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.
[Oh my, that is quite the unusual offering. The holy sword was too used to coins, or in certain rituals the standard fresh produce and sake.
While fruit was acceptable, confectionery was a bit of a stretch, even if it was an apple. It however, does not stop him from looking at it with intrigue.]
I have not, unfortunately. I am not one who usually eats sweets.
[ he clicks his tongue, brows arching faintly as he glances up at the spirit, still holding the other apple out. ]
Well, it's about time you did. [ he turns his own between his fingers, glancing down at the bright red candy coating. ] It's not really traditional, but I'm glad they have them. [ maybe they have foreign guests this year.. ] If you don't like it, you don't have to eat it, but I thought it might be nice to introduce you guys to some different things.
Sometimes, it's fun just being a part of something.
[ and for blades that have sat in shrines or tombs for centuries, all of this is probably new (and maybe a little exciting).
personally, haru's quite fond of sweets, if only because he doesn't get them often, so he's pretty quick to follow with a small bite to his own. he falls in at the spirit's side as they walk, head tilting back slightly to peer up at the night sky. ]
This is nice, but I'm glad we don't have to do it very often. [ the dancing and all. haru hates the attention. ]
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130bladeworks2015-08-14 04:05 pm
vii.!
While fruit was acceptable, confectionery was a bit of a stretch, even if it was an apple. It however, does not stop him from looking at it with intrigue.]
I have not, unfortunately. I am not one who usually eats sweets.
no subject
Well, it's about time you did. [ he turns his own between his fingers, glancing down at the bright red candy coating. ] It's not really traditional, but I'm glad they have them. [ maybe they have foreign guests this year.. ] If you don't like it, you don't have to eat it, but I thought it might be nice to introduce you guys to some different things.
no subject
It would be an interesting experience, being in the shoes of the worshippers.
[Never was he a participant in a matsuri before, his place being behind the altar.
He takes a bite. The crunch from the candy coating and the actual apple was a pleasant surprise.]
This is good. I can see why so many enjoy this.
no subject
[ and for blades that have sat in shrines or tombs for centuries, all of this is probably new (and maybe a little exciting).
personally, haru's quite fond of sweets, if only because he doesn't get them often, so he's pretty quick to follow with a small bite to his own. he falls in at the spirit's side as they walk, head tilting back slightly to peer up at the night sky. ]
This is nice, but I'm glad we don't have to do it very often. [ the dancing and all. haru hates the attention. ]
no subject
[Overwork and laziness are obviously both no-nos, for swords or for saniwas.
With fulfilled duties, there comes one's deserved free time. To be able to gain some insight while relaxing is quite an optimal situation.]
Festivals do require quite the effort to set up, but it is best to enjoy them while they last.
[It is after all, a period of peace in the middle of a tempest.]