Qixi festival COH 7/3/2019

===> COH <===> 7/3/2019, 7:58:52 PM <===

	THE QIXI FESTIVAL!

	The Qixi Festival is a Chinese traditional festival celebrating the annual meeting of the cowherd and the weaver girl in mythology. Qi means seven in Chinese, and Xi means night in Chinese, so Qixi points out that the cowherd and the weaver maid meet with each other on the night of seventh day of the seventh month on the Chinese lunar calendar every year, so Qixi Festival is also called Double Seventh Festival, Seventh Evening Festival or Night of Sevens.

	The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl is a Chinese folk tale. The tale of the cowherd and the weaver girl is a love story between Zhinu the weaver girl, symbolizing the star Vega and Niulang the cowherd, symbolizing the star Altair. Their love was not allowed, thus they were banished to opposite sides of the heavenly river (symbolizing the Milky Way). Once a year, on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, a flock of magpies would form a bridge to reunite the lovers for one day!

	The room has been appropriately decorated in the spirit of the tale of literally star-crossed lovers. Cast in low light, the focus of tonight's festivities is a handcrafted bridge of magpies in the center of the room that is carved from a mix of black and white jade. The bridge is especially illuminated to highlight the intricate craftsmanship of the jade carving. Descending from the ceiling and suspended above the bridge are two figurines carved from wood- the weaver girl and the cowherd, arms outstretched towards one another, love and adoration shining in the look they give one another.

	A cool dense fog spills out onto the floor, and the walls and ceiling are illuminated with projections of stars, the pinpoints of light creating an illusion of the cosmos above the clouds.

Chinese Valentines Day. Normally invitations sent so formally end up in the trash, but it seems to be enough to attract awarded supporting actress and celebrated architect Jericho Murus down from Prospect, to a place where only bottled liquids are considered safe to drink, and hedonism is... Well. Common. Jericho lands lightly outside of El Fenix, and brushes off her suit idly. Phone slipped from her pocket, and a text message sent, before she wanders into the establishment.

	It is a foreign festival to Chihiro, and being such, she doesn't exactly know the proper dress code for something like this, instead she looks like she just came from, or is going to work down at the strip club. Eventually, someone might give her a few pointers when it comes to how to properly dress for something like this.

	For now she will indulge in any food that might be offered. She can say this about all of the festivals around here, they've been entertaining, and there has always been free food and cheap drinks.

	Well someone said she needs to be more social so what the hell, the troublesome red head known as Erin comes. She isn't sure really this is the best idea but whatever. She stands looking around as if not sure if she should walk all the way or not though she does step out of the entry way so in case others come in behind her she isn't in the way.
<FAE> Erin didn't come alone beside her is a clockwork panther.

	El Fenix is always a bustling place, but during official festivals? Especially so! Punch style drinks are one the house, as are appetizers. Various stations have been set up so that folks can have access to libations and snacks without crowding the bar. The space is full of Yugen and Glamour, stoked by the artisanal decorations and ebullient mood.

Yu Yan makes her grand entrance as she steps inside with a bottle of Peach wine in one hand that is half empty as she hums a traditional Chinese song that if anyone has an ear for it is VERY, VERY old.

It's a little much for a woman who doesn't believe in love. Much less someone as androgynous as Jericho even being able to find it. A twist of her torso, the slits cut in her suit that go right to the bare skin an eccentric fashion choice that might make the stripperific Chihiro seem relatively normal. Erin manages to get a slightly longer look from her though, the Sidge observes one of her kin for a few seconds, before Jericho moves to... Well, where else. The bar. Cutting a path through the fog, she raps her knuckles from some attention, and some whisky.

	Live traditional music is being performed on a small stage set off to one corner. The scents of tasty foods and strong drinks drift through the air. The entire experience is rather immersive!

	While usually insular, during festivals, El Fenix is especially welcoming of foreigners and tourists who come to partake in the cultural exchange. A few staff speak English and they flit about to fill in the gaps for those that don't speak Spanish or Mandarin or Cantonese.

	A celebration of love? How could a proper lord of House Fiona resist? And so Lord Sterling has answered the invitation sent to him, making his way to Tijuana. He glances around the venue, hands clasped behind his back and a warm smile creasing his silver-bearded features. He nods to the faces he recognizes, here and there. Seeing Erin broadens the elder sidhe's smile. "Sweet Erin, what joy! I see you have come as well," he says. "Quite a spectacle, nay? Our Eastern cousins do have such a way with beautiful imagery."

	Seeing Sterling, Erin relaxes a bit and smiles. She bounces towards him and gives him a hug "Yeah, totally looks awesome, never been to one of these before" she sticks to him.

	Only once the event is in full swing, does the host of the evening make a fashionably late arrival! Decked out in his usual red and black Wu Hong Feng, or Fenix as he is affectionately know to the locals, strides on out from the back room, flanked by members of his retinue. He'll quickly survey the room, making sure the fog and lights and spectacle is all on point, and then he'll seek out the evening's VIPs and invitees!

	It's mostly the food that Chihiro enjoys, the drinks an afterthought. With the way that she eats, it is amazing that she is in the amazing shape she is. As to the meaning of the festival, she is oblivious, other than the fact that it celebrates love. Unlike Jericho, she does believe in love, but then again, she has the look of someone who rents love out by the hour, and isn't exactly ashamed of it.

	Fenix makes his way over towards the bar, then flags Jericho and Sterling over. He'll bark at the bartender in Mandarin, as the top shelf liquor gets brought out and drinks get served.

	"Come, cousins! Baijiu for you!" Fenix slides a beverage over towards Jeri, and then one in Sterling's direction should he approach. Any others that come to the bar will get treated as well!

	Sterling returns Erin's hug, giving her a warm squeeze. "Well, other than a few parades in Chinatown back in the 80s, I fear I haven't attended such an event myself. So we shall both be new come to such festivities, nay?" He chuckles softly, happy to keep Erin close at hand as he looks over to Fenix. He steps over to the bar, happily accepting the drink offered to him. He lifts it up with a bow of his head. "Your health, goodsir," he says, before taking a sip.

	Erin looks over to Jericho a moment and then to Sterling as she hmms "I can't say I have done that really maybe seen them in a movie" she shrugs as Fenix gives Sterling a drink she peeks at it and gives him a faint smile as she stays close to Sterling.

Yu Yan although not really drunk, yet, Monkey gives her drunken swagger of a grin as she walks up to the bar. Her manderin is flawless, although very outdated as she orders some peach whine. She then smiles and waves as she says in modern English with only a faint hint of an accent. "Helloooo" with a bright chearfull smile.

	Since that is where others seem to be gathering, Chihiro brings a plate of the different appies to the end of the bar. Knowing only one man there, she gives a nod to Fenix before taking a seat to see what the drinks being handed out tonight are.

	What the heck! Fenix empties the bottle and pours out shots of baijiu for all at the bar. "Drink up! And get comfy. I'll tell the take in a just a few...AFter? We can go to the VIP room."

	Nothing like being at a party where you know /no-one/ - Of course, Fenix waves her over, and that's not an invitation she's going to refuse. "Cheers." she manages, as her glass is filled, and knocks it back in one. Savouring things can wait for later, right now she has an objective. Worst? Jericho speaks one language, and that's definitely American. "I wasn't gonna say no to getting ripped in Tijuana. Anything can happen, right?" A smile, for anyone near enough to receive it.

	Sterling looks down to Erin with a smile. "It was quite a spectacle. A most carnival atmosphere. The sounds, the music, the colors... -quite- a delightful display, I must say." He looks over to Jericho, headtilting as she approaches the bar. "But look, another new face. I say, the newcomers are all coming out of the woodwork of late, aren't they?" He turns to face her with a smile. "What ho, miss. I see you've found your way to this delightful affair as well. Pray, permit an introduction." He rests his hand over his chest and offers a low nod. "Baron Richard Sterling ap Fiona, Lord of Dithyramb."

	Fenix makes his way over to the small stage. Stepping up onto it as the music comes to a close, it almost looks like he's standing on a cloud.

	The room will go totally dark for a moment! And then a spotlight will illuminate the bridge of magpies in the center of the room, and the two star-crossed lovers hovering above it.

	"Jericho Murus. Life seems too short for titles." That's probably going to be the only time she offers that, the slight woman examining the Lord with her eyes for a few seconds, and then grins to her kin. Her glass placed upon the table, a finger resting upon the rim and drawing around it absently. "And I'm something of a fresher face in Prospect. Give it time. You'll recognise me." So sayeth the Actress. And then the lights dip, and she's left following the spotlight.

	Chihiro listens for the moment as people talk, trying to get a good read on the more interesting ones. People with titles are interesting. People coming down to Tijuana for fun are interesting, and honestly the others appearance seems to intrigue the japanese woman. Once the lights go, she changes her attention of course.

	Looking at Jericho as Sterling introduces himself. Erin rocks on her heels a little bit She reaches for a drink from the bar before she looks like she is thinking about something and she finally speaks "Erin" she mentions, but doesn't add more at least not right now.

	From the darkness, booms Fenix's voice as he narrates the tale of tonight's festival! "Welcome, friends and family! Welcome to the Qixi festival in Barrio Chino! Tonight, we gather to celebrate a love that crosses the stars one night a year."

	Fenix continues. "Legend has it that there was once a young cowherd by the name of Niulang and an old ox. The story goes that Niulang, the cowherd, once saved the ox when it was sick. In return, the ox introduces Niulang to a weaver fairy by the name of Zhinu, who is the daughter of a powerful goddess - the goddess of heaven." In between each section, the traditional musicians will provide musical interludes and the lightshow will dance across the ceiling.

	The story continues: "Zhinu and Niulang soon fall in love and get married without telling her mother. For a few years they live a happy life together and even have two children - one boy and one girl." A pause. "However, one day, the goddess of heaven (Zhinu's mother) finds out that Zhinu, her daughter, has married a mere mortal. The goddess is furious and sends her celestial soldiers to bring Zhinu back to heaven. Meanwhile, Niulang is very upset when he finds out that his wife was taken back to heaven."

Yu Yan smiles at the mention of titles, its seems to amuse her for some reason. She then says "Me I am just Yu Yan Wukong, a humble entertainer and drinker of fine wines." She grins and takes a sawllow of her drink. Seriously this chick must have a hallow leg or something, she should be out cold on the floor after that mostly emtpy bottle of peach wine in one hand and the drink she ordered in the other.

	"Hearing the sad news, his friend the ox invites Niulang to kill him and put on his skin, so that he will be able to go up to heaven to find his wife. Crying bitterly, Niulang kills the ox, puts on the skin, and carries his two beloved children off to heaven to find Zhinu."

	The room will go dark. When lights come up, an ox puppet dances around the bridge of magpies, pantomiming the acts narrated in the story.

	Sterling nods his head to Jericho, and to Yu Yan. "Delighted to meet you both," he says. But now the show is starting. He turns to face the spotlit stage, following on the tale with great interest. Fiona are always suckers for impossible romances.

	Erin looks over to Fenix as he starts to tell a story and she quiets down.

	"Just before heâs able to reach Zhinu, the goddess of heaven creates a huge river between them." A pause and the lovers suspended over the cloud of fog get pulled away from one another, a lightshow of stars glittering between them. "They are separated forever by the river that later became known as the Milky Way," continues Fenix.

	There will be a dramatic pause, and a swell of music. "However, all hope is not lost, as Niulang and Zhinu's love for one another moves all the magpies in the land to take pity on them, and they fly up to heaven to form a bridge over the river, so that Niulang and Zhinu can meet on the magpie bridge." Fenix smiles and then the spotlight illuminates the intricate bridge carving of white and black jade magpies. "Eventually, the goddess is also moved by their love and so she allows them a meeting on the magpie bridge on that day every year - the seventh day of the seventh lunar month."

	And with that, the story concludes. A wave of Yugen and Glamour washes across the room, generated by the communal social ritual of the telling of and listening to the tale!
ERROR: yugen isn't available to +gain.

	The appies slowly disappear from the plate, and when they are gone, Chihiro looks away from the show, and over to the food just as the former finishes. But stays seated, sipping at the free drink rather than shooting it down quickly.

	Erin claps when the story concludes and even gives a little whistle then looks around and goes back to just clapping.

	The lights in the room come back up, and the music starts up again. People make merry, contributing to the generation of Glamor and Yugen. Fenix smiles, then makes his way back to the bar to join his guests. "Thank you for coming. I'd only met with Ambrosine thus far."

	Sterling smiles broadly at the conclusion of the tale. "Beautiful," he says, setting his drink down so he can applaud as well. "What a delightfully charming tale. How perfectly it captures a story of such ethereal beauty. A love set to shine forever in the stars. Truly, I am touched."

	Erin takes a sip of her drink as she looks at Fenix and nods "Oh yeah?" she tilts her head.
Yu Yan claps her hands as the performance ends and then takes another drink of the glass as she says "Wonderfully done, I enjoyed this version of it."

	Fenix nods, then pushes away from the bar. Looking to his occidental cousins, he motions for them to gather their drinks and follow along towards the back room. "I did promise a tour, after all."

	Jericho realises that she should definitely applause, and so she follows suit. Although it might not be her cup of tea, so to speak, a well crafted story is always sweet to hear... If not believe. Once the lights are back up, the androgyne makes sure she orders another drink, and then tilts her head. "It is a lesson about the nature of the world, isn't it? In a moment, a vast galaxy can separate you from everything you care about." A chuckle, "Only two ways to handle that kind of business." Collecting her drink, to follow Fenix.

	Fenix gives Jericho a grin, "The best stories contain within themselves multitudes, yes."

	Chihiro lets the drink disappear slowly, the alcohol not her favorite, but still. She gives a glance to Fenix to see if she might be included in the tour to the back room. She slides off the stool in any case, unlikely to stay if she isn't.
Yu Yan seems to be brimming with curiosity, like more than the normal person as she stands and follows.

El Fenix - Office and Cage Pit(#11509RM)

	The back of the house -- which also serves as a public Yang attuned temple pulling double duty to Jiutian Xuannu - the goddess of war, sex, and longevity and to Zhurong - the god of fire and of the south -- is where two things are located: the owner's box/office suite, and a large octagonal steel cage where combatants can square off in mixed martial arts bouts for the purposes of betting and entertainment. Security is high here, both in terms of surveillance and armed personnel. One set of security staff patrol the owner's box/office suites, while the other set keep the crowd from getting too rowdy near the cage matches. Waitresses in skimpy outfits wander through the space every so often, serving drinks and cigarettes to the patrons and taking down bets.

	The owner's box/office suite is set along the far back wall, and consists of a large steel door, and an extra wide one way mirrored plexiglass window that provides a view of the action within the cage.

	*** <PLACES CONFIGURED> ***


	(This room needs a Fae desc. @mail building staff if you want to provide one.)


	*** Nightzone ***


	Fenix leads his guests into the area in the back that's been set up for VIPs. Top shelf drinks and appetizers are complementary back here for all and sundry. "Feel free to look around while I go make sure that the final stop of the grand tour is good to go."

Like usual, Ken was probably seen in one of the Mahjong tables, spending whatever money he had left robbed off of people he didn't like. That was until Fenix gathered the Shen into the backroom, in which he soon followed. He brings a bottle of malt liquor with him, occasionally sipping on it while his spine leans against a nearby wall, eyes observing the unfamiliar faces through his glasses. Well, it's a rare sight to see white people in these parts after all.

	Fenix disappears past a door in the back, gone for a few moments. Eventually, he returns and offers a mischievous cheshire cat grin to his western cousins. "Top your drinks off as you need, then follow me down the rabbit hole."

	Chihiro definitely doesn't fall under the white category as she strides in, moving over to the fighting pit to see if there is anything going on. The goddesses that is represented here would likely be the one that she worshipped if she did such things. She murmurs to herself, answering questions that only she can hear. "Yes. I saw it. Looked delicious..." Before breaking away from the side of the pit to get a drink, following along once more.

	Looking back and pausing as her safe guard has stayed behind and she wrinkles her nose. She raises a brow as she looks to Fenix as he mentions the rabbit hole.

Yu Yan looks to the fighting area and says "So why the cage?" She then turns to examin the rest of the room."

Sterling comes in from El Fenix - Sala de Juegos
Sterling has arrived.

	"Ultimate Fighting is rather popular, offers Fenix to Yu Yan before he continues to lead his guests from the west on their merry tour.

Underneath Barrio Chino - Scarlet Phoenix's Nest(#11536RM)

	A stone spiral staircase winds its way down into the earth. But rather than getting cooler, the air seems to be getting ... warmer? Upon completing the descent down the stairs, the room opens up into a large cavernous space. In the center of the room is a pool of water, about ten feet in diameter. Steam rises from the pool, indicating that it is likely fed by some sort of underground hot spring. The air in the space is rife with Yang chi energies, carried along by the clouds of steam that rise and linger above the pool.

	A small simple altar has been set up down here, with various paper prayers having been meticulously collected and arrayed thereupon. In a firepit near the altar, a small flame is carefully tended to ensure constant burn. A wide strip of sand encircles the firepit, incense sticks placed there to smoulder. Opposite the altar on the other side of the cavern are a few military surplus grade cots, some military surplus metal footlockers, and a few varied and sundry items intended for temporary accommodations.

	*** <PLACES CONFIGURED> ***


	(This room needs a Fae desc. @mail building staff if you want to provide one.)

Obvious Exits:
Storeroom <St>

	Chihiro looks over towards Yu Yan after that question and laughs before deadpanning, "Competitive orgies." Though it comes after the Ultimate fighting comment from Fenix, so how serious it is taken would be in question.

"That's where the fun stuff goes down, baby girl. You're shen, you'll know soon enough, if Fenix hasn't filled you in on it yet," Ken declares as he downs a large gulp of his liquor.

Yu Yan says, "I mean I get fighting for entertainment, the jade Emperor asked me to do that a few times four the court, but I dont get why a cage?" She then smiles to Chi and says "Well Competitive orgies are a thing? Sign me up!""

	Jericho muses, with her glass already half empty as they make their way downstairs. "Competitive orgies? How would you judge that? Who cums the most? Penetrates the most? I'd be a fan of a last-man-standing arrangement."

	The western fae would recognize this place as some sort of Holding, but not one that they'd ever seen or visited before, unless they'd ever had occasion to be in an audience in the east. The yugen in here is all Yang flavored - the lingering Glamour tasting of blood and fire.

	Erin sticks close to Sterline ones he joins them again as she looks around

Ken shrugs. "I don't think competitive orgies with otherworldly demons is a good idea, if you've seen half the pricks that actually fight in there," he remarks nonchalantly, using a finger to hold up his shades in place.

	"I don't know, it could be fun." Chihiro comments to Ken, though this is the woman who laughed as her ribs were broken last time in the cage. Then the attention moves to Jericho, "Well, we could always work on those rules...Delicious..." She definitely does more talking when outside of the public eye, and not all of it directed at the people around her, like the last part of the comment.

	Sterling glances around, settling an arm around Erin's shoulders and keeping her protectively close. "I -say-," he says softly. "Can you feel it? The Glamour here... all sound and fury. Fire and heat. -Remarkable-." He draws in a deep breath and lets it out. "I don't believe I've ever quite felt its equal."

	Fenix looks over towards Sterling and Jericho. "Welcome to the center of the Red Diamond Court. Our phoenix nest, if you will. In a pinch, should one of you find yourselves in need of succor on our side of the border, you are welcome to come and take shelter."

"Perhaps a private competition later." Jericho suggests to the Japanese girl, with a teasing smile. "But of course. And when my business is open, you are equally welcome to warm yourself at my Hearth." An arch, as she bathes in sensation for a moment... It's an interesting cocktail. Unfamiliar. And not remotely unenjoyable.

	Erin sagely nods to Sterling "Yeah I totally feel it. It's pretty cool" she whispers up to Sterling before looking around towards the others.

	Sterling looks to Fenix and nods. "You're most kind to offer us hospitality, goodsir," he says. "And the same goes for you and your comrades. I fear that I cannot speak for my peers, but the Dance is always open to all who come with love in their hearts and laughter on their lips. I share my balefire gladly with my fellows of the Dream."

	Fenix offers Sterling a nod. "Thank you. Please share the offer of a port in storm with your peerage. I don't tend to spend much time across the border, but once in a while, my interests take me across and over."

	Erin smiles softly as she keeps looking around as she sticks close to Sterling.

	The evening's festivities are wrapping up, the Qixi festival having been a great success. Fenix was able to establish contact with some of his western cousins, and pleasantries and courtesies had been exchanged. The grand tour of the Holding was the final planned piece, and it was there that our protagonists found themselves at this point in the evening.

Lin wanders in looking around wide eyed and new. That smell of just off the boat around her. Maybe she took a wrong turn. Maybe she just followed other people. Who let a kid in is anyone's guess.

"To you, maybe. Last time we had an 'orgy', your ribs popped. It was so loud, I thought the demon done broke your skull," Ken addresses to Chihiro, staring at her through the black lens of his shades. He raises his bottle up and jiggles it slightly in the air, drinking what's left of it down his throat.

Yu Yan says, "if your not hurting yourself by accident your not having a proper gumby bendy orgie now are you!" She grins and winks to Chi as she got her back on this."

	"Of course. I would like that, and my rates are very competitive." Chihiro says in Jerichos direction as she finds a good place to sit, "And I do remember that I got back up and then the demon didn't." The woman says, raising her own untouched drink. Yu gets a little glance, "Accident? Who said anything about an accident?"

	Slowly raising a brow as she looks up at Sterling and mouths the words "Demon?" Erin looks slowly over the others thoughtfully as she is glad Sterling is right there as she scoots an inch closer to the man. She chews on her lip a bit at the conversation of orgies looking very thoughtful.

	Fenix offers a smile to the guests from the north and west. "Feel free to look around, but mind the fire and the water," he says, indicating the respective areas with a nod. "I look forward to continuing to establish and maintain relations, cousins. I'm unfamiliar with your own festivals, but I'll let you know when we host our next one here."

Lin stops by the altar and pays proper respects. But for the moment she's just circulating quietly and listening.

===> Log ended by user <===> 7/3/2019, 11:01:55 PM <===