It’s a special time of year and the sword army is invited to come down from their citadels and celebrate. What? A summer festival, an offering to the gods, or perhaps a special ceremony of sorts. The normally quiet, rural village at the foot of the mountains will transform for the night with lanterns, fireworks, and music all around but first! Some preparations need to be done. Did you really think you would be invited down here without having to do some work? Prepare to dance, prepare to sing, prepare for a night of fun.
1. CEREMONY PRACTICE
At the citadel, a new chore has been added to the list: ceremonial practice! The swords selected to perform at the festival will have to practice their song and dance or else they'll risk embarrassment in front of the crowds. Or maybe this entire thing is embarrassing... either way, this is your duty! Saniwa's orders! Where and when is up to you but you better be ready.
2. PREPARING THE OFFERINGS
Those who aren’t practicing have been going on a lot of expeditions lately, haven’t they? Some of the materials brought back from missions has been set aside to take to the festival and offer later. The same can be said for the crops in the field, the alcohol that is suddenly off limits, and ah… do you smell that food from the kitchen? Yeah, that isn’t for you either. These are offerings to the gods though so don’t you dare try to get greedy! Are you listening?!
3. SPECIAL CLOTHES
You can’t wear those same old clothes. They’re all torn and worn or just not appropriate at all for the type of festival you’re going to. The organization has all of your measurements and has sent special robes for the spirits and saniwa to wear. It even comes complete with accessories! What’s taking you so long? We should have left twenty minutes ago. Do you need help? Or are you trying to perfect your appearances for your big debut?
4. PERFORMANCE
Everyone is dancing and everyone is singing. Are you one of the performers? Or are they dancing to you? What kind of songs are you hearing? What dances are you watching? Did you see the ceremonial sword dance? Or maybe you were invited to dance in a special performance with your saniwa! When the performance is over, make sure to congratulate the performers on a job well done… or tease your friend.
5. PAY RESPECTS
After the festive ceremonies, a more somber moment takes place. Remember, we are fighting a war and it’s important to remember those that have fallen. The swords that were broken and damaged beyond repair are gathered up and taken to a sacred fire so that their spirits can be purified and reborn. Later, all of those offerings you have been saving are offered up to the gods for their blessings. One by one, you can come up to the shrine or fire and say your prayers.
6. SPECIAL SUMMONING
What better day to summon a sword spirit on the day you’ve made offerings to the gods and have prayed for good fortune? Maybe it’s a first-time saniwa summoning their first spirit or a veteran saniwa trying their luck. Maybe a saniwa has tried to purify a particularly corrupt sword tonight... Either way, a special spirit is going to be born tonight. Are you the spirit? Happy summoning day to you all.
7. FESTIVITIES
The ceremonies are finally over! Wow, that sure took up a lot of time, huh? There are still a couple of more hours left in the night so enjoy the festivities. Try the food, play the shooting games, win a couple of prizes. How many goldfish can you catch? Or maybe the important question is: How are you going to take care of this goldfish? At the end of the night, you can catch the fireworks before the night ends.
8. WILDCARD
Pick your own adventure.
This is a meme inspired by this plurk. What if the saniwa had to perform other duties besides just summoning swords to fight? What if they had to take part in special ceremonies? What if they had to invite their swords to perform with them? Feel free to get as creative as you want with this prompt as far as things like: Why are they celebrating? How often do they get to leave the citadel? Etc.
► 1: Practice [This was perhaps one of the most curious decisions ever made by the saniwa. Yagen was not a refined sword at all, the field of the arts was never something he hold an interest in due to his battlefield heavy history. Yet, when he was chosen for the dancing ceremony, Yagen had actually shown surprise for a moment before he accepted the assignment.
General's orders, after all.
With how busy everyone was getting ready for the festival and ceremony, Yagen had taken to using either the courtyard, dojo or the bedroom he shared with his brothers to practice in, as long they're not too occupied. Anyone who came across those areas would see Yagen diligently and carefully practice the dance.
If you take away the spiritual and emotional significance, a dance was just a series of specific movements. Like that, he can actually dance pretty well if he's careful...]
► 3: Dress Up [... Okay, they finally stumped him.
The clothes and accessories felt almost too fanciful for him. They would look better on another sword, like Midare or Ichigo. And there's also the makeup that's required as well.
While Yagen have a certain amount of pride in himself, it wouldn't stop him from asking others for help. He didn't wish to bring embarrassment to his master for his poor appearance.
So he approached someone and, after confirming that they were free right now, gained their help with dressing himself up.]
Thank you for helping me with this.
► 5: Respects [Now this, he understand all too well. Nobunaga Oda was never one to dwell on the fallen, but his previous masters before him do.
Already back in his normal attire after his dance, Yagen watched quietly as others paid their respects, the broken and damaged swords being gathered for the sacred fire and at familiar faces - either from his General's army or another saniwa's - made their offerings. Until it's time for him to step up and give his own offerings to the gods.
At his core, Yagen doesn't pray to the gods like the priestly swords. He worked and take victories with his own efforts. But sometimes, during moments like this, he let his guard down and pray.]
► 7: Festivities [Whether he's by himself or dragged by his brothers, Yagen do enjoy himself at the festival. Sometimes he's trying the food, while other times he's playing the games and winning prizes for others.
Or maybe he's competing at the shooting game with others. He's been eyeing a few prizes on the shelf. Maybe his brothers would like this...]
[Over the years, before she became a saniwa, Lapis had taken part in a number of ceremonies that involved dressing up and dancing, so something like this is easy for her. Which meant that whenever the swords needed help, she was easily able to assist them, whether it came to preparations or practicing the dance. Or in this case, helping them get ready.
Lapis is almost ready at this point, having already prepared her costume and leaving make-up until closer to the performance, so she had time to help Yagen and was more than happy to. So she keeps adjusting the outer layer of the robes he's wearing, making sure it's all in the right place before tying it together.]
... It's alright, I'm happy to help. This kind of thing is difficult, especially if you're not used to it.
[Yagen stands still as Lapis adjusts his robes. He can handle the basics if it's a normal kimono, but the more complicated designs and tying up the knots are currently a little beyond him.]
Yes. [He nods.] It's not something I'm particularly used to in the past.
[Lapis nods in approval, and then motions for him to sit down before she starts to look through some of the nearby piles of make-up.]
... Good, now take a seat. Have you ever worn make-up before? [It doesn't hurt to ask, especially since she's pretty sure at least a few of the other swords have.]
[Someone call for the creator of kabuki? There's a dance happening, and the miko felt some kind of spiritual power strongly resonated with the Citadel. Ah, the swords are having a party? Perhaps she should go see! The energy she felt was a pleasant one, so she could take a break.
It seemed that when she spirited herself here, she arrived early, and many were working on their preparations. Here she spots the tantou, Yagen, practicing his art in the courtyard. His movements aren't perfect, but he's diligent. He's very promising. It could be because he's quick to move.]
Very good, very good! [She adjusts her parasol as she walks over, glancing down at him as she steps towards him from behind.] You're still movin' too tightly though. Are you tryin' to memorise the steps?
[He quickly stopped and turned around when he heard her. Who is she and where did she come from? Yagen watches her carefully and cautiously, before he nods. So far, she seems friendly.]
You're correct. I'm in the middle of memorising and practicing this dance.
( She cares nothing for the humans at this festival and she's never seen so many infuriating spirits gathered in one place but the passing of spirits through the sacred fire is one she can respect, if not for the humans then certainly for the spirits within.
It's difficult to catch any one person in the crowd that has come to give prayer but Yagen, with sharp eyes, might be able to catch a blue haired spirit in western clothes approaches the fire. The air is suddenly wet and humid. At first, the fire begins to die down almost as if trying to get away from her but when she closes her umbrella, opting to carry it daintily in both hands, point on the floor, the fire rises again with new life.
She does not close her eyes or clap her hands together, instead, standing tall among those with bowed heads. She only stays for a short while, turning to leave long before many are even finished with their prayers. Yagen, however, if he was watching might notice that this spirit did not come to pay tribute or pray but to pass a blessing. On who? The crowd?
Either way, maybe you should thank her before she leaves, buddy. )
[Even in the middle of his prayers, Yagen's still aware of his surroundings. He felt the air grew wet and humid, and when he raised his head, he saw the fire shrinking and the spirit standing out. He watched her turned and start to leave.
When she's walking closer to where he is praying, Yagen glances up at her and whispers.]
[Yagen left ahead of his brothers and masters. They either haven't finish or wished to find people to mingle with. He had told them he'll go on ahead, to scout the food stalls or the gaming ones perhaps.
Walking down the stairs, Yagen stops once he reach the bottom and he looks at the spirit. It looks like she's waiting.]
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130bladeworks2015-08-14 04:05 pm
no subject
[This was perhaps one of the most curious decisions ever made by the saniwa. Yagen was not a refined sword at all, the field of the arts was never something he hold an interest in due to his battlefield heavy history. Yet, when he was chosen for the dancing ceremony, Yagen had actually shown surprise for a moment before he accepted the assignment.
General's orders, after all.
With how busy everyone was getting ready for the festival and ceremony, Yagen had taken to using either the courtyard, dojo or the bedroom he shared with his brothers to practice in, as long they're not too occupied. Anyone who came across those areas would see Yagen diligently and carefully practice the dance.
If you take away the spiritual and emotional significance, a dance was just a series of specific movements. Like that, he can actually dance pretty well if he's careful...]
► 3: Dress Up
[... Okay, they finally stumped him.
The clothes and accessories felt almost too fanciful for him. They would look better on another sword, like Midare or Ichigo. And there's also the makeup that's required as well.
While Yagen have a certain amount of pride in himself, it wouldn't stop him from asking others for help. He didn't wish to bring embarrassment to his master for his poor appearance.
So he approached someone and, after confirming that they were free right now, gained their help with dressing himself up.]
Thank you for helping me with this.
► 5: Respects
[Now this, he understand all too well. Nobunaga Oda was never one to dwell on the fallen, but his previous masters before him do.
Already back in his normal attire after his dance, Yagen watched quietly as others paid their respects, the broken and damaged swords being gathered for the sacred fire and at familiar faces - either from his General's army or another saniwa's - made their offerings. Until it's time for him to step up and give his own offerings to the gods.
At his core, Yagen doesn't pray to the gods like the priestly swords. He worked and take victories with his own efforts. But sometimes, during moments like this, he let his guard down and pray.]
► 7: Festivities
[Whether he's by himself or dragged by his brothers, Yagen do enjoy himself at the festival. Sometimes he's trying the food, while other times he's playing the games and winning prizes for others.
Or maybe he's competing at the shooting game with others. He's been eyeing a few prizes on the shelf. Maybe his brothers would like this...]
Care for a round?
[Up for shooting, bro?]
► WILDCARD
[Hit me with your wild scenarios.]
3!
Lapis is almost ready at this point, having already prepared her costume and leaving make-up until closer to the performance, so she had time to help Yagen and was more than happy to. So she keeps adjusting the outer layer of the robes he's wearing, making sure it's all in the right place before tying it together.]
... It's alright, I'm happy to help. This kind of thing is difficult, especially if you're not used to it.
Re: 3!
Yes. [He nods.] It's not something I'm particularly used to in the past.
no subject
... I imagine so. It's very rare we get to do something like this. [Pause.] Will you need any help with makeup too?
no subject
Yes, I would appreciate it as well, General.
[A general's sword, never one to watch makeup and all that.]
no subject
And once she thinks the robes are perfectly in place, she leans back, hands on her hips as she tilts her head.]
Right, I think that's it. Can you move smoothly, or did I tie the knots too tight?
no subject
... Yes, I can move like this. It's not too tight for me.
no subject
... Good, now take a seat. Have you ever worn make-up before? [It doesn't hurt to ask, especially since she's pretty sure at least a few of the other swords have.]
no subject
Yes, once. Midare wanted to put them on me once. [That explained it.] But no more than that.
1!!!
It seemed that when she spirited herself here, she arrived early, and many were working on their preparations. Here she spots the tantou, Yagen, practicing his art in the courtyard. His movements aren't perfect, but he's diligent. He's very promising. It could be because he's quick to move.]
Very good, very good! [She adjusts her parasol as she walks over, glancing down at him as she steps towards him from behind.] You're still movin' too tightly though. Are you tryin' to memorise the steps?
Re: 1!!!
You're correct. I'm in the middle of memorising and practicing this dance.
5
It's difficult to catch any one person in the crowd that has come to give prayer but Yagen, with sharp eyes, might be able to catch a blue haired spirit in western clothes approaches the fire. The air is suddenly wet and humid. At first, the fire begins to die down almost as if trying to get away from her but when she closes her umbrella, opting to carry it daintily in both hands, point on the floor, the fire rises again with new life.
She does not close her eyes or clap her hands together, instead, standing tall among those with bowed heads. She only stays for a short while, turning to leave long before many are even finished with their prayers. Yagen, however, if he was watching might notice that this spirit did not come to pay tribute or pray but to pass a blessing. On who? The crowd?
Either way, maybe you should thank her before she leaves, buddy. )
Re: 5
When she's walking closer to where he is praying, Yagen glances up at her and whispers.]
Thank you, milady.
no subject
Now is not the time or place to lash out.
... But when Yagen leaves the offering site, Ame Warashi will be at the bottom of the steps, umbrella open, and waiting. )
no subject
Walking down the stairs, Yagen stops once he reach the bottom and he looks at the spirit. It looks like she's waiting.]
... Are you waiting for someone?