The village was lit up with lanterns hanging from the many branches around the village and with the cheerfulness of the many spectators that had witnessed the earlier contest at Lapras Lounge. There were sounds and smells filling the air as vendors made a large circle around the the square, leaving the center open for the band and any dancing that people may have wanted to do. It was a bit chilly out, but the residents didn't mind since they were all used to the cold climate by now and had fur lined jackets to wear. Most did feel bad for those who were not used to the cold and had to bundle up.
Eira stood on the steps of her hut as it was nestled in the center of the festival and looked out onto the festivities with a small smile. She may have disliked being around people, but seeing her village flourish after everyone's hard work made her feel proud of her little home. They may not have had the size or power of a kingdom like Celosia, but they had their own skills and were gladly showing them off to their visitors. Eira herself was showing off the handiwork of the hunters of the village and was wearing some of the finest fur that had been turned into a long grey cloak, which almost looked like a dress when she stood still as she was.
Z walked through the festival with his two pokemon. he had found a shop earlier where he had bought a winter coat and was wearing it now under his cloak along with insulated jeans.
Z had a stick of Octilery snacks in his hand and he was munching them as he looked around. Sparky had a candy apple in her claw and Fraxure was munching on a stick of yakitori, much to the annoyance of sparky. Z looked around at the festival grounds and noticed how different all this was to the fancy party that Akane had thrown. Z finished off his snacks and went to look around at what else there was.
Maya arrived at the little festival, looking around at the lights. She had on her usual thick jacket with hood over her usual clothes and two pairs of thermal leggings and her boots. She didn't pack anything particularly fancy in her bag, it was unnecessary to carry around such things.
Bo skipped about in the snow, excitedly greeting people, sniff the air for food, and generally having a good time. Maya was glad she was. Despite how tempting the scent of the food stalls were she was on a mission. She looked around for Eira, urging Bo to follow and not run off to a candy apple stall. As she went, she looked at faces, looking for any family semblance. If she found Eira she might be able to find her Aunt, or not, just by asking one person.
Eira stood patiently on her steps, nodding and greeting people as they passed her by on their way around the square to all of the different stalls. Sealeo came out with an egg balanced on his nose, causing Eira to look at him in mild amusement and annoyance. She took the egg from him and gently wrapped it up in her fur lined sleeves so that it would stay warm and stay close to her for the time being. She hadn't gotten to spend nearly as much time with her egg as she had wanted to since the contest was going on and she had a feeling that it would be hatching soon since it had been so long since she had received it from that visitor to the village.
Z walked up to Eira with his pokemon at his side, "That was a great contest," he said, "it gave my partners the experience boost that they needed to evolve." Sparky and Fraxure nodded. Sparky had finished her apple and was eating some cotton candy, the fire type had quite the sweet tooth. Fraxure was munching on a plate of Okonomiyaki and Z had another box of Octilery snacks. "I had a lot of fun and the festival is awesome as well."
"I'm glad you had a fun, Z. I enjoyed having everyone come and participate," Eira said as she held her egg close to her so that it could stay warm while out in the cold weather. She only had a vague idea of what could be in the egg from its pink and cream coloration and she hoped that it would hatch soon so she could meet her newest friend. "What will you be doing once the festival is over with?"
Z swallowed a bite of food, "I was going to head out of the snow down south where I would meet up with some relatives and get a ride to their home in Starfort town. They requested that I visit them when they found out I started out on my journey as a pokemon trainer. I can't wait to introduce my new friends to them." Sparky looked up from her snack and Fraxure nodded in agreement before going back to chowing down on his plate of Okonomiyaki.
Maya was finding her way through the festival, enjoying the atmosphere and the music. The snow was the perfect for building a snowman and she was tempted to do so but was intend on finding Eira. Now that she thought about it it was obvious where she would be.
She made her way to the steps of the biggest hut near the festival, and was happy to see the woman there talking to that boy Z. She headed towards her, dragging Bo behind her. The pink Pokemon sulked as it was dragged.
"We can have fun later, Bo. For now, we have to figure this out," Maya said, as she approached Eira. "Erm... excuse me?"
"It sounds like you'll be quite busy after the celebration is over with," Eira said cheerfully. She was happy that her young friend was going off to travel some more, even if she was jealous that he got to go and travel around and see all of the region if he so chose. Eira turned her attention on Maya when she spoke, clearly wanting her attention. "Good afternoon Maya. How are you enjoying the festivities?"
"I did offer you the chance to stop by when you have the time," said Z, "the offer is still open and I could show you around." Z turned to Maya, "You're welcome too. I've heard that the town welcomes new visitors and has a great view of the night sky." Sparky glanced at this new girl and stood closer to Z as if saying 'he's taken'. Faxure noticed this and chuckled a bit, ignoring the sharp glare that sparky shot him, and went back to eating his food.
"Er.. they're great," Maya said, still keeping a hold of Bo. She was eager to go out and enjoy it and Bo was starting to bleat loudly in complaint.
"We'll enjoy them soon but actually I have a question your high... I mean Eira. Would you happen to know anyone in your village with the last name Reed? Maybe came up here in the last year or so? Similar features to me? ... oh and a woman? I'm looking for my aunt and thought she might have wandered up here?"
Maya sighed and picked up the wiggling Flaaffy and held her securely in her arms as she addressed Z and nervously eyed the glaring Blaziken.
"S-sorry, pardon this one. She is a little excited," Maya said. "Thank you I would be honored but I have something else to take care of."
"Flaaaaaaafa!" Bo said sharply, as if in agreement.
Nicole was surprised as she saw lantern light in the distance. She had found herself wandering on a path towards Silvertree Village and by the look of things she was close. Looking down at Nero, her Vulpix, she saw he was staring at the lights intently.
"Are there people that way?" She asked pulling the Pokemon closer to her so that it could steal some of her body heat, all the while watching her breath come out in puffs of smoke.
"Vulpix!" Nero responded before snuggling into Nicole's hold. "Vul, Vulpix?"
Nicole shook her head and smiled in amusement. "I'm not cold. Don't worry about me. Let's head that way."
After that was said she started moving towards the lantern light only to stop again when she reached the area the lanterns were located.
"Wow, there's a festival going on?" Nicole heard herself say in awe. "I haven't seen, or been to one, in a while." Looking down at Nero she watched as his eyes darted around looking at all the activity.
"Want to go in?" She asked getting an excited "Vulpix!" in response. With a shake of her head and a laugh, Nicole gave into the excitement of her friend and walked in quickly navigating through the stalls to the an place near the center of the area so she could get a better look around.
"I guess normal was never supposed to be a word for me." - Nicole
Z nodded, "that's too bad. It would be nice to see some familiar faces though. My partners would love the environment and the people there. there is mineral rich soil that people use to grow great food and they have mines built into the crater that are lit by pokemon like Lampet that produce their own light."
Sparky finished her snack and went back to hugging Z's arm. Z had some conflicting feelings about Sparky. He didn't know much about love due to being young, but he was genuinely touched by her devotion to him and was wondering if he might actually have feelings for his second pokemon. It was strange he knew, but he couldn't deny that he had a feeling in his chest whenever Sparky hugged him.
"It sounds like an interesting town, maybe I'll come visit some time if I get the chance," Eira said with a smile, though she could not think of when her next chance to travel would be. She frowned when Maya asked her about the woman with the last name Reed, trying to remember the names of all of those that lived in the village. "I'm sorry Maya, but I don't know anyone with that name. I also don't know everyone's last names, so she could very well be here and I just haven't heard her last name. I'm sorry I can't be of more help."
"O-oh I see... Th-thank you though," Maya bowed slightly and frowned but tried not to let her disappointment show. "Thank you for your help."'
She stood awkwardly there for a moment thinking. What should she do? Her aunt wasn't here, according to the freaking queen anyway. But it couldn't hurt to double check and look around.
"Flaaaaafffyyyy!" Bo cried, kicking up snow. Maya sighed.
"A-Again thank you for your help Eira. I actually had a lot of fun in your contest," she said, as she let Bo pull her away. "B-bye!" She finished as she was promptly pulled to towards the candy apple cart.