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

[tothemetal]

Well - you don't gotta, seriously! - but -

[he stammers into near incoherence, trepidation overwhelming his sentences and mincing them beyond recognition before they even have the chance to leave his mouth. with faint distress in his eyes Styx cuts himself off, fidgeting with his fingers before gathering his thoughts more firmly this time.

Petra would tell him if he'd said something wrong, and then he could apologize if he needed to. this was coming from a place of sincerity and he shouldn't be ashamed of that. do your best, Graves!]

There's those potions, you know? Or spells...can't really remember which. [it doesn't matter, Styx. focus!] Either way, 's the one that lets you make a temporary bond.

[he doesn't need to speak the offer outright now, not with the obvious reason for bringing up something like that, but the big guy still feels the need to explain himself a little and continues to speak. his fidgeting grows worse as he goes, hands fluttering about making useless gestures in an attempt to be better understood, but he's forging ahead without hesitation all the same. he wants to see this to the end.]

Thought, you know...probably wouldn't make too good of a real bond or nothing, stuff like that's complicated, but for the short term all you gotta do is be around, right? 'nd I'm good at that! Existing, I mean. So maybe, if you wanted, we could do that until you find somebody to make a real one with.

[he pauses and smiles, warm as the sun.]

That way you don't gotta be afraid of having fun, yeah?

[islandhuntress]

No, please, I would be liking it greatly if you would tell me.

[She listens intently. When she realizes what he's offering, her head bows slightly, not only to hide the faint smile but the blush as well. She can feel the warmth on her cheeks though she isn't really sure why she's blushing. It seems like such a silly reaction.]

You would be doing that for me? A temporary bond?

[She looks deeply touched by the offer, overwhelmed by his kindness to even consider doing such a thing. She gives him a nod, slithering closer to wrap her arms around his neck for a hug.]

Thank you! I am having so much gratitude. [He's so warm. She's cold-blooded now and boy is he radiating heat.] And maybe- [She stops herself from saying too much too soon, not wanting to make him immediately regret his offer. But maybe, maybe, their temporary bond would be good. Maybe this could lead to something more permanent. But she didn't want to get ahead of herself.]

Thank you, Styx.

[tothemetal]

[when she lowers her head Styx can feel his chest constrict again in fear, tighter than anything Petra might have done to him had she actually lost control of herself. he'd offended her, hadn't he? and no wonder, too. even as something temporary, something you could mercifully discard after the pinch of inescapable circumstances had passed, he was a pretty shitty candidate for bonding...

but he nods all the same at her question, earnest despite all of his perceived shortcomings. of course he would. they were friends - or close - and when it came to his friends Styx has no qualms about laying his life down on the line. this was hardly anything so serious, so why should he hesitate? giving a trivial amount of himself to essentially buy Petra his life back...there was no question.]

Oh-!

[she's hardly moving towards him at lightning speeds, but somehow the embrace takes Styx by surprise all the same. even accepting his offer, he hadn't anticipated for it to touch her so deeply. the soft noise of surprise quickly transforms into laughter as warm as the rest of him, his thick arms wrapping around his companion to return the hug with unexpectedly gentleness.

it must have been absolutely terrifying to live on the edge of losing your mind every waking hour. what else could explain anyone feeling gratitude towards him? although he couldn't have known any sooner than now...he won't ever let it happen again. that's a promise he makes quietly to himself.]

You don't gotta thank me or nothing, haha. 's what friends do, right? Not even gonna take too much time to get us fixed up - could probably grab something to eat right after, I bet.

[islandhuntress]

[She lets him go after a moment, still smiling. She doesn't even have a bond yet and already she'd swear she's feeling lighter, a weight off her shoulders.]

Yes... maybe. It is seeming to have great specialness to me. [Maybe it was a small favor. Maybe she'd been making too big of a deal over it the whole time. But it was an offer that still felt like it had weight to it.]

I am having readiness as soon as you are. And eating after is sounding wonderful.

I have coin if we are needing it.

[tothemetal]

[look at that - look how long Petra's smile was lasting now! that alone makes the big guy beam down at her even after she's pulled away, his heart filled to bursting with happiness. so often Styx felt that he was helpless, a useless rock unable to do anything for the people he cared about even when he tried...not this time.]

Well...if it's special to you, 'm not gonna argue. But! 'm not gonna let you pay for anything either, ok?

[his eyes twinkle, expression almost...mischievous? it seems that his joy is helping Styx come out of his shell just a little bit.]

Even if it's only a temporary thing, 's still your big day. Gotta do it right.

[islandhuntress]

Not let me? [She tries to feign agitation but ends up reflecting his playfully mischievous smile.] That is sounding like a challenge!

[She grins and can't help but hug him again, giving him a squeeze before letting go.] Apologies. I am- You are giving me great joy.

Let's find a potion. I can be saving my hugging until after we are having a Bond. [She excitedly loops around him and then realizes what she's done. Although she isn't actually touching him, he's still encircled in her coils.] Oh! Have care. Can you step over?

[tothemetal]

Can't make it too easy, right? Don't feel as nice if you win.

[he thinks, anyway. but then Petra's hugging him for a second time and his mind is going blank; he's less startled now, but it's still a gesture that demands the entirety of his attention. Styx wants to pick her up slightly and give her a spin, but that doesn't translate very well when the person in question is 2/3 snake body. the lifting he could still manage no problem, he's pretty sure, but twirling...uh, that'd probably end up imitating a tangled slinky. not a great start for even a temporary bond.

instead, and after a moment of serious deliberation, he decides to be bold and give her hair an affectionate tousle. it seems like a pretty good compromise.]

You don't gotta apologize for being happy! 's a good thing...like, really good. Probably be even better after we get all fixed up though, you're right. Should still be people at the Coven, yeah?

[it felt like one of those all day convenience stores in a way, just...with magic. it seemed reasonable that they could find the bond version of a Big Gulp there pretty easily, even a little late at night. he turns his gaze slightly in the direction of the Coven, as if he was going to be able to see any lights on from this far away - and then finds himself turning a bit more than anticipated as he can't help but follow Petra's coiling.

what had he just been thinking about spinning? looks like he got his wish after in, in a way. he's laughing the entire time, but there's no mistaking the very faint dizziness in his eyes as the trees around them continue to twirl long after he himself has stopped moving.]

Uh...just need a sec 'nd I should be good. You're crazy fast when you wanna be, huh!

[islandhuntress]

[Spinning would definitely end in a tangled mess with them both on the ground but, at the moment, she would've been more than happy to tumble down with him.

With a good-natured laugh, she playfully bats his hand away before giving her hair a check over and preening one of her braids to set it back in place, still smirking.]

I have agreement with you. Happiness is a good thing but great celebration -too much celebration is not... proper. [She smiles mischievously even as she says it as it dawns on her that this is maybe a 'Fodlan' rule. It had been seen as improper in Fodlan for nobles, let alone royalty, but not in her homeland... plus, no one here knew she was royalty except those she recognized from home.

She nods though. It's best to celebrate after they have their temporary bond.] I would be thinking so?

[When she realizes what she's done, she quickly doubles back to put a steadying hand on his shoulder.] Apologies, Styx, I did not realize I was wrapped around you. My body is having great length now, sometimes I am forgetting about it.

[tothemetal]

[he's ok, honest! but he also appreciates that steadying hand a great deal and gently leans against it for a few moments before he's confident of his ability to stand on his own once more. it's been a while since he'd ever gotten that dizzy, hasn't it? ...it's kind of sweetly nostalgic.]

Haha, it's no problem! Kinda knows how that goes...uh, not being a snake or nothing, but I kept growing for a while when I was younger. Made it hard to remember where all of you is, yeah?

[truth be told Styx still has that problem sometimes when he isn't paying attention...but at least he knows exactly how big he is now instead of it constantly changing. the confession is a little embarrassing enough, though, so he keeps that part to himself! and instead offers his arm for Petra to loop hers around if she wants so that they can set off for the Coven as the temporary pair they were now.]

[islandhuntress]

You are having great tallness. [Petra herself had been fairly short, only a little over five foot, but now that her legs were replaced with a muscular snake body, height wasn't really as much of a thing.

She tilts her head to look at the arm he offers, smiling bashfully at the formal looking gesture as she loops her arm in his.] Thank you.