[ OPEN ] CULTURAL FESTIVAL

[coastal]

Who: Anyone and everyone! Yes, even you.
When: IC Date: 6/9 || OOC Date: 3/20
Where: Centered in CERES Academy but spilling out into the streets!
What: It's all fun and games until someone chokes on cotton candy or gets a black eye from jousting. The player plot of the cultural festival!
Rating/Warning: Totally PG, family-approved fun! Please poke me if this changes.

Flyers have been up for the past two weeks, students have been all atwitter (whether this is good or bad chatter is up in the air), outside help has been enlisted by a bunch of weird adults and finally the day has dawned upon us.

The cultural festival is here.

And it looks like stepping into an alternate dimension of Cerealia, a far cry from the Hunger Games that many had to endure just days ago - and maybe that's the whole damn point. Wander around, have some greasy comfort food, and win a stuffed animal to muffle your tears into or something. It's all gonna be okay.

I » PREGAME-FESTIVAL Let's back up a little bit. Set-up for the festival was intended to begin at 8 PM the night before to allow all groups an hour - maybe even two! - to set up their booths so that everything could be pristine and ready. . . . . Of course that didn't happen. So here you are, in the gym of the school where it looks like a crafts store went to die. Don't slip on the glitter glue! Don't touch that feather boa, the drama club might need it! Is that a soccer ball while everyone else is trying to prepare? Do you want to die? The clock continues to tick later and later, a groan coming from everyone in the room when it strikes 3 AM, but there's nonetheless an air of dedication here. Everyone's working - are you? - and this seems like a great time for caffeine overdose and some late night confessions.


II » WELCOME Whether it was through hard work or sheer dumb luck, the festival is underway!! There are sounds of yelling, students competing for patrons - "Care to have your fortune read?" or "Check out this kickass magician!" - or cries of defeat - "That balloon game was impossible - how am I going to get my McCeres plushie now?!" and "What's up with that scavenger hunt?" - You can already hear the sizzle of deliciously greasy food in the distance mixed in with whatever terribly Teen Pop mix they've got playing in the background. It's a little hard not to feel excited! Or... maybe it is, given the fact that you might not have wanted to end up here in the first place?! But the festival is spilling out into the streets! Pushy teenagers and teachers alike might've just tried to corral you in here like cattle to a brightly-colored, teeny bopper slaughter....

But if you look like you're not at all interested in having fun, this may be the time when a snowball smacks you right in the back of the head, suddenly implanting the idea of.... fun?


III » INFLATABLE HELL Whether you were running after reading some horrible gossip about you or getting way into playing the part of a fleeing criminal in the mock trial, you've found yourself in what every single carnival needs and deserves: a bounce house. But wait - that's not all?! Apparently this is some kind of inflatable course from hell as you realize that once you enter, there's even more waiting for you. Yes, that's right, welcome to the squishiest obstacle course of your life. When you make it to the end, you still have one last task: joust for your honor against the person that you've ended up with or break out your intense sumo knowledge for the exact same thing. The student overseeing this area just nods solemnly with an air of 17-year-old sage wisdom. "There can only be one."


IV » ANIME FOOD So that's what you're here for. Well congratulations friend, they've got every sort of carnival contraption or festival delight and dish - apparently this is where the culture can be found! But... but oh god, what's that? The hell is that?! Apparently there's an eating competition for these heart attacks if you really wanna try your luck.

Also hey - is this cotton candy really sticky to anyone else? Careful, don't reach too close to that other person or you just might end up stuck together...?!


V » AFTERPARTY So... where were you after the school festival officially concluded? Were you in the middle of a food coma? Were you trying to steal a giant sumo suit before they could be closed down? Were you caught on the ice of the frozen swimming pool? Drowning under the weight of discount flowers? Hopefully, you're not caught up in the craziness of a cleaning crew turned cleaning competition... or are you?

Either way, there's no way that this party is going to end with a fizzle.... but rather with a bang! Literally. The sky is lit up with a sudden firework, followed by another and anotherandanotherandanother-- except don't those... seem to be a little close? They're deafeningly loud and blindingly beautiful and perhaps that what covers up Lili's distressed screech of, "Those weren't authorized!" Hopefully all the little sparks extinguish in the air before they get too close... Kindly help make sure nothing catches on fire? Stand there and actually enjoy the show? Start a lawsuit for your sudden bout of blindness and deafness? Your move.


VI » WILDCARD ME UP For the record, there is a medical tent for anyone who gets a little too violent excited during the events. And besides all the festivities mentioned here, there's also the typical bunch of carnival games and prizes, too. Maybe even a maid cafe. Also hey, is that smell of something burning... normal? Do we have a fire on our hands?! Or is there some other type of carnival gimmick that you really love but didn't get written up here? Feel free to make it right on up! Have fun, everyone!

Comments

[niceguypose]

[I]

[Rock Lee has been going into overdrive preparing for the festival, and now he's running on empty. Or, perhaps running on deluded.

Lee runs around, with a soccer ball, feather boa and a variety of other craft items accidentally glitter-glued to him.]

I... I have found...!

[What does he find? He doesn't say. His eyes flitter between consciousness and unconsciousness, and ultimately he very slowly crashes into a nearby incomplete booth, falling over with it.]

[II]

[Rock Lee, now awake and relatively coherent (relatively is the keyword), is ready to take in every last aspect of the festival. He approaches every last game with a determined look.]

I am ready. Ready to take on this challenge!! [Maybe he's still not as coherent as can be, as he says that even when facing booths that aren't games.

Oh well. He wants to do his best to win something, though. He feels Yuri might appreciate a nice gift.]

[III-a]

[Rock Lee looks towards the squishy obstacle course with a look of pure determination, and he looks at whoever is closest to him, pointing dramatically.]

You... Please!! Please race with me!

[III-b]

[Rock Lee has ended up wearing one of the sumo costumes, and he rushes at anyone near the obstacle course, assuming that they're here to be his next competitor.]

THE TIME FOR THE FINAL BATTLE IS NOW!

[V]

[After all the day's festivities, Rock Lee is finally resting and laying on his back as he watches the fireworks. ...He is also still wearing the sumo suit, so it's also possible that he's fallen and can't get up. But he does look like he could use the rest, and he seems delighted as he watches the fireworks display.]

What a beautiful display... truly, this is youth...!

[Wild Card]

[He will check out pretty much any attraction, so feel free to come up with something I might have overlooked!]

V!

[tuishou]

[How is he still wandering around this place is the real question. Oh wait-- it's because he's lost Lee. It's not like he needs the guy to guide him literally everywhere-- not that he even wants it-- but what's a festival if Neji doesn't somehow end up searching the Lost & Found bin for some dude in a bowl cut. Turns out, though, that Lee's not stuffed away in some cardboard box under an information booth after all.

Considering what Lee's wearing, he probably wouldn't fit inside any cardboard box.

Neji briefly thinks about making a U-turn at the sight of him.

...Nah.]

Do you really think so?

[Think the fireworks are beautiful when they're so.... off? Think this is the very embodiment of Youth? Just going to gently nudge that suit with his foot. Hello.]

[niceguypose]

[It's a wonder that there hasn't been an awkward announcement over the loudspeaker looking for a boy in green with a bowlcut.

Lee can't turn very well right now, but a warm smile crosses his face as he hears Neji's voice against the backdrop of the fireworks and feels the nudge of the foot.]

Neji...

Yes, from the bottom of my heart! Is it not like youth, to burn with a glorious fire? Just like these firworks in the sky!

[tuishou]

[That's being saved for a special occasion, Neji's already decided.

He hums softly seeing his friend smile. So, no, this stupid festival hadn't been all... bad... not if the idiot had obviously had himself an eventful day.] A glorious fire, yes, but. [Do you not see those little rockets just darting aimlessly around the sky?? It's dangerous, it has no purpose, it's probably not even authorized--

Just like youth, etc etc. He's just going to sit right down next to Lee. Not like Neji cares about getting his uniform blacks even dirtier.] Did you win? [The sumo suit. Why is that still a thing on you.]

[niceguypose]

[Baby you're a firework, etc. Lee stares up at the sky, giving little impressed hums as more rockets dance around.]

I believe that I did, Neji! I have taken on so many battles... It is all a blur in my mind!

[How many innocent people has he tackled in this sumo suit.]

And I have discovered this interesting new suit. That sounds like a victory to me!

[tuishou]

[All a blur... a concussion...?

Several. Probably.

Why.

That's about as coherent a thought process as Neji can muster at the moment, staring at Lee as if what he'd said and done wasn't so... Lee. Predictable. It's not even because he's worried (worrying around Lee was more often than not a waste of energy). Neji snorts and rolls his eyes.] I hope you didn't buy that costume.

[niceguypose]

[He squints as he thinks it over.]

I do not think that I did! ...Should I have paid for it?! No, I cannot become a thief like this!!

II

[pseudonyms]

[It's okay, Lee, at least your new companion is a little more alert and coherent than you are. Rise's going to approach him, clasping a hand on his shoulder before looking at the booth he's facing.]

Um...Lee-san? I don't think you can really win at a maid cafe.

[niceguypose]

But... why? [He blinks, not quite processing what she really means; instead, Lee balls up his fists.]

Rise-san, if you do not think that I should do it, then... then that is all the more reason for me to rise up to the challenge and prove myself!!

[pseudonyms]

And how are you planning on tackling this challenge? [More like "is it even remotely possible", but the great (and mildly scary) thing about Lee is that he could probably actually make it work.] You're up against quite a few competitors.

[Or customers. Same thing.]

[niceguypose]

Yes... the competition is strong! I am still thinking about the best strategy to take. [He mulls that over thoughtfully, or rather groggily, and then he snaps around to look directly at Rise.]

Rise-san, do you have any 'cool tips'?!

[pseudonyms]

Ummm....[Let her think about this.

Oh god, no, she's really thinking about this.]

I don't know about tips, but just treat them the way you would want to be treated if you were working for someone. You know how to be charming, don't you?

1/2

[niceguypose]

[He nods very eagerly.]

Yes! Yes, I do. Please, Rise-san, let me show you!

[niceguypose]

[He then spins around and settles into a pose where he presents a thumbs up and a shining smile, and then he winks. Sparkles are emitted.]

Good afternoon! I am happy to serve you, with my very life!

[feminine_carnivore]

[ Chie is here, in her normal clothes finally, the plaid skirt with visible black bike shorts, as well as her green tracksuit jacket. She's already stretching, and when she hears Lee's voice she perks up with a smile. ]

You're on!! I'll show you that just because I'm an amateur doesn't mean you should underestimate my ability!

[ Jogging in place, Chie is getting all fired up. ]

Whoever loses has to buy steak kabobs for the winner!!

[niceguypose]

[Wearing something green, stretching, raring to go and setting terms for a defeat... Yes, Chie will fit in right well!

Lee is pleased by all of this on top of seeing his new friend again, and he nods. He himself is back in his usual jumpsuit and flak jacket combo, and he pumps a fist as he answers her.]

Ossu! I am glad to see you again and to challenge you, Chie-san. I also happily accept your conditions... Please do not hold back at all! I would be glad to see everything that you are capable of, Chie-san!

[feminine_carnivore]

[ Well, they both wear green, clearly their partnership was predetermined!!

As much as Chie is impressed by Lee's abilities and status as a bonafide ninja, she wants to show that she's no slouch too. And what a perfect way to prove herself than an obstacle course! ]

Alright! I hope you're ready to see how the Satonaka styles compares!

[ She's crouching low... waiting for the race to start! ]

[niceguypose]

[The green team...

Lee knows from their previous encounter that she still has a ways to go, but he's still very open-minded and willing to see how she can surprise him. And he knows that whether she wins or loses, there will be value in it for her and going all out.

He smiles brightly and nods as he gets into his own, more upright starting position.]

I look forward to it! I will see the Satonaka style at full power...! Now, if you are ready?

[He thrusts his hands through the air several times.]

3.... 2... 1... Go!!

[Lee then dashes straight ahead!]

[feminine_carnivore]

Let's do it!!

[ And boom, Fighting Dreamers starts playing because it's the coolest Naruto song and they totally need a soundtrack for this epic competition!!

Actually, the first thing up is a curved incline climb, then a set of monkey bars high over a narrow strip of water below. Wait, is this an obstacle course of Ninja Warrior?!

Who cares, because Chie is rushing to the incline, pumping her legs as hard as she can, reaching for all she's worth......and just barely getting her fingers on the lip!! ]

Ahhh. I can do this!!

[niceguypose]

[Hell yes they are fighting dreamers! And that is some obstacle course...

Lee rushes forward, making a variety of energetic noises as he works on making his way up the climb, ready to leap for the monkey bars when he reaches them. Even so, Lee finds a moment to cheer on his opponent.]

You can do it, Chie-san! I believe in you!!

I

[givesalittlewhistle]

[...now there was a sight Hikari wouldn't be able to erase from her memories anytime soon.]

Lee-san? Are you...okay?

[niceguypose]

[He does manage to recognize her as he groggily starts to pull himself up from the fallen booth.]

Hi...Hikari-chan? Please do not worry for me! I... I am well!!

[givesalittlewhistle]

[Well, he was...still conscious. That was usually a good sign.]

You don't look so well.

You look tired.

[niceguypose]

I... I do? [He blinks uncertainly.]

Perhaps, I am tired for a moment. But, I am sure that soon the time will come for my second wind! It- it is alright, Hikari-chan! [Despite all the random props that are accidentally glitter-glued to his person.]

[givesalittlewhistle]

[So long as that wind didn't blow a little too strongly her way; glitter never comes out. Especially of hair.]

What were you trying to do, anyway?