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

[prayreturn]

[ She'd sound a lot tougher if she wasn't. Shielding her eyes still. ]

I will never be comfortable with you around. [ She sounds tough. As if she won't let herself grow comfortable, an active role. But it's more... she knows herself. She knows she will always be looking into everything and thinking he's behind it, in some way. He's a champion, who the people know! (Some of the crowd are even whispering about it.) And she's just some trainer. He destroyed her home, her family, and has guided men to want her dead for her abilities.

Yet, she still wants to show her strength. Who she is. ] I question the choices the Gods of this land make.

[ She has tried to reason how they arrive and has arrived at it being one of the many worshipped Gods, okay!! ]

[amaure]

Finally, something we can agree upon. Arceus has rather poor judgment, if the state of this world is aught to go by. It cares little what nor whom it disturbs with its whimsy, and so perhaps bringing you here was just another one of its cracks at poor humor.

[He shrugs.]

Who's to say. Regardless, I suggest you temper that wrath, for your own sake.

[But he's about done all he's come here to do. Which was, uh, causing problems and reminding her of his presence? Maybe? Who knows for sure. As such, he turns away from her, waving his little choko above his head in a limp-wristed sort of way.]

Till next timeーand there will certainly be a next time.

[And unless she specifically tries to attack him again, he'll be making his way back over to his company. Sorry Hythlodaeus, sometimes a man has to bully a woman that's a full foot shorter than him. It builds character?]

[hythlodaeus]

[ Hythlodaeus stares at Emet with raised brows as he returns after that truly bizarre exchange. Perhaps not utterly bizarre for Solus, but certainly very queer for Hades. He spares Emet a questioning look as he walks past him towards Minfillia. ]

I feel I should offer you some manner of apology. Or perhaps a napkin would be of more use?

[ He pulls a small stack from his yukata sleeve. One could only wonder which vendor he decided to steal them from. ]

[prayreturn]

[ Oh? Minfilia, thankfully, did not see the direction he came from - but as his voice broke though the stinging, she couldn't help but nod a little, finally looking at him. ]

Please. Though you do not need to apologize. He's... [ a pause. ] I hate him.

[hythlodaeus]

Him! No one hates him. Dear me, you must have a good reason, I hope.

[ His expression is one of... well, at least it seems genuine. He continues to hold out the napkins, though they're less useful than a proper eyewash. Only thing he has for that is his wooper, though. ]

Do you need a little rinse?

[prayreturn]

I imagine he's been biding his time in this land, then. He is a monster in the flesh of a man.

[ aha... she still doesn't know the Ascian Thing (tm) ]

Please. [ She'd considered getting her Pokemon to help, but. Feraligatr is not... the most gentle stream of water. Said Feraligatr now approaching, standing defensively. ]

[hythlodaeus]

[ Had she seen his transformation? Lucky! Or she's being a little less literal. ]

Biding his time to do what? He'd sleep all day if you let him.

[ He takes out wooper, lifting it up to face height. Wooper just burbles water from its mouth like a faucet. This seems to be its default? ]

[prayreturn]

[ What a cute Pokemon! Minfilia gives it a smile and a quiet thank you, as the combo of the napkins and bubbler has soothed the pain.

But her voice is dark. ] He is a man who has caused quite a lot of pain, where I come from. [ She seems to be trying to hold back, but she can't. ] If you are interested, then... I would rather speak a little further away from the crowds. In case he is still listening.

[ Her ignorance, sometimes, was adorable. ]

[hythlodaeus]

[ Wooper smiles in his placid wooper way, water trickling from the corner of his mouth as Hythlodaeus holds him. ]

Is that so? [ he gives a little eyebrow raise as he looks over to Emet. ] He shouldn't mind if I come back later. [ He waves to Emet-Selch with wiggling fingers. ]

[not here but kinda?]

[amaure]

[prayreturn]

[ There was an awkward pause, as she realised that they knew each other. A prickling at the back of her neck. A fear in her eyes. (She would pet the Wooper but nope distracted.)

And Minfilia began to walk, began to talk. ] Solus... Solus zos Galvus. He has been returned to the prime of his life here, for reasons I do not know. The man illustrated in Garlean propaganda.