victory_road | The Contest Spectacular!

The Contest Spectacular!

Who: Everyone attending the Contest Spectacular! (For more information about this event, check out the info post here!)
Where: Celadon City
When: January 18-20
Log:

It’s finally here… the Contest Spectacular! The whole city of Celadon has been bustling ever since the preparations for the contest began, but now with the addition of all the contestants, their friends, and the general crowds, the town is downright packed. Hotel rooms booked en masse (good luck getting into that big fancy one near the casino-- thank Arceus there's plenty of others!), the Center stuffed with younger trainers who are short on cash but couldn't pass up the opportunity to see the first ever Pokemon Contest in this region, and generally even more foot traffic than usual.

But nowhere is it moreso than in Celadon Center, where massive, colorful tents have been erected. Pink, orange, yellow, green, and blue! There's no missing what they're for-- enormous banners advertising the Contest Spectacular fly from every corner. The streets surrounding the square are packed as well-- food carts and merch stands line the sidewalks, eager to snag a bit of the glory. Teeny tiny portions of hoity-toity restaurant food usually too expensive to buy are being hawked to passersby right alongside Pokeblocks and Poffins of varying quality, in case your Pokemon need a treat (or a little extra oomph before the show starts!). In addition to the stands selling gobs of Hoenn contest celebrity memorabilia (contest nerds might recognize figures such as Contest Idol Lisia and her Altaria, Ali, featured quite prominently!), Celadon City's many fashion boutiques and clothing lines have gotten first dibs on available space, so any contestants still looking for an outfit for themselves or their Pokemon is in luck, because there’s absolutely everything you could imagine for sale if you find the right stall. Opportunistic photographers (some official, some... not) have also swooped in to set up booths with rentable costumes and fun backgrounds, for anyone who isn't performing but wants some cute souvenir pictures of their Pokemon being a contest star anyway.

But of course, for eager audiences and contestants alike, the real attraction lays within the tents themselves. Audience members will have to wait in line for the shows to officially begin at noon on Friday, but for those who entered the contest themselves, well, that's another story entirely!

Stages of all kinds have been arranged to suit most every type of act that’s been submitted, from the more traditional wooden stages to huge tanks to little fields (the oodles of hardworking staff making all of this possible are making good use of moves like Grassy Terrain!), and the Contest Hosts’ voices can be heard presenting acts and cracking jokes about said acts almost all day long.

After registering but before checking into their lodgings (prepaid rooms at the ritzy Celadon Hotel! Lucky you!), contestants and their Pokemon will be shown behind the scenes and made familiar with all the utilities at their disposal-- small refreshments, makeup stalls, a selection of props to make use of (although, as the harried-looking staff will tell them, bringing your own unique items is really the best way to stand out!), lights, camera, and of course action! Unsurprisingly, the entire back workings of the Contest is a flurry of activity-- it's a lot of people, Pokemon, and equipment to manage; and in true, bombastic Hoenn style, there are bright lights and flashy colors everywhere you look! But contestants will still find that no matter how busy or frantic they are, the staff will still find time to help them out with special requests or technical requirements for the act. It is, after all, their job!

But ultimately, the act is on you and your Pokemon. Don't get stage fright now-- the curtain's going up any minute!

~*~

[IMPORTANT: Please submit your contest entries here! For all other activities, feel free to make your own top-levels!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Perusing the Shops

Perhaps we can pick up that technical machine somewhere in the stalls.

[ He speaks low, aside to Dahlia. His hand was wrapped around the scarf on Caelum who had taken over leading duties for the time being since Oleander was still upset about their run-in with Ash. The poor Meowstic didn't know what to do and asked to be left alone for a little while.

The Audino by his side was still wearing her dress, her glasses back on her face. She was glad to be getting the opportunity to help Ignis out though a little sad that Oleander was upset. Still, today wasn't going to get dampened!! ]

(You can run into Ignis walking around, just remember he can't see at the moment and with all the noise you might startle him.)

[It's Dahlia who catches Cecil's eye first, one stall away. A longer look brings a specific act to mind, and he smiles.]

My, it's not often that I see a young lady dressed so prettily in these parts.

[The beads in his hair clink softly as he approaches. He also makes sure his steps are louder than usual, before he offers the Audino a bow.]

Especially one with such a magnificent singing voice. You must have both practiced that act for hours.

[That last question is addressed to the whole group, of course.]

[ Dahlia turns to look up at Cecil and gets excited. Its someone she recognized from the gear! She toddles over quickly and hugs him openly. No bowing! Everyone was a friend to Dahlia!

Caelum presses against Ignis to turn him into the right direction before sitting politely next to Ignis. ]

We did. It was Dahlia for the most part. She was interested in showing off her voice. Pardon, are you Cecil?

[Well, then, if he's getting a hug it's only good manners to hug back. Since he has to bend over Dahlia may or may not get beads and strands of hair in her face, but at least they're pretty beads and strands.]

That's right. It's a pleasure to meet you in person, Ignis.

[Time to stand back up, now.]

It certainly was shown off. Well supported by your music too, I must say. I'd not heard such a good match since... since I arrived here, really.

[ Dahlia was absolutely enamored with Cecil's beads and hair. She stares at them as bats the gently with a paw as he stands up. That was so pretty! Maybe Ignis should grow his hair out and she could do that with his hair.

She turns to give a sparkly eyed look at him before remembering that Oleander was in a bad mood and he couldn't see her. Darn. ]

I am hardly in practice for the violin. I suppose together though Dahlia and I fit. She is known for her hearing after all.

[ She primps her little head whiskers, looking quite pleased at the compliment. ]

And that is how I functioned at home. My hearing is quite sharp. Though ..

[ Well. Overworld music. ]

[Ignis doesn't need to complete that sentence for Cecil to understand. It's not an issue he'd thought about before, but now that it's mentioned... He frowns thoughtfully.]

That would be a problem, even if it's not a widespread one. I don't suppose playing the radio on your Gear at a low volume would help?

[Dahlia's primping erases his frown and gets a wide smile out of him.]

Our efforts to find the source of the music have been unsuccessful, but it can be replaced to some degree. Surely there are less... distracting options. Less repetitive options.

No, it simply adds to the noise. It seems easier to just accept it as part of this world and do my best to adapt to it. Normally I have a Meowstic assisting me but he was not feeling well.

[ Emotionally, not physically. Oleander was just grouchy at the moment. ]

To be honest, the repetitive makes it easier to fade into the background of my awareness. It is easy to forget it is going when my mind has memorized the tune. This has been a welcome change, the different music that I've heard today.

Edited 2018-01-27 06:21 (UTC)

Is that so? I hope he'll feel better soon and not miss all the festivities. Does he help you by describing your surroundings, or with his psychic powers?

[Or by describing their surroundings with his psychic powers?]

It's true that between the musical acts and the atmospheric pieces, we've had some impressive variety. Going back to the usual songs when it ends will be a shame, even if they are more easily ignored.

He uses his power to connect my mind to his sight. I can see through him though he's a bit color blind. It hasn't bothered me, as color wasn't overly important to me previously.

[ The loss of color was better than a complete loss of sight. ]

It is a pleasant change, to be sure, even if I wasn't a fan of some of the musical choices.

[ Noctis, why. ]

I suppose afterwards it will be a return to Olivine and figuring out what we will be doing next. This type of peace has been jarring if I wish to be honest.

That's... an impressive use of his talents, truly. I'd never even imagined it could be possible, though it makes sense if I think about it... But Meowstics are rather short, are they not?

[Is there even a tactful way of asking if Ignis is stuck 'staring' at knees all day? Cecil isn't sure.]

This world itself can be jarring even at its least peaceful, depending on one's home. I try to see it as a well-deserved vacation. An unwanted, ill-timed overly-long well-deserved vacation. At least we're encouraged to take up new hobbies.

I usually carry him or he sits on my shoulders. It's still shorter but I have adapted well enough.

[ He was adaptable at least. He could handle what was thrown at him.]

I have never been all that good at relaxing or taking time off. As a steward I always had much to do and all of this down time has made me feel as if I've forgotten something important.

It's also far less painful for him than always having to look up, surely.

[Those feline necks might be tiny, but they can probably get cricks too.]

Are there no opportunities for you to find similarly-challenging employment? Such a relaxed, rank-less society has little need for the position itself, but it does need talented individuals who can multitask for extended periods.

Yes, the only neck that becomes sore is mine.

[ He seemed amused by it at least, smiling slightly. ]

I have been cooking specialty Poffins for a minor side business. Cooking is something I had always done back home. Perhaps I should re-enter the workforce in that manner.

Specialty Poffins? That sounds both tasty and potentially profitable, if Honeyed Soul is any indication.

[Well, tasty for Pokémon. Even if Cecil wanted to try them, no snack ever lasts long enough in his house.]

Do you happen to train a member of the Happiny line, by any chance? I've found that their egg greatly improve a dish's taste, compared to the ones found in stores.

I would be happy to send you samples. Just let me know what your Pokemon prefer.

[ Ignis shakes his head slightly, feeling Caelum shift to look up at him. He rests his hand on the Absol's head gently. ]

No, I haven't had the opportunity to find one. I have been staying in Olivine for the most part and haven't been traveling. I will have to attempt to look for one.

It's very kind of you to offer. I've no doubt my team will be begging to make regular purchases before long.

[His voice is 10% weary acceptance, 90% fondness.]

If you're interested in raising one, I can have my team breed an egg at any time. It'd be simpler than hunting it down.

Yes, that would be an interest. Please, let me know when there is an egg available. I'll be sure to send along the first Poffins produced with those eggs as well.

[ Might as well spoil Cecil's Pokemon. Ignis was quite good at spoiling things. ]

My team hardly needs additional motivation when it comes to making eggs, but I've no doubt your offer will ensure they'll do so promptly and with quality in mind.

[By 'quality', he means 'horrifying movesets', but surely it'll apply to the eggs too.]

Ah. It is times like these I am glad to have the inability to see. Considering Dahlia and a friend's Skitty ... made eggs while in my care..

[ Dahlia blushes, holding her cheeks bashfully. W-well, don't just tell everyone that!! ]

I doubt I would want to see ... how it is done in action.

Even those of us who could theorically witness that... completely natural act of creation have never done so, to my knowledge. Even the largest Pokémon can be surprisingly discreet, when it comes to dalliances.

[Which is both terrifying and a blessing.]

Good.

[ The response was rather firm considering that Ignis preferred the complete research and understanding into most things. It was just not something he wanted to know about. Not in this particular situation. ]

Concerning of course that there's aspects of this world not even the best of science understands but also.. Good. I wouldn't want to see how some actions are committed.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The Contest Spectacular!

A little late.

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Aaah, I love trash paladin.

Trash paladin is best paladin!

He is, even if he betrayed my trust by randomly going Pally.

So cruel of him. Good thing DK gets some love in the side games...

Cecil is why I hate the entire Paladin class even today.

Even the great and glorious Beatrix?

Yup.

Gasp! Shock! Horror!

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