[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

[talim]

Um...

[ ... ]

... as a friend, I guess?

[secrowtary]

That's fair.

[ He's smiling to himself...embarrassed Jude is best Jude, apparently. ]

So...are you ready for the next toast, Jude?

[talim]

We're still not finished?

[ ?????? ]

[secrowtary]

Jude...if you can't keep up with me then you should stop drinking before it's too late.

[ But your glass isn't empty either, Hibiki. ]

[talim]

It's not that I can't keep up...

[ he's just not sure what else to toast to besides friendship and love. they're both so important. ]

What else did you want to toast to, then?

[secrowtary]

[ A sigh. ]

Friendship and love is a bit...general, don't you think? Perhaps being a little more specific would be better. To Jude and his boyfriend, for instance.

[ Shameless. ]

[talim]

H-Hey!

[ poor, sweet jude turns bright red, shifting back and forth on the balls of his heels. ]

What does that have to do with anything?

[ there's a pause, and then his words are followed by a low mumble: ]

But... I'm actually here with him. We split up for a little while to meet with friends. It's too bad I can't introduce you.

[secrowtary]

[ Hibiki has no intention of answering this question. ]

Are you? That's good. Let's drink to your date, then.

[ That's as specific as he can get. ]

Don't worry, there'll be plenty of chances to introduce me.

[talim]

All right. I can drink to that.

[ he can't hold back a shy smile. he's... happy. it's obvious, written all over his face. ]

[secrowtary]

[ Hibiki patiently waits for Jude to dry his glass after the toast. ]

Just don't drink too much...you don't want to trouble your boyfriend, do you?

[talim]

You're right. I'd probably worry him.

[ he'd definitely worry him. he already has a warm buzz going, anyway. ]

But enough about me. How's Akira?

[ jude leans in a little closer, curious plain in his expression. he hasn't heard hibiki talk about their relationship in awhile. ]

[secrowtary]

I suppose he'd be happy to take care of you for the rest of the evening, though.

[ Hibiki's fully aware of what he's trying to do—using this tactics against him—but it's not going to be easy. ]

He's been good, he's working at the cafe. Why do you ask?

[talim]

He's taken care of me enough.

[ jude shakes his head. ]

Because it's only fair that I do a little prying, too, if you're going to ask about my relationship.

[secrowtary]

I see that you're sober enough to notice the little things.

[ Except the fact that Hibiki's trying to not so subtly question him about his relationship while saying nothing about his own isn't a small thing. ]

We're happy together if that's what you are asking about.

[talim]

Good.

[ that makes his lips curve into a genuine smile. ]

I'm glad to hear it. I mean that.

[secrowtary]

I can see that.

[ Hibiki taps the empty glass idly. ]

How much time do you have? Until you have to meet up with 9S.

[ He needs to estimate how many nosy questions he can ask. ]

[talim]

Probably around a half hour or so. Why do you ask? Is my company really that interesting to you?

[ he's only half-teasing. ]

[secrowtary]

Why wouldn't it be? Give yourself some credit, Jude. [ He's smiling under his nose. ] Our conversations are really interesting. Especially when you spill the beans on accident.

[ Does he have to remind Jude of that one time he told Hibiki the name of his boyfriend... ]

[talim]

[ ... ]

What are you getting at.

[secrowtary]

Nothing, nothing. [ Totally not suspicious. ] I wonder what will I find out about you today.

[talim]

You're too much sometimes, you know that?

[secrowtary]

This is not a new piece information to me, Jude. You need to try harder.

[ Holding back laughter is impossible at this point. ]

[talim]

[ jude is too tipsy for this. he doubles over with laughter along with him. ]

All right, all right. What do you want to know? Just spit it out.

[secrowtary]

The most embarrassing thing you've done in front of your boyfriend.

[ Hibiki...this isn't truth and dare? ]

[talim]

[ is this a teenage girl's slumber party? ]

Uh...

[ ... ??? ]

Pass.