come alive, come alive - spring is here!

[indigo_league]

Who: Everybody!
Where: Ilex Forest
When: March 14th
Summary: Come one, come all to the newest contest hosted by Riegfried and Soy. Today's theme: springtime and nature!

The sun is shining brightly and the weather is surprisingly fair–perfect for an outdoor contest spectacular! Spring is finally around the corner, and with it comes budding trees and the first fresh green leaves in many months. Just a short walk away from the edge of the Ilex Forest is a clearing where the contest is being set up, and boy, have Riegfried and Soy gone all out. This is one of the few contests to take place outdoors, after all.

The contest grounds have been set up so that the ‘stage’–in this case, a wide, clear patch of ground designated for performances–is at the center of everything. Despite the thick trees of Ilex Forest, this singular patch of grass seems to have a natural spotlight cast upon it, which makes it perfect for people’s attention to be drawn to it. Foldable chairs have been placed in concentric circles around the area, so the audience can get a nice 360 degree view of your performance.

Next to the stage is a private, portable dressing room where contestants can go get ready. All manner of costumes have been provided, if you don’t mind the fact that most of them are quite ostentatious. There is also a treasure trove of decorative props that you can weave into your performance.

Further into the trees, market stalls and concessions have been set up for your enjoyment. Local craftspeople seem to be selling all manner of trinkets and baubles, many of which are Celebi themed. You can also buy all manner of specialty PokéBalls–hey, we are near Azalea Town, after all. There are workshops where you can pay local crafters to walk you through making something with your own two hands, such as your own clay bowl, or a birdhouse, or a floral arrangement, or heck, even forging a tiny, decorative metal broach! (Results may vary based on individual skill.)

The food stalls seem to be mostly street food that you might see at an outdoor market–things that you can easily carry with you and eat on the go. Yakitori skewers, takoyaki, mochi, sandwiches, meat patties, hand pies, and kebabs are among some of the selections. Yum!

If you’d like to get away from all the hubbub, you can pay a visit to the Ilex Forest Shrine for some quiet contemplation. Riegfried and Soy were careful to set up far enough away so the shrine would not be disturbed. A few townspeople have left some offerings–perhaps you’d like to, as well. They say it grants you good luck and wards off evil spirits.

Let’s get this show on the road, shall we?



[Don't forget to view the contest FAQ here!]

Comments

[outofsynth]

Min-Gi edges closer at the assurance. He still feels bad about interrupting, but neither of them seem to mind. Xanadu is quiet, but doesn't seem the have the same qualms Min does. Once the berries are set out he turns to the Aggron to introduce himself.

"If you're sure. I was already here earlier, so if you do need some privacy..."

The offer to go is there if he needs it, but it's always nice to see Shiro.

[shiro2hero]

Kuro tilts his head, then nods to Xanadu. Hello stranger. Come hang out while the trainers talk.

Shiro just shakes his head again, motioning Min to keep coming up to the shrine if he wants. "Really, it's okay. I'm not here for any deep introspection."

He'd have done that when he was sure no one would interrupt, if he wanted to do that.

[outofsynth]

Xanadu nods with a pleased smile, heading over to Kuro so they can get to know each other.

"That's good. It's hard to tell somewhere like this. I know it's supposed to be a shrine, but it doesn't seem like there's too many other places to get away from the main event."

That had been his reasoning earlier. Now he's mostly making sure he didn't unintentionally offend Celebi. He wouldn't have worried so much back in his own world, but this one is different enough it seems better to play it safe.

[shiro2hero]

"Not much of a social event guy?"

It's just a question. Like usual with Shiro, there's no judgment here. He's just curious. Plenty of people he knows don't want that much social interaction. And contests can be a lot.

[outofsynth]

Min-Gi shrugs at that. It's not like he minds them, or can't have fun, but he absolutely prefers moderation when it comes to being around large numbers of people. He reaches the point where it's easier to retreat to the sides for a while to let him recharge.

"It's nice to have the chance to see everyone, but something big like this? It's more Ryan's thing than mine."

[shiro2hero]

"I get that. I know a lot of people here who aren't big on the party scene."

Shiro's sort of in the middle. He doesn't mind it so much. But it can also get a bit overwhelming, sometimes, too. Especially in big contests...

Or prom.

[outofsynth]

"Kind weird for a musician,huh?"

Shiro hasn't said it, but he knows it's true. There are enough distractions around the contest it's not a big deal, but he's still grateful for the calm of the shrine.

[shiro2hero]

"Maybe not."

He shrugs as he says it, sitting back on his heels to study the shrine. "I don't know enough musicians to make that kind of call. But... I guess it seems like performing is one thing, but being around a crowd is another."

Being on stage versus being in the midst of the audience.

[outofsynth]

"Yeah, that's true... Plus Ryan's right there onstage. He can't always babysit me in a crowd."

He wouldn't expect him to, but that's definitely been a big part of what's helped him onstage. As long as he supports him during that, he's happy to take the sidelines when they aren't performing and let Ryan work the room. Or... forest, as the case is this time.

[shiro2hero]

"Babysit?"

Sorry, Min, he's picking up on that word out of the others. That just strikes him as something weird to say, but, on the other hand, he doesn't really know their relationship that well.

"Does he think of it as babysitting you?"

[outofsynth]

Min seems surprised at having his phrasing called out. He blinks, needing to take a moment to work out a response.

"What? No. I just meant..." What did he mean? He hadn't thought about his words too much before he said them. "It was kind of a joke?"

Was it though?

[shiro2hero]

It's not really his place at all to call Min or Ryan on their friendship. But... it just struck him. He had to ask, and, given the response, he sort of wonders if he really should have.

Shiro shakes his head, as if to ward off more attempted explanations.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to pry or anything. Sometimes things just pop out." Look, he's giving you an out, buddy.