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

[ 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!

[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]

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!

[ 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. ]

Edited 2014-11-07 05:56 (UTC)

[Was Maki really okay with this? No, it seemed like she was just putting on a face for the audience... espeically when she shot Nico a look like that. Oh, it was on - full adorable idol mode.]

Hi~ Everyone! I'm Nico Yazawa, everyone's favorite Nico-ni~! [She ignores a few people yelling "Who?" and the like, going all in with the cutesy pose - it's a good thing she'd gone with a cuter, bouncier costume like this and not some of the longer gowns she'd considered.] Nico~ Nico~ Ni~! Even as a ghost or a soul, let's smile with a nico-nico!

Ohhh, an earnest type~

[Raising the ante, eh Makki?

She looks to Nico. No one's gonna buy that.]

Maki and Nico, huh? What do you think, everyone? Do you think they have what it takes? [What?] I think they'll be a cute couple!

[ I-It's not like she's doing this to look good or anything! Maki just doesn't want Nico to beat her, and Nozomi too by extension. She's done piano recitals before, she's not the type to really have stage fright. But even she makes a face when she sees Nico doing that embarrassing act of her's trying to win the crowd over. ]

C-Couple? [ Somehow that word catches Maki off guard, making her swallow visibly. She already sorta is in a couple and Nico...Nico is Nico. Even if the girl is always coming over her house now, and she guesses they could maybe be considered friends, this is not what she had planned for! ]

Wait a minute, Nozomi..!

[Nico mentally rolls her eyes at Maki's surprise - what did she THINK was going to happen, getting up here? Nico's already accepted her fate and determined to just... do her best to appeal to the audience being as cute as possible.]

Riiight? We'll be the cutest couple! [Nico gives a big wave and a smile to the audience before glomming onto Maki and hissing in her ear through a forced smile] It'll be easier if you just play along, okay?

[There's a strong reaction from the crowd, they really seem to be getting into it. These two must have some kind of appeal.]

So, who will be the bride and who will be the groom? Hmmm, what do you think?

[She poses this both to the two and the audience.]

[ Against everything, Maki finds herself smiling genuinely, seeing the crowds reaction to them. She's always wanted to perform, but she never knew what it felt like to be standing in front of an enthusiastic crowd like this. Only Nico is making it very difficult! ]

Wait, don't just go and say things like that Nico!

[ Of course, Maki acting like she does, embarrassed by being seen as a couple, probably only makes the crowd more excited. Worse when Nico throws herself at Maki, her face growing redder. ] You're enjoying this way too much!

Well, I guess I should be the-- [ And just that Maki is cut off by Nico. ]

This is what being on stage is about! [Letting go of Maki, Nico jumps out in front of her at Nozomi's question, raising her hand high and posing cutely]

Yes, yes, Nico-ni will be the bride of course! Doesn't everyone agree?

[The crowd's reaction is mixed, but the dissenters seem to be in good humor and everyone's enjoying the show]

[Sorry, Maki. Nico's actually making things worse. She at least seems to want to milk this, and while Nozomi isn't intentionally trying to one-up either of them--that's honestly not her job--she isn't going to make things easy.]

I guess every little girl dreams of being a bride, huh? [Low blow. You bet your ass she's going for it.]

So before we get you two soul married, we should probably practice! Not that I think you two need it, you're both naturals~ I need you to step up here and take each other's hand.

You can't just choose to be the bride all on your own like that!

[ Maki is quick to respond back, her face looking like she is holding back from saying a lot more to Nico, before she crosses her arms with a cute "hmph" and turning away from Nico to Nozomi. ]

F-Fine, we might as well get this over with. [ Maki just sort of....sticks her hands out all unceremoniously, waiting for Nico to take them. ]

Right....dear?

[Wow, RUDE NOZOMI. What's it like being an old hag whose dreams are dead huh?

She has to go with it though]

Of course, tee-hee!

[She smiles and takes Maki's hand - she only needed one, right?]

And what next?

Soul Fasting Festival Log

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