ic Freedom City Renaissance Fair

[Azuth65]

Vicky watched Brian grab the hammer and get a fairly good result from the game. She gave an amused smile and polite bit of applause. Part of her wanted to step up and give it a whirl herself, though she knew doing so would be a horrible idea. Remembering the fact that she'd picked up a teacher's car rather than make them use the less than helpful scissor jack during a tire change, she just knew she'd send the weight up to the bell and then through it.

Instead, she pulled out the schedule for the event and checked the time. "Morgan, think we should give the love birds," she started, watching Brian and Gwen pick the prize a few feet away, "some time alone and head for the glass blowing display?"

[Raveled]

Brian sniffed at how high he didn't get and turned to rummage through the box of ratty dolls. After a minute he came up with a half-horse creature, with a box in one hand and a harp in the other. He turned it over a few times to make sure the stitching wasn't coming loose anywhere, then handed it to Gwen. "Your knight's mighty steed," he said, grinning. They walked past most of the rest of the games, coming to where several craftspersons were displaying their wares. He wandered into what looked like a silversmith's stall, picking up a bracelet fashioned to look like a snake wrapped around itself several times. He held it up for Gwen to see. "What do you think about it," he asked.

[Breella]

Gwen held the horse doll and mock hugged it with a large grin on her face. "I shall treasure it forever." she mused. Gwen followed Brian over to the table and made a sour face at the snake. "Snakes are not really my thing..." Gwen's face scrunched up and she browsed the table. She pointed to a silver bangle inlaid with vines, ladybugs and some butterflies. The emboss and relief in the metal caught Gwen's eye. "I think this one is better."

[Raveled]

Brian glanced between the bracelet and the bangle a few times. For his money the snake was cooler, but then it wasn't really for him, was it? He put the snake bracelet back and picked up the bangle. He haggled with the vendor for a few minutes he bought it with cash. Returning to Gwen, he took her arm and slipped the jewelry on, leading her back out into the sunshine so the light sparkled on it. Brian smiled to see it on her, the pale metal complimenting her pale skin. "It looks great on you," he said. "Then again, pretty much anything looks great on you, babe."

[Tiffany Korta]

“Lady Lucy Harker at your service sir. Though you may call me My Lady.†She gave a small laugh “Well okay just Lucy will do.â€

Lucy leaned in conspiratory and gave a mock whisper

“If I turn out to be a bit of an Aunt Lizzie, or I’m cramping your style, you can just leave. I won’t be offended. I'm sure you'd rather be with your friends.†She gave a broad smile and waved towards Brain and Morgan “But I have two knights who will defend my honor…â€

She offered her arm to the young man.

“Let’s go see if we can rustle you up some appropriate clothing.â€

[Ozob]

For just a second Johnny thght she was gong to elbow him; until the social graces drilled into him at multiple prep schools kicked in. Inwardly chiding himself and perhaps a little flustered by Lucy's easy grace, he none the less accepted her arm and began moving through the fair.

It was a busy day and getting close to the end of the season. So all of the performers and entertainers were giving it their best. The air seemed to have a pregnant expectation of amazing things to come and Johnny found himself getting drawn into the spiriti of things. Finding him some clothes, sure why not. If they were going to spend the day here, might as well do it right!

"Cramping my style?" he said with a little chuckle, "no, not possible. It's not many days I get to escort a princess around now is it? Besides, I just met them as well, and if I might pay a compliment to her grace, they pale before my Lady's beauty," he said with a smile as they passed a pair of jugglers who had occupied a small podium in the center of the thoroughfare. They seemed to have a colorful routine, but priorities being what they were they headed towards some of the vendors buildings. "Although I would offer you the same. I'm sure you came with your boyfriend, or a group. If at any time you want be with them, it's fine. Letting me escort you thus far has already completely made my day."

It had been a long time since he had been to a Ren Fair, and he wondered whyhe hadn't as the pagentry flowed all about them. The buildings were amazingly decorated, and he was surprised by the number of costumed particiapants. Even the people who didn't seem to be part of the fair had taken part which he should have guessed given that he was one of the few on the bus who had not been in period attire. Craftspeole of every sort, smiths, potters, glassblowers and more both showed and made their wares calling out in passable accents to the crowd to observe or buy. It didn't take long to find one of the many tailors who called to their attention.

"So tell me My Lady Lucy," he said while looking through what looked like white pirate shirts which he would have to pair with a tight fitting colorful vest, "Do you frequent these grounds often? Or were you coming today just to see what it was all about?"

[Tiffany Korta]

Lucy turned round from chatting with the owner of the stall.

“They say my suit isn’t retro enough. She says it doesn’t look 1920’s enough. Shows what they know. Sorry what?â€

She paused to catch up with his side of the conversations.

“Oh no this is my first. They didn’t have anything like this when I was growing up. And I’ve only recently come back from being out of the States.â€

She gave a sly little smile “But it’s a nice day, with pretty scenery, happy people and of cause good company. What’s not to love?â€

[Ozob]

"Well there's that," he agreed readily. "Although, can I ask why you're wearing a 1920's suit? I mean, you wear it well, but I'm sure she meant that it wasn't period costume. You know, stuff like this and all," he said holding up a corset along with a billowy dress.

"You know," he continued, "if I'm going to dress in costume, you really need to join me. It's my treat. Pick out whatever you want. I'm sure they can fit you with no trouble."

He was just putting the dress back on the rack when something she said struck him as odd. This fair was celebrating it's 32nd year. There was no way they weren't around when she was growing up. He thought about asking her, but then he'd face the unenviable task of asking her how old she was or correcting her. Maybe later he'd bring it up if it fit what they were talking about.

[Tiffany Korta]

Damn despite his laid back attitude he had a sharp mind, she’d had to be more careful.

Lucy was still trying to get a handle on the whole secret idea. She’d never thought about wearing a mask in her early tussles, she just got involved without thinking of the consequences.

“I bought it cheap a long time ago, it’s kind of a good luck charm.†she tugged at the jacket “Beside I think it flatters my figure.â€

She fixed him a puzzled look “Beside aren’t I suppose to be the one offering to pay. What with you being the struggling student and me the responsible adult?â€

[Ozob]

She was right, the suit did fit her very well and she did know how to wear it. It could have been a second skin for her as natural as she made it look. The black tailored clothes seemed to offset her smooth pale skin, which so far as she had stated, showed no effects from the bright sun above.

"Oh it does," Johnny agreed readily not needing any encouragement to tell her so. "Still, this is a Renascence fair and while they mean period costume, that's not quite the period they are talking about. Now... if this city has a jazz club well you'd have it spot on! Oh... and just saying, if you ever needed a dance partner, I can swing, mambo and fox trot."

The last he finished with a smile. Emily, bless her, had loved to dance, and made him be her partner. While he wasn't really good at them, he did know the steps.

"As for the struggling student, no... that's not really me," he replied. Usually people got funny when he told them he had money, somehow he didn't think she would. There was something vibrantly alive about her that transcended simple monetary concerns. "I was paid really well to do sports and I guess my dad is really well off too. Money's not much of a problem for me. Besides, you need to appear before the queen later on and the responsible thing would be to show respect to her majesty by dressing befitting a princess. It's really my treat and I'd be happy for it."

As he finished, he held up a pair of what looked like felt tights that completed the outfit the tailor had chosen for him. How people dressed like this he had no clue, but hey, he could play along, "besides, if I have to wear tights, you so need to wear a dress."

[Tiffany Korta]

“If you can dance the Charleston, then it’s a date.â€

Her smile faded and she looked thoughtful for a minute.

“The King and Queen have kindly provided.†She held up a piece of paper “But until then it wouldn’t hurt to get the feel of the thing. Okay I’ll let you lend me a dress, but for my pride let me at least offer you pay you back.â€

She tapped the sunglasses she was wearing.

“But I’m afraid these have to stay, I have sensitive eyes.â€

She looked him over and grinned.

“Beside I recon you’d look good in tights.â€

[Ozob]

"You think I will?" he said a little dubiously of the felt tights. However, he had commited to the process, and he never minded a good laugh at his own expense. "Well then, I'll take them. Can we leave our clothes here and pick them up on the way out?"

The head of the small shop, smelling a decent sale had come over and relieved the young girl who had somewhat helped them. He was plainly dressed, but like all of the wares in the store, what he wore was hand made, "but of course good Sir. We can have a page even run them to the main gates of the city when you are ready to leave."

Thanking the man, Johnny thought about what he knew of the Charleston, which amounted to nothing other than it was a dance.

"Hmmm, well then I'll take dance lessons in lieu of payment, if you can provide them..." he said to Lucy with a smile. "I'm sure some where will play the music if you can show the steps. I'll likely even end up in your debt."

When he looked at the proffered piece of paper, he realized it made perfect sense. If they were going to have a show, they'd want the players to all be in costume. However, he didn't know a girl that didn't want to be a princess sometime and he didn't know of any princess who wanted to borrow a dress. So turning to the tailor, he said, "anything she wants, charge it to me. I believe she's the daughter of our queen and needs to look the part."

Then, whispering to the man he said, "you know that scene in that old movie... Pretty Woman?"

The man nodded at him waiting for Johnny to complete what he was saying.

"Just that now would be a good time to make that happen. You can take this and check credit just to know that I'm not joking and would be most happy to see it done," he said it very quietly passing his credit card over to the man.

With a smile that showed he understood exactly what Johnny was saying he turned to one of his assistants, "apprentice! We have the princess in our establishment, make sure she is treated accordingly and find raiment suitable for her grace!"

[Breella]

Gwen blushed at Brian's remarks. "You flatter me." Gwen looked like she could hear someone calling her name and turned. She caught sight of a covered table that was covered in tiny trees. She took in a sharp breath of air before grinning again. "Aren't you all just PRECIOUS!" she managed as she pulled Brian over to the table. The miniature trees where beckoning to her, some were shaking like a breeze that wasn't there brushed past. She spent several moments touching them and gently touching each one. This continued for several moments before she began conversing with the stand runner. She paid and agreed to pick up a miniature shakan style maple before the close of the fair. She thanked the man and returned to the group. "So, who's hungry?!" she inquired.

[Raveled]

Brian looked over the trees, shrugging internally. They all looked like bushes to him, but obviously Gwen saw something special in them, so who was he to cast blame? While his girlfriend was geeking out over plants, he walked over to where several burly men were working an old-fashioned furnace. He exchanged manly slaps on the biceps before hefting a sword almost as tell as he was; he tried swinging it and overbalanced, almost falling over his own feet. After returning it, he selected and tested out a few more, smaller weapons. He actually did pretty well with a pair of handaxes, spinning them each over the back of his hand before flashing them in front of his face, alternating the blows at an invisible point about six inches in front of his face. He grinned as he sped up the motion; if Mr. Archer's training sessions were more like this, he'd enjoy them a lot more!

Gwen's call for food broke him out of his weapon-whipping trance. He managed to slow down without drawing blood and handed the weapons back to the smiths, accepting their slow applause with a quick grin and a bow. He walked back to Gwen and threw an arm around her shoulder, giving her a peck on the cheek. He was flushed from the quick work-out, adrenaline still in his system. "Yeah, I could go for some kind of meat on a bone and a mug of something."

[Breella]

GM

A horn sounded over the PA system, a regal kind of tune to get the attention of the attendees.

"HEAR YE! HEAR YE! The tournament will begin in one and a half hours! THE TOURNAMENT WILL BEGIN IN ONE AND A HALF HOURS"

the speakers cut out.

A foot soldier found Lucy and placed a tiara on her head. "If my lady would be so kind as to follow, there is refreshments waiting for you and your guest in the tournament tent."

Another found Gwen, Brian, Morgan and Vicky. He didn't bare any gifts. "If you would be so kind my lieges there is a tent with refreshments waiting for your self and your ladies. You can also prepare."

[Tiffany Korta]

Lucy had almost gone for an all black clothing but had finally relented to a tasteful red number with some amazing embroidery work. And she had to admit that the whole costume did look good on her. The sunglasses almost ruined the look but she didn't want people freaked out by her eyes it would ruin the whole day.

She stepped out of the changing booth and gave a little twirl for Johnny.

“So what do you think do I look like a princess?â€

She didn't have a chance to hear the reply as just then she was whispered away by the guards.

Lucy managed to turn and blow him a little kiss.

“Wish me luck. I think they are going to need all the help they can get!â€

[Ozob]

As Lucy stepped out of the changing booth Johnny had to remind himself to close his mouth. Not only did she look like a princess, he began to understand what people saw in Renascence fashion. He had no doubt she would win many hearts today.

"Yes... yes you do," was all he could manage to get out as she was whisked away then collecting his thoughts he called out, "good luck princess. May favor shine on you!"

He watched her walk away and then followed the procession as it made its way to the tourney grounds.

[Azuth65]

Vicky looked over towards the well costumed security guard/event organizer. "We appreciate you finding us with plenty of time to spare good sir. We shall be ready in but a moment," she replied, allowing her years of fantasy gaming to let her reply in-character fairly well.

She checked the schedule as she turned to the rest of the group, "Good news, the glass blowing demonstration has a second performance set for about twenty minutes after this tournament is supposed to finish."

[Breella]

GM

The group was escorted to a large tent where they were greeted by the King and Queen again, they were introduced to some of the other fighters, given a choice of garb to change into if they didn't have their own already. Two men introduced themselves to Brian and Morgan, their costume names were Virgil of Lourdes and Cameron of Brookeridge. They started showing the boys how to fake moves with the light but real looking swords. Brian and Morgan would of course defeat the two men in their two on two skirmish for the honor of the kingdom of Freedom. The honor of the lady would be protected and fun would be had by all.

[Breella]

GM

The King and Queen excused themselves, they needed to return for the beginning to the tourney, which the group was informed could be viewed from the tent. Seats were set out, and it began. There were elaborate jousts, archery, even fencing to be seen, Finally the King and Queen began their speech. An elaborate story about the two valiant fighters who came to protect the reputation of the people of Freedom and their lady. Suddenly a brightly colored portal appeared in the middle of the dirt flat used for combat, a collective 'Whoa' came from the crowd as the surface of the portal rippled like water with a pebble thrown onto it. A moment later a giant black figure emerged from the portal, it was flying above the stands and swerved, blowing fire and lighting some of the flags on fire. A second sky blue flying figure also came through the portal, this followed the first and shot out ice shards. Both giant beasts raised their heads and let out an ear piercing scream.

"Are those-- DRAGONS?!" Gwen screamed.

[Breella]

Gwen looked around, the tent had pretty much cleared out save for the heroes. "I-- I need to... Gwen ran into one of the changing tents and began to scramble. She hadn't really worn much other than her green sport shirt and shorts under her clothes. It wouldn't do nearly good enough. Gwen's hair began to be entwined with flowers and vines and pulled into braids and out of the way. She scrambled through the changing tent and found a swath of dark green fabric that was a loose fitting men's tunic shirt. She pulled it on and the Vines cinched the waist. She looked like a medieval earth spirit as she emerged from the other side of the dressing room.

[Raveled]

Brian had followed the 'soldier' through the fair, happy enough to go along with the play-acting for now. Heck, he had Gwen on his arm; he would've walked into Summers' office with a smile on his face. Once under the canopy, more of the actors helped him into a tin breastplate and had been trying to find a helmet that fit him, when the portals tore open the sky and two long, scaly beasts that could only be dragons flew though. He glanced around at the ensuing chaos and shrugged out of the armor. "If it wasn't for the screams," he said, twisting a ring on his left hand, "I could almost believe this is part of the show." His half-costume disappeared as a silvery-metallic jumpsuit covered his body, the red stripe on either side matching the energy aura that slowly rose to cover him.

He sprang into the air, more ruddy energy gathering around his fists, and gave the red dragon a solid uppercut. He continued flying past, coming to a halt a dozen or so feet above the beast. "Bam! Next up I clip your wings, Big Red, so... uh." He trailed off, squinting at the fair grounds. Maybe the distance was playing tricks on him, but he could almost swear that something was walking around in the middle of the big dusty field set aside for the joust. Which certainly looked to be empty to his eyes.

[Tiffany Korta]

Lucy was beginning to enjoy herself sitting beside the King and Queen and enjoying the beginning of the show. Then of cause trouble started.

Using language unbecoming a Lady she looked around for a weapon against the flying creatures. Already one of Freedom City’s many heroes had shown up, but she knew he would need some help against a couple of Dragons. The only thing close to hand was the chair she was sitting on, it was a wonderfully crafted thing and she felt a pang of guilt to what she was going to do to the poor thing.

Grabbing the object she rushed to near the center of the arena before launching the chair towards the blue creature as if it weighed almost nothing. The object flew true striking the creature on the flank.

"Hey Dragons this Fair Maiden is fighting back. Come and get some!"

[Breella]

GM

The blue dragon shrugged off the chair that Lucy threw at it like one would shrug off a leaf in a storm. The beast turned its icy gaze to Lucy and moved in close hovering above and reached down to grab her, but missed.

The black dragon was distracted by Glowstar flying around him. Both dragons still seemed to be trying to watch something that no one else could really see.

[Azuth65]

Vicky ducked into one of changing tents, white and crimson smoke wafting out from under the flaps seconds later. Not long after that, mask adjusted and hair pulled back into a loose tail, Wisp stood on the corner of one of the 'royal seating box', blue and black energy glowing through her teleport's white and red smoke.

She had been ready to join Glowstar and Revenant in their attack on the unexpected guests when out of the corner of her eyes she saw movement besides giant lizards and terrified civilians. Off in the jousting field, she thought she saw somebody kicking up dust as they moved.