Performance and Dreamcatchers

[pipers_son]

Who: Joker, those working entertainment, and whoever wants to do fun arts and crafts
When: The day after the orientation, and then after the ringmaster's announcement
Where: The Big Tent and one of the side stages, respectively
What: Joker gets his performing ducks all in a row, and then does an arts and crafts corner. As you do. Mingle log!

At around ten in the morning, as he told a few other workers and anyone who'd been listening in on the walkie talkies, Joker starts to radio in those who are working under him to meet up in the big top. Hope you had breakfast and not a hangover! Of course, for anyone who tries not to attend, Joker will cheerfully hunt them down and bother them into going.

Sorry, mandatory, you know how it is.

It's later in the day, after the ringleaders' own announcement, that eventually Joker makes another of himself, this time to the general channel. It's an invitation to one of the side stages to make dreamcatchers together, for anyone who still craves company or simply doesn't know what the hell a dreamcatcher even is. Along with that, Joker has taken it upon himself to make sure signs advertising this are plastered all over the carnival.

He drew them himself. Please appreciate the scribbled stars.

Comments

For the performers

[pipers_son]

[As might be expected of a place called "the big top", it's enormous, and should give all the new performers a good idea of the place that draws in all the crowds. Of course, not everyone here will get a big top act, but that's fine. Joker is well aware of the importance of side acts, too.]

Meet and Greet

[pipers_son]

[Before anyone can go venture off to explore the ring, Joker has everyone gather into a loose group. Unlike how he's been dressed before, he's much more relaxed now. There's not even a trace of makeup, and his tee and eyecatching leggings are quite a difference from his working suit. He stretches his arm out, flashing a grin out at all his workers.]

Hope all of ya enjoyed the workers' orientation! Don't worry- it ain't usually mandatory. Now then! There's a lot of us gathered here, and we're all gonna be workin' here for at least a year or so. Since it's important ta know who yer workin' with, I thought we could do a bit of an introduction~.

So! Gimme yer name, where yer from, what talents ya have that are good for performin', and what the Ringmaster officially signed ya on for. Once I have a better idea of what I'm workin' with, we can get ta yer acts.


[ooc: Feel free to respond to each other's intros here]

Joker

[pipers_son]

...And since I'm a good boss, I'll go first~.

[Wings ruffling behind him, Joker grins.]

I'm Joker, from England if that means anythin' ta anyone here. I'll be yer Stage Manager while yer all workin' here, and that means I get the final say in if yer performin' and where. I used ta work in a circus before this one, if yer curious ta know, and I know all sorts of little tricks~. A bit a jugglin', a bit of knife throwin', tightrope walkin'.... That sorta thing. If yer interested, I might even teach ya sometime~.

[He finishes with a wink.]

Steven Universe

[starseedling]

Oh, I can go next!

[Steven lifts up and waves his hands in greeting.]

My name's Steven Universe, and I'm from Beach City, Earth. I look like I'm human, but I'm actually half gem, too, like Amethyst and Peridot! Uh, if you've met them, I guess! [He'll lift his shirt briefly to show the gemstone in his belly.] Mine is a rose quartz, and it gives me some magic powers and stuff.

My dad is really good at music, so he taught me how to play all kinds of things since I was little. I like to write songs, and act, and dance, and... pretty much anything, really! I have a Tubetube channel back home that I do some shows for like cooking and reaction videos. I'm going to be here for a year, and I think it will be a lot of fun!

I want to help other people do their acts, because I think every routine benefits from a lovely assistant and I can do a lot of stuff! Especially if I get to wear a pretty costume. So if you want to team up, let me know!

Kadin

[leglesspariah]

[As usual with Kadin among a crowd he's staying on the outside fringe, his tail balled up a few feet further back. He wants to keep it out of anyone's way. When the proverbial mic is passed to him he seems a little nervous, a little hesitant. He's showing considerably less enthusiasm than some of his coworkers but he's trying to pass it off as just nerves and not outright reluctance. ]

Hello, I am Kadin. I come from The Ark which is technically a spaceship, but it functions like a planet. As for skills and preforming I've been told I'm to be a wrestler and ah. [How to explain this without overly graphic detail. ] I can unhinge my jaw and eat...very large things.

[He does not elaborate and stops speaking a little abruptly, trying not to fidget under everyone's attention. ]

Gottlieb

[veinglory]

[A stout man dressed in 18th century finery fidgets nervously when his turn comes, although he's trying his very best to be his usual bubbly self. There's a smile on his face at least, and he gives a deep and gentlemanly bow.]

I am Gottlieb Albrecht, formerly of the Vienna Albrechts, most recently of Maplesweet, Pennsylvania. I suppose if it comes to talent I have much experience with dancing -- my favorite being the waltz. I will be a clown. In spite of the circumstances, it is my deepest pleasure to make all your acquaintances.

Lauren (and Susan)

[mylastchance]

[Lauren has never had to introduce himself before and the very thought is mortifying. Still, everyone is going and saying their names so, he knows he can't not do it. Still, he waits until absolutely everyone else has given their intro before finally making himself actually step forward.]

Uh, I'm Lauren. From Faêrun, near the moonsea.


I don't really think I have any performance talents, but the sheet said Beast Tamer.


[That's it, that's the entire introduction. just ignore the small child standing beside him, he doesn't even work here.]

Medli

[dragonsattendant]

Well... I'm Medli, from Dragon Roost Island. I play the harp and can fly... and I guess since I work with a dragon at home, Miss Ringmaster signed me up to be a beast tamer. I hope I can do a good job!

Childermass

[atouts]

[ Whereas Childermass' idea of "casual" is simply leaving his greatcoat, housecoat, and top hat behind. This does very little to make him look any less severe. ]

I am John Childermass, also from England. [ Although his own accent is somewhat different from Joker's own. ] I have only ever put on an act when it was called for in my usual line of work, which had nothing at all to do with entertainment. I am, apparently, to be a magician.

[ A fact he can't quite keep a note of amusement out of. ]

Mitsuki

[otokogi]

[ When it's his turn, Mitsuki inclines his head a little then grins. ]

Hello! I'm Mitsuki Izumi and I'm from Tokyo, Japan! Back there I was an idol, so I can sing, dance, act... I did some stunts... but I guess my was just in talking! I'm not sure how I'll use all of that here--my contract is just for a Showman so I'm still figuring it out--but I look forward to learning lots of new things and working with you all!

The Doctor

[trustme]

[ This veteran has his own little lamp hanging at the end of an antennae on his head. As he talks, wisps of gold float out from his body, most noticeably when he's grinning. ]

I'm The Doctor. Not to be confused with the lovely Zecora, though I can help you out if you can't get yourself to the medical tent. Hopefully that won't be necessary!

I'm a Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey. I've been with the carnival for three years now and I'm currently performing as a magician when I'm not on duty as a scout.

Tamaki

[puddingemote]

[Tamaki is slouched off to the side, now in a tee-shirt instead of his normal cat hoodie. He straightens up a little when it's his turn, though.]

Tamaki Yotsuba, from Tokyo. I sing and dance. I'm supposed to be an acrobat, though.

[Tamaki pauses, not sure what else he should say, before bowing slightly.]

I look forward to working with you.

Practice

[pipers_son]

[Once skills and positions have been figured out, Joker gives a brief rundown of all the things that are available for everyone to practice with. He's gotten everything pulled out for the initial practice: various things to juggle, enormous balls to practice balance on, a tightrope, targets for throwing knives, various little gimmick tools... The works.]

[If there's something needed that isn't there, all that has to be done is talk with Joker about it, and he'll go talk to the Ringmaster about getting it there.]

[So go! Practice. And, while Joker is lenient enough to not punish a bit of curiosity towards other acts or tools, do practice on your own act. He's made it very clear that everyone needs to practice, so don't make him push.]

For anyone - Dreamcatcher Making

[pipers_son]

[Later in the day, both radio message and various signs lead dreamcatcher curious folk to one of the side tents. Various tables have been set up all throughout the stage and in the various seat, holding the necessary supplies that Joker nabbed for this from the cookhouse. While the side tent is still pretty big, the idea is the encourage people to be around each other... or to ask for help if they're confused or just bad at crafts.]

[pipers_son]

[Needless to say, Joker is one of the first people there sitting on the bare floor of the stage itself and whistling as he goes about his work. He doesn't actually need to be here; mostly he just wanted to set something up for the new workers if anyone was feeling a bit overwhelmed and needed an excuse to be around other people. Still... He gets fidgety with nothing to do, so here he is, taking great care to make a dreamcatcher himself.]

[Of course... Something to not forget is that Joker only has his left arm. So, to compensate for this, he's abandoned his slippers in a corner and is using his toes sometimes to hold things in place as he patiently tries to work.]

[He's got this, guys, he's fine. Really. Probably.]

[fragileandsoft]

[ Greg himself sent out a brief radio message--if anyone's interested, Greg's likely to be around and available to teach people whenever he's not taking care of his specific job duties. He is, after all, a pretty artsy guy, and a crafty project like this is well within his wheelhouse. Even with supplies this expensive and this rare, the act itself is distinctly normal, and Greg's happy to spend as much time as needed on it instead of the carnival stuff.

Do not mistake that, however, as a sign he'll be working on making dreamcatchers the entire time he's there. Greg just likes the environment of making things, and wants to spend his extra time in that atmosphere of creativity. Upon first approach, he's as likely to be making his own dreamcatcher as he is picking at a guitar, or maybe drooling asleep on the desk.

Maybe... maybe not the best first impression. ]

[toogoodtoopure]

[When it comes to anything not gaming related, Yuugi can be a bit of a mess when it calls for his focus, which is why he figures it's better to try and learn how to make dreamcatchers with other people around. He's only seen one once or twice - in Rebecca's trailer and when they became a bit popular among his classmates, not that he'd paid attention.

Still, even as his fingers fiddle with the more finicky parts, it's clear from the first couple of dreamcatchers in front of him that he's...not having the best time of his life, and turning out something quite different as his mind strays. He grumbles a little, slipping his thumb into his mouth when he pricks his finger.

What he gets for not paying attention to what he's doing he guesses.]

[mistweaver]

[Well, to judge by the way she hops right in, Jou Shan has an idea of how to make dreamcatchers--or something so close as to make no difference. She has the Tauren to thank for that. She does sort of keep an eye on what other people are doing, and if they look really lost, she's willing to give pointers, but she doesn't want to come off as either bossy or arrogant, because Jou intends to be neither of those things.]

Ah, I have not had a chance to do something like this in a while!

[Right now it doesn't look like much, but she has a small swirl of amethyst, lapis, and rhodochrosite beads in front of her, in preparation for when she works on the center. For now, though, she's still wrapping the outside in black leather and silver wire.]

[faking]

[Really, truly, Alois had meant to make a dreamcatcher... a really lovely one! But his efforts are deflated, lagging and dragging like an unfortunate kite. It's not because he doesn't know how to make dreamcatchers in the first place—although that is true; he'd had no idea what he was doing from the start. But what really defeated him here was brutal, characteristic boredom.

In other words, Alois has gotten distracted.

So there's the bare bones of a dreamcatcher in his general workspace, but it's far from complete and it's been pushed off to the side. Instead, Alois is playing around with the supplies. He's tying loops of leather around his fingers in rings and little bows. He's shaping pretty gold wire into various creative shapes. He's blowing feathers around with irritable puffs of air.

And the gemstones, too, are part of his fancy. He sifts through what's offered, and every so often he finds one he maybe likes; then he presses it against his skin, examining its quality like a professional jeweler. Maybe he's just trying to find out what looks best on him: the Carnival has granted him creeping crusts of gemstones that stand out against his hands, and other places he tries to hide. His own gems are amethyst and sapphire, but now, with the dreamcatcher supplies, he's experimenting with other looks. It's either vanity or dismal resignation. Whatever the case... is he ever going to get this dreamcatcher done?]

[coinsforlockerrooms]

Radio [797.32446]

This is Yukine Miyazawa. I am from Concessions from the Cooking division.

To anybody that doesn't know how to make dreamcatchers, please come over to the side tent and look for me for some snacks on the way. I will be happy to teach you.

As a warning... [ She sounds nervous at admitting this. ] I might look a little different than I did back at the karaoke night.

Yukine, out.

Weaver

[ Dreamcatchers were common requests back in Hikarizaka Private High School. By now, Yukine hums happily as she gets to work on hers, cup of coffee and thermos beside her and half-filled, as she works with the metal rings and the silk to make some rather cute patterns.

She has a complete one for show by now, but lifts the one she is working on as an example. ]

Tie the cloth around the ring, but not too thickly, so they are all evenly spread out. You will also need to tie some strings around the edges, big enough so the strings with feathers can hang beneath. Remember it has to keep sacred items such as feathers and beads, otherwise, all it becomes is a net.

Then, you will get to weave them together to form it like this...

[ Yukine lifts her own dreamcatcher in progress, making the net turn the central hole smaller and smaller, under many criss-cross patterns. ]

[beunbroken]

[Elizabeth is actually quite good at this. She struggled a bit for her first dreamcatcher, but by now, she's got a decent pile going. So many arts and crafts! Honestly, it was relaxing, being able to create something. She'd read about dreamcatchers, and always thought they were fascinating, but it was curious to make her own.]

Aand that's number three, [she says to no one in particular.]

[nowingsyet]

[She remembers reading something about these 'dreamcatchers'. It's something humans used as a charm. However, just because she knows about them does not mean she knows how to make them. She sits with her materials with a overly focused look on her face, she knows what a dreamcatcher looks like finished, but the steps to make one? No.]

[fourthscribe]

[Tanyuu has a wealth of free time on off-weeks. Yes, there is some amount of herding performers over to work out what will look best on them, and coordinating with the tailors to be sure everything meshes well, but for the most part she's left at loose ends. So the Ringmaster's request is a welcome one, and when Joker sends out his invitation she is more than happy to head right over and settle in to figure out just how to make these things.]

[Thankfully, the basic idea is simple, and while she's never been a weaver per-se, Tanyuu is dexterous enough to wind the wire and beads together in what she's fairly sure is a satisfactory manner. But there are a few additions she's been making that might seem out of place. She's brought with her small but long strips of paper, and a ink brush and pot. With each completed dreamcatcher, Tanyuu takes a paper and writes out a long, careful series of characters with a singular focus. Each brushstroke is careful, but practiced, and once the charm is completed she ties it on and moves onto the next.]

[waitingforplayer2]

[ Between the signs, the frequent radio messages, and the clustering of people, it's hard for Chiaki not to be drawn to the group of people making dreamcatchers. Still, as of yet, she hasn't figured out how to actually make them.

But these sure are some interesting materials... for the moment, Chiaki's idly playing with them, trying to come up with the most interesting things out of them. Among other things, the jeweled scales and feathers seem to be good material for some jewelry, as she carefully fits items together to create -- definitely not-Dreamcatchers. ]

[solaris9]

[ So he's still trying to get the hang of this thing. So far, he's managed to make two and is working on his third one. Not so bad, considering he's never made dream-catchers before. He thinks they look kind of pretty, with the beads and feathers and all. ]

Hey, you got a little more wire?

[ He looks up from his work and grins at whoever is sitting across from him. ]