shiningworld | THE TANABATA FESTIVAL

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event

THE TANABATA FESTIVAL

[ 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.

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[ Ib is busy trying to hang her wish tag up on a strand of bamboo near the entrance to the festival.

Unfortunately for her, it's a little too tall, so she's grasping on her tip-toes and stretching out her fingers to try to reach it. She doesn't notice Naoto walk by, not yet. ]

[Just as she's about to enter, Naoto notices the small girl attempting to tie a wish tag on the bamboo. Ah, Tanabata then. She puts that together based on the decor and number of tags in the bamboo stalks ahead. While the detective could walk away now, but it wouldn't settle well.]

[Slowly, she approaches. She doubts the young girl weighs all that much even for her]

Excuse me...

[ She's just about given up on tying her wish tag up, her cheeks puffing up just a bit in frustration, when she hears a voice call her attention from behind. She turns, holding the tag loosely in her hand. ]

Oh... hello.

[ Ib stares, looking the girl up and down. She's not someone that she's met before, so... ] Are you new?

[Poor kid. It's Tanabata; she should be able to get her wish on a branch.]

[Naoto nods] Yes, I suppose so. Where are we?

It's an island. [ The answer's short, not because Ib refuses to tell her more, but because she simply doesn't know much more. ] There's a witch here, and she brought us here. This is the Tanabata festival... It was here when I walked out of my room.

[ She focuses her attention back on the bamboo branch, hanging infuriatingly above her head, just out of her reach. ] ...I was trying to make my wish come true, but...

A witch... [Far-fetched, but she's become a little more open-minded to possibilities after last year]

[She notices the little girl look back at the bamboo branch. Naoto steps forward and kneels down.] Climb on.

She throws these parties for us, so I don't think she's all bad... But I haven't met her.

[ She's a bit taken aback when the other kneels down. ] A-are you sure? [ ...Still, nonetheless, she climbs on to Naoto's shoulders and adjusts herself until she's in a sitting position that won't hurt the other girl. ]

I see. Sounds like she prefers an omniscient position.

[She nods; it's fine. Her arms lock around the small girl's legs and Naoto stands slowly once the girl has finished getting herself into a good position.]

Omnishent? [ Her pronunciation is a little off, but! ] You mean that she prefers to oversee us...?

[ As they begin to rise up, Ib is much higher than she was by herself--and she watches the bamboo branches get closer and closer. Her hands reach to the branch to tie her wish to it. Once she's sure it's tight, she nods triumphantly. ]

Thank you! I really want my wish to come true... I've never made a wish for Tanabata before.

Yes akin to that of a god-like being.

[Naoto watches as the girl ties her wish and nods back]

You haven't?

That makes her seem sort of scary.

No... I've been to a festival before with my parents, but never made a wish. [ She leans forward to place her hands loosely around the other. ] Are you going to make a wish?

Well, if she makes those she brings here comfortable, it's possible she's not that bad. Still, that is kidnapping.

[Naoto pauses, thinking, but then shakes her head slightly] Presently, beyond perhaps wishing to go home, I don't have one.

[ She's never thought of it as kidnapping before. She nods, though, contemplating the word. ] Kidnapping... I guess it is. I wonder if my parents are worried about me...

[ No wish, huh? Well, there must be something that Ib can do... ] Maybe I could... help show you around? [ She doesn't quite want to say it, but she doesn't know of a way to get home. ]

If the witch ever appears, you could ask. [Naoto knows what it's like to be in a place removed from normal time]

[Naoto kneels down so the little girl can get back on the ground] Hm... Yes, I'll take you up on that offer, thank you.

[ She nods, and then: ] ...Is it okay to have two wishes for Tanabata?

[ Slowly, she removes her grip from the other's neck, and slides down to the ground. After smoothing down her skirt, she smiles and reaches out her hand for her to take. ] My name is Ib. It's nice to meet you.

[She shakes her head] I don't believe so. As the story goes, it's only one wish granted to the couple.

[Naoto straightens her suit again. After fixing her hat, she extends a hand and takes hold of Ib's shaking it] Pleasure to meet you, Ib-san. My name is Naoto.

[ Right, the story. It takes a moment, but she nods sadly. ] You're right. I'm sorry for being selfish.

[ This person definitely has manners, and Ib is a bit shy, thinking that maybe she doesn't measure up. She straightens her posture a little as she shakes back, with as firm a grip as she can manage. Though, since she's only nine, it probably looks a little bit silly. ] It's nice to meet you, Mr. Naoto! And... you can just call me Ib, if you want.

[She shakes her head] Don't apologize.

[Naoto can't help it. She's so used to being formal that informal seemed improper. She hesitates, wondering if it's right to maintain the secret around a girl her age.] Very well, Ib.

... And it's... it's Ms. Naoto.

[ She smiles and nods when Naoto addresses her with just her name--

But then Naoto corrects her. ] Oh! I'm sorry, I'm really sorry! Ms. Naoto, then! I'll remember that!

[ She smiles again after a quick, embarrassed stare down at the ground. ]

No, no! It's fine.

[She waves her hands a big, but then smiles to Ib] You can call me Mr. Naoto. I won't explain it completely now, but I prefer to dress and speak like a boy. It's a secret.

[ Tilts her head a little bit. ]

Would you like me to call you Mr. Naoto?

[ This isn't that strange to her--after all, she does have a good, male friend that speaks like a lady... ]

I'll protect your secret, don't worry!

Well, you don't have to call me 'Mr.' or 'Ms.' really.

[Well, now it's a girl who speaks like a guy.]

Thank you, Ib.

[ She nods slowly. ] ...Okay. It's nice to meet you, Naoto.

Maybe I could help you if you have questions?

[She nods]

Yes. I would be grateful.

[ Ib puts a finger to her chin, trying to think about what would be most helpful. ]

Do you have a phone in your pocket?

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