[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

WOOD SECTOR

[ironwood]

Wood Sector is where the most concern has been taken regarding fire safety. If not careful, the whole sector could be set alight--so fires are carefully tended, placed in circles formed by clay bricks and only where there is a minimum area of safety around the site. No fires exist in smaller alleys, which from the sky turns Wood Sector into a place with swathes of darkness competing with strong areas of light.

Many of the Woodsmen have come into the city for the occasion, appearing wordlessly out of the darkness and carrying torches and baskets of food to offer to the general public. Heojin can be seen there, helping to distribute food and trade for blankets, along with his perennial guards in the form of restless purple-haired Lin and perpetually bored Ran.

The Woodsmen have also brought with them slabs of ice from outside the city, an occurrence at first looked upon with confused suspicion until it becomes clear the ice is for nothing more than sculpting. After that, wood-carvers and construction-workers abound in co-opting their tools to create artworks in front of the bonfires--a feat made more difficult and more amusing for observers when the ice melts as the piece is sculpted.

Ota, but hoping to drawn Heojin

[raavashing]

Wan followed the fire procession from the first lighting through the sectors until it reached Wood. He pulled away from main procession to hang back at one of the larger bonfires lit with the fire from the first one.

He waited until the crowds started to really gather and mingle before he very carefully and obviously - so it was clear the fire he was using came from the bonfire and no where else - pulled some of the fire towards him in a long 'rope'. He seemed to pull at it as he started stepping around the bonfire in a slow dance that dragged the flames with him. Careful, so very careful, to remain close enough to the fire pit and well within the cleared area as he started a show for those gathered. A variation of the Dancing Dragon form where instead of starting and putting out a fire with each punch or kick, he instead pulled another rope of flame from the central bonfire, eventually encasing himself in a complex weave of fire that went on for close to five minutes. Every form dragged out in perfect precision.

When he came to the end of it, he released the flames back to the main bonfire, then bowed to it. He hadn't asked permission to do the performance, he'd just felt very moved by the festival. Particularly within the Wood sector where his heart felt most at home. His lantern had once burned brightly there and though he had moved on with Zuko, he still found peace within the great trees.

[rawiron]

Heojin, unfortunately, was more the type to observe and appreciate rather than engage; and though Heojin was among those watching Wan's performance it was rather Lin who said anything to Wan, standing close-by in mixed wonder and disapproval. "Th- th- that--" Lin stumbled over his words and then blushed and scowled at his own blushing. "Beautiful. It was beautiful. But you could've given us s- some warning or s- something, you know? One building goes up, the whole s- sector goes up."

He glanced behind him, as if to make sure he wasn't stepping outside of the bounds of his duties, but Heojin was still within sight, so he didn't move back.

[raavashing]

Wan cringed at Lin's chastizement, but bowed his head all the same, "Sorry. I have complete control of the fire as long as no one else with power over the element attempts to take that control from me. I didn't think about warning anyone. I'm sorry."

His eyes glanced between Lin and Heojin as Lin glanced behind himself, recognizing the man.

"Did Heojin send you?" Wan asked, shoulders hunched. "Am I in a lot of trouble with him?"

[rawiron]

The immediate and apparently sincere contrition took some of the wind out of Lin's sails, though he seemed mildly irritated that he didn't have more excuse to be, well, irritated. He also kept eyeing Wan as though expecting some extra reaction which didn't come.

"Well h- how're we meant to know th- that unless you s- say s- something?" he grumbled, and looked back and Heojin--perhaps a bit nervously. Heojin caught his eye and inclined his head, and Lin turned back to Wan, straightening up as though attempting to re-gather his authority. "Just d- don't d- d- do it again," he lectured, and then amended, "well, without warnin', anyway. Is th- that what you're after? Getting s- some attention?"

He certainly got it, at any rate.

[raavashing]

"No!" Wan was quick to answer, hands coming up. "I just know he's important to the Wood Sector. I do lot of work here and I really don't want to make things harder for anyone. I only did that because... well... I don't know. It... I guess I got caught up in the atmosphere of it all."

He dropped his hands, shoulders slumping, "I'm sorry. This was the first time I've ever felt so at home here. I forgot myself."

And that despite the goodwill he'd earned, he still wasn't considered one of their own. He was still an outsider. A foreigner. He didn't belong.

"I'll remember to ask permission next time."

[backwordscompatible]

She waited until it was safe. Most notably, when he stopped long enough to dip his head low into a respectful bow towards the fire.

Nobody had told her that any of the Foreigners were expected to perform that evening, so she could only hope that this was either a spontaneous performance on his part, or else something pre-arranged with one or more of the locals. Otherwise, she was hardly ready for a show of her own.

"Nice."

That didn't mean she couldn't appreciate others, of course.

[raavashing]

Wan turned around at the praise, grinning bashfully, "Thanks. I haven't done something like that in a long time. I hope I don't get into too much trouble with the kedan, though."

[backwordscompatible]

She waved a hand in the air. "Call it a hunch, but I think everybody gets a pass today."

Something about the atmosphere. It was easily the lightest, most friendly she'd felt ever since their arrival back in Keelai from that crazy dream world.

"...so...long time no see, huh? I wasn't even sure you'd come back with us."

[raavashing]

"I didn't," Wan said, shrugging and giving a small laugh. "I went back home. And eight years later, I woke up here. It was about a month after the rest of you woke up from what Katara and Sokka told us. Me. Told me. Well... us. Zuko and I. They told us together."

Enjolras| Open!

[solo_patria]

Enjolras had spent most of his time in the island on Wood, before his soul lantern had placed him elsewhere, and so it feels only natural to return for part of the festival at least.

At the moment, he's watching as a sculptor works on what appears to be a turtle, a little mesmerized by the intricate carving on the shell. She looks up at one point, and doesn't seem put off by his smile at all. Good! He continues watching for a bit, and then, when he grows a little tired, wanders off in search of something to drink, and finding himself in a line with a few others.

This would be a good place to catch him, should anyone wish to do so!

[unetrustworthy]

(Not literally, of course, seeing as--even with the year's worth of growing--she was still significantly shorter.)

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

Midii had been standing off to one side for quite some time, practically invisible in the shadows, even as the glimmer of light from the bonfires reflected off her blonde hair every so often. The artist' work had fascinated her, seeing the process by which so many of those intricate details were being created.

[solo_patria]

"It is." Enjolras turned, smiling at the voice.

"I have not seen you lately." He observed, following her gaze for a moment, watching the light bouncing around and settling wherever it would. It certainly transformed Midii, he thought.

"It seems so peaceful tonight, doesn't it?" He added, after a moment to reflect. "As though everything is going to settle again. A big hope, I know, but still..." It felt possible all the same. Possibilities mattered too.

[unetrustworthy]

"I've been...around."

Busy didn't seem quite accurate, though her attempts had been numerous. Hiding wasn't quite true either, as she'd gone out in public several times.

"More peaceful than it has been," she was inclined to agree. And if there were ever a pair to recognize the difference between true and false peace, it was them. "I guess all the kedan needed was time."

[solo_patria]

They would, wouldn't they? Perhaps that is why it is so easy to appreciate this now. Enjolras nods at Midii's answer, some of his hair falling from its braid and framing his face as he does so.

"Maybe so. They say time heals many things. Obviously not all, but I do think there are some. Perhaps we've gotten lucky and this is a bridge that's been rebuilt. Or can be."

specifically heojin!

[akito]

Akito never had a proper opportunity to meet Heojin face-to-face, the closest having been seeing him during the courtyard discussion weeks ago. While he wanted to visit the Wood Sector to see it as it was his old home sector, his main hope in exploring the darker area is to find and, perhaps if he's lucky, have a moment to speak to the Woodsmens' leader. In the meantime, however, Akito isn't shy about trying whatever bit of food seems intriguing, though he makes sure never to take more than enough just to taste and will pause to help out if need be.

[rawiron]

At this time Heojin and his guards were still passing out and trading goods. Although Heojin didn't stop to exchange more than a few words with those whom he greeted, a young and frail-looking youth like Akito was sure to attract attention. They were rare in Keeliai, because that frailty of frame indicated an inability to shapeshift some bulk in--or such a lack of food that there was no bulk to be had. Only the most impoverished of kedan looked like that.

The boy was eager for food, Heojin also saw, but never took much. It spoke of indoctrination. So it was that when Akito passed, Heojin touched his shoulder and gave him a bowl full of stew. "Here, lad. Eat."

[akito]

"Thank you."

He has learned, over time, that in some instances it's impolite to refuse someone's gift. Akito imagines this is definitely considered to be one of those moments, as the person offering him food is the person he had been hoping to run into tonight in the first place in addition to one of the respected family leaders. Still, he would rather make sure it wasn't offered to him with the thought that he was kedan - Akito isn't positive of Heojin's personal stance on the foreigners lately but he would rather not risk any accidental deceit.

"I'm not a kedan, Heojin-san," he admits earnestly, though doesn't label himself a foreigner. The stew is warm in his hands, and admittedly smells really really good. Having been eating predominantly snacks all day a hearty stew is more appetizing to him than it would have been earlier on. "Is it still alright for me to have this?"

[rawiron]

Heojin hadn't realised the boy wasn't kedan and it made him pause for a moment, still regarding Akito but with an impassive expression that made it difficult to tell what he was thinking.

Then he nodded. "It's freely given. You are hungry and yet averse to eating more than you feel is your due." He put out a hand to push the bowl more toward the boy. "Having enough food is everyone's due."

[akito]

Akito is accustomed to expressions that are difficult to interpret, yet that doesn't make them any less discomfiting. He looks down at his feet as he waits for an answer, more comfortable avoiding eye contact. Scuffing his boot on the ground, Akito looks back up in time to catch the nod and not get caught off guard by the gesture.

"Ah- Thank you." He hadn't realized he was being watched. "I'm not used to eating a lot, but I've been getting more hungry since I woke up. So I guess I have to remember to eat more, ne?" Another thing he can blame on growing up: increased hunger. Mildly less annoying than when his voice cracks, but only just.

He takes a sip of the stew, letting the broth sit on his tongue to savour the taste. It's warm and satisfying, and so he lets out a small hum of appreciation. "It's really good!"

summon heojin!

[jinzhong]

Jackie's been wandering about from sector to sector, figuring that if anything's going to draw Heojin out, it'd be an event like this. Getting the information for Yunxu had been difficult, and trying to ask the kedan for any leads in a subtle fashion had been nigh impossible. He's a little worried; if he doesn't get any information now, he doesn't think he ever will.

Lightbulb! There's Heojin's party. Jackie sidles up to one of the guards, having opted to shed his Snake insignia (for he figured that would not win him any friends). "Uh. Hey."

Nice one, Jackster.

/fails

[rawiron]

"Is for kirin," said Lin with a yawn, and he looked at Jackie with a squint. "Hey. D- don't I kn- know you from s- s- somewhere?" Was the man kedan or Foreigner? It was hard to tell, with that face. It looked so ordinary.

/also fails

[jinzhong]

Jackie laughs a little. Hey, he likes this guy. Oh crap. He hopes the guy doesn't think Jackie had been laughing at his stutter!

"Dunno. I was at the Courtyard of Public Opinion last month, so that might be it." He doesn't remember this guy's name. Rin? No, it wasn't Rin. Give him a moment, it'll come to him!

/fail club

[rawiron]

At first Lin scowled, because it did sound like that, and for a moment he looked at Jackie suspiciously. "Could be," he said finally. He knew this guy from somewhere, he was sure of it. "What 'hey'?"

He wasn't exactly leaning on the wall behind him, but it was a near thing and while he looked more alert now, tiredness had still set in.

[jinzhong]

Jackie shrugged, looking nonchalant as ever. He's totally cool. He's cooler than being cool. Ice cold, even. "Nothin', you just looked kind of bored, man, figured I'd come and say hello."