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

[ 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.

Indeed! Cofgodas, Hob, you both have such a talent for things.

[Dimitri hauls Cofgodas up into his arms especially in her little yukata, and pets her enormous amounts of fluff as she tries to hide in his shoulder. While she does that, he beams at Luisa.]

Then - to the purples! It looks like there are some over there. Come, come.

[Hob certainly doesn't need to be told twice, as she tries to herd Luisa along happily.]

[ With a laugh, Luisa lets herself be led towards a racks of purple yukata on display. And she was actually impressed with the different styles of them; while it seemed that most of the yukata were either plain, flower patterned, or even just decorated with shapes, each one still managed to look quite unique and still beautiful. There were even some yukata that were either a black or white base, but with purple flowers that she still found herself considering.

Eventually though, Luisa found a yukata that, while still mostly plain with some flower designs, what really catches Luisa's attention is the mountain lake design at the bottom of it. ]

Hey, what do you think of this one?

[Truly, it is lovely to see all the different patterns - and honestly, Dimitri finds that by being made for those with a broader disposition, it showcases the patterns all the better.]

[When Luisa finally makes her decision, Dimitri takes a step back and brightens up with a smile. Hob smacks her little rat hands together.]

Oh, it is radiant. The pale purple of it compliments your dark hair and eyes wonderfully, and the mountain evokes all of your gentle strength. Does it have your favor?

[ Luisa can feel her face heat up again as her heart speeds up, but despite suddenly feeling a bit shy for some reason, she manages a nod. ]

Y-Yeah, uh, I really like it a lot. [ Clearing her throat a bit, she glances around for any kind of pricing. ] These are, um, just to rent, right?

[Unaware of the effect he has on people, Dimitri looks back to where they left the cashier behind.]

Oh, yes - apparently quite common during festivals such as these. I believe they give you a small ticket that matches their records...? At least, that was the case with Hob and Cofgodas.

[Gotta make sure names and everything match up.]

[ Following his gaze, she nods a little and holds up the yukata. ] All right. I guess I better go pay for this then.

[ It was too bad it was just for rent, though. Then again, she doesn't think she can really afford to actually purchase it anyway, and even if she could it wouldn't really be convenient to travel with. ]

[Hm. Does he sense a bit of hesitance there...? Dimitri decides not to poke about it too much, although he can't help but offer something.]

Oh, perhaps you can ask if they have those business cards! Perhaps you can visit them later, for the next event like this. It is nice, sometimes, to get things done ahead of time, isn't it?

Oh, that's a good idea! It'd be nice to have something ready instead of getting it last minute like this.

[ And maybe she'll be able to have something made to keep, once she has more of an idea of what she wants to do and where to go. ]

Exactly! [Dimitri beams.] Then, I will wait here, with Hob and Cofgodas. This place is quite interesting, after all!

[And they might be able to help someone like Dedue, for next time...]

Okay. I'll be back in a bit.

[ And she'll go hurry off to pay for it, and maybe see if they have any contact information. ]

The Festival of Wishes!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject