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 Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 5:40 pm
 Day One :: Ribbon Day :: Begin.
It is seasonably warm, with a cool breeze. Dress is relaxed, comfortable, and festive: kimonos, yukatas, cheongsams, changshans, etc.
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Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 4:31 pm
The night before the Festival, Jianyu was standing in front of Qian Ehuang with an exasperated expression on his face.
"Mother," he said, for what felt like the sixth time in as many minutes. "For Lunaria's sake, why must you insist on checking over my outfits multiple times? I have told you many times before; this changshan is perfectly fine for the first day."
Ehuang clucked her tongue at him, moving around her son in a slow circle, a studious expression on her face as she examined the long, raven black robes. It was Jianyu's dress outfit, the one he rarely wore except on special occasions. The Festival of Spirits was only held once a year, during the time when the leaves turned a golden orange and the weather began to cool down somewhat. It was the time when all of Lunaria prepared for the Festival; their biggest celebration of the year. However, at the current moment, Jianyu did not feel particularly celebratory.
"Mother," Jianyu said placidly, folding his arms into his sleeves. "Now that you have me standing on attention as if I am a doll for you to display, may I please be excused? I must sleep early tonight; the festival begins at sunrise."
"I am well aware of that, Ji-son." Ehuang said dryly, finally stepping away from him. "I have lived in Lunaria all my life, after all."
Jianyu sighed, leaning forward to press a kiss to his mother's cheek. "Good night."
It was nearing midnight. Jianyu sat on the futon in his room, leaning against the wall, his elbow resting on the small window ledge as he looked out into the night. In just a few short hours it would be morning. The sun's rays would streak across Lunaria, painting it in a myriad of oranges, golds, and reds with just the barest touch of lavender. There would be stirrings, the low sounds of voices from the people as they awoke, the soft treading of footsteps as they went about their early morning routines. But there would be a restlessness in the air, a sense of excitement, of lightheartedness, of eager anticipation for the day to begin.
What will the Festival bring this year?
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Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 6:34 pm
It was not her home, the dark crossroads where she stood. Typically, Yue Lao would have headed home after her shift at the Ichi-Koi, but the nearer she grew to the festival, the more she contemplated the recent Noble deaths. Yue was becoming increasingly sombre. Did she owe those Nobles she had slain or helped slay? In her heart, she felt that because they had ambushed Jianyu and her own self, they had entered into an agreement. It was in that action that one or more of them were sure to die, so that she owed nothing. And yet... though she would not mourn their deaths, she felt forced to acknowledge them.
The time for mourning would soon be over. Yue Lao had very few to mourn. Chishio mourned the loss of Yue Lao's father, but she never wore the ribbon; Yue was never clear as to who her father was, though perhaps she had been more curious as she grew older. She didn't know if he was dead, or just missing. Yowai was the only one among them who mourned during the festival in any profound way. Yowai had lost her only son, just a baby at the time. Yue Lao could mourn the loss as well, but it was before she had been born. Although in a way Yowai's loss had meant the loss of a potential sibling for Yue, since Yue had never lived any differently it wasn't really her death to mourn.
She leaned against the wall between the two roads and took a deep breath. She resolved to let go of what was weighing her down. Truly, her nature was not one well-suited to mourning, as easily as it was not suited to love. She lived quickly and intensely, and then moved along. Brushing her bangs back from her face, she pushed off from the wall and wandered back home. The sun would be rising soon. She had not slept that night, had simply wandered through the dark paths. She wasn't as afraid as she had been; since that night, she had been training diligently. It was such a short walk home from the crossroads, much shorter than it had seemed the night Jianyu had been hurt. When she arrived, pushed the door open, Chishio was seated at their low table. She was sewing the last touches on an embroidered Cheongsam. Although Yowai wore heavy, dark kimonos, and Chishio favoured green yukatas, Chichi was making a cheongsam for Yue Lao. She knew something was wrong with her daughter's mood, and this was an effort to make her cheer up, to tell her it was time to celebrate.
The Cheongsam had intricate patterns in thread that almost seemed both silvery and blush. It started off a brighter pink at the top, and faded into magenta near the hem. It's so ... bright, Yue Lao thought to herself. She said nothing, however, and smiled at Chishio. Yowai Hone was, of course, nowhere to be found; she was busy working, preparing wines for the celebration. She would donate a certain number of bottles, and the rest was sold at a booth outside. Sorrow, Yowai had always said, was profitable; not just in the sense that it generated income for their family, but also in the sense that partaking in rituals where it was acceptable to share grief eased the communal burden on others. It helped heal the wounds that sorrow wrought. In that way, expressing it was profitable to the lunarians and the community.
Chishio put the last stitch in place and held the dress up in the faint light. "I guess it's time for me to celebrate, Chichi?" Yue said. The light obscured Yue Lao's expression. She looked away, and took a deep breath again. It was about time she stopped worrying about the new ties that bound her. She would have to come to terms with that, and enjoy this festival. The cheongsam was much brighter than her usual clothing, and much more mature and girly. She would feel a little too exposed, but... she suspected that was Yowai's doing. She was forcing her daughter to open up and show the side of her she hid so carefully.
Chishio fit the dress on Yue Lao, and Yue stood there, turning for her. Everything was perfect. The neck line was a little low, and it revealed her chest much more than her usual outfit. It also accentuated her hips. Yue kept tugging it down, so that it covered more of her thighs. "I had better not look like I'm easy," Yue said, and then, "Although I guess it would be an easy way to entertain myself." Yue Lao laughed, and Chishio scolded her.
The festival would be soon.
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Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 8:33 pm
Kiran hated formal clothes. They were too restricting for his taste, and the fabric of the dark navy blue yukata that his mother forced on him for the festival of spirits made his skin itch uncomfortably. Looser clothing that allowed freer movement was much more his style. He sighed at the yukata then turned to stare at his mother. "Do I have to wear it again?" he asked, almost whining.
"We have this discussion every year," Daiyu replied, busily fixing the hem of Xiuying's kimono. She was, at least, better at mending than she was at cooking. "Everyone wears outfits like this during the festival."
Kiran turned to his father. "Dad, can't reason with her on this? The yukata is too uncomfortable."
"You might as well wear it," Baladeva told him, his attention focused more on the book he was reading than what was happening around him. "She's going to make you wear it one way or another."
Kiran frowned, but he knew his father was right. Every year it was this same argument. And every year, Kiran lost the argument and had to wear the yukata, no matter how uncomfortable it was.
This year, they were celebrated the life his grandfather on his father's side of the family. Kiran hadn't even known the man was ill until word came to their family about a month and a half ago that he had passed away. Kiran didn't know about him, having never met his grandfather. Outside his immediate family, the only relative he knew was Uncle, and that was because Uncle had moved closer to where they lived. The rest of his relatives lived far away, and he never got to see them. All he really knew about them were the few childhood stories that his parents told him from time to time.
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Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 9:28 pm
Huang shifted uncomfortably in his brothers changshan, handed down for the festival that was to take place. Of course, it was a little big on Huang himself but soon he would fit into his brothers clothing. Even now his brother only stood maybe a couple inches taller, and their builds were about the same.
"Why must i accompany you again to this....festival?" Huang looked to Xiao and adjusted the outfit again. He felt stuffy and the clothing felt overweight with all his weapons and gear tucked underneath. And goddess above if the outfit didn't make him sweat like a boar in the summer.
"You accompany me because I want you there and-" Xiao came out of his own dressing room before giving his brother the once over, "Because mother ordered. I am only allowed to attend with my fiancee if my shadow is there, as mother says." Xiao growled as he came over and straightened Huang's robes. His brother was dashing and quickly maturing, it was no wonder that Huang was becoming more popular among the household and even beyond that. Though Xiao was sure his dense brother didn't notice.
"If she was concerned with me following you, she should have realized it would have been easier in my normal clothing." Huang usual stoic face went to a face of disgust. His brother was such a odd creature, how was he suppose to be a shadow when his brother clearly dressed for him to be noticeable.
"Ah but brother, how better to blend with the crowd then to dress as they do. You'd be the only one not dressed so formally." Xiao tsked at him before smiling, "I hear many beautiful maidens....and young gentlemen will be there."
"Maidens?" Huang thought of the two girls he knew, Kotone and.....that blasted Noble female Shin. Both were different like the sun and moon and even know as he thought of the word Maiden, Shin arised in his head. Ack, how he did not want to remember their trial. To be honest though, Since the whole Shin ordeal, Huang had steered clear of any and all females, afraid that they too would turn and betray him.
His thoughts turned depressing before Xiao spoke again.
"Ah maybe your Mentor will be there too?" Xiao tapped his chin as he tucked his hands into his sleeves together, "Isn't it Captain Jianyu? It would be nice to see the one who has changed you besides the other boy Kyung." Xiao smiled again as he studied Huang who was blushing intensely.
"I do not think-" Huang broke off as he thought of the two men, One a friend and Companion and the other, a unrequited love. Yes it was best if Huang did not meet both of them at the festival, in fear that he would embarrass himself. Especially in this get up. "I should go now."
"Nonsense." Xiao waved him off, "Now let us go young brother."
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Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 10:44 pm
A snip of ornate scissors sliced effortlessly through a thin length of back ribbon. It was minutes before dawn, darkness still covered the Xia honke and the surrounding grounds and there was barely a hint of spreading light blossoming along the horizon outside Shin-Mu's chamber window. The Festival of Spirits would begin at dawns first light, and the darkling noble was putting the finishing touches on her lavish attire for the day's festivities. A ribbon of black silk to to pay homage to the spirits of her ancestors and passed loved ones. The quiet and communicative alike.
Though her own departed kin slept soundly in their eternal slumber, there would be many more eager whispers for her ears throughout the next few days. She wasn't precisely sure how it all worked, be it the actual date, or the collective prayers of everyone celebrating, but something seemed to stir the spirits, and they longed to be heard by those that could listen.
"You'll be paying your respect to the grandmothers first, right young miss?" Speaking of spirits. Liu had been hovering about her since she awoke, fretting over the time and making certain she wouldn't forget to pay honor to those important few she held dear, in memory or more. "Of course," was her automatic response. As if she would forgot.
With the tying of a loose bow around one slender wrist with the black ribbon she was ready to go. Her gown had no sleeves, so she was forced to improvise, but she hadn't yet met a ghost that was picky over the exact placement of the symbol. She had to wonder if color was really necessary as well, for the clashing combination of black against the deep ocean blue and mother of pearl of her cheongsam would nag at her all day. It was why the ribbon in question was so terribly thin.
Along with the full cut of her dress, the lunarian had selected a pair of perfectly dyed slippers for her feet and a flowered comb for the back of her hair. The mass of which had been bundled up an artful knots at the back of her crown. She was the picture of refined elegance as she made her way towards the stone lined path that led the family shrine nestled within a picturesque corner of the grounds. Her deepest respects would go to her grandmother, and her grandmother before her. Both soul conduits, both respected and honored, then, and now. She would give the grandmothers their due before the coming light of dawn drew her towards the city.
She knelt and said a silent pray to the ancestors of her blood. Asking for wisdom, and guidance. Strength to carry on through the hardships that seemed so eager to plague her as of late. When she was finished she rose, and after brushing off her legs and smoothing the line of her cheongsam back into place, she set off for the stone gate that marked the entrance of the Xia grounds, and the path beyond that led to the city.
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Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 12:07 am
Cais had been awake for hours. He had dressed into his dark green yukata; the one with the white trim he often wore to formal events that his mother had picked out two years prior. It bothered him that now at age 16 the yukata he had gotten at 14 still fit him. He shot a look of disgust towards the mirror in his room and sighed. "Have I really stopped growing?" He muttered to himself, moving near his dresser, tracing a finger over a black ribbon his mother had placed there.
It was customary in his family to dawn a black ribbon at the Festival of Spirits in memory of all ancestors past. Cais knew it to mean that by wearing the ribbon you were mourning many souls. This case being all fallen ancestors of the Trinh family. Cais shook his head, pushing against the soft ribbon. This festival felt different to him, more personal than it had in previous years. He'd lost something... something he hadn't even had the time to properly know. It was heavy over his head, even in this time of celebration.
Cais moved his hands down into a drawer carefully, searching through his drawer and pulling out a bright red ribbon, placing it on the dresser top, staring at it. A glance to the mirror was met with a deep sigh and a frown while he adjusted the cotton yukata around his shoulders. "Death is just another celebration of life." The words of his mother echoed around him as the morning sun poured through his window.
He was sure his father has already returned from making his rounds of delivering various decorations to certain well-frequented establishments. His family was more than likely waiting on him downstairs, aside from Nam, as Cais imagined, traditional to the tee of the past few years where Nam would attend the festival in silence beside the family rather than with them. The day had barely begun and already he felt a weight fill the void of his stomach. Grabbing the ribbon and holding it delicately in hand he opened his door, staring out into the hallway.
"Festival of Spirits." he uttered under his breath. "I'll do my best." He said, then walked to meet his family.
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Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 9:49 pm
It was much too early to be awake. Also his changshan felt itchy. Jianyu frowned, tugging at one of the sleeves as he followed his parents and siblings into the slowly wakening city. The black ribbon tied to his sleeve was almost not visible, since it very nearly matched the color of his outfit. Beside him, Ligiu was holding his right hand, swinging it from side to side as she bounced up and down.
"Jianyu gē ge," she said cheerfully. "Will you dance with me at the festival?"
"Of course, mei mei," he replied, almost automatically. They had reached Main Street now, and it stretched out in front of them, the strings of paper lanterns giving the road a calm, almost ethereal look. Above the treading of his own footsteps, and the sounds of his siblings squabbling and laughing, Jianyu could hear the murmur of voices from the citizens of Lunaria as they began to leave their houses, light candles until the sun rose fully. There was the quiet clattering as windows were pushed open, the thumping of boots on the dirt road, the soft whinny of horses, barks of dogs. Jianyu nodded in the direction of a few people he knew; one or two that he had had the pleasure of tattooing himself. Vaguely he wondered if he would see the others he knew here; his prized student, Huang-Fu, or perhaps Yue, or Yuudai, or even those he disliked, such as Cais or Kiran Tambe (though his dislike for Kiran was not exactly dislike, persay; more like an amusing annoyance). Perhaps he would even make some new acquaintances this Festival.
"Come on, Jianyu gē ge!" Ligiu said with impatience, tugging him forward. The others were all already moving onto Main Street, looking at the booths that would soon be set up. Jianyu smiled.
"Coming, little flower." he said, and stepped into the Festival.
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Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 11:06 pm
Joining the Academy on such an auspicious day was not lost on the femme as she prepared her garments, finding it both suiting and a noble nod to her very reason for taking up arms. Fastening the neck of her cheongsam, she smoothed her long fingers over the golden material at her throat, the black a fine compliment to her equally black fins and dark scales. Not that she was vain, but she wanted to make sure that wearing the colors of heaven and good fortune would not be garish. Against her dark skin and snowy hair, she almost thought she could pass for a lady. It was very near frightening.
Li flicked her amethyst eyes upwards in the mirror, watching her grandmother's hands work with slow diligence to affix her long hair into something manageable and elegant, two things the young woman simply was not used to. The majority of the long locks were pulled into a bun at the crown of her head, loose and flowing. The length that could not be bound was softened into a relaxed braid down her back, just enough of the ivory locks left free to curl over her shoulders. It was lovely and utterly impractical to the would-be warrior, pursing her lips at her reflection with mild disdain.
She felt a soft thump on her shoulder as her grandmother used her own braid as a weapon. "Stop scowling, it is not becoming of you." The woman's piercing, hawk-like eyes were enough to melt the expression off of Li's face.
"Yes, zǔmǔ," came the immediate reply, smiling brightly for her grandmother. She was rewarded with a more affectionate pat of a weathered hand before she was let be to fuss over herself in the mirror. While many of the other fairer of her gender would fuss for perfection, Li was trying not to tear out the delicate comb that kept her hair in place, tugging at the high neck of her cheongsam. It wasn't as unpleasant as it could have been, and for that, the gem-eyed femme counted her blessings. Besides, the event wasn't for her, but for those that were no longer with them. It was a sobering reminder and one that made her stand a little straighter, her expression falling into an easy neutrality.
By the time she was content that she was prepared for the voyage to the festival grounds, her family had gone on ahead to meet up with friends - and to avoid others, namely of the Noble court. Li sighed quietly, picking up the black ribbon left for her and twining it around her bare upper arm, fastening it into a bow with an awkward curl of her hand to do so, satisfied that it didn't look too sloppy or hastened. It had to be done with respect, honoring the tradition and memory of those gone. It was the purpose of the festival and she'd do well to remember such.
It was a surprisingly relaxing walk from her home to the festival grounds, feeling fairly naked in the outfit but not letting it show to the best of her ability, holding herself with strict poise. Li greeted those in passing that she knew - neighbors, vendors she had known over her growth, the dockhands she worked side by side with almost daily for many years of her life - but did not idle to chat with them. The festival could be a time for that, but she did not want to stray or keep others from spending their precious time with those lost and remembered. She had her own special few she wanted to speak with.
Stepping onto the festival grounds, she lifted her hand to shade her purple eyes, peering up to the sky with gratitude. It was a nice day for such a festival, and surely Lunaria was smiling up them--
Her gaze immediately fell at the sudden, sharp movement of some children running by, sidestepping them and lightly bumping against someone else as the kids continued their game of play in youthful obliviousness. "Pardon, my apologies," Li murmured, stepping back into place and turning to face the one she had brushed against, clasping her hands politely and bowing her head to Jianyu and his sister. Her eyes flicked briefly to their arms, narrowly missing the black ribbon against the dark of his clothing. Righting herself, she gave a small smile to the two. "May your loved ones find peace, xiānshēng."(( zǔmǔ = grandmother, xiānshēng = sir ))
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Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 11:18 pm
Crushed petals. That was all Yue could think of, every time she closed her eyes. The black ribbon tied around her arm kept sliding down, so that she pulled it up and into place again, only to have it fall seconds later. She sighed, and adjusted it for what felt like the hundredth time. She hadn't slept since the day before the festival; she had gone to work, wandered around in the night, and then gone home to await the sun. Yowai had finished her business as early as possible, and although it made her uneasy, she had sent one of her more loyal labourers to manage the delivery and sale of alcohol that day, so that she could be with her family. Finally, the sun had begun to rise, and Chishio and Yue set out. They met Yowai half way to the festival streets, so that it wouldn't look overly suspicious.
Yowai walked on her left, Chishio on her right. In her bright cheongsam, Yue felt very ostentatious, but that was her nature, she supposed. Yowai was, as per usual, dressed in her near-black robes, though they were embroidered with a dark red thread this time. Chishio wore robes which complimented her significant other: a similarly dark overrobe with pale green thread grew in vines and leaves around the hems. The red thread of Yowai's robe, on closer examination, formed a rose garden which clustered at the hems, though it decorated the whole of the robe. Flanked as she was by the sombre robes, Yue wondered yet again why Chishio had indulged her by making her such a bright dress.
Yowai knew that Chishio wanted the dress to ward off their daughter's unhappiness. She frowned, inwardly, but said nothing. She would not spoil the day with the observation, and perhaps Yue would be delighted to wear such a different outfit from her normal clothing. She did worry about how bright Yue would seem amongst the more sombre colours, however. Her daughter was so... festive.
Yue Lao, for her part, was mostly able to forget the cheongsam. She had developed a habit of tugging it down so that, ideally, it covered more of her thighs, but to little actual avail. She had to spend too much time adjusting the ribbon to be worrying over the cheongsam anyway. Would she see her friends, her acquaintances, her enemies during the first day of the festival? The cobwebs which upset her were beginning to clear, though it was gradual; the sun seemed to be burning some of the painful memories away. Yowai was right, about her grief. Even the promise of sharing the ritual with her community seemed to ease some of the burden of her memories, the deaths. Yowai had remained largely silent, as she did every Ribbon Day. Yue Lao understood that Yowai could not bear to think of her son on that first day, though she would improve gradually over the next few days.
"Chichi, Yowai?" Yue Lao stopped her mothers before they entered main street. Quickly, she embraced them both. "I love you both, and... whether good or bad, this year I'm going to mourn the dead, but also celebrate the living. I can't help it," she admitted, squeezing her mothers and then pulling away. She flashed them a smile, and tugged again at her cheongsam.
Yowai was silent, still thinking, and Chishio's worried chattering was lost on both her daughter and significant other's ears. Yue Lao was determined to experience the festival fully. She kept looking in every direction at once, trying to absorb the participants already setting up. They passed a booth where Yowai's brewery would be vending drinks and snacks, and Yue couldn't help but steal a glance. She wished she was at home brewing just that instant. Something soft, and again with a hint of plum.
While thinking on that, she nearly walked into Jianyu; not literally, though. There was still quite some distance, but she had managed to wander away from her family and within earshot of Jianyu. He seemed to be with one of his siblings, his younger sister, though she could not remember the sister's name.
"Hey, Yu!--" Yue Lao called out, and waved, before she realized maybe she should have left him be with his family, given the nature of the day. She was hardly one to hesitate, though. Yue Lao swaggered a little closer and planted herself out of arm's reach, but much closer to him. There was another Lunarian there with him, one whom she had not seen before. "As well as Yu's charming sister, and...?" Yue amended, winking, though it was unclear as to whether she winked at Jianyu or his sister, then leaving her statement open-ended. The 'and' rose slightly, as she looked to the stranger, her eyes glittering. A new treat, perhaps? Someone new to read and observe.
Perhaps Yue would see Kiran there. She really hoped she woudn't have to see Shin Mu, if only because the Noble was haughty and boring. Yue equally wondered whether or not she would meet some of the Lunarians Jianyu talked about more often. If nothing else, the plethora of strangers to console and observe in their grieving was not to be missed.
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Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 11:31 pm
Kiran sighed, folding his arms so that they tucked into the sleeves of his yukata. He lost the battle again, and he would probably lose it again next year. I should just stop trying to fight her over this, he thought as he walked along toward Main Street. It was only for this one time during the year, and everyone else dressed in similar clothing. But he just hated wearing the yukata.
Xiuying stopped a couple feet ahead of him and turned around to face him. She wore a dark purple kimono with soft lavender butterflies on it. It looked very suiting on her, unlike the yukata Kiran wore. They both wore a black ribbon around their arm, remembering not only their grandfather's recent death but also prior family deaths. Hurry up, she signed with an excited smile.
Kiran shook his head as a tiny grin crept onto his face. "It's still early. We have plenty of time," he reminded her. When he caught up to her, Xiuying looped an arm around Kiran's left arm. Kiran chuckled at her eagerness to arrive at Main Street and join in the celebration of the festival. She loved going out and seeing what sights the festival would hold each year.
I don't want to miss anything, Xiuying admitted with a blush on her cheeks.
Kiran smiled as he freed his right arm from the sleeve of his yukata. Then he reached over and lightly ruffled his sister's hair, only ruining her hairdo a little bit. Xiuying glared at him and tried to fix the mess he had made of her hair, smoothing out loose strands. As they reached Main Street, Kiran started looking about the crowd to see if anyone he recognized was there yet.
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Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 2:38 am
Proceeding through Main Street was equivalent of herding cattle, at least in Cais's mind. He was in a rather somber mood in light of the festivals' tone for celebration. While in the hustle and bustle of his family navigating the busy streets he had tied the bright red ribbon to his sleeve, holding his arms together so as not to offend his mother with the sight.
In front of him the back of his father's head grew smaller and Cais's pace slowed in the crowd. Dinh turned his head towards his son, motioning him along. "Don't dawdle there, Cais!" He turned back, away from him and threw a glance to his wife as if to signify an inaudible form of communication. This was met with a shrug from Bach Yen, and let her fair eyes to glance back towards the teenage boy now struggling to keep in stride with them, his mind obviously wandering elsewhere.
In years before, Cais had quite enjoyed himself at the festival. Being able to say goodbye year after year and remembering what made those departed souls great. Keeping them alive in his heart. From that moment in the mirror in the morning, Cais knew this Festival of Spirits wasn't going to be the same. "Nnh." A sound escaped his throat as he trudged after the rest of the Trinh clan.
Looking forward he saw endless Lunarian families, melding together towards the same common goal. Already Cais could see familiar faces of many schoolmates, and though not sure of their names, could remember them from one class or another. "But no one to share it with besides family." he muttered, gritting his teeth. It had been a long while since he had taken comfort in a friendly face. All he knew were the people he disliked, and he wasn't precisely keen on seeing them, regardless of the circumstances.
The only truth he knew was that at the first available moment he would retreat to what he knew, to the soul he wanted to remember and celebrate. Moving his sleeves he glanced at the ribbon, feeling it in a hand as he walked. It was something he hadn't really known, but felt compelled... He shook his head to snap out of it and passed along the decorative shops, finding a place beside his sister to walk.
Hein was far more energetic, walking with a spring in her step wearing her usual kimono drenched in the colors of Autumn with intricate patterns. Cais turned to his sister and frowned. "It's not really something to be that happy about, you know."
Hein smiled towards him. "It's called a FESTIVAL for a reason, Cais." She continued to smile, holding up her sleeve with the dark ribbon tied. "Like mom says, it's a celebration of life. Almost like raising the dead by memories, and remembering why they were important and what they mean to us."
"You don't need to recite to me, I know what mom says."
Hein giggled, turning her attention back towards walking. "Then if you knew, you wouldn't have said that. Just let go of your sour behavior today and allow the Festival to take you where it wants to. I think it'll be good for you."
Cais rolled his eyes. He was done taking advice from his little sister and began to walk in silence with the others, already wishing for the day to be over.
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Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 8:20 am
The path she walked along was empty, though that was to be expected. There were no other houses so very far up, and the majority of the worn walkway was used primarily by the Xia family and their many employees. She walked in silence as the peeking of the rising sun spread light and warmth over the glittering city beyond and it's surrounding mountains. A benign smile gracing the pale bow of her lips as the kiss of light painted her dark skin in morning rays, a sprinkling of peridot and citrine scales shimmering like cut gemstones. It was a beautiful morning. Dark sky clear, and lightening by the moment as the sun made it's slow crawl up from the horizon.
She enjoyed the view, the crisp light and promising warmth as she walked in silence for a while. Liu was still with her, she could feel his presence, but he remained quiet, leaving the young noble to her thoughts. It wasn't until she'd begun passing intersecting paths and the shadow of houses that she heard the soft murmur of voices further along the widening walkway. In time she caught up with them, her pace steady and prompt, and among the gathering noble family she saw a vaguely familiar face.
He attended the academy, and if memory served he always wore a very distinctive hat. Today he was dressed in a green yukata with white trim. Cais, his name was Cais, and they shared a class together. She'd been paying her peers more mind lately, and was quite happy with herself for remember the various names and faces of her school mates. In the past they had been nothing but bodies around her. Ignored and shied away from, now? She had a bit more confidence in her deals with those aorund her.
She lingered behind the bright haired young man for a time, letting him converse with his sister. When their conversation ended, Shin moved closer so she would be heard when she spoke. "A festival of death, it does seem oxymoronic." She hadn't exactly been ease dropping, but simply close enough to over hear. "You're Cais," she remarked, smiling softly. "We share a class together at the academy." It was bold that she'd spoken first, approached someone she had never before talked with, but she had learned as of late that bods were worth working for, taking chances for, and she was in desperate need of noble allies.
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Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 12:12 pm
Attending the Festival of Spirits was a must for the inhabitants of the Lotus Temple. Every year was very much the same as the last. The monks and priests of the temple would wear their traditional black Changsha’s with a red ribbon on one sleeve and a black one on the other while they walked in a sedate group to all the gravesites of loved ones…and even those not so loved. Their sect believed in honoring all those long dead, whether they were familiar or not.
Xiu was in the midst of the group, walking closely beside Master Ziye, the head priest, as they all headed down the gently winding path that lead to the cemetery. The student was dressed like his elders, though he still managed to stick out like a sore thumb since he was clearly young while everyone around him was…well, not.
“You seem tense Xiu.” Shyaoran commented lightly as he glanced amusedly at his charge. The boy had been gripping his sleeve tightly for that past twenty minutes.
“I’m not tense Master Ziye. What gave you that idea?” Xiu had abruptly let go of the fabric between his nervous fingers.
“Nothing is going to happen. I promise. Just stick close.” Despite the fact that Master Ziye was smiling pleasantly, Xiu wasn’t relieved in the least. While the yearly visits to the festival had been the same cheerful celebrating, last year had offered something a bit different. And that something was in the form of a frightening spirit who was more evil demon than anything else. Needless to say, the confrontation had not ended well and Xiu had been confined to his bed for the rest of the day.
This was not going to happen this year. As Xiu tilted his head to look up at the overhanging lanterns, he promised himself that he wasn’t going to leave his Master’s side. While he may have caught glimpses of people from the Academy, he refused to leave the comforting presence of his group.
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Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 12:51 pm
Huang eyed the crowd as he walked steadily slow behind his brother. It was odd to be wearing the formal garment that was loose yet restricting of his clothing but that was not the problem. He could see many familiar faces in the crowd of his past classmates. Now a fighter, Huang could do nothing but look on after them as he kept to his brothers shadow, watching in case of anything suspicious.
"Brother, You are not the shadow today while mother is not around." Xiao walked hand in hand with his fiancee Shu, who was content on his arm. Huang envied their easiness together, but Shu was amazing woman all around. Born of a lower class, Shu had captured his brothers heart with her quiet and meek demeanor. Even now, Xiao held her protectively, moving her away from bumping the crowd of people.
"It is what I know Xiao and who I am, Leave me be." Huang smiled behind his brothers back before his eyes catching on the familiar standing of Jianyu, his little sister and the girl from the incident at the academy. Yue...Lao? That was her name. Huang-Fu cocked his head before looking back to his brother who was making googly eyes at Shu.
"Ah, I will take you on the offer for a little freedom brother, for i see Jianyu over that way." Huang motioned as Xiao turned to look. Xiao on the other hand smiled, "Ohohoho my little brother, I have been wanting to meet your Captain, it is only fair that Shu and I accompany you to meet the man that you so often talk about." Xiao smiled at Huang while Shu nodded in agreement.
"Well...Oh alright." Huang shrugged, he could never refuse his benefactor and brother. Or Shu for that matter, Huang wouldn't like to admit that he had a strong protective instinct and indulgence in his brothers Mate.
"Jianyu!" Huang's voice carried over as his brother, Shu and himself made their way to him.
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