⛧ Aʟʟᴇɴ "ɴᴏᴛ ᴀ ᴘʀɪᴇsᴛ" Wᴀʟᴋᴇʀ ★ (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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deercountry2022-07-13 07:21 am
likethelight) wrote in deercountry2022-07-13 07:21 am
TANABATA ⟶ July Sanctuary Log
Sanctuary - TANABATA
"SEE YOU AGAIN, MOM"
The "star festival", celebrating the one time of the year when star-crossed lovers could cross over a sea of stars to meet again. One based on hopes, wishes, and the fervent desire to see each other again. Following the departure of Amaterasu back to the sea, wolf momgod of all who is responsible for the Guardian Saplings including the one Sanctuary has been founded around, Sanctuary is hosting the best approximation to a Tanabata celebration as the Trench will allow. Why? Because hope keeps the trees alive and strong, and Tanabata is about people having hope -- and would have been happening around the same time.
And because people miss dogmom and she would have liked it.
The festival is taking place at Sanctuary, but all Guardian Saplings can be paid visits. Paper for wishes and decorations have been set up at each/given to the other caretakers.
A Sea of Stars
The main hall has been transformed into a living night sky, with jars of hope from the moonlit butterflies back in April hung with care high up, each repacked with a single orb of hope per small vial with care, creating a river of starlike glowing lights overhead. The windows have been covered to aid with the nighttime effect, in addition to helping to keep out the light of the Beast Moon after dark. The gentle glow, as they are literally the tactile hopes and dreams of people, provides a small purifying, uplifting effect to everyone underneath. The light ebbs and flows calmly. The hall is cool as well, thanks to the pale/cold bloodstone cooling system that glows like moonstone along the walls and keeps the indoor areas regulated.
In the evening, as the sun sets, the new choir bell will ring out as well, cleansing corruption entirely from all who hear it. The lights gently pulse in time with it.
Wishes and the Guardian Sapling
The sapling is no longer in bloom, but despite the sweltering heat in full glory. Paper wishes are hung in its branches, along with origami streamers in colorful paper of cranes and other shapes. A bustle of activity is in the cloisters around it in particular, with most tables set up there to keep the courtyard itself clear. Origami streamers are hung in all the doorways leading out to it as well, creating the effect of string curtains, and there are paper lanterns as well.
A life-size stone statue of a wolf bearing a striking resemblance to Amaterasu has been erected next to the sapling, with her most radiantly happy canine expression she could sometimes get. There is room to place offerings for her, and people are encouraged that she would like "all the foods."
Colorful strips of paper (tanzaku) have been cut and placed out on a table in the cloisters surrounding the courtyard, where one can write their wishes for the next year down on them and hang them on the guardian sapling. They come in the following colors with a helpful, but... somewhat hard to read note with arcane handwritten note:
Red will help with wishes relating to ancestors and family, and giving thanks.Food and Activities
Yellow is the color of friendship and is the best choice for wishes about relationships.
White is the color for determination and responsibility, and for making personal resolutions.
Blue represents tranquility and trust and will aid wishes aimed at self-improvement.
Purple is the color to choose if you want to improve your brainpower and skills.
Following all of the best creative recreation methods available to them in Trench, the cooks in the kitchens have been trained by Megumi Fushiguro, among others, on how to best serve culturally appropriate dishes. These foods are served free at little vendor booths in the main hall (with people encouraged to help out and help serve!) and include pawprint mochi (the inside is either chocolate or strawberry), pickled sakura mochi, mitarashi and tricolor dango, chilled somen with a yuzu-soy dipping sauce, various types of filled onigiri, and cut watermelon in a variety of shapes including stars, sunbursts, and pawprints. Many have been made with small amounts of the Paleblood jam from June and have mild corruption cleansing effects as well. Various kinds of tea made from the dried or pickled cherry blossoms and/or leaves of the guardian sapling are being served as well, and they have a corruption-cleansing effect and have been noted as tasting "heavenly". Some of the jams have been cut with fruit juice/lemonade and frozen into popsicles as well... you're welcome, CorruptionPops are now a thing.
Various demonstration and activity tables have been set up including origami, with... questionably penned instructions from Palamedes in an arcane style for several shapes including cranes, sunbursts, stars, and wolves. Various Sleepers familiar with the practice have also been encouraged to set up there and help teach people how, and everyone is encouraged to hang their completed crafts in the guardian sapling. Most of the paper is red, white, pink, and gold. Paper lanterns have been made as well and light up various parts of the whole festivities.
A few vendor booths are set up, including one "selling" white yukata, trimmed in red and gold and bearing a distinctive star pattern on the back of it and intricate embroidery. Most Sanctuary members would receive one for free if they expressed interest, and anyone else can receive one for volunteering their time and helping out. People are encouraged to wear them for the celebration if they didn't have their own; these are styled in honor of Amaterasu.
Koz Orphanage has been specially invited as well, and children from it can be found running around during much of the event and given various activities to do or items to play with.
Sparklers are available for individuals as well, also courtesy of Viktor. Perhaps there might even be glowsticks from someone... :)
Fireworks and Closing Celebrations
On the final night, all the wishes will be gathered from the trees and collected in a ceremonial firepit. The wishes are burnt in order to release them to the heavens to be heard—and perhaps by Amaterasu still at sea—and will be ignited by several Sleepers with fire abilities (Shouto Todoroki, Megumi Fushiguro).
As they're burnt a fireworks display will begin overhead, launched from the steeple up high, courtesy of Viktor and anyone else assisting him in the matter. Anyone outside watching them in the courtyard will have the effects of the Beast Moon diminished by the blessing in effect from Moon Presence. The choir bell will toll a final time at the end, to clear the effects of any lingering corruption, and signal an end to the festivities.
WHAT
Sanctuary is about humane beast purification efforts and corruption relief. Renovations began in May 2022 and room clearing and rebuilding is still in progress. Beast patrol efforts and purification started more in earnest in June-July.
All roles are volunteer on an as-you-can basis up to full time, with time reimbursed by food, shelter, care, and community support. And because it's run by people who BLEED SENTIMENTALITY EVERYWHERE in addition to being founded on discovery of a Guardian Sapling, it's hosting a Tanabata celebration in conjunction with honoring the memory of Amaterasu.
All roles are volunteer on an as-you-can basis up to full time, with time reimbursed by food, shelter, care, and community support. And because it's run by people who BLEED SENTIMENTALITY EVERYWHERE in addition to being founded on discovery of a Guardian Sapling, it's hosting a Tanabata celebration in conjunction with honoring the memory of Amaterasu.
WHEN
Starting July 7, ending after a few days in a final celebration and ceremonial burning of the wishes.
THINGS OF NOTE
Tanabata
➢ Please feel free to presume your character could have helped out with setup if they have any ties to Sanctuary or characters here! If they would provide a food, service, or game they are free to have a table set up.
➢ This event is open to the whole of Trench and would have been freely advertised as such, including as a safe place to treat effects from the Beast Moon and corruption.
General / Member Update
➢ Sanctuary has been blessed by Moon Presence for the month of July, thanks to the efforts of Luna and Sansa. All negative effects of July and the Beast Moon are lessened within its walls, and anyone meaning Sanctuary or the people in it will be physically repelled. Lunar flowers have begun growing up the sides of the monastery in earnest like morning glories as a result.
➢ as of June, coordinated efforts to patrol Trench on their own and save Beasts and people both have begun. Members will be on a group chat in order to coordinate with each other and reach out to purification Sleepers when encountering Beasts. Everyone is encouraged to work in teams, especially to partner with someone who can purify Beasts or corruption.
➢ a training facility has opened up, with currently self-defense hand-to-hand combat classes being taught by Jason and others willing to train others encouraged to come forward. Fighters on patrol and wardens will be contacted to let them know about open sparring times so members can coordinate better in fights. There is an indoor room with training dummies (that fight back courtesy of Viktor) that opens up into an outdoor space between two of the long halls that can also be used.
➢ Please feel free to presume your character could have helped out with setup if they have any ties to Sanctuary or characters here! If they would provide a food, service, or game they are free to have a table set up.
➢ This event is open to the whole of Trench and would have been freely advertised as such, including as a safe place to treat effects from the Beast Moon and corruption.
General / Member Update
➢ Sanctuary has been blessed by Moon Presence for the month of July, thanks to the efforts of Luna and Sansa. All negative effects of July and the Beast Moon are lessened within its walls, and anyone meaning Sanctuary or the people in it will be physically repelled. Lunar flowers have begun growing up the sides of the monastery in earnest like morning glories as a result.
➢ as of June, coordinated efforts to patrol Trench on their own and save Beasts and people both have begun. Members will be on a group chat in order to coordinate with each other and reach out to purification Sleepers when encountering Beasts. Everyone is encouraged to work in teams, especially to partner with someone who can purify Beasts or corruption.
➢ a training facility has opened up, with currently self-defense hand-to-hand combat classes being taught by Jason and others willing to train others encouraged to come forward. Fighters on patrol and wardens will be contacted to let them know about open sparring times so members can coordinate better in fights. There is an indoor room with training dummies (that fight back courtesy of Viktor) that opens up into an outdoor space between two of the long halls that can also be used.
➢ with the hidden archives now unlocked, scholarly members of Sanctuary are encouraged to help study them and uncover other artifacts—and especially the strange new locked door discovered within.
➢ there is a family of batcat kittens old enough to be crawling everywhere throughout the building now. They might still be learning manners and latch onto you in an overexcitement to taste your blood from time to time.
➢ the large communal baths have been cleared out and renovated, thank god. They run on being open to male-identifying characters for one set of hours, female-identifying for another, and the rest of the time operate on "nobody cares". Privacy screens are hung between the tubs though—one side is regularly cooled down with ice for the hot months.
➢ with more people needing safe harbor during the Beast Moon and rising violence from natives during July, more actual rooms have been cleared out and are free to use for anyone who will also help work to maintain the place (chores, grounds keeping, etc.). There are always spare beds in the infirmary wing as well.
➢ members who patrol or purify beasts/fight in some way now have access to various relic items that have been donated for use for when they are actively on patrol. These will eventually be tracked in the member spreadsheet... eventually. Just give them back when you're done.
➢ Viktor and K's efforts have resulted in the lunar generator coming online and bringing lunar lighting and cooling throughout the building via a cold-pale bloodstone network. Rejoice!
➢ There is now a small, hidden stash of coffee bartered from Dabi. Someone might have to pry it from Viktor's jittery fingers.
This log is WIDE OPEN for Tanabata festivities and serves as the general log for Sanctuary for the month. Go wild and do whatever you want, have fun with your top levels, etc. :)
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Better for both of them he crushed his initial thought though.
Wouldn't it be easier just to take two pieces of paper? Who's to say you can't? He's pretty sure he saw others doing that. But Shouto seems to work out something that works for him and that's all that matters so Allen says nothing, chewing thoughtfully for a moment before he smiles lightly. ]
Mm. That sounds good.
[ His eyes cross slightly for a moment though when Shouto offers him the rest of the dango, unfocusing and then refocusing on it before glancing up at the other boy with a lightly surprised, curious look. Oh.
... hesitating only for a moment, his fingers curl a little tighter before he leans in to take the last dumpling. Teeth set lightly against it and tongue swiping along the line of sauce that's slowly started to drip down before he pops it off in his mouth and sits back to chew, releasing the other boy's wrist in the process.
He tips his head back, looking over at Shouto with a quieter, but thoughtful expression. ]
You know, there was a reason I was hoping to see you here, actually.
1/2
Pleased, he makes plans to get another skewer later, remembering his recently made plans to portion out at least three times his portion size to Allen. ]
2/2
A reason? His thoughts slow, hesitate, and his eyes lose their spark. His brows pinch in slightly as he looks over at Allen with a neutral expression. ]
What reason?
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How dare you call him out like this.But he offers a light smile in response to the question, whimsical and a little hard to read. ]
I said I'd replace your earring, didn't I? [ The paleblood cuff he'd asked to keep after it was still on his ear after being in his nightmares. And he reaches inside one of the sleeves of his yukata to fish around for something. ]
It took me a while to find someone who could replicate it properly, but I finally did.
[ He pulls out a tiny pouch, which he hands over to Shouto. Inside he'll find an earcuff made in the same simple style, made of paleblood as well. ]
There's a slight design on this one. [ His tone is a little sheepish or shy, it's hard to tell, and he scratches at his cheek lightly with index finger as Shouto pulls it out. ] I asked but he said it's dependent on each person's blood. [ The shifting patterns unique to each person's blood when turned to stone.
In this case, Allen's that takes the form of a white starburst.]
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You did?
[ He stares, dumbfounded, having forgotten about the earrings with so many other pressing matters at the time. He watches Allen fumble through his yukata, pulling out a tiny pouch and handing it to him. Shouto takes it after a moment's hesitation turning over to see the small design etched in the center, missing Allen's shy turn when he realizes what he's seeing. ]
... It's the north star.
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The observation has him giving a small nod, watching Shouto's expression more closely. ]
It does look like that, doesn't it? [ Not an etching of one either but the natural quality of the bloodstone itself, much like a white star sapphire. ]
I'd never had a bloodstone made before, so I didn't realize they would look like that.
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Do you [ he looks up at Allen ] like it?
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He blinks, expression becoming gentle. ]
...do you?
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1/2
Ah. I'm really happy with how it came out? [ floundering. how does he word this. it's beautiful, technically, he knows. but that's besides the point, moreover, it's... ]
It's... appropriate, I think. Somehow.
[ That was the sense he had when he first saw it, even if it's surreal to see the form a part of you takes outside your body. ]
I don't know. It's strange thinking about how your own blood looks. But...
2/2
...I like this better.
[ He reaches up to touch the cuff that's still on his left ear and smiles, his expression becoming softer and distant, lost in thought. ]
Because it reminds me of you.
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His eyes shift up to meet his, head tilting slightly as he nods at his answer, confirming something to himself in the silence of his thoughts. ]
It's the same with yours.
[ Ice forms over his right hand, encapsulating the mitarashi sauce. It breaks off cleanly from his skin, hitting the ground and shattering in dark crystalline pieces. Free of the sweet dango sauce, Shouto carefully picks up the cuff from his palm, holding it between thumb and forefinger, admiring the design. ]
It suits you. [ Then, shifts his admiration back to its source. ] Can I put it on you?
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[ "It suits you," would normally strike him more, but in this moment Shouto's presumption of the gift's intended recipient has him staring, somewhat dumbfounded. ]
It's... for you. [ He blinks, reaching up to touch the one still on his own ear. ] To replace this one.
[ Blinking, again. Trying to piece that together. ]
Did... you want me to put it on you?
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Can I put it on you?
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Allen hesitates too, gaze flickering between Shouto's and the cuff in his hand uncertainly. ]
Why?
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So, it knows you first... like mine.
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Allen stares for a moment, more than a little fascinated. But blinks and shakes that off at realizing what his motives actually are, and this time stares for a different reason entirely. You... it was because you wanted it to be the same sort of thing between them, then? Something attuned and belonging to.
That's... incredibly touching, actually. And his expression softens into a gentle smile, warmed. ]
Okay. [ He reaches out to snag Shouto's wrist again lightly, and guides his hand up so he can lean his cheek against it; a gesture meant to apologize as much as reassure. Don't sulk. ]
You can put it on me then.
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[ An apology of sorts for his stubbornness, even if he doesn't realize it. He lets Allen maneuver his hand without protest, some of the initial apprehension going away at the comforting gesture. Still, there's a bit of nervous energy in the mindful manner he proceeds.
Gently nudging his hair over his ear, Shouto is attentive and precise, his movements meticulous, as he slips the cuff over his ear, christening the bloodstone to his skin so that it knows him. So that he will know him. ]
Can you... keep it for the rest of the night?
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Strange.
He touches the starburst design on it absently, gaze flickering back to Shouto quietly. ]
Mm. I will. [ He hesitates at the other boy's expression, the lightly stern set of his mouth and in many ways how he so usually looks, before reaching out to touch the side of his face. Fingers skimming lightly along the edges of his bangs before brushing slowly (thoughtfully) against his cheek. ]
I'll give it to you properly tomorrow, okay?
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It suits you.
[ Is all he says on the matter, nodding at the response. Truthfully, he only intended to ask him to wear it for a few minutes, but after the initial roadblock, he felt he needed more time so the cuff wouldn't feel unwanted. In that regard, a full night, is far more than he would have asked for and he readily accepts; the offer clearing the rest of the nervous energy that started to dissipate already. ]
Who was the crafter?
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I think it'll suit you too. [ It's gentle and genuine as much as it's also the smallest sort of huff. It's still meant for you, you know. He must really suck at giving gifts.
Actually... it's the first actual one Allen's ever given, come to think of it. Putting aside apology and gratitude offerings. ]
It was made by a jeweler I know over in Willful Machine. [ His tone trails off a little then, reminiscent. His feet swing loosely for a moment in the air. ]
I met him when his daughter had become a beast.
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Maybe my right side.
[ White hair, same as his mother's. Same as Allen's, but there's no piercing there. For some reason, his patron chose his left side to gift him with. He still doesn't know why. ]
Did you save her?
[ He asks, eyes finally slipping from the star to Allen, a curious look in his eyes. He drifts closer, shoulder leaning toward him like being pulled by a calm, invisible force. ]
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I did. [ He says it gently and soberly as he scoots a little closer in response, until their sides are pressed lightly together. Shored up like that. His demeanor quiet and reflective, peaceable, though he laughs lightly for a moment too at recalling something, looking over at Shouto with a smile and a brighter, amused look in his eye. ]
He said she helped make it too.
[ She's six. ]
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They both did a good job.
[ He says, a warmth in his eyes as he falls into his orbit. He grows warm, not by much, but noticeable with his left shoulder pressing into his right. With his right hand, still cool from his earlier use of ice, he brushes some of his hair away from his ear to expose the bright star of the ear cuff. ]
Do you like it?
[ He asks a third time, mouth gently curving up, admiring the simple beauty of his bloodstone. ]
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He leans a little deeper into the contact at feeling the warmth emanating from Shouto's side though, eyes drifting shut momentarily. It might have been surreal at first, realizing how his actual temperature could shift, but he finds a comfort in the warmth now. Grounding, like Shouto himself is. Especially with realizing the likely reason for it.
He blinks slightly when Shouto brushes the hair from his ear again, the loose strands not quite long enough to tie back into his ponytail. It tickles slightly, but that's not why he gives him a briefly curious look. ]
? [ He keeps asking that. There's a reason for that, if he understands anything it's that Shouto always has a reason for everything, even if it's not obvious. There's something else important there he's not quite getting, he realizes that much. Does he like it...
He blinks, but smiles then. And catches the other boy's hand gently before he withdraws, bringing it back up to his face so he might nuzzle his palm lightly in response. With a quiet sort of reverence. ]
I like it. [ Though not for the reasons Shouto might be asking.
He likes it because it's why he's looking at him like that, with such a gentle and soft sort of expression. A faint smile-- and that makes him happier than anything. ]
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