[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

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."

[ironrule]

"I'm glad I was helpful," says Meisheng, settling into her seat and drawing her jacket tighter around her shoulders. "And I'm glad you found a place. Do you like it there?"

Her face is, quite unconsciously, shifting its features into something not quite human and not quite animal - something soft and matronly.

[akito]

If asked to describe Meisheng's current features in words, Akito wouldn't choose matronly; soft, yes, and kind. But never having any sort of motherly figure in his life, he wouldn't know the first thing about recognizing the trait in others. He just knows that Meisheng's features are soft and kind and make him feel warm and comforted.

"It's nice! It's not very big, but it's just me and Bird, so we don't need a lot of space." Growing up in a trailer and a cage, Akito appreciates lots of space but oftentimes can find it just as daunting as having no space at all. "The location is convenient for me, and the price is affordable. It has a roof and walls and it's mine," he grins into his knees. "I like it a lot."

[ironrule]

Even Meisheng would probably admit that, wrapped in a large thick winter coat as he is, Akito is adorable. She hasn't heard of marshmallows, but that's the sort of metaphor she would no doubt employ.

"If anyone bothers you," she says, "or tries to say you shouldn't be there, come to me before you..." She searches for polite words. "... defend yourself. I'd rather resolve such situations without any party getting hurt."

[akito]

At the reminder that no, he isn't really an accepted member of Keeliai's society despite doing a good job of making a small niche for himself. The kedan are growing more tolerant of him yet tolerance is not the same as acceptance.

"...I will," he agrees slowly, thinking it over. "If someone is trying to hurt me I'll make sure not to retaliate in self-defense."

If it will help bolster better relations between him and the locals, Akito can handle a beating. And if it's just something inconsequential like vandalism there wouldn't be any reason to defend himself anyway.

[ironrule]

If only all the Foreigners could be as reasonable as their younger members seem to be. Perhaps maturity decreases with age among the Foreigners? Or perhaps rebellion against authority is universal. Meisheng doesn't have the tools or the inclination to find out.

"Thank you," she says instead. "Though I don't foresee you having any trouble. The initial rush of bad blood seems to have subsided. How is your delivery service?"

[akito]

"I hope not! The Metalworkers seem to like me enough that I shouldn't have many problems where I am," he comments, clearly quiet happy that he's gained the tolerance of most of the Stark Industry employees. While many of them won't engage him, there are more than a few that will indulge in his questions and attempts to learn. "The delivery service is going well! I have enough income that I can afford things now, ne? It was fun shopping during the last landfall."

[ironrule]

Meisheng resists the urge to ask how often the Metalworkers or Woodsmen use Akito's delivery service - Yunxu would no doubt appreciate the information, but he appreciates the service more, and while questioning isn't covered in the contract, Meisheng is reluctant to push her luck. Particularly where a child is concerned.

"I'm glad to hear it," she says simply. "And you're enjoying the bonfires, I hope?"

[akito]

He takes a moment to look around him, absorbing the colours and warmth bursting through the cold. "Mm, it's nice. Are you enjoying them too?"

[ironrule]

"More than I believed I would," Meisheng admits in a somewhat rare moment of sharing. Then she falls silent and watches the fire, a certain relaxation and small smile confirming that her silence is by no means a dismissal - or even a self-awareness of having shared too much.

[akito]

Akito watches her, curious about her relaxed demeanor. It isn't at all what he's used to from her, and he has to admit that it's a nice change. He lets the silence hang between them comfortably before speaking up again.

"Why does he make you so uncomfortable?" Realizing that it's probably a rude thing to ask, Akito backtracks a little: "Ah, I just mean that... You seem happier without him near you..."

Actually, that probably isn't the best thing to say either, so he ducks his head into the fur lining of his jacket. It isn't like Yunxu abuses her - Meisheng is too strong for that, and the man does seem to respect her, if her position is any indication. Still, first Zanru's change in mood, and now this apparent fissure in Meisheng and Yunxu's relationship? It's all so confusing.

[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.

[wrathfulkhan]

Thanks and howdy, Captain Non-Sequitur.

He scrutinizes the powder. "Not a clue. Blue, maybe, or green."

Honestly, emotional distance is going to scan as 'normal' to him, so if Akito expects him to pick up on that social cue? He's barking up the wrong tree.

[akito]

"Blue-green," Akito says, mostly confident. Only mostly, because things on Tu Vishan have never really been predictable and it wouldn't surprise him if copper didn't actually look or act like copper here.

Tossing the dust onto the nearby bonfire, he flames abruptly turn a nice shade of blue-green before promptly turning hot pink. Which, okay. That is pretty cool.

[wrathfulkhan]

Gene laughs, a little bit, at the abrupt change in color. "We were half-right." Which, honestly, is better than being all-wrong. Small favors.

"How've you been?" he asks, genuinely curious.

[akito]

Akito continues staring at the flames until they flicker back to a more natural orange and red, then turns to look at Gene. He analyzes him carefully, noting any changes in him since their last meeting.

"I've been okay," he answers honestly, after taking the time to think. "I found an apartment to stay in and have made some friends."

He nudges a rock with his boot while snuggling further into his warm, fur-lined coat. It was more expensive than he had hoped, but it was worth the cost in the end. Some nights he even forgoes blankets and just sleeps under his jacket. "What about you?"

[wrathfulkhan]

"That's good," Gene says. Akito may notice that he looks a little more grown-up, not in stature necessarily, but certainly in mien. His little trip back home and the attendant anxiety, not to mention his negotiation with the family heads, has tempered him somewhat.

"At least you're better suited for the weather now," he says, indicating Akito's new coat.

[akito]

He's definitely aged, but in a way that Akito assumes maturity rather than puberty. It's none of his business though - things happen and people change. If Gene wants to tell him about it he's free to, but Akito knows better than to pry.

"Ah, um. Yeah! It was expensive, but a good investment."

[wrathfulkhan]

The funny thing is - he'd probably tell Akito most of it, if he asked.

"It looks expensive. Did you get it at the landfall?" Gene had gotten some basic supplies, but hadn't been preoccupied with shopping.

[akito]

Akito nods, nudging the ground with the toe of his boot. "It wasn't as expensive as it could have been. Because I'm so small they gave me a discount, since they wouldn't have to use nearly as much fabric."

[wrathfulkhan]

Gene nods, smiling a little. Akito is tiny, for his age. Which reminds him-- "Yeah, you're compact. Serves you well, I bet, and not just because you get discounts."

He breathes out, watching the steam his breath creates in the cold air. "I'm glad you're making friends." I'm not sure if I can count myself among them.

[akito]

"It does help," he admits. "People are more accepting when they look at you and see something small and helpless." From the look on Akito's face it seems like he isn't entirely fond of this assumption, but accepts it. "Kedan that don't know me usually assume I'm one of them now, and then the ones that don't - like the Metalworkers at Zanru's company, ne? A bunch of them treat me really nice, and a bunch of them tolerate my presence there."

It's... nice. He knows that he isn't truly accepted as a Metalworker; oftentimes he feels like they're simply indulging him, or treating him like the resident mascot, but it's... They look at him. They look at him and acknowledge his existence, and many of them will answer questions he has about their culture.

"If I keep working hard, even more kedan will tolerate me being here."