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 brushed himself off a little before taking Senku's hand, maybe smiling a bit of a dopey smile. Fortunately for Senku he wouldn't have to look at it for long, as he faced forward to gently lead them back up the hill.

"I'm going to seem as greedy as our Captain," Gen observed as they came back to the short line, "because we don't get a lot of time outside the train when we aren't on a task. It's nice, every once in a while, to just enjoy ourselves, isn't it?"

He would probably forgive any sappy smiles for the time being, he was actually kind of having a lot of fun on this date.

"I guess so." Senku hummed, squeezing his hand. "I mean, we could do more work oriented things, but you wanted me to relax didn't you?"

He was willing to sacrifice for his boyfriend's sake.

"I did," Gen admitted easily, squeezing his hand back. "We've had a rough couple of weeks. And we've got plenty of work to do on the train. Giving your brain a chance to reset now and then is a good idea, my dearest."

Gen then winked at him. "Plus, how often am I going to get a chance to go on a date with you like this?"

"I suppose you have a point." Senku giggled lightly.

"I mean, we kind of stargazed and had dinner on Irivar...wait, we weren't together then..." Senku mused. "Oh I know, we did the haunted house a halloween."

"We weren't, not yet," Gen agreed cheerfully, "though now, I can't help but think of those as dates, now that you mention it. Even if it technically doesn't count."

That didn't seem to bother Gen much, though. "The haunted house was fun, though ... we need to have more silly things to do on the train, from time to time."

"Do you care if it counts or not?" Senku offered with a bit of half a shrug. "Everything you can think of that was date-like can be a date if you want."

He honestly didn't care. It wasn't really much of anything to be 'official'. Gen was Gen. He cared for him deeper than he thought he'd ever care for anyone.

That was all that mattered to him.

"After this one though, we should get a snack."

Gen beamed and conceded, "Not really! But it would mean we've been dating for some time. Somehow, I don't mind that at all."

He'd known he was in love with Senku for a long time, after all. And not knowing he was interested in more than a platonic relationship, he was happy with what they had before. Even happier now, obviously. Gen was pretty certain he wasn't capable of feeling this strongly for anyone else, sappy though that might be.

"You don't have to offer a snack break to me twice," Gen grinned and winked. They were at the front of the line once more - he gently pulled them to a sled. "I wonder if they have hot cocoa?"

"You know I don't care about stuff like that, but yeah, I guess." Senku shrugged. However long Gen wanted to count it, he was fine like that. He knew he didn't care for anyone like he did Gen. He knew it was different, he'd always known that much. It might not be the most demonstrative relationship, or romantic, but it was best suited to him.

He waited for Gen to settle and got back behind him, this time wrapping his arms around him properly, squeezing a little bit tightly.

"I'll bet they do, that's what this place looks like."

On the contrary, Gen would argue that Senku was very romantic, if you knew what to look for. Talking about what their future house would be like, when they built it, was just one example. Very romantic indeed. It might not fit what other people would expect - but other people were boring.

Gen looked over his shoulder to grin at Senku best he could once he snuggled up behind him.

"I'm getting mine with extra marshmallows," Gen said brightly, his gaze adoring. "All right, Senku-chan. Again on a count of three. One ... two ... three!"

And he'd kick off down the hill.

The ride back down was still fun and Senku laughed in Gen's ear, squeezing onto his middle as they let the speed overtake him. It was hard to get Senku to relax like this, but he did agree to go have a fun date with his boyfriend, and he wasn't going to get distracted from that.

Byakuya would really, really like Gen.

He let out a breathy laugh as they slid to the stopping point and he let go to stand up again, brushing snow off his coat.

"I'm shocked. You, with marshmallows?"

Gen giggled as he got up, brushing the snow off his coat - and couldn't resist any longer. He leaned in to offer Senku a peck on the cheek. He was just having such a good time, no matter what was looming back on the train. And he was an affectionate sort.

"Me, with marshmallows. I've heard you can make them at home, is that true?"

He'd offer Senku his hand once they were less covered in snow, to walk toward the shops for their treat.

Senku didn't complain, letting him kiss his cheek and he hummed thoughtfully.

"It's sugar and gelatin, so theoretically, yes. We have plenty of gelatin anyway, mind you the sugar's in a bit shorter supply." Senku hummed. "You should remind me later to get some sugar cane at some point. Should be some in South America."

They had the Perseus, it was certainly possible to head there if they were headed to America already. He took his hand easily, lacing their fingers. His hand was a bit cold, but otherwise he was fine despite the cool temperatures.

"Probably! But you know, South America is still pretty far from where we end up. That'd be quite the detour ... I think I'll take advantage of all the free sugar we can easily get here, while I can," Gen mused brightly.

Ignoring the fact that Senku might be dead.

What did he say? He was ignoring the fact that Senku might be dead after he's been gone for so long.

He squeezed Senku's hand and smiled brightly. "On the train, we could make marshmallows as large as we'd like~"

"I'm sure that we're only limited by the equipment. How big do you need your marshmallows to be?" Senku asked, tilting his head.

"Because I swear, if you say something like, as big as your head, I'm gonna watch you eat it all in one sitting."

Gen hummed a little. "That, my darling, sounds like a challenge."

The scenery around them as they walked toward the little wintery village was idyllic. Peaceful, quiet, not filled with robots that'd shoot things at Senku. Or American snipers that would shoot things at Senku. Or - well, he could go on for a while.

"You wouldn't want to try any?" Gen asked innocently.

"Not especially." Senku commented with a roll of his eyes.

It was a very relaxing, peaceful place. It was the kind of night they never would've had time for at home, truth be told. There was always more to do. Here it was a little similar, because Senku couldn't sit still.

He squeezed Gen's hand, instead of saying anything potentially sappy. "What else should we do, after this?"

"Well, we could go shopping, maybe," Gen squeezed his hand back, his expression toward Senku plenty sappy without words getting in the way. "Unless hot chocolate with marshmallows ends up costing all of our special currency here. Which, fortunately, I doubt!"

"So. You want a present." Senku concluded with a hum. "We can do that." He smiled.

"You could use a purple scarf to go with your coat. I would've made purple but then I need to have that many more fabrics."

"You get me presents all the time!" Gen giggled, but he didn't say Senku was wrong. "Maybe Santa will reward all of your good behavior this year."

Which was pretty ridiculous. But it did imply that Gen might be seeing this a little like a Christmas date, didn't it? He was going to leave that open to interpretation - he could just be trying to get Senku to laugh at the silly idea.

He hummed. "A purple scarf would be lovely, and warm~"

"What?" Senku protested. "Name one time I got you a present."

He huffed lightly as he tugged him into the line to get that hot chocolate, and when it came time to order, he got one for himself too, but he'd forego the marshmallows. He was playing along.

"Good behaviour." Senku snkickered. "Yeah, sure."

“Well, as a start, you have made me cola on the train. No matter how silly my request for it is,” Gen reminded him with a knowing grin. “You downright spoil me, Senku-chan.”

Gen just asked for the marshmallows that Senku would be given get added to his. Perfect. There was glee in his eyes as he took the warm drink.

Squawking in mock-protest, Gen asked, “You don’t approve of my behavior?”

"That's not a present." Senku scoffed lightly. "It's a bribe to keep you agreeable." He was mostly kidding. "I wanted to make cola anyway." That was a silly statement since mostly he didn't drink it.

"Oh I do." Senku smirked at him. "But I don't know that objectively it would be classified as good."

"Uh huh, yes, sure," Gen scoffed back, giggling quite a bit at Senku. His boyfriend was, in fact, ridiculous, and objected far too much.

He gave Senku an evil little grin, just as fun. "Wouldn't you say that goodness is subjective? Or do you think it's an objective thing that anyone can define? Philosophers have debated for ages over which is true, I'm curious to know your take."

Now, of course, he was definitely teasing. As if Senku cared much about philosophy.

Gen had no idea what he'd just done. He really didn't. (He probably did.)

Senku began by snorting rather loudly, expressing his derision that way.

"Philosophy." He scoffed. "Are you really-" He huffed. "Are you suggesting that philosophers have answers? That's the most ludicrous-"

Senku pointed at Gen. "Philosophers are old men who sat around thinking too much about nonsense and then sold it to people like it was good for them to consider their views on subjective things like morality and the meaning of life when really science tells us all of the answers they're just not poetic enough for the masses to be satisfied. The objective truths of the universe are far more fascinating than some old man sitting around picking nonsense out of the air and calling it a philosophy. In fact-" He didn't even pause to sip his drink.

"Most of these ideas are severely influenced by the times they were written in, could you imagine anyone in 2019 sitting around waxing poetic about how the world revolves around the Earth like some brain-dead moron?" He took a breath finally. "And yes I know there are stupid people in every age, but at least we had the technology to objectively refute that crap and don't get me started on the war between philosophy and religion-"

Many people might wonder what kind of a date this was, really.

Gen's chest squeezed. He just loved Senku so much. Listen to him.

He daintily sipped his hot chocolate as Senku ranted, waiting for the right moment to get a word in edgewise.

"You realize, Senku-chan, you're bringing up a lot of points that philosophers would love?" His grin was smug, knowing, entertained. "Arguing from your point of view even makes you a philosopher yourself."

THE PLAZA

THE ICE RINK

THE SLEDDING SLOPE

THE WOODLAND ENCLOSURES

THE FERRIS WHEEL

THE MARKET

FOOD STALLS

SHOPPING

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