Day at the races!

[indigo_league]

Who: Everyone!
Where: Moo Moo Farms
When: Saturday, March 20th
Summary:



The day is as lovely as you can expect any early spring day to be. You'll need a coat, yes, and there is a bit of a breeze, but the sun shines happily onto the wooden buildings that make up the Moo Moo Farms where we have all gathered today.

The various farm workers have worked hard to make their farm presentable to the public. Cheerful banners hang between the various sheds, stables and barns, which all have been given a bit of a cleaning (and perhaps a new coat of paint here and there). Of course, it is still a farm, so perhaps don't wear your very best shoes, but as far as farms go, it's been made as neat as can be.

And while the main draws of the day may be releasing the Miltank herd out onto the pasture again after a long winter inside -- whimsically called 'Cow Ballet' on the info sign -- and the Great Tauros Race, Moo Moo Farms has set up various little events and booths to entertain their guests, and perhaps teach them a thing or two about farm life.

A large information sign stands at the gate to the farm, letting visitors know what sort of events are taking place, as well as where and when these are happening. The two big ones -- the Miltank Ballet and the Tauros Race -- are spaced in such a way that people can easily attend both, and most of the other little events are available throughout the entire day.

The Miltank Ballet will be taking place at 1PM over by the big barn. There is little you can do to participate in this (unless you are a cow?), but if you want to watch some ecstatic Miltank dance through the mud and grass after a long winter inside, you should definitely come check this out.

The Tauros Race will start at 4PM (sign ups close at 3PM) and anyone who wants to help give the Tauros a good round of exercise is encouraged and welcome to sign up. There is, according to the sign, a small mystery prize to be won, but surely we are all here because we want to help some cooped up Tauros, right?

In addition to those two big events, two paddocks have been made ready where visitors can test themselves against a Bucking Bronco -- that's his name, Bronco the Bouffalant -- to see how long they can last in the saddle. Due to safety concerns, participants for this event will need to be 16+. For the children, there is a separate rodeo in which they can ride Vaquero the Dubwool, who, for all his seemingly wild behaviour, is actually a very well trained Dubwool who'll make sure no harm comes to the kids.

Of course, while people are free to bring their own food, the Moo Moo Farms have also set up a wide variety of booths where people can buy anything from fresh Moo Moo Milk and milkshakes to freshly made cheese and bread, and oh, is that apple pie? That most certainly is apple pie, as well as various other homey pastries. And as the day goes on, and people might start craving something a little less sweet and more filling, a booth opens up selling various curries. Don't worry, there won't be any Snorlax you need to share with this time!

And for anyone who has found themselves wanting and craving a bovine of their own after all these cute sights, you are in luck! Amidst the various booths, there is also one run by two cheery farm girls, advertising a sale on eggs! All the eggs that are normally available from the Moo Moo Farms can be bought at a whopping 50% discount. Mind that this is only on the purchase price of the egg itself. The price for any additional egg-moves remains the same.

There are also some other, smaller things set up, such a station where you can learn about milking a Miltank and a barrel where you can bob for apples, and even a horseshoe toss game. Most of these are definitely aimed towards teaching and entertaining little kids, but nobody will stop you if you decide to muscle past a row of Youngsters to claim the apple bobbing barrel.

Comments

[nastyboy]

Welp. "We are still searching," Dimitri confesses. "You see, while we were in Ecruteak, my lover's child ran away, so we had to chase after them. Shortly afterwards, we had to receive something called 'vaccinations', to help make our bodies healthier. Although that... made us temporarily sick, for a time."

[purifyingroots]

"Oh, dear... was the child found safely?" Despite how blithe he can seem about... most things, that does send some genuine worry across his face.

He nods slowly, though, at the mention of vaccinations. He remembers, vaguely, those spreading across human society. "I am somewhat familiar with vaccinations. It is a shame to hear they caused you discomfort, however temporary."

[nastyboy]

"They were," Dimitri reassures the man immediately. "They were found at this very farm, as a matter of fact, and no worse for wear. We've long since spoken with them about their concerns." Concerns which don't need to be repeated to anyone else.

"But we were fortunate... The weather has become warmer, and they've learned how to stay out in the wilds thanks to traveling with all of us. I suppose, out here on the routes, they were in no true danger."

[purifyingroots]

Millennial Tree Cookie nods, accepting that right away - if the child was retrieved, and the issue resolved, he sees no reason to press further.

"That is a great relief. And you are right, there are certainly worse circumstances in which they could have left... for one, I assume they knew to wear shoes." A hint of amusement crosses his face, just for a moment. This kid's bound to have more experience being a human than him, after all.

[nastyboy]

Well, it is good to see that trees and the elderly both share the ability to occasionally laugh at one's self. Dimitri smiles a little bit himself, and nods.

"Yes, they were quite responsible, save for the fact that they ran away in the first place. But it is fine. We... have handled that, now." He shakes his head. "Sometimes, our emotions get the better of us. Even adults do such things, so I cannot blame a child."

[purifyingroots]

“Of course. Such events are an unavoidable part of most beings’ lives. A quick resolution is the most one can hope for, isn’t it?”

It’s almost endearing, sometimes, the potential of humans and Cookies alike for such emotional volatility - at least in cases where that volatility’s consequences are handled without serious damage.

He smiles gently. “It’s also fortunate that your number were not left with any bad memories of this place as a result - or, I would assume not, considering your attendance today.”

[nastyboy]

"Oh, no... It is a good place, really." He looks back out to the crowd of happy and content people. "It is where we found Chip, and where kind people watched after them until we could arrive... There are good memories here. Hopefully, we will make more."

Still, that makes him wonder... He blinks at the older gentleman, considering something. "How... are you handling all of this, if I may ask? Considering your prior state-" The whole tree thing. "-I can only wonder if it is enjoyable to you, or a new experience."

[purifyingroots]

"I'm sure you will."

He looks out thoughtfully over the festival, considering that. "It is... a familiar concept, but the experience itself is new, yes. I observed a fair number of seasonal celebrations in my original state, but that's not quite the same as attending one, is it. It is certainly an interesting experience."

[nastyboy]

That all makes sense, and Dimitri nods along with his elder's words. It depended on the tree and what forest it would reside in, of course, but he could easily imagine a large tree on the outskirts of a town, or in its center, one of those things that had been there since the founding and had been kept around fondly...

Dimitri has never really had reason to think too deeply on trees before, but he hopes that this one was able to live happily surrounded by people who thought he was nice.

"I am glad you are enjoying yourself then," he says. "How have you been doing with your funds?" He's pretty sure trees don't have jobs... He really hopes this old man has been able to afford a hotel room.

[purifyingroots]

Maybe, one day, Dimitri will learn the extent of the importance placed on the Millennial Tree. Maybe. He's not particularly interested in bringing it up unprompted, after all.

Money, though, is a... slightly more difficult topic, in that MT gathers he's not doing great at it. He still smiles, but his expression is a bit sheepish. "I... have been able to get by. The Pokemon Centers are quite accommodating toward travelers."

[nastyboy]

Maybe one day Dimitri will learn that the Millenial Tree is also sometimes a cookie. Maybe some things should just not be told to this poor man.

Still, Dimitri nods sympathetically. Honestly, he's not particularly surprised about the elderly man's situation. It must be quite a change, from not needing anything besides light and soil and water, to, well. The disaster that comes with being a human. "You deserve to live in a little more comfort..." Ah! Dimitri stirs, remembering a certain something that has certainly helped him and the rest of their group get by.

"May I ask what Paliens you have with you? There is actually a particular move some can learn that may help you greatly." And if he doesn't, well... Dimitri is more than fine with learning to help him out.

[purifyingroots]

"It's perfectly fine; I have access to the necessities for this body," he insists.

Of course, he also has... no sense of perspective as to how "this body" feels now versus how better living conditions could improve things, but anyway. That's fine.

He raises his eyebrows slightly and then glances upward, trying to remember the answers to Dimitri's question. "Oh, let's see... Mudsdale, to start with. And then... Luxray, Toucannon, Linoone... Arcanine, of course! And then Masquerain, Golett, Milcery, Chingling... Skorupi, Quagsire, Fomantis, and... Komala."

[nastyboy]

See, something about that phrasing doesn't fill Dimitri with confidence. "I understand that a tree must have different needs," he says quietly, desperately hoping that he can get through to Grampa Tree on this matter. "But for a human body, you can have more than just the necessities, and become more comfortable."

Dimitri suddenly wonders how invasive it would be if he asked to keep tabs on Grampa's location at all times, in order to send him more comfortable clothes and camping equipment. He knows that he's supposed to be saving up right now but....

Dimitri listens to the list of Pokemon, and shakes his head. "It doesn't seem like any of them can learn the move that I am thinking of..." And trust Dimitri, he had to do a lot of research when Felix offered to let him use the TM. "If you ever come across a Palien that can use the move Pay Day, I think it would help you a great deal."

[purifyingroots]

Millennial Tree Cookie's brow creases slightly. "Yes, of course, plenty of comforts for humans seem to be available here...?"

He doesn't get it???? Where's the problem.

"Pay Day...? I will keep that in mind, then - what does it do?"

[nastyboy]

Grampa. Grampa please. Dimitri looks like he is dying with the need to care for the elderly.

"If you so wished, you could also indulge in those comforts," he tries. "You would possibly quite like it. Pay Day could help you with that - it is a move that assists you in earning money."

Sure, that's how he'll describe it.

[purifyingroots]

"Hm... I suppose so." He's considering it, anyway, though... still kind of in the way one considers a slightly absurd concept that they're just now considering the possibility of?

It's not, of course, that physical comfort seems totally inaccessible to him; he knows those sorts of things are made easily available in this place, and the funds to procure them aren't too hard to earn, either.

But, uh. You know. Some things just aren't priorities in his mind.

"I will consider the possibility... thank you for the advice."

[nastyboy]

Goddess. Goddess, he is so stressed. He just wants this old man to live in comfort. Dimitri would have wanted that anyway, of course - after a certain point, the elderly really should be expected to relax a little bit instead of pushing an old body further past its limits. Yet somehow, it feels all the more pressing for this gentleman when he was once a tree.

Do trees care about the kind of soil they're in? Do they pay mind to regular watering?

Will he like having a nice comfortable bed to sleep in?

Dimitri has so many worries.

For now, he just nods. "It would be a shame not to experience such things when you now have the ability," he offers, because it's all he can really think to say. "Like this event, I think. The enjoyment is important."