Complete Megathread Mini Game Uene's New Blessing (Year 9)

[Raid Boss]

Uene's New Blessing
Minigame

Spoiler: Mood

Each year, there is a Sun Claw tradition that brings travelers who brave the Hylands Ascent to the largest Uene's shrine in the Valley of the Sun to celebrate the coming of the new year. Before the date changed from Year 8 to Year 9, many Starcalled embarked on the journey to get them to the Sun Claws' homeland for the celebration. You are among them.

· - { ✱ } - ·​

Despite the ongoing snowfall that steadily padded an already thick layer of snow on the ground, the warm sunlight kept the freezing temperature at bay.

You are currently at the biggest Uene's shrine in the entire region, surrounded by wolf-earred locals and visitors, all of whom are dressed in majestic kimono-like attires. Considering that Uene was the moon goddess of beauty, it goes without saying that anyone who dared enter her place of worship looking like a slob would draw contempt upon themselves if not getting thrown out by the shrine workers.

The shrine itself was divided into smaller sections. There was a section made up of two rows of stalls selling new year specialities, which ranged from snacks like candied apples to steaming and seasoned boar brain.

Next to where the food was served were the administrative buildings belonging to the shrine. In the open area in front of them, there were large wooden platforms filled with small wooden tables and cushions where people could be seen enjoying the local delicacies and having celebratory drinks. On the far end of the platforms were various chieftains and chieftesses sitting in a row. Surprisingly, Astor, who was dressed in a gaudy golden kimono that shimmered in the sunlight, could be seen at the end of the row. Should you inquire someone about it, they would mention that it was customary for village leaders and people with authority to exchange drinks with others to welcome the new year. As the King of Astorea, Astor was invited to participate in this custom to strengthen relations with the Sun Claw.

· - { ✱ } - ·​

While the food area was bustling with chatter and hundreds of footsteps crunching through the thick layer of powdery snow, the area of veneration saw much less foot traffic as everyone queued up to receive a blessing from Uene.

The queue began at the entrance to the inner sanctuary. There, a large torii separated itself from the rest of the shrine. The gate's rich brown texture contrasts starkly against the snow's white. The queue of visitors began right before the torii and extended for a long while away from it.

Should you peer past the torii, you can see that when it was a person's turn to go in, the shrine maidens had them take off their shoes and guide them toward the inner sanctuary barefooted. When they reach the wooden steps of the sanctified building, they are escorted up and have the sliding door in front of them opened so they can step inside and talk to the priest to receive a pouch containing Uene's blessing. At this time, the person must hand over an offering to the shrine, which may be, but not limited to, gold.

Those who receive misfortunes can be seen heading to a tree next to the inner shrine. The tree was massive, reaching 100 feet upward and shading the entire area when it's not baren from winter. Its far-reaching branches could be seen weighed down with strips of paper that fluttered in the cold frigid wind. There, you could see some people accessing the high branches with massive wooden ladders where they fold up their fortune and tie it on a branch before offering a prayer to Uene to earn her pity.

Finally, after receiving Uene's blessing, they return through the torii with hope and new resolutions for the new year and to put on their shoes once more.

· - { ✱ } - ·


[ How do you spend your time here? ]​

Divine Fortune for Year 9

Guidelines

• Any number of characters may participate in this mini-game.
• There is no limit on how many times you may post in this thread, but if there is a lot of back and forth, consider making a branched thread in the Hylands Forum.
• A post can either be a line of dialogue or a small paragraph.
• If you would like to casually converse with other characters, you may do so in Uene's New Blessing Communication Thread.
• Unlike regular events, you must write your post first and then use the site to roll.
• If you accidentally forget to roll on the forum, you may roll on Discord using: ?r 1d12 CharacterName | 1626
• To interact with an NPC, ping @Raid Boss, you may get a faster response in comms.

Blessings

There are 12 different divination results you can obtain, ordered from good to bad. Human characters with the Fate Die trait of 6 may roll 2d12 and take the higher result. Fate Die (5) may add 2 to their result. Conversely, Fate Die of 2 gets a -2 and Fate Die of 1 rolls 2d12 and take the lower result.

▣ [12] Special Blessing
▣ [11] Great Blessing
▣ [10] Middle Blessing
▣ [9] Small Blessing
▣ [8] Blessing to Come
▣ [7] Small Blessing to Come
▣ [6] Border Blessing
▣ [5] Border Disaster
▣ [4] Disaster to Come
▣ [3] Small Disaster
▣ [2] Great Disaster
▣ [1] Special Disaster

If you would like to read a more in-depth version of your blessing, tag @Raid Boss.

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

It wasn't the first time Mizuki thought this, but the Sun Claw tribe's customs felt really familiar and even invoked a sense of nostalgia. Her mother had made sure she knew about the traditions of her ancestors, even if she'd moved to live in a foreign land before Mizuki had been born. Only through frequent trips to her mother's homeland had she learned about their traditions.

Still, she was an outsider here, which was painfully obvious as she walked into the biggest shrine the Sun Claw had erected to worship their goddess. She had the same lupine ears and the same furry tail swishing gently behind her as she stepped through the snow, but where they were dressed in traditional clothes of silk and cotton she was clad in hide and leather. She had enough common sense to at least clean herself up before coming here, brushing her fur and making sure her outfit wasn't in bad shape, but even so the difference was clear.

Well, she still was able to come here and join the festivities, having climbed all the way up the Ascent by herself while carrying her tribute between her fangs. Now the bag was slung over her shoulder, the scent of meat spreading from the package as the luna wolf headed for the torii leading to where the fortunes would be handed out. She was relatively early, so she didn't have to wait in the queue for that long before stepping into the inner sanctum. She didn't have to waste time removing her shoes either, because she wasn't wearing any.

While she would've liked to ask the priest inside many questions about the Sun Claw's customs she knew that the queue was still growing behind her, so she quickly handed over the sack filled with Moon Bear meat as an offering to the shrine.

 

[Jin]

Carrying his weapon despite festivities often earned Jin the ire of those around him, but his situation was a bit more complex than most. The blade could never stray far from its bearer, and so, when asked to "give it up," he had to explain delicately that it was not a choice he had. Fortunately, his attire for the evening did not strictly clash with the preferences of the goddess of beauty. An expertly knit kimono, golden trim, red inlay. His garb was more formal than usual, but otherwise, he was no different from usual. A pale, red-eyed player of seemingly little to no consequence.

Albeit... armed.

It suited him fine that most people gave him a wide berth. He preferred to be alone, and the fact that the tribal men and women and their children did not wander close only worked to his advantage. He was unaccustomed to these kinds of events. In the real world, he never went to New Years parties. He wasn't culturally aware of places that had these sorts of festivities, so it fascinated him to see and learn, even take part in them.

The line was short ahead of him, but growing steadily behind him. Jin hurriedly withdrew the large stack of coins he'd prepared for the event- blood money was good enough for him, so it would be good enough for a goddess, right?- and he offered it to the shrinefolk as tribute.

@Raid Boss

 

[Aerial]

..

Uncomfortable. The emotional response to her mirrored image focused on the traditional hanbok that gently laid against her pale skin. It'd been years since she physically connected with her heritage. Memories of ajumeoni and halmoni doting on her, "gwiyeoun agi", during Seollal felt distantly cold. Yet they embraced her with a nostalgic warmth previously thought permanently extinguished.

She needed to visit them again.

Her parents created the bridge when they moved to the United States but it was she who caused the gap, ignorant of the lonely bridge that went overlooked again and again. Family and friends went ignored due to a perceived notion that they abandoned her when they allowed her to be whisked away. The faulty logic and misdirected anger went unchecked until she arrived at the Uene Shrine.

She meticulously followed the shrine maiden's instructions; the motions were similar to New Year customs in the real world. Although a meager amount, she offered every last gold piece in her inventory. Unfortunately, Terrasphere hadn't taken kindly to Aerial but she extended the offering with a usually hidden grace.

When it came to asking for a blessing, she hesitated. Her thoughts spun an intricate web of ideas. After a few moments, she tied the slip of paper to an already weighted branch with a silent but firm resolution.

Her steps lightly danced along the ground as she exited the torii. Bright, blue eyes reflected a childish innocence as she searched for her companion. Snatching @Zelrius's hand, the excited woman tugged him along. "C'mon, Red! We have to visit every single food vendor and game stall!" she paused, cheekily adding, "I might have offered all of my gold, though. So... looks like everything's on you today~! Consider it payment for my companionship; supply, demand, and whatnot."

Clearly she hadn't checked her fortune yet.

@Raid Boss​

 

[Toko]

Toko knew little of the Sun Claws, having learned about their clan shortly after the events of Camp Hope. Business in the Guild had brought her to Finweald, and it was during her visit to the headquarters that the lepus had come to learn about the customary celebration held in the Valley of the Sun to celebrate the coming of the new year. Intrigued by the knowledge she’d searched for a way to reach Hylands Ascent, and when she’d spotted a familiar face in the streets of Finweald the hare hadn’t thought twice about dragging inviting the young man along with her for the ride.

She had been visibly smitten by the valley, its natural beauty a sight to behold even in the midst of winter. Surprise had colored her features when Toko had finally laid eyes on the architecture in the village, bits and pieces here and there reminding the hare of her own home in the real world. "Sugoi ne..." Needless to say her curiosity for the clan and its history had increased, but before Toko could think about learning more about them she’d come across another amazing discovery: the clan had a kimono rental, and one the lepus quickly took advantage of.

"Dōomou?" The hare grinned as she stepped out in her chosen furisode, arms held out to the sides far enough to allow full view of the design printed into the fabric.

@Shadow

 

[Shadow]

Kiriya

"Hooh.. That's an interesting choice of color you're going with. Looks good on you, Toko," Kiriya complimented the lepus as they walked alongside one another.

"Though, why did you drag me here. You know I have... work. Evil don't rest even on new year. It took a long time to get here you know, a lot of time for them to carry out their mischief." he complained.

Almost everyone around them were adorned in some kind of local attire. Had it not been for the store that rented local clothes, he would have had to walk the streets in his Shadow armor, which is a prospect he would rather not imagine.

"Well, can't be helped. We might as well get fat off the local delicacies while we're here and enjoy getting smited by the moon goddess. It's not every day we're welcomed into a Sun Claw village like this," he put both of his arms up to give his upper back a nice crack.

"Alright, do you want to try the steaming monkey brain or go have a new year drink with the chieftains and king? Bet you can't go through the entire row without getting trashed."

@Toko

 

[Ash Vargold]

It was odd to see these familiar constructs in an unfamiliar place. Of course something like Terrasphere would take inspiration from the real world, but it still put him off guard, like Ash was at a cultural festival instead of playing a game.

Odder still to be Caenis among the Sun Fangs. Real Caenis, and not his own virtual imitation. The green stood out even more among the natural tones of the Sun Claws. Concealing his bestial features with clothing did little to divert their curious attentions. Probably something about his features, or maybe his smell.

Ash had done a little research for his offering before joining the queue. Money would have been easier, and required less thought. But surely a goddess of the moon, beauty, and conspicuous consumption would want something more elaborate, and his own stubborn pride kept him from taking the easy way out.

Ultimately, he'd gone with jewelry, and acquired a silver gorget, intricately carved and decorated with gemstones. It'd been rather too expensive and was way too gaudy for his own tastes, but the sly comments of the silversmith asking who the 'lucky lady' was told him that it was good enough.

He set it down among the other offerings with a polite bow, then stepped away to make space for the other visitors.

@Raid Boss

 

[Magi Heart]

Uene's New Blessing

Why are we here?
Because! It's our job to help people and this is an important custom for the doggos! Look at all the cute yukatas! It took a while to pick this out huh?
I don't like this place. Giving fortunes... didn't you forget we're Fateless...
Ohhh yeah I kind of remember that but what does that even mean? It sounds like she was being difficult to me! Gee whiz, since when are you the one so scared Wendel?
I'm not scared, I don't feel that unless it's through you, weakling. ...and other's fear is good for a while. I'm just annoyed. I don't need some god to tell me anything... I know what I have to do I don't need or have fate. I just need to grow, the sooner the better. Look at that man (@Astor) covered in gold. Wonder if he melts too *giggle*

Magi Heart shook her pink-haired head as she looked around doing her best to force a smile on her face for the younger visitors she had helped get here. It didn't help that Wendel decided to be in a really disagreeable mood today. Magi had a mission to be the magical girl to ensure a happy New Year though and Wendy used all of her will to keep that goal in focus.

Why?

This was her world until she figured out how to leave and... whether because of Wendel simplifying her mindset, her own lack of logic, or something else. All she could do was this. Just another day but at least she could find some purpose in it even with Wendel's disdain.

"Hehe...he, I hope the year brings you good luck!"

Magi nodded and did a weeb bow since that's what the shrine maidens in anime always did. While she was interested in joining the line to get a fortune, especially after what she's experienced over the years in Terrasphere. Wendell simply wouldn't have it and maybe Wendy too was unsure if this was a good idea. After all, fate hadn't been kind to her so far besides all the magic stuff, nor had the countless threads in her life made any sense at all. She wasn't a Star Maiden or Chosen just a girl with magic and maybe fate didn't like that.

Maybe Raina is right and you made your own fate but that was also scary since she relied so heavily on astral power she barely understood anyway...

But Fateless... that was just mean.

 

[Toko]

The lepus beamed back as the dark-haired youth complimented her choice. "Arigatoh~ Yours look really good on you too, the dark blue matches well with your eyes." Despite the lamenting the man had done throughout the whole trip he’d still decided to partake on the local clothing, and for a moment the hare thought that maybe he’d forgotten all about this fighting evil by moonlight or whatever it was that the boy was seemingly into… until he opened his mouth again.

"Daijoobu daroo, evil might not rest but you certainly have to." A hand was waved in the air dismissively, though she was quite surprised to see how seriously the man took this game at times. "The New Year only comes once every year, and we don’t know if this opportunity will be available next time around."

From what little Toko had gathered the Sun Claws weren’t usually this open and welcoming of strangers, and while the relationships seemed to be going well for now anything could happen between today and three-hundred sixty five days from now. Her unwilling guest finally seemed to get with the program, a cheeky grin appearing on the lepus’ face, before the offered challenge caught her attention.

"Oh ho hooo...! Bet I could—and without issue too—but would you be able to keep up bocchan?"

@Shadow

 

[Erick Stryker]

He wore a white surcoat with a blue scarf to ward off the chill of winter. The season hung much heavier over Hylands, where the altitude and longitude were much higher, exposing them to more frigid weather than Asotrea saw. Luckily, the Explorer's League had warned them about the climate and the probability of deep snow and drifts, so they were able to adequately prepare.

The past year had been fast paced. In the blink of an eye, they saw multiple enemies on multiple fronts, and not all of them were similar. Crazed machines hellbent on wanton slaughter, and apparently, freak bugs gorging themselves on festering demonic energies. It was enough to make any sane person say "screw this." Or maybe, just the right amount of challenge to separate the real contenders from the more light-hearted members of the bunch.

What Erick found particularly interesting about this situation was the unique opportunity to be part of another culture. He warmly greeted the tribesfolk as he headed toward the shrine, and when bid to remove his shoes, gladly did so. With the customary bows exchanged, he produced a portion of Leviathan meat that had been treated and dried to make jerky, a rarity that the people of this region may have never tasted before. His actions had honored Tyldr, a God who wielded the very light; and this goddess, though one of beauty, was a goddess of the Moon. Sunlight reflected off of the moon to light the world at night. There was a possibility that in bringing meat consecrated in battle by the Wielder of the Sunsword, he would be able to also adequately pay homage to Uene. That was his hope.

He knelt before the priest as he made his offering and bowed his head, showing deference and respect to the goddess and her followers. "May your year be blessed as well," he said.

@Raid Boss

 

[Cynna]

Spoiler: /\_/\ !

After a lengthy (but pleasant) conversation explaning that Cynna could not simply mill about the inner shrine as she pleased but would have to procure a fortune, Cynna at last nodded and relented. She had been spending the better, latter, half of this month touring the area, and this was the beginning of the capstone to her journey. All in all, it had been a nice little excursion, she'd met some interesting people and watched them do some interesting things. That was all that she could ask for, all that her heart desired.

*patchi patchi*

And so, Cynna gave thanks.

Should I be exorcised here, would that not be in recognition of my last year's efforts?
Or am I to be rewarded as a devil that inspires virtue?
I wonder~

She'd heard something funny on the way here and now remembering it, she couldn't help but wear a little smile. If she were evil, she certainly did enjoy her rest. Were she a blessing, then perhaps not all blessings should be clung to. Whichever it was, Cynna could hardly contain her delight.

~A pesky fox dreams~
~of fun diversions to come~
~lively ears tell all~

The fox chirped, borrowing the habit of another.

@Raid Boss

 

[Pandora*]

????
????????

"New yearrrrr blessings! Gimme all yo gold Yip yip yap!"

"Nunu, gold is forrr Uene not you Fu! Forrrr all the bountiful blessings! Pay up all the monies because you surrre will need it! You won't have a good yearrrrr if you don't! Yap yap yip!!"

"Ni! Fu! You both sure are eager to see the great blessings of the new year aren't you? First of all, neither of you are foxes! So why are you all yip yip yapping... hey look what you made me do?!"

Among the many travelers, Starcalled and Lander alike was a festive-looking booth covered in colorful banners and random trinkets. Unlike the traditional Sunclaw that ran this shrine, this particular Caenis came off far more energetic than the subdued shrine maidens within. Her booth was more like a hodgepodge of what someone who barely knew a thing about what a carnival booth in the real world may look like but chose to imitate anyway

This red-headed wanderer seems to have set up some sort of puppet show for the visitors and had a surprisingly high number of onlookers. However, it was probably more due to the fact it was like standing next to a blazing bonfire even though there was no flame in sight. Even though this area was surprisingly warm for this time of year, it was actually hot if you stood around the puppet show booth. A small contraption sat next to her and was playing music...maybe. It was almost like a boombox and it played the same few lyrics over and over with a warped male voice... they were so death metal-ish that it was impossible to make them out. Luckily several Sunclaw demanded she lower the volume or she would have to leave the premises.

"...grrr."

Her tail swung violently until one of her puppets moved and the corner of her mouth spoke squeaky words.

"Nunu! Don't forrget the frrruits in yourr head! Count them up! Yap yap yip!"

"They don't know any betterrr! We just want to enterrrtain these travelerrrrs. We don't mean any harrrm! Yip yip yap!!"

So now there was barely any background music for her show. If you could've even called it that...

The Caenis continued to make strange voices as she talked to her puppets from behind her overly busy-looking booth. Just another strange sight in the ever stranger world of Terrasphere.

 

[Kamala Graham]

‧͙⁺˚･❀･˚⁺͙‧

Adventurers Guild

Largest Uene's Shrine, Valley of the Sun

Has it already been a year? Kamala posed the rhetorical question upon herself, intending not to ask a stupid question with its answer already known but instead to think back to what she had accomplished in her first year playing the game. She has already died once. Would she die again next year? I strengthened my bond with new friends, that's all that matters.

· - { ✱ } - ·​

At the biggest Uene's shrine in the Valley of the Sun, Kamala blended well with the locals, save for the lack of wolven ears. She wore something respectful to the moon goddess of beauty, Uene, an attire that was as majestic as a kimono but not quite the same. Her eyes wandered over the shrine sections and new year snacks, the wondrous chieftains and chieftesses with their respective regal attires, until finally, she saw the entrance to the inner sanctuary. Quickly, she directed her friends behind her, @Chrys and @Ayna Nietzsche, to where the queue was.

"Over there, guys. Follow me."

· - { ✱ } - ·​

Kamala marveled at the shrine maidens and the large torii, and when it was her turn, she continued marveling throughout. Although she was a bit nervous, the shrine maidens who assisted her were all kind, and she managed not to make a mess of things. Kamala tried her best to follow the procedure without making mistakes, but she stumbled once or twice, literally, and even almost forgot to receive her pouch containing Uene's blessing, instead shaking the confused priest's hands. She also almost forgot to hand over an offering to the shrine, which was a bouquet of the most beautiful moonflowers that a Sun Claw Caenis had planted on their communal farm at Viridian Fields, the same Caenis who shared with her this tradition. Fortunately for her, the priest seemed kind enough to excuse her fumbles.

@Raid Boss

 

[Bradwynne]

Spoiler: Bradwynne's outfit

As yet another domain was discovered by the Starcalled, Bradwynne, who wanted to see the new area, then decided to travel to that direction. The area seemed to be inhabited by the native Caenis population, and, oddly enough, seemed to have a distinctly Japanese atmosphere. Whether it was because they had adopted the same traditions individually or another Traveler imposed such traditions to them, he would not know for sure, but to be sure, he then decided to wear a distinct outfit just to know the exact reason. A strong opinion would mean that the Caenis had thought of the traditions independently of the world that he came from. But the true reason he wore this outfit was that he actually liked the design, whether it would be distasteful or not to Caenis Landers or the Starcalled was out of the question.

Finally, he reached the destination, and he was pleasantly surprised at the village before him. It was as if he had entered a different world, a distinctly different feel as compared to the other villages he had saw in this world. It was not about the numerous Caenis that was within the area, but the general atmosphere had a distinctly Eastern feel, so much so that Bradwynne wondered if he had entered yet another game. As he had lowered the wooden box that he was carrying on the ground to take a rest temporarily, he then decided to stay here for quite a while trying every delicacy that the denizens of the village had to offer.

But first, he had to go to the shrine so that he could offer the wooden box, or, more accurately, the contents inside it, immediately. After all, in this world where refrigeration was not that much widespread, these choice cuts of meat that he had hunted earlier that day might spoil before long. And so he then took the queue leading to the statue, and then, as he followed every procedure properly leading to the offering, he then received a pouch containing Uene's blessing, before finally being able to offer the meat to the shrine. He really hoped that he had followed all procedures to the letter, as he then sat in one of the places where he could sit, to know what Uene had in store for him.

@Raid Boss

 

[Schilva Flasch]

Spoiler: Happy New Year!

Swaggering up the way to the shrine in his brand new accoutrements, it would be quite obvious to any onlookers that Schilva Flasch had spared no small expense for the purposes of this event. Instead of his usual blades, though, Schilva had opted to take with him but a simple bamboo shinai, should he have to defend himself from anything at the event. The past couple of months and their trials had...made him a bit paranoid, to say the least, about any large congregation of Starcalled.

But realistically speaking, that threat was quite nonexistent; Schilva mostly just liked feeling the weight of it on him, reminding him of his status as the greatest swordmaster as of the present. Having outfitted himself for this event with solely his own considerations in mind, the swordsman did indeed stand out like a sore thumb, but none could say that he wasn't dressed to impress despite the strange looks thrown his way. He was just that distinctive.

When asked to disarm and go before Uene's grace barefoot, Schilva graciously complies and doffs his zori along with his tabi, but refuses to hand over his shinai.

What? This isn't really a weapon though...

A lengthy and frustrating speech later, Schilva sheepishly sets down what is, technically speaking, still an implement that could do harm to others and thus prohibited from sacred grounds. Having held the line up long enough, he hurriedly powerwalks his way to the shrine to receive the augury.

Happy new year! So you want my autograph? No? Then what's that supposed to mean, 'offering'? Oh, like...like money...

Faux-pas after faux-pas later, pockets empty and headache incoming, Schilva finally exits the shrine with a fortune in hand. Closing his eyes and undoing the drawstring, he pulls his fortune out.

Hrmmm...a 'Small Blessing to come'. I mean...I guess it's okay.

Disappointment clear on his face, Schilva leaves the shrine area for the festivities, hoping to find someone he knew in passing to bum a regional bite off. After all, the money he'd been keeping for that had all been reaped in 'donations'...

 

[Madison Mortiere]

Nothing's served as a more pointed reminder that I don't really fit in here than looking around and seeing everyone dressed in colorful kimonos while, here I stand, clad in the sharpest fucking suit I would afford. We're talking blacks the shade of cold, empty space and fancy flourishes sewn with golden thread on my vest. Extra care taken to make sure my face paint remained unsmudged with its perfect lines and shading. Because--let's face it--if I had dressed according to customs here at the shrine? Many pointed fingers and shouted accusations of being a necromancer here to desecrate this holy place.

And even though my new year's resolution is to be more true to myself no matter what? That's not drama I'm equipped to deal with today.

The fortune could wait just a little bit. So could the food. One of the first things I saw was the fuzzy, pointed ears of a familiar acquaintance. I strolled up to @Toko and clapped a hand down on her shoulder as if we were best of friends (probably not; she may still be sore about getting shot in the boob). "Howdy, fuzzball."

(tagging @Raid Boss for expanded blessing)

 

[Ludmilla Orphys]

Happy new year! Happy new year! Haaaaappy new year!!

Fidgeting on the spot and greeting all the passing shrine staff and groups of visitors as she waited in line, Ludmilla made an adequate amount of fuss for those who took note of her to laugh (or frown) and move on, convinced that she was some precocious child whose irresponsibly absent parents had taken them along for naught more than the exotic foods and scenery.

For that purpose, she was dressing quite differently than usual, favouring a simple yellow and powder-pink chrysanthemum-patterned furisode that she had rented for the occasion. The chill-induced rosiness in her cheeks added to the illusion. This would be enough to fit in, to be inconspicuous.

So when it came to her turn, Ludmilla kicks off her footwear as everyone else did, electing to not quibble over whether or not she should be 'disarmed', considering her...you know. Making her way to the diviner at the shrine, Ludmilla hands over an embroidered pouch of ill-gotten gains and humbles herself with a bow before leaving graciously.

Good for everyone who attended this event. Good for them that they felt beholden enough to one among the many conflicting, sometimes even feuding gods of Terrasphere to make this pilgrimage. No, fortunes and piety were not for Ludmilla. The reason why she intended for her fortune to be read was simply to...experiment.

The smile on Ludmilla's face reached her eyes for once as her fingers clutched the fortune that read 'Disaster to come', lasting all the way through her walk towards the great barren tree. Her words to Uene as she strung up her own little slip of paper, though, was not a prayer. It was a dare. A taunt.

So catch me if you can, Uene. I am the disaster.

 

[Erick Stryker]

He was on the way out from the shrine proper when he saw the varied array of Caenis selling what appeared to be trinkets and baubles. His thoughts trailed back to the fortune he'd received, and as he stared blankly for a moment at some of the wares, the cogs in his head began to turn.

In much the same way carnival goers in the real world got preyed on by fortune tellers and superstitions, it would seem that there were more industrious denizens of Arcian society who had realized the fundamental truth of life.

There's a sucker born everyday.

His father used to say that when they went to the Valley Fair and they watched people get their palms read, or try to catch a goldfish with a paper net. He hung back a bit from the stalls and let other people go ahead of him, not wanting to get drawn into a conversation. That was how the vendors in the mall always got him. He always had a problem saying 'no.'

...grrr.

The music was, admittedly, not entirely suited to the mood of the celebration, but when Erick saw the girl with her tail thrashing about and sulking as she puppeted her dolls on either hand, he couldn't help but to wander closer. It didn't seem like she was winning herself any fans, and perhaps more to the point, she wasn't really reading the room, so to speak.

That was something he'd learned to do a long time ago, because he'd learned how bad it felt to be an outcast.

Nunu! Don't forrget the frrruits in yourr head! Count them up! Yap yap yip!

They don't know any betterrr! We just want to enterrrtain these travelerrrrs. We don't mean any harrrm! Yip yip yap!!

"Well aren't you guys cool?" Erick asked with a warm smile on his face. "Dunno about the others, but I'm pretty entertained. Thanks for your hard work," he offered, reaching into his surcoat and producing a handful of coin that he dropped in front of the girl, who he offered a wink.

"Don't wear yourself out on our account."

@Pandora*

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

As she walked away from the inner sanctum Mizuki pondered the fortune she had been given. She usually didn't pay much attention to these things, but she felt that she should give it due consideration this time. The fortune was all-around positive, which at least was a pleasant thought. Even if she wasn't sure whether these fortunes held any power to them receiving a negative fortune could have left her irritated.

Compass points towards the Sun Claw, huh...

Arguably the most important part of the fortune, since it implied that spending time with the native caenes of this valley would work in her favour. While this wasn't the first time that Mizuki had climbed the Ascent and visited the valley she had yet to really mingle with the Sun Claw tribe, feeling too self-conscious about the fact that she was an outsider and would most likely make a bad first impression. Even if the fortune was just a slip of paper, maybe it was a good opportunity to take a leap of faith?

Standing in the middle of the shrine's plaza her tail swished behind her as she shook her head and looked around, glancing backwards at where the queue for the fortunes was only growing larger. There were several figures there she recognised, including Zelrius who apparently had been dragged here by someone else. She might go talk to him once he'd received his fortune, but for now it seemed he was busy enough with his companion. There was also Ash, whose outfit made Mizuki blink and do a double-take. He looked like a traditional pilgrim, which ironically made him stand out from everyone else who was dressed in a more exuberant manner.

There was something else that was drawing her attention though, something which she'd admittedly been intentionally ignoring before. The stand next to the entrance to the inner sanctum, where a red-haired female was making quite a ruckus all by herself which made her stand out amidst all the more formal stalls. The odd-eyed huntress approached the stall slowly, looking at all the trinkets that were laid out on the booth for visitors to take a gander at and maybe purchase. She seemed to have a completely random assortment of items, with Mizuki being unable to figure out the commonality.

A bit of a random question, but would you happen to have a meat dagger for sale?

Normally Mizuki skinned game with her claws, but if the slip said that a meat dagger would bring fortune she might as well go along with the spirit of the event and see if she could buy one. Even if it didn't have any fortune-imbuing properties at least she'd have some way to deal with food when in public which wouldn't cause people to see her as barbaric.

However, as she stood there in front of the booth she noticed that she was beginning to feel quite warm, even hot, to the point that beads of sweat slowly began to form on her brow. She wasn't bothered by the cold, but such warmth as that of a bonfire quickly got to her. There was also a scent in the air which was at the same time familiar yet unfamiliar, but it made her feel rather anxious. Maybe she shouldn't dally too long at this booth.

@Pandora*

 

[Toko]

A hand clapped onto her shoulder just as the hare had been in the process of goading back her shrine companion, long ears twitching as the lepus turned with a quizzical look to see who it belonged to. "Madison…!" It was impossible to not recognize the boob puncher woman, the dark-haired gunslinger having opted for a nifty looking suit instead of the traditional clothing of the village.

"Hisashiburi! Where have you been?" Her own hand clasped the woman’s shoulder, looking up slightly at the taller human with a grin on her face. "Ah, gomen, where are my manners."

Her attention turned to the boy beside her then, her hand patting Madison’s back lightly as Toko spoke. "This is Madison, we met a while back during Red Fever." With that the lepus released the woman, before her other hand now went for the dark-haired boy as she clapped him on the back in the same manner.

"This here is Shadow-kun, he was my Secret Santa from the League~"

@Shadow | @Madison Freebird