[SWE] Festival of Lights - 319PC

Festival of Lights Mourn - a place of peace, of calm, of silent reflection. And tonight, a place of celebration. The music is soft as it rises across the fringes of the hills, billowing through the flowers and between carefully erected stalls. Dotted throughout the grass, the first of dozens of lanterns begin to glow with the setting sun, creating a blanket of starlight on the ground to be reflected by those in the sky overhead soon enough.  People flow into the proceedings in dribs and drabs, bundled in their coats and scarves and gloves to ward off the chill of the Leafchange evening. A few - children, mostly - come adorned in Ludo's masquerade costumes, all pale masks and ragged outfits, darting and weaving between festival-goers to find mischief (and candy).  Food and drink are available in abundance, the music is jovial and the atmosphere is cheerful, yet heavy with the sense of waiting for something. The Festival of Lights has begun. Welcome to the Festival of Lights - 319 PC! You have FIVE DAYS to have your character arrive at the festival. Some housekeeping: If your character brings a lantern to remember a loved one who has passed on, please note who it is for at the bottom of your post! At the end of the festival, Ludo will choose a lantern as its favourite, and spooky things may happen! PLEASE NOTE: You may bring multiple lanterns but please only list ONE to be selected at the bottom of your post. Please only select lanterns for characters whose writers are still active as this is a chance for them to be able to write their dead character again!  You will need to post at least three times in this SWE thread for it to count for SE, MP and/or levelling.

Maea

Rest against my pillow
like the aging winter sun

It was not without trepidation that Maea joined in with the festival. While not exactly ashamed of her choices during the recent masquerade, she did regret forcing Ludo to step in, and felt bad for those she had frightened. Initially intending to sit out on the festival and stay home, in the end she chose to bring more than just lanterns. A big basket filled with jars of dried mushrooms, jam, berry pies and refreshing rowanberry cordial dragged on her arm, as she headed towards the laden tables. Adding the fruits of her labour to the already heaping amounts of food and drink, she hoped that it would benefit someone else; to fill out a larder just a little extra, add a touch of lightness and comfort in the cold season to come. Finally, a handful of little Ludo plushies were left where the tumbling children could find them; fashioned from the silk of her masquerade outfit, complete with masks that could be reversed to reveal different expressions for each doll. Happy Ludo's and mischievous Ludo's, stern and sad and every expression she could express through needle and thread - they had been the labor of many a long evening since she came home, and Maea was quietly proud of how well they had turned out.

Only when she was satisfied that everything had been properly set out did she return to Liam. Taking her lanterns that she'd asked him to hold, she thanked him with a light kiss to his cheek. The will-o-wisp drifting along beside her cast a faint blueish light upon her cheek as she smiled faintly at her partner. "All done. You were right, I do feel better now. How are you holding up? Would you like to eat something?" The event always had a way of bringing back the past, as rememberance always did. She had plenty of ghosts she wished to see again; her lantern this year was fashioned of frosted glass, etched with snowflakes in honor of an old acquaintance she never got to know as well as she would have liked. Neron came to mind more frequently whenever Deepfrost neared, often accompanied by a craving for apple cider. She had brought a bottle, just in case; unsure of spirits could drink, but willing to take a chance in case she was lucky enough to see him again tonight.

For Liam, though, it must surely be harder. Maea stayed close to him, offering what support she could; quietly nervous about the prospect of seeing his wife or children but just as hopeful that he might experience that kind of closure.

---

Maea brings a lantern for Neron.

Only wake each morning to
remember that you're gone

SUNJATA

the flood

i'm suffocating the clock to keep you
i think like a saint, but swing like a thief

While practically in his backyard, it’s a much easier trek for the Flood to make this time around than it had been in previous years. Which means that it’s easier for them to bring the lanterns that dot the shelves of their house. Arm in arm with Hotaru, Sunjata flashes her a small but no less warm smile, taking their lanterns with them in his other hand.

One, decked out beautifully with witchy vibes – worn wood, a bit of moss he’s tended to, a few small bird bones that dot the frame for Vervain is the main one on display this year. Of course, Nate and Lusea’s lantern remain as options to bring, amongst the varying other ones of those long since passed.

“Please ask me to dance at some point.” He whispers to Hotaru, a playful smile on his face. After all, with the music that threads through tugs at him thanks to the Nyala shift in his blood, he manages to not give into it as he sets up their lanterns and settles in with Hotaru with a bit of toe tapping and a couple of drinks to share.

---

Sunjata brings a lantern for Vervain !

and inadvertently leading you
to believe i'm your prince

RONIN

the white knight

"You know," Ronin is saying as they swan into the festivities, his arm wound around Remi's waist to keep him snug against his side, "I think a place called Mourn is actually the perfect setting for the Festival of Lights." Grinning across to his husband, he leans in to sneak a quick kiss to his cheek, before they're suddenly amid the glowing field of lanterns, the music and the smell of baked goods, candies and spiced wine.

Inhaling deeply and letting the breath out again, he casts his gaze at the crowd and, spotting both Maea and Sunjata, offers them both a polite enough nod. For obvious reasons, though, he's not feeling polite enough to say hello, instead drawing Remi with him to go and investigate the refreshments. "I'm looking forward to seeing who gets picked this year," he admits, almost under his breath.

Because as per their discussion weeks earlier, Ronin has brought nothing with him for the festival this year. Remi had given him the best of gifts a thousand times over at their anniversary party, and this time, he thinks, someone else deserves to feel as happy as he had that evening.

---

Ronin brings no lantern this year!

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

It had taken Deimos a long time to understand that the Festival of Lights wasn’t a mourning period – but a time to celebrate, to strive, to see. Perhaps it had taken Rexanna’s appearance to truly justify and relent it all in his mind – but nonetheless, he didn’t appear here with a grim outlook or dim, melancholic efforts. Instead, he arrived with his son in tow, Erebos giggling and squealing at the children rampaging by, at the soft music, and lanterns – though leaving out several.

Perhaps it was his pragmatic semblance overriding other portions, but after seeing Rexanna and Amalia recently at Remi and Ronin’s anniversary party, he didn’t have the heart to take another’s spot – not when there were so many others who hadn’t had the opportunity. Instead, he’d snagged at his parent’s, refurbished with all their elemental features, and chose to honor them there, despite knowing they’d have no boundary lines from realm to realm. Instead, it could serve as a learning curve for Erebos, as he let the toddler help tie things off, while he surveyed those already in attendance. He nodded towards Sunjata and Hotaru in turn, before adjusting Erebos’ luxere hat.

--

Deimos has no viable lanterns for selection – just attending!

deimos

Never let them drain the river of your soul

Isla

"It feels like a long time since I came to King's End," Isla admits to Everest as they arrive off the skyship and head towards Mourn. "Though it can't have been more than a season or so." Smiling up at him, her arm linked gently with his own and her midnight blue coat whispering at her heels, this year she carries two lanterns, though her choice for the main display might be considered quite a curveball to some.

Not to Isla, though.

She sets them up promptly as they enter the festival - the hollow fiddle for Varus, and a new creation for an old friend, recently seen but with so little time to catch up. Modelled after a firework cannon, complete with a brightly snarling dragon's mouth to hold the lantern's teardrop flame, she's quite pleased with it as she steps back to admire it. "There," she murmurs. "Even if I don't get to see her this year, I hope Edy will like it from wherever she's watching."

---

Isla brings a lantern for Edrei!

sooner or later, we all have to wake
and try forgetting everything

// there's shadows on the walls //

Danta has almost been tempted to slink into the proceedings wearing the pitch black feathers of a gore crow, changing his mind at the last moment to instead tuck himself firmly against Astaroth's side. Call it Leafchange having a ripple effect on him, but tonight out in the chill, distant fields of Mourn, he doesn't find himself nearly as social as when they had been at the masquerade.

"Want to go and lurk over where the food and drinks are?" he suggests to Asta with a smirk, nodding at the stalls selling donuts and candyfloss and, very likely, some of the taffy he'd given the butcher the year before. "Or I bet there's an eerie looking tree we can go and stand underneath to spy on people."

Either way, with no lantern of his own to bring, the Maverick is content to breeze along with Asta and whatever plans - or not - he might have.

---

Danta brings no lantern!

Dantalion

// of moments far too troubling to recall //

to be lit up from within

vein by vein

Initially, Melita wove through the ramparts invisibly, enjoying the semblance of creeping about in the unknown. It helped that she carried no lantern this year – she’d seen Rexanna, though from a distance, and in understanding that she was content and safe for the most part, hadn’t bothered with the others. The rest were safely ensconced at her home, hanging as they so often did to catch the light or to remember.

In the interim though, at seeing Maea’s Ludo’s plushies, she felt the rush of competition – eyes narrowed, watching the tables for a while. Contemplating for half a second, she then rustled into her bag, retrieving the assortment of rubber ducks she’d been saving for this occasion; most adorned in various Ludo poses – Ludo eating ice cream, Ludo having toffee, Ludo and a cat, Ludo beating down a miniature Safrin – one would get the jist quickly. Lining them up in some spots, and leaving them discarded in others, she grinned, content with the collectible arrangement, leaving them for others to snag and have and honor the raggedy god with –

Before reappearing, as though she’d simply waltzed in, and grabbing a bun laden with cinnamon and honey.

--

Melita brings no lanterns but does put a shit ton of Ludo themed ducks out for people to take.

to be the sun

MELITA

// where your body hears the words of the sun //

The Festival of Lights had always represented some opportunity to the Caretaker – and it’d been long since instilled within her to hold it in high regard. An evening where Mort’s kindness extended, where compassion lifted, and the veil of realms were brought to the forefront.

These latter years were for her memory of her sister – so she’d spent a few hours touching up the dedicated lantern. The lilac hues and the portrait of Sera’s dragon shone brilliantly, brightly, against the stark contrast of the mechanical-esque design and shape to represent the once-engineer’s pragmatic and illustrious profession. She held it reverently as they passed through portions and crowds, quiet, serene, taking the time to nod her head at individuals like Sunjata, before finding an adequate space to blend the artifact amidst the accord of others.

Tying it off, she sighed, hopeful for whomever might be chosen and selected this year. “Want to get something to eat or drink?” She asked Zavien, once he’d found space or notions for his own – hand slipping along his elbow.

--

Lena brings a lantern for Seraphina!

Lena

// spoken in the voices of trees //

How could I say goodbye?
We've come too far to turn back now

After the complete fiasco that had been the masquerade and its aftermath, Liam was not inclined to be separated from his partner - not even for long enough for Maea to place the goodies she'd brought along, for fear that she might disappear once more and, this time, never come back. One day, he would overcome the paralyzing trepidation that fluttered in his chest each time her pale form vanished from view, but today was not that day. Instead, he stayed close enough that he could keep one eye on her and the other on the crowd, watching for any trouble that might head their way (read: Thalassa).

He held Maea's lantern as she worked to distribute her food and plushes, cradling it carefully alongside the three he'd brought along. It was strange, to be attending this particular event alongside his partner while carrying lanterns for the family he'd once lost. While Maea hadn't replaced his wife and children, she certainly held a piece of his heart that he'd never thought he'd manage to give away again after their deaths. And given what could happen at this festival, and the possibility of seeing his lost family, answering their questions... he knew they would be happy that he had managed to find someone who loved him so, but he still worried that they wouldn't understand how he could have moved on.

So he'd been quiet on the trip over. No less affectionate, of course, and fully willing to discuss his feelings with Maea, but solemn in a way that fit the occasion. Still, he managed a smile for the pale Ancient as she rejoined him, passing over her lantern. "I'm fine," he assured her, and was surprised to find that he meant it. Her presence was a quiet balm that smoothed over the rougher edges of his grief, her support solid and unwavering. "Maybe - food later? I'm not really hungry just yet." He reached for her hand with the one he'd freed by handing her the lantern. "Let's get our lanterns situated first."

---

Liam brings lanterns for his family (all NPCs) but none that are viable for selection!

Who are we without each other?
Too entwined to untangle now

Liam

I take everything seriously,

If he was to bring a lantern for every person he mourned this season, Zavien would have needed the entire field to himself. So he settled for two: one for his mother, and the other for all the Breakers that they'd lost this year. They were simple with small motifs of suns and what might be interpreted as dragons, but he carried them with pride and reverence, giving them their rightful place amongst the others. 

His eyes scanned the party with his usual mixture of quiet mourning and respectful enjoyment of the event. They landed briefly on the people he recognized, including Deimos and Ronin who he offered smiles to before turning his attentions back to Lena at his side. Tucking her arm a little closer, he bent slightly lower so as not to make his words echo. "Sure, although I suppose mingling is something I'll have to get used to."

Still, mingling could wait in lieu of foods and drinks - Sol had gotten a head start on stealing table scraps. Zavien guided them over, continuing to smile at those he recognized until they were standing in front of a variety of strong-smelling beverages. He raised an eyebrow to Lena then gestured to the selections for her to pick. "Spiced or spiked?"

---

Zavien doesn't bring any viable lanterns!

Zavien

but I also take it lighthearted to recognize I can't control it.

Nova

Here's to alcohol,

Nova may have insisted on making a lantern this time around, although it's not for sentimental reasons or lingering regrets, but pure, unbridled curiosity. She carries it in her arms like a precious bomb that she plans to detonate in the middle of the party - except for the skipping. That part isn't very careful, but it makes her opalescent dress shimmer when it flutters and that's all that really matters. 

"Do you think there's really a chance we'll get to meet her?" There's a brightness to her eyes that suggests she will be extremely disappointed if they don't, but she asks Vesper and Calypso the question anyways, giving a small spin that lets them peek at the star-studded lantern cradled in her billowing sleeves. There are tiny specks of diamonds somehow sewn into the fabric where the stars have been cut, shifting to catch the light from within as if begging to summon the star child into their presence. Glitter also trails behind them like a starlit path for her to follow if she might have gotten lost along the way.

She's too selfish to care if other people might benefit more from seeing their dead loved ones, wondering if this might be one of her only chances to meet the woman who had preceded the triplets, the sister she's never met. Whether Seren would have wanted a relationship with them or not, Nova wants to see what she's like, to put a face to the name and make sure the dead demigod knows how great her siblings are. 

Until then, she leads them through the party, searching high and low for the perfect spot for the lantern. 

---

Nova brings a sparkling starlit lantern for Seren!

the rose-colored glasses of life.

REMI

the bastion

Darling, you never could scare me
Set me ablaze like you do

Remi hums in agreement, the faintest smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as they crest the edge of the lantern field. "It is fitting," he murmurs, tilting his head toward Ronin’s with warm amusement as the kiss lands.

Bundled close under his husband’s arm, Remi lets himself be drawn forward, but he’s watching Ronin more than the path. Every time the knight’s shoulders stiffen or his eyes narrow toward someone in the crowd, Remi’s lips ghost a kiss against his cheek, featherlight and coaxing, a silent tether to reel him gently back in from the last lingering urges of the season. When he catches sight of Isla, his face brightens; he lifts a hand in greeting to the Remedy with a warmth that softens the sharper lines of the evening chill.

When Ronin leans in, Remi ruffles his curls and casts his eyes out over the glowing landscape. "Mmh. Maybe it was rude of us," he says lightly and a touch teasingly. "To have our anniversary so close to the festival. Perhaps everyone else feels they’ve already been too lucky as well."

I'd walk over coals in my bare feet
If that gets me closer to you

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

vesper

Vesper lingers a step or two behind, hands tucked loose into his coat pockets, letting the current of his sisters’ energy pull him forward. The crowd hums around them, too many minds flickering and overlapping like lanterns of their own, and for a moment it threatens the same tidal weight as before. But Jack’s voice lingers sharp in his memory, that pointed suggestion to anchor himself to what matters rather than trying to weather it all. So he does. He narrows the din to two voices he knows best, tethering to them like buoys. And with Nova and Calypso ’s thoughts burning bright and unmissable, it isn’t exactly difficult.

Nova's dress gleams with every skip, her lantern a star cupped between her hands, and he can’t help the dry laugh that slips free when she twirls to show it off. He nods toward the sea of other lights already glowing across the festival grounds, the smirk tugging faintly at his mouth. "If you really want to up our chances," he drawls, "you could always go destroy a few of theirs. Make yours stand out more."

The suggestion is as deadpan as ever, but the glint in his eye gives him away, a thread of humour cut neatly through the solemn air of the festival as he lets himself be tugged along in his sisters’ wake.

Tell the preacher not to pray, there's no angels where I'll go
Only pieces that are broken scattered dreams across the floor

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!