[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

[lordhotman]

Yes, Zuko knew who he was, but official introductions were certainly more polite than assumptions. Thus Zuko nodded his acknowledgement. "Its a pleasure to meet you as well."

His gaze then turned to the bonfire briefly. "I am, and it was an honor to participate in the lighting. Is this done every year?" After all, he'd only been here a few months before he had gone home and then come back.

[ironrule]

Yunxu nodded. "Recently, yes. It's not often we swim through weather this cold, but we're careful to keep each other warm when we do." He smiled. "It's not quite the shangpar races, but there's a certain charm to spontaneity."

The fire in front of them surged purple as one of the kedan children threw her handful of coloured powder onto the flames. Yunxu inclined his head towards it. "I'm never sure where that dust comes from, however. It seems to be a staple among children wherever fire can be found."

[lordhotman]

"It reminds me of some of the festivals in the Fire Nation," Zuko said with agreement. Whether it was tradition or spontaneous, Zuko liked it. It reminded him a bit of home, and that was comforting.

Zuko's eyes then widened in surprise and awe at the sudden change in color of the flames before them. "That's amazing. My sister can create blue fire, but I've not seen anything like that before." He might have to get some and try it out later. Though his countenance saddened a little at the mention of his sister.

[ironrule]

Nonsense, Yunxu refrained from saying. Creating blue fire without extraordinary amounts of heat isn't possible.

But this was a Foreigner he was speaking with.

"Is that common in your world?" Yunxu asked, visibly curious. "Summoning fire in various colours without the aid of any such coloured powder?"

[lordhotman]

"No. Only very talented firebenders can make blue fire. I've never been able to."

There was no trace of the bitterness that would have laced those words a couple years prior. It was just a fact that Azula was better than him. Plus he cared for his sister, even if she... still had some things to work out.

"She's the only firebender I know that can."

[ironrule]

Interesting. Perhaps it did have something to do with extraordinary amounts of heat, in that case. With any luck, Zuko's sister would eventually find herself in Keeliai as well, though Yunxu certainly didn't hold out very much hope for that occurrence.

"And dragons?" he asked, changing the subject and indicating the small creature perched atop Zuko's shoulder. "Are they so common every firebender possesses one, or rare enough to be used as symbols of status?"

[lordhotman]

There was a pause at that question, and a frown. He wasn't sure if it was a good idea to talk about this in front of Druk, but he supposed the young dragon would have to learn of it eventually, if he could even understand.

"Both of my great grandfathers had dragons, but one of them started the tradition of hunting them for honor and status. To the point where they were thought to be extinct."

Not exactly the proudest moment in Fire Nation history. ... That just being one.

"Besides Druk, I only know of two that are still alive in my world."

The tiny dragon was listening, watching his master quietly as he told the solemn tale.

[ironrule]

The hunting itself wasn't a new or objectionable concept to Yunxu. It wasn't a pastime among the kedan simply because there wasn't anything to hunt, but Asti had made landfall in several locations where hunting was a tradition. The part which made Yunxu stiffen - and stiffen visibly, as there was no reason to hide it - was hunting the dragons to extinction. If they had once been kept as honoured pets, what in the name of Eshai drove such violent hunts?

He would never understand these worlds the Foreigners came from.

"I hope those remaining two are protected," Yunxu said. And that they aren't the same gender.

[lordhotman]

"They are," Zuko assured him.

Technically he wasn't supposed to tell anyone about them, but this is a different world entirely. Plus he kinda had proof of their existence right in front of him.

"Now that the hunting of dragons has been banned, hopefully they won't have to hide much longer."

[ironrule]

"I'm glad to hear it," said Yunxu. Both the protection, and the ban of further hunts. It had no bearing on Keeliai, however, and Zuko's control of fire didn't seem to be concealing any other surprises - or if it did, he was hiding it well. The dragon might have posed a threat, but as long as Yunxu was aware of that threat, he was content simply to keep an eye on things.

"If you'll excuse me," he added, "I'm sure I'm needed to prevent a disaster occurring somewhere in the Sector. I hope you enjoy your evening."

[lordhotman]

"Of course," Zuko said as Yunxu announced his departure. It was probably about time he moved on as well, and find Wan. ... And maybe get some of that colored powder.

With a final bow, Zuko parted ways with the man.