The Festival of Wishes!

[indigo_league]

Who: Everyone!
Where: Pewter City!
When: June 24th
Summary: It's time to celebrate the Festival of Wishes!


Pewter City is one of those towns that doesn't draw a lot of attention. It's nice and has that museum, but it never seems to be the scene of much excitement.

But today, that's different. Because today, Pewter City has been doffed up to the nines, with visitors arriving from everywhere to celebrate the Festival of Wishes. The skies are crowded with uBIRDs flying in people from all over Johto and Kanto. The streets are filled with cheerful noises and many in the crowd have come in their finest yukata and kimono, adding splashes of colour to what might otherwise be a drab crowd. And if you'd like to try out one of these beautiful garments yourself, there are plenty of nearby shops offering rentals for the visiting crowds.

Stalls have gone up all over town, most hawking various forms of street food: Takoyaki, Yakisoba, Kaarage and many others! And for those looking to satisfy a sweet tooth, there's plenty of shaved ice, chocolate-covered bananas and Taiyaki to go around. Hopefully, you brought an empty stomach, because it would be a shame to miss out on all these yummy goodies.

But it isn't just food stalls that dot the streets. A wide variety of festival games are also available. From shooting galleries to ring toss to small lottery games -- whatever you might be in the mood for can be found here. Stuffed animals and sweets are the most common prizes to be won, but who knows, perhaps if you get very lucky, you might even win an Evolution Stone.

And, of course, no festival would be complete without a Test of Courage. Are you brave? Is fear something you only know from the dictionary? Then why not prove it? Why not enter Pewter City most haunted dwelling (usually just an office building) and show your mettle to your friends or even that special someone? Who knows, you might even earn a kiss if you protect them from the many horrors that dwell within (AKA, volunteers in costumes, a few ghost pokemon, and so many 'creepy' paper mache props)

There are also various stalls dedicated to traditional arts and crafts. From Calligraphy to Origami, if you have an interest in these matters, you'd do well to check them out. And you can do more than just buy some nice decorative pieces for your home, or a cute little origami figure of your favourite pokemon partner; many of the stalls also offer visitors the chance to try their own hand at these traditional skills. Are you the type of person who is always looking to learn a new skill? Or have you perhaps mastered these skills already and do you want to show off? Why not come over here and spend some time?

(Who knows, you might even impress someone special!)

And once night has fully fallen, the skies will light up, not just with the light of the stars and the moon, but with the many bright colours of fireworks! If you aren't completely tired out yet from all the festival games, why not sit down, relax, (maybe drink a beer if you are old enough) and enjoy the beautiful spectacle happening above you.


---


But all of that cheer doesn't really answer the big question -- what is the Festival of Wishes?

Keen eyes (and not so keen eyes, really, they are everywhere) will be able to spot various decorations shaped like the pokemon Jirachi dotting the stalls everywhere. From small plush toys to folded origami figures, Jirachi's cheerful face can be found everywhere. There even is a theatre performance explaining the whole tale, but for those too busy stuffing their faces to partake in (ugh) culture, it all comes down to this: Jirachi is the Wish Pokemon. During the festival, people write down their wishes, hoping that Jirachi might fulfil them.

Of course, there is never a guarantee Jirachi will be around. It's been known to sleep a lot. But why not give it a try? It can't hurt, right?

Comments

[nellacerniera]

Fair enough. I'm sure it helps we were headed here anyway.

[He watches as Buttons nuzzles Fusili and smiles a bit, then opens his beer.]

... Honestly, I'm glad to be out of that forest.

[ripetuto]

[As Abbacchio opens his:]

I fucking hate camping.

[He only camped because it was you, Bucciarati, and you know it.]

Why doesn't this place have cars?

[nellacerniera]

Good question.

[Honestly, Bucciarati doesn't necessarily mind camping? But good lord, that was for so long--]

I wonder if we can talk Narancia into staying here for two weeks.

[ripetuto]

Why two weeks?

[And just bribe the kid or something.]

[nellacerniera]

So we don't have to go camping again for a while.

[ripetuto]

[Abbacchio snorts, but unfortunately had just taken a drink of his beer which means starts to choke as the beer ends up going up his nose.]

Fuck. Warn a guy, Bucciarati!

[nellacerniera]

[Bucciarati starts cracking up--then, after a second or two, this progresses to full laughter.]

S-Sorry about that-- [Okay, give him a bit to get the laughter out of his system.] Sorry about that, but I know you'd rather sleep in a real bed just as much as I do by now!

[ripetuto]

[He needs a moment to fucking breathe, God.]

I think we all would. I know I want an actual fucking shower.

[nellacerniera]

As do I...

[Blech.]

So, definitely staying here as long as we can before moving on again. And at least the next stretch of the trip won't be through forest.

[ripetuto]

Still camping, and if it takes another two weeks? I'm sorry, Bucciarati, but I will stay there while you and Narancia do whatever it is you two are doing.

[nellacerniera]

... Well, how do we feel about caves?

[Because of course Bucciarati's been looking ahead.]

[ripetuto]

...I need hairties so the bats don't get in my hair.

[nellacerniera]

... Well, we can pick those up while we're here. [A beat.] They'd probably be good to have on hand right about now anyway.

[Since, well, summer.]

[ripetuto]

If we keep going places with low-hanging branches, absolutely.

[Fuck being tall.]

I'm not getting a hair cut, before you even suggest it.

[nellacerniera]

I wasn't going to. I was actually mostly thinking about the heat, to tell you the truth...

[... Hm. Might not be a bad idea to have extras on hand, just in case.]

[ripetuto]

I can survive Napoli and it's bullshit humidity with this hair. A few hot days are nothing.

[Except yeah it's hot and he is kind of melting.]

[nellacerniera]

It's probably going to be more than just a few, you realize.

[And, like, camping is super not going to help.

... Thank goodness they're staying in Pewter for a bit, honestly.]

[ripetuto]

I'm trying not to think about that,

[Well, there's that beer done. He stands, silently asking Bucciarati if he needs another one too.]

[nellacerniera]

[Bucciarati... drains the rest of his, then nods]

[ripetuto]

Be right back.

[And off he goes! He returns with more beer and also some food just in time for the fireworks to start.]

Here. It's not wine, but it's alcohol.

[nellacerniera]

Thanks, Abbacchio.

[And food, too... That earns a small smile as he takes the beer.]

You got back at a great time.

[And as if on cue, that's when the fireworks start going off.]

[ripetuto]

[He nods, setting the food between them (and away from the Skitties) as he sits down.]

Y'know, I can't remember the last time I sat and watched fireworks somewhere.

[nellacerniera]

I can't either, to tell you the truth.

[As he starts helping himself to the food.

... Honestly, he can't remember the last time he just... took a day to just enjoy himself, either. Hm.]

[ripetuto]

[Abbacchio can't either, but he also just doesn't care. He had things to do.

Still, getting a chance like this...it's nice. Different. Almost relaxing.]

...am I the only one who thinks it's weird that this place is like. Japanese but not?

[nellacerniera]

No, you're not the only one. It's been on my mind intermittently since I got here. It's definitely kind of weird.