[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

[mesmerevenant]

Honestly, I was just going to head home... I've been working all day.

[ sorry to burst your bubble daichi. though it doesn't quite explain why jun is here at the festival alone if he just finished work. why not just head back to the apartments rather than go out of his way? ]

[keeptrucking]

Oh. [Well. Okay, the apartments have windows, fireworks are still on. But, hm...] You were working all day?

[Suspicious... what are you doing here, my dude...]

[mesmerevenant]

[ Jun can guess at Daichi's thought process ]

I just thought I'd see what the fuss was about before going home, that's all.

[keeptrucking]

A party's a party. There's some story buuut I didn't really pay attention.

[Of course he didn't...] Not impressed, huh?

[mesmerevenant]

No, it's not that. In fact, I found the story sweet.

[ which is true, he just found it all a lot of other things as well. and he'd rather not have to deal with those feelings. ]

[keeptrucking]

Oh. [Maybe he should have paid attention....] W-Well, everyone's being nicer than usual, so it probably was...?

[mesmerevenant]

Do you want me to give you a rundown?

[keeptrucking]

Sure, why not? Are we still going home during story time? [Shall he walk...]

[mesmerevenant]

... well... since we're here and you're keeping me company, we could try out at least one booth of the festival stuff while everyone's busy with the fireworks.

[keeptrucking]

[Oh!! Hell yes!!!]

Oh yeah? Sure! Which one?

[mesmerevenant]

[ LOOK. HE MIGHT AS WELL RIDE THIS FRIENDSHIP TRAIN. IT'LL BE GOOD FOR THEM BOTH.

Which means fake flirting again. ]

Depends on how couple-y you want to get? The story is about proving one's love with extravagant gifts, after all.

[keeptrucking]

[Fake flirting is becoming commonplace... he hears gift and he's into it, it's all good.]

Do we hold hands and get presents for it, or something? I can manage that.

[mesmerevenant]

That's a good idea, but I haven't seen a game like that. I was referring to the photo booths, or the trivia contests. I think I even saw a three-legged race?

[keeptrucking]

Oh. Well, I'm not good at alien trivia... Didn't even listen to the story, blah blah, and everyone's waiting for the fireworks now sooo... photo booth?

[mesmerevenant]

Photo booth.

[ Jun will turn to walk towards where he last saw one! ]

[keeptrucking]

[Heck yeah, photo booth. These pictures are going to be ridiculous and Daichi will press every special effect at least once, be ready for that. He follows!]

Annnd story time. Think of it as one of those tutor lessons.

[mesmerevenant]

It really isn't anything close. It's a basic forbidden love story, between a princess and a lady in waiting. The King needed to be convinced of their love, so... they kept giving each other more and more extravagant gifts.

[keeptrucking]

[This is not a very interesting story, he's been duped.]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's not how going out works. [Politics? History? Fake. Only the bad story matters.] They should've just run away or something.

[mesmerevenant]

They wanted their love to be recognized and accepted.... and to be accepted for themselves. Running away would only achieve the opposite of that!

[keeptrucking]

So they proved it with a lot of money instead? [meh..........]

[mesmerevenant]

How would you prove your love, then?

[keeptrucking]

I dunno, talking about it? Being super rich would be cool, yeah, but it's pre-tty flimsy for this story.

[mesmerevenant]

Hmm... point taken. [ after all, jun works at proving himself every day and has found it much more meaningful without money. and yet... ]

Still, grand displays of affection are popular for a reason, you know.

[ he himself might be weak to them ]

[keeptrucking]

Yeah, yeah, that's different. I'm just saying, "nobody believed us until I spent my fortune" isn't a great story. If you told me they were into each other, I'd believe it the first time!

[He thinks it's a shallow excuse to get people to buy stuff?! Deep down, he's sappy...]

[mesmerevenant]

That just means you're a good person. Not many people are so wiling to believe in something without proof of some kind. Even those who have faith in religion have a reason.