bravenewworld | World Fair

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!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[A masculine voice from behind the woman orders some meat on a stick. When the stall-tender offers the morsel, a long, pink, and impossibly large tongue simply strips the meat from the stick and pulls it back into a squat, pudgy little body of some sort of pokémon.]

Better make that two.

[A pause.]

Two.

[Gordon pulls up alongside the woman, considering her briefly before offering a polite greeting.]

Enjoying your time in Union?

It is... unique.

[Valeria's tone is prickly, but she at least makes an attempt to be level and polite]

[Jim offers his hand.]

Gordon.

[He jerks his head back towards the Lickitung, already eyeing the next food stall.]

And the bottomless pit's name is Ramsey.

[He pauses briefly, and, whether she takes the hand or not, continues.]

I'm helping out with security.

[He let's that last bit hang in the air for a moment as he reaches for his fried meat on a stick, giving it a try.]

Valeria.

[She nods]

You've no need to worry, we Gigans will not so foolishly break a truce in your territory. If anyone needs to worry it is I, your city has shown itself to be quite willing to use trickery to entrap and defeat their foes.

We're, generally speaking, pretty friendly and forgiving. There's a few things we simply won't accept, but we invited you.

[Gordon looks around, giving a bit of a smile.]

This is the first world's fair in hundreds of years. When I was your age, we didn't even know there were other nations to invite to something like this.

[He continues to look around at the gathered people from all over the world, then turns back to her.]

I, for one, have no intention of ruining what could very well be the defining moment of the next generation by picking a fight, regardless of my opinions about Gigas.

The people of Gigas are not particularly war hungry... but we also are not one to ignore false claims against what is ours - or that we feel is an enormous danger to humanity. We have no quarrel with Union... at least not currently, but you continue to stick your nose where you ought not. If there is to be peace, Union will need to stand down and leave Gigas affairs to us.

'What is yours' appears to be the main point of contention.

[Gordon shrugs.]

Still, this isn't about that. Today is a day of celebration and friendship. Let's leave political disputes for some other time.

[He takes another bite of his snack, chewing and swallowing before continuing.]

Believe it or not, I'm not actually over here to keep tabs on you. As long as you're not breaking any of our laws or starting any trouble, I'm protecting you as much as I am Union's own citizens.

I'd heard the people of Union are not prone to violence, though I've witnessed quite a different story. Is my presence a cause for concern?

[Gordon stops and considers for a brief moment before shaking his head.]

No. It shouldn't be. Not from Union, anyway. Some of our new friends... don't have a real bead on them just yet.

[The Lickitung is already eyeballing the next stall, serving delicacies of yet another foreign land. Gordon glances to the creature, then steps off the stool.]

If you run into any trouble while you're in Union, come find me. Enjoy your stay.

I shall.

...

.........

Thank you.

World Fair

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