SWORD DANCING MEME

[tachizuru]

SWORD DANCING MEME a festival meme

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.

Comments

[deverium]

[ Her opinion is accepted with a nod. There is no reply at first, while he laces his hands together. ]

You wish to watch them?

[hoasen]

[She nods as she looks over, vaguely glancing at the festival through the corner of her eye.]

Yes, I suppose I am interested in what you all have in store for the grand finale. All have worked very hard on the ceremony and the festival.

[deverium]

[ He dips his head in response - it is true, after all. He contributed in his own, quiet way - mostly moving things and list checking, because the saniwa knows better than to have him talk to the other swords for too long. ]

It will be good.

[hoasen]

[He's reliable, just not as flamboyant as his older self. Though it is evident that the two have very similar traits. One of those is to make sure everything is perfect.]

I can't wait to see then. I am glad you are here with me for it.

[deverium]

[ Some things never change. ]

... why?

[hoasen]

[Why? She doesn't have a clear answer for him, all she knows is that she appreciates his company. But how to answer in a way he understands?]

I enjoy experiencing things with you.

[Worth a shot.]

[deverium]

[ It's a good shot. ]

... I see.

[ Okay, then. Answer accepted. But. ]

Is it because of him?

[ You know. The other Mitsutada. ]

[hoasen]

[#WINNING.

His question is a little more difficult to answer. After finding out that they were one and the same, Vietnam has thought of them as exactly that. What she did notice was that she treated the two differently: she was both equally delicate and forceful around Nameless. Around Shokudaikiri Mitsutada, she never gave it much thought because she had met him first.]

The two of you are no different to me. Just one younger and one older. So I am here because of you. [Both singular and collective "you".]

[deverium]

[ Vietnam's answer is honestly better than what a lot of the other less tactful swords would give him. ]

Okay.

[ People seem to keep forgetting that he's not him. It gets troublesome. ]

... did you want to do anything?

[hoasen]

[Not that she knew that she answered better than the other swords, as she was just trying to be honest. But she knows that they have some issues with how they treat each other. But nothing deters her.]

We have some time till the fireworks, no? Should we go down to get some supplies before making our way back here? [A leisurely supply run though, they could go look at some games too.]