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

ota

[pipers_son]

[...But, for the most part, it seems like Joker is content to let his workers be curious on this first day. In the days after, he'll press harder, because shows are coming up, but he knows that first days are the hardest for newcomers.]

[Let no one say he isn't nice.]

[...He's also a little distracted, however, making what appear to be a bunch of... signs? Feel free to bother him during this Very Professional task.]

[Alternatively, if he sees someone who looks like they're going to hurt themselves doing something stupid or simply not doing any work whatsoever, expect him to notice rather quickly and come to investigate.]

[mylastchance]

[Not only is Lauren not doing anything, he is trying to leave.]

[pipers_son]

[Well, there's always one... Joker casually calls out without raising his head.]

Where ya headin', Lauren?

[mylastchance]

Um...

Out?

[pipers_son]

Out wheeeeere?

[The sing song tone isn’t needed, but a lot of things about Joker aren’t needed. Sorry, Lauren.]

[mylastchance]

...You know. Just out.

Looking for... inspiration.

[pipers_son]

[Finally placing down a marker, Joker lets his chin rest in his hand as he looks over to the boy.]

Well, before ya head out, mind comin’ over here for a second? Just a quick chat, s’all.

[mylastchance]

[He hesitates, but only for a second before heading over to Joker. Is he going to get in trouble?]

[dragonsattendant]

[ Well, she hates to interrupt him, but this is important. ]

Um, excuse me! Mr. Joker, I have a question... Maybe several.

[pipers_son]

[Promptly, she has his attention.]

Well, I'm here for as long as ya need me, ha ha, so what's on yer mind? And just 'Joker' is fine.

[dragonsattendant]

Okay, well... what is it I'm supposed to be doing, exactly? It seems like my job here is going to be really different from my duties at home... and I don't even know what kind of beasts I'm supposed to be taming!

[ She's anxious about it, but not so much for her own safety as it is new job jitters. ]

[pipers_son]

Ah, well… As an animal tamer, what ya gotta do is coordinate with interestin’ or fearsome animals and have them perform. But hey now, don’t worry.

[Automatic big brother instinct has him reach over to fondly pat her head, gentler than usual since his hand is wood.]

First things first! Have ya met a chap named Ginko yet?

[puddingemote]

Hey, Manager.

[Tamaki ambles up, looking a little lost. He's not sure what he should be doing, and without any direction he'll probably end up wandering off to play games somewhere. But this is work, so he's trying to take it seriously.]

What does an acrobat do?

[pipers_son]

[Ah. So a complete newbie, but clearly with some talent if the Ringmaster made her decision. Joker clicks a pen shut and gets up to his feet, looking Tamaki over.]

Well, a few different things, but we'll see what yer good at first.

[Trapeze would mean a partner, but... Joker taps his chin.]

Have ya ever heard of aerial silks?

[puddingemote]

Aerial silks...

[It's clear from his perplexed look that he has not.]

Throwing a scarf in the air?

[He waves his hand around in a (very) rough approximation of a scarf fluttering through the breeze.]

[pipers_son]

[Joker only barely manages to hide his laugh behind his hand at the description, eyes shining.]

Ha! Not quite. The aerial part is supposed ta be you. Hold on- I used ta do a bit of it before I grew wings, so I’ll show ya. Follow me.

[Getting up, he starts to lead the way from where along and delicate looking strips of fabric loosely hang from somewhere high in the tent. They’re of all different widths, with some even big enough for someone to wrap themselves in them. He gestures to them.]

Basically, durin’ a performance, ya climb one of these and start ta do all sorts of acrobatic feats with ‘em- swingin’, twistin’ yerself up in ‘em, all sorts of stuff.

[puddingemote]

Whoa. Really?

[Tamaki reaches out and tugs on one of the silks, giving it a tug. He looks a little skeptical about the whole thing, eyeing it critically.]

But won't they break?

[He doesn't see how fabrics like this could possibly hold him in the air. Shirts and things tear easily!]

[pipers_son]

[In response, Joker suddenly extends his wings and launches himself into the air with a few strong flaps. Reaching out, he squeezes his wings shut tight at the same time as he wraps his hand firmly around the silk. If the swinging some 20 feet in the air concerns him, he doesn’t show it, just humming as he expertly starts to twist his feet and legs through the material before flopping backwards.]

[Perfect hangman pose with his hand free as he curls it around the back of his head.]

Nah, they don’t break.

[puddingemote]

[Tamaki isn't sure which part was the more amazing part of what just happened - that Joker can fly, or that Joker can pull off such an incredible move with the silks. Honestly, he's leaning toward the later; obviously you can fly with wings, but not everyone can do what Joker just did.]

Incredible! [He claps a little, too.] So they're really strong... and I'm going to do that?

[atouts]

A moment, if you are not too busy?

[ Something he only asks out of politeness, however bare bones it is. Making signs doesn't really strike him as all that important.

Childermass hasn't been practicing in the most common sense, since he'll first need to plot out a few things to practice, but that isn't why he's left off from where he's been seated -- writing down ideas, crossing them out again, and who knows what else in the little memo book he had with him -- since this morning.

Now, he's put that all away for this particular conversation, once he spots an opening where none of the others are idling around too close to Joker. ]

[pipers_son]

For one of my performers? Ain’t ever busy enough.

[Clicking a pen closed, he shifts to face Childermass better and leans back. The pen he keeps in his fingers, twisting it around lazily.]

So, what can I do for ya?

[atouts]

I've been wondering, do those who work here have to answer to all supervisors or only to their own?

[pipers_son]

[One of Joker’s eyebrows slowly raises. For some reason, that fills him with a little bit of dread…]

Technically speakin’, only me, really, save for common sense things like the Warden tellin’ ya ta scarper. Well, me and the Ringmaster, but that mostly doesn’t need ta be said. Still, smart ta pay everyone a bit a respect. Why?

[atouts]

I felt it prudent to know just what the chain of command here might be, that's all.

[ Clearly this is a matter of simple curiosity and absolutely nothing terrible has happened. Well, in actuality, nothing terrible has happened yet, so that much wouldn't be a lie. In any case, Childermass seems as neutral as ever while answering. ]

I take it that applies to who's allowed to dole out punishment, as well?

[pipers_son]

[Well… If he’s lying, it’s one hell of a poker face, so Joker doesn’t pursue it. Instead, he just shrugs.]

In theory. I mean, us supervisors got enough on our plate without gettin’ all bothered about someone in some other tosser’s area, so if there’s a problem, someone’s just likely ta come ta me. Of course, that doesn’t mean they might not be right bastards ta ya, dependin’ on who it is.

Ah…. And, of course, the Ringmaster gets involved in anythin’ breakin’ one of the three golden rules, or if somethin’ threatens the carnival itself.