⇨ GAME START INTRO LOG!

[ringleaders]

Who: EVERYONE!
When: NOW!
Where: Around the carnival grounds, and in the Cookhouse.
What: Carnival worker orientation, Ringmaster style.
Warnings: Alcohol consumption, maybe drugs. Other things?

BRAVE NEW WORLD↴ ► THE NEW: It doesn't matter when you entered the tent to discuss your new contract with the Ringmaster, you exit it beneath a blanket of stars. Pointedly alien stars at that - currently the carnival grounds are being treated to a show of shooting stars, and what appear to be unnaturally large and living green moons hanging just a bit too close. The carnival was bustling when you entered, but now it's in the latter stages of being shut down for the night. If you manage to find a clock, it states that it's around 8PM. Workers from during the day will be passing through the grounds, attending to various pieces of business. None of them will seem very surprised or concerned by the goings on, though some may be sympathetic enough to pause and answer your questions. If you put some effort into finding out how it became nighttime, you may discover that it's been anywhere from a few hours to 7 days since you originally signed your contract. Someone may explain to you that it was probably some kind of time bubble, meant to keep you out of the way until the Ringmaster had time to deal with you. Every few minutes another new person will pop out of the tent, looking just as confused and under the impression that they had only just finished discussing things with the Ringmaster. Weird. She passed you a note before you left. Opening it up, you'll see you've been assigned a trailer number, and been given the instructions to drop off any excess belongings and do what you can to get settled in. You have until exactly 9:36PM to do so, because that's when you'll be expected to attend what is listed only as "WORKER'S ORIENTATION". This is, perhaps, more abrupt than you were expecting - but what can you do? You're here for the long haul. ► THE OLD: If you've ever seen a mass recruitment before, then this is no surprise. People enter the tent when they're recruited, and then sometimes how up again days later when the Ringmaster is ready for them. She isn't a big fan of wasting her time on individual orientations when she's expecting a crowd. Maybe you're too jaded to all of this to care much, but you'll see the newbies wandering around, probably confused and maybe a bit lost. Maybe you're the kind whose is sympathetic enough to pause your role in clean up and give them some directions, and maybe a word of confidence. Maybe you'll just jeer at them, because you're some kind of asshole. Either way, you expect you'll have the chance to see them later tonight. Whether by world of mouth, radio, or written note, supervisors will be passing out the following message: all workers are to report to the Cookhouse at 9:36PM sharp for "orientation." If you are at all familiar with how things go around here, you probably have a good idea of what this implies. Mandatory Karaoke Night. MANDATORY KARAOKE NIGHT!!!↴ At 9:36PM, the main dining hall of the Cookhouse will be found heavily decorator with various coloured lights and at least one disco ball made of what is ostensibly high karat gems. There are a bunch of cushions and additional seating set up along with the usual tables, and at the head of the call there is a state set up - a karaoke stage. For veteran workers, this is no surprise. Karaoke nights are fairly frequent as activities go, even if they are not usually mandatory. Some of you probably have signature songs already prepared. The karaoke machine is set up with mostly karaoke tracks that would be popular in the 90's and 00's on the average modern earth, with a few that are more recent. It also has some other random stuff from other worlds that people rarely sing because they are confusing and in languages no one understands. Here is a big karaoke list for your inspiration! The more stereotypically karaoke the better. Beyond that, there is plenty of food and snacks that were prepared by the cooks earlier, as well as a bar set up for alcohol and other vices. The selection is, as most things in the carnival, eclectic. Music will be played in between if nobody is singing, and otherwise veterans are encouraged to bring along their own fun and show the newbies a good time. The Ringmaster does ask that vets attempt to be courteous to their new coworkers. It's just being a good host.

Comments

Peridot | Veteran | OTA

[periphrasing]

NEW ARRIVALS

Seeing all these new recruits actually has Peridot in a pretty darn good mood. A bigger team to work with means a more efficient carnival, and also? More people to boss around.

Plus, if there's one thing Peridot loves? It's showing off her superior knowledge at every available opportunity. And man does she have superior knowledge of the carnival, compared to these newbies. She's been here over a year already, and fancies that she knows her way around like an old pro should. If you've got questions or need directions, flag her down. She'll gladly answer, with a slightly patronizing grin on that cheeky little face of hers.

MEET YOUR NEW BOSS (for the Engineering crew)
Ah yes. Orientation. The moment Peridot has been waiting for. She still doesn't quite understand the ringmaster's methods, but they seem to work, so...

It's not her job to worry about that, anyway. Her job is to introduce herself to all of her new underlings. As the Carnival's head Engineer, she'll need to get to know each and everyone of them more closely if she's going to effectively integrate them into the team, and she wants to get started on that process immediately.

Fortunately, she has a tool to help lure the newest members of her flock right to her. Yes, there certainly cannot be any doubt of who the Engineer is in this crowd of carnies. Not with the extremely clever sweatshirt that Peridot is boasting over her old Diamond uniform. She makes sure to stay in plain sight near the snack tables, knowing that's likely where any employees of the organic persuasion are likely to head first.

WILDCARD
Feel free to tag in with your own option for general party mingling or whatever you like! Make fun of her sweatshirt, offer her food and watch her get kind of offended, convince her to get up on stage and take a crack at singing.... it's all up to you.

s'up boss lady

[anti_altruisms]

[ The sweater she's wearing is...certainly distinctive. Archer eyes is from across the room for a short while before he decides to approach. If she's a supervisor or a coworker, they should probably talk, right?

He doesn't look much like a repairman in his armor and red coat, but hey - appearances aren't everything. ]

I take it you work in engineering?

[periphrasing]

[She looks up, then leans back in her seat, grinning.]

I don't just work in engineering. I'm the</> Engineer! And you must be lucky enough to be one of my new recruits, am I right?

[anti_altruisms]

[ Archer raises an eyebrow. ]

Indeed.

[ He's going to be questioning everything about how and why this place works the way it does, isn't he?

I take it you've been waiting for us to drop by?

[ The newbies, that is. ]

[periphrasing]

Just making myself available in case you all have any questions for me. Y'know, since we're going to be working together for the next year or so.

[She is trying so hard to be cool right now. One leg crosses the other, as she strikes up a more "casual" pose.]

So! I'm Peridot. Why don't you go ahead and tell me a little about yourself?

[anti_altruisms]

[ He can tell. It doesn't make much sense to him either way, but he supposed introductions are in order. ]

I go by Archer.

I am a spirit that uses magic, and one of my specializations is tracing the structure and composition of different objects and devices.

[ Welp. ]

I suspect that's why I was assigned to engineering.

[periphrasing]

[She cocks her head.]

A spirit? [She's familiar with the concept from her time spent here, but...] What kind of spirit are you then?

[anti_altruisms]

[ That question garners a bit of a flat look. ]

The spirit of a dead man. [ No, seriously. ] Typically, in my world, men and women of particular ability or renown are immortalized as summon-able familiars after they die.

[ Which is about a simple as he can explain it without getting into extraneous details. ]

[periphrasing]

O-oh.

[HM. This would be a lot harder for her to wrap her head around if the freaking netherworld hadn't been one of the stops the Carnival has made in her time here. But also, she'd been assuming he meant like... An elemental spirit, or something else, not a ghost.]

So you're like a ghost then! Alright. Very... Very cool. [NEED A SUBJECT CHANGE. Peridot tries to recompose herself.] Um. What kind of person were you when you were alive, then?

NEW BOSS

[fragileandsoft]

Okay, so, to preface, green skin isn't exactly the weirdest thing around here by a mile. And on top of that, Peridot's had a lot of her own changes, so, like, someone who wasn't expecting to see her, like say Greg, might not immediately pick her out of a crowd, and also she's short which doesn't help, so

What I'm saying is that the sweatshirt does its intended job, good choice Peridot.

"Oh, uh, you're in engineering, right? I'm..."

It's around that point he gets a good look at her face, and has to do a double take.

"--wh... Peridot?" The same Peridot, right? Why are so many gems here?! "You too?!"

[periphrasing]

"Hnuh??"

She jerks, earnestly surprised to be addressed by name, and only slightly more surprised to see a familiar face. Steven had mentioned he didn't come here alone, after all.

"Oh! Well if it isn't Steven's 'dad'," she quips, sitting up a little in her seat. She seems pleased with herself for having remembered the proper title to call him by. "I'm guessing you've run into Amethyst already, then. What can I do for you?"

[fragileandsoft]

"I, uhh."

She sure rolls with it easily, but Greg has to take a moment to get his thought process back on track. He pinches at the bridge of his nose.

"I don't know. I'm sort of catching up still?" Greg lets out a long breath. This headache of his may well last the full year and a day. "I'm supposed to handle lights and stuff now, which I guess you probably know about?"

[periphrasing]

"Sure do!" she replies, looking quite chuffed. "Well. I mean, my own knowledge and interests lie more in the repairing and creation of the carnival equipment, but lighting does fall under my direct supervision. I'm guessing you already know a thing or two about it, if that's what the Ringmaster assigned you to do?"

[fragileandsoft]

"Huh?" He's gotten distracted a moment looking down at her tail. "Oh, uh, yeah. It's been a while, but yeah... sorry, but, how long've you been here...? Amethyst mentioned it's been a little while, but didn't really... specify a lot..." What are his odds of getting out of here without a tail, Peridot. He needs to know.

[periphrasing]

Slim to none.

"Hm? Oh. Well Amethyst has been here a little bit longer than I have? But it's been about a year and a few months for me." Peridot cocks her head, pointed ears flicking. "Why do you ask?"

[fragileandsoft]

"Ehh. No reason, I just..." He shrugs, glancing off. "I know a year or two doesn't make a heck of a lot of difference for Gems, I'm just sorta... surprised you guys stuck around so long, I guess."

[periphrasing]

"It's really not so bad, when you're staying here voluntarily and not paying off debt," the little gem says brightly. "The Ringmaster will grant you favors if you volunteer to work for her. Take me for example! Now I have both metal, AND fire at my every command! Watch!"

Grinning like a demon, Peridot holds both hands up. In one, she conjures a tiny flame in her palm. With the other, she reaches out towards a nearby refreshment table and makes a can of soda fly to her.

...Except she bungles her aim a bit, and winds up hitting herself in the face. She makes a doofy noise as the can bounces off of her cheek, the flame in her other hand flickering out.

"...I meant to do that."

Wildcard

[trustme]

[ Doctor pauses with a plate of food in hand to read Peridot's sweatshirt. ]

Has anyone told you that you look smashing in that sweatshirt?

[periphrasing]

You're the first. [She leans back with her arms behind her head like an anime character trying way too hard to be casual.] It's alright though. I know I look incredible. The validation of others is not required.

[Pause.]

But, thank you, all the same.

[She hops up to her feet.] So! What are you up to tonight? Got some human food stuff happening here, I see... Meet any of your new teammates yet?

[trustme]

[ He chuckles. ] You know how much I love the humans' food! Earth is definitely in my top five best gourmet planets. Too bad there's no custard on the table tonight.

I did meet a couple of teammates! A new scout first, a very energetic young fellow, and then a fellow magician who just happened to be my new trailermate. I look forward to seeing how they do on the job.

Have the new repairmen come looking for you yet? Surely the Ringmaster contracted at least couple of them.

[periphrasing]

I've met two of them so far, thanks in no small part to my incredible sweatshirt idea. [She gestures at the garment with pride.]

Anyway, they both seemed capable enough. One of them is actually an acquaintance from back home, believe it or not. I've never seen him in action before? But, a good friend of mine claims that he's quite the intelligent individual.

Nice Shirt, Short-Stuff

[intherigging]

[Making her way to the snack table, Jacky takes in all the new hands crowding the cookhouse with a grin.

Spotting Peridot, she elbows her much shorter friend with a grin.]

Got a good crop this time, eh?

B) Thanks she bought it with her allowance

[periphrasing]

Not a bad bunch.

[She folds her arms over her chest, frowning a bit.]

But... either they haven't assigned me many new lackeys, or my methods of drawing them out of the crowd for introductions are not working according to plan. So far I've only talked to like, two of them... out of all these people!

thats. adorable.

[intherigging]

[Jacky shrugged a shoulder.]

Dunno, mate. I've yet to see any Criers, but then again [She winks.] I ain't been lookin' too hard.

[periphrasing]

[Blink.] Why's that? Don't you want to meet who you'd be working with?