🎉 TANABATA FESTIVAL 🎊

[eyescar]

WHO: Everyone in Neo Tokyo
WHAT: Tanabata festival! 🎉
WHERE: In the centre of the park
WHEN: 17/07 onwards
WARNINGS: N/A

NEO TOKYO TANABATA

aka operation festival funtime

As the middle of July opens, the streets outside of Neo Tokyo seem to get decorated almost overnight. Colourful origami banners hang from the trees, a mixture of tanzaku, kamigoromo, orizuru and toami.

For anyone who has been to the Sendai region in the midst of the Summer months, the decorations will look almost endearingly familiar; it's time for tanabata!

▶ 001. OPERATION: FESTIVAL FUNTIME.

The savvier of people might notice a particularly bright shock of pink hair running around in the early hours of the morning, taking part in setting up the decorations and putting together a basic layout of tables with tablecloths and various goods and prizes. Each decoration is hand made, and if you look closely you might see little golden traces throughout, giving a clue to who helped made these ones. There's something infectious about his enthusiasm and the delight, even as he gets a little more tired as the day goes on - there's nothing stopping him. Eventually, his section of the festival is set up; there are various stands, some for making decorations (bamboo branches with ornaments, more paper ornaments, origami, and various other cute and traditional arts and crafts), some space for you to take a break and have a fruity and always non-alcoholic drink and an area with a handsome backdrop for the taking of photos.

He's not alone, though!

Raidou's looking livelier than he has than in the last few weeks. He's helping the festival in an organizational capacity, while Yuji handles most other things. He sets up the stands, moves and directs supplies to the right place, picks out spots for decorations, and makes sure both vendors and visitors have everything they need. If you stop to ask him a question or ask for direction, you get a quick, polite answer before he flits off to the next task.

Once things are running smoothly, you'll find him working at one of the food booths, where he's frying up takoyaki and taiyaki. Raidou couldn't be more in his element - serving up fresh food and treats to the Outsiders and the community. You might even get your food handed to you from him with a smile.

At night, the festival is lit up with fireworks and sparklers throughout, lighting up the sky with explosions of little joy and happiness.

Throughout the festival, you can also get a free bento, delivered to you by a cute looking rabbit. The bentos come in many designs, cute, adorable or precious!

▶ 002. A DREAM IS A WISH.

One of the most exciting aspects of tanabata remains the wish-making. In the set-up for the festival, there are little posters left around near one particular booth (manned by local cryptid Choso) to explain the story of the festival and the meaning that it holds. Alongside it are an almost ridiculous amount of paper strips in various colours, left with some pens and calligraphy brushes for people to pick up and use. A big sign next to it declares the following:

Make a wish! If it's a good one, it might come true!
The directions are clear: write your wish on a strip of paper and hang it on one of the bamboo decorations. The harder you wish, the more likely it is to come true - and there are some prompts for the kind of wishes people could make, just in case you're strapped for ideas:

Academic or work successes

Prosperity or good health

Care and love for family and friends

Success in love or platonic relationships

Fulfilment of a personal goal or ambition

You might notice Yuji watching as you're tying your wishes up... Don't worry about that!

If you require further assistance in your wish-making (or even if you don't at all) Choso seems more than happy to lend a helping hand. When he isn't cutting up paper strips and sorting them out into strangely-organized piles (paper thickness instead of size or colour), he's preparing the calligraphy ink via manual inkstone grinding or offering an absurdly wide variety of coloured (and scented) markers for your convenience.

The strips of wishes can be as decorative or simple as you like, so don't stress about your artistic genius!

( ooc note: If you would like Yuji to take a shot at making your wish come true, please respond to this comment! There will be some RNG "granted wishes" that you can use in your top level and keep as a fond memory, but please note there is only one "granted wish" per character. )

▶ 003. AS THE POETS SAY.

In the centre of the festival, in the midst of a park with vibrant flowers, is a table where Yuji sits for a few hours at a time between breaks. He seems to be practically vibrating out of his seat, and when approached he launches into an explanation of this particular game:

THE SOULMATE GAME!

The aim of the game is simple: you are given a ribbon at random with a number on it. Your mission? Find the person with the matching ribbon within a time limit of an hour and win a special prize. Don't worry though... If you lose, there's a prize for not quite making it within the limit. The festival is meant to be a celebration, after all, and Yuji doesn't want anyone to miss out.

Here's the problem: Yuji isn't making it easy for people to find their soulmate. He's not left a boundary for how far you can go (in case you were tempted to hide...) nor has he done anything to make the festival less distracting. This area is set up with your traditional festival games, such as (fake) goldfish scooping, ring toss and some chairs and tables set out for food and conversation.

To make it worse? Sometimes, Yuji might pop up and give you a hint to go in a particular direction, only for it to be a total red herring. This is definitely fun, isn't it? Who doesn't love a good chase? The problem is...

Will you find your soulmate in time...?

( ooc note: If you would like to win (or lose) at the soulmate game, please respond to this comment! Go ahead and OOCly decide who your character gets paired with and whether or not you win or lose - there are different prizes for each. You can play the soulmate game as many times as you want ICly, but you will only get one prize roll per character! )

▶ 004. TINY FRAGMENTS THAT REMAIN.

NOTE: THIS PROMPT WILL REFER TO THINGS THAT ARE SPOILERS FOR JUJUTSU KAISEN CHAPTER 264 ( refering to Yuji's powers and how he uses them in a fight ).
Here's the thing: Yuji wants everyone to have fun. His dream is that people are able to find some joy and peace in the midst of the darkness of the last few weeks, and so he sinks into something that is familiar to him - cursed energy, and his domain expansion. In the early hours of the second day of his festival, you might catch him making a hand sign before a ripple of powers hits, collecting around the area of the festival like a literal bubble. Anyone on the edge of the bubble will see it like a flickering, semi-transparent void, but there's nothing to worry about... Right?

The power of Yuji's domain expansion is simple enough, in theory: it transports into the memories, digs into the heart of what people want to show. His intention is to share the tanabata of his childhood with the people of Neo Tokyo and spark some joy for the Outsiders who have been through so much. He wants to show them something sweet and nostalgic, but he doesn't quite anticipate the side effect.

Outsiders who end up stepping into Yuji's domain will find themselves able to come face-to-face with their childhood selves, and enjoy the festival together. If they're together with another Outsider, those childhood versions of themselves (shaped in the way they remember themselves rather than how they actually looked!) are visible and shared, like an extension of their thoughts come to life.

It's still tanabata, but this particular part of the festival is influenced by what Yuji remembers from his youth, and Outsiders can find themselves seeing and being able to take part in various activities:

Crayfish catching (try and get the biggest or rarest one!)

Archery (can you beat your friends and get the bullseye?)

Horse riding (and you might hear Yuji commenting on how big their faces are)

Parades (are you going to join in?)

And anything else you can dream up! It's your character's childhood too, right...?

As soon as Yuji realises his mistake (at the end of the day, lost in his own memories) he brings down the domain, but it might be too late for some Outsiders who have come face to face with their more adorable versions. Whoops.

EVENT BREAKDOWN (CLICK TO EXPAND)

1. OPERATION: FESTIVAL FUNTIME: The festival is being set up by Yuji and Raidou, with support from other Outsiders to make decorations. Food and other entertainment is on offer for anyone who attends, but all drinks are non-alcoholic.

2. A DREAM IS A WISH: Outsiders are given the chance to take part in the tanabata tradition of wish making. They can decorate paper with their wish and hang it up in the hope it will come true. Yuji will be granting one wish per outsider.

3. AS THE POETS SAY: The "Soulmate Game" has characters being randomly assigned numbers and tasked with finding their matching pair to win a prize. They have an hour to find their partner and, win or lose, there is a prize for taking part.

4. TINY FRAGMENTS THAT REMAIN: Yuji uses his domain expansion to bring Sendai tanabata to life, that has the accidental side effect of allowing Outsiders to meet and see their childhood selves. It also allows them to visit Sendai itself and take part in some other minigames that are not tanabata related if they want.

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Raidou Kuzunoha XIV | Devil Summoner | Everlight

[the_fourteenth]

🞂 001. OPERATION: FESTIVAL FUNTIME

[It's nice to have a fun project to throw himself into. Something where he gets to not only make sure that his friends and allies have fun, but he does as well. Most importantly to him, Yuji is enjoying himself, which is a big relief to Raidou. things have gone pretty smoothly, and it seems like everyone's having a good time so far.

Before the festival kicks off, you won't be able to get him to stop as he zip around like the busy little bee he is. Once things are going, he's behind one of the snack booths, frying up taiyaki and takoyaki for everyone. The line to the booth is quite long - word's gotten out how good the food is there, and both Outsider and civilian alike want in.

Once his shift is finally over, you'll be able to catch him taking his lunch before he goes off to enjoy the rest of the festival. He's cracking in to one of those bento boxes. Feel free to try and catch him any point in time during the day!]

🞂 002. TINY FRAGMENTS

[Little Raidou - or would that be Johei? - has broken away from his older self. Seems like he's always been quiet and sneaky, and modern-day Raidou should have seen this coming. His little self has barely ever far from his clan's village, tucked away in the mountains of northern Kyoto prefecture. The chance to get to explore a whole new place is too tempting for him.

Seems like turning over rocks to catch crayfish is something you can do here too, and he's pretty good at it. That's not as exciting to him as other things, though. If you approach the lone boy, he looks up at you with unmistakable pale gray eyes.]

Are there no demons here at all?

[Unless you look decidedly non-human. Then he'll cock his head curiously.]

Are you a demon?


🞂 003. A DREAM IS A WISH - locked to Yuji

[Raidou decides to go write a wish when he thinks Yuji isn't around. He can sense him coming, so it's easier for him to sneak it in. He might be stealthy, even trying to hide it behind some other papers, but what sticks out his is meticulous calligraphy and vague wording. Heaven forbid he speak his feelings, even on an anonymous wish.

May my future with him only ever get brighter.

If there are any doubts about who it's by or who it's directed towards, the simple drawing of a sun breaking through clouds at the top cinch it.

Raidou wanders off quickly, so he doesn't get caught, and will skitter off to where he and Yuji had promised to meet that night for their festival date and fireworks viewing.]

🞂 004. WILDCARD

[You know the drill! Other TLs may be added.]

for meeee

[eyescar]

[ Raidou is sneaky, but Yuji is sneakier.

... Well, no, he isn't, but he's trying his best to keep an eye on his partner all the same, to see if he can figure out what his wish is. He doesn't want to make it too obvious, but at the same time he's desperate to know so that he can do something to make it come true. If there's something in his power, if there's something he can do...

In the end, he doesn't really manage to do it, despite his best attempts, but makes a promise to figure it out later.

Instead, he makes his way to Raidou's side, sneaking up behind him and wrapping an arm around his waist. ]

I'm going to find it, Johei.

[the_fourteenth]

[Sorry for the esoteric wish. Raidou's just the kind of person though. Why ask for something he can do for himself?

He relaxes against him with a smile. Time to play dumb.]

Ah? Find what?

[eyescar]

You know what.

[ Yuji hums softly, nuzzling into him and kissing his shoulder absently. ]

I want to make your wishes come true.

[the_fourteenth]

[His face reddens, despite himself. Knowing what his wish was, hearing that makes his heart skip a beat.]

Yeah? Do you think it's possible?

[eyescar]

I'd like to think so. Isn't that the point?

[ He hums happily. ]

I'll do my best!

[the_fourteenth]

... Did you find mine in there?

[He turns to look lol at Yuji best he can, even though he can feel his cheeks burning.]

I guess the point is for people to put something to hope on our there. Not sure if anyone actually excepts they'll get fulfilled.

1

[baeber]

[ A festival is ever a feast of sights and smells and tastes. It rings true now as she watches Raidou busily making snacks, and Saber can only watch in awe as her stomach growls in envy of his work. ]

Narumi, you'd be a rich man if you made this your calling.

[the_fourteenth]

[He can't help but grin at that. One of his fellow shrine workers, volunteering at the booth, elbows him jovially at hearing that. That's their boy.]

Ah... not sure about that, but I appreciate the compliment. It's nice to get a chance to do this. What can I get you? We have a few flavors of takoyaki. There's the usual, then we have a recipe with extra scallions and mayo, and then a cheese variety. For takoyaki, we have red bean or custard.

[baeber]

[ Takoyaki with mayo. With cheese?! Not solely octopus??? And taiyaki with custard?! Here she thought only adzuki paste and ice cream were standard filling!

The future is stupendous!! ]

M-May I...have an order of one of each? To sample, you see. [ Her cheeks burn, but she convinces herself it's solely because of her proximity to his cooking surface. ] I-It would only be fair to try everything, since you've no doubt worked hard to create such an elaborate menu.

[the_fourteenth]

[He gives her a nod and gets to work on the takoyaki, while another volunteer gets to the taiyaki.]

One of each, coming up. Not sure how elaborate it is. though. I looked up some recipes that were popular across Japan. My coworkers decided to roll with it.

[He never would have thought to pair cheese with it, either. And it's good to make even without the octopus for anyone looking for a vegetarian option. He's gotten pretty good at making it now, what with all this practice, and it's done pretty quickly Saber is handed two paper trays, one for her entree and one for her dessert.]

There you go. Let me know what you think.

[And while they're not charging, per se, there's a small device where one can swipe their barcode and donate to the shrine, if they so desire.]

[baeber]

[ At first, she's unsure which delicacy she should try first. Both dishes make her stomach rumble in pained silence. But, she won't put dessert before a proper meal, even if that meal is technically a snack itself.

Then, she'll start with the takoyaki. It's piping hot when she pops a single sphere into her mouth, and the inner heat further rushes across her tongue and the roof of her mouth once her teeth sink in. A river of magma but made of cheese and gooey dough. It should burn her gums and tongue alike, but to a Heroic Spirit, it's barely noticeable.

Hints of tears well at the corners of her eyes. ]

Stupendous.

[the_fourteenth]

[The reaction isn't what he's expecting.]

Are you--?

[Was it too hot? She should have waited a minute or two. But when Saber finally speaks, he smiles, and nods in gratitude.]

Thanks. I'm glad you like it. I, ah, thought maybe you burned your mouth for a moment there.

🞂 002. TINY FRAGMENTS

[blastedass]

[Shit, why the hell does that little brat have to be so damn fast?! This is why he hates kids! They're nothing but troublemakers for the people looking out for them! Ugh. He couldn't have gotten too far, and almost everyone around here is an ally. Not gonna get in much trouble unless he starts lighting explosions under people's butts...

Katsuki pauses at near a river, scowling as another kid seems to have gotten away. Picking at rocks by the water, searching for something while precariously (appearance wise) stabled on the wet shores. Obviously knows what to do, given the balance, but... He approaches with a scowl. If this girl falls in while he's around doing nothing, he's gonna trash himself.]

Oy! Get- [And pauses at the face and question. It's- ... tch. His bad. Someone lost his pretty lashes when he grew up.] Ya expect to find them under rocks?

[the_fourteenth]

No. But there's these.

[Raidou expertly plucks a crayfish from under a rock and holds it up to show it off.]

I can't sense any around here. At all. It's weird.

[He puts the crawfish back in the water, gently, having always liked and respected creatures of all kinds. He stands up to look at the person who's joined him. And really, has he really lost those long lashes when he got older? Seems he's always had the low, monotone voice though.

Normally, he'd never be able to discuss demons with just any random person. But the other boy - his older self he darted off from - told him things here are different. It was okay.]

Are you able to sense them?

[blastedass]

That's not a monster, brat! [It's a crayfish! If he's trying to sense monsters (or crayfish) he's gonna be sorely disappointed on the former. Seems he's doing okay on the latter...]

If you can't sense any, there's none here. [Which is supposed to be a good thing, right? No monsters. No danger.

Katsuki moves his arm and gives his hand a sweep, motioning for the boy to come away from the water.] Get off the rocks before you brain yourself. They're still wet from the rain.

[They're still no as long! He though he was a girl at first, where he's never mistaken adult Raidou for one. Hmph. Even if he sounds like a man while a child.]

No. But I can handle any that show up.

[the_fourteenth]

That's not true. Sometimes they're sneaky. But I'm pretty good at finding them.

[He's always been very spiritually powerful, so that's not changed. And hey, it's a low voice for, y'know, an 8 year old, which is about how old he looks.

He frowns a little at being groused at so much, but he does as told. Even at this age, he's used to following orders anyone older than him might give. That's been drilled into him for years now. Carefully, he goes from rock to rock until he gets far enough away.]

You can? Are you a summoner too?

[blastedass]

Che. Go for it.

[In a tone which suggests he already knows the kid won't find any. Unless he stumbles across a kaiju, but Raidou already said they don't produce the same kind of energy as the spirits in his world.

Raidou hit puberty before puberty knew it.

Oy! He just told him to get off the rocks, not go further away from him! Katsuki stalks towards the kid, fully intending to grab him and return him to the ground by force if necessary.]

No, but I can kill monsters.

[the_fourteenth]

[He's a good little climber. Raidou's speedy even at this age, so good luck grabbing him. He sits atop a small pile of rocks overlooking the creek, that gets him more at eye level with this visitor.]

How can you kill them if you can't see them? Or maybe you can?

[He looks around, but doesn't spot his older self. That's okay. Weird timey-wimey stuff might become more normal for his older self, but this little one finds it a little off-putting.]

He told me there weren't any demons here, but I'm not sure I believe him. They're everywhere.

002

[cranekin]

(Ah, he knew he recognized this child. As soon as he's spotted, Tsurumaru crouches down to be at the same height as the boy,)

I am.

(Well, not exactly, unless he means something else about himself. Regardless, he gives the boy a light, friendly smile,)

Are you surprised?

[the_fourteenth]

[It takes this little version of himself a moment, but he's quite powerful spiritually, even this young. He can detect that Tsurumaru is something, not quite a demon as he knows it, but definitely different. His eyes light up, and while they're still quiet and soft, his expressions and voice aren't as tempered at this age yet.]

He told me there weren't any around here. What are you?

[Older Raidou wasn't wrong, but he was thinking of demons in the wild as his smaller self would know them. He didn't consider other Outsiders. Whoops.]

[cranekin]

How sharp.

(To be honest, he was expecting a bigger reaction but in the end, he doesn't even fall for it.)

Let's make it a game.

(He holds up three fingers,)

Three guesses and you can ask three questions, too. If you guess correctly, I'll give you a prize.

(And he fails? Well..........)

[the_fourteenth]

[Even little Raidou was pretty low-key, but he looks excited when Tsuru offers to make it a guessing game. He sits down on a nearby rock, excited to show off his knowledge.]

Okay! Um... are you a yokai, or from a different place?

[If not a Japanese yokai, maybe an entity from a different culture or location.]

[cranekin]

(Even if he's low-key, he can't hide his excitement from Tsurumaru.)

I am. (Be brings one finger down.) Like you, I'm from Japan.

[the_fourteenth]

[He hums in satisfaction, propping his elbows on his knees and putting his chin in his hands to think. He looks Tsuru up and down, thinking hard, trying to use what he can take in from this yokai's appearance. He's always been a little detective in the making.]

I thought maybe you were a kami...

[This person is so human-looking, but he could easily be a shapeshifter of some kind. What if he was a kitsune? He'd find that delightful.]

Hmm... Is what you look like now your normal form? I bet it's not.