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

It's kind of... [In his head, he's saying chotto, which in Japanese is somehow considered a complete sentence all on its own, expecting the listener to infer the unspoken meaning. But Kazuki knows he has to do better than that.] There are rules, you know? It's considered rude to bring attention to someone, or to be someone that stands out, even in a good way. When someone does compliment you, you have to say something like, that's not true, or, I'm really not... Or something like that. If you just agree with someone, it means you're full of yourself. Even if someone is giving you a gift, it's polite to decline a couple of times first.

I don't really like that things are that way. There are plenty of times where I don't do all that correctly, and I know people think I'm dumb because of it. But... I think that's just who I am. So I'm okay with being thought of like that.

[It was hard being a sincerely warm, loving person in a culture that was built upon mountains of subtleties. He often wanted desperately to be nothing but honest with all of his big emotions (it felt like all of them were big sometimes!) but had beaten it into himself that that honesty could be burdensome. It wasn't about him. It was about the wellbeing of the group.]

So... I guess people just don't compliment each other much? Not to their faces, anyways. You can say nice stuff about someone to someone else, but they'll probably never hear it.

I see...

[Dimitri falls silent for another moment as he chews over that idea, going back to folding cranes as best as he can. It's not something entirely foreign, he has to admit.]

That sort of overly careful consideration over every word from your mouth... The proper ways you are expected to give compliments, or receive them... It reminds me a little bit of the court in Faerghus, to be quite honest.

I found that rather frustrating as well, although I did for most of the under and double talk which was so prevalent. I understand that some things are necessary, especially as positions and responsibilities become greater...

But we should be able to say how much we like another person freely, without those words being chained by expectations and insults.

I do not think you are stupid at all, Kazuki.

Yeah. You probably know what it's like then, right? It's not exactly the same, it's not like there's a load of pressure on me or anything, but... The only time I really felt like I was letting my true feelings out was when I was playing the trumpet. I think that's why it spoke to me so much.

[A strange expression befalls him-- at first, he seems very happy, but it quickly twists a bit into something like pain.]

...I think you're the first person that's ever said that to me.

Indeed. It can be suffocating, to be in the position where your heart has to remain locked away, even when you feel it is for the better... I was fortunate that I had, at least on occasion, people I could bare it to.

[Even if Dedue still held between them the wall of vassal and prince once upon a time, they were still united in their anger, their need for revenge against those who had harmed them. Even where so many different people from different countries, no small amount of who held important positions, in Garreg Mach at least he could still confess to Byleth on occasion.]

[These things are small, but at least they offer something.]

[For now, Dimitri just finishes up his little crane, and places it by Kazuki's hand.]

Then it needs to be said all the more.

...Yeah. Yeah, it is kind of... Like that.

[Kazuki had to think back-- had he ever truly spoken to anyone of his heart? He could only think of Yunoki, who told him how his feelings could hurt others. He'd always believed those words. That was why he'd never told Kahoko about his love, even after years of friendship.]

[These days, he wasn't really sure what to believe anymore.]

Could I keep this one? Just... as a reminder?

[Dimitri's prompt response is a smile.]

Of course. I do not mind that at all, Kazuki. [Well-] Ah, but I believe the head portion is perhaps folded in the less than optimal way. I apologize for that.

[Kazuki laughs.]

That's okay! It doesn't have to be-- [And he can't help but chuckle again, because the exacting wording just tickles him.] optimal at all. Besides, if it were perfect, I wouldn't be able to tell yours from all the others. It's special like this.

Well... I suppose it is not something I can deny. [It is certainly most definitely his.]

...You know, if you ever want to visit and be simply yourself, no shackles to what you feel, we could see about arranging a stay at our home. I would have to check with all of the others, of course... But perhaps it could be a nice vacation.

[There was an immediate "yes" on Kazuki's lips, but then Dimitri's words occurred to him, and he had to think for a moment.]

Well-- yeah, I mean, that sounds really nice! I'd really like that. I just... Wow. [He rubbed at the back of his neck.] No shackles? I don't even know what that person looks like. And I'm him! That's me!

Ha. For that, you need not worry. I think...

I think that we are constantly seeing more of what we look like, with every year passing, and every day that draws us to rest. Why not see that first glimpse from today onwards?

The Festival of Wishes!

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