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

Where should we go first? I've never been to a Soulfasting celebration before.

[Merrill is like a kid in a candy shop right now, looking around and excitedly taking in all the new sights and sounds. And after a few moments, she has another question.]

Should I have a costume? I feel like I should have a costume.

I dunno, there's a whole lot to see, and just as much to eat.

[Yuuna's grin practically lights up the street, Merrill's energy being positively infectious. She bounces on her feet while she walks, glad to have some positive, good natured fun. Though...]

A costume wouldn't be out of place, and I bet we can find you one. D'you wanna be a ghost? Or something else?

[As soon as Yuuna mentions food, Merrill's stomach growls audibly, prompting an embarrassed smile and blush.]

...Food sounds like a good place to start.

[She glances around at the other people around, though.]

A ghost is fine.

Alright then, food and ghosts it is.

[She grins even wider and takes Merrill by the hand to gently tug her along towards the food carts. The smells are permeating the entire area, roasting meats, fried vegetables, seasonal spices, and her own stomach mirrors Merril's, gurgling hungrily.]

I didn't eat breakfast, figured I'd save room for the festival. Smells amazing doesn't it?

Yes! I've never smelled anything like it before.

[Somebody had better feed these ladies quickly, or their stomachs are going to drown out all the music.]

[Fortunately they happen to be passing by a wandering vendor who hears that grumbling and pulls out a couple of taiyaki pastries.]

How about these then, ladies? Free for a smile!

[Which Yuuna, at least, gives and then receives the magikarp shaped snacks. Passing one over, she takes a bite. Only she doesn't notice the red-bean goop that gets on her cheek]

Mmm, this...is great!

[Merrill, of course, smiles too - despite not knowing what taiyaki is. She looks down at it for a moment before taking a bite.]

Oh, it is!

[She smiles over at Yuuna, blinking as she sees the red bean on her cheek and reaching out with a finger to wipe it off.]

[Yuuna lets her, laughing sheepishly at herself. Whoops! Merril's finger comes away with a glob of the sticky, sweet goo.]

I haven't had this since I was a girl. But as far as sweet festival snacks goes...

[Another bite, this one more careful.]

It's top notch. Ever had anything like this before?

[Merrill laughs a little, licking the sweet bean paste from her finger before taking another bite.]

No, this is my first time tasting something like this. It's very different, but good. All of this is.

[Yuuna grins and finishes her own, nodding towards another stand, this one laden with what appears to be meat on a stick.]

Glad you like it, but...that's just the first thing. Let's give this a try. Assuming you like spicy food.

What kind of spice?

[Merrill is staring at the meat like she's never seen meat or sticks before.]

[Yuuna walks up and pays for a pair of rather meaty ones.]

Looks like mild curry spices. Not too bad, certainly not like the stuff I made on our first night out.

[Have a meaty stick, dear. ~~And no Isabela didn't suggest it to her at all~~]

Edited 2014-11-14 20:48 (UTC)

[Merrill takes a tiny little bite just to test the flavor, but the smile that spreads across her face afterward tells the whole story.]

This is delicious!

[Yuuna bites into her own, grinning around a mouthful of meat. It's good to see Merrill smiling. Seriously.

Swallowing, she laughs softly.]

Glad you like it. It's something mom used to make around this time of year.

Now...let's find you a mask, at least. What's your favorite ghost?

Anything but a Spiritomb mask.

[Because yeah.]

Oh! What about a Phantump? I had one of those once.

Alright, no worries on that.

[She offers Merrill a hand, pointing towards some stands that seem to be selling masks.]

Phantump? Those are pretty cute. But had? Did you trade it away? Or did it just evolve?

No, he evolved. He's a lovely tall Trevenant now.

Ahhh.

[Well, Trevenants aren't really all that...cute...more frightening at least.]

Don't think you've shown him to me yet. But hey, I'm sure we can find a mask no problem. Phantumps are pretty popular, I figure. And it'll suit you.

I'll have to introduce you next time.

[Merrill looks around for a mask vendor. It doesn't take her long.]

Oh, there!

[Yuuna follows, letting Merrill drag her along. When she starts pouring over the selection, she even has the sense to hide a few of the Spiritomb masks, just in case. No point in taking the chance something will ruin the good mood.

Going through them, she plucks up a Froslass mask and slips it on with her kimono.]

How's this for a look, dear? Do I look spooky?

[Good call on the Spiritomb masks. Merrill smiles and claps her hands at the sight of the Froslass mask.]

Yes, very spooky! And very pretty.

[She beams around the skull bits and pulls it down a bit.]

Then I know what I'm getting. Now...any luck with the Phantump?

[Still looking, but she's in the wrong section of course.]

Oh! Here it is!

[Merrill picks up the mask and puts it on.]

How do I look?

[With a feigned critical eye, Yuuna looks her over...]

You look...pretty spooky. Wiggle your arms a bit and let me see how good the performance is though.

Like this?

[Merrill shamelessly and immediately does as instructed, waving her arms up and down and even making little 'oOooOooOOooOo' sounds.]

in fact you know what yolo let's do this right now

yolo swaggins indeed

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