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]

"I think that's what I'll do, thanks." Senku hummed.

"What kinds of things here are you interested in?"

[gundamofthedesert]

"Happy to help," Quatre said with a smile.

"Well, I do like fashion and I don't like the cold so maybe a hat or a scarf or both. But I'm not sure if the ones I'm shopping for would like a scarf or a treat of some sort."

[10billionpercent]

"Hmmm, that's a tough question." Senku agreed and turned to the shopkeeper, holding up both scarves and offering two coins in exchange. He's offered a bag that he was going to refuse but it had a wintery design on it so he accepted and tucked them both inside carefully.

"Depends on what they'd like. Although, this kind of scarf is both practical and a treat since I don't typically make scarves."

[gundamofthedesert]

"They are very nice scarves. I suppose if I can't think of anything else to spend the coins on, I can just get some scarves for people."

Since who doesn't like scarves? They might come in handy later. And he was certainly going to spend all of his coins. There was no point in saving them for any reason after all.

[10billionpercent]

"That's true. I usually like giving practical things that people can use, even if other things are nice it's not too helpful in the world I live in." Senku hummed. He wasn't big on luxuries although he did have one item at home that he appreciated.

[gundamofthedesert]

"Definitely understandable. It's the old adage of giving a man a fish versus teaching a man how to fish. The fish might be more immediately satisfying, but knowing how to fish will make it better in the long run."

[10billionpercent]

"That's true, but even practical things can be nice. Like these scarves, we might not really know how to make them, but Gen can use them, and I think he'll like them. It's not like jewelry or something where he might like but he might not be able to use it either."

[gundamofthedesert]

"Of course." Quatre smiled before picking up a green scarf. "What do you think about this one? For me."

Since he was still deciding what he might get for others.

[10billionpercent]

"Uh...well it looks...warm?" Was that what Quatre meant? Possibly not, but he wasn't one for fashion advice really.

"I mean. It looks nice enough?"

[gundamofthedesert]

That's fine. He was just overly knowledgeable about fashion. It was what happened when one had as many sisters as he did.

"I think so too. I think it is a good option. I suppose I should look around more and see if there are more things I like since we only have ten coins."

[10billionpercent]

"That's true. I'm planning on spending mine on the people I'm closest to, probably mostly." Senku hummed. "I don't really need anything."

[gundamofthedesert]

"That is true. I don't really either so its more to see who might want something."

For someone who grew up with being able to get everything he wanted, he had little desire to collect random things on the train. Well... except something else to help him stay warm. The one problem with being from a place that never truly got cold.

"I'm sure your friend will like the scarves."

[10billionpercent]

"He probably will, it's his kind of thing." Senku grinned.

"Thanks for the help." He would get out of Quatre's way if he wanted to keep exploring, he had other gifts to get.

[gundamofthedesert]

"I'm glad I could help. I hope you enjoy the rest of the time that we have off the train."

Since they both had further shopping to do.