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

[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.

Was it a convincing performance?

[She's like an excited puppy.]

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]

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

I'll try not to be too scary.

[A joke! She's learning!]

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.

[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.

[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?

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

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?

Edited (you asked me to ) 2014-12-01 14:50 (UTC)

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

I am.

[The game goes well enough, since it's not rigged or anything and through skill and luck, the girls get a couple of prizes. Stuffed Pokemon, probably a Cubchoo and a Teddiursa. And the remainder of the evening is pleasant enough. Once it gets really late, though, and the festival starts closing down Yuuna will lead Merrill home, holding her hand and skipping slightly.]

Thanks for coming out with me, dear. I had a great time.

[Oh my gosh, cute little teddy bear plushes. Merrill will cuddle them every night. She's in a very good mood by the end of the evening, one hand in Yuuna's and holding her Teddiursa in the other.]

It was wonderful! Are all of Union's festivals this exciting?

[Yuuna gives her a pleased little grin and squeezes the Cubchoo and her Han.]

Definitely. They're not all themed the same way, but they are all just as much fun.

[Her steps slow a pace as they near Merrill's residence, and she favors the Dalish with a more nervous smile. Here was the followup to a successful date, of course. Sticking the landing for the next one.]

Glad you liked it. You...uh...think you'd wanna try date number three?

[Merrill seems utterly perplexed as to why Yuuna's smile got nervous all of a sudden. She's having a good time, and she was pretty sure Yuuna was too, so why that?]

Oh!

[Right, the date thing. She'd taken her continued participation in this arrangement as a given, so Yuuna's question is met with a smile and an easy laugh.]

Of course. I'd be happy to.

[Yuuna had not, but when Merrill responds so positively, her smile changes to something rather radiant. She's enjoying herself, and honestly someone who doesn't think she's utterly insane or a flake is just...nice. That it's someone she thinks is attractive only makes that even more nice.]

Awesome! I...hah, I mean, alright. Cool.

[She moves more or less to stand in front of Merrill, slipping her fingers free and slipping her arms around her lower back, pulling her close.]

Because I definitely like spending time with you like this. It's been a while since I dated anyone, and I just had to make sure I wasn't assuming too much.

Well, it's been since...

[Awkward pause.]

...I've never dated anyone at all.

[Merrill laughs, blushing a bit as she scratches at the back of her neck.]

I suppose I must be doing something right, though.

[Yuuna laughs too, shaking her head. Seriously, she's just too sweet. And that blush...]

Hah, well now you have. I'm glad to be the first. And I'm glad to know you're willing to go out with me.

[She leans in closer, huffing another faint sound of amusement. This was all sort of an accident, but hell, what a happy little surprise this'd turned out to be.]

And I'd say you are. Just by being you.

[And with that, she kisses Merrill softly on the cheek.]

[Excuse her while she stammers incoherently for a bit. But after that's done...]

M-ma serannas...

[Yeah, she forgot how to speak English for a second there. And she's still blushing as she quickly returns that kiss to Yuuna's cheek.]

[Pink tinges her own cheeks at the return. There's no big rush of emotion, just a sense of happy satisfaction and acceptance, things that were rare enough to be worth cherishing.]

Thank you, too.

[She'll pull Merrill into a firmer hug, laughing softly to herself. ]

I'll...see you next week sometime? We can do dinner again, or maybe catch a play?

[Hugs are nice. Very warm and soft. Merrill is happy to hug back.]

Yes. Next week. Dinner sounds lovely. The play, too.

[Everything is lovely.]

[Hugs are the best.]

Good. I'll be in touch when I get tickets. Until then, stay safe and be well.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Soul Fasting Festival Log

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