victory_road | The Festival of Wishes!

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

[ Luisa is still browsing through the racks of yukata herself, looking for one that might suit her. Unsurprisingly, many of the more feminine-looking ones didn't seem like they would quite fit her, so she's resigned to looking through the ~~plainer~~ yukata for taller people.

She pauses in her search at the familiar voice, though, and seeing Dimitri she wanders over. ]

Hey, Dimitri. What's up?

Well, if you were not too busy... I was hoping that you could help me and my own with a dilemma.

As you can see, I am purchasing some of these robes, the yukata, for Cofgodas and Hob here. [Hob in particular makes some excited squeaking, while Cofgodas just peers around quietly.] However, the selection is so fast...

Do you believe you could help me at least narrow down the selection?

Sure, I wouldn't mind helping out. [ She hadn't been having much luck finding one of these outfits for herself anyway.

As she looks over the different yukata, though, she can see what he means about the wide selection. ] Yeah, there are a lot of them here, huh?

Do they have any kind of preference for what they wear?

Well... Perhaps it is simply by association with me, but they do rather like shades of blue.

[This is almost definitely his fault. Whops.]

Ah, but Hob rather prefers glamorous styles, I have noticed. Bows, and glittery things. Cofogodas used to shy away from such eye catching fashion, but... I think, since she and Hob have performed in a few competitions by now, she is not so adverse to a bit of shine?

[He glances down at the extremely fluffy Raticate, who nods a little up to him in confirmation.]

Oh, uh...okay. I'm...not too good with fashion, really, but.

[ She looks over the different styles of yukata, then back to the Raticate, trying to decide what might look good on them. Then she picks up a particular style and holds it out. ]

Would either of them like something like this?

Oh!

[Even before Dimitri has gotten the syllable finished, however, Hob is scurying over with a plethora of delighted squeaking, racing around the young woman's feet. Dimitri chuckles a bit.]

Well, it certainly seems to be to Hob's delight.

[ Luisa can't help a smile, a bit surprised but glad that she was able to help. ]

Oh okay! Great. I'm glad you like it.

[ A little more at ease now, Luisa looks over the selection again and eventually retrieves another yukata, holding it out to Cofogodas. ]

What do you think of this one?

[Cofgodas isn't quite as exuberant as Hob, going to curl around Dimitri's legs first so that she can peer from around them, sniffing delicately at the yukata.]

Hm.... Perhaps we can give her a moment. She is a bit more slow and thoughtful than some of her cohorts. [Dimitri looks up to smile at Luisa.] You have quite a talent for this! It makes me eager to see what you will choose for yourself.

[ Luisa can't help blushing a little. ] Oh, uh...thanks! I was just looking for ones that I thought might be cute on them.

I'm not sure if I'll be able to find one for me, though. I don't think I've seen any in the women's sizes that would fit me.

[ A familiar problem, and one she's pretty used to. But it's still a little disappointing, especially since she's found other women's clothes in this world that actually do fit her. ]

Really? Now that does not sound right at all... [Dimitri is frowning already, and Hob tilts her head to the side in just as little understanding.]

Perhaps this is simply not the right stall for such things. Perhaps there is another, that might be a bit better suited.

I could have Hob and Cofgodas go look for them, if you would not find me too overbearing on the matter.

Oh, um... [ Luisa can't help but hesitate a little. ] I mean, I'd appreciate the help, as long as it's not too much trouble for all of you.

Oh, of course not! How could it be trouble when it is for a dear friend?

[Hob smacks her little rat hands together in agreement.]

[ Her cheeks and ears grow warm with a flush, and she stutters a little as she glances around. ]

Oh, wow...well, uh...thank you. I'd really appreciate it.

Of course! Now, Hob, Cofgodas -

[As he leans down to make sure their yukata are done up properly, Dimitri starts giving steady instructions to the pair of them.]

I am going to need the two of you two do a quick scout throughout the various stalls renting out or selling these forms of dress. We will need to make sure that there is a good selection, and that they can fit her properly.

We will try not to stray far from this particular area, and call out for me if you need to find me again.

[The pair of Raticate give a nod before they both shoot off, disappearing into the crowds with a practiced ease. That's a pair that certainly know how to work together and run about quite a bit! With that done, Dimitri pushes himself back to his feet again and smiles to her.]

So what would you say is your favorite color? We can start there!

[ Luisa can't help feeling a little touched, smiling as the Raticate scamper off. Turning back to Dimitri, her smile becomes a touch sheepish again. ]

Oh, uh...I guess I like purple.

Purple - a lovely color. It suits you well.

[Just close enough to blue, his own! Dimitri is perhaps a little biased, but that's besides the point. For now, he offers his hand out to her.]

And I am sure that there are plenty of lovely purple patterns out there... Although I do admit flowers seem to be a theme.

[ With a light flush, Luisa hesitantly takes his hand. ]

Thanks. And yeah, I did notice that there are a lot of flower ones. They are pretty though.

[Completely oblivious to the effect he has on other people, Dimitri starts to guide her along.]

Oh, if you do not mind a floral pattern, then that should hopefully give us more options! While of course having a specific look in mind can make choices quicker, sometimes finding choices can be much more difficult...

Well, we shall have to see!

[ She's definitely isn't going to dwell on it too much, even as she walks beside him. ]

Yeah, I don't really have anything specific in mind, so I don't mind a flower pattern. Even a plain one wouldn't be too bad.

[ Again, she's not really expecting much for one in her size. ]

Oh, it would be a shame to not go for something fancy, for an event such as this... Still, I suppose that is an awful lot of planning ahead for something that is not yet known.

[Dimitri is determined to find something!]

[...He just doesn't seem to have much luck on his own as he looks through the different stalls and rental areas. Not until there's the loud sound of dual squeaking, and Cofgodas and Hob rush up to the two of them while dodging past all the different legs around them. Hob in particular wastes no time in trying to herd Luisa's legs, while Cofgodas lets herself be hauled up by Dimitri.]

Oh! It seems they've found somewhere?

[ Luisa tries not to get her hopes up, having taken a look around trying to find something a bit earlier, so she's not surprised that nothing's really turning up. She's about to apologize for taking up Dimitri's time when the Raticate return, and Hob starts pushing at her legs. ]

Oh wow, really? Okay, uh... [ She takes a few steps, just to let Hob know that she was going to follow. ] Lead the way.

[The rats don't have to be told twice, in fact even dashing back through the crowd to make sure that Luisa and Dimitri are still following. Eventually, with a little bit of time... Dimitri finally pushes through the crowd to find another set up for yukata with... tons of beefy men and women around it?]

[Wait. Wait, he recognizes these martial artist uniforms - ]

Ah! I believe I have seen some of them at Chuck's gym! They focus on, well, fighting types!

[In case all the Machamp and Mankey and Pancham weren't clues enough. But that means... Dimitri has to lean down to grab Hob in particular so that she doesn't run circles around everyone's feet.]

I did not know anyone would be here for this festival, but... If anyone is to have yukata in your size, I am certain it is them!

[They're all about muscles and tall people, of course.]

[ As they come up to the crowd, Luisa stops just a bit short in surprise. She's never seen other people with her build before, so seeing so many of them now is a bit of a shock. ]

Oh wow. I've never...heard of that gym before. There are really that many people there?

[ Then she notices some of the yukatas around the stall, especially some of the ones that the women were looking at and talking about. They did seem about her size... ]

It is a fighting-type gym, populated by quite a few martial artists... Although I only visited a few times, so I cannot say how many of the people here belong to it, are hired by the gym leader, or are merely friends and acquaintances in some other capacity.

But they take quite a bit of inspiration from fighting types, and building their body in all sorts of martial arts! I would have liked to stay a bit longer, but I got embarrassed.

[For stupid reasons, but.... Hey. Lets not talk about that. Instead, Dimitri smiles at a large Machoke - dressed up in a fun fireworks-themed yukata themself - happily gesturing for them to come over.]

Building up their body is quite important! Not everyone goes for such a large build, such as some kickboxers, but... I cannot believe I did not think of this sooner!

[Hob rears back on her hind legs to bump her head against Luisa's hand. PRAISE HER.]

[ Luisa could only stare for a moment. She'd known about some of the larger Pokemon, but she somehow didn't think that many people had trained in similar ways too. And seeing so many people - people who looked like her - was a really new but incredible feeling that she isn't sure how to put into words.

Feeling the little nudge against her hand, Luisa glances down at Hob and smiles, gently scratching her behind the ear. ] Thank you. This area looks like it'd be perfect.

The Festival of Wishes!

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