Event Log: August, Lunasa Celebration

[faileas]

Event Log: Aguril, Lùnasa Celebration

Lùnasa From dusk of Aguril 1st to the dusk of Aguril 3rd, Aefenglom celebrates something fairly special: Lùnasa. Traditionally, Lùnasa celebrates all kinds of traditional marriages sanctioned by Parliament, generally of the arranged kind, and handfastings, a ceremony based more on love and how long it lasts. The Coven's Bonds err on this side of things, though some Witches do have official spouses - Miss Nessie and Mhairi, and Theodore and Sowilo, are examples of this, though not everyone marries their Bonded, either. Many of them are made during this festival, prompting the city to dress for the occasion just in case they find themselves in the middle of a ceremony, and just as many of them are formally renewed. Like during Litha, shops offer lovemaking potions, but only to those renewing vows or taking them; smaller fireworks, like sparklers and fountains, are also a common sight. Lùnasa is also home to the city's largest fashion show, showcasing fun and upcoming trends in the city. No experience is required to sign up to show off designs or to model them, and hundreds of tailors and needlework experts come together to quickly make dreams into reality for the end of the festival, when the show happens in genuine. The clothing is often wild and sorted into three categories: children, where those 14 and younger can submit their designs and model them as well; popular, where those 15 and older can do the same to try and vie for the judges' vote on what's in and what's out; and bonding, where all ages aspire to modify and make personal the traditional garbs of marriage and handfasting.

I. Poppin' Parties With Lùnasa beating bright from day one, there's already a need for celebrations and celebrators alike across the city! Citizens are dressed to the nines just in case the occasion calls for it (and, in true spirit, it usually does) and anything that seems worth celebrating, be it the holiday's weddings and bonding ceremonies or something else, is absolutely celebrated with appropriate noise and fanfare! If you're in a good mood, they are too–– And if you're not, well. All it takes is a wildin' party to bring the mood back up! That means you, yes you, and you and you are all invited! Maybe if you smile a bit and have a good time they'll let you go, but others be prepared to be part of a comedy routine, sung around as you're swung around, and to be cuddled by various furry creatures who're more than happy to be pet and scritched all you'd like. Turn that frown upside down, this is a joyous occasion! They're taking willing volunteers too, of course, as the more the merrier, so whether you're the harasser or harassed it's sure to be a ball! Perhaps you can even earn some tips by joining in to these impromptu parties as needed. It's considered good luck to have as many people as possible celebrating your marriage or Bonding around this time of year, and several natives want to encourage participation in their own little celebrations.

II. Say Yes To The Dress Some of the fashion shows that pop up around the city during and after Lunasa have taken on a new, interesting bent. With many of them having large categories for wedding and handfasting wear anyway, some groups have gone the full mile and set up "mock marriages" to show off a variety of themed outfits or collections all at once. Appropriate wedding guest attire, dresses and suits for brides and grooms, designer robes for those who want to be a little extra with their Bonding ceremonies, they're showing them all, in a variety of patterns and eye-catching colors, from the simple to the overly-embellished. It's not unusual to stumble into one of these 'show' weddings, which usually have the officiant talking about the merits of the collection of clothes and their designer, rather than the usual vows and the like. It's also not unusual to get roped into one of these mock weddings if you aren't careful! Watch out you're not grabbed off the street and manhandled nicely into a changing tent with an array of outfits, and told to play a bride or a groom or some other role at a traditional wedding. At least they're happy to let you keep the clothes you modeled when you're done! The biggest trend this year is a special fabric that magically fits itself to the wearer, draping and tucking in and falling just right, no matter how tall or short you are, no matter if you're human or have pesky Monster parts getting in the way. Most designers are using this fabric now, dyed in a rainbow of colors and embroidered with a whole catalogue of patterns. It means any outfit you get thrust into in the name of impromptu modeling will fit you perfectly, at least. Some designers may also take requests and throw something together at the last minute that's more to your style! Thanks to efforts last month, though, many of the fashion designers are currently really into shoulder-pads and glitter, so maybe keep an eye out that they don't take any liberties with your request... Even if you aren't in the wedding spirit (come on, at least pretend), Lunasa is a good time to fill your closet with the latest and best, so make sure to take advantage!

III. Red-String Strung Along With love in the air, a gaggle of single Witches at the Coven decided it's high time they stop being single! The group of them managed to cast a Red String spell together to find their true loves, wherever they may be - but with the Sisters full in the sky during much of Lunasa, they vastly overestimated the amount of power needed, spreading the effects of their spell city-wide and skewing the results. In such a large area, the accuracy of this Red String spell... may be called into question. A Red String spell, often used by silly Witches searching for their True Love, does exactly that: it causes a softly glowing, semi-tangible red string to appear, tied from your finger to the finger of someone else. The string can be felt by the other party when tugged on, but otherwise will be unobtrusive in the day to day. While normally this spell is only visible to the user and the person their string is tied to, with the spell going a bit out of control, these strings can be seen by everyone, creating quite a chaotic sight in the streets. Luckily, only the strings you yourself are tied to will be tangible. Yes, strings. Another malfunction of the miscast! It's possible for one person to have multiple strings tied to their fingers at once, tying them to multiple people, which is certainly not the norm! What in Geardagas could that mean? Which one is your true love, if any of them? If you wish to make your string disappear, the only way is to track the other person down and state your feelings for them - even if those feelings are only "you're a stranger to me", or "you're just my good friend". Once a mutual admission of feelings has occurred, the string tying the two together will dissolve into a lovely little show of red sparkles. Sadly or not, this isn't necessarily the end, because you might find another string, tied to another person, forming on your finger at any point! Or maybe you're one of those who never find a string tied to their finger; some may look at you with pity in that case, thinking you utterly alone in the world. Regardless, the effects of the spell fade completely one week after Lunasa ends, and any remaining strings will disappear by that point. Your character can have their red string broken and reformed as many times as you'd like, with as many people as you'd like, and it's possible to have multiple strings at once. They'll all disappear when the enchantment fades in a week, but you can play with it as much as you want until then.

Welcome to August's holiday log for Lunasa! As always, please direct your questions here! And as a reminder, this will be the only mod-posted event log this month, as the next events this month are all very exciting player plots that we're happy to give a chance to shine!

Comments

[arturiarex]

Oh, no, nothing like that-

[ She is far too earnest for her own good at times. Fortunately, she relaxes once she realizes he meant it in jest. Instead, her attention is on the little tie-pin he hands over and she blinks in astonishment as she reaches out to take it. ]

This is... beautiful. I'm not sure if I'll be allowed to keep it, but... thank you. Did you make this...?

[ There's a very fond little smile on her face now. ]

[ua_duibhne]

Metalwork isn't among my talents, unfortunately. But I advised the designer who did on the colours- you left her feeling "inspired", apparently.

[Read: slightly smitten. When he had bumped into her in the fitting room she was starry-eyed and talking excitedly about a dignified, golden-haired, green-eyed maiden. Maybe if he'd figured out just who she meant back then, he'd have saved himself some awkwardness now.]

We made a good job of it together, I'd say.

[arturiarex]

Ah - well... I'm glad that some of me still inspires others.

[ She sounds a little sad, but also cheered at the same time. Wistful, perhaps. She steps forward and tries to clap him on the shoulder. Look, he's tall. ]

I think you did. Thank her for me, will you? And - thank you, again. You're very kind. Given the chance, I would like to see more of you.

[ua_duibhne]

[He's both tall and not patronising enough to lean over and let her reach his shoulder so the pat ends somewhere on his bicep but he gets the intention.]

Kind? Hardly.

[While Diarmuid smiles, for just a moment, it hardly looks like one at all. What part of him is kind? Being honourable doesn't guarantee such a thing, not when you've already proven yourself disloyal and filled with brutish resentment.

No, he's not a good man. That much he knows for certain, though he forces himself to feign gratitude anyway.]

But I feel the same. I'm glad to have another chance to know you better, King of Knights.

[arturiarex]

[ The way he smiles - or maybe doesn't smile - makes her expression fall a little. Something is eating at him, but she doesn't know what or how to address it without being rude. Nor does she really know what troubles him. ]

And I, you. Tell me - what do you do with your spare time?

[ She very carefully begins to put the tie-pin on. She's going to do her best to appreciate it while she can. ]

[ua_duibhne]

Believe it or not, I'm attempting to become a more diligent student. Truthfully, I've not yet found my true purpose here but my l-

[For the first time, he hesitates. Even after so long, he can't help but feel the faintest pang of anxiety when he talks about his love life, as though it's something he would have to immediately apologise for. A part of him still wants to but he has too much respect for Berserker to do that: he deserves to be his greatest pride.]

- my lover has a way of finding enough trouble to keep me occupied, for better or worse. [His confidence builds with every word and soon enough, the tension slips from his face.] You two should meet.

[not that he expects they'll get on]

[arturiarex]

[ Saber is, of course, still single and her marriage was a travesty. She hasn't been lucky with romance. That doesn't stop her smile from growing as she peers up at him. She can see the hesitation, but she's glad he still tells her. It's something to be celebrated, isn't it? ]

I'm glad you have someone to keep you busy, then.

[ She nods. ]

I would love to meet him, when we have the time - I feel as if there are still so many people I've never met, even among the mirrorbound.

[ Ah - she pauses. ]

How long have you been with one another? If I may ask.

[ua_duibhne]

To say the least. Things are rarely dull with him around.

["Busy" is one word for the trouble that naturally seems to gravitate towards Chulainn's Hound, regardless of the form he takes- but Diarmuid can't say he minds. Being at his side is rewarding.]

Understandable. I feel the same and I've been here for far longer. But to answer your question...

[He puts his head to the side as he mulls over the dates. At what point did things truly begin to develop? There's always been something there, a peculiar kind of bond built on Berserker's- often brutal- honesty and Diarmuid's own fears of betrayal but it's nothing compared to what he feels now.]

We've been Bonded for over a year but I wouldn't be able to say when exactly it... happened. Regardless, he's my everything.

[And now he looks sheepish all over again, cheeks flushing just a little, as though he has something to apologise for in being happy.]

[arturiarex]

I'm very happy for you, Lancer.

[ She says that quietly, that soft smile of hers breaking out over her face. She is happy that he's found something - someone - that pleases him. During the Grail War they had both been conflicted, torn by their loyalty and sense of honor and their own sense of ethics. Here... there's none of that. And he deserves something good. ]

You're doing well and I think that is perhaps one of the best things to happen here. I wish you both the best in the future.