Welcome to the Festival of Fireflies

[lazyjustice]

Who: You! Anyone and everyone is welcome to come!
What: A Festival of Fireflies with games, food, rides and more!
Where: Genessia
When: August 15th-20th. Starting at 7pm
Warnings: Be sure to warn in your threads appropriately.


[The gates are open and the air is filled with the sound of music. Whether you're a reveler, a vendor or anything in between-- come and enjoy the festival!

The Firefly Masquerade post is here]

Comments

[infinitejustice]

As far as roller coasters go, I suppose. To be perfectly honest, being a pilot tends to take some of the thrill out of them. But I'd be more than happy to ride it with you.

[Athrun tends to pull more death-defying stunts in his Gundam than any roller coaster is capable of delivering.]

I haven't been on one in years, either. It would be some welcome nostalgia.

[sonicosuper]

You're a pilot too?

*Sonico smiles, impressed by another skill that he has. Though she tilts her head and points to one of the loops*

Isn't that..a bit more extreme than what you do as a pilot?

*Last plane she went on went in a straight line*

But you're right, let's get in line - I'm sure it will still be fun.

[infinitejustice]

"Too?"

[Athrun's eyebrows rise. What was that supposed to mean?]

Not at all. To be honest, I'm originally a soldier. I've been a military pilot since I was fifteen years old.

[At least he doesn't stand still while he's talking. He leads the way to the line for the ride.]

[sonicosuper]

Well, you know, on top of being so busy with your work and things. It's impressive you have time to be a pilot too.

*But her expression changes when he says 'soldier' and 'military pilot'. Her eyes gently narrow out of concern as she considers this. Sonico follows on after him, but she's not really paying attention to what she's doing*

At 15? But that's...that must have been horrible for you.

[infinitejustice]

Ah...

[Athrun finds himself needing to take a deep breath and does so. It was the norm back home, and sometimes he forgets that it isn't that way in other worlds.]

I had already been in training for a year prior to that, so I was at least given the tools I needed to succeed. But, well...unfortunately, we were at war. And war is by its very definition a horrible thing.

[sonicosuper]

*No, the more continues on about his life at home, the more Sonico expression seems to sadden. She shakes her head slowly, thoughtful in her reflection of his comments*

War is a very horrible thing. I'm so sorry to hear it's been such a huge part of your life.

[infinitejustice]

[Athrun nods slowly in response. Her empathy is welcome, though he doesn't necessarily believe he needs it.]

The silver lining in all of this is that I've learned how to appreciate peace. I'm determined to find a lasting peace among the power blocs of my world that benefits everyone so that nobody has to suffer through war again.

[sonicosuper]

This world isn't at war, is it? So you can enjoy some peace here while you can! Maybe all the more reason why you shouldn't be working so hard!

*She gives him a teasing little smile when suddenly she realises they are at the front of the queue*

Oh! It's our turn to get on!

[infinitejustice]

[Athrun has a response ready, but hey, they are indeed at the front of the line.]

Oh! So it is. After you, then.

[As they step up to a car, he'll help Sonico get in before getting in himself. Now all they have to do is wait for the attendant to lower the safety bar.]

[sonicosuper]

*Sonico was a little more uncertain with her movements so was grateful for Athrun's help. Her body tenses as they wait in the little car, feet drumming up and down nervously*

Ooh - I don't know now! Is this really going to be such a good idea?

[infinitejustice]

[Athrun looked over at Sonico, surprised. Was she getting cold feet all of a sudden?]

You're worried? Try not to be; I'm sure everything will be fine.

[Athrun knows that there are very strict guidelines that staff must follow for maintaining amusement park rides. In addition, with his engineering knowledge, he's certain he'd know if something is up before anyone else.]

[sonicosuper]

Okay. Okay.

*Sonico takes a few deep breaths as the safety belts are lowered, and she grips her hands tightly onto the handle as the ride clicks into moving*

Totally fine, right?

[infinitejustice]

Totally fine. Safety standards for amusement park rides are extremely high. Everything will be all right, you'll see.

[For his part, Athrun is calm. He's more interested in calming Sonico down than anything else as the cars begin to scale the big hill.]

[sonicosuper]

*Sonico doesn't even speak when the car starts going. The higher it climbs up the first hill, the tighter her hands clutched at the bars. She looks down when they get to the top and goes suddenly very pale*

[infinitejustice]

[Athrun continues to watch her, remaining perfectly calm. When he realizes just how pale she is, he does the only thing he can think to do at the moment -- reach out and gently place his hand over hers.

Hopefully that helps.]

[sonicosuper]

*It does. And for a moment she can open her eyes and breathe. But then the car drops down at top speed and Sonico squeezes her eyes tight shut, her hands grasping harder and screaming at the top of her lungs*

[infinitejustice]

[Welp.

Athrun pushes himself back into the seat as far as he can go so that he doesn't get an earful of Sonico's screaming and tightens his grip on the bar with his free hand. However, throughout it all, he maintains his hold on Sonico's hand.

And yes, he's still totally calm.]

[sonicosuper]

*And that is Sonico for the entire rest of the ride. When the car goes through loops, Sonico manages to open her eyes and to laugh as she screams, but during the drops she yells like someone terrified for their life.

By the end, Sonico is still clinging onto the bars desperately, her face pale and eyes anxious*

[infinitejustice]

[For what it's worth, Athrun's hand has remained on Sonico's for the entire ride. Even as it comes to a stop, it remains there. When it comes to a stop, he gives it a squeeze.]

Hey. Come on. The ride's over.

[sonicosuper]

*When the ride finally stops, Sonico's body is tense, her skin pale. It takes Athrun's voice before she opens her eyes and looks up at him, rather unhappy*

So I can get off now, right?

[infinitejustice]

Of course. Let's go.

[He takes his hand off hers when the attendant comes to lift the bar off of them. He then offers it to her immediately after he steps off to help her out of the ride.]

[sonicosuper]

*Sonico is more than happy to take his hand to help her get out of the car. She was still a little pale, and she wobbled a little as she stepped out and back into the crowds. She took small, shallow breaths, but did her best as she smiled at him weakly*

So..have fun?

[infinitejustice]

[Athrun shrugs. He doesn't want to say no -- as he had said before, roller coasters lose their appeal after being a mobile suit pilot -- but he also doesn't want to lie.]

More importantly, did you have fun?

[sonicosuper]

*Sonico watches him shrug and smiles a little, but it soon disappears as he asks his question*

I can't honestly tell you that I did. That was horrible!

[infinitejustice]

To be honest, I'm not surprised.

[Athrun had asked because it's not always easy to tell. Some people enjoy getting scared half to death, but it seems like Sonico isn't one of those types.]

Let's go do something else, all right?