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

[acceptedlife]

[He catches that, and raises an eyebrow. He'd be the first to say he isn't from Earth; he never heard of it before arriving elsewhere. Yet it isn't, and so it all goes unsaid. Instead, he memorizes that name.]

Until then, Cornelia. [No honorific, at least.]

[thehurricane]

Do I have any reason to use your answer against you? I'm still hoping we can get along, but I'm known to be foolish like that. It'd be our secret.

[There might be just a flicker of something in Legault's eyes. A regret. They don't look quite as scrutinizing for that split moment, but it disappears quickly enough.]

I know a thing or two, but unfortunately I'm a little out of my depth in this world. You can understand that, right?

[thehurricane]

I am. Are you disappointed?

[He sighs, shaking his head like he's a little embarrassed of the secret he'd just shared.]

I'm not a hard worker and I prefer not to put myself in danger. I hope you'll tolerate me all the same.

[thehurricane]

Destroying life and death...trillions of casualties...my, I feel like a fool, letting myself get caught up in this.

[His tone is light; he clearly didn't have much choice in the matter. He'd choose to go back in a heartbeat.]

How do you feel about all of this? You said you were there before, and now you're here again. They aren't giving you a chance to relax at all.

[He's still mulling this information over. For the first time in a long time, he feels at a loss for meaningful words.]

[mythmaker]

I couldn't have done it without you and Wendy. I'm not sure what I expected here...everything felt so different on this stage.

[There are a large number of reasons for that. It's not just the size of the stage or the city, it's...everything. The feel is entirely new in ways she doesn't know how to deal with yet.

She pats the stage next to her, inviting Red to hop up and sit with her.]

What do you think? For an evil empire, this city isn't so bad, is it?

[sullenstallion]

Yeah. You did. It's pretty inconvenient when only half of my body is warm, though. I almost pushed you off and left you on the ground.

[He scoffs like anyone would actually believe him. He hopes someone would believe him. He doesn't want people just coming up and laying on him.] A

I can always treat you worse if you're disappointed. [He crosses his arms, idly looking past Gladio at a stall of small clocks. Nothing too exciting. Probably noisy at the turn of the hour, he thinks to himself.] There's not a lot of market back where I'm from. We had the grocer and the restaurant and the smithy, but not a lot else most of the time.

[immortalmarshal]

Tommy stammers his thanks gratefully towards Benny.

Cor shrugs, despite the tiny smile tugging on his lips. "For the most part. His heart's in the right place, and being willing to help is a good quality. That said, though, he still has a way to go in his training."

[witchwithoutacause]

"...is it?" Now you might be confusing her?

[mech_and_mutt]

It's...

[Unsettling? Creepy? More weighty and smothering than being dragged into a landslide? Something about this place had been getting under his pelt since he first set foot past its borders, and after a while it had practically started to itch. Something that no gorgeous buildings, impressive hardware, or gorgeously-kept 'abandoned' homes could relief.

...yet all it took was a small stage and a friendly smile, and it all evaporated in an instant.]

...I think these people needed someone like you to show up, even if they didn't know it.

They're probably not used to somethin' like this actually comin' from the heart.

[spaceforged]

[His eyes widen at the speed of Keith sweeping him up in a hug. He had decided not to hide what he knew to Keith. He should have expected his best friend to react like this. He wraps his arms around him and presses the side of his face against his. Their hearts are hammering in their chests in a drumming beat like they’re part of the same song.

He turns his head just enough to talk. His voice is soft when it breaks the quiet.] Keith...you saved me.

[He’s tempted to reach up and tangle his fingers in Keith’s dark hair. He doesn’t. That is one step a little too close to a line they could never step back over. He needs to sort himself out. See why he wants to keep Keith closer than they’ve ever been and keeps looking to him like he is just the gravity he moves to.

It doesn’t feel like that big of a shift. They have been caught in each other’s orbit for so long. But. He draws in a breath.]

...I’m still sorting everything out. There’s so much I want to say but my head is still too much of a mess.

[spaceforged]

We need a list of who is a summoner and see what clues we can pull up to send us all towards. We don’t want to run straight into this blindly.

[He nods at the names, knowing the later just enough to recognize her and her work ethic.]

That’s if they want to join this search. I won’t ask anything they don’t want to give. Especially, [He smiles just a bit.] Of another leader. He has to look over his own first.

[righthandstand]

[Okuyasu isn't going to ask a random guy if he's okay. He looks okay.]

No duh, but not everyone in the world knows it's real. Like, people will think it's just a weird plant since magic is supposed to be fake.

[The very real Stray Cat eyes the waiter as Okuyasu follows them to a corner seat by a window. Good. The potted plant has something to look out of.]

I thought letting cats inside cafes was a shitty idea, but it looks like everyone else is havin' fun. [They were barely a thing in 1999, and Okuyasu isn't going to waste precious Internet time looking up news about cats.]

[pidgeypidge]

Oh. This conversation wasn't really going the way she'd expected. "You know what. It probably is."

[balancingedge]

[He really should have, considering everything they've been through both together and then apart. It's maddening to be this close, to feel and know their hearts are beating to the rhythm of the same song. Yet he doesn't act on it. A quiet, almost amused sound leaves him instead. How many times have they had this conversation by now, with the exact same words?]

We saved each other. [He repeats himself. He doesn't mind. Shiro mentioned his head's still a mess; he's just glad he's okay, or at least on the way to being so.

That's enough for him, Keith tries to convince himself. Even though he's realized that he's been caught in Shiro's gravity for some time now.

Keith pulls back just enough to look his best friend in the eye, gaze softer than his usual, but firm.]

If you need time to sort things out, then take it. I'm not going anywhere if I can help it.

[keymemory]

[ That made no sense, but Sora isn't feeling like he's working on 100% capacity at the moment either. So he sits at the table and brings the napkin up to wipe at his nose, eyes, and uses the corners of it to dig into his ears. It just kind of feels like his whole head is leaking. Don't mind him. ]

How can so many cats just... be here, what is the deal? I've never seen so many in my life! It's like, they've taken over this whole city.

[desertbloomed]

How do I feel? [ Ashelia stops walking. She has things to say, but... ]

It...matters not how I feel. It matters not how any of us feels about any of this. The facts are that we are trapped here and none of us will ever return home if we do not fight. I don't intend to stop fighting.

[ Her anger safely locked away, she continues walking again. ] Rest assured, the cause of our being called here will be revealed soon enough. We've not been branded Heroes of Light yet, but if this truly is another cycle, or Crystallis' new form, we're here for the same reason.

awww ;3; hehehe xD

[keymemory]

Wha? No! No! She was smaller, like there'd be no way she could swallow us whole!

[eternitynpcs]

"OF COURSE I SHOULD BE HERE. cough THERE ARE TWO GUILDS I SIMPLY MUST VISIT!"

He gives S'reee a shaky thumbs-up. If there was ever someone to muscle through an allergy in order to learn more about jobs, it would be Ganeshan.

Besides, the cats are so cute! He gives one a scratch on its head and shudders as he tries to stifle another sneeze.

"WHAT WERE YOU HOPING TO ASK THESE LITTLE GUYS?"

[eternitynpcs]

I COULD WHAT?

[Ganeshan looks up, seeking answers from the harpy, but sees him tumbling from his branch. The Zora makes a grab for him, though he's still in a cat-dander haze and not moving at full speed.]

[mythmaker]

[The pause is a little concerning. Azusa's experience is the absolute opposite. Closed border or not, everywhere she turns she finds something to be admired, whether it's in the people, the arts, or everything else.]

I think...these people are hard workers. I'm grateful to them for letting us visit their city. It feels restless here, but it isn't a bad place.

[She smiles sweetly.]

Maybe next time, I'll be on an even bigger stage for them. Will you come visit me then, too?

[thehurricane]

You don't really think that's true, do you? You're no animal—you can't live without feelings, whether you like it or not. Unless you're a certain friend of mine, but even he's been opening up more lately. It's creepy.

[It's his turn to stop walking as he waits for his own reply. Ashelia is too young to feel so cold and cynical, he thinks, but what does he know? He's been killing since he was even younger, and the part of him that has remorse isn't fully formed.]

It's a shame. I'm not much of a fighter. Maybe I should leave all the heavy-lifting to you?

[He smiles. He's probably kidding.]

[promiselisting]

Heh, fair enough. Knowing Ren, he’ll probably want to help though. He was always doing stuff like that back home.

[ She doesn’t know how he did it honestly. Then again after a couple hours helping out at LeBlanc would leave her ready to be done with people for the day. Or the month. Not Ren though. ]

He just... wants to help people. He almost brought in more names than Mishima-

[ She pauses, realizing something. ]

You don’t... know what we do yet, do you?

[ She never got to explain before. Then again now may end up not being the best of timing either... ]

[singerofspells]

"I live down in Ka'Pandol, since they build cities where I don't have to levitate. But I don't much care about the kind of water as long as it is from the sea." If she had to, S'reee could tolerate freshwater for short periods, but she sunk more in it, and had to watch that she ate enough salt.

[singerofspells]

"The feline wizards on my Earth are the ones to talk to if you want a worldgate off-planet," S'reee said. "At least for energy efficiency: they have an affinity for that sort of wizardry. They run most of the transit for wizards on Earth, especially for those who can travel on land." Truthfully, there wasn't the sort of concentration of minds that made natural worldgates in the ocean: land-dwellers were far more likely to be sedentary.

[twomeals]

[Oh no, he stares at everything pretty intently these days. Bird eyes and all. Yue laughs lightly, as he playfully squishes the thing in his claws.]

Mm, it would make a pretty good pillow, huh? It's nice and soft.

[Is it just him, or does this kid seem sort of unsure? Oh well, he's used to that. His own smile stays fixed on his face as he holds out the tomato.]

Do you want to try? Holding it, I mean.