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[icecastlemadonna]

Hello! Yuuko Nishigori here.

For those of you who don't know, I work at the Mahogany Ice Rink in Mahogany Town. The rink is open to the public now that hockey season is over, so I was wondering if anyone would be interested in taking ice skating lessons. I used to figure skate competitively, and I've also given skating lessons to kids back home, including my own daughters.

I'm happy to teach the basics of ice skating to anyone who wants to learn, but if you've ever wanted to learn figure skating techniques, I'd be willing to teach those as well.

[The issue of payment is something Yuuko will work out later; right now, she just wants to see who's interested.]

If anyone has any questions, feel free to let me know!

Comments

[bent_the_world]

there's a skating rink in mahogany?

i haven't gone skating in years....

what's figure skating?

[icecastlemadonna]

There is! The local hockey team practices there.

Figure skating's a sport where people perform on ice skates. Skaters typically do things like jumps and spins while skating, and they earn points depending on how well executed their performance is.

[bent_the_world]

okay that sounds AWESOME

i would love to do that.

[icecastlemadonna]

It's a lot of fun, both to watch and participate! It takes a lot of practice to be able to do it well, but I'd say it's definitely worth it.

[bent_the_world]

i'm not afraid of practice! i used to be a professional athlete.

[icecastlemadonna]

Oh, really? What kind of athlete?

[bent_the_world]

its called pro-bending, it doesn't exist here. and it's really hard to explain with no context. but its physically intensive and i was really good at it.

plus i grew up in the south pole, i'm a natural on ice.

[forsaintcecilia]

You think anyone could learn how to do, like... a small jump? Some of that twirling?

[icecastlemadonna]

["Natural on ice" is really all Yuuko needed to hear.]

In that case, I'd be happy to give you lessons if you like!

[bent_the_world]

That would be great!

i'll have to get some skates. do i need any special blades for figure skating or anything?

[icecastlemadonna]

Of course! We all start somewhere. It'll probably be a bit easier if you already know how to skate forwards and backwards, though.

[icecastlemadonna]

Figure skates are different from hockey skates, if you've ever worn those. The main difference is that there's a set of jagged teeth on the front, and that's called a toe pick. It's what figure skaters mainly use for takeoff while jumping.

[bent_the_world]

toe pick!

got it.

is there anywhere special to get those or just any place that has skates?

[haveyouseenalittlegirl]

You know, I don't think I can remember the last time I was skating.

How long is the rink open to the public?

[icecastlemadonna]

From April to September! So you're free to drop by anytime between now and then.

[icecastlemadonna]

You can usually get them anywhere that sells skates. And we also have skates here at the rink that people can rent.

[bent_the_world]

may as well just get my own, i always like using my own equipment instead of loaners.

it shouldn't take me too long to get to mahogany, i've been there before. just not in a long time and we didn't stay.

[haveyouseenalittlegirl]

I think I will. I need to get out more as it is.

Can pokemon skate as well?

[forsaintcecilia]

I've ice-skated a few times before, and I know how to rollerblade-- will that help at all?

[icecastlemadonna]

That should be fine! Even a little bit of experience can help, and I'm sure you'll get even better after you practice.

[icecastlemadonna]

Some of them can. We rent out skates to Pokemon as well as people here at the rink.

[icecastlemadonna]

Sounds good! Is there any particular day you'd like to come by?

[bent_the_world]

what would work best for you? my schedule's pretty open.

[forsaintcecilia]

Alright! Next time I'm in Johto, I'll stop by for a lesson. Maybe after I hit up the islands this month.

[haveyouseenalittlegirl]

I'll have to see if any of mine are interested in that. I wouldn't be surprised if they were.

It sounds like a nice idea. Have you had many takers for figure skating lessons, so far?

[icecastlemadonna]

A few people have shown interest already. Though I still wouldn't mind teaching any locals who want lessons.

[icecastlemadonna]

Sure thing. Which islands are you going to visit?

[forsaintcecilia]

Sevii! Jean's birthday is soon, and I promised to help up with the party. Then Armin is going to teach me how to snorkel!

[haveyouseenalittlegirl]

That's good to hear.

Locals, huh? Maybe put up some posters for it? That might get their attention.

[icecastlemadonna]

I'm at the rink pretty much every day! And I'm usually manning the front desk, too, so if you ask for me I'll probably be there.

[icecastlemadonna]

That sounds like fun! I went snorkeling once, but it was a long time ago.

[icecastlemadonna]

I might do that. Quite a few locals visited during the week of Valentine's Day, so I'm hoping I can drum up some interest there.

[haveyouseenalittlegirl]

You probably will. Especially if there doesn't seem to be any one teaching it already. There's probably more then a few locals who would like to learn to skate like that.

Plus, I'm sure a lot of them saw your performance at the contest. So you might get some people from that.

[bent_the_world]

okay great! i guess i'll see you in a few days, then!

[forsaintcecilia]

Yeah! And there's no better guide-- Armin knows where all the best spots are. I can't wait!

[icecastlemadonna]

Oh, the contest...yeah, I guess that would help too, wouldn't it?

[Truthfully, Yuuko's still getting used to being in the spotlight for winning a competition again after so long.]

[icecastlemadonna]

Sounds good!

Oh, but I don't think I got your name.

[icecastlemadonna]

Maybe I should take a trip out to the islands at some point...I've missed living near the ocean.

[bent_the_world]

i'm korra! i'm a lifeguard down in the islands.

[forsaintcecilia]

You should check out Armin's Lapras pod! You like Ice-Types, right?

[haveyouseenalittlegirl]

Considering what your performance was, and that you won. I think it might help just a little.

You probably got people interested in figure skating just from that.

[icecastlemadonna]

I do! And I think Armin has told me about his Lapras pod before. They're very rare Pokemon, aren't they?

[forsaintcecilia]

They are... Because they've been subject to a lot of poaching. But Armin is trying to bring their population back up with his breeding project!

[icecastlemadonna]

I hope so! If that can get more people interested in figure skating, it'll definitely be worth it.

[icecastlemadonna]

Well, knowing Armin, I'm sure he'll be able to do it. He seems to know a lot about Water types already, after all.

[icecastlemadonna]

Nice to meet you! I'll look forward to seeing you at the rink, then.