victory_road | GHOST TRICK PART ONE: Festival Log!

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GHOST TRICK PART ONE: Festival Log!

Who: Everyone!
Where: Either Ecruteak City or Lavender Town; please mark your toplevel comments accordingly!
When: August 13th-15th
Summary: Celebrate O-bon at a festival near you! For details, see the infopost.
Rating: Will vary from thread to thread. Warn for common triggers if something comes up.
Log:

The streets are lined with NPC-run stalls for food, games, and the assorted tchotchkes of every summer festival you’ve ever seen in your animes! There’s Goldeen Scoop, heaping cones of Swirlix Candy, Test Your STRENGTH (there are two different machines for people and Pokémon; HM04 not required); basically, if you can think of it, it’s there. There will also be a yukata rental stall if you want to go full hog on the cultural side of things. Ecruteak boasts a small stage where the Kimono Girls give a short performance once every two hours; the festivities in Lavender Town are a little quieter, but they also have Haunter-shaped ice cream treats. When you lick them, they Lick you!

On the last evening (August 15th) of the festival in either location, there will be a large bonfire and traditional bon-odori dance in which everyone is welcome to participate. In Lavender Town only, they also set paper lamps afloat in the water past the cliffs.

The closer you get to midnight on the last night of the festival, the more ghosts pop up.

Again, please say which city your character's in and note what dates/times they're there in the header of or within your top--level comment to avoid confusion. Play nice and have fun!

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august 13th

[ Rhys is absolutely, positively miserable. To be honest, he doesn't want to be here right now. The second he gets some food in his belly and a little breath of air or two, he's off to the next town. There's too much going on for him to have a clear mind, and doing anything like "enjoying himself" is virtually impossible.

The festival would be nice, otherwise. It was busy, there was some...pretty cool entertainment, he'd say. There are ghosts popping up every now and then, and when they do it scares the every loving crap out of him. For the past few days, Rhys has been on edge. He wanders around to buy things like food, but he doesn't purchase a rental, nor does he play games or watch the group of Kimono Girls. He can't enjoy any of that with how he's feeling right now.

He also might seem...distracted. He's keeping an eye out for Handsome Jack, because their last conversation went very, very badly. The next time he might meet his old boss will probably be the last, because he'll be dead. He's scanning through the festival, but he's not looking for friends or festivities.

Have fun with him otherwise, though! ]

august 15th

[ It's the last day, and has Rhys enjoyed himself? Not once!

The bonfire's going on now, glowing brightly in the night sky. There's a big group of people dancing away, but Rhys prefers to stay...not near anybody, to be honest. He just sits nearby with his knees to his chest, watching halfheartedly.

Rhys has eaten once, maybe nibbled twice on food today. There's way too much stress going on for him to enjoy anything. Jack told him to go right to Goldenrod, but with all this going on it was kind of impossible. Basically, he's procrastinating.

If he hears anybody nearby, he'll probably pipe up a little bit. From the way he talks, it's obvious that whatever has been going on with him has made him lose sleep. ] Some party, huh?

[Fiona is still trying to find her bearings. She and Firebutt had come to a truce but that was about the only thing in this mad place that made any sense. She saw the signs for the festival and decided to give it a go.

When she finally runs into Rhys she's tempted to give him hell. The only problem was he looked as though he'd been through the ringer. They'd all been through shit but he looked haunted.

Rhys speaks and she knows it's bad when he doesn't even notice who he is talking to.]

I've been to better. Of course, they usually ended in a shootout so I think the word 'better' is relative.

August 14th

[Oh boy! A festival right after he gets there? Dipper doesn't really have any ancestors or Pokémon to appease, but it's a festival! It meant food, fun, maybe new people he can meet. Or it could be a complete disaster like that one festival back home and the time shenanigans.

At least there's no pig for Mabel to win here.

The Kimono girls were boring to watch. Men and women were wearing Japanese clothing. But where was the paranormal stuff that should be happening with a festival like this? The first day here seems like a complete bust. At least the food was good, and his Eevee, Tyrone, seems happy to be here with his trainer. Let's skip to a little while later...]

Oh come on!

[Angry, technically a teenager is yelling at the scoop in his hand. He's tried several times to get a Goldeen out of the pool because a water type would be great to have in his party! Yet every time he tries, the scoop breaks. He really, really wants this fish!] It's like this game is rigged!

[In the evening he can be seen just wandering around with his Eevee beside him taking in more of the sights. Everything was starting to look the same and he was desperate to find something to amuse him. Kids and their short attention spans.]

August 15th
[It's the last day and Dipper does not look pleased. This festival was awful. Don't advertise dead people and ghosts and then not have anything to show for it. This video game world was really disappointing.

The Bonfire would come later. He was on a serious ghost hunt now. There was no way Dipper was leaving without a ghost Pokémon! He'll be wandering around town and checking out any dark and spooky alley he comes across.]

Come on, ghosts. Stop hiding!

Edited 2016-08-13 20:28 (UTC)

August 13th

Yukata Rental:

Snake felt rather ridiculous dressed in his camo Yukata. What on earth would Kaz say? He'd probably laugh at the guy. Yet, he wanted to get involved and absorb the festival atmosphere. Besides, it felt rather comfy and light. Lots of air around the all important parts of his body too. You didn't wear underwear with these things, right?

Because he wasn't wearing any right now.]

Hngh. It's not as bad as I thought.

Test your Strength:

[Snake had to try out the Test your Strength stand. Why not? He had good upper body strength and wanted to see how easy, or not, the whole showing off your strength thing would be. The old soldier saw that one was for Pokémon and one for humans. Huh. None of his Pokémon were strong enough to do it. He wondered if he could impress anyone by lifting the weights.]

Anyone else want a go?

Anywhere!

[Feel free to bump into Snake wearing his Yukata and looking rather lost and ridiculous.]

August 15th:

Bonfire and Bon-odori dance:

[Over the past two days or so Snake had actually enjoyed himself. He had soaked up as much of the fesitival as he could and had seen quite a few others do the same. Now, it was dark and the bonfire was alight. He found himself staring at the flames of the burning fire and almost felt as if he could see ghosts or spirits of those long dead come out from the ashes. It was just an illusion, right? Then, he noticed the dancing. What the hell? He had to dance? He watched people walk up and begin to dance. He wasn't Japanese, so didn't have to do this, right?]

I can't dance. You've got to be kidding me.

[He sighed and wanted to walk away but would someone make him dance and actually enjoy himself at doing it? Good luck.]

Edited 2016-08-13 20:30 (UTC)

[August 13th - Goldeen Scoop Shenanigans]

[A festival Jane's never heard of before is definitely something she'd be at - and considering the rest of her paradox space traveling party has come, she's here too. The traditional outfit is a must, even with it being a little awkward for her (it feels like a robe, is this really appropriate?), but the hat is grounding, and if one were to follow her, it doesn't seem like she has a set destination, preferring to look at everything there is to see.

She does, however, find herself stopping just in front of the Goldeen Scoop game, watching with increasing confusion as children and adults alike try - and fail - to scoop up the relatively large Water Pokemon with those small paper paddles.]

Is...is anyone actually expected to win this?

[August 14th - Test Your STRENGTH]

[Now a bit more comfortable in a new city and strange celebration, Jane's participating in a few of the available games. This one in particular seemed quite funny to her, though, and most of the locals raise their eyebrows at the young lady who rolls up her yukata sleeves and takes the mallet in hand, raising it up and...

DING

...Holy shit, she got the weight to hit the bell. Jane looks quite satisfied with herself, but - that had to be a fluke, right? You should definitely check to see if it's a fluke, or try the game yourself. There's no way a girl like that could have enough mangrit to win a strength game, right?]

[August 15th - Wildcard]

[For the last day of the festival, feel free to bump into Jane anyplace! She'll either have Dinah or Poirot out with her, sharing bits of any food she might buy or consulting them on a souvenir, or even just resting as they watch the Kimono Girls dance. Anyplace is fair game!]

Edited 2016-08-14 01:40 (UTC)

August 13th - 14th

A. Food Stalls

[The festival is literally just like the festivals Komasan would watch countless times when he used to guard his shrine. It's...a little overwhelming, actually, to finally be a part of one. And like an actual one this time! Not like, say, a night club, because that was awful. It's been awhile since something here really truly made him feel like he was home, so of course he's going to go all out.

A yukata is a must, Komasan's is pretty much what you'd expect. Traditional, a very dull yet pleasing dark blue, the name of the game is all about blending in. On the other hand, Noko is decked out in one of the most vibrant patterns you can think of, and it's amazing that Komasan could find something like that tailored for snakes. So even though Komasan might blend into a crowd, the beautifully dressed Dunsparce on his shoulders might work against him. He's also joined by his oversized Drifblim, who looks bored out of his mind. He knows it's a ghost thing and all, but he doesn't really feel like enough souls are being stolen here...

Shiro also floats nearby his trainer, but thankfully he doesn't have to worry about being nibbled on because Komasan's already carrying two cones of soft serve, one in each hand. Despite apparently being good to go, he'll occasionally look over at other people, a spot of drool dripping from his mouth.]

Ah...are you gonna eat all of that, z-zura?

B. Test Your Strength

[As Komasan's team expands, he honestly feels a little bad that some of his Pokemon haven't been getting as much attention as they deserve. As such, there's a lot of rotating going on as he makes sure everyone is having a good time. In this case, he's letting his little baby girl Kokoro, a Timburr, have at it at the strength games. As always, Noko and Shiro are always close by, but there's also two gigantic Arcanine that follow him around. One the standard majestic tiger-orange, the other an obnoxious highlighter yellow. They all watch as Kokoro smacks the machine with her plank of wood.

With every hit, Kokoro has to stop and flex her arms, but she won't be fully satisfied until she can get the bell to ring.]

...You're gonna break it, zura.

[Komasan says in mid-clap, although he doesn't sound worried. More like he's just stating the obvious. Kokoro doesn't seem to mind, she wants it to break.]

August 15th

C. Dancing

[Again, Komasan's plan is to go all out, which means dancing is absolutely mandatory. ...For everyone. Anyone who looks like they're wallflowering about might get rushed by some guy and his Ludicolo. Personal space no longer exists, there are no apologies.]

Eh... What are you doing?! Don't you wanna dance, zura?

[Kappi looks more eager to get strangers involved than her trainer does, a whole event just for dancing! What's wrong with you people?! Get out there!]

[At the same time, with so much going on, Mabel just didn't know what to do! There were so much all around her, she just wanted to try everything at once! Should she go dancing? Or what about those food stalls? Or maybe she should go somewhere else and bother her brother into forever?!

The possibilities were endless! Although, when she happened to spot a person testing out the machine, she and Princess Fluffball couldn't help but be curious. As the Eevee got a closer look, Mabel simply just giggled]

C'mon, you can do it! Show that stupid machine who's boss! Go and kick it's little behind!

[Concentrating... Concentrating...

Kokoro lifts her plank of wood over her head, ready to bring it down once more, only to suddenly hear cheers of encouragement coming from...somewhere? She doesn't get a chance to look, the unfamiliar voice proving to be too much of a distraction and the weight of the wood plank causes her to fall over backwards.

Komasan can only watch his now red-faced Pokemon flail in frustration as he whips around, looking for the source of his Pokemon's confusion. There he sees...an Eevee?]

M-MONGE!! You guys, look, that Eevee can talk, zura!

[He...doesn't even bother to see if there's a trainer nearby. He heard a voice and saw an Eevee, that's apparently all he needs.]

[The moment the both of them saw Kokoro fell straight on her back, they couldn't help but give a slight wince. Before Mabel could even get closer to pick up the poor Pokemon, that's when she heard a voice nearby!]

What? Oh, of course not! It's just good ol' Mabel walking around and cheering you guys on! Although, it would be pretty cool to see Pokemon talk though!

[With that said, Princess Fluffball wasted no time in trying to pick up the fallen Pokemon! Using her head to push the poor creature back up to her feet, she hoped it would give her enough encouragement to keep her going!

Especially when she gave a slight "Eevee!" toward the fighting Pokemon!]

Oh... [Komasan frowns for a second, the deflating balloon noise is totally implied by the look on his face. Not that he has anything against good ol' Mabel, he's sure she's great.] I'm never gonna meet a talking Pokemon at this rate, zura...

[Says the guy who might as well be a talking Pokemon back home. Pouting like an overgrown baby, he kicks at a tiny rock in a huff.

Kokoro's pride was already damaged enough, but now it's taking everything in her not to explode on the spot. Her eyebrow twitches as she gets back onto her feet, dusting herself off in a very fake sort of calm demeanor, as if to prove that she really isn't bothered at all.

It's a lie, she's bothered a lot.

She gives Princess Fluffball a look that could curdle milk along with an incredibly forced smile on her face. The tiny Timburr knows well enough if she didn't act like she appreciated the help, her trainer would scold her for being rude.

Said trainer breaks into all smiles again, trying his best not to pick up the tiny Princess as he begins to move his group away from the strength machine. That includes Kokoro, who seems rather surprised by this turn of events, she wasn't even done playing yet!]

Did you guys wanna try it now, zura? We've, ah... been kinda playing for awhile, she can take a break, zura.

| August 13th |

[While Cloud had seen and attended his fair share of festivals--especially when he was younger and still living in Nibelheim--they hadn't been anything quite like this. There was so much going on and so much life and energy to everything! Most of the time he would have expected something horrible to be on the horizon, since that's just how it seemed to go most of the time, but...for some reason he found himself actually relaxing and just enjoying what there was to see.

They had arrived early in the morning and, after checking into wherever it was they had decided to stay, Cloud had been unable to help himself. With Buster and Gongaga in tow--as usual--the blonde had set out to explore the town a bit to get his bearings and once things started?

He's going to be checking out everything the festival has to offer.]

This..is a lot harder than it looks. [It's muttered to himself as he stares down at the Goldeens he'd been trying to scoop, Gongaga chirping happily from his spot beside the blonde, front paws resting on the edge of the booth as he tries to reach for the scoop with his tendrils. Cloud is quick to hold it up and away with a soft snort as Buster churrs softly from behind in annoyance.] I'm not sure you're allowed to try, buddy.

| August 14th |

[On the second day of the festivities Cloud can be found watching the shows going on, settled down with Gongaga in his lap, both of them munching on some treats that had been purchased. For once Buster is resting in his pokeball and, unbeknownst to Cloud, his meinfoo is out and running amuck.

Aka she's in the process of trying to steal things from people before darting back to her master. She hasn't strayed far from him but is definitely trying to keep out of sight of the blonde for the most part--but she won't hesitate to let out some loud noises if anyone grabs her.]

| August 15th |

[The night of the bonfire finds Cloud settled off to the side watching everyone dancing, a faint smile on his face as he does. Dancing really isn't his thing so he's doing his best to avoid it for now, content to just watch and enjoy the warmth of the fire.

Beside him, Gongaga has a tendril wrapped around Cloud's noibat Chaos and is attempting to make the other dance--the noibat looking thoroughly unimpressed--while his flabébé Aeris twirls about through the air with happy little noises.

Even if their master won't dance, his pokemon sure will!]

(Feel free to make up a prompt too! Someone needs to make Cloud dress us..;D)

[Cloud's been dealing with his own nasty little ghosts following him, several gastlys in particular bothering him as much as possible. He was in the midst of trying to play some of the games when one of them decided to spook the blonde--a feat in itself--and it sends Cloud back-stepping away from the game booth--

And slamming with into Rhys.

It's his honedge, Buster, that saves the day though, the sword holding it's sheath out with it's ribbon hand to keep Rhys from falling and using the rest of it's body to keep Cloud from doing the same.

The blonde immediately straightens and turns with an apologetic look on his face--one that quickly melts into recognition.]

Hi--sorry. Are you alright?

[The Meinfoo immediately jumps back, poised in a fighting stance as she lets out a growl of her own, ears flat to her head as she preps herself for a fight.

Both growls are enough to catch Gongaga's attention though and the Sylveon chirps worriedly which prompts Cloud to glance over--

And immediately stand up with an armful of Sylveon.]

Materia!

[Envy had been walking by the Goldeen Scoop when he'd stopped short to stare at the booth for...really the same reasons that Jane is. It's kind of a baffling idea.]

[Goldeen are not exactly small fish.]

[Jane's question may have been rhetorical, but he's close enough to hear it and confused enough that he's going to go ahead and answer anyway.]

I really don't know.

How are they keeping them from Water Gunning someone in the face?

AUG 13th
[The commotion is... it's strange. He's not used to being surrounded by so many other human beings. They're everywhere, and for a long while, he is pressed safely in a corner. Watching. Fighting the urge to note every escape route. He'd probably have stayed there, if not for the Aron tugging him by the pant leg into the festival. Only to let go, and dart off.]

Hey!

[He'll. Take off after the little guy, in a fit of dad-like concern.]

[AFTERWARD...]

[Afterward, he'll warm considerably. Because it almost feels normal. It almost feels like being a real person again. The Aron has moved to his shoulder as he roams around, occasionally pausing to look at a booth, or try some food.]

[He'll actually try the STRENGTH test, though. And may accidentally dent the bell on the human machine.]

... sorry.

AUG 15th
[Okay, so the responses to his original message hadn't been kidding. There were ghosts here. A lot of them. One minute he's watching the dance, and getting dragged in by an excited local, and the next...]

[The next he's face-to-face with a dark, grinning face and stumbling back a bit. While his Aron scuttles forward, trying to puff itself up. It's got this, Shiro, stay calm!! Someone please explain battling, he forgot to read the manual.]

[... when that matter gets settled, he'll go back to watching the dance. Do you yank him in to join?]

[August 13th, arrival]

_{[It was a long flight from Pewter City all the way back to Ecruteak, but Heather barely waited long enough to dump her luggage in the hotel room (which is really nostalgic, actually...) before running right back outside to gallop through the fairgrounds like a freaking five-year-old and ogle all the attractions going up. It's been ages since she's been to a proper carnival and BOY HOWDY IS SHE ALL ABOUT THIS.]

[If anyone wants to intercept the wild blond scarecrow running around with a freshly-minted Boulderbadge pinned to her collar (because Of Course she's gonna show it off), they'll have to catch up with her first.]}

[August 13th, evening.]

Aw, c'mon, big guy!

You should give it a go!

_{[Amid the general cheerful chaos of the nighttime festivities, Heather can be found by the Test Your Strength! game, trying to encourage a Feraligatr three times her size to try the Pokemon one. Said Feraligatr is making indecisive crooning noises and wringing his giant hands.]}

What're you moaning about, you're plenty strong! Look at me, I got like the second-highest setting and that's with these arms. _{[She makes a show of flexing her lanky arms, which honestly aren't too shabby in the muscle department, but ripped they aren't. Then she drops them, heaving a sigh.]}

Jeez, Zilla, there's like three really buff-looking Clefairies in line behind you who want a go, so make up your mind already!

[August 14th, afternoon]

_{[Those Kimono ladies sure do have stamina to be cranking out these performances hour after hour.]

[Heather's mostly been interested in checking out the stalls and doing some long-awaited shopping with her Gym money (including, apparently, renting a yukata to wear), but she happened to pass by the stage as one of the performances was beginning and stopped to watch. Under one arm is Cheryl the Eevee, partly tucked into rented garment's big open sleeve, an unusual luxury considering the fact getting Heather to actually wear sleeves is no easy feat.]

[As the dancers and their colorful Eeveelutions whirl and pirouette about the stage, Heather tears her eyes away for a second and looks down at her own little brown fox, giving her arm a little jiggle.]}

... So when're you gonna evolve, huh? Any time soon?

_{[Cheryl chirps serenely, rubbing her head on her trainer's wrist, and Heather chuckles before turning her attention back to the stage.]}

You take after me too much, y'little procrastinator.

[August 14th, evening.]

_{[FOR TWO WHOLE DAYS SHE'S BEEN SEARCHING, AND SHE'S FINALLY FOUND IT.]

[THE ONE.]

[The sign proclaims it to be a limited edition Orange Island (tm) SHINY GYARADOS plush. It's eye-searing lime-green and grapefruit-yellow and the cheap-plastic eyes are sewn onto two completely different parts of the head, which incidentally is a slightly different shade of green and seems to be a re-dyed Huntail plush head and not an actual Gyarados one. It has Lapras flippers instead of proper fins, and the trident-like horns on its head only have two points.]

[Heather grins up at it with a fist full of stall tickets.]}

I'm gonna win that for someone special.

_{[Ralph's enjoying himself at the fair--it's been a long time since he's been to something like this which he wasn't actively participating in as the strongman. There are things to eat and buy and watch and everywhere he looks, he spots a familiar face.]

[And speaking of familiar faces! There's his pie war buddy. As he approaches, Ralph holds up his hands.]}

Truce! Truce on the fairgrounds!

[That is exactly her thoughts on the matter. You'd easily need both hands to hold one, why are people even trying to play this.

Her answer comes automatically as she turns her head.] Maybe the game doesn't hurt, so they don't...

[Oh. Oh, well you're a bit unusual looking. That trips her up for a second.]

- Um, that is, they don't mind it so much?

I'm fairly certain it is.

[Says the girl in yukata who has, yet again, happened to pause in front of this ridiculous game. The owner gives her a Look, but it's clear that she's not trying to play, and no one else has tagged along to play for her. Again.]

I sadly don't have any tips for you. Someone was sweet enough to win a Goldeen for me.

[that yukata is quite possibly the ugliest yukata he's ever seen. but Kaz is also, somehow, not surprised that that's what the Phantom ended up with. he almost wishes he could blame that on the person the Phantom used to be. but no, that choice has Big Boss written all over it. so in part, it's endearing. in part, it leaves a bitter taste in his mouth.]

[it's been a long, long time since he's worn a yukata, or done any of this to be honest, and it's strange how it feels to come back to it after ten years in the West. as always, it simultaneously feels like home and something that will never be home. but it's entertaining seeing the Phantom wander around with the eyes of a child (or... a Westerner) and not know where to look or what to do. so Kaz lets the Phantom leads, occasionally providing explanations with a smile tugging at his lips.]

[somewhere along the way, he's acquired inarizushi, and wow, that's been a long time, too.]

Where to, Boss?

[Someone whistles a long falling note from the milling crowd.]

Damn, dude. Hope they don't make you pay for that.

Come on, it can't be that hard or no one would play, am I right?

[Dave stops at her shoulder when she does, hands tucked into opposite sleeves of his yukata in lieu of pockets. What kind of outfit doesn't have proper pockets, this is bullshit.]

It's got to have something to do with timing. Or technique. Haste makes waste and all that.

[Snake found it really helpful that Kaz was with him during the festival. He was helping point out what everything was and what it meant. Without him Snake would have been wandering around aimlessly dressed ridiculously. Kaz had a nice Yukata at least.]

Want a game of Goldeen Scoop? I'm pretty good at fishing.

[Would Kaz be too?]

Nice choice of colour for your outfit too. The blue suits you.

[Jane frowns, tilting her head. He could very well be right...but even so, she'll believe it when she sees it.]

Oh? And do you think you could display the proper technique? I don't know if I have the patience myself, but...

[Is. Is that a challenge.]

[He just walked himself right into this trap. Just saw it right there and jumped in. He is the champion, it's him.]

Oh, yeah, obviously. Would my bro put me through seventeen years of bitter ninja training for anything less than the pure distilled essence of being awesome at Fish Scoop, what kind of priorities do you think he had.

[Dave crouches by the pool, as if a closer look will in any way help him figure out how such a weak scoop can handle such a big fish. With horns on.]

Only the best ones, girl. The primest priorities.

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Page 1 of 64

GHOST TRICK PART ONE: Festival Log!

rhys - ecruteak

August 15th

Dipper Pines - Ecruteak

Venom Snake | Ecruteak

Jane Crocker | Ecruteak City

Komasan | Ecruteak

B

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no subject

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Cloud Strife | Ecruteak

August 13th

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13th!

Shiro - Ecruteak

Heather Mason, Ecruteak City

13th, evening

no subject

August 14th

"anywhere"

13th, strength test

Gotta GO FOR GOLD...EEN

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DO IT DAVE WE BELIEVE IN YOU

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