bravenewworld | Light 'em up (The Calderan Day of Fire)

It's the morning of the 19th and it's clear even to the inexperienced traveler that the city has a different air to it. If it wasn't the atmosphere that got them, then the stalls lining the streets would. Many people are still working on getting set up for the night festival, but the stalls that are complete are lining many corners and they are filled to the brim with bright colors. From afar, the streets look like someone threw a rainbow of paint across the city.

They haven't seen anything yet.

It's not yet time for the festivities so any visitors are free to wander the streets. The natives seem to be delighted if amused at all the people interested in the holiday and are happy to sell anyone as much colored powder as they want. They are glad to explain the fascinating origins of the holiday or even talk shop about what they're planning to show off later in the night. It seems that not even the gloom and unease that might have rolled into town with Union has caused these people to falter with their grandest tradition.

Sometime close to noon is when things change. The natives all kind of stop what they're doing. The colored stalls start to close up and everyone looks tense. Those who visited last year might take this as their cue to get ready.

A long, rattling trumpet sound rings through the streets and that is when all hell breaks loose.

It's every person and pokemon for themselves. Have fun everyone.

[Ooc: Feel free to make your own top levels in addition to using the prompts below! Have fun guys!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[She wasn't as energetic as usual, but Minako was determined to try to have some fun. So, here she was, trying to pick some colors.

Her Sylveon had all the opinions, of course, and was attempting to nudge her in the direction of his favorites, but was competing with a very insistent Butterfree that her color choices were better.

Minako was starting to look perplexed.]

You're not going with red today?

[ To match the ribbon. Haruka, for her part, seems to be in the process of accumulating pieces of Calderan clothing as well. They're draped all over her Union yukata.

Because life is nowhere even close to fair, she looks fantastic. ]

I could, right?

[Both her Pokémon looked dismayed. Eros though pink was best, but Bugsy wanted purple! She smiled a bit. Up close, Haruka might be able to notice the remnants of a few faded bruises still left. Those would be covered with bright colors soon.]

I was debating between that and the gold color because... well, it's the day of fire. And those are fire-like colors.

[ Haruka grins at that logic, then starts selecting small portions of each powder, taking care to keep her own clothing from dipping into it. ] I'm no artist, but I hear contrast is important. [ From Michiru. ] So to be sure you'll always have the right weapon on hand -

[ Her selection is done. She offers it to Minako. ] Would this work?

[Wait... was Haruka picking colors for her????? Minako did her best not to blush too brightly.]

Oh. Um, yes. Thank you!

[She took them carefully.]

Are you going to be participating, too?

[ A bashful chuckle. Well, it would be bashful coming from anyone but her. Mostly it's just endearing. ] There's lots to see.

[ She's not. She's got to keep all these Calderan costume pieces clean for Natto. Plus it's not Her Way.

Many things aren't. ]

True. But it could be fun, you know. If even you only do a little.

Is dabbling your major plan for the day?

[ Not talking about Haruka. La la la. ]

Mostly. [She was still recovering from the battle. It was hard to really run around a lot and at full strength right now.] I might not get full into it this year.

There's lots of different things to see.

[ So no judgment if you don't get fully into any of them all the way. More time to experience other things, go at your own pace.

Still not talking about Haruka! ]

Yeah. You're right. [And probably some places where she can sit and rest if she overdid it.] It should be fun anyway, right?

[The Pokémon with her seemed excited enough, and were probably going to run around a lot more than she was planning to.

And about that not talking thing...]

Have you made any plans? You'll probably be with Michiru, right?

[ Haruka shrugs. ] We'll be around.

[ Michiru is likely off also gathering clothing for Natto. Plus, when in Caldera, do as Calderans do...

..."Hey, mister!" yells someone from across the street. "Don't be shy! Off with that shirt!"

Haruka tries to act like nobody just talked. ]

[Minako was a little embarrassed by that, though, and blushed completely. She tried to be as cool about it as Haruka, too, making a point not to look in that direction.]

I hope I'll see you, then.

Bring the world some color, Skitty. [ Haruka winks. Just don't throw any on her.

Or, well. You can try. ]

[OMG A WINK]

I'll do my best.

[She smiled brightly. Even if she seemed run down, stiff, and tired, she was at least cheery about it.]

I'm counting on you.

[ And now, time to stroll off with casual, practiced ease and a jaunty wave. Just in case the powder-throwing starts early.

...would be a really silly reason, wouldn't it? So of course that's not what's going on! Naturally. ]

[It was all good. Minako was definitely too star struck to really do anything to Haruka like that, but her Sylveon wasn't.

He foofed his nose into a bowl of pink dust, right at Haruka! Minako panicked!]

[ Haruka laughs, waving that hand of farewell in a broader arc than usual...

...and the powder dispels in its wake.

Elegant ladies really are a breed apart. ]

[RELIEF!

Minako hurried Eros off, scolding him a little for tossing powder before the event started. Bugsy frrrreeeeeee in laughter at them as she followed.]

Light 'em up (The Calderan Day of Fire)

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