[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]

[ that's enough to make jude giggle. ]

So have I moved up from honorary Scanner to Scanner, then?

[deem]

Well, the human equivalent, maybe...

[Although humans still rank far above androids, so 9S isn't too sure why Jude fancies the idea so much]

[talim]

Good enough. I'll take it.

[ 9s' hand in his, jude steps inside. they're greeted by lights in every direction, not just white but in all sorts of colors. red, yellow, green, blue, pink. it's a pretty breathtaking sight, when it's paired along with all the plants. there might be snow on the ground outside, but here, there's nothing but green grass and flower fields.

quite a few others had the same idea jude did, both pairs of two and larger groups, but the crowd here is still sparse enough that jude can pick out a little spot in a far off corner, even more lights draped above it. ]

This way.

[deem]

[9S follows along, taking in the decorations. It's his first time experiencing a holiday firsthand, and while he remembers records about decorations, it's quite different to see them in-person.

This too, as with so many things, he's recording. He doesn't know whether the only other surviving Scanner he's aware of will ever come here, but if he does, it's information he'd assuredly share.

Well, aside how Jude looks in this lighting. That's just a personal interest]

Why do they use all these lights, anyway? Does it mean anything?

[...Jude knew what he signed up for]

[talim]

[ he knows this and he accepts it. ]

You know what? That's a good question.

[ jude says, crouching down to sit in the grass. not even he has the answer to that one. ]

But they sure are pretty, aren't they?

[deem]

[Following suit, 9S takes a seat, folding his legs so he can prop his elbows on his knees and rest his chin on his hands. This spot is reasonably quiet, for all that there are a lot of people here.

Does that mean they're doing something typical?]

It's a nice view.

[Not looking at the lights as he speaks though]

[talim]

[ jude notices the fact that 9s has been staring at him; even with the goggles on, by now, he knows these things.

so the natural conclusion he has to make is... ]

What, do I have candy apple on my face?

[ he brushes his thumb over the corner of his lips, searching for evidence. ]

[deem]

[9S sits up a little straighter, puzzlement plain in his voice when he responds]

Why would you think that?

[It's not like Jude's a messy eater to start with, so why would he expect something like that to begin with?

He's not sure]

[talim]

Because you've been staring at me since we got here.

[ jude says, plainly. there's a hint of a curious smile quirking his lips. ]

[deem]

...Oh.

[Jude really is getting good at noticing where he's looking even with his goggles on]

Sorry, is it weird?

[talim]

[ jude squeezes his hand in reassurance. ]

No, it's not weird. I was just curious. Don't worry.

[deem]

[He'll have to keep in mind that his goggles don't hide as much as he expects them to]

My unit type just gets distracted, is all.

[talim]

Hmm...

[ jude seems to be considering whether to press him on this or not. ]

What were you distracted by?

[deem]

You eyes change color under these lights.

[Or well, that's not exactly accurate]

Well, more like it looks that way.

[And it's an object of his interest at least]

[talim]

O-Oh...

[ there's that warmth again, flooding every one of his senses. he weighs over his words before responding. ]

They probably change yours, too, but I can't exactly see for myself.

[deem]

I don't think it'd be the same.

[But he's just a little biased, and he knows it]

It was like that at the aquarium too though.

[talim]

Are my eyes really that interesting? I've always thought they were sort of plain.

[deem]

You've said that before, but...they're not.

[Not at all plain]

[talim]

Flattery is one of your strong suits.

[ jude laughs, but it doesn't do anything to fend off the pink glow on his cheeks. ]

[deem]

You don't think I mean it?

[Jude hasn't even heard the worst of it]

[talim]

That's not what I said, but you're still a flatterer.

[ rest in pieces, jude. ]

[deem]

I think maybe you just need to hear stuff like that more often.

[Rest in pieces indeed Jude Mathis]

[talim]

I guess I wouldn't know, being the person in question...

But it's certainly nice hearing them.

[deem]

Then I'll make it a point to tell you.

[Though truly how does Jude think his eyes are plain? Geez]

[talim]

Just don't shoot me down every time I tell you the same.