(open) celebrating everything it took to free us from the land of the broken and betrayed

[whatsupcroc]

Date & Time: February 12th - February 14th
Location: Throughout Exsilium
Characters: ANY & ALL
Summary: Separation Awareness Day is a festival and time of celebration for the hard won and retained freedoms of those who live on the island of Exsilium. Separate from the United Earth, they continue to exist, and thrive in their own way. As those identified as teenagers and children are showered with gifts of sweets, foods, and toys from the adult population, merchants are selling on the streets and color had invaded the often grey atmosphere. Feasting is practically a law, singing can be heard in the streets, and instruments that may stay safely indoors most the year are brought out to encourage dancing and such other frivolities as are rarely seen.

The night of the 14th there are fireworks shows throughout the city, with the most impressive display being launched from the remains of Buckingham Palace.

Warnings: Festivities!

Date your threads as you will, and feel free to use this as a Valentine's exploration as well for those more inclined to appreciate a holiday from home amidst the celebrations of a whole different sort of world!

Comments

[idealord]

[Unfortunately, he's going to pretty much hold her hand for the rest of the evening.]

Good. No matter how much it rains around here, some fresh air is always nice. [Hilbert pulls her up and along, keeping nicely to her side, and they'll be out on the town!

Looking like a couple.]

[peachbaths]

[ No, this is making her feel weird! She's trying not to stick so close to him as they walk around.

Quiet the whole time.

Kougyoku, why... ]

[idealord]

[It's kind of odd with her being so quiet.

Hilbert looks down at her after a little bit, frowning slightly, and squeezes her hand. Comfortingly.]

Is that alcohol finally getting to you?

[peachbaths]

[ When she feels his hold on her hand tighten, she shakes her head. ] I'm fine!

There's just something on my mind...

[idealord]

[He leans down to look her in the eyes inquisitively.] What is it?

[peachbaths]

[ It takes a full second before she reacts. She holds her arm up defensively, as if to hide her face. ]

Nothing! Don't stand so close to me! [ That was too harsh, but what else could she have done when her heart was racing? ]

[idealord]

[He jerks away at the outburst and frowns apologetically as he steps away from her a little. Give her some space.]

Sorry, sorry. Um... What kind of food are you feeling up for? [To get her mind off of whatever was bothering her, hopefully.]

[peachbaths]

[ Kougyoku regrets her actions, but at least she can breathe now. A finger taps her lip as she thinks. ]

Steamed buns. I want steamed buns.

[ Do they even sell those in Exsilium? Unfortunately, this thought never crosses her mind. ]

[idealord]

I hope they have ones you're more familiar with. Let's go find some! I've never had one myself.

[They'll try... The right side first, and then they can try the left side.]

[peachbaths]

Never? [ Forget about her nervousness. He's never had a steamed bun!? ] I will have to show you, then!

There! [ She points at a nearby stall at their right and asks the vendor about the food they sell. ]

It seems they do not have any... but look! They have butter flowers! [ She means popcorn. ]

[idealord]

[Butter flowers. That's cute.]

It's called "popcorn" in Unova. I think butter flowers sounds a little too perfume-like for my tastes.

[peachbaths]

Oh. [ She covers her mouth, thinking she said something wrong. ] I've never seen anything like it before. Is it good?

[idealord]

It's delicious! You usually eat it while watching movies, but popcorn's a whenever snack in my house. [He'll buy some for her to try.]

[peachbaths]

[ Yay, snacks. But before she pops a piece in her mouth, she has to ask: ]

What's a movie?

[idealord]

[He's about to blow her mind.]

Moving pictures! Like the video function on your laptablet thing, but it has a coherent plot and famous actors and stuff. Sometimes there are, uh, unique movies with b-list actors and an, well, an interesting story, but movies are basically the best thing man's come up with!

[peachbaths]

In other words, it's a video play! Your world has so many interesting things... I'd like to see a movie with you someday. [ More than satisfied with his answer, she eats a piece of popcorn. ] What is this? It's soft, yet crunchy... salty and buttery... It doesn't taste like corn at all.

[idealord]

[See a movie with him one day, huh... Maybe he can look into gathering intelligence next time, since they found that cute hamster video he remembers seeing when he was like in middle school.]

Do you like it? There's different kinds of popcorn, and I think white popcorn might taste the closest to what it comes from. Kind of sweet, but fluffy and addictive.

[peachbaths]

Addictive? I should be careful...

Let's buy another bucket. [ TOO LATE she already bought one. With her free hand, she reaches out for Hilbert's hand, but she can't bring herself to hold it like before, so she tugs on his sleeve. ]

We must look at the other stalls!

[idealord]

[He's okay with sleeve tugging, though what he really wants to do is hold her hand again. It's been nice to have.]

Then let's go! There's a ton of things to eat around here, and I'll have you stuffed by the time the fireworks thunder in the sky!

[Hilbert will certainly pull her along to the next! Caramel apples, maybe? Or actual steamed buns? He's really excited to see the rest of the festive food.]

[peachbaths]

[ Right, fireworks. She did tell Ringo she wanted to try something when they start, but will she have the courage to by then? Kougyoku keeps her eyes on Hilbert's sleeve until they reach their destination.

Food doesn't catch her eye this time. Kougyoku watches as people purchase bottles of soda at the next stall. ]

Hilbert, what is that? It looks like water, but there are bubbles inside. Isn't that odd?

Let us try it!

[idealord]

[Her asking about different foods and the like makes him realize that pretty much that he grew up with being "normal" was something Kougyoku really never experienced. Hilbert's more than determined to make this time a worthwhile educational experience!

So they'll buy two, yes, let him pay this time!]

Careful when you sip it, the bubbles can make your mouth feel funny at first. But soda! Man, this'll really hit the spot. [He twists open his bottle, but doesn't drink it just yet.] What do you think?

[peachbaths]

[ Kougyoku lacks life experience. She sorely needs it. Upon drinking the soda, Kougyoku covers her mouth and her eyes widen. ]

I can feel it popping in my mouth! But... it's sweet... and refreshing. Do you drink this often?

[idealord]

[Now he'll drink his. It's nice to see that she likes it.]

All the time. It's a staple of teenagers everywhere back home, though the vending machines give you a lot of other options too. What about you? Is it all wine, women, and song? [Like in the fairy tales. He's between genuinely curious and teasing.]

[peachbaths]

Ah, kind of. [ she laughs sheepishly ] Um, don't laugh, okay? But I don't really know what other teenagers eat or drink, or do at parties. I don't like going to those...

[ as she trails off, kougyoku glances at the bottle of soda, then at hilbert. ]

A staple of teenagers, huh... Then I'm glad I came to the festival and got to try this! Thank you! [ it appears that she's back to her normal self again now that she's smiling brightly, though. but one change soon comes after another - the streets begin to empty as crowds search for a better view. the fireworks are about to begin! ]

[idealord]

It's no problem! I like spending time with you a lot, and I'll teach you all there is to know about a teenager's social life.

[Even if his consisted of "follow Cheren and Bianca" until their journey split them.

Oh boy! Hilbert's eager to grab her hand (and buy another popcorn) and drag her to a spot where they can see the fireworks once the crowd starts to clear. Hopefully she doesn't mind!]