[EVENT] THE TIES THAT BIND US

[khuimods]

Characters: Everyone!
Date: February 14-28
Location: All around Aifaran
Situation: The last two weeks of February celebrate Tine's Commemoration, a celebration of renewing friendships and signaling forgiveness.
Warnings/Rating: Shouldn't need any, but add to subject lines as needed!


During the last week of February, the mood shifts around the city. The tension over the missing Kin'nal girl eases some, and there's a lot of talk of renewal and remembrance. In the days leading up to the 14th, some shopkeepers begin reorganizing to make space to feature knotworks and related crafts, and photos on Xa Xa feature knots in process, some made by special artisans. If asked, they will say that all of this is in preparation for Tine's Commemoration, two weeks that are dedicated to renewing and recognizing friendships, forgiving past grievances, and recognizing our most important ties through an exchange of intricately tied knots.

There are specific knots and knot colors meant to signify different kinds of relationships. Friendship knots come in white and blue. White is for the bond of new friends, blue to recognize the joy of old friends. The blue knots typically are added together in a series, one made for each year of the friendship and tied to each other sequentially. More complicated knots are made when forgiving a grudge or past grievance, or to tell someone that they are considered family. While not a major focus of the exchange, there are also multi-colored knots for romantic relationships.

In recognition of this tradition's roots, there is also an ornate tassel knot made for those who have been lost. The color signifies if they have been lost to death (black, often laced with another color like blue for the sea) or the Dreaming (gray). Most have the person's name woven into them, either on a metal disc or a piece of fabric. Rather than being worn, these knots are hung by the door as a waysign: come home; your spirit may rest here.

Shops around the city sell these knots, but there are also ample opportunities to tie your own! The Tifaut in particular take this tradition to heart and have areas set up at several of the city's parks and civic centers, including one at the Dreaming Bridge. They teach knot-making and provide materials (with a suggested donation for those who can afford it), or you can bring your own cord! Making knots of recycled material, like old clothing or retired fishing rope, can add special meaning to the creation - some believe that doing so means sharing a part of yourself with the intended recipient.

Knots can be worn as jewelry or braided into hair (or sometimes hair itself gets tied, with one friend attending to the other's hairdo), and it's customary to keep them on your person throughout the month. While they can be given or exchanged all on their own, it isn't uncommon for knots to come with small gifts or trinkets as well. After February comes to a close, it's important to store the knots somewhere safe, often in a special box or bag with numerous pockets.

---

OOC Notes: This is an open, game-wide event for your characters to participate in (or try and avoid, if they're that type) as much or little as they want to. New Dreamfolk are always popular integrations of these kinds of festivals in the city, so you can write yours attracting lots of positive attention if you'd like.

Provided below are some starters, but you can make your own too if none of these work for you!

Comments

TIFAUT BOOTH - DREAMING BRIDGE

[khuimods]

Given the Dreamfolk's influence on the development of this tradition, it's no surprise that the Tifaut have set up Knot-tying 101 on the ground floor of the Dreaming Bridge. Two or three Tifauti are in attendance each day at wide tables, ready to teach and engage in conversation with Dreamfolk or anyone who happens to stop by from the street.

[priforprince]

[ There may be an abundance of supplies, but something else appears to be dwindling: chairs. The longer the event goes, the fewer chairs shall be found at the tables. How mysterious.

Unless, of course, one happens to see Shikyoin Hibiki glance about, pick up a chair when she thinks no one is watching, and walk off with it. Then there's really no mystery at all, except where she's going with said chair. ]

[powertotearer]

[Eiji is really interested in working on the knots, but whenever he stops by the table, there never seem to be enough chairs.

He finally sees one, but then he notices some girl walking off with a chair.]

Huh?

[That's...annoying, really. Weird, but definitely annoying. He should at least follow and see what she needs the chair for, since there are so few chairs left.]

These two need to have a positive thread at some point. :)

[ninjainviolet]

[ Whoops. She's spotted by one ninja. Although, Sheena doesn't think much of it at first, since others have been moving chairs to empty places at tables.

That is, until Hibiki moves in a direction decidedly away from the area.

Curious, Sheena starts to quietly follow. ]

[spoilsfun]

[ Conan didn't have any interest in the friendship parts of the event. But he very rarely passed up the chance to pick up some new knowledge. You never knew when it could come in useful.

He climbs up on a chair near one of the tables and tries to get the attention of one of the Tifauti.]

[sanzulines]

Kid had initially thought that the knot-tying booth was a great idea! But it quickly became evident that the young shinigami didn't do learning so well, and expected his work to be perfect on the first try.

Which is why he's presently sliding off the chair in a heap on the ground, muttering tearfully about how his knot isn't symmetrical and therefore horrible and pathetic, ad nauseam.

[lasergrenades]

Pepper isn't exactly an arts-and-crafts type of person, but during her time in this world there have been a number of events and festivals where she's had a lot of fun making things. This is a totally new craft for her, and it seems like an ideal way to meet new people.

She has a not-insignificant list of people to make knots for, and plans to make some extra white ones for good measure. Not all in one sitting, however, since there's no real rush. Pepper is likely to drag friends new and old to the table at the Dreaming Bridge if only because it's easier to corner them.

[colonelnope]

Eve is, okay, not completely sure about the art, but if she's learned one thing it's that she can never be sure what is or isn't going to come in handy later.

So when Pepper drags her down to the table, Eve puts up only token resistance about not being great at art. "If you're sure about this," she says as creative cords loom in her vision. "You going to be making a lot of these?"

ELSEYA HALL

[khuimods]

The political arena is ripe for this kind of event, and it's become an opportunity for parties and coalitions that butt heads to let cooler heads prevail. The seat of city government sets up an outdoor tent and provides materials for knot-making, and it's possible to meet some of the city and Alliance officials here (although there's an unspoken rule that campaigning isn't allowed in the immediate vicinity).

[priforprince]

[ A tiny pair of imps are trapped at one of these tables.

"Investigate", they had been ordered. So they went! And they looked around! And they saw that everybody was playing with string. This, they figured, meant they should also play with string.

But they are very, very small, and not terribly dextrous (or intelligent). And thus it is that stuck in the middle of a messy snarl that's supposedly, to judge from the pattern sitting next to it, the knot for "forgiveness", the little critters have tied themselves...somehow...into the craft.

Frantic squeaking ensues. Their master should be around, at least! ....Somewhere! ]

[afoolsgold]

Well now, [a kindly voice from nearby says, approaching the knot and reaching out to still the squirming strands. The Fool settles himself into a nearby seat and takes to investigating the tangle of string around the two little creatures.]

If you would be still but a moment, [he encourages them gently,] I could work to free you.

[corundrum]

[This place seems to be a cornerstone of how the city functions, from Padparadscha's observations, and this festival presents a good opportunity to see some of these people at work. The knotmaking tent seems popular for meeting and conversation, as well, so Padparadscha ends up sitting there for quite some time, slowly making knots, observing knots others are making, and listening to the general conversation.

That's not to say they aren't observing the spirit of the festival, though. If anyone approaches them as they work, they'll give a slight smile and offer them one of a few simple knot necklaces they've set aside after making them. It's not a friendship knot or any other specific kind, but then, friendship is a bit strong a word for any relationship they've formed here yet.]

This is a simple little thing, huh? But I suppose it's best for everyone to be able to join in.

[bestofthevein]

[As far as friendly faces go, though, Padparadscha's is the closest approaching one he's really encountered yet.

When Kit shows up at the table where they sit, it's with an easy sort of smile on his face. He looks to be in better spirits than he was in the other day on the beach--and without the bibiru, this time. Perhaps he feels confident enough in its health to leave it at home, for once.]

Hey there, [he greets his peculiar... friend? and tucks his thumbs into the belt loops on his trousers. He looks at the knots with interest.] Looks like you're pretty good at this crafty sort of stuff.

[sanzulines]

It is, but at least the meaning of it is commendable. You seem to have a talent for this sort of thing.

[ Kid accepts the knot necklace as offered. ]

I don't suppose you could make an identical matching one?

[denyamenti]

Bakura's attended the outdoor Hall location for the purpose of observing the local bigwigs, not for any real interest in the knot-tying theme of the day. He's at least got a spool of soft thread in front of him, idly parting and stringing the strands together, but his attention is entirely on the Alliance officials.

WELCOMING NEWCOMERS

[khuimods]

It hasn't escaped Aifaran's notice that a large number of Dreamfolk arrived recently, and Tine's Commemoration is seen by some as the perfect opportunity to help make the newcomers feel welcome. Whether on the streets, in a shop, or on the Skyway, Dreamfolk may find themselves approached by a complete stranger asking how their day is going, giving tips on where to find delicious but inexpensive food, and more.

All of these encounters will include an offer of a white friendship knot when the Dreamfolk in question engages in conversation, even if it's short. Make some friends! Or, just keep walking.

[spoilsfun]

[One of those encounters had left Conan with directions to a shop with reportedly good not-coffee, and a white friendship knot. He stares at the knot in puzzlement. ]

Just what am I supposed to do with this?

XA XA KNOTS

[khuimods]

There's a few knots with specific meaning, but knots of all styles, shapes, and colors start popping up on Xa Xa during the Commemoration weeks. Dreamfolk, post your favorites here!

[corundrum]

[Something like Xa Xa is still extremely strange to Padparadscha, who didn't have anything even comparable to the communications system here in their world, let alone photos and the ability to send them. But it's a useful sort of place to see what's being talked about or focused on among the people here, and so Padparadscha's mostly been using it for educational purposes until now.

It only seems right to participate more fully in an occasion like this, though. So on one day, they post a flock of differently coloured butterfly knots, on another a cluster of dragonflies. Later into the course of the festival, they start to post more complex charms, still shaped like insects, but more extravagantly done.

There's minimal commentary on them, but for the first two thanking those who taught them how to do the knots, and the third making an offer for anyone interested to join them, as they're still making the charms.]

[annihilist]

A - Open
This whole affair is making Devin a little uncomfortable. Not that he wasn't already uncomfortable, but he's made a point to avoid friendship (although Konryu keeps dashing that effort). Leaving markers of friendship is even less appealing, though the vampire isn't immune to being sentimental from time to time. Devin still isn't sure he knows how to define friendship now, or what it's supposed to feel like. He remembers, sort of, but it's been a long time since he'd really let anyone in. Then Keeliai and Aifaran happened.

Generally speaking, he tries to avoid the booths and tables where people were making knots and goes about his business in the hopes of making it through the month unaccosted.

B - Valdis
It came to his attention that one particular style of knot was for forgiving people, not just for signifying friendships. After the rocky reunion with Valdis, Devin had mulled over what they had said and what the Void had done. His anger with her hadn't been entirely misplaced, but the bulk of it wasn't her fault. The five months at home had left him more shaken than he realized, especially in combination with the memories he had from this world. He considered buying a knot, and changed his mind at the last second. Devin was adept enough to make one or two himself.

At the Dreaming Bridge, Devin went to Valdis' room and hoped that her roommates weren't around. If she wasn't in, he might just leave the corded gesture there.

A

[afoolsgold]

In his efforts at remaining unaccosted, Devin is most assuredly unsuccessful.

When the Fool falls into step beside him, it's clear that he himself has made the most of this Tine's Commemoration... or at the very least, has enjoyed the opportunity to add additional new crafts to his repertoire. A few elegant-looking knots have been braided into his amber hair; they pair nicely with the wooden jewelry he seems partial to.

"You look as though you are doing everything in your power to avoid even the mildest brush with these festivities," he teases; there's a kindly barb in his voice, a bit of wit in his gaze.

B

[redlightgreenlight]

Valdis did not much feel like joining the festivities, so she was hiding in her room. She had, however, acquired a few strings of cording to make knots. Three of the ornate tassel knots sat on the small bedside table, all grey with various accent colors. One with red, one with white, and the last with black, though no names accompanied them. What she planned to do with the rest beyond what she had already done, she had no idea. Her fluffy, white cat sprawled out on her bed, sleeping, but his tail twitched and his ears shifted when he heard the footsteps coming up the hall. She looked up, checking to see who might be approaching as he released a curious mew and jumped off the bed.

A

[denyamenti]

Bakura's figured out that it's a lot easier to accept the knots people keep shoving under his nose and pocket them to be disposed of (or given to Pepper later) than to try and refuse them on the spot.

Devin... clearly has not figured out this strategy yet.

"You look like you'd rather be on a roasting spit."

[consumeation]

A

[Kei has seen many traditions on many planets, but this one is new. The city abounds with excitement, and has for some days, but it's the explanation of the meanings at one of the stalls where you can learn to tie your own knots that draws him in. One for those who had been lost...

He's been increasingly unsure how the battle on Earth ended. He hasn't been able to sense Belial's presence, hasn't been able to see him or reach out to him or detect him in any way in the past three weeks. He's tested his powers - all of Belial's are predictably gone, as they had been for some days before he arrived. As are much of his own, also predictably with the part of him that produced them being gone. He's not sure whether to be grateful or dismayed that the medical facilities here think they can treat him. By now it's been made clear to him that this isn't Earth, nor any planet he knows of. Possibly not even in the universe he came from.

"You'll return back to the moment you came from."

...so he'd been told. He was fairly certain he was dead in the moment he came from. He would have gladly, willingly given his life for Belial, and still would.

That wasn't what tore at him. Belial had hidden from him, reappeared only to dispose of him as something useless and laugh at his continued efforts to prove himself. Part of him still held onto the hope that that was possible; part of him knew it was an impossible task. In knowing he didn't have long to live he'd gone half-mad with the need to know he was important to Belial, clinging to that belief even as it was continually ripped away from him.

But here, intolerably far from all of that, the knowledge that he is, was, and would always be nothing was slowly, insidiously seeping back into him.

Even while he was in thought, he was watching the demonstration in front of him, and as it ends he begins making his own knot.]

B

[Later that day, Kei can be found carrying home an ornate tassel knot, black laced with red, without a name on it. He doesn't know enough about what happened to say that Belial is dead, but "lost" is certainly correct enough.]

B.

[denyamenti]

Not again...

[ Bakura has had people trying to press multicoloured knots into his hands all day, and he's getting a little exasperated by it. Thus when he sees someone else heading his direction, he grabs the nearest person by the arm and orders shortly: ]

Pretend we're having an important conversation. Start talking about anything, it doesn't matter what.