lostcarnival | ⇨ THE CELEBRATION

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⇨ THE CELEBRATION

Who: Everyone, especially YOU.
When: Day 60 - Day 65
Where: The Celebration
What: The carnival workers are invited to spend the week within the realm of the Celebration, the grounds of a party that has been going on for centuries. Accommodations are luxurious, but those with keen instincts might notice something off about this whole arrangement... (Questions can go to the original setting post!)
Warnings: Booze, drugs, sex, and everything in between.

THE CELEBRATION↴

If you observe that the layout of the Celebration grounds seem inconsistent, then you would be correct. In reality, what lies at the end of each corridor depends largely on what the guests of the Celebration want at the time - if a few people find themselves craving a drink, a bar may appear. If a group finds themselves wanting to dance, a club will open up. This goes on at all hours of the night, and given how many dedicated partiers fill the building, the services are well used. It isn't instantaneous, and the Host has to consciously decide to provide that service, but the changes are fast none-the-less.

► ROOMS: Each trailer pair will be assigned a room to themselves - whether or not it has two double beds or a single king sized bed seems essentially random. Hopefully you aren't too sensitive about keeping that space to yourself. The curtains at the far side of the room don't actually lead outside, but instead to a walk-in closet filled with the Host's best guesses at the type of clothing you might like. They may not hit the nail on the head, but at the very least all the clothing will be in your size. The styles could be just about anything, from any universe, but they do tend to average out to clothing that is Earth-ish. Either that, or clothing that looks like they are meant for elves from a high fantasy novel to wear.

► SHOPPING: If none of your pre-picked outfits tickle your fancy, plenty of boutiques and clothing shops can also be found around the grounds - whatever you're thinking of, you'll probably be able to find a shop appropriate for it eventually. Though, maybe it doesn't really count as shopping if you don't have to pay for any of the things you take back to your room with you? Unfortunately, from the sounds of it, you won't be allowed to drag all of your haul back to the carnival with you, so you better enjoy it while you can.

► DINING: There is no daily schedule to follow, after you arrive. You are free to attend the dining room whenever you wish, and will be seated at large round tables with whoever else may be around at the time, and can either order from the menu or most dishes you may think of off the top of your head. If you don't like the fine dining experience, there are also a selection of smaller cafes and eateries that open and close at varying times of day - and, of course, you can always call for room service.

► ENTERTAINMENT: There is plenty of live music around the grounds (not that you can ever seem to remember who the performers were afterwards) whether it comes to harp music while you eat or a full set of DJs in the club you found. If you are inclined to look for them, you may also find some cozy lounges with big screen TVs, and access to a multi-universal quantity of films. What's there or isn't there is unpredictable, but if you come from a standard variety of Earth you probably recognize some of them.

► SUBSTANCES: You don't have to be coy about it - just ask one of your servers, and you'll be able to get whatever kind of vices you might be craving. Drugs, alcohol, ice cream... it's all good. If this sounds like a nightmare for potential addicts, you would be correct. It's not uncommon to see people clearly over-indulging in certain locations, though guests are usually escorted back to their rooms if they take ill - only to see them back at it again the next day.

► SPA DAY: If you'd like to take a swim, pools of various aesthetics are easy to find. So are hot tubs, and saunas, and Host servants who are willing to give you a massage or manicure. If the party crowd isn't your scene, there are plenty of more low-key opportunities to indulge.

► GREENSPACE: There is one park area on the grounds, which appears to be constructed on the rooftops of other parts of the complex. While there are trees and greenery, there is no real sky that you can see - only the illusion of one. It may start to occur to you over time that no window or rooftop actually leads to any kind of outdoors. The Celebration really is there only thing here.

These are really just examples, and you can get creative with what kind of services you find offered while here, when it comes to generally mundane comforts. It really feels like the Host wants to win you over, as if you staying just a little longer has some sort of intrinsic appeal.

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☠ Tell me, what am I gonna do? (D60) ☠

Not only are they not supposed to go back to the Carnival during this Ringmaster-mandated break, but it seems like they can't. There's no easy path through the trees, no telephone or gate or trail of sand statues to follow. It's difficult to wrap his head around this idea of not working, at all, for multiple days. Harder still to relax.

For starters, he and Lambert discover, they've been assigned to a room with a single bed. Admittedly the bed's king-sized, appropriately enough, but things are still a little too... heated between them for that to fly. It takes only a glance for them to silently agree to bypass the bed entirely, to maybe nap at completely different times of day, or maybe just not sleep.

He avoids the whole matter by checking out the contents of the closets. Playing dress-up, at least, is always fun. There's all kinds of clothing to his liking, even plenty of outfits decorated with bones! Short shirts that really show off his spine, low-riding shorts and dresses that fit more comfortably with his new tail, and baseball caps to hang over his crystal crown to feel almost anonymous! Just a fashionable skeleton, not quite blending in with the crowd... And if this wasn't enough, he hears that there's boutiques throughout the grounds, freely available to guests to borrow from! All day, Papyrus can be found shopping in clothing stores, jogging around the aisles trying things on, or sitting in the dining room for occasional food breaks.

☠ You put the lime in the coconut (D61-D62) ☠

After his shopping frenzy wears off, Papyrus decides to try out more of the Celebration's offerings. It's not like the carnival has spas, after all. The hosts giving manicures and such are too professional to express confusion when he asks to pass on the limes, and he's surprised to learn that they use cucumbers for their eye care. It's so much less painful!

And there's so many entertainment offerings. Movies to watch, arcade game puzzles to try to beat, and even a little breakfast cafe that offers dinosaur oatmeal. Wonderful!

☠ And drink it all up (D63-D65) ☠ [substance use]

The hours blur into days, and his new tail seems more and more like a message from the whole place; it's time to cut loose. Let it all hang out. Relax and indulge and have a good time. If that's his job here, Papyrus decides, he isn't going to be a disappointment!

There's plenty of new friends whose faces blur together, grinning and laughing and offering things to try out. There's bars that don't offer greasy food, but instead vividly colorful alcohol, loud music, and even... scantily-clad dancers in the middle of the rooms? All manner of clothing (as long as it doesn't restrict the new and sensitive tail), familiar and unfamiliar food alike, energetic crowds for dancing in, and plenty of shots.

It's exhilarating, chasing his every impulse like this. Freeing and rewarding, to be cheered on for every indulgence. And if he never feels satisfied, with a slowly building carelessness that makes it more and more comfortable to just go with the flow... Well, worrying is a job for people who have to do jobs. That kind of thought's got no place here.

Edited 2017-02-18 15:48 (UTC)

"Didn't realize how gnarly all this work was making my hands." Greg runs his thumb over his freshly manicured nails. "Boy, it's a relief to get all those snags out."

Can something be a relief if you didn't notice or care before it got fixed? Well, the hosts said it would feel better, and it really does.

"You hitting up the massage tables later? They say there's no better place to get the tension out."

If you can stop and realize how much worse it could have been without the intervention, then it sure can. That's about how Papyrus is feeling, still seated in the chair, one of the hosts at work on his hands. Not that he has any nails or claws to files down, but there's always lightly moisturizing his bones. And maybe, the host offers, painting designs along his fingers?

"Ummm, let me think about it," Papyrus says to the host, then looks over Greg while they continue. "Massage... isn't that for muscles?? I don't know if you've noticed... but I only project a feeling of being muscular. "

His muscles are, tragically, bound to the land of photo manipulation and costuming.

"No, no, there's the, uh, the other kind, right? Keero... practy." His face screws up, before he shrugs it off and looks up to the faceless attendant. "You guys have that, right? Getting kinks out of the joints, and all that?"

The faceless worker nods readily. Greg almost laughs at himself for bothering to ask. He's yet to get a 'no' for anything he asks after.

"Really?? I'm practically made of joints!"

He bounces a little in his seat, excited at the prospect. Friendly living skeletons seem to be such a rarity in all the worlds, with how surprised so many people are at the sight of him. He'd more than half-expected that even this place wouldn't be equipped to offer him everything.

"Okay, yeah! Let's do that! After I get some lightning bolts drawn on me," he adds, nodding at the host still lingering nearby with nailpolish. Cool zigzag patterns on his fingers, how could he really refuse?

Joker isn't going for anything huge himself, although it's been offered plenty, but he hadn't been able to refuse a massage apparently specifically designed for his wings. It's heavenly, honestly, and he's content to just lay there, idly watching other people while his mind spaces out.

However, Papyrus' request is interested and, unlike the hosts, he's under no professional oath to not ask questions. "Limes or cucumbers, really? What're those for, then?"

Papyrus isn't even that far into this whole experience, still standing by a counter, asking about the spa treatments offered. It seemed best to outline his requests upfront.

"Handsome, rejuvenated skin! Put them on your eyes, and it hides stress wrinkles. I saw it on TV! But..." He looks back into history and shivers. "Limes were a mistake."

Joker hides his laugh in his hand, but he seems more amused than malicious. “Well, now we know, don’t we?” he says cheerfully. A part of him wants to ask what it rejuvenates if you don’t exactly have skin in the conventional way, but he’s learned to hold his tongue on that sort of thing while traveling with the carnival.

“So gonna try the cucumbers, then?”

"Yes, it was an important learning experience," he confirms, still thinking things over.

The host who's encouraging use of the facilities reassures him that there's no lime juice, and cucumbers should offer all the rejuvenation he seeks and more. Apparently working at a carnival doesn't teach you immunity to sales tactics. Papyrus considers for a couple more beats, then announces his decision.

"You know what! Yes. It will be another important lesson, no matter how it goes."

To this place’s credit, at least they don’t have to pay with what might count as the usual currency, so there’s that, if nothing else. As Papyrus finally makes his decision, Joker whistles in approval. “And there it’s decided! I’ll bet you’ll look younger than ever when yer done, too~. I’d give it a try, but, ha, I think I’m perfectly fine with just this.”

Edited 2017-02-22 06:06 (UTC)

"Not young enough for stripes, I hope!" Papyrus laughs at the notion. It wasn't like height was a reliable sign of age, back home or here, after all. "I'll pass on wing rubs. If only because I don't have wings."

“Somethin’ else then,” Joker says, not missing a beat. Shifting so that he can get a better look at Papyrus to see how far along he is, his lips quirk up in a smile. “Tail massage, maybe? If that’s even a thing, ha!” He’s fairly sure that wasn’t something Papyrus had before Atlantis, but, well, it’s nothing surprising in the carnival.

Trying to recognize new people when they look different every month is an interesting challenge to life there, that's for sure.

"Ummm..." With his tail twitching back and forth as he thinks about it, Papyrus glances at the host rather than answer immediately. The host confirms that there's all manner of massage options available. "Maybe later! I want rejuvenation, and my tail is already very juvenated. It just grew. Unlike my hands!"

Ah, there’s that for confirmation. “Well, ya know best,” Joker says amiably, easy going as always. “How are ya adjustin’ ta the tail, by the way? No problems or anythin’ with it? New clothes?” That last one is always the most common, too. Joker’s been in the carnival long enough to say so.

"New clothes," Papyrus agrees, looking down at himself. This outfit's not too different from things he wears around the carnival, colorful and a showing a lot of bone, but his shorts are looser than usual. "But that was no hardship here. Everything's free! And when we go back, I'll get things refitted."

“Well, when ya need it done, let me know.” He shifts his arm up so that his elbow is pressing down against the massage table, and waves a hand about lazily. “I don’t know if ya heard, but I’ve been takin’ on wardrobe manager duties until we get someone better for the job. I think after this little vacation, all of us outta be up for whatever needs doin’.”

"Huh? We will?" From the sounds of that, vacations mess up everyone's job allocations even when the boss planned on the vacation and there's nothing that needs doing. That figures. Vacations are the worst, even when they're not innuendo.

Papyrus shakes his head. "Well, whatever! I am up to all sorts of challenges. And you can count on me finding you sometime! This trip has really reminded me... of the fun of wearing all kinds of things!"

Sensing that their attention is no longer necessary, the host at the counter fades into the background somehow.

Well, that’s an interesting thing to say. Joker lets his chin rest in his palm. “Really? What were ya doin’ before that kept ya from a little variety in yer closet?”

"Oh, I was ruling the underground!" Papyrus taps the crystals growing from his head, the large yellow ones shaped like a crown. "Keeping others' spirits up takes a lot of work... But sometimes the little things help. Like wearing robes and crowns and things."

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Is it wrong that, even after first realizing that things seemed kind of out of control, Sans had been operating on this basic assumption that Papyrus would be above this kind of thing? Looking back on it, he's not even sure why. Papyrus had just been ever so in control of his own schedule and work ethic that some part of Sans had thought (or maybe hoped) that Papyrus would be even more on the ball than he was when it came to perceiving the potential threats of this place.

Papyrus was not always the most perceptive but he was passionate about work, at the very least. Seeing where this has gone, so quickly, leaves Sans unbalanced. He can't help but feel a surge of defensiveness at seeing his little brother actually drunk at a bar, even if that is the most hypocritical emotion he's ever dared to feel.

Maybe it's not as bad as it looks. Sans moves in closer to where he sees Papyrus doing his thing, uneasy in a way that sticks out in a group of such aggressively easy going guests. He wonders, briefly, if this is some kind of body snatcher situation - if maybe they'll smell his disapproval on the air.

He puts a hand on his brother's arm.

"Hey, Pap," he starts, feigning confidence. "Is it noon already?"

Of course, when you've been up all night, does the noon drinking rule even apply anymore?

Edited 2017-02-22 06:27 (UTC)

Full-day spa experiences are something else. Very effective at relaxing tensions and setting worries at rest. It was like they'd all been melted away, and the Papyrus who stepped out of the spa without them hardly knew what to do with himself. No coworkers to assist, no subjects to encourage, no puzzles to calibrate.

Good thing there were lots of people around, engaged in the perpetual festivities, to invite him to new and interesting places!

By the time Sans finds him, late in the morning the next day, Papyrus has been thoroughly introduced to the party scene. He's relaxing alone at the bar, watching the bartender mixing up drinks for other people, and nursing his own glass. There's only the one in front of him, half empty with ice fairly melted, but that doesn't mean there haven't been plenty more. Not with how prompt and helpful the hosts are.

Starting at the touch, Papyrus spins on the barstool. He ends up spinning a further than he meant to and banging his knee against the counter, laughing as he rights himself.

"Sans! Hi! I have no idea what time it is... I don't have a watch."

See, Sans? Look how watchless your brother's wrists are, he's holding his arms up to show you and everything.

It'd almost be normal... if Papyrus wasn't sitting at a bar with no conception of how long he'd been there. There are worse things he could be doing, no doubt, but Sans has seen enough that he's worried about long term consequences.

"I guess this place has you trying out some timeless looks, then," he puns mildly, concern still in his eyes as he looks his brother over. "So... What's on your schedule for today?"

Papyrus rests his hands on his knees, tittering at the pun. He doesn't even groan at it.

"Huh? Schedule...?" The word almost confuses him for a second. What was that, again? Why would he have one? "Oh, right!!! On my schedule... is nothing! Nothing but seeing where the wind and tides of fate take me."

He waves a hand at the party around them. "Like here, and the club with the... the, uh. Sans. Brother. Did you know. There are parties where naked people dance?" It's the most scandalous but delightful thing, and Papyrus laughs again. "I didn't stick around! But I want to find it again."

Never have anything been more chilling than Papyrus saying that he's just going to go where the tides of fate take him. Not even the thing about naked people dancing. He's way less concerned about his brother ogling butts than he is about the fact that Papyrus seems to have forgotten what a ridiculous self starter he is.

Also, laughing at his jokes without pretending to hate it first.

Sans pauses awkwardly at the bar, not really sure what to do. He swallows, meaninglessly, staring diagonally down at the floor.

"Cool," he says, his voice smooth enough but feeling fairly constipated emotionally. "So, if...uh. If you've got nothing on your schedule, how about your take a break from the bar for a bit?"

"Hmmm, a break from the break... I should have known." Papyrus shakes his head in fond familiarity, no annoyance - feigned or real - in his tone or expression.

Something about the idea seems like it should rankle, but why? It's not like there's anything Sans needs to do, no point in him trying to do things. The Host is taking care of their every need, and their job is to have fun. They're all having fun, in relaxation and revelry alike. Everything is fine.

"I guess I can... Do you want to do something together?" He perks up at the idea of doing something else, closer to engaging than he's been in this conversation. "Or some other idea? Something else, something new, something more interesting!"

Edited 2017-03-02 15:33 (UTC)

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⇨ THE CELEBRATION

Papyrus | ota

D62 spa

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D61

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D63 ISH OR WHENEVER IT COMES UP

63 makes sense, maybe after he heard pap on the radio?

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