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

[a_sin_for_him]

Baby, ever friendly, is quick to butt against the offered hand.

"I think it may have been a festival, but to be quite honest, some of them blur together at this point. I've been here near a decade now."

Of course things are going to get a bit confused, it's the nature of human minds. After so many festivals and fairs and contests and races...

"I may have made a piece of jewelry at some point. Or a basket? I'm not sure, my hobbies aren't generally ones that involve making things."

[shiro2hero]

Baby absolutely gets some pets. And some scratches behind the ears. "You've got that right..." He shakes his head. "The years are starting to blur together, to be honest with you."

Is that a bad thing? Or a normal thing? There's a good chunk of time that's... vague and kind of blurry. But he knows why that is. And he doesn't want to dwell on it right now.

"Baskets would be interesting. I always wonder how they get those things all braided..." It looks complicated as heck.

[a_sin_for_him]

"I think it's the same as braiding hair, really, just...with posts involved." That sounds right to Lust.

"The strips are woven over and under. It looks more complicated than it really is." It's basic engineering, really. Nice and simple and understandable. At least for her.

"You should try it, sometime. You can never have enough options for something relaxing to do, as far as I'm concerned."

It certainly applies to Shiro, she thinks.

[shiro2hero]

"No wonder it looks incomprehensible to me. I've never braided hair in my life."

At least he says it with good humor. He probably could get the hang of it, but he's never really tried. Or had a reason to try. Maybe someday.

He laughs again, with a little shake of his head. It's very simple to be at ease with Lust around. She makes it so. "Hey, I'm doing okay lately!"

[a_sin_for_him]

"Braiding is remarkably simple, Shiro. It's just weaving three things together. It's like...it's like tying shoes."

At least as far as Lust is concerned, who braids her own hair every night when she sleeps. It gets everywhere otherwise.

Of course what need would Shiro have for braiding? It did come in handy if one was stuck in the wilds without rope. Thick grasses or the right sort of vines could be braided into a serviceable rope.

"And honestly, yes, you are. It's good to see you happy."

[shiro2hero]

"Tying shoes I can do. Throw another strand in there and my fingers forget what they're doing."

He's kidding. He could figure it out, given the chance. He's just never really had to. But hey, maybe his spare time could lend itself to a new hobby. Underwater basket weaving keeps coming up - maybe he could give that a try.

Or just ask Allura sometime.

"Well... I have a very good friend to thank for that."