[EVENT] Bonfire Night

[ironwood]

Characters: ALL!
Date: February 21st
Location: Various.
Situation: It’s cold. Time to cuddle up and make bonfires for the warmth.
Warnings/Rating: Add warnings as needed.

As night falls the city’s lights take something of a unique turn. Instead of being lit by millions of paper lanterns, Keeliai is tonight lit by the flames and warmth of dozens if not hundreds of fires. Some of them are small, not much more than warming hearths in a barrel on a street, but others encompass squares and boulevards.

The fire lighting procession winds through the city’s streets, beginning at the first bonfire in Fire Sector. By the time full night has arrived, that procession is a snake illuminated by dozens of torches, parting from the main parade to light smaller fires in smaller streets. It ends, finally, in Central, in the Courtyard of Public Opinion, whose bonfire is second only to the initiating one in Fire Sector.

In some areas an exchange of goods arises, mostly in terms of woollens and other warm clothes and blankets. Though food is considered a public resource on this occasion, bartering small knickknacks, songs, stories and even other woollen items is not uncommon an exchange.

Meals are shared among kedan and Foreigners, commoners and emissaries--primarily stews, soups and other foods easily baked in the coals of the fires. Everyone brings food, and what isn’t contributed to the pot is nevertheless shared around after preparation. Although some bonfires are markedly wealthier than others, food and shelter is spread around to make sure everyone is safe and warm. No one goes cold and alone on this night.

---

LINKS
Fire Sector (main bonfire) | Water Sector | Metal Sector | Earth Sector | Wood Sector | Central Keeliai

OOC Notes
The five Bresilykian emissary NPC can be found moving from Sector to Sector and partaking in the various traditions of each, and so can be engaged anywhere, while the Keeliai NPCs generally are staying in their respective areas as detailed below. Please put the name of the NPC you're requesting in the subject line of your tag if you want to interact with them. Thank you!

Comments

FIRE SECTOR / MAIN BONFIRE

[ironwood]

Tu Yunxu begins the preparations for this one as the sun starts to set. The Snakes are in the Fire Sector in abundance, but rather than policing or patrolling the streets their main task is keeping the spreading bonfires safe. They make sure no fire is left unchecked, and that flammable material important to the sector isn’t appropriated for use as kindling.

In this sector coloured powder is distributed among the children--and a great many adults. This powder, when thrown onto the sector’s natural non-burning fires, turns them vivid hues; pink and purple and blue and green and orange and some colours most cultures don’t have words for. Though short-lived, the use of the powder creates an ever-changing mural of patterned light across nearly all the architecture in Fire Sector.

Yunxu himself, along with his assistant Meisheng, spread the first cooked meals and blankets out beyond the main bonfire, starting the night’s tradition of generosity and comradery.

[lordhotman]

Having volunteered to help with the big bonfire, Zuko is here when the whole thing begins. After all, this is the sector that he had lived in when they still had soul lanterns, and its his native element. He's actually quietly excited about this whole thing. It reminds him of the festivals back in the Fire Nation. Minus the fire flakes and kimodo chicken of course.

When its time, Zuko would be found at the site for the first ad largest fire. Both he and his tiny dragon companion waiting until they are signaled. He then took a deep breath and centered himself, focused his chi, and then bent a stream of flames to help ignite the fire. Watching him, the tiny dragon, who has been named Druk, belches out a much smaller stream of flame too.

Once the fire is going, he stands back with Druk on his shoulder, watching the fire with a content smile on his face. The light of the fire dancing in his golden eyes. Then watching as other fires were soon lit throughout the sector. It's here that he'll remain for some time before heading towards the Water Sector where his friends are.

[raavashing]

Wan had headed off with the main procession after the first bonfire was lit. But after some time in the Wood Sector, he returned to see if Zuko was still hanging around Fire. He knew Zuko felt at home there, more so than Wan did despite it being his first element, and was happy leave him with Druk to enjoy the camaraderie of the native kedan, who were now really starting to accept them as part of the city. Particularly he and Zuko with how Zuko had performed in the races and how much Wan had thrown himself into working so he could afford to by Zuko's crown back.

And it was the matter of the crown that drew Wan back to the Fire Sector to find Zuko before he left again to wander the rest of the city. He was very happy for his friends and fully planned to meet up with them later in the Water Sector, but he wanted a little alone time between he and Zuko to return the item to his boyfriend. And he knew if he didn't catch him in the Fire Sector, he probably wouldn't have a good opportunity until after the night was over.

Wan felt himself lucky to track Zuko down before he'd gotten very far. The kedan knew exactly who he was looking for when he asked if they'd seen him around and were happy to point the way. When he got to Zuko, he came up behind him, giving a quick greeting to Druk and then rested his chin on the opposite shoulder as his arm wrapped around Zuko's waist, "Having a good night so far?"

[lordhotman]

While Wan had been off doing his own thing, Zuko had been mingling with the people in the Fire Sector. They were indeed a lot friendlier now, thankfully. He didn't feel like his life was in danger or that everyone hated him anymore. Which was very much of a relief. In fact, was able to do some bartering with the Kedan and found something he liked.

In face, when Wan returned, he could find Zuko sitting by the large bonfire with Druk at his one side, and a small wrapped parcel on the other.

Wan's sudden presence was welcomed and he turned to kiss his boyfriend's cheek as his chin rested on his shoulder. "Yeah, I am."

He then turned and picked up the wrapped bundle. "I got something for you."

[raavashing]

Wan's head shifted so he could look at the bundle, eyebrows shooting up. He laughed and let go of Zuko so he could sit next to him, "That's funny. Because I got you something, too. It's a lot smaller than that, but I think you'll like it."

[looksfine]

They had spoken, perhaps, only once prior. But the topic of conversation and subsequent interactions had been pleasant enough that Aya had nothing but warm haha get it? smiles in greeting as she approached.

"That was a most impressive display of exothermic chemical combustion control and manipulation."

[lordhotman]

Truth be told, Zuko was a little weirded out by Aya. He had never encountered anything quite like her before, but he concealed it well. She was friendly, even if a bit weird, so it was okay. Though her words draw a bit of a strange look.

"Uh... You mean my firebending? Thanks."

That was definitely a unique way of describing it.

[looksfine]

Weirded out, Aya could always accept, so long as there was no direct hostility involved.

"Is that what you refer to it as? Interesting. As I was not aware that gases were capable of bending."

Re: FIRE SECTOR / MAIN BONFIRE

[whitelotustile]

Iroh is watching the children play with the fire, and had snagged some of the colored powder himself. That and a bit of firebending allowed him to make some pretty impressive pyrotechnics, to the delight of the kedan children. They were starting to make requests.

ota

[denyamenti]

One area of the Fire Sector has an extra treat tonight as, amid some of the fire fountains, what appears to be a beautiful young lady is dancing, unhindered by the heat or the flames. It's quite a lovely dance, full of twists and bends, hair draping and shimmering cloth fluttering. While she doesn't speak, she acknowledges the excited children with gestures and smiles-- and not a few winks at the adult observers who are, admittedly, mostly men.

Bakura is out of the immediate way on one of the benches, bearing no outward sign that the Fire Princess is his doing, save for the telltale aura of shadow magic that has spiked in his immediate area, for those who can sense it... and the satisfied smile he's wearing.

[strokeofgenis]

Genis is enjoying the Fire Sector so much more than the Earth Sector. It's lit far brighter, and therefore it's so much warmer here than it is elsewhere. And he can't help but finally be able to unleash the inner kid in himself as he wanders about, being able to truly celebrate rather than being locked up in a Hotel being annoyed and out of place.

He happens to be carrying some sweets and eating them, but soon enough he comes across the girl dancing in the fire, and Genis can't help but be a little bit transfixed by her. Her smiles are ever so sweet, even if she doesn't speak. And Genis can't help but applaud and cheer her on from the sidelines. It only takes a few moments before he suddenly feels the magic in the area, and he looks around, trying to find the source.

And that's when he sees a rather familiar white-haired "big brother."

"Bakura? Bakura!" Genis is certainly happy to see him.

[denyamenti]

That is very possibly the most excited anyone has ever sounded to find him, the thief can't help but think. Still, Genis' excited greeting lures a grin from him, and he gestures for the boy to join him on the bench. "Good evening idjmey," he said. "I see you've been set free from the Hotel. Enjoying the show?"

Tu Yunxu

[lordhotman]

It's just after the big bonfire has been fully lit, that Zuko directs and manages the flames to make it more easily controlled by the Kedan. Once that is done, he steps away with Druk on his shoulder. It's then that he'll catch sight of Yunxu nearby and approaches him.

While not having officially met the man or having spoken to him personally, Zuko does know of him. He will take a moment to pause and give him a customary Fire Nation bow in respect, his fist held against his palm.

[ironrule]

Yunxu isn't quite sure what the man's name is, but he does recognise him as one of the Foreigners - and one of the Foreigners who can control fire, no less. The Snakes could use that, certainly; but Yunxu won't begin any sort of tactic without much more knowledge of both the Foreigner and his situation.

And, ideally, the small dragon currently sitting on the Foreigner's shoulder.

"How do you do?" he says, returning the bow in the same manner and style.

[lordhotman]

"I am well, thank you" Zuko said, showing the politeness that was befitting of a nation's leader, even if he wasn't such here. He then straightened up and looked the other man in the eye, perhaps sizing him up a bit.

"My name is Zuko."

Yunxu didn't have to wonder about his name anymore.

[unetrustworthy]

The fourteen-year-old stared curiously...perhaps a little warily...at the powder in her hand. It seemed to be distributed at random to any passer-by who wanted some. A quick whiff gave away absolutely nothing about its consistency, or what it was meant to be used for. A food? Yeah, like she was going to test that theory out.

Fortunately, only a few minutes of watching those around her provided an answer. Oh. It was...supposed to be tossed into the flames? Why?

Still, if that was what she was supposed to do...Midii found one of the lesser crowded corners of the bonfire, took a deep breath, and tossed her handful in.

A small puff of smoke emitted from the spot it hit, turning the flames momentarily green. Bright, shimmering, and startling enough to cause her to jump back in visible surprise.

"Oh!"

OTA

[inkulcation]

China is staying clear of most of the crowds, because that's more annoyance than she wants to deal with tonight, but this is her home sector now and it would be a shame to miss the displays, honestly. She can be found at the fringes for the most part, watching the fires with a thoughtful, pleased look, and occasionally giving a lovestruck kedan a very pointed brush-off.

Someone paying very close attention may catch China tossing a handful of colored powder into a fire for a small child who's just a little too short to reach the one she wants on her own, and subsequently acting as if she did no such thing.

/sneaks in

[pushtheboundaries]

Following the bonfires to their source, Callaghan finds himself mingling well enough, but only because the general feel here is of welcome. It's something that almost reminds him of the schools' events, how all were welcome to try for them - and no lingering competition in it makes him all the more relaxed. He finds himself smiling, honestly, but even so he retreats before too long to get a better view of it all from a distance.

It's more coincidence than anything else that has him catching sight of China and the child; another smile tugs on his lips at the sight, though he doesn't approach immediately. By the way China's acting, he doubts she wants it called attention to.

[inkulcation]

China absolutely does not want it called attention to, and in fact will deny it ever happened if pressed. But she does spot Callaghan not too long after, catches his gaze and tilts her head just a little. In case the invitation in the gesture is unclear, she lifts one hand to beckon him over to where she's standing.

It's been a little while since she saw the Professor, after all, and it's a relationship worth cultivating, more than likely.

OTA

[strokeofgenis]

Genis of course isn't going to miss out on this. A celebration he can get behind filled with fire, special coloured power for children, and the food. It's a great day to be a kid, where he doesn't have to worry about the adult responsibilities of the world, and he also doesn't have to worry as much about the strange stares from all the kedan. Today, weirdly enough, he's treated as just another person. He's been warned that it's only going to last the night, but he doesn't care; he's going to enjoy this moment of normalcy while it lasts.

Genis, perhaps surprising to a few, has brought some food of his own to the common lot: he's managed to put together a curry out of a few ingredients he's managed to put together and boil by the fire. And of course, he's willing to let people try it out. Cooking, after all, is his forte. And he's not going to be modest at all about it either. He's had lots of practice at this recipe, so it's not going to be a bomb either. It's absolutely divine.

Otherwise, you will find him adding to the fire throwing various coloured powders into the fire and practically jumping up and down at the colourful effects. He's practically caught between wanton excitement and intellectual curiosity about what substances made the fire do that. But ecstasy wins out, and he'll practically be throwing in the powders two fistfuls at a time, often different colours to have them mix together in the fire.

meisheng + ota

[akito]

[ open ]

The Fire Sector may not be his favourite, nor The Snakes his favourite of the kedan, but Akito has learned to appreciate it. After agreeing to contract work with Yunxu he worries less about any retaliation from The Snakes if they find him a pest, and he's learned to like The Snakes as individuals even if he isn't fond of them as a whole. Still, he makes sure to avoid them as much as possible without going out of his way to do so. Akito is more focused on eying the brightly coloured fires with a childlike curiosity than keeping his guard up for the time being, anyway.

He can think off the top of his head which elements create which colours for maybe half of what he sees, but the rest are a mystery to him - including what the colours themselves actually are. There are some Akito has never seen before, and he ends up stumbling over his own two feet more often than not with how distracted he gets. He tries not to think about how he wishes he could share this experience with Agito, and the rest of Kogarasumaru.


[ idkmybff Meisheng ]

Akito stumbles upon Yunxu and Meisheng entirely by accident, though he can't say he's displeased by the turn of events. Sure, he would rather have given a polite bow than fall on his face in front of them but you can't win at everything! He's more distraught by the loss of coloured powder that had been in his fist before he fell, but was now scattered in his hair, if the uncomfortable feeling on his scalp is any indication.

"Hello, Yunxu-san," he greets politely first once he's righted himself, offering a small bow, then turns his attention to Meisheng. Akito offers her a broad, genuine smile and a more enthusiastic greeting. "Hello, Meisheng-san! You and Yunxu-san have done a really good job in your Sector! There are so many colours!" He claps his hands together, as though barely able to contain his excitement. Because, honestly, multicoloured fire. "We had something similar where I come from, but this is way more cool!"

[ironrule]

Meisheng smiles, and the expression is more genuine and spontaneous than any of the previous smiles Akito will have seen. There is something about the bonfires, the family, and the carefree fun which unwinds even Meisheng's more characteristically stoic mannerisms, and her eyes flash golden in the light of the fires. "Thank you, Akito. You flatter us."

Yunxu is called away by a small argument taking place several metres off, and his absence almost seems to make Meisheng relax even further. "We can't claim responsibility for the colours," she admits. "Nor can we claim responsibility for any fire beyond the first. An event like this wouldn't be possible if we weren't all working together."

[akito]

Watching Yunxu leave, Akito can't help but feel moderately relieved himself; he doesn't think Yunxu is a bad person, but that doesn't mean the man's presence isn't one that unnerves him. Akito's keen eye notices Meisheng's slight change in demeanor and he keeps it in mind, though doesn't intend to pry. Instead he takes Yunxu's absence as an open invitation to take a seat next to the woman himself, tucking his knees up against his chest and pulling his large winter jacket over them. A nice cozy little ball of warmth. That is what Akito is right now.

"I wanted to thank you for your help," he says, once he's made himself comfortable. "With, um... The advice on how to get a place to live, ne? It's good to have a place of my own."

[wrathfulkhan]

The brightly colored light from the many fires is festive and warm, and it is that light that shows Gene someone he hasn't seen in a while.

Akito looks well, or well enough - certainly a little less feral than the last time they spoke. Gene debates going to speak to him, but...he does miss Akito. He doesn't have many friends anymore, and even if Akito's unexpectedly cooled towards him, he'd like to see what's up.

So he shrugs his way through the crowd to meet Akito, his hands jammed into his pockets.

"...hey."

[akito]

If Akito is surprised by Gene's approach he doesn't show it. Instead, he continues focusing on the handful of coloured powder he has, trying to guess the colour flames it will produce. He's pretty sure some of the powder is copper, meaning he can expect some shade of green.

"What colour do you think it'll be?"

Yes, Gene. He's asking you. He's still upset with you, but he's never been one to hold a grudge for too long. It takes too much energy. That doesn't mean he isn't going to stop keeping some emotional distance from Gene, however.