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.
[ Tempted by the scent of tasty food (the warnings of "don't eat it" are lost on him), he'll make his way to the kitchen, hoping to steal some bites for himself.
Instead, what he encounters is a pile of neatly cut vegetables; but there are small, dark drops of blood on the opposite end of the cutting board, and then there's this guy, with his finger in his mouth, like Tsurumaru doesn't know what he's hiding— ]
Yo! [ He lifts a hand. ] You look like a nice guy, are you willing to slide me some food early on?
What? [ He sticks his own finger in his mouth, imitating what he sees; his own voice is muffled in a similar fashion. ] I can't understand you, when you're speaking like this.
[ What a lie, he totally understood what Sano said. But it's ignored in favor of the food that he absolutely has to acquire. ]
Aaaand since I didn't understand you, I'm going to help myself.
[ Casually reaches over for an apple slice... But will his hand make it to the stack of apple slices? Stay tuned... ]
He frowns, clearly displeased, when the apple slice is swiped before he can get to it. But he's not going to let Sano have the upper hand here, who does he think he is? The Shinsengumi are all babies in his eyes, anyway???
Seizing the instant that Sano pops the slice into his mouth, Tsurumaru reaches forward again; attempt #2 is successful, but he steals enough to keep him warm for the winter, holding four slices in his palm, helping himself to them one at a time, with a pleased smirk. ]
It would be easier if you would just give me a slice, instead of me having to help myself, you know.
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130bladeworks2015-08-14 04:05 pm
2 | ugh i also need first aid . now we both need first aid
Instead, what he encounters is a pile of neatly cut vegetables; but there are small, dark drops of blood on the opposite end of the cutting board, and then there's this guy, with his finger in his mouth, like Tsurumaru doesn't know what he's hiding— ]
Yo! [ He lifts a hand. ] You look like a nice guy, are you willing to slide me some food early on?
ugh where is our first aid
No. It's not done yet. [ Of course his voice was kind of muffled due to his finger. ]
Isn't that arrogant of you? [ Takes out his finger... Licks it. The best first aid. ]
ugh it's gone for filthy sinners like us
[ What a lie, he totally understood what Sano said. But it's ignored in favor of the food that he absolutely has to acquire. ]
Aaaand since I didn't understand you, I'm going to help myself.
[ Casually reaches over for an apple slice... But will his hand make it to the stack of apple slices? Stay tuned... ]
ugh its fine ill die itll be ok
That was hurtful. Don't jump to conclusions.
[ He watches Tsurumaru reach for the apple slice, and... Nope! Sano picks it up before Tsurumaru can take one, and he pops it in his own mouth.
:^) Nice try! ]
This is stupid. [ Munch... Munch. ]
ugh stop i'll die first it's a contest it's On
He frowns, clearly displeased, when the apple slice is swiped before he can get to it. But he's not going to let Sano have the upper hand here, who does he think he is? The Shinsengumi are all babies in his eyes, anyway???
Seizing the instant that Sano pops the slice into his mouth, Tsurumaru reaches forward again; attempt #2 is successful, but he steals enough to keep him warm for the winter, holding four slices in his palm, helping himself to them one at a time, with a pleased smirk. ]
It would be easier if you would just give me a slice, instead of me having to help myself, you know.
[ Loud munch... Crunch! ]