⇨ 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

karaoke night

[wild_magic]

[Susan is wandering, seeing if he can find people who seem willing to talk and might be able to answer his questions. Mostly that just means people who don't look incredibly intimidating and maybe look a little more unusual than just an average human, and Gottlieb definitely fits the bill. And so a bit later on in the night the boy approaches his table, hoping he can get another person to weigh in on this issue.]

Hi, are you busy?

[veinglory]

[The vampire looks up from his empty mug, eyes half-lidded in sleepy bliss. It's clear he's not too long for bed, but seems in good cheer.]

Mm, not at all dear boy. How may I be of assistance?

[wild_magic]

Do you know anything about skeletons?

[veinglory]

[Well, goodness, that snaps him right out of sleep! His eyes widen and he sits straight up.]

They're dreadfully unsettling! Seeing them move with no skin to speak of? I do not understand it at all!

[wild_magic]

[He laughs a little at that.]

It is pretty weird! I don't know how it works.

[veinglory]

[He leans in, whispering while his eyes dart around to make sure no skeletons are within earshot.]

Have you noticed how... jolly all of them are? You would think they would be miserable.

[wild_magic]

Well, wouldn't you be happy if you stopped being dead, too?

[veinglory]

[Now that hits close to home. He taps his chin thoughtfully.]

I suppose I'm pretty happy in spite of it, actually.

[wild_magic]

[Okay, that makes him pause while he puzzles that out...]

You died...? [Because that's weird. And that means this is another person he needs to try and make sure Lauren either never meets or knows about ahead of time at least.]

[veinglory]

Yes and no. I stopped being human, and therefore did not die when I should have... but some consider me dead!

[wild_magic]

So you're undead. [Definitely someone to keep his brother away from. He doesn't mind, though, personally, as long as they don't cause trouble, but he knows Lauren wouldn't care about that.]

But you still don't know more about skeletons?

[veinglory]

I had not seen one that was alive until I came here! ... and I suppose not the dead sort either, except in art.

[There's a small frown.]

I am sorry I couldn't be of more help! You seem like a sweet child.

[wild_magic]

It's okay! You were still helpful, thanks for talking to me. [He smiles.]

Um, also, if you see my brother, you should probably stay away from him... Or not let him know about the... Dead thing.

[veinglory]

[The comment makes Gottlieb look a bit taken aback. The people in his town are so used to him, it's been a long time since he's met anyone who might be afraid. But, he gives a hesitant nod.]

I... suppose I can. I don't want to cause any trouble. What does he look like?

[wild_magic]

Well... He looks a little like me, but he's a lot taller. He has brown hair, and pointy ears, and he always kind of doesn't like talking to people so he stays on the sides... He's really good, but, this one time these undead guys came and killed everyone in our village so he doesn't like people like that any more.

[veinglory]

... oh. Oh my. That is simply awful! Beyond awful! The poor child!

[He nods again, clearly bothered by the story but with firmer resolve.]

I shall do my best. You... have my word. I will avoid him at all costs.

[wild_magic]

Thank you... Sorry for asking something so weird. I just don't want either of you getting in trouble or anything.

[veinglory]

Please don't apologize. I understand entirely.

[He gives a deep and courtly bow, which is a tad wobbly but no less earnest.]

I hope your brother is able to find solace, somehow, in spite of his circumstances.