farawayplace | [MINI EVENT] ☆T A N A B A T A☆

Those from the four regions of Kanto, Johto, Hoenn and Sinnoh will be very familiar with the sight of bamboo stalks that are left outside decorated with colorful and sparkly paper decorations. There are people gathering around, helping one another put up paper amulet of varying colors to tie around the bamboo branches. On each amulet is a single wish that’s been handwritten by someone.

One can only hope that their wish will be heard…

At night, there’s a surprise to be found: an alternate colored Jirachi is out dressed in what’s clearly a handmade costume. Around its neck, is a colorful paper chain made of sparkly origami paper.

Not only has Jirachi come to grant wishes, Miniors are out and about bright and colorful. They’ll be dancing around seemingly trying to invite people to come join them in the festivities.

((OOC: Happy Tanabata! In the morning is a general mingle post. But as the evening sets in and Jirachi appears, it will start granting the wish written on your amulet whether big or small -- wealth, a long life, or maybe a way to return home. You're free to catch Miniors too, and there's a slightly better chance of encountering a shiny one as well. Just be careful of the ones still in their shell or you might just get a rather explosive surprise...

This event can take place at any town, so feel free to specify a location!))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Smiling, Manzana will walk over to tie up his paper amulet. Buson however will notice that the writing isn't normal. Manzana's handwriting isn't steady like it normally is as he's attempted writing his wish out in Ulternian text.]

...oh, ah of course you probably can't read this can you? I just simply wanted my friends and family here to be happy.

[He'll glance over to Buson. There's a faint smile on his face, not wanting to say anything more about Bashou out loud. He knew they didn't want to talk about it out loud in the open, after all.]

I'm glad that he's doing good, as are you--oh. Speaking of which have you written a wish yet?

[He already knew, but he smiled fondly, all the same.]

... yeah, I wrote a wish. S'kinda embarrassing to say it outloud, but, I guess it's... fine. Same as yours.

I want you all to live—happily, without fear or despair.
[Perhaps with a bit more emphasis on the "live" as he looked Manzana in the eye.]

[Of course Attila would focus on the fact he's not dead--but...if he were to be ejected out of Ultern who knows? He was most likely--but it was better to not dwell on that. Instead, Manzana smiled back.]

I think that's a wonderful wish. I thought about wishing for something else but...I'd rather the people I care about live happily. Anything else, I figure we can work something out, together.

What was the other wish? If you don’t mind me askin’.

[His gaze looked sad… but he kept his tone as casual as he could.]

Won’t hurt to tell me, right?

My other wish is...

[He seemed thoughtful for a moment.]

It might be obvious, but I was going to wish that I never leave Ultern. I want to live here for the rest of my life.

... you should'a wished for that. [He looked upset, helplessly so, shoulders sinking.]

... I'd promise to write it next year, if I'm still here, but—if I only got one wish, I feel like I'd still be tryin' to balance what I want for Bashou an' everyone else... why won't you write it? You know your staying here, where you're safe and sound, is an important part'a our happiness too, right? Don't you GET how important you are to people?!

[Unfortunately, Buson's stronger emotions all filtered through as anger, so even that grief lead to shouting, over something so uncertain, he seemed to take it seriously or maybe it was just what it represented that upset him more than what wishes Manzana did or didn't write. What Manzana saw as more important.]

To hell with me, think of Anemone at least! Do you think she'd be happier with or without you?!

[Manzana grew silent. Any smile from his face is gone as he stared at Buson.]

More than anything when I started writing my wish the first thing I thought about wasn't about myself but everyone here, who I've befriended and who has grown to call me their family.

[His expression softened despite Buson lashing out. While he didn't know the other as long as Bashou might, he still recognized that reaction. It was from hurting Buson, wasn't it? Manzana remained close, not wanting to back down.]

Besides...just by wishing to stay it won't necessarily mean it would come true. If my wish does have some power, I want it to count for something. Everyone's sense of happiness is different from others. Maybe their happiness includes me in it too. Not that I would know, in all honesty.

[He's answering so calmly and isn't getting swept up in it, so Buson, as angry as he might be, seemed to notice he was out-of-control and calmed, somewhat, hearing Manzana explain. It was a little like talking to Bashou, but that's another similarity that just made this more upsetting.

Manzana had hardly finished speaking when Buson grabbed his shoulders with both hands, not violently but with a sort of desperation, as if wishing he could shake sense into him or, if nothing else, cling to him.]

Of course, it includes you! It isn't just about the wishes you wrote on those things... I still remember what you said, about if you did make it back to Kalos alive... why do you act like your life has no meaning? Why would you hurt your family like that? You can make up for the past alive better than you ever could dead...!

[The realization sunk, a bit slowly on Manzana's part, when Attila admitted as such that it wasn't just about the wish. It was about his own intent, towards himself. If he was somehow lucky and end up in Kalos unscathed... his expression grew grim. Manzana doesn't fight back the hands that grab him.]

My life back in Kalos wouldn't have any meaning. That's why if I do make it back unscathed... no, if I do make it unscathed from that situation somehow I don't know what I'll do. A part of me thinks if I try to die there, maybe...maybe I'll wind back in Ultern again. That's better than the alternative of hurting others again and soiling my hands even further for any shred of happiness.

[He's averting his gaze from Buson.]

...but maybe I won't make such a rash choice because I've gotten to meet Anemone, and even you. If I can change here in Ultern, then I could try and change in Kalos. I won't have to be Manzana of Team Flare...I can just be someone unrelated to those claiming to be my family, or to Team Flare. I can just be Manzana of Ultern even in Kalos. So...that's why... I didn't want to write such a selfish wish. Ultern will always be inside of me, there and...here too.

[He'll look back, and trying his best to smile even if it looked pained.]

Please don't beat yourself up for me. I made my choice back in Kalos, and faced the consequences. I...should still face them, if I do live, somehow.

[Buson listened to most of Manzana’s words silently, but swore through gritted teeth at Manzana’s idea of dying there leading him back here. He couldn’t help it, he looked pained just hearing that, and even his grip on Manzana’s shoulders tightened uncomfortably for a moment.

But, as Manzana went on and Buson realized he was beginning to move on from that terrible plan, the fury born of grief dissipated, in fact, it gave way to joy and relief!

He hugged Manzana again.]

That’s good! That’s great… really happy to hear that!

[Manzana returned the hug. He didn't mean to upset Buson the way he had, but he was glad that it worked out. If he hadn't had that opportunity to open up to Buson when they were compelled to be as truthful as he had been he was sure he would have kept thinking in a drastic manner, desperate to return to Ultern.]

...thank you Attila. I'll be okay. My past won't ever change, but know that the words and love people have shown me here aren't for nothing. You and everyone else made me stronger.

So I'll be here as long as I can be, and I want you and your friend to always feel welcomed here too.

[He's never been all that good with words, so he never knew just what to say, in times such as this. All he could really do was smile; a lighter, more relieved smile.]

I'm glad... really, I am.

[MINI EVENT] ☆T A N A B A T A☆

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[I'm sorry he's like this, but at least he isn't grabbing him by the shirt or anything yet???]

Manzana just keeps stepping on landmines--

[CW suicidal ideation]

[CW suicidal ideation]

[CW suicidal ideation]

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[good place to wrap up, I think!]