⇨ GAME START INTRO LOG!

[ringleaders]

Who: EVERYONE!
When: NOW!
Where: Around the carnival grounds, and in the Cookhouse.
What: Carnival worker orientation, Ringmaster style.
Warnings: Alcohol consumption, maybe drugs. Other things?

BRAVE NEW WORLD↴ ► THE NEW: It doesn't matter when you entered the tent to discuss your new contract with the Ringmaster, you exit it beneath a blanket of stars. Pointedly alien stars at that - currently the carnival grounds are being treated to a show of shooting stars, and what appear to be unnaturally large and living green moons hanging just a bit too close. The carnival was bustling when you entered, but now it's in the latter stages of being shut down for the night. If you manage to find a clock, it states that it's around 8PM. Workers from during the day will be passing through the grounds, attending to various pieces of business. None of them will seem very surprised or concerned by the goings on, though some may be sympathetic enough to pause and answer your questions. If you put some effort into finding out how it became nighttime, you may discover that it's been anywhere from a few hours to 7 days since you originally signed your contract. Someone may explain to you that it was probably some kind of time bubble, meant to keep you out of the way until the Ringmaster had time to deal with you. Every few minutes another new person will pop out of the tent, looking just as confused and under the impression that they had only just finished discussing things with the Ringmaster. Weird. She passed you a note before you left. Opening it up, you'll see you've been assigned a trailer number, and been given the instructions to drop off any excess belongings and do what you can to get settled in. You have until exactly 9:36PM to do so, because that's when you'll be expected to attend what is listed only as "WORKER'S ORIENTATION". This is, perhaps, more abrupt than you were expecting - but what can you do? You're here for the long haul. ► THE OLD: If you've ever seen a mass recruitment before, then this is no surprise. People enter the tent when they're recruited, and then sometimes how up again days later when the Ringmaster is ready for them. She isn't a big fan of wasting her time on individual orientations when she's expecting a crowd. Maybe you're too jaded to all of this to care much, but you'll see the newbies wandering around, probably confused and maybe a bit lost. Maybe you're the kind whose is sympathetic enough to pause your role in clean up and give them some directions, and maybe a word of confidence. Maybe you'll just jeer at them, because you're some kind of asshole. Either way, you expect you'll have the chance to see them later tonight. Whether by world of mouth, radio, or written note, supervisors will be passing out the following message: all workers are to report to the Cookhouse at 9:36PM sharp for "orientation." If you are at all familiar with how things go around here, you probably have a good idea of what this implies. Mandatory Karaoke Night. MANDATORY KARAOKE NIGHT!!!↴ At 9:36PM, the main dining hall of the Cookhouse will be found heavily decorator with various coloured lights and at least one disco ball made of what is ostensibly high karat gems. There are a bunch of cushions and additional seating set up along with the usual tables, and at the head of the call there is a state set up - a karaoke stage. For veteran workers, this is no surprise. Karaoke nights are fairly frequent as activities go, even if they are not usually mandatory. Some of you probably have signature songs already prepared. The karaoke machine is set up with mostly karaoke tracks that would be popular in the 90's and 00's on the average modern earth, with a few that are more recent. It also has some other random stuff from other worlds that people rarely sing because they are confusing and in languages no one understands. Here is a big karaoke list for your inspiration! The more stereotypically karaoke the better. Beyond that, there is plenty of food and snacks that were prepared by the cooks earlier, as well as a bar set up for alcohol and other vices. The selection is, as most things in the carnival, eclectic. Music will be played in between if nobody is singing, and otherwise veterans are encouraged to bring along their own fun and show the newbies a good time. The Ringmaster does ask that vets attempt to be courteous to their new coworkers. It's just being a good host.

Comments

[veinglory]

► THE NEW

[The Gottlieb of the now is noticeably less... cheerful than the Gottlieb of 'then'. 'Then' being when he was gallivanting around the carnival grounds with child-like wonder at the sights and the sounds, intoxicated on the brand new exciting experience. Now, he stumbles out into the night with his once lovingly applied makeup in runny streaks down his face from the blubbering he's been doing. Atop his head, his once perfectly coiffed wig has a few flyaways poking out in random directions. On wobbly legs he makes his way over to a quiet side of the tent to look at the note in his hands, shaking his head.]

What to do now? Oh, what to do...

Mandatory Karaoke Night

[By the time the 'orientation' rolls around, someone must have had a talk with the nervous little vampire, because while he's still disheveled there's is a small, excited spark in his eyes over the goings on. Oooor perhaps the big, frothy mug of beer sitting in front of him on the table is to thank for his improved spirits. Karaoke is one of the modern things he actually knows about, what with the local bar actually having a karaoke night once a week. His favorite songs aren't on the list there either (they're a bit dated) so he has a few that he's learned over the years thanks to hearing them sung by drunken townsfolk. It isn't even his turn yet and he's singing to himself, his Austrian accent thicker than if he'd been encountered earlier, giggling in between sips of brew. Possibly spilling some on anyone who gets too close.]

Heheh-- y'better shtay away from him! He'll rip yer lungs out Jim - I'd like to meet his tailor!

the new

[mistweaver]

[Jou Shan was...not happy to say the least, but a mistake was a mistake, and her mother had always told her to take responsibility for that sort of thing. And yet here was someone else who--well, he looked upset. And she wasn't the sort to walk past and let that sort of thing go, either.

So she tries to catch his eye, tilting her head, widening her eyes, and waggling her ears a little bit. Comical, to say the very least...]

Ai, you are not harmed, are you? New? Like me? We could try finding this 'trailer park' together, if you like?

[veinglory]

[When Gottlieb hears the voice, he slowly turns his head to face it... and stops. His eyes widen. His voice is still morose but now a tinge of wonderment seeps into it.]

... you're a bear!

[mistweaver]

Guilty as charged, as they say. Though by rights, I am a Pandaren. I do not dig with my paws, I prefer shovels.

[As the bears on her world are given to digging so. She's still trying to make a joke and set him at ease, smiling just a little. She digs through her backpack for a moment, and comes out with a handkerchief, offering it over.]

You, on the other hand, are a bit runny, as humans go. Are you all right? Or will you be?

[Jou is a bit more used to rolling with the punches of shock, she realizes, but that's what happens when you're an adventurer...]

[veinglory]

[After the initial shock has passed, he takes the handkerchief to wipe pitifully at his running makeup.]

I... I don't think so, Miss Pandaren. You see, I've made a dreadful mistake. As I am wont to do. I am worried what my witch will say.

gottlieb's musical taste is A+

[otokogi]

[ Mitsuki's coming back from the bar with a glass of his own and while he's not very familiar with this song, he has picked up on one motif and when he hears another voice at one of the tables singing along, he can't help himself from chiming in too. ]

AAWHOOOOOOOO! Werewolves of something! AAWHOOOOOOO!

[ He really doesn't know the words but the howl is fun and when he stops, he's laughing and sitting down. ]

How come you're not up there?

:D

[veinglory]

[The howling sets Gottlieb off into another fit of giggles and a slap of his knee.]

Brilliant! Brilliant! -- ahh, I will be! I don't wish to be an attention hog, as they shay. Beshides, gotta finish m'drink.

Re: :D

[otokogi]

[ Mitsuki's pleased--he entertained his new friend! Because, make no mistake, you're friends now. Mitsuki slaps his hand on the table, not hard enough to knock their glasses over but just to add emphasis when he talks. ]

Oi! I'll keep an eye on that but you should really get up there! It's not about attention, it's about having fun. Besides, you clearly like to sing.

[veinglory]

[A warm flush comes to his face and he smushes his own cheeks with his hands.]

All these handsome men asking things of me! That's how I got into thish mess you know! Oh dear, how can I refuse?

karaoke

[puddingemote]

[Tamaki was just walking past when suddenly someone was spilling beer on him. He spins on the man at the bar, looking a bit imposing as he furrows his brow.]

Watch where you're spilling.

[veinglory]

Oh, my heavens, I am sho sorry! I think the glass is perhaps overfull? I will fix it!

[He takes a nice big chug, froth sticking to his lips as he pulls the mug away with a satisfied smile.]

S'that better, dear boy?

[puddingemote]

[What's with adults and guzzling beer anyway? Tamaki shrugs.]

I guess. It's not spilling now...

[veinglory]

Well, now we must be introduced!

[Why that is, he doesn't seem to want to expound upon. It simply IS. He gives a gentlemanly bow, almost spilling more booze.]

I am Gottlieb Albrecht, formerly of the Vienna Albrechts. Then of Maplesweet. Now of -- whatever this is!

the new

[solaris9]

[ Meet a fellow newbie, standing around the tent with a similarly sinking heart. How did this happen? He's trying to retrace everything he did earlier in the day and feels confused and upset. Apparently, he's not the only one. He sees this guy by the tent looking quite a mess and wonders if he's been told the bad news too. ]

Hey. You okay?

[veinglory]

[Gottlieb looks up from his paper with a sniffle, shaking his head.]

Physically, I suppose I am fine, but my heart is full of sorrow. I made quite a major error, I'm afraid.

[solaris9]

Ooh. You mean you're here by accident, too?

[ Goku frowns sympathetically. He knows all about major errors. This is the biggest error of his life so far, he thinks. Well. Aside from maybe the one that got him locked up for 500 years, but that doesn't count because he doesn't remember. ]

karaoke night

[wild_magic]

[Susan is wandering, seeing if he can find people who seem willing to talk and might be able to answer his questions. Mostly that just means people who don't look incredibly intimidating and maybe look a little more unusual than just an average human, and Gottlieb definitely fits the bill. And so a bit later on in the night the boy approaches his table, hoping he can get another person to weigh in on this issue.]

Hi, are you busy?

[veinglory]

[The vampire looks up from his empty mug, eyes half-lidded in sleepy bliss. It's clear he's not too long for bed, but seems in good cheer.]

Mm, not at all dear boy. How may I be of assistance?

[wild_magic]

Do you know anything about skeletons?

The new

[sweatysometimes]

[ Pidge is not what you would call a happy camper herself, but she's not a blubbering mess. Yet. As she picks her way between tents, she pauses as she hears a newly familiar voice muttering. She half-turns, blinks as she spots the friendly vampire (oh yeah, vampires) from earlier. She hesitates a moment, then steps closer. ]

Uh, Gottlieb? Are you okay?

[veinglory]

[His fretting pauses, a look of slight relief coming over his face.]

Pidge! Oh, you are a sight for these stinging eyes, dear. I am sorry you must see me in such disarray. I am overcome with melancholy at finding how long I must stay here.

[sweatysometimes]

[ Pidge manages to contain her amusement at the melodramatic vampire and only nods. A brief grimace crosses her own face. ]

Yeah. I'm stuck here too, unfortunately. How long did they get you for?

► THE NEW ROOMIES

[spaghettimonster]

[Without the delay of overcoming emotional distress, Papyrus is able to go to the trailers very shortly after his meeting with the Ringmaster. After all, it's important to have a place to stay! And he wants to make sure it's a comfortable and welcoming place to return to after a long hard day.

So whenever Gottlieb comes by, there'll be a tall, lanky fellow wiping at the windows with a cloth. He's in costume armor with a tattered red scarf, gloves, and boots. Truly, lanky is an understatement. It's like he's nothing but bones and a loud voice, humming as he cleans.]

[veinglory]

[Gottlieb has decided to find his living quarters before attending the 'mandatory' meeting, looking between the piece of paper in his hand and the numbers listed on the trailers.

His face lights up in relief when he finds the right one, only to switch to a more dumbfounded one when the appearance of the figure cleaning the windows.

The paper slips from his hands, fluttering to the ground.]

You... you... you're... ?!

[spaghettimonster]

[Papyrus turns at the stammered words, ready to greet new neighbors or roommate alike.

He's a skeleton. No skin or ears or eyeballs at all. Just bones and clothes, his cheekbones somehow stretching into a wider smile. He waves and skips over to Gottlieb.]

Hey! Are you calling out to me?