Rayel scouted for a seat amongst the mob of pokebattle enthusiast, despite the cracked stands, missing steps up the walkways, onlookers left no space unutilized. Fans either sat on the cobble created by the misblasts from the escalation earlier, or shared an intact chair.
The age woman attributed the crowding more to people's reluctance to lose their money's worth on their tickets than their love of a spectacle. The entertainers are beginners after all. The little space available left her murmuring different curses. Cane, feet, up and up, repeat, finally collapsing in the only available opening near the top. The old lungs in took deep steady breaths. Madam Rayel would not be reduced to panting like a Houndoom no matter the strenuous toll the ancient limbs endured.
"Mommy, Mommy," high pitched whine projected from behind. Rayel groaned, oh how she hated kids. The whining, the energy that fails, runny noses. "I wanna a balloon."
"Now Charlie," the mother answered "all you do is pop them."
Rayel noticed the snack/merchandise selling employee making his way to them. Balloons of several different colors tied to his back. He stopped here and there to exchange treats for currency.
"But," the kid protested "I won't pop it this time,"
Madam Rayel fumbled with her hearing aid directing her attention to a couple, rows in front. At this point she rather lovey doveyness to the whines of a toddler.
The woman leaned over whispering into her partner's ear. "Are you sure.."
"Balloon! Balloon! Balloon!" the bratty voice kept chanting cutting the conversation.
Every last drop?"
The male turned his head to respond. "All.."
"NO TOMMY!" The mother on her last nerve.
...Injected."
"I want the Orange one!"
Concern clouded the female's face. "What went wrong?"
"Orange like charizard!"
The male shook his head. "Call the grunt"
"ROAR!" the boy yelled loudly, causing a few onlookers to turn their eyes towards the distraction.
Rayel couldn't take another second of this. The seller had reached their section, going up to the waving frantic mother, who clearly just wanted to shush her child.
"Oh my!" Madam Rayel exclaimed. "Look at that purple one with the jagged edges, only a big brave boy would dare pick that balloon."
The boy's out reached hand changed direction from the orange to the purple. "Mommy I want the purple one."
The mother dug into her purse as the employee gave a perplexed look at the only purple balloon in the bunch, "We'll take the purple one." She said as she found the cash. Shrugging the man handed over the string to the grabby hands.
"AND in this corner," rumbled the voice of the announcer.
Rayel twisted back to the battle scene, as the trainers took their places.
"AHHHHHHHHH!" a little figured darting down the stairs, arms waving wildly, with a mother right behind. Rayel sighed with relief, a little quiet at last.
"Haun, Haun, Haun" Haunter chuckled, swelling with pride at the latest gag. A smile cracked through the usual solemn face. She might not approve of the pokemon's antics, but sometimes they were justified.
