victory_road | Day at the races!

Entry tags:

Day at the races!

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.

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"He is still young," Dimitri says with a nod, understanding. "Perhaps he may change his mind and, if he does so, then there are apparently experts who can help Pokemon learn moves they may have missed their chance on otherwise. Sometimes one needs only a bit of inspiration before deciding such things..."

Dimitri smiles, soft and fond. "And if they do not... That is fine as well. My Rattata, Gremlin, long discovered that he has no interest in evolving. If you get an Everstone, then that helps nip the matter in the bud."

"Jane-san mentioned that when I was talking to her. I want to see if I can get him a collar that I can attach one to...I think that would probably work well."

As Izuku is speaking, he's alerted by the sound of the bucket he'd been using to collect the milk rattling a bit more than it should for just the sound of the milk hitting its sides...and sure enough, he looks down to see the little perpretrator himself- Mighty- with his head halfway in the bucket to steal a few licks.

"...you know I'm going to have to give you a bath if you get hit, here."

"It is actually fairly easy to find collars that deal with such things, from what I understand... I was able to find one in fairly short order for Gremlin." It was a matter of great importance, at least for the tiny rat.

But that's another question, and Dimitri smiles at the sight of Mighty trying to steal some milk. "Mighty, you can come here and not spill any of that milk," he says, gesturing to the little Eevee. Gabby waves, more than happy and aware of what's up.

"Evu-!!"

Mighty flops back out of the bucket- prompting Izuku to reach out a hand to quickly catch the rim before it can potentially get knocked over and ruin all of his hard work- before he jumps over to where Dimitri is milking Gabby.

Izuku sighs as the Eevee sits down and holds his mouth open, expecting milk to just be squirted right into it.

"I'm surprised you ended up my starter, sometimes...you act like a little kid."

Most everyone else's starters are all strong and mature...but maybe Izuku is overthinking it.

Honestly... Mighty is exactly right in his expectations. Mouth scrunched up in concentration, Dimitri tries to aim one udder. It might - hit a little bit of snout instead of mouth, but that's because Dimitri is trying to adjust for an Eevee's little face. He's used to giving this to rats.

"When I first arrived here," Dimitri murmurs, trying to get this right with the next shot, "I thought there had to be a - particular reason why we started out with the partners we did." That is to say, he thought everyone here was dead and they were representations of their soul.

Dimitri does not mention that.

"My exact reasoning I thought back then was... wrong, I think. Still, it does feel like some people get particular partners in a way that almost seems.... reasonable. Or perhaps it is merely coincidence that my lover who likes cats so much started out with one. I cannot say."

Don't worry too much about missing, because Mighty seems all too eager to lick his nose and use his paws to get every last drop possible.

Reasonable though, huh...

"I think it having some sort of reason or meaning would make a lot more sense than the alternative. I mean...I can't imagine starting out with a partner you didn't like."

Yet, it's probably most certainly happened before.

"Even that may mean something," Dimitri muses, giving another squirt. He made sure not to milk Gabby this morning, just in case he got this sort of chance. It's proving to have been a good move.

"What we dislike can say something about ourselves... and the sooner we come to peace with that, the better, I believe."

A great result of this is going to be the fact that all of this milk is going to make Mighty very sleepy. He'll want a nap before the day is over, which will give Izuku a much needed rest from his Eevee's hyperactivity.

"That's a good way to look at it. Maybe one of these days I'll ask the network how they feel about the starters they ended up with. I'd love to see what other people think."

And now Izuku knows the secret. All the more reason to get a Miltank, honestly.

Dimitri chuckles, interested despite himself. "That seems as though that would be an interesting conversation starter... Perhaps something to do while you are traveling on the routes, and need something to occupy your mind with."

"I'll remember it for later, assuming you weren't planning on asking first of course," Izuku chuckles as he continues to fill his bucket. He's got a pretty decent amount milked over here, to the point where he figures his Miltank will be run dry soon.

Meanwhile Mighty will keep drinking the milk Dimitri offers him until he deems that he's had too much...and then he'll probably still beg for more.

Honestly, as much as Dimitri would love to just fill this greedy little Eevee up with as much milk as possible... Gabby is absolutely running dry herself. In fact, sooner than the Miltank that Izuku is milking, something she lets be known with a small moo and a pat of Dimitri's arm. He looks up at her, and then gives a small nod.

"Ah, I see... Of course. You did very well, Gaibhenenn." Letting go of her udders, he gently pats her head before he looks down at Mighty. "She's tired now. No more milk from her, all right?"

Mighty seems mildly disappointed, but otherwise understanding as he moves to sit back down next to Izuku's leg as his Miltank indicates that she's finished as well, prompting Izuku to give her a pat on the head.

"Thank you for putting up with me, you did a great job."

The Miltank moos cheerfully as one of the stablehands comes over to take Izuku's pail for him, as well as to lead the Miltank back over to join the rest of the ones used for the demonstration.

"You know, that was actually pretty relaxing."

Pushing himself up onto his feet, Dimitri gives a nice long stretch. Sitting in one position for too long does that to a guy. "I am glad that you thought so," Dimitri says, smiling again.

"I find it nice to do in the morning. The action requires you to be awake, but, once you have adjusted to it, it is so repetitive and relaxing that it helps you wake slowly, with no rush or feeling too tired. That's how it is for me, at least." Dimitri wakes up really early anyway, honestly. "And you also get milk for you and your companions, while relieving some of the pressure and burden from the Miltank. There's little to complain about."

Claude seems to think it's a little weird, but Gabby is also sort of their daughter, so he has a point, even if it's gone over Dimitri's head.

Izuku is an early riser himself, used to getting up long before the sun even considers peeking over the horizon for the purposes of getting his daily training regimen in. Something like this seems like a perfect supplement for that, which is going to cause him to seriously consider getting a Miltank for himself in the near future.

"It's a beneficial relationship on both sides, that's for sure. It's no wonder farms like this are so profitable since it's so easy to just...own your own Pokemon in this world."

Unlike owning cows in real life, which is not as self sustaining.

Reaching down, Dimitri gently pats Gabby right between her tiny little horns. "They are invaluable partners," Dimitri agrees quietly. "I am glad that they have decided to work along humans like this. There are so many different types of them, that I have no doubt that they could do on their own well enough..." Any psychic type could do just about anything a human could do, after all.

"Still, this is where we are." Looking up at Izuku, Dimitri tilts his head to the side. "Do you have other plans for this eventful day?"

"I, well..."

Ah, that's right...Izuku had almost forgotten.

"I have to be in the Tauros race."

'Have' he says, like it's an obligation instead of a choice.

"I'm not really expecting it to go that well if I'm honest, but...maybe it'll be fun?"

And maybe he won't get thrown off and killed in the process.

That is the tone of someone who is not looking forward to what he has signed up for. As someone who loves riding, Dimitri can make a pretty decent guess at why. "It sounds as though you are not particularly experienced with riding," Dimitri hazards. "While I have never ridden bulls before, I do have some experience in riding horses. I could give you some advice, although it would be for the best if you got to know your steed beforehand."

"Yeah, I've...never ridden a horse before at all," Izuku admits, though it's not too much of a surprise that he hasn't. He's always lived in the city after all, so he rarely comes across things like horses or livestock normally.

"I'd appreciate that...I'm a bit less worried since Pokemon are easier to communicate with than actual animals, but...seeing those bulls even from a distance is a little nerve-wracking."

And this is coming from a boy who risks his life on a daily basis.

"It's understandable," Dimitri assures Izuku. "Even the average horse where I am from is rather tall, and difficult to communicate with. These Tauros are even more massive; it's easy for even a large person to feel small around them.

"Fortunately, while they are larger, they also have something that separates them from an average horse. All Paliens are easy to communicate with here, if you simply take the time to reach out to them. So if you have not already, I would certainly recommend you spending as much time as you possibly can with your steed before the race starts.

"If you know the place you will be riding ahead of time, it will do you no good should your steed have no desire to work with you. In contrast, if you know your steed, you can work with them as two members of a team to get past any obstacle in your way." Dimtiri pauses for breath, stepping away from the milking area so that he's not in the way of the farmers here.

"For more practical concerns... I am certain it will be easy enough to have someone help you get up on the Tauros when the time comes, and they will make sure things go right. I will spare you on the details there, in hopes of that. For the actual riding... You should keep the reins in at least one hand at all times. There is also the horn, the front of the saddle, that you can keep your other hand on."

Dimitri pauses, considering things. "If you are not joining the race with an intent to win, then... You may want to see if you can convince your steed to try at a slower walk or trot first? If you have that experience under your belt, adjusting to a gallop may become easier. Needless to say, adjusting yourself in your seat will be different for each movement, but... would you care for that?"

Wow...Izuku wasn't expecting Dimitri to give him such a thorough breakdown, but it's something he appreciates. He tries to commit every piece of advice to memory, though the majority hinges on getting to know his Tauros as well as the track before the race begins. That seems like the most important first step. As for the actual part where riding comes into play...he figures it's something he'll pick up on the fly, as with most things he does. Tauros are more understanding than your average horse, he suspects.

"Hm...well, Kacchan is going to be in the audience watching...he'd probably be mad if I didn't at least try to win the race."

Or at the very least just be bitchy about it.

"I guess it's probably going to depend on what the track is like, too. I feel like I heard from some of the volunteers that it's not just going to be a completely straight path the whole time."

"I see... That does make this a little difficult." Dimitri frowns. Having to impress someone, and them not taking anything less than the best... He understands that.

"Then... Staying on a Tauros while they walk should be simple enough, once you get to know them, so I will skip straight to advice on when they're at a run. The most important thing you will want to do is keeping your feet firmly in the stirrups as they burst into a gallop. This will be because, normally and at least for horses, when you are encouraging them to speed up, you rise out of your seat and lean forward."

Ah... It occurs to him that a demonstration might be in order. So, best he can, he mimics it while still standing, best he can. "Something like this... You should only start at a run when you feel perfectly balanced and in control, or else you risk falling off. If you sit plainly in the saddle, you will suffer for it both then and later."

Take care of your ass, Izuku.

Asking Izuku to take care of his ass is like asking him to stop breathing-

"That makes sense. You'd probably be really sore otherwise..." he remarks, looking over as he talks to the pasture nearby. They can actually see a few of the Tauros from where they're standing, all of them built much stockier than the Miltank. Izuku can imagine just sitting without them moving on a Tauros for too long would make you ache.

"How long do you think the track might actually be?"

"Hmm. Well... I do not think it could be for very long." Straightening up, Dimitri shakes his head. "This celebration is only meant to last a day, and this seems to be at the very end of the festivities. Additionally, you do not want to exert the Tauros too much."

Trust Dimitri; he knows about steeds. When you have a messenger in a rush, you can overwork horses by running as fast as you can to the next town, and then replace them... But these are the farm's prized Tauros. They aren't going to treat them so carelessly.

BLESS DIMITRI...giving Izuku all of this forbidden steed knowledge because fuck if he knows what he's doing otherwise.

"That's a relief...n-not that I'm not excited about the race at all or anything, I just don't think I'd be able to stay in it for too long, you know."

Mighty chirps a little from Izuku's arms. Quit acting like you've lost before you've started, damn.

"No, I understand... This is quite the undertaking for someone who is so new at riding." Dimitri nods. Usually you walk before you run in a race with a bunch of other Tauros who are all very loud and noisy and prone to running into you -

"Try to stay to the side if you can, away from the rest of the herd. That may help keep you out of too much trouble."

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