Nexus Spring Market Fair

[varnished_truths]

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.))

<img src="blah.png" height="300" style="border: 0pt none; float:left; padding-right:10px; padding-bottom:10px">

Comments

Dragon Flights! [and a few carvings for sale]

[caelum_ignis_draconigena]

Skyfire doesn't have a lot for sale in the way of items, but what he did have was very well made. There were a few, almost lifelike animals carved out of what looked like marble, and a number of fancy bowls and boxes carved from wood.

The biggest attraction though is a large slab of a tree trunk with the words 'Dragon Flights' carved into it, making a very interesting looking sign. He came to the Nexus with very little, so he'd decided that perhaps he could earn a bit of local money or trade for goods with the few things he had available to him...

[brave_heart_verity]

She shouldn't tease. She shouldn't tease. She shoul--

"How're your landings these days?" Her tone is friendly and teasing when she calls out to Skyfire with a wave.

But it looks like it's the carvings, not the flights, that have drawn her attention. She starts by the bowls and boxes, but her eyes keep flicking over to the animals.

[caelum_ignis_draconigena]

He can handle a little friendly teasing, and he does chuckle as he 'waves' back with his tail, since he was using a claw to mark out 'sketch' lines on a large chunk of wood.

"Much better than when I get chucked into a new world without warning." Well, it's true... He almost never has a problem landing, except when the universe decides to try and screw with him... or he's only flown on a new planet a few times. Skyfire had been working his tail off to be sure he could land safely without getting into trouble. He'd never offer a ride to others without being totally sure they'd not get hurt.

"How have you been?" He smiles as she keeps looking at the animals. "Do you like them? They're a bit rushed, but I think they turned out pretty well..." It's true, they were rather rushed... but he was quite practiced at carving and creating a lot of things. When one had nothing to do and centuries to do it in, you couldn't help but get good.

[brave_heart_verity]

"I'm sure." She never really thought otherwise. Considering how much he fussed when they first met, she's honestly a bit surprised he doesn't have some kind of safety rig to strap his passengers into. One with airbags and parachutes or something. Maybe he's only that much of a fusspot when he's stuck in the sign.

"I've been well." When she's close enough, she holds out her hands for his inspection: no lasting damage. "I think they're very nice. This is what you call 'rushed'? I should help you find a studio and see what you can do when you're really trying."

[caelum_ignis_draconigena]

Well, he did have a safety line and straps in one of the really big carved boxes... but he'd be carrying anyone that wanted to go up for a fly in his front paws/arms. Since he didn't know how well anyone could hold on to him, it was much safer than a riding rig on his back. If he dropped anyone while flying, it would be because he was quite literally dead in the air.

"That's good." When she holds out her hands, he can't quite help himself and snuffs at them very gently with that big, velvety feeling nose of his. He really is a bit of a mother hen at times.

"I'm glad you like them." At the mention of a studio, he looks intrigued. "A studio? Do you really think I'm good enough for that?" It was something he'd not considered before. Sure, a dragon made sculpture or pottery might be a novelty that would sell a few pieces, but he'd not thought that anyone would actually like his work for just it's appearance.

[brave_heart_verity]

That's fair, and she wouldn't blame him for being cautious. She probably wouldn't even tease him for it.

The snuffling gets a confused look from her. What in the world is he doing? Plus, it kind of tickles.

"Yeah, there's lots of artists and art lovers around here. People are always looking for something new and exotic, and you've got skills too." She's not going to gloss over that the fact he's a dragon will be part of the appeal, but it's only part. He wouldn't be the first artist to use a unique appearance to get people paying attention long enough to appreciate the wares. "Some people like telling the story of where and how they found a piece of art as much as they like showing it off."

[caelum_ignis_draconigena]

The snuffling is really more of an accident than anything... getting just a teeny bit too close. He did have some pretty good sensors in his nose... only they're not all that efficient when it comes to things other than scents or touch, and he's got to get pretty close to check her arms. The worry wart...

Still, he pulls back to a more reasonable distance to continue speaking with her.

"I suppose it would be worth a try to see if that would be a good source of income for me here then. It is a rather enjoyable hobby and I normally find myself with far more things than I could ever need... Do you think furniture would be popular as well?"

[brave_heart_verity]

She can endure a bit of tickling, and it's mercifully brief. When he's done, she folds her arms loosely in front of herself.

"I think so. Lots of people come from post-Industrial worlds. Hand-made goods with natural materials are pretty rare in those places. It might be something of a niche market, but it should keep your busy. And life here is pretty cheap if you're willing to live simply. Would it be okay for me to touch some of the carvings? I'll be careful. My um. My partner's blind, and his birthday's coming up..."

[caelum_ignis_draconigena]

Skyfire is looking very much interested in the idea, and nods. He chuckles a bit at the comment of living in the area not costing much, since as long as there was open land and a few places that he could dig or harvest wood, he'd be able to make what he needed most of the time.

"Do you know how far I would have to go to find land that isn't part of someone's property here? I tried to collect wood and stone from places where it looked like it wouldn't belong to someone..." He didn't want to move onto somebody's land or steal from someone after all.

At the mention of her partner being blind, he blinks and nods. "Of course it is, feel free. I can even carve something for you if there's nothing you think he'd like here... Well, provided I have reference if I don't know what it is."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Ah... that can be tricky. There's no central government, so 'ownership' of real estate mostly comes down to who can convince people that someplace is in fact theirs and then defend that claim. If there's no fences or signs or anything, you're probably fine? And if someone complains later, you can either try to argue their claim down or move on. Buildings are more easily identified as owned or not, but open spaces, people generally share those or fence them off. Just don't go wrecking the parklands, okay?"

It's all very complicated sometimes, for people who have to overcome certain ideas about ownership. But it's simple once the idea that wild places are for everyone is accepted.

"Thank you. I'm not sure what kind of animal he'd like," she admits, "but I know he prefers tactile things, so that's probably going to be what decides it for me. That and if it's a good fit for his office." She'll start with the smaller pieces; something that would fit on a desk would be ideal for Matt's very plain office.

[caelum_ignis_draconigena]

He nods at the explanation. "That makes things a little easier for me then. I'll just go further away and find a hard to access piece of land to set myself up somewhere to stay. I'd rather not make a mess of somewhere that everyone uses." Chuckling a little he adds "I know that I'll end up digging for stone, so I might as well make use of the space."

Why should he take up space in a building that could house many, when he was more than capable of housing himself? It would give him something to do as well.

"Hmmm... Well, I can do more than just animals." He points to one of the carved boxes he'd made, that had been engraved with trees and wild flowers on it. It was pretty detailed for being the size of a large shoe box. "What size would you consider a good fit? I can't make anything much smaller than that until I figure out how to recreate my tools. I'm good with my claws, but not that good..."

That last bit was a little bit of a lie. He was that good with his claws, but it was very difficult, time consuming and he'd have to charge far more than anyone would likely want to pay.

[brave_heart_verity]

"Very efficient," she agrees. "I've heard living in caves can be really comfortable."

Keeping busy is often one of the most difficult parts of life here. Good to have a number of projects in mind to keep the hands and the mind occupied. Going 'stir crazy' is something Verity worries about at night when she can't sleep.

She half-turns to look at the box. "Oh, that's lovely. I think I might get that for myself. He's not as much of a nature fan as I am, I don't think. But... if I brought you a picture, could you do a city skyline? Carve out some of the details on the buildings?"

[caelum_ignis_draconigena]

"It can be... Or at least in my experiences..." He pauses and chuckles a bit "Then again, it's not like the inside looks much like a cave by the time I get done..."

Skyfire wouldn't have too much trouble finding things to do here. There was plenty to do when setting up a new place to stay, and even then, there were people here... As a bonus they didn't seem to be afraid of him either, which was quite nice.

"I should be able to do that quite easily." He smiles and considers things a moment "Just make sure whatever picture you give me is one that you're alright with it getting lost or damaged. I'd be as careful with it as I possibly can, but I don't really have a place that I can store it very safely yet."

Sure, he has a pair of bags strapped to, and hidden along the underside of his wings to store a few things, but they're more for a few emergency supplies than anything. They're not really practical for carrying more than a few gems, a bit of metal and one or two things he really treasures.

[twelve_not_fourteen]

A space pirate walks up to the largest plot at the fair. It seems like it would kind of have to be large, as far as Han can tell, to accommodate a creature that large. And wow, is it large. It might be the biggest he's ever seen.

He studies the layout of the attraction for a while. He can see a selection of carvings, that ... to be honest, he wouldn't have much use for. Not to mention his life generally doesn't allow for him to acquire a large volume of things. Though he sees the word flying and that's a word that does often pique Captain Solo's interest. He ... presumes the big guy, is the dragon.

"Theoretically speaking," Han murmurs with head set at its usual slightly cocky tilt, "how much does one pilot a dragon versus just being along for the ride?"

[caelum_ignis_draconigena]

Skyfire gives the human a nod, allowing him to approach and look around at his own pace. He was well aware that being so big was a bit off-putting to a lot of smaller people and creatures.

Meanwhile, he's working on using a single claw to start shaping the rough outline of a creature from a block of wood, wanting to keep himself busy as people pass by. He'd have to wait for closer to the end of the day to do his own looking around, not wanting to get in the way of the crowds.

He does catch Han's murmur and chuckles softly. "That I suppose, depends on the dragon." Skyfire gives him a smile, being careful not to show off his teeth. "For me at least, you'd just be going for the ride."

[twelve_not_fourteen]

He doesn't even bother to hide the look of disappointment at that answer.

"Did you have a bad experience or something?" He murmurs. "I assure you that you couldn't be in the hands of a better pilot, friend. None better in the whole Nexus."

It doesn't seem likely (even to him) that he's going to convince this dragon that he deserves to be able to have the opportunity to 'take the reigns' when the majestic creature doesn't want that to be the case, but ... he'd be kicking himself if he didn't at least try.

[caelum_ignis_draconigena]

He gives Han a small smile, not wanting to upset him, but also being firm.

"No, no bad experiences, but I'm not one to allow others to try and control me either." Chuckling a little Skyfire adds "Besides, as a pilot... would you allow someone that you don't know anything about to try and run your craft?" Ok, it's not a perfect comparison, but he thinks it should get the point across.

It's a matter of trust, well, that and the fact that Skyfire has been flying longer than humans had existed on the earth he'd come from... "I do however take directional and height requests."

[twelve_not_fourteen]

It would be one thing if flying was simply flying to Han Solo, but it's far more than that. For him it's been a life long infatuation with the idea of being a pilot, but also, it's symbolic of freedom. Escape from what might be holding you down.

He's lost count of how many times he's saved himself by knowing how to fly.

Anyway, he can understand easily enough that the dragon wouldn't want to surrender that freedom to someone else.

"I'm surprised you'd be able to hear anything up there."

[caelum_ignis_draconigena]

Skyfire is glad that he seemed to get his point across without insulting him. It was really rather surprising to him how something as simple as a polite refusal could make some people so angry sometimes.

"Hearing someone speaking at that height is actually fairly easy for me... Replying to them vocally is another matter entirely."

[twelve_not_fourteen]

Hey, if Han was a dragon, he probably wouldn't want some good looking and obviously talented young Corellian trying to assume command over him either. He's just glad the big guy didn't take offense at him needing to ask the question.

"Yeah, I imagine that would be quite a challenge."

[caelum_ignis_draconigena]

"It is... well, at least it is if I don't want to be yelling my head off..." A chuckle "And I can tell you the locals generally don't care for the noise."

Generally Skyfire is an easygoing sort, and a question like that would hardly offend him... Trying to force him into something on the other hand, that was a whole other matter.

"You want to go up for a flight over the grounds, even if you don't get to steer?" It won't bother him if Han doesn't want to go up, but he still wanted to ask.

[twelve_not_fourteen]

"I have to admit something of the enjoyment gets lost for me when I'm not in control."

When you know him, it seems pretty obvious that would be the case. At best, he'd spend spend the whole time thinking about he would be doing things differently and at worst, he sees people pulling off slick maneuvers and then he gets a little ... judgmental and jealous.

[caelum_ignis_draconigena]

"Well, you can't blame me for trying." Skyfire chuckles and doesn't try to push his services much. He was trying to let people have a fun experience and an aerial view of the fair, if Han doesn't think he'll enjoy it much, Skyfire won't pester him.

"Have you done a lot of flying in the Nexus?" He's curious and wondering just how far the place stretches in any direction.

[twelve_not_fourteen]

It could definitely be fun for some people. The human before him is just ... a bit particular about nearly everything.

On the other hand, he's never met a dragon before and he likes meeting sentients that he's never had the chance of getting to know. It's part of the fun of being able to travel across many star systems. You see all kinds of things.

"No, actually. I dropped out of hyperspace in the orbit of this ... well, it's not exactly a planet here, plane of existence? This place anyway. Didn't have enough fuel for another jump so I had to land."

And to his dismay, he's been marooned here since. He's been working on purchasing the parts he needs for some overdue maintenance and more fuel, but it's not been going as quickly as he would like.

"What about you?"

[caelum_ignis_draconigena]

"Well, at least you got to land without crashing into something..." Skyfire gave him a wry smile. "I was coming in for a landing and suddenly there was a big sign in my way... It took a little while to get my horns out of that thing..."

Pausing he realizes how that sounds, chuckles, and adds "It would seem the place likes you better than me, it didn't give me a chance to land. You also might be able to get out of here the same way you got here by the sounds of it, I'm still trying to figure out if there's a 'door' here somewhere that will get me back to where I was."