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

[nastyboy]

[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.

[fatefulprince]

( 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! )

[nastyboy]

[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.]

[fatefulprince]

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. )

[nastyboy]

[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?

[fatefulprince]

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! )

[nastyboy]

[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.

[fatefulprince]

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!

[nastyboy]

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]

[fatefulprince]

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. )

[nastyboy]

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?

[fatefulprince]

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!

[nastyboy]

That sounds wonderful! Although, ha, I do warn you that sometimes I am lacking somewhat in a delicate touch...

[Says the man super into woodcarving]

[fatefulprince]

Haha, don't worry. I'm awful with this sort of thing! We can suck together. ( bonding!! )

But it's the memories of a good time that matter more than the things we make, right? ( since they're at the stall now, he'll just go ahead and take a seat. ) Hmmm ... ( he picks up a brush pen, using it to tap his chin in thought. yes, he's getting black ink on his face while he does this because he's an idiot. ) I can't think! Do you have any ideas? ( and no, he has no clue that he's essentially drawn a big dark line across his cheek. )

[nastyboy]

[Bonding.]

[Still, Dimitri cannot argue the point Corrin makes! Especially because it was one that he made not that long ago. So he settles down besides him, taking in the painting supplies that are there in front of him.]

[Paint. The one artistic medium he has not truly tackled... He knows how to do well enough with pencil sketching, but Leonardo never got him to that point... And probably never would have because it's Leonardo da Vinci and the man can't finish things to save his life. It's a little bit intimidating, to have it in front of him like this.]

Well, for something like the painting that they have on display... Perhaps a flying type would be best? To show... that elegance, perhaps?

[But then he looks up at Corrin, and a laugh spurts out of him.]

Oh my!

[fatefulprince]

( sorry, Dimitri - all he heard was the word 'flying' and heard that laugh, now he's looking around for something-- )

Flying!? What's flying? Is it a firework? A clown? ( ... YOU NEVER KNOW.

AND... YEAH HE'S GOT A BIG STREAK PAINTED ON HIS FACE. without a clue. help. )

[nastyboy]

[Why would clowns fly-]

[But that's besides the point, with Dimitri shaking his head, still laughing.]

No, no - look in your reflection, Corrin!

[fatefulprince]

My-?

( where can he-? is there a mirror? something reflective-- OH. oh nOW HE SEES. )

OH! It seems I've made an art project of myself ... ( he laughs with embarrassment. ) Ah, I'm such a fool ...

[nastyboy]

You have an excitable spirit, and who could not help but appreciate that?

[No negative talk around him, sir! Unless he's the one doing it, to himself. Then it's fine.]

But here - hold on. I believe I may still have a handkerchief about me...

[A thing he's tried to remember to carry around, now that he's not wholly feral anymore.]

[fatefulprince]

( well, thanks, Dimitri! now he's both drawn-on and blushing as bright as a traffic light. )

I-I wouldn't say ... I mean, it's pretty embarrassing, right? ( he takes the handkerchief and wipes it off, leaving him as one bright, flustered boi. )

... Maybe let's try that again. ( gods he is just. so red. ) Why don't you make something first? I'll get brave again in a second. ( THIS BABY ... )

[nastyboy]

Perhaps, but I am no stranger to making a fool of myself as well, and in far worse ways than something so endearing as that.

[But still, he'll leave it be, if it's gotten Corrin that red.]

I wonder if I can properly make Adarllchgwin's form properly... [And so he tries to sort forming his best Altaria that he can.]

[What name just came out of his mouth? Don't worry about it.]

[fatefulprince]

Adalll... ( you know what, he's not even going to try and repeat that. )

Is that a ... weapon of some kind?

( don't mind him, Dimitri, he's used to weapons having names like that back in good old fateslandia. )

[nastyboy]

Oh, no. It is the name of my Altaria - my and Claude's Altaria. They were legendary birds told of in my childhood...

Well, his namesakes were. He himself is simply... he himself.

[fatefulprince]

Oh, wow! I have an Altaria too! I named him "Peep" because that's the sound he made when he was a Swablu, ehehe. Peep peep! Not quite interesting as a legendary bird tale. I like it!

( hm ... maybe he should make one too. )

I could also make Peep!

[nastyboy]

Ha! Well, it is certainly a fitting name for a bird, so I cannot say it is a bad name at all.

Hopefully your image of Peep comes out better than mine... [Dimitri's is, maybe, just a touch blob-ish]