May the Best of your Todays be the Worst of your Tomorrows

[thespaceopera]

The morning of the final day of the year - called Last Eve - brings with it a soft, gentle chorus of bells. No matter what town or city you've found yourself in, the tradition is the same: a simple scale plays every hour throughout the day - a melodic, slow countdown to all the festivities to come tonight. People - especially children! - run through the streets ringing hand-held bells of their own, all in the name of good luck and best wishes for the upcoming year. Don't want to wait for the night to start the party? Don't worry! There's plenty to do all day long, too!


A ringing melody in the wind

You thought the festivals throughout the month were extravagant? Well, they're nothing compared to the parades today! Marching bands, performers, and dance crews show off routines they've been preparing for months, candy flies through the air for all of the parade-goers to catch and keep... The floats are elaborate and grand, with humongous shapes in bright colors. A lot of heart, soul, and expert craftsmanship went into these, and it shows. Some parades have set themes, others are just a representation of the towns that give them and what they've put together to share with everyone... but all of them are full of love, joy, and good luck wishes for the upcoming year. Maybe you're part of the parade - riding on a float, tossing out candy, singing or playing an instrument... or maybe you're just there to watch! No matter which way, it's going to be a good time.

The waters may be too cold to swim in, but that's why boats exist! Once the sun goes down, the natural glow of the water is even more breathtaking set against the black, starry skies -- and local tradition is to spend Last Eve out on the water in some way! From rowboats, paddle boats, and sailboats to motorized party boats with loudly blasting music and flashing lights, or huge luxury liners with all the fancy trimmings of fine dining and entertainment -- no matter what kind of boat you want, you're going to have a great time ringing in the new year on the water. Get your party boat on! Or, spend a romantic evening with your loved one on a crewed private charter! Or, row out on your own and meet up with other rowers. Bring snacks~ and a life vest - safety first!

The best part, though, isn't Last Eve... it's First Dawn. Once it gets closer and closer to midnight, and the bells begin to chime louder, and faster, and more jubilant... that's when the real light show begins.


Light up the skies!

Almost every inch of the night sky is covered in bright lights and brilliant hues as fireworks soar through the black. The breathtaking display reflects in the glowing waters, which seem to mimic all the colors back like a visual echo. And with the backdrop of the bells' song, this is how the new year comes to Libuscha IV.

So - Happy Last Eve, and Happy First Dawn. Enjoy your holiday, dear Fleet. ♥

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(( This post is a mingle for all of your New Year / Last Eve / First Dawn Celebration needs. Go forth and have fun! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to us. o7

And on a final note: Happy New Year, Drift Fleet. ♥! Thank you for spending your RP time with us. We're absolutely convinced that you're all the best players out there, and we love you for coming on this journey with us. May the next year be full of fun, happiness, and of course, some shenanigans~ ))

Comments

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

[Last Eve]
[Tim has been using his cape wrapped and held in front of him to catch the rain of candy as he comes down. You can occasionally see him kneeling to let the local kids grab handfuls out of his collection. He will offer some to you if he sees you looking.]


[First Dawn]

[Tim has found a nice rooftop to perch himself on, feet swinging back and forth in the air as he enjoys the light show. His cape serves as a kind of blanket around him and he's acquired a thermos of hot chocolate and little snacks sat on his lap.]

[The Ice Stone Tree]

[Tim has approached this tree several times since he's first heard of the stories and the way it seems to work but he's always skirted around the edges of the crowd and not gotten too close. Always seeming to change his mind and turn back every time.

He's back again in the early morning light and is staring up at the tree again contemplating what he really has to give to the tree beside secrets he's not sure he's ready to tell]

I'm pretty sure I'm supposed to tell someone my secrets, not just the tree.

[Wildcard]
Suggest something else? I'm up for anything. PM or Discord me cluelessnu#8484

First Dawn!

[wallcrawler]

[And Tim's not the only one out in brightly colored long johns to enjoy the show, either. Okay, sure, his might be higher quality and come with a fancy built-in blanket feature, but that's beside the point. Somebody as attentive as the bird boy would surely pick up on the sound of what sounds like something just splatting against the walls of the surrounding buildings close by, and even if he didn't, well...]

Soooo, you weren't up for fightin' the crowds for the good seats either, huh?

[Which, look, for the web-suited chatterbox hanging out suspended between buildings in a web hammock, would either have to be front row or come with a booster to see over just about anyone older than like, twelve. At least this way he's got the comfiest seat in the house- if a slightly chilly one, since his outfit doesn't come with a big comfy cape. He's just gotta think warm thoughts.

Not thinking to bring along a thermos of his own- and maybe some of those tiny little marshmallows- may have been an oversight he's not particularly proud of.]

Re: First Dawn!

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

[Tim will be up on his feet in a second when he hears the splat noise. He looks vaguely ridiculous in a fighting stance with a thermos in one hand and a triangle of a sandwich in the other.]

That voice? Spiderman?

[He'll lean over the side of the roof to take it all in. I mean the webs certainly lend themselves to that assumption.]

I'm pretty sure these are the best seats in the house.

First Dawn

[sassy_assassin]

[ Sara assassin-sneaks her way onto the rooftop—she has high stealth but this kid has high perception, so she can't gauge whether he'll hear her. She doesn't intend to ambush him or anything. She stands a bit behind him ]

They really know how to throw a party.

Re: First Dawn

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

[Tim hears something, and he is so ready to throw hot chocolate on someone until he hears Sara's voice and he just swivels to look at her and smiles]

I feel like it's been a festival, on top of a parade, on top of a party, on top of a celebration. I really have to wonder if they go this hard for everything.

Hi by the way. You're very quiet. I was half a second away from throwing a hot drink in your face.

Ice Stone Tree

[postocular]

[ The tree remains a point of interest for Carl, but he's really not in it for getting something back home. He'd rather help others do that, since he's not really sure what he'd get and he's not sure he really wants to know.

Still.. He finds his way back every so often, even just to watch it from a distance or sit under it when there aren't many people around. It's a pretty calming place to be. He didn't think there'd be anyone else at the tree this early, but he's not going to leave unless they want him to. ]

I don't think it has to be classified as a secret. Maybe it's just something you never really spoke aloud before?

Re: Ice Stone Tree

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

[Tim glances over to make sure the kid is addressing him]

If I haven't spoken it aloud, I feel like that makes it kinda like a secret? Although probably one of those well-known ones. Like everyone knows but we just don't talk about it.

[pause.]

I get your point, is what I mean. Now that I've said it out loud.

You're from the Fleet yes?

loki | ota

[dothelokimotion]

[ i. you're a mean one mr. grinch loki ]

[ most people would be grateful. most people would thank whatever comes their way and move on.

but loki has never been any of those things so he doesn't pretend to be anything less than brazen. no, loki is situated near the performers who were throwing out candy, his dimensional pocket collecting whatever was overlooked or missed, and even on occasion, he would divert candy with a mental flick into the pocket instead of a child's hands. or yours.

what can he say? he's always had a sweet tooth. ]

[ ii. winter wonderland / brief jotun loki ]

[ after a while, the celebrations and noise were too much for him. which was fine, actually. he needed a reason for all the townsfolk and fleeters to be in one area, overlooking the rest of the planet. he trudges towards the icy fields, surveying the area to see if anyone was around. and then loki pulls it out of nowhere.

the casket of ancient winters. the tree had granted it to him and loki wasn't sure what to do with it. he was never going to return to jotunheim. no one could use it but him. gently, he rests his hands on the sides, watching the blue crawl up his skin. it was hard not to shiver, but loki had a purpose.

without budging, loki unleashes the power of the casket. not to freeze or to mow down his enemies. no, his design was far subtler. flurries of snow form to make dancing crowds of people, ice crystals rise to form delicate trees and flowers. horses made of snow trample and snort as they run about. loki dismisses the casket and watched the magic at work.

his magic. this was his too. a part of him that . . . was worth acknowledging. ]

[ iii. wildcard ]

[ have a prompt? drop it here / pm this journal / contact me at captainkink ]

ii

[necromanswers]

[Lup spends a good amount of time at the parade - she'd been roped into playing with one of the float bands, after lurking around the taverns for most of the month with her violin - but once it's over and she's collected some snacks and swag to bring back to Taako, she straps her bag and violin case to her back and wanders away from the crowd to follow her metaphorical nose, AKA the soft ping of a new type of magic that she can feel in the distance. An arcana check only gives her so much info, and she's the curious type anyway- she'd rather see it for herself.

She's greeted soon after by quite the spectacle, a winter wonderland of flurries transformed into figures and animals, astonishingly realistic. She's seen some incredible illusions over the years - her captain used to be amazing at them, and he loved to show off what he could accomplish any time the opportunity arose - but she'd never seen it done with ice and snow before. And there's... Loki? Huh.

She has no idea if this is meant to be private or not, but she can't bring herself to look away at this very cool display of magic, so she parks herself down in the snow on a little hill overlooking the scene not far off, just quietly watching it play out with a smile.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ when loki senses someone approaching, he bleaches his skin back to his usual self, setting the casket of ancient winters down. it wouldn't do any good to have people noticing he looks different. though it wouldn't matter. no one knows what frost giants are. no one would care. except loki, unable to rid himself of that stigma. then he turns to face the new arrival. ]

Enjoying the show?

i.

[rebuildyourruins]

[Thor is perched on one of the second-floor balconies of a streetside building, watching the parade go past with some delight. It's hard not to get swept up in the atmosphere in this place, especially today when there's such a focus on the ending of the year. It's when he sees a little girl excitedly hold out her hat to catch some candy - only to stare with puzzlement as the hail of sweets doesn't reach her - that he finds anything odd with the proceedings.

It's not easy to spot Loki in the crowd, but after a few minutes of looking around Thor does notice his brother. Hmm. He stands up to lean out over the railing and keep watching the other man amidst the proceedings. Thor has to wonder, after all...]

[dothelokimotion]

[ it's easy to miss, but thor who has seen many of loki's tricks would see the way his fingers twitch and the candy just slips away from people's hands. he smirks as the candy then falls to the . . . ground? except it never quite hits the surface and seems to vanish quickly. ]

ii

[shroudedsecrets]

[ Haggar was not so much of a fan of the cold or the celebrations, but she had reasons for wanting to spend time on the planet. The last few days had been hectic, and this was a well needed distraction.

Even if, of course, she seeks a place away from the crowds and the noise as early as she can. She had not come to the surface for that, only the merciful sense of peace it provides. The renewal of the senses, the glow that gently illuminates her markings. With her new clothing--mostly a blue and white ensemble with a sky blue cloak for warmth--it's easy enough for her to blend in with the surroundings. For a while there's nothing to be noticed. She plays with some of her own magic, idly; shaping, sculpting...

... when she senses a change in the air; a tingling of an unexpected distraction nearby, as she observes... a storm? Crowds? No... but they are not real. Not illusions, but not actual people. It wouldn't surprise her if it were another part of this world's design, to have something so strange...

But that is when she notices Loki, further away from the spectacle. He too, looks... different, but certainly a recognizable figure. But she observes quietly, as she often does, certain he'd pick up on her presence sooner than later. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki forces down the blue, vanishing the casket. the magic will continue for a little while longer before fading. he smiles, wry. ]

Did you sense it?

[aspearing]

a) last eve

[ Alisha's taken the time to take a trip on one of the boats. She's dressed for the weather - donning a thick coat and gloves for the day. A little cold won't stop her from sight seeing on different planets when she is able.

She can be found leaning on one the rails of the boat, taking in the scenery around her. ]

They say that one makes a resolution for the new year, don't they?

[ She has so many in mind already. Where should she start? ]

b) first dawn

[ For a moment, all she can do is look on in awe as the fireworks go off. How could one not be impressed? It feels like they've put so much work into making this celebration a success. ]

They really are beautiful. [ She's commenting to herself more than anything else. ]

c) wildcard

( feel free to throw any ideas for a prompt my way o7 )

b!

[tsunergy]

[Mikleo's been wandering place to place over the course of the festival, observing the celebrations as seraphim so often do- experiencing it, but not quite part of it. It feels like something he should be a part of, though (as much as anyone else!) so the longer it goes on the more he gravitates towards people with resonance. Not that he hadn't spent most of his time with Sorey anyway...

Even so, here and now? He's with Alisha, stumbling upon her near the docks when the fireworks begin. His eyes lift to the sky as another soars upwards and explodes in a rainbow of colours.]

It really is. Did humans have anything like this back on our world?

[aspearing]

[ She's grateful that Mikleo is here with her. Who better to see these fireworks with than a close friend? ]

Occasionally, during some celebrations. Though, these are rather impressive compared to others that I've seen.

Then... is this your first time seeing these, Lord Mikleo? [ He may have seen these on another planet. ]

a

[postocular]

[ It's chilly out on the water, but that's what they made coats and hats for, right? Still, it's hard not to be swept up in the tradition and spirit of the holiday. Carl can't remember the last time he was on a boat, so he makes a home for himself leaning on the railing, watching the water and the passing scenes. He glances over when he's spoken to, giving it time to think over. ]

So they say, yeah. I hadn't really thought about one for myself.. You?

[aspearing]

I want to continue to grow stronger for others here who need it.

Though... A goal is something that one should always set for themselves.

the iron bull | ota

[theirondragon]

a. last eve

It's pretty obvious the people in this system are gearing up for something. End of the year celebrations aren't widespread in Thedas, though, so it's something new to the big guy. He doesn't have to have treats being throwing in their general direction explained to him, though. He collects what he can, eating at least one of everything that falls, because he likes food, treats specifically, and trying new things. It's a win-win!

b. first dawn

Fireworks aren't unknown in Thedas, but they certainly are on this scale. He finds himself leaning against a post, sky fully revealed above, just watching the display. It's beautiful, like the lights that dance in the skies far to the south, at least from what he's heard. He has a cup of hot cider steaming in his hand, and he drinks from it occasionally, but for the most part, he's just watching the display.

It's pretty, alright?

b!!

[necromanswers]

[Lup spent most of the evening involved in the parade - and the music - so she's late to the fireworks as the rest of the celebrations die down. She's got a bag full of sweets to take to the ships and a violin case strapped to her back when she spots Bull and wanders over to stand beside him, lifting a mug to her lips as she gazes up at the sky.]

These folks sure know how to party, huh?

b!!

[theirondragon]

Shit yeah.

[He smiles down at the little elf, nodding.]

The fireworks on the snow make a nice display, too. [And he nods toward the sky.] It's pretty.

a!

[postocular]

[ It's really hard not to notice Bull in a crowd, so naturally, Carl weaves his way through the people to stand next to him. This way, when candies fall from the sky, Bull can get them high and Carl can get them low. He likes sweets like any other kid, but he's more than happy to share his haul, holding his bag out to Bull, candy littering the bottom. ]

[theirondragon]

[He laughs when he notices Carl at his side, nodding at the display.]

Hell yes. Good thinking, Carl.

[And because he's just that tall, he pats the top of his head, hat and all.]

b

[fantachetic]

[ It certainly is a beautiful sight, and it would be remiss of him to ignore it for spectating anything else. The mulled wine in his hands is warm, though admittedly, he expends a bit of magic in order to keep it so. ]

It is certainly a spectacle.