WINTER SOLSTICE FESTIVAL

[indigo_events]

Who: Anyone attending the Solstice Festival celebrations!

Where: All towns and cities

When: December 21st

Summary: Light up the longest night with a bright festival!

Rating: PG-13

Log:



To celebrate the first day of winter and the longest night of the year, the towns and cities of Johto and Kanto have decided that, like last year, there ought to be a party! Days of preparation are paying off, as snow fort building competitions and sled races fill the day, and bonfires and caroling warm the long night. Trees are being decorated, Santas are ho-ho-ho-ing practically everywhere, and there’s cocoa being sold out front of most shops to entice people inside.

Blackthorn in particular has put extra effort into its festival—- the actual Ice type gym might be in Mahogany, but Claire isn’t about to let her beautiful mountain hometown get left in the dust when it comes to winter! Throughout the week, flyers featuring a-- well, let's be honest-- a very edgy-looking Komoo-o on skis have been dropped all over both regions by the Blackthorn Gym's own force of delivery Swablus. The flyers advertise the many exciting activities Blackthorn's particular festival has to offer, as well as free transportation to the town for this one day, whether that’s by flying type or a special escorted warp trip.

And for those who decide to accept the invite, what a sight the city is! Strings of lights crisscross overhead, and while the temporary festival stalls set up don’t quite rival Goldenrod’s market, are selling plenty of homemade goods and delicious treats. Skis and snowboards are available to rent for anyone looking to go up the lifts and come back down real fast (provided they don’t wipe out on the way), and the hot springs are open for those ready to relax sore muscles afterwards. And the night’s bonfires will be nearly upstaged by the auroras lighting the sky with ribbons of light (is anyone surprised that Nephelis is getting in on the celebrations somewhere too?)…they’ll be visible from town, but the view will be even better for those who go with guided groups a little ways up into the mountains where it’s darker.

But even outside of Blackthorn, this holiday weekend is marked by a curious phenomenon taking place... Across both regions, Delibird are waddling busily into any town or city that festive gatherings are taking place, looking for the perfect person to help them deliver the perfect present! Some seemingly find their prospects right away, while others are left to linger awkwardly on the walkways, holding their boxes and notepads up hopefully to passersby.

So if one finds you, it might be time to split from fun and games for a bit and go shopping… but hey, how many people are already shopping for last minute gifts anyway? What’s one more box to fill?

Comments

[shiro2hero]

You asked about the cut.

[He'll just. Put that away now.]

You noticed what it looks like. He will too.

[His malfunction is worrying about the reaction!! What if it's seen as "too much, too soon" and if that happens, is it going to wreck things all over again?]

[spacebaloney]

Yeah, because I never saw a stone like that before, that's all.

[To be honest, Lance hasn't seen many Pokemon stones on account of him never being able to afford them, so window shopping for some would be a waste of time. But he isn't about to let Shiro give up the perfect gift for no good reason.]

And? It's a stone, not a ring. Even if it was, does it really matter? Because if you two aren't eventually headed to wedded bliss, there's no chance for the rest of us.

[He totally means it as a compliment. #COUPLEGOALS and all.]

[shiro2hero]

[That, at least, tugs a slight smile out of him, though it fades quickly. He's done his best, hasn't he? To give everything this time. Do everything right this time. So maybe...]

You really think so, don't you.

[There's that sideways half-smile again. It's not really a question. Which is underscored by the hand clasping onto Lance's shoulder.]

Okay then. Let's get to that jewelry stand for Angel.

[spacebaloney]

[Lance remembers Shiro saying something about this place being a haven for second chances. That there is where they can all try and hit replay and take the other route to see how things shake out. While he has no clue of Shiro's personal past, Lance thinks that if any of them deserve a second chance as a good life, it's Shiro.

And perhaps that good life can include Matt. He deserves one too.]

Yeah, I do. I mean, it's just what I think and that might not mean much about something this big, but yeah.

[And then he groans, realizing that if Shiro can get a nice rock that size and beauty, then Lance's pockets aren't deep enough to afford that stand.]

Man, I'm probably not gonna be able to get her anything nice.

[shiro2hero]

Hey. [That hand on his shoulder squeezes. And then tugs him over for a one armed hug. Tight. Whatever Lance might think, his voice is appreciated here. For someone who'd screwed up the last serious thing he ever had, striving to do better this time, that vote of confidence means the world.]

Thank you. It means a lot to hear.

[Since this is Shiro, you know he can't say that with anything other than complete honesty.]

You'd be surprised. Besides -- sooner we find her something, sooner we can get you inside and warmed up.

[spacebaloney]

[Well, if it means the world to receive a vote of confidence from a boy who hasn't even had his first date ever, then so be it. The praise hits home and for once, Lance doesn't fight it.

Especially when Shiro means it.]

Right, because how the hell do you people deal with this cold and not want to die?

[shiro2hero]

There's a little more bulk to some of us, man.

[There's one more squeeze before he lets his arm drop. Lance is free from the big beefy arm squeezes. It's not the experience he values here. It's everything else.]

We can get you cocoa on the way, if you want.

[spacebaloney]

Well, sorry I have a high metabolism and don't spend my nights doing one-armed pushups.

[Lance playfully pokes Shiro in his chest, giving the man a twisted grin. He's missed this. A lot. Just them being back to normal.]

With marshmallows and whipped cream? I have high hot chocolate standards, you know.

[shiro2hero]

Maybe you could start wrestling with Red and Magellan. Or... Polo. I forget which one belongs to Armin.

[The two Incineroar boys are basically twins. He's lost the ability to tell them apart, honestly.]

[He sort of wobbles when Lance pokes him. Just to sell the poke. Or something.]

And chocolate sprinkles.

[spacebaloney]

Oh no. Oh hell no. I've seen what those beasts to to Krieg and no. I like being in one piece, sir. I'm done with getting beat up by Pokemon.

[That's still a sore spot. His nose just healed, okay!

Poking Shiro again just to see if he weeble wobbles again.]

And cinnamon? Gotta have the cinnamon.

[shiro2hero]

What about Keith's Torracat? Or, if all else fails, you could bench press some Spheals.

[The Spheals definitely won't fight him. They'll probably be overjoyed to "play".]

[He's absolutely going to weeble wobble. Because it's fun.]

Anything you want. My treat for walking through the snow.

[spacebaloney]

Torracat would probably do. I didn't think of the Spheals, though. Maybe. Beats the boring gym.

[Besides, bench pressing a few Spheals could impress the ladies. And dudes.

Lance blows a raspberry in Shiro's direction, knowing that the wobbling is just him being over dramatic. This man is solid muscle. A noodle finger wouldn't even be a slight breeze to him.]

Deal. Did you get stuff or everybody else yet?

[shiro2hero]

The Spheals love it, honestly. Half the time, they're rolling after me to pick them up. You'd probably be their new best friend.

[Oh yeah. And not to mention, there's probably a spheal egg in it for Lance, down the road.]

[The raspberry just gets a laugh. Another arm around his shoulders, squeezing briefly.]

Yeah, I did. All wrapped and accounted for.