lostcarnival | ⇨ THE CELEBRATION

Who: Everyone, especially YOU.
When: Day 60 - Day 65
Where: The Celebration
What: The carnival workers are invited to spend the week within the realm of the Celebration, the grounds of a party that has been going on for centuries. Accommodations are luxurious, but those with keen instincts might notice something off about this whole arrangement... (Questions can go to the original setting post!)
Warnings: Booze, drugs, sex, and everything in between.

THE CELEBRATION↴

If you observe that the layout of the Celebration grounds seem inconsistent, then you would be correct. In reality, what lies at the end of each corridor depends largely on what the guests of the Celebration want at the time - if a few people find themselves craving a drink, a bar may appear. If a group finds themselves wanting to dance, a club will open up. This goes on at all hours of the night, and given how many dedicated partiers fill the building, the services are well used. It isn't instantaneous, and the Host has to consciously decide to provide that service, but the changes are fast none-the-less.

► ROOMS: Each trailer pair will be assigned a room to themselves - whether or not it has two double beds or a single king sized bed seems essentially random. Hopefully you aren't too sensitive about keeping that space to yourself. The curtains at the far side of the room don't actually lead outside, but instead to a walk-in closet filled with the Host's best guesses at the type of clothing you might like. They may not hit the nail on the head, but at the very least all the clothing will be in your size. The styles could be just about anything, from any universe, but they do tend to average out to clothing that is Earth-ish. Either that, or clothing that looks like they are meant for elves from a high fantasy novel to wear.

► SHOPPING: If none of your pre-picked outfits tickle your fancy, plenty of boutiques and clothing shops can also be found around the grounds - whatever you're thinking of, you'll probably be able to find a shop appropriate for it eventually. Though, maybe it doesn't really count as shopping if you don't have to pay for any of the things you take back to your room with you? Unfortunately, from the sounds of it, you won't be allowed to drag all of your haul back to the carnival with you, so you better enjoy it while you can.

► DINING: There is no daily schedule to follow, after you arrive. You are free to attend the dining room whenever you wish, and will be seated at large round tables with whoever else may be around at the time, and can either order from the menu or most dishes you may think of off the top of your head. If you don't like the fine dining experience, there are also a selection of smaller cafes and eateries that open and close at varying times of day - and, of course, you can always call for room service.

► ENTERTAINMENT: There is plenty of live music around the grounds (not that you can ever seem to remember who the performers were afterwards) whether it comes to harp music while you eat or a full set of DJs in the club you found. If you are inclined to look for them, you may also find some cozy lounges with big screen TVs, and access to a multi-universal quantity of films. What's there or isn't there is unpredictable, but if you come from a standard variety of Earth you probably recognize some of them.

► SUBSTANCES: You don't have to be coy about it - just ask one of your servers, and you'll be able to get whatever kind of vices you might be craving. Drugs, alcohol, ice cream... it's all good. If this sounds like a nightmare for potential addicts, you would be correct. It's not uncommon to see people clearly over-indulging in certain locations, though guests are usually escorted back to their rooms if they take ill - only to see them back at it again the next day.

► SPA DAY: If you'd like to take a swim, pools of various aesthetics are easy to find. So are hot tubs, and saunas, and Host servants who are willing to give you a massage or manicure. If the party crowd isn't your scene, there are plenty of more low-key opportunities to indulge.

► GREENSPACE: There is one park area on the grounds, which appears to be constructed on the rooftops of other parts of the complex. While there are trees and greenery, there is no real sky that you can see - only the illusion of one. It may start to occur to you over time that no window or rooftop actually leads to any kind of outdoors. The Celebration really is there only thing here.

These are really just examples, and you can get creative with what kind of services you find offered while here, when it comes to generally mundane comforts. It really feels like the Host wants to win you over, as if you staying just a little longer has some sort of intrinsic appeal.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Well obviously there isn't going to be much to do about it..! This isn't really the first place we've been to where it's been sort of like that after all... [CoughMatrixCough

In any case, the bird gives a shrill sort of hissing whistle, likely a close attempt at sucking in a breath to calm herself down.] ...It's just a good idea to be more careful about things, because of that!

It's easy to lose yourself if you don't think about the risks!

[ Lose yourself, huh? If you asked Lambert, he'd say the idea holds a certain appeal to it. But he's nowhere near drunk enough to say such a thing to a relatively recent acquaintance he doesn't have the measure of. ]

Thanks for the warning. I'll keep that in mind.

[ Haha nope just kidding Carly, he's going to end up making some questionable decisions in the not so distant future! For now, though, he's still himself, even if it's just a pleasantly buzzed version of him. ]

What do you mean, it's not the first place?

[Somehow she doesn't believe you, and she can't put her ~~talon~~ finger on why. But she's hardly in any spot to argue over if someone is taking her seriously or not, so the bird just huffs a little before explaining.] Oh-!

I mean, it's not the first world where we couldn't just go in and 'fix' everything..! Even though it's really creepy...we probably wouldn't be able to pull these people out of whatever they're in without causing a lot of trouble...

More trouble than we can handle, definitely!

Doesn't seem like they're in the need of much rescuing to me.

[ As they're surrounded by plenty of examples of people laughing, having conversation, and just generally having a good time, it's hard to argue otherwise... but despite the sardonic tone of his voice, Lambert looks thoughtful. ]

Can't really 'fix' a realm that operates by its own rules. The only thing you can do is protect the people that matter. For now, we're guests. It'll probably be better if we don't make ourselves intruders.

Just because someone looks happy doesn't mean they're not cursed..! [Oof! People like you are why lotus eater machines exist! The continued comments just have the bird flying into an even greater mental frenzy at that-] Th-That's what I was just saying..! Why do you think I'm trying to warn you instead of dragging these people away!

Still not my problem unless someone's paying me for it.

[ She's so easy to rile up, it almost feels cruel to keep going, but he thinks it's hilarious, sadly. Being lectured by a bird of all things... ]

I'm touched by the concern, but I don't know if you're the best judge of bad decisions.

N-Nightrunners get paid..!! [Hey! Hey!! ~~LISTEN!~~

...Oooh. That last bit certainly gets her to slow down and sober up, however, and her voice grows rather quiet.] ...And what's that supposed to mean..?

I've never heard of a deal made out of desperation that ended well.

[ He'll drain his drink at that point, then prop his chin on his hand, glancing sideways, and suddenly grins, even if it is too sharp and full of teeth. He obviously finds it amusing, all the same. ]

But hey, you're still alive. Maybe you'd be the first.

[It's astonishing how stone still she can seem despite still beating her wings around some hundreds of times per second. Yet that is exactly what Carly seems to do, her beak tight and her eyes narrowed.]

Maybe you should consider where it's your place to question deals, while we're in a carnival such as this then.

[A contract is its own deal, after all.]

[ So she isn't all fluff and flutter, huh? Well, she wouldn't be in the position she's in if she was. He waves the bartender down for another drink. ]

Did I ever claim it was? [ But that doesn't stop him for sharing unsolicited opinions. ] We're all here for our own reasons.

..That's right. We are. [Certainly not all fluff and flutter, though she's not entirely sure where to go from here.

...In the end, she weighs her options and readies to leave.] ...Just know that whatever mine were for my 'deal', the results are for me to judge, and only me, then..!

[Even if her contract with the demon really is as Lambert suspects-another sour ending.]

Yeah, yeah, I got it. [ Okay, he should try to be a little more gracious because they're supposed to be coworkers, so this is him trying to be conciliatory. ]

As long as Aslla Piscu knows we're fighting on the same side, I don't care.

[ Bam, nailed it. Lambert flicks his fingers at her a little, either a wave goodbye or shooing her away -- it's hard to tell. ]

Don't let me keep you.

Whether Aslla Piscu wants to be or not, he's on our side, [she answers rather cryptically. But....ahh.

She leaves it at that, and flies off. Not even a goodbye. (Rude!!)]

⇨ THE CELEBRATION

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