⇨ 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

Zecora | OTA

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

On the Stage

The creature that took the stage was blatantly inhuman, with blank yellow eyes staring out from a black void beneath the hood of a cloak. Rather than selecting a track, the being turns a withering look of challenge on the crowd, daring someone to come up and take the second microphone that was usually used for duets.

Zecora didn't sing karaoke -- not because of any particular dislike of singing or lack of ability, but because it simply wasn't in her nature. Indeed, her current presence on the stage actually stemmed from a sharp discussion a year and more ago, in which Zecora had flatly dressed-down an animal trainer who'd taken her lack of interest as snobbish refusal.

The zebra people being a rhyming sort, their battles of words tended to be battles of sharp wits as well. And once Zecora discovered that there was a niche for rhyming verbal slams delivered in a flurry of confidence, she owned it. Zebras called them rhyme battles, but a lot of other people just wanted to call them rap. And they were epic.

Bring it on.

In the Crowd.

About a million times less creepy with her hood down -- but still no less strange, being a zebra and all -- Zecora casually paced around the dining hall, with a cheerful word for her friends and acquaintances and a friendly smile for the new arrivals. In particular, she kept an eye out for anypony who might need her services, be they of a physical or psychological nature. A Doctor's duties were never done.

Re: Zecora | OTA

[mylastchance]

[What the....]

Are you a... Horse?

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

Do horses have these stripes you see?

[She gestures to said stripes, which are glowing -- quite unhelpful for any positive identification. Still, she is more amused than anything... which won't stop her from pretending to chide him.]

Nor am I a pony.
'Zebra' is the world you crave.
I trust now your tongue will behave!

[mylastchance]

Oh, sorry.

[He takes her chiding seriously, looking embarrassed.]

I've never seen a... "Zebra" before.

[Wait, did she just speak in rhyme to him?]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[Aww, she hadn't met to really chastise him. She shakes her head to negate her words, offering him a smile.]

When I stepped into this world
A new reality unfurled.
Humans, fae, and many more.
How could anypony not explore?
You will meet far stranger here.
So do not fret and do not fear.

[Yep. Definitely rhyming.]

[mylastchance]

[He's being versed at.... He has no idea how to respond to this.]

I mean. I'm not really scared. It's all just. A lot to take in I guess.

time to pretend I can write raps

[puddingemote]

Tamaki is just sitting in a chair, eating sweets and trying to keep an eye on Mitsuki in case he gets drunk, when he sees the zebra get up on stage and stand there expectantly, looking out at the crowd. He wonders at first if she got stage fright or something, but a few veterans around him provide convenient commentary: she's waiting for someone to have a "rap battle" with her.

Well, Tamaki can rap, and he doesn't have much to do besides stuff his face with food, so he gets up and goes up to the other microphone, standing slouched by it. He's not shy about being up in front of a crowd, though he's not as used to being up there without anything specific to sing.

"Who starts?"

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

"The challenger, of course, begins," came the accented voice from beneath the depths of the hood.
"And from there, the cleverest wins.
Once it starts, it won't soon stop.
So be prepared with trick or prop."

[puddingemote]

"A trick or a prop? What do you mean?"

Ah, except he's supposed to be rapping now.

"It's the weirdest thing that I've ever seen,
You're challenging people from up on the stage,
If you're not careful you're gonna make me rage."

Yeah, it's definitely a lot harder when he has to come up with his own lines.

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

With a toss of her hooded head and a flick of one forehoof, Zecora waved off his rhyme as if it were nothing.

"You will rage and simmer
Because you're dimmer
Than a starless night
You have no fight
No pop, no snap,
You ought to slap
Yourself for claiming
These words, they're shaming
Your foolish face
You're a disgrace
You're way off-base
So learn your place."

[puddingemote]

Tamaki scowls at that, though it takes him a moment to think up a new rhyme to start.

"So learn my place
Don't screw with me
I am the best
That you'll ever see
You think you're tough
'Cause you can rhyme a word
But to me you just
Sound like a nerd."

[waitingforplayer2]

Having briefly left her corner for food, Chiaki notices the zebra who tended her, and before she knows it she's giving her a wave.

"I'm with you all now, I guess..."

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

Zecora nodded slowly. Though she regretted the price, she knew it was necessary and could not be waived. The fae had few rules, but those they did were not to be trifled with.

"Service comes with a price.
It is not very nice.
But it is always the way.
Thus, a year and a day."

[waitingforplayer2]

"No, it's...! It's okay. I appreciate it. Thank you. Everything healed."

She hesitates. "I... didn't get your name."

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

"Zecora is my name." The zebra inclined her head in something of a bow.
"These days, of small medical fame."

[waitingforplayer2]

"You're the head doctor, ... right?"

She pauses. "So... how do you manage with..."

She indicates Zecora's hooves.

Crowd

[pipers_son]

[As soon as Zecora steps down from her latest rhyme battle, Joker is giving a whistle. He'd clap, but... one arm.]

Very nice~! Ah, I mean-

[No one has ever told him to rhyme too, but Joker has picked up the habit of it. Why not? It's fun.]

Don't think I've ever seen such a fine spectacle
Bet they went and rung the victory bell!

Re: Crowd

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

I have yet to be defeated.
They claim challenge, I claim I'm cheated.

[A little cocky confidence still follows her, uncharacteristic for the zebra save when she's putting on a show.]

I need a moment to rest, I think.
Perhaps you would grab me a drink?

[One hand is still more than none, and little concession is ever made for her in these regards. So it goes.]

[pipers_son]

Zecora, miss, yer such a treasure
It’d gladly be my pleasure~.

[Making sure not to smack anyone in the face with his wings- which, in his defense, has only happened like half a dozen times and not recently- Joker sets off for the refreshments. He’s still not entirely sure what’s good for a zebra but, after a bit of talking with some of the cooks, he has a decent idea. When he comes back, it’s with a glass full of something blue and frothy plus one of those delightful loopy straws.]

[No one can say he isn’t thoughtful, when he cares to be.]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[Zecora is always amused when people around her start rhyming in turn, as if she's influencing them somehow. None of them realize it's just a tiny bit flirtatious and she certainly isn't going to tell them -- that would be embarrassing for all concerned.]

[Zecora sits back on her haunches to cup the glass between both hooves. Nothing here is quite adapted for zebrakind, but time has taught her how to compensate.]

Thank you for being kind.
I am glad you did not mind.

[pipers_son]

[Settling down nearby, wings staying close to his back, Joker chuckles.]

Hey now, here at the carnival, we’ve been through thick and thin
It’s the least I could do for one of my kin~.

[Kin by the carnival’s definition, anyway, which certainly has weight considering the ringmaster’s rules. He lets her enjoy her drink for a moment, eyes wandering and landing upon new face upon new face.]

So I hear you’ve got new folks under you
How do ya think they’ll all do?

crowd

[dragonsattendant]

Wow, this day was full of shocks. From joining a fae carnival, to skeleton dogs, to what was apparently...

"Excuse me, um... I'm sorry if this sounds ignorant, but I never thought I'd see a living horse! Wow..."

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

Sometimes it felt like she'd had this same conversation a thousand times by now.

"Not a horse," she corrected gently. "Instead you'll find
I'm counted among zebrakind."

[dragonsattendant]

"Oh, I'm sorry!" She bows in apology, and elaborates further. "It's just, you look like the paintings of horses I've seen... they've been extinct for a long time, so I wouldn't really know one for sure..."

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

Zecora wasn't mad, though she did sense the same sort of confusion she herself had once felt in the poor girl.

"You will find much different here.
We come from worlds both far and near.
On mine humans are totally unknown--
And yet here they set the tone."