[CLOSED] The Midsummer Dance

[Sikukuu Pride]

Next mule posts: Wednesday-ish, and then a final one this weekend.

The Midsummer festival has been a roaring success so far, despite the unusually warm and dry weather lately. The minors of the pride have been tucked in for the night, and most adults have gathered around an area where the dry grass have been flattened by many feet. The Kaskazi clan must have worked hard to make such a smooth dancing area! They've even tried to sweep the dancing area, but the ground is very dry so the dancers will probably kick up some dust anyway. Hollow logs that will be used as drums have been dragged in place to the side of the dancing ground.

As soon as the sun sets the dance will start, and the last one standing at sunrise will be declared the new Dance Master of Sikukuu.

Rules

1. You need an adult SoA to enter the dance.

2. All species are allowed, and it doesn't matter if your SoA is in Sikukuu, in another pride or a rogue.

3. Familiars can't join the dance, but they may watch and help the dancers with water and the like.

4. If you don't own a SoA yet you may enter the RP as a non-lined animal (like a lizard or small rodent) watching the dance. You can't win the dance, but the RP posts can count for the participation raffle.

5. If a God/Goddess wishes to join they better be in disguise. They might be accused of cheating otherwise!

6. Every post should be a RP post. Please try to post more than a few sentences if you want your post to be a valid ticket in the participation raffle.

7. If you make your RP post but forget to roll: quote that post and make the roll in the quote post. Don't delete anything!

8. You may enter the dance with more than one character, but please make separate posts for them and stick to the same posting order for your characters during the event. (Ie. You'll always make Bob's roll first, then Jane's roll, and finally Lisa's roll, all in separate posts)

9. Don't delete posts. We'll find out, and you'll be sorry.

10. There's a small risk of injury, but you get to decide the fate of your own character.

11. Have fun, and play nice!

Rewards

- The winning SoA will receive the IC title of Dance Master and the player will be able to pick the lioness or the wild dog pup. (The remaining one will be raffled off among the participants)
- Each RP post counts as a raffle ticket for the participation raffle.
- OOCarrots might be given out to anyone that participates.
- Sikukuu staff can't win any of these prizes, and the owners of the pup's parents can't win him.  

[Sikukuu Pride]

How to play

- The mule posts will give instructions for the different rolls, but generally high number = good.

- The SoA with the highest cumulative score at the end will be the winner.

- If you "fail" your roll you'll still be able to continue dancing, but some kind of penalty will apply for the next roll. (You might get a -10 modifier, or perhaps a lower max roll for your next roll. The mule posts will explain what to do!)

- A roll-post without any RP will cause a penalty even if the roll was high enough.

- To avoid getting this penalty: Write the RP post first, and modify it later if you want to do that after seeing the roll.

- You can keep going if you miss a roll, or jump in late, but you will not get a score for the rolls you missed.


(Luckily there is a medic present that can help your character if they hurt themselves.)


Key players

The Dance Master

Heimdall joined Sikukuu several summers ago. He came for the Midsummer celebration and liked it so much he decided to stay when the party was over. He works as an entertainer for the Mrao clan and dance is his passion. He was last year's winner, so he was offered to be the one leading the dance this year. He obviously can't win this year, but as Dance Master he'll keep track of the dancing and make sure everyone is having a good time.

The Medic

Esteryti is Heimdell's mate, and was born in the pride. She found a penchant for working with the sick or injured, and has spent time in other prides to learn their healing techniques. She tends her own little garden of healing herbs, using them to the benefit of others. She is here with her mate to watch over the dancers, to tend any small injuries, and to be sure everyone stays hydrated.

Note: Medic is a new rank for Sikukuu. It will be RP required, and if you're aiming for a rank change this meta will present opportunities for your character.  

[Sikukuu Pride]

The sun hung like a large orange egg at the horizon, and the sky blazed like fire and blood. It seemed to have dressed up in its finest colors for the occation. This was one of the high points of the Midsummer festival after all. The crowd that had been buzzing with excitement gradually fell silent. Soon... When the sun finally started to sink the Kazaki performers started to drum out a slow rythm on the hollow logs. The air still felt hot, but hopefully that would change as soon as the sun disappeared completely. The rythm changed as the sun turned into a tiny sliver and finally sunk below the horizon. The drummers pounded on the hollow logs faster and faster, and then they stopped as suddenly as they had started to play.

A large blue lion stepped onto one of the logs to allow everyone to see him clearly. Members of the pride would recognise him as last years Dance Master, Heimdall of the Mrao clan. He joined several summers ago, but he's lived in Sikukuu long enough to be a familiar face among the other members. He cleared his throat and prepared to speak.

---

Some might think it strange that a Mrao lion would lead a Kaskazi event, but Heimdall did win last years dance. And since he's leading and judging the dance this year he can't win, so it's good news for his dancing rivals!

"Welcome to the Midsummer Dance!" he boomed, "We will dance until the sun shows itself again, and at that time we will be able to announce this years Dance Master of Sikukuu!"

He smiled at an earth colored lioness standing beside the dancing ground. Most would recognise her as one of the pride's rare Medics. Esteryti was born into the Kaskazi clan and had been involved in many of the games today. Even the visitors from outside Sikukuu should recognise her face by now.

"And since my dear mate will have my hide if I forget to say this," he said and winked to Ester, "Remember to drink enough water and rest if you feel lightheaded or in pain. We don't want any injuries this year!"

He gave a sign to one of the performers, and they started tapping a dance friendly beat.

"Let the dance begin!" he called.


exclaim Warming up! Roll 1-100 with your RP post. To pass this roll without a penalty you'll need to beat the number 5.

1: Medic! gonk
2-5: Not very smooth... You probably didn't warm up enough before starting to dance.
6-90: Doing good so far!.
91-100: Look at those moves eek

The next mule post will be on Sunday or Monday.  

[Lt Gnatty-Bug]

Kifu loved to dance. Just because he could not actually see his own flailing spastic movements did not turn him off from the lull of the music. And because he could not see what everyone else was doing, he was never afraid to be the first one to start. He grinned as the beat thrummed and the lion opened the dance floor, hopping right onto it. His tail swished and he bounced, picking up the beat.
The dog was not cautious or timid when it came to movement, but he still wanted to feel the music before completely cutting loose. The beat was steady, for now, and he could work with that, even if he preferred a little more variation in his dance music. Kifu started off with some basic – step, step, rock, step. Everyone should know this little movement, and he knew it would keep him stationary, therefore not bumping into anyone else – or the fire.  

[SilverLutz]

Hila was always up for a party, that much was to be said. The cheetah traveled from place to place looking for fun and pretty females, and he had certainly found his lot today. He watched the festivities leading up to the main even with an easy smile on his lips, golden eyes watching the other creatures. This was going to be fun, that much was for sure.

A large blue lion introduced the event. Ah...a dance. Perfect. Hila wasn't particularly skilled in any sort of traditional dance, but he could certainly move with the best of them. He padded forward, golden eyes gleaming from under his hood, and began to move with a wild dog that also decided to join. The beat was steady for the time being, and the cheetah mimicked the motions of the canine.

"You seem to know what you're doing," he said politely, teeth and eyes shining in the firelight under the shadow the cowl provided. "Do you enjoy dancing?" Always nice to make polite conversation, after all. Hila didn't charm the men like he did the women, but he was never one to ignore a potential partner in crime.  

[Talencia]

Esteryti smiled at her Dance Master mate as he set the competition going. Of course she'd never truly abuse him if he had forgotten to mention hydration, but it still made her chuff a soft laugh at his antics. She sat to one side of the clearing that was the dance area. Beside her sat many gourds filled with fresh water. The stream wasn't really all that far from here, for those who cared to dash over there and drink before returning to dance, but she preferred to keep some always at the ready.

Also with her were several packs with various medicinal things in them. Leaf wraps, cloth for bandages, small sealed containers of various unguents and salves, and a very few drinkable or edible medicines. She didn't anticipate needing these last, but it never hurt to be prepared. She nodded greetings to a cowled cheetah as he passed her to join a wild dog in dancing. "G-g-good luck!" she called cheerfully, completely ignoring her own stutter.  

[Siire]

After traveling for days just to get to a certain place, he finally arrived, only to see others, well, dancing! Seeing mostly lions, but some other breeds like his own breed, dancing he went ahead and walked up to him and decided to join with a smile. Getting with the group, he laughed a bit as he danced, shaking his green tush around. Step forward, step forward, slid forwards but slightly sideways, jump forward, do a turn, slide fully forward, then again. The music and dance was making him use the moves from his home though he didn't even realize it.

He was doing pretty good! Step, step, step step, he was enjoying having to dance already.

 

[Sikukuu Pride]

Lt Gnatty-Bug

OOCarrot for Kifu for being the first one on the dancefloor!  

[Graceangel]

Auri casually approached the festival location. He had just been out exploring and aimlessly wandering to satisfy a sudden desire to roam the land he had this summer. It was a feeling unlike he had ever had. He had no previous desire to leave his homelands for any reason, till lately.

Once he had ventured close enough to hear the music and see some who wer dancing. His eyes grew rather large. His tail was already tapping itself to the beat before his mind caught up. Well if this wasn't some kind of ironic sort of luck. As a guy who'd spent his whole life with the Nchi, he was no stranger to dancing. In fact, he considered his form of dancing a gift among male lions. Whether it was truly any good or not had never truly been tested since many who knew him were happy to leave him to his vain delusions of self-grandeur.

He hopped right into a spot that would look like he had been there all along and started up his routine. He hoped his intro was catching up to the beat and rhythm quickly.  

[Annchen]

Vappu had really enjoyed this day so far. She had enjoyed a long nap during the mid-day heat since she knew the dance would keep everyone up all night. The Midsummer night was short, but she suspected it would seem very long for the dancers. She had danced last year, only to end up with a sprained paw... Oddly enough it was more tiring to dance for a long time than to run for a long time, and being a cheetah she was better suited for shorter sprints than for marathon dancing apparently.

But her failure last year wasn't going to stop her from enjoying the party this year! For now she just watched the others, tail tapping to the beat of the drums. She secretly cheered for the handsome cheetah dancing near the tan dog. It would be great if a cheetah won this year, even if it wasn't her... And he looked kind of cute in that hood... This was what she loved with her pride. Lions and wild dogs and cheetah's dancing together without a care in the world!

"Great dancing guys!" she called from the sidelines.  

[Kallysto]

Noelani's mind was blissfully quiet as she watched the dancers, keeping time with her paw. Sure, she was sometimes a solitary lioness but this was her home. Her pride had always valued celebration and Noe could not help but do the same. They knew how to throw a party and Kaskazi events were rarely dull.

With a smile, the lioness watched as her mother jumped in and laughed a bit. Grace had never been her mother's things, that was for sure, but it never stopped her from having a good time.

Noe's eyes flashed over to the little ones who had been instructed not to move and, thus far, had listened. That was good. That meant Noe could jump in and not worry so much about them wandering off or getting in trouble. It wasn't like they were her responsibility, and her mother was always good about keeping a watchful eye on them, even when she was busy.

With a laugh, Noelani jumped in after her mother, deciding that tonight she was going to let her cares wash away with the beat.

As she danced, she began to notice strangers and this made her smile even more. Friendly company was wonderful and the Sikukuu was happy to have visitors join in on their celebrations. It made it all the sweeter that they could share their happiness with others.  

[Talencia]

The blind wild dog had arrived shortly after the sun set. The joyous noise of drums and voices had attracted her from the boundless rogeulands. Such celebration was appealing, and Dauer had guided her two puppies towards the sound. She was cautious as she approached, as the gloom of dusk was her most difficult traveling time. Everything blended into greys, blues, and purples. Still, the sound drew her on, and her boys helped her to know what was inanimate objects moved by the wind, and what were actual creatures.

As it turned out, there were a lot of creatures! Dauer moved slowly, keeping her white puppy to her right, and her brown backed puppy on her left side. The poor things were so tired, she only knew they were there by the sound of their paws scuffling parallel to her. "Come children," she said softly to them, "let's find a spot to sit and watch for a bit, hmm?" The puppies whuffled weary agreement, obediently following their mother to a spot not far from the drumming animals. Dauer herself saw the swirling colors of those near her as well as those out in the open space. One of her puppies piped up in his small voice, "Mama, they're dancing!"

"Are they?" she asked, gathering the two babies close to her, settling them down between her paws. "That sounds like fun, doesn't it?" She gave each a nuzzle, nudging them encouragement to curl up and get comfortable. If she was lucky, they'd doze off before long, and perhaps she could get someone to talk to her about where she was, and waht was going on.  

[Ctrl F Greenie]

Nazli had traveled a great distance, one she had not been expecting travel her entire life, especially alone. Once a strong pride, the Ukuucha Wafalme held her safe and tight in its caring arms. Now a shadow of what it had been Nazli found herself free to roam. She had not found a pad by the time the fortress had fallen and many had already dispersed. Weary and a little distraught with the situation it was to her pleasant surprise that sounds of joy and laughter spilled into the air in an unending wave. It was absolutely music to her ears.

It did not take her long to make the decision; she would go towards the sounds. It had been far to long since she had last heard such happy sounds. Still, she was very cautious upon approaching and to her shock, there should have been no need. Cautious, against a bunch of dancers? She nearly laughed at herself, the sillyness of her worries was enough to make her smile at least.

Curious as to what was going on she looked about for some direction and found her hips already bobbing a bit, the dancing she was witnessing was certainly contagious! She had never danced before, so she worried very little about the way she looked. Grace was of little importance.  

[Depawsit]

She hadn't been walking very long, when the sounds of celebration hit her ears. Normally, she would have continued to walk not interested in the things strangers did with their lives. But after meeting a certain male not too long ago, her perspective on strangers had changed ... if only a little. Curiosity abounded, as she picked up her pace, and twitched her ears to pin point the sounds exact location. She knew they couldn't be far away, as the sounds were still crisp, something that would be lost had she been out of its range.

As she walked, she became more and more curious. Where was she going, what was the music for, who was she going to meet?!

Her answers were soon solved as she came across the large field. There were all sorts of critters standing around, listening with interest to a large blue male. Perhaps she should listen to? As he explained how things worked, her tail flicked a bit in excitement, perhaps she'd participate too!

Hopping out onto the dance floor, she began to shake and wiggle to the beat. She didn't know if she was a good dancer or not, she'd never had anyone around to tell her that information. But it still wasn't going to stop her from having some fun anyway! As she danced though, she came to notice a cheetah, sitting idly on the sidelines. She seemed interested in the event, and the others involved, but somehow didn't participate herself. Shrugging her shoulders a bit, she danced her way over to the cheetah and smiled.

"Why not join in the fun?

Seems like you're missing out on quite the shin dig!"

Annchen