[OPEN]

[dontpokethat]

Who: Ginko and ANYONE
Where: Wherever animals are kept
When: Variable? Let’s say anytime in the week after Orientation (10/16-10/23)
What: Ginko tries to do his job, with “tries” being the operative word
Warnings: weird animals? Potentially bitey weird animals? To be added as necessary

A carnival can’t be fully experienced with just one sense. Just looking or listening isn’t enough; taking it all in requires much more than that. Of course, while smelling one’s surroundings might bring its own benefits in other parts of the carnival… well. Not so much here, unless you really like the smell of wet fur, animal waste, and lots of hay.

The menagerie is unlike any zoo that could be found in most worlds, if only for the sheer variety of animals kept there. The Ringmaster likes to pick up specimens from different worlds, the more unusual the better, and the end result is… well, not necessarily chaotic. But it’s definitely highly varied, and pretty strange.

Most hours of the day, anyone who happens to wander into the area, by accident or intentionally, is likely to run across Ginko at some point. He’s always been inclined to take his work seriously, and that certainly hasn’t changed since he started working here. The fact that he’s the only veteran keeper left after the recent mass exit doesn’t really help matters, either, and the end result is that he spends even more of his time in the menagerie than could be accounted for just by regular shifts.

Depending on when one comes by, he may just be mucking out the stalls - but a lucky visitor (or one who has the schedule memorized) may come by for feeding time, or in time to watch the process of grooming or exercising those animals that need it.

Closed to Bonnie

Ginko has to admit, after several weeks of trying to keep up with all these animals on his own, he's pretty glad to be getting help again... though he'd be happier about it if it weren't from a young child who clearly doesn't want to be here.

Unfortunately, there isn't a lot he can do about that but to try and make sure this is as good an experience for her as it can be - which means making sure she's as prepared as possible for the work ahead.

It's fairly early when it comes time for Bonnie's first work day, but not ridiculously so. Ginko's already fed those animals that need to eat early, and he's waiting at the edge of the menagerie when she arrives, cigarette in hand and elbows resting on the fence. He raises his free hand when she gets close, giving a small smile. "Hey. You ready to meet these guys?"

((OOC: Closed prompts might be added later! For open stuff, feel free to take a look at this (in-progress) spreadsheet to get an idea of what all animals there are! If you want to assume something is there but aren't sure you should, just message me.))

Comments

[dontpokethat]

"Thanks. I'll let you know." It's a nice offer, even if it's pretty unlikely that he'll need the help.

Ginko glances over his shoulder as he trades out the empty bucket for the hay and bucket of feed he needs for the mooshroom. "You know, if I end up with that stuck in my head, it's going to be entirely your fault."

[pipers_son]

“Maybe that’s my dastardly plan.” Comically exaggerated, he waggles his eyebrows before knocking it off with a laugh. If he hasn’t already infected people with that song, he’d be surprised. Old habits die hard, and that one hardest of all. “Not a fan, then?”

[dontpokethat]

Ginko laughs, too, albeit more quietly - though that's pretty much just typical of him. "It's no more of a problem than having any other song playing in my head for hours. In a way, I guess it gives me something else to focus on when work gets too tedious."

[pipers_son]

“So it all works out then.” Something occurs to Joker, however, and he taps his fingers along his thigh. “Although s’just a children’s rhyme from back in England. Y’know, the kinda thing ya sing when yer playin’ with yer mates. Ya ever hear those back in yer home?”

[dontpokethat]

He pauses for a moment, thinking, then heads for the mooshroom's pen with a shrug. "Here and there, I guess. None that I can think of that I heard frequently enough to really remember."

[pipers_son]

“Pity. Could always use some more things ta hum.” Following after Ginko with a skip, he goes through his memories. “I love those kindsa things myself. Nursery rhymes, fairy tales, all sorts. Could probably tell enough of ‘em ta last a whole week. Or, well, a day, at least.”

[dontpokethat]

"Yeah? Honestly, folk tales are a lot more up my alley than songs are. ...Especially ones having to do with mushi, which I suppose won't come as much of a surprise."

[pipers_son]

“I think the only ones who’d be surprised are all the greenhorns.” But this is making him think, now. “I wonder if maybe we could do some sorta gatherin’.... Like, y’know, around a fire or somethin’. Share stories and food. A good way for folks ta get ta know each other.”

[dontpokethat]

"Yeah, that could be a good idea. Get the new people more used to everyone."

It's probably a good thing he doesn't need to focus all that much to just dump food into the mooshroom's trough, because now he's a little more focused on Joker's suggestion than on that. The mooshroom sure doesn't seem to mind, anyway.

"We'd need to wait until things weren't so hectic, of course... but that could definitely help."

[pipers_son]

God bless the patience of the mooshroom, really. Joker leans over to scratch it behind the ears, grinning up at Ginko. “Ha, once everyone knows where ta go and what ta do, then that’ll be a decent time for somethin’ like that. For now, folks like you and me got trainin’ ta do.”

[dontpokethat]

"Sure do." He gives a quiet huff. "At least I've only got the one kid to train... long as she doesn't try to climb into the dragon's pen or something, I'll probably have it relatively easy."

[pipers_son]

“From what I’ve seen of her, she seem the sensible type, although no promises for the little mouse thing she’s got with her.” Chuckling, Joker steps away from their funguslate friend (eeeeeey) and glances up at the sky. “I should probably get back ta makin’ sure the rest of mine haven’t set the big tent on fire… Plan on havin’ dinner in the cookhouse tonight?”

[dontpokethat]

"Yeah, I gotta say, I'm a little concerned about that mouse. Going to have to keep an eye on it." The last thing this poor kid needs is for something to happen to her pet, so he can only hope it doesn't squeeze into a cage it shouldn't be in when neither of the keepers is around or something.

He snorts and straightens back up, letting the hand holding the bucket drop by his side. "Sounds like a good idea. And, yeah, I probably will. See you around then?"

[pipers_son]

“Yup!” Joker darts in for a quick one armed hug around Ginko’s back before he hops away, wings already extending. It’s faster and, alright, maybe he just really like its. “Don’t work yerself too hard, now!” And with that, he takes off, the faint glow amongst the inner feathers of his wings disappearing as he goes higher.

drops a quick closing tag on here

[dontpokethat]

Ginko barely notices the hug before Joker leaves - which may be for the best. It means he didn't get a chance to be weird about it.

"--Uh. Right." He raises a hand in a small wave, even though he knows Joker probably can't see him. "You... you too."

After a moment, his hand drops back to his side as he watches Joker go. Then he turns back to his work.