⇨ 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

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

The problem was Joker's to address in his own time, and perhaps that time was never. He knew by now that her tent and her trailer were always open to him.

"My skills are still steady," she said, looking over the rim of her cauldron with a satisfied nod,
"For this potion is ready.
This ladle, I think
Should be an adequate drink."

[pipers_son]

"Oh, is it now?" Hopping up to his feet, he comes over with his thumb hooked loosely into his pocket as he leans over the cauldron. "Gotta get the whole spoonful in me, huh?"

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

"Drink it all with no delay.
You know that is the only way."

He could get his own ladleful though.

"I can save what's left
So you are not bereft."

[pipers_son]

"Cheers, Zecora. Yer a peach." And with that, careful with the ladle, he takes a nice long gulp. It doesn't really taste like too much- not a lot does, these days, besides the only thing vampires care about- but that just makes it easier to swallow down in his opinion.

With that done, he waves the ladle. "So, where do ya want this?"

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

"Drop it back in.
I'll use it when I begin."

Paying little heed to the ladle, though, Zecora came around to mind Joker's missing arm with a thoughtful look. She didn't doubt her brew would do the trick, but she still had to check. Around this carnival, one never could be entirely certain.

[pipers_son]

Well, doctor knows best. Or, in this case, magical talking zebra with an unparalleled knowledge of potions knows best. Either way, Joker drinks carefully from the ladle so as not to spill a single drop- never be wasteful especially with potions. Zecora's investigation he mostly ignores. She's just doing her job, after all.

Alas, as most of the other times, there's no change in his empty side. Perhaps one day, but not today.

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

Good. There wasn't supposed to be any change. If there HAD been, that meant she'd done her job wrong. Maybe someday she'd put her full talents to the test.

"If all's well I expect
You'll soon feel the effect."

[pipers_son]

One day, but for the time being... He just chuckles as he straightens up. "That's how it always works, huh? I don't think there's anyone more reliable in the whole carnival." And he's being honest, too. The rest of them supervisors might be decent on a good day, but Zecora is always trustworthy."

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

Zecora merely smiles to accept the compliment.

"If that's what you're looking for,
The mirror will show you one more."

Joker was very high in her estimation, in turn. Though to be fair to many of the others, not all of them were here of their own free will; they had no motivation to be reliable.

[pipers_son]

"Aww, now ain't you just full of compliments today!" Even if he doesn't much feel like he's earned it, with what's happened with Snake. Still, he grins to her. "So should I leave ya here ta fuss over everyone else that's restin'?"

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

"It would be best
If they got rest
While quite sequestered
And not pestered."

She wasn't going to keep Joker here if he didn't wish to stay, but honestly it would be nice to have some company that she didn't need to treat.

[pipers_son]

Ah, he sees. He can get that message loud and clear. So, twisting the chair around so that he can sit on it backwards to allow his wings plenty of space, he smiles to her.

"Well I can definitely understand that thing
Although I don't quite know what I'll do
I think for this whole mess, I'm out on a wing
On how ta do my job without tellin' daylight adieu."

Lookit him, using rhymes. He feels smart.

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

"Perhaps something I mix
Could be a momentary fix."

Zecora had restrained from trying to cure vampirism; the Ringmaster has that under control, and she won't dabble where the Ringmaster reigns. But until that cure comes, she can surely help in some ways.

[pipers_son]

He has to pause there, because it's tempting. Even if it won't be a whole cure, anything is better than nothing, right? That's been his life's motto since he was a kid. Still.... Huffing out a laugh, he shrugs.

"We'll wait and see if I need a little push
I want ta at least try before gettin' a kick in the tush.
Besides, I think ya need a break
That's not fixin' this ol' rake."

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

"I don't see to shirk.
I enjoy my work." Really, if she didn't, she wouldn't have wound up as the Doctor to begin with -- she'd still be pulling her fortune-telling stunt.

Zecora paced over to a cabinet, from which she pulled several vials in her teeth, suitable for saving the rest of her potion. She set them into a small rack besides the cauldron.

"Would you like one to take
In case it keeps you awake?"

[pipers_son]

“Hmmm, I don’t think I need that quite yet
For bein’ awake, I’d say I’m pretty set.” Tapping his fingers along the back of one chair, he glances down over himself consideringly. It’s not like he doesn’t have an idea of why that is, but still…

“I can’t say I’m lookin’ forward ta my looks in the mirror
But the only tired I am is ‘cuz we all went through the ringer.”

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

"Joker, Joker," Zecora said, with a shake of her head and a bemused smile, "you look fine
At least to these tired eyes of mine."

[pipers_son]

"Now see, I don't think we can go and say that's fair."

A teasing wink- he can still manage this despite what's happened.

"We both know I've gota ya charmed down ta the last hair~."

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

Zecora laughed, all warm and rich amusement. "Even if I thought you were that fine,
I'd be at the end of a very long line."