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.
[ He's quiet, because moments like these require a silence created through respect and other feelings. And as he approaches the distracted man, whose eyes reflected the most beautiful ornaments of the night sky, Kogitsunemaru knows it in his heart to maintain the peace.
That is, of course, until he can't stay his voice. ]
You're very far away, Mikazuki-san. I wish I could join you there.
[ He moves to stand next to the moony-eyed jijii, folding his arms across his body. The little fox, with the corners of his lips tugging upward as he takes in the sounds of nature.
The shrine, indicating the cycle... after all, they were all metal. The scene in front of them, reflecting in his crimson hues as he turns his head to look at the other. ]
I did. For those who've fallen, for those who are still here, and for those who will be brought back to us.
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130bladeworks2015-08-14 04:05 pm
5
That is, of course, until he can't stay his voice. ]
You're very far away, Mikazuki-san. I wish I could join you there.
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[To a corner where the chirps of crickets and the occasional hooting of an owl could be heard along with the noise from the others in the background.
They could still observe the others with relative peacefulness.]
Have you offered your prayers?
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The shrine, indicating the cycle... after all, they were all metal. The scene in front of them, reflecting in his crimson hues as he turns his head to look at the other. ]
I did. For those who've fallen, for those who are still here, and for those who will be brought back to us.
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[Being able to be called back again was a luxury, even if the memories they and those who were gone shared before vanished with shattering steel.
Look back at the past for too long and they will see the darkness that the Retrogading Army brings.]
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[ Focusing on the present is difficult, especially at a ceremony dedicated to the past. ]
Not to mention, who will find them if we are lost or gone?
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[Just like how they themselves were called forth from the forge. Now, they have walked a long path, with much to look back to.
But much more to look forward to.]
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[ They have to show the way, because when the inevitable happens, they leave a legacy of broken metal.
The future only seems brighter as more of them are found, as brilliant as the eyes of the man next to him. ]
Tell me, Mikazuki. Will there ever be a time when everyone is here, and we won't have to worry about loss?