(also, you're all free to start anywhere you like. You've been cleared of customs and have declared anything you need to. Be good now!
)A beautiful morning in AHSCA, the skies as blue as the waters themselves the palms gently swaying in the tropical breeze. Warm, no immediate threats of precipitation on the horizon for the time being it was the best perfect day for a festival. A religious festival that dated back ages but only just recently decided to become something of a public spectacle. For a long time it was considered sacred and to have random tourists watch would be very sacrilegious! After that attitudes changed, first to foreigners, nothing but trouble and imperialists, keep AHSCA isolated! in the aftermath of the devastating war which for as terrible as it was it did bring about the unified Monarch-Republic. After fears of troublesome foreigners began to melt away with time, thoughts changed to more "Well who would really care about some third-world festivities anyway?" But last year, opportunity seemed to show itself, maybe this could bring tourists to the islands. It couldn't hurt to try, worst that'd happen is few would show up but the locals would have plenty of fun. But it did prove to be a pretty good hit, only with the snag of an unexpected hurricane at the end! But conditions were looking better this year, favorable winds were sure to keep big storms away from the islands. Still, did last year's sudden storm scare off potential tourists? Maybe, numbers did seem on the down this year but things weren't terrible.
Marcella Villa wrapped up the last session of Congress for the season yesterday, and today she was to give her commencement of the festival speech. Her mind was as firmly on the work as it could be but still Aurelia did always come on her mind. She had it in good reason to understand she'd be here again this year, hopefully on better terms than last year's emotional reunion which was intended to break them apart but ended up committing them together to stand firm as a couple. It also wouldn't be all fun and games, she'd likely have some work to do because it wasn't just Aurelia, The Dancerian Prince too was attending again as he had the previous year, and the Queen of Mervay. Only Danceria had broached formal relations meeting, which Marcella was happy to oblige, while Mervay hadn't made any formal arrangements, she couldn't be a good Duchess if she didn't at least make a proper greeting with Her Grace. Her sister, Gisella whom had been feeling emboldened since her visit to Kuronami did offer to go in her sister's place but Marcella insisted this was something she had to do.
Standing above her many subjects who gathered in the square to listen to her rousing speech from their beloved Duchess, she cleared her throat and spoke.
"My Citizens, today we pay our homage to our Beloved Goddesses for our blessing big and small. AHSCA was truly blessed with such temperance and bountiful gifts from the Divine. The Dark and Light worked in perfect harmony of just right sun and just right rain. The days came and the nights came as they always do. The hurricanes this time were off to sea though it is a unfortunate that some of our friends were not as fortunate we were able to help them as they often help us. Now today bathed in light we celebrate as a people for 22-years since the end of the Great War that brought us as a union and were seen through by the Grace of the Good Ladies. Now we share our love of our lands, of each other and of our faith with the world again. Show yourselves to be the gracious hosts I know you are, the island hospitality and love we give. We've come very far and very long. When it was said we couldn't succeed we did so and now we thrive in our own special way. My love to you all, let's celebrate and prepare as our seasons change. "
Great applause and cheers came from the crowds as Marcella let out a sigh of relief she made it through without a stutter or mistake and she always wrote her own speeches so it sometimes was hit and miss. But she didn't have the best tutors for nothing. Returning inside her staff gave their usual praise of her, while she undressed to get changed into something less formal. "Yukata for you, Milady?" Her maiden asked her.
"Mmmm, I think I'd rather go something modern for a while. Yukata will be perfect for nightfall."
"Certainly miss. Wanna go for casual then? Swim, normal? Nothing at all?" Yoshi was mostly joking but it certainly wouldn't be the first for a Duchess to walk about the village completely in the buff during the event to celebrate their Goddesses. And given there were villages in AHSCA that did have compulsory nudity, it's not as though she'd never been seen in her purest state.
"Yoshi" Marcella just shook her head with a little giggle "But best keep the Navy Uniform or the Ducal Gown handy for when I get a chance to do formal meetings."
"Yes Milady."
Marcella finally picked out something good for her. Stepping from behind her dressing curtain ready to show her stuff.
"Milady, if I may be honest you look more ordinary than Duchess-ly but you do look super cute!"
"That's all I need to hear! Thanks Yoshi! Now go out and enjoy the festivities!"
"all right, but I've left the tea and any other outfits you need nearby should you need them."
The maiden bowed and excused herself. Marcella looked at herself in the mirror with a big smile. "Perfect!"
The ports were busy with mostly citizens right now coming from all islands to see the Great Island for something other than tax delivery. Aurora being the capital meant it drew tourists and visitors alike. For the tourists though, after police would inspect and clear them, they'd be given complimentary maps of the islands. They had markings on them, tourist friendly areas; The Great Temple, shrines, inns, spas, beaches, and shops. More off the beaten path areas, small unique villages with their own something to offer, and more restrictive areas like villages with enforced nudity laws. And of course two areas marked OFF LIMITS, the Mokastana Military Installation on the Northwest shore and the Kyrenaian Military Instillation on the Northeast shore. Do not enter here unless you want to be shot! (Well who knows if that'd happen but best not try it...) Beyond that just about every square kilometer of the island was fair game for exploration. Friendly messages reminding people to be clean and tidy and protect AHSCA's natural beauty were posted everywhere.
Ships from all around pulled into shore and others still crossed the rolling seas to make it. From Hoshino Island was the cute as buttons Kaori. Last year, she got herself into a rather precarious situation when the hurricane hit and alone and scared she ran off to the only place she knew best, the caves. But those caves flooded and it required the rescue by the Island's Matron Priestess and Aceus Elurion to help her. She couldn't admit how ashamed she felt for running off or that a total stranger had to save her. But she found herself quite smitten with him when she found out he was a prince of some kind. Like in books she read she was saved by a Prince (even if the Matron was the one to coax her back to safety.) Kaori wasn't like most children, her mind "didn't really work right" as her mother, Fumio put it. She didn't socialize with others well, she only barely spoke. When she did she used a puppet to do so, except with her mom, the Matron, and another family acquaintance that is. She looked sad often but once in a while you could catch a smile with her. This year she's come to Aurora, hoping once again to catch a glance of the mysterious Prince who had come in to her rescued her. She packed only two things with her, a formal kimono packed away for later. Her mother was in tow as well so not exactly alone. "Well, we're here at last, Kaori!"
Kaori looked in with wide eyes still holding to her mother's side close as can be. "Well, what shall we do first? The Temple, or something else?"
A beat of silence before Kaori kind of mumbled out "I wanna go to the baths."
"Ah I see. Well" She looked over how much cash they had on hand, which wasn't much but it was okay to splurge. "Sounds like a great plan." she took her girl by the hand so they could be along their way.
The Kitan was the premier resort spot of the island. Built up as a small little inn it was the closest thing to a 5-Star Hotel the islands hand but for a tourist from overseas a 5-star resort with a discount motel price. For an islander, a stay could be a bit pricey but not bank breaking if you came at the right time. A stay now would be expensive indeed but a soak in their public baths with other patrons would be very affordable and a great attraction.
The Kitan besides it's famous hot baths and comfy beds (or futons depending on your tastes) also had an adjacent restaurant. The entire resort was managed by just one woman who'd seen a thing or two in her time from the rise of the end of the Greater Auroran Duchy to the formation of the UIS. How old was she? For her to know and everyone else to find out! Marcella wasn't the only one expecting someone special. In the morning hours before opening doors for breakfast, Satou, a waitress at the Inn's Restaurant was wiping down tables and setting up menus all while hoping to see Tess again. She wrote a letter letting her know it was nearly festival time again and if she could get away for a while it would be great. Either way she was in a great mood, another good year indeed, having been able to go visit Mervay and getting a nice pay bump for her years of service here, and festival time was always great. The staff, busy as they were, were all allotted some personal time so they too could go have fun and pay respects to the Goddesses. Either way if Tess was simply too busy it'd be understandable, Satou would pick out a nice little charm to send to her and if she made it, that'd be the best. Being able to work but also get time to enjoy the festival was perfect for her.
Now the day is in motion, people are out and about on their routine. Ports are opened and your characters have set foot on the sandy shores of their port of entry. What will you do? The choices are yours and yours alone!
