It’s a special time of year and the sword army is invited to come down from their citadels and celebrate. What? A summer festival, an offering to the gods, or perhaps a special ceremony of sorts. A normally quiet, rural village at the foot of the mountains will transform for the night with lanterns, fireworks, and music all around but first! Some preparations need to be done. Did you really think you would be invited down here without having to do some work? Prepare to dance, prepare to sing, prepare for a night of fun.
1. CEREMONY PRACTICE
At the citadel, a new chore has been added to the list: ceremonial practice! The swords selected to perform at the festival will have to practice their song and dance or else they'll risk embarrassment in front of the crowds. Or maybe this entire thing is embarrassing... either way, this is your duty! Saniwa's orders! Where and when is up to you but you better be ready.
2. SPECIAL CLOTHES
You can’t wear those same old clothes. They’re all torn and worn or just not appropriate at all for the type of festival you’re going to. The government has all of your measurements and has sent special robes for the spirits and saniwa to wear. It even comes complete with accessories! What’s taking you so long? We should have left twenty minutes ago. Do you need help? Or are you trying to perfect your appearances for your big debut?
3. PERFORMANCE
Everyone is dancing and everyone is singing. Are you one of the performers? Or are they dancing to you? What kind of songs are you hearing? What dances are you watching? Did you see the ceremonial sword dance? Or maybe you were invited to dance in a special performance with your saniwa! When the performance is over, make sure to congratulate the performers on a job well done… or tease your friend.
4. OFFERINGS AND PRAYER
After the festive ceremonies, there are more serious things to do. There is a sacred fire and you can take a moment to pray to the gods. Remember, we are fighting a war and it’s important to remember those that have fallen. The swords that were broken and damaged beyond repair are gathered up and taken to a sacred fire so that their spirits can be purified and reborn. Later, all of those offerings you have been saving are offered up to the gods for their blessings. It's also a chance to hopefully pray for a turn in luck. Maybe you'll pray for an old friend to return to the citadel. It's been a long time since you saw them, right? They'll come home eventually.
5. FESTIVITIES
The ceremonies are finally over! Wow, that sure took up a lot of time, huh? There are still a couple of more hours left in the night so enjoy the festivities. Try the food, play the shooting games, win a couple of prizes. How many goldfish can you catch? Or maybe the important question is: How are you going to take care of this goldfish? At the end of the night, you can catch the fireworks before the night ends.
6. SURPRISE ATTACK
With so many saniwa and sword spirits gathered in one place, it's the perfect time for the enemy to make a major blow against the Time Government. In what should have been the fireworks finale, there's a loud explosion and lightning strikes. The Time Retrograde Army strikes without warning. It's nothing the Touken Danshi haven't taken care of before but this time, they'll have to protect their saniwa too.
7. WILDCARD
Pick your own adventure. Maybe you have to help make offerings or tonight is a special night for a special summoning.
What if the saniwa had to perform other duties besides just summoning swords to fight? What if they had to take part in special ceremonies? What if they had to invite their swords to perform with them? Feel free to get as creative as you want with this prompt as far as things like: Why are they celebrating? How often do they get to leave the citadel? Etc
► Performance [It's time for the dance, and out of all the performances so far, one sword surprised everyone in attendance the most. Well, save for those who came from this particular citadel.
Clad in red, black and gold with strong dragon imagery, Ookurikara draws many gasps and widen eyes as he step onto the designated dance area for the performance. His golden eyes gaze at the audience, as if daring them. Daring them to look away from him. Daring them to watch and criticise him.
When he start his dance, Ookurikara give everyone the impression that a powerful dragon have descended in his movements and choreography.]
► Offerings and Prayers [It might also be a surprised to see Ookurikara here, praying for the fallen swords.
He wouldn't pray for reunions, despite his deeply buried desires. It's better that no more of his old friends come to his citadel. Because despite however quietly happy he is, he also feared the separation that comes with death or if the war ends.
Nor would he pray to the gods. Not when he prefer seeking results with his own hands, with his own actions instead of asking a god who wouldn't even grant his desires.
... But he can pray for the fallen, and for peace to their souls. For their next "life" to be better. But he wouldn't admit to that last part.
When he opens his eyes, he turns to leave and hopes no one will ask. But maybe... maybe he look for someone? A company? Just this time, he kind of want a distraction from his thoughts.]
► Festivities [As anyone who knows Ookurikara, or a Ookurikara, they're never one for loud, social gatherings. Much less a festival setting. And this Ookurikara is no different.
If it's a personal festival at his citadel, that would be one thing. But one hosted by the government, with many others from other citadels in attendance? That went beyond how much he would tolerate it.
That's why he try to avoid people and stick to his own thing. Walking around, looking at the stalls at his own pacing, getting something to eat.
(They're good, but not as good as Mitsutada's cooking.)
Unless... he find his Saniwa, then he wouldn't mind accompanying them. They are someone who earned his respect for him to dance for them, after all.
On the other hand, maybe someone find him and literally drag him around for all the games. Despite his complaints, he didn't seriously break free from their grips. A quiet sign of how much he soften. Maybe.]
Satori saw the faces of the time government officials when her performing swords came forward. The moment Kara-chan stepped up? There was a collective murmur with some choice expletives murmured and many people glaring in her direction, which she answers with smiles and a bowed head.
She's pretty sure she's given them their biggest surprise in years, and people are going to be super salty about this for months if not years. And she's also wondering which of them will come try to suck up to her afterwards like they don't insult her behind her back all the time.]
[Ookurikara finished his dance strongly and beautifully, leaving most of the audience shocked and awed into silence. After his bow, he straightens up and leave the stage, walking over towards Satori.
For a while, there would be a moment before the next performance can start. But as far as Ookurikara's concerned, he feel... proud? He never messed up his choreography. He left the impression he wants on people.
He made their citadel look good. (Try as he might, everyone knows he cares for them all.)]
[Is he going to be alright? Everyone is staring. Any moment now he's just going to storm out of here to hide his embarrassment, probably. Honestly, it's wonder he hasn't already.]
[He's feeling the urge to walk away. Whatever, he can endure it. Until Satori mention how much he wanted to do this.
Suddenly, he wants to leave. Because that's easier than admitting to that much. After glancing back at Satori, he looks away and start to walk off. Okay, he's out. He hit his introvert tolerance or whatever.
[She can't just leave.... so she motions for one of the others to go after him while she stays for the res of the performances. But afterwards as they are allowed to leave and go for the festival booths, she'll be looking for him.]
[Once it's his turn, he goes ahead and orders two. One for himself, one for Satori. Once he's back, he hands one serving to her. And start to walk, so they're out of the way.]
... I danced for you, not for the attention.
[Okay, he can say that. He won't admit to feeling shy or awkward or whatever.]
( Tsurumaru watches the dance from the crowd, quietly impressed and smiling all the while. Perhaps more than most here, he can appreciate how special this dance is. In a thousand years, he's only seen it one other time before and it was so long ago... this really is a surprise.
ANd it looks like the others know it too. Ah, Ookurikara really made their master look good tonight. B
When the dance is finished, he'll wait for the saniwa to give Ookurikara his deserved praises. And when he can get a moment to himself, the throws an arm around Ookurikara's shoulders and laughs, )
Kara-bou! Wonderful, wonderful! Hahaha! I think you've shown me up tonight.
( Not that he minds. A dance from Tsurumaru is special but one from Ookurikara is once in a lifetime. )
[Perhaps what's surprising is the sight of cherry blossom petals appearing around Ookurikara's head, while he listened to the saniwa's praises and words. Of course, he deny it and was about to walk off... but a certain crane got to him.]
I dance because I want to, Tsurumaru. Not to show you up.
[Although, it's a pleasant bonus, if he have to admit it. But it's pretty obvious how proud and pleased he is. In fact, a petal appears...?
A moment later (far later than usual, actually), he try to remove Tsurumaru's arm from around his shoulder.]
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no subject
[It's time for the dance, and out of all the performances so far, one sword surprised everyone in attendance the most. Well, save for those who came from this particular citadel.
Clad in red, black and gold with strong dragon imagery, Ookurikara draws many gasps and widen eyes as he step onto the designated dance area for the performance. His golden eyes gaze at the audience, as if daring them. Daring them to look away from him. Daring them to watch and criticise him.
When he start his dance, Ookurikara give everyone the impression that a powerful dragon have descended in his movements and choreography.]
► Offerings and Prayers
[It might also be a surprised to see Ookurikara here, praying for the fallen swords.
He wouldn't pray for reunions, despite his deeply buried desires. It's better that no more of his old friends come to his citadel. Because despite however quietly happy he is, he also feared the separation that comes with death or if the war ends.
Nor would he pray to the gods. Not when he prefer seeking results with his own hands, with his own actions instead of asking a god who wouldn't even grant his desires.
... But he can pray for the fallen, and for peace to their souls. For their next "life" to be better. But he wouldn't admit to that last part.
When he opens his eyes, he turns to leave and hopes no one will ask. But maybe... maybe he look for someone? A company? Just this time, he kind of want a distraction from his thoughts.]
► Festivities
[As anyone who knows Ookurikara, or a Ookurikara, they're never one for loud, social gatherings. Much less a festival setting. And this Ookurikara is no different.
If it's a personal festival at his citadel, that would be one thing. But one hosted by the government, with many others from other citadels in attendance? That went beyond how much he would tolerate it.
That's why he try to avoid people and stick to his own thing. Walking around, looking at the stalls at his own pacing, getting something to eat.
(They're good, but not as good as Mitsutada's cooking.)
Unless... he find his Saniwa, then he wouldn't mind accompanying them. They are someone who earned his respect for him to dance for them, after all.
On the other hand, maybe someone find him and literally drag him around for all the games. Despite his complaints, he didn't seriously break free from their grips. A quiet sign of how much he soften. Maybe.]
► Wild Card
[Give me your best shot!!]
Performance
Satori saw the faces of the time government officials when her performing swords came forward. The moment Kara-chan stepped up? There was a collective murmur with some choice expletives murmured and many people glaring in her direction, which she answers with smiles and a bowed head.
She's pretty sure she's given them their biggest surprise in years, and people are going to be super salty about this for months if not years. And she's also wondering which of them will come try to suck up to her afterwards like they don't insult her behind her back all the time.]
no subject
For a while, there would be a moment before the next performance can start. But as far as Ookurikara's concerned, he feel... proud? He never messed up his choreography. He left the impression he wants on people.
He made their citadel look good. (Try as he might, everyone knows he cares for them all.)]
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Good job, Kara-chan!
[She did whisper that, though, because it would ruin the mood.]
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Of course. It's my dance.
[... Is that a cherry blossom petal?]
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.... What?]
Kara-chan.... Are you...
[Sorry, whoever is dancing now, but people are staring in this direction.]
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What?
[He's totally not happy and pleased about this. Nope, nope, nope.]
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[Is he going to be alright? Everyone is staring. Any moment now he's just going to storm out of here to hide his embarrassment, probably. Honestly, it's wonder he hasn't already.]
I didn't realize you wanted to do it that much.
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Suddenly, he wants to leave. Because that's easier than admitting to that much. After glancing back at Satori, he looks away and start to walk off. Okay, he's out. He hit his introvert tolerance or whatever.
No, he just doesn't want to confess okay.]
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[She can't just leave.... so she motions for one of the others to go after him while she stays for the res of the performances. But afterwards as they are allowed to leave and go for the festival booths, she'll be looking for him.]
Kara-chan! .... Where did he go?
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Until hunger strikes.
So among the food stalls, Satori will be able to find—sense—Ookurikara at a takoyaki stall.]
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Kara-chan, are you okay?
[And... she will reach and pull a stray sakura petal from his hair.]
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... I'm fine.
[Kind of. Maybe? He is proud of the dance. But the stares annoyed him.]
... Did you eat yet?
[Is this a deflection tactic or not. Or maybe it's almost his turn to order takoyaki.]
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Ah.... no. Not yet. Since I was looking for you.
[Okay maybe she's not letting him after all.]
You just left so quickly, I was worried.
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... I danced for you, not for the attention.
[Okay, he can say that. He won't admit to feeling shy or awkward or whatever.]
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... I know that, Kara-chan. But...
[She's holding up some of the petals she scooped up earlier, and then she playfully blows them from her palm, making them flutter around him.]
I certainly didn't expect *that*. Talk about a surprise!
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So what? I'm just proud I didn't make a mistake.
[No matter how much the petals completely betray how he feels!]
performance
ANd it looks like the others know it too. Ah, Ookurikara really made their master look good tonight. B
When the dance is finished, he'll wait for the saniwa to give Ookurikara his deserved praises. And when he can get a moment to himself, the throws an arm around Ookurikara's shoulders and laughs, )
Kara-bou! Wonderful, wonderful! Hahaha! I think you've shown me up tonight.
( Not that he minds. A dance from Tsurumaru is special but one from Ookurikara is once in a lifetime. )
Well done!
no subject
I dance because I want to, Tsurumaru. Not to show you up.
[Although, it's a pleasant bonus, if he have to admit it. But it's pretty obvious how proud and pleased he is. In fact, a petal appears...?
A moment later (far later than usual, actually), he try to remove Tsurumaru's arm from around his shoulder.]