⛧ Aʟʟᴇɴ "ɴᴏᴛ ᴀ ᴘʀɪᴇsᴛ" Wᴀʟᴋᴇʀ ★ (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
likethelight) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
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. :)
no subject
His smile quickly fades and his tone resets. ] Yes, I know she would like that. [ Gesturing towards the butsudan. Bending down reaching into his shadow, he pulls out a neatly wrapped bundle and places it on top. Lightly tugging the cloth back reveals a small wooden box with two white candles, incense, a handful of cherries, a bowl of rice, a few small bowls, sand from the shore and- of course homemade dog treats. The smell alone causes Pepper to stir. Megumi shoots him a look ]
Uh-huh [ quickly the tiny pup circles around before sitting back down next to Rio.
Taking each item out and lining them up ]- First we will prepare the butsudan by lighting these two candles. [ Picking one up his hand extends offering Viktor the second candle. ]
no subject
[he pulls out his own offer, a couple of mochi and a dango, one of the ones he made himself in all this. it felt fitting, all things considered, and though the atmosphere is a little melancholy his lips quirk at pepper.
he takes the candle, placing the food carefully to the side for now and pulling out the lighter he's been using for sparklers. when he lights his candle he leans it so megumi can light his own candle off of it, asking,] Is this ceremony part of Tanabata festivals usually?
no subject
Not usually Tanabata, but it is associated with another summer festival known as Bon. This is kumotsu or an offering given to our ancestors and loved ones who are no longer with us. Since Tanabata and Ammy were being celebrated together, I thought this would be a good way to honor her return to the sea.
[ He's not religious by any means, but he respects Ammy, and knows she had a divine quality and aura about her. This is the only way he knows how to incorporate his culture and traditions with her absence in a coherent way .]
Now we place our food offerings for her on top of the butsudan. [As he picks up the handful of cherries and places them in one of the small bowls he can't help but smile. The mood is a bit heavy, but he doesn't think Ammy would mind him sharing this, especially if it would bring a smile or two. ]
You know she told me someone very important to her used to call her my cherry. It took me long enough but after some research I realized she ment mon chéri. It's French for my dear. I promised to tell her what it meant but never got the chance.
[The altar is neat as he leaves ample space for Viktor to place his sweet treats. She would love this entire meal dearly. ]
no subject
[which he rather hopes this tradition will continue, for her and others. there's something cathartic about it, the physical offering. growing up hungry made food important, it has an appropriate weight to hand it over like this.
so he picks up his offerings again, lets his cane rest to the side and puts his weight on his good leg so he can neatly place them. A couple of the mochi, a dango not quite as impressive as others the cooks made. he watches them even as he lets out a soft, amused exhale at the story.]
So the cherries. [he glances over and asks,] Could you put the message on those strips of paper? That is why we are burning them in the end, yes? So they can be heard.
no subject
You really think it could become a tradition here? [His eyes soften and his tone holds a mix of surprise and excitement masked behind his usual stoic approach.
Oops his young age is showing.]I'm really happy to see everyone enjoying this. I didn't know if it was going to be possible-[ a pause. Turning around and being met by the colorful origami hanging from the tree, people smiling and walking by dressed in their yukata. The unmistakable smell of grilled meat dipped in teriyaki floating through the air. It's like all of the past summers he can remember.] - but seeing it all come together feels unreal. [The corners of his lips tug up ever so slightly forming a small elusive smile. Eyes holding back some other emotion. Nostalgia.
Watching Viktor place his homemade offering on the small altar. Everything made with heart. All the foods with all the care put into everything.
Just as he finishes, Megumi picks up two small bowls filled with black sand.]
I never thought about it like that, [ Turning towards him,] but you're right. [Pushing his pragmatic impulses to the side, sharing that bit about the cherries with Ammy through the tanzaku is a great idea. Handing Viktor a stick of incense he pinches the tip with his thumb and index finger. A small trail of smoke begins to climb into the air.]
no subject
and then a glance back to megumi, who he indeed forgets is quite young. his lips quirk.] I'll make better fireworks next year. Practice makes perfect, after all.
[admittedly the future is a complicated subject too, if he'll be around for it, back to the ocean or even this body truly giving out beyond what his blood could save. for the evening he's willing to try a dash of optimism. if they are still here maybe they'll meet under the tree again and tell ammy what she's missed.
he takes the incense, watching curiously as megumi lights it. coldblood, yes. useful trick.] I've seen people using it as a chance to write to those not here with us. I'm not sure that is exactly the tradition but it seems fitting.
no subject
Isn't that the truth- [the bit about practice- just being here has taught him so many skills he may never have been exposed to at home.
Aware that he's told you this already but-] thank you for making them. I had no idea fireworks were going to happen until you told me, and I don't think many people expect to see any at all. [A dry smile.] Having any here, is accomplishing a feat.
[But he knows how Viktor is and sees how he pushes himself to make better and better versions of things he's made before. In truth, that's something he looks up to in him. There was a point in his life where he often needed others to push him in order for him to grow. Hearing Viktor always strive for more reminds him he should too.
Taking the incense, he fluidly moves his right hand around the butsudan while fanning the trail of smoke with the other. Once satisfied he takes the remaining bit, placing the stick into the black sand.] The last section will burn off on its own.
[Ah the part about writing to those who are not with us] That's also something done during the Bon festival.
[Considering for a moment who he would want to write to.] Is that what you're going to do?
no subject
[a touch sentimental but ah well, sometimes it's appropriate. he watches the incense get placed in, takes a moment to enjoy the scent of it along with whatever scents come from the food stalls around.
the deep breath makes his lungs twinge but he manages to keep from coughing, releasing the breath as he considers megumi's question.] I might try, though in truth I am not sure it would mean much. Perhaps it is unhealthy but I prefer not to dwell on those who are not here.
... then again, our talk of Ammy was helpful. Thank you for that. [more the shared stories over the omni, it was surprisingly nice, a faint bit of closure.]