Light 'em up (The Calderan Day of Fire)

[expertonshutters]

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!]

Comments

[faithfulflame]

[Rei looks down at the little Pokemon and shrugs.]

I met Mars while we were in Gigas. From the badlands. She's pretty sweet if...a little skittish.

[actsmagnificent]

So I see.

[ Maybe it's a scent thing. Rhyhorn do a lot with scent. Haruka leans over to offer Mars a hand to sniff. Super Beauty butts in to sniff it, too.

Huh! Smells like Trainer! How about that! ]

[faithfulflame]

[Mars does just that, sniffling and snuffling with her wet little nose, giving Haruka's hand a lick before stepping clear so Super Beauty can just...be an interrupting Rhyhorn.]

She says thanks, and that you smell like...[snort] salt, though.

[actsmagnificent]

I'll take that as a compliment. [ Though the way her mouth quirks indicates there's a couple different ways Haruka can interpret it, and all of them amuse her.

She nudges Super Beauty out of the way, then stands. ] How's the shrine?

[ What with the impending war. And all that. ]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei rolls her shoulders in a shrug, scooping up Mars as she does.]

As well as can be expected. Quiet, mostly. We've had visitors coming to pray more lately, but that's all. Nothing unusual.

The theater?

[actsmagnificent]

Almost fixed. [ Haruka steps back, the better to give Rei space to fetch her fox. ] Between productions, though.

[ A quick grin flashes across her face. ] We'll make it.

[faithfulflame]

[An odd statement but Rei nods back.]

Absolutely. I have faith.

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka would hope so, what with the shrine maiden thing and all. (But that's not what you meant.)

Super Beauty is starting to stamp in place, though, so she begins moving away. Better find somewhere to burn off some of that energy. Also, to find Gene. But she's not going to admit all her Pokémon are missing. ] Enjoy the festival.

[ There won't be much to enjoy soon. But for now, while they can... ]