lifeaftr | Light up the Night - [BACKDATED to 2/5]

Light up the Night - [BACKDATED to 2/5]

Who: Ammy + Anyone interested
What: Fireworks show for the Lunar New Year!
When: Evening of 2/5/19
Where: Monkey Compound
Warnings: None so far, tag as needed!

[It's about noon when a message is posted to the Message Rock, as well as over the Stones of Farspeech - an elegant writing in kanji with a translation below. The voice is foreign, not often heard and possibly lost from most peoples' memories, but it sounds...excited? There's definitely a chime-like laughter hidden in the depths of it.]

All interested in a beautiful sight, please show up at dusk at the Hana--eh...the Monkey Compound. Drinks - for the elders among you - and some snacks will be provided, but I encourage you all to pack a box lunch.

Those unable to attend...I'll try to make sure you see it. Thank you.

[How very enigmatic indeed.

Still, those that do show up as the sky begins to change into a purple-blue color, dotted with small, glittering stars, will see that the Monkey Compound has been done up a bit. There's a line of small, flowering cherry blossom trees creating a lovely arch by the entrance, and little paper tags have been hung from a few of the branches, holding pictures of a tiny boar, or piglet, and a prayer written on the opposite side in kanji.

Inside has a very, very pleasant air to it. Much different than what this place used to be. It's laid with fresh, clean, springy grass and flowers, and a bountiful garden off to one side, which looks a little barren...probably because most of the foods have been harvested and laid out neatly on a bushels of palm fronds. Fresh vegetables and fruits from Ammy's garden, ripe for the taking and eating, if you're more the rustic type. There's also fire-roasted fish, skewered on a stick and cooking nicely by a crackling bonfire. Eat, enjoy, converse with neighbors and friends alike! Drinks have indeed been provided for the adults, a large barrel of sake with a ladle to pour it into one of twelve dishes. And yes, a bowl of water has been added to the side to rinse them off.

The centerpiece is a very basic shrine put up with a folding wall, once white in color but painted over with a beautiful portrait of a boar rolling a round firework, and a tiny, ceramic figure on a boar topping a little rock pile. Below the statue is an offering of sake, a single sakura mochi, a grilled fish, and some flowers. That is where the wolf will be when you first spot her.

For...a moment, at least. Because once the sky grows truly dark, and the embers from the bonfire has crept to soft, orange glow, a whistle will wheeze its way through the sky as a streak of light soars up, and up...before it explodes in a puff of white sparks. Nothing exciting, more a call to attention.

A minute passes, then another, and the're movement by the far end of the compound as the wolf readies everything she needs. A few final touches--...there! All ready for the show to begin.

And what a show it is.

The fireworks are beautiful and vibrant, coloring the skies in a vast array of rainbow hues, dancing like they're actually alive. True artistry, and a blessing from the God of Explosions, Bakugami (and the local rabbit god, who provided a number to help make this work). An explosive force meant to open the gate for a blissful new year - full of color, full of life, and bountiful in all things that bring happiness and joy to those with good in their hearts.

Happy Lunar New Year. ♥]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[A good time? A good time? No, she's having a great time and that's indicated by the way she abruptly turns around at the sound of her friend's voice, mouth stuffed with whatever +1 food she grabbed during her second, third, fourth lap around this party.]

Yes, I like these things.

[Like, she loves parties, festivals, whatever. They're so good. She'll always be under the table at these shenanigans.]

Are you having a good time? Did you see that soccer pig?

Ren!

[ She's definitely in a great mood, due to the drink she's had. Or, at least, she's more willing to show it and be open. It helps that she adores Ren. ]

Soccer pig?

[Alexei will wait to approach until after the fireworks display is coming to a close; he seems calm and about as stoic as ever, though perhaps a bit on the pensive side tonight.]

...Yeager. I'd like to have a word with you.

[It's not unusual to see her bouncing around these kind of events, being a menace to anyone that'll make eye contact and it's unfortunate, honestly, Yeager asks her that question. Because instead of making her food hoarding, dirt digging rounds, she stops in her tracks and looks up trees.]

The dog makes those. There are other pretty ones, but not like this. These are special.

[Well, she can match that energy with her own sake-less youth. She throws her arms up to the sky, folding her fingers in and out, quickly, to mimic the explosions from earlier.]

It's very awesome. Did you see all the pretty lights?

[Ah. Hmm. Well, this the exact opposite of what he wanted right now. Unfortunately, it doesn't really seem like he has much of a choice. Causing a scene is the last thing he wants to do, and he's certain that if he just tries to ignore Alexei and leave that it'll be a pain in the neck.

So fine. He'll pause, settling into his usual expression with practiced ease.]

Of course. What is it?

[Hmm, an interesting answer, for many different reasons, but he'll start with:]

The dog? Who is that?

[He might not be able to drink, but he can appreciate and respect anybody who wants to celebrate with fireworks; just because he's a wanna be arsonist doesn't mean that he can't admire pyrotechnics, all right?]

[And he can. Oh, but he can admire the hell out of these pyrotechnics. Watching bright-sparked explosions overhead, the feathery shimmer-trails of smoke spidering down, the occasional cooling ember that flicks to the ground with a soft sizzle - it's enough for Tim to close his eyes and breathe in the smoky scent with a soft, almost contented sigh.]

[For the most part, he quietly watches. As the night wears on, you might see him working at a block of wood with one of his new carving knives, carefully whittling curling shreds of bark back to uncover the shape he's aiming for.]

Oh yes. Where I come from, there are firework festivals. They're always amazing. It's very disappointing to hear this is not a sight you get to see often.

[It's really sad to him actually.]

Though you have something similar, you implied?

[The Boar motif is...definitely a cultural thing, but hopefully those that are familiar with the traditions of Lunar New Year can explain a bit better than Ammy would, considering she's, well. Not as open to conversing as others are. But this is more for everyone else's enjoyment and to celebrate one of the thirteen brush gods in her world - Bakugami, the Boar.

Once the show is over, Ammy slinks through the crowd, looking properly pooped but still pleased nonetheless. There's a smile pulling at the corners of her mouth as she pants a bit. Honestly, all this praise she's absorbing right now, washing over her like a tidal wave of gratitude and pleasant warmth might wash off the exhaustion in no time flat. It's certainly very empowering, hearing how people liked her show, and are enjoying the festivities.

She eventually has to lay down to catch her breath, curling up by Asgore and wagging her tail, barking happily as if to answer his question. Of course you can applause! Cheer, yell, shout, be merry! It's an event meant to show the force of one's good emotions!! Explosive cheers and cries of laughter are just what would bring Bakugami great joy! So no need to hide your excitement, no one here is judging someone who'd having fun!]

Arf, arf!!

From what I hear, there's a city across the sea that throws lavish parties, with large displays like this every night. Unfortunately, they're across a political line that I'm not permitted to cross uninvited; as we enjoy not being at war with one another, it's someplace I've never been.

[He doesn't sound troubled by it; it's just somewhere he never goes because that would probably constitute an Incident. Fortunately, he has ways of avoiding that city altogether.]

I have artes that I've designed that are capable of creating this kind of effect, however. Not quite as beautiful, unfortunately, but they serve their purpose.

[At the very least, it doesn't seem like he's bearing the sort of intensity that implies that things are about to go straight to hell in some way or another.]

Consider me curious about how all of this is striking you tonight. I imagine you've noticed several reasons why I might find that relevant.

[...It's awkward and almost too straightforward for its own good, but still, the implied question is present enough - how are you holding up, here.]

( Oh! They look towards Yasha, surprised she's ladling out the drink for them, and then gives her a little bow as a thank you.

They like Yasha; she's quiet and tall and from what they've seen, she fights well. But she's kind, too. It's something that, all in all, they can respect.

They stare contemplatively at the little dish, and then take a cautious sip. It gives them a full-body shiver; whatever they're tasting in there, they're not entirely sure if they like it or not.

...

They stare at the dish for another long moment, and then drink the rest. Doubts gone, apparently.

They look at Yasha, and then at the sake barrel. Then they scrawl something in the ground.

want some ?

She poured them some! It's only fair they pour her some, too. ]

[That's... a bit of an odd question, if he's perfectly honest. Does he seem like he's having problems...? He'll have to be more careful of that.

You know, if he ever does have any problems. Because he's certainly not having any now.]

The similarities from home, ja? I can't be the only one who noticed the trees! I'm still very confused about those, but I suppose they do look nice.

...I suppose it's good to know that it isn't just me. They're luluria, aren't they?

[The fucking trees have been driving him mildly crazy since he saw them.]

Yes, they certainly look very similar. It's been quite some time since I was last in Halure, so I couldn't tell if it was exactly the same or just something similar... Still, how odd that we'd find something like that here!

Not even a visit is permitted? I admit I don't understand how many of these worlds people come from work but to not be able to see something like fireworks...[Yusuke is definitely more troubled by this than he should be but the idea of not being able to see something so beautiful is sad to him.]

Do you think you could make something as beautiful as this? Or if you had some assistance? I can't say I can make fireworks myself but it's something anybody can do if they have the right methods. [There's a pause and then he shakes his head.] But it could be dangerous.

...I'm going to see if they can be synthesized with anything else in the area, simply because it's going to bother me if I don't even make an attempt.

[spoilers: they probably can not.]

That's what I was thinking as well. Do let me know if you have any luck! These could be incredibly useful if they are luluria petals!

[i mean we don't have nia fruits or eggbears so no panacea bottles but hey, maybe we can make something else with them??]

[Correction: We think we don't have nia fruits or eggbears. Up until a few hours ago, we didn't have luluria trees, either.]

Either useful or pointless. I suppose there's only one way to find out which it is.

[...]

I can't say I care for seeing them outside of Halure. They're pleasant enough and I suppose the familiarity is acceptable, but there's something about it that troubles me.

[He can't place what, though; it's just a generalized since of I Don't Like It.]

[Strangely, the wolf is just that, a wolf. Grimm may be used to seeing color to her form - and a few extra visuals that truly mark her as a god like him - but she's exhausted herself after this show. The Inkfinity Stone she was gifted by the Storyteller did its part for tonight, but only for the duration of the fireworks. After those few minutes, she was entirely void of her ink, and her holy powers, until the morrow.

But it's alright, she seems extremely pleased with the outcome, no matter how tired she is, there's a smile on her face as she peeks on eye open to watch the Troupe Master approach, her tail thumping happily against the ground. She lifts her head, catching his hand as it goes to pet her, giving him a few affectionate licks before she leans her head back down on her folded paws, a smile on her lips.

Heh heh, liked it, did you? That's good to hear, she put a lot into it for the celebration. It took a bit of planning, and a lot of energy on her part, but hearing that people enjoyed it is all the reward she needs. It was meant to celebrate the Lunar New Year, and give praise to the Year of the Pig, and the Boar God who holds dominion over explosions - such as fireworks - in her world. It was her gift to her child, and for those on the island to usher in a new year of joy and colorful times ahead. A bounty, of love and laughter and togetherness.

Shouldn't that be something to explosively share, and celebrate, with a grand show?]

Roowf.

Unfortunately, I don't have access to things like that here. I do have my personal abilities that create effects that you might like, however, and if there are layman's ways to do it, I'm receptive to them.

[...I mean, Brilliant Cataclysm is pretty, everyone just hates it for some reason.]

I don't mind danger - it isn't as though I'm unfamiliar with it.

Perhaps it's something about the blastia?

[He glances toward the trees as he continues.]

The barrier blastia for Halure is a part of the tree, ja? It keeps the people safe. I heard that it was withering at one point, and the barrier was broken because of it.

But there aren't any barriers - or blastia - here at all. Something like that could be useful, but here are the trees, presumably without any blastia hiding in them.

[The Drifter still moves with a slight limp, slower and more gingerly than is typical for them; without any further health packs at their disposal, they've been healing after the brush with their Shadow the slow way. The way everyone else does. It isn't agreeing with them.]

[They don't tend to live like this - taking periodic breaks, hunkering down, stopping and resting with an infrequency and irregularity that grinds at them. They can't really ever truly shake it, the festering wanderlust-itch that urges them always to keep moving.]

[This might be why the Drifter isn't partaking in any of the food or drink, more preoccupied with the display of lights in the sky. The brightness shimmers in the dark of their eyes, bright against the smooth and glassy dark.]

[Their skin may appear visibly bruised, their silhouette a little stooped when they stand, and they're certainly sitting more than is typical for them, but at the very least, they seem to be enjoying the show.]

[Blinking, Ammy's tail immediately starts to wag as Mira approaches, her dark eyes opening as she yawns and stretches out her long legs a bit. A long, wet tongue comes to lick over her nose, but it falls short to instead lap at the offered hand.

What, you expected her to sniff it? Pshaw, that's not what a good dog does.]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 2 of 28

Light up the Night - [BACKDATED to 2/5]

no subject

no subject

no subject

cherry blossoms

no subject

no subject

no subject

tim wright | ota | i'll match your formatting

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

the drifter | ota | i'll match your format!

no subject