It's a Small (Brave New) World After All - 2nd Annual World's Fair

[bravenewmods]

[It’s been a long year in this brave new world, in which the known span of human civilization has expanded more than ever before - but also come together. Between the attacks on Glacier and Union and the war with Gigas, an event like the World’s Fair feels especially poignant.

Union is making the best of it, too. Hosting the Fair for the second year in a row, the organizers have decided to use this attention to show off their newly rebuilt city, encouraging visitors to tour their refurbished industrial district and enjoy local culture at a theater or on the radio. Once more, said Entertainment District has decided to play host, and any number of booths and stalls can be seen lining the streets, with special discounts available to fairgoers at local businesses.

Excitement is running high - but so is tension. Gigas has been formally invited this year, and accepted with gusto; so has Glacier. Gigan tourists are easily identified by the propensity they have for taking pictures of everything (using much smaller cameras than anyone in Union has ever seen!) and for conversing in very loud voices about how quaint and old-fashioned and charming everything is. Will the goodwill the two cities forged after the Emperor’s fall manage to withstand the might of Gigas’s nationalism? Only time will tell.

Time, and the goodheartedness of the Union people. It’s time for the second World’s Fair!]

Comments

[divine_braid]

[Did he just hear that person right? Duo glanced over there.]

Wait... you can buy them here and now? I thought this was just for show.

[wovensecrets]

[The Gigan attendant in charge waves his hands. The last thing he wanted was someone else getting the wrong idea...

"They are just for show!" He protests. Arachne however, doesn't budge.]

So they keep saying. That's why I want to talk to the person really in charge.

[There's a low annoyed growl in her tone. She's really not happy about not getting her way here...]

[divine_braid]

I can't imagine that it's cheap. You don't hafta figure out how to pay for it, first?

[Duo blinked, staring at the attendant for a moment.]

I dunno... he seems pretty 'in charge'.

[wovensecrets]

[She makes an annoyed sound, tilting her head upward.]

It's none of your business how I handle my finances. The point is that he wouldn't be here if he didn't work for someone.

[divine_braid]

Maybe, but that doesn't mean his boss is actually here.

[Duo shrugged.]

Maybe you could find out who to contact if they have a Warp Band or something?

[wovensecrets]

They're from Gigas. Of course they don't have those yet.

[She folds her arms.] If they're just bringing by merchandise to show it off like this with no intent to sell it, then what is the point? Clearly they must have some plan in mind that involves dispensing it, otherwise it's a wasteful endeavor.

[divine_braid]

I guess. But, for merchandise like that, seems kinda hard to bring enough of it to sell. It's not like it's cakes or clothes.

Maybe they'll take an order for delivery?

[wovensecrets]

He said that they're not allowed to do that either, because of unclear trade agreements. It seems more like they're here to show off until they can guarantee themselves a market. Which is ridiculous.

[And why she's kicking up a fuss, but there's only so far that can go until she can work out a plan.]

[divine_braid]

[Duo shrugged.]

There are other options. You could go to Gigas and buy it after the fair is over. Or... some other less scrupulous ideas.

But, beyond that, if there's no trade agreement, they could get in trouble for selling it here.