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.
[Swords? What of a country! Vietnam is here because she heard about the festivals and rituals the swords do, and she wanted to witness it herself. Think of this as a trip to lend support and have a cultural experience.
That being said, she's not going to sit back when they're rushing around like this.]
THREE
[She actually wanted to come help out in the kitchen, but you know what they say about too many cooks in the kitchen. She will go back later, she has her instructions she can help prepare your food! For now, she walks around to find something she can help out with. Even dusting, seriously.
That was when she heard a bit of a ruckus near where the clothes and robes are. Knocking on the sliding door to make sure everyone is presentable--]
Hello? Are you in need of assistance?
[She can help sort things out, or repair your robes or make adjustments. Trust her hands. She's a pro when it comes to fabric.
When it comes to your make up and hair though, tell her what you want! Or she'll do your nails, she's great at that. Look at her own perfect ones.]
FOUR
[This is wondrous! It's not the first time she's seen a sword dance, but has she ever seen a sword dance with swords before? There's something rather mystical about it. She keeps her cheering and applauding to a minimum though, as to respect their performance. It is something to be appreciated with grace and poise.
When they are done:]
FOUR: A
[--She may approach you.] That was a splendid dance! I am honoured to have witnessed it.
FOUR: B
[--Or maybe you're with her in the audience. She will turn to you to comment.] That was beautiful, no?
EIGHT
[Wildcard me!!!! GIVE ME ANYTHING /pitbull dance.]
[Meanwhile this is his first time doing something like this, so Hirano practiced really hard for his master's sake. Still meeting with the country woman after his performance made him embarrassed a little, but he smiles at her as he takes off the few decorative clips that somehow got stuck in his hair.]
Thank you very much for your kind words and support. I must admit that this is my first time doing this ceremony.
[The way he's all dressed up, he looks so elegant and regal! And his hard work showed throughout his entire performance. She's sure the master will be very proud. Japan should be too!]
I speak only the truth, Hirano! It is surprising to hear that it is your first time when you danced so magnificently. Your practice truly paid off.
4B or not 4B... actually this is terrible i'm sorry
☆ Shu will be honest and his tone inflects it. Some of the performances were surprisingly elegant and beautiful, composed and purposeful. Others were less. Much less. Being an entertainer, an idol, a singer, he can judge--- and he will. Shu is that kind of Myuumon. ☆
To be honest, their clothes are all pretty amazing.
☆ He'll find something to compliment them all on. That's something, right? ☆
[Ah, we have a critic here. She wonders if the swords minded, since they're swords, not dancers or performers. Sometimes a discerning eye is welcome, as they will improve. Other times it depends since it is not their profession.]
They could be better, you think? But yes, their clothes are beautiful. Truly something worthy to celebrate in.
I suppose everyone should aim to be better, even if they are perfect. [Some of these swords just learnt this though, so she's not even surprised anymore. But he believes in their energy, which is good too!
She continues to watch after he turns his attention back towards the performance.]
You can ask them later! Those patterns should be quite accessible as they are traditional pieces of clothing.
[They can probably even do a google search if they're desperate.]
☆ He laughs. Yeah, the internet is a wonderful thing, isn't it? That might not be a bad idea. But maybe this woman knows something, because Shu heard... well... ☆
I heard that this place is a home for spirits. Think it's true?
☆ He has no idea. Honestly, the only 'spirits' he knows are in a part of the city that also have a band representing them. It's pretty amazing! ☆
[He's right, and her old big brother France would definitely agree with that too. Lovers instead of being a fighter! The world is too beautiful and sad to make it worse.
That doesn't answer her question completely, but yes, close enough!]
Oh! Hello, Shu Zo, my name is Vietnam. It is nice to meet you. But a musician in a band? That is why you know so much!
☆ Exceptional knowledge in music. One can't simply just be an excellent singer and guitarist. Like all young Myumons, he spent his time in the academy and learned everything he had to in order to become one of the best. ☆
Saniwa? Is that their Master? I see. Maybe next year, he can allow me to teach them some things before their ceremonies.
☆ He'd be an okay teacher, but none of them come with sparkles. That's like, twenty percent of the work, right there. ☆
Transformed? Oh, I see! So they are swords and humans. No wonder music doesn't come naturally to them.
[As much as Ookurikara didn't want to mingle and join the event, saniwa and the other swords didn't stop bothering him until he agreed at least to dress up accordingly. He had just taken off his shirt to change when Vietnam came in. Have a nice view of his back and tattoo while he's cringing at the flashy robes and accessories.]
[Her mouth just drops because that's not what she expected to see. It's not that it isn't a nice view (because it is) but he's in the middle of changing?!]
[Ookurikara is startled, but doesn't mind Vietnam's intrusion too much. He had just came to the conclusion that properly adjusting all those layers of robes, with intrincate bindings and accessories would be a pain to do on his own. Not to mention the hair styling and make up required. Why can't he just go to the front lines and fight the enemies? ]
[Ookurikara you have your work cut out for you. Don't worry, she can't refuse him when he asks like that, because she knows how hard it is for him to just ask in general.
Tentatively, she steps in, only because he has given her permission, before speeding up and moving towards his side.]
[He hands Vietnam the picture and instructions that came with the clothes set. There are a few layers of richly embroidered kimonos, but for some reason, they want his tattoo arm and, consequently, part of his chest to be uncovered.
There also needs to be some eyeliner worthy of Taroutachi and some hairpins. How she'll do his hair to put those hairpins he has no idea.]
[Taking the picture and instructions, she reads and looks very carefully. With instructions, she should be able to do this exactly, so it's a good thing he has them. The make up and the hairpins will come later, but at least those she can do normally anyway.
She looks back up at him.]
Let us get you dressed first then. I will accessorise you after. First...
[He's a part of the way there, so it seems like he just needed to put his robes on properly. She picks up the first layer and holds it up, raising her arms as high as she can so he can easily slip his arms into the open holes to the sleeves (well, one sleeve).]
[He just stares for a moment to contemplate how tiny Vietnam is as she raises her arms. He obediently slips into the layers and turns so she can adjust and bind them. These clothes are so troublesome. Why make a thing that you need help to dress?]
[He's not even considered the tallest of swords, but here she is, super small. Still, she's going to try her best, and he slips his arms in and she starts to knot up the ties until he can slip on another layer. All the while, she makes sure that his free sleeve is tucked into each other nicely as they hang by his side.]
I apologise for my forwardness. [It is a formality, since she does end up having to smooth out his clothes after she finishes binding them up.
He has a couple of more outer layers to go, but first he needs to get his hakama on. At least she doesn't have to reach for this.]
[He can see it's coming out nicely, thanks to Vietnam.]
It's fine. [He puts on the hakama and would've tied it himself if she wasn't already doing it in a far tidier way than he would. If it wasn't for the loose sleeve hanging by his side, he would be as neat and proper as Mitsutada would be if he had to wear a kimono.]
Still... [Knowing that he's fine is another thing, but still! She tries to make sure this isn't already as awkward as it could be. She ties his hakama securely before picking up the final robes for him him wear, one that trails around him in patterns waves of fabric.
As soon as wears that, she gets the fine fabric belts to wrap around.]
[That's one of the reasons why he hardly asks for help. It's always more or less awkward.
He obeys, though, trying to make her work easier. Despite recognizing that it's all assembling very nicely, he feels these clothes are too out of character for him, really. Being dressed by someone like this, as if he was a lord or something important.]
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130bladeworks2015-08-14 04:05 pm
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That being said, she's not going to sit back when they're rushing around like this.]
THREE
[She actually wanted to come help out in the kitchen, but you know what they say about too many cooks in the kitchen. She will go back later, she has her instructions she can help prepare your food! For now, she walks around to find something she can help out with. Even dusting, seriously.
That was when she heard a bit of a ruckus near where the clothes and robes are. Knocking on the sliding door to make sure everyone is presentable--]
Hello? Are you in need of assistance?
[She can help sort things out, or repair your robes or make adjustments. Trust her hands. She's a pro when it comes to fabric.
When it comes to your make up and hair though, tell her what you want! Or she'll do your nails, she's great at that. Look at her own perfect ones.]
FOUR
[This is wondrous! It's not the first time she's seen a sword dance, but has she ever seen a sword dance with swords before? There's something rather mystical about it. She keeps her cheering and applauding to a minimum though, as to respect their performance. It is something to be appreciated with grace and poise.
When they are done:]
FOUR: A
[--She may approach you.] That was a splendid dance! I am honoured to have witnessed it.
FOUR: B
[--Or maybe you're with her in the audience. She will turn to you to comment.] That was beautiful, no?
EIGHT
[Wildcard me!!!! GIVE ME ANYTHING /pitbull dance.]
4a because i do what i want
[Meanwhile this is his first time doing something like this, so Hirano practiced really hard for his master's sake. Still meeting with the country woman after his performance made him embarrassed a little, but he smiles at her as he takes off the few decorative clips that somehow got stuck in his hair.]
Thank you very much for your kind words and support. I must admit that this is my first time doing this ceremony.
HELLS YEAH
I speak only the truth, Hirano! It is surprising to hear that it is your first time when you danced so magnificently. Your practice truly paid off.
4B or not 4B... actually this is terrible i'm sorry
☆ Shu will be honest and his tone inflects it. Some of the performances were surprisingly elegant and beautiful, composed and purposeful. Others were less. Much less. Being an entertainer, an idol, a singer, he can judge--- and he will. Shu is that kind of Myuumon. ☆
To be honest, their clothes are all pretty amazing.
☆ He'll find something to compliment them all on. That's something, right? ☆
oh my god hikari
They could be better, you think? But yes, their clothes are beautiful. Truly something worthy to celebrate in.
sparkle sparkle
☆ Shu flashes a bright, cheerful grin at Vietnam. He tilts his head to the side while looking at her, before returning his gaze toward the stage. ☆
I wonder who made them? Maybe they could share their patterns.
☆ It'd be nice to bring something home that could pass back into his world. ☆
SO SHINY
She continues to watch after he turns his attention back towards the performance.]
You can ask them later! Those patterns should be quite accessible as they are traditional pieces of clothing.
[They can probably even do a google search if they're desperate.]
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I heard that this place is a home for spirits. Think it's true?
☆ He has no idea. Honestly, the only 'spirits' he knows are in a part of the city that also have a band representing them. It's pretty amazing! ☆
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Yes, the home of sword spirits. This is where they live while they fight a war.
[She looks up at him and wonders.] What are you?
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Oh, but her question! Yes, he does probably stick out here, doesn't he? The only Myuumon around. ☆
I'm the lead singer and guitarist for Trichronika! I'm Shu Zo~
☆ Sparkle sparkle--- oh, she meant WHAT. Huh. Oh well. Close enough. ☆
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That doesn't answer her question completely, but yes, close enough!]
Oh! Hello, Shu Zo, my name is Vietnam. It is nice to meet you. But a musician in a band? That is why you know so much!
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He'll gently and quietly laugh. Can't be too loud, he doesn't want to offend anyone on the stage. ☆
I know a lot, but not that much. Especially about spirits. They look so human!
☆ He's only met one human before, but she was temporarily transformed. ☆
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She manages to smile anyway, as he tries to hide his laugh.]
So great knowledge in music, but not so much about sword spirits? I can't say I am an expert either, the best person to ask would be the Saniwa.
But yes, they all look human! I suppose it is the form which suits them best, when it came to being transformed.
[DETAILS.]
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Saniwa? Is that their Master? I see. Maybe next year, he can allow me to teach them some things before their ceremonies.
☆ He'd be an okay teacher, but none of them come with sparkles. That's like, twenty percent of the work, right there. ☆
Transformed? Oh, I see! So they are swords and humans. No wonder music doesn't come naturally to them.
☆ Except for maybe one very specific warbler... ☆
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A-ah I apologise for intruding!
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It's fine. I... think I'll need your help.
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Tentatively, she steps in, only because he has given her permission, before speeding up and moving towards his side.]
Alright, what do you need me to do...?
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[He hands Vietnam the picture and instructions that came with the clothes set. There are a few layers of richly embroidered kimonos, but for some reason, they want his tattoo arm and, consequently, part of his chest to be uncovered.
There also needs to be some eyeliner worthy of Taroutachi and some hairpins. How she'll do his hair to put those hairpins he has no idea.]
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She looks back up at him.]
Let us get you dressed first then. I will accessorise you after. First...
[He's a part of the way there, so it seems like he just needed to put his robes on properly. She picks up the first layer and holds it up, raising her arms as high as she can so he can easily slip his arms into the open holes to the sleeves (well, one sleeve).]
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[He just stares for a moment to contemplate how tiny Vietnam is as she raises her arms. He obediently slips into the layers and turns so she can adjust and bind them. These clothes are so troublesome. Why make a thing that you need help to dress?]
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I apologise for my forwardness. [It is a formality, since she does end up having to smooth out his clothes after she finishes binding them up.
He has a couple of more outer layers to go, but first he needs to get his hakama on. At least she doesn't have to reach for this.]
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It's fine. [He puts on the hakama and would've tied it himself if she wasn't already doing it in a far tidier way than he would. If it wasn't for the loose sleeve hanging by his side, he would be as neat and proper as Mitsutada would be if he had to wear a kimono.]
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As soon as wears that, she gets the fine fabric belts to wrap around.]
Hold your arm up, please.
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He obeys, though, trying to make her work easier. Despite recognizing that it's all assembling very nicely, he feels these clothes are too out of character for him, really. Being dressed by someone like this, as if he was a lord or something important.]
Are you going to dress up like this too?
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