Public [Zinder Event] Carnival Comes to Dantooine!

[Rhys Swynol]

Rhys stood proud as he looked upon the carnival, overseeing the final touches before the event began in full swing. There were rides that were potentially questionable safety levels but that was all for the more fun, increased the daringness that one must find in order to complete the gauntlet! There were various stalls, challenges for feats of strength where there was a zone of Force Nullification to preventing Force Users cheating. House of Mirrors that promised to have you lost for hours, a shooting galley calling out people to demonstrate their sharpshooter capabilities. Food halls wafted aromas of warm foods and delicious beverages. Dantooine was the perfect climate and location for a large travelling carnival, warm temperament with the large plains, the set up for the event was picture perfect. All that was left was for the clients to arrive and enjoy their time with the events going on!
​

Objective 1 - Running the Gauntlet! - Zinder has organised a challenge of will and endurance, a gauntlet like no other! There are rollercoasters, spinning cages, Ferris wheel, and more! Some more daring and dangerous than others but the reward for successfully enduring three or more rides is a free custom plushie! A variety of plushies are available, some being your favourite people in the galaxy such as: Carnifex, Prazutis, Lily Decoria, Allyson Locke, Srina Talon, Briana Sal-Soren, Ala Quin, Connel Vanagor, Aether Verd, Mia Monroe, Adelle Bastiel, Mercy, Arris Windrun and so many more! See if you have an iron stomach and grab your plushie before we run out!

Objective 2 - House of Fun! - Stalls and tents of various activities are littered around the Dantooine. House of Mirrors that threatens you to be lost for hours. A Test of Strength with a nullification field for Force Users and the hammer made of very heavy metal. Palm Reading for those interested in seeing a possible fated romance in the stars. Bumper cars to bounce around and bashing around like crazy together. A tunnel of love ride where couples can embrace and enjoy the romantic mood setting ride. The photo booths are a brilliant spot to take a photo that will forever capture your time here. There is plenty to see, explore and embrace for those wishing to take a calmer wandering around the carnival!

Objective 3 - Blooming Crystal Love - Workshop tent at the Carnival has a crystal forging experience, which allows you to connect with cultures and romantic gestures that you might not have heard about before. This will only be the planting and imbuing the crystal with your strong emotions since the actual flowering part comes later over time but something to explore with emotions and learn about the culture of Carcosa! While this is only the seeding process where one must imbue their emotions, connecting with their partner and developing a bond that will last forever and extend across the stars! Allowing partners to forever be connected and bonded even on opposite sides of the galaxy!

BYOO - Something else you wish to explore in the carnival with your partner, go ahead! Plenty to do and plenty to enjoy! Just remember to spend credits and thank Zinder!

OOC NOTE: This is a fun social event, please do not derail this with violence, fighting or ruining other people's fun! This is just another Zinder event hoping to bring together people in a fun, social setting that can create new romances or help develop ongoing ones further!

 

[Nilira Vornix]

Tag: Veyla Tass
Outfit:

Nilira chewed away at the random snack-on-a-stick she had grabbed from a vendor. The Acolyte had always believed that eating junkfood, especially the kind sold at carnivals, was a quick way to get to unhealthy eating but at the same time there wasn't anything that could be worse than the food Arris Windrun tried to make her eat. At least this way she could try to fit in and feel "normal". Whilst the sun brought the full brunt of its sunny heat down upon her, Nilira adjusted her cap, pulling it down in front of her face as she fiddled around with the random assortment of flowers she had grabbed from an Dantooian merchant. Her gaze flicking down towards the flowers, wondering what they would taste like...before immediately realising that was a very strange thought. Arris' cooking must have made her more hungry than she realised.

For now, she sat amongst the shade, pulling out tufts of grass from the ground and tossing them up into the air, watching the blades of grass slowly trickle back down like confetti. Nature's confetti. There were perhaps many other avenues for Nilira to wait for Veyla Tass but this one was the most "enjoyable" for her in the moment. Her gaze flicking over the various activities to take part in. The main plan had been to laugh at the people doing the test of strength, but some of the other activities seemed enjoyable.

There were a few people she could imagine that would do pretty well with the test of strength, even with the Force Nullification. Maybe there should have been an EMP field to stop people from using cybernetics...Of course, there was a chance that the EMP field would kill people who relied on their cybernetics but hey, it wasn't like it would be a huge loss...

Okay. That was a darker thought than she expected. For now, she just laid down and stared up towards the clouds, patiently waiting.

​

 

[Nyra Kairo]

Objective: Have some fun
Location: Zinder Carnival grounds, Dantooine
Outfit: Hoodie, Tank and Shorts
Tag: OPEN | Saul Whesai

Nyra Kairo had visited enough festivals across the galaxy to know that the first stop was never really for her. It was for everyone else.

The Hyperfuel Energy pavilion sat near one of the carnival's busiest thoroughfares, impossible to miss beneath towering holographic displays, neon pink accents, and looping footage of Nyra carving through canyon runs on swoops and speeders. Music pulsed from hidden speakers while attendants handed out chilled cans emblazoned with her vibrant NK logo.

Nyra herself leaned comfortably against the edge of the display stage, laughing as another family crowded in for a holo. She had traded her usual travel gear for something better suited to a day at the carnival—a cropped hot-pink Hyperfuel hoodie tied loosely at the waist over a fitted black tank, high-waisted charcoal utility shorts with enough pockets to satisfy the practical traveler in her, and well-worn white athletic sneakers built for long days on her feet. A handful of bracelets decorated one wrist while layered necklaces rested against her collarbone. Her dark curls were gathered into two playful space buns, a few rebellious ringlets framing the warm smile that millions already recognized across the Holonet.

"Everybody squeeze in," she laughed, stretching an arm behind the last fan to join the picture. "Perfect! If anyone blinked, that's not my fault." The group scattered with excited thanks, several already uploading the holos before they'd taken three steps.

Another autograph.
Another short video greeting.
Another child proudly showing off a tiny toy swoop.

Nyra gave each person her full attention. It wasn't an act. Fame only existed because people chose to spend their time watching her adventures, and she'd never forgotten that.

Eventually the Hyperfuel representative caught her eye and gave a discreet nod. Her scheduled appearance was over.

"Aww..." Nyra clasped her hands together dramatically toward the gathered crowd. "I know, I know. I'd stay here all day if they'd let me." She flashed an exaggerated conspiratorial grin. "But I was promised rollercoasters, and I'm pretty sure breaking that promise violates at least three galactic treaties."

A ripple of laughter followed her as she hopped down from the platform.

"Enjoy the carnival! Drink your Hyperfuel..." She paused just long enough to wink. "...responsibly."

Leaving the booth behind, Nyra slipped into the steadily flowing sea of festivalgoers. The constant pressure to perform eased almost immediately. She still drew the occasional wave or whispered recognition, but now she could simply...wander. Exactly how she liked it.

Ahead, the towering framework of the carnival's Gauntlet of Adventure dominated the skyline. Massive coaster tracks twisted over one another in impossible loops while shrieks of delighted terror echoed overhead. Repulsor-powered attractions darted between support towers, spinning riders through holographic obstacles before plunging them into dizzying drops.

Now that looked fun. She found herself grinning before she'd even reached the entrance.

As excited as she was for the rides, her eyes wandered across the crowds almost unconsciously. They lingered over familiar faces, distinctive jackets, anyone who looked remotely like they might be searching for someone themselves.

Saul.

Their messages before she'd landed on Dantooine had been lighthearted enough, but curiosity had settled in during the trip over. Had he actually come? Or had life, work, or sheer bad timing pulled him elsewhere?

She wasn't about to spend the day hunting through thousands of carnival attendees.

But...

If he was here, odds were good their paths would cross eventually.

And if they didn't?

Well, Dantooine still had one impressive collection of rollercoasters waiting for her. Nyra adjusted the small crossbody bag resting against her hip, flashed another smile toward a pair of fans who recognized her in passing, and joined the line for the first ride with the unmistakable excitement of someone who intended to experience every thrill the carnival had to offer.

 

[Saul Whesai]

Oh, Saul was there alright. In fact, he was staring at this booth from across the row, out of the traffic flow, looking at all of these people streaming through it and wondering how he had gotten into this mess. The Cyborg truly didn't think Nyra would be as big or as over as she seemed to be. Then again, he had never heard of this energy drink brand either... Must be a start-up...? But this young woman being the face of it was definitely a surprise. Saul was definitely impressed, though for her to be making a business for being so young. In her position, he probably would have snapped at someone, provoked or not. He couldn't even have survived in that line for so long with families jostling him around before bowing out.

Well, here he was, waddling into unfamiliar territory as he watched Nyra bound out of the tent with her own customized hoody of all things. And then he looked down at what he was wearing. His worn work coveralls with holes in the knees over his "best" graphic t-shirt (meaning he could hide most of the sew-up holes in it), work boots, and a backpack that had seen better days. He had debated wearing something that was more of a fashion statement to this first "date", but that wasn't representing the grungy engineer that the Cyborg was.

So here Saul was. Standing there like a dumbnerf's behind while he tried to figure out what to say to her. Eventually he settled on shouting out, "Hey! Over here!" He couldn't say her name; otherwise they might both be swamped by her fans, and Mr. Glowing Eyes as he was might not come out of that breathing. From Nyra's perspective, she would see a shorter, pale young man with glowing neon blue eyes that couldn't be missed and windswept blue hair to go along with the theme, trying to put up a smile even though he was scared nerfless. Hey, it's the effort that counts.

Nyra Kairo

 

[Nyra Kairo]

Objective: Have some fun
Location: Zinder Carnival grounds, Dantooine
Outfit: Hoodie, Tank and Shorts
Tag: OPEN | Saul Whesai

The entrance to the Gauntlet of Adventure was every bit as chaotic as Nyra had hoped. Music competed with the shrieks of riders plummeting down impossible drops while colorful banners snapped in the breeze overhead. The smell of fried sweets mixed with unfamiliar alien cuisine, and every few meters another game or attraction begged for attention. It was exactly the kind of place where she could happily lose an entire afternoon. She just hoped she didn't lose her date first.

Her warm brown eyes wandered as much across the crowd as they did the towering coaster tracks weaving overhead. Saul had said he'd be here, but thousands of people had apparently come to Dantooine with the same idea. Every now and then she'd spot a flash of blue clothing or hear a familiar laugh that wasn't his, only to shake her head and keep moving.

Then someone shouted. "Hey! Over here!" Nyra barely gave it a second thought. Poor guy, she mused with an amused smile. Someone's friend isn't paying attention.

She continued another few steps before something made her glance back. Neon-blue eyes. They practically glowed through the sea of festivalgoers. "Oh!"

A grin spread across her face as realization dawned, and she changed course without hesitation. "There you are!" She closed the remaining distance with an easy confidence that contrasted sharply with Saul's obvious nerves. It wasn't difficult to see he'd agonized over what to wear. The patched work coveralls, weathered boots, faded graphic shirt, and backpack all spoke far more about the man than any expensive jacket ever could.

Nyra found it...refreshing. He hadn't tried to reinvent himself for a first meeting. "You know," she said with a playful smile as she stopped in front of him, "I honestly didn't think 'Hey!' was for me."

She laughed softly, folding one arm across herself while the other hooked a thumb toward the bustling crowd behind them. "I haven't really been 'hey' in a while. Usually it's 'Nyra!' or..." She adopted an exaggeratedly dramatic fan voice. "'Oh my stars, it's Nyra Kairo!'" Her imitation dissolved into another laugh before her attention settled fully on him.

His eyes really were fascinating. She'd seen luminous eyes before—there were dozens of species and cybernetic modifications capable of producing similar effects—but his carried an intensity that made them difficult to look away from. Combined with the windswept blue hair, they gave him a look that was uniquely his. "They're even cooler in person," she admitted with an easy smile, realizing she'd been staring for perhaps half a second too long. "Your eyes, I mean."

Deciding not to let the silence linger awkwardly, she nodded toward his coveralls. "So..." Her smile widened. "Worked on anything interesting lately?" It was comfortable territory. Ships. Machines. Building things. Not followers or sponsorships or the strange imbalance between the woman standing in a pink branded hoodie and the mechanic in patched coveralls.

"I figured that was probably safer than asking if you've survived any carnival rides yet." Her eyes flicked briefly toward the nearest rollercoaster as another train thundered overhead, filled with screaming passengers.

"Though," she added with a mischievous glint, "I'm hoping to fix that pretty soon."

 

[Lily Decoria]

Outfit: Summer Dress
Date: Caelan Mataan

Lily had put off downloading Zinder once again for the longest of times but she kind of felt it was inevitable and she had always enjoyed the events that the application hosted, with summer in full bloom, Lily knew there would be a new event and she was eager to see what it was going to be. When she loaded up the app and saw that there was a carnival that she could attend on Dantooine, which sounded like a lot of fun. Finding the right person to attend was an issue, there were a lot of creeps on the app, people far too desperate. Something that clearly signified that the app was not as trustworthy as it claimed to be but a message from Caelan popped up.

She gave a smile seeing that and replied swiftly to it.

Arriving at the carnival, it was busy and the noise of rides in the distance as well as traders and stall owners were calling out. Some sounded far more interesting than others as she looked around, her yellow dress was bright and vivid in the summer sun. Her hair was in a neat bun as she walked around, waiting for Caelan to arrive to truly allow the date to begin. Her hands were behind her back and there was a little nervous chew on her bottom lip as Lily started realising that this was going to be her first proper date with someone new. Shan had been the last person she had gone a date with and fully expected to be the only person to be a date with.

Now she was here and meeting someone else, feeling the nerves of a first date once more.

 

[Veyla Tass]

Tag: Nilira Vornix
Outfit

Nilira wouldn't have to wait much longer. Soon enough, Veyla emerged from one of several crowds of lovestruck saps, and she came bearing gifts.

"Here. My treat. Look like you're starving."

The acolyte crouched next to her gloomy-looking date, and offered a greasy box held at the rim by two fingers. It near overflowed with fried chunks of some unidentified, indigenous mammal. At no point had she bothered asking what it was - if Dantooine food carts were anything like Coruscanti ones, you were better off not knowing. She wore a grin, easy and sure of herself despite the oppressive openness of her surroundings. She hadn't been to a Carnival since...Force, had she ever been to one? Block parties, sure, but never something this big. All the people made up for all the space. Besides, grass was nice, and still new enough to Vey to count as a novelty.

The shadows weren't too bad today, either. She could make out the color of Nilira's eyes, even, which was the sort of clarity she rarely got anymore. Maybe it was her mood. Maybe, on some level, she just didn't register Nilira as particularly vulnerable.

That thought made her smile grow a little wider, and finally she sat down on the grass, still offering chunks of ambiguous creature.

"Cute hat. Anyone hit their own foot yet?"

 

[Nilira Vornix]

Tag: Veyla Tass
Outfit:

"Oh. Your treat is better than mine."

She held out the random assortment of flowers towards Veyla, before reaching over to grab the fried chunk of meat, getting ready to tear into it. Whatever it was made out of, the Acolyte didn't care. She knew there were Kath hounds around Dantooine...Kinrath? No. It looked too much like a mammal. Oh well, it appeared today her curiosity wouldn't be sated.

"No-one's hit their foot yet. Saw one person fall backwards from preparing their swing though. Nearly knocked themselves out."

The Acolyte flicked at her hat afterwards, adjusting the rim of it ever so slightly. There was a part of this situation where she didn't know how to act. It wasn't like at the Academy where she constantly felt at edge. Nor did she think Veyla was underestimating her like everyone else nearly did. It was just a social event, and one of the things Nilira always sucked at was being social.

"You see anything thing whilst you were wandering through the crowds? Didn't get any sickness off all the lovebugs?"

Of course Nilira was a woman of science. She knew there was no kind of sickness you could get from being around a bunch of fools in love, but it was just a small attempt at a joke.

"Seen Arris around? I saw her profile on that app. Wonder if anyone actually linked up with her?"

​

 

[Eira Dyn]

Outfit: Dress
Date: Amara Zambrano

Eira was curious to know which Zambrano head that Amara was the daughter of. She suspected which of the two, just based on how much she knew about them both but Eira was also not going to pry too much on the matter. Instead, she decided it would be a good chance to take a break from the Sith, the toxic mindset that had her spiralling lately because there was a feeling of failure. Eira was not thrilled that she had to return to Dantooine for this break but that was life. Temptation flooded her mind in murdering her family. Send a summer break photo to her sister of Eira with their dead parents. It was a delicious thought but she held some reservations that Cerys might had some protection around their parents.

She had exposed her desires.

Instead, she arrived at the queue for the gauntlet runs. Apparently there was a prize of a plushie, Eira was torn between getting one that she could use to tease a friend, or one of her Master just to tease her Master about looking so cute. Eira wondered how her date would look and what to expect with these rides. Her dress was simple, a rich burgundy and she wore a hat and sunglasses to help with the sun for the day. There was a warm summer gaze of the sun with a slightly cool breeze that Eira was all too familiar with being Dantooine summer.

It was strange being home but she had to focus on the rides, wondering how daring they might get today.

 

[Saul Whesai]

Well, at least these eyes of his were good for something. Saul really didn't know what to expect from Nyra. He certainly didn't expect her to be so... eager to meet him after just a couple of messages over a holopad. But that grin she had on actually settled his nerves a bit. This woman actually wanted to meet and spend time with him as much as he thought she was insane for wanting to do so. But then again, who was Saul to push her away?

For the first time, Saul managed a small smile back as he took her all in. Even when Nyra came up to him, the Android could have sworn she was the most beautiful woman he had ever met, even if she was just in a hoodie and jeans. A little chuckle came out of him at her saying "Hey" as he commented back. "I just thought it might be better to not say your name just in case we get swamped by your fans if I even utter it." It would be a hassle just to get through the crowds as it is without that added challenge. "I'm guessing it's not a bad thing that I've never heard of you before now, then?" Maybe it's because he had never watched a stream in his life or wasn't in the social media space, but he had never even heard Nyra's name before today. Guess that was about to change.

What was breathing...? Saul's brain was trying to relearn how to as he sat there stunned, each person staring at each other before the Cyborg managed to cough into his fist to recollect himself. "Umm... Thanks... At least you won't lose me in the crowds with all of this." The next question threw him for a loop when she automatically guessed what his profession was. He eventually answered with "Right now, I mostly work on starfighters, so I have fun with the fast engines and jamming systems." It was also interesting how each pilot was different on how they liked their craft customized. Each pilot he worked with wanted their craft tuned this way for more power or that way with more manevurability or comfort. It was fun to see what a pilot thought was important and what wasn't.

Saul only shurgged and smiled at her commented. "Ehh, I figured you would ask the obivious and ask how much of me is me but no, I just checked into the hotel and then came here to meet you." He glanced past the gates towards the screams and so called fun coming from past the gates, his eyes catching a tilt a-whirl in the mess of rides and games. Pointing to it as a he asked the opinion of his date. "Want to try that first before moving on to the rollercoasters?" The cyborg offered his hand out as he secretly hoped the her celebrity status might get them through the line just a bit faster.

Nyra Kairo

 

[Nyra Kairo]

Objective: Have some fun
Location: Zinder Carnival grounds, Dantooine
Outfit: Hoodie, Tank and Shorts
Tag: OPEN | Saul Whesai

Nyra laughed softly, shaking her head as they stood just outside the steady stream of people flowing past the Hyperfuel booth. "Okay... you were probably right." She glanced back toward the bright pink pavilion where another group of visitors had already gathered beneath the giant holoscreens. "If you'd shouted my name over there, we'd probably still be taking selfies."

There wasn't even the slightest hint of annoyance in her voice. If anything, she sounded amused by the thought. Looking back to Saul, she caught the uncertainty still lingering behind those brilliant blue eyes. "And I get the feeling that would've made you really uncomfortable." Her smile turned gentler. "So I'll retire my complaints about being called 'Hey.'"

A quiet giggle escaped her as he admitted he'd never heard of her. "Honestly? That's probably a good thing." She tucked one of the escaped curls back behind an ear. "My audience is mostly younger girls... and people who love the idea of hiking mountains, canyon racing, exploring forgotten ruins, or camping on frozen moons." She grinned knowingly. "Actually doing those things is a lot less popular."

Nyra shrugged one shoulder. "And... sometimes I have to put things on the Holonet that aren't entirely..." She searched for the right word. "...me. Sponsors, algorithms, trends... they're part of the job." There was no bitterness in the admission, merely acceptance. "So meeting someone who has absolutely no preconceived idea of who I am?" She smiled warmly. "That's actually pretty refreshing."

When Saul dismissed his glowing eyes as little more than a way to keep from getting lost, Nyra found herself smiling again. "They're much more than a beacon." Her gaze met his without hesitation. "They're kind." The compliment came naturally, without flourish or embarrassment. "And memorable." She gave him an easy grin.

"I don't usually bother with jammers myself." There were certainly times when disappearing would've been useful, but she'd long since learned that people expected Nyra Kairo to be exactly who she appeared to be. That expectation alone often let her move unnoticed in plain sight. Being herself was camouflage enough. "The fast engines, though..." Her eyes lit up. "Now those sound interesting."

She hooked both thumbs through the loops of her shorts. "You should come see The Drift sometime." There was unmistakable pride in the name. "She’s fully custom, but the engine's still my favorite part. She flies beautifully."

Then Saul mentioned what he'd expected her first question to be. Her expression softened into a small frown. "No." She shook her head almost immediately. "I wouldn't ask that." There wasn't pity in her voice. Only certainty. "You're all you."

Her eyes briefly for evidence of mechanical joints visible beneath his sleeve before returning to his face. "Whether parts of you are flesh and blood or manufactured doesn't really change that." The statement was delivered as though it were the most obvious thing in the galaxy. "So... that question never even crossed my mind."

Fortunately, the mood didn't linger there long. Her attention followed his gesture toward the spinning tilt-a-whirl. She gave an exaggerated shrug. "I need to ride three rides if I want to win a plushie." The declaration carried all the seriousness of a military objective. "So where we start doesn't really matter."

A playful smile returned as she slipped her hand into his offered one. "Lead the way, engineer." Without another thought, Nyra let Saul guide them toward the first ride, disappearing together into the colorful chaos of the carnival as laughter, music, and the roar of rollercoasters filled the air overhead.

 

[Caelan Mataan]

The carnival had exactly the sort of energy Caelan had hoped for. Music drifted lazily across the fairgrounds, mingling with laughter, the occasional cheer from one of the game stalls, and the distant hum of rides turning beneath the warm afternoon sun. The scent of roasted nuts, kettle corn, and grilled food lingered comfortably on the breeze while colorful banners danced overhead between rows of tents and attractions. It felt alive without ever becoming overwhelming.

Dressed for the weather in a slate blue overshirt worn open over a darker teal shirt, light sand-colored trousers, and comfortable loafers, Caelan wandered through the entrance at an unhurried pace. His eyes swept across the crowd before settling almost immediately on a familiar face dressed in a splash of yellow. Even from a distance, he caught the small tells: her hands folded neatly behind her back, the way she caught her bottom lip between her teeth every so often without seeming to realize it. It drew the faintest smile from him.

Rather than leave her waiting another moment, he made his way across the fairgrounds until she noticed his approach. His smile softened as he came to a stop before her, and for just a heartbeat, he said nothing, his eyes meeting hers, lingering long enough to quietly appreciate the picture she made in the summer light before a small laugh escaped him. "I hope you didn't wait long." The words came honestly, without any rehearsed charm. "You look beautiful, Lily." He offered her his arm with an easy smile. "Shall we?"

Together, they turned toward the carnival stretching out before them. The Ferris wheel rolled steadily against the bright sky. At the same time, somewhere nearby, a bell rang as someone won a game, followed almost immediately by an eruption of cheers, the entire fairground buzzing with the sort of carefree excitement that was difficult not to share. "It feels like the kind of place where you're not supposed to have much of a plan." A hint of amusement crept into his smile. "So tell me..." His attention rested on her once more. "What's the first thing that makes you think, 'We have to do that before we leave?'"
​

TAG: Lily Decoria

 

[Saul Whesai]

Nyra was certainly... something that he couldn't describe. The essence of life was the closest definition he had to paint the picture of what he saw in her. "I don't mind the attention you get. I'm not the jealous type like that. It's just... I'm not exactly media trained like you are." More like he had never been a celebrity before and didn't exactly want to be. He was just happy being a face in the crowd.

Saul couldn't take that snaggletooth grin off his face as he listened to her talk about her content. It was nice to hear about something Nyra was passionate about. "I don't know about that. I think you look as beautiful in those holos as you are standing here. That's something truthful about you at least." To be honest, he had never done those things as well. But the Cyborg hadn't gotten the chance to before, stuck in the depths of cities trying to scrounge out a living for himself. But if this young woman invited him, he would surely come along.

How Nyra could find kindness in these eyes of his, he didn't know. He didn't think he looked kinder than any other person alive, and he definitely didn't think he was kinder than any other man. Guess she saw something in him that he didn't. Maybe that was her best quality, to see what Saul couldn't see in himself. "I'll have to agree with you on the memorable part. They certainly make me stick out." Which, in this case, wasn't a bad thing at all.

Saul drank up her talk about her starship with rapid interest. He had only met a couple of women who had an interest in starships. That she had her own this young was certainly an accomplishment. "Maybe after today, you can show me after we get done with all our fun. Want to describe her to me?" The Android guessed it was a freighter or pleasure craft to contain all the equipment she would need to live stream. It would be hard to fit a make-up case into a fighter.

As Nyra looked for evidence that he was mechanical in nature, she would find nothing amiss on the surface. Underneath the skin, though, was another matter. But while she made sure he knew that he was no different than anyone else, he suddenly burst into chuckles. Holding his head, he couldn't help but tell her what he was thinking. "I mean... some parts of the body are more important to a realtionship than others but thanks for wanting every part of me. That means alot." Saul didn't know if she would pick up the joke in that statement but better to test out if their senses of humor aligned now rather than later.

With a two finger salute and a yes Ma'am, the plan was decided. Tilt-a-whirl it was. Taking her hand and interwhined his fingers with her, he lead her through the Gates of the Gauntlet and towards what looked liked the spinning insides of a dryer. Once they got through the line, idling chatting to get know each other, he helped her climb the tilted bowl to an open space. "Want me to hold your bag?" was asked as they got ready to strap in the ride. For some reason, Saul appreantly thought he could hold onto it better than she could. And with it in his metal hands, maybe he was right.

As they strapped in and the ride got going, Saul felt something that he had been missing a long time, happiness, actual happiness. He didn't think it could get better than this and maybe it wouldn't. But he liked Nyra, more than anyone he had met in a long time. Who knows, a miracle might happen and this feeling just might last longer than today.

Nyra Kairo

 

[Nyra Kairo]

Objective: Have some fun
Location: Zinder Carnival grounds, Dantooine
Outfit: Hoodie, Tank and Shorts
Tag: Saul Whesai

Nyra shook her head with an understanding smile. "I didn't think you were the jealous type." Her fingers remained comfortably intertwined with his as they made their way deeper into the carnival. "And honestly... it isn't about my fans."

She glanced over her shoulder toward the Hyperfuel pavilion, now disappearing behind the crowds. "I just didn't want you to have to deal with all of that. They chose to follow me. That's my burden to carry, not yours." There wasn't a hint of resentment in her voice. It was simply part of her life.

When Saul told her she looked as beautiful standing here as she did in her holos, Nyra felt warmth creep into her cheeks. "Oh..." A soft laugh escaped her as she ducked her head for just a moment. ”Thank you."

Compliments weren't exactly rare. They came by the thousands every time she uploaded a new adventure. But they were usually attached to sponsorship offers, flirtatious messages, or people hoping she'd notice them.

Saul hadn't said it like that. He'd simply...meant it. She looked back up, smiling a little wider than before. "I appreciate that."

Her eyes drifted once more to the neon glow that framed his face. "They do make you stand out." She tilted her head thoughtfully. "But in the best possible way." A grin followed. "And I really like your hair." She reached up absentmindedly, twirling one of her own curls around a finger. "The blue works. It's...you."

When he asked about The Drift, Nyra's entire expression brightened. "Oh, she's wonderful." There was unmistakable pride in her voice. "She's a heavily customized light freighter—not huge, just the right size for traveling without feeling like you're flying a city block. I worked with a group of shipbuilders on almost every detail. She's got a clean, modern look, plenty of room for camera gear and supplies, comfortable living space for long trips..."

She couldn't help but grin. "...and engines that are far more powerful than anyone expects from a ship her size." There was just enough smug satisfaction in that last sentence to suggest she'd surprised more than one pilot.

"I may have prioritized speed over absolutely everything else." Her smile turned sheepish. "Zero regrets."

Then Saul caught her looking him over. The joke landed a heartbeat later. Nyra blinked. "...Oh." A rosy blush immediately returned to her cheeks as realization set in. "I-I mean..." She laughed, trying—and failing—to recover gracefully. "This is only our first date." Her eyes met his again before she offered an unmistakably playful wink. "...But I don't mind where your sense of humor is headed."

His chuckles were contagious. The little salute he gave before leading them onward only made her smile grow. It was ridiculously endearing. She squeezed his hand once as they passed beneath the towering Gauntlet Gate and into the maze of rides beyond. The Tilt-a-Whirl spun ahead like some oversized repulsor-powered centrifuge.

Perfect. If this was one of the gentler rides, she'd know soon enough just how ambitious the carnival designers had been. At the loading platform Saul offered to hold her bag. Nyra slipped the small crossbody from her shoulder without hesitation and handed it over. "You'd better hold onto it." She pointed at him with exaggerated seriousness. "If you lose it..."

A dramatic pause. "...I'll never forgive you." The stern look lasted all of two seconds before another mischievous wink betrayed the joke.

Once they were strapped into the ride and the restraints locked into place, Nyra settled back with an excited grin. The bowl lurched. Then began to spin. She instinctively turned toward Saul.

Whatever nervousness had followed him through the carnival had melted away. His smile was effortless now, genuine in a way that couldn't be rehearsed or manufactured. It made her smile even wider. He was...

Sweet. Refreshingly so. In her line of work she spent far too much time around people who smiled because cameras were rolling, complimented because they wanted something, or pretended to be someone they weren't.

Saul hadn't tried to impress her. He'd shown up in patched coveralls, awkward greetings, terrible puns, and honest compliments. It was...nice. Really nice. As the Tilt-a-Whirl suddenly whipped them into another dizzying spin, laughter escaped her before she could stop it.

Maybe it was too early to wonder where this could go. She was young. Constantly traveling. Rarely on the same planet for more than a few days. The galaxy had a way of making simple things complicated. Time would tell. But as the ride spun faster and the carnival blurred into streaks of color around them, Nyra couldn't help thinking that today...

...today was off to a very good start.

 

[Amara Zambrano]

Cards​

Having lived in two extremes for her entire life, either that of extreme poverty or, more recently, as a bratty socialite, there were a lot of things that most people probably took for granted that Amara simply never had the time to experience. The quaint atmosphere of a carnival, something she still didn't quite understand, was one of those things. Grateful that she hadn't worn heels, the soft ground really unsuitable for that kind of experience, she still felt a tad bit overdressed the more she saw what most people were wearing. It was one thing to look better but it was an entirely different matter to look out of place and she was starting to regret not choosing her second or third outfit picks for the day, either of which would've easily cleared the bar for drawing eyes without looking like she'd wandered in from another event without changing first.

Her mind wasn't quite as occupied being concerned about fitting in, however, but rather if she'd chosen the right look to impress the woman she was supposed to be meeting here - Eira Dyn . Everything about this was entirely foreign to her, from the app she'd met her on to the event they'd decided to use as a date, and she was so entirely out of her element that the usual confidence wasn't quite as pronounced as it usually was. You couldn't tell by the mildly amused expression she wore, though, or the flirtateous grin she flashed at anyone who turned and stared just a little too obviously, but anyone who knew her well enough would've caught that something was off by how quietly she approached her date.

"Hey."

It was monosyllable enough to immediately bring a tinge of coloring to her cheeks, internally kicking herself for such an obviously lame way to try to grab her attention. Using a single word to sound a little more attractive was definitely something in her wheelhouse but the delivery she'd given was almost entirely flat and even shy with a little more vocal fry than she'd have liked or intended. "Eira, right? I'm Amara." She quickly added, careful now not to sound too hurried - she didn't want to seem as embarassed as she was - but fast enough to make it sound almost natural, like that was just the way she'd meant for all of those words to come out. "It's nice to finally meet you.." Her voice trailed off with a slight hint of confusion as something caught her eye. Normally she would've tried to keep her gaze as focused on the face of whomever she was talking to as possible but just as she blinked her eyes caught sight of something oddly familiar and in the next moment her eyebrows raised in unspoken surprise as she realized one of the plushies was her father.

"I hope I haven't kept you waiting too long." Amara said, amber eyes darting back to her date.

 

[Saul Whesai]

When Nyra said that she didn't want to share the burden of her streaming career with him, the Cyborg smiled and nodded, understanding what they meant. He honestly didn't mind the fans and attention, Saul could outrun most of them if needed. And being on camera once or twice to see if he actually had any potential on a screen. Just for fun of course, he didn't think anyone wouldn't want to listen to him for hours on end. Ones, he had trouble listening to himself.

Saul's grin was a mile wide as he only replied. "Look in a mirror and you'll see its true." Was it just him, or did she look even cuter with red cheeks? Yeah, it was clear. She defiently looked cuter. But Saul wasn't prepared for the complients to come back at him. Red came to his pale cheeks as he brushed his fingers through his hair, trying to discombale himself after a pretty girl said something nice to him. "Umm... Thanks... That means alot." And it really did. Her compliments made his heart flutter, making him shudder as he wondered what this woman was doing to him.

He couldn't help but laugh as a thought came to his head as she talked about the work on her starship. "So basically, you built the equivlent of a naked boloball fan covered in pink paint streaking across the playing field. Thats interesting though, wonder what power core you used to to feed those thristy engines. Must be something powerful." The ship she described was basically what he imagined. He usually liked his ships bristling with more guns than was on a Star Destoryer but the Cyborg understood why speed was life to her. She wasn't a fighter pilot after all and speed was certainly a way to avoid trouble. As long as their luck held out that was.

It was good to know they had the same sense of humor. Saul gasped like he be personally insulted as he blubered out. "I don't knwo what you are possibly suggesting Miss Nyra. I'm a pure as white snow." They both knew he wasn't but nothing like having a little bit of fun. Just like they were about to have as they boarded the ride. Taking their bag, he nodded seriously at her mock threats. "Of course Ma'am, I'll protect it with my life." And thats how he found himself beside her, holding her bag in a death grip as they spun out of control.

When they got off, Saul's legs officialy turned to jelly as he stumbled off the ride. It took a minute for the Cybrog to get his bearings."That was an... experience..." Thank the ones that his legs were metal, ones made flesh might not have heldup. When they moved to leave., One of the attendeants gave them a small sheet of paper meant to track their progress, a stamp from the tilt-a-whirl already on it. Saul turned to Nyra, managing a smile as he asked, "So whats next?" Hopefully something that would keep his insides on the inside and not on the pavement.

Nyra Kairo

 

[Nyra Kairo]

Objective: Have some fun
Location: Zinder Carnival grounds, Dantooine
Outfit: Hoodie, Tank and Shorts
Tag: Saul Whesai

Nyra laughed quietly as Saul accepted her explanation with such an easy smile. It was nice that he didn't seem intimidated by the stranger parts of her life. He didn't insist on joining it or try to make it about himself. He simply...understood. That was becoming a pattern.

When he told her to look in a mirror, the warmth returned to her cheeks almost instantly. "Oh, you're going to make me blush again." She smiled up at him before watching his own composure unravel as her compliments found their mark. The engineer's pale complexion betrayed him immediately, crimson spreading across his cheeks while he awkwardly brushed a hand through his blue hair.

Nyra couldn't help but think it was adorable. Most people tried far too hard to look confident around her. Saul wasn't pretending. When he finally managed a meek, "Thanks... That means a lot," she shook her head gently.

"The truth doesn't need thanks." Her smile lingered, sincere and reassuring.

As soon as Saul described The Drift, Nyra burst into another fit of laughter. "A naked boloball fan covered in pink paint streaking across the field?" She covered her mouth for a second, still giggling. "...Okay." Another laugh. "That is... honestly a pretty accurate description."

She wasn't even offended. If anything, she admired the creativity. Then came the inevitable question. "What power core?" Nyra's grin immediately shifted into one of playful secrecy. "Mmm..."

She tapped the side of her nose. "I guess you'll just have to take the tour and find out." There was no chance she was giving away all of her favorite modifications before he'd even stepped aboard.

His dramatic gasp at her insinuation earned another amused shake of her head. "Oh?" Her eyebrow arched. "I don't think anything is as pure as white snow." She delivered the line with exaggerated skepticism before another smile escaped. He really was fun to tease.

When Saul accepted responsibility for her bag with the solemnity of someone taking a military oath, Nyra found herself smiling again. "I'll protect it with my life."

"Oh, I know you will." There wasn't even a trace of doubt in her voice. The threat had been entirely theatrical. She was fairly certain he knew that. But somehow...

She also knew he'd guard the little crossbody bag like it contained the plans to the Death Star.

The ride proved considerably more intense than either of them had anticipated. The massive bowl lurched, tilted, and spun with enough force that gravity seemed to lose interest in doing its job. Every time Nyra thought she'd figured out the rhythm, another violent rotation threw both of them sideways, laughter ripped from her lungs before she could stop it.

By the time the machine finally slowed, she climbed out with only a slight wobble in her step. Saul...

...was considerably less convincing. Nyra watched him regain his balance, concern flickering across her face for only a moment before it settled into a fond smile. She wondered, briefly, if his cybernetics made rides like that more difficult. Different weight distribution? Altered equilibrium? Something mechanical she knew nothing about?

The question crossed her mind. Just as quickly, she let it pass. That wasn't something to ask on a first date. Not unless he wanted to tell her. When the attendant handed them the small ride card, Nyra accepted the first verification stamp with a triumphant little flourish.

"One down." She held it up between them. "Only two more before I've earned my plushie." As they walked away from the ride, she naturally drifted closer until their shoulders brushed.

When Saul leaned ever so slightly, whether intentionally or simply because his legs were still negotiating with the laws of physics, Nyra didn't move away. She simply stayed there beside him. Close enough that he could rest against her if he needed.

To anyone watching...

They looked exactly like two affectionate young people enjoying a carnival together. Which, she supposed, wasn't far from the truth. She glanced toward the towering rollercoasters she'd been eyeing since arriving. Her adventurous side practically begged her to suggest one next.

Then she looked sideways at Saul. He was smiling. But he also looked like another centrifuge might send him into low orbit. A mischievous smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "I was thinking about escalating to one of those..."

She nodded toward the massive coaster twisting overhead. "...but..." Her eyes returned to his. "I think we've earned something a little calmer first."

She pointed toward the enormous Ferris wheel slowly turning above the carnival, its enclosed gondolas offering sweeping views over Dantooine and the sea of glowing attractions below. "What do you say?" Her smile softened. "Let's let the galaxy stop spinning for a few minutes."

Then, with an amused glance at the ride card tucked safely into her hand, she added, "The rollercoasters aren't going anywhere."

 

[Saul Whesai]

Saul was in the middle of saying "Isn't that my job?" when her compliments hit her in the heart, almost making him double over. When he signed up for this, he didn't think things would go so well. He thought things would be awkward like they usually were on these dates, but he was wrong. It seemed like they had known each other for their entire lives, and the Cyborg was looking forward to where this was going.

Nyra's fit of laughter gave Saul the recovery time to straighten up and smile. Having someone to laugh at his jokes was... refreshing... He was still used to being assaulted and restrained for making them. The cyborg only smirked and shook his head when she said her ship's modifications were top secret. "Fine, keep your secrets for now. I'll take that tour once you've gotten your plushie. That's if you are offering." And Saul was really hoping she was.

The little man couldn't help but smile as she hit him back with her thoughts. "I don't know, you seem as close to it as I'll get. You haven't even told any dirty jokes yet, unlike the pit of sin that is me and my mind." Which Nyra apparently seemed to enjoy for some reason. One knows why. But as they got onto the ride, he was thankful she wanted to humor his craziness.

The Android was used to turbulence; he had worked on starships since he was a kid after all. But this... wheel of horrors made him scream for his life, not knowing what was going to come next. And not knowing what was going to come next was half the fun. But once the ride was over, the gyros in his legs had a hard time trying to compensate for being back on solid ground. Nyra might even hear an ungentlemanly curse or two, muttered as he slowly made his way down the bowl behind her, doing his best not to stumble into the back of her.

Only just making his way down the stairs to the ride as Nyra got her card, the streaming personality could see him tightly to the rail of the stairs leading to the ground. Saul managed a smile back as she proudly presented her card out like it was a winning lottery ticket. "Shouldn't be that hard. Wonder what you'll pick?" There were so many choices after all, and it was a fun time thinking what Nyra wanted to see on her bed.

Handing her bag back to her as they started to walk away, Saul tucked his own card into his backpack. His walking was better than it was as his legs recovered from the whirlwind; the Cyborg had a weird gait to them as they worked their way back into the main avenue. When Saul noticed that Nyra was trying to help and, with his cheeks fully on fire in embarrassment, let her help him as he slid an arm around her. The Cyborg hated needing a crutch to get around, but he was glad that it was a pretty woman like Nyra.

When Nyra suggested the Ferris Wheel, Saul let a breath out. He probably could do the roller coaster just fine, but he wouldn't complain about a break from the thrill rides. "Yeah, that's probably for the best..." And so that's what they got in line for, leaving the coasters waiting a little bit longer for their arrival.

Once they were both seated in a car together, Saul right beside her, he managed to take a breath and steady himself. He tried to reassure himself that yes this was a date and yes, it was actually going well, unbelievable as it was. As the car started to rise into the air and people below slowly started to look like ants, Saul broke the comfortable silence. "So... I didn't think we would hit it off as well as we did. Or that you would actually be so... bubbly and nice... Guess you proved me wrong. What made you click yes on my profile? Just curiosity or something else?" Most people who looked at him just saw too much weirdness to handle or a threat. The Cyborg wondered what Nyra saw differently in him that made her say, "Yes, I want the strange boy".

Nyra Kairo

 

[Lily Decoria]

​

Outfit: Summer Dress
Date: Caelan Mataan

Lily could sense the presence of Caelan nearby before he made himself known. She took note of his outfit, it was well fitted and smart but with enough casual energy that it didn't look out of place at an event like this one. Offering a warm smile to Caelan as he greeted her, there was a slight blush to her cheeks as he paid her a compliment to her outfit. A casual shrug of her shoulders came with a, "oh? I'm sure you say that to all the ladies you interact with." A teasing giggle to her tone of voice as she looked at the offered arm.

While she didn't hesitate, there was a nagging voice in the back of her mind. Something that reminded her that this was really the first time she spent intimately with someone other than Shan. Her hand reach and gently held his arm, not locking herself to him but enjoying the feel of his arm against her hand.

When Caelan mentioned that this seemed to be a place where plans were not really made and you just explored, Lily nodded her head. One could easily get overwhelmed in an environment like this. Luckily, she had mentally prepared herself for the event to be this level of chaotic so it didn't catch her off guard. However, Lily was never sure where one would start with exploring a carnival. Would the haunted ride be a good spot? The house of mirrors? Would the tunnel of love be too forward? If she proved better in one of the games would that embarrass Caelan?

"Oh..." When asked what she wanted to do, her silver eyes glanced to Caelan, feeling his attention upon her before she scanned around the carnival. Seeing what stalls were around and what ones intrigued her. "Well, I suppose we could not leave here without at least attempting to see who is better at the Test Your Strength game." Lily pointed out, it was something that she knew had to be tested. "How about you? What draws your attention the most out of everything here?"

It was now her turn to look to Caelan and see where his gaze would fix upon on everything here.

 

[Eira Dyn]

​

Outfit: Dress
Date: Amara Zambrano

Eira turned to face Amara as the other woman greeted and introduced herself to Eira. Eira tilted her sunglasses a little so her naturally crimson red eyes could gaze upon Amara without the filtered lens. Her full lips curved into a smile as she found herself admiring the other woman all too much, this was definitely going to be a pleasant day. "You look amazing, your pictures do not do the real version enough justice." Eira softly laughed as she noticed the slight distracted look in Amara's eyes.

Her head followed the brief distracted gaze and saw the plushies. There was some understanding on why there was a distraction but Eira did not reveal that. Instead she decided to make an opportunity out of it. "Do you think the Empress would appreciate the fact that Zinder has turned her into such an adorable plushie?" Eira asked as she looked back to Amara with a mischievous grin on her lips, wondering how Srina Talon would view the soft toy of herself and many of her fellow powerful Sith.

"I think Darth Strosius 's plushie is probably my favourite, given the fact they had to make Sith armour look adorable." Eira chuckled, wondering how this company would have approached her armoured Sith appearance as a plushie. She shuddered at the thought of what she had designed to be terrifying being now cute and fluffy. "I'm looking forward to a fun time together, been a while since I have had a good time at one of these events. Especially one where I had a date beforehand." Eira mentioned, she had tried this app a few times with some limited success. Eira always pinned it down to the fact she was strong willed which can be off putting for many. Especially being a slightly feral assassin.

Shaking her head, "any time waiting was worth it from what I can see. Did you have a preference for which ride we start with?" Eira asked as she wasn't sure where to really begin, especially since Amara had stated that riding rollercoasters was a new experience for her. Eira did not wish to start with something too dangerous or traumatising and ruin the experience for Amara.