A Night of One-Hundred Tales!

[faithfulflame]

Who: Rei Hino, Tsuzuki Asato, and ANYONE who wants to join in!
What: A Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai, or telling ghost stories!
When: October 29th in the evening
Where: Tsukino Shrine
Summary: Rei and Tsuzuki decide to invite people to share ghost stories to celebrate Halloween. There will be food and drinks, and the ghostly interlopers are kept at bay by the shrine's wards to give people a break from hauntings. Turn up and share stories, or listen to them.
Rating: PG-13 at the worst, depending on the story!

It had taken quite a bit of work, but as night fell everything seemed as perfect as they could manage it. The andon were lit, the chairs were arranged in the courtyard, and the wind-screens were in place to keep everyone warm. Rei had thrown open the shrine doors and set out braziers to warm participants, stoking them with embers from the temple's main flames. Food had been laid out, snacks, coolers of cold drinks, and even thermoses of hot water for warm ones. They even had a mirror sitting on the steps of the shrine, reflecting light into the courtyard. Not the most traditional way of doing things, but it's what they had to work with.

The shrine wasn't large enough to house a crowd of more than ten or twelve people inside, but if the crowd was small enough they could move indoors. Everything was set up for a night of storytelling, casual fun, and a little bit of relief from the ghostly visitors that were assailing the villagers.

Guests start arriving around twilight, and Rei can't help but smile as they get underway. This was hopefully going to be a good time for everyone involved.

(OOC: Feel free to assume Tsuzuki or Rei made an announcement about the party. For those not familiar, the goal of a Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai is to share stories with other people. Each time a story is finished, one andon (small lantern) is extinguished and the room steadily gets darker. Feel free to have your character post a story of their own in a comment, and discuss to discuss what's been narrated. Linn and I would love to have characters share ghost stories from all sorts of worlds, scary or silly. I hope you guys enjoy this!)

Comments

[open rp!]

[idealism]

[Tsuzuki's glad he's been able to come to the temple during Halloween. The fog makes him deeply uneasy, since he remembers what kind of memories it managed to bring forth only a few years ago. He's not interested in having a repeat of that.]

[He adjusts his costume, standing right by one of the candles inside the temple. It makes him cast a large, flickering shadow on the wall. It's a perfect spot for story telling, and he's looking forward to it.]

I'm glad you found the time to come.

[winds_voice]

[Eleytheria had found all of this Halloween stuff rather baffling really. But it wasn't boring to him at least... just something else to learn about. The same could be said for this night, another tradition that he had never heard of, though he was sure humans in his world must have exchanged strange tales between them as well.

The Spirit arrives and hovers around the outside of the temple. For some reason he still feels a bit uneasy being here, but at least there's one familiar face. Ah, in costume too... Eley hadn't found one for himself yet, though he wasn't quite sure what would even suit him.

He'll just... stand close enough to listen and watch the fog rolling by.]

[idealism]

[Tsuzuki notices the familiar figure outside, and realizes that there's something wrong. Did gods have to be invited in order to enter someone else's temple? He honestly isn't sure.

Still, he doesn't want Eley to feel excluded. This night is supposed to be about everyone and their stories. He reaches forward, his hand hanging in the space between them.]

Don't you want to come inside?

[winds_voice]

[Oh! Suddenly Tsuzuki's approaching, extending a hand to him and inviting him inside. Well, he supposes it must be all right if he says so. It just seemed so strange to him to walk into another's temple. In his world it would never happen.

Still, he looks at his hand a moment and tentatively takes it, though he doesn't step any closer.]

Are you sure it is all right for me to go inside?

[idealism]

Yes. Trust me.

[They didn't put up wards to keep friendly spirits out, after all. They were only there to keep them safe. From what Tsuzuki had seen of Eley, he guessed the god was as amicable as the ones he knew back home. That's why he was so comfortable reaching out for him.]

[winds_voice]

[Trust him... that was something he was never sure how to respond to. Trust didn't come easily with Eley, but Tsuzuki didn't seem so bad. So he nods and steps forward now, coming into the temple and standing by one of the candles himself.]

Well... this seems all right. [Nothing happened after all. Though he's still holding Tsuzuki's hand.]

[idealism]

Good. [He doesn't think about the hand holding. Gods have different rules for this kind of thing. And right now, it's a way to offer quick reassurance in the case that Eley feels scared to be on another god's turf, which means that Tsuzuki is perfectly happy to continue to hold it.]

Isn't it pretty? Rei got some friends to build it.

[winds_voice]

[Really, Eley didn't know the benefits of being close to anyone else or making physical contact. It did seem to comfort him having that constant reminder that someone was right there with him, though he still carries on as if he hasn't even noticed what he's doing, looking at the many candles and the temple as a whole.]

It is a very beautiful temple. What do people worship here? Or should I say who?

[idealism]

[It's so natural to Tsuzuki that it doesn't occur to him that he ought to explain it. It just helps them both relax. Where is the harm?]

You know, I'm not really sure. We should ask her.

[winds_voice]

[Eley will notice in a minute, honestly... Then again, what would he do if he did?]

Perhaps I shall. I would like to know more about this temple since I have been invited to stay here tonight.

[Speaking of.]

What exactly are we doing here again?

[idealism]

Ghost stories!

[He sounds way too happy when he says so. Tsuzuki helpfully points to the candles they've been lighting, as if that will Explain Everything.]

The tradition is to try to tell at least a hundred tales before the night is up, and then snuff out a candle after each story.

[winds_voice]

[Eley nearly jumps at Tsuzuki's suddenly excited tone. He follows his pointing finger to the candles and listens carefully.]

I see. It is quite an interesting way to spend the night. One hundred stories seems like quite an achievement though. What happens if you do not succeed?

[Yes he's taking this verrry seriously all of a sudden.]

[idealism]

Then we just tell as many as we can.

[It's kind of sweet how earnest he is.]

Do you know why we tell ghost stories the way we do?

so late so sorry t-t

[antivanleather]

[Costumes on fall harvests were common enough, but ghostly tales were not. Ghostly visitors less common still, and to be assailed by them several times the past few days was disturbing enough for the elvish Antivan. Having a safe haven from the ghosts? More than reason enough to brave the trek to the shrine from his home.]

I must admit, this seems almost like some of the harvest ceremonies practiced in rural Antiva. All else we need is a bonfire and a good barrel of cider.

yaaaaaaaaay Zevran!

[idealism]

Antiva?

[It's then he notices Zevran's ears. He should have realized that he couldn't be from earth.]

You know, you might have a point about the cider.

^_^

[antivanleather]

My native country, a great deal warmer and with far less ghosts. Though I think that might be said of most places at this point.

[He offers the man a light smile.]

Almost everything might be improved by a good barrel of cider, my friend.

[idealism]

Is it the kind of country with beaches and sun?

[Because to be honest, after months of cold weather that sounds really tempting.]

I haven't had cider in years. Do you know if 7th Heaven serves it?

[antivanleather]

My Antiva has a little of everything, but the beaches? Oh the coast is wonderful at any time of the year.

[He shuffles a bit, tugging his coat tighter around his shoulders.]

Mmm....I think they do, actually, though I have not tried it just yet.

[idealism]

Me neither. I usually have other drinks.

[Tsuzuki tilts his head, his smile growing a bit more understanding.]

It's much warmer inside. And we have food for the guests.

[antivanleather]

Coffee- though they've the most ingenious ways of making it here. I've become quite fond of cappaccinos. It almost makes up for the lack of proper drinking chocolate.

[He shook his head with a sad sigh, and at the invitation to enter, well, who is he to ignore it?]

Good company, fine tales and good food? What better way to spend a chilly evening. Thank you, my friend.

[idealism]

At least hot chocolate isn't hard to make at home.

[That's the spirit. Tsuzuki visibly perks up when it becomes apparent that Zevran will join them for the story telling. The more, the better. He pats his shoulder.]

Come inside. We have mochi and tales, at least. Perhaps next year we can sneak some cider in, but don't tell Rei I said that.

[antivanleather]

Hot chocolate is not the same as drinking chocolate, my friend. I have been fooled by this before in the restaurant. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, etc.

[He grins at the shoulder pat and starts on in.]

I have never heard of mochi, though it sounds fascinating. And I would be the last to give you up to Rei. That sister has a stern face when she wishes it, and I'd not have that turned on any man I might find a friend!

[idealism]

What's the difference between hot chocolate and drinking chocolate?

[It sounds good! So clearly he needs to learn more about this. Tsuzuki ducks his head, looking like he might chuckle. He has been lucky and only seen the nice side of Rei until now, but the gleam in her eye has betrayed that she has more backbone than most.]

I appreciate it. --I'm Tsuzuki, by the way.

[antivanleather]

Hot chocolate is much like a timid lover- light, gentle, full of flavor but the true joy is hidden behind a veil of disappointing milk and consistency. Drinking chocolate is more like a worldly lover, rich with spices and experience, thick with the full brunt of flavor right upon your tongue. It is something quite unique and so very enjoyable.

[He cracks a soft laugh, almost purring out the explanation as given.]

Zevran Arainai, Zev to my friends. A pleasure to meet you Tsuzuki.

[idealism]

[Tsuzuki swallows thickly. He doesn't even know if it's chocolate or something else he wants, but the craving is surprisingly persistent.]

If... if you ever find a place that serves drinking chocolate, I hope you will take me with you, Zev.