Entry tags:
- adrien agreste,
- angelo,
- athena cykes,
- charlie maxwell,
- cloche leythal pastalia,
- dipper pines,
- frisk,
- genos,
- giorno giovanna,
- hikari yagami,
- hiro hamada,
- iris,
- jack frost,
- keimi,
- kousetsu samonji,
- leon kuwata,
- levi ackerman,
- lili an,
- locus,
- lucy,
- mary kozakura,
- merlin,
- mikazuki munechika,
- miles edgeworth,
- minako aino,
- misaki yata,
- mokuba kaiba,
- nakigitsune,
- naoki kashima,
- neji hyuga,
- nico di angelo,
- obi-wan kenobi,
- otome yanagiya,
- phoenix wright,
- rhys (original),
- rise kujikawa,
- rock lee,
- roxas,
- sanosuke harada,
- shigeru miyata,
- shihoudou,
- souji okita (hakuouki),
- stahn aileron,
- suzuha amane,
- tadashi hamada,
- taichi yagami,
- tony stark,
- touka kirishima,
- tsurumaru kuninaga,
- usagi tsukino,
- weiss schnee,
- yamato ishida,
- yang xiao long,
- yoichi kuramochi,
- zero kiryuu
[ OPEN ] CULTURAL FESTIVAL
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.

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 tooviolentexcited 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!
no subject
That said, it seems that there's more trouble afoot than she'd thought. There are a few random NPC students with fireworks in their hands, having said that some guy just gave it to them and even if that's the case, Lili's still not standing for it. Here she is, 5'2" and stomping her foot as she gives these guys the lecture of their life.
There are also bits of wood chipped off the side of one of the booths. Ah. She punched it.]
Didn't you realize that you were putting people in danger?! I don't care for your excuses, give me those and make sure to confiscate them from others who are suffering from the same idiocy as you! Understand?!
[Whether it's fear or respect or some mix of the two, the students hand over the fireworks to her and run off -- and Lili just sighs, tucking them under her shoulder and... catching sight of Hijikata out of the corner of her eye.
A quirk of her brow.]
See? No tears.
[Sometimes her noble blood is good for something.]
no subject
and damn... you go Lili? Hijikata may actually be kind of surprised that Lili actually has some kind of backbone!? yeah, he's been underestimating Lili ever since he met her, to be honest. although, better to see them run off rather than fight back - that would be quite the mess that no one wants to see at a festival. ]
Not bad.
[ at least Lili isn't giving Hijikata shit for following-!? well, anyway before she does... ] The way you handled that almost reminds me of my sister. Well, happy now? Looks like there won't be anymore trouble.
no subject
She was definitely about to give him shit for following but then there's the way that he gives her that... sort of compliment?! And she just sighs in response.]
There shouldn't have been trouble in the first place. There might be someone else encouraging others to light these on fire but I'll just have to keep an eye out....
I'm almost more irritated that you seem surprised.
no subject
Well, that's because all kids do is cause trouble. Trust me, I know. [ mostly because when Hijikata was a kid... he was a trouble maker too!? ]
Didn't expect kids to listen to another kid like you. That's all. [ Blunt as hell... ]
no subject
[BRISTLING....... Hijikata, watch yourself?!
But no, Lili's never... gotten to be a child, not really. So she's taking rather stern offense at this because while she can recognize her own occasional naivete, she's never had the opportunity to be a 'kid' when the weight of her lands have always fallen on her shoulders.]
Don't think to treat me like one.
no subject
Your age says otherwise. How old are you... Sixteen, maybe?
[ A GUESS. and... Hijikata hasn't really gotten to be a child either because that's what happens when both your parents die before you even reach five years old? that's life! ]
But fine. You organized this entire thing, didn't you? [ gotta make sure... ]
no subject
[lili's not like other kids!!!! A huff.]
But I did. And I'll have you know it's one of the smaller projects that I've had in some time.
[IT WAS ALSO
CONSIDERABLY MORE PEACEFUL. She's used to commanding soldiers?! This is... different and something that she, weirdly enough, had less experience with.]
no subject
[ When Hijikata was 17 he was getting fired from like 483924892 jobs? fun times. ]
Huh, really? You just planned an entire festival and you're calling it a small project? [ what... the heck... okay. it looks like a really big festival though? they take awhile to plan? OKAY THEN LILI. ]
Well, it's lively, so that's good - but what else have you done? [ now you got Hijikata curious! ]
no subject
Still though, she's just going to set her hands on her hips then and raise a brow.]
I am. If I couldn't handle something like this, then that'd be disgraceful.
[HONESTLY!! As for what else she's done..... well. They actually don't know much about each other, do they?]
Normally I have to handle entire villages and put together plans to cease criminal activity, so something like this - it's really rather simple, isn't it?
no subject
Hijikata just isn't one for festivals, so he wouldn't even want to put one together in the first place, so maybe that's why he's also surprised?
huh, that sounds pretty interesting though. if there's one thing the Shinsengumi did was to also stop Ronin for their criminal activities too. but handling entire villages. hmm... which brings up yet another question! ]
So, you were someone really important I suppose?
[ she does kind of look and act the part... ]
no subject
My father is the General of the Water Tribe in my country - which means that he holds domain over a fifth of the country's lands. He's... [irritating and slow and cold and uncaring and ignorant.
Um.
No, let's try a new sentence.]
I disagreed with the way that he handled our people, though. So I've taken those matters into my own hands.
no subject
that'd be weird as hell, honestly. ]
Hm. I see.
Good to see people standing up and fighting for things they disagree with. [ so maybe she's not as much as a child he thought after all? but her personality and how she handles things definitely makes sense... daughter of someone important... maybe he was strict? well, he wouldn't know what it's like so he's only guessing now. ]
Well, now I want to sit down - walking around everywhere makes my legs [ technically, leg. ] tired.
Know any good places to rest?
no subject
But.
That's a compliment. It's one that actually surprises her a little bit because... it means something. Her rebellious nature is so very rarely praised so she has to take a moment to fight down a blush (and fail) at that. Oh. Uh.]
... Y-Yes, follow me!
[Lili has chosen to FLEE.
But she'll be walking along at a pace that he can hopefully follow with his crutches.... There's a bench not too far from here.]
no subject
and well... he kind of expected the usual huffy, talk back-y response Lili usually retorts with...
uhm. he blinks a few times. okay, Lili??? are you okay??? ]
Alright then...
[ he follows though! it better not be far away... he's tired as hell? he's an old man okay (don't tell that to Kashuu though, he denies how old he is to Kashuu all the time). ]
no subject
Aaaaahhhhhhhhh she hasn't heard reassurance for her goals in a while, okay. Probably because she doesn't.. talk about her goals. Only Soo-won has managed to praise her so this is entirely new?! Regardless she's mostly calmed down by the time they make it to a bench, closer to the middle of the festivities where everything's dying down now.
She gestures for him to sit.]
Here....
Do you have to walk home too?
no subject
he sits down. finally... he felt like death. ]
Well, of course. I'm stronger than you think, this is nothing.
[ DON'T UNDERESTIMATE HIM... ] I came because I heard you worked really hard on this.
no subject
But.
That's really... Really really reallyreallyreally embarrassing?! Lili actually jumps a little bit, looking at him with wide-eyes even as she can feel the heat rush to her face? A-Ah?! That's the entire reason he came here even though he's injured?! Even though he doesn't seem like the type of person to enjoy festivals at all, he wanted to see her hard workas;dlkfj
Aaaaaahhhh.]
R-Really....?!
[IS THIS A DOKI
(it is)
FUCK]
no subject
obviously not because Hijikata sees that blush. he sees it! he actually covers his mouth with the back of his hand and all you can hear is this muffled 'heh' from him.
basically... Hijikata's poor attempt to laugh and also hide it!? it was funny though. ]
You blush too easily.
[ painfully obvious statement. ] Do I really have to repeat myself? I obviously came here because I love to have fun.
[ come on Lili... ] But it kind of reminds me of home, so it's not bad.
no subject
[Aaaahhh, stop it. Her hands fly to her face as she looks away from him then, probably looking the part of your typical Shoujo Heroine which would be accurate if this wasn't... Lili. Ah. Hm. Her face is just turning redder now....]
I...
[Aaaahhh, what does she say. Words?!]
.... I thought that.... everyone has been through so much. I hate wasting time and I've never... gotten to go to a festival myself before.
[Not long enough to play the games or anything anyway, so.]
So if it can remind you of home or help lift the spirits of others then.... It was all worth it.
no subject
but that is truly very thoughtful of Lili. setting up something so grand for many people. it's pretty impressive in itself, isn't it?
so Lili is the kind that hates wasting time, therefore festivals are always out of the question? ]
Once I brought someone to a festival to cheer them up... It reminded me of that. But if anything does the trick it's things like this.
[ Hijikata is mr. no fun allowed, but going to that festival was pretty fun he had to admit. ]
But seriously? You never been to one? You're still young, you should at least do some things that are pretty fun. Take it from me, I never got the chance really.
[ Lili... you're too young to be 110% workaholic... please. even Hijikata finds that surprising. he even brought who he was talking about earlier to that festival because he believed they should also have some fun too! ]
no subject
I've never really gotten to either...
Some villages host festivals, but I wasn't allowed to travel outside of the capital until very recently. [Quite literally locked up as she was...] And I always thought that it wouldn't be that interesting anyway.
[Not when she had to think of her lands, you know? What could be more interesting than that?
But....]
... Seeing everyone have fun today was good enough for me, though.
[Everyone really enjoyed themselves.... even if she couldn't really sit down and partake in everything, it didn't mean that she didn't have fun.]
no subject
Festivals are more 'fun' than 'interesting'... I guess. But if it's fun that means it's interesting by default, right? There's no such thing as a boring festival.
[ at least... that's what he thinks despite being the kind of guy that hates fun. sshh. ]
Ah, but... This is the second festival I've been to where I missed out on everything - [ for entirely different reasons, but. ] but the atmosphere is good enough to make it enjoyable... I think.
So... It's nice seeing everyone smile, despite the hard times.
[ like usual, Hijikata isn't one to be involved. he'd rather be on the sidelines and watching everyone enjoy themselves. reminds him when him and all the captains spent time together - perhaps... he may not be that close to them, but he feels close enough when they're able to have an enjoyable time around him. that's what matters. ]
You did a good job to achieve that.
no subject
She's not sure what to do about the emotions that his words stir from her. He acknowledges that everyone was having a fun time. He acknowledges that the festival managed to go well. He... He directly tells her that she managed to do a good job.
Her face is burning red all over again.
One hand rests over her chest, as if trying to get her heart to calm because she's not used to this feeling of being praised for things that she actually cares about. To be taken seriously and commended for all her efforts. She's worked so hard to do all this and....]
... I wasn't sure if I could do it.
Since I've never been to a festival before and - I don't really have to interact with other people my age all too often. So it was...
[A little daunting.
There's a brief pause again before she looks to him, aiming to meet his eyes.]
Thank you.
I needed to hear that - I've never... People don't say that to me often.
no subject
If you don't know if you can do something I think you should do it anyway.
People told me there was no way I could be a samurai, but it just made me want to try harder. So, just because you don't know anything about festivals doesn't mean you shouldn't do it.
[ maybe that's too intense of a comparison but!? ]
Well... A part of me wasn't sure also, but it was also my dream... So - it's sort of like that. Besides, you can look back at this and be proud of it, right?
[ okay, maybe he doesn't know how to make less-intense comparisons, but his samurai life is the one he knows the best... so it was the easiest comparison. yep. ]
no subject
But it strikes a deeper chord with Lili. Not on the level of festivals, but on the level of how much she wants to help people. There's always this sense of need to help the greater good, to do what she can, even if it's with small things like this. But she always wants to do more. Do better. Be stronger.
So she's blinking and despite herself, she asks a question that doesn't relate to the festival at all-]
... But did you ever find that-- Did you... ever mess up on your way to becoming a samurai?
[He's strong, right? As strong as Saitou and Souji and Kashuu and the rest.]
What would you do if you... kept making mistakes?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)