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

[bleeding_heart]

What kind of spice?

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

[rainsrespite]

[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]

[bleeding_heart]

[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!

[rainsrespite]

[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?

[bleeding_heart]

Anything but a Spiritomb mask.

[Because yeah.]

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

[rainsrespite]

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?

[bleeding_heart]

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

[rainsrespite]

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.

[bleeding_heart]

I'll have to introduce you next time.

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

Oh, there!

[rainsrespite]

[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?

[bleeding_heart]

[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.

[rainsrespite]

[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.]

[bleeding_heart]

Oh! Here it is!

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

How do I look?

[rainsrespite]

[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.

[bleeding_heart]

Like this?

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

[rainsrespite]

[This gets the reaction of Yuuna bursting into a storm of giggles, totally losing it for a moment.]

Oh! Savior preserve...you...it's perfect! You are just...hah...the cutest little Phantump.

[bleeding_heart]

Was it a convincing performance?

[She's like an excited puppy.]

[rainsrespite]

Positively petrifying.

[Excited puppy is good, Yuuna is like a cheeky one, herself. She wraps an arm around Merrill and laughs a rich old belly laugh.] Careful, or you'll convince me you really are a Phantump.

[And even Merrill should be able to see she's kidding]

[bleeding_heart]

[Merrill smiles, leaning into Yuuna just a little.]

I'll try not to be too scary.

[A joke! She's learning!]

[rainsrespite]

Good, not sure my heart could take too many like that.

[She leans against Merrill more, idly thinking that this was not something she intended when she'd suggested a second date...since she was pretty sure Merrill wasn't interested....but the more they interact the more sure she's beginning to think she's wrong. And she likes that feeling. Having someone sweet like Merrill instead of the people she's dated in the past. None of them ever stuck, but Merrill came back for more, seeming to appreciate her just for being there, and she was so innocent it was impossible for her to believe she was being used for something or set up. And that too, is incredibly endearing.

She's about to say something when the vendor breaks that train of thought by clearing his throat. Smiling sheepishly, Yuuna forks over money for both masks and smiles to the Dalish girl. She doesn't pull away though, she just holds her close as those thoughts return. Merrill was different, for sure.]

Well now that we're properly attired, how about we go catch a festival game. Then a real dinner, not just snacks.

[bleeding_heart]

[Merrill has always kept people at an arm's length for a lot of reasons. Being cast out of her clan hit her hard, and she had gotten used to being alone. And then she came to Union and felt utterly lost for a very long time, cast adrift in a sea of unfamiliar faces. Part of her felt that maybe it was better if she didn't get close to anyone, never dragged them into her problems.

And then along came Yuuna. The whole thing came as a surprise to both of them, but every moment they've spent together somehow felt very natural to Merrill. All of those dirty secrets and shameful lies came out, and Yuuna decided to stay with her, despite seeing the ugliest parts of her soul. She's still getting used to the idea of being this open and candid with someone, but there's something very heartwarming about it for Merrill.

...But yes, right now is time for masks, eating, and fun. She'll have plenty of time to think about all of that later.]

Oh, yes! I like games. You'll have to show me how to play them.

[rainsrespite]

[Yes! Good! Best not to dwell on melancholy things. Yuuna beams at Merrill and starts to tug her along.]

Well, surely you've played some of them. I mean, you've thrown a ball at targets before, right?

[bleeding_heart]

It sounds easy enough. Dalish children play those sorts of games.

[rainsrespite]

Right. Then you'll be able to figure it out.

[She heads over to a booth that looks like one of those carnie games where you toss a ball at heavy bottles filled with sand. There are all sorts of stuffed Pokemon prizes lining it. And a guy in the mandatory candy-cane striped suit telling them to step right up!]

Wanna give it a try first?

[bleeding_heart]

Are you sure? I'm not very strong, you know.