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Event Log: August, Lunasa Celebration
Lùnasa
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
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
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
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!
no subject
His pointed question regains her full attention and earns him a pained look. She's quiet for a stretch after Hubert finishes speaking, deep in thought.]
I am thinking you only have a part of the truth. It is sounding to me, from talks with you and Edelgard and even Byleth, that Edelgard is having much power over what is happening.
I am not knowing if it is the same for others, but for me, I was not knowing the things Edelgard was fighting for. If people are not knowing what she is fighting for, they will not be wanting to risk their lives for her ideas. When people are attacked, they are not often asking questions of their attackers. They are making assumptions with fear.
You are both having fear of betrayal and are not knowing who to give trust to, but that is the cause of the thing you are not wanting. Maybe that is why there is only one path where Edelgard is having success? She is needing someone to be giving her reassurance that giving her trust to others will not always be giving her pain. You... you are not giving your trust easily either. [Petra gives him a sympathetic look. Hubert was an invaluable friend to Edelgard, completely loyal, but he was also suspicious of everyone and didn't trust easily. Petra could remember the two of them, always together, always speaking in hushed tones to one another. But Byleth, or someone, seemed to change that. The Edelgard here had reached out and had tried to form as many alliances as she could. It was a stark contrast to her own Edelgard's actions.]
no subject
[Petra might as well have physically struck him.]
[His already downward-turned eyes screw shut, and for the briefest second, his impassive face splits in a grimace, raw in pain before it disappears. Edelgard, despite her own fears, had tentatively wanted to trust. It was his voice that warned her against it. He was the one that whispered horrors of betrayal, of their life's work collapsing before their eyes. A splinter of cold dread, so impossible to ignore, digging incessantly into her heart in their academy year.]
[If what Petra hypothesized held true... had he single-handedly, nearly doomed their entire war with one course of action? Had his argument against reaching out to Byleth almost destroyed everything?]
[What peace the conflict in his chest had found shattered, threatening to overwhelm him; his hands drew into tight fists at his sides. Hubert fought for several moments to rein it in, to hold the chaos arm's length from him and hear anything beyond his heart thundering in his ears.]
Always so exceptionally keen, aren't you? [Hubert says slowly. No, this was far too emotional. He had to calm down. And yet, there was nothing to do with the turmoil, nowhere to put it where it did not touch him.] How is it, every time, you find the exact angle you need to pick at me? You claim you wish to know me better, but that hardly seems necessary, does it? [A shake of his head.] Truly, Brigid has nothing to fear if your leadership is half as insightful.
no subject
... Hubert... [She gives him a pained look.]
I was not meaning... You are having great importance to Eedelgard. But you are both feeling the same, not having certainty about trust. She is needing you.
[She slides closer, putting a hand on his shoulder without really thinking it through.] And you are not needing me to tell you that.
sorry for another tl;dr
This is not why we're here, [he says curtly. The rise and fall of Hubert's shoulder under Petra's hand is a bit deeper than it should be, his breathing affected his unbalanced state.]
[Just spit it out. The sooner he does, the sooner this string goes away, the sooner he can be away from this awful conversation.]
Your very existence confounds me, but that is surely no surprise. You embody everything that I feared could have gone wrong. We are strangers for our different experiences, and I despise your similarities, like an echo of something lost. [He's rambling, he knows, but Hubert keeps pushing the first words from his mind, desperate to end this.] You are the same paragon of temperance, resilience, and compassion. Enviously perceptive and keen.
I had thought you like her, driven only for the better by your pride, but here has it led you to recklessness and stubbornness. [He remembers keenly the struggle etched on her face, down in those tunnels.] Stranger or not, foolishness does not suit you—nor does uncertainty. It's infuriating to witness. And—
[He stops, gritting his teeth briefly. This was more difficult.] And for all that you confuse me, haunt me, pain me—and for all that I do not wish to be Bonded to you...
I want my debt repaid. I cannot stand the idea of owing you my life longer than strictly necessary. Should you require it, I will comply until you find another. Do you understand?
[The string begins to fade from his end.]
no subject
More than once, she seems to want to interrupt him but each time she stops herself. Hubert should be allowed to express himself uninterrupted. He deserves that much. Even if it pains her to hear what he has to say.
And then... had he really just offered what she thinks he has? She's shocked into silence for a moment, blinking at him as if she half expects him to reveal it had been a joke. But he says nothing.]
A... bond? You are agreeing to share a bond with me? [Everything else he'd said could be poured over later, likely when she was trying to sleep, but right now, every train of thought led back to the offer he'd just made.] I accept.
[She shifts her weight slightly but once again reins herself in, though Hubert may recognize her body language as she fights back the urge to hug him.] When? Now? What are we needing to be making one?
no subject
[This was not a good base for a Bond, he knew. It didn't have to be good. It just only needed to not break and scar their souls. Best to focus on his desire to repay his debt.]
There is no reason to put it off if you are ready. You need on direly, do you not? All that is needed is a vow and an officiant capable of the ritual. This is normally done at the Coven, but given the festival...
[Well, they were everywhere. It wasn't just weddings that were happening all over.]
no subject
She gives him a nod.] Yes. Soon would have- would be best.
You are thinking we can find an officiant in the festival? I have been having distance from the festival. I was not wanting to have surprise and lose control... [So, yes, it was pretty dire.]
Hubert... I know you are agreeing because you are thinking you are owing me but... thank you.
no subject
[Hubert turns to briskly walk off. The sooner they do this, the better.]
Yes, an officiant will not be difficult to find. Though I would much rather do this without an audience, the Coven is a farther walk.
no subject
I am not minding going to the Coven. An audience is not preferable to me also. [The bonding ceremony feels like a deeply private affair to her. A further walk seems like a small price to pay.]
no subject
Very well.
[That moment of first insight into another's soul was deeply personal. As staunchly determined as Hubert was to make this affair as professional as humanly possible, the wedding-like Bondings of Lunasa really did not sit well for their situation, and the last thing he needed was being accosted for looking so dour.]
[And speaking of being accosted, their journey halts a couple times while Hubert deals with a red-string encounter from a stranger. The mass of ghost strings on his left hand hardly seemed to be dwindling, to his frustration.]
[But the walk is good for him. It gives him time to recenter himself, to neatly package his doubt and distress and set it aside for later. Hubert's calm again as he leads Petra through the Coven's near-deserted halls towards a set of big double-doors.]
The ceremony is simple. Step into the ritual circle, take my hands, and speak a vow of some sort. I care not what it is. The Bond—unfortunately—requires a degree of communication to remain healthy, and if neglected can severely wound us both. I will feel things you will not wish me to, and the reverse is true. It's less damaging to simply turn a polite blind eye than to attempt hiding it from the Bond.
[Hubert pushes through the doors without much ceremony, entering the big hall. The attendant, who definitely hadn't been napping at her desk, snaps to attention. Without waiting, Hubert stalks into the intricate magic circle inscribed in the ground, removing his gloves and tucking them into a pocket.]
[How different this already was, than with Edelgard and Bernadetta.]
no subject
Hubert, can those not be waiting?
[Once they're at the Coven, Petra listens intently as his explanation of what to expect, not only of the vows but of their bond. She nods, taking a deep breath. They can make this work, she's sure of it.
She follows him but pauses for a moment on the outside of the circle.] I enter also?
[She fiddles a bit, the only indication that she's nervous.] Hubert, I am not knowing what to say. [She says the words quietly despite it really only being the two of them.]
no subject
[No. That wasn't relevant. Hubert breathes the doubt out on a slow exhale, then extends both hands palm up for her to take. Strange, how naked he felt without his gloves. Even stranger, to hear Petra speak so timidly.]
You enter. Take my hands. I will speak when you are ready.
no subject
She gives him a single nod, slipping into the circle and positioning herself so she's facing him. She looks down at her hands, her scales and claws, taking a deep breath before reaching out to take his hands.]
I am ready. [As ready as she'd ever be.]
no subject
This is hardly the traditional basis for a Bond, but it is what it is. I owe you a debt of my life. I'm repaying it in your sanity and the safety of others, and under the condition you will continue to seek out a more suitable Bonded.
Despite the... difficulties of our reality, I am a practical man. A Bond is a partnership; I will not neglect it, and see to your welfare the best of my capabilities for the duration of our Bonding. You have my word.
[So that he doesn't suffer in turn in the case that their Bond goes to hell, but that's an unspoken given. Hubert usually was straightforward about his interests, at least.]
[He can feel the circle's magic pick at his soul, gently prying away a thin strand, waiting for another to be woven with.]
no subject
I have grateful- am grateful for your offer of partnership. It is helping me greatly. You have my agreement to seek another Bond. I am not wanting to take advantage of your generosity.
[She pauses briefly to run back through what he'd just said, planning to echo him.] I will not neglect the Bond and you have my promise that I will be doing my best to give you, and the Bond, what you are needing.
[She isn't sure she knows what that is but she does know she'll give it her all and try her best when she does.]
no subject
[The strands of their souls intertwine. A new awareness of Petra forms in his mind, her hidden jitters and almost-guilt and sincerity, alongside his other two Bonds, and by this point it hardly feels different. He remembers though, what it's like the first time—how utter alien the feeling was. Hubert wondered how Petra would take it. Hubert's own presence becomes known to her, in turn: distant, as if he were holding his emotions at arm's length and away from the more logical processes of his mind. But those emotions are very much there, that lingering new doubt, his wariness, his old hurt and wistfulness for something she wasn't.]
[But most importantly, magic begins moving between them. Hubert has plenty right now, and it flows smoothly like from a forest spring wherever Petra touches his skin.]
[He didn't know what it was like, not being a Monster. Nor did he know what the magic buildup was like either, having Bonded with Edelgard shortly after their arrival. But Hubert's seen what it did to others, that madness it drove them to—particularly Dimitri.]
Take as long as you need, [he murmurs, his voice just a few shades gentler.]
no subject
She can feel his presence. His emotions feel within reach but she still has to stretch to see them. He isn't as nervous as she is, but it's still there. No, not nervousness, doubt.
More noticeable than his presence, however, is a distinct absence of the buzzing monstrous instinct. She'd almost forgotten how it felt not to be tiptoeing the line between self-control and slipping into feral rage. Like a cool breeze after a sweltering summer.
As strange as the bond is, in her case, she only feels overwhelming relief. She could almost cry it's so freeing.] It is feeling like I can breathe finally. [She squeezes his hands, giving him a warm smile.]
no subject
Considering how long you've gone, it's impressive you've made it this long. I imagine you're quite starved for magic.
[Imagine was a key word here. He was only guessing; Hubert wasn't sure "starved" was quite right, but it felt appropriate. Even with his eyes still closed, he feels her gratitude rather literally.]
We will need to cycle magic periodically. More often if you spend time in the Wilde, or exert yourself and your... new form's talents. As you have my word that I will not neglect our Bond, you may reach me at any time if you notice your new instincts beginning to assert themselves again.
Do the full moons provide any challenges I should know about? [Not that Hubert expected much. Petra made it this long; he expected she could manage the monster's instincts well.]
no subject
[Although she knew that the lack of a bond and thus the lack of magic was the cause of constant inner struggle it hadn't ever felt like she was starving for anything. There had never been any craving for anything.]
How do we cycle magic? When you are saying periodically, how often are we needing to do this? When I am feeling... [she pauses, really unsure how to describe the inner conflict she'd been experiencing]- like I was?
[She nods but she can't help but feel a little nervous. Knowing that Hubert knew what he was doing is incredibly reassuring though. She knows he's had bonds for some time. She's in good hands, at least for the moment.]
The full moons are making me want to hunt. I am having curiosity whether having a bond will be helping those urges.
no subject
[Explanation was easy. Clinical. Something to focus on that wasn't his own emotions, made it easier for him to forget them.]
Many things could affect how often we would need to do this. It would be best if you were to judge that for yourself—if you begin to feel like you were, as you say. Though I would prefer it be dealt with far before that point.
[Let her not repeat this folly of pride, Hubert hoped. It truly did not suit her. There's a tiny spark of something not quite hesitation, not quite wariness.] I am... willing to remain nearby when the Sisters show their faces, if you wish to test the differences. I have less experience in regards to full moons, as Her Majesty typically remains within her room, and Bernadetta is ultimately harmless.
no subject
I would have happiness to do that with regularness. It is good for both of us, is it not?
[Yes, keeping on top of these things is certainly something she's keen to do.
She blinks in surprise at his offer, unsure what to think.] You... would be staying with me when the moon has fullness? Would your presence give me calm?
no subject
"Staying" is too strong a word. I understand you reside with those from Faerghus—I will not set foot upon that property. But, I will make myself as available as I can be should you feel the instinct overtaking you. ...Or perhaps I will stay, if you find more neutral ground.
I... cannot say my presence would calm you for certain, but I am lead to believe so. If cycling magic can help clear your mind, I do not see any reason it would not do the same under the full moons, if to a lesser effective degree. Is that satisfactory?
[It's all secondhand information and theory though, given how his other two Bonded manage their respective impulses on the full moons.]
no subject
There are many empty spaces- houses. I could be finding a space that you would... have more comfort with.
[She nods thoughtfully.] If it is not giving me calm, it could be dangerous for you. I am not wanting to put you in danger again.
But maybe I will not even be needing you close. We can wait.
no subject
[To simply a complex situation. Felix's dozen death threats speak plainly, though.]
Very well. Use your judgement—keenly, this time perhaps?