⇨ HOME AGAIN

[ringleaders]

Who: Anyone!
When: Day 68 - Day 72
Where: Carnival grounds.
What: Everyone makes it back to the carnival after their adventure in hell. The Ringmaster makes a new lake to celebrate, apparently.
Warnings: A notable absence of torture.

TO HELL AND BACK↴ The rescuers and the liberated captives will emerge from the portal like bats out of hell. Much like their previous return, this arrival will be met with a flurry of medical activity as everyone gets their injuries seen to, particularly those that had been held prisoner within Morningstar's hell fortress. It will still be night when they arrive, and the rest of Day 68 will be clouded over completely, for the benefit of the new vampires as they get settled in. After the immediate panic is dealt with, the Ringmaster will disappear into the forest until the morning of Day 69. It will be raining off and on during her absence. ► RECOVERY: Unlike the last time, the Ringmaster will be supplying the carnival workers with some healing potions from her private hoard, given that most of the healers are already wounded or spent. Damage caused by iron poisoning will not be cured by healing magic or healing items though, unfortunately, and those who have spent a lot of time in contact with iron will take at least a week to fully recover. However, regular healing remedies like bandages and herbs may help speed things along if the patient is suited to them. ► A BRAND NEW LAKE: On the morning of Day 69, the Ringmaster will return the forest to announce that she's built a new lake into the carnival grounds, only a short trail's distance from the backyard. Unlike most of the forest, this area won't just lead you in circles when explored, meaning that it can actually be modified and developed as the workers see fit. The water is always clean and just the right temperature for swimming, though it gets a bit cooler the deeper you swim. At the far side of the lake, there is a warm, stone pathway leading up the side of the mountain, that will eventually take you to some bangin' hot springs. Brought to you mostly because the Ringmaster doesn't know how to say sorry with actual words. At least it gives you something to play with while you try to shake off the trauma. ► FRUITS OF VICTORY: On Day 70, all the workers who came to hell for the rescue mission will be given a gift from the Ringmaster. Each of them will receive a bright green, glowing seed, about the size of your thumbnail. She will tell you that, when planted, the seeds will swiftly grow into a small citrus tree, which will grow fruits with regenerative properties. More details about these plants will be written up in a separate post, but for now your characters can ogle them and decide if they are going to plant them or not. ► TAKE ME TO CHURCH: Staring on Day 71, the Ringmaster will be starting to work on removing the vampirism from those infected with it, which apparently involves a lot of... meditation? She will take the newbie vampires out into a shady area of the forest and encourage them to look inside themselves and attempt to separate themselves spiritually from their demonic beasts. How well you character masters her teachings over time will determine whether or not she is ultimately capable of stripping out your demon soul and returning you to life. Of course, not all demons are made equal, and some will be more difficult to separate than others...

Comments

Koel Babic | OTA

[cuckooed]

Recuperate

Koel is... she has been better. The position she was given by Lambert helped, but she was hardly in any condition to move, much less cook. She is confined hence to her cabin once she is properly given potion.

It is utterly boring while waiting for her to recover enough to get back to work. That is probably why her door is open. Please, come on in. The company (and updates on the cookhouse's condition) is much appreciated.


Recalibrate

By Day 71, she is well enough to walk. Or, well, limp slowly, pitifully and painfully. The iron's effects are not so easily dispelled no matter how many potions she was given, no doubt the intention of the vampires. But she'd be damned if she didn't help those who were now vampires.

So, walk she does, straight to the cookhouse, several books in hand. It takes forever, and she has to stop many times, but she gets there. Those who come there will find her, looking like a little grandmother once more, quietly looking through each page, folding the corners of pages as she does. The books look like cookbooks, but at least one has very odd, almost satanic symbols on it. Several others look much older, and bounding an unknown type of covering.

She looks up, at the incoming presence. Her voice is like a frog.

"Ah. Just on time. I...need an opinion on something."

Recalibrate

[fragileandsoft]

Now that the kitchen staff is back, there hasn't been any need for Greg to stick around, but he made a habit to pop in and see if they needed any help while those who'd gotten captured stayed in recovery. There wasn't much else he was helpful for in the aftermath.

"Oh! Ahh, sure--what can I help you with?"

Seeing Koel back in the kitchen is a minor surprise and a major relief. She's no spring chicken, after all, so Greg wasn't sure how long it would take for her to get back on her feet.

[cuckooed]

Well, Greg was right about one thing, she's no chicken. She's still been better. So, so much better

"Oh." She can't help but smile at his presence. If rumor was correct, he'd held down the fort while she'd been gone. For that, she was grateful. "Well. I'm trying to pin down meals for the next few weeks. Perhaps you can help me."

She quietly turned a page, revealing what looks like a very delicious-looking tikka masala plate - albeit, with a much darker, redder sauce, and the dark meat looking not at all like chicken or seafood. On the other side of the page was a dark meat post roast - again, with an au jus sauce that looked decidedly red.

"Which do you think would be more...palatable in general? Be honest. I truly can't decide which to have cooked first."

[fragileandsoft]

"Uhhhh."

Greg stares at the dishes, a bit unnerved. The implications are not lost on him, but all things considered it's a logical step to take with so many people on a new and unfortunate diet. Even from a simple culinary standpoint, however, he's fairly inexperienced.

"The... roast, maybe?" That looks more like something he'd order in a restaurant, anyway. If he knew what the meat was. Greg itches at an antler, glancing up at Koel. "I-I dunno. I guess an extra rare burger just won't cut it, huh?"

recalibration

[raynos]

Jamie hadn't intended to draw her attention, he's mostly just wandering around restlessly and trying to attain some sense of normalcy, but since she's asking for his input, he figures he should comply. His approach is cautious, almost deferential, but thrumming with hidden tension; some part of his vampire-demon-spirit thing recognizes the inherent difference between them in strength and ability and is reacting accordingly, though rationally he knows he has no real reason to be wary of her.

He forces his ears to unpin from their position flattened back against the sides of his skull, and pauses nearby, watching her uncertainly. "What about?"

[cuckooed]

"Meal planning. Given how there has been a change in some diets..."

She could definitely sense the creature in him. It hard not to; she could practically smell it. It would have been easy to simply bare her teeth and scare the little fledgling off. In all honestly, though, there was no point, as the young one was giving her a wary look.

Plus, her question did pertain to him. She opens the page, revealing what looks like a bowl of bisque - a very dark red bowl of bisque.

"What do you think for a soup?"

[raynos]

Jamie takes a look at the illustration and feels a slow, creeping alarm spread through him. She's not seriously considering this, is she?

"Is...is that blood?" he asks hesitantly.

Because if so, it looks damn good right now and he is horrified.

[cuckooed]

"Yes." Obviously she isn't going to lie about it. That and the cookbook on top is titledHow to Serve Mankind (And Totally Get Away With It): Alternatives on Classic Recipes For The Discerning Palate. It's not exactly something she's going out of her way to hide it either way. "Though not the only ingredient. But yes, it is a variation of French cuisine."

[raynos]

Oh man. It stood to reason that this kind of messed-up thing actually existed out there in the horrifying reality in which the carnival exists, but he'd never expected to actually see it himself. Then again, he'd never expected to actually become a vampire either, so.

The confirmation that it is, indeed, blood triggers a predatory change in him, eyes shifting red and fangs distending almost violently. In a panic he covers his mouth with one hand, both ashamed of his reaction and primally terrified that Koel will interpret his bared canines as a challenge and rip him apart.

"T-that's - um - " He looks away, trying to subdue the animal inside him sitting up at attention at the thought of fresh, warm blood. "I'd - I'd rather not?" he lies, feebly.

[cuckooed]

...Well, that confirmed it. Bisque will be on the menu in the near future. If Koel was truly offended by the challenge, she didn't show it. In truth, even if she felt her own territorial instincts urge her to teach him a lesson, she has also had much more time and experience in her life to understand the difference between an enemy, or a territory challenger, and someone who was just hungry.

"You don't need to be frightened, you know." She closed the book. "I would prefer you don't starve, however this lasts for you and the others. That, and denial, is the quickest route to losing control."

[raynos]

Jamie swallows a mouthful of blood to keep from drooling all over himself and slinks to a nearby stool, where he perches miserably, cowering like a beaten dog. He keeps his eyes on the ground, studiously avoiding eye contact; Koel seems calm and unperturbed so far, and he intends to do everything he can to make sure it stays that way.

"I'm shorry." He falters, ears flicking back in chagrin; speaking around deformed teeth like this makes his sibilants slushy, and it's just one more embarrassment on this heap of mortification. "This, I just - I dunno how to get used to it. The hunger and the, the...this thing, inside me."

He's being...unusually frank, possibly because regardless of the exact nature of Koel's brand of vampirism, she understands some of it, and is being patient enough to try to help him with his new dietary needs. Whatever her motivations, that gesture of camaraderie means something to him.

[cuckooed]

"...I will admit, I'm not privy to whatever method the Ringmaster has devised to help you." In the end, these people didn't choose this. The creatures who did this to them - to everyone, really - were enemies who tried to harm the carnival to its core. "And it has been some time since I've had to counsel a fledgling. Nor is my nature exactly like yours. I was born. Not simply turned, so far as I recall. So far as I know. My kind don't propagate that way."

She slowly folded her hands.

"But...in my own experience, it is important to acknowledge it. Think of it like...a dog, or cat, a feral thing. In order to tame any animal, you must first understand it. You mustn't be frightened of showing it what you are, that you see it as a part of your life - but that you are still it's master. It is through your better nature that the animal might, perhaps, find its own. Only then can you figure out what you wish to do with it. And with yourself, to feel more whole."

She takes a breath.

"There is no need to feel embarrassed on account of your hunger. I was always aware of the likelihood of not being the only one since I joined. I... didn't expect this, but none of us did, dear."

Recalibrate

[flashover]

Rin has been relaxing in the hot springs, trying to come to terms with what had happened in Hell. But just sitting and trying to relax wasn't exactly working. He needed to do something with his hands. Which meant he should get back to work.

He'd only briefly met Koel, in passing. He's not even sure they ever exchanged names. He blinks.

"Uhhhh... ok. I'm not sure how much help I'll be..."

[cuckooed]

"It's all right. An honest opinion will be of great help." She began rifling through pages. "Do you know much of macarons?"

[flashover]

"Macarons?" Rin repeats, thinking to himself, tapping his chin a bit thoughtfully. "As in... the cookie sandwiches or the little almond flour cakes? I've made the cookie sandwich things before! They're yummy, but hard to get just right."

[cuckooed]

"The almond cakes with a merengue base for the cream. Yes, precisely that."

She opened up the spot she was at to reveal a picture of a plate of dark red macarons.

"I was thinking, as a little treat in the near future. Do you think those among us who have been turned would be remiss of this?"

[flashover]

"Yeah, it's hard to get the texture on those right," he muses. "The time I tried it, they were more like hockey pucks than light fluffy cakes..."

Rin peeks at the book, blinking confusedly at the color. Red bean paste? ... Beets?

"Ah... I'm not sure, actually? Can they even eat normal food the way they are? And uh... I'm... not so sure about baking with... blood. I think it would get all...." he trails off and waves his hands vaguely.

[cuckooed]

"I will admit that I have experience cooking with it." Koel can't help but smile. "That part, at least, is not the problem. I'm more interested in ensuring that I am giving those who have been turned a good meal, like I would any other worker."

[flashover]

"E...eh? You do?"

This sweet old grandma looking lady? Rin is a little pale at the thought.

But... making sure that everyone got fed well, regardless of their diet, was a really nice thought, and Rin thinks on it a bit.

"Well, we'll need more than sweets, too. What else can you make out of blood?"

[cuckooed]

"Oh yes. Even before I arrived here, I was well aware of vampires. More than well aware."

If you got her drift.

"There are many foods that could be made, and passed off as normal to outsiders." She motioned to the books. "Cuisines from different countries and times. And here, different dimensions. I've even found a few alcoholic drinks."

recalibrate

[atouts]

Childermass tends to go wherever he likes and that includes the kitchens of the cookhouse, so it's from out of those doors that Koel will catch the magician lurking through. Typically he only helps himself to a random roll or apple while passing through, this time it being one of the latter, and he doesn't at all seem chagrined to have been spotted at it.

Or at least not enough to stop him from strolling over to where she's seated, with all her books, and taking a curious look at the various covers. Cookbooks, he can tell that much, but the one with symbols catches the eye. Though, while he'll help himself to food behind the scenes, he won't help himself to someone else's book (at least, not while they're watching), so he leaves it be for now.

"If it's on cooking, you may be disappointed," he admits. He's not much of a cook himself. "But I'll try."

[cuckooed]

"Its more on what would be pleasing to eat. One doesn't need to know how to cook."

She looked down at the book.

"As you can expect, the use of blood and flesh in vampire cuisine can be a delicate matter. I am looking for recipes that would be subtle enough that any other person who saw the food wouldn't find it too odd."

[atouts]

Insanely enough, going on that description for recipes, one possibility does immediately spring to mind and it is so damn stereotypically English, even though he himself wouldn't think so. Sorry, Koel. It was inevitable.

"What about black pudding? Or just blood sausage, in general," Childermass suggests, stepping over closer to peer down at the book she's perusing. "You could serve it like any other sausage you serve from the cookhouse. I believe those are already a carnival staple."

Hot dogs, he means, but is there really much of a difference? Just, you know, less blood.

[cuckooed]

"...Oh! Blood sausage." A smile comes on her face. "Yes, that would be an excellent idea. It might take some time to fill casings, but it would be quite perfect. Thank you."

[atouts]

"Depending on what you're filling them with," Childermass says, suddenly a tiny bit more wary. Like, he knows this is about vampires and that means blood, but— "You don't mean to fill them entirely with blood, do you?"