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

OTA

[modelcivilian]

[Sunny Starlight]

And he thought it was strange having the small Christmas celebration a while back around the Curti Center - this was just Christmas. Trees, garland, fairy lights as far as the eye can see accompanied by so many Santa Clauses and carols being sung throughout. If he knew this might be a thing, perhaps he would've brought his own gifts to give out - that always felt night.

... Was wasn't so much was the few dolls he had come to receive. Don't get him wrong, they were surprisingly cute, the Jenova one was just a head and the other one kept telling him to 'Cry'. He was feeling extremely uncomfortable and the jovial air around was not doing anything. Help?

[Mognet Exposition]

"Blanc? Blanc, where are you?"

This wasn't good. Learning about Moogles seemed like a good idea from the start too, but among the moogles, his own had decided to go off somewhere. And while that wouldn't be a problem normally, he at least needed his iMog slate back so it could be on hand.

But which flying cotton ball was his ruffled grump? This was going to be a long day...

[The Opera]

Adrien... doesn't know what to make of the performance. He doesn't know enough about the characters, but from what they had uncovered, the show could simply be another dramatic reenactment of a historical event... but that raised further question. Did this mean the Empire might know more about Crystallis than the rest of Vaikuntha might like them to know?

A world without life and death, huh?

That aside, it's still a beautiful performance... makes him miss home more.

[Parasraya Discovery]

... This was heaven, right?

A city covered in cats that weren't frightened ferals and just wanted all the pets? Why yes; yes he would like to indulge in these cute cats. In fact, he might stay there far too long if someone doesn't get the twenty or so cats that have decided to swarm him. Plagg shifted indignantly in his pocket of course, but he couldn't deny them.

In fact... some of these kittens looked a little thin. There'd be no harm in taking them somewhere to get properly looked at... right?

[WILDCARD]

[OOC: As usual, the open option for any prompts I didn't hit. Especially didn't do housing because I... didn't really plan on who he would be temporarily housing with during the visit. Well, we can work things out! Hit me up on plurk or discord!]

sunny starlight

[zanarkandian]

Tidus was just minding his business, smiling at the Starlight spirit and all the happy kids. Didn't they just celebrate this not even a month ago? Huh. Anyway, he was passing through the crowd when he heard a tinny voice that was slightly familiar.

"Huh?"

He turned his head and found someone from their group, holding a very creepy headless doll, as well as one that was very familiar. He shook his head and wandered over, trying his best to sound casual.

"Hey, where'd you get those?"

[modelcivilian]

Turning, Adrien recognized Tidus, but only really through the Mognet posts. Also, he had been friends with Rikku; but it still took him a moment to answer.

"Uh... they were giving presents out to kids, and these two were... part of them."

He doesn't know which bothered him more. One being a head that didn't talk at all, or the doll that did talk, but didn't really say anything more than its repeated line. What did it mean?

[zanarkandian]

Tidus leaned in to look at them, then lowered his voice.

"I'm starting to think this place is really creepy," he said, though that comment strangely seemed to be directed more at the humanoid doll than the alien head.

"Why would they give you a doll of my old man?"

Mognet Exposition

[4got10]

Hanging about the moogles had, for the most part, seemed like a good time to Chara. They seemed familiar and comfortable to them, which considering the tumult of being thrown into a new world was at least somewhat helpful. Telling the moogles apart from one another wasn't difficult for them either; it helped that their own moogle seemed to sport a pretty sizable beard.

It doesn't seem like everyone had the same eye. The child comes over to Adrian, their moogle following behind. "Hey there, partner. You need some help?"

[modelcivilian]

Turning, for a moment, Frisk came to mind, but a double take and he realized he wasn't looking at Frisk. Instead, it was someone he hadn't met; maybe a new arrival?

Adrien sighed. "I think so. My moogle, Blanc, I don't have any idea where he went. And with all the moogle treats being passed around, he could be anywhere."

[4got10]

"That seems like a problem indeed my young friend,kupo!" says Chara's moogle. Their kupo is a strong and hearty kupo, almost bigger than the little creature itself.

Chara tilts their head a little. "What do they look like? We could probably help you sniff them out."

sunlight

[sullenstallion]

How old do I look to you?

[Dylas doesn't recognize Adrien from anywhere, but that hardly matters. These gift-giving Moogles took one look at him, were fearful to exclude him when they couldn't guess his age, and shoved an ugly doll at him. He's not anywhere close to fifteen, not even in snake years. Whatever those are.

He squeezes it and "You are no longer of any use to me!" is spoken by the doll. Dylas winces.]

I hate this thing. It's creepy. If I threw it away, it'd probably show up at the foot of my bed.

[modelcivilian]

[Adrien wasn't sure what to expect when he turned, but it wasn't a snake person. There's the initial jolt in his system, but... if they were going to be a problem, someone probably would've done something early.]

... How old?

[And then the talking doll caught his attention. Staring at it, he'd seen a few kids with that one. But this snake man had one.]

Huh... I mean, you don't look that old, but I wouldn't say you're around my age. [And he chuckled nervously.] Right? There's something unsettling about these toys.

[sullenstallion]

[He narrows his eyes at the Queen Brahne doll after that answer. He wants to throw it away, but there's always the nagging thought that Yue might enjoy it. Dammit.]

Anyone can tell I'm too old to be getting a toy like I'm a kid. [Adrien answering like that wins him a few points.] Is this what kids are into these days? Possessed doll that look like they crawled out of a dumpster?

Re: OTA

[conanima]

Kaede was just staring at the Jecht one with a massive frown on her face.

"Uh....I'm not sure I get the point of that one." Was this really supposed to be cute?

[modelcivilian]

"I'm not sure either."

The button eyes and general 'chibi' appearance are cute, but the doll was still unsettling. "... Think someone would trade?"

[conanima]

"I....guess.......maybe...." It might have been a little adorable if it weren't for the sounds it was making. "....I think I'll pass though. But maybe I could find someone who might like it......maybe?" She couldn't think who though.

Parasraya Discovery

[arosetowar]

Cornelia had seen Adrien earlier on the way to one of the guilds but thought nothing of him indulging the cats. It's seeing him still there while en route back to the housing district that she cocks her brow a bit and makes her way over to the kitty pile.

"You're spoiling them." Her tone is friendly enough; she isn't judging, or scolding, or anything of that nature. Just observing.

[modelcivilian]

"I know, but it's so hard not to. Look at them...!"

He really is just a kid playing with so many cats, touching the toe beans that he can, and scratching behind all the ears. He holds one cat up in particular of fair fur and the smokiest gray color points against cream fluff.

[arosetowar]

"It seems impossible to look away." Not because of the magnetic force of cuteness, mind, (though it is a factor) but rather because short of looking straight into the sun, she has yet to escape the sight of them.

Though now she's looking at just the one he's holding up, her brow quirked and her head slightly tilted, unsure if he means for her to take it from him or take in its adorableness.

"Is that one special?

Parasraya

[changelingdude]

"Good kitties, nice kitties...ack!"

There appears to be a swarming mass of cats that is supported by two scrawny legs slowly tottering it's way towards Adrien. A moogle is hovering around overhead but not coming down any closer because it appears the cats at the top of the walking pile are trying to reach for her pom pom. She's snickering but keeping her distance.

"Melody are we going the right way? I can't see!"

[modelcivilian]

Talk about walking hairballs, Adrien and his pile of cats stop to watch the tangled ball of cats supported by thin legs try skittering past. The moogle overhead - Melody apparently - isn't helping whoever's inside.

"Where you guys headed?"

[changelingdude]

"Food I guess?" The Moogle commented and from inside the mass of cats the first voice calls to clarify.

"These cats are homeless dude! I figured I'd take them to where all of the new arrivals were and see if we can't find them some new owners or at least a bite to eat."

The Moogle just shrugged her shoulders at the plan "We just got turned around is all. We've never been here after all. And I'm still trying to figure out how we're gonna get people to adopt these guys."

"Who wouldn't want to adopt them? Look at them! They're adorable!"

The Opera

[eternitynpc]

[ As the opera took place, there was a woman seated next to Adrien. She remained silent the entire time, unmoving and staring at the story unfolded before their eyes. The dress she was wearing was very elegant and looked quite expensive— If only based on the way she was dressed, it was safe to assume she was either quite rich or important. That or she was a noble.

Regardless, when the Opera came to a conclusion, she slowly shifted her head to the side, glancing at the boy. ]

You are quite young... What did you think of this?

[modelcivilian]

[He had seen her from the corner of his eye, but he definitely didn't intend on disturbing her. She was someone by appearance, but who exactly was the unknown. Either way, she came to see the opera among the festival.]

[That couldn't be a bad thing, right?]

I enjoyed it. It was an interesting rendition for an opera.

[But operas didn't have to be totally 100% accurate so he'd again take it with a grain of salt.]

Parasraya

[chefbayardee]

[ Hunk is in no position to help Adrien with his swarm problem. See, that's because he's already cradling a large, fluffy cat in his own arms. He's even baby-talking it! ]

You're gonna be a fantastic addition to the house, yes you are! [ He switches to holding the cat with one arm, and just starts petting its head. ] You're just so nice and calm and cuddly and nobody's even gonna notice and-

[ He looks up, and just sees Adrien, surrounded by an admittedly uncomfortable amount of cats. This could be a problem. The baby-talk stops, but the cat in his arm just shifts, nuzzling its head against his arm as if to say "I was here first, Hunk." ] Adrien? Are you... are you okay?

[modelcivilian]

[Adrien was up at the sound of his name, blinking from the swarm of cats covering him.]

Oh, hey, Hunk!

[Managing to pull an arm away, he waves, grinning still.]

I'm fine. Why do you ask?

Mognet Expo

[kuposcreed]

There was a small crowd of moogles gathered and the focus of their attention was...not his moogle and not Bonnie either. While Bonnie was checking out a nearby booth, Kuvon decided to take a moment to practice. While the eccentricity of moogles was nothing new, least of all to themselves, the sight of a moogle in dance tights practicing ballet while he waited still ranked particularly curiously.

Nearing the end of his practice routine, the moogle leaped, twirled and landed deftly, trying to keep a stern and confident expression through the soft pattering of applauding paws.

[modelcivilian]

Blanc wouldn't make himself the center of any crowd if he could avoid it, but he does take a moment to look over. Not every day that someone sees a moogle in dance tights practicing ballet. But, there wasn't a moment to stop.

"Blanc?"

He might not be in the center of the crowd, but he could be among it maybe?