so take hold of the flame, don't you see life's a game; (OPEN)

[ex_cashcow493]

WHO: All interested parties
WHERE: Beltane/Mayday Festival
WHEN: Afternoon of April 30th ~ Afternoon of May 1st
SUMMARY: Saber and others have prepared for a festival for a certain holiday
RATING: PG-13 at the most

Goldenrod City has always been a fairly busy place, so the bustling to prepare for a festival doesn't necessarily go unnoticed, but it's not so out of the ordinary that the NPC's will stop to question it. Just another day in paradise. With the clouds in the sky and the swarm of firey Pokemon to a minimum, the temperature has sunk to a respectable level for a celebration. Throughout the day the festival and the people involved start to spark to life, the activity levels increasing. There are two large piles of wood waiting to be lit up, as well as various other decorations. Most of the colors of the area are a variety of red, orange, and yellow with sparse amounts of blue tossed throughout. While most of the decorations are made out of wood as well, there's a few water Pokemon on duty to keep things from getting out of trouble.

As well as a couple of other guardians. It would be difficult to sabotage such an event, but those who are brave enough to try will be met with chivalric ferocity.

Beltane is advertise as a festival to celebrate many things in different cultures. Don't worry, there's a handful of individuals around who are all too eager to explain what it means back home for them. Walpurgisnight for some, a festival for fertility for others, Mayday even. The date is significant enough to have many different meanings, so naturally a celebration must occur.

This is a festival that will last from the afternoon of April 30th to the afternoon of May 1st. There is a section set aside for tents and camping should people feel they want to stay overnight. Feel free to set up your own threads or post under the ones already set up. The tournament is going to be 'Round Robin' style. Fights can be hand-waved and feel free to use a RNG to determine the winner if there are any conflicts. The beauty contest will also be determined by RNG once all the participants have joined in. More details about both of those threads can be found in the linked sections. There is also a ribbon pole to dance around, various games like torch throwing, and other miscellaneous activities like face painting.

Comments

[ordalias]

[ Xion's sitting by her lonesome, knees pulled up to her chest while she intently stares at the fire. Axel the Typhlosion is sitting beside her, providing his own warmth and firing bursts of flames at the bonfire himself to keep it going.

Ah, flames... They remind her of a lot of things, but most importantly: a certain Nobody whom she hasn't hasn't seen in a long while.

She sighs. ]

[broomwithaview]

[Kiki's never met this girl, but no one should be sad on May day, right?

She settles in next to Xion, looking contemplative. She tosses her own branch into the fire, casting a quick prayer for happiness. She watches the smoke rise like so many idle thoughts, disappearing into the black night with all their troubles and cares. She turns her head, tucking her own knees up in an imitation of Xion's pose.]

Are you all right...?

[ordalias]

[ Kiki's voice makes her snap out of her reverie and jerk her head towards the other girl. She blinks. Ack, she should stop dazing off into other places like that. ]

--ah! Huh? Oh, uh... Yeah! I am, just... thinking. [ Smooth, Xion. Smooth. ]

[broomwithaview]

[Kiki at once feels apologetic. Perhaps she interrupted someone's meditative time...?]

Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bother you. It's easy to get lost in your thoughts when you're staring at the fire, isn't it?

[ordalias]

It is! But it isn't your fault, really. Sorry. I should be paying more attention...

[ Axel taps her once on the shoulders and softly rumbles. Calm yourself, trainer! Calm! ]

[broomwithaview]

[As fearsome as that big flaming bear is, Kiki's not too intimidated, instead tucking her chin against her knees thoughtfully.]

Please, don't apologize. Could I...ask what you were thinking about, or is that too private? You looked pretty troubled.

[ordalias]

Er... [ She briefly glances towards the fire, the stare lingering a bit longer than normal before she turns back. ]

I was thinking about a friend.

[broomwithaview]

[Oh...Kiki's expression droops a little in sympathy.]

Someone back home?

[ordalias]

[ Nods. ] Yeah. My other best friend.

[broomwithaview]

[A nod in return.]

I'm sure he's thinking about you. Maybe you could cast a prayer or a wish for him?

[ordalias]

[ Kiki's first comment gets her to blink in suprise, then she... laughs softly at that thought, the sound edged with a hint of self-deprecation.

She quickly shakes her head, knowing her reaction might be a bit strange. ]

I wonder about that, but... I would hope he is. The only things I'd wish for him is to come here and be safe.

[broomwithaview]

That's not a bad wish, I don't think, especially if he's not safe back home. Or you could just wish for his health and happiness.

[Kiki reaches for a dry branch, gently offers it to Xion.]

You've got nothing to lose, right?

[ordalias]

[ She tilts her head at the stick that's offered. ] Should I... throw the stick in the fire to make that wish?

[ Nonetheless, Xion's reaching out to take a hold of it. ]

[broomwithaview]

Uh-huh. Just...imagine the wish going into the stick, then throw it in. The smoke carries the wish out into the universe.

[Less dumb than it sounds, Xion, promise.]

[ordalias]

[ Not that Xion would ever think a suggestion by someone she doesn't really know to be dumb, but. She stares at the stick, envisioning the wish for her friend to be safe, or even to come over here to Johto before throwing it into the fire. The smoke that crackles and lifts off to the atmosphere makes her tilt her head. ]

... Like that, right?