MIDSUMMER'S MINGLE

[thewatchers]

MIDSUMMER CELEBRATIONS

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As both finals and the first Herald approach, darkness and uncertainty loom on the horizon. The celebrations held on the evening of the 21st serves as a way of cleansing fears and uncertainty - a time for reconciliation, peace, and reflection, purifying the old to make way for the new.

The midsummer celebrations take place in Soleil’s town square and the surrounding woods. Students can join the large bonfires set up by the staff, or have more private bonfires of their own if they so choose. Specially treated fuel and firestarters have been employed for the evening, to prevent accidental (or deliberate) arson; the bonfires that come from this equipment and fuel will never catch alight anything not deliberately thrown into the flames.


A. TOWN SQUARE
While the town square is usually bustling with all manner of people, today it has been cleared in order to build a number of large bonfires. Robed attendants stand quietly by each one with selections of herbs and flowers, as well as paper and wooden charms that can be folded or marked; these can be thrown into the flames in order to burn away symbolic representations of bad luck.

Attendees can freely take these offerings and feed them to the flames, or bring their own offerings - whatever they see fit - to burn.

A small selection of food is also on offer - small cakes and simple buns in both sweet and savory flavours. These, too, can be fed to the fire if you so choose, though they were made to be eaten.

B. THE WOODS
For the solstice, the woods around Soleil have come alive with light and sound. The various unused structures that litter Soleil’s woods are seeing some cleaning, too; you may come across robed attendants, older students and various staff attending to old graves and abandoned ruins, or building bonfires of their own. Many of them hold lamps on poles and sing songs - simple, traditional hymns about the rising of the sun.

If festival attendees desire peace and quiet, or privacy to build their own fires and reflect, the woods are well-suited for that purpose. Those who choose to take fuel and go into the woods will be cautioned that as darkness falls, supernatural visitors may come out to share your fire. Though they are entirely harmless and silent, seeking only to make their own offerings and lost in their own thoughts, their sudden (and strange) appearance may be alarming.

C. REMNANTS OF FIRE

After the bonfires have burned to embers, attendees will be offered the chance to jump or run over the glowing coals, as is traditional practice, for good luck. Whether as a test of nerves or a possible chance for a little extra luck - whatever your beliefs, it probably can’t hurt.

Unless you spend too long dancing around on the coals, of course, but that’s up to you.

Comments

[betheman]

...Well, that is...certainly a good reason, yes...

[He groans, wincing as he gets up on his feet.] We...shall walk, yes...

[Ow...ow....ow though...]

[unpocoloco]

Good.

[With each wincing step, his look gets more and more unimpressed. The fact that it's showing even on a bear, is a telling thing.]

In the meantime, maybe you can elaborate to me what exactly possessed you to think that was a good idea.

[betheman]

Mnnh? Running upon the coals..?

...It is for fortune, is it not?

[No that's not an excuse!]

[unpocoloco]

You feel fortunate with your paws half burned down?

[Just asking.]

In any case, I don't know about back home for you but I'm pretty sure the fortune thing is about jumping over the coals here. Or something. That doesn't look super safe either if I'll be honest.

[betheman]

I feel, determined, and ready for what comes..!

[N O!]

...As it is, they said, 'there is an option, to run upon them as well'...it reminded me, of how some of the training exercises at home are! [He adds excitedly.

This is even MORE concerning-]

[unpocoloco]

Training shouldn't hurt. [He says it with a frown.] Not that much. You only want to go so far as that you won't be prevented from continuing on later due to pain.

[betheman]

A-Auh...w-well, naturally, but after all, it is only a little hurt..! [This is not helping his case.] It will be healed entirely by morning, I am certain..!

[unpocoloco]

You're hurting enough that you're having a hard time walking. That's not a little. I don't know if your shift smooths anything over but that's no reason to push things.

[betheman]

It is like being on hot sand after all..! [no,

Ahhh, he tries to ease up on the grumbling though.] ....it is not a regular practice, at least...

[...that makes it a bit better right...]

[unpocoloco]

I really don't think hot sand is the same, Gongenzaka.

I don't know if it's some important family thing but I'd consider finding a way to heal after the fact or minimize the damage in the future.

[betheman]

A-Aaauuh...

[Aw maaaaan.] W...well...

...The dojo, has never used coals, but...

[At last the idiot teen admits he may have been an idiot.

Or at least comes close.] I shall do so, yes... [he continues, defeated.]

[unpocoloco]

[There we go.]

If the dojo uses sand then it's probably because it's been tested as being safer.

[Unlike coals. But with the defeat finally accepted, he eases up, speaking softer.]

Good. Now hang in there just a little longer. We can stop if you need but it's really important we don't let your paws get infected.

[betheman]

[well,] ....dojo practices do not have, many exercises that involve running over things, actually...

[Good Job kid.] I shall survive, however...so, let us keep going then...

[unpocoloco]

[He sighs but decides he's chewed the boy out enough.]

What kind of things do you do in the dojo anyway?

[betheman]

Mhn? Do you mean, for training? Or as a whole? There are a number of things 'as a whole', after all, including, rune techniques...

[unpocoloco]

Ay, muchacho, I don't know. I've never even seen a dojo. I've got the vague idea of it from hearing Americans talk about karate kid. What do you train for?

[betheman]

Auh... ...Well, within the dojo, it is primarily, to both encourage, and inhibit, certain traits of 'lycanthropy', [he explains as they walk.] By training the mind, while keeping care, of the body, it is easier to control oneself, during the evenings, and full moon periods...particularly since, the 'blight' form, or...the 'beast', as it were, does not feel so 'restrained'..!

[unpocoloco]

[His brow furrows a little, dead heart performing an uneasy flutter.]

That... makes sense.

[Blight was dangerous in most people. It made them hungry, made them crazy. He was lucky... He remembers that time he wasn't.]

It sounds like a really good system. [He hesitates.] Forgive me for asking, you don't have to answer, I was just wondering... have you ever... found it difficult? I guess I'm not wondering about you specifically so much as in general, the kind of things weres have to deal with...

[betheman]

Auh...I am glad, you feel so! I...

[Has he ever...

...Gongenzaka inevitably thinks back to a time when he was a good few years younger, but tries to push it from mind.] N...Naturally, during the days, of the actual 'Full Moon', precautions are taken...I, personally, will stay in the Mythril Cage, typically...

[unpocoloco]

That sounds difficult. I hope it's not rude to say. I just think it's pretty admirable, to keep up that sort of discipline.

[Not everyone can do it.]

[betheman]

Auh...

[Can bears blush, he's probably blushing with mild pride.] I... ...It is only my duty, after all..! [he insists, nodding furiously.] For the sake of, living in harmony, eventually!

[unpocoloco]

[Sake of living in harmony... He'd think that would be getting by as he is now. But Gon says "eventually". Like it's a point to reach. He's got a feeling he knows what's in mind here, even as he's sure it's almost impossible. No need to crush the kid's dream.]

Duty doesn't work unless someone feels it's important.