pumpkinhollow: (Default)
pumpkinhollow ([personal profile] pumpkinhollow) wrote2024-07-21 01:43 pm

July Mini Event - Seaside Sway

Pumpkin Hollow Community Bulletin
It’s the end of July. Summer is peaking, hitting its stride. In the forest, frogs sing and fireflies dance through the night, and dragonflies go about their business in the sun. In town, farmers roll up their sleeves and young ladies swap out their many layers for breezy floral gowns. And on the beach, swimmers take to the sea for water at its warmest and young crabs climb up from the sun-drenched sand. Kora’s glory at its finest!

For about a week now, a flier has been up on the community bulletin board. :
Midsummer Beach Festival!
Join us on July 21st and 22nd for our annual beach bash!

Organized by the Temple of Sacred Roots in tandem with Town Hall, all townsfolk are invited to join in for seaside festivities in honor of the height of summer. Activities will include:
  • Live music (Sign-ups for performers will be available at Empty Pockets Music Bar)
  • Locally made strawberry wine from last summer’s strawberries
  • Beach pit barbecues for lunch on both days
  • A hot food banquet for dinner on the 21st
  • A fish fry breakfast on the 22nd
  • Paper lantern float
  • Beach games
  • Tents and bed rolls for beach camping
We look forward to seeing you there!



And, as promised, the festival opens up on the afternoon of July 21st, where the smell of barbecue rises up from Tawny Beach. Tables sit on wooden plinths to avoid sinking in the sand, bearing fresh summer fruit and drinks. Pork, fish, and lamb roast in a sand pit. Enchanted barrels covered in magic frost keep frozen treats like orange juice shaved ice and strawberry sorbet cold. A station for assembling little wood-and-paper floating lanterns can be seen off in the distance and Cormac and the Banshees are setting up for their opening set. Tents and bed rolls have been set up toward the Marina. Literally everything is decorated with thin golden coins on strands of twine, sea shells, and sea glass. In the center of it all, stones have been laid into the shape of a massive compass rose, whose center houses the makings of a bonfire.

Those who were here last year will recognize that this festival is much larger than last year’s, and was not preceded with desperate pleas from Town Hall for help providing food and decor. It speaks plainly to the health of the town now. Even with all that has been going on, the growing population and renewed sense of community and purpose have improved matters around the island considerably.

Near the tent area, a family of crabs (one red, one blue, and three purple) can be observed. The small purple ones are poking each other with sticks. The Limoncello has made port, and Royal and his crew are splitting helper duty with the staff of Town Hall, and are dancing and partying the rest of the time. All is as it should be. For once, there is no dangerous surprise lurking in the shadows.

So, what’s on your agenda? During the day, volleyball, swimming, and a game that involves throwing small fabric sacks of dry lentils into wooden hoops in the sand can be enjoyed, alongside a plethora of frozen treats. At night, food and wine and lemonade are served at the banquet tables and lively music plays on the temporary wooden stage for dancing by firelight. There is also the lantern float, which encourages participants to send a glowing lantern out on the water in honor of the lost and the distant, ending the first night in a moment of peaceful sobriety. You may also notice a charming stranger milling around, cozying up to Royal, and drinking after nightfall--- a woman with dark olive skin, raven hair that soaks up the firelight, and rum brown eyes who wears a billowing blue dress and (whenever she hasn’t placed it onto someone else’s head for fun) a wide-brimmed black hat.

Then, at night, camp on the beach under the stars or head home by additional lantern light. The festivities will continue until the following afternoon! Feel free to share your beach fit in the fashion show thread below, as well. Enjoy!
graveling: (tell me more)

[personal profile] graveling 2024-07-21 11:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, it's easy for Angel to recognize her. He waits for a quiet moment and waves as he makes his way over, a silent check-in to be sure he's welcome to talk to her.

Is he doing a good job, Momma?
psalmofseasons: (kora)

[personal profile] psalmofseasons 2024-07-22 01:07 am (UTC)(link)
"Hey you." She winks at him, and holds a finger up to her lips. Don't blow my cover. "You try the barbecue yet? The lamb is spicy. To die for."
graveling: (coming for you)

[personal profile] graveling 2024-07-22 01:09 am (UTC)(link)
"Consider how a lot of us ended up here, and we did die for the chance to eat it." But he gladly helps himself to a portion of the lamb, nodding his head a couple times in lieu of a smile. She'll get it. "Some more than others."
psalmofseasons: (kora)

[personal profile] psalmofseasons 2024-07-22 01:11 am (UTC)(link)
Kora snorts. "That's true," she agrees. "You're a funny one. No wonder Mortanne likes you so much. How's it going? Need anything?"
graveling: (backache)

[personal profile] graveling 2024-07-22 02:35 am (UTC)(link)
"A pat on the head and I'll be able to sustain myself until Autumn comes around. I don't need too much; I never had it before."

That isn't to say he'd turn down more, like a hug or advice or more cleric-y powers, but she asked what he needs.
psalmofseasons: (kora)

[personal profile] psalmofseasons 2024-07-22 02:50 am (UTC)(link)
"Ohhh, c'mere, you." She takes his face in her hands and kisses him on the forehead. "You clerics and your acting like you don't need anything schtick. How's the magic treating you, anyways?"
graveling: (Default)

[personal profile] graveling 2024-07-22 02:55 am (UTC)(link)
Angel lets out a soft startled sound which doesn't totally sound like the Windows error eep! noise, why would you think that, he's far too dignified for that. And then he relaxes against her, but slowly, somehow, in stages. Releasing tension in one stage at a time.

"It's good, mostly. I try to keep mostly useful spells prepared each morning. Not have too much fun with Thaumaturgy."

And he tries not to think about Gentle Repose at all.
psalmofseasons: (kora)

[personal profile] psalmofseasons 2024-07-22 05:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Kora's eyes twinkle with mischief. "Wanna magically learn some spells you definitely shouldn't be able to do yet?"
graveling: (tiny smirk)

[personal profile] graveling 2024-07-22 05:12 pm (UTC)(link)
"Ma'am, are you cheating?" The tone in which he asks that is the same tone one might ask a cat if they're a little devil baby. Of course she is, and he loves her because of it, not in spite of it. "Absolutely. Lay it on me."
psalmofseasons: (kora)

[personal profile] psalmofseasons 2024-07-22 05:24 pm (UTC)(link)
"Pirates don't cheat. We just play smarter," she jokes, handing him a spell scroll. "It's got my blessing on it, so you can just read it and be able to prepare it like any other spell."

[ The scroll contains Tidal Wave. ]
graveling: (concern)

[personal profile] graveling 2024-07-22 05:28 pm (UTC)(link)
"You think it's something I'm going to need, or is it just for the sake of knowing it?" He takes the scroll and tucks it away inside his shirt to read later. Right now he's basking in the warmth of her presence.
psalmofseasons: (kora)

[personal profile] psalmofseasons 2024-07-22 06:20 pm (UTC)(link)
"I just think it's fun to give you overpowered toys. You'll find an excuse to use it." She winks. "Think freshwater thoughts when you use it, and you can water the farm with it."
graveling: (tell me more)

[personal profile] graveling 2024-07-22 06:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Freshwater thoughts. He'll need to figure out what that feels like.

"Eddie will be delighted by that. Speaking of, thank Serranai again for the flowers. The honey's turning out real well."
psalmofseasons: (kora)

[personal profile] psalmofseasons 2024-07-22 07:32 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'll do just that! I'm sure she'll be pleased to hear it. She's always liked bees. Sometimes she'll follow one around for hours," Kora jokes. "I'm sorry you missed her! She showed up for that speed dating thing a few months back. But she sends her regards."
graveling: (patient)

[personal profile] graveling 2024-07-25 08:12 am (UTC)(link)
"Hah, send mine back. And maybe a hug? I have the feeling she'd like a hug." In that moment it occurs to Angel just how weird his former self would have seen everything. He's talking about hugs now. Living in the community. Participating in a party. Unlife is good to him.
psalmofseasons: (kora)

[personal profile] psalmofseasons 2024-07-28 09:53 pm (UTC)(link)
"Angel, my darling, there's not a one of us that doesn't like hugs, and I will gladly hug her on your behalf," Kora agrees, grinning.
graveling: (tell me more)

[personal profile] graveling 2024-07-29 01:52 am (UTC)(link)
"Well. In that case."

He opens his arms, giving her a big hopeful look.
psalmofseasons: (kora)

[personal profile] psalmofseasons 2024-07-29 11:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Kora not only hugs him, she squeezes him tightly and picks him up a little. Strong pirate arms! "You're too cute!"
graveling: (tell me more)

[personal profile] graveling 2024-07-30 12:34 am (UTC)(link)
He lets out a quiet surprised sound that might best be classified as a squeak. This is the first time he's ever made that sound. He thinks he likes it. "Thank you."