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

[rainsrespite]

[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.]

[bleeding_heart]

[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.]

[rainsrespite]

[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?

[bleeding_heart]

[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.]

[rainsrespite]

[Hugs are the best.]

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