bravenewworld | 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

Fortune telling, eh?

[Isabela drops by Rei's setup mainly to see what's going on. Eleven months out of twelve, Ninetails Vale would sound like a good place to avoid to her, but if Union dedicates a whole month to being spooky and mystical, she might as well join in.]

Did I read something about being able to see the future in fire? Because that sounds decidedly more practical than bones.

[Rei looks up and nods at the question.]

You did read that. That's what I do, here.

So what's the charge? I want to read ahead a little in life.

The charge? A dollar donation to the shrine. That's all.

More than a fair price, I'd say. And when I say that, it's definitely a bargain.

Well, we do appreciate it.

Now, can you please write your name for me?

Not a problem...

[Isabela casually scrawls "Isabela" on a strip of paper. Surnames were a bit new and rather ostentatious to her worldview.]

Alright. Now, when I hold out my hand, take it and I'll share what I've seen with you.

[Rei takes that strip of paper and tosses it into the fire with a clap. And then settles in to meditate, staring at the flames for a solid minute. And when that's done with, she holds out a hand.]

[Isabela takes the girl's hand. She's done weirder things for fortune-telling.]

[The vision is actually a fairly straightforward one, compared to the vast majority Rei's given today. Isabella will find herself on the deck of a ship near the figurehead, a mop in her hands, and feel a compulsion to just scrub. Wash, rinse, repeat, over and over, the vision seeming to take hours and hours. As day turns into night, she'll finally reach the cabins. The door opens, and inside is a veritable mountain of gold, fine clothes, jewels, and a dozen servants of mixed genders all turning to look at their mistress. Or captain, however she wants to take it.

Rei retracts her hand and smiles somewhat wryly at her customer.]

There you have it, Isabela-san.

[Isabela looks a bit disappointed.]

I could have gotten the same message inside some kind of pastry.

No offense, that was clearly legit, but still.

Well, not every fortune is grand and exciting. Hard work brings reward, and extremely hard work brings greater reward. To be honest? It's a fairly common fortune. And a positive one.

I do believe working for a fortune misses the point of piracy, though.

[She sighs]

Not that I've done any of that since getting here. The sheer lack of sea trade is forcing me into honest business.

Well, even pirates have to work hard to get to sea. I can't imagine sailing is easy.

Sailing is fun, not work. Even the back-breaking deck-swabbing crap is wonderful when you're bounding on the waves, going wherever the wind takes you.

It's parlaying it into money and comfort that's either tedious or illegal.

I'll...have to take your word for that one, Isabela-san.

[Do you really think a pretty, elegant young lady like this one knows anything about sailing at all?]

The sea runs counter to my nature.

[And let's not forget the whole fire-typing issue]

It's too bad. It's really quite liberating. Although I suppose it'd be rough on those nice hands of yours.

[She notices these things when people go grabbing her hands. She stands up, and hands Rei a couple of dollar.]

Well, thanks for the tip. Here's one for you along with the price of admission.

Soul Fasting Festival Log

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Activity check made me realized I'd lost this notif

whoops!

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