what if we kissed while being chased by the ski-free yeti 😳

[beleos]

CEREMONIES OF HARMONIZATION (MERIDIAN)

Early in the month, a brief Communion message is sent out by Cetina and Kathova to their respective factions (if you’re unharmonized, sorry, you get both!) to inform them that Harmonization Ceremonies will be taking place on December 8th. While not required, it’s strongly encouraged that you at least make an appearance at the respective ceremony. This is a time for the factions to honor and celebrate you for making your choice and to symbolically represent that commitment. If you haven’t made your choice yet, you’re welcome to attend either ceremony. In fact, it would be a great honor to choose to Harmonize at the ceremony itself.

When you arrive to Heliopolis for the ceremony, the first thing you’ll be asked to do is… change? A wide variety of Greek and Roman-styled outfits are provided, all in light shades ranging from pure whites to soft pastels. But once you’re changed, you’re led deep into Heliopolis to a great courtyard where the tree is rooted. Along the edges, large tables full of appetizing food and drink are being set up, but first, you have the Ceremony to attend.

Once most people have arrived, Cyrus takes a place at the base of the tree and speaks to those assembled. He gives a warm, charismatic speech welcoming all to the celebration. This is a time to celebrate those who have Meridian’s light within them and to welcome them. He hopes that you’ll find peace and happiness here in Kenos, and just as much, he hopes the worlds you see in your Sunbeams return. One day, you’ll part ways, but for now, he hopes you find new friends and family here among the Meri.

After his brief speech, you’ll be given opportunity to approach the tree and touch your Shard to it in a ritualistic way. When you do, you’ll get the experience of briefly visiting a happy, peaceful time in another world as if the tree itself is Communing with you. You’re more likely to see the worlds of those in attendance at the ceremony, but it can also be random. Regardless, it fills you with a sense of belonging and resolve as if reminding you that this is what you’re helping someone return to and your own home is also waiting. From there, you’ll be directed to the sides of the courtyard where craftspeople are waiting. If you give them your Iliachtida, they’ll happily craft it into a piece of jewelry or other token of your choosing so that you can always carry it with you.

After this, it’s of course time to feast and to party!

You’ll find music, dancing, food, and drink, which the Tribune himself seems to be indulging in! Eventually, an interesting drinking game will begin… You’ll see Meri lounging in a circle and drinking wine, but once their cup is empty, they offer a toast, and then flick the remaining sediment towards a bowl in the center. This is Kottabos! Ask a yes or no question, and its outcome is decided by whether the remainder of the wine-lees lands in the target. Alternately, it’s a traditional gambling game as well. Make a wager with another player: candy and cakes, money, or maybe even kisses in the spirit of the season. All things work as currency in Kottabos!

CEREMONIES OF HARMONIZATION (ZENITH)

As Kathova informed you, Zenith’s ceremony is a formal affair, and you’re expected to dress as such. Don’t worry if some of the finer clothing is out of your budget—this ceremony is important, so you’ll be able to commission whatever you’d like from a local tailor, and Lady Yima will foot the bill. The ceremony itself takes place in the Courtyard of Yima’s Manor, and the twin moons shine brightly overhead in her garden. There are multiple large tables set up with enough seats to accommodate everyone in attendance and at the front of this setup is a smaller table with seats for Yima and Kathova.

However, while everyone is arriving, she’s standing at the foot of the tree. She’ll greet everyone who comes, and once everyone is settled, will give a brief speech of welcome: spreading her hands, she invites all gathered to be at peace among their kindred - as all are family among the Zenith. Each soul is connected, holding a crucial piece that will be carried into the new world to come. She understands there are struggles to come, that the road ahead may not be an easy one - but each of them lest but look around them. Do they see the faces of those at their sides...? These are safe hands to entrust themselves in, and she welcomes you as they will welcome you - with open arms. After this, she asks that each of you come to her with your Shard in hand.

When you do, Yima won’t take your Shard from you, but instead just hold her hands over yours. She speaks a Zenite blessing, and then leans down to kiss your Shard. The feeling ripples through you, but it’s not unpleasant. In fact, a sense of peace comes of you that will last the entirety of the night. With a smile, she tells you to enjoy your evening in the moonlight. If you received a Shard from her, she’ll direct you to one of the craftspeople to the side of the courtyard that will fashion a “home” for that Shard. An elegant piece of jewelry, a box, whatever you prefer, and while inside it, it’ll be magically protected. If you didn’t, then she’ll instead direct you to others who will make you a “token”. Much like the barista near the Tomes, give them your Shard, and they’ll create you a custom piece of jewelry or the like that represents your soul. The appearance, of course, is up to the player.

After this, the banquet begins. Gentle music plays in the background, but the focus here is to get to know your fellow Zenite Shard-Bearers. You’ll find a variety of food on the menu, but it’s all quite special, you know at a glance. Whatever your favorite food is, it’s offered at the banquet with your name next to it in parenthesis. This is a bit of a cultural exchange, but there’s also just a little bit of Yima’s more mischievous magic at play. While you eat, the effect is subtle, but you’ll be more open to those you talk with. It’s not so much that you’ll be revealing your secrets or anything of the sort, but just a gentle way to lower those barriers between you.

QIASU (HIGHSTORM)

On December 9th, the marker of the latter half of Takiltu, Kenos comes together to celebrate unity and togetherness, to come together with friends and family, to be kind to others and share in one’s wealth - whether that comes in the form of knowledge, monetary gains, or the exchange of gifts and one’s time. This celebration is an amalgamation of many worlds’ winter festivals, and as such, is known in the two cities as the Year’s End Festival, or Qiasu as Highstorm calls it.

This part of Takiltu is when Highstorm truly starts to hit winter. Snow is a frequent occurrence, but it’s one that the city welcomes, since with the snow comes a few of the most beloved traditions of the city. By far the most popular is heading to Greenwood Yards. The gardens themselves may be either dormant or showing their simpler winter gardens, but you may have noticed an area by the bathhouses left in surprising amount of disrepair… This is because during the winter months, this area fills up with a natural outdoor hot spring! Take a swim under the moonlight, and even explore some of those ruined old manors, now with their first floors warmly flooded. It’s a tradition to bring in your favorite drinks and spend an evening sipping it in a parlor with friends, and to make new ones by sharing your drinks. Of course, do watch out for the ghosts. They’re mischievous more than malicious, but this is their favorite time of the year too!

You can also head to the Great Tree, which is decorated for the season with glittering glass orbs and is the current roost for the pale Moonbugs of Highstorm. Write a wish on a slip of paper and hold out your hands, and one of the Moonbugs will come sit within them. Whisper the wish to the Moonbug and it’ll take the paper and fly away to find someone to fulfill it. Of course, this also means that a Moonbug is likely to come find you! Besides it being good karma to fulfill the wish, you’ll be given a brief vision of the person whose wish you fulfilled and be blessed by the tree for the duration of the month depending upon your Aspect:

• Advocate: People are more likely to buy you meals/rounds and every recipe you make turns out perfectly.
• Exalt: Animals seem to think more kindly of you, and you'll find them much easier to befriend.
• Harbinger: You're given a more silver tongue as your arguments seem to be better at persuading people.
• Iconoclast: You won't be effected by cold weather in any way.
• Savant: You heal much more rapidly from any injury and are generally the very picture of health.
• Stargazer: Your indulgences (whatever they may be) are both easier to find and are of higher quality.

And of course, there’s one more well-known practice in Highstorm, though it’s more of a tradition of Kowloon’s… The Gävle family is a well-known family who has lived in Highstorm for a long time, and they brought a tradition of building a festive Yule goat made straw in the square outside of their businesses. However, it also happens to be outside of Yura Szczepanski’s home. He’ll never do it himself, of course, but if you manage to burn it down? He’ll reward you, obviously. It doesn’t make it any more legal, so those that try generally spend some time in a Highstorm jail, but it’s an enshrined enough practice at this point that not only has it burned down more often than it’s survived, but there’s even a betting pool in Kowloon for whether it survives or not.

Of course, if these traditions aren’t quite your vibe, you’ll also find the city just generally set up for a metropolitan winter. The Antiques & Baubles Market is rearranged to make room for a large ice-skating rink, Tasseography (the coffeeshop by the Tomes) has a seasonal special for a hot chocolate that will fortify you from the cold for a few hours (and make you fire resistant? Weird,), and the city also hosts a full-size gingerbread house that you can indeed take a bite from, to name a few things. Generally speaking, if it’s something you could do in a snowy city at home, you’ll probably find an equivalent somewhere in the city of moonlight.

YEAR'S END FESTIVAL (SPRINGSTAR)

Springstar will never turn down a chance to celebrate, but eternally Highstorm’s opposite, this is the warmest time of year. With the sun always shining, some days can get near sweltering, but that just means you have a different set of traditions to have fun with it!

The ivy-like vines that decorated the city in the beginning of the month (November) are now in full bloom, and you’re now likely to learn why the Meri consider them sacred. Wherever the flowers bloom, they encourage feelings of warmth and slightly higher inclination for physical contact within those that encounter their magical pollen*. Holding hands with someone by the flowers will give you feelings of liveliness and happiness, and for a few hours, the positive traits of the person you’re holding hands with become more prominent in you and vice versa. These effects do linger a bit longer, since for a month, you’ll also find that being around this person also gives you both a little boost in energy. It’s very sweet! This also comes with a bit of a further game, if you’re at all a frequenter of Psychagogía...

Madame Dee’s hosts a very popular competition simply called Kiss Bingo. Approach the booth set-up outside the brothel and touch your Shard to a special card, and names will appear upon it. From there, the rules are simple. Just give that person a kiss! It can be on their hand, their lips, their [redacted], all of it counts, and once you do, a little kiss mark will mark their name out. Get a bingo, and you can pick from a variety of prizes such as a ticket for a week’s worth of visits at a local buffet, a shopping spree at a nearby store, or a box seat for a day at the Coliseum. Of course, if you’re really an overachiever, fill out the whole card to get multiple prizes. Madame Dee might just give you a job!

With the promise of home that the Meri deeply believe in, they have their own gifting tradition. The Shard-Bearers know best that it’s possible to receive gifts from the Timestream, and for Year’s End, it’s tradition for the Tribune to pull out all the stops. For a week of the Festival, the Tribune works just outside of Heliopolis, and with the help of priests from the Church of Helios, reaches into the Timestream to produce a gift for anyone that comes to ask. However, this is a tradition taken with great humor. For one, the Tribune wears a particular costume for the duration, said to be a figure from the first Tribune’s world, but with some tweaks for the hotter climate. And two, this was a tradition started when the city was much smaller. Now that it's such a bustling city, pulling good gifts out of the Timestream gets more difficult. It may not be what you asked for, but Cyrus will still hand over a gift just for you with a laugh and a smile, wishing you a Meri year of prosperity to come. There’s no time to stay and chat, however, since the line is quite long!

On rainy days (or simply the unbearably hot ones), you can also go to Starlight Park, which offers a reprieve from the weather. Inside the dome, you’ll find a idyllic, snowy valley where you can partake in all the natural joys of winter. There’s (highly) competitive snowball fights, sledding, and skiing to partake in, though you might be cautioned away from one slope. Head down that course and about halfway down, you’ll be chased by… a yeti? Luckily it doesn’t seem to be able to harm you, but it’s still shockingly fast and will catch you no matter how quickly you ski. You can also spend a bit of money to rent a yurt along the river for a relaxing and exceptionally cozy glamping experience. Some Yurts are even adorned with the sacred vines. You know, for no reason.

You’ll also find the Meri heading away from the city of Springstar a bit to head down to some of the beaches that surround Springstar. Being an island within an Island (capital ‘I’ meaning the Kenos kind of island), Takiltu is the traditional start of Springstar’s summer season and all the fun that comes with that. The beaches are bustling, but the cool and crystal-clear waters of the ocean surrounding the city make it worthwhile. Surfing, diving, and sailing are popular activities, but just make sure to stay within sight of the shore. It doesn’t take too long to hit the end of the Island and sailing outside the magical barrier that keeps Springstar floating in Kenos’s starscape generally isn’t survivable.

NOTES

Weather summary for the second 30 days of Takiltu (NOV & DEC):

• Highstorm is out of fall and into winter. While there are some milder days, snow (and heavy snow at that!) is getting more common.
• Springstar is hot and humid, and it's not uncommon for brief thunderstorms to roll through in the afternoon.

Notable city changes:

• A new bar has opened in Springstar by the name of Punch Drunk! Located in Psychagogia, it's already seeing good business and Meri seem to especially enjoy people watching on the balcony.

Faction updates:

• Rumors have started to circulate that A Zenite Shard is being held hostage by the Meridian. There's a slight increased tension between Meri and Zenites as a result, but it's still understated. This is a matter that's expected to be negotiated, after all.

CODING

Comments

[hauntedking]

Just sitting and enjoying your company seems to be a pleasant enough one.

[ He laughs. ]

I know we've only known each other a short time, but I feel like you're someone I can trust. That I can relate to. Is that odd?

[subsist]

[ Kaeya's expression becomes hard to read, but if asked, not even he would be able to tell Dimitri what he's feeling. It's there and gone within the next moment, and then he's laughing. ]

You would be the first to say such a thing. [ Is it odd? Absolutely. ] I feel honoured that you would think so.

[ His head tilts to one side, curious. ]

What makes you think so, anyway?

[hauntedking]

...how could I not think so? The way you've spoken, the care you've shown me. We share outlooks. Does that not count as a form of friendship? Even a tentative one?

[ Dimitri shrugs. ]

Is that reason enough?

[subsist]

You trust way too easily, you know? As your... friend, I feel as though I should point that out.

[ Since the chairs are close enough, Kaeya can reach over and pat Dimitri on the shoulder quite easily. ]

You never know who might take advantage of that.

[ Be careful, he's trying to say. ]

[hauntedking]

I know what can happen.

[ His smile is a touch sad. Maybe even bitter. ]

Trusting too much can hurt you. But I choose to see the good in people. There was a time where all I wanted to do was hurt others. To punish them for their sins and to relieve myself of my own.

[ He glances away. ]

I don't want to go back to that.

[subsist]

[ Kaeya hasn't forgotten what Dimitri told him when they first met. There's a permanent reminder of what happened on the other man's face, after all, hidden underneath a black eyepatch. What the man reveals just now makes him realize that they might be more in other ways too.

After all, thinking the worst of someone has always been his first instinct. He's never been quick to trust — and for good reason. ]

... You don't have to. [ Now it's Kaeya's turn to look away, focusing his gaze on the cup of hot cocoa in his hands. ] I'm just telling you to be careful.

Things might be good right now, but you never know when the two factions will no longer see eye to eye.

[hauntedking]

That's true. But I will hope that that day will never come to pass... and that we can work through such differences. I already saw my homeland fall into war and strife because of differences between nations. I don't think I'd like to repeat that here...

[ He sighs and takes another little sip, brow furrowed. ]

...although it is something to consider.

[subsist]

It's always something to consider.

[ Kaeya doesn't think he's ever lived through a day in his life when he wasn't worrying about such a thing. First, it had been between Mondstadt and Khaenri'ah, and then it was soon replaced by the strife between the Kenoma and the Pleroma. He wonders just how long it would take before the other shoe drops. He's sure it won't be long until he finds himself in the same situation again right here. ]

However, it's preferable if you're the one who turns out to be right.

[ That just means they can focus on bringing who they've lost back rather than getting into a fight amongst each other.

He shakes his head, and when he speaks next, his tone is a touch apologetic. ]

In any case... I didn't mean to bring the mood down. We should talk about something else.

[ how do we get them to kiss, for one thing,,,, ]

[hauntedking]

To be quite honest, being here with you has already improved my mood. Regardless of the topic of conversation.

[ Dimitri breams for a moment, all smiles and looking more like the stereotypical Prince Charming than the somewhat tired (if powerful) man he usually comes off as. There's a sign of something more behind all of that. ]

I find myself wanting to... get to know you better. If I can be as bold as that.

[subsist]

[ How are people catching him off his game more and more recently? It's not even just what Dimitri says, but more so his delivery of it. He doesn't understand why it feels like his heart just skipped a beat or two. ]

That is... rather bold. What happens if what you learn about me is disappointing? I'm afraid there's nothing all that interesting to know.

[ He's quick to rely on his usual defense mechanisms, more so because he doesn't know how to deal with stuff like this. ]

[hauntedking]

We all have demons and sin in our past. Some worse than others, of course.

[ Dimitri sounds philosophical. But he leans over a little with a smile. ]

Our past informs us. It doesn't... it can't... define who we become.

[subsist]

You make it sound so terribly easy.

[ Kaeya doesn't sound convinced. After all, his past is a part of who he is, no matter how hard he tries to run away from it. The legacy of Khaenri'ah will follow him no matter where he goes — even more so that it cost him something precious and irreplaceable. ]

I know many would like to have a clean break from the past. Whether or not that will be granted to them, however, is a different story.

[ He looks at Dimitri. ]

Unless you know of a way to guarantee it.

[hauntedking]

I don't think we can break from it. Not cleanly. But... I also think that if I were to stay locked in that past, I would drown.

[ He glances away, thinking, then looks back at Kaeya. ]

The only way I know to keep moving is to rely on those around you. To find joy in your present.

cw: some drowning mentions,,,

[subsist]

[ To find joy in your present, huh. Again, Dimitri makes it sound so terribly easy. There's a bittersweet feeling that flickers through their shared connection. It's one that lingers despite his attempts to get rid of it. ]

I suppose you're right. One cannot hope to ever change the past, after all.

[ It's funny that Dimitri would talk about drowning. It feels like forever ago when Silco forced him down the icy waters as a way to help him move past what's been holding him back. He already implied that it hadn't really worked, but—

He isn't sure if what Dimitri is suggesting will work either. ]

Surround yourself with those you can trust and you'll never be left wanting.

[hauntedking]

Something like that, yes.

[ There's a pulse of concern in reply. Of something like worry. Although there's also a sense of just... what? Contentment? ]

I'd like to think you're one of them. Or rather... I think I would like it if you were one of them. That's a better way to say it.

[subsist]

[ They've already gone over this before, not too long ago. Kaeya resists the urge to ask why because he knows that Dimitri has made up his mind. That contentment is unmistakable, and he doesn't know how to feel about it. ]

Then, if you're willing to take the chance— [ that he might end up disappointing Dimitri one day, that is ] I think I would like that too.

[ This isn't something that has always been easy to say, but there's just something in the air, something about this moment, that makes him think: maybe it'll be alright, for once. ]

[hauntedking]

[ Dimitri's not sure what it is. Maybe it's the cozy atmosphere. Maybe it's just the sense of finally getting through to Kaeya. Whatever it is, he feels a spark of something and he pauses for a moment, feeling his ears start to burn. ]

Then... could I take a chance on something else?

[ He asks that before he can think better of it, his good eye watching Kaeya intently. ]

...I feel like there's something I need to do.

[subsist]

[ Kaeya can't tell why he's feeling nervous all of a sudden. Maybe it's just inevitable at this point, a reflex that isn't too easy to get rid of whenever he feels exposed. There's an intensity to Dimitri's gaze that he can't help but be lured in despite knowing better. ]

I—

[ He stops himself, realizing he was about to say no. He stays right where he is, and nods his head once. ]

Alright. By all means.

[ A part of him is curious about what Dimitri feels like he needs to do. ]

[hauntedking]

[ Dimitri takes a breath and lets it out. He offers a slow little smile. ]

Bear with me.

[ He hesitates and then reaches up to gently cup Kaeya's cheek with a hand and then leans in. He closes the distance between them and tentatively plants a kiss against his lips. It's soft, a little shy. Like he's feeling out whether this is OK or not. ]

[subsist]

[ It's a good thing that Dimitri takes it slow. Almost immediately, Kaeya's first instinct is to freeze entirely in place, uncertain of how he's supposed to react. He doesn't know why the other man is doing this. Doesn't understand why Dimitri would think he deserves such a gesture when he's so—

(Irredeemable in every way? He knows, he knows.)

His eye flutters shut, resistance all but melting away in the presence of this kiss. There are a million things running through his mind right now but he tries to suppress them, discarding all of the white noise. All he wants to focus on is how soft Dimitri's lips feel against his.

Maybe it wouldn't hurt to let this happen for as long as this moment lasts. ]

[hauntedking]

[ Dimitri isn't quite sure what compels him to do this. He's fond of Kaeya, it's true. He's known him a short while and yet-

Well. Here he is. Dimitri is a touch clumsy, but he's gentle and he lets the kiss linger. There's too much going on for him to stop and think too hard. Besides... what's the point in that? There's something freeing in just letting the moment last.

So he does. At least until he has to pause to catch his breath. ]

[subsist]

[ It's all too easy for Kaeya to pull away once Dimitri does. He might look sheepish, so unlike how he's usually put together. It's hard for him to process what just happened, but at the same time, a part of him also doesn't mind.

What a strange feeling. ]

... Was that what you needed to do?

[ It's a bold move, Kaeya will give him that. ]

[hauntedking]

...I think it was.

[ Dimitri's ears are very pink. ]

I - I'm not quite sure what made feel compelled to do so, but I just thought-

[ He laughs. ]

It felt right.

[subsist]

It felt right...

[ Kaeya repeats those words quietly to himself. He doesn't know why they make him feel so flustered, something that's immediately obvious by the faint dusting of pink on his cheeks. It's there and gone by the time he recomposes himself, clearing his throat.

When he smiles at Dimitri, it's small but fond. ]

Well, whatever compelled you— I'm glad it did.

[ It was nice, he's trying to say. He wouldn't really mind it if Dimitri did it again but he's not the type to say that out loud. Not when he'll mean it. ]

[hauntedking]

[ Dimitri laughs - there's a touch of nervousness to it - but he likes the way that being like this makes him feel. Even if he's not sure if this is just... attraction or something deeper. Whatever it is, it's pleasant and warm and chases away the chill from outside. ]

Could I do it again...?