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.
[HEY BROSUKE. Namazuo's always happy to see his family, so he perks up, smiling. He nods in answer to the question, stepping aside so Yagen can see what he's looking at.
It's probably no big deal to some of the other swords, but it's definitely more bits than he knows what to do with. He gestures at the fabric with a frown.]
[He step inside and walks over to look at the fabric better. This... isn't exactly his forte. Oh dear.]
No, not quite. Are these like kimono?
[Asked one sword who saw the battlefield far more than watching people dressed up in fine fabrics like this. Maybe if he use what he knows about the basics??]
[What with all the flowing silk and the sashes and ornamental pins. Namazuo frowns as he picks up two of the separate sashes, tilting his head. Why are there two...]
What are you wearing tonight? [Are the tantous off the hook, because that is so not fair.]
If it's like a kimono, we can start from the first layer and go upward.
[And then figure out the rest as they go. If all else fails, they can grab... Who would know about these things? Souza? Jiroutachi? Well, maybe not Jiroutachi if he's drunk again. He picks up what seems to be the first fabric.]
Me? Just a simple kimono. [He looks down at Namazuo's ceremonial attire.] ... Far simpler than this.
[Yagen wasn't chosen for the dance, so he's free from it... this year.]
[Jirou, why... they need your expertise here, dang it!
But Namazuo isn't the type to get angry or frustrated easily, so he'll just go with it.]
Right! Okay. [The basic robe is fairly simple to understand, though there are ties in the back that he won't be able to reach on his own. After that... well, they'll figure it out somehow!]
Hm~ do you need any help with it? I can come by after this. [Probably not, but just in case! Big brother is here for you, Yagen.] I suppose this is good practice, in case you need to wear something like this next year.
[Yagen would help with the ties and anything out of Namazuo's reach. He holds out the fabric, opening it up and see how it looks. Yes, he knows where this one goes.]
I would appreciate it. But if you can't, I can ask someone else for their help. [Maybe one of their brothers.] And that would depend on if I'm chosen.
[Circumstances can change and who knows which swords will be picked next year? Yagen would personally find it curious, but he won't deny the honour and respect that comes with it.]
Of course! [He's got time! Even if he didn't, he would make time. But luckily, he isn't urgently needed anytime soon--not until it's time to really start preparing for the dance.]
If you get chosen next year, I'll help you practice. [He says this with a nod, simultaneously answering Yagen's question. Taking the first layer, he starts to put it on, over the thin undershirt he's been wearing.] What will you be doing tonight?
[Namazuo himself only has a supporting role in the dance, but it's enough that practicing has kept him busy. He's not sure what the other swords are up to--if they'll be in charge of other things, or simply free to observe.]
[He wraps the next layer on Namazuo, straightening it out as he do.]
I'll primarily be helping the medical team. [Because surprise, surprise, Yagen is on first aid duty. There's always a chance of an accident or unforeseen cirumstances.] Whenever I have my break, I can join everyone else.
[Probably tagging along with his brothers to the games, really. After checking on saniwa and the dancing swords. There's a smile on his face. Having Namazuo as a dancing partner sounds like it could be amusing.]
[Namazuo moves, or lets Yagen move him, as necessary. He may not be used to this, but he can be accommodating.]
I'm glad to hear that! You should have time to enjoy yourself. The others will be glad, too. [Especially since Yagen is a hard worker. The Toushirou army needs to stick together!
He smiles at that, though.]
I'll take good care of you! [Namazuo might be a prankster, but he wouldn't jeopardize his brother's duties, after all.]
[Yagen either fakes it really well, or he knows how to dress Namazuo. Which may or may not comes from observing others and helping out with their own costumes.
He nods as he tie up something around Namazuo's waist.]
I will. If I'm not enjoying myself, I'm sure our brothers will find a way. [There's that hint of amusement in his voice, to go with the smile on his face.] Is this too tight, Brother?
[Little brother is so helpful...! Way more helpful than Namazuo, who was obviously not paying attention. A true dingus.]
Mm, I think you're right. I know Midare and Akita are really excited. [Most of the swords are, really, but those two are especially contagious in their cheer.
Namazuo shifts a little, twisting this way and that. He shakes his head.] No, it's comfortable!
[Namazuo laughs.] I'm not surprised! I heard him talking to Kashuu-kun about accessories. [They might as well have been speaking German for all he could understand it, honestly.]
Not yet! We're supposed to do that soon. In about twenty minutes, I think. [Okay but when was the last time he checked the clock.]
Let's hope they won't go too overboard with it. [Yagen would probably draw the line at too many or too blinding accessories. He's such a simple, practical sword.]
In twenty minutes? [Yagen raise a brow at Namazuo.] At what time?
[Because Yagen would gladly tell his brother the time and drag his ass to practice.]
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130bladeworks2015-08-14 04:05 pm
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[HEY BROSUKE. Namazuo's always happy to see his family, so he perks up, smiling. He nods in answer to the question, stepping aside so Yagen can see what he's looking at.
It's probably no big deal to some of the other swords, but it's definitely more bits than he knows what to do with. He gestures at the fabric with a frown.]
Do you know how to put these on?
no subject
[He step inside and walks over to look at the fabric better. This... isn't exactly his forte. Oh dear.]
No, not quite. Are these like kimono?
[Asked one sword who saw the battlefield far more than watching people dressed up in fine fabrics like this. Maybe if he use what he knows about the basics??]
no subject
[What with all the flowing silk and the sashes and ornamental pins. Namazuo frowns as he picks up two of the separate sashes, tilting his head. Why are there two...]
What are you wearing tonight? [Are the tantous off the hook, because that is so not fair.]
no subject
[And then figure out the rest as they go. If all else fails, they can grab... Who would know about these things? Souza? Jiroutachi? Well, maybe not Jiroutachi if he's drunk again. He picks up what seems to be the first fabric.]
Me? Just a simple kimono. [He looks down at Namazuo's ceremonial attire.] ... Far simpler than this.
[Yagen wasn't chosen for the dance, so he's free from it... this year.]
no subject
But Namazuo isn't the type to get angry or frustrated easily, so he'll just go with it.]
Right! Okay. [The basic robe is fairly simple to understand, though there are ties in the back that he won't be able to reach on his own. After that... well, they'll figure it out somehow!]
Hm~ do you need any help with it? I can come by after this. [Probably not, but just in case! Big brother is here for you, Yagen.] I suppose this is good practice, in case you need to wear something like this next year.
no subject
I would appreciate it. But if you can't, I can ask someone else for their help. [Maybe one of their brothers.] And that would depend on if I'm chosen.
[Circumstances can change and who knows which swords will be picked next year? Yagen would personally find it curious, but he won't deny the honour and respect that comes with it.]
Shall we get started, Brother?
no subject
If you get chosen next year, I'll help you practice. [He says this with a nod, simultaneously answering Yagen's question. Taking the first layer, he starts to put it on, over the thin undershirt he's been wearing.] What will you be doing tonight?
[Namazuo himself only has a supporting role in the dance, but it's enough that practicing has kept him busy. He's not sure what the other swords are up to--if they'll be in charge of other things, or simply free to observe.]
no subject
I'll primarily be helping the medical team. [Because surprise, surprise, Yagen is on first aid duty. There's always a chance of an accident or unforeseen cirumstances.] Whenever I have my break, I can join everyone else.
[Probably tagging along with his brothers to the games, really. After checking on saniwa and the dancing swords. There's a smile on his face. Having Namazuo as a dancing partner sounds like it could be amusing.]
If I get chosen next year, I'll be in your hands.
no subject
I'm glad to hear that! You should have time to enjoy yourself. The others will be glad, too. [Especially since Yagen is a hard worker. The Toushirou army needs to stick together!
He smiles at that, though.]
I'll take good care of you! [Namazuo might be a prankster, but he wouldn't jeopardize his brother's duties, after all.]
no subject
He nods as he tie up something around Namazuo's waist.]
I will. If I'm not enjoying myself, I'm sure our brothers will find a way. [There's that hint of amusement in his voice, to go with the smile on his face.] Is this too tight, Brother?
no subject
Mm, I think you're right. I know Midare and Akita are really excited. [Most of the swords are, really, but those two are especially contagious in their cheer.
Namazuo shifts a little, twisting this way and that. He shakes his head.] No, it's comfortable!
no subject
He nods, to both the comment about their brothers and Namazuo's clothes. It did look like he can move easily enough.]
Midare keeps on checking everyone else's clothes. [Something about their entire family will look "fabulous" and gorgeous.]
Did you practice dancing in these clothes, or something similiar yet?
no subject
Not yet! We're supposed to do that soon. In about twenty minutes, I think. [Okay but when was the last time he checked the clock.]
no subject
In twenty minutes? [Yagen raise a brow at Namazuo.] At what time?
[Because Yagen would gladly tell his brother the time and drag his ass to practice.]