⇨ THE CELEBRATION

[ringleaders]

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.

Comments

D61

[pipers_son]

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?"

[spaghettimonster]

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."

[pipers_son]

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?”

[spaghettimonster]

"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."

[pipers_son]

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.”

[spaghettimonster]

"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."

[pipers_son]

“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.

[spaghettimonster]

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!"

[pipers_son]

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.

[spaghettimonster]

"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."

[pipers_son]

“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’.”

[spaghettimonster]

"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.

[pipers_son]

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?”

[spaghettimonster]

"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."

[pipers_son]

“Oh ho!” Joker whistles, an impressed gesture even if he’s not really feeling it himself. The carnival takes all sorts. Royalty isn’t surprising, not really. At this point, he’s come to learn that even people with loads of money and influence can still always want for more. “This must be quite the downgrade for ya, then…. I say, as we’re in a fancy place like this,” he laughs.

[spaghettimonster]

"Not at all! Well, a little bit." He doesn't even take a breath before switching claims. "I'm not the most famous monster still around... But I've seen the sky! Practically nobody's ever seen the sky!"

[pipers_son]

Joker hides his laugh behind his hand, although it’s impossible to hide his grin. What a turnaround! He thinks he could quite like him with that kind of trait. “I guess they take the word ‘Underground’ seriously. Do ya mean the sky back hom, or the ones ya see travelin’ with the Carnival?”

[spaghettimonster]

"Seriously and literally! We're trapped underground by a magic barrier. Basically living our lives sealed in a giant tomb..." It's so morbid, yet said so matter-of-fact. Just one of those things you live with that doesn't seem so bad until you realize nobody else lives with it.

"But hey! We were almost free. And... that that got ruined. I'm not afraid of working hard, keeping going, and waiting untold generations for freedom... but some people, they're really bothered by it. So now I'm here! My year's labor is completely worth everybody's freedom. Without anybody else getting murdered!"

[pipers_son]

Joker listens in faint amusement and curiosity. As someone so inclined to getting into other people’s business, this isn’t the first time he’s listened to another ramble on about their world. Honestly, he sort of likes it. The more possibility opens up before him, the more it soothes the part of him that is, admittedly, pretty pessimistic. After finding out so much of his work was for nothing, it’s sometimes…. Difficult to see any bright spots. But with so much possibility, it lets him dare to be a little hopeful. That he’ll be able to find somewhere for him and his family once again.

But then the reason comes, and he goes still. “Sounds pretty kind of ya,” he says finally, voice maybe a little softer than usual. “Heh, makes me wish more royals were like ya.”

[spaghettimonster]

Papyrus taps his chin, considers. "Is that unusual? Asgore was a big soft pushover... most of the time!" There were a few significant, relevant exceptions, but it was obvious to everyone that he hated that part of the responsibility. Papyrus decided to throw the whole idea out, because it was awful, and needless. "There's loads of petty, suspicious, conspiratorial rulers in stories. Ruining lives is... interesting conflict to read about, but they're terrible when they're for real."

[pipers_son]

“Oh,” Joker says dryly, “there’s plenty of those types who are real. Couldn’t tell ya why they are like they are- some folks are just cruel like that, ain’t no rhyme or reason ta it. Some only care about wealth, or…” His fingers tap against his skin. “They get so obsessed with this one thing that they’ll throw everythin’ under the carriage wheels in order ta get it, even other people…” A pause, and Joker thins his lip. “If we wanted ta be optimistic, I guess maybe some folks just don’t realize how bad things really are. Their food gets on the table, they live in a nice place, so they don’t look much past their own walls.”