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. ♥]

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...well, that's up to you.

[The probability that there's someone else here named "Fireworkstellar" is low, at least, so no one's going to get a white dog confused with a dude with white hair.]

Don't think anyone else on this island is named "Fireworkstellar," I guess.

[Not yet, in any case. She'll keep an ear out for any future hooligans out to take animal names away. No one better come after Egg. Fireworksteller is a safe enough bet and this whole discussion-

It makes her go silent, which is probably a blessing, until he sees the wheels turning in her head.]

Do you have to change your name if someone else is named 'Tim?'

[She's never met two people with the same name before. Is that how it works?? Is this why?? That's the big q.]

I dunno. Hasn't happened yet.

[He doesn't know any other Tims, and never has. It wasn't an extremely common name in Alabama, and apparently isn't a very common name here, either.]

If it did, I'd probably use my last name more. Or the initial for it.

[He was "Tim W." for far longer than he was "Tim Wright," in some ways.]

[Now, she's heard of people having last names before. It's not a complete shock to know he has one too. Multiple names. Different names. Magnus Magnus Burnsides the Hammer was the longest one she ever heard and it took forever to remember. Tim is way easier. She likes saying it more, but-]

You have another name? Is it short like Tim?

Yeah. It's like a second name. Put it on all my official records and everything.

[It occurs to him a bit late that this might be a new concept for her.]

My first name is "Timothy." But most people just call me "Tim," and...I mean, it's easier. [He prefers it, anyway.]

[This is a revelation?? Tim was a nickname all along??

She looks excited. As if the secrets of the world have opened up to her with that word. That's why Timothy, Timothy, Timothy is uttered under her breath three times, as she tries to remember this name.]

I like Timothy too, but Tim is shorter, so that's my favorite.

[The only people who call him "Timothy" are...well, medical professionals and people in positions of authority.]

[It didn't register that the name might be a shock to her. She probably doesn't...she's probably never heard of stuff like that before. That "Bob" is short for "Robert," that "Dick" is short for "Richard." That kind of common knowledge just...wouldn't have been a thing.]

[He doesn't say that. He doesn't say any of it. Instead, he just says:]

I like "Tim" better, too.

[If there's ever another Tim, that's gonna be unfortunate for them, because they'll have to change their name. Sorry, no takebacks. Tim can't be Timothy. Everyone's voted-all two of them. Those are the rules on Survivor Island.

But thankfully, this isn't a battle they need to fight yet. Hopefully ever. Though she does have one big worry-]

If there's another 'Ren,' do I have to be Renothy?

[A soft snort. Jim, Jimothy. Ren, Renothy.]

Sure. Sure, kid. Why not? [Why the fuck not? He's never met another Ren in his life, but who knows.] That can be your...full name. Renothy...Cat.

[Catherine, maybe. He has no clue.]

[He blows off the patina of dust that's gathered in the cracks of his carving, smooths the edges of its corners with his thumb, and presents it to her.]

[It's a little carved cat. Not very detailed, but nonetheless recognizable.]

There you go.

[The attempt to give her a birthday a year ago had been met with some pushback, but that same denial isn't present this time. It's the exact opposite, actually. Because having a birthday and knowing you're dying seems like a trick, but having a full name-that's fine.

And she is all about having cat as a part of her name. There's all kinds of awe and wonder in her voice as she repeats it, eager to tell everyone in a ten mile radius that she was given a full name and-

Then he hands her small cat-an unexpected gift that really tops of the good vibes of this moment.]

You should keep it. It'll keep you very safe.

[But her fingers are sure running over freshly carved piece, petting the top of its head like it's one of her actual cats.]

Nah. I made it for you.

[He didn't necessarily set out for it to be for her, but that's just kind of how it evolved. Who's he to deny a spur of the moment instinct? For the same reason that he ended up giving her a birthday, the same reason he offered a parody of a "full name" for her.]

[It's not much, in the way of apologies. For how he's failed her, in all the different avenues he couldn't handle it. Running from open admission, several times over, because he's a goddamned coward who can't - who doesn't know how to do anything else.]

[It's too removed from the act itself to serve as an adequate apology for anything, he's pretty sure.]

[There's no association between this and their previous conversations because it's like him to offer her precious gifts. It's not the first time she's been given a present, carved by his own two hands. It's just another way he's kind to her and Renothy holds the cat close to her chest, kneeling down close to the ground and-

Popping back up, reaching towards the stars, with the wooden toy clutched tightly in her hands. It's Nyooming Across the sky. And as she twirls one way and then the other, she says-]

You have to name it-since it's a special thing you made, that's something you have to do.

Why don't you?

[Clearly Tim's already maxed out his naming capabilities at "Renothy Cat," which is a dubious title to bestow upon anyone, much less an impressionable child.]

[Thankfully, she seems to like it just fine. He did his best to make sure that there were no sharp edges, sanding and softening down the ridges and corners and planes.]

It's yours now.

[Look, she doesn't have the same kind of powerful ability as Tim, but her naming system has worked so far. She silently assesses every single one that pops into her mind, picking and choosing between Caatko and Catothy until-

Well, Magnus used to like carving little trinkets around camp. The cat brings that fond memory back to light and she settles on-]

The Hammer.

[Incredible.

The wooden cat, The Hammer, flying high in the sky zoooooom.]

That's its name now.

The Hammer, hm?

[Guess he shouldn't be shocked. This is coming from a kid who drowned one of his shoes in blue nail polish once, and he wasn't even mad about it.]

Sounds like an important name. What's the Hammer do all day?

[Presumably eat and sleep and beg for people's hypothetical attention, the way most cats do, but hell if he knows.]

[Tim could've easily escaped after giving her the toy to play with and it's unfortunate he didn't take the opportunity. Do you think this is a game?? Do you think The Hammer doesn't hold some kind of arcane power?? She knows what's up. She's got its entire life story planned out. Or rather its ode to Magnus. ]

It makes other animals out of wood and then they all play together and then they build houses and hunt for ducks. It likes to explore and it's not afraid of anything, so it can do things like that. That's what The Hammer does.

Take it with you whenever you explore someplace new, then. Good luck charm.

[He's now wondering, idly, if that kinda thing exists - if he could bribe one of the elves into putting some kind of shielding or protective charm on the thing, as a just in case maneuver. It's probable that they already have a system in place, given how protective they are of her, but it wouldn't hurt to ask.]

[It'd be worth it, for Ren.]

[That's an idea, Tim. One she instantly runs with, figuratively and literally, as she makes it do a zoom over towards the well loved bag on the ground. Right into the front pocket it goes, nestled between a couple treasured drawings and her little bottle of pills. No way it could be any safer.]

Okay, The Hammer is 'good luck' because you made it, so I'll keep it in this safe place. I won't forget it. We'll explore places together from now on.

Good.

[But, uh...fuck. Important to remember:]

Definitely not just gonna go off on your own, right? Even if you bring...the Hammer, it's good to have someone else with you. You know, to watch your back.

New places are very scary-I don't like to go by myself.

[Usually someone at elf camp expresses interest in exploring or comes along with her when she muses about the new islands. If not, someone's usually around to be the map and backpack to her Dora.]

So I won't do that kind of thing. But you can't go alone either. You have to have someone watch all of you, not just your back. They have to watch your front and face and feet too.

[Then everyone's extra safe.]

Yeah, I'll...be sure to keep that in mind.

[He doesn't generally go off on his own. Not by habit. He has people to watch his back, and watch him, because he's not - ]

[Because of who he is. It's better to have someone around to make sure that he's not about to pull anything. Especially here, he can't afford to get complacent.]

I'll watch you too. That's something I can do for you-if you want to go to a new place, we can do that together.

[Now that she has a good luck charm, they'll be well protected against any kind of menace the islands throw at them. The Hammer will keep them safe spiritually.]

[It quirks the side of his mouth in a vague almost-smile, though it doesn't quite count as one. It's the closest thing he gets, which is the important thing.]

Sure. Anytime you want.

[Maybe if the next island isn't filled with spooky scary death, they can go on an adventure together.

She looks thrilled at the prospect. If anything, it'll be an easy way to keep an eye on him, but for now-

It's time to enjoy the night and for as long as he lets her, she's going to sit nearby, pulling The Hammer in and out of her bag pocket as she comes up with New Fun Games to play with it.]

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

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