[SWE] Festival of Lights

Festival of Lights The Wishtide Waterways are all aglow tonight. Some lanterns bob and float through the tiny streams; others are suspended from staffs plunged into the soft, sticky earth. Regardless, there are as many lanterns as there are stars and fireflies, and a soft hum of voices fills the air. It has been a long time since people have gathered all over for something like this - almost a year, in fact - but Leafchange brings with it the Festival of Lights, and it is not a tradition the people of Caido are willing to ignore. And so they gather, they bring their lanterns painted and decorated in memory of those who have died, they light them, they hang them, and they wait. And who knows; perhaps a familiar face will walk these waterways again before the night is through. Welcome to the Festival of Lights - 315 PC! You have SEVEN DAYS to have your character arrive at the festival. Feel free to have them bring a lantern dedicated to someone who has died. At the end of the festival, Ludo will choose a lantern as its favourite, and spooky things may happen! You will need to post at least twice in this SWE thread for it to count for MP and/or levelling.

Trinket had no interest in the dead. The living were more interesting.

She walked among the people who had arrived for the festival. Her simple, dark dress was showing signs of wear, fraying at the hem. She dragged her doll along by its arm, the doll's tiny porcelain legs dragging along the ground. She observed the people around her with no expression. They walked around with their lanterns, paying her no mind. She knew of the ritual of the lanterns, but she did not understand its purpose. The dead were gone. They were no longer worth any concern.

Still, she watched the people with their lanterns, considering the ritual. It made no sense to her. Nothing she observed could provide any answers.

Seeking to learn more, she walked up to a person at random. Her glassy black eyes looked up at the stranger. She pulled her doll up to her chest, the doll's blood-stained face following Trinket's gaze.

"Why do you give lanterns to dead people?"

DARKEYE

Not the strongest win the battle —

Darkeye had several lanterns with him. He had used the time and tried to make as many lanterns for those who were important to him.

Amuns was made of clay and looked more like a warm vessel that could be used for heating. His name was carved in the ancient language of the dwarves as well as his land shark.

The Wessex lantern he had made had a lot of glass in it, but it looked milky and almost white when the light came on. Her sacrifice was not forgotten. She had given her all and had earned his respect. There were also four different snowflakes that only appeared when the lamp was turned on. Her shadows and play of lights were silhouetted against the landscape. He would have gone with her if she had asked.

The next lantern was for Maea. It was made of white marble, and it took a lot of time and a few tries to work the discs so thin. If the lantern fell, it would fall into a thousand pieces. However, for Darkeye it was probably one of the most important. He did not know her for a long time but she had influenced his life a lot. She was one of the reasons why he tried to fight for the Ascended. Her joyful and helpful nature was a source of amusement in his life.

He did not know that Isla was still alive. He also colored her a lantern with many plants that he had pressed flat between books. After that he put it between the discs that formed a wonderful picture. They did not always agree. Nevertheless, she was someone who had not treated him differently. She had helped him and considered some of his suggestions.

He also brought with him all the lanterns he found in the Grounds that were still repairable. Just because the people who made them are dead doesn't mean they shouldn't be remembered. It would take him a while to hang them all. He had failed. He had not been able to stop the Sparkbird from killing so many. So it was important to remember their duties and responsibilities.

— the smartest do

Coding base by Sky

Dantalion

but you can't be free

Danta brings no lanterns, because he has no need to remember anyone who has passed. (Not that he's willing to share, anyway). Honestly he's not even sure what's going on at first; drawn like a moth to a flame at the dazzle of so many lights in the dark, he simply arrives, bare feet sinking into the soft earth and tiny streams, fingers dancing across and touching all the lanterns that have been left.

He didn't even realise this tradition was still going on - because it has to be the Festival of Lights, what else could it be? Either way, he opts to observe for the time being, clambering into one of the gnarled and twisting trees overhanging a shallow bend in the river and sprawling along the lowest branch capable of supporting his weight. From there, like a cat, he sets a couple of the lanterns hanging beneath him to swinging.

'cause I'm selfish, I'm obscene

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

DEIMOS

The Festival of Lights were a familiarity; traditional in the aspects of all those memories, all those people, all those souls – adrift along the waterways. His lanterns remained much the same: Rexanna, Bastien, and the like who’d seemingly perished what felt like lifetimes ago (his parents, yesteryear’s flickerings). Kiada’s had been safely tucked away in his home, with no need for it (and if there was relief segmented within those thoughts, he didn’t say anything about it). There were a few additions from the dominion of war; those of his fallen comrades who’d defended Halo against dragons and banshee queens, honor in sacrifice.

He might’ve made one for Enzo, had he known the boy at all, but wouldn’t step upon Ru’s jurisdiction – instead winding his way through the steams, stars, and fireflies, placing each vessel and container amidst the glowing semblances.

i'm in the mood to dissolve in the sky