Welcome To Vega City!!!

So far, Edwin seemed to be enjoying the stay in Vega City. As did his pokemon, which was the reason why he had come in the first place. While his money was dwindling down considerably, well, it was the acquaintanceships and experience that made it all worth the while.

He'd attempt the skill games and mostly fail, he'd let his pokemon compete in various little games and won more often than lost, thanks to their tenacity and drive to win. So far, Sten had won a blue neck scarf as his prize for a race, while Bellamy had a little stylish hat for his prize in an unofficial contest where he strutted his stuff and demonstrated very creative use of his Ice Punch technique.

And then Arkady, under pressure from his peers, was convinced to participate in a pokemon air show. Unfortunately he did not win a prize since his tricks were rather basic, but was glad to have taken part in it.

Soon after, Edwin noticed a large group of people. From what he had gathered of this meeting so far, such a gathering meant something exciting was happening. He only hoped that he wasn't too late. He approached, Bellamy and Sten on foot, while Arkady flapped above them.

("Yo, Arkady, tell us what's up there okay?") Sten asked the Noibat.

("Sure thing") Arkady replied. As much as Sten clashed with Bellamy, the Noibat seemed to at least get along with him. But Arkady could not convince Sten and Bellamy to get along with each other, that was a work in progress.

Edwin meanwhile, who couldn't understand pokespeak, noticed two other individuals nearby. One was an old man, and the other a teenage boy. He noted they were talking, so perhaps this was a young trainer and his grandfather? But he didn't want to presume.

"Hi there, do you know what's happening here?" he asked. The old man seemed familiar somehow, but Edwin couldn't put his finger on it. Perhaps he had seen him somewhere on the news before?

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Edwin's Pokemon:
Arkady the Noibat - Lv. 14 - Screech, Supersonic, Bite, Absorb, Gust, Snatch
Sten the Rockruff - Lv.10 - Tackle, Leer, Sand Attack, Bite
Bellamy the Sneasel - Lv.10 - Scratch, Leer, Taunt, Quick Attack, Feint Attack, Ice Punch

Dracul chuckled slightly as all questions- or at least a good portion of them- seemed to turn onto him. The youth tended to be full of them- and scatter-brained, if his own Goomy who was now twisting his leash about Dracul's leg as he moved about in circles was anything to go by.

"I see neither of you really know about the Vega City Gala," he said, "and well, I can't say I know much either, aside from what I read in the tourist pamphlet my daughter gave me!"

Dracul rolled his neck and held his hands about him, as if to gesture to wide world around them. "It's a festival, of sorts," he explained, "and I take it we've gone ahead and wandered into one of the events in town. A contest, maybe- or even just a really good food stall!"

Dracul now scratched his beard and looked at each of the men in turn. Vagabonds, by the look of it, and it reminded him of his own youth, though how far away it seemed now. The rustic scenes of Johto decades ago were a far cry from the bustling metropolis that was Stellara's Vega City.

"I recommend you young fellows take the time to enjoy it," he said cheerily, "life tends to slip away, so best to live in the moment! Take it from this old codger!"

Dracul laughed once again, a deep belly laugh. "Whose name is Dracul, by the way," he said, "a pleasure to meet you, young men."

Alex smirks.

"So Arkady, you described a Pokemon Contest. Those are really difficult. To answer your question about Tai, Arkady, he's having some self confidence issues at the moment," Alex laughs, "and Mr. Dracul, it is an honor to be in your presence. Lu and I will train hard to combat you in your gym. Does your Goomy partake in the battles there? I've never fought against a dragon type before,"

(Alex, this young trainer. He seems full of energy and spirit. His Sneasel would make a formidable opponent. We should make arrangements to battle him,) Lu offered, (You know when you don't promise the new kid that we wont battle)

(Lu, that's mean. Just because I'm not as brave as you are doesn't mean I am not as strong,) Tai shoots back.

"So aside from a few contests and battles, what kind of fun things can we do?" Alex asks his new friends. "Is there maybe some tests of strength or other carnival games?

(Those can be considered a form of training. Enter-train-ment,) Lu says, (Please say there are some!)

Edwin was rather surprised that Arkady could be understood so well. Gosh, this Alex person must be really talented, being able to talk to pokemon like this. And from Arkady's reactions, Edwin was even more surprised that the pokemon seemed to be able to conduct a conversation as coherent as this.

"Wow, Arkady, I learned something new about you today, eh?" he said. Arkady grinned back in response. Hopefully one day he'd be able to have Edwin understand him like Alex could. He'd love to have a proper conversation with the human, but understandably it was hard.

("Ah, that's okay, I won't hurt ya, Tai") the Noibat said to the Tyrogue. Edwin meanwhile mulled over Alex's offer of a battle sometime.

"Sure, we all need some battles to grow properly" Edwin said, consenting to the future fight. "But yeah, not right now, heh, I imagine Vega's pokemon center must be pretty full tonight". Others would undoubtedly be thrilled at the thought of battle during the festival.

Edwin was a little taken aback by how jolly Dracul was. What a pleasant old man, he thought, complimenting them like that. "Thanks very much" he said, smiling.

Alex seemed to be curious about Dracul's Goomy. Apparently he wasn't one of the gym pokemon, which made sense. Edwin had always pictured big dragons such as Salamence and Tyrantrum as the challenges to be overcome there, although he hadn't looked into it in detail.

Dracul then described what there was to do here in the festival. Edwin thought on what to do, it was a bit early to eat, but he'd definitely have a meal with his pokemon at one point - he was particularly in the mood for Kalos cuisine today. But Arkady had described a contest in progress here.

"Well, we're here, so, why don't we check out the contest that's happening over there?" Edwin asked. "I've heard of those from Hoenn and Sinnoh, but I've never seen one in person".

Bellamy nodded with enthusiasm at that, the Sneasel loved the idea of contests. Sten meanwhile made an indifferent "arf" noise, he'd do whatever they were doing.

It seemed both young men had different ideas about where to go with this. The silver haired elder chuckled; contests or a walk around tour. But before he could make up his mind, the comment about friends struck a chord with him.

"Son," said the man who had outlived his best friend, "your father is right about that. Friends can do a lot for a young man. And if you have so few, all the more reason to value the ones you do and to seek out more. Take it from me, one day you'll be old like me and all you'll have left is memories."

"Heh, well," he said to the morph boy, "I'm not exactly an expert on Vega City. I'd be just as lost as you are, to be quite honest."

He turned to Edwin. "A contest, you say?" he asked, "Well, that's splendid. I've always wanted to sit in on one. And you, young lad, why don't you sit in on it as well. Maybe once the show is over, we can find somebody to point us in the right direction of a Center. Does that sound good?"

Alex stood in awe at the display of techniques. He could feel Tai shiver slightly before settling down and watching.

"Tai, perhaps contests are one way you can overcome your confidence issues. Observe," Alex explains, "The object of a contest, is to outshine your opponent using combinations of your attacks. We would have to train hard and come up with unique effects. You dont physically fight your opponents,"

(Are fighting types really able to do that kind of stuff? I mean, I can understand a Fire Type or a Psychic Type. But what can I do that is flashy? Enough to make the crowd go wild?)

"We will work on that. Like Arkady up there, we have a goal. We now begin working towards that goal." Alex turns his attention to Dracul and Edwin. "Either of you ever have a Pokemon afraid of confrontation? Any advice?"

(Leave him at the Daycare Center and catch someone less cowardly) Lu suggests. And Alex ignores it.