deercountry | TANABATA ⟶ July Sanctuary Log

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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. :)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I see, so it was not traditional controls for such things. [well. he's not sure fighting robots have traditional controls but this did explain how kids piloted them.] Who made them? The robots.

[he considers the sleeper squid question a moment, hoping his approach didn't come off as unkind or cold. he didn't mind hope, believed in possibility but more so believed in what he could see and quantify. that did not always lead to kind answers.]

I cannot say myself. There have been many who woke and went back, and many still who come here after what must have been some time in the sea.

I can say this, statistically it's more likely they are since you are here. From what I have seen whatever worlds get sleepers plucked from them tend to have several from that world, and often people who are within the same time period and groups. I am not sure why yet, but it is an observable fact about the variety of sleepers.

No, you just... thought to move and you did. Same thing for the weapons. I don't know who made it, either.

[He sighs and shakes his head. Even if they were here...]

I don't think they'd want to see me. Kana wouldn't. Machi... might. Kanji and Waku might. But none of the others.

I wonder if the ones forcing this game are the ones who made them. [and using such fascinating technology too. irritating- well, more than that. horrifying, really.

he considers this before he says,] Would you want to see them though?

Probably.

[He goes quiet. Does he want to see them? He fiddles with his teacup for a few moments, uncomfortable and unsure.]

I... don't know. I don't think most of them liked me - which is fine, I don't really care about being liked. But at least they'd understand what happened...

[viktor considers him for a few moments, quiet, then offers,] I've had people here from my world who did not care for me much at first. They blamed me for certain matters and I did not begrudge them that.

Yet this place has a way of recontextualizing many things. It is... easier, perhaps, to understand we are moving forward in a new life than shackled to the events of a former.

... I guess. It's hard, though. This all happened... so recently. But I guess this is the only life I have available to me at this point.

[He looks at the wishes again, holding back the urge to rip them up. It all feels so stupid... and his emotions just keep feeling like they're going to burst - and then they recede like the tide, leaving him feeling washed-up and empty.]

Understandably. I can't say it'd be simple too, because you may have months to settle your feelings before someone comes fresh from the incident.

But you do have time now, here. In many ways I try to consider this an entirely new life. A 'second chance,' I suppose some would say. [a pause and he says, a little awkward because sentiment is difficult] And you are part of this community now. It took me some time to accept, but sleepers are typically generous if not a bit... dramatic.

[Dramatic, he's seen already. Generous, he's... also seen.]

... I know. Like it or not, I'm... stuck here. I... tried to leave, but I got dragged out.

[It's the first time he's said anything about it since that day, but...]

I guess I just want the pain to stop so I can move forward with... whatever life I have left.

I find it helps to have a goal. A project. [it takes him a while to say anything, a quiet moment before that comes out.] Pain is tricky, it unfortunately often needs more time than we can handle, not without a reason to keep moving forward.

In fact Sanctuary came about because Allen and I tried to figure out how to have a new legacy here, a new goal. I suppose it's a touch sentimental but we wanted to be able to say we left this place better than it was when we came. [a beat] You could try to do the same, if it appeals.

I... don't have any goals anymore. There's no university to get a degree from, not in the same way. That's what my goal was initially. I've just been... existing here, trying to get by on just working at a bar cleaning tables. I don't... know what to even aim towards.

You can still learn, if that is your interest. The School of Mutter has classes, I teach some people myself various levels of engineering and general repairs.

[he's quiet a moment before offering,] In truth finding a goal can be a goal in and of itself. You're young, this is certainly your time to explore what inspires you.

I do want to learn, but there's... it's not quite the same. ... Engineering, though?

[Repairs would be good to know to help fix up where he's living...]

I know I'm young. People keep reminding me.

[He huffs slightly.]

I know what I like. I like animals. Beasts aren't quite the same thing. I like fish... they're quiet.

Why is it not the same? [he can kind of guess, getting a degree is different than learning for the sake of it. and he nods.] Yes, I am an engineer. My own degree was in biomedical engineering and robotics, though my work took me elsewhere. A surprisingly useful skillset for this place, as it turns out.

[it takes a lot of effort for his lips not to quirk at that. a very typical thing for a young man to say, though frankly viktor thinks he's right that there' no need to remind him, especially a kid who's been through a lifetime of misery it sounds like.]

I apologize- it must be frustrating, but I think you might be one of the youngest here. I have no doubt people will fixate on it. [and a considering pause.] Well, there are odd animals here you could study. I've only seen some in passing, those hounds that eat corruption, or the skittish, dark horses. I'm uncertain how much study goes into any of it.

There's no... there doesn't seem to be the same kind of structured programs with a degree at the end of it, no work prospects at the end of it. It's no... normalcy.

Engineering sounds... kind of fun, though.

[He sighs and leans back in the chair.]

I... they're interesting, but I also don't want to get bitten or eaten by them.

That is true. At best you can continue through the School of Mutter and become an Arcane Scholar, I suppose, but it is vastly different world. In some ways I rather enjoy the freedom of knowledge being for more than degrees and benchmarks. [but still, pointedly not normal. not structured at all.

his lips quirk.] I always thought so. When I was very young I would try to create boats with scrap metal and parts I scavenged. Silly, but there is something very satisfying to building something from idea to reality.

[ha fair. a pause and he says,] You could find hunters or others with more combat power to keep safe while observing. Gods know I've done as much in order to get any work done out in the field.

I suppose, but it's not the same. I like knowledge being more than that as well, but it's important to mark one's achievements as well.

Boats? That's pretty ambitious for someone pretty young. I can't say I've ever really built much myself, but I should probably learn some things... my apartment that I've taken over is a little... in disrepair.

... I guess I could. I don't exactly know a lot of people... and definitely don't really have any friends.

That is true. [he wonders if personal goals would help, but that's a matter he'll consider more before suggesting. instead,] Eh, we made our own fun those days, I suppose.

But I could certainly teach you there. General repairs is something I try to offer education on when people ask, it is... well, I am sure you've seen yourself how necessary it ends up being. Self sufficiency goes a long way in the Trench.

[hm to that friend bit, but he shrugs.] I could introduce you to some hunters who may be willing to help, if you'd like. Otherwise I'd say people are surprisingly generous here if you asked plainly. It certainly surprised me.

Yes, it does seem very needed. I'm probably going to move again soon - I'm looking for somewhere quieter.

[He picked somewhere closer to work, but he's regretting where he picked. Cellar Door is too loud at night.]

I see. I could always ask my boss at where I work - the Roost, I don't know if you know it. But he seems to be pretty good at fighting. Manabu Yuuki?

[He doesn't know who knows who here.]

Where are you now? I lived in Gaze for a time, and it is quiet but eh... eerie. A persistent feeling of being watched. The outskirts of Willful Machine have been better.

[though the market area of willful machine is a bit loud too. probably still better than cellar door regardless.]

Oh, I think I've heard the name. He's the one who did that expedition? [viktor never met the man but if he's the same one that seems a good start.] Certainly worth asking, if so. If he can't help himself he might know someone interested in the same studies.

Cellar Door, since my work is around there. I'd consider Gaze, but I don't like being watched.

[He nods at the question.]

Yeah, it's worth asking. The worst he can do is say 'no', right?

[Well. He's not sure what the worst that could happen is in this place, and he doesn't really want to find out.]

Gaze can be dangerous besides, to be quite honest. Many twisting paths. [a pause and he offers,] If you do want to keep Cellar Door as an option it might be possible to soundproof your home. Even with magic here, there's a great deal of options to that effect.

[and his lips quirk.] Precisely. It's a perfectly reasonable request, and I'm sure some would consider learning more about the fauna here a useful endeavor.

I'll have to think about it. It's convenient, but it might just not be worth it. It's kind of... a mess, anyway. Though I think anywhere I find is going to be...

[Little does he know he's going to get ~~adopted~~ rehomed soon.]

Mhm. I'd like to know more about them... I've already found some fossils in the beach caves. They're interesting, and make me wonder what this place used to be like...

That is the way of things. A great many free buildings but all of them in shambles. [a beat to think and he offers,] If you do find a place I can help you wire it up, get some appliances. It would be helpful to get the practice, I am still learning the ins and outs of lunar energy.

[this is. a little untrue. he knows his way around it well but he wants to help and wants jun to have an easier time accepting if he does.]

Really? What were the fossils like? [genuinely curious there.] I know very little of the history, in truth. Most people talk of this 'Dream' that happened before, not this particular world.

Yeah... I can cook without a microwave, but it's a lot harder. When I was at home I had to use a stepstool to get to the top of the oven properly.

[But yes, fossils! Science is more interesting than his personal life.]

There's various sea life... some weird things like fish that probably shouldn't be in the same area... it's strange. Old things like ancient crustaceans... I can bring a few by later, if you want.

Appliances are mostly archaic here but there are ways to work around it. [he says, aka magic mostly. or just building a microwave but that's more a him hobby.]

I'd appreciate it. [a nod] There are people interested in digging into the history of this place, and I admit I'm curious but I don't really have the time to make a study of it myself. I hadn't even considered the existence of fossils.

TANABATA ⟶ July Sanctuary Log

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