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.
[Yamanbagiri's holding his cloak in his hand. With one, swift movement, he unfolds it and put it back on himself, feeling the familiar, soft texture on his body. Is it important to him?]
... It's my cloak. I don't like letting just anyone touches it.
☆ Strangely enough, Yamanbagiri looks natural with the cloak draped against his body as if it was a living part of him. Shu hums, ears twitching a few times. Interesting! ☆
I see! Well, I apologize... if I introduce myself, maybe you could let me try it on? My name is Shu Zo~ ☆ And he flashes a brilliant smile, winking at the spirit. Does he sparkle a little? Yes he does! ☆
☆ It's probably just a trick of the light. Then again, sparklefox. ☆
Ah, well. It's nice to meet you, Yamanbagiri.
☆ It was worth a shot, but why surprises and comparisons? To Shu, he came across a man preparing for the festival going on at this place. ☆
I still thought you danced very well, even in practice. Your audience will appreciate your moves! Just try to keep your head up, and don't forget to smile.
["Surprise" because Yamanbagiri's name was fairly well known. Who wouldn't have heard of the original Yamanbagiri's legend and strength? The lack of surprise briefly makes him wonder if Shu was just hiding it.]
... Thank you. If I didn't do it well, I would be disappointing people.
[The master. Everyone who look and see him. Himself.]
☆ If this were any normal person or spirit, then yes. But no, Shu Zo is not from this world... all he sees is a young man practicing a performance for his peers! To be honest, the way that he worries about disappointing others... that shows he cares a lot. Shu can appreciate that. ☆
Mhm! Just be honest and genuine in your performance. ☆ He smiles warmly, ears flicking as he tilts his head to the side. ☆ And, though it may be difficult... do not worry about making mistakes. Ultimately, you must be content with your own actions.
☆ He knows firsthand how fear of failure can ruin an act. ☆
[Yamanbagiri cares a lot. Perhaps almost too much sometimes, whether he admits it or not.]
I'll... keep that in mind.
[To be content with his own actions? That's something he sometimes grapple with, when he sometimes think about the original Yamanbagiri and how he might measure up to him.]
☆ And there's that cocky smile, because Shu's only giving advice that he wish he could have given himself when he was younger. Then again, this man wasn't looking to become an idol, just to show respect. ☆
Happy to be helpful. But, I wouldn't wear the cloak. You can always leave it with me for safekeeping.
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130bladeworks2015-08-14 04:05 pm
no subject
... It's my cloak. I don't like letting just anyone touches it.
no subject
I see! Well, I apologize... if I introduce myself, maybe you could let me try it on? My name is Shu Zo~ ☆ And he flashes a brilliant smile, winking at the spirit. Does he sparkle a little? Yes he does! ☆
no subject
No. [What a prompt answer.] Even if you introduce yourself, I won't let you try it on.
[Get your own cloak! He pause, before he introduce himself and getting mentally ready for the surprises and comparisons.]
... I'm Yamanbagiri Kunihiro.
no subject
Then again, sparklefox.☆Ah, well. It's nice to meet you, Yamanbagiri.
☆ It was worth a shot, but why surprises and comparisons? To Shu, he came across a man preparing for the festival going on at this place. ☆
I still thought you danced very well, even in practice. Your audience will appreciate your moves! Just try to keep your head up, and don't forget to smile.
☆ Confidence building! ☆
no subject
... Thank you. If I didn't do it well, I would be disappointing people.
[The master. Everyone who look and see him. Himself.]
no subject
Mhm! Just be honest and genuine in your performance. ☆ He smiles warmly, ears flicking as he tilts his head to the side. ☆ And, though it may be difficult... do not worry about making mistakes. Ultimately, you must be content with your own actions.
☆ He knows firsthand how fear of failure can ruin an act. ☆
no subject
I'll... keep that in mind.
[To be content with his own actions? That's something he sometimes grapple with, when he sometimes think about the original Yamanbagiri and how he might measure up to him.]
Thank you for your words.
no subject
Happy to be helpful. But, I wouldn't wear the cloak. You can always leave it with me for safekeeping.
☆ Heh. ☆
no subject
[Another prompt answer. If it's another sword, he may relent. Maybe. But not to someone outside of the citadel.]
I'll keep my cloak with me.
no subject
At least allow me to touch it. I'm a stranger to this place, and I don't know if I'll ever be allowed back here.
☆ It'd be hard to explain that his world is inside his master's phone. ☆