Island Visits! - Akala Island Tour

[bestmomever]

Welcome to Akala Island!

It's here that the Fallers have been asked to come along on the boat ride to visit the site of Wela Volcano, on behest of Olivia, the Island Queen. It's here you will be given a tour of the area, and allowed to stay at the Pokemon Center for a week while visiting the area, before heading back to Melemele Island.

It's to both familiarize yourself with the Island, and get to know the Locals, as well as perhaps spend some quality time with the people and places of the landscape. Also, participation in the local Fire Festival has also been announced, to see what kind of ceremony the locals have to honor the traditions of Alola.



WELA SHRINE

It is here that you will visit the site on the first day. Even with or without your Pokemon, this place radiates a serene, sacred harmony. You, as Fallers, are here in the Off-Season, and thus, there are no people around except for you and the three Hikers who are milling about who might have answers for you if you ask further. Olivia is tending to the shrine, giving thanks to the volcano for it's life-giving nature. It is a serene, sacred moment. There's a buzzing feel of anticipation, as people have already begun to visit the site.




FARMLANDS

Many farmlands dot the landscape and one of these belongs to Rango and Sima, their son Kiawe who participated in the Pokemon League last year. They run a Farm which you, as Fallers, are allowed to work at, and live at if you so desire. Taking care of Pokemon, feeding them, shipping milk and other farm-fresh products out of the farm every day is hard but rewarding labor. And you will be paid well, given a place to live, and there is soft serve ice cream on the regular.





PIKACHU VALLEY

The last stop on the list for the middle of the week, is a surprise! At the middle of the week before the real event begins, Kiawe has arranged a visit from a woman named Pikala who brings the Fallers to a place called Pikachu Valley! A place of fun and excitement, there are literally hundreds of Pikachu everywhere.

Some of these Pikachu are up for adoption to people who wish to have a partner, and many of them are very prideful and willful as the Pikachu nature is apparent, but they are friends for life no matter the cost. And Pikala has names for each and every one of them!





FIRE FESTIVAL



What you might believe is a actual festival, is more of a feeling of burning anticipation. Hundreds of people are gathered at the Shrine, as Olivia stands at the front of the Shrine, a ancient looking crown sitting on the Shrine's head. Here, she spreads her arms.

"People of Alola, and those who come from afar! Thank you all for coming! Today, we give thanks to Wela, the life giving power. May its blessing keep us forevermore from being overcome by the raging inferno of Fire. Remember its power, and its strength."

For a moment, there's reverent silence before everyone begins to start milling up the island path, Pokemon out. There's so many Pokemon, not just Fire Pokemon, but Pokemon of all kinds.

Kiawe explains as he and his Charizard stands in line. "The Crown is placed upon the head of the Pokemon who receives it, and it boosts the power of the Pokemon who wears it for the year. Not only that, but it blesses the Pokemon with the protection of Wela. Wela is the live giving source of power of our land. Without it, Akala Island wouldn't be as fertile and nourishing to Alola as it would be. It's a sacred, humble power that we live under, for at any given moment, Wela could take everything from us in an instant."

Kiawe smiled. "That is why, we need to respect it, and never over-industrialize the landscape. Otherwise, Wela will become angry, and destroy the land in raging lava."

Many more Questions about Akala can be asked about this land, and soon, it's the Fallers turn to be blessed by Olivia, one by one.


When the Week Ends

The Boat Ride back to Melemele is an interesting one. You have time to discuss what you've seen. Perhaps new Pokemon friends you've obtained or met. One thing is for certain, there's a new viewpoint on the land you've just walked in. The power of Wela, the Pikachu's who live in the world. The new Fire Pokemon who you have just encountered. All this and more.

All this and more, as the Journey Continues!

To Be Continued!

Comments

Wela Shrine

[darkenedmoon]

Yotsuyu has mostly kept to herself. That or secreted herself in the library. Mostly, she has been doing her best to learn all she can about this new world she's found herself in.

It does beat the alternative, she must admit.

She has never been terribly devout in life; nor is she now, though curiosity has gotten the better of her, and she and Gosetsu the Oshawott approach the shrine with what respect she can muster, keeping her precious Pokemon in the crook of her arm. It's a place he seems comfortable with being, so for the moment, he is only making drowsy noises.

"Is there an offering to be made?" she asks, as politely as she can muster. It certainly cannot hurt to do as the locals do. Could it?

Re: Wela Shrine

[fallers_npcs]

"Offerings can be made, yes," said Olivia, "Here at the foot of the shrine. It will be collected by the local Pokemon at the end of the day, in forms of local fruits and gifts. Even a simple prayer will do for the wellness of the region."

Olivia smiled, placing a hand on her hip. "Haven't seen you around lately. Getting along here on the tour yet?"

[darkenedmoon]

"I should tour the island at some point, yes." Still, Yotsuyu hadn't made a rush of anything. She glanced down at the complacent Oshawott, lifting a brow. She didn't speak Pokemon, of course, but the attempt was made and she enjoyed getting his opinion, such as it was.

"Gosetsu, have you a thought on what sort of gift we ought to offer?" Local flowers might be nice, and Yotsuyu could easily gather some of those without putting anyone out. And she was certain she could find a fruit seller, as well.

"Wott," Gosetsu grunted, waving a paw in the air. The heat made him lazy, and he was comfortable. Don't bother him too much! Then again, if she was going to buy fruit, that meant he might get a treat, too...

"Oshawott!" he agreed. Yotsuyu just laughed.

[fallers_npcs]

Olivia smiled as she went over to the offerings and took out a berry, a nice Pinap and broke it in half before offering it to Gosetsu. "Here you are, Nature's Bounty is to be shared with everyone, even the offerings. Because this is where it is going at the end of the day after all."

She smiled and offered the half to Yotsuyu. "Try it, it's sweet. The Tapu have blessed the offerings and you'll feel refreshed for the day."

[darkenedmoon]

Gosetsu had no problem at all accepting his favorite treat. Yotsuyu was more skeptical, but even she had no desire to challenge the kami of this place by disdaining a gift that had been meant for them that their miko had chosen to share.

It did not hurt that the Oshawott seemed cheerful about it all, greedily noshing down his half of the berry. She was more reluctant, but Yotsuyu did nibble at the berry--it was sweet, and that always was an easy sell to her. Denied them as a child, she availed herself of them at every opportunity.

"Thank you. I am certain that he thanks you as well..." Gosetsu just belched.

[fallers_npcs]

"It's not a problem. Most people don't come up to the shrine at this point in the day, but it's always nice to see people here." Said Olivia, gesturing to the area around them.

"Have you a religion in your world?" she asked. "Our world has studies of it, but Alola is sort of the devout region, due to it's protection of the Tapus. Most people believe in Arceus, but Alola has a different creation story for our region."

[darkenedmoon]

"We worship the kami--nature spirits. Though there are the Twelve--they are gods in Eorzea, and reflect nature as well," Yotsuyu said thoughtfully. "There are also beast tribes that summon eikons--their gods." And in truth, even primals had their natural aspects...

It wasn't much of an explanation, but really, that was something she could discuss all day, since this is a place where she has time to do such things. However, she was certain she shouldn't take up the miko's entire day by doing so, no matter how polite Olivia was being.

[fallers_npcs]

"Interesting. In our world, Arceus created the world, but each region has their own deities, some other more revered than others. In Alola, the Tapus protect the Islands and the Radiant One, Necrozma created the land and filled it with Light before settling into a long slumber, it's light spent. Only recently we filled it with light again." said Olivia.

She smiled. "If you want to talk further, I'll be off duty later on and visiting the Pokemon Center. If you want to meet there, I'll be available."

[darkenedmoon]

"You...gave a god back light?" Yotsuyu wasn't certain she was clear on that, truthfully, but it made her curious indeed. And she was greatly tempted to discuss more about the land and even its gods with this woman.

"How much later? Yes, I should not take up more of your time now, especially if you have duties." Yotsuyu doubted that there was anyone here who would chastise the priestess, but just in case--not that this place seemed much like Doma or Garlemald at all...

[fallers_npcs]

"It was last Manalo Festival," replied Olivia. "If you're around, we'll be holding that in a month or so when we celebrate it again."

"About an hour? I can meet you there."

[darkenedmoon]

"You do have me intrigued. I shall give you your time, and attempt to go find some offerings that shall suffice in the meantime. And I do hope that I am around..."

Yotsuyu was not inclined to consider the alternative, truly.

"Very well. Thank you for your kindness. I shall meet you there, then." With that, Yotsuyu made a slight bow, and went to sweep off--likely towards whatever forest or likely fields there were, in an attempt to make good on her word.

Though in an hour's time, she would definitely be making an appearance at the Pokemon Center--if not before, with bounty to be offered at the shrine.

Re: Wela Shrine

[adora_plz]

Adora was in the process of awkwardly presenting a offering to the shrine, when the question was presented. "I guess?" asked Adora, placing down a large cantaloupe. "I guess this is okay. Most people are saying that food is a common offering to the shrine."

[darkenedmoon]

"Sadly, for the moment I have no way to buy anything..." And Yotsuyu had never been inclined to thievery, no matter how desperate she'd been on Hydaelyn. "I was thinking to gather some flowers, perhaps." Not that if anyone had offered her a way to work, she would not have accepted it. Pride went only so far, and Yotsuyu had more than her own mouth to feed.

She'd been appraised to the fact that all creatures here were Pokemon, quite unlike at home. Though there were those who ate the horsebirds that the Eorzeans cultivated, as strange as that thought was to her. The Oshawott who had been dozing in the crook of her arm straightened and made a noise at her, then.

"No, Gosetsu, I shall not offer up any of your biscuits unless you allow it." She had a few digestive biscuits that she'd procured for him as treats, but still, they were his.

[adora_plz]

"Hmm, flowers could work," said Adora. "I noticed a glade up the way over there. I can show you where it is."

Adora gestured along the path up the mountain, which led to the Aroma Field. "I think I saw a bunch of those pom-wielding bird Pokemon headed there actually."

[darkenedmoon]

"I am not certain that I am familiar with the bird Pokemon..." Yotsuyu had not had a chance to avail herself of such education yet--but she was certain that when such was offered, she was going to grab it with both hands, most definitely.

"Still, I would be quite grateful if you showed me where this glade is. I shall have to do my best not to annoy the birds once I get there--I doubt I have to worry about him, though. Though perhaps you would like to hold him?"

She'd noticed the girl did not seem to have one of her own, and while Gosetsu could certainly be rash, he could also be rather charming when he chose. "I would appreciate it if you watched him for me, there. And you should be on your best behavior for this nice girl, eh?" She tapped Gosetsu on the nose, but he simply wiggled. Which was no true answer, but it would simply have to do.

[adora_plz]

"Sure, and oh, I'm Adora. Uh, no last name or anything, I don't really have one." said Adora with a smile. "I don't have a Pokemon either so that's something else."

She headed towards the Fields which soon appeared in front of them. "Pretty nice, isn't it?"

[darkenedmoon]

"I am Yotsuyu Naeuri, and this is Gosetsu." With no one being aware of the Garlean Empire here, it really did not matter if she named herself a part of it. Though she was an orphan, the Naeuri clan was something she could have a brief breath of pride in, dissolute family that it may have become. Obviously, Gosetsu was the Oshawott, who lazily waved a paw at the girl.

"You would not be the first I've known to not have a surname, 'tis no matter, is it? So long as it does not bring you trouble here?" Not that Yotsuyu would expect such a thing--everyone had been so infernally nice, and it had made her disinclined to mischief. So far.

"It is nice, yes. We mostly had rice paddies in Yanxia and Doma, nothing like this..."

[adora_plz]

"Yeah, seems like not many people use their last names here, which is fine. I mean, I don't know Bow or Glimmer's last names, even if they have one? So um... that's something?" said Adora sheepishly. "Nice to meet you two Yotsuyu, Gosetsu," she said, slightly fumbling over the accents on the names. "Sorry, I've never heard names like yours before!"

"What's... rice?" asked Adora. "Is that a food?"

She was curious, she had never heard of rice before.

[darkenedmoon]

"It is all right. You would not be the first; it can take practice." Gods knew the Garleans stumbled over their names at first--hers, at least, and one she wouldn't name. He was better left forgotten in the past. "I have not heard a name like yours, either, though 'tis a pretty name."

Yotsuyu nodded, then. "Yes. A grain. It looks like a type of long grass, and in Doma it is grown in a paddy, which is a partially submerged field. The water helps it grow. It can be made into many things, though in Doma the grain itself is usually simply cooked and eaten. Though it can be made into flour and used for sweets, as well."