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ph_logs2024-11-16 03:18 pm
pumpkinhollow) wrote in ph_logs2024-11-16 03:18 pm
November Event - Dance of the Decayed
[PLAIN TEXT VERSION HERE]
And so, under the cloudless sky, abundant with the sounds of joy and laughter and the silliest music you’ve ever heard, you while away the lovely day. Dancing is, of course, the primary activity, specifically circle-dances with joined hands around something akin to a maypole with a weathervane on top and a lattice of flowers encircling the pole, but also just in general. There is also a large bonfire where people are writing things down on paper and tossing them to the flame--- apparently things in their life they wish to be rid of.
Funded by town hall, Pumpkin Hollow’s most prolific chefs are giving cooking stations and serving tables, and are distributing their finest seasonal selections! What’s your flavor? Farm to table delicacies from the local farmers, pastries from Max Maximum’s bakery, Laios Touden’s fabled monster cooking, and more! (If you look closely, you may even catch sight of Dahlia Leeds hiding behind that last station.)
However, as the full moon bathes the mountain in silver and mingles with the warm light of bonfire and lanterns, a figure can be seen standing up there. A woman in a shimmering gown, textured hair in a long ponytail that looks like lassoed cloudstuff. Perhaps you know her.
DANCE OF THE DECAYED
PRELUDE
It’s the morning of November 16th and it is beautiful out. The sky is cloudless, endless, a blank canvas washed with brilliant blue sprawling out in every direction. Perfect for filling with kites and bonfire smoke and joyful song.
Today is the Dance of Celestine --- a religious festival for some, a community festival for others, but a good time for all. It is celebrated by climbing to the highest accessible place (in this case, Crane’s Ridge) and being close to the sky. There will be flame, food, festivities, and as the name implies, plenty of dancing! All that’s left to do is make your way skyward!
Not to worry! While the train does still run, the option to hike is always open, and there are some horse-drawn wagons helping to cart people as far as they will go. Plus there are the combined efforts of the residents--- wizardly sorts, winged folk, and strapping men and women all live around here, certainly some tricks to help make the journey easier can be found! However your trip looks, there will surely be helpful hands around to make sure everyone makes it safely.
Prior to its discovery as the final resting place of Linette Brenning, a local mage of good standing who disappeared years ago, the well in Fall’s Promise Cemetery had been carefully sealed with anti-magic sigils because it was regularly spewing magic that caused the bones of the dead to walk the earth. Now with Linette properly laid to rest, her spirit is no longer subject to the sigils. But resting peacefully as she is, she’s still not above a bit of harmless mischief.
Which is why, as the bulk of the townsfolk reach the summit of Crane’s Ridge, the sound of rattling bones and banging drums and strumming guitars and singing accordions and thump, thump, thumping old boots coming up the trail.
A band of skeletons! All dressed in tattered old Victorian clothes! They’ve come up from the cemetery to join in the dance!
The skeletons will be here all day and cannot be destroyed or tampered with in any way that isn’t temporary. They cannot speak, so unfortunately they will not be able to meaningfully answer questions and are really only interested in partying anyway. As such, this is sadly not a lore gaining moment. They will, however, dance with you, cause hijinks, and make flower crowns with an assortment of festive autumnal blossoms they’ve brought with them.
Today is the Dance of Celestine --- a religious festival for some, a community festival for others, but a good time for all. It is celebrated by climbing to the highest accessible place (in this case, Crane’s Ridge) and being close to the sky. There will be flame, food, festivities, and as the name implies, plenty of dancing! All that’s left to do is make your way skyward!
The Journey Begins
Getting up Crane’s Ridge can be a bit of a task. Generally, miners and other workers who need to get to the higher parts of Marrow Isle’s lone mountain take the train. A simple red locomotive with passenger seats in the back and cargo cars in the back, situated on a single loop of track. However, last year’s Dance of Celestine was summarily ruined due to metaphysical complications with said train, so many are reluctant to ride it.Not to worry! While the train does still run, the option to hike is always open, and there are some horse-drawn wagons helping to cart people as far as they will go. Plus there are the combined efforts of the residents--- wizardly sorts, winged folk, and strapping men and women all live around here, certainly some tricks to help make the journey easier can be found! However your trip looks, there will surely be helpful hands around to make sure everyone makes it safely.
More Bones to Sort
The island’s current residents aren’t the only ones joining the festival.Prior to its discovery as the final resting place of Linette Brenning, a local mage of good standing who disappeared years ago, the well in Fall’s Promise Cemetery had been carefully sealed with anti-magic sigils because it was regularly spewing magic that caused the bones of the dead to walk the earth. Now with Linette properly laid to rest, her spirit is no longer subject to the sigils. But resting peacefully as she is, she’s still not above a bit of harmless mischief.
Which is why, as the bulk of the townsfolk reach the summit of Crane’s Ridge, the sound of rattling bones and banging drums and strumming guitars and singing accordions and thump, thump, thumping old boots coming up the trail.
A band of skeletons! All dressed in tattered old Victorian clothes! They’ve come up from the cemetery to join in the dance!
The skeletons will be here all day and cannot be destroyed or tampered with in any way that isn’t temporary. They cannot speak, so unfortunately they will not be able to meaningfully answer questions and are really only interested in partying anyway. As such, this is sadly not a lore gaining moment. They will, however, dance with you, cause hijinks, and make flower crowns with an assortment of festive autumnal blossoms they’ve brought with them.
SHINE ON, HARVEST MOON
Everything is Nice and Fine
The festival runs from the early afternoon until well after dusk. Picnic blankets are spread, logs and stones are positioned for sitting around an enormous bonfire, and a dance floor is cleared. Looks like Juniper Sweetwater and the Deadwood Five are off the hook for music--- we’ve got skeletons for that! And they don’t seem to plan to quit playing their jaunty music anytime soon.And so, under the cloudless sky, abundant with the sounds of joy and laughter and the silliest music you’ve ever heard, you while away the lovely day. Dancing is, of course, the primary activity, specifically circle-dances with joined hands around something akin to a maypole with a weathervane on top and a lattice of flowers encircling the pole, but also just in general. There is also a large bonfire where people are writing things down on paper and tossing them to the flame--- apparently things in their life they wish to be rid of.
Old North Wind
One of the most beloved activities of the Dance of Celestine is the flying of kites. The blustering wind above Crane’s Ridge is perfect for catching fabric and sending kites up to the sky. There are premade kites that are elaborate and beautiful artistic depictions of things like clouds with trails of raindrops, suns, moons, stars, birds, dragons, and autumn leaves, which people can take turns flying, as well as plain white kites that can be painted and flown. Participants are encouraged to write a wish onto a strip of fabric and send it up the strings of one of the kites, to offer the wish up to Celestine or to the universe. What do you wish for?Potatoes and Molasses
What would a Pumpkin Hollow festival be without the food? Especially not too long after the last major harvest of the year.Funded by town hall, Pumpkin Hollow’s most prolific chefs are giving cooking stations and serving tables, and are distributing their finest seasonal selections! What’s your flavor? Farm to table delicacies from the local farmers, pastries from Max Maximum’s bakery, Laios Touden’s fabled monster cooking, and more! (If you look closely, you may even catch sight of Dahlia Leeds hiding behind that last station.)
Patient is the Night
The top of Crane’s Ridge is only partially flat enough to host this party. Arching over the rocky platform of the summit where the festival is hosted, there is a stone formation, tall and proud, that looks like the head and neck of a crane. It’s only big enough for one or two people to be on, making it a popular cloud- or star-gazing spot for couples.However, as the full moon bathes the mountain in silver and mingles with the warm light of bonfire and lanterns, a figure can be seen standing up there. A woman in a shimmering gown, textured hair in a long ponytail that looks like lassoed cloudstuff. Perhaps you know her.
conversations are like minefields
"Are you certain you forgot? I thought I saw something shiny at the bottom of that basket, may I check? Perhaps you just need another pair of eyes."
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.......
"Ohhh, these glasses? These are for people who I don't want to see the backsides of as they go get the glasses," he attempts to save some face, "so if you could go get them anyway so I can have dinner and a show?"
He retrieves them anyway, looking them over and lightly marvelling that they didn't get chipped on the way up.
"We have gin or we have gin, and to make your decision even harder I can tell you we also have gin if you ask nicely."
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"You can have the show after, if you're still interested. For now, I think I'd like, hmm..." He makes a show of weighing up the three options, "The gin, please, if you wouldn't mind."
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"How's things outside of hiking up mountains and looking gorgeous?"
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"Good," he answers, halfway into formulating a flirty non-answer before the truth bubbles up with a barely suppressed smile "Very good. I've recently started dating someone, actually."
And lest Hawkeye get the wrong idea, "Still open to extracurriculars, mind you"
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"Mazel tov, eh? Who's the lucky duck?"
And by way of answering that he's still interested in turn, Hawk's other hand goes to his knee.
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George's eyes go to find Siebren in the crowd — not difficult given he's currently dancing in the air with someone — and that barely restrained smile is back, slipping unbid through the Mask. Good lord he needs to get himself back under control, this is embarrassing.
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"Yeah, he's hard to miss," Hawk follow's George's gaze to the crowd and gives him a congratulatory pat on the arm.
"This the sort of story you want to tell me or will we just celebrate the un-confirmation of your bachelorhood?"
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Besides, he'd have to edit the story down too heavily to avoid anything sensitive and it would end up lacklustre in the process.
"Though I will say, he met the obnoxious 28 year old version of myself and somehow wasn't put off. So I think I'm on to something quite good."
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"Now that is something special. And you'll never wear out your shoes dancing with him! Plenty of positives," he encourages, and gently clinks his glass to George's.
"Lots of fine people in this town, I'll say that much. It's almost enough to make me rethink my perpetual singleness."
He might be thinking of someone in particular but also shut up no he's not.
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He laughs, and sips his gin after they clink glasses. Still as strong as ever, if there's any way to learn if his stomach lining is marble too, Hawkeye's gin is a worthy contender.
"Only almost?" There's a twinkle in his eye, far better than discussing his own joys is prying into someone else's "Is there anyone you've got your eye on?"
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...
"Guess."
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But hey, he's run this guy around enough, so he gestures with the glass of gin.
"All I'm going to say is I gained some ground up a difficult mountain to climb, and I don't mean the one we're sitting on. He- or she- has been a very good time, and I've been enjoying myself. Happy?"
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Does he look a little smug? Maybe. Certainly pleased with himself.
"And I'm happy for you, too. And whoever this mystery 'mountain' is. I hope you continue to enjoy each other, whether you choose to share any details with others or not."
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"You too, of course. And what a mountain you have to climb," he jokes, "usually they're connected to the ground to make it easier."
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aaaand wrap
"Speaking of interesting," Hawk leans in, "we haven't talked about how great I am in at least five minutes-"
And the musical sting plays off the scene.