victory_road | The Festival of Wishes!

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?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Aymeric had all but insisted on visiting Pewter City for this event. Not that he met much resistance, of course, but still. He'd had precious little time to observe, let alone partake in Hingan and Doman culture, even after things had begun to settle between the Empire and their allies from Othard. Given the similar culture within this world, then, he can't help but be enthused about engaging with a festival of this degree.

Naturally the first thing he does upon arriving is attempt to dress the part. It's not so simple as renting the Yukata, however. He spends far too much time speaking with the shopkeeper about the traditional methods of wear, cultural faux pas to avoid, and the historical significance of it all. Though the shopkeep seems to have a good attitude about it all, maybe someone should save the poor fellow before Aymeric talks their ear off?

Once he's inevitably fully dressed and dragged off, Aymeric finds himself equally enamored by the festival proper. He makes a point of trying most of the food, finding it vastly different to what he's used to in Ishgard. The Takoyaki certainly draws his attention, given his partner's love for squid. Octopus balls, thus, should be very similar he thinks!

... in the end he's a bit put off by the chewy texture of the meat, and ends up passing the remainder of his Takoyaki to Estinien, wherever he might be. Or maybe a lucky stranger will end up with a stick or two if he can't track the Dragoon down.

Childish as the crafts and games might occasionally be, Aymeric seems to take them very seriously. His brows pinch with focus as he tries to patiently fold origami, or if he focuses too hard on the skill of a game. The end results are mixed, ultimately -- though Aymeric does come away with a handful of plush prizes, his attempts at origami are abysmal at best. He'll do his best to hide his attempts away, should anyone come to look.

When the night finally arrives, however, Aymeric is quick to find a spot in the grass, ready for the fireworks. He pours a cup of sake for whoever might join him, then holds the bottle out.]

I believe it is traditional that you pour for me? And I cannot think of a better way to enjoy the coming display than with a proper drink.

I am beginning to see a pattern here, [ Kimmuriel says dryly as Aymeric is mid-sentence, taking advantage of the rental store's relative privacy to do his hair up more tightly so it can be kept off the back of his neck. He's dressed tidily in a yukata more for practicality than anything else; his other sets of clothing are too dark for summer's sweltering heat. ] Is fashion a hobby of yours, or is it the cultural learning you prefer?

[Aymeric isn't the only one seeking a good spot for watching the fireworks. Dimitri also hopes to find somewhere nice and early, before everything becomes far too crowded. And that already seems like it's something of a difficulty as it is... But that's why he's gotten out Coblynau the Onix with him, standing atop her head as he carefully surveys everywhere available.]

[It's almost like finding a spot during times of war.... except nicer. And without battle. Maybe nothing like that, actually...]

[He thinks he's spotted an area, and has carefully made his way down Coblynau with great delicacy taken in regards to his own simple navy yukata when he spots Aymeric. Approaching earns him the comment, and Dimitri chuckles.]

Is that the way that it is supposed to go? I am not familiar with intricate rituals such as these just yet. I suppose it never had a chance to come up.

[ For Rose, the dressing up was the easiest part. Her hair is pulled up into a curly bun but two curly strands frame her face delicately. She looks very much at home during this matsuri because, well, she is. Even for as Americanized as the woman could be, she never truly lost her sense of culture from home. ]

Not bad for a first-timer, [ she notes. ] But, really, I think you're trying a bit too hard. Just let the folds guide you along, y'know? [ As Rose speaks, she's folding a piece or ornate paper herself. The end result is a colorful, patterned lotus flower. ] For you, [ she offers, holding it out in one hand towards him. ]

The Festival of Wishes!

no subject

dressup

Fireworks

origami.