Previously on Oranges to Grapes: The Tree of Masks...
Samuel leads the Pomegranetes through the land of Kitakami to help them locate the signboards for their assignment. Along the way, Balto and Camilla catch an Applin and Tandemaus (respectfully), while Pico shows off his Arboliva before they reach the first signboard...
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"Okay, now to send the photo to Ms. Briar," Camilla said after she got her Rotom Phone back in her paws, "and... done."
"Okay," Samuel said as his cousin put her device back in her pocket, "now it's my turn." As soon as he produced his own device, he sent out a call for the Flying Taxi to come pick him and the others up.
"So," Balto piped up to break the ice, "Kitakami has a Flying Taxi, too?"
"Yep," the male bunny confirmed. "And I happen to be on a first-name basis with the driver."
"Well, what a coincidence!" Pico said. "I happen to be on a first-name basis with the Flying Taxi driver back home in Paldea. Guess we're not so different after all, are we?"
"Don't get a fat head, Pico," Camilla chided. "You withheld Hilda's name from us, remember?"
"But it still didn't stop us from learning it," Balto piled on.
"I was stressed back then!" Pico griped, but the Noctowl-flown cab touched down before the group, stopping the talk.
"Hello again, Haruto," Samuel greeted the driver. "Same destination as before, and hope you don't mind that I have a few guests this time."
"Not at all, Samuel," the cab driver (supposedly named Haruto) replied. "And as for you three, welcome onboard the Kitakami Flying Taxi. My name is Haruto, and these are my Noctowl."
The owl Pokemon waved their wings with a collective hoot as the group piled in, and once they did, a voice from the inside speakers said, "Hello, passengers, and welcome to the Flying Taxi. Before we begin our stroll through the sky, remember to buckle up!"
As prompted, the group clicked their seatbelts into place, and the cab lifted off to their stop...
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(Scene transition: Kitakami Flying Taxi)
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The cab touched down in Mossui Town, right in front of the rec center, and the group exited the vehicle. "Thanks for the ride, Haruto," Samuel said.
"Thank you, Haruto," the Pomegranetes repeated.
"All in the line of duty," Haruto responded with a smile. "And thank you for choosing Kitakami Flying Taxi!"
As the cab was carried away on tan wings, a "pling" was heard, and Camilla took out her Rotom Phone again. "Okay, Ms. Briar got the pixt," she said. "And now we'll need to get photos in front of the other two signboards, and our assignment will be complete... but Gari has opted to get his own photos, so we'll have plenty of time to explore the land more."
"Not to mention," Samuel piped up, "that this also ties in with a very special event here in Kitakami, but it does have... a dress code."
"Dress code?" Pico asked.
"I know what he's talking about," Camilla clarified. "He's talking about the Festival of Masks where we'll have to wear jinbei, and it's also where one of the signboards are."
"I dunno," Balto said uneasily. "Isn't the Festival of Masks another one of those things that makes Ogerpon the bad guy and the Lousy Three the good guys?"
"Oh-ho-ho," Samuel chuckled. "Thank you for pointing that out, Balto, but this is the updated and historically accurate Festival of Masks. This is the one that gets the legend correct."
"Comforting to know," Pico said, "but it doesn't solve the dress code problem. Where are we supposed to find jinbei around here, since no one told us about the dress code?"
"Not to worry," Samuel said. "I can give you guys some loaners, since Cammie and I attended the festival every year before she moved to Paldea, and we've got some spare jinbei."
"Good idea, Sammy," the female bunny concurred.
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As the change carries over to sunset.
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As the sky shifted colors from blue to orange, the group wore their new wardrobes with awe at themselves and each other. Camilla wore a green jinbei, Balto chose blue, and Pico was left with white... but what stood out from the three was how Samuel was dressed for the occasion: his jinbei was multicolored silk with gold markings, tied with the same red obi the others had. "Okay, we're all set!"
"Am I allowed to say that I'm jealous of your cousin right now?" Pico asked Camilla.
"After the festival," Camilla stipulated.
"Alright, off to the festival we go!" Samuel announced, and the group started towards Reveler's Road. "Fair warning, though: we'll eventually have to climb a tall flight of stairs to get there. Hope you don't mind."
"Bunny-boy, please," Balto joshed, "we're students of the Foremost World Renowned Pokemon Academy of Paldea. Climbing a tall flight of stairs is how we get to school. And if you don't believe me, ask Camilla. She can vouch for me."
"Well," the female bunny supposed, "technically, that's not completely UNtrue..."
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To be continued.
