⇨ 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

[fragileandsoft]

Those Cost Somethin'

It's been a long few hours/days/whatever. Greg's not sure, and he doesn't have it in him to care at the moment; the man's still dazed from his sudden new employment. This is why he avoids magic. How does he always manage to screw this up?

He visibly twitches any time he makes eye contact--everyone here looks so different, and though it never bothered him much before, all he can think of is how he must stuck out like crazy. Everyone can tell he's another chump who got suckered.

Don't cost nothin'

The mood hasn't quite lifted. Greg still sits on edge, looking wound and anxious and nursing a soda. He flinches when veterans and newbies alike look his way.

Yet, if there's one thing in the world that can lift the mood of one Greg Universe, it's singing. He's confused, he's frustrated, he's emotional. So darn it, he's gonna sing it out.

When Greg takes the stage, he doesn't put any concerns into sounding "good" or "on key" or any such nonsense you'd think a professional might. No, Mr. Universe takes all that emotion and puts it to raw, passionate volume.

[dorkypantsuit]

The twitching is what really concerns him. That's why he begins to approach Greg looking concerned. Of course he doesn't give a thought to how unsettling his own appearance might be to someone new.

"Are you alright?"

[fragileandsoft]

Greg glances up at him, then quickly away.

"That's... kinda relative."

He rubs at his neck, unsure what to say--what can he say? If this guy's been here a long time, he must be used to this sort of thing. He'd look like an idiot to complain about it.

"Just... just feeling sorta... out of my depth, is all."

[dorkypantsuit]

Davin smiles weakly. It's a feeling he can definitely sympathize with. Unfortunately it's not something he can really help much with. He knows when he first came here he basically assumed less of the other species he met, until his mood improved at least and he made a few friends.

"If it helps, the other people who work here are in the same boat as you. So, you're not alone."

[fragileandsoft]

Greg looks up at him again, chewing his lip.

"That's really how she hires people around here, huh?" His brow works, trying to reconcile that in his mind. It doesn't work. The place seemed so bright and happy at a glance. Are people really okay with that?

Don't cost nothin'

[cuckooed]

...She had hoped.

Seeing Greg at the tables was something that didn't put Koel at ease. She's no fool, she knows what the debt of those who are unwitting entails. But, he had a young boy, and now, the young boy was also in debt. It pained her in those human parts of her, the parts who couldn't bear the idea of her own grandchildren going through such an unfortunate situation.

She decides to bring him another soda, when she sees hes getting low on the first. So, a familiar clawed hand slowly slides another, cold can his way, though she herself is silent.

Actually, she's close to leaving before the can has finished its momentum. She's not sure he'd want to see her, much less talk to her, after all.

[fragileandsoft]

He nearly let's her go. She saw this coming, she nearly caught him in it herself. She gave him all the hints he should have needed, and here he is all the same.

Yet, that thought pulls out another, and hetaises his head. "Umm, I--"

He hesitates. He wanted to say something, but he hadn't figured out what.

"Uh... thank you."

[cuckooed]

She stops, turning back around to face him.

"You're welcome."

A long pause.

"...For what its worth, I really am sorry."

[fragileandsoft]

He shakes his head, letting out a long sigh.

"Ahh, it's just your job, right? I thought something was up, and I kept goofing around anyway."

[drrdrrdrr]

Amethyst's composing a carefully balanced snack of miscellaneous food items when Greg steps onto the stage, and she isn't really paying enough attention when he starts to sing to realise straight away that she recognises the voice.

A few lines in, though, it hits her what's feeling familiar, and she whips around, sending salsa and devilled eggs splattering onto the floor.

A couple moments later and she's clambering over people to get over to the stage, so that when he finishes singing she's ready to launch herself in his direction.

"Greg! What're you doing here??" She seems genuinely shocked, even though he definitely isn't the first person from their world to show up here since she did. "Dude -- you don't look so hot, are you, uh..."

[fragileandsoft]

After putting his all into that absurd performance, Greg's a little flushed and breathless. It feels a little better to get some yelling out of his system like that. It cleared up just enough space in his emotional harddrive for the shock that comes next.

"Wh... Amethyst?" He gapes at the sight of her. "What're you doing here?! When--"

The first flash of familiarity sinks in, and he's able to take in a few of the changes. She's always had fun messing around with shapeshifting, sure, but this looks... really different. The confusion of the whole thing pushes aside some more of that grimness, at least.

"What... happened...?"

[drrdrrdrr]

"What? Oh..." She glances down at herself, then snorts. "Yeah, I've been here a while..." She turns a little to give him a better look, waggling her crocodile tail. "Pretty cool, huh?"

She kind of feels like he might take the tail better than the extra mouth...

[fragileandsoft]

"But... you were just..."

It's one thing to hear no time will pass for home while you're gone. It's another to see the other side of it. He had just seen her...

Greg rubs his head, dazed. "That.. all this is from working here? What did you--why?"

[fortuneglass]

[Now just who is that twitching sir with the ha-

Oh. Oh dear.

Carly's only just run back to quickly grab something to help with her new trailermate's orientation when she spots Greg, and her face is a little...conflicted. She sort of flew off right after handing over the lion, lest her Magnificent Ruse be discovered.

...Which means she...also happened to miss the sliiiiight debacle that followed.]

Ah-You made a contract with the Ringmaster? [she exclaims, more than a little surprised. Didn't he come with people?! It seems strange to do that in that case...]

[fragileandsoft]

Oh... Carly.

[She missed what happened, didn't she. Greg chews at his cheek a moment, then tries to force a smile.]

I guess so. Or, uh. She kinda made one for me.

[fortuneglass]

Hah-

[Uhoh what- The girl frowns a little, her brows furrowed in confusion.] Made?

[If the Ringmaster makes someone take a contract then...] You mean you didn't pay for something..?

O-Or...something didn't break did it..?!

[She really is entirely oblivious, isn't she? That's going to sting...]

[fragileandsoft]

Yeah, just got a little careless and ran outta tickets.

[It's probably for the best if she doesn't put it together. Greg doesn't want her blaming herself for his mistake.]

Didn't expect such a strict policy, or such a big payment system, but... there it is.

[missionfail]

"You. I remember you."

Which is something. Most customers don't leave enough of an impression. Though it's surprising to her that he'd found himself in the carnival, seeing as she's not sure what exactly he has to offer aside from positivity. The Ringmaster isn't picky enough for her tastes.

She leans down a little, squinting at him. The top half of her face is obscured by a mask, but it's always obvious who she is.

"At least you can perform. Sort of."

[fragileandsoft]

Her voice makes him go a little tense. Greg had been fine joking around with an employee, hoping to maybe brighten a potentially dull job for a few minutes and make a brief connection. Now, with the realization they were coworkers... well, he did apparently leave an impression. Hopefully it wasn't an annoying one.

"Uhh... hey, there... I remember you too! Umm."

He forces a grin, rubbing at his neck. "That up there? That was just--I'm just hired for the lights, I'm not... I don't sing a lot in public anymore."

[missionfail]

"The lights?" Jasper frowns. She supposes that's a useful skill too. Does that put him under Peridot? The idea that a little second era traitor like that would technically be her superior still angers her.

He's not a visitor anymore, and that means she doesn't have to be as accommodating. Reaching out with one finger, the gem pokes lightly at his gut.

"Can you climb?"

[fragileandsoft]

"Y...es?"

He rubs at the spot where she poked, and braces himself for more. Gems and personal boundaries are historically a doomed prospect. "Out of practice, maybe, but I got a collarbone so it oughta work out."

[wild_magic]

Susan doesn't know too much about music, but honestly he doesn't care, either; all of these people going up and singing are entertaining whether they're good or bad, and he's enjoying himself either way. Even when Greg gets up there and practically screams out the song, Susan still grins from his place right in front of the stage, and claps loudly and cheers when he's done.

[fragileandsoft]

It feels good to let loose with a song, though as Greg finishes he wonders if that left the best first impression. Karaoke isn't exactly about impressing people, but...

Susan's cheers are well appreciated when Greg finishes. He grins back at him.

"Hey, glad you enjoyed the show. Hope I didn't blow out any eardrums there."

[wild_magic]

"No, it was great! I liked it!" Of course he hasn't been to a lot of performances before, but still. He's smiling widely, obviously having enjoyed himself.

"I mean, it was loud, but that's what makes it more fun."

[fragileandsoft]

"See, this guy gets it!" Greg gestures at Susan, despite no one especially listening in.

"I've always said, if you can't go all in while making something, it hardly counts."