(mid-week)<br/><br/><br/>Eleyna followed Brollem up to the festival grounds, joining the growing number of villagers back at work.<br/><br/><span style="color: red">Ah - grab the other end of that stack of planks there. No no, don't bend over like that. You'll get yourself hurt. Squat down, like this. There ye go, and when we lift, keep your back straight, push up with your legs. On three, one two, three!</span>Eleyna hefted the stack of wood, surprised by the weight, and straining. The planks stacked up set a solid block of wood painfully against her chest as she hobbled to move it where Brollem wanted it.<br/><br/><span style="color: red">Alright, and down.</span>The two set the stack down. Brollem chuckled lightly as Eleyna shook her arms.<span style="color: red">Not used to workin' hard, are ye'? </span><br/><br/>Eleyna looked at the stack of wood. She had to honestly admit to herself she had never really done any heavy lifting.<span style="color: blue">I guess not.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: red">That'll be lesson one for ye' then. Pokemon training is not a leisurely activity. If you want to be the best, like no one ever was, then you've got to be strong enough to carry the willpower to do so. When life pushes down on you, you push back up harder.</span>He gestured for her to lift a single board and put it on top of the float's frame. Then another.<br/><br/>Eleyna recoiled her hand as they set a board down, spotting a splinter. Brollem gave her a look as she fussed over it and Eleyna straightened her shoulders, grabbed the end of it with her nails and pulled it out. She grabbed the next board. Brollem smirked.<span style="color: red">The first of many.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: red">No more holding boards for other people to put nails in. No more walking about wishin' things were something else. Pokemon training isn't about something being the way you want it to be, its about something being the way it is and you being able to turn it into something greater. Like that Pokemon of yours.</span>He nodded down the slope. Growlithe sat a distance away casually watching the proceedings.<br/><br/>Eleyna gave him a long look.<span style="color: blue">He won't listen to me.</span><br/><br/>Brollem stood up and crossed his arms, looking at Eleyna sternly.<span style="color: red">Wrong.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: blue">But he won't.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: red">No girl, wrong perspective. You're making a statement.</span><br/><br/>Eleyna stood in front of the stack of planks, staring at Brollem from under her hat. She thought for a moment. Did he want her to ask a question?<span style="color: blue">Wh...</span>she paused weighing her words.<span style="color: blue">Why... won't he listen to me?</span>She asked.<br/><br/>Brollem did not respond. Eleyna's eyes dropped, as she thought. What other question was there to ask, the Growlithe didn't listen to her.<br/><br/><span style="color: red">Its not about something being the way you want it to be, its about something being the way it is and...?</span>He repeated to her.<br/><br/><i>and you being able to turn it into something</i>. Eleyna finished his words in her head.<i>To turn it into something...</i><span style="color: blue">How can I get him to listen to me?</span>She asked aloud, though the question was one she asked herself.<br/><br/>Brollem grinned broadly beneath his beard.<span style="color: red">How indeed.</span>He grabbed a board and Eleyna grabbed the other end, moving it. Eleyna gave a quick look around to see what the other trainers were up to. She had to admit that she wanted to help with the tasks the villagers were going to need them for - whenever it was they were going to do those things of course. She glanced at the Pokemon training field, at the festival grounds, down toward the village to see what everyone was getting up to.<br/><br/><br/><br/><span style="text-decoration: underline">Quests:</span><br/><ul>
<li><b>Collect Kenjiki Flowers </b> <i>Risk: Moderate</i>    - Rewards: XP, ???</li>
<li><b>The offering</b> <i>Risk: High</i>        - Rewards: XP</li>
<li><b>Building the Festival </b> <i>Risk: None</i>   - Rewards: XP</li>
<li><b>???    </b> <i>Risk: ???</i>           -        Rewards: XP, ???</li>
</ul><br/><br/><span style="text-decoration: underline">Locations and Special Opportunities:</span><br/><b>Gym Battle Badge Available (EVO)  </b>-        Rewards: XP, Badge, HM<br/><b>Training Field</b>-        Rewards: Bonus XP During Training<br/><b>Shop</b>-        Terminal Available for Pokemon Trading<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>