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

Salieri | open

[aethereally]

[Blitzball - 19th]
[Salieri was generally indifferent about sports, but he has never stopped to actually watch a blitzball game. Now he's found himself enthralled in this sport and the absurdity of it. Being a non-human creature in reality, living in a world full of magic, something like this shouldn't be so impressive. But here were these athletes giving it there all without any magical aide. It was pretty impressive, even if he didn't really understand everything going on.]

Oh-- Ohh! That was-- that was a goal, right? He scored?


[Shopping - 21st]
[Ever so slowly, Salieri was beginning to delve into the fashion of this world. Mostly due to necessity, since he can't just wear his one suit all the time, and he can't afford to get new ones made on his meager salary. Plus, he needs something nice to wear to meet the Empress, though nothing here seems quite right to him. While reluctant to try something new, he's confident in his choices. Yours, however... he just can't help himself on critiquing.]

You know you could pick a much better color than that, correct?


[Parasraya - 24th]
[A city full of cats sure sounds like a fun place to visit. Salieri was also looking for a pet since moving to his new apartment alone in Hisan City. He's never had a pet before, and some company sounded great. Surely this city with its surplus of felines could afford to part with one for his sake?

In order to entice some cats his way, Salieri had bought a packet of treats and brought it with him. What he didn't know what that the swarms of cats were not exaggerated, and he doesn't realize what he's got himself into. He barely has the packet open when the cats catch the sent, and dash his way. They completely overwhelm the small man much faster than he was expecting, and there's a tiny yell from him as he trips over backwards, and is covered by cats before he's barely landed on the ground.]

No, this is too much--! Someone, help!

Shopping

[righthandstand]

[Hey, this suit doesn't have two colors, it's all orange. Neon colors are stylish! Okuyasu glares at Salieri, gripping the edges of the outfit tightly.]

What's your problem?

[aethereally]

[Salieri looks at Okuyasu with genuine concern. Though it might seem that way, he's not being snooty or catty. Salieri finds himself more intimidated by that glare than he expected, but he addresses Okuyasu with a hand over his own heart to prove his sincerity.]

Me? I have no problem. While I applaud your choice of such a bold color, I have to be honest with you in that it doesn't suit your complexion at all.

[righthandstand]

[Coming from a stranger, that still sounds like an insult, Salieri is on thin ice. Dumb asshole in an expensive suit.]

Really? 'Cause I think my fist would look just as great on your face.

[Someone stop him from getting into a fight in public.]

[aethereally]

[Normally Salieri is hard to shake, but without his ability to shift into his natural and incorporeal state, he had to learn to take threats like this a little more seriously. But at the same time, he was just disappointed that this young man wasn't receptive to help.]

Come now, I don't mean to insult you. It's something I honestly like helping with. Don't take it as an attack on your personal style.

[Are you really going to fight this guy, Okuyasu? He's about 5'5" and 120 pounds.]

[righthandstand]

[He'll fight anyone who's pissing him off, and Josuke isn't here to stop him.]

Oh, yeah? Then what do you mean my talking shit about my style? [A nearby customer jerks their head at him.]

[aethereally]

[Salieri looks at him flatly, folding his arms.] I was doing no such thing. I just said it wasn't a personal attack, didn't I? But I certainly think you want to take it that way. I hate to tell you, but I'm not going to give you the fight you're looking for.

[Oh, good, someone's witnessing this. Saleri regards the nearby customer with only his eyes, for a moment.]

And now you're starting to make a scene.

[righthandstand]

[A scene. He's being an idiot in public. Okuyasu looks around, feeling the humiliation pile up with each annoyed bystander. Salieri needs to be punched, but now he's kind of stuck.

Damn, where's Josuke and Koichi to help him out in situations like this?]

I don't go around tellin' people I don't like they way they look. [His hands slowly move to his sides. He's not going to back down...too much, but if he escalates this, he'll be the one in trouble.]

[aethereally]

I never said that, either. [Seeing Okuyasu relax a little, Salieri bites back the next thing he was planning on saying.]

My guess is you answer people more with your fists before anything else. That never works out well for anyone in the long run.

Shopping

[chatwithdeath]

[Eyeing the individual speaking to her, Naomi doesn't say a word. Black attire was her go-to these days. As well, it seemed anything that might near her size was only black. Still, she'll choose to stare at this man with four eyes while the others will stay on her current attire choice.]

... And? Do you have another suggestion?

[aethereally]

[Salieri smiles coyly.]

Of course I do! See, with your complexion, black isn't actually a bad choice. But all black? You'll just slip into the background that way. You should get some of the accessories in something eye-catching. For you, I'm thinking... [A beat, while he thinks.] Blue. A nice, bright, cerulean blue. Shoes, belt, and hat, that would be perfect.

[chatwithdeath]

... Shoes.

[So, he's a comedian.]

That's an idea... if I wanted to stand out. However, I don't intend on doing so.

[aethereally]

Okay, maybe not shoes. Force of habit in mentioning those. But there are plenty of other things!

[Hmm, a demure lady, then.]

Alright, there are plenty of other more subtle colors to go with. The good ting about black is that it goes with anything. How about a deep green or red?

[chatwithdeath]

[Force of habit... Well, depending on how the rest of their conversation goes, they would see.]

Red would be more preferable.

[aethereally]

I had a feeling. And personally, it's my favorite as well. [That part was probably obvious, though.]

If you like, I can help you pick out something.

[chatwithdeath]

[Eyeing him still, she doesn't really need him to help her. Honestly, never had someone's opinion cared less... but she would entertain him to see what he might select. It could spare time.]

Alright. What do you recommend?

[aethereally]

[He clasps his hands together and smiles, pleased as punch.]

How about we find a hat? They're very underrated here, you know. Where I'm from, you'd never, ever leave the house without one! I was shocked when I arrived here over how informally people normally dressed.

[After looking over the store's meager selection of dressy hats, Salieri picks out a black one with deep red flowers. He looks it over and compares it to Naomi's dress before giving it an approving nod.]

Here! Try this.

Shopping

[eternitynpcs]

[Ganeshan freezes, the lacy blue cravat halfway to his neck. He does not typically wear many clothes, so he's a little lost when it comes to what to wear for their Imperial Audience later on.]

IS IT TOO BOLD A COLOR FOR ME?

[He looks dismayed at the thought.]

[aethereally]

My friend, there is no such thing as too bold a color. In your case? It... blends in a little too much.

[Seriously. You're blue, and you want to wear blue? No way.]

Have you considered something warmer in tone?

[eternitynpcs]

AH, THAT MAKES PERFECT SENSE. YOU ARE BRILLIANT!

[He flashes Salieri a smile.]

BOLD IT IS, THEN!

[He finds an outlandishly ruffled orange cravat to replace the blue one. Is this fashion?]

[aethereally]

[Salieri smiles back earnestly.]

Yes, excellent! You know, not many people here have such fancy taste. It's nice to see someone who can appreciate the finer things. Orange might also be a good choice for you too, as well. Have you considered a hat?

[eternitynpcs]

[Ganeshan's eyes go wide with excitement. A hat? No, he had never considered so daring a fashion statement. They were not practical when swimming, so back home in Ka'Pandol, most people didn't bother.]

DO YOU THINK I COULD FIND A HAT TO FIT ME? I DO NOT KNOW IF HABERDASHERS NORMALLY DESIGN FOR HEAD-FINS.

[Does he dare get his hopes up?]

[aethereally]

That's a good question. There has to be one around that does, yes? Or can. If not, I feel like I smell a new business opportunity.

[Salieri may know a fashionable hat when he sees one, but he doesn't know much about actually making them.]

Honestly, the lack of hats in this world is almost appalling. Custom here or not, I'm not ever leaving the house without mine.

[eternitynpcs]

I HAVE NOT MET ENOUGH LOCAL ZORAS YET TO GAUGE THEIR FASHION TRENDS. THERE MAY NOT BE A HIGH DEMAND FOR THEM.[He says it regretfully, though it's probably pretty clear that he's clueless about fashion in general, so who knows.]

IF YOU FEEL SO STRONGLY ABOUT HEADWEAR, YOU SHOULD GO TO ARDYNIA. I HEAR THEY ARE FAMOUS FOR THEIR...WHAT DO THEY CALL THEM?...AH, FEDORAS.

[aethereally]

Oh, yes! I saw those. The adventurer hats. They're a little on the large side, if you ask me. But good for the adventuring type, I suppose. Keeping the sun and rain out of your face. Good for that, but I'm not sure about more formal events.

[Salieri, on the other hand, has a whole lot to say about fashion.]

Maybe I'm wrong, though. As far as clothing goes, things here are radically different from my own home, I may not know what others consider to be good fashion sense here.