nexus_sages | Nexus Spring Market Fair

Current Music: Vivaldi "Concerto No. 1 in E major, Op. 8, RV 269, 'La primavera'"

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Nexus Spring Market Fair

Seemingly overnight, one of the grassy areas edging the Forum has been taken over by a spring market and fair. Part state fair, part craft fair, part Renaissance faire, there are attractions for all comers. Tents and booths of every size, shape, and color are lined up more or less tidily, sometimes with wide avenues between them and sometimes with paths skinny enough to crowd a single person. Goods and treats from the far-flung corners of infinity are on display. The general organization has magic and alchemical goods grouped together and slightly separated from the other tents; arts and crafts fill the area around it. Goods such as clothes and jewelry, plants, and vintage and antique items are in the back. Food is front and center, between the entrance and the rides. This is perhaps not an ideal placement.

To one side is a brightly-lit collection of rides and games familiar to anyone who's been to a state fair. A ferris wheel, flying swings, and all manner of reasons to regret that last funnel cake are blaring tinny music and sporting blinking lights. Remember: rides first, then eat. Classic games that test strength, agility, and luck offer plush prizes sure to delight anyone until the fur rubs off. There are also some animal rides near the exit.

In the back of the roughly-fenced-in area are the exhibits. There's a petting zoo with creatures mundane and more exotic, all promised to be tame; practical demonstrations of new magical and technological wonders; a juried art show; and a stage hosting a variety of performers changing on the hour.

((This is an open event. If your character wants to have a booth selling wares or food, set one up. If your character wants to perform or provide other services, go for it! Please note what sort of service you're providing, if any, in the subject line of your top-level comment. Basically, just run with it and have fun!

I offer pictoral inspiration and ask that any pictures used in comments not be more than 300 px tall (and it looks better if you can keep it about the same height as your text). Code to have your text wrap around your picture below.))

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Well. When he puts it like that.

"Ah." She could have guessed the second part. Maybe the first. But the admission is appreciated and safe with her, as he well knows. "You know... I don't know if I can do it, but I'd be willing to try and see if I can identify what's in them. It'd be good practice for my alchemy. If you have any left after the fair."

"Oh?" His brows rise, intrigued at the offer, before he smiles. "I shall take you up on that, I think. And on the subject of taking up, there is a young man here at the fair who I think might make a good addition to the museum staff in some capacity. I shall have to introduce you when he returns."

She smiles when the offer is accepted. It's a good deal for both of them, especially if she can manage to figure anything out.

"Oh yeah? 'In some capacity'?" Ver gives Schön a measuring look. Usually, she'd ask if he's trying to be difficult, but she knows this is his natural state. Well. One of them. "You've found someone you want to keep close, you mean, and I get to find a way to keep them busy?"

She doesn't mind, but she has to say these things on principle.

Difficult is, indeed, his natural state. He spreads his hands innocently at her proposed clarification of terms, however. "Verity, I would not presume to tell you how to execute your duties or arrange your personnel. I have every faith that there are any number of tasks to which the young man would be suited, and his temperament is so agreeable that I think you will be pleased to employ him, as well." All true.

After a beat, he concedes almost under his breath, "and he is someone I would like to see safe and prosperous, with which I believe you are well-positioned to assist."

Hunter has been enjoying the sights and sounds of the fair, especially since taking that Potion of Owls Wisdom from Schön. Everything is so much brighter. All the rides have this ethereal glow to him.

It is a good thing he carries around a pad of sketch paper... because has he been inspired. There are so many fair moments that he has been able to capture quickly. Little stories that will become bigger canvas later.

And he has gone to a few food booths, enjoying the tastes of the fair too.

He is returning to Schön's booth with two bags of cotton candy and two plates of elephant ear's balanced in one hand. And a helium balloon tied to his other arm. There is also a little blue ribbon on his T-shirt too.

His smile is large as life. And it gets bigger when he sees Verity there.

"Fates align nicely. Two beautiful people at one booth!"

She's seen this innocent act before, but it never gets old. By the end of it, he's got her smiling and shaking her head. "You make it sound like you're doing me a favor. I'm sure we can figure something out." Don't get too excited about that word, Schön, she's not getting any further into debt with you if she can possibly help it. "So what's he do?"

Hunter's greeting makes her turn, already smiling. Her gaze quickly takes in the food, the balloon, and the ribbon. Art show placing? She'll hope so until she knows otherwise. "Let's be fair, everyone looks good when Schön's smiling at them. I think it's the hat. You've been busy."

Making things sound like he's doing someone a favor is one of Schön's better-honed skills. He's about to tell Verity a bit about Hunter when the young man himself arrives--and apparently knows Verity already.

His mouth opens wordlessly for a moment, before he recovers and chuckles to himself. "I see my introduction comes fashionably late, at best. Kind fates, indeed, Hunter, if you already know Verity. She is the associate of whom I spoke."

"She is! That is wonderful!" Hunter sets down the cotton candy bags and the two plates with elephant ears. And he sweeps Verity up into a happy bear hug.

Then sets her down, to turn to his other friend. He is marvelling at how fate has worked its way to such a delightful surprise.

"One of each of those are for you, Schön." He gestures to the fair food with a fond smile. And with that soft blush on his face, it is pretty obvious that he was thinking of Schön's kindness and company while he had toured the fair.

"I have so many new inspirations now..." He places a hand on Schön's shoulder, and then after thinking about it for a moment, pulls him into a hug too. "You were right."

Sorry, Schön. On the bright side, this bear hug is saving Schön from whatever sassing he was about to get. Between being surprised and trying to hug back without spilling her drink, she's busy. "Oof! You are in a good mood. What in the world have you gotten into?"

Nothing is saving them from Ver's own open-mouthed stare. Hunter is hugging Schön and she does not know how to process that. Well. She's got one idea.

Giggling.

((This came up on my playlist as I started writing this reply.))

Schön isn't quite sure how to process the hug, himself; he usually has more warning when people plan to be tactile with him. After a moment of shock, he remembers himself enough to pat Hunter's back in answer. "Three words of which I rarely tire; you are enjoying the fair, then?"

Keep calm and get your breath back, Schön. And maybe remember Hunter's strong reaction to potions in the future.

Edited 2016-04-03 04:20 (UTC)

"Quite a lot." Hunter steps back after releasing the hug. He holds up a little notebook that has a pencil attached to it, and pats it happily. He has at least a dozen new sketches waiting for him to complete.

He turns to Verity to answer her question. "I took one of Schön's potions."

"And guess what... I took honorable mention in a little tattoo contest they were having at one of the booths. The judges remarked on the beauty of the heart." He pats his chest, where the heart-shaped tattoo is located.

"They wanted to give me second. But I didn't think it was fair, since every other contestant spend time with a tattoo artist for theirs. And their artwork should really be appreciated."

"And of course, I have been saving the Ferris wheel ride."

((Not the first choice I'd make for Schön...))

She gives Schön an encouraging look when he seems to be coming back to himself. Maybe not the best idea usually, but even he needs moral support sometimes. And especially in the face of things like unexpected affection.

"Oh, did you?" Schön gets a sharper look after she hears about the potion. What exactly did he give Hunter? But the look is brief and less accusing than curious. She's worried, but she can tell he didn't mean any harm.

"A tattoo contest? Good for you." Ver's pleased he was willing to show his ink off. That's a good sign, in her mind. "And some good ideas in your sketchbook, too, and Schön wants me to give you a job. I knew you'd do well when you were ready to put yourself out there. Schön's got the best taste when it comes to, well, pretty much everything."

Even fairy loan sharks need something steadying once in a while. He appreciates that Verity is willing to provide; this "friendship" thing, it's shaky ground.

"Indeed, nicely done, Hunter. I find no surprise at all in your triumph. And thank you." He looks over the elephant ear--is it cinnamon, raspberry, or some other variety?

Verity's look merits an explanation in this case--he doesn't want her of all people to think he's corrupting artistic youth. "A potion of Owl's Wisdom; to sharpen the senses, strengthen the will, and expand the consciousness. Quite, ah, harmless--beneficial, even."

Hunter had purchased the raspberry flavors, since that had appealed to his sharpened senses.

With that expanded consciousness, Hunter had also noticed Verity's concerned look. And smiles. "He had explained what it was before I took it. I was curious about his wares, and he selected something quite wonderful."

Hunter beams at Schön when Verity points out that the other man has good taste. It is quite obvious that Hunter is fond of Schön. "Yes. He does."

"I was quite excited to hear about his... or should I say your project with the museum. It sounds fascinating."

Okay. Okay. She doesn't need consciousness-expanding magic to help her see some of what's going on here. And the good old 'shove and excuse to shove off' move seems like a good idea from the perspective of being Hunter's friend, except... she has no idea how Schön would take that.

First things first: Schön gets a nod. She'll accept his explanation without further concern. "I almost miss the days when people just ate a pot brownie and a bag of Cheetos," she mock-laments. "Kids these days."

"Our project. It's his art collection, I'm just the bookkeeper." She's not just the bookkeeper. But she doesn't like to brag. Still, there's a little flinch she tries to hide behind taking a sip of her soda; even her own lies hurt. "What kind of job would you like, darling?"

Mmm, raspberry. Schön chuckles at Verity's mock-lament, then has a nibble of elephant ear.

"You're far more than the bookkeeper, Verity, you are the project's director and guiding hand." She may not like to brag, but the thin man knows Verity's need for truth, and feels she deserves her share of credit as well.

"That is amazing." Hunter smiles at Verity, of course sharing the thought that she deserves credit for her work.

And if he knew Verity was thinking about using the 'shove and shove off' move to help him... she would just get another big hug. The thought would be appreciated. But the last thing Hunter would do right now is jeopardize his new friendship with Schön.

"I would be happy with anything you think is suitable. I did have an idea... I don't know if either of you thought about having a little gallery in the museum or not. But it could be a place where Nexus artists could have shows. Then those artists invite their friends... those friends see the museum. They tell their friends..."

It might surprise Hunter to know that that move has been quite effective in the past. It's entirely unsubtle, but part of her charm is that she's so earnest about things, she pulls it off. And does he really need excuses to hug her?

"Maybe," she admits to Schön, because he's right, "but I feel like a blind man trying to describe an elephant sometimes. But, you keep saying I'm making good choices, so I must be doing okay. I know you wouldn't let me squander your money or endanger your collection."

Schön's approval clearly means a great deal to her.

"And the artists get to show off more often, maybe even say they've had their art hanging in a museum?" Yeah, Hunter, you're getting teased now. It's partially to hide her disappointment. She'd been thinking, however briefly, that maybe he'd help with the things she needs help with. He just wants another show. That's okay, she'll manage, and it's not a bad idea. "An emerging artists gallery is a good idea. I'm sure we can make room for something like that."

"If the elephant is patient, and the blind man thorough, understanding comes through in the end," he assures Verity, "and I am willing to be quite patient for this."

"Certainly, galleries for local shows are an eventual goal," Schön admits to Hunter, "but there is a great deal to do to get the museum off the ground before we can make such ideas a reality. Perhaps there are other roles in bringing it to fruition for which you might have an inclination?"

Verity might try to hide her disappointment, but right now Hunter is able to notice the effort very clearly. So he steps forward, and slides an arm around her waist.

"I had just seen some of the other amazing talent that is offered by Nexus residents as I had walked around the fair tonight. And I know that I was very fortunate to have two lovely, inspirational people in my life to push me to new artwork. I would like to see others find their own inspiration too."

Schön gets another bright smile. "Anything either of you have in mind, I will happily offer my assistance. It is just such a great idea, it would be an honor to help it bring to fruition."

"And yes," Hunter kisses the top of Verity's head. "I would love to have a piece hanging in the museum. Maybe the unnamed painting of my mother could find its home there?"

"But seriously... if you need someone to move heavy objects, or sort art exhibits, or just stand there with a large arrow that says 'This Way to the Museum'... I am here for you. Both of you."

Schön's going to make her blush. Now she's smiling down at her soda, and it's sure it's good, but not that good. "Thanks, boss."

Ver blinks at the arm around her waist, then relaxes against Hunter's side and rests her free hand on Hunter's arm. This works for her. So does the kiss, and Schön can just shut his mouth now. "The painting of your mom deserves a good home. We'll find it one. But I thought that painting was for you?"

First priority: his mom. Second: the potential job. "Do you know anything about curating a museum?"

Schön contains his astonishment after only just a moment; that Hunter is quite tactile, he knew, and he also had some inkling that Verity was fond of contact with those she trusted. That Hunter seems to count among that number speaks well of him, for there is little fooling Verity's judgement of character.

Since they're speaking of the museum and don't seem to need his input just at the moment, he'll quietly nibble his elephant ear and sip his root beer, and take the conversation in.

"I'm afraid I know very little about curating a museum." Hunter answers honestly. There would have been a time that he would have felt a little self-doubt about himself right now. But not tonight.

"My skills were on the other side of the picture, as an artist who wanted to work with a curator. I could act as a meditator. Learn what the artist is looking for, and what they expect."

It takes a real pro to fool Verity; even two Lokis in the same room could only manage it for so long. Now if she'd just stop liking the troublemakers who're going to hurt her as much as the nice people who're going to protect her.

"Oh." Hunter's idea might be a good one in certain circumstances, but this isn't one of them. Verity's giving Schön that 'help please' look now.

"Sadly," Schön jumps in to explain, swallowing quickly at Verity's silent plea, "the artists are unavailable. The museum will be starting as something of a memorial, to honor the world from which they came."

He dearly hopes Hunter is perceptive enough at the moment to pick up on the connotations implied in the word "memorial," and why that might mean the artists are beyond reach.

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Paging Hunter?

Paging Hunter, indeed.

And he appears...

It's like magic! :D

Spring is in the air, a time of magic and wonder (and yes, fair food).

and lots of love <3

If only Lil Sebastian were here...

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