likethelight: (807)
⛧ Aʟʟᴇɴ "ɴᴏᴛ ᴀ ᴘʀɪᴇsᴛ" Wᴀʟᴋᴇʀ ★ ([personal profile] likethelight) wrote in [community profile] 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.
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.
Food and Activities
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.
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.

➢ 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. :)

unphase: (I can't reach you)

(CW: underage drinking referred)

[personal profile] unphase 2022-07-22 08:56 pm (UTC)(link)
[she had indeed been fed before they went out, but Moonlight is like her person, never satisfied. only in Moonlight's case, it's never satisfied with fish. and as soon as she has access to the fish, Moonlight tucks into it with the air of one who's been starving for years] I have. I arrived in January and even then, I didn't feel the weather. I put on a coat for the sake of others, but I never really needed it.

Yes. Everyone has things in their past they'd rather not let others see. The other world. That, I'd keep from everyone if I could. But I know the decision's not in my hands. Or anyone's, other than the Pthumerian of the month. [and at his question, she considers]

I have...been veering wildly between being myself and being the me who's angry at the entire galaxies for what I've been through. [a pause] I've broken a fair amount of rocks glasses during those moments.
mehanizovati: (52)

[personal profile] mehanizovati 2022-07-23 06:29 am (UTC)(link)
How was the food situation? I admit I've been a bit concerned about shortages. [he does need a moment to just enjoy moonlight tucking in. ah, cats. but the kettle whistles and he goes to it, getting out the tea pot and leaves.

green tea mixed with petals from the sakura tree ammy made- a corruption remedy that lowers it a bit, and in general is just pleasant.]


I wish it didn't often feel like a poor attempt at teaching us a valuable lesson about ourselves. [dry, a touch bitter. he glances over, a nod of understanding there. he definitely doesn't know the whole story but given how angry hearing about her husband managed to make him? he can imagine a little.]

I admit, I have felt something similar this month, at times. I imagined I was just annoyed at certain circumstances and revelations. [a shake of the head.] No broken glasses yet. Sounds cathartic, honestly.
unphase: (I guess I'm an underwater thing and I)

[personal profile] unphase 2022-07-23 09:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Fish were plentiful enough still, but if you wanted a side of anything but rice, you were out of luck. No fresh fruits or vegetables for a long time. Longer than I liked, anyway. [Moonlight is well aware of how adorable she is, even when doing things like eating. she takes after her human that way.

and it smells delicious. and the anti-corruption aspect helps. she's rather afraid of corruption, given what she's seen it do to others in the past]


Honestly. If I wanted to delve so deeply into my psyche, I'd rather it be someone trained and educated for it. [in the other world, she'd had Hannibal to serve as both a counselor and a father figure. but she knows that if she ever sees him again, he won't know her anymore]

Broken glasses are far better than breaking someone's face. One you have to apologize and make amends with, the other you can just sweep it up in a dust pail and that's that. [and it gives her another excuse to go shopping. she wonders if that's she'll ever do, lend herself as a shoulder to cry on (as usual) and go shopping]
mehanizovati: (31)

[personal profile] mehanizovati 2022-07-25 05:51 am (UTC)(link)
Ah, good to know. I wonder if trying to fund some sort of greenhouse would be helpful there. [he's quiet as he considers it, but ultimately he knows the trench always seems to find a way to complicate things. he could easily survive off fish and rice, and it's better than the trench going truly hungry.] I suppose I'll try to tell them here we should make some preserves at least.

[viktor lifts his cup to that about an actually professional of the mind, a 'hear hear' gesture. also if that is hannibal lector that. might be a good thing having no one instead of him.]

Hm, that is true. Well, you're welcome to vent if you ever wish to. [he offers, finding it surprisingly easy. usually offering this kind of thing feels a touch odd but given they already had a long talk about what happened with her husband he finds it easier to offer.] Perhaps not as satisfying as breaking a glass, I'll admit.
unphase: (I never seen a light move like yours)

[personal profile] unphase 2022-07-25 07:59 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm sure it would go over very well. I'd imagine you'd get a lot of offers of help as well. [she chuckles self-deprecatingly] But that wouldn't be me. If there's an opposite of a green thumb, I have it. And preserves would probably also go over really well, even if some people would have to be taught how to do it.

[...it was indeed that Hannibal. but he'd never shown his real face to her, therefore she thought the world of him]

Really? I--well, I can't thank you enough. I'm a Night Walker, so I'm usually the one people are venting to, it'll be nice to have someone I can vent to. [and she finds herself very comfortable in his presence, probably why she felt it was okay to make jokes and show a little weakness. as much as she rejected her House's demands for perfection, she actually adhered to them far more than she wanted to] No, it's--it's going to be better. I know it will.
mehanizovati: (29)

[personal profile] mehanizovati 2022-07-28 07:28 am (UTC)(link)
Eh, so am I, to be honest. I prefer metal to nature. [he admits, a shake of the head.] Hopefully someone better equipped than both of us may find the idea appealing to take on properly. The best I could offer would be sun lamps and sprinklers.

[that is a delightful bullet dodged, my god

he offers a quirk of the lips.]
How does that sort of job work? The Night Walkers have always been such a varied profession, I've seen everything from singers to therapists with the title.
unphase: (I walked into your dream)

(CW: sex work)

[personal profile] unphase 2022-07-28 06:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, good, it's not just me. [she spent most of her life on one spaceship or space station or another. the most nature she'd ever really been around was on the family estate while she was a small child] Still, those are necessary. It's rather impossible to grow anything without light and water.

[very much so. especially given the fact that back home, she's a super-hero]

It really is what we make of it. I tend towards letting people talk about their problems with me. Sometimes, they want someone to brainstorm solutions with, sometimes all they want is a kind smile and a listening ear. Sometimes people want something...more physical. Which is fine, I was a courtesan on the Other world. It's nothing shocking to me.
mehanizovati: (52)

(cw: sex work)

[personal profile] mehanizovati 2022-07-29 07:45 am (UTC)(link)
Not in some of the unfortunate conditions in this place. [a pause] What was your world like? If I may ask. [mostly he's curious if she's like him, the natural not being a big part of her life as many others here.

he nods along.]
Such work was common where I grew up, it wasn't until I moved that I learned people were eh... uptight about such things. [said very much like he thinks it's ridiculous.]
unphase: (I think it's that girl)

(cw: sex work)

[personal profile] unphase 2022-07-29 08:53 pm (UTC)(link)
She smiles. "Of course you may. Bgztl is a world which occupies the exact same place, orbit, and orbital rotation as Earth. We're simply in another dimension and have used that to learn how to become intangible at will," but she shakes her head. Or at least I used to be able to do it at will. Ever since I came here, it's been...almost impossible. But that's not the full extent of my planet. It's matriarchal, has been for all of recorded history since a woman, my billion times great grandmother was the first to phase. We're...technically royalty, even though I don't want to be."

And she completely agrees that it's ridiculous and it sounds in her voice. "There's a reason why they call it the world's oldest profession. And it's a shame that people are so uptight about it. It doesn't make any sense, really."
mehanizovati: (21)

(cw: sex work)

[personal profile] mehanizovati 2022-07-29 11:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Viktor nods as he listens, fascinated by how much this ability seemed to change the society. Understandably, it seems like quite the ability. "Ah, is this ability something only some can do or is it shared among the people of... Bgztl?" Does he say that right? Probably trips up a little but mostly manages. "Stifling expectations, I imagine? I knew a girl in my world from a powerful family that felt similarly, if so. She seemed to do a great deal to try and free herself of it without cutting ties completely."

And he snorts, sitting back. "I gather people think of it as some traumatic, terrible fate to befall, all the worst possible horror stories. I suppose some have them but I do not know why the assumption is it must always be that way. Is it not a service like any other? A skill you offer at a fitting price? Bah."
unphase: (I walked into your dream)

(cw: sex work)

[personal profile] unphase 2022-07-30 12:43 am (UTC)(link)
Women were the first to phase, the first by about a thousand years, so the tactics men used to control them on other worlds didn't hold weight there. And her foremothers firmly established power in their own hands. "It's shared now. It wasn't for a long while, although the women of my family can be traced back to the very first woman to phase." And better than most, he's at least trying. "Very stifling expectations. Women of my line have tended towards being diplomats, at least the ones who don't wear the crown yet."

"I know. The image of the fallen woman and such. But I've never seen it that way. It's...a method of helping, just the same as a long talk would be. It may be a bit personal for others and I respect that. But locals, they seem to see the more intimate side of things the same way we might see some time on the psychologist's couch."

Which doesn't make sense to her, not between the role of the Mistress as a love goddess and her time in the Other world where people seemed to drop trou without much prodding. Shouldn't almost everyone be in need of such treatment from time to time?
mehanizovati: (40)

(cw: sex work, homophobia mentioned)

[personal profile] mehanizovati 2022-07-31 02:44 am (UTC)(link)
"It's interesting to me you're struggling to replicate it here. The system of magic and power is eh... finicky, is the word, is it not? There seems no real rhyme or reason for what it will cannibalize from other worlds and what it refuses to work with.

"A shame, given it seems it would be a very useful ability to handle beasts, or at least your own safety." Obviously powerful enough to change a world's path one way or another.

He nods, frankly glad to hear someone else finds the whole thing kind of baffling. "As far as I can tell it's some absurd ideas about sex being... I am not sure, sullying if not done in a specific, accepted way? I've spoken to people from worlds where even romancing someone of the same gender is so reviled they must hide it."

A sigh. "I suppose it's always something. I can hardly say my own world doesn't have it's horrifying prejudices, but it is a little unsettling to see how it seems each society strives to find something to alienate. Even this month has had the natives here being... unpleasant."
unphase: (I've got a fever above my waist)

(cw: sex work, homophobia, underage mentioned)

[personal profile] unphase 2022-07-31 07:05 am (UTC)(link)
"I am, to some degree at least. It doesn't help that--that my heart here? Has been thoroughly captured. I don't want to do anything she'd feel uncomfortable with. And it is finicky, that's the best word I can think of for it since Smudge and Polly are finicky kitties. They'll eat fish gladly one day while holding out for if I can find some beef or pork for them another. And there's no notice for when they'll be finicky, either! And I'm sure that this world has all of our worlds--first, second, or third--stored away somewhere to use when the time is right.

"I know. I---I've never encountered a Beast. But I think I could talk one, especially one of someone I know, into being themselves again. Lyle has always called me extremely convincing. Not like him, he's the type to sneak around a problem. Mine is to face it head-on and charm it into submission." And again, she misses Lyle. Her best friend for as long as he lasted in the Diplomatic Corps, given that both of their families were members, and the friendship renewed as soon as she saw him as a new Legion recruit.

And she nods in agreement with him. The notion of sex being something dirty...well, that takes her to her earliest of days in the Other world when she was brand new and desperate to find someone to help. "It certainly seems to be that way. And...perhaps this is because I'm from 3001, I'm willing to own that. But. Shouldn't be love be love? And even beyond that, sexual attraction be one and itself?"

And Tinya smiles ruefully. "It is what it is. I would love for Trench to be more...open, but I can't force it to be that way. And I would love to know for certain what's made the natives be such jerks. Has it been explained to you? If so, may I know what reasoning they have?"