ITT: We Have All Become Pokémon

Ahead of the group is a massive collection of tents and stands, just behind a gate with a very enthusiastic Mime Jr.

"STEP UP, STEP UP!" He calls. "Just ahead is the world's most exciting carnival!"

"Oh," [I start back up again, beginning with an awkward chuckle,] "yea, that's...yea, no, going to straight electricity would just be better. Using that stuff too much kinda is making everything warmer, which is bad for a lot of reasons, and unfortunately—" [My tone gets a little more bitter.] "—you can't tax or ship or sell sunlight or wind or friggin' waves, so there's a fat chance the fat cats'll want to change shit until it's all gone."

"...shoot, y'think we should've gotten into any a'this?"

[I look back ahead of us—oh, shoot, we're here! The carnival!, aww, man, I feel like a fat kid at a birthday party, this is gonna be so cool!]

edited 18th Sep '17 1:34:44 PM by BlackMageAnolis

One last burst and we should be there!

(I announce, now excited.)

(A carnival…? Then Dana would have something to ride that isn't my back. I should've thought this through better…)

All right! (I say, stepping up my pace.)

Man, I hope something horrible doesn't happen here today... (Marsha says as she runs with the rest of us.)

The Mime Jr. watches the group approach and cheerfully cheers.

"Hello, folks! Here for El Carnival?"

(Wait, we are there...heh.)

Wow...

(I am awestruck as I observe the scene before me.)

"Eh, don't jinx it, sister."

[...damn it, now I'm thinking about it. I look at the Mime Jr....the kid seems okay. I mean, obviously, they're gonna have a adorable mascot try and bring up business...wait, that's what I initially think there's gonna be a problem with? What, there's gonna be child slaves here—oh, fuck me...]

edited 18th Sep '17 1:43:01 PM by BlackMageAnolis

Philly nyooooms past everybody.

"Carnivaaaaaaaaaaaaaal!"

Noriaki nodded to the Mime Jr. and said, "Indeed we are. Is there a price for admission?"

(Who knows? Maybe I'll find someone here to kill, too. Haha haha hah… that's not funny.)

*Jani mutters back to Eliot* I think we bored everyone to tears...

*meanwhile, Digda mentions* I believe this is where we part ways. I need to head to the next town...keep on investigating the circuit. I can't rest until the Viral Aggression as you put it is a thing of the past.

Wow... (I say.) It doesn't look like the fairs back home, but it still looks really neat.

Oh, ya bet it is, kid! (Benji says.) Just wait until ya actually get inside!

(The trio and I make our way up to the Mime Jr.)

Having caught up with the rest of the group, Koss floats over to the side once they reach the carnival, and gestures for Mila to drop the supplies she's been carrying.

I'll be here watchin' the stuff, don't ya worry 'bout me. An', jus' between the two a' us, I can see why yer worried. I'll keep an eye out, ya hear?

Mila nods, then rejoins the group silently, sidling back up to Finley and holding on to her paw. She can't quite get a grasp on any of the side conversations, so she just waits to see the price for admission as she takes in the surroundings. The trees have opened up into a wide field, and she can barely make out a Pidgeotto flying overhead.

Ah, ya gotta go fer now, Digs? I'll set ya up with a guild contact next place yer off ta. Thanks again fer the information!

Koss taps the papers against his paw as he makes his last statement.

edited 18th Sep '17 1:49:03 PM by Cabe_Bedlam

Entry is 1000 Poké a person for the whole day!"

Finley takes out the money needed wordlessly.

[I lean towards Jani,] "Hey, I'm sure we c'n still educate'em from time t'time."

[And now I'm a little kid again, what child slaves?] "Ah—"

[...fuck, I don't have a thousand Poké.] "Uhhhhh, anyone here wanna...pitch in for me?"

edited 18th Sep '17 1:50:17 PM by BlackMageAnolis

Hearing about an 'entry fee' makes me remember, (OH SHIT, I LEFT MY MONEY.) "Gaaawd damn it…"

edited 18th Sep '17 1:50:10 PM by shrubBird

I got ya covered! (Benji says, paying for both himself and Niles.)

(I quickly pull out 2000 Poké myself and hand it over, paying for both myself and Delilah. Marsha also hands her cash over.)

edited 18th Sep '17 1:53:32 PM by kablammin45

(I get 1000 poke, and then another upon hearing Eliot's request. I give an I got ya look and slide him the other 1000. I hand my 1000 to the Mime Jr.)

*Jani takes 1000 poké out of her hammerspace and hands it to the Mime Jr. She'd offer to pay Eliot's way but was beaten to the punch...twice* Haha, fair enough. I, for one, won't be trying to recreate any of that nonsense...you can blame Serris if that happens.

*Digda nods to Koss* Appreciate it. *then tells the entire group* Heading to Gleamscape next. It's all the way down the road we were taking. I doubt there'll be a tournament there — it's the offseason so only the amateurs are happening at the moment, but I'll be there for several days. Hook me up if you're down there, okay?

*Jani nods to Digda* Sure thing, old man! Thanks for all the pointers and help and scary stuff I didn't need to know!

edited 18th Sep '17 1:55:37 PM by sarysa

"No no no, you don't have to…" I get the feeling he won't take 'no' for an answer and sigh. "You're gonna have to pay for one more." I gesture to Dana, who I assume is sleeping on my back.

Will do. Safe travels, ya hear? Oh, and fer all the others, if yer low on poke I've got some travelin' expenses wit' me. Jus' let me know what ya need an' we can sort it out when ya get paid later.

Mila looks over to Koss, before quietly going to ask him for enough to get into the carnival. She feels bad about it now, remembering that she dropped what she had left of Niles' and her poke back in Hoard in the arena. At least someone probably had a slightly better day when they found it.

"...I do not have any poke :/"

"Anybody want to spot me some cash?"

"Oh, god, no, I'm not fucking with this world anymore than I have to. I want a clean exit here, no..." [I roll my eyes: right, Hoard... What a shitshow.]

[I glance over at Marlon and give him a grin and a nod as I take the money and hold it out to pay for my ticket. I do remember that PJ had relocated himself back into my bag...maybe he's just tired, but considering all the screaming, I'm surprised he'd be able to sleep. I dunno, maybe he's still bummed about everything in Hoard: honestly, I'd probably be, too, if it'd happened to me. Either way, not getting a ticket for him will be our little secret.]

[...actually, I'm kinda surprised at how fast Marlon was willing to make up. I mean...I guess I don't expect little of him in that sense, I just...I was kinda hoping in a sense that there'd be more resistance. It feels good knowing I got that out of the way, but...there's a slight tang on my tongue about it, so to say.]

edited 18th Sep '17 2:02:28 PM by BlackMageAnolis

Can do! (Benji hands another 1000 over to pay for Dana.)

(Marsha, Delilah and I head inside and wait for everyone else.)

Well, big guy, what do ya think? This anything like the carnivals you have back in your old world? (Marsha asks.)

It's humbler than the fairs and stuff I used to go to, but it still looks pretty nice. (I say.) So many tents and stuff...I can't wait to see what all is here...

edited 18th Sep '17 2:00:13 PM by kablammin45