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

[spaceforged]

He's been a big help when it was just Hunk and I. I've learned a lot from him. [Wimbledon is a wisened moogle who takes his job in assisting his adventurer very seriously. Once they're outside Shiro glances around. No sign of Wimbledon.

Just when he thinks he won't see him the moogle flies over to them and pats them both lightly on the shoulder.]

Sorry, sorry, I was a bit busy looking up healers here I went to knock and well, you were a little busy as well. You didn't get a chance to get fixed up at the center. It would be a good idea to get patched up as much as you both can before any serious meetings. You have to present a strong front!

[He can't deny that. It all sounds quite reasonable. His head is a mess but Wimbledon as always is a help. Shiro glances at Keith.]

He's not wrong. We need to look capable and it's respectful to show our best.

[balancingedge]

[Keith nods, but pauses when the moogle in question shows himself. He pauses, frowning slightly though there is one thing that needs to be pointed out because, while they didn't stop at the Center...]

Futaba also spent a good hour constantly healing you when we got you aboard the ship.

[He feels the need to point that out, even though it doesn't go unnoticed that Shiro could use a few more healing spells at least.So he doesn't argue it; on the contrary, he agrees with the moogle. So, he looks to Wimbledon.]

What did you find? [Six seasons later, still a problem.]

[spaceforged]

...then what's wrong is probably my body and soul synching up. [He says, his voice low. Wimbledon goes pale and grabs his face in both of his small furry hands. His voice takes on a bit of a shrill edge. He's surprised by just how like Coran he sounds.]

Soul and- Shiro! What in the name of the Tidemother's scales have you been up to?! You can't go risk-

[Shiro gently breaks in, his voice measured and calm. He had meant to break this gently to him. But he'd been distracted and that's never good for his foggy mind.]

I didn't risk it. Things...happened. I'm alright.

[The Moogle falls quiet. He sighs and looks at Keith then back at Shiro.]

Let's have a healer look you both over. They're around the corner. They're glad to aid anyone they can.

[balancingedge]

[Shiro, his name is literally Wimbledon. How are you still surprised by how Coranish he sounds? He even has the 'stache! Granted, Sven also has the poof of hair Shiro and the Sven from that one alternate reality had, but s t i l l...

Keith steps up, squaring his shoulders and adopting a slightly gentler tone.]

We can talk about it later. Shouldn't make this healer you found wait.

[It'd be rude. Plus, it will give Shiro some time to come up with a way to break it more gently to his moogle friend. At least it wasn't the atom bomb he got inside Black, he'll give him that.]

[rivieran]

[ Ena takes the bottle and promptly takes a swig. It was pretty crap, but taste didn't really matter at the moment. ]

Okuyasu Nijimura, are you enjoying Sen Devadatta?

[kuposcreed]

Bonnie frowned softly. She knew that this boy didn't mean anything bad by saying kupo but she also knew the other moogle wasn't entirely wrong about her protest either.

"Mmmm, I don't know about 'dude', kupo. But if you want to know more of what it's like to be a moogle I know Mognet lets non moogles volunteer. You'd have to wear a costume though, kupo." And Mognet employees were encouraged to kupo it up. It was something of an acceptable loophole.

Besides, Bonnie wasn't bound to get offended unless someone called her a molebat.

[kuposcreed]

[The true sign of Moogle skill was how many times you can go back through a line and get more samples. The people running the stalls were doing their best to be vigilant so of course the craftiest of moogles were trying even harder to collect the choice swag.

Meanwhile, Bonnie was shocked at the inexperience of her fellow moogle.]

Kupo? Really? Well it's a lot of fun, and you get to travel to lots of different places. The slates are nice too, kupo, but it's nice to see the looks on people's faces when you hand them a letter, kupo.

[She doesn't mean to sound like a luddite. She just appreciates the social rewards of her hard work.]

[kuposcreed]

"We can both do our best, kupo. And since we're both working hard we can also help each other out when we need it. It's important to remember we're all in this together, kupo!"

[princeandscholar]

“Really? I think it’d be exciting to come and go freely.” He might not have thought that way a day ago, but now there’s a timepiece in his pocket and that Time Mage enthusiasm is kicking in whether he’s conscious of it or not.

“Wouldn’t it be nice if we could travel between here and our homes? Maybe it’s like that for them.”

[princeandscholar]

Ah, a toy jester; that should be innocent enough. Orcelito was leaning forward to get a better look and startles back with a gasp at the shrieking laughter.

Quickly regaining himself, he glances over his shoulder to the staff, narrowing his eyes. The first one to catch his glare shrugs; they only hand out what they're given. Orcelito can hardly fault them for doing their job.

Holding in a sigh, he turns back to the situation at hand. The options are dwindling, and who knows what the next doll might say.

"You don't have to select one from here if you don’t want to." Orcelito remarks gently. “It’s a big festival, and there will be more toys. I know it's not the same as being given a gift... but finding something to your own liking is a gift to yourself, too."

[shinra_dog]

[Reno let him go, at least for now, but he watched where Takeshi went. He waited a few moments for Takeshi to collect himself, then followed.]

[When he found Takeshi again, he made sure to approach from the side so he was seen.]

I didn't mean to startle you.

[Reno watched his second-in-command, concerned.]

[hatejakku]

Now that she's calmed down, he feels more invading than helpful. Even so, he makes no move to leave or even really wants to. When she lets go, he allows himself to sit back more comfortably and just listens to the silence between them, still making sure people don't come over. He'll wait for her lead, if she gives any, and just takes the moment to quiet his own demons.

[shinra_dog]

"Yeah, I know. I remember you running past in the mornings." Reno looked at Ignis' plate again, wondering how much trouble he'd get if he stole a bit. Probably too much; Ignis was a serious guy.

"I'm just bullshittin' ya, Ignis. I didn't realize you were such a foodie, though."

[sonoftenebrae]

[Ravus nods, but with a nearly imperceptible hesitation. This is the difference between himself and the Lucians. They preferred to keep their distance from danger. Ravus, from his teenage years onward, had no choice but to enter into the lion's den.]

We'll learn more from within than without...but you have a duty to keep the prince safe. Others are better positioned to gather the intelligence we'll need.

[Like himself. Ravus is used to working on his own; if there is a way to remain here and divine the true nature of this empire, he will. It is...not ideal, but perhaps necessary.]

[sonoftenebrae]

[Still wrestling with the damned dog, Ravus' eyes dart from the charging armor to Gilgamesh, then onward to Gladio and the area around them. He scans to make sure no one else beyond their makeshift battlefield is within the path of any potential MT attack. It seems clear. With that confirmed, he returns to his fight with the swordsman's beast.]

That this, mongrel!

[He is not sure how well it will work without a sword, but Ravus attempts to channel his newly learned Oblivion skill into the punch he aims at the dog's muscled flank.]

[shinra_dog]

"Well." Reno shrugged and gestured up at the house. "This is where we lived. Me an' Johnny. On the last world."

He stared at the number on the door, the layout of the building. He could hope it was a strange coincidence and that once he opened the door it would be completely different, but the feeling in his gut wouldn't let up. He didn't believe in coincidences anymore.

He barked out a laugh, incredulous. "I mean, I know it can't be the same, or it shouldn't be, but I know this place."

[regalblaze]

[Perhaps more difference between him and the retinue. While he would gladly dive into the unknown, Imperial city and look for answers, it is not something he is supposed to do. Hence the argument with Gladio last month.

He nods slowly.]

Yes... But if the chance presents itself to learn more, I will undoubtedly take it.

[That last bit though... Ignis gives Ravus a bit worried look. He can't tell the other man what to do, so-]

It sounds like you have something in mind.

[shinra_dog]

Reno's eyebrows rose at the offer. It was generous, considering it was something from off-world.

"Exotic alcohol? Of course!" Reno accepted the flask gratefully and took a sip. And closed his eyes as he savored the taste.

"Wow..." Too bad there was nothing like it in Vaikuntha. That was damn good. He passed the flask back (a little reluctantly). "That's really somethin', yo."

[zanarkandian]

Yeah, he got that a lot, but it didn't irritate him any less. Tidus narrowed his eyes, poking his head through the rack to find the speaker.

"I know, but I'm kinda short on time here. Not on money, but..." He groaned. He really didn't want to start flinging his fame around like he was Dad or something. And if he really went all-out, would it be too much?

brilliant

[shinra_dog]

Reno stared at the pear (ish) fruit for a moment, not quite sure why this boy was giving it to him or what he was saying.

"What... would he want..." he repeated slowly, trying to understand. It didn't click until he heard another child's toy go off.

"Shall I give you despair?"

And suddenly it hit him like a brick and his whole world was flipped upside down. A pear? This pear? It was terrible and bizarre and hilarious, especially knowing how perplexed Sephiroth would be to hear it. Reno couldn't help but burst out laughing.

[keymemory]

“Yes!” Sora bounced on his heels and took Angeal by the hand. “He’s Santa!” Sora, of course, had been sure to talk to all the glittering holiday-goers about this fantastic festive display of joy, merriment, and cheer! So, by now, he’s pretty sure he knows all the ends and out of what the dressed up people are meant to portray.

“And look! He’s a gingerbread man, and this one over there… yah! He’s … oops, she’s an elf! … Oh, wait… no, she’s just an elf..” Like a regular elf, not a Christmas elf. Anyway, moving on. “Come, come look at the tree!” He pulls on Angeal, though his weight wouldn’t pull the other unless Angeal would allow it.

[shinra_dog]

"Yeah. Exactly." It was simple, but accurate. "Sephiroth had been considered a hero, even before he arrived on Crystallis. I mean, really, he was a perfect choice for a Hero of Light."

Which was a phrase he never thought he'd use several years ago. But it was true. The young Sephiroth whose face was on celebrated Shinra propaganda had a good heart and strong ethic. He believed himself a hero and he performed well.

It wasn't until later, when he found out a lot of dark truths, that it all fell apart.

"When he fell apart, he took a lot of the world down with him."

[poisonwish]

"I didn't have much use for it myself," Snow White admitted. "But there are perks to having the Gourmand job."

If he must feed himself, then it would be superb. There was no other option.

"You're most kind." And now he would feel a least somewhat more comfortable to sleep here. Heading into the kitchen to see what might be left that was useful (and hoping there were no abandoned dirty dishes), he watched Mojito work out of the corner of his eye.

[sonoftenebrae]

I have no plans yet in motion. [He reassures Ignis quickly.]

But I do plan to remain open to all options. Sometimes, you can better serve those you care about from a distance. If I could remain here and learn more when the others part, I would do so. But it may not be possible. The Sen Devadattans guard their borders strictly, as we've seen.

[poisonwish]

It's almost as if the only right thing to do is to buy them all.

[Snow White bit his thumb nervously.]

But... but I couldn't possibly eat all of it... It's just too much...! I mean, you weren't seriously going to...?