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

Aaah, more than anything, [he adds, but his expression, if anything, grows still more distressed. There is a great level of discomfort here, even with a positive answer.] ...Yet with what burdens them now, the thought of even considering to leave such a weight upon their shoulders seems unforgivable.

More than that, it is not just a matter of keeping such a thing secret-I, the man Gongenzaka, wished to carry what I learn into the dojo that I am to inherit.

...if I, the man Gongenzaka, cannot do that however...

[Well. His ear flicks.] ...Then what sort of dojo master am I meant to become?

One who seems ta think carefully about what he does, by the looks of it.
[Still… Joker’s expression goes uncharacteristically quiet and contemplative. He knows the troubles of this sort of thing… Heavy is the head that weighs the crown, right? And he knows what it’s like being forced to make serious decisions that you can’t bring to anyone else you trust, because they got enough on their plate.]

[Taking a breath, he thinks carefully.]

….Well. In the end, places are always changin’. And if ya want ta be honest ta yerself and what you’ve decided, then best just tell folks about it.
Guess it comes down ta honesty versus responsibility.

...Hmmmm... [So Joker says, but somehow the worry is still ever pressing. It is more than just seeing if they can accept ACTUAL magic, from where they stood in the dueling world. Aside from being steadfast, aside from staying firm against their opponents, there was that extra resistance to change...

...Something he'd already turned his head against.] ...Do you feel...they could be capable of it? Of magic?

...I, the man Gongenzaka, was so devoid of it, I was nearly unable to return. ...Now, in this body, it seems possible, yet...is that the case for those in my world then?

Well why not?

I mean, now, I ain’t an expert…. This is the sorta thing ya talk with Sans or Mari about. But it seems like magic is just… guidin’ energy ta how ya want it, right? And if this place can get ta yer world, then it seems ta me that there’s probably at least a trickle of that sorta thing comin’ through yer world anyway, yeah?

….But like I said. I ain’t an expert about this sorta thing.

Then you think it is a matter of 'unlocking'..? [....Hmmm. He supposes that bears some thinking. After all, he had never sought magic out, not in the slightest. Meditation was a focus, in particular; the thing that could have gotten him there...

...He does not feel speaking with Mari would be too helpful. He doesn't know her, after all, so that already seems awkward to him. And as for Sans, he has a sneaking suspicion he may have said or done something to upset the other. It's the feeling he gets.

An expert....] ....I, the man Gongenzaka, feel I understand, then.

....Thank you, Joker.

Ain’t a problem~. Sometimes just chattin’ these things out helps, doesn’t it?
[At least, he hopes it helped, but there’s no real way to know, unless his advice results in, he doesn’t know, a city catching on fire. Hopefully not, ‘tho. He might feel bad about that.]

Anyway, has that thing been buggin’ ya the whole time you’ve been here?

Hmmm! So it does. [It doesn't feel much like he knows what to do still, but... ...well, he supposes he'll have to put some more thought into it, and at the very least focus on this scroll.

He is again, silent when Joker asks his question. And after some consideration, he manages an answer.] I... ...I, the man Gongenzaka, will admit that it is only recently that it came to mind as it is, but I cannot speak for it it may not have been a thought in the back of my mind for a while. Coming to this place, I knew that 'magic' here was not the same as the magic of cards...

...but I, the man Gongenzaka, was shamefully stubborn, clinging to the methods of training that I was familiar with. I formed excuses, and shied away from even the thought!

...The Ringmaster... [Well. He grimaces, remembering the chat in Atlantis.] ...she noticed this, and has rather bluntly brought it to my attention. [ow]

...I, the man Gongenzaka, came here to train, and to learn.

...But thus far, I have not done that at all.

Ah.

[And they both know how the Ringmaster can be sometimes.]

Well…. That kinda thing is normal, I think. S’not always easy ta change, huh? Or when ya do, it’s not the way ya were hopin’ or expectin’.

[She can be quite a 'thing', that's for certain, but..

Gongenzaka chokes-] I- I, the man Gongenzaka, would have to say change cannot be expected in the first place..!

...Certainly not the sort that works toward any particular goal... [Part of him feels nervous just saying it-there is change, and then there is 'rebellion from a cause', turning his back on something rather than adapting it. Adaptation was what he came for-not the alternative, and he needs to be careful to keep that in mind he thinks.]

Oh yeah? Ya really don’t think so? Even if it was somethin’ that ya were tryin’ ta do, or figured it might be a consequence of yer actions?

Mmn! Those are changes, but not in the sense that true change comes, I should think. A true change...that is something you can never truly expect, after all.

Well… I think that kinda thing is beyond me, because it just seems like they’re similar roads ta the same place. But that ain’t the important thing here, is it?

Aah, indeed it is not.

...The important thing... [Well. He sighs, but it doesn't sound to be a disappointed one at least. More relived, than anything.] ...Well, I, the man Gongenzaka, have as many answers as can be granted for now, and that much is important when it comes to moving onward.

Right! And now that ya have what answers ya can get, ya should go and relax~. I mean, if ya think for too much, ya might just think yerself inta a corner.

[That probably doesn’t make too much sense, at least not without further explanation, but Joker is offering his hand with a grin regardless.]

Auh....

[Truth be told he's not sure he knows how to PROPERLY relax... But, he nods, and takes that hand.] ....Understood, [he opts to instead say.]

Alright~!

[And he starts to guide him along, but not without one last thing to say-]

And ya won't even have ta worry about havin' ta flirt with people

Right!

[Wait wh-] A-

Hauh?!

⇨ THE CELEBRATION

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I'm so tempted to just 'cut to black' from here because wOW JOKER...