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

[dejabrewed]

[ sandalphon blinked as he was addressed, not realizing it was him the speaker was addressing for a moment. when it finally hit however, the angel had enough self-awareness to act a little embarrassed. can’t know everything, and it shows. ]

Right… it’s all a little overwhelming, so I appreciate the assistance. [ he pauses for a moment. ] Is it more savory or sweet, is my next question.

[bigsadwolf]

[Legosi understands, as someone who can also get overwhelmed easily. At least here things are more familiar than not, so he doesn't even have to wonder what it is he wants to try most. He'll probably be making his way around to trying the other offerings too, but for now...yakisoba. Yakisoba with a fried egg on top, the best way to have it.

At Sandalphon's question, Legosi tips his head a bit in thought, moving to take a seat at a picnic table just a pace or two away but close enough for them to still talk.]

It's a bit sweet, but not overly so. Sweet and savory, leaning more on the savory side.

[dejabrewed]

[ he nodded his head. savory was easier for him to tolerate than it was sweet— for a being who didn’t need to eat before coming to this world, food was a tall mountain to conquer— at least the smell made it easy to at least identify what he’d like more.

he watches legosi’s order of yakisoba cook, wondering what to put on his order— only to see a fried egg be put right on top of legosi’s order. it causes him to tilt his head slightly, curiosity written all over. ]

With so many toppings, you choose the simplest one… I wonder if I’d like that as well. [ the list of toppings overwhelms him too, but he has to at least try to fully figure out what he likes. ]

… do you mind if I copy your order? [ it was the safest method of making an order: go with what others are getting. but he wants to ask, to be sure. ]

[bigsadwolf]

My grandfather would order it this way all the time, so it's what I did, too. I do like eggs a lot, though.

[Eggs are his favorite, he won't lie.]

I don't mind at all. I think it's best when kept simple, anyway. Especially if you haven't had it before.

[dejabrewed]

I see… [ sentimentality is something sandalphon understands— to maintain a connection to the past even though your present is different. coffee is a prime example of that for him. but even with the reasoning that he himself enjoyed it, he did have a point.

he makes his order, making sure to add the fried egg. and now to wait. ]

That’s what my captain often told me— to try the basic form before experimenting. It often helped the pickier crewmembers make their decisions. [ a chuckle. ] I should have thought of that beforehand.

[bigsadwolf]

It's alright. You'll never know what you like until you try it...and who knows, you might prefer it with the extra toppings, in the end.

[Legosi isn't a terribly good judge there since he's not picky at all, but that comes with the territory of being a canine in his homeworld. They don't tend to care overmuch about the things they eat, so long as it tastes and smells good.]

Are you going to try the others later?

[dejabrewed]

I planned to, but I’ve no idea where to even begin.

[ he sighs to himself. yeah, that was his fault— he wishes he could’ve done at least some research. ]

I only stopped and ordered here because you spoke up, which I’m thankful for. Had you not, I would’ve spent a couple more hours wandering around instead.

[bigsadwolf]

Mm...I wouldn't necessarily say that's a bad thing, either. Festivals like these are best enjoyed that way. Taking your time to look at everything, trying a bit of everything...so long as you do eventually try something, that is.

[Sandalphon just needed that initial push, is all.]

[dejabrewed]

Difficult, when food is still an entirely unknown field for me. I've never had to eat before coming here to Johto.

[ games? he can handle-- in fact, most of his time was spent there. the fireworks? something he was actually looking forward to. food, however? it felt like a daring mountain he couldn't conquer, despite all his strength. its why he kept eating to small snacks and one flavor meals. ]

Even guides don't help me, as they describe things I've no basis on. My partner helps me all he can, but even so...

[bigsadwolf]

Really?

[Legosi has heard all sorts of different accounts about different worlds in his time here- it's been over a year for him, after all- but not having to eat...?]

What was your world like?

[dejabrewed]

[ a nod. the angel's started to realize that most people find it strange that he's never had to eat. food for thought.

(either that, or another thing to curse lucilius for. sandalphon's not sure.) ]

My world's in the sky. Most of humanity live on islands, while my kind made homes wherever we could, and humanity had to accept it. [ a chuckle. ] After all, we could destroy them instantly. They had no choice.

[bigsadwolf]

[The sky...]

SO...you weren't human before?

[dejabrewed]

I may have the appearance of one, but I never was to begin with.

[ stated as if he was stating simple fact. his order of yakisoba is now in his hands, and he stares at it for a moment before taking a bite of it using the provided chopsticks.

... it's good. ]

But I must admit, humanity does make delicious food.

[bigsadwolf]

It does.

[It seems that this world isn't that much different from his own, in that regard. Other than certain types of food served, anyway...]

How is it?

[dejabrewed]

Hm... [ would it make sense if he uses the same words he uses to describe coffee? might as well try. ]

Savory. Rich in flavor, but the egg mutes it enough to be enjoyable. The noodles are especially interesting. They were clearly fried, but they're still chewy, not crunchy. It's... really good.

[ he takes another bite to be sure. yep, still good. ]