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Hello everyone, this is your friendly community creator Skeren speaking. If you ever have any concerns, I am always taking IMs and E-mails, so don't hesitate to contact me.
Relevant Links:
The Intro Post: Go here to say hello and take a look at who is playing who.
Current Event: This week's event (though you can use older ones!)
Village Map: For those playing in Michi no Sato proper.
World Map: For those who want to know what's outside the village.
Character tags go like this: "Character: Name" (personal name second please, for consistency. Example: Hyuuga Hizashi) For those of you using AU muses don't worry, we have separate tags for that too if you wish to let people know.
Have fun everyone, and welcome to the mission!
With Snow Comes Thunder
It is hoped that everyone enjoyed their reprieve from the snow, because the next volley is at hand. However, it's only in the wake of the first few flakes that the strangeness of this storm becomes evident. What could possibly be strange about more snow in winter you ask?
Powdery snowfall is the answer ladies and gentlemen, but only because lighting strikes are happening all over town even as the flakes start to fall, hitting the occasional building and starting fires where people haven't prepared lightning rods in advance for just this situation. Newcomers aren't exempt from this less than fortuitous weather, so take care and tread carefully.
Mother nature truly has no mercy on the unsuspecting, and unfortunately, few non-locals could be called anything else.
It is hoped that everyone enjoyed their reprieve from the snow, because the next volley is at hand. However, it's only in the wake of the first few flakes that the strangeness of this storm becomes evident. What could possibly be strange about more snow in winter you ask?
Powdery snowfall is the answer ladies and gentlemen, but only because lighting strikes are happening all over town even as the flakes start to fall, hitting the occasional building and starting fires where people haven't prepared lightning rods in advance for just this situation. Newcomers aren't exempt from this less than fortuitous weather, so take care and tread carefully.
Mother nature truly has no mercy on the unsuspecting, and unfortunately, few non-locals could be called anything else.
Itachi was keen on experiencing the winter traditions, but after a while, the cold was starting to get to him. Ice emblems may have brought luck, but they didn't bring warmth! He wasn't as emaciated as he was when he was at his sickest point, but he was still quite thin and the cold made his joints stiff and his bones ache.
Yes, a trip to the onsen was certainly going to be in order...
Yes, a trip to the onsen was certainly going to be in order...
Luck of Ice
In Michi no Sato, winter is a glorious time, filled with traditions and games that one would never see anywhere else. The locals aren't shy about sharing the joy, and are more than happy to explain for you if you show curiosity.
Ice Emblems
It's not uncommon to see the locals out in the snow, during a lull in the powdery fall, with a pitcher of water and a spoon. Doing what, you might ask? Well, they're making good luck charms.
To do this is simple, really. You carve a niche in the snow in a pattern of your choice, the more detailed the better, and you pour water into it. If the water doesn't melt away the ice, you come back again the next day. Only emblems that freeze overnight are considered worth keeping, as all others are unlucky.
Some locals are quite unlucky.
Ice Sliding
This event, unlike the emblems, is all about having fun. First you find a nice steep bit of cliff face, then you spray it down with water until you have an ice slide. Finally, once you're sure the ice isn't about to melt on you, you take up a blanket, the local kids have plenty, and go for it.
It's even better on the steeper parts of the cliff, but make sure you have a place to end up or you might end up in a very uncomfortable position.
Ice Skating
Perhaps the most recognizable of all the chilly traditions the locals seem to enjoy, the denizens of Michi no sato go the extra mile, and just to the North of the village is a rather shallow, but huge, pond that the villagers have turned into a massive ice skating surface and obstacle course.
The upside? If the ice just so happens to be weak anywhere, you only need worry falling through to about the waist.
The Grand Masque
Just as fall has a festival, so does winter. This one, however, seems to carry a darker theme. The finery is the same, but the colors are changed, with white being predominant. The color of death. White kimono, sashes, fluttering hair veils and hats, you see them all as you go down the streets.
There is no music at this festival, though that is not to say there is no joy, but it is a crisp, cold festival, with iced treats and masks instead of cider and games. At this festival it is easy to find supplies for a hard long winter, and blue lit lanterns light the streets, casting an eerie glow as the sun goes down earlier and earlier in the day.
The only color in this festival are the masks, which carry every color under the rainbow, and have all sorts before them from simple eye coverings to full head regalia with feathers or fur. This festival is meant to celebrate the danger of the season, and does it well, but let it not be said that it won't prepare you.
In Michi no Sato, winter is a glorious time, filled with traditions and games that one would never see anywhere else. The locals aren't shy about sharing the joy, and are more than happy to explain for you if you show curiosity.
Ice Emblems
It's not uncommon to see the locals out in the snow, during a lull in the powdery fall, with a pitcher of water and a spoon. Doing what, you might ask? Well, they're making good luck charms.
To do this is simple, really. You carve a niche in the snow in a pattern of your choice, the more detailed the better, and you pour water into it. If the water doesn't melt away the ice, you come back again the next day. Only emblems that freeze overnight are considered worth keeping, as all others are unlucky.
Some locals are quite unlucky.
Ice Sliding
This event, unlike the emblems, is all about having fun. First you find a nice steep bit of cliff face, then you spray it down with water until you have an ice slide. Finally, once you're sure the ice isn't about to melt on you, you take up a blanket, the local kids have plenty, and go for it.
It's even better on the steeper parts of the cliff, but make sure you have a place to end up or you might end up in a very uncomfortable position.
Ice Skating
Perhaps the most recognizable of all the chilly traditions the locals seem to enjoy, the denizens of Michi no sato go the extra mile, and just to the North of the village is a rather shallow, but huge, pond that the villagers have turned into a massive ice skating surface and obstacle course.
The upside? If the ice just so happens to be weak anywhere, you only need worry falling through to about the waist.
The Grand Masque
Just as fall has a festival, so does winter. This one, however, seems to carry a darker theme. The finery is the same, but the colors are changed, with white being predominant. The color of death. White kimono, sashes, fluttering hair veils and hats, you see them all as you go down the streets.
There is no music at this festival, though that is not to say there is no joy, but it is a crisp, cold festival, with iced treats and masks instead of cider and games. At this festival it is easy to find supplies for a hard long winter, and blue lit lanterns light the streets, casting an eerie glow as the sun goes down earlier and earlier in the day.
The only color in this festival are the masks, which carry every color under the rainbow, and have all sorts before them from simple eye coverings to full head regalia with feathers or fur. This festival is meant to celebrate the danger of the season, and does it well, but let it not be said that it won't prepare you.
He hated, loathed the colder weather.
He thought Michi no Sato was not so bad... until winter came about.
At least, with being mercenaries and heading to war, if they had -intensely- cold climates, they never dealt with it more than a week. Here though? He had to simply deal.
Then, there was this frost festival, or what the residents called such.
So here was Madara, in the thick pants, boots and heavy coat along with a scarf, glaring into the void. Even with all he had on, he could still feel that biting frost.
"..who's happy enough about freezing to make a festival outta that?" No, really, it was beyond him.
He thought Michi no Sato was not so bad... until winter came about.
At least, with being mercenaries and heading to war, if they had -intensely- cold climates, they never dealt with it more than a week. Here though? He had to simply deal.
Then, there was this frost festival, or what the residents called such.
So here was Madara, in the thick pants, boots and heavy coat along with a scarf, glaring into the void. Even with all he had on, he could still feel that biting frost.
"..who's happy enough about freezing to make a festival outta that?" No, really, it was beyond him.
The Frost Festival
At some point, Michi no Sato turned from a typical, if somewhat quiet place, to a village filled with lights and color. It seems that here, they have a festival in the days following the first true frost of the season. There are games, vendors, and all manner of quiet traditions that get followed at this time.
Lanterns are being lit now, and the great feasts have begun, where anyone is welcome to partake. It seemed that generosity is the spirit, as all those special parts of the harvests and hunting that can't be preserved are offered to any and all.
The festival has several smaller events that might be of the most interest to those new to Michi no Sato, such as:
The Great Bonfire
The Bonfire is lit as of the morning after the frost, and is kept going for the entirety of the week long festival. It is not uncommon to see people near the edges, throwing away things of the previous year, or things that caused them sadness. There are also wishes being thrown into the bonfire on papers, so overall, if you have something you wish to change, here is where you should go.
The Contests
There are all manner of contests going on around the village, and they range everywhere from cooking contests, to eating contests (clearly one follows the other) to art contests where the winner gets a voucher for the shop of their choice.
The Fireworks
As a new twist on an old treat, in this village it seems that not only can you request fireworks, but if you can answer the quiz the firework makers give about safety... well, they'll actually let you help, and maybe even set them off yourself!
There are more, of course, and these are simply the premier events, so go out and have a little fun!
At some point, Michi no Sato turned from a typical, if somewhat quiet place, to a village filled with lights and color. It seems that here, they have a festival in the days following the first true frost of the season. There are games, vendors, and all manner of quiet traditions that get followed at this time.
Lanterns are being lit now, and the great feasts have begun, where anyone is welcome to partake. It seemed that generosity is the spirit, as all those special parts of the harvests and hunting that can't be preserved are offered to any and all.
The festival has several smaller events that might be of the most interest to those new to Michi no Sato, such as:
The Great Bonfire
The Bonfire is lit as of the morning after the frost, and is kept going for the entirety of the week long festival. It is not uncommon to see people near the edges, throwing away things of the previous year, or things that caused them sadness. There are also wishes being thrown into the bonfire on papers, so overall, if you have something you wish to change, here is where you should go.
The Contests
There are all manner of contests going on around the village, and they range everywhere from cooking contests, to eating contests (clearly one follows the other) to art contests where the winner gets a voucher for the shop of their choice.
The Fireworks
As a new twist on an old treat, in this village it seems that not only can you request fireworks, but if you can answer the quiz the firework makers give about safety... well, they'll actually let you help, and maybe even set them off yourself!
There are more, of course, and these are simply the premier events, so go out and have a little fun!
She was glad she'd caught wind of the event coming up and had first stocked, then overstocked, then packed her back room so tightly that almost nothing more could fit, because it seemed like people were coming in constantly for this or that. It was almost never flowers, what with the festival's theme, but that hadn't been what she'd spent the money on this month, so that was for the best.
And she was, at this moment, so very grateful that she'd thought ahead, because while the shop was open, she could barely breathe, let alone make more stock if she ran out of something.
Finally though, she managed to shove her last customer for the night out the door so she could try and get herself a little dinner!
And she was, at this moment, so very grateful that she'd thought ahead, because while the shop was open, she could barely breathe, let alone make more stock if she ran out of something.
Finally though, she managed to shove her last customer for the night out the door so she could try and get herself a little dinner!
Things had been so quiet in Michi no Sato. Itachi wasn't sure sometimes who was simply away on a mission and who'd disappeared entirely, gone wherever it is that people who disappear from this world go.
It seemed like many of the ninja still here were suddenly receiving tokens of appreciation from the villagers. Itachi hadn't been targeted like most of the others, nor did he expect to be. He was more civilian than shinobi now. He tutored Sasuke's Academy cell at least once a week, more if he was feeling up to it. But that was it. (It was incredible how much they'd grown... especially his littlest brother.) No, he should be out giving presents, just like the other civilians.
And that was exactly what he was going to do.
[want a present? tag me!]
It seemed like many of the ninja still here were suddenly receiving tokens of appreciation from the villagers. Itachi hadn't been targeted like most of the others, nor did he expect to be. He was more civilian than shinobi now. He tutored Sasuke's Academy cell at least once a week, more if he was feeling up to it. But that was it. (It was incredible how much they'd grown... especially his littlest brother.) No, he should be out giving presents, just like the other civilians.
And that was exactly what he was going to do.
[want a present? tag me!]
Like any good observer, Sai attended the Pumpkin Festival to watch the people that came and went. He watched their interactions, the words they spoke, the greetings they exchanged. He took care to note down repeated gestures and greetings so he could practice later. The ROOT nin took part in the festivities, participating in the games by himself. There were a few weird looks, but nothing he hadn't seen before. He simply smiled and kept moving through the crowds.
In the end, Sai stood in front of a large temple. Though most of the festivities were held in merriment, the temple had a more calm atmosphere to it. He stood outside the door, his gaze on the open door. His smile was gone by then, expression neutral. He didn't walk inside, didn't give a prayer. His thoughts were long gone from the festivities. He simply stood and watched that hollow place of stone and wood.
In the end, Sai stood in front of a large temple. Though most of the festivities were held in merriment, the temple had a more calm atmosphere to it. He stood outside the door, his gaze on the open door. His smile was gone by then, expression neutral. He didn't walk inside, didn't give a prayer. His thoughts were long gone from the festivities. He simply stood and watched that hollow place of stone and wood.
"This was not my fault... this was NOT my fault, dattebane!"
Even with the greatest of efforts, Naruto slipped and fell face first into the pile of gifts in her room. She couldn't close the door, the piles of boxes with shiny paper is EVERYWHERE, there is glitter all over her orange kimono, candy wraps in her hair and now a bit of cake in her face.
"GOD DAMN IT STOP IT!"
She yelled when she heard doorbell ring AGAIN, and she scrambled to her feet, rushing to close the window. Nothing shall enter the room anymore. Nothing.
She only wanted to burn the doll in the square, in the big bone fire. But when people saw her... problems started. Which led to current predicament.
She grabbed the broom that was leaned against the wall when she heard footsteps down the hall- she is NOT going to accept ANOTHER gift. She will sweep the person AND the gift out of the room.
Even with the greatest of efforts, Naruto slipped and fell face first into the pile of gifts in her room. She couldn't close the door, the piles of boxes with shiny paper is EVERYWHERE, there is glitter all over her orange kimono, candy wraps in her hair and now a bit of cake in her face.
"GOD DAMN IT STOP IT!"
She yelled when she heard doorbell ring AGAIN, and she scrambled to her feet, rushing to close the window. Nothing shall enter the room anymore. Nothing.
She only wanted to burn the doll in the square, in the big bone fire. But when people saw her... problems started. Which led to current predicament.
She grabbed the broom that was leaned against the wall when she heard footsteps down the hall- she is NOT going to accept ANOTHER gift. She will sweep the person AND the gift out of the room.
Pumpkin Festival
While it seems that the village wouldn't maintain fine weather for such an event, it's far from true, with children running here and there with arms filled to the brim with treats as they went from place to place, helping out where they could. Why was it, you ask?
It was a festival. Not like many of the other festivals through the year, of course, as this one was devoted to the first harvest of the fall, starting before the trees started to turn and lasting for weeks in low key fashion as it carried the populace over into the new year.
There was a bonfire at the center of town that was kept lit, and people would pass it by, throwing in wishes or dollies made of leaves from the year before. Often prayers, especially this year as the shinobi population had thinned, leaving the locals of Michi missing what had been a flare of excitement.
Considered guests of honor because of it, any shinobi who happened to remain... they would be spoiled, to put it bluntly, and would have their choice of all sorts of squash this holiday festival.
While it seems that the village wouldn't maintain fine weather for such an event, it's far from true, with children running here and there with arms filled to the brim with treats as they went from place to place, helping out where they could. Why was it, you ask?
It was a festival. Not like many of the other festivals through the year, of course, as this one was devoted to the first harvest of the fall, starting before the trees started to turn and lasting for weeks in low key fashion as it carried the populace over into the new year.
There was a bonfire at the center of town that was kept lit, and people would pass it by, throwing in wishes or dollies made of leaves from the year before. Often prayers, especially this year as the shinobi population had thinned, leaving the locals of Michi missing what had been a flare of excitement.
Considered guests of honor because of it, any shinobi who happened to remain... they would be spoiled, to put it bluntly, and would have their choice of all sorts of squash this holiday festival.
After having seen the... effects of the fruit at play on poor Itachi-san, he'd decided to give it a go himself. Admittedly, it was sheer curiosity that had him doing so, and truly, was it not youthful to find all the ways in which one could express the beauty in their heart?!
Thus, Rock Lee was currently a woman, one who was twisting this way and that, and was so very much more satisfied with his body being switched than he had been borrowing someone else's form for such an endeavor.
He would, however, be thrilled to have his own gender back once all was said and done, even if he was getting some excellent training out of this.
Thus, Rock Lee was currently a woman, one who was twisting this way and that, and was so very much more satisfied with his body being switched than he had been borrowing someone else's form for such an endeavor.
He would, however, be thrilled to have his own gender back once all was said and done, even if he was getting some excellent training out of this.
The day had started out innocently enough. Itachi had ventured into the marketplace and decided to stop at a sweet shop for a snack. The special was a seasonal wild berry flavored dango, and it came highly recommended by a young server. She said it was something she encouraged everyone to try at least once.
So he did.
And when the balls were gone, so were Itachi's...
So he did.
And when the balls were gone, so were Itachi's...
Living the Other Side
It was one of the few days that was warmer since the temperature started to drop that it started, villagers being an assortment who either flocked to one area of the village or avoided it like the plague. Those who avoided the western cliffs with the brilliantly blue-green flowers and yellow berries far outnumbered those who went, and the entire area smelled sweet, with almost an undertone of sharpness.
The reason for this was simple. When eaten, it seemed those berries induced very acute... physical changes that would last for days. Some villagers were gathering up buckets of the berries, and the reason for this might be curious.
The effects stacked, so if you kept eating them, the effect would last longer.
In essence, the berries, which arrived as suddenly as any other signature flowers to the village, were prized by certain individuals to maintain their lifestyle. Or in the case of one very determined looking villager, possibly the reason she had a little girl trailing behind her.
But, if asked, it would be revealed that every villager had tried the berries at least once in their life.
You know. Curiosity.
Because the berries reversed the gender of the eater.
It was one of the few days that was warmer since the temperature started to drop that it started, villagers being an assortment who either flocked to one area of the village or avoided it like the plague. Those who avoided the western cliffs with the brilliantly blue-green flowers and yellow berries far outnumbered those who went, and the entire area smelled sweet, with almost an undertone of sharpness.
The reason for this was simple. When eaten, it seemed those berries induced very acute... physical changes that would last for days. Some villagers were gathering up buckets of the berries, and the reason for this might be curious.
The effects stacked, so if you kept eating them, the effect would last longer.
In essence, the berries, which arrived as suddenly as any other signature flowers to the village, were prized by certain individuals to maintain their lifestyle. Or in the case of one very determined looking villager, possibly the reason she had a little girl trailing behind her.
But, if asked, it would be revealed that every villager had tried the berries at least once in their life.
You know. Curiosity.
Because the berries reversed the gender of the eater.
Sasuke really, really wanted to see the lights. He heard about how autumn was coming and how pretty it would be. After dinner, which he had eaten very slowly, he sat outside on the porch to wait for these lights to come out.
Somewhat uncharacteristically for him, but a trait that may be believed shared for the Uchiha since it happened so often... he fell asleep. He had taken a blanket, perhaps feeling too warm, too comfortable, and not all that good. He still did want to see those lights... He was definitely feeling all too nice and warm right here.
Somewhat uncharacteristically for him, but a trait that may be believed shared for the Uchiha since it happened so often... he fell asleep. He had taken a blanket, perhaps feeling too warm, too comfortable, and not all that good. He still did want to see those lights... He was definitely feeling all too nice and warm right here.
Kisame wondered, then, if this was it. If this was just a place one went to after death.
Because surely he was dead. Oh, yes, he'd made sure of that. And yet...strangely enough, he was in tact, and Samehada was on his back like it had never left. He reached back to rest a hand on the sword, but then the sky caught his attention. Slowly, he lowered his hand to his side.
But Kisame didn't often care about beautiful things. Such was the case now, for his attention had turned to the buildings around him, and he realized he was in a completely unfamiliar area.
"...what the hell?"
Because surely he was dead. Oh, yes, he'd made sure of that. And yet...strangely enough, he was in tact, and Samehada was on his back like it had never left. He reached back to rest a hand on the sword, but then the sky caught his attention. Slowly, he lowered his hand to his side.
But Kisame didn't often care about beautiful things. Such was the case now, for his attention had turned to the buildings around him, and he realized he was in a completely unfamiliar area.
"...what the hell?"