"Jessie seems really happy, meow," Meowth said, holding a pot as he followed behind James. "Is she still coming over later, meow?"
"She probably will," James glanced at Jessie and said. "After all, Granny Evelyn still has to spend the evening with George and the others, right?"
With the family gathering together, it wouldn't be appropriate for Jessie to squeeze her way in.
Although Jessie appeared carefree and rough around the edges, she was actually very attentive to the people she cherished. It was highly likely she wouldn't squeeze in with them.
"I see, meow." Meowth found a good spot and started laying out the picnic blanket.
The spot was right on the docks, leaning against the railing with the best view.
Meowth gazed out for a moment, then turned his head and saw Ron by the boats.
"Ron, do you want to spend the evening with us, meow?"
Ron looked like a bit of a lone wolf.
It made sense. It wouldn't be appropriate for him to squeeze in with the girls either.
Everyone else also had their own family members and playmates.
Ron waved his hand.
"It's fine, I'll just stay right here."
It looked like they had prepared a lot of delicious food, ready to feast as soon as night fell. Ron didn't want to intrude. Although his relationship with Team Rocket was pretty good, honestly, nobody wants their boss squeezing in and crashing their party during a holiday.
"Alright then, meow." Meowth turned back and continued setting up.
Rows of Gus's delicious cooking were laid out on the picnic blanket. Meowth drooled as he felt like he was in heaven at this moment.
'Living such a good life, won't I be struck by heavenly lightning, meow!'
***
On the other side, Ribbon's stall was set up with the help of Indeedee.
The profits would be split evenly between the two of them.
Although Indeedee had no desire for money, she still dutifully helped Ribbon prepare.
The stall was right next to Pierre's stand.
Pierre looked at the pile of food laid out and felt his eyebrow twitch.
"It's fine—the tradition of the Dance of the Moonlight Jellies is eating Seafoam Pudding." Pierre clung to this festival trash, placing bowl after bowl of weird, suspicious stuff on his stand. "It won't be impacted. It won't!"
Honestly, this crappy tradition should have been phased out long ago.
If it wasn't absurdly expensive to buy, Caroline would never have allowed these ingredients into her kitchen.
Every time she finished making this Seafoam Pudding, she had to clean for a long time before she could get that weird, salty, fishy smell out of her kitchen.
"Why does everyone have a picnic blanket?" Sam and Sebastian arrived at the beach. They looked at the setting sun, then at the various picnic blankets laid out across the docks, feeling a bit confused. Seeing that everyone was so fully prepared, Sam couldn't help but ask, "Did they change the festival tradition this year? Why weren't we informed?"
"I don't know. But it looks pretty fun." Sebastian pointed to the dazzling array of food over by the girls, then added, "Isn't this much more interesting than just standing dryly on the docks watching the jellies float by?"
The two fell silent for a moment, then exchanged a glance.
"I'll go get the picnic blanket, you go save a spot—" Sam paused mid-sentence. "But what about food? We can't just lay out a picnic blanket and put Pierre's Seafoam Pudding on it."
It wasn't about being stingy with the money for Seafoam Pudding during a festival; it was just that if they were going to torture themselves, sitting on a picnic blanket was no different from standing by the dock.
There was no need to be that ceremonial about it.
"That's true—" Sebastian looked around and spotted the small stall over there, along with the little sign propped up on it.
[Sweet——Treats!]
The handwriting was crooked, looking like it was written by someone not very skilled. They had even deliberately drawn a few huge exclamation marks at the end, as if declaring their determination to sell desserts.
"I'm not particularly craving sweets," Sebastian said. "But since it's a festival, let's buy some. When you go get the picnic blanket, buy a few ice creams from Alex on the way. Oh right, if they want to come too, we could—never mind, let's not."
The boys in town all got along pretty well.
But hanging out playing pool at the Saloon together was fine.
A bunch of grown men laying out a picnic blanket to eat desserts together, what kind of deal was that?
"Alright, you go buy the food, I'll go get the picnic blanket—if only Abigail were here, we could play with the Ouija board after the festival ends."
"—" Sebastian fell silent for a moment, ignoring Sam's comment. "Oh right, your brother can come too, and you can bring that mushroom crab of yours."
"That's called a Paras."
"Yeah, invite him along." Saying this, Sebastian took a few steps toward Ribbon's stall.
***
Time fast-forwarded to the evening.
Everyone was waiting eagerly on the docks.
The sea breeze was blowing. Ron turned his head to glance at the townsfolk sitting around various parts of the docks, then leaned on the railing and enjoyed the breeze.
Willy leaned against his boat, glanced at Ron a few times, and then signaled Sailor to follow him onto the boat.
Sailor looked at Willy, then at Ron, who had his eyes closed as he enjoyed the breeze. It tilted its head, failed to come up with any thoughts, and followed Willy onto the boat.
Willy, meanwhile, had entered the wheelhouse early on.
—
He had absolutely no intention of interrupting Ron's silent act of trying to look deep. Once the lantern boats were released, he still had to take Sailor to chase the jellies.
To watch the Moonlight Jellies' migration, the timing of setting off was extremely important. If he started the boat too early, the engine and oars might scare the jellies away; if he started too late, he wouldn't be able to catch up. Therefore, he didn't have the time to share any life lessons with Ron.
Things like life lessons were meant to be realized by oneself in a specific moment.
After boarding, Sailor lay by the side of the boat, staring at the water, waiting for the jellies to surface from the sea. It dipped its paw into the sea, then straightened its captain's hat. Looking like a true captain, it stared into the distance, ready to set sail at any moment.
"Is everyone ready?" Lewis called out loudly.
"Ready!"
And so, one by one, the lantern boats were pushed off from the docks.
The glowing candlelight from the lantern boats reflected on the ripples of the sea, looking like fireworks blooming across the water's surface.
"It looks like they're here—"
Everyone held their breath as they waited. Dawn curiously leaned over the edge of the dock. Before long, a few glowing jellies slowly swam up from the deep sea.
"Is this it?"
Dawn asked softly.
Receiving an affirmative answer, she took a deep breath. She watched the lightweight jellies, emitting a gentle white glow, slowly gather together and follow the lantern boats, swimming leisurely toward a certain spot on the sea.
"So beautiful—"
"Piplup—"
Piplup gulped.
Smells so good—
Although it had never seen this thing before, it felt like it was on the menu.
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