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

[It takes her some time to finally leave the booth area with her two partners, Rally and Deery, but they eventually make their way to the Hikawa Shrine with candy apples on their hands. Kotori is carrying an extra ones with obvious intentions, at least to herself.]

... Ah, but do you think she'll be too busy?

[Kotori peeks carefully inside the tent, looking for Rei. Her pokemon mimic her immediately which makes for an amusing sight.]

[When she peeks into the tent, Kotori will find herself staring right into a pair of birdy-eyes belonging to a small, green Pokemon. The bird chirps cheerfully and wiggles it's barely formed wings at the trio.]

Na! Na! Natu!

[Hello friends! Come in! Come in!]

[The shifter gasps loudly at the sudden encounter but the surprise wavers soon enough when the friendly bird welcomes them in so eagerly. She feels a bit bad for being so startled now actually.]

Are you Rei's friend too?

[The fluffy (?) group takes a step forward, getting inside the tent. Rally looks around with open fascination.]

Is she busy?

Tu! Na Na!

[Not at all! The little bird keeps staring at her, but hops backwards, deeper into the tent. If she follows she'll be lead into a small back room, dimly lit by a fire and sunlight trickling in through a smoke-release pipe.

Rei herself is in priestess' garb, wearing a Litwick mask.]

Kotori-san? Have you come to get a fortune?

[The trio follows the small bird, of course, but Rally in special ends up being carried by her trainer midway due to almost wandering to Nozomi's side of the tent in her curious spirit. Kotori seems to attract lively pokemon for some reason.]

Hehe, here!

[Before actually answering Rei's questions the flying type girl offers her friend a candy apple.]

I just came to see you.

[Rei accepts the apple with a gracious nod, and the little green bird finally breaks eye contact with Kotori so it can hop up into Rei's hand. This requires it to turn around...and now it starts staring up at Rei, though the priestess doesn't seem to mind.]

Well, it's nice to see you then, Kotori-san. And I see you met Ravi on the way in.

[In a way this helps her understand how Natu's gazes can be unnerving to some but given how small and friendly the little bird is her impression ends up being much more positive. She smiles brightly to her friend.]

It's nice to see you too, Rei!

So Ravi is his name? he is really cute.

[She reaches to pet it's red feather, a chance that the Ralts takes to jump from her arms and begin exploring the room with curiosity.]

Rally... don't touch anything, okay?

[Her pokemon gives a quick affirmation, maybe too quick to be trusted.]

That's right. He's a Natu that Usagi-chan and I went down into the ruins to find. I saw one in the dream world and decided that I just had to meet one.

[She runs a finger along Ravi's head, and the little bird preens, rubbing against it and closing it's eyes in apparent delight. It chirps a few times and then proceeds to keep petting itself on her finger. Friends are good. So long as you are with friends he will just...keep quiet and enjoy himself.

Being petted by Kotori helps, and he wiggles his wings happily.]

They've got some very interesting psychic powers, and I found it really easy to relate to him. [She eyes the Ralts.]

Sort of like your Ralts friend. Though, I didn't know you had one. Is it a boy, or a girl?

[There is an unknown name in Rei's narration and it immediately piques Kotori's curiosity but since Rei asked about her new friend she chooses to reply to such first, it's only polite and she is always eager to introduce a new friend.]

She is a girl and we met quite recently actually. I had a strange dream one night and when I woke up she was sleeping comfortably by my side.

[It sounds silly but that's how it happened.]

Who is Usagui-chan?

Oh...that's not all that strange at all. I met some Pokemon that way myself.

[A pumpkin in the corner shifts slightly, eyelights coming alive as Tholi wakes up at a psychic nudge from Rei. Give it a minute...]

Usagi-chan? She's...actually one of my best friends. A trainer, like me. Actually, Honoka-chan reminds me a lot of her.

[Oh, right, Honoka mentioned you Kotori.]

[It's to be expected that Rei understands this kind of matters, isn't it? they saw each other inside dreams after all and the other girl is somebody connected to the spiritual, to the unknown, to begin with. Being believed so easily makes her happy.]

Really? I'd love to meet that pokemon, too.

[While Kotori herself has her attention focused on Rei and thus misses the movements in between the darkness Rally's curiosity is piqued by that occurrence. She quickly makes it's way to the Deerling, getting on top of it in an attempt to reach for the strange 'decoration'.]

[Rei's best friend or close to such? that's big words! This bird is even more interested now.]

Ah, you met Honoka too? if they are similar Usagui-chan must be a cheerful and nice girl.

[Nod nod]

Is she also a priestess?

[Well, Rally will find herself face to face with a little vine creeper that's wiggling at it, and two bright Pumpkaboo eyes looking right at it! Hello fellow Pokemon! You aren't going to try and eat her, are you?]

Boo!

[And Rei just smiles, repressing a giggle at the very idea of Usagi being a priestess. She didn't have the patience for it...]

She's certainly cheerful and bright, and the nicest person I know. But...no, she's not a priestess. Just a friend from school.

[No pokemon that has been spoiled by Kotori's home made pokepuffs would consider cannibalism, rest assured! all said the sight of that vine does intrigue the curious Ralts. She waves one of her hands politely in a greeting before slowly leaning closer, hoping to touch that little vine.]

Raa!~

[It makes sense that Rei would have other friends than fellow priestesses so she nods, understanding.]

Hehe, that really sounds like Honoka. What school do you attend, Rei?

[They never talked about this, did they?

After asking she takes another bite from her apple.]

[It wraps around her little hand, shaking it. Tholi is pleased to meet you then! Your human, though...gets a nervous glance. Is she going to eat her? Because she knows humans like to eat pumpkins...]

Well, I attended the Union High School until recently. I stopped going as often as demands at the shrine got more frequent. Grandfather is training me to take over, and that isn't something I can learn in regular school. I do go, however, for tests.

[School is just school. And training comes first.]

[Yay, hand shaking! well, as close as it can get between these two Pokemon. Rally glances in Kotori's direction with a thoughtful look at such and inquires if pumpkins are sweet. She can't promise her trainer won't take a bite if they are sweet.

The trainer herself listens with attention even as she enjoys the apple, admiration present in her gaze.]

Taking over the shrine... you don't forget about school even when preparing for your dream, it's truly amazing.

[Rei senses Tholi's agitation and gives the Pumpkaboo a reassuring look. Don't forget, little one, she is the Beautiful Queen That Keeps Humans From Eating You. So, you're safe.]

Well, honestly, school is just school. Being a priest and a trainer and a student is somewhat difficult to manage, and school's just not as important to me.

[Kotori's gaze follows the priestess's but from her point of view the Pumpkaboo is mostly hidden. Her golden gaze lingers there anyway in a stubborn desire to see something too.]

... Education is pretty important though so it would be bad to disregard it and the fact that you try to juggle it in speaks nicely of you. Letting go of certain duties may make your life easier at the time but you may miss out things that matter even more than such ease, knowledge is not something easily replaced.

[She is a bit passionate about education.]

So even if it's 'just school' it's worth to keep up with it.

[Rei laughs lightly, nodding in agreement. It isn't that she doesn't think education is important...]

Which is why I'm keeping up. I'm hardly a slacker, Kotori-chan.

[Even if being one would be easy.]

And...what are you looking for? Tholi?

I wasn't trying to call you that.

[The bird gives her a sheepish smile.]

Eh? ah... ha ha, well, I wanted to see what you saw before so... probably Tholi.

[Rei waves a hand.]

Tholi, it's alright. Kotori-chan doesn't want to eat a pumpkin.

[And...out comes the little Pumpkaboo, her head peeping out from behind a box.]

Boo?

[Oh god it's so cute.]

So small~

[She waves a hand in greeting to the Pumpkaboo, charmed already. Does she look like an evil pumpkin eater, Tholi?]

[She's never sure with humans...but since her trainer is okay with you...then...]

Pumpka! Boo! Boo!

She's a little skittish around people, but she's sweet. Shes one of the ones from the dream world.

[Rally looks alarmed at the new information: No, her new friend is sweet!]

Really? The dream world is really mysterious but it's full of cute pokemon like here.

[A certain bird approaches, hoping to get to pet this new friend too.]

[Tholi sits stark still, waiting. she'll accept a petting, sure...but...are you going to do more?]

Well, some of the pokemon are cute. Spiritombs...I don't think they are.

Rei! and a fortune about idols eventually if we get to it

kay!

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