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what if we kissed while being chased by the ski-free yeti đł
CEREMONIES OF HARMONIZATION (MERIDIAN)
Early in the month, a brief Communion message is sent out by Cetina and Kathova to their respective factions (if youâre unharmonized, sorry, you get both!) to inform them that Harmonization Ceremonies will be taking place on December 8th. While not required, itâs 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 havenât made your choice yet, youâre 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 youâll 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 youâre changed, youâre 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 Meridianâs light within them and to welcome them. He hopes that youâll find peace and happiness here in Kenos, and just as much, he hopes the worlds you see in your Sunbeams return. One day, youâll part ways, but for now, he hopes you find new friends and family here among the Meri.
After his brief speech, youâll be given opportunity to approach the tree and touch your Shard to it in a ritualistic way. When you do, youâll get the experience of briefly visiting a happy, peaceful time in another world as if the tree itself is Communing with you. Youâre 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 youâre helping someone return to and your own home is also waiting. From there, youâll be directed to the sides of the courtyard where craftspeople are waiting. If you give them your Iliachtida, theyâll 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, itâs of course time to feast and to party!
Youâll find music, dancing, food, and drink, which the Tribune himself seems to be indulging in! Eventually, an interesting drinking game will begin⌠Youâll 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, itâs 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!
When you arrive to Heliopolis for the ceremony, the first thing youâll 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 youâre changed, youâre 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 Meridianâs light within them and to welcome them. He hopes that youâll find peace and happiness here in Kenos, and just as much, he hopes the worlds you see in your Sunbeams return. One day, youâll part ways, but for now, he hopes you find new friends and family here among the Meri.
After his brief speech, youâll be given opportunity to approach the tree and touch your Shard to it in a ritualistic way. When you do, youâll get the experience of briefly visiting a happy, peaceful time in another world as if the tree itself is Communing with you. Youâre 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 youâre helping someone return to and your own home is also waiting. From there, youâll be directed to the sides of the courtyard where craftspeople are waiting. If you give them your Iliachtida, theyâll 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, itâs of course time to feast and to party!
Youâll find music, dancing, food, and drink, which the Tribune himself seems to be indulging in! Eventually, an interesting drinking game will begin⌠Youâll 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, itâs 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, Zenithâs ceremony is a formal affair, and youâre expected to dress as such. Donât worry if some of the finer clothing is out of your budget—this ceremony is important, so youâll be able to commission whatever youâd like from a local tailor, and Lady Yima will foot the bill. The ceremony itself takes place in the Courtyard of Yimaâs 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, sheâs standing at the foot of the tree. Sheâll 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 wonât 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 itâs 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, sheâll direct you to one of the craftspeople to the side of the courtyard that will fashion a âhomeâ for that Shard. An elegant piece of jewelry, a box, whatever you prefer, and while inside it, itâll be magically protected. If you didnât, then sheâll instead direct you to others who will make you a âtokenâ. Much like the barista near the Tomes, give them your Shard, and theyâll 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. Youâll find a variety of food on the menu, but itâs all quite special, you know at a glance. Whatever your favorite food is, itâs offered at the banquet with your name next to it in parenthesis. This is a bit of a cultural exchange, but thereâs also just a little bit of Yimaâs more mischievous magic at play. While you eat, the effect is subtle, but youâll be more open to those you talk with. Itâs not so much that youâll be revealing your secrets or anything of the sort, but just a gentle way to lower those barriers between you.
However, while everyone is arriving, sheâs standing at the foot of the tree. Sheâll 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 wonât 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 itâs 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, sheâll direct you to one of the craftspeople to the side of the courtyard that will fashion a âhomeâ for that Shard. An elegant piece of jewelry, a box, whatever you prefer, and while inside it, itâll be magically protected. If you didnât, then sheâll instead direct you to others who will make you a âtokenâ. Much like the barista near the Tomes, give them your Shard, and theyâll 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. Youâll find a variety of food on the menu, but itâs all quite special, you know at a glance. Whatever your favorite food is, itâs offered at the banquet with your name next to it in parenthesis. This is a bit of a cultural exchange, but thereâs also just a little bit of Yimaâs more mischievous magic at play. While you eat, the effect is subtle, but youâll be more open to those you talk with. Itâs not so much that youâll 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 oneâs wealth - whether that comes in the form of knowledge, monetary gains, or the exchange of gifts and oneâs time. This celebration is an amalgamation of many worldsâ winter festivals, and as such, is known in the two cities as the Yearâs 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 itâs 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. Itâs 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. Theyâre 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 itâll 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, youâll 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:
Of course, if these traditions arenât quite your vibe, youâll 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 itâs something you could do in a snowy city at home, youâll probably find an equivalent somewhere in the city of moonlight.
This part of Takiltu is when Highstorm truly starts to hit winter. Snow is a frequent occurrence, but itâs 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. Itâs 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. Theyâre 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 itâll 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, youâll 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.
Of course, if these traditions arenât quite your vibe, youâll 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 itâs something you could do in a snowy city at home, youâll 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 Highstormâs 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 youâre 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 youâre holding hands with become more prominent in you and vice versa. These effects do linger a bit longer, since for a month, youâll also find that being around this person also gives you both a little boost in energy. Itâs very sweet! This also comes with a bit of a further game, if youâre at all a frequenter of PsychagogĂa...
Madame Deeâs 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 weekâs 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 youâre 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 itâs possible to receive gifts from the Timestream, and for Yearâs End, itâs 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 Tribuneâs 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. Thereâs 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, youâll find a idyllic, snowy valley where you can partake in all the natural joys of winter. Thereâs (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, youâll be chased by⌠a yeti? Luckily it doesnât seem to be able to harm you, but itâs 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.
Youâll 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 âIâ meaning the Kenos kind of island), Takiltu is the traditional start of Springstarâs 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 doesnât take too long to hit the end of the Island and sailing outside the magical barrier that keeps Springstar floating in Kenosâs starscape generally isnât survivable.
The ivy-like vines that decorated the city in the beginning of the month (November) are now in full bloom, and youâre 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 youâre holding hands with become more prominent in you and vice versa. These effects do linger a bit longer, since for a month, youâll also find that being around this person also gives you both a little boost in energy. Itâs very sweet! This also comes with a bit of a further game, if youâre at all a frequenter of PsychagogĂa...
Madame Deeâs 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 weekâs 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 youâre 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 itâs possible to receive gifts from the Timestream, and for Yearâs End, itâs 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 Tribuneâs 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. Thereâs 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, youâll find a idyllic, snowy valley where you can partake in all the natural joys of winter. Thereâs (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, youâll be chased by⌠a yeti? Luckily it doesnât seem to be able to harm you, but itâs 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.
Youâll 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 âIâ meaning the Kenos kind of island), Takiltu is the traditional start of Springstarâs 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 doesnât take too long to hit the end of the Island and sailing outside the magical barrier that keeps Springstar floating in Kenosâs starscape generally isnât 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.
- 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.
- 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.
no subject
[ the words shock him so much that heâs almost able to speak. itâs just by the shape of his mouth and the light, simple breath of a single syllable that a sound can be construed as a word, but it quickly dies back into nothingness when his head lifts to meet her eyes.
heâs forgiven. that should be it. those are the only words heâs ever wanted to hear, because he thought they would make him feel better. and they do, somewhat. he thinks that hayame means it; she doesnât seem like the type to placate because itâs easy. the problem is simply that he doesnât remember, and his worries from his own world were founded. he canât be forgiven for something he doesnât recall doing. ]
âŚ
[ still, he nods, and scrambles to his feet. ]
no subject
But she has said it now, hasn't she? It is done. And in the aftermath...
What came in the aftermath of forgiveness?]
Do whatever business you came here for.
[She checks on her own sunbeam bead, the fastening into jewelry nearly complete. Once it was... She could see it again. The vision that only those Harmonized to Meridian were able to summon. Whether that was why he'd come to this part of the party or not...]