Cosplay: M-ZONE E-Sports Festival & Elpico X-Mas

Me: One more - or rather, two more - before the year ends.

Goh: Oh, two festivals? 

Ash: Yup, two.

Goh: They're not on the same day (today), are they? 

Ash: Luckily, no, not like what happened four years ago. 

Me: See below for that. Anyway, one happened yesterday, and the other happened today.

Ash: Oh, so we didn't talk about it yesterday because you wanted time for yourself. 

Pikachu: Pi pika? ["Is that right?"]

Me: Well, sure - it's the end of the year, and I've got some things that I want to say. Speaking of saying things, let's try to make this as brief but as descriptive as possible. It'll make things easier for us.

Goh: OK, I understand. So, let's deal with the one from yesterday first.

Ash: It was a game tournament with a character competition - at the creative center.

Goh: Oh, a lot like the one from two months ago. And the place is a neat choice too.

Ash: Right. Our friend sent me closer to the competition in the afternoon.

Me: It's not like we could deal with the game anyhow, unless it was the one for Pokémon. Anyway, the competition is supposed to have paid entry, but apparently they're lacking characters... so we got free entry through a friend.

Goh: Nice! You like freebies, don't you?

Me: I guess you can say that. So, then... how'd you do, Ash?

Ash: I did fine, but a lot of the other characters looked really good, so they got the win.

Goh: But there had to be a few prizes.

Ash: Seven, I think. But yeah...

Me: And you came back to me early to report - there was not much more you could do anyway.

Ash: Well, they had a dance group, so there was something else to enjoy at least. 

Goh: But not much more than that.

Ash: Not really. 

Pikachu: Pika pika. ["Not much."]

Goh: So, that leads us to today.

Ash: It's a Christmas party at the mall where the card game shop is!

Goh: A party... with games, toys, decorations, and all that?

Ash: Yeah - some Pokémon ones too. But it was like a cookie house there

Me: Of course. The theme is for a game I don't play.

Goh: Obviously there was a character competition.

Ash: There was, and this time it was free from the start.

Me: Which we like, obviously. 

Goh: But uh... I guess so did the other characters from yesterday.

Ash: Yeah, so nothing today either from seven prizes. Oh, and there was a performance competition too.

Goh: Didn't our friend wanted to get something done for that?

Me: I did say that, but I only heard about that one the day before... and then I got tied up in other things way before that, so even if I wanted to, I couldn't.

Goh: You might need to keep a watch for next time.

Me: Seriously. This is getting a bit frustrating.

Pikachu: Pi pika pika. ["It'll work out."]

Goh: Any good points? Other performances?

Ash: Two dance groups - and I met all of our friend's friends, hatched a few Elekid and Magby on the way, and played the cards with a friend.

Me: All side Pokémon agendas that are great to do.

Ash: Oh, but... the mall had a few power problems just like at the time of the card game shop opening. It even cut into one of the dance groups.

Goh: Hmm, they might have to fix that for next time.

Me: I do think you're right.

Goh: And... I think I see now why you also like freebies. You like Ash, but his outfit is somewhat simple compared to the other characters.

Ash: If you think about it, it does seem true.

Me: Right. That's not to say Ash can't win in the competitions - it has happened before - but even with what we can do, sometimes it's just not enough.

Goh: Unless Ash gets something really fancy.

Ash: But you do have... "that one".

Pikachu: Pi... pika. ["Yeah... that."]

Me: Very true, but I would have to fix that up, maybe over the course of the next year. Speaking of... I think it's time we wrap this up and get things going for that.

Ash: Sure! And this year was a good one, so thanks. 

Goh: Get things going indeed. We'll support you on that.

Ash: Definitely!

Me: Right back at ya. Well wishes for festivals, conventions, and the like in the coming year.

One year ago: Going... Going... Gone

Two years ago: The Answer for Two and Two

Three years ago: Plus One, and...

Four years ago: A(n Un)Clear Vision?

Five years ago: Cosplay: MC & "Reflections of Love" End of Year Events

Six years ago: Local EX Raid (Above and Beyond), 12/29/2018

Seven years ago: In Lieu of a Book