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

[shinra_dog]

Sunny Starlight

Dolls that glorified villains? That’s what it seemed like. Reno didn’t recognize most of them, but hearing Sephiroth’s recorded words from children in the streets set his teeth on edge. ”You are a puppet.” ”Shall I give you despair?” He hadn’t heard that tone from the silver-haired SOLDIER in years -- not since Sephiroth had become a Hero of Light.

”You are a puppet.”

What the fuck?

Whether or not he was conscious of it, Reno’s lip had curled and his nose wrinkled with disgust. “These are really shitty toys, yo.”

Midnight Airship

Reno sighed as he leaned his forearms on the railing, looking out over the cities, the empire’s lights looking like their own set of stars fallen to to the ground. He never felt more relaxed than when he was in the air like this. It was as close as he ever expected to get to heaven.

In all honesty, it was a good vantage point for work, too. Even though it was dark, riding the Midnight Airship let Reno’s eyes adjust to how the land would look in the shadows. Each grand building, each rolling hill took on a different form in the night and Reno intended to know both. Work or no, Reno was happy to touch the sky and he wore a gentle smile as he looked to see who joined him at the rail.

Housing

It was like a stone settling in the pit of his stomach. Reno knew these houses, though logic would tell him it couldn’t be the same. Past experience, however, argued differently. Either way he had to force himself to walk these streets, one foot heavy in front of the other, limbs like lead. Until, with little recollection of how he got there, he stood in front of his assigned door. His mouth was dry and his lungs refused to breathe, hand trembling somewhat as he held the key.

This had been his home.

Ardynia

A place named after Ardyn? Yeah, Reno was there. He intended to investigate every nook and cranny while he could, too. Anything associated with that traitor was just as suspect in Reno’s eyes... as normal as everything around him seemed to be. He tried not to let his distrust show. The best way to get information was to get others talking -- so that’s what he did. With his usual charming (and occasionally flirtatious) nature, Reno was chatting up the locals: where the best deals were, if anyone famous came out of the guilds there, latest gossip and current political events. He made sure to avoid the ugly fedoras.

Parasraya

Reno fully intended to investigate Parasraya as well. The villainous toys, cities named for traitors -- in fact, Vaikuntha’s own “Goddess of Death” in this case -- had only further convinced Reno that the Empire was an enemy. He’d already expected as much before leaving Sparks Golsaucia.

What he hadn’t expected were all the cats.

“Agh... c’mon...” Meow... myah... nyan... They were everywhere, all underfoot and loud and in the way. Reno didn’t want to step on them or kick them, but it was so inconvenient. “Damn, what the hell is going on?”

The further into the city he got, the harder it became to keep walking -- not only because he was physically hindered but because all the critters were so... infuriatingly... cute. Reno grit his teeth and tried to keep going. He’d had a cat already, perhaps the most important cat he’d ever loved in his life, his Zodiac lover, his Kyo. Then the kitten he’d been given by Terra... Both were gone now. Reno wasn’t sure he was ready for another.

The choice, it would seem, was not entirely up to him. Just when Reno thought he’d escaped, he felt a stubborn tug on his coat. He turned to look over his shoulder but there was no one grabbing at him... and the weight mysteriously followed the curve of his turn. Likewise followed by a tail. Reno sighed and pulled the length of his coat back around, ready to pluck off whatever cat was begging for food. At least until he saw not one begging cat, but a kitten -- thoroughly embedded in the fibers of his mantle -- and what he assumed was its sibling, likewise connected by biting onto the first kitten’s tail.

Two. Peeping. Kittens. “Oh no...” It was all over.

Housing

[angealwings]

Angeal may not be up to his usual self, and he might still be too distracted trying to decide what he was doing at all, but he wasn't blind. Even with the years in the interim, he still knew the way Reno moved - and a heavy step like this was not it.

He waited until they were inside and the door safely closed before asking, quietly, "what's wrong?"

Not 'are you all right' - that was not really an option the moment the Turk's hand had been trembling. But he couldn't help unless he knew what was happening.

[shinra_dog]

Reno took a deep breath. He'd invited Angeal to come with him, after all -- not just here to the Empire, but out of the Dream Width. If they were going to get anywhere, he needed to be honest. And maybe if Angeal knew, it would be easier for Reno and Johnny to bear.

"It's a little hard to explain. But remember how I said this was a different world? An' I'd been to a couple of 'em?" he began.

[angealwings]

Ah. Well, at least he wasn't imagining things. Then again, if the nervousness was showing on a Turk, it was probably pretty big. And likely important.

"I remember." He nodded, eyes attentive.

Angeal did not trust himself to be particularly a great support. But he was going to try.

[shinra_dog]

"Well." Reno shrugged and gestured up at the house. "This is where we lived. Me an' Johnny. On the last world."

He stared at the number on the door, the layout of the building. He could hope it was a strange coincidence and that once he opened the door it would be completely different, but the feeling in his gut wouldn't let up. He didn't believe in coincidences anymore.

He barked out a laugh, incredulous. "I mean, I know it can't be the same, or it shouldn't be, but I know this place."

Parasraya

[failtsuninari]

"They got you too, huh?" Kenichi couldn't help but chuckle when he saw Reno. A long-fur black cat poked its head out from his messenger bag. The one green eye looked at them before it yawned. On top of said adult cat, a smaller black kitten curled up asleep.

"Need a hand getting them out of your coat?"

[shinra_dog]

"Nngh..." Two pairs of little eyes stared up at him. Reno should leave them, he knew. Could he even take care of anything else right now? He had so much to do with the guild...

"Mya~ !"

Fuck. "I might," Reno sighed. "But I think they'll be staying with me regardless."

[failtsuninari]

"Alright. Give me a second," Kenichi gave a nod as he carefully placed his cat carrying bag down. The pair watched as their owner moved around to the back of Reno's coat where the little troublemakers were. He slid his hand under to hold one of them as he carefully extracted the tiny claws from the material.

"Easy, little one, I'm only trying to help you," he reassured the kitten as placed them back on the ground.

"You know, the cats have given me an idea that might bring funds to the Brotherhood," Kenichi mentioned ever so casually as he started to work on extracting the second one. "Ever heard of animal cafes?"

[shinra_dog]

The cats cried as they were removed, however gentle Kenichi was. And each time he had extracted one and placed it on the ground, the other had already entangled itself again like a cleverly choreographed slapstick routine.

"Gods..." Reno muttered. He couldn't even really be frustrated though, since they were still so cute. He twisted awkwardly again to assist Kenichi, dumping one cat and then another into his own bag. He was resigned to his fate now, and the cats seemed satisfied.

"You mean like... hff," Reno grunted halfway through his statement as he fought with tiny paws. "Cat cafes?"

He smirked, having a feeling about where this was going.

Starlight

[kuposcreed]

Bonnie fluttered up, peering over Reno's shoulder at the doll he was focused on. Her brow furrowed at the sinister voice that burbled out of it.

"That toy....that's not what Mister Sephiroth sounded like at all, kupo~"

[shinra_dog]

Reno frowned and shook his head gently. "I guess he wouldn't t' you. But that's the way Sephiroth used to sound, back on Gaia. At least at the end."

He didn't expect Bonnie to believe it, really. Had he only knew the Sephiroth from Crystallis, he would have a hard time believing the man had ever been known as a villain, too.

[kuposcreed]

Bonnie took a moment to process what he said, but then she nodded. She remembered how many of the other Heroes were nervous around him, and how a few had tried to warn Cloud about him too. "Mmm, but the Sephiroth I knew was from Gaia too...But he arrived before something big and bad happened to him, right?"

[shinra_dog]

"Yeah. Exactly." It was simple, but accurate. "Sephiroth had been considered a hero, even before he arrived on Crystallis. I mean, really, he was a perfect choice for a Hero of Light."

Which was a phrase he never thought he'd use several years ago. But it was true. The young Sephiroth whose face was on celebrated Shinra propaganda had a good heart and strong ethic. He believed himself a hero and he performed well.

It wasn't until later, when he found out a lot of dark truths, that it all fell apart.

"When he fell apart, he took a lot of the world down with him."

airship

[charming_jerk]

Who else would be joining Reno on such a lovely night? Johnny sidled up to him quietly, and gently leaned on him as he folded his arms over the railing. He had his own soft smile, content to at least spend one night not thinking about Vaikuntha and all the crazy stuff that's followed them there. Time to just spend the night with Reno enjoying the scenery.

"Nice night, huh?"

Re: airship

[shinra_dog]

Reno's smile widened to see Johnny. It had been awhile since things had felt calm and peaceful. Even when they'd finally gotten their own place it had been hectic, transporting a vicious cactuar and then immediately going to work.

"Better night now." He took a deep breath, enjoying Johnny's warmth against his side.

[charming_jerk]

Johnny leaned against Reno, quiet for a moment as he watched all the lights below. He couldn't help but think of Crystallis and all of the countless airship trips they'd taken there. He was a little homesick for the place, but he'd feel silly admitting that.

"Whattaya think of this place so far? Vaikuntha, I mean. It ain't bad, huh?"

Midnight Airship

[eternitynpcs]

Wedge happens by, looking for a free stretch of railing to lean against to watch the firework display. He also seems at peace as he navigates around the ship. He's never as at home as he is in a ship.

He's refused the cocktails being served, but pulls a flask out of his vest pocket and takes a sip. Since Reno is the nearest person to him, he turns and holds up the flask to him once he finishes.

"Can I tempt you? Corellian brandy. Can't find anything quite like it in Vaikuntha."

[shinra_dog]

Reno's eyebrows rose at the offer. It was generous, considering it was something from off-world.

"Exotic alcohol? Of course!" Reno accepted the flask gratefully and took a sip. And closed his eyes as he savored the taste.

"Wow..." Too bad there was nothing like it in Vaikuntha. That was damn good. He passed the flask back (a little reluctantly). "That's really somethin', yo."

[eternitynpcs]

Wedge grins. "I know. I've stopped wasting it on Biggs. That nerfherder would rather drink his fraking blue milk."

He's validated by Reno's reaction. "We weren't sure what we'd be walking into here, so I figured I'd better bring it along."

sunny starlight

[masqueraid]

"Here," Don't ask how, don't ask why, but suddenly there's a pear-looking fruit being handed over in your direction by this bespectacled frizzy-haired guy.

"What would he want with it, though?" That thing's got no mouth.

brilliant

[shinra_dog]

Reno stared at the pear (ish) fruit for a moment, not quite sure why this boy was giving it to him or what he was saying.

"What... would he want..." he repeated slowly, trying to understand. It didn't click until he heard another child's toy go off.

"Shall I give you despair?"

And suddenly it hit him like a brick and his whole world was flipped upside down. A pear? This pear? It was terrible and bizarre and hilarious, especially knowing how perplexed Sephiroth would be to hear it. Reno couldn't help but burst out laughing.

the meme comes full circle

[masqueraid]

As Reno laughed, Ren took the opportunity to re-adjust his glasses with his free, fruitless hand.

"I'm not sure who it's supposed to be modeled after, but maybe he just really enjoys his fruit," it was a fair enough assumption, right? The redhead hadn't really seemed that impressed with it to begin with though, being as how he had called it shitty.

(Midnight Airship) god I meant to do this ages ago then Things Happened if you're still game tho

[promiselisting]

Funnily enough, she's doing something... not all that different from what he is: examining the surroundings with more than just a casual observer's eye. She'd originally come to the railing to keep out of the crowds, but her Navigator's instincts had kicked into overdrive, especially with Astrologian on. So for now her gaze is darting everywhere - marking the locations of landmarks below and stars above alike.

It means she absolutely does notice him there too.

For a moment she just eyes him cautiously - the same treatment all relatively unfamiliar faces would get , honestly (since if they've spoken before, she's pretty sure it hasn't been face-to-face?). But he seems... to be friendly enough...???? So she lifts a hand in polite greeting. Beyond that she doesn't say anything. Yet, at least.

[shinra_dog]

Reno didn't recognize the face, no. But a wave deserves a wave in return and Reno smiles. He had a gut feeling that she was an Outworlder like him by the way she had been looking around. Though, to be fair, the Empire had been closed off for so long, he expected other Vaikunthans to be looking around eagerly too.

[promiselisting]

For a while they'll both be just. Watching the area around them go by in silence. But she does finally speak up.

"Almost quiet enough you'd forget what we're here for," she says, voice more tense than one would probably expect from a casual sightseer. He may be enjoying himself overall but, all of this social stuff, even being out in crowds... not really her cup of tea, "You're... one of us too, right?" An outworlder.

She thinks she might've seen him before? She's been here since the first wave, and she's got a pretty good memory.