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

[waitingforplayer2]

It's...

[ She thinks there's more to it than that. But she's been proven wrong before. ]

So... are we winning?

[faking]

It's not a— [Not a game, he would say, but he gives a frustrated huff instead. He drops the bead, too, letting it bounce on the tabletop before starting to roll. Then he lowers himself into a sulk, somewhere between drained and personally offended, resting his chin on the table.]

No, because you can't "win" at "life". I mean, you'll die eventually. That's not loss, it's just an inevitability. Staying alive isn't winning. It isn't a game, didn't you hear me say that, it isn't one... It's a... performance. Life is a performance, and when you do things— [In gesture, like a know-it-all, he prods at his unfinished dreamcatcher.] When you do things, you're just carrying on. When you stop doing things, that's it. No winning or losing, just the end.

[...]

This business from the Ringmaster, whatever whim she wants, I don't know, maybe it's a game to her. But probably we're just its parts. That's what I think. Best, in that case, to do it and get it over with, you know?

[Despite his dawdling.]

[waitingforplayer2]

[ Her materials lie forgotten. She takes out her console but doesn't turn it on. She rests her head on her arms, too. ]

I guess I don't really play games to win... [ She thinks, looking at her reflection in the screen, the funny ears twitching back at her. ] I mean, that happens when I play them, usually. But I already know what's at the end of Gala Omega. I don't need to see it again. But I do anyway.

Hmm... maybe goals aren't the goal. [ And that's some deep philosophical shit. She looks at him. ]

She's really performative, anyway. Especially with all this. [ Gesturing at her ears and his stone growths. ]

[faking]

[The crease between his eyebrows smooths. His expression is melting into something thoughtful and resigned in equal parts. His mouth is a line, chin still atop the table, but...]

I think the goal, [he mumbles, reluctant to be so honest,] is a feeling you get.

[He chews on his lip a moment, wondering if he'll regret the admittance. Then he blows out just enough air to puff out his bangs for a second.]

I mean, you've sort of got to be performative, in a life like this. It's theatrical in many ways. She has me lying for her all the time.

[waitingforplayer2]

[ That... first thing sounds really nice, actually. And interesting.

She'll have to consider it. But the second thing's what grabs her attention. ]

About what?

[faking]

[The weird wash of relief he gets is a feeling like rosy cheeks. Better not to address his truthfulness; better to be flippant instead.]

Oh, you know, she wants me to be tricksy, lead people astray. Basically I've just got to play pretend, so I can get them to play, too. It's easy work.

[waitingforplayer2]

So you're an actor.

[ Chiaki goes back to her work. ] I guess in a campaign you might be a bard, or maybe a rogue. It depends on what kind of lying you're doing, I suppose.