lifeaftr | 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. ♥]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The announcement ahead of time helps Shepard in more ways than she is expecting when the time comes. The way her heart jumps into her throat at the concussive noises blasting through the sky, the flashes of colors and the screeches of delight of the people around her set her blood to pumping and brings a different sort of roar to her ears.

Still, though, it's nice. It's nice to start to associate this sort of thing with... fun.

She finds herself in search of a quiet place to sort of put herself back together, all the same. She's mostly avoided everyone for quite some time now, especially here for this little bonanza. When she sees Ammy sitting by the little shrine, she sits down next to her, sighing slightly. She still doesn't get her whole... thing, but she's a friend and that's all that matters. Lord knows she needs friends as of late.]

That was a beautiful display. Thank you.

[Ammy had been resting, feeling thoroughly exhausted after all the work and energy she put into tonight, but it was all worth it. So many people came by, to celebrate and to enjoy with family and friends. She peeks an eye open, twitching one ear in Shepard's direction as she comes to sit beside the white wolf. Ammy stretches, then shifts to make a more comfortable spot for the woman to sit in the soft, springy grass.

The thanks are met with a smile and a bow of her head, tail thumping against the ground slowly. You are all quite welcome, but no thanks are really needed (even if the praise does keep her from passing out asleep from fatigue). This was a gift, and an offering for the spirit of the new year, the boar that currently holds its place in the spotlight for the year. She made this to honor him, and t give the people something to really look forward to, and to celebrate, after a trying past few weeks. Never lose your laughter, never lose your smile, and never ever lose hope in a more colorful future. Ammy can only pray for that for everyone in the new year, but she holds that prayer close to her heart, definitely.]

[Shepard smiles at Ammy's tail thumping against the ground. She reaches out slowly, indicating that she wants to give her a good scratch behind the ears, though she doesn't move to do so without Ammy's permission.]

You really are special, you know? I don't really understand all... this.

[She gestures to all of the dog.]

But that doesn't mean you aren't absolutely wonderful. Don't forget that, yeah?

[The outstretched hand is met affectionately with a bump of the wolf's head. Come now, you can't expect this glutton to not eat up any and all affection given to her by now. She openly invites being pet, rubbed, scratched, and generally just played with, though the more gentler touch is appreciated as well.

Along with those words. The canine smile on her face grows wider a bit, soft pants breaking the quiet between them as she bows her head in thanks. That's quite nice to hear, and sometimes...sometimes people don't have to know what she is, or who. Not from the standpoint that others take. Maybe even not fully understanding the whys, or the hows, but still appreciating them for what they're worth. The mystery is part of what makes a god so special, yes? There's a small gleam in the wolf's eyes as she smiles and...for but a second - a blink and it's gone - her form may appear...

Different.

Understanding can mean many things, but one doesn't have to understand to see beauty and wonder in all things. Oftentimes the heart and spirit know more than what the mind can perceive.]

[Shepard's breath catches in her throat as, in a brief instant, her friend looks... different.

A strange feeling comes over her, something stirring in her chest like belief? Wonder? A joyful, unhinged grace that brings a fierce smile to her face and a spark of laughter out of her as she happily rubs her head.]

Man, you are just... you're great.

[That was not eloquent at all but all well. Her mind is still scrambling to try and understand what it saw, but honestly? Right now she just wants to enjoy this feeling in her soul.]

Thanks for being my friend.

[Sappy? Yes. Is Shepard going to take it back? No.]

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

gently sticks me leg in here

/belatedly paints your toenails

BELATEDLY GIVES YOU A BACK MASSAGE... I AM SO SORRY

IT'S FINE BBY ILU <3

ILU 2!!!!