[CLOSED] A Festival of Surprises

"Oh yes, there's going to be an ice sculpture contest going on that I must judge soon. There should be many of our finest sculptors there that would be happy to discuss some joint lessons with you if you like their work," Eira told him, motioning for him to join her on her little porch. "It will be quite the show since this is how they get their businesses known to others."

Grace was happy to see Scorpio again and was eager to introduce her new friends to her big brother figure. Flurry fluttered around the heads of all of Z's Pokemon before she decided to land on his Electrivire to nestled in his fir.

The festival had finally started. Thank Arceus. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could have waited before Shard got to the point of just needing to be put in his Pokeball. Looking around, Maleko tried to find the place where he could best disappear that was not too far from the festival, but was just far enough that his flute playing would not be overheard. Once he had spotted the perfect place, he quickly made his way over to it, Mistletoe following after, and moved so that Shard was still covered while he reached into his suit for his flute. Getting the instrument out, he positioned himself in a way where he could hold it correctly, while still keeping Shard in the warmth of the coat, and began to play. The melody was simple, but soothing, and soon enough, both Maleko, and his Pokemon were caught up in the flow of the music. Until there was a rustle from nearby. Stopping mid note, Maleko broke the music trance he and his Pokemon had been caught up in and looked over at where the sound was coming from.

From one of the bushes, that somehow lived in the cold of the area, came the form of a Snover, who seemed to be eying Maleko curiously, glancing back and forth between him and his flute. Looking down at the instrument, Maleko brought it back to his lips and began to play again, this time paying attention to the Snover, and completely ignoring the cautious look Shard was making, and the curious one that Mistletoe was making. The Snover’s eyes seemed to widen at the tune Maleko was playing, and, slowly, began to make his way over to the three before him. Shard started to straighten slightly at this, while Mistletoe began to fall into a small battle position. The Snover froze. Maleko stopped playing. “Calm down you two. It’s just curious. Remember, this is how I met the two of you.” The words were meant to calm, and they kind of did, but the two Pokemon still looked a little on edge. “Hey little guy, you want to listen to the music?” This time Maleko addressed the Snover who looked at Shard Mistletoe cautiously before giving a sort of full body nod. Smiling, Maleko waved it over, then situated himself and began to play once more.

Flurry didn't seem to notice Volt's uneasiness at all as she nested comfortably in his fur, enjoying the bit of warmth that the large Electric type was giving off to her tiny body. Toddle remained behind Shimmer as introductions were made, shy around the very large Pokemon his companions seemed to be acquainted with. Meta transformed into a shiny Blaziken in order to show off to Sparky, giving a wink to the female. Eira nodded, turning towards their Pokemon. "I'll take you over to them when the contest starts then. Right now they are still doing last minute preparations for the viewings."

"How had your gym been going? I was one of your first challengers right?" Eira asked, trying to make small talk though she was genuinely curious how the younger boy was doing.

Meta looked stunned for a moment before he edged closer to her. *I doubt you really do. Let me guess, you have a crush on that boy of yours?*

Toddle hid further behind Shimmer as Tsurara came closer to him, unsure of the Ghost type since he had heard stories of Froslass that liked to lead people away.

Flurry made a strange buzzing noise that almost seemed to be a purr as she nestled into Volt's warm fur, folding her wings out to help protect him from the lightly falling snow in return.

Well this was unexpected.  Completely and totally unexpected.  Both Shard and Mistletoe were now watching the Pokemon that Maleko had somehow gained the trust of once more bounce up and down in front of said boy trying to get him to play another song.  This in turn had said boy giving small, nervous laughs as he looked over at his current two Pokemon.  It seemed that the stare off between them wasn't going to end at this rate... until Shard gave a halfhearted shrug, and Mistletoe bound over to the Snover to cautiously sniff at it as though that would answer all her questions.  Maleko gave a small sigh of relief and then nodded back to his best friend, a small genuine laugh escaping him at Mistletoe's curiosity.

"I d-don't have any of m-my Pokeballs on me at the m-moment.  But if you want, you c-can follow me around and when I c-can get to them, you can join my g-group."  This was the test that Maleko felt was important at the moment.  If the Pokemon lost interest, it wasn't to be... but if it followed him, he would be happy to except it into his group.  The Snover stared at him for a few moments, as though it was debating the choices it was given, before it gave a full body nod and stared at Maleko expectantly.  This gained a laugh (from Maleko), a huff (from Shard), and a small sneeze (from Mistletoe, who had still been sniffing the Snover when it nodded).  Getting up, Maleko signaled that he was about to start walking, this causing Mistletoe to run back to his side, and Shard to sink even further into Maleko's and the coat's hold.  The Snover seemed to pause before nodding, full-body, again and moving slightly closer to the boy.  Maleko gave it a small smile before he began to start walking.  Now, it was time to see what fate had to say about whether or not he would gain a new Pokemon.

"and I'll see if I can make the trip here again," said Z, "I may have lost before, but third time's the charm they say."

Sparky shrugged, *just because your love life flopped, doesn't mean that mine will go unrequited."

Tsurara giggled from behind her arm, *fu fu fu, my name is Tsurara, little one,* she said, taking the little paw in her cold hand, *it is a pleasure to meet you.  I hope you liked my sculpture.*

"Of course," said Z, "I intend to earn it, just as you earned my badge. I wouldn't have it any other way. Just getting it wouldn't be any fun at all."

Sparky ignored meta and stood closer to Haxorus to provide heat for the large dragon pokemon wearing a specially tailored winter coat.

*Why thank you,* said Tsurara before firing a low power ice beam and creating a miniature ice doll of Toddle.