flamekthunder: WEDDING VERSION (ϟ 277)
Eustace ([personal profile] flamekthunder) wrote in [community profile] songerein2022-12-03 03:01 pm

fourteenth shot ⊗ wedding day

Who: Eustace, Tifa, and anyone who wishes to join the wedding reception! RECEPTION IS OPEN INVITE so anyone can join in the log even if the characters don't know them!
Which: Open log
Where: Along a long stretch of the riverbank
What: It's Eustace's and Tifa's wedding and while their ceremony was private, they've invited anyone who wants some free food, drinks, and dancing to join in and have fun! For a visual reference of how things, we have an image board you can use.
Warnings: The gumdrops are lurking—


On a sunny, early afternoon of the 3rd, the ceremony takes place in a private setting at the Corgi Tree where Trahearne awaits to officiate. But by the time late afternoon hits and everyone from the ceremony and other guests arrive at the reception located at the Riverside, the area will have been completely transformed.

While there are no leaves left on the trees, they are decorated with hundreds of little glowing blue and red starflowers, and from the branches hang lanterns that flicker with firelight that give off enough warmth that it can melt away the cold beneath them. Those familiar with Tifa may recognize it as her own dreamotion magic fueling them, as well as the smaller lanterns at the center of each table. Seating is abundant at the long tables decorated in silk, and blankets are provided for people to take to keep warm if the fiery logs scattered about are not enough. Large flowery tree decorations stand tall on every table as the centerpiece, as well as plenty of flowers, courtesy of Oriphi and Isabela's Madrigal Blooms.

However, in spite of the comfortable heat that lingers, snowflakes fall from the sky and the treetops, and while they may be cool to the touch, they will melt away before they can touch the ground. Should one look up, not only will they see the snowflakes sparkling in the light, but there is a ceiling of stars that twinkle alongside them, speckled through the air and spreading outwards in all directions from wherever Tifa is.

To kick off the dancing will be the couple first, with a performance by Phantom. Everyone in attendance will be given a sparkler, and as the song reaches its climax, not only will the sparklers burst with light, but the snowflakes will shimmer a little brighter, and the hundreds of stars will erupt into thousands that spread through the Riverside and across the dance floor. Arcs of lightning and wisps of flame ripple through the crowds, some of them forming shapes in the air to paint pictures of a small rabbit and a wolf leaping between the glittering specks of light.

The rest of the night is dedicated to a good time, with the band playing a variety of different kinds of music to dance to. Alongside them will be more performances, including a song on the violin from Dohalim.

While the ceremony will be small and reserved for friends, the reception will be free to whomever would like to join or is just passing through. Seating is abundant, as is the food, so join in the festivities! Drink, dance, and celebrate! Be sure to grab the small bags of rose candy treats from the Flower Dogs.

Leave well wishes or words of advice for the couple on the GUESTBOOK (and if you have a gift, be sure to leave it there, too) before you leave! (Compiled version can be viewed here)




I. FOOD


The menu for the evening includes:

🌟 A variety of soups and stews, both meats and vegetables alike.
🌟 Freshly baked breads for dipping or to enjoy with jams, jellies, or butter.
🌟 An assortment of various meat dishes provided by Eustace and helped prepared by 76: chicken, duck, pheasant, beef, pork, deer.
🌟 Featuring a large wild boar hunted and prepared by Eustace in three different ways: braised, spicy chili barbecued, and roasted.
🌟 Stuffed potatoes, cooked greens, roasted fish.
🌟 Winter-themed desserts such as mini cakes, cookies, mousse, pies.
🌟 Special drinks courtesy of Diluc and Oriphi: S'mores coffee liqueur cocktail, Starry Night cocktail, mulled wine

Besides the delicious food that has been provided courtesy of Soldier:76, the game hunted by Eustace, a three-tiered cake baked by Sanji, as well as cocktails from At Day's End, there will of course be other treats and drinks for people to enjoy throughout the night.

S'mores stations will be set up, and people are free to use the fire pits that have been set up all around for warmth for toasting marshmallows that will change color depending on one's emotions. There is also a coffee, hot chocolate, and eggnog station set up next to it for all. Be careful, some of it might leave people feeling a little giddy after a cup or two. But don't worry, they're alcohol free, unless you'd like them not to be.

Because of the huge amount of food, there are takeout boxes available for anyone to use to take home! Please, take it. Take it.




II. ACTIVITIES


Besides dancing and general mingling, there are plenty of other things for those in attendance to enjoy at the riverside.

Thanks to the surge in dreamotion, bubbles will occasionally float from the river. If one is lucky enough to catch a glimpse into them, they will see a reflection of a happy memory, or even a hope or a wish for the future.

On the other side of the dance floor is a small photo station with a photographer who will happily take people's photos with his dreamotion camera. Preserve some memories with friends and loved ones!

Eustace has frozen over part of the river, so slip on some skates (provided) and enjoy a night of ice skating under the stars! There is plenty of snow to go around as well, so might as well make the most of it. Sculpt snowmen, snow animals, whatever your heart desires. And who knows, with enough dreamotion, that small snow rabbit or dog might come to life and prance around. Of course, it will cause no havoc, but they sure are cute. The corgis will also be around to pull around dog sleds for anyone who would like to go for a ride along the river. A perfect opportunity to practice for those sledding races.

For those looking for a quieter getaway from the festivities, there are some flowery and candlelit paths that lead down along the river should anyone need a break, as well as into the trees for someplace secretive and quiet. Anyone for a moonlight tryst, perhaps? But watch out for the singing fish. At least the white and pink gumdrops will have had a feast so they will be mostly behaving (but should they catch anyone they think might be particularly delicious, they won't hesitate–yes, this is a threat and they will not hesitate to join in on the festivities), but there are still sprigs of mistletoe for those who may want a little less "excitement"...




III. TRADITIONS


A. Flower Wreaths & Crowns. On every table beneath the flower decoration stand there is a basket of various winter flowers with a small note of instructions included inside (click the text).

"From the remote, distant snow covered islands of North Vast.

Due to the harsh climate, flowers are a rarity and the ones that manage to bloom and survive are treasured. Thus for my people, flowers are not seen as delicate but strong and persevering, providing color in an otherwise white world. They've become a symbol for the women who have had to help build and support their families.

For the wedding, the bride will gather flowers to give to all the women of the village so that they can create their own crowns and veils and join in celebration. Men can also create a token to give to their loved one, romantic or familial.

Throughout the festivities, women will take a flower and weave it into a special veil that the bride will wear once the festivities are over as a symbol of their support for her new journey ahead.

Feel free to participate or take them home for your own purposes.
Eustace."

Over by the table where Eustace and Tifa will be sitting will be a small table with the initial veil standing on display. Anyone with a flower is free to weave one in. Otherwise, as the note mentions, anyone is free to make their own flower crowns or other flower creations. There are plenty of flowers to go around (and can be readily restocked).

B. Catch a Shooting Star. Set aside is a small table with a series of glass jars of varying sizes. In front is a small card with Tifa's neat handwriting explaining what they are for (click the text):

"From Nibelheim.

At sunset, the children would be sent out to the grassy fields just outside of town to collect fireflies to bring back to the happy couple. It was never a contest, but we would always turn it into one to see who could catch the most in their jar. Emilio was quick so he usually won, but I came close once! My village was small, so there weren't a lot of chances for it anyway. Once the sun was gone, we would turn off all the town's lights and the couple would make a wish beneath the stars and set the fireflies free.

The wishes could be for good fortune or prosperity, or it could be a prayer to wish their loved ones well. We believed that, because they looked like the stars over Nibelheim, they were good luck, and could carry their wishes back to the Planet on their backs.

Unfortunately, it's a little too cold for fireflies to come out for that now, but I've taken my own twist on it. If you look up to the stars above your heads, they look a lot like fireflies, don't they? If you can spot a shooting star, catch it in one of these jars.

And, instead of giving them to me and Eustace, we'd love for you to hold onto the ones you do catch. Make a wish on them and if you want to release it with the hope that the wish will come true, then you can. Or you can keep them and hold onto that wish until the right time. The star will stay alive for as long as that wish you imbue into it does...

So whatever you do with it, hold that wish close to your heart.

- Tifa"

The stars she speaks of continue to twinkle well into the night, and while the shooting stars are fleeting, they are bountiful. They are quick, however, and sometimes, they may wind up stuck in treetops and will need help getting out, or they may land in someone's drink. As Tifa explained, should anyone catch one or several (however many they would like), they may free the stars so that the Planet may grant their wish, or hold onto that wish and bring the jar of stars home. If nothing else, they would make beautiful lights or decorations!

C. Paopu Fruit. On another table is a large bowl filled with star shaped fruits and a large pile of napkins (once you have a taste, you will see why there are so many.) There is a card for one to read in writing that is neither Tifa's nor Eustace's with a short explanation of what this is:

"Paopu fruits:

If two people share one fruit at the same time, their destinies become intertwined. They'll remain a part of each other's lives no matter what."

Inside the bowl are pieces of the Paopu fruit. While there weren't enough to offer whole ones for every guest, there are more than enough smaller pieces for anyone who would like to try this with their loved ones or even their friends. Destinies are not limited to significant others, after all, and should one wish to remember one another when this dream ends, that is all the reason they should need, yes?

According to Sora, the fruit should be bitten into at the same time, and they are very sweet and sour, "like a pineapple and a pear if they were fused together and made a baby." Hopefully there are enough napkins provided, as it might get a little messy!




IV. FLOATING LANTERNS


Towards the end of the night, a call is made out for everyone to gather by the banks of the river. There, tables lined with blank star and moon shaped paper lanterns can be found and everyone is instructed to feel free to decorate them with the provided flowers. There are also blank sheets of paper where everyone is encouraged to write down a wish, a hope, or dream and then insert into the small envelope already attached to the lantern. Once enough time for everyone to finish has passed, there is a final call for everyone to use their dreamotion to light them up and toss them up into the air so that they can fly high into the night sky, Eustace and Tifa releasing theirs first followed by the wedding party to lead the way. Don't worry, if anyone is unable to use their dreamotion, someone can assist.

But there's just one last "show" to cap everything off. After releasing their lanterns, Eustace will step back and raise his gun, Flamek, high into the air, small snowflakes and warm ripples of blueish white electric energy gathering around him. His voice, though quiet and low, is crystal clear as he recites the incantation.

"Flamek Thunder. Your hour is nigh. Take my heart and paint the skies. Heaven's Starfall!"

With each passing word, the wind around him billows, the distant boom of thunder rippling overhead along with flashes of light. It feels as if a storm is gathering, and yet rather than ominous it feels warmer, almost freeing. The blueish white electricity spins around Eustace as Flamek's barrel splits and opens, taking on a slightly different form as it gathers the energy around it. Pale red flames now join the electricity, and on the final word, Flamek releases it all, a blue and red beam of light blasting straight upward into the skies.

At first nothing seems to happen, but then the skies seem to ripple and shift before the once black sky is filled with wavy curtains of color, blues, whites, and reds shimmering like the northern lights found in colder climates. As the lanterns fly up higher, carried by a sudden gust of wind, they pass through the curtain, their lights flickering like stars against the colorful canvas.And slowly, gently, white starflower petals rain down like snow.


[ooc: THEY'RE MARRIED YAAAAY!! Feel free to make any toplevels and treat this like any other party mingle log. For anyone who'd like to make toasts or speeches, please include them in your toplevels!]
chefalier: (okay fine)

i;

[personal profile] chefalier 2022-12-07 07:17 pm (UTC)(link)
What sort of chef is afraid of a little spice?

[Sanji's plate is full of food, consisting of small samples of every dish he can try. He wants to experience various flavors and figure out some new recipes for himself, as he finds a lot of the dishes inspiring in some way. Also, he likes to eat just like anyone else, at least Luffy isn't here to eat everything. He'd have to prepare a special meal for that rubber idiot, so that he didn't snatch everyone's food.]

Heard you caught that boar. [...] And prepared the dish. Looks well-seasoned and cooked.

[He'll say congratulations at some point.]
chefalier: (suit)

[personal profile] chefalier 2022-12-08 02:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[As soon as Eustace talks about the recipe in a more in-depth manner, Sanji eases his behavior because this sort of thing is pretty special. Cooking an old recipe from home and sharing it with everyone... he thinks there's a lot of feelings in that simple gesture. It'd be like cooking the seafood fried rice that Zeff taught him.

Feelings understood between chefs or something like that.

He takes a small bite from the dish, letting the flavors and spice sink into his mouth and yeah, it's as tasty as it looks.]


It's good. Hard to tell it was your first time. [...] I'm sure you did your old man proud. I imagine he'd be happy that you finally got off your ass and cooked it.
chefalier: (smoke)

[personal profile] chefalier 2022-12-11 10:41 pm (UTC)(link)
[He smiles slightly at that, but Sanji has to keep up a gruff appearance!! Just because. But even with that in mind, his voice drops to a softer tone, because he'll always be somewhat soft when it comes to food, if passionate as well.]

Course, wouldn't do a half-ass job when it's an important day for you and Tifa-chan. [Personal feelings shouldn't get in the way of doing his best, but it's not like he honestly has a grudge against Eustace. There are bigger shitheads than him.]

Well, chefs should always put all of their love in everything they cook. Food comes from the heart, and nothing's more rewarding than seeing people enjoy what you make.
Edited 2022-12-11 22:42 (UTC)
chefalier: (you're okay kid)

[personal profile] chefalier 2022-12-12 04:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Wanna know all the steps, eh? It's an involved process so doubt you'll remember everything now, but I'll give you the recipe later.

[Huh, maybe he can give them a cookbook or something later? It's clear that they both know how to cook, but Sanji's of the opinion that chefs should always try to learn new dishes.]

Maybe some other recipes too. You never mentioned what sort of food you like, besides a giant boar.
chefalier: (got your back)

[personal profile] chefalier 2022-12-13 02:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Heh, maybe I'll learn a thing or two.

[Sanji is definitely interested in learning whatever Eustace wants to share with him. Everyone has their own spin on recipes, and with how unique some of the ingredients are in this dream, he's all ears.]

Just a meat guy. [The chef almost rolls his eyes, but yeah, it's definitely better than just eating a bunch of sweets.] My captain ate everything, but meat was his favorite. Often made him meat on the bone.

[He hasn't cooked for his nakama in a long time, so it was nice to do something like this for a wedding.]
chefalier: (good job my dude)

[personal profile] chefalier 2022-12-15 04:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Seafood.

[The answer comes quick and nearly instantly, but there's some building excitement, both in his eyes and voice. It's subtle, but it's definitely there. Even if he thinks that a lot of the chefs on the Baratie are dumbasses, they're his family and taught him most of what he knows now.

Especially that old geezer Zeff.]


As a chef of the seas, it's what I've often worked with. Seafood risotto is a specialty of mine.
chefalier: (sigh)

[personal profile] chefalier 2022-12-16 02:21 pm (UTC)(link)
On a ship. Spent most of my life living on a floating seafood restaurant called the Baratie. Also where I learned how to cook.

[He had some ability before that, but he doesn't want to talk about the Vinsmokes. That topic tends to plummet his mood, and Sanji actually wants to enjoy himself during this wedding.]

Then I became a pirate, and now I cook for my crew most of the time.
chefalier: (good grief)

[personal profile] chefalier 2022-12-17 05:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Sort of got forced into it by my captain.

[He'll never forget the day Luffy literally crashed into his life. He can't imagine a life without him now, but that first meeting... it was sure something. That's probably how everyone feels when meeting the future king of pirates.]

I refused at first, then I got told, 'I refuse your refusal.' I refused that, but then the idiot ended up saving the Baratie... and proclaiming his dream to become king of the pirates. Searching for near impossible dreams, that's why I joined him.
chefalier: (smoke)

[personal profile] chefalier 2022-12-19 03:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Huh? Oh, just exploring different islands. Luffy's all about freedom and enjoying whatever is tossed in his face.

[Sanji is pretty aware that they're not the 'standard' pirate people may think of. If Luffy was that sort of shithead, he'd never join, but then again, Luffy wouldn't have saved everyone in the first place if he was that type of asshole.]

We don't steal from people, if that's what you're wondering. [Although, the lovely Nami-san may swindle some folks, but nothing too bad--]
chefalier: (do as you like)

[personal profile] chefalier 2022-12-20 01:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, we're definitely more of adventurers, but that's how some pirates are back home. Wouldn't say it's common, but we exist. I mean, we do have skull and crossbones on our flag.

[Totally pirates just because of that.]

Also, we still want to find the greatest treasure back in my world. Last king of the pirates left everything in One Piece, so that's our main goal. Once Luffy finds it, he becomes the new king of the pirates.

[And who knows what will happen after that. Sanji isn't quite sure himself, but one step at a time. They still have some ways to go, but he thinks they're getting close after 20 years.]
chefalier: (this is sort of shit)

[personal profile] chefalier 2022-12-22 03:03 pm (UTC)(link)
No one knows, actually. Think that's part of the draw, finding what One Piece actually is.

[One Piece is the friends we made along the way--] I don't hold much expectation myself, but I have a feelin' Luffy doesn't really care what it is either. It's more about getting there in the first place and becoming the king of the pirates.

[He really can't remember a time that Luffy cared too much about treasure, other than selling it off so that they can buy more food or some shit like that. Nami-san has other things to say, but they'd probably be broke without her.]
chefalier: (yeah yeah)

[personal profile] chefalier 2022-12-23 07:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Interesting is one way to put it.

[Luffy is Luffy... with all the chaos and energy that he brings. A giant rubber headache most of the time, but also the person that he and everyone else in their crew has decided to follow.]

Yeah? Your group all about exploring shit?
chefalier: (okay fine)

[personal profile] chefalier 2023-01-03 05:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Heh, yeah. Hard to imagine not getting along with a group like that.

[Sounds just like the Straw Hats, except with flying through the sky instead of sailing around in the ocean. He thinks briefly upon the sky island they've visited, but it's not like they sailed from an island in the sky to another.]

Oi, I don't plan on taking all of your time. I imagine that you got other guests to talk with.