[MINI EVENT] ☆T A N A B A T A☆

[ulternnpc]

Those from the four regions of Kanto, Johto, Hoenn and Sinnoh will be very familiar with the sight of bamboo stalks that are left outside decorated with colorful and sparkly paper decorations. There are people gathering around, helping one another put up paper amulet of varying colors to tie around the bamboo branches. On each amulet is a single wish that’s been handwritten by someone.

One can only hope that their wish will be heard…

---

At night, there’s a surprise to be found: an alternate colored Jirachi is out dressed in what’s clearly a handmade costume. Around its neck, is a colorful paper chain made of sparkly origami paper.



Not only has Jirachi come to grant wishes, Miniors are out and about bright and colorful. They’ll be dancing around seemingly trying to invite people to come join them in the festivities.

---

((OOC: Happy Tanabata! In the morning is a general mingle post. But as the evening sets in and Jirachi appears, it will start granting the wish written on your amulet whether big or small -- wealth, a long life, or maybe a way to return home. You're free to catch Miniors too, and there's a slightly better chance of encountering a shiny one as well. Just be careful of the ones still in their shell or you might just get a rather explosive surprise...

This event can take place at any town, so feel free to specify a location!))

Comments

[Pokemon death, see PokeDex and episode 79 of Sun & Moon]

[timidlyblooming]

A. Question

Lillie's seen others put up wishes for tanabata, but she's never done it herself.

She waited to see someone she could ask, the others all seemed so busy with their own wishes or helping someone else, that Lillie felt like too much of a burden to hang around them. She didn't want to bother them. But she desperately wanted to make her own wish, too... so, when she finally found someone who didn't appear to be busy just yet, she gathered up the courage to ask.

"Um... excuse me, do I need a special kind of paper to make wishes? Where do I get it from? Or will any paper do?" Lillie asked politely.

B. Wish

"I want to see my family again.
-Lillie"

C. Fading Stars

The Minior are as lovely as the first time she's seen them, but tempered now by the sorrow of knowing they don't have long to live. She'll never see them as just beautiful, colourful lights in the sky anymore. They're sweet and she can't help but (very gently, like she's afraid they might disintegrate faster if her touch was more than feather-light) play with them, but the sight was so...

Death was a part of life and they all seemed so happy, so their lives in space and even on earth must be happy, but they can't survive like that... maybe it was childish, stubborn even, but... she wanted to see if it could go differently, this time.

She couldn't fully accept it, she tried to search in her books for some other way this could go, and the only answer she found wasn't even certain and, looking at how many there were, probably not possible to save them all, but...

She might be tearing up a bit. The yellow one that had gotten attached to her, even though she hadn't tried to get very closee to any one of them, maybe she could save that one? She tossed a pokeball to capture it.

"I hope this works..." she whispered.

"Are you a trainer?" she asked anyone at the festival that looked like they might be a trainer and even some who didn't. "If you catch the Minior in a pokeball, you might be able to save them... please? They'll die in a day or two. They've lost their shells, they burned on the way down, but if you catch them, the pokeball might save them."

She'll give nearly the same explanation each time, as if it's a rehearsed speech, but sometimes, she'll be overcome with tears.

[Chura Island; with an additional prompt of absolute awfulness for Jirachi]

[buson]

A. Wish
Completely in earnest, Buson was also tying up his own wish: the clumsiest, worst-looking blue paper crane you've ever seen, full of unfolded creases, lopsided, and uneven. If not for the beak and at least one uncrumpled wing, it wouldn't be possible to tell it was a crane at all!

This was the best paper crane he'd managed, the others were... well, they look even less like cranes, he was proud of this one! He looked like he wasn't sure if he should tie the others to the same long piece of string or just this one that looked (relatively) good compared to the other eyesores. He vaguely wondered if someone would laugh at his other attempts.

"I couldn't even finish all of them in time, huh?" he said, sounding disappointed, as he looked at the crumpled up birds. "There's no way an amateur could fold 27 in one day, huh... at least I got up to 7. Well, it kind of ripped, so maybe 6... that's gotta count for somethin', right?"

He kind of still wanted to keep trying, so he brought the paper along, but he had a feeling he'd miss the night and wouldn't finish in time, so he wound up folding and tearing a piece of the blue paper, just to write his wish instead.

"I want my friends to live happily, without fear or despair. -B"

B. Sugar Stars

The Minior are unusual to Buson and he's a little alarmed when he first saw the disintegrating shell of one scatter into dust—he'd nearly stepped on it, unaware, and for a second worried he'd crushed a Pokmon underfoot unaware)—until the Minior core flew up gently glowing.

"... cute little fella, aren't you? Did you just evolve?"

He wasn't sure what the shell was down there, maybe it's like a coccoon?

It didn't seem to say much, just smiling away. There were a lot all around. Buson didn't really get what the occasion was, but they looked a lot like konpeito. His belly rumbled at the sight.

"... makin' me crave konpeito."

C. Temptation

That... sure was a Legendary Pokemon and a shiny one at that. Imagine those odds?! The little costume's cute and all, but he didn't care about that right now, he could catch it! He could make so much money off of that. He could afford a house, he could run away, he could live comfortably! It wouldn't even have to go to Team Rocket, it could go to someone who just wants a Legendary Pokemon for some reason... but hey, would anyone even pay as high for it? ... he can't believe he's thinking like this right now, when Rayquaza being experimented on is still bothering him, but. It was so tempting. Maybe it could be his ticket out of his life back home.

He won't buy a place here, he wants to keep his money clean, but... a chance like this probably won't come up again in his world, what are the odds right? It'd be perfect, they won't know about it because it's in another world, he'll capture the Pokemon, cash it in his world, it won't be traced back to him, and he can escape, maybe even convince Bashou to come along, if he's going to be rich.

(Or Bashou'll turn him in. He can't imagine that, but... or Bashou'll refuse, and he won't be able to escape, because he won't want to leave Bashou behind, and he'll just have to sit there with his dirty money and knowing he ruined even the peace he had in Ultern.)

Was this worth it? Was escaping worth it if he was going to do it in a way he'd regret? He'd have more to regret if he stayed, so maybe it was a worthy sacrifice... who knows, maybe he wouldn't even have to use any traps and he could convince it to come along with him.

While debating that, with a smile aiming for friendly, but landing somewhere squarely in wolfish, all teeth and no warmth reaching his very stony, cold eyes, he approached Jirachi.

"... hey."

It's only when he's closed in on it that he really thought about the festival again. The way the tags hanging of its head looked like red tanzaku. Benevolence, gratitude, and respect for ancestors.

Was that gratitude he was showing...? What if his wish get ruined because of this selfishness? (But what if this opportunity was his wish being granted...!)

C

[domeinion]

[Alice looks with concern at Lillie. She's got Peeps and Fate following her around today, and she's just finished giving a curious Minior a Potion, so its shell is beginning to reform. She pats it gently and it flies off.]

That's right, you're Alolan like these little guys, aren't you? I've never seen one before, but I did remember hearing that a Poké Ball can stabilize them if they can't heal up and regrow their shell in time. No reason not to try! Did you catch one, too?

A

[domeinion]

It works. I mean, I always just hung the plain paper slips.

[Alice ponders her own wish slip, still blank as she tries to come up with a wish this year.]

Then again, Hosts aren't known for our coordination...

[timidlyblooming]

[Lillie turned, looking amazed by the reforming shell.]

H-how...?! Oh, Alice, please share.

... in my world, at least, all I've found is that a pokeball can help save them. Even that isn't sure. Usually, they just... fade away...

[She's so happy and relieved to see there's another way this could go.]

[1/2; you know, I don't think they've ever interacted before!]

[buson]

Yeah... but, you know, traditionally, it's as many paper cranes as the age of the oldest member of the household for long life and health, right?

I thought, y'know, maybe it'd be more specific and more... powerful, you know?

The person they're for has never had much luck with these, doesn't believe in the stuff, honestly, but I've been tryin' all kinds'a omamori and the plain paper tanzaku, like you said...

[buson]

Sorry, hosts...? Are you in charge of the festival?

A

[closedbond]

X too was wondering the same thing but he'll note there's a basket left out with paper amulets, and markers for writing nearby the bamboo stalks. He already has one in hand when he heard Lillie approach him. Turning to meet her, he doesn't hesitate to hold the blank paper amulet out to her.

"I think this is what we write on...not that I'm completely certain. It's not a holiday I've celebrated back home." What exactly was he suppose to write on these anyway?

[ulternnpc]

Day -- Gilterrace at Churahana Flower Shop
[Manzana can be seen outside decorating a bamboo stalk with paper chains and also flowers. He seems to be in a good mood as he's humming to himself. While being on decoration duty he'll be stopping anyone who's passing by to come closer.

In his hand he'll be holding a paper amulet and a pen while holding it out.]

Ulsai! Would you care to put up your wish on the bamboo?

Night
[While others may be around enjoying the festivities with the Miniors and Jirachi, Manzana takes the moment to step away. He'll be seen with a single paper amulet in hand as he writes down his own wish.]

...I wish for my friends and family here to be happy, and that any future sorrows be short and fleeting.

[There's a small, sad smile on his face as he sighed.]

I have to make sure no one sees me hang this...

Night

[buson]

[He hadn't seen Manzana in so long! He's one of the people he missed the most, back in Johto and even Hoenn...

He quietly listened, not meaning to intrude, but he was curious.

He stepped forward and lightly tapped his shoulder.]

Manzana! [With a warm and glad voice, a big grin on his face, even if it didn't quite reach his eyes...
He'll hold his arm out, in case Manzana would like a hug, adding more quietly:] Sorry, was it supposed to be secret?

[timidlyblooming]

"Thank you!" Lillie bowed politely as she accepted it.

She hadn't seen it at all...

"Neither did I," Lillie confessed. "There were some who did, but it's not really an Alolan custom, ah... I don't understand very much about it, but I'm trying my best to understand. It seems we're supposed to write a wish we'd like granted."

[ulternnpc]

[Manzana feeling the tap on his shoulder, instinctively pressed the paper amulet to his chest. He's looking over, and his surprise immediately melted into relief when seeing a very familiar face.

He'll move closer to put one arm around Attila to reciprocate the offered hug. It's then followed with a sheepish look on his face.]

Oh... I wasn't sure if my wish would come true if anyone saw it. You know, like when you wish on a star...? I know that sounds silly...

[buson]

[He hugged him tightly, but relaxed it when he realized it might hurt. Still, he stayed holding him for some time... he'd been gone for many months, nearly a year, from his perspective.

Then, of course, he'd have to let him go.]

... it isn't silly. But you know, while they're hanging there, folks are gonna read 'em. It's kind of fun, I don't think it'll hurt their chances of coming true any...

But I won't look at it if you don't want me to.
[Buson turned away, not that it mattered, he'd heard Manzana earlier... it's just to out Manzana at ease.]

How've you been? Chura's real nice, got a nice job too, lets me travel a lot between islands. Missed what Ohritori's got to offer, though!

[closedbond]

So this girl in front of him is from Alola. That explained why she was just as lost as he is on what to do. X will take a second to take another blank paper amulet to examine it.

"A wish, huh? I wonder if there's a limit on what we can wish for..." he knew what he wanted to write down already, but the critical part of his mind intervened telling him it was silly, and pointless to. Instead of listening to that he turned his focus back to Lillie. "Do you already have a wish in mind?"

[ OOC: I am *not* expecting this one to come true, lol ]

[unchcsen]

A. A LOFTY BUT PREDICTABLE WISH... (DAY)

Volo has never experienced Tanabata before! Maybe some people in Jubilife Village had celebrated it, but if so, he'd missed it. It's been a long time, actually, since he took part in any kind of celebration...and that realisation makes him feel both wistful and excited.

After learning about the basic customs, Volo has managed to get his hands on some blank paper strips and a pen. Since he didn't know what the colours meant, he has picked up one of each colour...and a spare of each colour, just in case something goes wrong. (If there are any limits to how many wishes he can make, that knowledge has clearly passed him by!)

Volo sits down nearby, and uses the top of his backpack as a rest. Before he puts pen to paper, his hand is shaking. A few minutes later, someone might catch him hanging up at least ten identical wishes, scrawled in increasingly erratic writing:

'I wish to meet Arceus!'

"Maybe I should add more of these...!?"


B. MINIOR-WATCHING (EVENING)

Volo is sitting on the beach, accompanied by his Togekiss, as they both watch the colourful Minior dancing and rising into the air. Volo has no idea what they are, but he's awestruck by them.

The grains of sand on the beach are star-shaped, too; do they have any connection? Or are they something to do with the hundreds of wishes that people have poured out across Ultern?

Volo rests his chin upon his hand and thinks aloud. "Do you think those are Pokémon? They make such a lovely sight..."

[ Day! I figured they should meet at last! ]

[bashou]

Uh, yes...?

[Bashou stops and holds out his hands, without really thinking about it.

It's tradition, isn't it? Bashou hasn't paid any attention to Tanabata for years, but it makes him feel nostalgic, and he used to love writing his wishes - even if he never really believed that they would come true.

They never did, and he can't possibly write down the things he might wish for these days. Not for other people to read.

Bashou suddenly curls his fingers into his palms and withdraws his hands.]

Actually...I don't know. No, I can't think of what I'd write, and besides...

[He doesn't want to be a downer on a festival day, even if being a downer is what he's good at, so he stops himself mid-sentence, before he can start talking about how there's no point to these things. In an attempt to get out of this awkward situation that he's created, he pretends that he's only just noticed the flower shop.]

Oh, do you work here? Would you happen to be Manzana? I think you might know my friend...

They meet at last!

[ulternnpc]

[Manzana thinks nothing of it as he was about to hand both the amulet and pen to Bashou. But when the other withdrew he gave a small, patient smile.]

Even a tiny wish is work making. Of course there'a no pressure to write one either.

[He'll leave it at that as Bashou had changed the subject already. Manzana nodded while placing a hand to his chest.]

I am indeed Manzana. It is nice to meet you. May I ask to whom your friend might be...?

[timidlyblooming]

"I think we're supposed to write just one... I can't decide how to write mine. I want... to see my family again, to get along better with my father, and make up for lost time..." Lillie said. "They're all connected, of course, but..."

Lillie looked at X once more. "What about you? ... oh, forgive my rudeness. My name is Lillie."

A polite little bow. "Your name is...?"

[Iiii should finish their other thread, but--have a little know-it-all, eager to answer questions]

[timidlyblooming]

So, they're already starting to rise...

Lillie watched them, as well, finding them beautiful, but still somewhat sad.

She'd tried her best to save as many as she could and even encouraged others to do so, but of course, there were so many... it's inevitable that some would have to fade away... something that must be accepted, but she wished their stay wasn't so short.

When she heard Volo speak, she drew nearer to answer his question, with a small smile.

"Yes, those are a Pokemon called Minior. They live in space, eating dust, which creates heavy outer shells... when they become too heavy, they fall to earth, and their shells break and crumble, exposing their core. The colour of those Minior cores depends on what they eat.

"They fall on my home region, Alola, too. There are very few regions where they fall to earth, so this is a rare sight. They should be cherished..."

[domeinion]

Oh, no! Not that kind of host. [She adjusts her hat.] My mom used to do the paper cranes, but I was never any good at it. And Dad never bothered. I'm surprised we have one holiday in common, though, most of the ones from my version of Kanto don't seem to scan to others.

[bashou]

Hmm...I'll think about it, then. Just being indecisive, I suppose. Thank you for the offer, anyway...

[Bashou returns the smile, although his is crooked and shaky, like it's a skill he hasn't practised very much. He isn't used to meeting new people, and his heart feels like it's climbing into his throat, even though Manzana seems so nice, and Bashou has only heard good things about him...]

Ah, my friend is...I think you might know him as Attila? He has mentioned you, anyway...

[A lot, and with heartfelt words of both gratitude and concern! But Bashou doesn't want to cause any embarrassment.]

[buson]

S'good to find somethin' familiar, isn't it?

Oh? I'm meetin' folks from a lot of very different Kanto regions. What's your place like?

[domeinion]

It's just a theory, but having seen Minior shells crack when they're injured too and repair when they're healed, I thought healing them might help them regenerate in this state so they'd be able to heal up in time and wouldn't fade away or have to return to space. Though I wouldn't mind catching one, either! They seem very friendly.

[domeinion]

[Alice is all about this! She's got her more normal friends out, Fate the Smoliv in her arms and Peeps the Torchic perched on top of her hat, and in the morning she'll deliberate for a moment and write a wish.]

I wish for a breakthrough in understanding the Ulternian drift phenomenon

[To the point, Alice. She doodles a little Dome Fossil on the slip too.

Later in the evening, she'll show up to the festival and check out the Minior, and she's... giving them Potions and Berries and noting down the results. Some are beginning to regrow the shells around their bodies, and Alice excitedly takes notes.

She does see Jirachi, and while she doesn't move to catch it, she does offer it an ice cream sandwich.]

You wouldn't be the one who knows Rey, would you? I wonder how she's doing out there.

[domeinion]

It should be closer to normal now, with standard variations like the presence of the fossil gods, which I thought was a universal constant but that seems to only be the case for the worlds and timelines I'd personally observed before drifting here, because if you take what I hear from the other people who were pulled through the stream into Ultern as a baseline, that's apparently exceedingly uncommon -- but have you ever heard of a Randomizer?