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?

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Oh...! ( he sees! on the screen! it dazzles him a little and he waves to the camera like?? a?? nerd?????? oh my god. )

I-I see! Selfie.

( Corrin looks at Dimitri again, before he looks into the camera and smiles. he gets it now. it's not too hard! and luckily for Corrin, smiling is one of his greatest talents. )

Edited 2022-08-24 02:31 (UTC)

[And if Corrin smiles, then Dimitri finds it rather easy to smile in turn as he clicks the button to make the camera snap.]

[He... actually gets a couple of pictures, due to nervous fingers on the Gear, and button sensitivity, and one of those pictures might be a smidge blurry, but... There it is! And Dimitri carefully lowers the Gear, making sure to send the image to Corrin.]

...You will see them again. Those that you love dearly. And, when you see them again...

You can show them pictures like this. And many more. Stories and adventures to pass onto them, like a grand storyteller returning from his journey.

It will not stop the pain of their absence, but... It is something to give them. Something to look forward to.

( oh - that's ... so nice of him to say.

ah.

Corrin shoves his finger and thumb in the crease of his closed eyes to try and hide the fact that he has started to cry. )

I'm-- ( he cuts himself off with a shuddering breath, while attempting to reassure Dimitri. ) F-Fine. Don't worry ...

( gods, Corrin - get it together. you were holding it together so well! and now? now ... well, Dimitri is just so very kind. those words have just touched him more than he can say. the action, too - even if he's spent this entire time doubtful that anyone he knows from home would slip over to join him here. he's been here for months and months ... no siblings, no friends, not that he's ungrateful for the ones he has made in this place or anything - but Corrin is just a very sentimental, emotional man.

one who can't stop himself crying at such a kind gesture. he's still covering his eyes, silently waiting for his tears to stop falling. this is so embarrassing ... ) Sorry--

[Oh - oh no - ]

[Dimitri reaches over, almost forgetting about the Gear he's still holding onto. He had hoped that such a thing would help cheer Corrin up at least a little bit, but instead-]

I had never wanted to make you cry, Corrin. I apologize more than words could express. Come - this way, now.

[Let's just... get them out from all the street traffic, and find a bench nearby to take a bit of time to recover.]

( much to Dimitri's relief, he would imagine: Corrin bubbles out a soft, gentle laugh when he gets carted away - he's trying to tell Dimitri he's okay but, well, they're on the move. he'll do so in a moment, once they're settled. )

Dimitri ... ( he giggles again with a sniff, as he wipes his eye. ) These are happy tears. You haven't done anything wrong. No need to apologise ... ( sniff. ugh. why is he like this! ) I'm not upset. To be honest, I'm really embarrassed. Just- haa ... lots of emotions. ( his yukata sleeves are getting pretty damp but it's fine. ) Your words were just very kind ... you're one of the nicest people I've ever met. The way you described the picture taking as an adventure, and something to show those who I miss ... it made me so, so happy. ( will his tears ever stop pouring? it doesn't seem so! but despite his damp cheeks, he manages a smile, gazing up fondly at the other man. )

I guess what I'm trying to say is ... thank you. I'm glad I met you, and I'm glad I can look back on my time with you as part of the fun adventure this place has been.

Edited 2022-09-04 21:41 (UTC)

....Ah.

[He has, once again, not understood that happy tears are a thing that exist.]

[Still, it's... It's fine. He fumbles about his person for a handkerchief, only to find that he stopped carrying one ages ago, since no one needs a handkerchief while they're feral.]

It is the least I can do, for a friend. In truth, I wish that I could take more credit for it, yet it is thanks to people close to me that I could think of something like that.

I can only hope... that it continues to bring you happiness.

Hehehe... ( sniff ) There's no need to be so modest. Really, we learn all kinds of good deeds from our friends, don't we? Passing them on is just all part of the fun of being alive. It keeps that long chain of love and kindness going... an endless circle to show those we care for them, no matter where we're from ... ( he wipes an eye. ) A timeless language that can be passed on wherever we go ... and from all the happiness you've brought me, I can only hope that one day I can return the favour.

...Truly, you have a way with words that would entice even the greatest poets at times, Corrin. Indeed, that view of passing on the light from one person to another, an endless and shining torch, is exactly that which I hope to continue on myself.

And I can only be glad that I managed to successfully guide it from my hand to yours.

( ooh! Dimitri found a weakness of his! he blushes very red. )

Oh! Well, I do like poetry! Consider me flattered! ( the smile on his face further proves just how happy he is. ) I really am so glad I met you.

And I am glad to have met you, Corrin.

Then... [He offers his hand out to him.] Would you like to explore more of the festival, and take more pictures?

( he happily takes Dimitri's hand! )

Yes! Yes please! Oh, there's so much here that is reminiscent of Hoshido. It's still so surreal to me to see things from one of my home kingdoms here! I'll certainly do my best to explain things you may be curious about!

[Then Dimitri is more than happy to haul him up onto his feet, his Raticate crowding around their feet.]

I know very little, honestly, so... By all means, please be my guide as you show me the things you find most the most fun!

Eeeee-! ( that sure was a squeal of delight he made just now! )

Hehehe. Okay! You got it. And my homesickness is much better, so don't worry. I feel great being here with you! This place is kind of like a home now, right? And you're part of that home. So when I'm with you, I really don't feel sad at all, or lonely.

( the smell of food entices him, and so Corrin leads Dimitri and his stylish rat army down to see the stalls. )

I may have spent my life kidnapped away from Hoshido, but when I reunited with my Hoshidan siblings and made some friends from the kingdom, I learnt so much. I got to try a ton of traditional food! It may not have been the same as spending my life there, but I recognise everything you see here! ( he points out each respective food item. ) This is the traditional kind of food they serve in Hoshido. Nothing like this existed in Nohr! Or any other kingdom I visited, for that matter. I still can't believe all this stuff is here!

There's Takoyaki, which are grilled octopus balls. I've had them before, they're really good! Yakisoba is a fried noodle dish. It can be topped with veggies, meat, anything you want! Karaage is battered chicken, and that last stall over there is for taiyaki. They're fish-shaped pastries with a sweet filling! Heh, I bet Byleth would like one of those. I hope he's around here somewhere and sees them!

( Corrin orders some of the yakisoba, getting a vegetarian option. knowing that this dish is likely rat-friendly, he crouches down on his knees and uses his chopsticks to feed some of the marinated vegetables to Dimitri's rats. ) What do you think, guys? Do you like the Hoshidan food?

[and wHOPS THERE THEY GO]

[Dimitri wasn't expecting to be tugged along so quickly, but he supposes he did invite Corrin to, well, do exactly as he liked! So he follows along with no trouble, listening to Corrin happily ramble along for every single thing. His homecountry, his experiences, the food he likes... ]

[Everything certainly smells nice, he has to admit. It is still familiar, thanks to his visits to places such as Ecruteak, but they are not foods he has spent a great deal of time. It's... nice. New, if nothing else.]

Even if Byleth does not see them, I will be sure to tell him about them when I do. We all plan to watch the fireworks together, after all.

[As for him... Well, tiny edible things are nice, so he goes instead for some takoyaki, and watches with a smile as his rats lean up - oh okay Cofgodas is just going to take some in her little rat hands, okay]

[At least Hob eats straight from the chopsticks, and starts to... boggle as she chews.]

Oh, that seems to be quite a hit, then.

( Corrin is half paying attention to the rats, and half paying attention to Dimitri. when he hears about his plans to see the fireworks, he can't resist but peer up at him with a bright smile and a sparkle of excitement in his eyes. )

Oh, you are? How wonderful! I'm sure it'll make for a great display!

( he returns his focus to the rats and can't help but chuckle softly at how much they're enjoying the noodles and vegetables. not a single part of him minds if the rats eat more than what he offers, he is so happy to get to share part of his home here. Ecruteak has all sorts like this, which reminds him of Hoshido, but seeing street vendors with kimonos are just like the festivals he knew from home. )

Heheh. Seems they really liked that! I hope you enjoyed it! With how good you look, you both deserve to be spoiled tonight. Don't you? Yes, you do! ( he's just going to pet pet pet and fuss the rats with chin scratchies and head pats. they really are so soft! )

[Hob, at least, is more than happy to soak up all the attention - more than enough for her girlfriend, who is a little more tentative in accepting pets and eventually scurries back to hide behind Dimitri's legs. He indulgently pats her on the head, and gives her another fishy little meatball.]

I hope you take no offense, Corrin, she is merely shy. It is only through Hob's own talent that she performs in any contests...

Is the, ah, yakisoba your favorite food here, then?

[He said that right, right? He thinks he said that right.]

Hehe, no offence taken. I'm still a new face, so some shyness is understandable.

( Corrin steps to his feet and finds a nearby trash bin to discard the cardboard yakisoba box and cutlery once the noodles are finished. Dimitri's pronunciation was great, though! )

Nah, not really. I like everything a normal amount... but my favourite food is coleslaw!

( YEAH. )

[Dimitri, who cannot taste for fuck or love, just.... nods along.]

Oh, that is the.... It is a sort of salad, isn't it? [Kind of?] I have found that is has something of a pleasant crunch.

[A bit too wet for his preferred tastes, but hey.]

I do not suppose that is a regular staple of this sort of festival, is it?

Hehe, definitely not. It's more of a Nohrian dish than a Hoshidan one. Hoshidan cuisine is very exciting for the senses ... very bountiful. But the kingdom I spent my life in was a barren wasteland. Crops didn't grow there easily, definitely not helped by the fact that there was no sunshine either.

( Nohr really just ............. is Like That. even if Corrin wasn't trapped in a tower, there is still just no sun, no plants, nothing. )

I've never really thought about it before, but maybe I like plain vegetables because it's all I was fed. Just can't help myself, though. I love the crunch! It's fun to chomp them with my pointy dragon teeth. ( did Dimitri ever notice Corrin's fangs? huh! )

[Ah.... Dimitri pauses for a moment, and his mind feels elsewhere. Not in the bright lights and crowded streets of a Kanto festival, with its brilliantly patterned yukata and music constantly playing. Rather, on colder paths leading into the mountains where all was hard dirt and unforgiving rock and bitter snow. Where he could look back and see, nestled amidst the deathly white, fragile homes standing strong against the winter.]

...Faerghus is much the same, and we have rarely had a chance to focus on such matters, always beset upon by war as we were. It seems, in some respects, we may be similar, then.

[Obviously he wasn't kidnapped to a whole other country as a kid - that he knows of, his life can't be THAT miserable - but still. The places where they grew up.]

In that respect, I've always liked strips of dry meat, and jerky. You know, that which manages to last quite well on long journeys? It has quite a good chew.

Oh, yeah. Definitely similar! War and all.

( it's wild, isn't it? how a shared experience of battlefields, blood and loss have lead them to a place of such fun and kindness. Corrin can't help but take in a breath of night air, grateful for it. grateful he's still here after everything, and that he's met someone like Dimitri.

gods, he just adores this man. being in his company always makes him feel so good. )

Haha, that rings familiar. Several members of my army made jerky on the regular. Bear jerky was a favourite in my castle!

Oh, bear! Now, that has quite a bite to it, doesn't it? I always found rabbit, as a game, to be far easier to procure, although of course it did not have the size to compare to bear.

But I thought it to be just a little bit chewier, depending on the season.

[okay yeah that's just the conversation they're on now apparently]

[Dimitri isn't even thinking twice about it, honestly]

Yeah ... I can see why that might be. Can't say I've eaten rabbit before. But I have always enjoyed the crunch of vegetables! Hehe.

( Corrin notices more of the stalls once they make their way past the food. )

I don't want to take up too much of your time, as I know your loved ones will want to steal you back. But if you want to do an activity, I'm all for it. ( the origami, calligraphy and haunted house looks fun but ... it's all up to Dimitri. )

Well...

[Dimitri looks about the different stalls himself, twisting a small toothpick inbetween his fingers. After a moment, he comes to a decision, and looks back to Corrin with a smile.]

The night is still young, and there are hours still to seeing the fireworks. What is newest and most intriguing to you, Corrin?

Hmmm ... ( he thinks for a moment, then lights up. )

Oh! I've got it! How about the arts and crafts area? We could make some fun things out of paper. Or even some origami!

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