World Fair

[bravenewmods]

In the week of lead-up to the fair, the whole of Union had been ablaze with excited chatter, industrious preparations, and quite a fair number of new faces. People from all over the known world had begun to trickle in with the announcement, some representatives and workers from each invited civilization, some excited young trainers and travelers, hopeful prizewinners and showboaters, cooks, warriors, clothing designers, and of course a wide variety of Pokemon. You couldn’t look anywhere (even a trash can) without finding somebody new, and every single person was absolutely thrilled to be there.

The World’s Fair, hopefully the first of many, sprawled out across the Entertainment District. Large swathes of the area had been cordoned off for the event, stalls and tables, booths and small shelters set out and erected over the course of the week. Local workers and travelers dug in, working in shifts to get everything together on time. Voices sang out around the grounds, work chants accompanied by the beat of hammers and nails, with every soul pouring their hearts into their tasks. A busy time, certainly, and one fueled by a desire for harmony, profit, and to start off the idea with a bang.

There were, of course, a few noticeable exceptions. The open invitation to Gigas that the Council had so warmly extended had been accepted in due time. Those who numbered themselves amongst that great city were distinguishable by their less than friendly countenances and penchant for taking notes, no doubt analyzing the city of their enemies. One likely familiar face made her appearance partway through the week, disappearing quickly into a tent and remaining indoors for the rest of the preparations.

Come opening day, people had already begun lining up at the entrance, awaiting admission. The queue stretched for blocks and blocks, a serpentine loop of people and Pokemon all eager for a chance to see what this fair was all about. Like everything else surrounding the event, there was a certain buzz to it. Chatter filled the line, questions and queries hanging on everyone’s lips. Did you see that robot? What’s that smell? Did you see that Maxime de la Puffette was planning on unveiling her fall lineup here? Oh! Oh! And there are three idol groups! Risette may even make a performance! and there was another rumor that buzzed through the line as well. Gigas accepted the invitation. And so did some of those people from the Archipelago…

Once inside the grounds proper, a dizzying array of sights, sounds and smells assailed every visitor’s senses. Music blared, machines clinked and clanked, food sizzled on grills, exotic spices wafted down the paths, unusual Pokemon let out cries of surprise and delight, and people ooh and ahhhed. Technological wonders stood out on stages, concerts presented a variety of music in every style imaginable, there were whole areas set aside for nothing but eating and fashion, while martial artists, Pokemon and brawlers duked it out in the various arenas. And above it all, airborne Pokemon soared and wheeled, banking and turning as their riders and egos clashed in a competition of acrobatics and skill. All of this could really only mean one thing, and even if by chance you were a Crustle living under a literal rock, you couldn’t miss it.

An event like nothing held since the Cataclysm, and something wholly unique had begun today, and for one week only. The First World’s Fair!

[OOC: This post is open to all players throughout the next week. Feel free to tag around, start your own top levels, and generally have fun during the fair. Some new and familiar faces will be tagging around as well, and may tag into your threads!]

Comments

[punchesyu]

No way! That's the kinda stuff that'll sear your insides right off!

[He grins.]

Make it one glass of milk and you've got a bet! [He thinks he's got this.]

[youngestone]

[Kili just grins.]

Alright then.

[He pulls his money out and hands it to Belbul, who hovers over to get the money from Yosuke]

[punchesyu]

[That grin makes him uncomfortable, but he gets his wallet out and gives it to Belbul.]

Bet's on, let's see what you're made of!

[He tries to reassure himself that there's no way anyone could possibly eat that without dying.]

[youngestone]

[He's Calderan. This is fun.

Still grinning, Kili begins to wolf it down. He's careful not to eat too fast and he rations out the milk so by the third dish he still has some. It's a little uncomfortable, not having that second glass, but he will do it.

And he does, eyes watering only slightly.]

I win.

[punchesyu]

[Yosuke stares on in horror as Kili manages to actually eat it. He's sure there's times where the man looks like he has to stop, but it's all in his head. He doesn't stop. The milk doesn't disappear fast enough. It's all going downhill and a sickening feeling washes over him that he just lost a lot of money.]

N-N-No freaking way you just did that! What, were you born in a volcano or something?!

[youngestone]

...yeah, actually. What, d'you think some pansy Unionite could handle this stuff?

[punchesyu]

I didn't think anyone could handle that stuff! I remember that from the festival in Caldera!

[No, his money, his dreams, his Rotomcycle...]

[youngestone]

[He is cracking up]

I grew up eating this stuff! If I'd had the second glass, I'd've added extra spices! Unionite's are wimps when it comes to food.

[punchesyu]

Well, they do eat vegetables and fruit all day...you seriously get sick of that crap pretty fast...

[He grimaces, it's what he's been eating for a while and he hates it.]

But come on! If you woulda done that you'd be breathing fire on everything!

[youngestone]

And that's the reason Ma's been sending meat in her care packages.

[Blugh]

And not really. This stuff isn't even all that spicy.

[punchesyu]

You Calderans are really something else... [He assumes that Kili is because there's no way he could eat that and not claim to of grown up on it if he wasn't.]

Next thing you'll be telling me is that you would of dumped a whole bottle of those spices on your food if you had that other glass of milk...

[youngestone]

Not a whole bottle, I like to taste my food. But more, sure.

[punchesyu]

That's just wrong, bro.

[He can't even imagine Kili doing that much.]

[youngestone]

Not for me.

[He laughs and takes the money]

Where are you from, if not Union?

[punchesyu]

Citadel. You know, where they have good food.

[Not just fruit.]

You really can't beat a juicy, savory Bouffalant steak. Or a burger... [That sounds so good right now too.]

[youngestone]

...burger?

[What is this new food you mention.]

[punchesyu]

Dude, for real? You've never heard of a burger?

[Oh man he can't believe this.]

[youngestone]

[He shakes his head]

Steaks, sure, but not a burger. What is it?

[punchesyu]

It's beef, you know, from like a Miltank or a Tauros or something. You cook it up and stick it in between a bun and bam, grade A perfection!

[It sounds so good he might have to go get some.]

[youngestone]

[He frowns]

A...sandwich. Really?

[punchesyu]

It's not just a sandwich! Bro, you add condiments and a whole crapton of other stuff to it! It's seriously awesome!

[How is this not exciting?! Burgers are great! He thinks so!]

[youngestone]

Is anyone selling them here? I'm not sure I believe you.

[punchesyu]

Yeah, actually. My dad's got a small stall set up over there with all the Citadel food. You can grab one over there.

[He points to the Junes stall that's selling meat.]

[youngestone]

The "Junes" one?

[Said like the month.]

[punchesyu]

Uh, no.

[He says flatly.]

It's "Joon-ess." But yeah, that's the stand.