[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]

"Yeah, well, sometimes a bear doesn't move for a while, either," Ginko mutters, but after that he leaves it alone. After a few moments of Ginko petting its spine carefully, the book gives a little snuffling sound and opens up.

Ginko sets it back in its cage, patting it and mumbling something about behaving itself, before turning back to Childermass. "There. How's your arm?"

[atouts]

A bear can't be picked up and read. That makes a huge difference, Ginko, but he won't add that. He'll respect the muttering for what it is, not something to be answered. Instead, he waits, then cringes when the book finally lets go, though after that it's safe to say he looks relieved.

"Well, let's see," Childermass says, turning his attention to his torn sleeve. It takes a moment, carefully rolling back first his coat's arm, then the sleeve of the shirt under that. The black coat, he's sure he can mend. The white shirt sleeve, on the other hand, now has a huge swath of red staining it. He sighs at that, grumbling quietly and mostly to himself, "Not as bad as the last time, at least..."

And then louder, once he's had time to hold his forearm up and inspect the bite wound more closely, "The bite did not go as deep as I had feared. It should be fine."

Probably.

More importantly, he'll look around Ginko at the cage again and ask, "Is that all it takes? Petting the spine?"

[dontpokethat]

Childermass might notice Ginko raising an eyebrow at that bit about "last time", but Ginko doesn't say anything about it.

"That's good to hear. I'd still suggest you stop by medical, though, just to be sure."

His frown deepens when Childermass looks at the book again. "I certainly hope you aren't planning on trying to read it again."

[atouts]

The last time absolutely ruined his shirt, not even the least bit salvageable. It was awful, but, likewise, he isn't about to say anything more on it. This time, he has other things on his mind.

"I will, at some point, though if I could perhaps borrow something to wrap it in until then..." Childermass can deal with this without complaint, but no one else is bound to appreciate him bleeding on everything. As for the book, well, he can't help but raise his eyebrows at Ginko. "It's still a book. It's meant to be read."

[dontpokethat]

"Yeah, I've got some clean cloths in the supply shed, I'll go grab one."

Before he steps away, though, he gives Childermass another scowl. "Granted, but you shouldn't go around picking up strange things that you find in cages."

After a moment of thought, he adds, "I won't complain if you come by to read it later - and yes, petting its spine does calm it down. But I will ask that you wait until after your arm has been seen to properly."

[atouts]

"I don't plan on bleeding all over it, if that's your worry."

He cares a little more for books than to bleed all over one. It could ruin the pages, the ink, all sorts of things. Of course, it could also be he simply doesn't want Childermass sitting around, reading, while his arm is still injured. Slightly less important, but...

Regardless, at this point he's beginning to sound like he finds this funny.

[dontpokethat]

"Yeah, not bleeding on it would be great. So would making sure you don't lose an arm."

Yes, he would like to not have to clean the book's fur again, but he really doesn't want one of the newbies to end up messing himself up beyond repair within a week of starting.

His mouth twists in a mix of curiosity and continued disapproval. "I hope you're taking this seriously."

[atouts]

"Oh, I am. It's just different, being on this side of the scolding for once."

Hence the amusement. He's spent so much time telling other people how what they're up to is a bad idea, to find himself in the exact same position is either very new or, at least, something he hasn't dealt with in a very long time.

[dontpokethat]

"Hm. Fair enough."

He sighs, then turns to head for the shed. "Okay, I'll be right back. Stay here - and don't touch the book again." Just to be sure.

It's not more than a minute before he returns, carrying a clean washcloth. "This should slow down the bleeding until you can get to medical, anyway."

[atouts]

He won't, honest. He'll still be waiting where Ginko left him holding his arm out and away from himself to avoid any further blood getting on his own clothing. He'll only move again once the cloth is being handed over and that's to take it, to immediately wrap it tight around his forearm.

That should do for now.

"Thank you," he says as he secures the washcloth. It's a very makeshift bandage, but, as Ginko said, only until he can get to medical. "I suppose that my cue to get out of your hair, isn't it?"

[dontpokethat]

"No problem." He snorts, nodding toward that arm again. "And I'd say so, if that'll take you to someone who can be more helpful with that."

[atouts]

"That it will," Childermass admits, although he'd have been off soon enough regardless. It's not as though he actually enjoys having a bitten, bleeding arm, even if it isn't too serious. "But I will be back for that, another time."

To which he nods towards the toothy book in question. Just to be clear, he really does mean to come back and read the damnable thing, but until then! He'll excuse himself, leaving Ginko to get back to his peace and quiet and shoveling out of stalls.