Aisa was about to say something, when an important looking Walrien who had moved onto a dias which acted as a stage cleared his throat.
“Welcome, EveryMon, to the Annual Snowburg Festival of Love!”
There was a cheer from the audience, and the speaker paused for a moment to let the clapping die down.
“This great festival has been held here for many years. It has come to be known as the place to find your soulmate. In fact, it has become a symbol of love and friendship all over the world. Snowburg itself was founded on principles of love towards others, in the memory of the White Lapras. And the festival has become a favorite occasion for many, whether natives of Snowburg or visitors from other places, young or old, searching for love or revisiting to celebrate their finding of it.”
There was, of course, more to the speech, but the rest seemed to be at least partially just repeating what had already been said, but in different words. When the speech part was over, the Walrein shuffled over to a red ribbon which had been tied in front of the dias. He lifted his tusks and slashed down, slicing the ribbon.
“The Snowburg Festival of Love has officially begun!”
With this there was massive cheering and applause, and there were several small bangs as some of the townspeople shot confetti into the air from small, tube-like devices. Aisa finally figured out that the thing Benji had been fiddling with was one of these.
Dania got up to go, as she would have to get back to Ice Cube Café pretty quickly. Benji soon followed her. Aisa knew she had to go as well, but she stopped for a moment.
“Hey, Umbre, Alaf, I have to get going. Maybe I’ll see you guys later?”