bravenewworld | Soul Fasting Festival Log

Entry tags:

Soul Fasting Festival Log

Who: EVERYONE
What: Soul Fast
When: During Soul Fast
Where: All over Ninetails Vale and in people's houses, etc.
Summary: The Celebrations of Soul Fast Begin! More beneath the cut.

A description of Soul Fast, as provided by Sheepy:

"The Soulfasting is a week-long festival celebrating the union between the living world and the spiritual world. It was said that once, these two were not able to communicate with one another, and because of this, the spirits of those that passed were angry and restless. People did not respect their ancestors, and because of that they rebelled. Spirits and Ghost-type Pokemon alike lashed out at the people, sorrowful and angry that they could not be together.

The first masks were worn by channellers. Carved from a sacred tree, they allowed the channellers to be able to communicate with the dead and to try to quell their anger. A compromise was made: every year, the spirits of the dead and their ghost-type servants would be paid respect.

Early ceremonies for the Soulfasting involved a person dressed in a mask (usually, although not always male), a person in a veil (usually although not always female), and a third person—often a priest/ess or other holy figure. The person in the mask and the person in the veil would be tied together with a cord or rope, to symbolize the tie between both worlds, in living and in death. This is followed by a week of celebration, dance, and spending time with one’s family. Many families would even display an ornamental knotted cord in their homes to show that, even in death, they are still one with their family and friends.

Foods eaten during that time are often full of flavor, and there are offerings left out for those that have passed. These usually consist of sweeter berries and foods, as it is said that the spirits tend to prefer these. Families would often exchange sweet foods with one another to show appreciation for one another, as well as other families’ ancestors.

As time has passed, many of the traditions have fallen to the wayside, but a few things have remained. The masks have become extremely popular of late, and have even given way to costumes. While those that first practiced the tradition only used masks of ghosts, stories have circled around that mischievous spirits like to trick the living during the holiday; because of this, ghost-type and dark-type Pokemon masks, and even entire costumes, have become popular. Celebrating with family and having parties with friends is not entirely uncommon. The spirits’ love of sweets has also translated over, and there has been a small following that has started to give away treats to those that visit them on the final night of the Soulfasting. Usually children are the ones that partake in this (often in masks or some form of costume), although it is not entirely unheard of for some older people to try to snag some sweet treats from others."

I'll be putting up top levels for all the different things, but if I miss anything, please feel free to put up your own top levels!

Kids of all ages should also feel free to beg for candy, because that's what this is all about, don't you know.

Remember, masks and costumes aren't limited to ghost pokémon, and absolutely everyone is allowed to participate.

Mingle threads can reply to the post itself! Feel free to just wander around Ninetails Vale, react to the attractions, or show off your costumes. Anything goes. Also, don't feel obligated to reply to any particular top level! Many exist to show what all activities are available during the festival and don't require interaction.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Ugh, so many fucking people.

It's good that the school's getting visitors, but he can never get comfortable with strangers in his (temporary) territory, and when he gets home from wandering the Soulfasting vendor booths each evening there's a new mishmash of people smells to assault his nose. So he retreats to the garden, since at least most of the activity these days is confined to the haunted house Kurain's putting on, and takes a moment to clear his head.

He's got a slender purple box tucked into the folds of his yukata, and even O-Ren and Karintou are inside without him for once. He breathes in, then out, savoring the crisp coolness of autumn even as he has to repress a shiver.

Maybe this still wasn't quite the right thing to get her

Maybe he should take it back while he has a chance.]

[Maya's thought to give him some space, at least for a few minutes. She knows how hard it can be for him to be surrounded by so many people, even if she doesn't say so. Even if she teases him for it.

But her teasing doesn't mean she doesn't respect that need. Even as she enters, she gives him room, leaning on the railing of the outer hallway that goes past the garden. She has to make sure he's okay with her getting closer, and then she can bother him from close by.]

So, I guess even you need quiet time, huh?

[She's made this joke before. Doesn't mean she's gonna stop making it.]

[He jumps, immediately clutching at the box to hide it even though it's already hidden. After a beat during which he tries to decide whether to even bother trying to cover that up, he scowls at her over his shoulder, color washing over the back of his exposed neck.]

What's that supposed to mean? I'm a person like any other asshole, you know.

[And he's said that before, too, with various degrees of frowning or eye-rolling. It's more a token grumble today than anything else.

He turns to face her more fully, giftbox out of sight once more. Sure she's invited, it's her place anyhow.]

No, no reason. You're just loud allll the time.

[She snickers, hopping down the stairs and walking toward him the moment he turns around.]

Thanks for walking around with me, by the way.

[Not completely discourteous.]

...Whatever. There was shit I wanted to see, too.

[That's Mobster for "You're welcome." He crosses his arms to keep from fidgeting. He's not a teenager anymore, all this nerviness is fucking pathetic.]

Pretty good turnout this year, even with everything that's happened.

Isn't it great?

[Maya lights up, and her wisps suddenly glow brighter as well in her excitement.]

I think everybody really needed the celebration. And it's-- everyone's so happy about it!

[She's grinning ear to ear, rather than the mischievous smirk she usually carries.]

Yeah.

[He glances aside, fiddling with the inside of his sleeve, then clears his throat.]

I, uh. I got you something. If you want it, I mean, if it turns out it was a shitty idea then you're not obligated to use it or anything, I just thought--it was kinda 'you.'

--You did?

[Those wisps remain bright, and Maya slips closer, feet barely touching the ground. She doesn't quite have any ability to levitate yet, but sometimes the ghost-girl gets pretty close.

She looks excited, grin still wide, and leans forward.]

Well? What is it? Let me see!

[He starts to retrieve it, but then remembers something his sister did once and hesitates.]

Before I do, you're not gonna, like, get inexplicably fucking offended by it, are you? 'Cause I'm not saying you gotta change anything, seriously, you know I don't give a shit about that crap, you wear whatever the hell you want.

[Savior. His sister had been so mad. He'd thought he was going to fucking die.]

I'm not gonna get mad, I promise.

[She shrugs.]

I mean, if you went through the trouble for me, of course I'm gonna like it. It's not like you got me flowers.

[It has always been a topic of discussion that Maya can't tell a sunflower from a rose and the only reason why anything survives in the garden is because she isn't the one in charge of it. She's not even weak against grass types. She just doesn't have any aptitude with them.]

Cross my heart.

[He waits a second longer, then takes the flat, thin box (purple, of course, with a darker ribbon holding it shut) out of his yukata and hands it over.]

All right. But really, it's fine if you don't like it, I don't fuckin' care.

[Inside is a a pair of matching combs, either made out of amethyst or designed to look like it, with streaks of ghostly white and bright violet beads.]

So you can do shit with your hair while still leaving plenty for Shinrei and whoever to nest out in it.

[They're so pretty. Maya stares at them for a moment before that grin comes right back. But words are hard to come by at first, so she pulls him into a hug instead.]

They're gorgeous, Fuyuhiko! Thank you so much!

[She bounces on her toes a moment before-- no, she's sure she can get away with it, after hesitating-- kissing his cheek, the quickest little gesture. Of course, with that out of the way, it's time for her to take a step back from that hug and admire those combs as though she totally didn't just do that. Because it's not a big deal. Shut up.]

[asldkfj;

He freezes, but as soon as she moves back to look at the combs, his face goes a soft shade of red. He lifts a hand, but the yukata doesn't come with a tie to tug at or even a hood to pull up. He can only adjust the fall of his sleeves and clear his throat.]

Y...yeah. Aah, welcome.

[He looks up at the sky, trying to compose himself before he manages to look at her again.]

Figured you should have 'em before Soulfasting ends, since they're kind of in season.

Yeah-- I should wear one today!

[It was, after all, a thoughtful and pretty gift. So she sits down on the edge of the wooden platform surrounding the manor walkway, patting the space beside her to beckon him before she lets down her hair from the way it was before.]

And your sister got mad about something like this?

Look, she's a little...O-oi, I don't remember saying anything about my sister. Did I say anything?

[He sits, ashamed, but unsurprised, that Maya can suss him out so easily. Of course it must've been his sister who got mad. Who else?]

...Do you need help? With--[He gestures vaguely at her hair.]--that.

Oh, I'm sorry, your mom, then.

[Eyeroll. She knows that little sister quite well thank. Never has there ever been a little sister quite like that one. (She's cute though, so she gets away with it).]

Aaactually, yeah, you can help me if you want. I don't have a mirror out here, so.

[It'd be easier. She turns slightly, so that she isn't facing him.]

[He shifts, too, to face her back, one leg tucked under him. He gathers her hair carefully, gentle and surprisingly used to this.]

All right. What should I be doing back here, like a half-up twist?

Yeah, yeah, that'll work.

[She vaguely gestures some sort of hair thing, though it doesn't make much sense.]

Or if you do it just like normal, it should work, too.

[She trusts him with this. Anyone with a little sister should know how to do girl hair. It's like a law.]

Hmmn.

[He gets to work without further comment. It's not like he's some amazing stylist, but it's true, his sister has asked him for help enough times for him to know something about it.

It's a special occasion, so he doesn't leave it quite like normal, but he thinks it still looks okay.]

Which comb did you want to stick in it?

Um, the longer one, I think.

[It'd probably work best, anyway. Maya sits as still as possible (which isn't terribly still when you're Maya Fey) as not to mess him up, trying to be patient.]

They're both really nice...

Aah.

[Can't sound too invested, then she'll know how much work he put into finding them.

There. He slides the comb in, makes sure it's secure, and lets his hands fall.]

How's that feel?

Good.

[And then she turns to look at him over her shoulder.]

It looks good, right?

[She's sure it must look cute, but it's important to ask, okay. His opinion could very easily sour her mood.]

[Immediate frown.]

Of course it looks fine, why would you ask me to help if you didn't think I could do it? Go find a mirror if you're so worried about it.

[It suits her, though. The swoops and bright beads against the dark fall of her hair--it looks good. He's satisfied with his choice, even if something...feels different, back in the pit of his stomach.

(It looks good. Maya looks good. He's thinking about how pretty she is. That's what's different.)

Kuzuryuu's lost, hollow-eyed Yamask wanders past the door. She lifts her head as if just noticing them, then offers a dim, approving noise, a faint murmur that breaks the otherwise constant rhythm of her dirge-like lullabies.

Kuzuryuu looks slightly surprised.]

Huh. [He glances at Maya again.] Oba-san likes it.

[SIIIIGH. Gosh, Fuyuhiko, you're dense. She rolls her eyes, knowing that somewhere that must mean it looks alright, and that's what's important. At least he's not saying it isn't cute.

She turns her head to Oba-san and gives a little wave.]

Thank you, Oba-san. At least some people know how to approve of something.

[She gives Fuyuhiko a pointed-- but smiling-- look.]

Your trainer has pretty good taste, I guess.

Che. If I didn't approve of the damn thing, I wouldn't have bought it.

[Oba-san drifts away again on her unfathomable sea of mourning, and Kuzuryuu looks Maya over once more, softening a little.]

It works, all right? It looks nice.

Soul Fasting Festival Log

BREAK TIME PRESENT TIME closed to Maya

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Before I GO TO WORK AND FORGET AGAIN

that's REALLY FRICKIN CUTE

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