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

[twomeals]

He laughs a bit too, if slightly awkwardly. What's a CD? "I didn't really do any magic back home...I knew some people who could though."

He wasn't exactly useful, once upon a time.

"I can do everything myself with the jobs here, though! Fire and ice and all that stuff."

[toxicodendron_isley]

Ivy waits and listens respectfully to Bonnie's tale, waiting until the pauses in her narration to ask simple questions, not wanting to derail her too much or get lost in the nitty gritty.

"That's quite the tale."

She spares the still sleeping Moogle on her lap a glance. "So, you returned with your friend to her home? How interesting...

And you believe your actions in that world created this one?"

(ooc: Sounds good!)

[righthandstand]

Oooh...you're allergic?

[Okuyasu has never met someone who was allergic to cats. It's kind of sad.]

I think there's medicine for that. We can ask the waitress! [He gets up from his chair and shouts] Yo! Waiter! This guy needs help!

[righthandstand]

[A moment while Okuyasu thinks about what shirt Papyrus is referring to.]

The one that says "Cool Dude"? It's got good lettering.

[princeandscholar]

[No longer quite so concerned with getting sticky, the boy has tucked in, pulling off tufts to enjoy. It feels so different than any dessert he has ever had; it’s kind of fun to eat!]

It’s sweet, but not overwhelming. Like whipped cream or… syrup over ice. But I’ve never tasted anything like this. Maybe it’s a specialty here?

[4got10]

[Chara puts a hand over their face, 'hmmming' for a minute.]

If I had to say, I think about this much

[And Chara brings their thumb and forefinger apart from each other to show about the size of a kit kat bar.]

is a good place to start.

[promiselisting]

That's... not entirely what she meant? Though if it works for Naoto, then... that's really what matters. Plus it would be pretty hard for someone to steal.

Following in parents' footsteps though. That's a topic to get her thinking. Especially today.

Rather than say any of this aloud, though, she settles with, "You'll get there."

There's a moment's pause, and then she adds, "Have you heard of Medjed at all, in your time period?"

[pishirogane]

"Hopefully..." It'd be nice, but she'd rather leave the title with her Grandfather until he was ready to retire himself.

Raising an eyebrow at the question, Naoto shook her head. "No, I haven't."

[kuposcreed]

Under most normal circumstances Marinette's worries about the fate of Saint Nick would be nothing to consider, but this close to the Night of Thirteen Moogles, or whatever this world may call it, who can possibly say for sure.

"I, uh, yeah, mostly, kupo. I'm..." She paused. She didn't want to admit to it, but she'd been caught and she just didn't have the energy at the moment to lie about it. Not with the cheer around her. Besides, Marinette had gone out of her way to speak to her and deserved to have her kindness taken seriously. "I'm just feeling a little homesick, kupo. We had a town like this one back on Crystallis...I hope everyone is doing alright, kupo."

[strawberryredgrave]

The zora nods.

"It's been closed off for a while. No clue what has them opening their doors again, but it's gotta be something big."

Dante sits up, offering Sora a reassuring nod.

"My suggestion, Sora? Take things one step at a time. It ain't easy learning a whole new world and you're not gonna get all that in your head that quickly. You seem more like the kind of kid who listens to your heart anyway, so just give it a little time, yeah?"

[kuposcreed]

"Well, not my actions, kupo. Their actions...but I did help, a little.I mean, as much as I could as a helper moogle. Like when they vanished I did my best to keep Mary's allies from giving up on her coming back, kupo."

She wiggles a bit in thought. She's sure that if Mary and Saori are aware that she and Kenichi are missing they're doing everything they can to find them. It's just hard waiting.

"But if my world's Heroes were able to make so much of a difference then I'm going to try my best too, kupo."

[toxicodendron_isley]

"I see." That was certainly a lot to process and think about.

"Well, then, I suppose I better wish you luck on your endeavors."

[kuposcreed]

"Thankupo. And what about you? Is there something you hope to do here, kupo? Some dream you have on your mind?"

[einspine]

He's still pouting. Yes, skeletons can somehow pout without lips. It's all in the wrinkle in the brow and the slight sagging of the cheekbones. "I KNOW HE EXISTS BECAUSE I'VE MET HIM! WE'VE BEEN IN CONTACT SINCE I WAS VERY YOUNG. I EVEN GOT TO HELP HIM GIVE OUT PRESENTS TO THE MONSTERS OF SNOWDIN ONCE!!!

AND ALSO, HE WOULDN'T BEAT PEOPLE WITH A SPOON. THAT'S JUST PLAIN RUDE!"

Coal is acceptable because it doesn't hurt anyone. Unless it's thrown. But Santa doesn't throw things at people.

[einspine]

WELL, OF COURSE! DESTRUCTION SHOULD BE SAVED FOR... WELL. FLASHY SPECIAL EFFECTS. PRETEND DESTRUCTION WITH ALL THE FLASH BUT NONE OF THE COLLATERAL.

[Except when Mettaton wants actual explosions for authenticity. That happens sometimes. Though generally no one gets hurt, and he's invulnerable, anyway. Ah, the joys of being a robot.]

I SUPPOSE THE REAL ISSUE IS WHAT IS UNCOVERED AND WHO FINDS IT. HOW SOMETHING IS USED ALSO IS A FACTOR, I SUPPOSE. NEVER MIND THAT A SKILLED MECHANIC COULD FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE THE VERY NATURE OF MACHINES TO SUIT THEIR DESIRED GOALS.

[einspine]

OH! THAT'S... A PERFECTLY REASONABLE PROPORTION. IF SMALL. HMM...

[Well! He's going to... grab a sample, then. But instead of just eating it, he lifts it up, adjusts the angle, gives it a... sniff?

Maybe.

He has no nose. It's hard to tell.

What a loser.]

HRMMM... BUT DO I DOWN IT ALL IN ONE BITE OR TAKE SMALLER NIBBLES? WHAT IS THE ULTIMATE METHOD TO MAXIMIZE THE POWER FROM SUCH A PORTION?

[shinra_dog]

"Mm-hmm." Reno nodded. She looked familiar to him, too, though he couldn't remember anywhere specific that he might have seen her. At the Curti Center? Probably. He vaguely thought he might have seen her around at Lake Ira, too, but she hadn't been in his group.

"I guess that means you'll be goin' to that dinner with the Empress?" Honestly, anyone who didn't go was just being irresponsible and complacent as far as Reno was concerned. If there was any more information they could get about this world, about potentially leaving it, then they should find out.

[twomeals]

Whipped cream? [That sounds sort of familiar, but has he tried it before? Oh well.]

I don't think it's a specialty...they had it where I used to live before, too. [But now that he mentions it--] Do you think this place has any tasty specialties? Maybe we can find it here!

[einspine]

NYEH HEH!!! CORRECT. I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, TOOK GREAT PAINS TO ENSURE THE LETTERING ENCAPSULATED THE VERY FEELING OF COOL. ONE LOOK, AND YOU'D BE CAPTIVATED!

[Oh, he's just beaming at the praise. Well, he's taking it as praise, anyway.]

BUT! WHILE THAT SHIRT IS FOR VERY IMPORTANT DATE TYPE THINGS, I COULD ALWAYS CONSIDER MAKING MORE. JUST IN CASE.

IT'S VERY ROMANTIC. ESPECIALLY WITH FASHION BASKETBALLS!

[acapriciousreaper]

Kuja raises an eyebrow. "How do you know it was the mythical being 'Santa Claus', and not merely someone in a costume pretending?"

[promiselisting]

"Yeah. I'm gonna hate it though," she groans, with the air of one contemplating a bowl of liver. Lots of being fancy and formal and crowds. Good god the crowds that are likely to happen.

But there's too much at stake here, too much information they could miss if they didn't. Plus, if anything went sour, she knew she needed to be there for her friends. There wasn't even an option, really. "You too, then?" It's half a question and half not.

[einspine]

BECAUSE EVERYONE KNOWS IT'S SANTA!!! HE IS HIGHLY REVERED, ESPECIALLY IN SNOWDIN! AND ALSO, HE HAD A MAJESTIC BEARD. He raises his finger. "POWERFUL HORNS! A BIG BELLY THAT JIGGLED LIKE JELLY. AND. AND!!!"

Both his hands ball up from the sheer passion and excitement. "HE WAS CLEARLY A BOSS MONSTER! THE STRONGEST OF ALL MONSTER SPECIES, ERGO, IT'S ONLY FITTING THAT HE WAS OUR GIFT-GIVING GENTLEGOAT!"

[acapriciousreaper]

Kuja is unimpressed. "I don't suppose you know of anybody else who happens to meet that exact same description? Pardon me if I find this all rather hard to believe."

[shinra_dog]

Reno laughed. "Not big on fancy shit, huh?" He took a guess; he felt the same way.

Shaking his head, he admitted with a grin, "I used ta' hate those kinds a' stuffy formal things. So not my scene, yo. Like, holdin' back from chewin' yer own arm off 'til you can finally escape sorta shit."

In retrospect, he almost missed it now, but only because it meant he'd be with Rufus and the others.

"At least we'll be in it together." Knowing someone else was sympathetic as well as stuck there with him was helpful.

[promiselisting]

Good guess. Futaba grumps a bit, folding her arms and leaning against the railing. "Not really. Crowds... aren't really my thing either." Honestly the crowds was the bigger one. Too many strangers.

Misery does love company though, and she grins a bit. There's not any mirth behind it but. Perhaps a bit of comfort.

"Yeah. At least that," she sighed, "... Futaba." Might as well let each other know who they were gonna be stuck with.