[WORLD TWO | SUNSU FESTIVAL]

[spellbindmods]

Who: All coven members, and more!
Where: Anmung Tower and about a mile radius from the base of the tower!
When: Day 174
Open/Closed: Open to All

For those coven members who come from worlds with Christmas, Hanukkah, Yule, etc., they'll likely recognize Sunsu as a version of similar holidays. While there aren't any religious over or under tones, there's snow falling, a high level of merriment and cheer all around. That isn't to say Sunsu isn't without a bit of meaning and lore. Certain stalls are focused on a minor history of Sunsu, a holiday stemming from the story of two lovers, Princess Xin and one of her ladies in waiting, who proved to the Princess' father that their love was worthy of marriage by blessing each other with a fabulous gift. Depending on your taste and place in life, Sunsu can be more romantic or more family-based. Sunsu is marketed as a holiday that focuses on blessing and giving to those that you cherish in life, and receiving a blessing or gift symbolizes uniting people together forever. Because of this meaning, there is a certain romanticized overtone to Sunsu, though of course others celebrate in their own way. It's a holiday of togetherness, and everyone in Shehui seems to be in on the holiday spirit. There aren't as many monitors around, the streets around Anmung tower are packed with families, newcomers and couples alike. Are you ready to get into the spirit of the season? A ▢ For some coven members, Sunsu is a day of work. This work may have actually started early in the morning, which is when the beginning of the Sunsu festival begins. Those who volunteered to work at the festival will be paid handsomely, but they'll have to work hard for it! One such job up for the taking is personal shopper which can be completed with the help of another person -- lucky you! This requires making your way through the streets of Shehui, looking for gifts and items that you're likely unfamiliar with. B ▢ Other volunteers are lucky enough to be stuck in stalls where there are at least chairs. Almost anything and everything is being sold in Shehui, and it's your job to push whatever goods you're being hired to peddle. The good news. You get 10-20% commission! The weirder or more ridiculous the item, the higher your commission! C ▢ Others may not even be working. You've been exceptionally naughty and decided to skip out on your Sunsu shopping until the last minute! Whether you're looking for a last minute gift for your Secret Sunsu recipients, or you're being a horrible friend and neglecting those you love until literally the last day, you've still got time to get some gifts!

As the day goes on, more and more festival decorations are going up -- which this may also be a job you've been roped into! With the sun falling steadily in the sky, the true beauty of Shehui can be seen as night creeps in. As per the request of the lottery winner, almost every structure in Shehui around the Anmung tower, including the famed structure, is illuminated with brilliant, twinkling lights in gold and red colors. Some areas are lit by different colors, like the nearby Huhu Coffee House that's building is wrapped in green lights, while Xi Park is filled with a soft pink variety on trees and fountains. Streamers and banners are hung everywhere, with some offering simple seasons greetings, while others are making passers by aware of sales and wares to be sold. D ▢ Sunsu is certainly a togetherness holiday, and everyone in the coven must have at least one friend or loved one they know in Shehui -- at least a casual acquaintance? There are a lot of things around Sunsu to do in groups or pairs (three ain't a crowd, here!), from stupid picture booths to horse-drawn carriage rides. Well, those creatures certainly look sort of like horses, if horses had four legs and two arms. In the spirit of togetherness, grab a friend or three and enjoy yourself. You've earned it, right? E ▢ Sunsu is a festival, and what's a festival without drinking? Drinking is actually a pastime that is popular at Sunsu, with local signboards discussing the historical significance of drinking in Shehui a long time ago. (If you're inclined to notice, all historical signboards have a sort of whimsical vagueness about them, as if they're discussing a myth or legend, not actual history). There are three types of traditional alcohol in Shehui that are made on Sunsu. One, a red concoction that is strong, reminiscent of a type of vodka. Two, a clear liquid that has a distinctly almond taste; akin to beer but with no fizz. Three, a pink, champagne-lite that is comparable to a wine cooler -- for you kids and lightweights out there. These drinks are also essentially handed out with very few stalls requiring you pay for them. Some stalls are extremely beer-focused, even promoting drinking contests with cash and gift prizes! F ▢ While not completely close to Anmung tower, Chips! is running a special promotion tonight! All games that aren't table gambling are completely free! If you're an introvert who just wants to DDR the night away, you're welcome to spend your night here, as pathetic as it may be. You're also welcome to escape the Anmung crowds, only to find yourself in a different type of mob inside Chips! -- it's better with a friend, though! G ▢ Closer to the base of Anmung tower, a festival game is taking place. Called XiXi, this game involves receiving a red envelope and finding a person who fits the criteria within that envelope. When you do, take the person to a table and receive a credit prize of 500 and a small basket of pastries and fruit. It's popular with children, but adults are allowed to get in on the fun too -- a lot of people treat it like a mixer. There's also no limit to how many times you can complete the challenge, as long as you don't use the same person twice! These criteria can be physical traits, more embarrassing personal qualifications...anything you can OOCly think of!

At midnight, the Sunsu event is supposed to culminate in a fireworks show -- and it does! To commemorate the day being over, fireworks of many different colors are being displayed all across Shehui, further illuminating the evening. It's almost as if it's truly daylight again, between the fireworks and Anmung tower. H ▢ In one more relaxing prompt, you're allowed to enjoy the fireworks. There are several parks that have set up watching points, including blankets on the ground and pre-made picnic baskets you can buy. After a busy day, whether working or playing, it's nice to be able to sit down and simply observe the night sky. I ▢ This doesn't last forever, though. About 15 minutes into the show, there's a disruption in the typical fireworks booming, instead replaced with a very large and ominous bang. These explosion sounds continue until there's a decidedly larger explosion sound that appears and feels a lot closer than the others. While there aren't any signs of fire or debris, the Sunsu festival is thrown into chaos. People are running, stores are closing immediately, and inner city speakers are announcing an emergency and for all residents to return to their homes immediately with escorts available if necessary. It's impossible to see what the source of the sound is here, but it's obviously abnormal. Will you help people in the panic? Where are those friends you've spent so much of the night with? What is going on? J ▢ Wildcard! Have another idea for a prompt? Try it out and tag around!

Comments

ota!

[oceanaria]

( d )

[ In Riko's eyes, the Sunsu festival isn't really much different than Christmas...at least not until she experiences a cultural shock upon seeing the horses. Or, more like, horse-like creatures. Four legs and two arms? How does this even work... ]

This...this might be a bit too much...

[ Too much? Oh, please, have a discount! The person in charge of the whole horse-drawn carriage rides business is definitely in the giving mood, so Riko ends up sitting on one of the seats sooner rather than later. Although that's not exactly what she wanted. ]

Excuse me, it's a misunderstanding...

[ Too little, too late. Another person getting a discount and joining Riko might be you...if that is the case, she'll smile sheepishly and begin with a: ]

Am I the only one who thinks that these horses are...

[ It's difficult to find an appropriate word to describe them for some reason. ]

( f )

[ There are so many arcade games to choose from, but Riko can't quite walk away from one of the older ones. Moreover, she's been playing the same classic medley over and over again. It's not even that she's gotten any misses, she simply enjoys these melodies this much. If she realizes that someone's been watching, Riko will start to mess up some notes trying to look behind her shoulder. ]

Oh, would you like to play? How long have I been here—one hour?!

( wildcard )

[ if you'd like to do another prompt or something entirely else, go for it! i can write us a starter too, feel free to pm me/pp me at koohii so we can work things out! ]

closed to chika

[oceanaria]

[ While waiting for her friend to show up, Riko finds herself standing near a history stall just before the storyteller begins to share the tale of Princess Xin and her lady in waiting who have fallen in love with each other. Just before the love confession part, Riko feels that someone is tapping her shoulder. She might or might not have forgotten about everything else about her, to be honest.

When she realizes that the person is Chika...well. Her face becomes just as red as the drinks they sell at the stalls. ]

Chika-chan...!

[ The storyteller's "You always find a way to make my day a little brighter, I love you dearly!" rings in Riko's ears as she turns to the other girl. ]

Shall we get going?

[ Maybe she'll look up how the story ends later...yes, it might be better that way. ]

[heartholder]

Riko-chaaan!

[ chika tosses both arms around her shoulders, clinging onto her with the same enthusiasm she always has when she sees riko.

they had arranged to explore the festival together, just the two of them. chika had suggested that they give dia and ruby some sister time, and splitting up didn't seem like too bad an idea. chika had picked out this yukata to wear from one of the shops, because it's a special occasion, and how often does she get to wear one? ]

You bet! This is going to be so much fun!

[ chika detaches herself from riko only to loop her arm through hers, sticking close to her side. ]

Where do you want to look first? Ahh, there's so much to see... !

[oceanaria]

[ The warm greeting makes her giggle; Chika is always so full of energy that it's contagious. Riko, who's also wearing a yukata (which is also the reason why she giggled before—they never said what they're going to wear for this meeting, after all), taps her chin a few times, thinking about their options. ]

Maybe we could have something to eat first and then have a look around? Or...I think they're holding some kind of an event at the arcade, we can go there.

[ In the meantime, she makes a mental note to buy a book on Sunsu traditions later. ]

[heartholder]

Hmm... Food sounds good first!

[ chiko unloops their arms — she can't seem to settle on one position, like she's restless — and tangles their fingers together, instead. ]

Your yukata... You look really pretty, Riko-chan. I wish I had hair as long and smooth as yours...

[ chika's eyes are practically sparkling. ]

[oceanaria]

I think I saw a stall where they're selling tangerines on my way here, we could—

[ Chika stop, that's gay. Riko can't handle her kind words very well, she's blushing really brightly. ]

W-What are you saying, Chika-chan...you're the pretty one. And I like your hair as it is now.

[heartholder]

I mean it! I'm lucky, to be able to spend Sunsu with you. I'm really, really happy.

[ her words are as sincere as ever, as sincere as they always are. ]

— Did you say tangerines?

[ that has her attention. ]

[oceanaria]

If you're happy, then so am I.

[ At that moment Riko makes a mental note to herself for future reference: Complimenting Chika and mentioning tangerines in the span of two sentences isn't going to work. ]

Yes. Let's go before they're all gone.

[ Riko gives the other girl a soft smile and tugs her gently. From what she has seen they had lots and lots of tangerines, but Chika probably hasn't eaten them in a while. ]

[heartholder]

Yeah!

[ chika swings their entwined hands back and forth in a playful gesture before she's allowing riko to tug her through the crowd. she's impatient, though, so without any warning, soon chika is the one dragging riko, expertly avoiding anyone in the way of her and her tangerines. her mission. ]

Ah-ha! Here! Look, there's still plenty!

[ she tosses riko an excited look and squeezes her hand before getting in line. ]

[oceanaria]

[ In case they bump into someone accidentally, Riko will apologize on their behalf. There's really no stopping Chika, not this time. It's difficult to not chuckle when she sees the other girl so happy about the tangerine stand. ]

I'm glad. I haven't eaten them for a while myself.

[ They might not be as good as the one from Uchiura, but they'll do. ]

It's funny, isn't it? How this place is similar to our world.

[heartholder]

Yeah, it is pretty crazy. It both makes me miss Uchiura even more and makes me wonder what kind of place the next world might be.

[ if there is one. if they don't go back home first. ]

[oceanaria]

[ As much as Riko wishes that it was their world, it's just a pipe dream. A mission in their home world, that would be something else, wouldn't it? ]

I just hope it won't be too different from this one. It's really peaceful here.

[ Thanks Riko, you jinxed it. But at least it's their turn to pick up some tangerines. ]

How many would you like, Chika-chan?

[heartholder]

Two? No, three! Or four—

[ oh. wait. ]

Aah, wait, Riko-chan! Were you going to use your credits? Let me pay for it!

[oceanaria]

Let's split, then. I feel like eating some tangerines later too, you know.

[ She's not letting her not-girlfriend pay that easily!! ]

I wonder what can we do here...

[heartholder]

That works for me! We'll stuff ourselves with tangerines together!

[ she hums, thoughtful. ]

What do you mean? There's plenty to do, isn't there?

[oceanaria]

There's something I've seen on my way here and I think I'd like to give it a try...

[ There's no need to be so secretive Riko!! And there's definitely no need to make it sound like it's something sketchy when it's just taking photos in a picture booth. ]

[heartholder]

[ a surprise? well, chika loves surprises. ]

Let's do that, then! Lead the way.

[oceanaria]

[ There wasn't enough time to do this when they were in Tokyo and Riko hasn't seen any of these in Numazu yet. What are these, though? Chika will find out soon enough when Riko finally stops in front of a photo booth and lets go of her friend's hand. ]

I thought that taking a few photos could be nice...

[ Especially since Chika looks really beautiful in her yukata, but she's not going to tell her that. ]

[heartholder]

Ooh! That's a great idea!

[ chika is beaming. looks like riko made the right decision. ]

Get in, get in!

[ she's already ushering riko into the booth, hands on the small of her back. ]

[oceanaria]

[ It's not the first time Chika is so excited about something, and definitely not the last, but it makes Riko really happy that she wants to take pictures together as well. There's very little space inside the booth, but that bother Riko only a little—enough to make a flush creep up her cheeks. ]

I think we can take five in one go and then make copies.

[ She'll have to think up five different expressions!! Thankfully Riko's good at making them. ]

Have you done this before with someone?

[ Riko's not even sure why she asked that. It just happened. ]