victory_road | Swinub Scurry

Swinub Scurry

Who: Everyone!
When: February 21st-28th
Where: Blackthorn City
What: It's the Swinub Scurry!
OOC Info: here!

Race day dawns bright and early on the 21st. In Blackthorn City, residents are bustling before the Winter sun is fully risen, completing setup for the veritable sea of Swinub-themed stalls and decorations that has been sprouting up throughout the week. The extra advertising has sparked peoples’ competitive spirits, and there’s also an ocean of handmade posters and signs cheering on specific racers.

Understandably, the majority of signs are for locals… but if any characters showed up earlier in the week to sign up, and had their Pokemon out and about, they may have picked up some fans! Is that a cute handmade doodle of their Pokemon hanging off a nearby balcony?

Speaking of racers - anyone who’s stayed in the town since at least last night, or arrived sufficiently early in the morning, will be invited to a complimentary breakfast! It’s simple and traditional, but there’s plenty to go around - rice and miso soup for everyone, and a vast spread of side dishes, including pickled and cooked vegetables and deep fried tofu. This food may be shared with Pokemon, though there’s also lots of high-vitamin Pokemon food specifically available!

Race sign-ups remain open until noon, when racers will be expected to gather up at the starting line - coincidentally, right in front of the big main event stage. As they harness up their Pokemon and double-check their sleds and supplies, the organizing committee for the event will be giving a speech. 30 minutes later, a loud whistle from the committee lead heralds the start of the race, and everyone will be off!

(Glance to your right as you pull away from the crowded stage area - that’s definitely Gym Leader Clair watching!)

Out on the trail, racing trainers and Pokemon will quickly be struggling, but more with the wilderness than with each other! While trainers with less than six Pokemon harnessed up are allowed to bring a regular team to deal with wild Pokemon, trainer battles are off limits during the race. There’s more than enough to worry about as is!

(That’s not to say there aren’t one or two racers willing to stoop to sabotage, provided they see an opportunity where they think they won’t get caught.)

The trail is marked with red streamers on trees and rocks, but they’re few and far between, and there’s intermittent snow showers that make visibility low. Trainers were provided with a map at the race’s start, but this isn’t the city - you better hope you can interpret contour lines and similar-looking landmarks. It’s easy to get lost! These aren’t the nice, trampled-down paths of routes - trainers will find themselves having to dodge around trees, bounce over rocks, and cross frozen streams and rivers! Speaking of frozen rivers… careful, the slushy weather earlier in the month left some of those with a more fragile layer of ice than others…

On top of that, the wild Pokemon out here are higher in level than on the routes! Trainers will find themselves having to fend off large, dangerous Pokemon like Beartics, Lycanrocs, Cetitans, and Hisuian Braviarys.

And then there’s figuring out when to rest. Any veteran racer will tell you it’s a bad idea not to let your Pokemon have a break for at least a few hours, no matter how much stamina you think they have. Dealing with the wilderness takes a lot out of you. (Every race, there’s someone overconfident enough to think they can just keep going… who then ends up staggering into the finish well behind the pack, their Pokemon completely wiped.) But… do you push as far as possible before resting, and hope you can keep your lead? Or do you rest early, and hope to breeze past everyone else while they’re taking their break?

Back in town, the festivities will have kicked into full swing! Food stands abound - in particular, given the weather, there’s endless options for warm bowls - rice porridge (particularly in the mornings), ramen, udon, oden, stew… But for those who don’t want something soup-adjacent, they will find plenty of other treats, like mochi cakes grilled over a charcoal fire, crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, with both savory and sweet varieties.

There’s stands with souvenirs and traditional crafts, too - do you want a textile with a Piloswine pattern? Of course you do. There’s lots of options for accessories for your Pokemon - woven collars and bandannas, scarves… and clothes for you too, if you’re so inclined! There’s little wooden and ceramic Swinub charms - rub their noses for luck - and various wood and papercraft objects. One particularly large stand seems to be doing a thriving business in traditional Spinarak silk soap!

On and around the main stage, there’s always something going on. During the day, there’s a constant stream of updates and commentary, with several large screens streaming video from race officials following the race on flying Pokemon. But there’s more: every day of the race has a few additional events on a small side stage, like a panel with former racers talking through their experiences, or a Pokemon performance.

As it begins to get dark, activity will slow down… but even in the wee hours of the night, the stage will stay open with the next shift of commentators, albeit with a much more sleepy, relaxed atmosphere. (Absolutely no loudspeakers, people are trying to sleep.) Some brave and selfless stalls will stay open all night with hot drinks, and tiny local bars so small they only seat a handful of guests offer a warm, friendly place to stop and relax well into the early hours of the morning. Even Blackthorn City’s onsen is kept open well into the night, offering a steamy soak to people and Pokemon alike.

In the early afternoon of the 22nd, the very fastest racers will start showing up at the finish line! They’ll be met with cheering, as will every racer that arrives afterward - it’s a Swinub Scurry tradition that every racer must be welcomed back enthusiastically, no matter how long it takes them. Yes, even in the middle of the night. (There’s a reason the finish line is located at the edge of the city.)

Trainers and Pokemon will be dragged back to the center of the festivities and brought inside to warm up and enjoy another complimentary meal. They’re expected to stick around the city until the race is officially over - they want their medal, right? - but they’re otherwise free to enjoy the celebration around town! They may have to suffer through occasional excited crowds when they’re recognized, though people will let characters go if they beg off by saying their Pokemon are tired or hungry. On the other hand, being recognized at stalls might mean getting offered some small treats and goodies on the house - particularly for those who performed well in the race!

Shortly after sunset on the 23rd, the race will finally come to a close when old man Junzo comes placidly trundling in with his full pack of Shuckle. The cheers for him are… lackluster, to say the least, but he seems entirely unbothered. At this point, all the racers will be called to the stage, with anyone who completed the race presented with a medal, anyone who participated offered the option of taking a Swinub egg (assuming they didn’t get caught cheating)... and the top three winners particularly hyped up and praised! Hope you wanted to be on TV?

But that doesn’t mean the festivities are over! While the intensity will ramp down over the week, and the stage and performances will have shut down after the 23rd, the stalls and extended local business hours won’t close down until the 28th.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Cali was happy to know that it was time and that they had responded pretty fast, "That is a relief to know we got here just in time. It's very awesome to meet both you and Peller."

Reaching back into the backpack, Cali pulls out the canister of hot chocolate much to the disappointment of Sweet Sixteen, he was using that for warmth! Even though it wasn't that long in the cold, it was still very important to keep the body temp up, "Tenn, could you tell us what happened before the forest suddenly appeared? If you and your team need it, we have hot chocolate on hand to warm up with."

The two look between each other, the rest of the Zoroark seeming to become interested too. One even starts to creep closer, doing its best to give Cali a cute look.

"We won't say no to that," Tenn replies, though he doesn't seem like he thinks it's necessary. He's still fairly relaxed as he launches into explanation, Peller miming the story from behind.

"One moment we were running through the snow, not an obstacle in sight. The next... trees all around us, too close to navigate." With a sigh, Tenn shakes his head. Peller copies, looking every bit as disappointed. "An illusion, of course, but try telling that to your senses. We've been working on dispelling it."

"Woah that's pretty wild...Min-Gi, what do you think? I'm not sure what to make of this either." Cali asked as she started handing out some hot chocolate to the Zoroarks...the first Zoroark's cute face won out immediately to her.

Sweet Sixteen looked annoyed about the warm source was being distributed out after Cali got the paper mugs out, he dug in deeper into the backpack immediately. Hopefully the sweet smells coming off of Cali doesn't attract anything....

"I thought it was your Zoroark," Min admits, though that's clearly not the case. "Maybe there's another one somewhere?"

Tenn seems to agree, giving them a decisive nod. Peller nods more rapidly.

"They seem to be staying out of the way so far, but that's what we think."

It seems to go darker in that moment, if that were possible. Min and Rodeo look around anxiously, but are unable to see anything else. The Zoroark go on guard too, minus the one that Cali had given the hot chocolate to first.

Cali decided to stay put where she was with the Zoroarks as Sweet Sixteen poked his head out of the back to see what the sudden silence was about. It didn't take long for the sour apple to give Cali a look as if to say, 'Way to go yah little Cavity Queen, you've attracted trouble.'

Cali, unsure what to do as she never battled before, decided to take a gamble and see if a peace offering might work. She poured a small cup of hot chocolate and placed it on the ground with a scratch and sniff sticker...Cali..honey...I don't think that's a good move...or at least Sweet Sixteen doesn't think it was a good idea.

Min looks like he's on Sweet Sixteen's side here. He doesn't argue since whatever is out there hasn't revealed itself yet, but enticing it closer seems like the opposite of want they want to do.

Tenn and Peller are less pessimistic. They look at each other, Peller shrugging before Tenn nods, turning look at the hot chocolate.

"Well, we haven't tried that yet."

The darkness remains, but still nothing can be heard among the trees. Not just yet.

Upside, Cali is holding still for the moment, trying to make herself look as least threatening as possible where as Sweet Sixteen is very much in the instinctual department of 'Fly you fool, fly!'

Of course, Cali goes to try and de-escalate with words, "Hey, it's okay, we don't mean any harm. We just came to get these guys out of here. We're sorry if the race activities disturbed you, if you could drop the illusion, we'll leave right away, okay?"

Yep...Sweet Sixteen's soul left his apple based body in mortified silence.

Sweet Sixteen may feel vindicated when the entire area goes pitch black. The small lantern that had been at the front of Tenn's sled goes out along with Rodeo's torch. There doesn't seem to be much noise from Tenn's team, but Min's startled yelp and Rodeo's disgruntled complaining as he tries to relight his torch can be heard clearly.

It seems to stretch on, but in reality it's only a minute at most of darkness. Suddenly, the light returns. Or, at least, the regular night sky. The trees are gone, allowing the moonlight to reflect off the snow. Rodeo still relights his torch, looking around frantically for the culprit. The only new Pokémon to be seen, though, is Red. She's startled by the sudden disappearance of the forest and seeing everyone again, screeching in fright. She's still quite a distance from them, back where they started, but Min-Gi hurries over to her as quickly as he can manage.

That leaves Cali to notice for herself that both the chocolate and sticker are gone. Peller has noticed too, and leans down to inspect the spot where they were. When he straightens back up he's clutching a small tuft of red and white fur in his paw.

Cali stood there for a moment or two after the light returned before getting a bit of an earful from Sweet Sixteen over the stunt. Cali could only breathe in a sigh of relief though, talking had work and the offerings were taken. The only thing Cali had to do now was uphold the promise of getting the group out of the area.

"Mr. Tenn, do you have Pokeballs for your Zoroark to go in..." Cali paused though when she saw the red and white tuff of fur in Peller's paw and went to take a closer look, "Hey Peller, what's that you have there?"

"Of course," Tenn tells her, while Peller hands off the fur and produces five balls as if from thin air. "Peller is a bit of an escape artist, but the rest will stay in happily enough."

Min-Gi has to spend a bit of talk calming Red Eye, but once he has they start to head back over, Min soothing her as he prepares her for the return journey.

"Same, Sweet Sixteen over here made his PokeBall vanished one night and haven't found it since." Cali happily replied looking over the fur in her hand while Sweet Sixteen gave a satisfied look at making sure that wretched ball was never seen again.

Cali takes one last look out into the tundra before making her way back to Min-Gi and Red to make sure they're okay, "Hey Min-Gi, I'm sorry about scaring Red there, is she alright?"

Hey look Min, Cali has weird fur in her hand!

Tenn strokes his beard at that, eyeing the bag that Sweet Sixteen had retreated into.

"Did he? Perhaps he has a career in magic ahead of him!"

Peller laughs silently at that, nodding his head in agreement.

As Cali treks over to him, Tenn starts returning the Zoroark that are lining up ready. Min looks pleased at that, drawing closer now.

"Good. That will make it easier to get everyone out of here before whatever that was comes back," he says, nodding over to the sled as Cali meets him. Then, glancing at the fur in her hand... "What's that?"

"I'm not sure, it looks like fur..it also makes me think of cotton candy from how fluffy it is. Do you know what Pokemon has fur like it?" Cali was just as perplexed by the fur tuff, though thought red part of the fur looked super pretty.

Sweet Sixteen could only puff his little grubby chest out proudly that others agreed, he'd be a pretty good magician at getting rid of Pokeballs. Cali would do glances back to Tenn and Peller to make sure they got everything before flight along with if that mysterious Pokemon was still around.

"I think I can make a guess," says Tenn from behind Cali. He's apparently snuck up on them, leaving his sled and most of the supplies that can't easily be carried where he'd been forced to stop. He let's Peller say it for him, the Zoroark transforming himself into a very similar looking Pokémon to himself, but with wilder fur and far lighter colouring.

"A Hisuian Zoroark!" Min exclaims. It seems obvious now. If it wasn't Tenn's team, then it had to be something similar. Tenn nods.

"Exactly. It would have been interesting to see how it fared against Peller."

Having no idea just how horrifying Hisuian Zoroarks are or the fact they're the most vengeful things as they come, Cali without knowing said, "Holy smokes, they're insanely pretty."

Sweet Sixteen, who did understand what an Hisuian Zoroark was, was very much near passing out that one was that close by or even more so, accepted the promise. Someone should explain to Cali just what exactly a Hisuian Zoroark is...otherwise...she might just try to get one...

Peller preens, as though this was his actual appearance rather than a mask he's put on.

"Pretty, but they can hold a grudge like almost nothing else," Tenn says, perhaps not surprisingly a bit of an expert. "If we're in it's territory we're lucky it took a liking to your chocolate."

Rodeo nods, still on the look out in case it returns. Min also hums in agreement, retrieving Ice Age's ball so she can make her steps from earlier.

"Getting out of here's probably a good idea. I can bring Red back for the sled."

If Sweet Sixteen could talk, it'd be along the lines of , "That and sheer dumb luck." as Cali is still liking the looks of Hisuian Zoroark, not minding that they hold grudges..horrible grudges as Cali responds, "Ah, okay, but it's hard to resist delicious chocolate, that's the best thing ever."

"Yeah, let's get ready to head on out of here." Cali agreed since she did make the promise, but not before turning around to wave goodbye to the Hisuian Zoroark goodbye, wherever that one may be hiding at.

Peller has yet to switch back to his regular form, seemingly entertained by Cali's reaction. On the plus side it's probably safer for her to be admiring him than the actual illusionist behind the forest.

While Rodeo keeps watch, Ice Age creates a similar set of steps to the ones she had before they set out, Rodeo motioning for everyone to get on board once they're formed. It's debatable whether Tenn really needs them, but he takes them anyway, Peller following close behind.

"You ready, Cali?" Min asks. The coasts seems clear, but they should probably still not chance the Hisuian Zoroark changing its mind.

It's probably for the best, otherwise Cali might have given the forest illusionist a silly nickname like 'Mousse' or something along those lines. Sweet Sixteen is just glad he gets to go back to the heated first aid stand soon as Cali carefully climbs up the ice stairs. It takes a bit for Cali to be carefully secured and comfortable on Red before she's good to go.

Been the little ball of sunshine she is, Cali happily responds to Min-Gi's question, "I'm ready whenever you are, Min."

With everyone on board and his own Pokémon (sans Red) safely returned and stowed away, it's time to climb on board himself. It's a big load for her, and more of a struggle to take off than it usually is, but that's more the awkwardness of having three adults and two Pokémon on there. Sweet Sixteen doesn't make much difference, but the configuration of everyone else does add an additional challenge.

She 's okay once they're off the ground, but everyone might want to stay as tucked in as they can until they make it closer to the main hub of the event.

Cali is holding on well for the flight back to the main hub of the event, Sweet Sixteen just burrowing deeper into the backpack as though that'll make him more secured. Cali would look below every now and then to check out the scene from above and to see how close they're getting to the festival grounds.

Cali does look a bit tempted to remove the mask to enjoy the air, especially now that she's no longer contagious. However, the ever so present force of habit lingered still like the scratch and sniff stickers.

The journey back doesn't end up taking much longer than flying out had. It had been a heavier load for Red Eye, but she's strong and she hadn't had to reign herself in to make sure they didn't miss their rescuee.

Red crouches, head jolting now and then as she makes herself stay still enough for everyone to dismount. Min pats her once they are, throwing a few treats from a bag in his pockets into the snow for her to retrieve.

"It's a shame about the race, but I suppose we should thank you."

Neither of them look sincerely disappointed, but Min-Gi still offers a regretful smile.

"It's tough out there. You aren't the only ones."

"It was a pretty rough environment, I hope you and your Pokemon have a great time during the festival though." Cali offered in condolence, not really picking up on that fact Tenn and Peller aren't all too disappointed about it.

It doesn't take Cali too long to remember something before getting her backpack and fishing the berries up. Much to annoyance of the little Apple Dragon, Cali goes to return the berries to Min-Gi, "I almost forgot, here are your berries back. Hopefully they got a good boost by Sweet Sixteen being in there with them."

Now safely back on the ground, it doesn't take long for Tenn and Peller to go on their way for a well earned rest.

Min is in less of a hurry. He still has a while left before his shift is over, and it's a good spot to relax Red Eye in and freshen her up in case they have to go out again. He shakes his head, waving her off as she tries to hand the berries back.

"Don't worry about it," he insists. "We have plenty."

Before Cali could even answer, Sweet Sixteen lets out a grody, gravelly little laugh as he makes room in the backpack nest to have the berries be placed back into the hoard. This little stinker, the moment he evolves, is absolutely going to be evicting Cali's things out of the backpack for his own little hoard.

Cali could only look on in confusion at Sweet Sixteen's reaction, "Min, you didn't have to do that. Thank you so much for the berries, I didn't even realize how much Sweet Sixteen would like them..."

Swinub Scurry

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