Soul Fasting Festival Log

[missleadingquestions]

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.

Comments

ota.

[future_sight]

[Dressed in a Mismagius costume, Nozomi waves to the audience, a microphone in her other hand.]

Hello everyone! I'm Nozomi Toujou, here with my special co-host Minato Arisato!

[She claps a bit for him.]

We'll be the deciders of your fate today~

[Uh, isn't that a little extreme?]

We need two volunteers for a soul marriage! Or I can use my spiritual power to bring together two people who are fated to each other. I'll let the audience choose!

[[OOC: Nozomi will either be taking couples or singles volunteering, or will be volunteering you to come up and get soul married. It's all theatrics, but she can see the bonds between two people. I highly encourage that if you're interested to fill out the permission post before tagging, although it's certainly not required.]]

[nicocism]

Ooh, me, me!

[small children probably shouldn't get marr-oh wait, it's just Nico, bouncing around like one. If she can host an event, she sure as heck is going to participate in it and be on stage. She doesn't really think about who she might get paired with, confident she can just override them and steal the spotlight.]

[future_sight]

[This was gonna be funny. She points at Nico.]

The little girl over there! I like your enthusiasm, come on up!

[nicocism]

[Little girl!? She would get Nozomi for this later... in a less public venue.]

Yay~!

[But for now she'll just dash on up to the stage, posing cutely as she gets to the top of the steps]

[future_sight]

And now to find your partner. I'll use my special spiritual eyes to find who you're tied to by the strands of fate.

[She knows Nico knows what she's talking about, and smirks juuuuust slightly. Her finger trails over the audience slowly, until she suddenly stops.]

There! The girl with the red hair!

[Wasn't that lucky? It's someone you know, Nico! Although you really should have seen this coming.]

[cutiepanther]

[ Elsewhere in the crowd is Maki, totally not having gone with Nico to the festival, she's a little surprised when she sees Nozomi on stage. It makes sense though, and she really does a great job being the center of attention. Though she can't help but laugh to herself when she sees her call Nico a little girl, and Nico rushing to be in the spotlight.

Somehow, in her mind, Maki has no idea what's coming. When Nozomi calls out for a girl with red hair, she looks behind her. Then back to the stage, looking at where Nozomi is pointing, and following the line directly to herself. ]

E-eeeh?! [ She makes a cute, if undignified noise in surprise, completely blindsided. She almost tries to run, but she's surrounded by people pushing her forward, somehow moving through the crowd without even trying to, and ending up on stage, still stunned. ]

Wait a minute...N-Nozomi!

[nicocism]

[Nico's eyes narrowed as she saw that look Nozomi was giving her. Oh no... she wouldn't...]

Red!?

[Nico whipped around to look and... WHY WAS SHE THERE. WHY DID SHE HAVE TO BE THERE, OF ALL TIMES. No no no no no no and why is she trapped up here having to grin and bear it in front of this audience]

O, oh...? Is this really who my string of fate goes to? [Her tone suggests she suspects Nozomi might be blind, despite her cheerful smile]

[future_sight]

Looks like she's a bit bashful! Let's give her a round of applause!

[You're not getting out of this one, Maki. She was in a particularly meddlesome mood today, and unfortunately you two were high on her list of people to pick on.

The crowd helps usher her up to the stage, and once she's properly up on stage, she lines the two of them up.]

That's right! My spiritual eye never lies~ [AKA yes, you're pretty much stuck.]

Why don't you tell us your names!

[cutiepanther]

[ This is not what Maki had planned for, or ever expected. She'd seen people be chosen before, but why her? It had to be Nozomi. And Nico's fault for volunteering like she had. Of course Nozomi was going to pick Maki to stir up things for a better reaction from the crowd. Well if that's how it was going to be, then Maki wouldn't play that game. She won't fight with Nico, she'll get along with her, and even show that she's not afraid of being on stage!

Straightening her costume, Maki stands up straight on the stage, glaring at Nico for looking at her like that, before responding to Nozomi. ]

Maki Nishikino. I-I guess it can't be helped, I'll do my best for everyone here. [ And just to top that off she looks back at Nico, as if daring the other girl to do better. ]

Re: ota.

[second_destiny]

[Who's that dressed in white with a Mightyena mask dangling from the side of his head? He seems to be deliberately standing along the edge of the crowd for some reason...]

[celebrity_commentator]

[If Nozomi couldn't see the strong Bond fluctuating between these two or how she just kind of slides up to him casually at the edge of the crowd, then Nozomi could at least pick out a guy and a girl wearing similar colors. Although that was a coincidence, since Rise was just going for a Gardevoir theme with her mask and outfit.]

I wonder who they're going to pick...

[future_sight]

[Let's see. Searching the crowd, Nozomi smiles a bit.]

For our next couple, I'm looking for two star-crossed lovers. A knight and his princess. The most romantic couple yet! [Today!]

The girl in the Gardevoir dress, could you be looking for your prince? Everyone, let's help her out~

[celebrity_commentator]

Huh?!

[There's being used to attention, and then having a spotlight metaphorically shown in her face all of a sudden.]

No, no, I'm okay, really...

[second_destiny]

Wha -- wait a minute!

[Asemu's heart sure did skip a beat.]

What happened to finding a volunteer?

[future_sight]

[Sorry Asemu, she can't hear you over the roar of the crowd. Also it's cute how you think you get a say in this.]

Come on, everyone! Let's give her a round of applause! Won't you help us, miss? The spirits are restless~

1/2

[celebrity_commentator]

[Rise sighs.]

This is how it starts, you know.

2/2

[celebrity_commentator]

[Still, it's not like she doesn't know how to be on stage, and it's all in good holiday fun.]

Be right back, I guess.

[She heads up to the stage with a polite performer's smile ready.]

Well, if you put it that way, I guess I can help out.

[second_destiny]

[Asemu sighs and stands where he is. It's just for fun, he tells himself. It's just for fun. It doesn't necessarily mean anything.]

ota.

[hige_san]

[It was almost as if a lightbulb flickered on over Harima's head at the sound of Nozomi's voice and the utterance of the words 'soul marriage'-- a lightbulb that promptly exploded with how ridiculously bright the filament got over the crazy plan that was already forming in his head.

Because....this was absolutely perfect. Surely, Fate would understand his heart's true intent, and would finally be able to confess his love to the girl with the long blond pigtails. Together, they would live happily for the rest of their days within the walls of Union, taking care of all the stray pokemon they could find!

...

It was a beautiful image in his mind. Too beautiful, but Harima wasn't going to give up.

His hand immediately shot up in the air, as high as he could reach, and he waved at the girl on stage from the very back of the crowd.]

Pick me, pick me! I volunteer!

ota.

[future_sight]

Oh, an enthusiastic volunteer! The man in the sunglasses in the back row, you're up!

[hige_san]

[Oh, wow-- he actually got picked! Luck was really on his side today!

He eagerly pushed his way toward the stage, still not wholly believing the reality, and hoped with all of his heart that this would be his lucky break.

Surely, after all of his mistakes, he deserved to have something go right!]

[psychicsister]

[Yakumo, who's standing not far away, has her ears perk up at the sound of Harima's volunteering. She's up front, and turns to look back at him.

Maybe...something would happen? Maybe the MC would pick her? She didn't dare to volunteer, of course, because that would make her seem incredibly overeager, even if she did want to. Because reasons.

So, she turns around, giving Nozomi a hopeful look that's probably lost in the crowd. Maybe the fates would be kind? Maybe she would be picked...]

[future_sight]

[Wow you're really tall. She's going to have to reach up high to get the mic to you.]

Can you tell us your name?

[After he's done that--]

Who should we pair you with? Someone sweet, demure, cute. A princess-type. Fair-skinned maybe?

[Oh Yakumo, she noticed. Even if she couldn't see her expression, she could feel it through the crowd. And she was so close too. Convenient!]

That fair, beautiful princess is--

[Point]

THERE!

[Congrats, Yakumo. Your prayers have been answered.]

[hige_san]

...

[Harima stared for a second, not fully processing exactly what had happened. Her description surely fit Usagi--]



Ya-- Yakumo?!

[psychicsister]

[Yakumo blinks in shock, blushing profusely and pointing at herself. She...can't quite believe it.]

M-Me?!

[Taking a step forward, someone in the crowd behind her gives her a gentle push, which sends her moving forward.]

Did...you mean me, Nozomi?

[Oh...gods what?! She hadn't even...figured that might happen. Oh...and he looked so confused...]