[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]

I think we've agreed to disagree on this in the past, and we'll just have to do it again, because... no imitation of you, no other body, would be the same to me.

Even if they had this soft hair...

[ jude sets his bear down next to him to run his hand through it, pushing 9s' bangs back. ]

Or this smooth skin...

[ his hand drops down to stroke his cheek. ]

Or these lips...

[ a thumb grazes over 9s' bottom lip. he's never told him how much he likes those lips, has he? but the amount of time he spends looking at them is probably a big giveaway. ]

... They wouldn't be you, so it wouldn't matter.

[ jude is quite close, but he has a straight face, somehow managing to dodge embarrassment when it comes to the topic of convincing 9s that he's worth more than he thinks he is. ]

[deem]

[Goggles might not hide where he's looking anymore, but 9S is grateful that they still effectively cover the color that warms his cheeks.

It's the pointed attention he still isn't accustomed to, and maybe he never will be, not from someone like Jude.

Core programming, got to love it]

...And you say I'm the flattery guy.

[talim]

I'm just telling the truth.

[ jude breathes out a light laugh, thumbing at 9s' lips again just because he can, but that must be how 9s feels, too. ]

[deem]

You really do pay a lot of attention to my mouth.

[They both know, and Jude knows that he knows... But still]

[talim]

[ that manages to surprise him, and jude immediately pulls his hand back with a nervous laugh. ]

You don't have to make it sound so weird...

[deem]

[It sort of is, just a little, to a YoRHa unit]

You think it sounds weird?

[talim]

Kind of.

[ jude casts his gaze elsewhere. ]

I'm just like you. Sometimes I get distracted, too.

[deem]

Just means we have that in common too, right?

[He only meant to tease, because Jude was so flustered the first time he mentioned it.

And there's something oddly fun about that, so long as it's harmless]

[talim]

[ he cracks a smile again, scooting closer so he can lean against 9s' side and take in his warmth. ]

Right.

[deem]

...Are you cold?

[It occurs to him to check this, what with the winter season]

[talim]

Yeah, it's pretty chilly out. The scarf I brought is helping, but I figured you'd help more.

[deem]

I think I can do that.

[He drapes an arm over Jude's shoulders.

At least he's a handy electric blanket on such occasions]

[talim]

[ jude all but melts, nuzzling his cheek against 9s' scarf and squirming in his gentle hold.

a thought occurs to him, then, once he realizes that 9s didn't even hesitate. ]

Can I ask you something?

[deem]

...Other than that question, you mean?

[9S just sitting here, being a nerd.

Telling it like it is]

[talim]

[ jude just. swats at him. before he sighs and continues. ]

Is it... okay with you, when I'm affectionate in public? Do you mind that other people might see?

[ his voice is smaller than it usually is. more specifically, he wants to know how 9s really feels about kissing in public, but he's not sure how to approach that. this is a start. ]

[deem]

[Oh, well.

That's not a question 9S expected to be asked, and the long pause that follows may be one in which Jude can practically hear the wheels in his head turning if only there were any]

You hold my hand all the time. [So clearly that's not what he's asking] But it seems like you want to be out of sight if it's anything else.

[And so he's not sure why he's being asked this]

[talim]

That's because I've always worried that anything beyond that would make you uncomfortable...

[ jude speaks slowly, puzzling over this himself and trying to make sense of it. ]

So I've always just sort of... assumed. Earlier, though—

[ the tips of his ears go a little red. just thinking about it is enough to fluster him. ]

— you kissed me, and you didn't seem to mind at all then.

[deem]

I figured you were concerned with being seen, and no one was looking...

[And Jude didn't seem to mind it at the time, so he thought he must be right.

Maybe they both weren't quite on the mark though]

[talim]

I don't care about being seen if you don't.

[ jude tilts his head back to peer up at him. ]

Honestly, all this time I never would have minded. I'm always so happy when you kiss me, being seen isn't an issue. I just wanted to respect your privacy, but... I guess I was running on an assumption.

[deem]

As long as it doesn't cause trouble for you somehow, why would I mind?

[There isn't much reason for 9S to be concerned with strangers.

Well, aside the ever-present awareness of android unworthiness but for some reason other people don't seem to notice]

[talim]

How the heck would it cause me trouble?

[ jude shakes his head. the things 9s says sometimes. ]

But in that case, I wish I'd asked sooner. Better late than never.

[deem]

Chasing a paper got you in trouble.

[This isn't his reasoning at all but it's a good deflection, isn't it?

Better than bringing up YoRHa issues he knows Jude's stance on]

[talim]

I'm almost surprised you remember that one detail. Almost.

[deem]

Why would I forget about it? Pretty distinctive, you know.

[talim]

I guess so...

[ jude huffs. ]

Getting in trouble was worth it, though.