⇨ 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

Day 71

[fourthscribe]

The lakeside is quiet and peaceful, quite the perfect spot to try and find the peace of mind needed for meditation such as this. But the still surface of the water is abruptly disturbed as Tanyuu surfaces a ways out from the shore. She takes in a deep breath and shakes out her hair, then pauses when she sees Snake and Emily sitting on land.

"Oh! I didn't realize anyone was out this way, I apologize."

[ophidiarex]

Emily uncurls from her spot next to Snake and begins the journey up his arm to around his neck. He in turn sighs, and begins to speak in an effeminate voice. "'It's OK. We weren't making much progress anyway,' says Emily."

Only the last part of his statement is in his normal, soft but masculine voice. A tiny flash of fangs as he speaks might betray his vampiric nature, if his statement doesn't, but they're not that uncommon in the carnival either. What is uncommon is a tail like Tanyuu's... He's not seen many people so totally changed. He lifts the umbrella and straightens, walking under its shade to get a closer look.

[fourthscribe]

Tanyuu takes a moment to wring some of the excess water out of her shirt before closing the distance, noting Snake's interest in her form but not commenting. Her antennae twitch faintly, catching the odd, metallic scent off the pair that solidifies for her what 'progress' they had been struggling with.

"Meditation?" She smiles in sympathy--it's been hard to miss the rescued members dotted around the newly-formed lake, seeking some peace to find the same within themselves. "It's a difficult thing, so I've been told before."

[ophidiarex]

"'Yes, it's hard to focus. There's a lot going on.' says Emily." Snake translates Emily's soft hiss easily, even as she settles in a gentle loop around his neck. Vampirism's hard. He's glad that there's been enough animal blood to satisfy him, at least, or he might have attacked the next person he saw.

Without warning, he shifts, making to stand. It's not hard, and he's fast, moving upright and nodding to Tanyuu. He'd offer her a more personal greeting, but he's shy, and most people don't like touching him even when he's not a bloodsucking predator.

[fourthscribe]

"In your minds?" They can't mean the surroundings--the lake is incredibly peaceful, at least for Tanyuu. There isn't any real wildlife to speak of either--even the mushi have yet to really populate the area, though Tanyuu doubts that will last for long.

When he rises Tanyuu nods with a small smile to Snake, and then to Emily as well. She slithers a little closer, though still leaving enough room that he shouldn't feel crowded.

[ophidiarex]

He simply nods once more. It'd be too hard to explain all that's going on with him, and frankly, he doesn't want to explain to a stranger. Even if she seems pleasant enough, and he's seen her around, he's not ready to take that step yet.

"'It's a nice view, at least,' says Emily." He gestures, a little feebly, at the lake. It's a pretty rapid change in subject, and he knows it, but it's something to talk about.