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.
[Ah. She realises her mistake. WHAT DOES SHE DO NOW?!
Try to fix his pin, that's a good idea, maybe. She reaches up to make it look more stable.]
I am sure your master will be very proud. Your brothers too. You worked hard for it! In the end though, it is also for you, something you achieved for the first time.
I will make sure to be there. If it is that close to the first dance, I am certain I won't miss it. [Because she's so on time with everything anyway.] Do you need to go prepare for it now?
[He's still, which makes her faster. Her hand moves smoothly, so once she finishes his face she can start with his eyes. This does require her to lean in just a little, making sure to glide the brushes neatly, concentrating deeply on her task.]
[She hasn't yet realised that he's tense, being that she's so focused, and that if she did, she thought it was because he was keeping still. When she is done with one eye, she lets him blink, but does nothing to pull back. It's a comfortable position to work on the other eye after all.]
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130bladeworks2015-08-14 04:05 pm
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Try to fix his pin, that's a good idea, maybe. She reaches up to make it look more stable.]
I am sure your master will be very proud. Your brothers too. You worked hard for it! In the end though, it is also for you, something you achieved for the first time.
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That's what he want for himself. A personal achievement the original Yamanbagiri doesn't have.]
Yes, it would be. After the dance, I'll try to feel proud of myself.
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Yamanbagiri has gotten so far with this, she's not surprised he's determined to see it all through.]
Yes. Are you proud of your progress so far?
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[Maybe it rubbed against his scalp a little, but it didn't hurt. He slowly nods.]
I am. I memorised my steps without any trouble. It wasn't that bad.
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That is good! Have you tried practicing them while in these robes?
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[He had his brothers help him put them on for those times.]
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I suppose it won't be any different with the accessories on. You're completely ready. When do you need to go up?
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My performance would be at... [He told her the time. Not the first dance or the last, but somewhere near the beginning.]
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I will make sure to be there. If it is that close to the first dance, I am certain I won't miss it. [Because she's so on time with everything anyway.] Do you need to go prepare for it now?
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[He pause for a bit.]
Only if you're not busy right now.
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I will do my best, whatever you need. What do you want need to do?
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[He just have accessories and some makeup left to put on. He looks over at where the desk is with the accessories and makeup sprawl over the top.]
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These? I will help you then. Please sit down! Also how would you like me to do your makeup?
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... Don't put too much makeup on me.
[DON'T MAKE HIM A KASHUU, BASICALLY.]
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I can do that. Please keep still.
[That part will be fast! It's the eyeliner which she'll have to work on.]
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I hope I am not taking too long.