songerein | { flower festival 2023 }

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{ flower festival 2023 }

FLOWER FESTIVAL 2023

It's the annual Flower Festival! More details on everything can be found here.

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Battle for Dream Island: The Power of Two: Puffball
Dr. Stone: Gen Asagiri

I. MAIN FESTIVAL

The Flower Festival is in full swing the entire weekend! All over town there are numerous food stalls, music stands for dancing, flower swings in the trees, and a plethora of flower gardens to walk through. All the shops are decked out with flowers with a lot of sales going on. But this year there seems to be a lot more flowers than usual…

A. Flower Viewing. There will be numerous designated flower viewing areas around and outside of town, making it a perfect opportunity for a picnic. Food and beverages will be provided by numerous restaurants and food stalls. Flower crowns can also be made or received by some fairies that will fly around to drop them on anyone's heads who don't have one already.

B Ambient Pollen Effects. There is a lot of pollen flying around through the festival and inhaling enough of it could affect a person's mood. The effects will eventually wear off, but a good "cleansing" (ie, splash with water) will clear them up pretty quick. Possible effects include:

🌹 Rose Tinted Glasses. Rose pollen will make everything seem nostalgic and seem better than it actually is.
🌿 Green with Ivy. The flowers of some ivy are giving off some green pollen that will cause one to feel more envious than usual. Possibly to the point of wanting to wrap their target with said ivy instead….
🌻 Sunflowers and Rainbows. Pollen from sunflowers will cause one to be either extremely happy and hyper…or become so sensitive they cry at anything, be it a touching or sad thing.
🌺 Violent Violets. Inhaling too much violet pollen will cause someone to become so impassioned about something they will be quick to defend it—with violence.

C. Games. Of course it wouldn't be the Flower Festival without any number of games to entertain! Try your hand at some of these! Work together with a friend or compete for prizes! There's also a simple, easy going flower maze if a classic is preferred.

🖌 Flower Chalk. The Plaza has been converted to a giant "chalk zone," where chalk made from various flowers are scattered all over and everyone is encouraged to get in and paint to their heart's content. Some creations may burst into flower petals and fly up into the air, briefly animating the image before dispersing into the wind and creating a new space for the next creation.
💐 Flower Arrangement. Just a nice, relaxing crafts activity where participants can create whatever kind of flower arrangement they want. While dreamotion may help give it extra effects, it's not needed. There are also paper flowers available that can be dyed and used in lieu of real ones. Perfect for gifts!
🌸 Bouncy Flower Pad. Ever just feel like having fun and bouncing around giant flowers? Because this is exactly what this is. No special gimmicks or anything, just giant flowers to bounce around in.
🌱 Make It Grow. A contest for individuals to use dreamotion to grow the largest and brightest colored flower. Some are capable of growing to be as large as a house…and some flowers become rather animated. Might need to help take care of that.
🏇 Topiary Races. A cousin of the "Make It Grow" activity (or perhaps created because of it), the objective here is to use dreamotion and perhaps some gardening skills to grow a special plant into large topiary animals. The form is random, influenced by whatever dreamotion is used. They will be large enough to ride and can be entered into a special race, where at that point it's all dependent on skill and dreamotion to keep it moving! Can't grow one? That's fine, too, they have a few that one can just hop on and try to ride on.
🐝 Bee Herding. A lot of bees were used to help pollinate the flowers for the festival, and now they need to be returned to the fruit orchards out on the various farms. As part of the celebration and to promote bee awareness, the beekeepers hold a little contest to help bring the bees back. Participants must lure the bees with special fruits AND they must protect the bees from birds.

II. SPECIAL BUSINESS PROMOTIONS

There are a few special businesses that have their own stalls up during the festival, so be sure to stop by and check some of them out!

A. The Wild Harvest. The Wild Harvest is coming up on a year and a half of serving Reverein! The staff can be seen handing out floral cupcakes along with origami flowers in the color of the passerby's choosing. On the back and probably on the cupcakes' wrappers, there is the Harvest's logo. They will express that the cupcakes will look and taste better to someone in good spirits, meaning the staff are especially inclined to put on their best customer-service face. There also small samples of their new drinks called Spring Dreams, which give patrons a small view and taste of home.

In addition, if you're so inclined, a little fishing game has been set up at their stall using live koi fish of varying sizes from their pond. Nets are provided and winners can keep the koi if they wish. There are colorful jars made of tinted glass available for transport, and they also get a prize based on size of the koi caught. These range from small keychains, to glass trinkets crafted by Susato, which can be anything from glass flowers, small animals, or more useful items like glassware.

B. The Songerein Wikki Archives. The archives are here to advertise! Its one year anniversary is nearing, and Trahearne, along with his four staff members, are here to spread word of its services and answer questions about its function in the community. A few books have been brought in as examples, such as an outdated, but detailed map of Reverein. One large tome sits open in the middle of the table, acting as a guest book of sorts--anyone who drops by is more than welcome to write whatever they like in its pages.

But it isn't a festival without food or drink! The nine-foot-tall woman is handing out massive portions of freshly-roasted moa leg, and the two imp-like creatures with big ears are handing out shots of Rata Sum rum, but they're being oddly stingy about how much they're giving out. A little taste of Tyria in Reverein!

C. The Starflower Café and Sanctuary. The newly opened Starflower Café is here for all your cute food cravings! They have brought some of the animals along as well: Flutter the fairy cat, an autumn dog, and some of the corgis, so people are free to meet and play with them around the stall! While there is plenty of food to choose from at their starflower-covered stall (such as dango, crepes, and cakes, as well as alcoholic beverages for the adults in the evenings), they do have a special featured item:

The various flavours of boba tea with themes fitting with the animals. Upon drinking them, customers will sprout a new set of ears to match the drink as well as gain the following temporary traits: Milky Fox drinkers will have the sudden urge to cause a little bit of mischief. Matcha Cat enjoyers will want to search for a sunny, quiet place to nap. Chocolate Bunnies will be granted a burst of energy, and the only way to expend it is to talk someone up. Caramel Dogs will chase anything that is shiny or moving.

However, there is one more thing: drink any of these, and you will be an instant attraction for animals of all kinds. The only way to get rid of the effects is to cuddle and play with the animals. Be warned, too much of the teas and you may have bigger problems—like the Ents wanting cuddles—to deal with.

D. The Music Studio. The music studio has been open for a year in Songerein and have set up a small performance area nearby! Phantom is sometimes at the stall, and it is staffed by various talking animals as well as people with noticeable animal features (ears, tail, etc). Members of the studio will be playing an assortment of spring-themed and relaxing songs, though they'll also take requests. The stall offers various snow globes as souvenirs - the globes contain a miniature landmark from one of the dream walkers' many worlds and will play a short song from the source world when shaken.

The studio staff will also be advertising their lessons in music, composing, singing, as well as welcoming people to just hang out at the studio. They will also encourage people to attend the basic dreamotion how-to lessons that are held every weekend afternoon; they'll be taught through acting simple plays, so everyone is welcome to join in and have fun.

III. NIGHTSCAPE

On the first night of the festival, the fae will host a special dreamscape for their own version of the festival. Anyone is welcome to come on their own will, but some may find a special door appear either awake or in their dreams that will "lure" them in. And once inside, they will themselves in a dark, mystical forest and have taken on some form of a fae. Full details can be read here.

A. Fake Names. To go with the theme, everyone has a "fake name" as giving one's real name would be taboo. These can be completely new, something based on a canon nickname, or just simply shortening their first real name. Everyone will still be able to recognize each other, but no one will be able to immediately say the person's name, at most just the first letter or syllable. Only after the person says their own name can someone else say it, and if another person does say it, the named will now owe them one favor or must do some kind of task.

B. Fae Dining. The fae love to eat and drink, and within a dream, one can do so to their heart's content with little to no consequence. Well, one may feel a bit hungover or bloated upon waking, but better than the real thing, right? There's a delectable feast and an unlimited amount of alcohol available that is surely too good to pass up.

🍷 River of Dionysus. The river that runs through the forest is made of fruity alcohol. Just grab a chalice, dip it in, and drink to your heart's content. Because this is a dream, it takes a bit more to get drunk…but it's still possible. And, well, drunk shenanigans.

🍲 Careful What You Eat. Upon seeing the food one will feel a very strong pull towards it to the point that food will be in their hand and in their mouth before they even realize it. While a lot of the food is harmless, some will have physical effects. There's no tell, no specific food that does what, which makes it even more troublesome to figure out. From changing size, to colors, to growing another pair of horns or wings, gaining invisibility, turning into an animal or a random plant or object—anything. The effect can either naturally wear off over time or someone can try and help find or try to create an antidote to get rid of it.

C. Dream Egg Mosaic Hunt. Everyone is also given a white, crystal egg and are tasked to find and visit certain locations throughout the forest that have special mosaic glass just floating around. Each location has a theme, and if one can have one of their dreams manifest and reflect onto the glass, a piece of the mosaic will break and attach to the egg. Create as many pieces to decorate the egg and upon leaving the dreamscape, the egg will appear next to them and will hatch into a surprise creature. What could it be? Hmmm~ The mosaic glass will affect their future personalities.

D. A Tale of Two Stags. There is a pair of stags, one white and one black. These are legendary entities that have manifested into the dreamscape and can risk imbalance…though the fae don't seem too worried. In fact, they will reward those who are able to "stabilize" the deer with a "favor," though they're ambiguous as to what that is. The white stag must have nightmare energy used against it. The black one must have dreamotion energy used against it. Rather than killing or destroying them, just some brief encounters will help. Traps, tricks, even giving it food somehow will work.

E. Lost Your Voice. Oh the fae love their tricks and pranks, and this one is quite "harmless." Little blue wisps will suddenly ram into the back of their target's head and then giggle way—with their new voice. After stealing their target's voice, they fly off, giggling and blabber away in a poor imitation, leaving the now voiceless victim to chase after and try to signal for help. The wisp will eventually return the voice; they get bored easily enough and will want to mess with another person sooner than later. But it's possible to catch the wisp in a special glass jar that can be found growing off a tree. If caught, the person must "swallow" the wisp by pouring it into their mouth. No wisps are harmed, they'll pop back out after returning the voice.

IV. FINAL DAY

At the start of the final day of the festival, the winners of the Flower Royal Court contest are announced. Just like last year, everyone will find themselves in various costumes and with varying effects. Fortunately, they are a bit more "lenient" this time in letting people modify and take them off after a certain time has passed. But there's going to be just as much silly chaos, especially as the royal court members have a more "commanding" and "persuasive" aura that will make anyone feel swayed to obey and serve them to some degree.

Then at the end of the day, the flowerworks show will be held by the riverbank the moment the sun sets. Instead of explosive fireworks, canisters filled with flower petals will burst in the air, illuminating the night sky. Those who are touched by the glowing petals that drift and float down will be blessed with good dreams for the next few days, dreams filled with hope and leave them feeling refreshed in the morning.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

That does work pretty well, and Gokudera isn’t trying to get angry. He likes his pet/weapon and will get upset, obviously very easy on its behalf.

“Yeah. It’s not magic. It’s more like… a super power? Internal, not external. And yeah, the flames are just energy. Kind of like an aura or your life force. The only reason mine look like flames is because my rings make them visible.”

How was a super power not like magic? Though he'd read things about auras before, usually pretty charlatan-level stuff. Still. It's a strange dream, and Gen had certainly seen weird things at this point. The fire-cat all on its own was pretty weird.

"So, would I have to buy a special ring of my own if I would want to tap into my own ... flames?" Gen wondered.

“This is more than just a special ring… but uh, yeah. Pretty much!” Hibari, his family’s Cloud Guardian didn’t have his Cloud Ring, and every other ring he put on would break after each use!

“But you may not have a dying will that’s strong enough to see, or it may be a type that isn’t compatible with whatever ring you use. Most people typically only have one or two flame types…”

"Sounds a little omplicated-cay to keep track of," Gen said, looking lost while he was actually making careful note of anything Gokudera described. "It sounds like it'd take a lot of - trial and error to discover what would work for you."

"Unless there's some trick to it?"

“It’s imple-say, actually.” Gokudera retorts and folds his arms.

“Dying will flames, or deathperation flames are energy produced when you give something your full resolute determination. The kind of last-ditch effort that kicks in and pushes you through something difficult. It varies person to person.

I happen to have five out of the seven discovered types. It was a real headache…” he had to know himself and think ahead of himself. Things that make him similar to the other guardians, variables on his own reactions.

“I feel like it would be simple if you just… make it simple. The trick is understanding yourself and what drives you.”

Gen laughed, looking delighted. It's really unusual for anyone to quip back at Gen like that, so - even though he's still reserving judgement, he can't help but like Gokudera more.

"Determination, hm ..." Gen tilted his head and told the boy, "You must be considered very talented for your reality, then! Having so many different types."

After a moment's thought, and knowing he didn't really feel like divulging too much that was personal about himself, he asked, "Is there a power for someone who's first instinct is to run away?"

Gokudera can be a grumpy jerk, but he can also be a sassy teenager. He likes Senku, and that’s the only real reason he’s giving Gen the time of day. He could grow to like him too, but he has an odd way of showing it and he’s not used to being able to like people.

“No I uh… that’s not it.” Not talent, but him learning a great deal about himself and how to embrace his differences instead of viewing them like weaknesses. His ten years future self left behind plenty for him to look into. It’s personal, and not a manner of talent.

“I’m just lucky, I think…”

Gokudera hums thoughtfully at the question Gen asks. “I could describe the flames and their attributes? My boss is that type of person, but he has an incredibly rare flame type and it’s usually on those types who… harmonize well with others. So Sky flames-“ Gokudera moves his hands towards his chest, like he’s scooping up something invisible. “-are the most powerful and users of that flame type possess great insight”

Gokudera's reaction was something Gen took quiet note in. Lucky? Hopefully. He didn't want a kid to get picked on for having unusual talents, even if he didn't know the kid well. But sometimes, that was just how the world worked. Gen kept his thoughts to himself, he'd poke a little more subtly into the kid's background some other time.

Magic was a much more neutral topic, and just as interesting.

"Great insight ... like perhaps our mutual, genius scientist friend?" Gen asked playfully.

He doesn’t want to divulge too much. His dying will flames are their own personal powers and he doesn’t know Gen that well to readily provide that information.

“He could have combinations of flames, too. Do you know what he fights for, what drives him? If things get tough, what’s the first thing he does and why? I wouldn’t presume to know someone else’s flame attributes. There also may be more flames than the seven I’m aware of.”

"It almost sounds like those personality quizzes I designed - sometimes, a few answers might fit a person under different situations," Gen mused, not wanting to spill too many personal things about Senku so quickly, either.

"Most people, I'd imagine, are a little like that to a certain extent ... there are some things that might drive us if we were feeling confident, but others if we were afraid. If we knew our abilities can handle a task, verses if we were feeling alone and outnumbered."

He tilted his head. "Your boss might feel like he does, because he knows he's got friends like you to support him."

Gokudera nods. He can see the similarity, just because it feels like he’s trying to personify flame users. But really, so many of them are so different. He’s not trying to pry for information about Senku, but with Gen bringing him up, Gokudera isn’t going to dismiss him -even as a subject- and will keep listening.

“Yeah. But underneath it all, it can be as simple as why you are determined to do something, or it may be something you need to be backed into a corner in order to express your true feelings.” He didn’t learn about his flame types until well after he fought one of his teammates. He failed a lot before he ever got the hang of what he should focus on.

“The Tenth was great from our first meeting. I uh… I was wrong in underestimating him, and I tried to kill him.” Nothing personal, but that was the job he’d been given by his boss’s Home Tutor. “But I messed up! I’m glad I did, too. I wouldn’t have been able to see for myself just how amazing he is…” Gokudera blushes a little and rubs the back of his neck. It’s weird to speak so highly and affectionately of someone who isn’t even around… he should stop doing that.

Gen had to smirk. “And some people don’t like talking about feelings, even if they’re backed into an immovable object with an unstoppable force before them.”

He giggled, though. Apparently he didn’t hold that against whomever he was thinking of.

“… I should perhaps start a pool, of the number of people who became friends with the guy they had tried to murder,” Gen mused, revealing that Gokudera certainly wasn’t alone and that Gen apparently didn’t judge him for it. “I’m not a fighter myself, but in the very beginning, I was asked to work against the people I’m friends with right now. Mind you, I backed out quickly. It’s hard to argue against electricity and cotton candy.”

Edited (GDI autocorrect) 2023-05-07 17:28 (UTC)

“Just because you don’t talk about it, doesn’t mean the feeling isn’t there. My dying will is a part of me and whatever brings that out… I’ve never told anyone. But it’s there.” To Gokudera, it’s a different mindset, but all the same general tone. Like he’s dialing in what he wants. Adding Dreamotion just makes it crazy difficult and he still hasn’t figured out how to properly apply it.

Gokudera bites at his lip as he thinks it over. “My boss… he had to be shot with a special bullet originally to get his flames out. If he didn’t have a regret, he’d die. But now that my boss understands his own will, he doesn’t need to be shot with a magic bullet to channel it.” It’s not a full truth, but he’s not going to share too much.

“Really? In this place or your home world?” People back home don’t nearly react to dynamite the way Gen just had, but the people Gokudera hangs around are strange. His boss’s home tutor is a literal baby with a gun. So… what even is normal.

“I’ve never argued with cotton candy.” Implying he has argued with electricity.

"Mmhmm. Emotions affect us whether or not we acknowledge them. Sometimes, more so when they're denied. Not everyone's into talking about them ... but it does help," Gen grinned a little, not afraid to delve into a little psychology. That was the thread that connected all of his various jobs over the years together, after all>

Gen wasn't really used to magic bullets, though - he could only picture a real one, making him look momentarily stunned. He didn't think that should be held against him, that reaction should be appropriate upon hearing that. "You make it sound like he had to be shot regularly for a while."

He hummed. "My home world. I've barely arrived at this place - and it seems like they've got electricity in hand. Who wouldn't find it convenient? It's the modern invention that helps enable so many others."

“Dying will is just that, though. You can want to do something and there can be countless reasons why. Not something you have to talk about. Your will is your own, after all.” Gokudera nods, unbothered by that grinning. It’s not uncomfortable to talk about this, as there aren’t many who’ll want to explore topics like this. They get a little hung up on the ‘dying’ part of ‘dying will’ more often than not, and the conversation usually turns to him assuring. Usually.

Gen doesn’t seem like a typical sort of guy.

“Oh yeah. He did.” Gokudera says. “Sometimes multiple times and in different places!”

“Electricity is also pretty dangerous.” Not that that isn’t obvious. Sure it’s convenient, but Gokudera’d just been tortured with it a few weeks ago, and back home he was going to encounter that guy again. He seems pretty uncomfortable.

Gen was getting hung up on the 'dying' part, but he had an exceptionally good poker face and was used to just - pretending he was fine with any topic of conversation. Certainly he remembered the Americans shooting his friends, and ... yes, well. The only time he's thankful for the petrification.

He could also tell, especially since Gokudera didn't seem to be hiding any of his reactions, that the very idea of electricity made him uncomfortable. It's not as if the boy was being subtle about it. He's curious, but it seemed likely with mention of danger the story was ... a traumatic one.

Perhaps another time, once Gokudera trusted him more, he'd find out about that.

Instead, he smoothly transitioned, "And cotton candy is not, which is why it's my personal favorite. It was really a test while we tried to create a different sort of technology - but I was all in favor! Any science that has candy as a side-effect is delightful. Do you have a particular favorite?"

There are all kinds of magical bullets in his world, or… in his world’s mafia. Gokudera just assumed that was normal, but he’d never seen them until traveling into the future. He doesn’t think about the fact that maybe having his boss in front of him should be something he could talk about casually or calmly… but that’s just normal for him.

Gokudera has the same electric dying will he was tortured with, so he’ll get over it eventually. But since they aren’t exactly close, he’s not going to be bringing that up.

“A favorite food? No… not really.” He’s got a bad relationship with food, too. Gokudera’s going to be uncomfortable no matter what, honestly.

"Now that doesn't seem fair. All the delightful things in the world, and you can't choose between them?" Gen said lightly, because it seemed like he kept tripping into minefields. He knew better than to try and guess the why behind those issues with food just yet. It could be anything - from it being too scarce before, to a poor relationship to his own image.

So he twisted his words slightly instead. "You can't think of any favorite, scientific side-effect, my friend?"

As if he hadn't been asking after food specifically. Side-stepped once more!

“Oh, is that what you’re trying to get from me? Some kind of gratitude towards scientific side-effects? I guess… vehicles? Plumbing? I’ve never really thought about what I’ve been grateful for when it comes to science…” There’s actually quite a lot he’s grateful for. Does he have a favorite? No.

“But I can’t really pick a favorite…” He’s not really had a lot.

“Air conditioning is kind of up there.” Again, not a favorite, but… pretty good.

Gen had to chuckle. "Plumbing and air conditioning are both certainly up there for me, too - and they weren't even our priorities for a long while. The things we take for granted in the modern world! I suffered for ages."

He sighed dramatically, but then grinned. "At least things don't seem as bad here, hm?"

Gokudera had gone without for a good long while when he was growing up on the streets. He hums and gives a little nod. Certainly now, while he’s grown more comfortable with modern day conveniences, he’s more grateful.

“You weren’t alone though, right?” That would make matters worse.

He lights up another cigarette. “Don’t know if things are bad here or not…” they certainly seem peaceful enough, and maybe he’s a bit too extreme to want to focus on his weapon system so much. He’s full of dying will and without the one person he’s dedicating his life to.

He sighs, focuses on the familiar action of smoking, seems less angry than he had before now that he understands he just needed to show a little gratitude. That’s how he’s taking it, anyway.

"No, I wasn't then," Gen agreed cheerfully. "Senku-chan had woken up alone - but I hadn't suffered the same fate. Quite lucky of me, hm?"

Skipping over the part that he was revived by someone who was determined to kill anyone not worthy of the new world he wanted to shape. Needing to lie and swindle immediately so he, too, wasn't killed. Fun times.

And, honestly, water long since under the bridge. Tsukasa had mellowed out considerably since then, hadn't he? Gen still smiled playfully. "Mm. It's a pretty idyllic dream so far, isn't it? Aaaalmost makes me want to consider being optimistic, for once."

"And if things do go bottom's up ..." Gen shrugged and winked. "None of us are alone. You included, my friend."

Gokudera nods. That is lucky, and he’s shown up here and isn’t alone either. Lucky in many ways… He takes another long drag from his cigarette, frowns.

“I hear some strange things happen, though. I was getting ready for a big fight back home, so… it feels strange to have so much… peace.” Makes him itch to train more, harder, relentlessly. But… people aren’t too keen on him practicing with his explosives. He hasn’t found a safe place to do that. Keeping his treehouse blocked off as a hazardous area means he gets little visitors. Gokudera’s considering moving… to be further away from others. He’s just too dangerous for normal nice people to be around.

“I’m pretty happy on my own.” He says, outright denying that he’s lonely in any way. The thought of him needing to have friends… it’s… well, even if he gets them, they won’t stick around, probably. Once they realize how much of a trouble-magnet he is.

"Strange, maybe, but - you should try to look at it like I am," Gen encouraged with a gentle little smile. "Think of it as a vacation too, hm? When is the last time you were able to take one of those, Gokudera-chan?"

Gen hummed and folded his hands into his sleeves. "Well, I don't think others are going to be happy not getting to know you. Don't worry, you'll find me useful to have in your corner! You never know when you need a Mentalist in your back pocket."

“A vacation?” He shakes his head. “I’ve never really taken one.”

Even when he’d stowed away on a cruise his boss was going on, he ended up needing to help him, to protect him and prove himself capable as right hand man. Gokudera’s never really missed an opportunity to do so. Not even death could stop him from being the best for his boss.

But… no boss, no fighting, no need to prove himself. He feels completely lost at the idea of taking anything like a vacation.

Gokudera lifts an eyebrow at Gen. Huh. He looks entirely unimpressed and unconvinced.

“Right.”

{ flower festival 2023 }

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