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

[spaceforged]

As in the mythical creature associated with the cycle of life and rebirth. But, maybe the chemist guild got their original idea from its feathers.

[He asks as he turns his head to look at Takeshi. His body still tingles from the wash of healing magic. It’s no surprise that he looks so bad off healers will be reaching out to heal him. At least this one he knows he can trust. Shiro nods once and finally addresses the first part.

He breathes in.]

All the same, you’re here and I’m glad for that.

[acceptedlife]

Wouldn't be surprised. Then again, Crystallis had-

[Had the same thing. Far rarer, but he remember selling some to a couple people with the gil to spare. He would have said that aloud but Shiro's next comments cause him to stop. He blinks, stunned into silence.

No one's ever told him they're glad he exists. Encouraged him to be his own person, sure, but.

... Congratulations are in order, because someone just earned themselves a very salty pocket healer.]

[spaceforged]

[He blinks. Had he said something wro-

But then it occurs to him maybe he hadn't. Shiro waits quietly with a small smile on his face.]

Crystallis had what? You cut out there.

btw, yes, I did indeed count just how many days he's been alive

[acceptedlife]

[Takeshi ducks his head in embarrassment. He looks a lot younger than he first appeared in doing so.]

....h-had them, too. But they were expensive and rare. [He'd know. He was an item shop worker there, too.

He stares at his hand. For a moment, he could almost feel the darkness playing at his fingertips despite the light of the White that suffocates those embers. Could hear that familiar hum of envy and red-hot anger fueling it. No matter how many times he sifted through his memories, the result remains the same.

You're your own person. Never I'm glad you're here. If anything, most never wanted him around in the first place unless he helped them in some way. Even the real thing he was roommates with in the Tower, though that may have been guilt. But then, not even his adopted family, or his girlfriend... Yet, that quiet reassurance. He sighs, lowering his voice.]

You're a good guy, Shiro. [A quiet chuckle escapes him. It feels like a lifetime ago he said anything similar to someone else, and despite himself- he smiles. Genuinely smiles. It's like a weight falls off his shoulders as he sits up straight.] You'd think after 3,116 days I'd be used to positive emotions, but... here we are.

[He frowns. There's no easy way to say this, but all the same... The likelihood of the other man running into them is still high.] The guy I was cloned from arrived not long before you vanished for a week. So did a younger version of me, but we keep missing each other. I doubt they accepted the invitation, but... just in case you run into them. I look the oldest. Mini Me still looks to be 15.

wow

[spaceforged]

[He nods at that. There's no easy way to say it. All he has to think about is the sharp purple lights and the words speaking about a project. He puts it out of his mind.]

Their names?

[He does the math in his head on the number of days and blinks. Halfway to nine years old. Well. He can't judge considering his own body.] ...positive emotions can surprise anyone. Especially if you've been on hard times, right?

[He's guessed Takeshi has been pretty stressed out. It doesn't take a genius to notice.]

#ReplicaAndNobodyProblems

[acceptedlife]

[There really isn't an easy way to say it, huh? But then, he's grown used to it by now. He doesn't have nearly the experience of the original in how to handle certain situations, but on the other hand... he does for others. It's weird.]

Our original is Riku. The younger me-

[His voice trails off for a moment. Mind going back to his first days in the Tower. How much he longed to die again. To fade. The thought of someone saving him, someone who should have been destroyed clawing at him and eating him alive to the point he did a few times. He'd wake up again a few days later. Yet one of those days, on a flight of stairs, someone had asked him his name, too.]

...We were never given one back home. Not even a number or designation like our sister Replica, Xion. One of those at the Tower gave me mine so he wouldn't have to say, "Hey, you. The youngest one," any time he wanted to talk to me.

[He sighs, voice sounding more like he's reading a report rather than he actually believes it.] I was made from negativity and combat data. While I was given the memories later, it's... taken me a long time to realize what friendship and family really is.

[And damn, if it doesn't show now. Especially as his fingers brush against the green pendant hanging from his neck.]

still wow

[spaceforged]

[Another flicker of memory makes the previous ones clearer. A flash of a light shined in his eye and voices talking about a project. There had been a number among the words. He takes a slow breath and shoves it down. Takeshi needs him as his friend not a patient. Shiro mulls over what has been said and nods.]

And now you’ve had your own experiences and built yourself around that core, right? It might have taken you a long while to realize those things but you have now. Who you are today is more than the sum of the original components. They’re part of you but not the whole you.

[He looks at Takeshi with a small gentle smile. He can understand it. Or at least relate to it.]

:P

[acceptedlife]

[Which makes things difficult every time someone from home arrives, expecting him to be just Riku. And while he is, it's been eight years. Eight long years of fighting to get out of Riku's shadow. Find his sense of pride again. The twins' faces smiling up at him. His moms' smiles. No one can take that away from him again.

Yet in the back of his mind, he knows just how easily he was rewritten. All thanks to a single order and a terrified girl.]

Exactly, but that's not the point. [He's not about to unload like that on someone who's still reeling. Not with his own messed up memories. He turns to him, a flicker of concern in cyan eyes.]

I know what it's like. That disconnect between body and soul. It sucks. [Yet the faint smile says enough: he has faith that Shiro will fully recover.] So feel free to call if you need a hand.

[...Wait, was that-? Nah. Totally not a joke. Nope.]

[spaceforged]

[His smile spreads out into a grin. That was a terrible joke but it’s good. He appreciates the light humor.]

I’m more than I was too. I have to figure it all out. That is going to take some sorting and time.

[And there’s little anyone can do to assist him with that. Here in this world at least, he’s been finding himself beyond being a Paladin of Voltron. Some of the work is there.]

If I need help with it...I promise I’ll call. [He quirks an eyebrow.] You do house calls, right?

[acceptedlife]

[s u c c e s s]

You'll get there. Seems like you've managed without the meds I was force fed so far.

[To help with the binding and anti-rejection process. One nasty side-effect, but hey. It's a good thing Shiro's done without.

But at the last part, he rolls his eyes.] What do I look like, a healer? [Don't answer that.] Hm. Guess I could make an exception once in a while.

[spaceforged]

I promise we’ll feed you in return should you need to visit as a healer. Should you visit as a friend we will feed you anyway.

[Not by his cooking. Not if he wants to live. But Hunk’s is fine and he has a sneaky feeling Keith and Lance both learned the art he lacks. Maybe he could ask for help and learn from them.

At least how not to mess up something simple.]

And yes, I haven’t needed meds. ...more of my team is here. Their voices called me back whenI probably would have lost that fight. Now it’s just getting used to being alive again after what I think was an entire year being a disembodied spirit contained in a magical realm.

[acceptedlife]

Alright, deal. [Good gods, someone who's a more lethal chef than Ventus? Pinch him; he's dreaming. Yet he stops himself from saying anything more when Shiro continues. A look of realization dawning on his face. 'Would have lost'-?

Remember me...]

No wonder you look so tired. [A lighthearted tease. He remembered how heavy he felt, how exhausted he was when he first arrived in Crystallis yet he pushed through it. Not wanting to believe that it was real because if it was... what that would mean for so many others. Least of all himself. Yet none of it echoes in his expression, which remains somehow... warm.]

I'm glad to hear that. I know how much someone worries about those from home in situations like this. [Him more than most, but he doesn't say why.] Three others arrived from my worlds along with Riku and the other me. One is his best friend, and the others... I'm not sure what to make of. They're both from way before I was made.

[If he had his powers, this would be an easy question to solve. But his gut instinct tells him do not trust, so he's already planning on not telling a soul in that house where he moves to when they get back.]

[spaceforged]

[Shiro sags back in the seat with a tired laugh. Normally he'd hide it and present a strong front but Takeshi saw through him and he's a healer. You never lie to healers. His smile is something small as he pushes his bangs out of his eyes.]

Yeah...I'm tired. But I should tell you which of the team arrived. Keith, My best friend and their present leader. Lance his second, dramatic but sharp and good for backing any team. And Pidge, small but fierce, our tech expert.

They...had to endure my and Hunk's vanishing but, they've been adapting. I've been taking it easy for their and my sake. [He casts a sheepish look at him. He's been pushing it more lately. They need information and he doesn't like sitting around. But he has his limits.]

[acceptedlife]

[He'd argue that he's simply an item salesman at the largest and only shop chain in Vaikuntha, but they both know he'd be lying. Instead he smiles faintly, glad that his role as a white mage is taken somewhat seriously. And he listens, committing the names to memory with a nod.]

Gotcha. Briefly met one of them I think when I came to see where Moglina went. Tanned skin, brown hair, blue eyes? [He rubs the back of his neck, holding out a hand upon standing.] Come on. Let's get you back to where you're staying. I'll send you a copy of my notes later and we can compare.

[Hopefully he got a look at the weapons exhibit, because no preparation got a certain image out of his head every time he tried. Yeah, he also needs a nap.]