[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.

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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

[priforprince]

[ Ohhh. Right. Make the knot. The imps calm down to study this knot, one of them tilting its head until it nearly falls over. Okay. Make the knot.

Fetching some string, one of them holds it down while the other one begins carefully trying to loop it around in the proper order. This bit...here, maybe? And then pulled tight. Then, over....here.

Waddle, waddle. They are focusing now, but this still could take some time. ]

[afoolsgold]

[It makes for an interesting bit of spectacle for the Fool, at least, who observes the effort made by the two little imps with a growing, wry smile. It seems the little creatures have endeared themselves to him after all, his initial annoyance aside.

He doesn't seek to distract them, suspecting that their small brains are only capable of so much at once. So he waits until they seem to have the knack of threading the strands together before asking,] Who was it who set you to this task?

[priforprince]

[ The knot is starting to look like the right knot, albeit with some parts that are too loose and some parts that are too tight. This is very encouraging!! And exciting.

The question has the two imps exchanging glances. Who....what....?

Oh. A few squeaks back and forth, and they've figured out the question. The imp currently holding the string they're moving sets it down carefully - this will go through this bit next - before turning around and gesturing. Master did! Master did! Master is taaaaall -

The imp stretches. And Master is preeeettty -

The imp emits a single purple sparkle. And Master always looks like this!

Both imps scrunch up their eyes and smirk. Then they beam. They did a good job. ]

[afoolsgold]

[At the imps' impersonation of their master, the Fool cracks a delighted smile and laughs--oh yes, he supposes he will be able to spot her now, won't he?]

Well, I hope she shall be pleased with your work, [he tells them, and taps a finger near the knot.] Look, it appears very similar to mine now, doesn't it? Keep going--you're nearly finished with it.

[priforprince]

[ The imps nod in unison. Or, well, they nod at the same time. Their rhythm is off, though, so when one's head is going up, the other's is just finishing heading down.

Then it's back to this carefully-laid-aside piece of string, which is almost threaded the wrong way before a warning squeak sets the string-mover back on the right path. Almost there!

They return to their work in earnest. Still no sign of their Master, but that doesn't seem to be worrying them. They must be trusted.

Or have no sense of time. One of these things is definitely true. ]

[afoolsgold]

[Well, left in the company of a Fool, they are surely in good hands. Aren't they?

Having finished his gift for Devin some time ago, the Fool simply sits with his chin pillowed in one palm while he watches the imps finish their work, smiling in enchanted fascination at their antics. They're silly, and not very bright, but their dedication to finishing the knot is endearing. Once it looks nearly complete, he asks them dryly,] How do you intend to transport this knot to your master?

[priforprince]

[ Yes! The knot is for Master! The imps chirp quite happily, knowing they are nearly finished. Both hold their breaths as the string passes through its final knot.......

AND THEN OH BOY, IT'S DONE

They jump up and down in their excitement, lifting the knot and parading it around the table, only for one of them to trip on some of the streaming string and they both fall over (squeak). This jolt helps them realize what it was the Fool had actually asked. How will they...Um....

Beneath the knot, string still pouring over one of their heads, they look at each other. How will they. Um.

One raises a hand with an idea. Just like they just did! But without the tripping! ]

[afoolsgold]

I have a better idea.

[The Fool extends both his hands to the little imps and their successfully rendered knot.] I would carry you to your Master, if that would suit you both.

[priforprince]

[ Considering the amount of excited squeaking this offer produces, it's probably a safe bet to guess this offer suits both imps just fine.

Hoisting the knot proudly, they stand at attention. Okay! They are ready to be carried!

Should they just...march up onto his hands?

Each step is very deliberate. To avoid more tripping, you see. Just as promised. ]

[afoolsgold]

[Well, this seems to be a successful venture, if an unexpected one. The Fool waits patiently until the little things have marched themselves, and their prize, into his palms.] There we are, [he says lightly once they're where they ought to be, then stands up--carefully, of course, lest he tip them over.

Now he looks about the area with a furrowed brow. ...huh.] Where is your Master? [he asks them, then adds,] Just point, if that is easier.

[priforprince]

[ Where is Master? That is a good question. The imps look around, peering out from beneath the knot. They were sent out on rec...reek on....They were sent to look at this place so she wouldn't have to. But she should still be -

Oh!

One of the imps jumps, which upsets the balance of the knot and the other imp is left struggling to hold it, wobbling a little. But they're both excited, because - there! There, next to that tea cart! Just around the corner!

One of the imps just saw her for a moment! ]

[afoolsgold]

[The jumping imps cause the Fool to jolt, too, and he lurches forward a step to make sure neither of the little creatures goes toppling out of his hands. Ack. Ack! The knot and wobbling imp are quickly balanced with his other hand; what a relief, no impish casualties today.

At their gesture, he looks up, searching for.... well, he just realizes he has no idea who he's looking for, exactly. Nevertheless, he approaches the tea cart, imps in hand.] What is your master's name? [he asks them, hoping for a coherent response.]

[priforprince]

[ RAUCOUS SQUEAKING. They don't even appear to be squeaking the same thing.

Both imps realize at about the same time that this is not a viable strategy for identifying Master, however, and thus two heads swivel towards the Fool in unison, two sets of eyes squint up, and two mouths smirk with a little "Heh" noise as a single sparkle lights the air next to two faces.

Is that helpful?? ]

[afoolsgold]

[Not... especially. At least not yet. The Fool looks down at the imps in bewildered silence, then sighs and scours the crowd in search of anyone who matches that peculiar description.]

[priforprince]

[ Nobody at first. The air is devoid of sparkle effects, for one thing.

Yet, the closer they get, the more a bit of an altercation can be heard. Someone with a rather deep voice is not having a good day. ]

--plenty on debit! I can have a cash sum prepared at your leisure, or write a check! Is none of those suitable?!

[ The imps take turns bouncing up and down and squeaking. Oh boy oh boy oh boy

They found her they found her they found her-- ]

[afoolsgold]

[Uh. Well. The Fool supposes he's found their master.]

I hate to interrupt, [he begins, while clearly interrupting, and sidles nearer with both imps held out in plain view,] but I think these might belong to you?

[The 'you' in question he supposes to be the one with silver hair.]

[priforprince]

A fault in your card reader the day of a festival is an intolera---

[ Oh, she's being addressed. Hibiki turns and is promptly SQUEAKED AT. She blinks, not expecting to have been confronted with her imps at this juncture. ]

They may. You finished already?

[ This was to the imps, who are now trying to hide the knot behind their backs to make it a surprise. They nod eagerly, SUPER EXCITED. ]

[afoolsgold]

[Throughout this exchange, the Fool continues to hold the imps in his grasp, shifting his amber gaze with amused incredulity between Hibiki and the imps.] They required a bit of guidance, [he tells her wryly,] but seem well pleased with their work.

[priforprince]

[ Hibiki is momentarily distracted by the cart owner getting their card reader to work and, as such, passing her a cup of tea. ] Their work?

[ The imps can, at least, recognize a cue when they hear one, and - whip the knot out from behind them! With such force that one of them falls over, and that leaves the other one holding the knot, which it wasn't expecting, so it falls over too. But, from their prone position, they prop the knot up.

TA-DA!

The cup falls out of Hibiki's hand. Despite being paper, it manages somehow to split in half when it hits the ground. ]

[afoolsgold]

[Well, that definitely was not what the Fool was expecting.

He takes a nimble step backwards to avoid any of the tea splattering onto the hem of his clothes, careful to make sure he doesn't drop the imps or their knot as he does so, then looks back at Hibiki in clear alarm.]

...Was that an accident, or spilt on purpose?

[priforprince]

....An occupational hazard.

[ Hibiki does not seem inclined to elaborate on that particular point. She is too busy looking rather grey over the imps. ]

They................made a knot.

[ Both imps puff out their chests. YES! THEY MADE A KNOT!

Then, they offer it to Hibiki. And the knot is for Master!

Hibiki, involuntarily, flinches back. ]

[afoolsgold]

So they did.

[The Fool regards her askance. His gaze flicks down to the imps, still proudly displaying the knot they'd worked on for her, then back to Hibiki.] ...aren't you going to take it?

[priforprince]

That was beside the point of their task.

[ The imps look at each other. It...was? They were not...supposed to make the knot? Not....knot? Not....knot....

As one, light dawns, and they both make surprised squeaking noises. That's right! They were only supposed to look at things, and tell her about them!!

Wow. One learns something new every moment. ]

[afoolsgold]

[It seems a kind of callousness not to accept the knot, given how hard the pair of little imps worked to make it. The Fool looks to Hibiki again with an entreating smile.] It seemed a difficult task for them to complete, [he points out, giving her an askance look.] Yet they did so. Won't you take it anyway?

[priforprince]

[ Grk. Why is this stranger looking at her like that?! Hibiki is alarmed. ]

Why should I reward a lack of comprehension?

[ When she looks at the knot, however, she doesn't look like an upset imp controller. She looks afraid. And self-conscious.

After all, these knots stand for frie......for....for fr.....

Hibiki has really weird trauma, okay. ]