⇨ 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

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?

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

Eager and willing
Are traits most thrilling.
Skill will come in time
In medicine and in rhyme. [At which she gives him a sidelong little smile, because it can be a little infectious, it seems.]

[pipers_son]

[A wink in response, because he won't deny it.]

Well, so long as there aren't too many troublermakers, I won't mind~.
A bit of practice and polish, and I'll make 'em nice and refined.

[Can he keep going? It's fun to find out.]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

A lack of knowledge is better for me
When what I teach can so vary.
Those who treat human flesh and bone
May struggle with features not their own.

[Zecora, after all, could make her brews for practically any species -- which was one reason she'd had such success treating this diverse bunch, even as they'd changed over time.]

[pipers_son]

[Well now, that is a good point, and one he can’t argue with. A regular doctor, at least one of Joker’s time, would have enough trouble with the strange symptoms that plagued members of his old circus just because they weren’t the average sort. (And he tries not to think of one doctor in particular.)]

[But Zecora’s approach has definitely been versatile, if nothing else.]

When you put it like that, I can’t really argue
In that case, better ta have a different point a view
Still, looks like we’ve gone and got a interestin’ crop!
Might not be all human workin’ at yer stop

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

What does it matter, either way?
We are all the same at the end of the day.
You would not find it too strange
If your outside changed
Because in heart and mind
You would be you, you'd find.

[pipers_son]

Once again I can’t say yer wrong
Not with my pair a prongs
Still makes it a little interestin’, wouldn’t ya say?
Since no one changes all the same way!

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

What you said is understated.
How strange the changes to which we're fated!

[Zecora looks down at her own hooves, shiny obsidian that reflect the light brilliantly. And yet that's so mild.]

Accepting this life can only start
If you hold on and believe in your heart.

[pipers_son]

[Almost thoughtful, Joker glances down at his own hand. All his life, he’d only had the one to make him almost seem like other people, and now, even that’s been changed from him. But…]

I find it helps if some folks got a goal
Somethin’ ta look forward ta and keep ya whole

...Ha. Metaphorically speakin’.

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

To have a desire or a goal
Is a smaller part of the whole.
The thing you see, the truest start...

[The zebra brings one hoof up to her chest.]

Is to have a strong and centered heart.

[pipers_son]

Well, when it comes ta that, not everyone’s smart
How do ya strengthen that particular part?

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

For those who are lost, help is not far--
For a friend can teach you who you are.

[pipers_son]

Ha. So in the end it all comes down ta friendship
Here’s ta hopin’ everyone here finds it.

[Miming a glass in his hand, he gives a mock toast.]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

I have no fear.
It is always near.

[Case in point, yes?]

[pipers_son]

May it stay close for many years ta come
However the train a fate might run~.

[He’s quite pleased with that one, actually, and Joker leans back, letting his eyes dip shut.]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[Zecora nods firmly.]

Even when we all must part
And reach the end promised by this start
The friendship that we feel
Will be no less real.

[pipers_son]

Are ya lookin’ forward ta the end of our contract?

[He keeps his eyes closed, apparently content.]

When it’s ta yer home that ya can get back?

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

Not so much that I won't sign
Once again on the dotted line.
If my friends missed me, I would doubt
But they will not know I spent this time out.

[pipers_son]

That’s a pretty nice train of thought
Simple but sturdy, get ya through a lot
Still, I gotta say, I think I’m lookin’ for when it’s done, finally
Even if they don’t know, it’s hard not ta miss my family!

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

Will you leave when your contract expires?
Is that when our famous Joker retires?

[It's hard to imagine, honestly. He's been a mainstay of her time here, a part of this carnival all the time she's traveled with it. Without him the place would feel a little emptier.]

[pipers_son]

Ha, it’s the whole reason I’ve been workin’ night and day!
Ta make it so I can go over the hills and far away~.
But if it’s concern yer feelin’, ya don’t gotta worry
It’s not somethin’ that’s bound ta happen in any hurry.

[He shrugs his shoulders, laughing again. So long as he stays kicking, he’ll be in the carnival for… a decade, probably, which is a strange thing to think of. But he has a lot of family that he wants to keep safe.]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

You go when you go, not early or late.
I would never wish to interrupt your fate.
You'll be missed when you're gone
But our lives will go on.