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 probably could... this is why he has to sleep outside.]
Not at all! We celebrate holidays when we can, but it's never been like this.
[Not since Namazuo's been around, at least. They haven't even done much in the way of holiday celebrations, really; there's usually at least one team out on a sortie at all times.]
[Poor Iwatooshi, forced outside because he's too fat.]
I see! What a special occasion, I am honoured to be able to witness it.
[And in this case, help too!] What kind of holidays do you celebrate? [She doesn't know exactly which they would do. She would get them birthday presents if they knew their birthdays. Christmas would be easier.]
[Maybe it's a good thing Namazuo isn't a naginata anymore. Then he'd probably have to carry all his brothers around at once. Even Ichigo.]
We're happy to have you! [Most of them are, anyway. Ignore the grumpy swords, they're always like that.]
Let's see... oh! I learned about Valentine's Day recently. [From a shoujo manga...] It's passed already, but I was thinking about asking the master if we could all make chocolates.
[But they would be admiring his huge muscles as one!]
Really? I am not imposing? [She came rather early, after all! But because she wanted to be courteous and offer a hand. Otherwise she could've remained out of the way and came on time for the festival. Namazuo does help her feel better about this.]
Ah, Valentine's Day is hugely popular in Japan too, I think you all would have some fun with that. Especially if you have someone to give the chocolates too.
Not at all! [He'd wave a hand, but he doesn't have one available at the moment, so he just smiles at her instead.] There are a lot of us here, but we're always grateful for some extra assistance. [Especially since half of them are lazy bums who never want to do anything!!]
It looked like a lot of fun! And when you make a mess, you can clean up by eating it! [DON'T PLAN FOR MESSES NAMAZUO]
Aha, then I will do my best! There are many, but that also means that many of you would need a hand too. [Since also, many guests. With those lazy ones not doing anything, how will they cater to all the guests?!]
I suppose you can clean up the mess by eating it. But only if you have enough. [He still needs to make sure he can give enough chocolates to others! Unless they're all for himself.]
[Well, okay, just don't put him in a corset or anything.
AND HE CAN TOTALLY BE HIS OWN VALENTINE he has enough love for himself and everyone else!! He gives her a curious look, though. Reusing chocolate...? For things other than chocolates?? Tell him more.] Like what?
And that makes sense!! Look, he doesn't often have leftovers... but he nods, looking excited.] Oh, that's a great idea! Then you could have different kinds of desserts, too.
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130bladeworks2015-08-14 04:05 pm
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Not at all! We celebrate holidays when we can, but it's never been like this.
[Not since Namazuo's been around, at least. They haven't even done much in the way of holiday celebrations, really; there's usually at least one team out on a sortie at all times.]
no subject
I see! What a special occasion, I am honoured to be able to witness it.
[And in this case, help too!] What kind of holidays do you celebrate? [She doesn't know exactly which they would do. She would get them birthday presents if they knew their birthdays. Christmas would be easier.]
no subject
We're happy to have you! [Most of them are, anyway. Ignore the grumpy swords, they're always like that.]
Let's see... oh! I learned about Valentine's Day recently. [From a shoujo manga...] It's passed already, but I was thinking about asking the master if we could all make chocolates.
[It would be a beautiful disaster.]
no subject
Really? I am not imposing? [She came rather early, after all! But because she wanted to be courteous and offer a hand. Otherwise she could've remained out of the way and came on time for the festival. Namazuo does help her feel better about this.]
Ah, Valentine's Day is hugely popular in Japan too, I think you all would have some fun with that. Especially if you have someone to give the chocolates too.
[Given the kitchen doesn't explode.]
no subject
Not at all! [He'd wave a hand, but he doesn't have one available at the moment, so he just smiles at her instead.] There are a lot of us here, but we're always grateful for some extra assistance. [Especially since half of them are lazy bums who never want to do anything!!]
It looked like a lot of fun! And when you make a mess, you can clean up by eating it! [DON'T PLAN FOR MESSES NAMAZUO]
no subject
Aha, then I will do my best! There are many, but that also means that many of you would need a hand too. [Since also, many guests. With those lazy ones not doing anything, how will they cater to all the guests?!]
I suppose you can clean up the mess by eating it. But only if you have enough. [He still needs to make sure he can give enough chocolates to others! Unless they're all for himself.]
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Heh, I think you're right about that! [Seriously, save them...] Please don't trouble yourself, though. We wouldn't want to make a guest work too hard.
[WHAT IF THEY ARE what then huh] It wouldn't be good to waste it, right?
no subject
Aha, it is no trouble whatsoever. It is nice to keep busy. [Especially since sitting around made her feel bad.
AND WOW, NAMAZUO, DON'T BE YOUR OWN VALENTINE.] It would not. You can always reuse chocolate for something.
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AND HE CAN TOTALLY BE HIS OWN VALENTINE he has enough love for himself and everyone else!! He gives her a curious look, though. Reusing chocolate...? For things other than chocolates?? Tell him more.] Like what?
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NAMAZUO THAT'S NOT HOW IT WORKS!!] You can reuse it in chocolate desserts, like cake.
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And that makes sense!! Look, he doesn't often have leftovers... but he nods, looking excited.] Oh, that's a great idea! Then you could have different kinds of desserts, too.
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Is it because he ate them all.] Yes! Have you tried different kinds of chocolate desserts?