The Parade ((Open to all))

[Arthur Kirkland]

((I'm encouraging as many people as possible to join this. I'll add structure in through the non player characters through Solus' account to mark when they reach the Highlands and the Hall, but in between people are free to do what they want and hopefully roleplay with someone new. Of course, if you want to have a more intimate roleplay with someone you can use this forum to start a new topic, but I'd still encourage you to join this one. And please try and post in order of joining in so people who are in different time zones don't get left out. Enjoy!))

It was rare for Highlanders to bother travelling down to the Lowlands to join the parade where it started, but Arthur was fascinated with that start. A child was picked from those born ten years ago to the day, dressed up in gold and white and given a lantern to light the way, and to be the first one released when they reached the end of the journey. There were more children born on the day than one might expect, as parents aimed for the day so that their child would have the honour of leading the way. There was, of course, even more born in the few weeks either side. Following the child herald were the politicians, dressed in rich black and blue, and then after that were decorated carts, mostly paid for by the rich companies of the Highlands, and all lit up brightly with coloured lights.

Arthur made the trip down by train in the fading light, having set off a little later than he intended to. He had his own lantern, hung on it’s pole with the first light set in it, ready to light his way back up to the hall. The lanterns were designed like that, with one candle to light the way up to the top of the island, and a second to be lit after the candle removed that would lift the paper lantern up into the sky. He was dressed down, in black dress trousers and a warm and comfortable vest top over his shirt, not wanting to run the risk of being noticed by the people he knew from the Lowland clubs on this one day when the two cities met and mingled.

When he arrived at the Lowlands station he set off at a fast pace to find that one part of the Lowlands that was dressed up to look a little more like it’s twin city. A great hall, or at least the façade of one, where the carts and costumes were stored throughout the year. He arrived just in time to see the young girl who was leading the parade this year come out, nervously holding onto her mother’s hand, her lantern clutched in her hand, and Arthur smiled a little, watching contentedly. She was led to the head of the parade, and a lit taper was handed to her as all watched over the sea as the sun finally dipped below the horizon. There was a moment of perfect stillness, and then she reached forward to light her lantern. In strict, regimental order, the politicians followed suit, but then the wave of light started to faluter and speed up as the parade crates were lit up a little less structurally. Arthur smiled to himself, and reached into his pocket for his lighter, leaning in to light the candle in his lantern, as all around him other members of the crowd did the same, until the night was lit up by the delicate lights.

And then, finally, slowly but surely, the parade set off on it’s long route up towards the Hall.

[southernitaly]

Lovino didn't quite know why he always came for the start of the parade.

To spend time in the Lowlands? No, not really. Because he liked walking the entire length of the parade? Definitely not. To honour the dead? Lovino wasn't really that kind of person, but maybe. To give thanks for Solus? Hell no, he didn't like this place that much.

But he always came to the start anyway. It just kind of seemed like the right thing to do. And although Lovino didn't often do the right thing, this was one occasion when he did.

Lovino lit his lantern when everybody else did and started to walk. He wondered if he'd be able to go to the marketplace to find something suitable to eat after they were done.

[liechtenstein]

Lilli carefully balanced her lantern on one knee as she stooped carefully to light it. The crowd was growing. It was unusual -- so many Highlanders and Lowlanders together. She could stare without feeling self-conscious in her plain clothes at the visitors, unlike when she sometimes went to Highland city to help her Mother with her housekeeping work. There were beautifully decorated carts, some encrusted with jewels that could equal several months of a tailor's salary.

There was a sudden pull in the crowd. Lilli was short and couldn't see over the backs of the people in front of her, but she took a deep breath and began walking.

[spain]

Antonio didn't start going to the parade until the year his mother died. She had loved the parade, and she forced her husband and son to get along just for its duration. It was just after he bought his bar, and so every time the parade came around, he shut it down until it was over, and opened Elixir up for the rest of the night, inviting anyone he could find to come and drink with him.

It was with that thought that Antonio lit his lantern and began to follow the crowd.

[Timo Väinämöinen]

Standing at his window, Timo stared out at the horizon, watching the sun. A little hum escaped his lips as it finally dipped below the surface of the sea, and the blonde watched for a little longer until the lanterns made a hazy glow, just a few blocks away towards the sea. The young man considered himself lucky that his little flat was more or less on the route of the parade, and he preferred to wait for the parade to pass to join so he could get a good look at the floats as they came past. Grabbing his bag, which had the two lanterns for his grandpa and mother in it, and his lantern for Solus, he locked the door of his little flat behind him and hurried down the stairs to join the growing number of people lining the street, waiting.

Timo found a good spot a little way down from his flat, and lit his lantern while he waited. The streetlights had been turned off for the parade, so the only light was the flicker of those with lanterns around him until his was lit. Timo wasn’t afraid of the dark, though, and too naïve to worry about the dangers that might lurk in it. The recent spring weather had meant that he hadn’t bothered to bring a coat – just a vest top over his shirt was enough to keep him warm, especially by the time they reached the top of the hill – but he did adjust his beret while he waited, fidgeting excitedly.

When the parade finally reached them Timo watched, enchanted by the soft lights and the beautiful colours. He did think to wave a little to the little girl who was leading the parade this year, giving her an encouraging smile, which brightened even more when she gave a shy wave back. Children were so cute! Usually Timo waited for the parade to pass completely so he could join in at the end, but as those who had already joined it started to pass Timo started to spot a familiar curl of hair amongst the crowd. “Vittorio!” Happy to see the boy from the market again, Timo jumped into the crowd and for a moment lost him amongst the crowd. After a little bit of searching, though, he spotted tousled hair again and rushed towards it.

“Hi, I didn’t expect to…” Timo paused as the other man’s face caught the light. It wasn’t Vittorio! But it was someone who looked an awful lot like him. The blonde blushed darkly, but he gave an embarrassed chuckle. “Oh, I’m sorry! You look a lot like my friend.” He apologised quickly. It wasn’t Vitorrio, but this other boy looked so much like him! Perhaps he knew him anyway. And even if not, Timo was sure they could be friends anyway.

((This is aimed at Lovino if it isn’t clear. XD Hope that’s all right.))

[beilschmidt]

Gilbert had never gone to the parade alone before. Usually, it was with his mother or father or with his brother, but for some reason this year he was alone. He chewed on his bottom lip and tugged on the bottom of his black turtle neck. It unnerved him a little. He liked being in large crouds, but large crouds he knew. Looking around him now he didn't see any faces he recognized. But that was to be expected, he supposed -- he didn't plan on meeting anybody and luck was never on his side.

He sighed and blew a piece of stray hair from his face. These walks were always long and it could be lonesome without someone you know to share it with. But he supposed he should just be a man and join already. He held his breath as he lit his lantern, afraid he'd blow it out. Only after he put away his lighter did he let out a small breath he was holding. With his free hand gripped into a tight fist and his brows furrowed with determination, Gilbert stepped into the parade.

[Alfred Jones]

Alfred usually didn't enjoy being in crowds like the parade drew, but at the same time the festival itself was very nice. He smiled as he watched the soft glittering of the lights and festivities, settled down with a sandwich he had bought. It was either food or a silly lantern. The young man was situated in an alleyway, away from everyone but still getting a nice clear view of the parade as it passed by. The girl they chose this year was rather adorable.

Idly, eyes darkened from the nights reflection watched the people as the passed, curious if he'd see anyone he might recognize, but really with this many people they all kind of became a blur so he just focused instead on the lanterns. They were mostly all different, and gorgeous to look at...This festival brought up some painful memories as well, but with so many people here looking so happy he couldn't bring himself down, so he just leaned on the buildings surprisingly clean exterior and continued his observing, smiling softly and sticking his hands in his pockets after the sandwich was finished and gone.

[poland]

Feliks was wary of all of these people. Had they all gathered from the Highlands and the Lowlands just for the festival? It was hard to think that the citizens from both of the cities would be able to even live close to one another, yet alone take part in a parade side by side together! The young blonde whimpered a bit as many people walked past at one time, a whole swarm of people. It was unnerving to be around so many strangers at once. He only saw one or two people that he could recognize instantly, but they were all following the others, carrying lanterns that were already lit and smiling and laughing and taking part in the parade. Sighing, he picked up his own lantern carefully as it was already lit, and he finally went to join the others from the point of where he was now.

Not that he was fond of walking for what seemed like.... forever. Especially not with how loud it was, with everyone walking. 'Oh well,' he though to himself. 'It could be much worse, I suppose. At least it's not raining.' And that was truly a blessing.

The average-sized young man had to stand on his toes to be able to see above /some/ of the crowd. Amongst doing so, he spotted someone who looked a bit familiar. Hey....wasn't that.... the tailor's daughter? Lilli, wasn't it? Feliks could only remember her from the few times in his life that he went to pay a visit to her family or her father's tailoring shop. He enjoying watching them sew, as their handiwork was absolutely wonderful in his eyes.

"Lilli!" He yelled over the crowd. "Hey, Lilli!" Feliks was glad that he could at least find someone that he knew, even if his relationship with them wasn't very broad. The blonde picked up his pace, darting in and out of the crowds until he was about ten feet away from her. "Lilli! Like, seriously, girl..." He wheezed. "These people are like, a school of fish. They're totally packed up tightly. It's a bit annoying, really." Feliks smiled anyways and closed in the gap between them. "Do you mind if I like, walk with you?"

[Arthur Kirkland]

Arthur found the crowd around him easy enough to blank out. The swirling mass of people were loud, but once he found his place in it, it was simple to follow the ebb and flow of the people around him. That meant that he could focus his attention not on the men, women and children around him, but the streets of the city that they were travelling through. They were more familiar to him than they should have been, especially since he’d been spending time down here in the daylight recently, but they still weren’t the area of the city that he knew best. That part of the city, the parliament would never let the parade go down, not with children and Highlanders in the parade.

His interest extended to the people who were watching too. Arthur liked to people watch. Interesting people led to interesting characters, he often found. Still, he was surprised to see a familiar shock of blonde hair, that daft lock still sticking up. A fond smile formed on his lips without him realising and he moved to escape the roaring crowd so he could greet his friend. His eyes fixed on the blonde, he lost the flow of the crowd, and found himself suddenly caught up, battered and pushed. Arthur had to struggle harder to try and escape, and in the process he found himself pushing at a man with messy brown hair and green eyes.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Arthur found a way to take a step back, eyes drifting from Alfred to the man that he’d got caught up against. “Are you all right?”

((He hit Antonio! People are still free to join in, of course.))

[Raivis Galante]

The parade had always been a yearly tradition for him. As long as he could remember he’d walked the streets with his parents, enchanted by the people and the lights. When his parents deemed him responsible enough to carry a lit lantern he’d proudly held it as high as he could. Even after the one year he’d accidentally managed to set the whole thing on fire he still carried one every year. This year was different though. There was no lantern, no parents at his side, no little boy eager to run to the front of the parade.

It was the first time he’d really been outside since he was let out of the hospital. He’d refused to go back to school, stuck up in his room just reading for days on end. Raivis told himself he would go back when he was good and ready but there was part of him that never wanted to go back. There was something nostalgic about the parade. His parents were probably somewhere in the crowd, he hadn’t gone with them this year. Instead he’d told them he wanted to stay inside but he just couldn’t ignore the parade and the more he tried to sulk about it the more he wanted to go.

Raivis ran from his house, wrapped up in a hooded sweatshirt. The cool evening air brushed against his face. He didn’t slow down until he came to the parade route, the lights dancing around the crowds. With his small size it was easy to move around, burrowing his way into the middle of the crowd he relished in the warmth it gave.

Even though there wasn’t anyone he knew it was comforting to be around so many people. It was almost like he truly belonged. With his indecisiveness to come he hadn’t brought a lantern, instead he chose to walk the parade empty handed. Gazing at the smiling faces around him he couldn’t help but smile himself. Maybe, just maybe he’d find someone tonight to be his friend, if just for the evening. He’d almost given up hope, but there was something about the parade that seemed almost magical, like it was out of a story.

[Kiku Honda]

Today, curiosity got the best of Kiku. He had never actually seen the parade, let alone participate. Such a spectacle only happens once a year so Kiku decided to attend the festival. He got on the train and watched the last speck of sun disappear over the horizon. After a while he arrived in the Lowerlands, lantern and pole in hand. He made his way to where the participants were supposed to pass. The parade had already started and a mass of people were walking along the route to get to the Hall.

Kiku had never seen so many people all at once before. He just stood there, entranced by the dancing lights coming from the lit lanterns. He wondered why he'd never been to the festival before. If he had known the parade was this beautiful he surely would have come every year. Probably because he didn't know what the parade was for.

A cold blast of wind snapped him out of his trance. He realized he was gawking at the spectacle, forgetting why he was there in the first place. He shook his head and grabbed a lighter from his pocket and lit his lantern's first light. After taking a deep breath he dived into the sea of people to join the parade. He felt like something was going to happen tonight.

[Berwald Oxenstierna]

'S'for Mom... Th's is f'r Mom...' Berwald repeatedly thought to himself nervously, keeping his head low and walking with the crowd as he held two lit lanterns. He really hated crowded places but... he loved his mother. 'If she w'nts me ta go and r'lease lant'rns f'r her and Dad... I w'll,' he thought determinedly as he recalled the conversation he had with his mother earlier in the day.

“I wish I could go but... Haha, these old legs really aren't what they used to be, Ber... And it's not like your father is getting any younger either,” Berwald's old mother said in good humor, smiling softly. “I'll go f'r ya, Mom. I'll go f'r both you an' Dad,” Berwald said quietly. “Oh, I don't want you to go alone, Ber... I know how much you hate being around too many people,” she replied, concern instantly showing through on her face.

“No... I w'nt ta go f'r ya, Mom... 'm f'ne w'th it.”

So Berwald watched the parade pass by the front of his home with his parents - like he did every year. But, this year, instead of trailing at the back of the parade with his mother and father, he did so alone.

Back in the present, a small young man standing to the side and staring at the parade in awe had caught Berwald's attention. 'Seems l'ke he's new ta th's...' the tall blond thought, a little surprised that the dark haired man's expression perfectly mirrored those of the curious children attending the event for the first time.

The second Berwald was about to walk past the young man, who had just finished lighting his lantern, he burst into movement to join the parade... and ended up bumping into the tall blond. Berwald was much larger than the dark haired man and didn't lose his footing but was caught off guard all the same.

Berwald felt his cheeks color lightly with embarrassment.

“S-s'rry... Are ya alr'ght?”

[Kiku Honda]

And something did. Kiku, trying to join the parade, wasn't so out of his trance as much as he thought. He ended up bumping into a wall. 'Oh wait. Why is there a wall in the middle of the road? And why was the wall kinda soft?' He thought to himself. He shook his head softly. 'Ah. Of course, it must be a person. How rude of me. I should apologize.' He thought, looking up to the person he had bumped into.

"S-s'rry... Are ya alr'ght?" The man mumbled. His words were hard to understand.

Kiku looked up to find a tall, blonde, terrifying man. He took a step back. His presence was extremely intimidating. Sweat formed on the side of his brow. Kiku gulped. 'This man... is terrifying. However, I am the one at fault here. It would be rude for me not to apologize.' He thought, bowing to the stranger.

"N-no please don't apologize. I was the one who bumped into you." Kiku promptly said. "P-please, let us resume walking. T-the parade is leaving us behind." He said, failing to conceal the intimidation he felt towards the man. The man grunted. Kiku took that as a yes and they started walking side by side.

Another gust of cold wind. They'd been walking together for a few minutes now. Kiku looked up at the tall blonde man while walking. He was probably a little more than a foot taller than him. He was scared at first but he slowly regained his composure and mustered the courage to strike polite conversation.

"I'm sorry, again, I bumped into you like that. My name is Kiku Honda."

[Berwald Oxenstierna]

“N-no, please don't apologize. I was the one who bumped into you,” the dark haired man said nervously as he predictably cowered under the tall man's hard stare. Berwald, already used to such reactions, was just relieved the small man wasn't hurt. The young man was obviously still trying to regain his composure before meekly continuing, “P-please, let us resume walking. Th-the parade is leaving us behind.”

Berwald simply grunted his affirmative and continued walking. He was expecting the dark haired man to either walk ahead of him or slow his pace and fall behind but was surprised to find that the small man chose to walk alongside him. Berwald was painfully aware of how awful he was at interacting with people so he began to worry that the small man might try to talk to him. However, after a few minutes of silence between the two of them, Berwald began to relax.

'Good th'ng he's not try'ng ta st'rt a c'nvers'tion...' Berwald thought to himself, relieved.

But just as that thought crossed Berwald's mind... “I'm sorry again that I bumped into you like that. My name is Kiku Honda.”

Berwald almost sputtered. He quickly composed himself before quietly replying, “S'alr'ght... Not yer fault. M'name's Berw'ld Ox'nstierna.”

[spain]

Antonio smiled reassuringly at the blonde. He'd almost dropped his lantern when he'd gotten bumped into, but as long as nothing was set on fire and no one was hurt, it was all right. "I'm fine, I'm fine! Gotta be careful in this crowd, right?

"Ah, I'm sorry. I'm Antonio!" He felt bad for getting in the way when the blonde man was obviously trying hard to reach someone. Maybe a friend on the other side of the parade? "Didn't mean to get in your way. I guess I tend to space out a lot!" Antonio laughed. "You aren't hurt, are you?"

[southernitaly]

Lovino was glad that he was spared the embarrassment of pointing out that the person did not know him. Of course, most of the time, he was mistaken for his brother, and it took somebody really oblivious to not notice that they were different people.

But being called 'Vittorio' was new.

"Um," he decided to respond to the blushing man, "it's alright. It happens, I guess..."

[liechtenstein]

Lilli turned at the shout of her name and came face to face with one customer she could never forget. He had such a love of bright colors and could read fabric the way she had only thought tailors could appreciate.

"Feliks!" Lilli waved and walked closer, dodging around a few marchers. "Of course you can walk with me! I haven't seen you at the shop in a long time."

She eyed him happily and almost forgot the press of the crowd. There was an interesting pattern along his coat. Lilli hesitated then reached out shyly for one of his sleeve hems.

"Did you design this?"

[Raivis Galante]

At first he was happy to see everyone's smiling face, he had always been told laughter was contagious, why not smiles too. It seemed to work for a while but the more he became aware of the crowds and the festival the more she seemed alone. He was all by himself in this sea of people, every little misplaced move would cause him to unceremoniously bump into people. They probably didn't even notice but Raivis was painfully aware of them. He'd been trying to suppress those thoughts but they started to come trickling back.

He tried his best not to cry but he really couldn't help himself. Running his sleeve across his face all he kept sniveling. He couldn't be sad at a time like this, in a place like this. If someone caught him he wouldn't be able to back away. Raivis didn't want pity, it only affirmed his belief that he was no good, that he couldn't take care of himself. He couldn't stay here, he had to get out. Much more clumsily that he'd got in he pushed his way through the crowd, keeping his head low and ignoring the annoyed jeers from the other people. With his body so poised to run he hadn't even bothered to completely get out of the crowd before he set off.

This had been a mistake.

Almost instantly Raivis tripped and was sent tumbling to the ground. Instinctively grabbing onto anything that would break his fall he found himself clinging on to what appeared to be a black sweater. It did little to break his fall considering he was already half sprawled on the ground. He almost didn't want to look up, fearful for what he might see but curiosity always got the better of him.

[]

[Kiku Honda]

Kiku blinked. 'Berw'ld Ox'nstierna?' He wasn't sure he quite caught that. The tall blonde spoke in grunts. It seemed he mumbled everything he said. 'Perhaps he is just embarrassed.' Kiku thought to himself. In a way, his thoughts calmed him down. It didn't seem like this man was a bad person. If he seems uneasy then it should be his duty to make him feel at ease around him.

'Be polite and considerate.' Kiku thought as he looked up at the man while they were walking. 'But how am I to address him? It would be rude to make a point that the way he talks is hard to understand. I suppose I'm going to have to guess the vowels he mumbled.'

"I see. Good evening, Ber..wold Ox..unstierna. Such an interesting festival, isn't it?" Kiku said, trying his best to sound pleasant. "To be honest, this is my first time attending the parade."

[Berwald Oxenstierna]

Berwald felt his cheeks burn with embarrassment. “Ber... wald... Ox... en... stier... na... Jus' c'll me... Ber... wald,” he said quite tersely, trying his hardest to pronounce all the vowels in his name. “M'sorry 'bout m' mumbl'ng... S'just that th's is really the way I speak. S'not easy ta und'rstand, I kn'w. M'really s'rry,” the blond mumbled apologetically, feeling rather ashamed of the strange way he spoke.

Since he was completely focused on apologizing and clearing up the matter of his accent just a few moments ago, it was only now that Berwald realized he hadn't spoken this much to a total stranger in a long while. He decided to take it as a semi-good thing.

Kiku continued speaking and Berwald was shocked to learn that it really was his first time attending the parade. The tall man deemed the topic conversation-worthy. “Why're ya only attend'ng now?”