estoria | [ OPEN ] CULTURAL FESTIVAL

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[ 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.

I » PRE~~GAME~~-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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Souji's life is difficult.

It's honestly about to get worse.

Because that's honestly the opposite of helpful as the shaking suddenly manages to get Lili to sit up with a surprised yelping noise, except she's too sleepy to really retain her balance and so here she is, flailing as she tumbles right off the bench because that's not any way for anyone to wake up.]

A-Aaah?!

[Why are you such a dick, Souji.

But at least it keeps up the running tendency for her to lose her balance around him.]

[ she's consistent, at least ]

[ It's like a part of Souji expected this from happening, because his hand shoots out to grab Lili's forearm in an attempt to prevent her from bumping her head on concrete.... The rest of her is free to land painfully onto the ground though. ]

[ And that other, rude part of him immediately bursts into laughter. ]

[ still a dick ]

[ . . . . . . . .

She's stunned for a couple seconds because honestly what's going on. She's landing on the concrete and probably getting a little bit scraped up because someone is a dick and then there's laughter and all she knows is that she wants it to stop.

Cue her attempting to sock him in the gut in the next 0.5 seconds.]

You're the worst!

[ Souji sidesteps the gut punch of murder. At least his laughter dwindles down long enough for him to gasp out a reply, grinning. ]

I woke you up, didn't I? It's not like I pushed you off the bench — that was all you.

[HATE. HELLFIRE. BRIMSTONE.

etc etc.

No Lili's just going to fuss now as she's making the attempt to stand up - admittedly a little wobbly and then as soon as she's on her feet, she's going to try to slap away the grip that Souji has on her forearm.]

Just unhand me, you meddlesome brute.

[..... she likes him on a normal day, i swear]

[ ugh he prefers it when she's hating him okay?? Souji pulls back his hand, smiling. ]

You're lucky all you did was fall. Someone could have come over and done something far worse to you, you know.

[ comforting.... ]

[ . . . . . . . . . . . .

A long pause before Lili just huffs and looks up at him.]

But you won't, right?

[THROWS DOWN THE GAUNTLET]

[ WOW what is this implied accusation ]

[ Souji's silent as well, his pause shorter than Lili's. He rests cool, thoughtful eyes on her. Then he smiles. ]

I guess not. It'd be a waste of my time.

[ Not because, you know, it's wrong or anything. ]

[ . . . . okay so.

The thing is that Lili doesn't want Souji to do anything wrong to her, that's absolutely stupid.

But also - ]

What are you trying to say...?!

[ARE YOU SAYING SHE'S NOT PRETTY? IS SHE NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU, OKITA SOUJI.]

[ UGH MORE LIKE HE DOESN'T DESERVE HER ]

[ But the way she gets angry??? all over again has him burst into laughter once more. Like Lili?? Make up your mind. He can tell that she doesn't necessarily want him to do anything weird, but is just offended that he's not tempted??? ]

What, did that upset you? Does that mean you do want me to do something to you?

[ ugh this sounds sketchy already ]

[Stop laughing!! It makes her hands clench into fists like she's ready to punch him again, her foot stomping against the ground in her indignation as she glares up at him.]

Of course not, you disgusting buffoon! [LILI, STOP.] But you're--

You're too careless! It's annoying!!

["You wounded my pride! It's annoying!!" is way more accurate.....]

[ How can he stop laughing when she's this funny???? ]

Says the girl who was sleeping out in the open.

[ but calming down now. ugh he's in a good mood from all that rudeass laughter ]

Anyway, just because I wasn't tempted doesn't mean other people wouldn't have been. You're not so bad when you're not screaming all the time — maybe some people like that.

I didn't do that on purpose.

[HUFF.

IN FACT, SHE'S JUST GOING TO KEEP BEING SLIGHTLY OFFENDED. How dare he be having a good mood right now? Doesn't he understand that he's a dick?!]

And you're not so bad when you're not being absurdly rude as you are right now. Though even that is such a fleetingly rare case.

[ That's why he's in a good mood, Lili!!! ]

Oh? So you do know how to say nice things once in a while.

[ he figures that backhanded compliment??? is the nicest thing he'll get from Lili for as long as he lives. which he's fine with. ]

Are you going to go back to sleep or do you actually have somewhere to be?

That wasn't even nice!

[Lili, you're not supposed to announce when you're being a shit.... Don't you know anything-

Yet there's just another irritated noise coming from her even as she's putting one hand on her hip and the other raises up to her headset. She turns away from Souji to have a quick inquiry with.... silence. Oh. Okay solid, everyone really has gone home then.

She turns back to him.]

.... It seems that my job here is done.

[Though... she sounds more bewildered at that thought than anything. Oh. This festival has been her life for the past couple weeks... how odd for it to be over.]

[ ugh lili let souji give you how to be a shithead lessons ]

Is that so? So you weren't sleeping on the job after all.

[ look, he can't resist.... He does notice the tone of her voice though. ]

How long have you been working on all of this anyway?

[There's a momentary glare for the first remark. Stop being rude! She would never!! She's an awful workaholic if anything....

But then there's an actual question, so.]

The past few weeks...

[ . . . ]

Did you... attend the festival?

[Why does she sound hopeful... Lili, stop this, remember that you don't like him.]

[ the past few weeks, He raises an eyebrow at her. ]

Kind of hard not to, what with the flyers for it everywhere.

[ He wasn't there during the day bc he nocturnal af, but he arrived in time for the fireworks. He tilts his head at her, curious. ]

Was this your first time organizing a festival?

[So he came to see it!! And the flyers got put up!!! Aaahhh, despite the fact that they were arguing moments ago, she can feel the irritation starting to ebb away rapidly. Rather, she's just pleased with the news.

Lili is so Simple sometimes.]

It was... Normally I orchestrate very... different.... affairs - and I've never attended a festival before so I wasn't sure how everything was supposed to fit together.

-- But did you like it?

[are you going to crush her spirit, souji]

[ no he didn't there wasn't enough killing ]

[ jk!!!! ]

[ He doesn't answer right away, instead he regards her thoughtfully then turns his gaze away from her and over the few booths left over, the streamers and balloons, the school grounds. ]

It was better than that carnival, I guess. [ Even if he did get to kill things during that... He also got his butt whupped in the process of trying to kill Kaoru and had an all around Bad Time. ] I'm pretty picky with festivals, but this one wasn't so bad.

[ for once, his tone isn't snide or mocking. rare.... it might have the barest hint of nostalgia in it, as if Souji's thinking of all the festivals he's been to. (which aren't many, since he's never really had the time but) ]

Really?

[Lili's guarded a lot of the time, she is. But there's no denying the hopefulness that leaks into her voice then, looking up at him with a surprised expression. If he's picky with carnivals and this one wasn't so bad then... she managed to do it correctly?

She did something right?

And even though she wasn't thinking of Souji in specific when she agreed to help, she did want to help people who had to deal with all the difficult times lately. The time they met in the mirrors isn't lost on her, the shock of white hair and red eyes still burned into her memory. But... if he could find reason to enjoy this festival then...]

I'm relieved...

If you enjoyed yourself then - [A small, firm nod.] - it was worth it.

[ Lili is guarded most of the time, (guarded with her moe feelings that is) which is why she surprises Souji with her tone. His gaze goes back to her on instinct. Something about her voice, her face, reminds him of another earnest girl, always well-meaning with the penchant of surprising Souji with her honesty. ]

[ Maybe that's why he doesn't immediately snipe back like he usually does in response to these kinds of feelings. ]

[ He can't say it doesn't make him uncomfortable though. He can't really understand why she'd say that??? He's been a dick to her. Like 24/7. His gaze drops and he looks away once again. But he's never understood that kind of consideration -- from her or from Yuri or from Kashuu ]

[ Or from Chizuru. ]

Isn't that the whole point of a festival?

[ Can he leave it at that???? sweats ]

If you're done here, then you should start heading home.

[To be fair, he's been a dick to her like. 20/7. There have been enough moments of sincere kindness that Lili finds it forgivable, even if they otherwise don't get along. So the fact that he enjoyed himself is something that she does sincerely find to be worthwhile.

Still, his question gets an honest answer.]

... I never understood the point of festivals. I hoped to use this one to boost morale but that might still not be right...

[???? sheltered life.

Regardless, she nods a little bit at his suggestion.]

I'll go soon... Atsushi must've already gone ahead without me. [Should she call him to ask him to walk her back? Hmmm, she lets that thought ruminate for a bit but-] What of you? Are you leaving?

[ See, this is why Souji gets surprised because he thinks he's got her pegged as the Angry Noblewoman and then she goes ahead and says surprisingly nice things. ??? confusing ]

[ But a way to boost morale.... doesn't sound all too different from the reasons why Hijikata threw that festival way back when, so Souji surprisingly understands. At the very least, he doesn't give her a patented "why are you so sheltered???" look. ]

There's no reason for me to stay now that it's over.

[ not... meanly. just matter-of-fact. How sketchy would it be if he continued to hang around the school at night. ]

I don't know who Atsushi is, but it'd be rude to ask him to come all the way back here to get you. [ pot calling kettle here. It doesn't take long for Souji to continue though, in the same matter-of-fact tone. ] I'll walk you home.

[ ??? how nice???? ]

[Honestly she's not going to take offense at... any of that. It's not like Souji's wrong on any part of it? She did fall asleep on a bench and she wouldn't want to bother Atsushi if he's already asleep or otherwise getting ready for bed. Still. There's one more option and that was-]

I could also walk home on my own.

[To be honest?

Because she's still a little surprised, tilting her head at the offer. That's?? Really nice, Souji???]

I don't want you to go out of your way if you don't have to...

[with a dash of "i don't want to spend more time with you anyway, b-baka" except that's. actually not coming out of her mouth?? whoa weird.]

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