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

The royal castle dominates the skyline with it's golden spires. [He waves a hand, but frowns when nothing happens.] Normally I would show you, but alas.

I was raised a diplomate, so my manners are a bit better than most. It is a warrior culture, so such things are not as prized as one's ability on the battlefield.

I have a vivid enough imagination.

[Boy, does he.]

Ahh... One of those. Well, know that I appreciate a sharp mind and wit over brute strength any day. Far more enjoyable to interact with.

Did you ever get to visit Egypt while you were on Earth? That's my home country. I'm kind of curious if it's changed any in 20 years...

I couldn't agree more. I had to go to a whole other realm just to find a good conversation.

[Loki grabs a pencil from another nearby station and an unfolded piece of paper and starts to doodle.]

No, it was a bit too warm for my tastes. I have met several of your gods though.

I'm sorry you had to deal with that and had to go to that extent.

[Marik watches him curiously - both the doodling and the fact that he's met the Gods.]

You have? What were they like? I... imagine they aren't particularly happy that most of our people have stopped worshipping them... I still try to pay them tribute, even if they can't see it here.

[He appears to be doodlings...a castle? Or a pyramid? A pipe organ perhaps.]

Anubis was a bit stuck up, but Set was rather fun. [Chaos gods gotta stick together.] Ra may have cared about the lack of worship, but it was something most of Earth's pantheons were going through last I saw them.

[While he can't quite tell what it is just yet, his eyes do light up as Loki discusses his pantheon.]

Ra... I used to command his Winged Dragon. The power it possess was... exhilarating. A pity I don't have the card with me anymore.

I try to do my best to show them my appreciation. You can't exactly serve an ancient Pharaoh and play Duel Monsters without worshipping them. To do so would be denying what has happened in front of your very eyes.

Duel Monsters? [The picture gets a bit more definition, a few more buildings in the foreground to make it more clear it's a city.] Is that some new form of worship?

[Oohh. Marik's seeing it now. Chenzira stops what he's doing to watch as well.]

Ah, no. It started as a game the ancient Egyptians would play in order to hone their skills as tacticians and sharpen their minds. The monsters were incased in stone tablets and were able to be summoned to battle.

Obviously things didn't go so well and they were eventually sealed away for about 3,000 years. A man stumbled across the sanctuary of the tablets and, inspired by what he saw and what was given to him, he started a... commercialized version of the ancient game.

Much less harmful unless you're playing a Shadow Game.

Really, the tablets should have never been rediscovered.

[Loki gives a low chuckle and shakes his head.]

Leave it to mortals to uncover ancient rituals of power and turn them into a children's game.

[That gets a laugh out of him.]

I'm glad you understand. What's worse is that some of the cards still do hold the power of the ancient monsters. Thankfully the particularly powerful ones were given to myself and my sister to watch over.

[He'll just... skip over the fact that he sacrificed hundreds of henchmen to create working counterfeits of the Egyptian God Cards.

It wasn't successful.]

Ah, is that the castle you mentioned?

[Listen, who among us isn't responsible for the death of hundreds?]

At least they are with someone who knows of their power rather than a random child playing games in the school yard.

[Loki puts the finishing touches on the picture and pushes it over so Marik can get a better look. It's rough and only in pencil, but the vague skyline of Asgard is decernable.]

Yes, that's the palace there. It's gilded, so it seems to glow no matter the time of day. That statue there— it's a little hard to tell here— that's Bor, my grandfather and founder of the Asgardian Empire.

I would have failed as Tomb Keeper if they just fell into the regular market.

[Says the counterfeiter.

Chenzira floats over so he can join Marik as the two look at the drawing.]

It's beautiful... You weren't kidding about "fine motor skills," that's for sure. The castle looks... well, it's probably bigger than I can rightfully comprehend. It's like something you'd see in a movie...

[And while Marik continues to look over the drawing, Chenzira sheepishly hands Loki a green origami heart.

The Egyptian sometimes wonders why he got paired with such a sweet companion. Whatever the case though, he's thankful for him. The Yamask brings him endless joy.

Marik looks up from the drawing.]

So you're a prince... Does that mean you're next in line for the throne?

Edited 2022-07-15 13:26 (UTC)

For me? Why thank you.

[Loki accepts the paper heart with a warm smile. These creatures really are delightful!]

Ah, no. That would be my older brother, Thor. He is king now, assuming... [Loki trails off, staring at the picture.]...assuming there's still enough of Asgard to rule.

[Chenzira would cover his face if it wouldn't make him look ridiculous. So instead of just bows his head.

Marik chuckles. He is too cute for his own good.

... But he notices the change in tone. A part of him debates asking him what happened but it's clear it's a sad topic and he's already asked the man enough questions as is.]

I'm sorry.

[A topic change is probably the best choice right now.]

Um... Have you... tried any of the foods here yet?

[The change in topic isn't the smoothest, but Loki still gives him a small, grateful smile.]

We tried the shaved ice and meat skewers earlier. Do you have other recommendations?

[Okay, he has to smile at that. Shaved ice for the little snow pokémon. That's cute.]

The taiyaki are really good. Like a... waffle? I think that's what they're called... and they're filled with a red bean paste. I also liked the yakisoba but I feel any dish wish noodles or rice are fantastic so maybe I'm not the best judge.

I wanted to try the mochi ice cream next. Would you like to go grab some with me?

I do rather enjoy ice cream. What do you think, Snjokorn? [the Snorunt gives a happy chitter, glad that this other trainer has been able to distract him from being sad.]

I believe she likes the idea as well.

[Hey, he's enjoying life and couldn't be happier. Well, maybe if his siblings showed up but that he can take or leave it. He's got his pokémon companions and an assortment of friends from different walks of life.

It's pretty cool to him.

Marik grins, giving Chenzira a ruffle of his headcrest as he's given a purple heart, which he tucks into his yukata, and scoops up the Yamask to set on top of his head.

Oh. He's never been this tall before. Especially when Marik stands up. He can see everything!]

Let's go then! I glanced at the stall earlier and it looked like they had a bunch of different flavors. Have you had mochi before?

[He leads them over to the ice cream stand and looks over flavors.]

Hmm... Which ones do you want, Chen?

[The nice thing about a pokemon with hands is they can actually point, which is what Chenzira does.]

A strawberry and a chocolate. Got it... I think... I'll try a vanilla and a mango!

[The ice cream is served in a little bowl and it's the perfect size to simply pop into your mouth or to bite in half.

Marik and Chenzira wait until Loki and Snjókorn pick theirs before digging in.]

[Loki gets a red bean and a mint chocolate for himself while Snjókorn chooses a simple combo of vanilla and strawberry.]

I've never seen ice cream in this form before.

It's a Japanese treat.

[He holds up his mango mochi.]

Mochi by itself is usually pretty good. The texture is a little weird though. I know it can be offputting to some people.

It seems with the ice cream variety they cover it in powdered sugar. They really know how to make sweets.

[Marik eats his in one bite which looks funny because the thing takes up his entire mouth. It's too chewy to talk around and the sugar would just go flying everywhere even if he tried.

Chenzira is more polite at eating. Taking little bites... but it winds up with him getting power all over himself.

He tried.

Once Marik's managed to swallow his, he licks some of the sugar from his fingers.]

Even better than I imagined! What do you think?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The Festival of Wishes!

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Me, with shiny new god canon to play with

Woo!

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