In the center of a bustling city stands its crown jewels, a trio of grand, enormous pavilions. Within the facade of this old palace churns a city all its own, bodies chattering and exploring and roving about in search of the exotic and new and awe-inspiring. After all, no place could be better, for here, in the form of these stalls and displays for this fair, is where the worlds have chosen to convene. On the convention floor, they hawk their creeds, their products, their livelihoods, all competing for the attention of attendees as diverse as they are. But who is this 'they'? Why, anyone, from anywhere at all. From friendly small businesses to ominous corporations, from rebellions trying to gain ground to dying regimes attempting to rekindle their glory, from scientists and scholars to artists and storytellers. If an attendee can think of it, it could very well be here. Who knows what you'll find?
- Current Time: Noon/Early Afternoon (Day 2)
- Current Weather: Clear
Hello, Writer's Block, and welcome to the latest installment of the Character Development Threads! These shared story exercises give you the opportunity to develop your characters, practice writing, and have fun alongside your fellow writers, no signups, profiles, or GM approval necessary. Want to join? If the thread's gotten long, there's no need to fear Archive Panic- just head on over to our discussion thread
and say so, and we'll give you a recap of what's going on and good spots for working your characters into the thread; how you choose to do this is up to you. A little communication in endeavors such as these can go a long way towards having fun, helping others, getting that kink in your character worked out, getting your characters out of their comfort zone, or whatever you're here for, so if you ever have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to ask. We're all for helping each other out.
This thread's designated trope page is here, and its map is here
◊. Don't forget to add your contributions to the page!
In this thread, as the introduction and name suggests, your characters will be coming to a convention, a gathering open to the various and sundry worlds of our stories, whether as attendees hoping to see something cool... or as parts of the exhibition themselves. Yes, you, the writer, will be shaping not just the cast and plots, but the setting as well in the form of stalls and exhibits. Note that this necessitates that we keep a few small things in mind to keep things running smoothly.
- Our standards of location for this thread are intentionally vague to allow ourselves the freedom to make up stalls on the fly as our plots demand, as well as to account for the fact that wandering around between stalls and chatting with your friends is as much a part of the convention experience as the stalls themselves. For the sake of keeping track of people, in lieu of standard location tags in the vein of [Market Hall], we recommend that you also append the names of the characters you're with.
- Though you're welcome to bring a piece of home in the form of a stall and control the characters running it, you're also welcome to bring a stall that exists solely as a plot device without ever mentioning it again. The basic rules to keep in mind are to write a stall as long as it takes to fulfill its raison d'être, whether that's to develop a faction or similar in your work or to keep the plot moving along, and that stalls can be anything. More specific info can be found on the trope page linked above.
- If you find yourself unexpectedly busy in other endeavors after entering the thread, there are easy ways to back out, whether you're writing for attendees or stalls. Attendees can step out into the covered walkways connecting the convention buildings or the adjacent courtyard for some fresh air and relief from the constant noise of the crowds, while stalls can suddenly become flooded with enough nameless background characters to render the stall too busy to reply to any troper characters that were interacting with it at the time.
With all that out of the way, we cordially invite you to stay and experience the Character Worlds' Fair! Onwards!
(Credit for this post and much of the work on the thread belongs to Crystal Glacia).
Fair has now concluded.
edited 31st Mar '15 2:06:36 AM by nrjxll
Just flowing with it.
[Market Hall - Food Court] (Leo, Nore, Solin)
Leo's instincts said something was wrong, although he couldn't point out what it was, or how it would affect him. His focus slightly slipping, Leo managed a clumsy reply not even addressing the two's apparent confusion, "That's the odd thing: the others in town always bugged him about that. I say the town is at relative peace for the foreseeable future. Things of note are scarce. We have tea, and wood, and some unusual herbs. That's about it." he said.
"Should my father go without a decision, it's becomes mother's responsibility. But only Sol knew where she is right now, or if she's still alive. In that case..." Leo shuffled down the memory lane, through the short lecture Alba gave him regarding the matter, "...the town's Crown—its leader—will have to choose between 'prospective candidates'. That means people who's trained at using Spellshards, which again circled back to either me or my sister."
[Showcase Hall - Bindery of Leison] -> [Entertainment Hall] (Lyra)
"The whim of Mir is, as the saying goes, a cruel one." Lyra thought, as she found out that her little plan had misfired. Originally, she predicted Aida to return soon, perhaps with a dispirited Leo in tow, so she can switch roles and gain the liberty to assert her appetite against cuisines of other worlds. Aida's preference to get things done quick, and Leo's tendency to bend to her whim is factored into her plan. Yet the sun had begun to shy away to the horizon quite some time ago, turning the sky red with its blush, with no signs of Aida nor Leo.
Lyra had considered planning as one of her strengths; often she used to present herself as the one standing on top of things, often to Leo, at times to her father, and rarely to others. But the recent failings had her casting doubt to the bold statement. Her instincts to plan had dulled, or perhaps her world is expanding, introducing factors previously unforeseen, or perhaps it was Leo and Aida themselves which grew harder to predict and incorporate to her plans.
Finding the matter to be of low priority compared to her growling stomach, Lyra considered the option to temporarily cease the going-ons of the stall, only to found the option quickly turning into a decision. After an uneventful closure, Lyra walked a steady pace towards the courtyard.
And there she found people. Running. Screaming, panicking. Indeed, something had gone terribly wrong in the Entertainment Hall. Her curiosity piqued, Lyra picked up the pace and proceeded into the Entertainment Hall. There she was greeted by the sight of valiant people, fire extinguisher in hand, trying to douse a stall engulfed in such a way that most likely, its contents are beyond saving. Her sharp eye picked up a man, a member of security, surrounded by several people. "Accidental fire, most likely." Lyra would've thought, if not for several other people, most members of security, which spread out in what seemed to be a search of someone.
It was then it occurred to Lyra that she was not witnessing an accident, but a crime. Devoting her thoughts at the fact, Lyra was fortunate to spot Leo amongst people running her way. Not expecting to meet him here, she swiftly stood in his way, seizing him by the collar should he fail to notice her, and quickly asked, "What happened?"
Lyra was too fixated on the arson, too careless because of her stomach, and too confused to notice that the 'Leo' she met was not, in fact, Leo.
edited 17th Nov '14 7:59:08 AM by FlowingCotton
[Market Hall — Food Court]
Going that way, was she? Marion raised an eyebrow. "Why do your kind look the way they do? Of what origin are you?" She held a grim expression for a moment, as if she was waiting for an answer, before snorting. "Seriously, though, that's kind of a big question. Evolution, I guess. Same reason any other species looks the way it does. We're not created, if that's what you're asking."
She looked up at the ceiling to try to think a bit better. "Well, probably not. We're still the only chordates on the planet with six limbs, so there's some talk about us being partially genetically engineered or something, but we don't know for certain... Eh." She flared her wings. "It's complicated."
Laugh and grow dank!
[Hotel, 10th Floor]
The man with the bag over his head made a muffled groan. His head sagged forward slightly, the barrel of his captor's shotgun pressed against the back of his neck.
yey
[Hotel 10F Hallway (Rey, Iris)]
Rey raised her eye-ridges. Dragonfly and Shark? Bit of a difference there. That's kind of funny.
Keeping her gun in dormant but ready mode, she half-listened to Iris and the agents talk. She'd be ready if the talking stopped and the shooting started, but for the moment she was still content to let the other woman take the lead. It wasn't like she actually cared about the details here.
Then she heard the groan and raised an eye-ridge again. Huh. That didn't sound very happy. She switched her glasses to a heat-detecting setting and winced: there was now a third person in the room, and judging from the positioning he was there as a hostage. That was going to be potentially inconvenient. And she didn't really have any way to point it out to Iris without the Vakaza agents overhearing.
Okay, let's just see where things go for now.
[Market Hall - Food Court] (Leo, Nore, Solin)
Solin nodded and looked over to Nore. He had a few more questions; Nore guessed them and hinted he shouldn't worry with a curt nod. "I see," she said. "I hope things go well for you — hopefully your elder sister is more inclined."
But Solin, misunderstanding one of Leo's comments, added, "wait. If you're looking for your mother, and this Sol person knows where she is... why not ask them? Any reason they'd not tell you?"
Nore winced and whispered, "I think he meant it like 'only the spirits know'. Or 'only Suela knows', I suppose."
Solin bit his lip, clearly embarrassed by his mistake and secretly hoping it was Nore who'd guessed wrongly. "Well," he said, "I... uh..." his mind raced, but found only platitudes. He offered one up: "I guess the best we can all do now is enjoy each day we're given, right?"
edited 17th Nov '14 7:32:05 PM by KillerClowns
[Market Hall - Tevarian's Booth - Zin Vek, Tevarian >> Market Hall - Fair Supplies G Room]
"Great service? I haven't really done anything yet..." Tevarian said. Then, thinking for a moment, he said, "hey, you're not just trying to get free bomb disposal services, are you? Because that really isn't the purpose of my booth. I'll be happy to help you out if you want to purchase some equipment, but don't expect unlimited free demonstrations."
Tevarian reached the door, and opening it, turned on the light inside to take a look around. Inside the room was mostly a bunch of excess material, including paper, flyers, chairs, and a large white 'Welcome!' banner. "Ok, this looks good enough," he said, placing the sound forcefield emitter on the door, and then placing the white sign on top of it. The sign suddenly changed to say 'In Use', as Tevarian walked inside, setting down the metallic briefcase.
"If you'll come inside and close the door, we can take a look at your device without causing any undo concern," Tevarian said.
[Showcase Hall (Hvpvdqia, Adelphos)]
"That makes sense - this is a Worlds' Fair, after all," Hvpvdqia said, "although it's not like I can travel completely at will - traveling to different worlds to help out is my job. And generally I don't get to pick where we go, although I am on break today."
"Speaking of worlds, was there anywhere in particular you wanted to see?" she said, "I've just been wandering around aimlessly." If they looked around, they would likely notice that they had ended up in almost the same spot they had started in (close to, but not at the Transfiguration Stall), indicating they had just been walking in circles.
Danger: Intense gravimetric distortions nearby. Please reverse the polarity on your deflectors now.
NO ONE SUSPECTS THE LAMP!
[[Showcase Hall - Hvpvdqia]]
“Not particularly,” Adelphos replied, “I was just hoping to cover as much ground as I could before leaving. Just pick a direction, I am fine going anywhere.”
[[Entertainment Hall]]
The minion turned to face the woman who was holding him by the collar. At first he thought she had just grabbed him at random, but he could see recognition in her face. There was no point in answering her in that case, since she’d show he wasn’t Leo anyway. He shook her off and made a run for it.
If I knew how I know everything I know, I'd only be able to know half as much because my brain would be clogged up with where I know it from
[Showcase Hall (Hvpvdqia, Adelphos)]
"Okay, how about... this way!" Hvpvdqia said, walking off randomly.
"So, what happened before when the Sorcerers opened the doorways the first time?" she said, "was there a party so big that nobody ever got anything done? Or did a universe-devouring eldritch creature enter and eat everyone's soul?"
Danger: Intense gravimetric distortions nearby. Please reverse the polarity on your deflectors now.
Attitude is prohibited
[Market Hall - Food Court (Selina, Kel)]
Maybe it was the fact that she was preoccupied with worrying about her sister, or the fact that she had never met anything quite like Kel before, and was therefore unfamiliar with his facial expressions. Perhaps it was both, but whatever the case, Selina found herself quite confused. "You want help... Eating... That?" She said, gesturing to the fried amphibians he had with him. They didn't look particularly appealing. Then she narrowed her eyes at him. "You want help metaphorically eating that?"
She shook her head. "Look, ah, I'm not hungry right now, but if it's payment you want, well..." She shrugged. "I mean, I've got U.S. Dollars. If that's not what you're after, I might have a couple of other things. Artifacts, mostly. Small stuff, but from all over. Greece, Egypt, Mayan stuff from Brazil..." She paused, and pursed her lips. "Look, I don't really have time to negotiate. My sister is missing now and I need to go look for her now! So, please..." She sighed. "If you want to me to help pay for your... Snack... It's a deal, but we have to start looking right away!"
Not entirely dead.
[Market Hall - Fair Supplies G Room] (Zin Vek, Tevarian)
Zin Vek shook his head enthusiastically and said, "absolutely not! I assure you I am here merely to ascertain the efficacy of your devices for future purchase..."
The sweat on Zin Vek's brow, his nervous twiddling of his thumbs, and his inability to look Tevarian even in the approximate location his eyes would be betrayed him. Zin Vek was, in fact, a truly terrible liar, and unless Tevarian was woefully naive about humans, would probably be able to tell this.
[Market Hall - Fair Supplies G Room - Zin Vek, Tevarian]
Tevarian looked at Zin Vek suspiciously - not that anyone would be able to tell, as he was wearing a rigid environment suit with an unchangeable expression. "Okay," he said, "then did you want to get out your device so we can test it?"
While not completely inexperienced with humans, Tevarian still had a hard time telling their expressions, and thought, I'm not sure if he's lying, or has a remote detonator on him. Either way I just hope he buys something...
Danger: Intense gravimetric distortions nearby. Please reverse the polarity on your deflectors now.
[Market Hall - Food Court (Selina, Kel)]
Kel gave Selina a completely baffled look, not sure how she had managed to misunderstand what he had said so thoroughly. Isn't that a human expression too? How do I get into these situations?
"Look, I..." he began. "I was kind of joking. What I meant to be asking was for you, after we find your sister, to have lunch with me. But seriously, you don't have to do that if you don't want to. I'm not nearly that much of a mercenary. I'll help you find her for free."
Let's just move past this awkward moment...
"What's your sister look like, exactly?"
[hotel 10F outside Vakaza room (Rey, Iris, Vakaza agents, a hostage)]
Oh, dear. That noise wasn't a nice one. That certainly complicates things. But... what do they expect them to say to that? 'Do you just want to kill us for no reason even after you've said that you don't want to fight'? Wouldn't talking about it preclude not fighting? Ironically, they choose animals as their codenames.
"No, no, no. You are not animals," Iris said with an almost motherly quality, almost drawing on the former caregiver in her had she not been lying for nothing had indicated them to be such yet. "Your names don't tell us anything about yourselves. Please, we want to know how this has come to be."
"Jack, you have debauched my sloth."
NO ONE SUSPECTS THE LAMP!
[[Showcase Hall - Hvpvdqia]]
“The latter is…frighteningly close to the truth,” he replied, a bit taken aback by her response, “Some call them Grotesques, others call them Demons. Whatever their name, they eat people, or anything that moves, really; I can’t say about their preys’ souls though. Hundreds of years have passed since the incident, but these creatures still walk the land.”
“But I’m surprised that scenario came to your mind. Have you been to a world where that has happened?”
If I knew how I know everything I know, I'd only be able to know half as much because my brain would be clogged up with where I know it from
[Showcase Hall (Hvpvdqia, Adelphos)]
"Yeah, I've been told it's more common than one would think," Hvpvdqia said, sounding almost serious for the first time today, "although the circumstances and reasons can vary greatly (of course), there are many worlds that just don't survive connection to the interdimensional realms."
Then, sounding cheery again, she said, "hey! How about we check out this stall here!" She pointed to a stall dead ahead, which said, 'Stamps from Across the Multiverse' and had a short man in a suit attending it. Naturally, it was completely covered by a wide variety of stamps along the displays, with quite a few binders of stamps on the tables as well.
Feel free to skip the temporary stall - I mostly made it up as an example of something Adelphos might find boring. :P
Danger: Intense gravimetric distortions nearby. Please reverse the polarity on your deflectors now.
Market Hall (Food Court) (Nagako)
Given the closeness of her family's stall to the food court, Nagako arrived shortly after she set out. While she noticed the arrays of seats, she wasn't here to sit down and eat something. She wasn't hungry enough to actually want something that required sitting down, but the bigger reason was that she wanted something she could eat while walking around. It appeared to be getting fairly late in the day and chances were stalls were going to start closing soon; she wanted to save some time and check out as many as she could before the day ended.
As such, she set out to find a stall that offered such portable foods. At the same time, she kept an eye out for anyone else who appeared to be leaving and looked interesting. Maybe she'd make a new friend or two while she was here.
Icon by Civvi the Civilian!
[hotel 10F, Vakaza room (Rey, Iris, Vakaza agents, a hostage)]
Dragonfly said, "from what little I have seen, it appears you are both soldiers. Much as we were. Take a moment to reflect upon your experiences and ask me thus... do the swelling, ignorant masses outside truly appreciate the terrible sacrifices you have made to ensure peace?"
Shark continued, "do they understand what it is to swear an oath of duty to a family more intimate than any of birth, and to the nation that will never understand what you have given that they might rest easy?"
Drangonfly's voice grew more passionate. "To have the deeds you have done that others' lives might remain long and hands clean be named 'crimes' by politicians seeking to pillory you for their own vapid ambitions?"
Shark finished. "Our government has forgotten. Ever since the 'Party' deposed the rightful rulers of Zavi, the warriors who have given their lives for it, they have forgotten." He inhaled deeply, then finished, "we intended to remind them."
[Market Hall - Fair Supplies G Room - Zin Vek, Tevarian]
The device Zin Vek gingerly pulled out was a large, bulky, and unremarkable nailbomb. The radio trigger had been crudely severed, but an amateur bit of electrician work would suffice to set it back up. "There," he said. "Simple for a connoisseur of devices as you no doubt are, but you must understand the importance of establishing a baseline. My associates shall be reading it from afar." Suffice it to say, Zin Vek's non-existent "associates" wouldn't be doing any such thing.
[Market Hall - Fair Supplies G Room - Zin Vek, Tevarian]
"Wow," Tevarian said, looking the device over, "this is... a lot different than what I thought you we're going to pull out. I mean, this thing looks handmade and everything - are you dealing with some kind of terrorists or hooligans or what?"
Looking at it for a few more moments, he said, "actually, I kind of want to just buy it off you, rather than detonate it. That's an antique - and I bet I could find a handmade weapon collector for it."
Danger: Intense gravimetric distortions nearby. Please reverse the polarity on your deflectors now.
[Hotel 10F Vakaza room]
For the first time since coming to the room, Rey had been paying serious attention to the conversation, and as the Vakaza agents finished speaking she found herself torn between amusement, depression, and disgust. Amusement won out, as it usually did. Shit, when you two misread a person, you really misread her, don't you? Typical terrorists - they never do quite get that anyone thinks differently from them. I should tell them sometime about what the Opawf really did for me. Or, hells, what I did for it. That thought nearly brought an audible chuckle.
She didn't quite speak her thoughts out loud, though, deciding instead to wait and see what developed with Iris, or maybe the hostage. It was pretty damn unlikely at this point that the standoff would end in any other way but the one she was hoping for, but she wasn't going to just go ahead and start shooting - that wouldn't be very polite to Iris, and it wasn't like she actively wanted to get the hostage killed either.
edited 20th Nov '14 9:55:46 PM by nrjxll
NO ONE SUSPECTS THE LAMP!
[[Showcase Hall - Hvpvdqia]]
“That is rather worrisome to hear,” Adelphos said, “It could be taken as an accident when it was limited to one world, but if it is as you say, then I have to wonder whether that belief is justified.”
He almost winced as he looked at the stall Hvpvdqia was pointing to. There were possibly only a handful of things in the Fair that could be as dreadful as that stall, but he wasn’t about to say that out loud. “If that is what you wish,” he said, “It might turn out to be…interesting.” The last word came out sounding almost like a question.
Come now, he’s much too polite to back down :P
edited 21st Nov '14 9:29:41 AM by Elfhunter
If I knew how I know everything I know, I'd only be able to know half as much because my brain would be clogged up with where I know it from
Attitude is prohibited
[Market Hall - Food Court (Selina, Kel)]
"Oh!" Seina snapped her fingers. "That's what you meant! Okay, sorry." She shook her head. "I'm a little distracted right now, as you might imagine. Let's talk about lunch after we find her." She bit her lip for a brief moment and thought. "Tamara's got black hair, like mine, but tied back in a ponytail. Her skin is like mine too, obviously, but more tanned. She's got a light-grey shirt on, jeans, and she's a little shorter than most kids her age." Selina sighed. "I don't what else to tell you. I mean, there aren't many nine-year-olds around, so far as I can tell, so just be on the lookout for any kids and you might just find her." Then she paused. "Thank you for helping me. I appreciate it." Briefly, she took a look around. "Where do you think we should start?"
Not entirely dead.
[hotel 10F outside vakaza hotel room (Rey, Iris, Vakaza agents, hostage)]
Iris blinked with weary eyes. So they're angry about losing their old government despite having fought for it? The rest was just an attempt to stir the nonexistent soldier's heart in her. Bah, she almost never had any choice in allegiance even as a plain servant.
Alright. "The fact that you're attempting to do something to fix your grievances is commendable." At the very least. That little spiel they got pretty much killed all possible questions she may have had, but she still had one, more to sate her curiosity than anything else. "I see your anger over losing your government, but how has that business brought you here?"
It then occurred to her that they may not like that question. Which she was half-hoping for, anyway. She briefly closed her eyes in an attempt at contacting Mijo, to ready himself. Which he did, soundlessly moving onto the side railing of their balcony, where he would be just out of any of their lines of sight.
"Jack, you have debauched my sloth."
[Market Hall - Food Court (Selina, Kel)]
Kel tore himself away from his embarrassed state to focus on Selina's question. "Welllll..." he said, cocking his head sideways. "I suppose we could just start working our way through methodically. It's not like this is an infinite fair; we'd definitely hunt her down eventually."
...Unless she moves around too. Nevermind. Think, shu, this is your chance to regain your appearance of mercenary cool and superior futuristic alien knowledge! What would a little human girl want to do in a place like this? He thought about Tlan and Kzek again, thinking about the way they'd been when they'd first come to the Alliance. They'd been very excited at first, scuttling around like they'd just hatched, but they'd gotten tired eventually. It was reasonable enough to think humans might be like that too, right?
"Is there somewhere she might have stopped to rest? Around here or in the entertainment hall, maybe?"
Obviously, waiting on KC or Gault before posting in the hotel.
edited 22nd Nov '14 1:10:19 AM by nrjxll
[hotel 10F Vakaza hotel room (Rey, Iris, Shark, hostage)]
Shark made a fairly complicated hand gesture to Dragonfly, who nodded and slipped through the portal. Shark then said, "ah, of course. The Party had intended to set up a stall of their own. Preach their corrupt worldview. We discovered the intended location, and had been planning to remove the Party agents — and any sympathizers."
Shark had abandoned any hope of this initial plan succeeding, but making their presence known could play to their advantage. Of course, his confession would probably ensure hostility from his audience. So he then gave the hostage a heavy slam with the stock of his shotgun, one quite likely to require medical attention, before attempting to follow Dragonfly through the portal to their secondary site.
[Market Hall - Fair Supplies G Room —> Out] (Zin Vek, Tevarian)
The smart thing for Zin Vek to do would be to take the offered money and start haggling. Zin Vek, however, had a simpler idea. "Certainly," he said. "Actually, I am happy to entrust you with you with it, as a token of my esteem for the time you have spared for me." He made a quick bow, and then, web of lies forgotten, hurried towards the door. Tevarian can catch him if he's so inclined.
edited 22nd Nov '14 1:28:27 PM by KillerClowns
[[Showcase Hall - Hvpvdqia]]
“That, yes,” he replied, “but I am more interested in the worlds than anything else; people just happen to be part of the world.” He smiled and continued, “I am also curious about the different kinds of magic there are and the level of progress of each world. So far, I’m impressed.”
“Might I add, you are very fortunate that you can travel between worlds when you please. I will probably never get another opportunity like this again; the worst part being that it’s not even from a lack of ability. Sorcerers just refuse to open doorways to other worlds after what happened the first time around.”
If I knew how I know everything I know, I'd only be able to know half as much because my brain would be clogged up with where I know it from