THE TANABATA FESTIVAL

[goldless]

[ It's a breezy summer day on Isle Bermuda. There are gulls crying, a few lazy clouds, and plenty of sunshine with a cooling wind.

Today also happens to be a special event! It's time for Tanabata, and seemingly out of nowhere, a thicket of bamboo has sprung up in the trees near the shoreline. Speaking of the beach, a festival seems to be underway; there are lanterns strung up, fresh food, and plenty of goat-people selling fresh food and games.

The festival goes long into the evening, so don't miss it!

The tradition of Tanabata, as you will notice, is to write a wish on a tag and hang it from a bamboo tree. So make a wish and hope for the best! ♥ And what's this? A mysterious, female voice is drifting along, carried by the wind; ]

The bamboo leaves rustle,
shaking away in the eaves.
The stars twinkle
on the gold and silver grains of sand.
The five-colour paper strips
I have already written.
The stars twinkle,
they watch us from heaven.

Comments

[fabricatedworld]

[ Ib is just a little bit surprised to see the island so decorated when she walks out of her room, carried by the voice in the air. Lanterns and stalls line the newly-grown bamboo thicket and it makes it a little difficult to find her way around.

But she knows of the festival--Tanabata, that's the name--as she's gone to it once or twice with her parents. But this year, she's alone. That thought is what encourages her to grab a small slip of pink paper and an ink pen to write her wish on it as soon as she nears the booths.

"I want to go eat macarons with Garry soon."

She's a little embarrassed about it, though, so she tries to hide it behind her back as she finds a place to hang it up. ]

[recklessice]

[Too bad for Ib, Kaito saw everything from the back. He squats down silently to see the tag between Ib's fingers, and the name is visible.]

Macaroons with Garry. Hmm... Sounds like a date.

[He didn't mean to say that out loud.]

[fabricatedworld]

[ Oops, no one was supposed to see that!! Ib turns around, looking very flustered. ]

I-it's not a date, I think! I-it was... a promise...

[recklessice]

Oh, I was joking.

I take that Garry is your good friend?

[fabricatedworld]

Y... yeah! He's my best friend!

[ She replaces the blush on her face with a bright smile as she answers. ]

And he said that we'd eat macarons together... I don't know if we can here, but I want to keep that promise!

[recklessice]

He must be very nice boy.

[As seeing Ib's cheerful face, Kaito could guess it.]

I never had a macaroon before, but it sounds nice. Hopefully that promise comes true!

[fabricatedworld]

He is! He's helped me out a lot before...

[ Her experiences in the gallery would have frightened her, but not with him by her side. ]

Garry said that they look like colorful hamburgers, and that they're really tasty. The cream isn't too sweet, either.

[ She pauses for a minute and closes her eyes. ]

I hope my wish comes true...

[recklessice]

[Picturing colorful hamburgers with cream. That looks yummy.]

So that's why you wish for that. You're still looking for a place to hang it, aren't you?

[Points at the tag on her hands, but aren't the bamboos tall?]

[fabricatedworld]

[ They sound yummy to her, too--she can't blame you. ]

--Oh, yes, I am. [ Her eyes drift back to the tag still in her hands. ] All of the branches are really tall, though, so I haven't been able to find a place to put it.

[recklessice]

How about I pick you up?

[Kaito is tall android. About five feet height.]

[fabricatedworld]

[ Well, he's much taller than her--so her eyes sparkle a little when he offers. ]

Is that okay?

[recklessice]

Yup! Just tie it on the highest spot.

[He bents down.]

Hop on!

[fabricatedworld]

[ With a bit of a blush, she nods, and climbs onto Kaito's shoulders. It takes her a moment to scramble up and find herself in a comfortable position, but soon her legs are over his shoulders and she's found herself in a sitting position. Her wish tag is still tightly held in her hand. ]

...Okay, I'm ready!

[recklessice]

[Kaito's arm hold on her legs, just to make sure she won't fall behind.]

Up we go!

[Then he stands up carefully, as he balances himself with the new weight. Ib isn't that heavy after all. Then he approaches to the nearest bamboo tree and Ib will find out it is high to place the tag on the empty spot.]

[fabricatedworld]

[ The hold on her legs makes her feel secure, and she smiles at his approval. At least he doesn't seem too inconvenienced with her on him.

As they near the bamboo tree, Ib looks for the closest branch. They're high enough now that she can reach almost any branch on the tree, and she reaches to pull the branch to her. After a moment, she's tied her wish tag on the tallest bamboo branch she can see around, and with a confident smile, she looks at her handiwork. ]

I think that will work.

[recklessice]

May your wish come true!

[When she's done, he takes step back, watching the rest of the tags hanging on the bamboo trees.]

I don't see many people here, but there's a bunch of tags hanging on the trees. They look pretty!

[fabricatedworld]

I hope yours comes true, too...

[ She saw him trying to hang a wish tag earlier, but doesn't know what he wished for. ]

It's so pretty from up here, though! [ She doesn't quite want to admit it, but it's really nice being on your shoulders, Kaito. She can see everything that she couldn't before, and the lights dance in her eyes. ]

[recklessice]

[His wish was ice creams, but he doesn't want to spoil that.]

Isn't it? I don't mind walking around like this for awhile.

[Because today's festival. He wants his friends enjoy as much as they can. Although, he has to warn Ib not to touch any hot lanterns on their way.]

[fabricatedworld]

[ A smile crosses her face, and she holds on tightly to Kaito so they can begin to survey the festival together. Being held like this reminds her of her father. ]

Yeah! I can see all the lights. [ She points one out in front of them. ] I've never seen so many lights before... Do you want to walk around together?

[recklessice]

[Kaito is going carry her all the way!]

Of course! I've been busy lately, so why not having fun for one day! I can see they serve very nice treats too.

[fabricatedworld]

[ Ib doesn't mind that at all--in fact, she's pretty happy like this. ]

They do? I haven't seen them. [ But sure enough, when she looks to the right, stands serving traditional food appear. ] Oh, there they are... Should we get something to eat?

[recklessice]

I do enjoy tako balls. Do you want them?

[Since they're one of favourite foods of all time. Kaito scans arounf the place to find them.]

[fabricatedworld]

I've never had one, but it sounds good.

[ Ib puts her hands on Kaito's head for a moment, squinting to find a stand--and then, off in the distance, she can see something that looks like it could be it. ]

I think that says "tako" over there!

[recklessice]

[Looks at where Ib points, then he beams. Being gives advantage after all.]

Good work, Ib!

[He rushes to the stall and get themselves two pack of tako balls. Kaito offers one pack to Ib, while she's still sitting on his back. He has to make sure he's not moving at all so Ib could eat them without problem.]

[fabricatedworld]

[ She's sure that it looks a little odd to the shopkeeper (whatever he might be--she can't quite see him from that high up), both of them together, but she doesn't mind. Once they're bought, she graciously takes one and puts it in her mouth.

First reaction? It's hot

Second reaction? It's delicious. After a little bit of fumbling with her nearly-burned mouth, she smiles. ] They're really good! Thank you, Mr. Kaito!