⇨ 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

[drrdrrdrr]

Amethyst sniggers appallingly. "OK, so, Per – you gotta tell me everything about what happened with you an' Lapis! Like, does she kiss good?" Her eyes widen a little in delight as a thought strikes her. "Oh man – did you have to show her how to do it??"

[periphrasing]

Peridot snorts, sitting up a little and blushing with embarrassment. "No? I mean. Kind of, I guess." She rubs the back of her head. "I did have to initiate things, as she was largely unfamiliar, but. She got into it quickly enough."

[drrdrrdrr]

"Awesome," says Amethyst, seeming genuinely impressed. "I guess you're like a kissin' pro now, huh?" She lets herself sort of ooze sideways so her head's on Peridot's lap, and grins up at her. "You think you guys're gonna do it again...?"

She is A LIL nervous about this still, but Amethyst ONLY FEELS HOW SHE WANTS TO FEEL

[periphrasing]

For the record: Peridot is definitely not a kissing pro. But now, thanks to Amethyst, she most definitely thinks that she is.

She snickers softly, pleasantly flattered by the sentiment, and grins down at her. "Hm. I hadn't really thought about it! I guess... Yes? If you really don't mind, and she still wants to."

Which, obviously, she should want to? Since she, Peridot, is apparently really good at making out?

[drrdrrdrr]

"Pffff, she's missing out if she doesn't," says Amethyst, helping.

[periphrasing]

"It would be an unfortunate lapse in judgement on her part, yes," Peridot happily agrees, eyelids drooping. As they're sitting there in the trailer, with the warm sun beaming through the windows and all that difficult emotional talk safely dealt with and packed away for the time being? She's feeling much, much more relaxed.

"Hey... Amethyst?" Peridot asks suddenly. "I know I don't usually ask this sort of thing, but... uh..."

[drrdrrdrr]

"Huh?" Amethyst's all the way to eyes closed, but she opens them now, suddenly alert. PLEASE LET THIS NOT BE MORE HARD EMOTIONS

[periphrasing]

Holy shit Amethyst please.

"Do you... Want to go take a nap at my sleeping station with me?" she asks, barely holding back a yawn. The bench isn't very comfortable like this.

[drrdrrdrr]

Amethyst BEAMS. "Oh man, seriously??" PERIDOT NEVER NAPS THIS IS GREAT

[periphrasing]

NAPPING IS USUALLY A WASTE OF TIME. BUT NOW IT IS UNAVOIDABLE. Truly the cruelest fate.

"Yes. Please." Indeed, with each passing second, it looks like she's having a harder and harder time staying awake. She's looking pretty wobbly?

[drrdrrdrr]

"You got it, P-pod," says Amethyst, sitting up. She stretches her arms up above her head, and then grins at Peridot. "You look pretty tired, dude... C'mon." She scoops Peridot off the bench and straight up carries her to the nap zone.

[periphrasing]

"Woah--" Dat quartz strength, tho. At least, that's what she immediately attributes this to, and not just the fact that she herself weighs like. Nothing.

Peridot readily accepts this situation, oozing comfortably into Amethyst's arms. "Thanks," she mumbles sleepily; she has her arms curled up at her chest like she's a puppy or something. It's sickening.

[drrdrrdrr]

"Hup." Amethyst just straight up tosses Peridot onto her bunk, because with her curled up like that it is basically impossible not to? Then she hops in after her. It's a good thing they're both so small.

[periphrasing]

Peridot doesn't even have time to yelp about being tossed before she hits the bed? She just kind of bounces gently and then lays where she lands, still curled up and wide-eyed with surprise.

There's only a short delay before she rolls herself towards Amethyst and nestles up against her. "Much better," she sighs, eyes already shut.

[drrdrrdrr]

Amethyst drapes a big chunky monster paw over her, and settles down with her tail dangling comically over the end of the bunk. Perfect.

"You're cute when you're sleepy," she observes, yawning.

[periphrasing]

"Incorrect," Peridot mumbles sleepily into the mattress. "I'm always cute."

[drrdrrdrr]

"Sleepy Peridot is extra cute," snickers Amethyst, gently ruffling her hair. "Like an extra helping of cute on top of the cute main course."

[periphrasing]

She snorts softly. "So now I'm food?" she says, altogether amused and confused.

[drrdrrdrr]

Amethyst sleepily licks her face. I don't know what you were expecting, Peridot.

[periphrasing]

"...I should have expected that," Peridot confirms.

She rubs her face on the sheets and makes herself more comfortable under Amethyst's arm, and prepares to pass the hell out. As far as she's concerned, things are back to the way they should be.