entrancelogs | OPEN | let's change from the heart, let's shout

Who: Anyone and everyone! That means you! Yes, you, c'mere.
Where: The stream and the lake.
When: July 12th, evening.
Rating: PG ~~in case any of y'all get wild with that decorating~~.
Summary: Come and take part in a mini lantern ceremony, Wonderland-style. Mingle away, comrades!
The Story:

The evening of the 12th, visitors who feel like moseying their way to the stream where it empties out of the forest will be able to enjoy a summer celebration in the Japanese style. Outdoor lights illuminate the area, and tables hold all manner of art supplies and blank paper lanterns waiting to be decorated.

Didn't catch the network 411? Someone around will surely explain: it's a nod to toro nagashi, the paper lantern ceremony meant to guide the souls of the departed by decorating lanterns and setting them loose. Maybe you have a departed soul you'd like to remember, or a prayer to make. Maybe you'd just like to write a note message-in-a-bottle style. Maybe you just feel like taking the air and enjoying the sights. The choice is yours!

Either way, once the sun has set and lanterns have been decorated, the candles inside will be lit (remember fire safety, kids!), and the lanterns will be released into the water.

Gather at the lakeside afterward to watch them empty into the lake and enjoy the ambiance with some food and drink. Because we could all use a little more light in our lives, no?

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Souji was quiet for a minute, then gave a little shake of his head. He was probably just being selfish with his reasoning.

"...If you feel like you should, then it's fine."

"I won't if you don't want me to."

Minato thought it was just in the spirit of the ceremony. He could leave it blank though for Souji.

"Why do you want to?" He supposed the motive mattered. Though Minato could do what he liked--Souji didn't want to stop him from doing what he felt was right.

"Because no one's done it for me."

Minato smiled just a little to himself. No one knew what he did at home and he didn't have time to explain. So he couldn't blame them either.

"...I won't."

Minato wasn't dead to him. He couldn't mourn him. He wouldn't allow himself to.

Minato could understand that. At home, Minato was dead, and here, he remembered that he would be when he went back. There was no avoiding that. Even if Souji did come to save him, Minato would've been dead for at least two years.

He put his pen away and gave Souji a hug. "I'm sorry."

Souji put a hand on Minato's head and let out a breath. He shook his head.

"You don't need to be. I understand."

Coming to terms with his own death had to be as difficult as coming to terms with the death of another.

Minato hugged Souji a little tighter and leaned into him.

"It wasn't to hurt you."

It was for Minato himself, a way to say that he had died before and now it was like he was going to be reborn.

"It's okay." He thought he really did understand. But maybe that was arrogant.

Minato slowly let go of Souji. "I won't do it." Minato would leave it blank then and he could let the lantern go as is.

"You don't have to if it's just because of me. You should do what you feel like doing."

"If it makes you unhappy, I won't." Minato held onto Souji's hand. "I understand too."

Souji squeezed Minato's hand.

"Are you ready?" He nodded to the lake.

Minato made a soft, affirmative sound and nodded. With his lantern in hand and Souji with his, he headed toward the lake with Souji.

"This means I'll live."

Here and now, at least, and at home. He could put more of his hopes on that too, more than he had before.

Souji reached and took Minato's hand for a moment in silent approval. That was what he wanted for Minato.

Minato smiled too and when they reached the stream flowing into the lake, he knelt down.

"If they float off together, then we'll be together."

Souji nodded and crouched at the edge of the water, his lantern held in both hands. Looking up, he nodded to Minato. "Whenever you're ready."

Minato nodded too and then at the same time as Souji, he set his lantern on the water, watching it float away. He hoped the two lanterns would stay together.

Souji stayed crouched there as he watched the two lanterns drift off. They bumped up against each other a few times and Souji smiled a little.

"...I'm happy."

Minato was just as happy as well, seeing that his wish had come true, even if it was just in the form of two little lanterns.

"Me too." And he liked hearing that Souji was. He reached to hold onto Souji's hand. "Thank you."

Souji gripped Minato's hand and looked over at him with a small smile.

Minato continued to watch the lanterns for a moment before he turned to Souji and smiled too.

"I want ice cream."

Souji nodded and got to his feet, pulling Minato up with him.

"Let's go get some."

Minato appreciated the help and linked his arm with Souji's.

"That's the first time I've done toro nagashi. When we're at home, let's do it again."

Souji nodded. It was the first time for him, too.

"Yeah. I think we should." It was a quietly cathartic experience.

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