[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

[deem]

Bother me?

[He repeats, not quite sure he follows.

Why would it bother him that Jude's doing something he's done before?]

[talim]

[ jude's going to take that as a no.

so he leans in and pecks 9s on the lips, cupping his cheek before he draws back. it's a quick, chaste kiss, but it's still a kiss, and jude is as warm as ever. ]

Thank you. Again.

Shall we get moving?

[ oh. but first—

jude is going to take the scarf he knit out of the bag and wrap it snug around 9s' neck, loose enough to be comfortable but still warm. after that comes the hat. he'll leave the mittens, for now, seeing as 9s is already wearing his usual gloves. ]

... Cute.

[deem]

...Cute?

[9S isn't sure to feel about that, but his face is warm all the same. It's the first time Jude hasn't found somewhere out of sight for them to duck into, and there's something different about that in a way that he can't quite define.

But once he recovers, he offers Jude a hand. They're going to see what there is to do around here, aren't they?]

[talim]

Cute.

[ jude nods, feeling no need to elaborate on it.

jude takes his hand, tangling their fingers together so they don't get separated (or perhaps that's just an excuse to hold him a little closer), and they start walking, jude glancing back and forth between stalls. ]

Do you want to get something to eat? Play a game? There's so much it's almost overwhelming.

[deem]

It's...a lot more than I'm used to. This even exceeds Aimintas.

[A bustling city like this is, as Jude said, almost overwhelming. It comes as a relief to him that they were in Aimintas first, because while it was populous, it wasn't quite to the same degree as this city is. At least he's been able to adapt by degrees.

He glances around with a hum, debating. There are so many people milling about right now, he can only see so much of what's around them]

Did anything stand out to you?

[talim]

Not even Fennmont was this crowded.

[ jude is just glad they're on the same page. he doesn't mind crowds, but he doesn't want to lose 9s, so he'll have to make sure he doesn't let go of his hand for too long. ]

All the different food smell delicious... it's making me hungry. Maybe we can start with that and go from there?

[deem]

Okay, I'll follow your lead.

[He's curious to see what Jude might choose, especially since his favorite dish lights mouths on fire.

More information about Jude's tastes is relevant to his interests any day]

*smells

[talim]

[ fortunately for 9s, there are no mabo curry stands anywhere here. there are candy apples, though, and jude can't remember the last time he had a candy apple. maybe when he was a kid. ]

How about we skip right to dessert?

[ a sunny smile. that's not even a real question. ]

[deem]

[9S shakes his head, but he's smiling]

You just want to watch me try stuff out again...

[He knows that's not the sole reason, but Jude was oddly interested in seeing how he took to desserts]

[talim]

It's fun to see you experiencing new things. Good things.

[ he shrugs with a lopsided grin. that's just a fact. jude is already pulling him along into line, and he uses his credits to get one for each of them before 9s can protest about who's paying. ]

Have you ever had caramel before?

[deem]

No, we didn't have stuff like this.

[No doubt a predictable answer as Jude turns the little cube about between his fingers. Fortunately it's wrapped so he isn't getting sticky fingers in the process]

What's it made of?

[talim]

I'm... not sure, exactly. Caramel is caramel. But it's really sweet — I think you'll like it.

[ jude had gotten a caramel apple while 9s had gotten a small bag of bite-sized toffee. he takes a big bite out of his candy apple and makes a satisfied sound before holding it out to 9s, wordlessly encouraging him to try a bite, too. sharing is caring. ]

[deem]

...You want me to eat your food?

[Will he ever not be puzzled by Jude offering his own food? Only time will tell.

But for the moment this quizzical response is all he's getting]

[talim]

Just a bite.

[ ???? what's so weird about this 9s. people share food all the time. get with it. ]

C'mon, try it!

[deem]

You're really sure?

[9S isn't accustomed to this idea.

Jude just wants to feed him, for some reason...?]

[talim]

Yes, I'm sure. People share food at festivals, Nines.

[deem]

Really? So all your friends would eat your food?

[...

Is this why Jude's his size?]

[talim]

... No...

[ shaking his head, he just laughs and takes another bite of his candy apple himself. ]

Why don't you share some of your toffee with me, then?

[deem]

[Now that's much easier. 9S will hold the little package right out for Jude to take]

Okay, have as much as your want.

[talim]

[ jude trades him the candy apple for the package. ]

This way, we can try everything.

[ jude isn't Super big on sweets, but he enjoys the chance to have them when he gets it. ]

[deem]

If you say so...

[A long moment of silence before 9S takes the most cautious bite of this apple ever.

Because it's Jude's after all]

[talim]

Is it good?

[ he gently prompts. ]

[deem]

[Some thoughtful munching before he swallows]

It's...pretty sticky.

[And sweet, which he does like, but he sure didn't expect that texture. It's entirely new]

[talim]

But good, right? Just be careful not to get it on your fingers.

[ meanwhile, jude pops some toffee in his mouth. ]

Chewy.

[deem]

[9S gives the apple a pointed look]

...I really don't want that on my gloves...