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

[deductiongeek]

He is silent for a moment as he thinks over his answer.

"It isn't a bad thing to do what you can to survive. But I think... whether you pick up a weapon or not, just make sure that it is a choice that you can live with."

In some ways he was talking about himself here. He'd made hard choices before, to protect people and to protect himself. Some of them he regretted, but they were all choices that he'd had to learn how to live with.

[singlefaith]

It's sound advice. She's quiet as well for a moment, watching a child several yards beyond the line squeal, thinking for a moment that he's lost his parent -- then thankfully catch up again. Her smile turns a little lopsided again. "I don't know if I can answer that. I don't know about whether I can live with myself or not if I needed to. But . . . there's a lot here that I need to protect. If it came down to that . . . I guess I would have to make that call."

She's been more open with him than she's been during her time here, but still there's that little impulse of not wanting him to worry: "At least it's not like home -- they're not human, they definitely mean harm, and it's more black and white about who's right and who's wrong."

If that's any comfort, really.

[deductiongeek]

Everyone had their own lines that they drew. For Shinichi... he didn't think he could ever bring himself to take a life, monster or not. He might have to face that some day. If it was Ran's life versus one of the creatures they ran into on missions. Would he hesitate if it was a sentient creature versus a monther?

He supposed he wouldn't know until that moment.

He shakes his head. "I wish I had better advice for you. But I think that you are the only person who can make that decision."

[singlefaith]

Ran herself hasn't killed anything yet. Severely hurt, yes. Incapacitated, yes. But she's already answered that question for herself at least in terms of monsters: If it comes down to protecting someone, particularly Conan, Ai, or Sera, then she can't hold to her morals.

She hasn't mentally answered the question of sentience. She's not completely sure right now if she could.

"I think it's good advice." Her hand squeezes his again gently. "I wish . . . you were here to talk sometimes. I miss it."

[deductiongeek]

He glances down, but it doesn't hide the frustration in his expression.

"I wish I could be here too. I don't like that you're here and I can't be with you."

Not like this.

[singlefaith]

She hadn't meant to cause him frustration or guilt in turn -- only to express her own wistfulness and appreciation for him. They've made it to the front of the line during the course of this conversation, and the ride operator is beckoning, the next bubble open and waiting.

Tugging him gently, both to attract his attention towards the bubble and to provide connection, "Shinichi is here now. Let's enjoy what we can?"

Softly, daring, a little pink: "And hopefully you'll wait for me?"

[deductiongeek]

He opens to mouth to respond, to promise that he would wait for her forever if necessary. But before he can say anything he feels the all too familiar spasm of pain strike his heart. He can't stop himself from blanching white as he lets out a gasp of pain.

Not here. Not now. He couldn't let Ran see this.

[singlefaith]

"Shinichi?" Immediately all her attention is on him. The ride operator and those nearest in line have flicked their attention to him as well, uncertainty playing in their faces.

[deductiongeek]

With alarm, he feels the presence of all the eyes on him. He steps back jerkily, quickly calculating the fastest route to cover.

He casts a glance of regret at Ran, knowing how badly she would take this.

"I have to go. Sorry." He bites back another gasp of pain as his heart spasms again, and turns to run.

[singlefaith]

"Shinichi--" She barely gets the name out before he's pulled away from her, started pushing back through the line. Yes, he said he'd have to go at some point, but he couldn't have meant in pain. The train wouldn't have made him go in pain.

His face was so pale . . . And that gasp--

"Excuse me--" She pushes her way back through the line in distraction, picking up speed as they part for her. "Shinichi!"

She chases after his retreating back.

[deductiongeek]

As Shinichi runs he can feel his temperature rising with the fever. He didn't have long to get out of Ran's sight and find a place to ride out the change. Turning, he heads for the forest.

[singlefaith]

But he isn't out of sight yet. Though Ran has nearly lost him a couple of times in the crowded market, she's recovered -- and thankfully, people have taken the hint about two furiously running people and quickly stepped aside to let her pass. She fumbles once, nearly trips, but recovers from that too, pushing on.

She isn't losing him like this again.

Again she calls his name, more insistent, though most of her air is needed for running. Why is he doing this -- breaking away, not saying good bye?

It feels almost more like . . . the times at home. When he vanishes abruptly, only a text as an afterthought.

She's not willing to have another afterthought.

[deductiongeek]

Soccer had made him almost fast enough. The gate is in sight when another spasm of pain makes him stumble, almost falling in the snow. He recovers, but it takes time. Precious time that he didn't have.

[singlefaith]

"Shinichi!" He must be hearing her, but he's not turning.

Her heart catches a little as he stumbles, but like her, he recovers too. At least it's a little time to close more of the distance between them.

[deductiongeek]

His hands shake slightly as he opens the gate and stumbles into the forest. He immediately moves deeper in,trying to find somewhere to hide.

[singlefaith]

She's worried, she's frightened, and frankly frustration is building slowly towards anger. At the edge of the trees she doesn't hesitate, diving in, footsteps crunching through snow and dried leaves. The lighting is working in his favor; it's dimmer here, the light of the Winter Faire not able to get through the trees as readily. A branch scratches her cheek; she barely pays attention, her sole focus on not losing him.

The distance is closing; she's pushed herself to the very limits of her energy, and her lungs are burning. She's close. Closer . . . Her hand stretches out, fumbles.

Then catches, grabbing fast to the back of his coat. Unfortunately the stretch is too much, sending her downward into the snow -- and likely him with her, refusing to let go.

[deductiongeek]

With the growing pain and rapidly skyrocketing fever, Shinichi was barely staying upright as it was. The tug is more than enough to knock him off his feet and push him down into the snow. He lets out a soft cry at the shock of the cold snow against his feverish skin.

[singlefaith]

For a moment she's not able to do much -- just gasp for breath, barely registering the cold beneath her or the fact that she's fallen, air rasping in and out of her lungs. Her fingers never leave him, though, still wrapped securely around a handful of his coat.

She pushes herself half-up to her side as soon as she's able, though, and grabs for his shoulder, flipping him over, eyeing him as fiercely as she can manage while trying to catch her breath.

"What. Are. You. Doing?" Each word comes between punctuations of breath.

He's scared her, made her run all this way . . . he'd better have a good answer.

[deductiongeek]

He stares up at her, his face flushed with fever and his eyes wide with shock. In the moment, all he can think of is to blurt out what was at the top of his mind.

"I want you to be safe. You can't be here for this."

[singlefaith]

"What?" That's not anywhere close to what she might have expected him to say, and that wild look in his eyes twists at her stomach. Yanking off a mitten, she presses the back of her hand (still cold, despite the mitten) to his cheek, to his forehead. "You're burning up . . ."

Another tug of breath. "We need to get you back; you might be getting sick--"

If that gasp of pain from earlier is any indication, he definitely is.

[deductiongeek]

"I can't go back," he insists. "But you should. I promise I'll be fine."

He closes his eyes and curls in on himself as another wave of pain passes through him.

[singlefaith]

"You're not fine!" One hand tightens on his shoulder as though it can somehow brace him, at least pull him back to look at her. "Who do you think I am, to leave when you're like this?"

Lifting his arm, she tries to slip beneath it, aiming to lever him up. Her lungs are still burning; her arms and legs feel fuzzy with overexertion. Whether or not she could actually get him anywhere is a good question, but she's going to try.

[deductiongeek]

"I'm not fine, but I will be," he insists. He tries to carefully extract himself from her grip. "Go, Ran."

[singlefaith]

"You're being ridiculous," she spits. She's scared and angry and he's not helping. "You just made me chase you across a fair and into the woods. You're feverish and plainly in pain, and you tell me to just leave you face-down in a snowbank in the dark on your word that you'll be just fine. Again, what kind of person do you think I am?"

Refusing to be fully extracted, she pushes her way back under his arm, trying to get him up. "We're getting you back and getting medical help now -- or I'm calling for someone on the SCA."

[deductiongeek]

"And I am telling you, there isn't anything anyone here can do for me." His voice cracks with the strain of the situation. "Getting help is a waste of time."

Before she manages to get him up, he convulses, biting back a scream as he clutches at his heart.