A Day at the Fair

Soviet Superwoman was tense. It showed on her face clearly. It was funny, after all the terrors she had faced, the threats she had fought, that she would be intimidated by this.

"Don't worry, it will be fun. You'll see." FireBrandi led the way as they flew in. This was her idea. Olga still wasn't sure how she got talked into this. They came to a landing at the entrance to one of the many parks in Angel Falls. The park was especially crowded today, due to a local festival going on. Many people watched their arrival, some with awe (tourists), the rest with interest.

Olga looked around at all the staring people. "They seem worried. Perhaps this was not a good idea."

FireBrandi looked around and to Olga, "Wait here a minute, I'll have the situation fixed right up," and ran off towards some of the nearby booths.

Olga waited, feeling every second crawl by. She could feel everyone's eyes on her. Brandi had thought it would be good for her to get out among the citizens, let people get to know her better. The plan did not seem to be going well at the moment. Soviet Superwoman waited, not knowing what to do with her hands she grabbed one elbow to keep from fidgeting. She hoped Brandi would be back soon.

"Here, take these" FireBrandi announced as she got back. The tall brunette accepted what her diminutive friend offered without looking, and then stopped in surprise when she saw what it was. "Hope you like mustered, didn't know what you liked on your hot dog. The condiments are over there if you want something different."
Olga was surprised to find herself holding a hot dog and cotton candy. "What are these?" she asked looking at Brandi, who was happily taking a bite out of her own hot dog.

"Snacks of course. The people around here were a little nervous because they usually don't see us up close except for when there is trouble or a charity event. The way you were tensed up they were expecting a disaster. Now they will see that we are just here for fun. Go on, eat up!"

Olga hesitantly took a bite. It was not the best she had eaten, but it wasn't bad either. Looking around she saw the people looked a lot more relaxed now. Many were even taking pictures of the heroic pair. Olga relaxed quite a bit on seeing this, thinking maybe FireBrandi's idea would work out after all. They started walking through the festival grounds (dumping the cotton candy at the first trash bin. It was too sugary for her taste.)

On passing a booth displaying handmade jewelry a young man came up to them. "Excuse me; can I get a picture with both of you?"

"Sure!" Came Brandi's reply. Soviet Superwoman was unable to object having just taken the last mouthful of her lunch. The man positioned himself between them, smiling at his friend with the camera. Brandi floated up to be eye level with him, put an arm around his shoulder and waved to the camera. Olga was able to swallow and give a big smile just in time for the picture to be taken.

"Thanks so much!" the guy said cheerfully as he went to see how the picture came out.

This seemed to open the flood gates as more people came forward asking for pictures or autographs. One woman came up to Soviet Superwoman practically in tears. "I.. I just wanted to thank you. A few months ago you stopped that runaway train. My husband and daughter were on that train. You saved their lives! I can never thank you enough!" Olga was touched by her gratitude, "It was my pleasure to be of service."

One person wanted them to autograph a crowbar. Soviet Superwoman twisted one half into a knot, FireBrandi melted the other half. Once it cooled off he was very happy with his unique souvenir.




"What are these booths?" Olga asked.

"Carnival games. You pay a little to try their test of skill, and you could win some small prize. Keep winning and you can trade up to the big prizes you see hanging around the booth."

"Interesting, I would like to try that one," She said pointing to the 'Test Your Strength' hammer and bell setup.

"Oh no, nonononononononono!!" Brandi cried as she grabbed Olga's arm. "That is set up for people of normal strength. You'd send that bell into orbit just by giving it a mean look." Olga looked disappointed. "We can try the other ones, like... that one. That is a test of strength precision and control."

The booth Brandi pointed to had several curved tracks, made of parallel metal rods, and a bowling ball sitting on the track. "The challenge is to push the ball hard enough so that it rolls over that first hill, up the second past that mark there, but when it rolls back won't go over the first hill again."

Olga looked at the setup doubtfully. "I am not sure that is possible"

"I admit this can be rigged easily enough to make it impossible, but I've seen people do it. Let’s give it a try." Brandi paid for the first round. She gave the ball a good shove, but it did not get far enough up the second hill. Olga gave it a try; it went too far, rolling back to the start. But it was close enough to get her interested in the challenge. Both women trying at least twenty times, never quite getting it as a ring of onlookers were making side bets. A twelve year old boy gave it a try next to them. He made it on the third try, to a big cheer from onlookers. Brandi looked at Olga, "I'm giving it two more tries, then quitting."

"Agreed."

Next they tried the ring toss. Soviet Superwoman's height and reach was an asset here, easily making several throws. She asked Brandi "Which prize do you desire?"

"What, really?"

"Yes, really. It is my gift to you in return for bringing me here."

"Oh wow, thanks! umm... that one." picking out a plush turtle, "I think that one is cute."

"You like turtles?"

"Yea, I think they are interesting animals. Don't care much for swimming, but turtles are cool."



"Go back to Russia, commie freak!"

Soviet Superwoman's good mood quickly faded. This was the moment she had been dreading. She and FireBrandi turned to see an old man, maybe seventy, grey haired and slim, scowling at them. "And take your homo friends with you! They don't belong in decent society." There were a few other people around clearly in agreement with him, letting the man express how they felt.

FireBrandi rolled her eyes on hearing the man's rant. "Oh puhleeze.."

Olga faced him, "Why should I leave? This is my home now, is it not a 'free country'?"


"Commies don't belong in this country. I fought the communists in Viet Nam. My father fought them in Korea, and the Nazis in Germany."

"I too fought the Nazis. I still fight them today, Genocide and her twisted followers. If I had met your father we would have stood together as allies against those monsters."

The man sputtered in anger a bit, "My father would not consort with Communists! He'd take care of those Russian bastards after finishing off the Nazis!"

"Some ally," Brandi shot back. "So if you were in a burning building, would you refuse to be saved by my friend just because you don't care for her politics? If someone is actually doing good in the world, does it really matter what their political philosophy is, especially if they are not involved in politics at all?"

"Yea, if it wasn't for Soviet Superwoman my family would have been killed!" This came from the woman who thanked her earlier.

"My sister was a hostage in a bank robbery. There is no telling what would have happened to her if Soviet Superwoman hadn't stopped the robbers and saved her!" said another man coming forward. More stepped forward, people who had either been saved by Olga, or had a loved one rescued by her. The old man and his backers were taken by surprise by this defense. On seeing they were out numbered the backers quietly moved away leaving him to face the crowd alone. "You're all a bunch of anti-American traitors. One of these days America will wake up and kick all of you parasites out of the country" he yelled as he left, not wanting to face the crowd alone.

The crowed cheered at his retreat. Many of them turned to applaud Soviet Superwoman. Even FireBrandi joined in the applause, laughing as Olga started to blush. But there was no denying this show of support warmed her heart. Their gratitude made the other group's disapproval seem meaningless.

The two heroines went on to enjoy the rest of the festival. There were a few other shouted comments, and a couple booths closed up rather than do business with them, but even they could not ruin the day.


Hours later they flew home as the sun set. "Thank you Brandi for bringing me here. I had a very good time."

Brandi smiled, "my pleasure. We'll have to go out again some time. You can pick the next spot.... As long as it isn't camping." She shuddered at the memory of the disastrous camping trip her good friend Mindy Marvel talked her into.

“I will find something we can both enjoy. Maybe next time Maia will be free to join us as well. I must be getting back to her now. She will be eager to hear how our day went.”

“Ok, just give me a call when you have something, or just want to hang out. Good Night Olga.” FireBrandi turned and flew off toward her apartment, while Soviet Superwoman enjoyed the sunset a few minutes more before returning home.


At work the next day Brandi was busy cataloging chemical test results. Mike, a graduate student, started tuning his radio to find something good to listen to.

“..zz.z.zzzz..ater today on the Ben Trek show: Soviet Superwoman appeared at a city park yesterday, and reportedly incited a riot, inflaming people against an elderly veteran. Also, though not even married yet she appears to already be cheating on Walkiria with another red-head, who accompanied her at the park. Descriptions of this new love interest would indicate she is likely a stripper based on how she was dressed.”

Brandi hardly noticed how the liquid in the beaker she was holding started to boil.

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This was as fun a collaboration as I've had the good fortune to experience!

The story was written by the amazing who also created and owns Firebrandi.

The render was a gift from who did such an amazing job! Thank you my friend for all your hard work and time!

The mentioned and much-hated Ben Trek is a creation of

This takes place in