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

[pishirogane]

Yes akin to that of a god-like being.

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

You haven't?

[fabricatedworld]

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?

[pishirogane]

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.

[fabricatedworld]

[ 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. ]

[pishirogane]

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.

[fabricatedworld]

[ 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.

[pishirogane]

[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.

[fabricatedworld]

[ 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.

[pishirogane]

[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.

[fabricatedworld]

[ 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. ]

[pishirogane]

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.

[fabricatedworld]

[ 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!

[pishirogane]

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.

[fabricatedworld]

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

Maybe I could help you if you have questions?

[pishirogane]

[She nods]

Yes. I would be grateful.

[fabricatedworld]

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

Do you have a phone in your pocket?

[pishirogane]

Yes, I do.

[She's never without her phone.]

[fabricatedworld]

[ She takes her own phone--the one she got upon her arrival--out of her pocket. ]

There should be a key attached to it. [ She points to the strap hanging off of hers. ]

[pishirogane]

[... Huh? Naoto reaches into her pocket and, sure enough, she draws out a phone much like Ib's.]

[She examines the keys closely while her other hand pats her pockets. Her other phone is gone. Frustrating...]

[fabricatedworld]

[ Ib's index finger rises to point out the number on her key with a small smile. ] My room is 109. Yours should be on your key, too.

...Is something wrong? [ From her sentence before, she probably already had a phone, replaced with this new one. ] Maybe your phone is back at home. I didn't have one before, so I don't know where it went, but I don't think the witch would take it.

[pishirogane]

... It says 303.

[She looks at Ib and nods] Yes, I was thinking that. Even if I still had it, it probably wouldn't work properly.

[fabricatedworld]

Then you're in the third guesthouse, and the third room on the first floor.

I think maybe the witch has something to do with these phones... I can't seem to call home or anything. [ Which is bad, because she doesn't want her parents to worry about her, but... ]

[pishirogane]

Alright. [That's easy to remember]

Yes. I doubt she would want us having outside contact if this is still 'home'.

[fabricatedworld]

I don't think it's so bad here... [ She'd like to contact home, of course, but welp. ] Sometimes friends can appear here, too. And a few people have gone back home.

[pishirogane]

... How long have you been here, Ib?