[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

[lalliho]

[These things happen for inexperienced losers... He'll take the napkin as a show of goodwill, since he'd really rather just clean himself with his sleeve. Emil paid for this sleeve, though, and he's offering the napkin...! All he can bring himself to do as a response is to give a weak nod, though.

Emil is sorry. That's good. Lalli is sorry, too.

He gathers the strength he'd let scatter once his piece was through, because suddenly, even when he feels like what he's doing is a show of weakness, he feels like he needs it. Lowering the bottle so it won't slosh around and ruin anything, Lalli steps closer so he can rest his forehead against the heat of Emil's neck, and the rest of him sinks close to follow. The last time they'd been drinking together, they'd certainly gotten close, but this full, vulnerable intimacy... The last time had been back in Aimintas, and his heart had been beating in the same painful way. His free hand curls into the front of Emil's shirt, like that little bit will further help him stay close.]

I don't know how to put things in words. I'm sorry for fighting. I really like you.

[enflame]

( Yup, Lalli is certainly full of surprises. Fighting one minute, almost collapsing on him the next -- well, that's sort of how Emil perceives it all. It's his turn to tense up at being touched this time, unsure of what to do about it. It's..not really going together in his brain that Lalli would be angry at him a day ago, then over the past couple of minutes want to be close to him. What the heckie... )

Are you okay? ( The fluttery feeling of I really like you sticks in his gut, but that is quickly replaced with concern. How much has he had to drink today? He'd only seen him drink the red one and the pink thing -- well, that red stuff is strong. Also he's running all over creation every day as a delivery worker. ) If you feel sick, you should be home.

( Lalli's slumped on him quite spectacularly, and the clinging hand only signals to him he needs help staying upright. Placing a hand behind his back and another looping around the rest of him, he tries his best to hold onto as much of Lalli as possible. You really are a lightweight, dude. )

[lalliho]

[Is he okay?]

...I don't know.

[Not long ago, he would have said yes. He would have been insistent that he's okay, because there was nothing really wrong. After being here with Emil for so long... He's starting to wonder if he hasn't really been okay for a while now. Maybe for years.

More immediately, though, he doesn't feel sick, so he shakes his head and sighs.]

I'm not sick. [And it isn't like he has a home here, not really...] …I think... I think my home is becoming wherever you are. That's what feels best, now.

[enflame]

( Well, at least he knows Lalli is okay...maybe. He doesn't have to hold him up, but he also doesn't let go. It's hard to see his face since it's sort of buried in him still, but Emil tries his best to look at Lalli, shock still exposed on his face. )

What...? Do you really think that?

( The thing is that he doesn't fully comprehend what all that really means -- well, he does. But not the grand scope of that kind of emotion. In the short term, though, it's certainly causing a pleasant feeling across his skin. )

[lalliho]

Something like that.

[He hardly has a family anymore --what little is left isn't here. He's got Emil, who cares about him and listens to him, and who is insanely sweet to everyone he comes across. Even when he opens his damn fool mouth to say some dumbass thing, he doesn't do it maliciously...

He's an idiot making mistakes every other step, and he should have been dead long ago, but Lalli can't remember the last time he's felt safer.]

Is that okay? It's fine if you think it's too weird...

[enflame]

No, it's not weird. I don't think.

( It's hard to really put into words what he thinks. He's thinking about a lot right now, and all of it so much to sort through and decipher -- too much for his emotionally immature brain to handle. He isn't the only one of the two discovering new things about themselves. )

I feel similarly...more like I don't know what I'd do without you? ( Most people say that purposefully, but Emil just sort of spits it out dumbly. ) It's hard to think about it now, even though I obviously did live without you.

( God the beer has made him stupider than he realized... )

[lalliho]

[The blunt way he's saying these things that, to Lalli, are frankly lifechanging is... It's ridiculous. It makes him want to laugh, but he's too tired to do so, so he has to settle for a smile and a hum instead.]

You did...

["What would we do without you, Lalli!" He'd longed to hear it. Tuuri had said variations of it, sometimes, but from her it could seem like mindless pandering. Even when he knew she would use it to make him play nice, the very thought had made him weak... He was useful. He was necessary.

Emil's own admission might be as thoughtless as Tuuri's, but from him it only made it sound all the more genuine.]

You're warm. It's nice. Being this close isn't so bad, sometimes.

[enflame]

( Being fair, he's still a little flabberghasted that about 48 hours or so ago Lalli yelled at him, and now he's practically trying to meld into his neck...and also he's a smidge tipsy, so he's dumber than usual.

Emil looks around, suddenly very self-conscious -- You're warm. Lalli is shoved against him in the middle of an outdoor bartop, although no one seems to mind or notice. Not that he cares, but he feels awkward suddenly, and he certainly doesn't like that...but also Lalli is warm and also nice, so how much does he really care? Curiosities that are warring in his mind. )

Not at all. ( That's what his mind decides to say before his mouth has a choice in the matter. Maybe telepathy wouldn't be so bad. ) Are you sure you want to though? I can let go.

( Since he's still half-propping him up and all. )

[lalliho]

[Never underestimate the power space lesbians hold over a young gay's tender, fearful heart.]

Nn. [That was a point... Lalli takes a deep breath before loosening his grip enough to shift out of place. He's still keeping close, and cautious adjusting makes it so an arm is still wrapped around him, but he isn't holding onto Emil like he's the sole thing keeping him stable. After hearing his response to a more abstract form of that...

Yeah. He can stand on his own two feet just fine.]

I'm okay right now. If it starts to feel...too much, I'll tell you. No fighting.

[enflame]

No fighting. ( Back to just talking now, he reassures Lalli astutely...or more like he agrees. Touching him hasn't ever been something he's had a problem with.

The arm he leaves around Lalli rubs at his back, comfortingly. Emil's not letting go, but he is adjusting to Lalli's new stance. Warmth...he can still feel where Lalli's forehead was against his neck. How can something feel so relaxing but tense at the same time? He's really getting sick of feeling two complicated things at once.

Hand free to drink again, he does -- liberally. )

Do you want something...not pink? ( Because that looks weird, bro... )

[lalliho]

[Hmmn... Something not pink... Lalli stares down his bottle to watch the bubbles happily climb to the surface.]

It tastes better than the red one...? What's yours?

[At the close proximity, he can tell it isn't water, even if it's clear.]

[enflame]

It tastes a little like alcohol but also...some sort of nut flavor?

( It's honestly weird, but not a bad weird. Tilting the neck towards Lalli, Emil offers him the rest. There's a gulp or two left; no backwash, promise. )

[lalliho]

[That's...intriguing. Since he has a free hand, he takes the bottle, sniffs the top, wrinkles his nose, and downs it.

The noise he makes is best described as one's vocalization of "???????"]

[enflame]

Okay, you don't have to drink any more!

( Okay, barkeep -- come back here with that box. Once it recirculates, Emil dares to grab a red drink. His palette has been whetted, so getting it down should be easier.

The box is held out to Lalli -- want anything? There's also just the drink menu if you want something else, his treat. )

[lalliho]

[Lalli waves it off -- he still has some of the pink drink left.]

It isn't...the worst? [BUT BOY WAS IT WEIRD.]

[enflame]

I'd get something off the menu but then I'd be paying for it and it might be disgusting.

( No free drinks coming his way now that he's got a guy all over him. He can't even pronounce half of the liquors, let alone imagine what they taste like. )

[lalliho]

[Gasp, he's already being better about his spending. Being listened to is so nice...]

Yeah. This is fine.

[can't believe Lalli is cockblocking multiple worlds...at least this time, it's not someone interested in him while he remains oblivious. BOY THAT SURE WOULD BE A SUCKY SITUATION.]

...Happy Sunsu. Or...Yule. Whichever.

[enflame]

( Yeah, that sure would be garbage!!!! Wow!!! )

Happy Sunsu Christmas. ( It's something along those lines. Sighing, he relaxes a little bit more. Aside from the stressful fight issue, it's a season tinged with melancholy. Everyone is amping up togetherness and the like, but home -- real home -- is so far away. He's gotten pretty good at not thinking about it, but that strong sense of homesickness does creep up now and again.

At least he's not alone. It's his turn to lean on Lalli a little bit, grateful for having a friend...a part of his family with him right now. Thank goodness he's not that much shorter than his friend so leaning his head against his shoulder isn't a stretch or reach. This is fine, yeah... )