[EVENT | TAVIMBI] HAPOYELA'S BLESSINGS

[ironwood]

Characters: Come one, come all!
Date: March 5th
Location: The Sabonile Temple, in Hatal
Situation: The Foreigners, as well as many prominent kedan, have been invited to the great Temple of Hapoyela in Hatal, where the Sabonile priest class wishes them to participate in a celebration!
Warnings/Rating: Character nudity in the after-feast comment. Indicate content warnings in subject headers as applicable.

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According to the Sabonile priests, Hapoyela wishes to properly welcome the Foreigners and the kedan to the full scope of Tavimbi's hospitality, and has instructed the clergy to organize a suitably impressive celebration for the citizens of the oldest living Great Turtle. All Foreigners, as well as many notable kedan including the Family heads, are invited to attend a grand feast and celebration at the Sabonile Temple, one of the largest buildings in all of Hatal.

The clergy has promised an evening of good food, lively entertainment, and the magnificent blessings of Hapoyela. At the same time, the Sabonile will be hosting a soup kitchen in the Temple's courtyard, feeding the hungry and the poor, as dictated by their religious tenets and beliefs.

While those who receive an invitation to the event, which the Sabonile consider a sacred charge from Hapoyela, are not required to attend... it could be seen as a disrespect to their deity.

MOD NOTE: For the naked after party section, soul gems are still allowed to be worn. If your character isn't up for stripping down, they can excuse themselves from that segment of the evening, which will have no negative repercussions with the Sabonile. In this case, they will simply do a wave-over blessing from Hapoyela around the person, and bid them a pleasant evening before they go.

Comments

OTA

[portal_refugee]

Upon arriving at Hatal, Abigail had been in high spirits. Wearing a new outfit bought with assistance specifically for the event, she realized Pepper had been right. She felt fantastic, and every extra bit of work she had put into getting ready had been worth it in anticipation of enjoying the celebration. Moreover, she could not deny the pride that came with being at her father's arm for the special event. She had to be at her best to accompany him, and tonight she would be.

Politely and with curiosity, she had listened attentively to the telling of the beliefs regarding Hapoyela and the elements. It gave a little more data to help her better understand the culture of Hatal, yet so too did what followed. The request for offerings is not a unique concept, though it had caught the Callaghans by surprise. At the very least it seemed to catch others off guard as well given the looks she could spot worn by those around them. A warning of some kind would have been nice, but parting with her new ankle bracelet was not going to spoil things.

Of all her greatest hopes for the celebration, Abigail had been silently and eagerly hoping for a chance to dance. Hearing talk about dancing had led her focus towards the entertainment courtyards only for her bright mood to be snuffed with the realization that in order to participate in any of the entertainment, even to watch, one had to be completely and utterly...stark...naked.

Abigail had walked away from the exit to the courtyard without a word and a mad blush of color turning her cheeks vividly red. With no appetite to speak of left from the notion of stripping down in front of others, she would instead gladly stick herself out of the way at the wall with an untouched drink in her hands to observe. There she would stay until her father was ready to leave or someone else were to engage her.

This party is so much worse than any business conference she had sat through at Krei Tech Industries.

[highprofilerichkid]

Tony's not all that great at reading people, but even he can read 'intense discomfort' radiating off of the young woman standing stiffly in the corner with an untouched glass in her hand. He wanders over and gives her a wry, sympathetic smile.

"Not crazy about the naked dance party, huh?"

[portal_refugee]

The glass in hand keeps her from fidgeting as she at least attempts to keep a calm demeanor while her body language warns against trying to pry her from the wall. At the sound of the vaguely familiar voice, she looks to the young man joining her and offering sympathy. As much as she wants to leave, having company even for a few moments will be of some relief.

Cracking a hint of a smile she replies, "After spending over an hour getting dressed? Not so much." A tilt of her head, and she asks, "Is it safe to assume you've also decided to abstain?" He does have his pants on still after all.

[highprofilerichkid]

"An hour?" Not to enforce gender stereotypes or anything, but it took Tony, like, ten minutes to get ready, tops. He doesn't know what it is girls do when they get ready, but whatever it is, he's definitely intimidated by it. "I don't think I'd ever want to get undressed if it took me an hour to get into my clothes."

He chuckles at her question, and replies, "I can think of a lot of good reasons to take off your pants in public. Dancing's not on the list."

[portal_refugee]

It had been measures of physical and mental preparation, so what might have normally not required quite such a precise assembly became something of a process. Besides, women have to sharpen the knives they hide at some point. Qualifying the length as unusual, she replies, "Just for formal occasions. It'd be too exhausting otherwise."

A neat finger-combed ponytail and clean set of clothes start her usual day.

At his answer to her question, Abigail regards him in silence for several seconds before she expresses her hesitant curiosity, "Other than an occasion to swim, I have no idea what else might comprise that list."

[highprofilerichkid]

Tony looks thoughtful for a moment, and then decisively recites: "Spilling caustic chemicals on yourself. Biohazard decontamination. Accidentally setting your clothes on fire. Getting shot in the butt. Breaking your leg. Fire ants."

Can you tell what kind of life he leads, Abigail?

Well, aside from the fire ants. That's just common sense.

[portal_refugee]

That rather inclusive list of unusual reasons raises a brow for certain, and with a deeper nod of her head she concedes, "All appropriate circumstances." She had failed to consider more emergent situations, and the new line of thought brings another possibility to mind. "Prevention of heatstroke may also be adequate."

If one spends enough time in the lab as a student or a professional, much can be witnessed. Though he had recited that quite readily...

[highprofilerichkid]

He probably spends more time in the lab than you do, Abigail. He's seen it all.

"Oh, good one. Or hypothermia, if you fall in a freezing canal or whatever." This is a rather ridiculous line of conversation, but making jokes about it is helping make the situation less awkward and uncomfortable.

[pompous_today]

Simon, having recognized Abigail from the network, decided to approach her with a polite smile and a sarcastic bow when he saw her staying well away from the dancing.

"Not in the mood to engage in nudity, I see," he winked.

[portal_refugee]

The bow is met with a fresh tension in her shoulders and grip on her glass as Abigail is caught off guard by the gesture, but the wink that follows eases the flash of worry. Being social is not her forte.

With a half chuckle born of relief and amusement at the uncomfortable situation she has found herself in that has placed her literally back to a wall, she answers, "Afraid not. I would need a dangerously high blood alcohol level to even consider it."

[pompous_today]

"I am with you there," Simon agreed with a sigh, reaching down to run a finger along his soul gem. "In fact, alcohol might not be enough for me still. I am all for fostering good relations with people here, but that's a bit much."

[portal_refugee]

"Cultural awareness seems to be a foreign concept here," that is if the dirty looks she keeps getting now and again are anything to go by. That sensitivity is a skill that was incorporated into her own daily life being raised in a city born of a fusion of East and West.

Yet no amount of awareness will change being at this gathering with a family member.

"Is your sister here with you?"

[pompous_today]

"Indeed it does... which is a shame, since we're doing our best to show understanding ourselves. Ah, well- I suppose it won't matter once we move on."

Simon smiled and nodded.

"She's around exploring- she wasn't very keen on shedding her clothes, either, but she loves to be around the people and listen to them talking. Learn as much as she can."

[portal_refugee]

Logic dictates that Keeliai will eventually move on, but so far Abigail has only seen the great turtle beached near the city of Hatal, and so it is nothing more than a potential for her. Yet, at this moment, that simple idea is very inviting.

If nothing else, both she and Simon have been spared from the potential compounding of embarrassment simply by having family members that have chosen to abstain from participation in the nude activities. A glance away is enough for Abigail to reestablish her own awareness of where her father is before she turns back to Simon, "That sounds like a wise use of time." Unlike her at the wall.

"There is a lot to learn after all... I get distracted by the technology more than anything."

[pompous_today]

Simon followed Abigail's gaze, his eyes settling on the older man who'd addressed him his own first day. Ah, so she knew someone here, too- which he felt was good. At least they both had someone to endure this place with together.

"I'm used to more advanced technology myself, but... it's the non-humans who are fascinating me the most, I admit. We've yet to meet any sentient non-human species where I come from."

[purrns]

It's easier, to come to these social events as Chat. He feels more confident, can be a little more outspoken and social. More to the point, it allowed him to people watch. Abigail caught his eye, and he can't help but chuckle to himself as she returns from the courtyard looking completely abashed. He doesn't blame her, he wouldn't have gone out there, either.

Eventually, he sidles over to lean on the wall near her, offering her a grin.

"Talk about not laying things bare at the start, right? You think they'd have warned us about that."

[portal_refugee]

Turning her head to look towards the unfamiliar footsteps, Abigail turns her attention to the teen when he shares a grin with her. His eyes are certainly interesting if not the words he uses to comment on the situation at hand.

"Unless they were trying to expose a bit more about us. You can learn a lot by surprising someone."

[purrns]

There have been poems written about those eyes. Okay, one poem. Maybe. He gives a soft snort of laughter, folding his arms.

"There's surprising and then there's surprising. It's like the difference between realising you left your fly open and realising you left your pants at home."

His grin widens.

"Anyway, if they wanted to learn things, all they needed to do was ask. I never mind giving an interview," he shifts from the wall to offer a flamboyant bow. "Chat Noir, at your service, Mademoiselle."

[portal_refugee]

He makes quite a vivid comparison, especially in making use of a classic nightmare scenario. It draws a smile out of her.

An introduction like that deserves at least an attempt at reciprocation, and moving just a half step away from the wall at her back, the young woman bows in return with a distinctly Japanese flare. Full drink kept in one hand for the motion without spilling, it is cradled in both when she is once again fully upright, "Abigail Callaghan. I prefer to be informal with just Abigail though."

"So you've had some practice interviewing then?"

[purrns]

"Then Chat works just as well for me, Abigail."

He's impressed with the balance, takes more than a little bit of skill, that. At her next comment, he laughs, soothing a hand through his hair, preening like the peacock everyone expects him to be. He loves it, really.

"Of course! It's all part of the superhero gig. People always want to talk to you afterwards, try to work out more about you. The trick is giving them juuuust enough to keep them wanting more."

[portal_refugee]

So that explains the mask and suit. Chat is not the first superhero she has met, but he is the first she has seen outfitted. It really makes her think back to her younger days when she closely followed the exploits of fictional heroes.

"And not so much that they could figure out your secret identity," she observes. He may very well have a persona along with that suit that is different from his more mundane identity. It makes her curious if she will be able to detect any differences if they cross paths when the mask is off. After all, there are only so many Foreigners around Keeliai.

Leaning her hips back to the wall for support and comfort, she makes a request, "Would you mind sharing some of your experience as a superhero?" Please help her think about being away from here for a few minutes.

[purrns]

"Exactly. You got to keep that safe. It's part of the whole deal."

The true irony is of course that his civilian identity is much more of a mask than his actual mask could ever be. Stuck living in his father's idea of perfection, never being anything other than what is expected of him. It's stifling. As Chat though...that is where the true freedom lies. Where he can be who he is...albeit a much more over-the-top version. It's served him well in keeping both lives very, very separate.

"Bien sûr," he grins, always happy to regale others with the tales of his exploits. "A little background, to give you a helping paw. The villains we deal with are just ordinary folks. They get turned into villains by akumas, these little butterflies sent out by the real villain, Papillon."

He pauses.

"I know, it sounds crazy, but it makes all our exploits sound less crazy beclaws of it. Means I can tell a story without it sounding too far-fetched to be impossible."

[lasergrenades]

Given that Pepper had helped pick out the dress Abigail is wearing, she spots it immediately. Besides, it's a far more comfortable sight to behold than the nudity next door. She's not judging anyone who is stripping down, but Pepper personally isn't all that comfortable with it herself.

With a plate of food in hand, she strolls over to her new friend with a smile on her face.

"You look too good to be frowning," she teases gently. "I think tonight definitely goes in the 'mega-strange' category of this whole turtle trip."

[portal_refugee]

That bright red hair helps Abigail to take notice of a friendly face coming over her direction and she summons up a grateful smile through her discomfort at the compliment. "Thanks, Pepper," though it comes out half-hearted. All their efforts shopping together feel wasted at this gathering.

"It has set the bar a little high," she responds withholding some other choice descriptors that she would rather not use around Pepper or priests. Still, she can see Pepper at least has not lost her appetite and is fairing better than herself, "You look great too. Far too pretty to be standing by the wall." It is a gentle nudge to let Pepper know she need not stay and lose out on mingling if she would rather be social.

[lasergrenades]

"Please. We're making the wall look good, and someone has to do that," Pepper replies, firmly staying put. She can be social right here.

"It's very classical Greek of them," she remarks with a shrug, taking a small bite of some kind of crunchy vegetable. "I guess being from a different universe is a little like living in a different millennium, in a way. We're all looking at each other like we've sprouted three heads and turned bright green."