Come alive, come alive!

[indigo_events]

Who: Everyone attending the Contest Spectacular! (For more information about this event, check out the info post here!)
Where: Olivine City
When: August 17th-19th
Log:

With summer getting ready to turn into fall, what better way to send off the warm weather than another Contest Spectacular?

For the past six months, Johto has been clamoring for a chance to host an event of its own, and after the booming success it had in Kanto, the organizers were all too happy to bring the magic even further west. In the end, Olivine City received the honor-- not only because it happens to be one of the top summertime tourist spots in the region, but also because it's the major port where ships from the Sevii Islands come in... and boy is that port ever decked out for the occasion!

Banners and flags fly from every mast, and the marketplace normally devoted to fish, fish, and more fish has been transformed into a colorful whirlwind of Contest Spectacular merchandise and attractions. Like last time, there are photoshoots and rentable costumes, as well as swag featuring the likenesses of the Hoenn contest champions. But among the unfamiliar faces, those who were around for the Kanto Contest may notice some familiar ones... an adorable plush Rattata with a bell attached to the tail, brightly-colored skull-print stationary featuring a punk-rock Popplio with its flippers crossed coolly, and a big cozy flannel with faux-Bunnelby fur lining, to name just a few! ... There's even a chunky robot action figure with a top that pops off to reveal that it's being piloted by a plastic Trubbish, with spoon accessories (this one's really popular with the Youngsters). This last one is, notably, not "official" Contest Spectacular merchandise... but that isn't stopping vendors from selling it by the dozens.

This time, in addition to the mountains of swag, there are also booths and rings set up for games and miniature competitions available to attendees! There's a grassy little racetrack for Rattata and other rodent Pokemon, an eating contest featuring a makeshift conveyor belt and as much fresh sushi (locally caught prepared!) as long-tongued Pokemon can gobble up, and of course the ever-popular Magikarp Jump, which manages to not only draw a crowd but get people really riled up. While the only prizes are cheap ribbons, the games are a great way to pass the time and make your Pokemon feel like a star even if they're not entered in the Contest proper!

Also of note are the bright white tents set up every few blocks or so-- that's right, the Aether Foundation is here! Even with the enormous success of the Kanto Contest, sponsors were needed to make the next one even bigger and better, and the Aether Foundation was more than happy to fill in. Their tents offer free water, sunscreen, and even little granola bars for any trainers or Pokemon who find themselves getting thirsty in the summer sun. Invariably, the Aether agents are friendly and helpful, although like any charity sponsors at a big event, they're also happy to talk your ear off about their mission and environmental cleanup work on the Sevii Islands.

But of course, it all comes down to the main event...

An enormous tent just like the one back in Celadon (albeit altered to be more suited for sunny beach weather than a cold Kanto winter!) has been erected in a large open area near the base of the Lighthouse, with easy access to the beach for anyone looking to swim or sunbathe while they wait for the category they’re looking forward to. As before, stages suitable for all types of Pokemon have been arranged, from the typical wood main stage, to tanks for water types and sandy arenas for enthusiastic fire types. Schedules for what contestants will be where and when are posted almost anywhere you turn. If you're lucky, you might even spot Anne and Liz making the rounds to sign autographs and chat with contestants. They're as busy as anyone else, though-- with the big tent more open to the elements than the one in Celadon, it's clearer than ever how much work goes into these things!

One thing's for sure, the bustling audience expects big things, and the organizers are determined not to disappoint!

The lights are on, the music is starting, the show is about to begin! BREAK A LEG, EVERYONE!

... Not Literally!

~*~

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

Comments

[shiro2hero]

[He pauses. Looks at the minigame. And then down at Cujo. Thinking to himself.]

I would never dare you to do something like that.

[Wow, Shiro way to be lame--]

I'd just tell you to do it. What's the harm?

[foolishwren]

<sub>[Heather grins.]

[And then raises a hand, stepping towards the game runner who's taking entrants.]</sub>

Hey!

I'd like to enter my Growlithe.

_{[The man looks up from his booth, and frowns slightly. Not like an angry frown but an 'Oh dear I think she might have misunderstood this game' frown.]}

Ah... this game is mostly intended for Pokemon with very long tongues, you see... perhaps a Politoed, or a Gengar...

_{[She folds her arms.]}

I know what I'm about, son.

[shiro2hero]

[Look, Heather is her own formidable force of nature. There is literally no argument from his quarter on that front. But a random guy probably doesn't know that. However... Shiro does happen to know he's built like the proverbial brick shithouse these days.]

[So he steps up behind her. One hand on her shoulder. With that expression that says "is there a problem here?"]

She knows what she's doing. I'd let her Growlithe in. [Turn on the charm bomb. Or... try to.] If anything happens, tell your supervisor I made you do it.

[SMILE.]

[The guy frets. But, slowly, steps to one side to allow Cujo in.]

[foolishwren]

<sub>[The Charm (tm).]

[Before Cujo goes happily barreling into the ring, Heather stops him, crouches, and grasps the fatty fluff on both sides of his face firmly.]

[And speaks a single word:]</sub>

Consume.

_{[And then she lets him trot on in, and pops back next to Shiro, barely containing her laughter.]}

[shiro2hero]

[Oh.]

[Oh my god.]

[Heather no. Don't do that. Don't say that. Do you have any idea how hard it is to keep a straight face?]

[It's downright impossible.]

Yes. Do that. Good dog.

[Please go away Sushi Game Man so he can lose his shit laughing.]

[foolishwren]

_{[The man DOES INDEED GO AWAY, though not before giving them one last wary look. When he finally does turn to leave, Heather whispers to Shiro--]}

You encouraged me. So if I have to go to jail when Cujo commits Sushi Crimes, you're coming with me.

<sub>[The other "contestants" have now entered the little circle-- and a number of them are not-so-subtly staring at the happy, drooling canine in their midst. Because wtf?]

[The game-runner shuts the little gate, announces that the round is starting, and then pulls the lever to start the conveyor belt with a clunk.]

[And as the sushi starts making its way around...]




[Cujo becomes a juggernaut. Just bulling his way around the circle, putting his entire front half on the conveyor belt, gobbling the sushis with a single-minded, wild-eyed fervor. Someone's Palpitoad goes flying. It's chaos in the ring.]

[And Heather actually has to grab onto Shiro to remain upright. She's howling.]</sub>

[shiro2hero]

[HEATHER THAT IS NOT HELPING. He has to bite his lip to keep from howling when she whispers sushi crimes to him. It's a very, very near thing. The most undignified sort of snort comes out of his mouth instead.]

[He tries to keep a straight face, however.]

[It lasts all of ten more seconds, because there goes Cujo. And Heather.]

[Sooner than later, the big buff dorito puff is also losing his goddamn mind laughing, doubled over where he stands, because his body is trying to turn him into a giant cooked shrimp.]

[foolishwren]

<sub>[They're laughing, honestly a LOT of people are laughing, although there's at least a few folks who are shouting angrily-- people who probably actually WANTED a ribbon for their Pokemon in the ring.]

[As it is, the flustered game-runner stops the conveyor belt once the last piece of fish and rice is consumed, and opens the gate to pointedly shoo Cujo out. The other Pokemon are standing amidst the carnage, rubbing bumps on their heads and scowling.]

[Cujo, happily oblivious, goes galloping back to Heather, his muzzle coated in roe.]

[Heather receives him with open arms, tears still literally streaming down her face.]</sub>

CUJO!

KING OF SUSHI!

Now-- miss, that Pokemon was QUITE unruly...!

_{[Uh oh, that gamerunner looks very upset.]}

[shiro2hero]

[Oh. Oh man. He can't breathe. He can't breathe and can't remember the last time he laughed this hard. Heather's hanging off him and it's almost impossible to catch his breath enough to say anything to her.]

[Sushi crimes]

[It's fine, though, he figures. There's no real harm done. None of the pokemon are actually hurt. The contest is just down some sushi. No big deal.]

I -- can't believe this --

[Okay, apparently the gamerunner doesn't see this as amusing. Shiro makes a game attempt of straightening up, calming himself down enough to speak. To sort of impose himself between his friend and the irritated man.]

No one was hurt. It's not really that big of a deal, right?

[foolishwren]

_{[The gamerunner looks more flustered than anything else-- it's not like he can do anything outside of not allow Cujo to play another round.]}

WELL-- it's just unsportsmanlike!

Shhh, don't listen to him Cooj. He's just jealous.

<sub>[Heather whispers this loudly to her Growlithe from behind Shiro, and the gamerunner goes even redder in response.]

[But before he can say anything else, a new voice, deep and raspy, joins the conversation.]</sub>

You know, one time I saw a dog with a tongue that long.

That were a perilous day on a voyage years ago.

_{[A weathered-looking old seadog ABSOLUTELY COVERED in tattoos stands before them, a large Octillery at his side.]}

Inkous n'me were thinking of playing a round. Ye got room?

_{[The game-runner looks surprised-- but not unpleased. The Inky Sailor is a legend!]}

Wh-- of course! I'll have the next round set up in no time!

[shiro2hero]

Nothing in the rules says a Growlithe can't compete. It's --

[He's about to continue, but of course, the sudden arrival of... that guy stops him. The guy who looks like he walked straight out of a theme park pirate ride.]

[Shiro shuts up. Looking between the new guy and the gamerunner.]

[And... taking a step back.]

I think that's our exit. [If this guy is distracting the gamerunner, then it's probably a good idea for both of them to duck out. Quietly. Or as quietly as two grown ass people and a roe-covered drool machine can manage.]

[foolishwren]

<sub>[HE DOESN'T NEED TO SAY IT TWICE.]

[She doesn't want to go to jail for sushi crimes.]

[Meanwhile, that Octillery schlorps into the middle of the ring and starts expertly grabbing sushis at a rapid pace without even touching any of its competitors.]</sub>

[shiro2hero]

[TIME TO BOOK IT - FLEE FROM THE SUSHI CRIMES.]

[And, you know. Double over laughing again as soon as they're out of the proverbial woods. Because oh my god he's never had this much fun at an event that didn't end in horrible Jellyfish Trauma.]

[foolishwren]

<sub>[SHE'S RIGHT BEHIND HIM, laughing until she can't freaking breathe.]

[Cujo has no idea what's going on but he's loving the vibe, so he galumphs in circles around them, barking.]</sub>

[shiro2hero]

[At some point, he is bound to catch his breath enough to speak. But only for a moment.]

[And in that moment, inevitably, he will manage two words. Two words of utmost importance:]



Sushi Crimes.