhaps they do live in another realm."

He’s still wrapping his mind around these concepts from his latest asterisk inauguration. If Time Mages can send things into voids, perhaps things can emerge from those places as well?

[acapriciousreaper]

"That is preposterous. An entire planet in a single night? Every year? Impossible. It would take a thousand mages of my calibre to even attempt such a feat. And not for the purpose of, say, apotheosis, or something actually useful, but just to throw rocks at people he doesn't like?"
Kuja Tribal, mage, alien, angel of death, destroyer of worlds, scoffs. Clearly the notion of a fat man in a red suit giving presents to children all over the world is just too unrealistic to believe.

[garyoutensei]

"Victory has to mean something. Exhibition games are worthless."

[garyoutensei]

Probably gonna check out the 3rd District and see if I can gleam any useful information. But I have my doubts, since it seems the exposition is curated by a branch of their own government. -And if there was anything Baiken had made clear, it was her distrust of this Empire.-

[topgun_textiles]

Yeah, you seem to be. Now let's figure out what the hell this dinner's all about later, yeah?

[garyoutensei]

"Being here... is fine," which was usually against her nature, but Finn's tangible existence was what was helping anchor her to reality, and even she didn't have so much pride that she couldn't show some appreciation for that.

[garyoutensei]

Beautiful is a word for it... -She let out a trail of smoke, the scent of it sweet and pleasant.-

You got anything shorter than that? I'm never gonna remember it, otherwise. Unless you just want me to call you "sake girl".

[garyoutensei]

"Six years doesn't sound so bad," another shrug.

"Sake and admiring tokkuri are pretty much my only hobbies outside of killing, so it's nice to know there are other people that appreciate it."

[garyoutensei]

I'm glad it works for you, at any rate... -She wasn't sure it'd have the same impact on her, but then again, she was recovering from having a panic attack at the Expo in the 3rd District, and this was the only place that seemed to have sake in the whole damn Empire, so maybe she was more keen on the idea of treating herself than usual.-

[wheretheresawill]

"I don't know! That depends on what the answer is!" Terra is very obviously very confused. "Why do you look exactly like me?" He isn't sure about the voice either, but the rest is seriously weirding him out.

[topgun_textiles]

Yeah that's the name! I mean, if cats are a problem you just gotta catch strays and get 'em fixed, right? Then take out the trash and other stuff they'd like.

Flipside is that they probably have jack-shit for mice problems.

omg that icon is so cute

[poisonwish]

"This is an all-natural, all organic moisturizing cream," the saleswoman bubbled, offering the sample to Sora next. Her cheeks seemed rosier, her voice a little higher pitched, since hearing Snow White's suggestion.

"I'm serious," Snow was continuing, running his fingertips lightly over his skin. "This is the best thing I've seen here."

He gestured at Sora. "Put it on -- never too young to start a good skin care regimen."

[hatejakku]

"Nakagawa. I wanted to find a job and settle on my own as fast as possible." He didn't want to be anyone's burden or have to owe someone in the future. There was probably no reason to worry, but that's just how Finn is. "Where are you living?"

[fixed_destiny]

Xehanort decides to not actually answer that for now, in that case. It'll probably end badly.

"Maybe you look exactly like me. I'm pretty sure you look closer to how I did a couple years ago." He frowns, slowly. "Except that hair color. Do you dye it? Why brown? I've thought of trying blond once or twice but Even would never let me hear the end of it if I did."

He stops suddenly, even though it's obvious he could continue on that thread for quite a while and raises one hand. "Though let me back up a bit. Are you Terra? I've heard a lot about a Terra, usually in the context of ..well, this."