GET YOUR TOWELS READY, IT'S ABOUT TO GO DOWN

[indigo_events]

Wingulls wheel and dive in the salty springtime air of Olivine City's harbor, as white as the gleaming sides of the ship moored directly below. The S.S. Aqua isn't an infrequent visitor in the slightest, but this time it's for a very special occasion! Colorful banners stream from the sides, each one proudly declaring the word PROM in glittery font.

The boarding starts around noon on Friday, and the sight of the huge ship alone is enough to get many people and Pokemon swept up in the party atmosphere. The captain is even there when the ramp is rolled out, wanting to welcome each otherworlder onto the boat personally with a hearty handshake and (mentioning he's a renowned 'people reader'), a recommendation on what part of the cruise he thinks they'll like best based solely on a glance. Weirdly enough, guests might find that he's usually right!

Unsurprisingly, it takes a good long while for everyone to get on board and accounted for, which leaves each guest with plenty of time to find their rooms, dump their luggage, let their Pokemon out to stretch their legs a little, and finally head back to the deck to wave goodbye to the harbor as the SS Aqua heads out onto the open water.

IT'S FINALLY HERE, THE BEST TIME OF YEAR!


For the next three days until it makes its way back to shore on Monday, the lucky cruisegoers can live it up as much as they want. And, as the captain boasts over the announcement system once things are underway, the S.S. Aqua and its staff truly are the hosts with the most-- not even Gorgeous Resort has as much variety as this!

THE ATTRACTIONS

FIRST OF ALL, THE ROOMS!

Each room is fitted with either one or two king-sized beds, making them perfect to share with partners or friends, along with a wide-screen TV, dimmable lights, and fancy bathrooms. With little soaps that have "Please Steal Us!" printed into them.

Depending on whether they're exterior or interior rooms, they may or may not have porthole windows and balconies on the outside.

Check out the "Mood" channel on your TVs, you won't be disappointed.

GET YOUR SWIM ON @ THE WATER PARK

Possibly the first thing about the ship that most people notice (because it's noticeable from a mile away) are the set of pools and waterslides (proudly titled the Winged Mirage Pools) on the very top deck. It's about as wild as it gets while staying within the acceptable safety level for being pools on top of a huge boat. Each pool has its own set of waterslides that turn and twist to your heart’s content, so be mindful of your fellow guests rushing out to drop in on the fun!

Lifeguards are stationed and well-equipped to keep watch over patrons, and will do their best to keep the pools’ populations separated according to the ship’s rules. It would be unsafe, after all, for a small Pokemon to be bowled over by a group of rowdy folks playing water volleyball, or some similar incident.

The Articuno Pool is limited to human swimmers only! It has a small cold-water jaccuzi on the side, and the mosaic tile laid down looks quite similar to deep arctic ice. Pokemon are allowed in the vicinity of the pool but not within the pool itself.

The Zapdos Pool is special pool just for small to medium sized Pokemon to enjoy! It is staggered in two “tiers” and features greenery and water properly calibrated to suit even the pickiest sea Pokemon’s taste. Humans are allowed to supervise their Pokemon, but are asked to not interfere with the many Lifeguard Starmie on duty.

The Moltres Pool, flanked by two warm jacuzzis, is where people and small Pokemon are allowed to swim together! The water is calibrated carefully to be safe for all swimmers, and while it is expected for swimmers to get a little rowdy, Pokemon larger than their trainers are asked to refrain from cannon-balling, for the safety of everyone around them.

IT'S NOT PROM WITHOUT DANCING!

For the main dancing action, you’ll want to go to the Nido-King and Queen Ballroom. There, you can get down and funky with friends and your roster alike in your nicest prom duds to tunes spun out by a live DJ, who will happily and eagerly take your song requests. Don’t be shy, bust out those moves you’ve been holding onto all year!

For those of you who might prefer an all-night techno thump to your dancing, the Porygon2 Discotheque will keep you up and about long into the wee hours of the morning. Featuring actual Porygon2 assisting their DJ trainer, you’ll have their ill mixes and projected lights guiding you into perpetual party heaven.

AND IT'S NOT A PARTY WITHOUT FOOD AND DRINK!

Food is plentiful on board, nowhere more so than Wailord’s Bounty, a buffet operating round the clock to make sure all guests have the chance to fill their plates with delicious morsels whenever they want. While there’s plenty to go around for people and Pokemon, cruise staff do ask that Munchlax and Snorlax are not brought into the buffet. There have been... incidents.

For those looking for fine dining in the evening, look no further than The Mother-of-Clamperl. Slightly fancier than the other areas of the cruise, guests are expected to be dressed somewhat nicely. No showing up in flip-flops! Wear a dress shirt and have some champagne!

Somewhere in between on the fanciness spectrum, The Shiny Corsola may look like a gaudy bar, but lurking in that sparkly, shimmery haven is a smooth nightlife scene with all of the fancy liquor and exquisite jazz you could ever want. The jazz is live, by the way - the Jazzypuffs play an ever-rotating set for your listening pleasure, setting the mood for a sweet, sexy, relaxing night away from the hustle and bustle of cruise life.

AS FOR NON-AQUATIC RECREATION...

The Radical Croconaw Cove is the dope place to chill for preteen and teen promgoers, ya dig? Chock full of tubular snacks and stocked with retro video games that are the bomb-diggety, this is the off-the-hook zone to get your chill on! There’s also some board games too, for you tabletop nerds who want to squeeze a session in.

If you’re after live entertainment, Sudowoodo Centerstage has all your needs covered. Live comedy? Check. Sketches and skits performed by an ever-rotating cast of human and Pokemon actors fresh from Unova’s Pokemon Musical stage? Check! Opportunities for open mic performances by guests? Oh, honey, that box is done CHECKED! That’s right, guests of all species are encouraged to come on up and belt out that Lady Gardevoir cover that’s been stuck in their head, or perform in any other way! the only limitation is that guests are asked to keep Pokemon moves involved to non-destructive ones. After all, this is a cruise ship, not a Contest! And renovating a ship stage can be pricey.

While Goldenrod and Celadon have their Game Corners, the SS Aqua has the Mystery Egg Arcade, welcoming all ages to come and earn technicolor tickets via timing, chance, sharp eyes, and steady hands! Your first twenty tokens are complimentary, the rest shockingly reasonable in price (the equivalent of twenty-five cents per token), and the prizes you can glean are, while not the usual battle items or rare Pokemon, still very nice! Everything from well-made toys to good quality candies to the usual arcade bits and bobs like whoopie cushions and harmonicas, tiny parachute plastic figurines and paper finger traps...it’s all here, and it won’t cost you an arm and a leg in tickets to win it, either!

For those looking for more intellectually stimulating pursuits, the Mantine Maritime Library offers a decent selection of reading materials, all seafaring in nature. From glossy photo spreads of underwater expeditions to reproductions of nautical journals from early sailors in Johto and Kanto history, this place has...well, not everything, but enough to whet your academic appetite.

What cruise ship is complete without an awesome rock wall to climb? Shuckle’s Challenge is specifically for humans, and any Pokemon that can’t learn Rock Climb or similar moves. It’s a test of ability and will, and the top of the rock wall offers a grand prize - the most spectacular view of the open sea on the entire ship.

Colorful and cheerful, Phanpy’s Putting Green is exactly the kind of kid friendly minigolf experience you could come to expect from the Pokemon world. Springy green turf adorned with figurines and obstacles depicting various baby Pokemon in play, it’s a hit with little children as much as it’s amusing for all ages to play a round or two together.

No ship is complete without a place to get in some rigorous physical activity, and The Rink is the perfect place to do so! Fitted with colored spotlights, this arena is fitted with all sorts of sports stuff that shifts throughout the day. For a few hours, it’s a basketball court, then, poof! It shifts to tennis, or racketball, or even a roller skating rink! And in the evening, it is of course open to Pokemon battles! Feel like hosting an impromptu tourney in your friend group with your best partners? This is the place to do it!

...And oh, don’t worry. We didn’t forget the most essential cruise amenity of all. Shuffle board courts can be found where you least expect them, and are always maintained by at least one friendly-looking elderly staff member willing to show you or your Pokemon the ropes. It’d be criminal not to make sure everyone has access to this timeless and treasured activity!

AND ONCE YOU'RE DONE PARTYING HARD...

Rejuvination is the core to the SS Aqua’s Max Revive Spa Center. Equipped with saunas, mineral soaks, and fancy mud masks, you’ll feel like a new ‘Mon once you emerge from their pampering. There’s even a special Trainer and Pokemon massage package for those of you who would like to try and improve your bond with one of your partners. Does it work? Only one way to find out...

While they may not have a specific name, the outdoor deck lounges can be found most everywhere on the outer decks, offering peaceful views of the ocean and any land in the distance that the ship might pass. These decks are awesome places to work on your tan or read a book or chat with a friend without disturbing others or being disturbed, and hold wonderfully atmospheric aesthetics for anyone looking to spot breaching sea Pokemon or take pictures.

[Feel free to toplevel to your heart's content! For more information about the event, check the infopost over here!]

Comments

[unabates]

[ jolene gives a soft affirmative bark, sitting down when egon pets her. when he asks where her trainer is, she uses two of her ribbons to point to the minigolf course, where jack (and ray) seem to be engaged in a friendly competition.

she leans forward to sniff at his pkemeter. is this science?

meanwhile, crybaby bounces below kolliker. Yes yes, pets for Crybaby! she'll even, if ko lets her, leap up into her arms. ]

[pkemeter]

[The PKE meter beeps gently, indicating Kölliker's presence in the immediate vicinity. Egon extends the device for Jolene to hold and inspect with her Tendrils™]

This is a PKE meter. It picks up on psychokinetic energy emitted by objects or supernatural beings within a three hundred meter radius. For example, psychic and ghost-type Pokémon or moves.

[So, yes, science! Kö wiggles her ears with excitement, scooping up Crybaby in her gel-filled arms and scratching her behind the ears like she's seen Egon do for Venkman's cats. In a tone rather reminiscent of Egon's voice:]

< Who is a good kitty? You are a Good Kitty! >

[She's picked up some things.]

[unabates]

[ jolene gently picks the device up, taking a look at it. she makes a curious noise, tilting it towards kolliker to make it beep again.

it detects psychic and ghost type pokemon? that's actually really cool! she tilts the pkemeter a little, pointing it at nearby driftblim (who brought that on a cruise with kids) to see it beep. then she hands it back to egon, and claps her ribbons together in a clear imitation of being pleased.

crybaby, meanwhile, gives a loud purr, kneading one of kolliker's arms gently. yes, she is the best skitty! and ko is the best solosis that there is! ]

[pkemeter]

[Egon nods, taking back the PKE meter and placing it back where it should be, next to the satellite device. He glances over towards Kölliker to ask her for help, but he notes that her arms are Full of Cat right now. A thought occurs to him, and he tilts his head to the side, looking down at Jolene.]

I'm going to be recording the data collected by the weather devices I have set up here. I would appreciate your assistance, if possible.

[Kö seems a bit miffed, at first, but a bit of digging in her dad's brain reveals his intentions and she chirps happily, still patting Crybaby on the head. She's the best!!! Her ears wiggle back and forth in excitement as she holds up Crybaby like Simba.]

[unabates]

[ jolene tilts her head for a moment, then smiles and gives an affirmative vee! to egon. she hops up a bit to place her front paws on the table, waiting for instructions on what he would like her to do.

crybaby's tail swishes back and forth, her rear legs waving a little bit. she's not worried about kolliker dropping her, however, and she gives a little mock yowl like she's a tiny lion. then she turns her lead and lick's kolliker's hand. ]

[pkemeter]

Excellent. [Egon points to a nearby device that beeps steadily.] See if you can see what the current air pressure reading is over there.

[Maybe asking a Pokémon to read things to him isn't the best idea, but Egon's too absorbed in his science to realize his error.

Kö gently waves Crybaby back and forth, careful not to let go of her or squeeze her too hard. She probably looks like longcat right now, if longcat was a thing in the Pokémon universe. LongDelcatty?]

< Are you READY? Ready? READY? >

[...Ready for what?]

[unabates]

[ yeah, maybe that wasn't the smartest. jolene looks at it and then her ears go flat. how.. how is she supposed to tell egon this? she's a fairy type, not a psychic type.

so after a moment, she taps his leg, and uses her ribbonlike appendages to spell out the number for him.

meanwhile, longdelcatty crybaby cocks her ears up. ready? ready for what?

she still chirps an affirmative, trusting kolliker in perhaps not the smartest move she's made in her life. ]

[pkemeter]

[Egon glances down at Jolene. When he sees the number formed by her ribbons, he nods, scribbling it down on his notepad. It's then that he realizes his error and he pauses, his eyebrows furrowing.]

Oh. [He kneels down and hands Jolene his clipboard and pencil, pointing to the appropriate grids.] Here. Fill out the other observations for the other machines. See if you can discern any change in wind, pressure, PKE output...so on and so forth. By observing these patterns, we can determine if there are any major disturbances and disprove the fact that aliens exist.

[...Not sure if that actually solved anything, but it's fine. As for Kölliker, she starts spinning around, going faster and faster and holding onto Crybaby's paws. Sort of like spinning a baby around!]

< SPIN!!!!!!!!!!! >

[unabates]

[ Oh Boy jolene is glad she's been reading with sasha and jack, because otherwise this would have been daunting. but with egon having explained the machines, and that, she is pretty sure she can keep up.

she takes the clipboard in two tendrils and the pen in the third, chirping to egon affirmatively. then she hops up onto the table to delicately pick her way over the instruments and look at their readings, writing them down as she goes.

... her handwriting isn't the best but it's just numbers and the occasional letter it's fine right??

crybaby gives a wail - of delight, make no mistake, she's just loud - her tail whizzing around behind her and probably smacking someone. but it's fine! happy pokemon doing a big spin around. ]

[pkemeter]

[It's Fine. Egon would be proud of her even if she didn't write anything down on his clipboard beyond scribbles, and he could probably figure it out anyways. Brainpower. He nods, then attends to adjusting something on another device nearby, apparently oblivious to the Pokémon shenanigans going on right before him.

Kölliker giggles to herself in delight, spinning faster and faster and faster, until she finally slows for a moment to toss Crybaby into the air. She knows what she's doing--she's seen Ray do this lots of times!

...Unfortunately, she's not a great judge of her own strength, and ends up tossing Crybaby right towards Egon. Egon staggers backwards when he's hit with a face full of fur.]

What the--?!

[unabates]

[ crybaby gives a cry of concern when she goes flying, but it's okay! she lands on something kind of soft. she digs her claws in a little to steady herself (which is on egon's hair), buuuut she's definitely dizzy and in no way sure where's she's landed.

jolene, who ducked the flying cat, makes a noise of concern. she picks her way back over, setting the clipboard down to try to tug crybaby off of egon. what are you doing here, small cat???

crybaby is not ready to move. she just digs her claws in more. ]

[pkemeter]

[Egon tries in vain to peel Crybaby from his face, wincing as she digs her claws in deeper. That's probably going to leave a mark, isn't it? Kölliker floats over and starts giggling, apparently amused at the chaos she's caused. Egon just gives her a weary look, his glasses having been knocked askew.]

Yes, you must be very proud of himself. [Who knew it was possible for his voice to become even more flat?] What do you have to say to Crybaby?

[Kö seems to pause for a moment. Oh, yeah! Manners. You gotta say stuff when people get mad, and not because you're actually sorry for things, right? Trying not to giggle, she says:]

< Sooooooorry. >

[And then she moves to pat Crybaby on the head. The Skitty will move when she wants to. Right now, it's funny to see her cling to Egon.]

[unabates]

[ once crybaby feels less dizzy and has ko petting her head, she gives a little purr and detaches her claws. jolene is able to carry her down, holding her in two tendrils like a baby. with her other set, she picks up egon's glasses and offers them to him.

crybaby wriggles her way out after a moment, standing on top of an instrument (hopefully not bending anything).

the commotion, meanwhile, has finally drawn the attention of jack, who comes wandering over and leans on his golf club. ]

Spengler. What are you up to?

[ that's curiosity in that gruff voice, not accusation. ]

[pkemeter]

[It's fine. This equipment has to be idiot-proof, or at least...Spengler-proof. Crybaby standing on some scientific equipment probably isn't going to break much. Egon takes his glasses from Jolene gratefully.]

Thank you, Jolene.

[He puts his glasses back on, blinking and turning to face Jack. He raises an eyebrow, gesturing to the Sylveon at his feet.]

Jack. I was demonstrating to Jolene how to take observations from equipment. We were about to evaluate the readings we've taken, though, if I'm being quite honest, not much has changed within the last few hours. [A pause.] If we do manage to glimpse a Legendary or Mythical Pokémon, I would like to evaluate what readings change with its presence.

[unabates]

[ jack after a moment moves to scoop crybaby up, letting her sit on his shoulder. she purrs and rubs against his head. it's kind of funny to see the guy who abandoned said skitty on a stage so obviously fond of her now.

jolene chirps her delight, waving her ribbons. she's learning how to do science things! and if they see a legendary, that'd be even better in her book. ]

Sounds interesting. I know you're runnin' your own tests, but have you been able to find anything that talks about environmental changes from Legendaries? Besides the stuff from the superfans, I mean.