middleofsomewhere | Winter Faire

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Winter Faire

”Shortly arriving in World#5562102022. The dressing carriage is open for your convenience.” The announcement might be unexpected so late in the month, but soon enough further information arrives on their SCA’s.

World#5562102022: Home of the famous Winter Faire. Voidtreckers may spend the evening here. Please remember your Snowcoins. Enjoy.

The dressing carriage is open for characters to choose from an array of winter coats, hats, gloves and scarves. There are also ice skates in a variety of sizes and shapes, suitable for all passengers.

THE PLAZA

The Express comes to rest in a station roofed by sheets of ice. Streamers of light run up and along the arches overhead, sending flashes of colour through the structure at intervals. A wooden path leads through stands of sparkling trees to the faire proper.

The faire is a large one, mostly made up of a large market of wooden huts. The market is held outside; while it's dark when they arrive, there are floating lights twinkling in the darkness that illuminate the area. There is snow on the ground and a light flurry in the air, the perfect amount of snow to be atmospheric without anyone being too damp or cold.

There are both ice paths and ordinary wooden paths through the market. In the centre of the market there is a large ferris wheel, where guests can sit in glass bubbles filled with soft cushions and blankets as they view the snowy market from above.

THE ICE RINK

There are two large ice rinks, and ice paths weave through the market, with many of the eateries having 'ice gardens' where skaters can rest and drink before continuing their skating. Wooden railings run through the middle of the ice paths, both to form two one-way lanes, and to give new or wobbly skaters something to hold onto.

There are benches at the entrance to the large ice rinks for people to change into their ice skates and cubbies for them to store their shoes; the ice paths connect to both rinks. There are also skate aids for those that need them, carved wooden animals to hold onto and push along the ice for balance. An animal that looks like a furred penguin dominates.

THE SLEDDING SLOPE

To the north of the market, there is a snowy field with a hill perfect for sledging, and sleds to borrow for any who want them.

The whole field is deep with snow, with a well trodden path leading up the hill and sledding tracks leading down. To the side of the slope are snowpeople and snow animals, some better built than others, and plenty of snow to add to this collection.

THE WOODLAND ENCLOSURES

To the south there is a small woodland where a member of staff will allow guests through with warnings to be peaceful and not disturb the creatures.

The trees are bare of leaves and white with snow, some with frost forming crystal snowflakes on the branches. There are indeed woodland creatures within the woodlands: deer, rabbits, strange white pompom-looking creatures. They are comfortable with people, and won't flee.

THE FERRIS WHEEL

In the centre of the market there is a large ferris wheel allowing guests to sit in glass bubbles filled with soft cushions and blankets as they view the snowy market from above. The ferris wheel moves slowly, allowing plenty of time to take in the view and enjoy the company, the soft seating, or both.

Bubbles can fit up to 6 people, though the attendants will allow groups from single guests up to six. The glass can be made one-way, so that guests cannot be viewed from outside.

THE MARKET

All the activities in the faire are free. Everything in the market, from a mug of beer to a blown glass ornament costs one snowcoin, the snowflake tokens that passengers received on station day. Each passenger has ten to spend.

FOOD STALLS

The actual market sells drinks: hot chocolate, mulled wine, beer, spiced apple juice and cider amongst some more alien picks like a bright pink concoction that is delicious but very alcoholic; food: sausages, bread, cakes, roasted chestnuts, candied nuts, stroopwafel and a whole collection of unrecognisable but delicious things.

All are available to take out, though many of them also have a bar area where shoppers can sit, drink and people watch.

SHOPPING
The stalls don't sell much that would be considered useful, but are filled with trinkets, decorations, cute hats and other clothing, sweets, glassware, jewellery, toys… and much much more.
After a good few hours in the market, things are beginning to wind down and stalls start to close. The Voidtreckers will receive a message on their SCA telling them it is time to return to the Express. Once all passengers are on board the train will leave the ice-covered station and return back to the Void.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Gen giggled, clearly not offended. In fact, “That’s one of your best features, my darling.”

He hummed a little at the question, looking around. “We could go shopping ... we could get some hot cocoa ... oh! Look! They’re sledding over there. Remember when we set up that snow ramp for the village?”

Senku smirked. "I remember making a ton of money selling snow boards to our captain."

He nodded though and thought about it. "Fine, I'll sled with you." That seemed the least taxing of the winter sports, after all.

“He’s such an easy mark,” Gen smirked back, but there’s a little fondness and even nostalgia, too. He missed Ryusui, and the rest of their friends.

He might never see them again, if the people who left the train -

- Best not think about that.

Grinning wide, he tugged gently on his hand. “It’ll be a lot of fun. You can hang on tightly to me as we speed down a hill.”

"Too easy. You'd think we'd shown our hand by now." He snickered lightly.

No, it was better not to consider the negatives, because Senku wouldn't allow them to come to pass. He was going to be right stubborn about it too.

"I'm sure, unless you're going to flip me into the snow, which I mean, fair play."

“Really, he doesn’t stand a chance against us,” Gen said, giggling.

Gen gave him a very innocent smile. “Why. Senku-chan. Would I ever do that to you?”

Actually, it hadn’t occurred to him before. He was focused on the idea of being hugged as they sledged down the hill. But now ...

Senku tugged on his hand, with the hope of jarring his step so he could step in nice and close, his body nearly flush with Gen's and he leaned up slightly to speak in his ear.

"If I go down, you're coming with me, dear." He whispered, lips brushing against Gen's ear.

It was perhaps too easy for Senku, knowing him as well as he did, to catch him off guard in his stride to press close. He shivered a little at the lips against his ear, and blushed deep red.

Gen had to take in a steadying breath. “Oh. Well. And that certainly sounds like a promise, darling.”

Crap, he didn’t sound unaffected, did he? Though the flush was enough of a giveaway.

The grin on Senku's lips left little room for ambiguity. He knew exactly what he'd just done, and was proud of it.

Gen may not know it, but he'd been studying his reactions and he tended to enjoy seeing him flustered and blushing, for whatever that was worth.

Gen was so controlled and this was anything but. Senku was intrigued.

Coughing a little, Gen rallied and gave him a tiny smirk. He tugged his arm gently toward the hill. “Well. I can promise you this, dearest -“

“If we’re falling together, I’ll make sure I come off on top,” Gen winked at him, a sly and playful grin now on his face.

He had no idea that Senku was conducting experiments of his own. Not yet. If he did, he wouldn’t be able to stop blushing anytime soon.

"That so?" He taunted with a laugh.

"We'll just see about that. You may have won at pillow fighting, but I think I can pull a trick or two from up my sleeves, if you like that metaphor."

Senku grinned. He had one of the blue coins in his other hand, when did that get there. He was playing with it idly now though, because he wasn't sure if they'd have to pay or not. It wasn't anything big, just something in Gen's periphery.

If Gen tried to get a better look, that coin might have vanished.

Gen had been watching, because Senku was teasing him and grinning at him. And he loved bantering with his boyfriend and best friend. Taunts and silly threats and challenges were all part of the fun.

He was about to quip something back, when Senku took one of those coins they’d gotten and ... made it disappear.

His eyes went wide.

Sorry, Senku, he just couldn’t help himself. He reached for his other hand - stepped in super close - because he wanted to kiss him, firmly, long, with feeling. Gen didn’t have a better to say how he felt just then.

"Mmph!" Senku's surprised exclamation was stifled by that kiss, and his hand captured by Gen's without much trouble at all, considering he wasn't even resisting.

If their relationship had ever been a secret, it certainly wasn't now, but who were they kidding if they thought it was.

Senku didn't complain, he kind of melted into the kiss it was a lot more passionate than the little kisses they shared off and on and it was also kind of really nice.

He looked a little bit dazed and bewildered when they parted, his breathing coming out in little pants, Gen could see his breath in the cool air.

"What was that for?"

It wasn’t that Gen didn’t feel passion for Senku, he just was usually very gentle with his boyfriend and trying things like kissing. He’d forgotten himself for a moment here - but if Senku objected even a little, he would’ve let go immediately.

Instead, they got to share a very nice kiss, leaving them both dazed and panting afterward. Gen gave him a wide, sappy grin.

“You learned magic for me, didn’t you, Senku-chan?” Gen asked with slightly flushed cheeks.

He didn't object for even a moment. It was different, but he wasn't terribly worried about Gen in his space and it was not as bad as he would've thought it might be, had he spent time fretting about it.

His mood was pretty light all things considered, that didn't hurt and he scoffed lightly.

"It's not magic, Mentalist, it's slight of hand. It just takes practice." He withdrew his hand and a moment later held it back up, coin between his index and middle finger.

“Oh my god,” Gen breathed, dizzy from the continued proof Senku spent hours studying something just to impress him that he had to lean in to give him a second kiss much like the one before.

Breathlessly after, he told him, “It takes tons and tons of practice. I should know! And you learned it for me! My darling.”

"I'm-" He'd been cut off again by the second kiss, but he didn't complain, he just returned it, letting himself get all breathless again.

There were probably better places to kiss than in light snowfall under a starry sky...

Scratch that. There was probably no better place to kiss, actually.

"Mm, I'm not that good at it, I just wanted to show you up sometime." He blushed, but he looked almost giddy with how pleased he was. It was a much better result than anticipated.

Gen leaned his forehead against his, enjoying how much Senku was blushing, how pleased he looked. He had no complaints about their impromptu kissing location, of course.

“Well, certainly, if you get in more practice and improve, I’d love to see it,” Gen told him, and tried not to blush when he admitted, “maybe in one of the quiet rooms, though.”

"Why? Does it give you ideas?" Senku asked with a bit of a smirk. "What kind of ideas? Be thorough, I'm mentally taking notes on your reactions."

He paused and then tucked the coin into his pocket properly. "I would've started with backpalming a card, but that was harder than it looked."

“Yeah coins are better for beginners - what do you mean you’re ...” Gen flushed deep red again. He wasn’t dumb, he could figure this out. Senku was keeping track of how he reacted to flirting and things, like. Like he was some kind of romantic and sensual science experiment.

He had to lean forward and try to hide his blush against Senku’s neck. He’d hug him, except he didn’t know how Senku really felt about hugging in that moment. Gen knew he’d spend a long time in private later - if he ever got the chance - thinking about Senku making scientific studies of his reactions to him.

“All kinds of ideas, Senku-chan, and now I’m going to be trying not to think of you studying me all day,” Gen weakly protested. “You devious sexy mad scientist. Just give me a moment, you’re diabolical.”

"You sound...well...surprised." Senku said, although Gen didn't seem upset or put off by his analytical mindset.

"I've never dated anyone before, and I haven't dated you before, so of course I need to know how you react to things. Isn't this how your social sciences work too? Study, observation, inferring things?"

He'd managed to get one hand back, that was enough to keep him relaxed as Gen hid against his neck.

“Social sciences ...” Gen moaned softly into his neck. Senku had both hands now because he’s clutching the front of his coat for dear life. He took a deep breath. “You’re making me into a sociology experiment. You hate soft sciences. Of course I’m surprised.”

Gen pressed a very tiny, very light kiss to his neck, just because he didn’t want to reveal how hard he was blushing. Or any other physical tell that gave him away right now. “But it’s a good surprise. I ... I mean ... if you ever wanted to, um. Study how I reacted to things. You’ve got blanket permission.”

"Well as much as I'd like to turn you into a biology experiment, you might find that to be a little clinical, probably better to stick to ugh, sociology. But just so you know, it's not real science, but I'm not going to half ass being your boyfriend so I should understand how you react to stimuli." He was rather lucky that Gen found this appealing because he sounded like he was quoting a psychology text at that point.

"I was going to do that anyway." He singsonged lightly. "But good to know." Senku offered an innocent smile and shut up for a moment, so Gen could compose himself, if that's what he wanted.

“... I wouldn’t mind that. I. Um. Wouldn’t find that too clinical at all,” Gen said, dizzy and blushing and help. Help. “I’m sure you’re really very thorough because you are the best boyfriend and - biology ...”

And he was probably going to run the risk of having embarrassing dreams for a while. Senku was going to actually kill him at this rate. Gen took a deep breath and did try to compose himself a little.

Senku waited patiently, acting as a decent enough cover until the grip Gen had on his coat would loosen eventually and then made one final comment on the matter.

"Well this has been incredibly informative and has yielded some excellent data." Senku observed.

"Now. You want to go sledding?"

Senku was really being the best boyfriend, because while he worked him up he also let him cool down. Hands relaxing as he stepped back a little, Senku was rewarded with a final tiny blush at that parting comment.

Gen had a feeling this would all be used against him later. And he couldn’t wait.

“Yes! I think it’d be pretty exciting,” Gen told him. “Though now it’ll be better if I sat in the front if we share one of those big sleds.”

THE PLAZA

THE ICE RINK

THE SLEDDING SLOPE

THE WOODLAND ENCLOSURES

THE FERRIS WHEEL

THE MARKET

FOOD STALLS

SHOPPING

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