⇨ ATLANTIS

[ringleaders]

Who: Everyone!
When: The morning of D44 and onward.
Where: The ocean realm of Atlantis.
What: The carnival abruptly arrives at an underwater realm, and everyone is transfigured into merpeople just as suddenly.
Warnings: Body horror, I guess.

THE CITY OF ATLANTIS↴ The visit starts without much warning, but at least there is a full week of free time before performances start. In the meantime, your characters will be given ample opportunity to adjust their acts for an underwater audience, get used to their new fishy appendages, or just spend the whole time enjoying the sights and sounds of Atlantis city. King Triton will not be immediately seen, but it's possible to gain an audience with him if you get in contact with the ambassadors of the kingdom. Just, make sure that you're not wasting his time. He's a lot less patient with nonsense than the Ringmaster is. ► FISH FRIDAY: You fell asleep, whether or not that's something you usually do, and the next morning you wake up as one of the merfolk. A few last additions may grow in after you're awake, but for the most part everyone will have a method of swimming and a method of breathing underwater transfigured into them upon waking. Don't worry about your belongings - everything is waterproofed, and technology will work the same underwater as it does above it. That doesn't mean there won't be plenty to get used to, though. ► GREAT BLUE YONDER: The ocean realm where Atlantis resides is enormous, and the depths seem to be unending. Despite the fact that there doesn't seem to be any surface, sun glimmers all the way down to the ocean floor. Atlanteans use creatures like whales and dolphins as rides and beasts of burden, and they can be seen swimming in and out of the city as constantly as roadways filed with cars in earth civilization. Beyond that, there's everything you would expect to see on the ocean floor here - huge reefs of coral, both familiar and exotic, enormous ocean plants, deep ocean trenches, and all kinds of weird critters living in them. There are a mix of mythical and standard ocean creatures, and are likely a combined populations of many oceans worth of beings. ► THE ATLANTEAN MARKET: The Atlantean market (aka the "merket") is a long trench between rows of buildings in the middle of the city, lit with bio-luminescent plants and rocks, and filled with all kinds of weird mer stuff that you can buy. There are a great many individual booths, mostly with hand crafted wares and objects that have been salvaged from various sunken ships. The Ringmaster has already traded a large number of goods to the merfolk here, and has taken the profit to award each worker with 100 Atlantean Gold to spend as they please. One gold is worth roughly five USA dollars, for a comparison of how much that is. There is a top level set up below in which characters can make their purchases, and you can also handwave the purchase of random common, necessary items (food, drink, etc) at your convenience. ► TREASURE HUNTING: Right now, the only major salvage areas are a few left over sunken ships that have mostly been picked over by the merfolk. However, you are welcome to head over to them and explore, and see if fortune smiles on you when it comes to finding anything that hasn't been taken yet. The current options are three similar looking brigantine that all probably came from the same world. Merfolk do not seem to consider them to be anything extraordinary, though magical items and gold have allegedly been found within them. Whether or not anything is left, is the real question. ► LIMELIGHTING: Merfolk are curious and generally socially forward, as a species. This mean that they find the carnival's workers to be a fascinating novelty, and also are unafraid to make that fascination obvious. Given the opportunity, merfolk will demand your character's attention for bombardments of questions and for general socializing, especially if they are particularly unusual for some reason. Don't be surprised if you get invited to stay at total stranger's houses, or dragged off to a merfolk bar to surprise party with their friends. They'll let you say no, reluctantly, but they will also be pleased as punch to get up in your gill. It's also possible to make some money, this way, if you're willing to do street performances, or are willing to sell your "skills" in a more private environment. Yes, there are opportunities to become a fish hooker if you are so inclined. Merfolk may also offer money to take you as arm candy to various public events, escort style. They don't consider this to be a particularly socially inappropriate thing to do, either. You can ask general questions about this setting over on the event post. There are top levels below for buying Atlantean merch, and also for making dolla dolla, if your character is inclined to try.

Comments

[phichitchu]

[At the sound of his name, Phichit jerks his head around in the direction he thought he heard it coming from, sending bubbles flying around him. The voice was too familiar to be forgotten, and when he saw Yuuri, bracing himself against a barrel as the tentacles at the end of his tail fluttered in all directions, he beamed like the Sun itself and swam right over to his friend.]

Yuuri! Yuuri, I'm part of the carnival now with you!

[musicinmotion]

[Yuuri stayed where he was since Phichit was coming over to him--and seemed to have this swimming thing down better than he did anyway--torn between smiling in delight and frowning in worry because yet another person he cared about was stuck here now.]

When did you--how--Phichit-kun, what did you do to end up here?

[You and Victor are going to be the death of him!]

[phichitchu]

[At least he has the shame to look a little bit sheepish, as he admits:]

I sort of got caught peeking into a tent, eheh... But this honestly sounds pretty exciting! I mean, a year of traveling to weird places and working hard to make people happy? And then when we get home, it'll be like we never left? And I get to be with you the whole time??

[He was back to beaming as he put an arm around Yuuri's back and hoisted him up, offering wordlessly to help him find his balance.]

I was convinced to work with the wardrobe department, so it'll be kind of weird for me not getting up on stage for months! What job do you have?

[musicinmotion]

Phichit...

[You're just as bad as Victor. It's hard to stay mad, though, when the other starts beaming again after rattling off how exciting it all will be.

At least he's not alone. Yuuri honestly feels a bit better about all this having Victor and now Phichit here.

A muffled, bubbly sound of surprise escapes him as he's hoisted up and he grabs at Phichit's shoulders to steady himself as his tentacles automatically start to move to keep him upright.]

I'm--ah--actually going to be a showman! [Sheepish smile is sheepish.] Looks like you get to dress me up, Phichit-kun.

[phichitchu]

[Phichit is patient, and doesn't plan on letting go of Yuuri anytime soon, especially not while he's this unbalanced.]

Your tail looks really inconvenient. Do you have control over every individual tentacle, or do they do their own thing?

[He laughs, tempted to ask if they're prehensile, then to lament that it's too bad Viktor isn't here to see them. It'll be a callback to the time they discovered tentacle hentai.

But he already disappointed Yuuri enough just by getting roped into a contract, so he'll save the teasing for later.]

A showman! You'll be perfect at it, of course. Maybe I should help you practice, when I can, so that I don't fall out of shape. But dressing you up and doing your makeup will be fun, too.

[musicinmotion]

[You are seriously a life saver, you know that?]

They just sort of move on their own right now. I don't have too much control over it.

[Unless he's on the ground and just kind of shuffle hopping along. Then it's a bit easier. Swimming though? Hah. Yeah no.

A blush stains his cheeks at the compliment but he's still smiling, almost grinning now as he tilts his head.]

We'll have to find out if that's alright. I don't see why it would be a problem! Having someone to practice with will help me figure out what to do when I'm suppose to perform.

[phichitchu]

You've been performing your whole life, haven't you? You told me you started ballet even before you started skating. I'm sure you have plenty of old choreography to recycle.

Were you headed anywhere specific just now? I could give you a lift.

[musicinmotion]

True..I mean, only you and Victor have seen me perform before so I guess that does give me something of an advantage!

[And made him feel a little less stressed over the entire thing.]

No, I was just trying to get a feel for everything. And I kind of wanted to check out, well, all the new stuff?

[phichitchu]

[Phichit laughs.] Everything here is new stuff. I feel like Jack Skellington in Christmas Town, except in the Little Mermaid world instead? Like, "What's this? There's bubbles everywhere! What's this, there's guppies in the air!"

[musicinmotion]

[The sheer enthusiasm and delight that Phichit is showing towards all of this has Yuuri laughing, a fond look in his eyes as he tilts his head.]

You're going to have way too much fun down here, aren't you?

[phichitchu]

I hope so. How many times in my life will I actually get to be a merman, Yuuri? I have to make the most of it now!

[He beams and runs his fingers through Yuuri's floaty hair.]

What if there are sirens around? What if we're actually sirens, and we just don't know it?

[musicinmotion]

[Oh Phichit how are you so adorable?]

I guess I can't argue with that!

[This was sort of a once in the lifetime experience.

Yuuri's gaze softens as fingers go through his hair.]

I doubt we're sirens, Phichit-kun. Everyone here seems way too peaceful to be a siren!

[phichitchu]

[What does being peaceful have to do with being a siren? Oh, wait--]

I meant the mythology kind? Like, imagine if you sing, and everyone who hears you falls in love with you!

[musicinmotion]

Oh! I..I mean, maybe we could be?

[He hadn't considered that. It would be a little strange.]

I'm not exactly a singer so I didn't think to try singing.

[phichitchu]

[Phichit laughed.] Too bad there are no duets in The Little Mermaid... but we should sing something else. Oh! But maybe you don't want to, since you're totally in love with Viktor?

[And then, a sudden look of horror.] No wonder you're upset about being here! A whole year without Viktor, can you survive that?!

[musicinmotion]

[Yuuri looked momentarily surprised before he gave Phichit a shy little smile.]

Viktor's..actually here. He ended up here around the same time I did.

[phichitchu]

[His look of horror quickly melted into a delighted, playful smile.]

Oh nooooooo, [he said in the same tone.] I interrupted your honeymoon!!

[musicinmotion]

[And that has Yuuri laughing as he shakes his head and makes a grab for Phichit's hands.]

You aren't interrupting anything, Phichit-kun! We didn't exactly plan to end up with the carnival.

[phichitchu]

[He lets his hands be taken, smiles down at where they are interlocked.]

But you'll make the most of it, right? No careers, no paparazzi, no one who knows either of you! You can get away with anything.

[musicinmotion]

We'll try. He's working with the animals though so we won't get to work together. Looks like I'll get to spend more time with you, Phichit-kun!

[Which wasn't a bad thing. He and Victor would find time to spend together--he was going to take every opportunity he could to be with Phichit.]

[phichitchu]

[Phichit really couldn't help but be happy about that. He couldn't even pretend to be upset for Yuuri.]

I... Back home, I was kind of getting scared you wouldn't need me as much anymore.

[musicinmotion]

[Yuuri can't help but frown some.]

Why wouldn't I..Phichit-kun, you're my best friend! Just because I'm in a relationship doesn't mean that's going to change.

[phichitchu]

I know! But you know how irrational fears can be.. I guess I just thought, if you need me to comfort you and remind you you're loveable, and stuff, that Viktor can do that a lot better than I can.

[musicinmotion]

I'm always going to need and want you in my life, Phichit. [Yuuri's expression softens as he smiles fondly at the other.] Being with Victor isn't going to change that. And just like how you've helped me through irrational fears in the past, I'll help you through yours!

[He brightens then and gives the other's hand a tug, swimming forward a bit.]

Come on! Let's fumble our way to check out the city!

[phichitchu]

[Phichit shook his head, trying to clear out the doubts he had. If Yuuri said he'd always want him, then he was going to believe it.

And then he was being pulled along, and he laughed as Yuuri dragged him through the water. Especially since it was Yuuri.]

Are you trying to be me now?