[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]

Ginko raises a hand in a wave when he catches sight of Joker. "I could say the same for you, at this point."

He opens the hatch on the top of the enclosure and glances over again as he tips the contents of the bucket in his hand inside. The food doesn't fall straight to the bottom so much as it drifts and swirls through the air as if caught in an invisible current, drawing the fishes' attention. "How are things going with your new performers?"

[pipers_son]

“Ha! Like ya can really say that with how busy we’re all becomin’ again.” But he’s grinning as he says it, letting his hand drop when the fish promptly ignore him. No judgment- he’d ignore a lot of things when hungry too, no matter how shiny.

Although he does like to think he’s right on the money about his time comment, and he gives a low whistle. “We’ve got a nice mix, so that’s somethin’ ta be positive about. We’re on a biiiiit of a tight schedule, but, ah well.” He shrugs, grin drooping lazily. “What can ya do, eh?”

[dontpokethat]

"Mm-hm. Well, good luck getting them prepared." Ginko closes and locks the hatch, then stands by to watch the fish eat, one hand holding the empty bucket and the other tucked into his pocket.

"If I'm honest, I've almost got to feel sorry for you supervisors." He snorts, a wry smile tugging at his mouth. "On my end, new recruits are a little inconvenient at worst - and this time I got lucky and finally got some help with these guys."

'These guys', of course, being the menagerie as a whole rather than just the fish, which are probably some of the least troublesome animals to deal with.

[pipers_son]

It’s true. The flying fish are downright pleasant. And then you have things like, well, the catweasels, but we don’t talk about those.

So Joker doesn’t, resting his hand on his hips for lack of pocket. Leggings are very handy to just shimmy into when dressing is too much effort, but they have a lack of things to tuck his fingers into, alas. Oh well. The price one pays.

“Y’know, if ya really felt sorry, ya could always make sweets for us poor sufferin’ souls. I’m partial ta kisses myself.” In the most ridiculous way he knows how, he waggles his eyebrows and grins wide.

[dontpokethat]

Whether fortunately or unfortunately, Ginko is distracted enough watching the fish that the double meaning there goes right over his head.

"I'm afraid I don't know much about making sweets from even my own world, let alone yours. I guess I could try and think of something, though, if you want."

[pipers_son]

Ah well. Can't win 'em all. Joker shakes his head to himself, smiling a bit, but lets it go. Worse than a joke being not gotten is a joke that has to be explained.

"Well, if ya say that, now I'm definitely curious about what ya can make. Not much for sweets, or cookin' all together?"

[dontpokethat]

"Cooking altogether, I suppose. I mean, I can, but not very well. More used to making quick stuff for on the road than anything I'd give to someone else, y'know? Unless you really like slightly charred fish."

[pipers_son]

His hand rises up to hide his muffled laugh in a fist. “Well, I’m sure it’s an exotic delicacy somewhere. I’ll have ta make somethin’ for ya myself when I got the time.” Just thinking about it seems to put him in a good mood as he spreads out his fingers. “I know a buncha different recipes, although ya would have ta deal with ‘em all bein’ English food."

[dontpokethat]

"Doesn't bother me. I'll eat basically anything that's edible." He's not even exaggerating very much. "Besides, given how busy you are, it would be pretty ungrateful of me to complain if you found the time for that."

[pipers_son]

“That’s the ticket~.” If there’s one thing Joker can appreciate, it’s people who aren’t picky eaters. It’s a little silly detail, but it makes him feel closer sometimes, for all that he knows it’s just in his head. “Half the reason I’m so busy is ‘cuz they’re all new faces, and I got ta train a couple of ‘em so they’re fit for the stage. Once we get past this first show, I think I’ll have a bit more time~.”

He winks at Ginko. “So get ready for some quality English food, ha!”

[dontpokethat]

"Well, that's something. Hopefully they won't give you too much trouble getting ready for that first one."

He laughs, adjusting his grip on the bucket. "I look forward to it. For now, though, I guess I should stay focused on getting ready for the next performance week, huh." Even if Ginko isn't strictly speaking involved in the performances, there's still the matter of making sure the animals are in peak condition... and, you know, preparing himself mentally for all the people that are going to be running around the carnival.

[pipers_son]

“Yeah. I’ve actually already sent a few people yer way.” For a second, there’s a flicker of a dissatisfied frown, a twist of unhappiness on Joker’s usually relaxedly content expression, but it’s gone in a heartbeat. Around Ginko, where he’s already easing up on his obnoxiously social act, there’s that unfortunate tendency to let things slip a little more than he really means to.

“I think you’ll recognize them right off the bat!” he laughs. “The animal tamers for this batch are pretty young.”

[dontpokethat]

...Ah. Ginko doesn't react to the brief change in expression, but that doesn't mean he didn't notice it and quietly take note of it. Something is bothering him, even if he won't admit it.

"Yeah?" He's not going to push it right away, though. His tone is as casual as ever. "Teenagers young, or really young? 'Cuz I'm already going to be training a seven-year-old to handle these guys."

[pipers_son]

“Ah… Don’t know the exact ages, but two look like they can’t even be teenagers, this high-” He gestures vaguely once then twice, showing Medli and Steven’s heights. “There’s another sort, but he’s an adult, he is, so I don’t think ya outta worry too much about that one.” He grins wide again. “I told him about the flyin’ fish and I don’t think he believed me.”

[dontpokethat]

That gets a laugh. "Well, I guess he'll see them for himself sooner or later, huh? Anyway, thanks. I'll keep an eye out for them, make sure they know whatever they need to."

[pipers_son]

“Let me know what faces he makes at seein’ some of the others around here. I’m sure they’ll be sites ta remember.” Laughing, he stretches his wings out and rocks on his heels a bit. “So, what other animals are left for feedin’ today?”

[dontpokethat]

"Aah, yeah, that's gonna be interesting."

He thinks for a moment, glancing out over the menagerie. "Uh, let me think... the, uh. Mushroom cow still needs to be fed, I believe... the chainchomp, the dragon, aaand... Ah. Right. The crate of arms."

[pipers_son]

Everything sounds about right, Joker nodding along, but the last one on the list earns a thoughtful hum. “I feel like I’ve asked before, but are we even sure the box a’ arms has a mouth… or mouths… ta eat with? I’m just tryin’ ta figure out the biology of that.”

[dontpokethat]

"I mean, in theory there's an actual body in there somewhere. Just that... you know, nobody's allowed to see it."

Which he guesses isn't strictly true, but it's a side effect of the box being eternally closed, so. Same result.

[pipers_son]

“In theory.” An amused snort, but Joker lets it go easily enough. He can’t say they’ll never know, because the carnival has a way of making people eat their words like that, but it’s apparent that they’re not knowing today. “Mind if I tag along then for today? I’m on my break, so I got a bit a time ta kill~.” Another usual bit in their routine, so long as Joker stays mostly quiet and just makes idle small talk when something occurs to him.

[dontpokethat]

"Yeah, no problem. I'll have to go drop by storage to get the rest of the food." He tilts his head toward the structure in question before setting off, making sure Joker is following. Honestly, as comfortable as he may be with being alone, he does kind of enjoy the company.

[pipers_son]

“If ya need a hand- and I mean that literally- then I’m always about~.” But Ginko has handled this on his own for ages, so really it’s an offer more given just to be nice to the animal keeper. Joker follows behind, making sure to avoid stepping on any tails as he hums. By this point, it’s likely a familiar tune to Ginko, always being the same one without fail. “Tom, he was a piper’s son~...”

[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."