Winter Faire

[voidtreckermods]

”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.

Comments

[10billionpercent]

"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."

[fun_thementalist]

“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.”

[10billionpercent]

"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.

[fun_thementalist]

“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.”

[10billionpercent]

"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.

[fun_thementalist]

“... 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.

[10billionpercent]

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?"

[fun_thementalist]

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.”

[10billionpercent]

"Good news for you, I was going to make you sit in front anyway." Senku hummed.

He did offer him his hand, if he wanted it back.

"Harder for you to push me off that way." Also he'd feel more comfortable clinging to Gen.

[fun_thementalist]

Gen happily took his hand back, glad to continue to lead him up the hill once more. “Darling dearest. You keep accusing me of such diabolical things.”

He wasn’t kidding though it was part of the joke, “If you keep flirting with me, I’ll just need to steal more little chances to kiss you. Just a fair warning!”

[10billionpercent]

"That's not even flirting, I haven't even shoved snow down your coat yet." Senku snickered, partly because he was teasing and partly because it was a good distraction from the fact Gen might be pulling a bit more of his weight up that hill than was probably fair.

[fun_thementalist]

“You know if you throw snow down my coat, I’ll need to retaliate,” Gen warned him. Encouraged him? It was really hard to say.

He was careful as they climbed up the hill for any slick spots, but the paths were pretty well maintained. “I’m surprised I don’t see any snowball fights from here already, at that.”

[10billionpercent]

"Yes, dear, but you'd have to catch me first." Senku smirked at him.

The path was pretty clear, it was clear this festival was well taken care of.

"Give it time, probably." He commented as they reached the top of the hill to the short line.

[fun_thementalist]

“Ah, but I’ll always catch you, Senku-chan,” Gen told him playfully. “That’s part of what you like about me. When it comes to you, I’m highly motivated.”

He hummed as they waited, thumb rubbing against Senku’s hand.

[10billionpercent]

Senku offered that devious grin of his, leaning against Gen this time, cutting some of the space between them.

"I'll make sure it's worth it." He promised, before retreating back a couple of steps again.

"I'll see that your motivation is rewarded, somehow."

[fun_thementalist]

"You are your own reward, my darling," Gen said with a wink, meeting his devious looks with one of his own. "All the more reason to chase you down, of course~!"

At the top of the hill, the sled was ready, and Gen clapped his hands together once. "Let me get all situated, and you can slide right in behind me."

[10billionpercent]

"Alright, alright. Don't forget the deal though." He said, pointing at him.

"If you knock me over, you're going to be sorry."

[fun_thementalist]

Gen glanced back at him as he sat down at the front of a sled. "Honestly, darling, the more you threaten me, the more tempted I am to plunge us both into the snow."

[10billionpercent]

"Nah, I trust you."

Senku sat behind him, tucking his legs where they needed to be and then he leaned forward and put his arms around Gen's middle, sliding his hands into Gen's pockets. His hands weren't cold but it was kind of grounding and he didn't have to cling so hard that way.

[fun_thementalist]

That made him giggle a little, delighted, because - "Oh, that's a dirty trick. Now, I can't dump you because I'd be betraying that trust, my dearest, wouldn't I?"

Gen let Senku get situated and comfortable, not minding those hands in his pockets at all. Though Senku might be surprised by how much he kept even in those outer ones.

"Ready? On a count of three, I'll start sliding us down. One ... two ..."

[10billionpercent]

"I'm ready, three!" Senku said with a laugh. He wasn't at all surprised that Gen's pockets were full of things, but he also wasn't planning on pickpocketing him, he was just holding him there.

[fun_thementalist]

Of course, even if Senku did? Gen would’ve pickpocketed him right back. It was a frequent enough thing between them.

Gen laughed too as he kicked them off at three, and they whooshed down the hill at a decent seeming speed, Gen’s short hair blowing up a little. He kept laughing, though did his best to steer them so they’d avoid any suspicious patches of snow that might hide rocks.

Having Senku hug him from behind was the best part, though.

[10billionpercent]

Even Senku would admit, racing down a hill at a fast speed was really fun. He giggled, clinging to Gen a little tighter maybe than necessary, but it was really fast, in his defence.

All of it was the best part, he didn't think he could pick just one thing.

Once they were at the bottom safely he would let out a few exhilarated giggles in Gen's ear.

"That was pretty fun."

[fun_thementalist]

Certainly Gen didn't mind at all that Senku was holding him tight. He was giggling a ton once they were at the bottom, Senku's enjoyment feeding his in a loop. "It was! It was."

He peered back at him with a conspiratorial little smile.

"Want to go again?"

[10billionpercent]

"Yeah sure, Mentalist." Senku said with a bit of a smirk and let go of him so that he could be free and get up, before getting to his feet himself. He certainly had gained a lot more snow on his coat, but he didn't look particularly much colder than he was.

He held out his hand to him anyway, partly because he wanted to hold his hand and partly because he probably needed to be hauled up the hill again.