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.
[ Despite everyone's attempts to dance and join in on the ceremonies themselves Kousetsu will be holed up in the kitchen to help with food preparations for the feast and ceremonies to come. He'll be praying over said foods in a way to bless them and to purify them as well. You might catch him in the act, offering up a pray of gratitude for the bountiful harvest they have had this year. Feel free to bug him or offer to help that sure is a...large amount of veggies that needs a chopping. ]
III. FANCY CLOTHES
[ Well Kousetsu isn't often too bothering by appearances but this patterned kesa robe he was now wearing was really quite fancy. He's normally not one to be too self-conscious about his appearance but it does take him sometime to finally step out in it. His stoic expression remains as he looks at himself and his new garments for the ceremony. There's a long pause before he finally speaks, his brows knit in consternation. ]
...these are quite beautiful. [ HE HOPES HE DOESN'T GET THEM DIRTY?! Why can't he just wear his normal clothes. ]
VII. FESTIVITIES
[ Kousetsu will be milling about trying new things, tasting all sorts of strange culinary items they don't particularly have the pleasure to try most days. You can find him trying his luck at the goldfish game, and he actually might get a few too. He will turn to whoever might be watching intently and hold out the plastic bag filled with goldfish towards them. ]
If you would like...you may have them. [ Nice sword is nice, just take them so he doesn't get sad?! Anyway he can be found elsewhere if fishies are not your thing. Perhaps he will be sitting upon one of the many grass hillsides waiting for the fireworks to start. ]
[Kousetsu's robes had often been quite elegant themselves, but today he looks like a god. She's lucky she gets to get a glimpse right now after he's changed into them and she's just wandered in to offer to help.]
[ Oh nooo. Vietnam don't say that you'll make him self-conscious and blush. He turns when he's addressed, bowing a little in respect and gratitude. ]
Vietnam-san you are...dressed very nicely as well. [ Though he does look down at his clothes again a faint sort of redness spreading across his cheeks. ]
There are...other swords more fitting for such praise however. But I...appreciate your words.
[Too late, she said it because she truly thinks so. He looks fine and regal, and the way he holds himself accentuates that.
She's embarrassed when he compliments her though, and tries to wave it off.] It is nothing, I am humble when compared to you. And you need not think that the other swords are more worthy. You are too. You are chosen today, no?
( Some of the spirits have begun to return from the fields, taking cover from a late summer rain that caught them. They've retreated to their rooms to change into dryer clothes, cleaning mud off from their feet, and finding towels to dry their hair.
The rain is steady and constant but from the look of the skies, it shouldn't last much longer. Outside the kitchen, the windchime at the doorway rings and Kousetsu, being a rather spiritually inclined sword, might be able to catch on to the fact that a guest has arrived on the breeze.
Outside the citadel, observing the gardens is a blue haired girl dressed in black and carrying an umbrella. With a critical eye, she takes in her surroundings and then glances towards the sword spirit at his offerings. She's quiet, letting the other spirit finish his prayers. )
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130bladeworks2015-08-14 04:05 pm
no subject
[ Despite everyone's attempts to dance and join in on the ceremonies themselves Kousetsu will be holed up in the kitchen to help with food preparations for the feast and ceremonies to come. He'll be praying over said foods in a way to bless them and to purify them as well. You might catch him in the act, offering up a pray of gratitude for the bountiful harvest they have had this year. Feel free to bug him or offer to help that sure is a...large amount of veggies that needs a chopping. ]
III. FANCY CLOTHES
[ Well Kousetsu isn't often too bothering by appearances but this patterned kesa robe he was now wearing was really quite fancy. He's normally not one to be too self-conscious about his appearance but it does take him sometime to finally step out in it. His stoic expression remains as he looks at himself and his new garments for the ceremony. There's a long pause before he finally speaks, his brows knit in consternation. ]
...these are quite beautiful. [ HE HOPES HE DOESN'T GET THEM DIRTY?! Why can't he just wear his normal clothes. ]
VII. FESTIVITIES
[ Kousetsu will be milling about trying new things, tasting all sorts of strange culinary items they don't particularly have the pleasure to try most days. You can find him trying his luck at the goldfish game, and he actually might get a few too. He will turn to whoever might be watching intently and hold out the plastic bag filled with goldfish towards them. ]
If you would like...you may have them. [ Nice sword is nice, just take them so he doesn't get sad?! Anyway he can be found elsewhere if fishies are not your thing. Perhaps he will be sitting upon one of the many grass hillsides waiting for the fireworks to start. ]
iii!!!
Kousetsu, you look very nice!
no subject
Vietnam-san you are...dressed very nicely as well. [ Though he does look down at his clothes again a faint sort of redness spreading across his cheeks. ]
There are...other swords more fitting for such praise however. But I...appreciate your words.
no subject
She's embarrassed when he compliments her though, and tries to wave it off.] It is nothing, I am humble when compared to you. And you need not think that the other swords are more worthy. You are too. You are chosen today, no?
II
The rain is steady and constant but from the look of the skies, it shouldn't last much longer. Outside the kitchen, the windchime at the doorway rings and Kousetsu, being a rather spiritually inclined sword, might be able to catch on to the fact that a guest has arrived on the breeze.
Outside the citadel, observing the gardens is a blue haired girl dressed in black and carrying an umbrella. With a critical eye, she takes in her surroundings and then glances towards the sword spirit at his offerings. She's quiet, letting the other spirit finish his prayers. )