Midsummer Festivus

Event Details:

Yona Hisamori arrived in Hargeon Town in the late morning with a single bag, heading for the local Inn. She had made sure to finish up her other jobs and work for the Company first, and then give an announcement of leave for the next week. A week off was an unusually long time away from the guild and away from Sato. Yona wanted to see the festival here though. The town, bustling with people from near and far, the smell of salt, seafood, and festival goods in the air and the atmosphere generally thick with happiness was exactly what the woman needed. Sometimes work with the guild could become so intense that her chest tightened and it became hard to breath. Moments of intense stress could always be cured by time by the sea, and a Solstice festival was a blessing of an excuse to travel and take a break. She wasn't even wearing her white uniform, something that was more strange to her than anything.

Yona was excited for the lanterns and lights, floating in the sky and in the sea. She closed her eyes and could almost picture it as if looking into the vast nothingness of the universe and only seeing the beauty of a million little lights. She longed to find chocolate bananas, candied fresh strawberries and pulled salt water taffy. She wanted to eat, drink, and relax on the beach all day and watch the fireworks like an ordinary civilian at night. With so many major changes, Yona didn't know when this opportunity would come again and it reminded her so much of being a kid that she somewhat regretted going to the festival alone. Ever since her encounter with Oykai, Ketsueki had gone relatively quiet. Oykai, Yona thought the name with a little smile. She was glad to have learned so much about him. However, she wasn't sure what the demon was up to; whether it was plotting or sleeping, the female was grateful to have her mind to herself. Yona Hisamori found the inn and went up to her room. She opened her bag and lay out her yukata, wondering if she should put it on or not.

Yona held the yukata up to her chest, admiring the white fabric adorned with deep purple vines and pale blue koi fish. "I'm on vacation, so why not?" She finally said. When she finished dressing, the plant mage looked out the window at the festival in the streets and market below. She had a good view of the harbor not far away as well. She watched a young boy try his luck at a strength test station and then walk away with his head drooped. The mage watched an adorable and young looking couple, taking turns tossing rings and missing the shiny golden bottle. Yona's eyes caught on the old man bobbing for apples, perplexed and amazed by his success, a fruit caught in his lips. Then she watched as the man's teeth and the apple fell, bouncing onto the ground. Yona winced and closed her eyes. "Poor guy," She uttered. She sniffed and then exhaled in glee.

"Yakitori," She crooned, squinting out the window, hands pressed to the pane, looking for the vendor. Yona had no luck, unable to see where the stand was. Quickly, she changed into her rarely worn yukata and dashed out of her room. As she made her way out of the inn, Yona heard a group of people talking about fluctuations in magical power and rumors of mages who longed to cause chaos in the festival activities. She shook her green haired head. No, she was on vacation. There were always rumors. There were always jobs. And this midsummer festival was her time off. That yakitori.... would be her's! Yona raced through the doors, tripping and almost colliding into a man on her way out. She lifted her hands to apologize. "Sorry, sorry!" Maybe she should enjoy herself a little more slowly, she thought to herself embarrassed.

WC: 669

@Ruvel

Apollo Rennard Dagger, the youngest heir of the main branch of the Dagger family, and how he hated to be reminded of it but it happened much more often than he would like. Every time he was reminded it made him want to do damage to himself, nothing fatal just something that would ease the distress he felt building within himself, almost give him some sort of release away from the strain that was a life that would be hard on anyone to bare. He knew it wasn't healthy but then he also knew what his family put him through wasn't healthy either, there were the secrets that were need to know so no one knew everything. What was expected of him academically, professionally, socially and as a mage. The thing was he was sure if an outsider seen everything he done on a day to day basis they'd be wondering when he had time to sleep or worse, how he was still alive. In truth these where thoughts that often ran through his mind, still he knew it better to keep such thoughts to himself or things could get far worse for him. He was bound to his family, acting as a tool on their behalf in whatever way they deemed, problem was even though he was known as a social butterfly it was the furthest thing from the truth, he was pretty isolated because he could do nothing without his parents permission or so it felt.

Things changed from when he done is disappearing act, the limited freedom he had seemed to vanishe as the leash tightened that much more. He found out a family secret thanks to his elder brother, but, as time went on he was wished he didn't know this secret, it was one that he didn't know if he could live with, working for a guild that didn't exist that took on jobs that broke all sorts of laws ranging from thieft all the way up to murder; to make things worse he found out that Lynus, the man that had raised and protected him since he was two years old was also a member of the guild. That he protected him due to a contract that was ongoing from the guild, in honesty he was surprised that his elder brother Artimis hadn't ended the protection contract on him, but, there could have been more at play. He knew that Arty cared for him more than his parents and would do everything he could to make sure he was safe and cared for. When he returned he remained in his room escorted from point A to point B and back again on everything he done outside the family estate, he guessed he could understand it but it bothered him, he just wanted some freedom, a little time to be a normal teenager but he knew that wasn't ever going to be on the cards so he gave up the hope of it ever being a possabilty.

Little over a week ago from his bedroom he heard a heated discussion coming from his father's study, that wasn't exactly abnormal, especially given the other voice he heard was his older brother's voice. With how far away his father's study was and with both doors closed he couldn't make out the words that were being said, later on in the evening he was informed by Lynus that there were festivals being held all over Earthland, he could do nothing more than roll his eyes as he knew that wasn't something he'd be permitted to go to, he never was after all as it done nothing to improve him, better the family or business. Lynus then went on to tell him that he was allowed to attend, that his parents thought it would do him some good to have some time to enjoy himself. This caught the young red head offguard as he couldn't believe that his parents would say it was okay, but who was he to argue if it was the case, the only stipulation was that Lynus had to accompany him this was something that he he was use to so just nodded and went to get packed before heading out. He wanted to get away from home for as long as possible and so Lynus suggested that they take a trip to Hargeon, tapping his bottom lip he nodded and moved to leave.

Getting into his car he closed his eyes allowing Lynus to drive them to the port city, it was nice to be able to just relax, problem was he didn't know what to do. He was sure that these kinds of things were normally much more fun spending it with someone else, he looked down thoughtfully and smiled a little "Perhaps, I can make a friend for a change." he said to himself "Did you say something young sir?" he asked, Ren looked up shaking his head "Just thinking out loud Lynus, don't worry about it." he replied the making the taller male nodding continuing to drive forward towards their destination. It had taken several hours but they finally got Hargeon town "You made the arrangements for my stay Lynus?" he asked the other getting out of the car after it stopped in front of a hotel "Of course" he replied taking the baggage from him. "I'm going to go into the town I'll meet you in the centre in an hour Lynus." he said starting to walk off making the older male frown "It isn't happening young sir, I have my orders." he sternly said making the blue eyed youth "Lynus, please... I just need a little time on my own. I swear I will meet you at the centre of town in an hour, if I don't hunt me down and you can drag me home." he said crossing his arms "Very well, one hour." he said walking into the hotel. Nodding

Ren ran into the town in the hopes to spend some time to look around and perhaps play some games, it was a rare treat and one that he was going to enjoy to the fullest, it was then he was almost bumped into making him stop in his tracks. In front of him was a green haired woman that hand her hands up as she apologiesed "It's fine miss. Are you here to enjoy the festival too?" he asked, he didn't know the woman but thought that she may be as excited as he was to see it. "If that is the case perhaps if you aren't here with anyone else you would care to join me? I'm Ren." he said with a smile giving her the name he preferred to be called to the other. "Oh, it wasn't a pick up line by the way... I.. I'm here alone... w... well I have my butler who I have to meet in an hour." he said scratching his cheek nervously after realising how his words could be taken.

Word Count: 1,172
@Yona

Yona dusted off her white yukata, noting with a breath of soft relief that it was undamaged. How unfortunate it would be if the very first chance she had gotten to wear it, she had ruined it. When the blue-eyed male accepted her apology and introduced herself, Yona found her composure once more. She grinned and clasped her hands together, "I am alone as well, Ren. My name is Yona Hisamori." She had been surprised by his kind invitation to join him, but it was better to play games and try snacks with another person than by herself. She had fancied herself a solo vacation, however, the woman hadn't realized until Ren had asked her to join him, that doing all of this solo would leave her wanting for company at this festival.

She flicked her green hair back as she turned her head about. Yona's eyes sought out some sort of man in a suit, likely a tall one, or a formidable host of butlers trying to discreetly enjoy themselves while keeping gazes through sunglasses locked on the young blue-eyed man. "Are you obligated to meet your butler so soon? I was hoping to tour around a bit. I haven't been to a festival in many years, to tell the truth, and I would like to enjoy it with someone as friendly as you." Actually, she hadn't been to a festival ever for her own enjoyment. If she had gone in the past five years or maybe ten, it was only to collect rumors or pick pockets. It seemed like a lifetime ago that she was a common street thief and vagabond, but in reality, it was no more than two years ago. Ketsueki sighed as she spoke light-heartedly to Ren, grumbling, "Well this isn't very fun or chaotic. It's cushy. It's, dare I say it, nice. I'm not going to be a part of this unless there's something more interesting involved." Then the unhappy demon slipped back into silence. Yona could barely contain her glee. Not just time away from work, time away from the pressure and hardship of what had been going on at the guild, but also time away from her literal inner demon. Nothing could please her more.

The woman looked around, meeting Ren's eyes when he replied to her question. She would ask him after he was done speaking, "What do you want to try first? If we are in a time-crunch... I am not sure what you might recommend. The strength machine could be fun, and I like the dunk tank too. Though, from my window it looked sort of fishy, like rigged, if you know what I mean." She breathed in deep, smelling fried foods from every direction, the takoyaki's seafood aromas mingling with the fantastic and pungent yakitori nearby. "Unless you wanted to grab a bite to eat while we decide. I am good with that too."

WC: 669+501= 1170
@Ruvel