middleofsomewhere | 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

[Nita hasn't paid so much attention to her own dressing - the coat she has is warm, but not well-fitted. Sometimes the fabric catches-

Like now, causing a snowball to miss its target as her glove is rudely yanked by the fabric of the respective sleeve.]

Oh, just you wait!

[A tinge of annoyance creeps in, but it's not directed at him, and she returns to making snowballs.

But hey, an opening's an opening, right?]

[ Demyx giggled, ducking at least a couple and then he turned and threw what was now three snowballs in her direction. One was definitely way off though, throwing things wasn't a skill he used much. ]

Yeah, sure, whatever, prove it then!

[Nita stares at the pile of snowballs she's got on the ground in front of her, as two out of three hit her on her shoulders.

Thinks.

/Speaks-/

And then half of the pile is teleported - not on top of Demyx, but behind.

For an impulse move, though, it's still pretty impressive.]

[ Demyx is clueless to this change of location for the snowballs, as he's scooping up another one already, trying to form it quickly.

His back is completely wide open. ]

[Well, Demyx not taking notice moves this from potentially troublesome to easy.]

Hey!

[Nita calls again, throwing one by hand - as she maneuvers one from the pile behind to move in as well.]

[ He looks up instinctively only to be pelted from behind and in front. ]

Ack! What the hell?!

[ He turns back to look behind him to see where that one came from, no one said they were using magic! ]

No rules!

[Nita laughs, holding up her hands to show that she hasn't picked up anymore snowballs...

But there's still some behind him, and she takes the opportunity to aim one right at his face!]

Give me all you got, Demyx!

[Does she know what she's in for? ... Not entirely.]

No way!

[ He sees that and ducks. Well then, if there are no rules, a black portal appears behind him and he disappears into it easily.

It will open back up behind Nita and he'll be standing there with his two snowballs and smirk as he lobs one, than the other at her. ]

[Nita's not entirely surprised by a shot from behind, given her own trick - the snowballs still land, though.]

Two can play at this game, huh?

[And, gathering some snow, she throws it at him free-form - as well as herself.]

What, can you do portals too?

[ He snickers wickedly, the portal's already gone and he crouches to quickly form some new snowballs. ]

Not gonna try for a worldgate in this place; we should at least try to keep it peaceful-

[It's a deliberate distraction; Nita rolls to the ground, and back to her own snowballs.]

Or as peaceful as a snowball fight can get!

[ Alright he needs a new plan because really, she's got magic too, and aside from portals which are fun and all, he can't use his other magics for a snowball fight.

He decides on the best plan.

Demyx leans down and scoops up a big armful of snow and tears of towards Nita, intending on just dumping it on her. ]

[Sometimes, the simple plans are the best - and Nita, laughing, throws her own snowballs fruitlessly in Demyx's way, knowing what she's in for.]

[ Too late Nita, here it comes!

Demyx opens his arms and unleashes a small torrent of snow on her. Poor Nita.

Wait...does this mean he wins? ]

... What, that's all?

[With snow all over her coat and her boats and - if he happens to notice under her hood - in her hair, she probably shouldn't be saying that.

But this? This was fun. If anything she should probably thank him.

... That doesn't stop her from grabbing a palmful off her coat to lob back at him, though.]

[ Demyx giggles and ducks, barely out of the way, ends up with snow in his hair and he reaches down to scoop up more snow. ]

Well if you're looking for an encore...!

Don't mind if I do!

[And on the cycle goes. Where it stops - well, surely it snows?

Nita will next try to shake enough snow for a snowball out of her hair, so if Demyx happens to look up...]

Winter Faire

THE PLAZA

THE ICE RINK

THE SLEDDING SLOPE

THE WOODLAND ENCLOSURES

THE FERRIS WHEEL

THE MARKET

FOOD STALLS

SHOPPING

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Fade out on these two having fun?