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.
☆ Looks like Shu's exploration has paid off in the form of observing some sort of dramatic play, complete with the sharp snap of a fan! It's a little slow for him, it's not like one of his performances, but he's careful not to judge too harshly given the different environment.
But he'll smirk and chuckle nonetheless, clapping slowly. He can surely appreciate the attempted artistry, even though the performer didn't seem like it. ☆
☆ There's a twinkle in his eyes. Did he surprise this man? In a way, he's hurt. Then again, he understands he may not be as well known around these parts. Shu isn't dumb, but he sure wished the reaction would have been more of excitement and not shock. ☆
Hey. If you used that energy in your movements and in your voice, then your audience will totally get fired up! Isn't that what you want?
☆ Surely he's never met Nameless, though this is only the second time he has met a sword spirit. ☆
[ Of all things, he didn't expect this spirit to give him performance advice. But then again, he isn't really sure what else he should expect from a kitsune. ]
... fired up...?
[ Huh? He isn't sure if that's supposed to be an intended effect. ]
Clicking his tongue against the roof his mouth, Shu shakes his head and offers a sad smile full of pity. Is this man a warrior? He certainly doesn't look like one.
Though, he does sound oddly familiar, even with the few words spoken. ☆
If it's something performed before a battle, how would anyone be ready to fight? Not to mention, you looked pretty disappointed.
☆ He crosses his arms. ☆
If you wish to make a statement, you must do so with confidence.
Do you? Do you see? You're going to have to prove it... whoever you are.
☆ Yes, he is going to keep watching. In fact, if Nameless were to start doing any sort of movements, Shu would start to imitate them. Not out of mockery, but to... get into it. Imitation is flattery!
Shu just wants Nameless to give the best performance he can. He's not particularly sure why, but it feels important. Their future band depends on him! ☆
[ He has to prove it. To this kitsune who probably just wandered in, drawn by the high concentration of spiritual energy.
But then again, he has to prove it to everyone later, doesn't he? To perform in front of all the swords, to show what he has, and what his supposed future incarnation didn't.
He didn't want to be in that shadow anymore. ]
I will.
[ Nameless closes his eyes for a few moments. When he opens them again, there's a certain forceful steel to his expression now. To draw in the stance of his former master, a man worthy of the title 'Demon King'...
He starts moving through the paces of the verse again, first without reciting - but this time, his movements are with more purpose. Possibly more terrifying, too. ]
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130bladeworks2015-08-14 04:05 pm
1; eyebrow waggle
But he'll smirk and chuckle nonetheless, clapping slowly. He can surely appreciate the attempted artistry, even though the performer didn't seem like it. ☆
YES SPARKLEFOX
Shu is noticed and regarded with cold purple eyes. Who was this spirit and how did he get here? ]
(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:・ﾟ✧
Hey. If you used that energy in your movements and in your voice, then your audience will totally get fired up! Isn't that what you want?
☆ Surely he's never met Nameless, though this is only the second time he has met a sword spirit. ☆
no subject
... fired up...?
[ Huh? He isn't sure if that's supposed to be an intended effect. ]
But this is a warrior dance...
no subject
Clicking his tongue against the roof his mouth, Shu shakes his head and offers a sad smile full of pity. Is this man a warrior? He certainly doesn't look like one.
Though, he does sound oddly familiar, even with the few words spoken. ☆
If it's something performed before a battle, how would anyone be ready to fight? Not to mention, you looked pretty disappointed.
☆ He crosses his arms. ☆
If you wish to make a statement, you must do so with confidence.
no subject
Nameless shifts, looking thoughtful. Lord Nobunaga was confident all the time, that was true. And to do it before battle, it needed impact. ]
I see.
[ He supposes he'd need to practice more to call on his old Lord's spirit, then.
But is this kitsune going to continue watching? ]
no subject
☆ Yes, he is going to keep watching. In fact, if Nameless were to start doing any sort of movements, Shu would start to imitate them. Not out of mockery, but to... get into it. Imitation is flattery!
Shu just wants Nameless to give the best performance he can. He's not particularly sure why, but it feels important.
Their future band depends on him!☆no subject
But then again, he has to prove it to everyone later, doesn't he? To perform in front of all the swords, to show what he has, and what his supposed future incarnation didn't.
He didn't want to be in that shadow anymore. ]
I will.
[ Nameless closes his eyes for a few moments. When he opens them again, there's a certain forceful steel to his expression now. To draw in the stance of his former master, a man worthy of the title 'Demon King'...
He starts moving through the paces of the verse again, first without reciting - but this time, his movements are with more purpose. Possibly more terrifying, too. ]