Summer Solstice

[lifemods]

Summer Solstice Fair

The sun is shining, the Mognet is working again, and the summer solstice fair is here! The WRO hopes to makes this an annual thing, but this is the first year they're doing it. Everything you could ever want from a fair is here and open to the public.

*Fair Rides: Ferris wheels, a mini rollercoaster, that thing that looks like an octopus and spins around--the WRO spared no expense to make sure everyone would have fun here today. There's even a gravity ride that takes you up to the top of a pole and then drops you!

*Food: So much food. So much unhealthy food. Funnel cakes, hot dogs, burgers, ice cream, you name it. And it's all fairly cheap too, since the WRO promised to pay for half of what the merchants sell!

*Carnival Games: And most of them aren't even rigged! The Gold Saucer donated games for the fair and there are so many games. There's your standard shooting games, some basketball games, a dunk tank, hoop tosses, you name it. A few are rigged, though, so buy beware! There's also a few card tables set up in a tent for those who like their games a little less wild.

*Speed Dating: ...yeah, the WRO has no idea. This came with the Gold Saucer stuff, along with a Cait Sith and Moogle mascot pair that will coax anyone they can into sitting down and participating.

*Job Fair: With the influx of new arrivals, both native and Streamers, some employers see a golden opportunity to get some jobs filled! In one corner of the fair is another, mini-fair fill with tables and presentations on various workplaces: the WRO, ShinRa Tech, the volunteer emergency services of Edge, and the Highwind Air Taxi Service, just to name a few. Anyone of working age is welcome to wander in and have a look around.

Of course, the fair is taking up the entire center of Edge, so there's lots more to see and do!

[[Feel free to make your own top levels! Welcome to Edge of Life!]]

Comments

[exturkishdelight]

Job Fair

The festival was certainly. .. Festive.

The last time Vincent had attended a Festival was when he was a child and he was beckoned by various recruiters to join the military. It was more uncomfortable than enjoyable and Vincent never returned to one. But..

He needed to get into contact with the Turks and Rufus Shinra. He also needed to scope out the different faces from the Lifestream and where was a better place than the job fair..? Besides the Festival itself, but he had an opportunity of killing two birds with one stone.

Hands were tucked behind his back as he walks slowly through the little cordoned area for the job fair, red eyes flickering over each option, one by one. It looked quite like he was a very strange appearing man here looking for a possible job but he was observing each and every face.

Some were obviously from Edge. They had a look about them. But the streamers did as well. That wide eyed, slightly confused wonderment. He made mental notes of each face and where they chose to go to.

As he himself drifted towards the ShinRa Tech. He remembered joining the company, when it was ShinRa Electric. How things had changed.

[sworntoblood]

Here is a Streamer who is not all wide-eyed wonder. No one had ever seen an elf before. Which meant the elf woman was getting a good number of stares.

She'd never been to a faire, either, and it's obvious in the way she holds herself: stiffly. She's also attracting a number of younglings who either want to take selfies with her (which, once Liadrin realizes this is something harmless, she allows), or poke at her ears. She isn't comfortable at all, but Liadrin allows it. Especially since some of the taller teens are within reach of them, after all.

That, and she's always had a soft spot for the younger set.

Liadrin does notice Vincent's gaze, but she can hardly challenge him over something she's doing herself (albeit for different reasons), so she simply gives him a nod.

poor elf

[exturkishdelight]

Liadrin is one of the ones he has some caution towards. She carries herself in a way that indicates a possible soldier. Those were the types that they needed to have concern with even if they don't recognize the face.

When she looks towards him and nods he returns it before approaching slowly. Children may be interested in Liadrin because of her ears and soft spot.. but they feared Vincent as if out of instinct.

Most scattered away from him. Only children that recognized him lingered, though a short glare caused them to scatter. Vincent was the scary man of the group.. The one they weren't sure was a good man or not but it seemed Cloud had a leash on him at least.

"You are a streamer." A matter of fact statement because obviously. "And a soldier?"

Well that was a question.

Hardly. They probably get each other.

[sworntoblood]

She carries herself so because she is a soldier. Like recognizes like, don't they? Liadrin also has a pragmatic streak, so for now, she's willing to be a harmless curiosity. This, perhaps, will give the fact that Streamers exist a better polish. Even if there are not explanations for such, yet.

That's not something Liadrin is good at, anyway. On Azeroth, she'd leave that to the magisters and priests; here, 'science' was what one waited on.

"I am," to the first. "A Blood Knight. Which is one way of saying such, yes." Though she didn't have anything but the drive and the training that made her these things.

"As are you. A soldier, at least." She wouldn't know a Streamer unless they said so, but the man carried himself like he was familiar with this place, at least. And he certainly was a soldier. So her response was a statement.

Vampire Weredemon and a blood knight. Mmm

[exturkishdelight]

"I was. I still am, unofficially." He didn't comment on the streamer portion. The woman seemed aware of herself and him enough to possibly recognize him as a native. Either way, he saw little reason to indulge excessive detail.

"Looking for a career? Or simply looking."

She seemed to be having trouble moving easily through a crowd, at least until Vincent had cut through it. Perhaps he could linger to make sure she was able to do what she needed to.

He tilts his head slightly towards ShinRa Tech.

"They aren't terrible... any more."

[sworntoblood]

"Some things are not so easily forgotten. I would think war, be it in large scale or small, would be one of those things." Still, she inclined her head in acknowledgement.

Liadrin mused over his question a moment. "For now, looking. I am not so certain, being what I am, and new come at that, I would be an easy hire for the things I am good at. But I understand that. One does not make a sword from untempered steel." She would never let one of her green recruits go into the Ghostlands untested, were she back on Azeroth.

Likely, she kept getting bogged down just because she was such an oddity. But the Sin'dorei had expected that, to a degree. And on some level, she was aware that the WRO wanted Streamers to have a good name and a good reception. So she at least played along, as best she could.

She lifted her gaze to follow his head tilt, lifting a brow. "You sound as if you've some experience. I expect I do need a job, at some point. Do you think I would be accepted, there?"

Fitting in was a bit of a stretch, so no need to say that.

[exturkishdelight]

"I worked there some years ago."

Nice and vague. It was better to not horrify her with the details. It might deter her from applying but it was better now. They might want to hire her as an equality case. Look at them, they were hiring Streamers. Obvious streamers, with pointy ears and everything.

"It would be good to learn this world's technology with hands on experience."

As if he had any right to tell anyone they should learn the new tech. But Vincent could see it was troublesome not knowing how to do anything with these phones and computers.

"It is the biggest local company as well."

[gardeningaia]

Here's a face from the Lifestream, but Aerith's look is probably closer to someone from Edge than someone who's a Streamer. She's curious about things, of course, curious to see all that's changed on the surface, but she's not confused. ...Too much.

She sidles up to Vincent casually, her hands tucked behind her back just like his for her own amusement, flattering herself that she's sneaking up on him and also totally aware he's probably made her already but look let her pretend she can surprise him.

"Hm. ...Hmmmmmmm. I'm not sure that company's a good fit for you."

She has no idea how to go about the whole "surprise, not dead" thing, so she's going to see if she can just skate right over that, at least with Vincent.

[exturkishdelight]

Aerith wasn't wrong. Vincent had noticed someone lurking up behind him. It was hard not to, this wasn't a large area. The fact that it was a familiar face caused his heart to flutter slightly. It was an unusual feeling. He hadn't known Aerith that well, but she had been kind to him.

She'd been more than kind. He held a loyalty to her as he held to the others and unfortunately, her life had been cut too short. Vincent never enjoyed seeing young lives with so much potential ended so suddenly.

The fact that Cloud was his closest friend out of the group certainly brought a heavier feeling to the situation.

And lets be honest, of all the people to not be affected by the surprise, not dead situation would be Vincent. He'd already pulled that himself.

"From my experience, the fit was tolerable but the workplace was hostile."

He turns towards her to give her his full attention.

"Its good to see the Lifestream returned you. Of all the people that it owed the most I would say you would be the top name on that list."

[gardeningaia]

It's one of the reasons Aerith is very glad to have found Vincent first out of AVALANCHE. Cloud and Tifa were sure to be around, and she knows she wants to meet with them, but she's a little worried about the reactions... Cloud's especially. Much as she hated it, she knew her death had hurt him and seeing her might be uncomfortable. ...She really hates that. Still, she's aware of it, so she wants to be sure that at least one of them (her) is ready when they run into each other. And it makes her grateful for Vincent's calm reaction, even if she's a little puzzled by his response at first, putting a finger to her chin in thought.

"Wait, if the workplace is hostile, it can still be a good fit?" Hm. No wonder she never got a formal job. (Ignore all the others reasons she never got a formal job.)

"I don't know if it's about 'owing', really..." Considering that the Lifestream seems to be chucking out whoever it wants. She smiles at Vincent, though. "But I'll tell you what, I'm planning to take full advantage of being back! It's so nice to be able to walk around... oh, and I'll have to go visit Mom. How have you been, Vincent?"

[exturkishdelight]

"I specifically said tolerable. Not good."

Lets be honest, Vincent was a very good Turk. It didn't mean he necessarily enjoyed all aspects of the job. Considering the job led him to being in this strange not-alive status, it was fair to say he left the job on less than pleasant terms.

"Good." It was certainly pleasant to have her here. She brought a happiness to the people around her. Not Vincent, necessarily, but he at least felt a level of calm.

It could be that he didn't view her as a threat or just possibly she was a good person and he was comfortable in her presence.

"Your mother is doing well, considering." Still grieving of course. Not that Vincent took the time to check in. Reeve was the one who handled that portion. When he wasn't working.

Never mind that Reeve worked more than slept most of the time. Just never mind that he mentioned it, Aerith.

"I'm fine."

Very expansive and detailed of an answer to provide to someone he hadn't spoken to in so long.

[gardeningaia]

"Oh, right, sorry. Important distinction; there's a lot of things that are tolerable without being good." She's quietly amused by Vincent's wryness, considering that just about anyone else would be going on about how terrible Shinra had been by now, never mind if the job had been okay for a little bit.

That "considering" dims Aerith's smile, though, and she looks away for a moment. She's hardly unaware that her death has been hard on Elmyra, but it's been three years, and her mom deserves to be happy. "Mom shouldn't be living on her own still..."

But does that mean she should go back to living with her mother? Or maybe Elmyra should adopt another kid? Or get remarried? Aerith hasn't quite figured that out when Vincent says that he's fine.

Just "fine". They haven't seen each other in three years, and Aerith pouts up at him.

"I see you're just as chatty as ever. What's new, though? You know, new job, new hobbies? Are you really looking for a new job here?"

Because if he's not, she could haul him down to the speed dating tables--no, even Aerith knows that probably wouldn't go anywhere.

[exturkishdelight]

Vincent believed Aerith's mother was doing just fine, but he'd shared maybe two words with her in the past 3 years. She understood Vincent's silence the way her daughter did. It was obvious that Aerith had been placed with a wonderful woman. It was unfortunate she was sad.

Ah. Aerith was never the type to allow a conversation to lax, was she? Honestly, it was why she made so many friends. The sun was beloved by all for its warmth and so was the flower girl.

"I freelance." Not an untrue statement. Most of the time Vincent could keep to himself for long periods, reading old research.

"It could help, to have someone on the inside of ShinRa to observe Mideel." Might be the only way he could stay consistently close to Mideel but that was to be seen.

[more_than_words]

Tifa had a bag of goldfish in one hand and the most alarmingly hideous looking oversized stuffed chocobo tucked, just barely, under the other. She was intent on a quick trip back to the drink booth Seventh Heaven was sponsoring to free up her hands, and probably take over, when she caught red out of the corner of her eyes and she already had a feeling she knew even as she turned to focus.

The smile was bright and immediate, curving her eyes and she shifted the doll in front of her to make moving easier as she called:

"Vincent!"

[exturkishdelight]

Vincent recognizes her voice, turning away from his observations to approach her. There was only a brief pause at the sight of the rather hideous looking stuffed chocobo but he manages to convince himself its safe to be seen with her.

"Tifa. You've won prizes."

He takes another look at the chocobo, studying it a moment before looking back at her pretty face.

"This is an unfortunate looking doll."

I ugly laughed. Way to state the obvious Vincent

[more_than_words]

It's good to see him. Even if it does mean that things are probably in trouble. He does have a habit about that kind of thing.

She's still glad to see him.

Her eyes go wide at his assessment of her stuff chocobo though and she shifts slightly to her side, as if she can shield the hideous doll from his judgemental statement.

"It's perfect. I'm going to leave it on Cloud's bed for him to find."

Translation: she knows completely that its unfortunate looking and that's the entire point of getting it.

He's good at it.

[exturkishdelight]

A brow lifted and he crosses his arms. That just seemed like undue cruelty. It's googly eyes and strangely shaped face would probably haunt Cloud in his dreams. Vincent was certain he would be having flashbacks of this moment, meeting this unfortunate doll.

"So I see you are enjoying yourself here."

Another statement of the obvious, since she had fish and a chocobo. His eyes drifted to eye the people walking by, taking note of each face before returning it to Tifa.

"It has been some time. You are well?"

he's perfect at it

[more_than_words]

Her bright smile is answer enough. Yes, she's enjoying the fair - but they both know she's enjoying the thought of surprising Cloud with the hideous stuffed chocobo - and Cloud having to deal with how to get rid of it without 'hurting her feelings' - even more.

And then her smile goes softer and her shoulders relax and her eyes are warm when they meet his.

She really has missed him.

"I am. I missed you too. How've you been?

[exturkishdelight]

There was not much warmth in Vincent's eyes. He was always rather offish with them as a group. One on one, sometimes he allowed some softness but they were in public. At least he wasn't obligated to fake it with them. Not that he tried that hard even when he'd first met them.

"I'm fine. Assisting Cloud in taking a closer look into this Mideel situation." Though currently distracted by Tifa.

Mentioning business meant Vincent would go right into more business though.

"Have you seen any Streamers that could be a threat?"

[shinra_dog]

It was hard to miss someone as striking as Vincent. Tall, dark, and big shiny gauntlet. Reno smirked, watching him check out all the new faces.

"See anyone interesting?" he asked.

[exturkishdelight]

Vincent doesn't even turn his head. He could see out of the corner of his eye who it was by the very bright shock of red hair. Which Vincent still doubted was all natural, but he also wasn't going to bring the opinion to the table.

Reno seemed the type to want to offer proving it. Vincent hardly wanted to incite that possibility.

"Outside of the one with pointed ears, no." His voice was the normal deadpan though there was possibly boredom there as well.

[shinra_dog]

"Pointed ears?" That got Reno's attention. Vincent wasn't one to lie or joke around, at least not with the Turks. There had been a lot of strange people coming out of Mideel who qualified as "Streamers" -- and if there really were two Clouds and two Zacks, it meant the Lifestream was accessing other universes or something else weird. Doubles of people didn't exist normally. And people with pointed ears weren't usually from Gaia.

"Who was that?" he asked.

[exturkishdelight]

"Liadrin, she said her name was."

There was a distinct disinterest in his tone. He didn't think the pointed ear girl was a threat. There were bigger potential risks that could crawl out of the Lifestream that he was more concerned with.

"What have you all figured out about Mideel so far?"

He kept the question casual. Just two people discussing current events.

[shinra_dog]

Liadrin... No, Reno wasn't immediately jumping to threat conclusion. But he was intrigued.

He smirked, though, and chuckled at Vincent's question. "You think I can just tell you that, Valentine? With an investigation still ongoing?" He shook his head and shoved his hands in his pockets.

"Then again, yer Team Cloud, so -- guess you might be a little special."

[exturkishdelight]

Reno was always smarter than he looked. Vincent found it disappointing he put out such a flippant attitude. He could put of a better image, but perhaps it was part of it. The unexpected weapon of the Turks.

Sort of. This was Reno...

"Team Cloud." His voice was a bit flat. Vincent was hardly a team player, though Cloud was an exception. "I would appreciate any information."