469 Harvest Fair part three (2/2)

/Vineyard: Rico: I made the categories after talking to everyone and getting a feel for what we are doing.

/Vineyard: Pon: I see booze and pie. That's all I need.

/Vineyard: Semmi: So the Fair is one day and then the dance the next day?

/Vineyard: Rico: Yes. We're using Nix's place as the Fair Grounds since it's close to the portal, and his pastures are currently empty.

/Vineyard: Semmi: What about judging?

/Vineyard: Rico: I'm bringing in one judge from Colonial for each category. Ducky will vet each one personally before they are allowed temporary access to Haven. The rest of the panel will include me, Bev, Fajii, and Nansu.

/Vineyard: Semmi: We should have a popularity award also, allow the folks walking through to voice their opinions.

/Vineyard: Rico: I like that idea. We'll call it the people's choice award.

*************

Two days later, several long white tents were put in place while the members of Inferno began building pens. Rico had gone around to each area to let the builders know what was needed. Pon, Nix, Wind, and Banz were busy in the first tent creating small stalls for the bigger livestock. The sides of the tent had been rolled up to allow for airflow.

Wind watched Nix while he finished the second stall. ”You ever work as a carpenter?”

Pon tilted back his canteen and waited for the answer. After spending the last few hours building, it was clearly evident that Nix was really good with a hammer.

Nix shook his head slightly while putting the finishing touches on the last stall. ”Just shop class and tree forts. Maybe the occasional repair around the house.”

”I took shop also, but it seems like you're a bit more advanced.” Banz offered him a good-natured smile. The large tank had missed hanging out with the guys after many months spent at the Gladis hub.

Pon ignored the chatter while he watched the events a few meters away. ”The hell is she doing?”

Nix focused on where the older man was pointing, Tai and Fajii were barely visible within a cloud of dark dust. ”Tai's helping her advance her Earth abilities. They are creating a mudbath.”

Wind glanced and Pon, smirking slightly before stirring the pot. ”Right in the middle of your pasture?”

Nix nodded without taking the bait. ”Yep.”

Pon shook his head slightly. ”Where're your balls, boy? Tell them to take that shit somewhere else.”

Nix chuckled at the old man's words. ”Normally I wouldn't allow it, but this is special... I can't say.”

Pon glanced over his shoulder before lowering his voice. ”What gives? Let me in on it!”

Wind and Banz both nodded and stepped closer.

Nix sighed reluctantly. ”You didn't hear it from me... Mud wrestling.”

”What?” Pon's head turned back toward the two earth mages. ”Serious?”

”Serious, Nix? Don't fuck with us!” Wind's dark eyes showed his obvious interest. ”Like a winner takes all thing?”

Nix kept his face carefully neutral. ”No. Just a series of matchups. The votes have already been tallied.”

”What? The fuck you say! I didn't vote!” Pon's voice rose from a whisper to a near shout.

Nix held a finger to his lips. ”Only the participants got to vote. Quite a few interesting matches.”

Pon rubbed his hands together. ”Like who? Sharl and Ronnie?”

Wind nodded vigorously. ”That's a good one... Sharl and Hyai?”

Nix frowned at the thief. ”Happy with the way your face looks?”

Wind held up his hands in mock surrender. ”Right... Sharl and just about anyone.”

Banz watched as his two friends started discussing what matchups they would like to see. He already understood that Nix was messing with them. ”Sila and Sharl.”

”Sila?” Pon's face lit up. She was one of the members who were focused on completing the embassy floors. As if on command, Sila and Nezbit walked out of the next tent. The two of them waved at the group of men. Both were attractive, but Sila was a bit more on the voluptuous side. Sila was a scorched earth mage while Nez remained one of the few player clerics available for raids. ”I'd pay money to see that.”

”Pay money for what?” Semmi's cheerful voice announced the arrival of the blonde officer and Jun Li.

Pon scratched his head for a moment. ”Was just saying, those mudbaths seem pretty nice.”

Semmi's sharp eyes followed their gaze. ”Yeah, I used the one at Nix's old house. This one is going to be bigger and more shallow, not really suitable for submersion. It's for the greased pig contest.”

”....” Pon.

”....” Wind.

”Idiots.” Nix laughed at the two disappointed expressions before stowing his hammer away. He noticed Rand and the other two ranch hands walking toward them with three foals. ”First three stalls, Rand.”

Rand led Moonlight into the first stall and tied her up. ”We'll stay here in the first tent to make sure all the animals are behaving.”

Nix accessed his inventory and brought out an apple for the demon hybrid foal. She was the result of a pairing between Flash and Nightmare; she was six months old despite looking more like a yearling. ”You guys ever visit Everspire anymore?”

Rand shook her head slightly. Working in Haven was better than anything she could have imagined. Nix had already promised her that he'd give her a small starter herd after she spent five years with him. ”We go to Glory when we need to blow off steam.”