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 | Flat

[And after the last, glittering spark of the fireworks show has faded from the night sky like diamond dust, and the cheers and applause have all stopped, the wolf will stride back to the tiny, makeshift shrine she erected for the Boar God and lay before it, tuckered out and ready for a nap. Those privy to seeing her celestial form will see that, even now, she is but a simple, white wolf. Seems all that work really took it out of the old dog, hm? But it's fine.

She looks plenty pleased as she rests on the soft, cool grass, and may even open her eyes long enough to let anyone passing by to talk to her and pet her a little. Ammy has at least some strength left in her to have a passing conversation - onesided though it may be - and share company with others that want to engage her for a few minutes.]

[Parties and stuff... not really his scene, you know. But he does live here. So, like it or not, Ichimatsu hauls his butt down from his tree nest to make at least a few rounds throughout the night.]

[1]
[Namely, at first: he wants the booze and free food. Not much of a drinker on his own, he still knows a rare opportunity when it's literally at his doorstep; Ichimatsu can be found around the campfire in the first hours, nipping at fish skewers and the occasional dish of sake. He's staying fairly sober, though, if nothing but out of sheer paranoia that someone will walk into his or his crazy neighbor's traps while he's not watching. If they do happen to wander too close to any of the occupied homes, count on Ichimatsu throwing the nearest food item at their head.]

[The eagle-eyed - or nosed - may also notice the bulge in the front pocket of his hoodie, lumpy and smelling not even subtly of cannabis. At the very least, Ichimatsu doesn't seem interested in whipping it out himself.]

[2]
Ah, no... stop it.

[If you haven't noticed, a tiger lily in fact lives at the compound - and while the oversized feline has been content to mostly stick around Ichimatsu's tree thus far, something about the festivities has piqued their curiosity. Whether they're investigating the food in your hand, or they've simply been spooked by the loud fireworks banging overhead, there is suddenly a sizeable plant-cat up in your business, trying to rub up against you and rumbling anxiously.]

[Following right behind this beast is a disgruntled-looking Ichimatsu, vaguely alarmed by his pet's sociability.]

H-hey, no! Yachin, heel!

[3]
[As the fireworks wind down and the night begins to quiet, Ichimatsu has long removed himself from the stress of the festivities. Instead, he's parked himself in front of the shrine, sitting on his ass with a single dish of sake balanced in his palm. His eyes are on the boar, and his other hand is resting on the neck of a guitar half-resting in his lap.]

Hey. No mochi this year. And there's only twelve of these, so I wasn't gonna steal five of 'em just for you jerks. Kill each other over it, pigs. Like any of you are even listening.

[He leans forward and places it, right next to the other offering of sake. He claps his hands together. It's not like he has any nengajō to send, so...]

... I hope for your favor this year.

[... and done. Ichimatsu lifts his guitar and retreats to a nearby tree, lazily splaying out with his back against it, and contents himself with strumming out a disjointed collection of tunes and chords to backlight the rest of the evening.]

[Oh, how fun!

Asgore doesn't totally understand the boar motif here, but that's fine! He's very intrigued by the cherry blossom trees; he spends a while trying to admire them closely while not blocking the entry arch for everyone else. He hasn't seen trees like this anywhere else on the islands. A special request, perhaps? It would be a good one. They are lovely.

Eventually he does move on to the food, and sits with his meal to watch the fireworks display. That is truly marvelous! Is it socially appropriate to applaud after the end?]

A.

[ The Knight shows up fairly early; the compound isn't a place they've been to often, so they're eager to see the changes. They can be found wandering about, inspecting the new decorations with clear interest; it's not a language they know, and the pictures aren't ones they know either.

You might catch them trying to read the prayers. Emphasis on trying, without much success. Later on, they can be seen trying to puzzle out the meaning of the shrine...or investigating the sake. They might be a bit too young for that, though. ]

B. family picnic family picnic (closed to Grimm and the Hollow Knight)

[ As the evening gets darker, the Knight vanishes from the compound temporarily, but only to return with the people they're closest to. By vigorous use of charades and hand-pulling and the occasional pleading look, they've convinced their sibling and Grimm to accompany them to the compound to enjoy whatever Amaterasu has planned.

They're very determinedly hanging onto both their hands despite both Grimm and the Hollow Knight being...much, much taller then them. It probably looks ridiculous. They really don't care in the least.

The Grimmchild is here too, chirping curiously, but it's hard to tell which of their caretakers is currently in possession of the charm that holds them. ]

[Alexei really, really isn't one for things like this - he's never been partial to pretty sights and admiring the scenery, and the idea that someone is going to be trying to put on a show so damn big the entire archepelago is going to notice it is a little...alarming? That's a little alarming.

In the end, it's the alarming bit that gets him to go. Apparently everyone is being promised some kind of spectacle, and he can't say he's entirely unfamiliar with or opposed to the concept of spectacle, and as such here he is.

And really, he's no sooner gotten there than he's immediately questioning how good an idea this is - not because he wants to leave but rather because he doesn't, given the fact that the sense of familiarity here is striking him in the damn chest so hard that it takes him a moment.

...He's another one in the general camp of having no why there are boars everywhere, but the fact of the matter is that he does recognize the boars. Sort of. These boars are still a little demented-looking to him but he can at least tell what they're supposed to be, which is better than he can say for most of the wildlife around here. And the trees forming the archway are clearly luluria, which he's never seen blossoming anywhere outside of Halure, and he kind of has to wonder if whomever put them here knows how fucking sacred they are and god, this is such a culmination of things he wouldn't have cared about back in Terca Lumireis? He had no reason to care about it then, and logically he has no reason to care about it now, but seeing as we apparently can't all just tell our feelings what they're supposed to do he's just going to content himself with wandering around the area and clearly not knowing what the hell to do with his face at all this.

He'll remain at the outskirts once the fireworks start properly happening, however; somewhere he can still see without just being among everyone and their...whatever it is they're doing. He's been doing well enough holding up the metaphorical walls until now and he doesn't see any reason to do otherwise, and honestly the fireworks are another thing that are weirdly familiar in an uncanny sort of way. They remind him of Heracles, of the detonation circles that it's capable of; after a moment he's got one of his hands out in front of him as he watches, just idly, the motion in his hand and fingers indicating programming or manipulating something invisible in the air. There isn't anything there, naturally, but old habits die hard; he may not have been a proper mage, but damn if he wouldn't want to sort out how these particular formulas work.

He is appreciative of everything going on tonight; honestly, this is probably the best thing he's experienced since he's been here.]

Edited 2019-02-16 20:39 (UTC)

[ She's curious enough to show up, and when she does, she's very much not disappointed. It's gorgeous here. For some reason, though she hasn't been here before, it's so different. (Thinking about that... it puts an ache into her chest she can't quite explain.) She doesn't want tonight to be marred by any ill feelings; forcefully, she shoves them down and focuses on the atmosphere, the fact that there's plenty of food, and a barrel of--

Well. She tries a little bit, and she realizes quickly what it is. Mira has never had the best tolerance, but... ah, it's a nice night. Special. She's going to indulge, even if it's not too much. She still has her head, and she can still think clearly, so it's okay.

She gets a bit of food for herself, then takes a seat near the bonfire. Mira is alone, but she certainly won't mind company, especially with the bit of sake she's had. Anyone who joins her will be greeted with a smile. ]

Hi. Having a good time?

[ And a little later on, when the fireworks start, her eyes light up, bright and wide. It's a beautiful show, the kind she's never seen before. She's notably speechless, but there's a smile as she watches the show.

It must have taken a lot of work; she wants to appreciate it. ]

[ It's been a long time since he celebrated the new year. At least, like this. When was the last time, really? Since he was a kid, Shiro thinks. He hadn't expected to celebrate it here, of all places. It's definitely pleasant, and as Shiro makes his way to the compound, he takes a moment to clasp his hands in front of the shrine, and murmurs a few words.

After that, he's glad to indulge in the food and drink. The sake, less so, but the food is good. It's relaxing, after all that business with Shadows and Lights. Obviously, he spends time with Keith, but he's also glad to talk to anyone else, even during the fireworks show. ]

Incredible.

[To be perfectly honest, Yeager isn't sure what draws him here. Maybe it's curiosity, or maybe he's just bored, but regardless of what caused it, he's here now.

Earlier on in the evening you can find him staring at the cherry blossom trees with his head tipped just slightly as he studies them. He looks lost in thought, the usual smirk gone. Eventually he'll end up picking up some of the dropped petals, letting them fall back to the ground from his hand like he's working something out.

If you're nearby, he'll turn to you and speak up.]

Are there many trees like this around here?

[He speaks in a thick German accent, and sounds mildly confused.

Later on, during the fireworks, you can find Yeager off to the side, arms crossed as he studies the show up above. There's something familiar about this, probably because he spent a decent amount of time in Nordopolica, where they would often have shows like this. Not quite as elegant, perhaps, but it's familiar just the same.

...There isn't much of a point in thinking about it.

He looks a bit awkward - far moreso than usual - like he can't decide if he should ditch or not. Of all things to give him half a feeling...

He does decide to stay, at least through the end. But once it's over, Yeager's quick to turn to leave. You can catch him before he goes, if you want.]

[Lance isn't sure what to expect when he sees the message, but so far everything is above and beyond his expectations. It's one of those things that makes the islands not so bad, and he's glad he made his way over.

He's at the celebrations for quite a while, flitting from place to place. He doesn't seem to sit still for very long, and the energy of a celebration is getting to him. For almost the entire night there's a grin on his face, and he seems to be nearly vibrating with energy. If anyone catches his eye they get a cheerful greeting and a wave.

There's a spring in his step he can't shake.]

This is awesome, isn't it?

[...He might have also helped himself to some sake. He's an adult!]

[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.]

[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.]

[This year, Keith knows where he comes from and that makes it easy to say the same words he and his mother had said within the Quantum Abyss. Galra don't have the same holidays but, they have something like it. Family and honoring them, being with them...that is part of their way.

He spends time with Shiro, naturally. But he doesn't stay still, moving about to see people he knows and greeting those he doesn't with a nod. He makes room if they're reaching for any of the food he might be in the way of. Keith doesn't partake of the sake. Not this time.

During the fireworks, he's still very willing to talk or let someone sit with him and his blue wolf as they watch the sky.] ...I've never seen fireworks look that alive before. Wonder what went into them.

(They come because they are curious, but find themselves more interested in the shrine and the trees than the fireworks.

They are also interested in the others who have gathered here, but it is unlikely that interruptions would be appreciated.

Still, if one were to look, they might just spot the pinpricks of Legion's eye and surrounding face lights as the Geth watches them from afar.

It's possibly kind of creepy, the way they're staring like that.)

[Oh, he is so there, and so loving it. It's a party and he's come clattering in without a specific invitation. From the mysterious voice. It's not the smartest decision, but it's the right one! He wanders the compound for a bit, checking things out, then finds a comfy spot out of the way to lie around and wait for whatever's going to happen. (No drinks, no snacks--they'll just spill on him, probably.)

It's definitely going to be cooler than he expected.]

[Across the multiverse, several worlds, and a couple of datascapes... fireworks were still pretty. Hands down, she was not disappointed by answering the public invitation.

Early on, before the fireworks has started, you can catch Pyrrha wandering around the cherry blossom trees, softly inspecting each tag that she can find hanging from their branches. Curiosity is the name of her game, and she assumes there's a rhyme and reason for what's being shown to her.

Later on, during the fireworks, Pyrrha found a nice place to sit near the bonfire. Her gaze slowly shifts from the orange and red of the flickering flames to the many, many hues that burst overhead and disappear just as quickly.

She can only think one thing about all of this, and speaks it rather clearly, even if it's directed to the fire before her.]

I've missed parties like this.

Edited 2019-02-18 11:06 (UTC)

[ Drinks, food and fireworks make a happy tiefling. Molly has socialized, baldy flirted and enjoyed himself to the absolute limit of his hedonistic nature, because he sure needed it and he wasn't gonna say no to fun. Ever.

...and now he's stretched out in the grass, watching the sky explode in colors. There's a look of content on his features, something that had been sorely lacking lately, and the colors of the fireworks are slightly reflected in the vibrant coat he's wearing.

If anyone comes close to where he's lounging, Molly pats the space next to him eagerly. ]

Join me!

i.

[Lillie has been on autopilot lately. There's been something melancholy about the aftermath of last month, and while she had dealt with her struggles privately, not everyone had that privilege. So the message comes as a chance to pick herself up, to interact with others and enjoy something unique.

She sits beneath the cherry blossom trees at first, a small space-colored cloud in her lap. She shares with Nebby the fruits she's brought along (sweet ones, the only kind it will eat), but is certainly not averse to sharing with passerby as well. The fruits provide a use for the knife she was given back upon arrival. If you pass close enough or meet her eyes, Lillie will extend a slice of mango with a warm smile.]

ii.

[When the fireworks begin, Lillie is awestruck. It's a beautiful display, unlike any she's ever seen - the way they seem nearly alive in their movements and the vibrancy of the colors. While she thoroughly enjoys the show, Nebby is not nearly as fond of the sounds of explosions overhead, and wriggles free of her bag halfway through. It takes off towards the nearest person before she can catch it, hiding behind their legs with a loud cry.

Lillie doesn't waste any time catching up with her companion, apologizing to whoever Nebby has bothered.]

Nebby! Oh, gosh, I'm so sorry - Nebby come here!

Threaded | Flat

Amaterasu | OTA

ichimatsu; ota

Asgore | OTA