It had been a long, long year. A long year for the citizens of Manta Carlos, both old and new, but also for the Twelve, who had spent the year attempting to curry favor with the public. They'd been allowed to set up a small stage in the park downtown, and notices had been put up for those who were interested enough to come.
Citizens of Manta Carlos had been asked to light candles to signal their belief in, and thankfulness to, the god(s) who had most earned it. The stage itself was lit with a massive array of candles as each of the twelve headed up onto the stage.
July was an androgynous figure, and perhaps the least human of the group. They were little more than a white robe hanging in the air, and within those robes burned two dots of candlelight just inside the hood, imitating eyes.
It would be obvious to anyone why the ceremony to signal the end of the Year of the Gods was taking place at dusk.
"Thank you to all who have come," said July, their voice reminding all who heard it of the crackle of a campfire. "And to all who have supported us over this long year. We have heard your support, and have decided to stay on the island, and to maintain our gifts to you which we have granted over these past months."
There was a polite bit of applause from the audience. While several boons had gone over poorly, plenty of them have made life on the island nicer than it was.
"I have no boon of my own to offer you," July said, "but I hope that these announcements will aid you. Not all of us had our gifts accepted equally by the populace. For some of us, our powers have waned too greatly to maintain the boons in their current states. For others, the belief in us that you have shown will enhance our gifts even further."
July glanced towards where May, June, and February stood before turning back to the front.
"Both May and June are unable to maintain their help with the moon clinics, and will instead focus their energies on maintaining their other boon. February has a similar dilemma, and is unable to maintain their safe passage boon. March?"
March trotted forward, looking particularly pleased with themselves.
"It would seem I was quite popular this year," March said, "and with the added energy I've changed my second boon. Rather than requiring a bit of antler, all non-processed food on the island now takes twice as long to spoil. This includes anything you forage in the woods."
They stepped back, glancing to September, who was wearing a particularly celebratory (if not terribly formal) hat.
"Can't say I'm surprised to be up here," September said, "considering how well the maze went down. I see a few in the audience who were there, too." September paused his speech to wave enthusiastically, earning a few waves back. "Just like March, I'm extending my you-have-to-try-for-it boon to everyone. Manta Carlos won't have a pest problem any longer. No ants in any houses, no bugs, no mice, no rats... you name it. Animals will stay outdoors when they're not wanted."
September grinned, an unusual display on a squirrel, and then looked to August, who trotted forward.
"Thank you so much," she said. "This year has been amazing, and it has been amazing to see everyone making use of my paths. The belief you have shown in me has allowed me to make them stronger, and the trip between the school and the city should take only a few steps. Even better: If you think of where you want to go in the city, it will drop you at any of the transit hubs around the city itself."
July stepped forward once again, their white robe swirling behind them, and both September and August slipped back into line.
"We have one final gift for those of you who showed your belief in us. Please take one of the gifts from one of the gods you chose to show your faith in."
Small tables would appear just in front of the stage, with each clearly marked as to which god was responsible.
"Thank you all for coming," July said, "and we hope you have a peaceful year to come."
In-character, each character who lit a candle may take one gift from among those whose candles you lit. So if you lit April, May, June, Feb, Jan, and Dec, you cannot take March's gift. Anyone who tries (or tries to take more than one gift) will find themselves unable to take any gifts at all, and go home empty handed.
August's Gift: A leather charm which, when placed on a shoe, will keep it and it's partner from wearing down.
September's Gift: A hat, which can be turned inside out to turn it into a different kind of hat at random. You'll never get the same hat twice.
October's Gift: A seed which will turn into a tiny potted tree when planted. The tree produces one of whichever fruit you like best a day.
November's Gift: A small melanite statue in the shape of November. If held in the hands, it eases pain, making the holder comfortably numb.
December's Gift: A hand-knitted scarf that keeps snow away from the wearers head.
January's Gift: A stick of incense that never burns out, and the smell reminds you of someone you love.
February's Gift: A beach towel that never gets sand stuck in it.
March's Gift: A small houseplant, whose flowers bloom a small piece of paper each day. Each paper has a unique riddle on it for you to solve.
April's Gift: A 10GB USB stick that works for you and you alone. Anyone else can't quite manage to plug it in correctly.
May's Gift: A tiny moon rock which will bring you sleep if placed under your pillow while the moon is out.
June's Gift: A clip for your glasses which turns any glasses into the world's most perfect sunglasses: Keeps sun out, still operate like normal glasses otherwise.
You must post in this thread to claim your gift, and this thread will only exist for two weeks.
Citizens of Manta Carlos had been asked to light candles to signal their belief in, and thankfulness to, the god(s) who had most earned it. The stage itself was lit with a massive array of candles as each of the twelve headed up onto the stage.
July was an androgynous figure, and perhaps the least human of the group. They were little more than a white robe hanging in the air, and within those robes burned two dots of candlelight just inside the hood, imitating eyes.
It would be obvious to anyone why the ceremony to signal the end of the Year of the Gods was taking place at dusk.
"Thank you to all who have come," said July, their voice reminding all who heard it of the crackle of a campfire. "And to all who have supported us over this long year. We have heard your support, and have decided to stay on the island, and to maintain our gifts to you which we have granted over these past months."
There was a polite bit of applause from the audience. While several boons had gone over poorly, plenty of them have made life on the island nicer than it was.
"I have no boon of my own to offer you," July said, "but I hope that these announcements will aid you. Not all of us had our gifts accepted equally by the populace. For some of us, our powers have waned too greatly to maintain the boons in their current states. For others, the belief in us that you have shown will enhance our gifts even further."
July glanced towards where May, June, and February stood before turning back to the front.
"Both May and June are unable to maintain their help with the moon clinics, and will instead focus their energies on maintaining their other boon. February has a similar dilemma, and is unable to maintain their safe passage boon. March?"
March trotted forward, looking particularly pleased with themselves.
"It would seem I was quite popular this year," March said, "and with the added energy I've changed my second boon. Rather than requiring a bit of antler, all non-processed food on the island now takes twice as long to spoil. This includes anything you forage in the woods."
They stepped back, glancing to September, who was wearing a particularly celebratory (if not terribly formal) hat.
"Can't say I'm surprised to be up here," September said, "considering how well the maze went down. I see a few in the audience who were there, too." September paused his speech to wave enthusiastically, earning a few waves back. "Just like March, I'm extending my you-have-to-try-for-it boon to everyone. Manta Carlos won't have a pest problem any longer. No ants in any houses, no bugs, no mice, no rats... you name it. Animals will stay outdoors when they're not wanted."
September grinned, an unusual display on a squirrel, and then looked to August, who trotted forward.
"Thank you so much," she said. "This year has been amazing, and it has been amazing to see everyone making use of my paths. The belief you have shown in me has allowed me to make them stronger, and the trip between the school and the city should take only a few steps. Even better: If you think of where you want to go in the city, it will drop you at any of the transit hubs around the city itself."
July stepped forward once again, their white robe swirling behind them, and both September and August slipped back into line.
"We have one final gift for those of you who showed your belief in us. Please take one of the gifts from one of the gods you chose to show your faith in."
Small tables would appear just in front of the stage, with each clearly marked as to which god was responsible.
"Thank you all for coming," July said, "and we hope you have a peaceful year to come."
In-character, each character who lit a candle may take one gift from among those whose candles you lit. So if you lit April, May, June, Feb, Jan, and Dec, you cannot take March's gift. Anyone who tries (or tries to take more than one gift) will find themselves unable to take any gifts at all, and go home empty handed.
August's Gift: A leather charm which, when placed on a shoe, will keep it and it's partner from wearing down.
September's Gift: A hat, which can be turned inside out to turn it into a different kind of hat at random. You'll never get the same hat twice.
October's Gift: A seed which will turn into a tiny potted tree when planted. The tree produces one of whichever fruit you like best a day.
November's Gift: A small melanite statue in the shape of November. If held in the hands, it eases pain, making the holder comfortably numb.
December's Gift: A hand-knitted scarf that keeps snow away from the wearers head.
January's Gift: A stick of incense that never burns out, and the smell reminds you of someone you love.
February's Gift: A beach towel that never gets sand stuck in it.
March's Gift: A small houseplant, whose flowers bloom a small piece of paper each day. Each paper has a unique riddle on it for you to solve.
April's Gift: A 10GB USB stick that works for you and you alone. Anyone else can't quite manage to plug it in correctly.
May's Gift: A tiny moon rock which will bring you sleep if placed under your pillow while the moon is out.
June's Gift: A clip for your glasses which turns any glasses into the world's most perfect sunglasses: Keeps sun out, still operate like normal glasses otherwise.
You must post in this thread to claim your gift, and this thread will only exist for two weeks.
