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

[pipers_son]

Well, this place has been full a surprises….

[But maybe that’s just to be expected. All the stories about the Fair Folk are full of twists and turns, and, even as a child, Joker had felt that that figuring them out was impossible. Joining the Carnival has just cemented the thought.]

[But those are things he’s gone over dozens of times while stuck here, so he lets them rest, just staying relaxed and loose in his seat. Eventually, inevitably, he starts to hum the same old nursery rhyme he’s always hummed, just to pass the time.]

[faking]

[Alois refuses to smile. He refuses to smile at the humming, although it is quite nice. Claude had never hummed, of course, nor sang, as much as Alois had wanted to. Hannah had hummed a bit in the beginning, but Alois quickly beat that out of her. Until this place, this Carnival and all its eclectic cast, Alois didn't realize how devoid of music his life had been. He almost always had to dance without a tune.

...

He refuses to smile, even as he finally presents his finished work to Joker. It's a looping of gold wire, painstakingly bent in different angles... It's a bit crude, but there's honest effort and some real latent talent in it. Evident are the flares of wire which must be Joker's hair; evident is the curve that must be the side of his face, then his jaw. It's a "portrait", as Alois had promised, no matter how ridiculous. At least it killed some time?

But he looks awfully solemn while showing it off, and for once he doesn't blurt out anything. He only says, quietly,] Could perhaps add some beads for your eyes. But, see, it's quite like you.

[That ending is just tentative to perhaps be noticeable. He desperately wants approval, but he's chewing on the inside of his cheek to keep from asking for it.]

[pipers_son]

[Alois finishing up and moving draws Joker’s eye. Removing his arm from the back of the chair, he leans forward and finds himself smiling at the look on Alois’ face. It reminds him of children much younger than the youth before him, where every game had the weight of the world in it. Seeing that kind of expression on Alois just makes him all the more endearing, and Joker does seem to take care as he looks over the “portrait”. At the end, he gives a fanciful little whistle.]

Like lookin’ in my own reflection. Who knew ya had this kinda talent?

[Reaching over with careful consideration, he ruffles his hair.]

I should talk with Acquisition sometime, see if we can’t get ya more things ta make portraits outta.

[faking]

[With Joker's hand tousling his hair, Alois squeezes his eyes shut. He can't remember the last time someone did that to him. Literally can't remember it. But he remembers doing it to someone else, a little boy even littler than him, and... It was always really nice, right? This is nice, too. So his eyes are pinched tightly shut, like he's being cuffed, but he lets out a slow breath and feels his cheeks heating up.

Once he opens his eyes again, he doesn't quite make eye contact.] Oh, but then everyone will want their portrait done. And I won't want to do 'em for all and sundry. No, no, this is... best saved for special occasions.

[pipers_son]

Well, I'm glad I warrant enough ta count as a special occasion.

[Laughing softly and fondly, he stretches his arm out in front of him.]

Now then, make sure ta put it ta other uses, so the Ringmaster can't say none of us are slackin' off. And- [His grin turns ever more playful.] I'll still see if I can't find ya some materials ta practice with.