eyescar: 🐾 manga (pic#17020140)
yuji "old man whisperer" itadori. ([personal profile] eyescar) wrote in [community profile] synflux2025-07-17 06:34 pm

🎉 TANABATA FESTIVAL 🎊

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.
    30storieshigh: (68)

    [personal profile] 30storieshigh 2025-07-27 07:12 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ Godzilla nods ammiably, he even chuckles. ]

    Indeed. You are of fortune, there are few better suited as guide than Nyuu-hime.

    [ With how friendly his elder is being towards the two pink purred individuals, Ko-Goji feels some boldness. The young reptile steps out from behind Godzilla, making a noise halfway between a chirp and a trill. Then he takes a few cautious steps forward.

    Godzilla smiles with just a bit of pride at this courage, patting the little Goji's head encouragingly. ]


    They are Friends, Young One. You have no reason to hold fear.

    "F-Friends?" [ Even his speaking voice is a bit chirpy, cute... ] "Nyuu-hime, Kaede-chan, Friends?"

    [ Ko-Goji trills as he takes another step forward so he's close to the girls. He's watching them cautiously, still a little wary, but he's not postured in anyway which is a good sign! ]
    saudadist: (glee)

    [personal profile] saudadist 2025-08-02 08:03 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ Nyuu's eyes light up as the miniature Godzilla comes into view. She's absolutely squealing in delight and even reaches out for him to come closer for pets if he wishes. ]

    Goji-saaaaan!! Look at him! He's so cute!!

    [ "Kaede-chan" watches with her head tilted. Her gaze goes from Nyuu to Godzilla to his mini-me. ]

    "You won't bite?"
    30storieshigh: (79(bb lizard))

    [personal profile] 30storieshigh 2025-08-02 08:12 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ Nyuu's rather animated reaction has the little dinosaur pause and stand up a bit straighter, suddenly cautious. Once he processes that these are positive noises he relaxes a little, even dares to take a few steps closer to Nyuu so she can indulge in the need to pet the lizard. ]

    "Not to hurt. Goji does not hurt Friends."

    [ Godzilla positively beams at this. What a good young one, he really missed his calling when it comes to raising hatchlings didn't he? ]

    He may still do as such, but the intent is not aggression. Our kind oft use soft biting as a form of play or friendliness.

    "Play. Friendly."

    [ He damn near chirps that agreement as he stands up and nudges Nyuu's palm. ]
    saudadist: (event; 09)

    [personal profile] saudadist 2025-08-08 11:07 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ Nyuu is absolutely beside herself, literally and figuratively, as she strokes the tiny lizard's head and neck. Her giggles don't stop even as she skritches under his chin. ]

    It's okay. I know he'd only be playing.

    [ The girl next to her watches, enraptured, but silent. Her gaze goes from Mini-Goji to Nyuu and back again before she purses her lips together and reaches out to try too. Her hand brushes over the lizardling's arm before she properly scratches at a part of his neck near his ear. ]

    "Small, and ...cute."
    30storieshigh: (68)

    [personal profile] 30storieshigh 2025-08-09 11:04 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ Something wonderful happens when Nyuu gets to under Ko-Goji's chin. The little guy not only starts purring, one of his tail thumps the ground repeatedly like a kicking leg on a dog or cat might from such a thing.

    Goji takes on a thoughtful look as he considers Nyuu and the young Kaede. Some curious questions are rising in his mind, but how to broach the subject without causing the little one concern? After a moment he goes for an attempt, giving Nyuu a pointed look whilst keeping his tone as amiable as always. ]


    An inquiry, Nyuu-hime. Have you heard ought of your third nestmate's presence at this event?

    [ The Other One. The survival one. Kaede mentioned she was around for... awhile. Though the young Kaede is in a safe environment surrounded by those of good heart and intent, one can never be too careeful.

    Oblivious to the goings ons Ko-Goji leans into Kaede's petting, happy trilling purrs squeaking out as he steps a bit closer and leans his tiny lizard bulk up against the young girl. ]


    "Kaede nice. Kaede cute."

    [ The Elder explained that word to him already! Cute is a good thing! It means nice and pleasant to be around, or something. ]
    saudadist: (Uh)

    [personal profile] saudadist 2025-08-19 12:37 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Nyuu watches as the little girl continues to stroke and scratch at the little Godzilla's head and neck. She's smiling widely herself, but she tilts her head at the big G's question. ]

    Third?
    30storieshigh: (76)

    [personal profile] 30storieshigh 2025-08-19 01:11 am (UTC)(link)
    [ One thing Godzilla has figured out is Nyuu is a lot like him in a certain way. She can be clever, sure, maybe a little sneaky, her trick during the Valentine's Day party attends to that. But she's near incapable of actual dishonesty. She has no idea what he's talking about, does she?

    Which means Kaede never told her. The big guy is VERY aware that Kaede is protective of the other being she shares a body with, of course she wouldn't have troubled her with that lost aspect of themselves. ]


    A-ah...?! My apologies, I have missed the steak as they say.

    [ He hates lying. He's also very bad at it, the color has left his face a little and he glances off into the distance with sudden interest. ]

    The at-most-fear of the night has perhaps put myself in state of some confusion. It is quite a thing of overt stimulation, yes?
    Edited 2025-08-19 01:12 (UTC)