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

[hashtagdaddy]

Wow, this kid went from a possible threat to a simple vagrant to just an adorable kid really fast. Gladio couldn't help but chuckle at Sora's eager and earnest attempt to make up for the whole 'going through his stuff' thing.

"You don't have t'do anything, kid. Your apology and a promise not to do stuff like that again was enough."

Even Noodle seemed to warm up to them, no longer glaring at the two who upset Gladio.

"If you want, kupo... you two can maybe help us make sure this area is safe? Right Gladdy?"

Gladio nodded and elaborated. "Not all of us are comfortable bein' here, for a lot of reasons. So how about you two just keep your eyes and ears open and if you see or hear anything that could mean danger, you let us know?"

[keymemory]

Sora felt a lot better having been given something to do for Gladio. He gave Noodle a short nod and a big grin. He then turned to Nunumu and pulled him up in his arms. “We’re on it!” He rushed down the walkway of the home and out to the sidewalk where he put Nunumu down. He looked right, then left, then pointed toward the right. Then they were off. His intention was to give the place a perimeter check.

He circled the house like a german shepherd, even with a few sniffs here and there, three times before he came up to the front door to deliver his report. He gave the door a soft knock and bounced on his heels.

First of all, the ground around the house was uneven, there wasn’t a lock on the side gate that led into the back door, there was a fence that was only just partially covered with a wall of vines, it looked like one of the windows were open on the second floor, then there was fresh disturbed piles of dirt around the yard. Maybe someone was planting seeds?

[keymemory]

Sora couldn’t help the smile that spread on his lips. Basically that was him in a nutshell! He was glad that even here he didn’t forget how to do that. “Thanks..” But honestly, he really needed this reminder from the other. He needed to remember who he was rather than try and hurry up to find out who he was going to be here.

Sure he will need to figure things out and adapt, but he was getting overworked with not knowing everything right now that it was causing him some distress.

[keymemory]

Um, I might be?

[ Sora’s nose twitches and he takes in a deep breath, holds it, waits for it, and then it fizzles out with a groan as his sneeze was spooked away. Probably the worst feeling ever. ]

Woah! Hey, I’m alright for right now! I mean.. we’re about to eat desserts!

[keymemory]

“Well, he actually gets around the world in one night so like.. he’s a functional round guy? Plus he’s old, like .. super old.. so he’s doing good for his age.” Sora was talking to Angeal on the heels of his feet while his body was tipped backward with each step driving himself back and his hands on Angeal to keep him from falling.

“Anyway, you got some big arms, some big-big-BIG arms! You’d be like .. Santa’s armed guard—“ Get it? Sora laughs at his own joke.

[einspine]

He shakes his head. "BOSS MONSTERS ARE VERY RARE. I BELIEVE MOST OF THEM WERE, ERM... WELL. LET'S JUST SAY WAR IS BAD AND LEAVE IT AT THAT."

But hmm... there is another possibility, but not one he's put too much focus on. Better to think of Santa as Santa! It's more magical that way. "AS I SAID, BOSS MONSTERS ARE THE MOST POWERFUL OF ALL MONSTERS! AND VERY DISTINCT IN THAT THEY ONLY AGE IF THEY HAVE LIVING PARENTS OR LIVING CHILDREN. OTHERWISE, THEY ARE FUNCTIONALLY IMMORTAL."

[acapriciousreaper]

"Functionally immortal. How... nice." Godsdammit no we're not thinking about that those are thoughts from the Bad Old Days.
"So, hypothetically speaking, what mechanism do they make use of to forestall the passage of time? Surely entropy must kick in at some point."
Oh, Kuja.

[hashtagdaddy]

She listened attentively as Sohma spoke about the Empire's iMogs and nodded in agreement - security on any device would be important and it would be silly to buy something from here if the ones outside the Empire had similar (maybe even better?) function and speed.

Plus there was that little glint in his eyes... like he really enjoyed what he spoke about. Noodle liked that glint quite a bit.

"Oh can we look at them together? I don't know a lot about them, kupo, but maybe if you talk about it I'll understand it more!" Noodle positively beamed at him, hoping to learn more and to maybe spend some more time with Sohma.

"Then we can share some of the kupo nuts... i-if you want." Her shyness suddenly burst forth, eyes darting down a bit. Had she been too forward?

"Ah... Uh --" Yup, Noodle was Flustered. And looking around she spotted Gladio viewing the different Moogle beds instead of staying here to help her with this. Now she was entirely on her own.

But it was a good sign that her companion trusted Sohma with her, right? Maybe she was doing good?

[righthandstand]

[Fashion basketballs?! That's sounds right up his alley!]

You wear them? Or is it like a luxury basketball signed by Micheal Jordan you carry around and show off how awesome it is?

[shinra_dog]

[Reno's brow furrowed at first, confused. Then his expression became pensive as it dawned on him what Takeshi was implying.]

You mean... like, the wires...

[Reno wasn't sure exactly which part it was, but none of it was good.]

Do you think the Dream Width is still fuckin' with your head, even down here?

[shinra_dog]

Outer Rim... Galactic Core...?

"Wait, so like -- space? Outer space?" Why hadn't this occurred to Reno before? "You guys actually achieved space travel?"

And space milking, apparently.

[shinra_dog]

Reno's eyebrows rose. "Holy shit, yer right," he realized. "I didn't even remember -- I mean, I'd barely paid attention to those things, and I don't think they were given out every year, the same exact ones...? But yer right. This is basically Starlight from Crystallis."

Sparks and Takeshi seemed pretty convinced that Vaikuntha had somehow been born of Crystallis, either as the original world evolved or an entirely new world created from the essence of Crystallis. It would make sense that traditions such as this would still exist and traces of the original Heroes would still be present.

He took a deep breath. "Well... If the spooky troubles start, I guess we won't be surprised. We'll be ready just in case."

[einspine]

"NOT REALLY. IT'S JUST A PART OF THEIR BIOLOGY! FOR WHATEVER REASON, THEY NEED LIVING PARENTS OR CHILDREN TO AGE, AS THE PARENTS SHARE SOUL ENERGY WITH THEIR CHILDREN." Pausing, he rubs his bony chin and paces just a little. "THEY'RE VERY INTERESTING MONSTERS, HONESTLY. THEIRS ARE THE ONLY MONSTER SOULS THAT CAN PERSIST OUTSIDE THEIR BODIES UPON DEATH- EVEN IF IT'S ONLY FOR A FEW SECONDS. EVEN THEN, A HUMAN'S SOUL CAN PERSIST INDEFINITELY, SO WHATEVER MAGICAL PROWESS WE MONSTERS MAY HAVE, OUR SOULS ARE... SADLY ON A LOWER LEVEL."

[acapriciousreaper]

"Your... souls cease to be upon death? Entirely? That..."

Kuja stares off into space, for a moment, argument about seasonal deities completely forgotten. "That's completely awful."

pretend that last tag didn't randomly have him lose his font :P

[einspine]

"WELL... I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT MEANS AFTER DEATH, TRUTH BE TOLD." He folds his arms, sighing. "BUT, WELL. THEY SAY A MONSTER'S SOUL, LIKE THEIR BODY, BECOMES DUST. WHAT THAT MEANS IN TERMS OF AN AFTERLIFE IS... DEBATABLE."

Ah, this just got heavy. Very, very very heavy. "IT'S MOSTLY BECAUSE WE MONSTERS LACK DETERMINATION. IT'S A SPECIAL COMPONENT IN HUMAN SOULS THAT ALLOWS THEM TO PERSIST SO STRONGLY. WELL... SOME MONSTERS MAY POSSESS IT. MY FRIEND UNDYNE- SHE'S LOADED WITH DETERMINATION! BUT... WELL. IT'S NOT VERY COMMON. AT ALL."

Re: pretend that last tag didn't randomly have him lose his font :P

[acapriciousreaper]

"I... can empathize. Genomes do not truly have souls of their own. It may be theoretically possible that, over time, one may form from residual spiritual energy, but we were... made to be vessels, not agents in our own right. We do not return to the Crystal when we die; we merely... cease."

[einspine]

...Oh.

Papyrus' eye sockets widen, though without the googly trait that often coincides with his surprise. He wrings his hands together, making a slight motion with his head not unlike a gulp. There's a shudder. Because that's... depressing. But it's also not... unfamiliar.

"YOU WERE... SOUL VESSELS, THEN?" That's.

Oh.

Oh wowie...

[acapriciousreaper]

"In a sense, yes. It's all rather complicated, but it's as I said. We were, largely, designed to be self-sufficient and serve the purpose of staying alive and providing a healthy population of vessels until the day we... were needed." He scowls, glaring at the ground. Just the thought of Garland makes bile rise in his throat, his hackles rise-

[einspine]

"THAT'S... HM. BUT WHAT WERE YOU GOING TO BE USED FOR? TO MAKE SO MANY VESSELS..." And ones that clearly have a mind of their own, if Kuja is any indication. He seems very intelligent and not just a fancy meat suit.

But.

Oh.

Perhaps Undyne wasn't wrong to make her vessel something else. Something without a mind. Something without autonomy. Was it wrong for Papyrus to have pursued his path with the experiment?

Surely not! He quite literally made a friend. A friend who could very easily end up helping them break the barrier, but... If he ever learned of his origins, would he be unhappy? Would he suffer a similar fate? He hadn't thought of it that way before.

[acapriciousreaper]

Kuja hesitates, staring at Papyrus. This is... extraordinarily out of character for the shrieking bonebag. Should he say something? Hide it like always?

What's the worst that could happen? Pretty sure he's too innocent to hold it over you.

"The resurrection of Terra," he says, quietly. "A planet that was dead for millennia. My maker was the last... golem, I suppose, created by the Terrans to preserve them and bring them back by any means necessary. He made us, and the rest is a story I'd... rather not talk about in public."

[einspine]

Oh. That's... intense. Possibly noble? He's not sure. Using people as puppets isn't particularly positive. And this is heavy. Getting heavier by the second. Papyrus certainly understands Kuja's apprehension.

So he nods. "SORRY. I REALIZE THIS IS VERY PERSONAL. I WON'T PRESS IT, ALTHOUGH..." And here he hesitates. This is also very personal, but. Well. The subject's already come up. Ish. "I SUPPOSE I'M NOT ENTIRELY UNFAMILIAR WITH THE IDEA OF USING VESSELS FOR SOULS."

[acapriciousreaper]

"Did you ever use sapient creatures as vessels, or think to commit genocide in the course of some nebulous 'master plan'?" His tone is quiet... icy, even. "If not, I doubt I'd have much to say about it."

[4got10]

[Chara can't judge Papyrus for going for the smell of the chocolate. Chocolate is one of the finest things in life. It deserves such a delicate and thorough treatment. Truly, Papyrus already understands what they need to be a chocolate connoisseur.]

Two bites, but chew them really good. A chocolate you don't savor is a chocolate wasted.

[righthandstand]

Don't sweat it, man, I don't think you should be dyin' to eat pudding.

[The waitress takes it ask something serious, but she can't be so sure with the annoyingly loud customer.]

Yes?

This guy's allergic to cats. You got anything to fix that?

Considering the state of our city, every business has medical supplies in stock. [She turns to Sora.] How bad is it?

[keymemory]

[ I mean, his face is sort of melting off. Sora's brows lift and he his eyes look up toward the blurred vision that may be a waiter-? His eyes are swollen. ]

Yeah, it's .. ah bad.. like.. bad.

[ But the admission of having medicine to deal with this? Oh, yes please! He chuckled, wetly. ]
I'd like to have some medicine with my dessert, please.