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

[mylastchance]

[He doesn't hesitate, but he definitely isn't making eye contact. He doesn't like talking to people, always worried he's going to embarrass himself.]

You'd be right.

[pipers_son]

I figured.

[Letting out a breath, Joker leans back and scratches the back of his neck.]

Ya wouldn’t be the first, trust me. I’ve had ta deal with plenty a folks who don’t want ta be here, even workin’ under me. But…. S’just a year. And it goes quick. Quicker if ya don’t start trouble.

[He raises his hand up placatingly.]

Which sounds bad, I know, but think of it like if ya break somethin’ in a store and the shopkeep tells ya ta work it off. That’s how she’s thinkin’ of it…. Sort of.

[At least, that’s the logic Joker has used to try and calm people down before, so he just hopes it works.]

[mylastchance]

...I know.

I don't really mind working it off I guess. I just don't think I can be any kind of performer.

[pipers_son]

Yeah? Mind tellin’ me why? I am yer stage manager- I’ll help if I can, promise ya that.

[mylastchance]

....I don't like people watching me.

[He sort of just slumps over, embarrassed at even admitting that.]

[pipers_son]

...Ah. Yeah, that’s tricky. What about bein’ watched in particular don’t ya like?

[mylastchance]

[He doesn't quite know how to answer that. The part where they are looking at him? He tries to think about it deeper though, though it takes him a second.]

I guess I'm worried I'll mess up.

[pipers_son]

And messin’ up is always worse when people are around ta see. Yeah, I know that.

[Getting up to his feet, he rests his hand along his hip.]

Well, I’ve been performin’ for a long time, so I think I can help ya out with that kind of thing… If ya want ta. Can’t teach the unwillin’, and all that.

[mylastchance]

[He's no little kid, but the way he looks at Joker in wonder.]

You can teach that?

[pipers_son]

Sure. It ain’t easy- it’s all in yer head, and that’s half more difficult than learnin’ how ta be a trapeze artist- but sometimes ya can manage. Of course…

[He shrugs.]

Some folks are just never cut out for performin’, but that’s somethin’ we won’t know for sure until we work on it.

[mylastchance]

[He looks away, thinking about that for a second, before he nods. He looks rather strangely serious.]

Okay. Please teach me.

[pipers_son]

[The seriousness is taken in stride, Joker nodding with a slight smile.]

Then we’ll start tomorrow. I’ll expect ta see ya here bright and early so that I can spend some of my attention on ya. For now, however, go take a look at the menagerie we got, since you’ll be workin’ with ‘em. Make nice with Ginko.

[mylastchance]

[He nods again to show his understanding before going to get his brother and head towards the animals.]

[Maybe this wouldn't be so bad?]

[END SCENE]