Soulfasting Mingle

[bravenewmods]

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!


It's that time of year again, and all throughout Union and in particular the Ninetales Vale, celebrations are beginning. A festival celebrating the passage of another year, of remembering and honoring the dead, and of placating particularly violent spirits has begun. Soulfasting, an old Union tradition, is one of the most popular holidays celebrated, with the Ninetales Vale being overrun with people of all ages.

Children scamper through the streets of the Vale in masks and costumes, begging for candy, while surly teenagers do the same and occasionally play pranks, and adults celebrate in a variety of fashions. Elaborate, highly fashionable costumes are all the rage, and even the nobility slips out into the Vale for a bit of fun. It's not exactly a popular destination most of the year, given the high concentrations of Dark and Ghost-types but during the festival it's most definitely in vogue and teeming with people all happy to help revitalize the area for a week.

The sounds of music drift through the air, celebratory tunes, dirges, jigs, and tunes for all ages. From the Kurain school on it's hill overlooking most of the Vale, a pipe organ solemnly plays out traditional tunes, and is surprisingly cheery for a ghost school. Across the neighborhood on another hill, Hikawa Shrine has it's doors wide open to welcome visitors, with decorations of all sorts set out.

Games are set up at both locations, including Apple Bobbing, Ducklett Pond raffles, and Pin the Scroll on the Spiritomb, though there are others set up all over the Vale's plazas. Skeeball, Target Shooting, Bell-and-Hammer games, and perhaps most strangely a “Whack-the-Diglett” that's been possessed by one of the local ghosts to give the little wooden Digletts faces all hideously angry ones. Eating contests, Pokemon Battle Circles, a Haunted House (with real ghosts!) and dozens and dozens of fortune telling stands all further add to a carnival atmosphere that even the dead can enjoy!

Lanterns and faux Spinarak webs hang from every lamppost and awning, and food stalls line the streets as vendors ply their wares. Food from all over is available, and it all seems to come together around a central square between the two hills. A stage has been set up, with musicians from all over the known world called in to show their stuff. There are dance tunes from Caldera, Union Pop and Jazz songs at work, setting crowds on fire. Sanctuary has sent a full orchestra to play various classical pieces, while Citadel's famous woodwinds and tribal drums surprise and delight. And towards the end of the day, a band from Glacier comes on stage. Their music starts out slow and ambient, but after a few sets they set up electric guitars and the gloves come off. A folk metal concert, complete with an armored warrior-woman doing the vocals and several of the soldiers from the battle weeks prior (some still bandaged) backing her up. It might be a bit shocking, but some of the youth are definitely getting into it...

And then night falls, and the party atmosphere becomes a little quieter. Plays, family meals, Ghost-story tellings, and more subdued activities become the norm though there's still a contingent of rowdies at the heart of the celebration. It's then that the ghosts really come out to play, slipping through walls to greet relatives or tease revelers. For the most part they seem friendly but not always. As usual, some specters of ill-repute have slipped in among the friendly ones, and they're making trouble. Good thing you have a Warp Band to call an exorcist, right?

((OOC: This is a general mingle log, feel free to put up your own top levels and tag around! Welcome to Soulfasting, everyone! We hope you enjoy =D ))

Comments

[faithfulflame]

[That had been the intent, and Rei's lip curved upward into a perfect bow. The act of obfuscation on Ami's part emboldened her, and she slipped free one hand to wrap around her partner's waist, pulling her close. She didn't want to give up the game either, so on she goes, voice still rough and deliberately sensual.]

I cannot deny my duty, to give heat and light to those in need. But you ask a heavy thing of me, dear Mismagius. For a soul can only be given once. Are you truly in dire need?

[allergictoloveletters]

[Had Rei not pulled her in by the waist, she might have gave a small snort of amusement at those words. But then again, Rei was using that tone in her voice, and even if the words were... interesting choices, she couldn't help but fall for the tone from the woman she adored.]

I need you more than anything else, more than anyone else, priestess. Your soul is what I desire more than anything else.

[faithfulflame]

[The wording was quite deliberate. Rei might have snuck a peek into some of Ami's more well loved looking romances, and was playing along with similar choices. Though her heart sang a little bit, blood surging faster when her love moved the fantasy along. Lowering her head, she kissed Ami full on the mouth, letting the hat hide the gesture from prying eyes. It lasted only a moment, but a delighted one.

With that finished, she moved her head, tilting it to rest near her partner's ear. And in a hushed tone...she gave up to 'ghost' and answered.]

Then you shall have it, my dear Mismagius. My soul, my heart, and my love are all yours and no others. Now...what will you do with them?

[allergictoloveletters]

[If Ami knew that Rei found out about her romance novels, few though they were, she might be the tiniest embarrassed. But sometimes even super geniuses needed the equivalent of candy for the brain, and that's what romance novels were. Still, she smiled into the kiss, her hands wrapping around Rei's, slipping the ring off her hand in the process.]

Hmm, what a gift to be given. [She chuckled as she ran a finger along Rei's lips.] But, dear priestess, what I intend to do with such a great gift if for me to know alone. [She pulled away only the tiniest amount.]

But rest assured they will remain safe forever.

[faithfulflame]

[Rei would never tease her, at least. She just felt the impressions that came from Ami when she read them, and that made it a little more clear. It wasn't something she could actively stop doing, and it was one of the downsides to being involved with a psychic. Or upsides, if you liked that kind of thing.

Still, the game had her laugh, as it came to it's logical conclusion. Who else would she give that gift to? Who else would she even consider giving it to?]

I thank you for that. I know you'll treasure it, as I treasure you, sweet Mismagius.

[allergictoloveletters]

[She grinned as she finally pulled away, the game over or the moment.]

Have you had many ask for their fortunes?

[faithfulflame]

[Rei laughed and spun, her sleeves swishing.]

I have, yes. As many as usual, really, and some new faces.

[allergictoloveletters]

With Glacier now a part of things, it does create an even more interesting gathering. Any fortunes of note? Should I find out who the next council members will be?

[faithfulflame]

Ah. No, nothing terribly fascinating. A few deaths, a few surprise births. The only one of note was a strange boy. He...seemed to have paths upon paths ahead of him.

[and Rei's frowning at that. Even a child shouldn't have that many.]

[allergictoloveletters]

What city was he from?

[faithfulflame]

I have no idea. He said he was a traveler. It was just a strange encounter.

[allergictoloveletters]

Well, I'll keep an eye out for him, but perhaps it was a pokemon spirit playing a joke of its own.

[faithfulflame]

Ami...I think I'd know if it was a spirit...

[She laughs though.]

[allergictoloveletters]

Well, you never know, Rei, they are getting more and more tricky as things go by.

[faithfulflame]

Ah. True enough I suppose. But still. That boy is someone to watch.

[allergictoloveletters]

Mnn, unfortunately, as I don't know who he is, I cannot say I can help.

[faithfulflame]

Well, it'll be something that'll show up again, if it's important.

Regardless. Are you enjoying the festivities? I really do appreciate your help with the children.

[And that includes her Pokemon.]

[allergictoloveletters]

Ah, I am! It's fun, and I can't believe how well mother's old outfit lent itself to the costume. The hat you found was the perfect touch! And the children are enjoying it, I started leaving out treat trails and playing my lyre for a bit of fun for them.

[faithfulflame]

Yes, I heard you playing. It was lovely! They were eating up what you were playing. And you had a few spectral observers, too. If you didn't notice.

[allergictoloveletters]

Ah! I did not. [She lacked that sort of sensitivity and could only go off of what she saw.] What spectral observers did I have, if you know?

[faithfulflame]

Oh, just a few local Gastly and a Phantump that likes to hang out near the gate. They very much liked your playing.

[allergictoloveletters]

If they want, and so long as they behave, I don't mind playing again for them. Actually, would you be interested in helping me bond with a ghost type? I was thinking perhaps a misdreavus but I suppose whoever wishes to bond with me at the time.

[faithfulflame]

Oh! Well...yes, absolutely I'll help. I think we can find you an amenable Misdreavus, no problem. You show up wearing that costume and they'll very likely flock to you.

[allergictoloveletters]

[She laughed.] Well, now I have to, if only to test out the theory.

[faithfulflame]

Then after Soulfasting ends, we'll go looking. It'll be a nice daytrip. The swamp ruins have them, I believe.