⇨ 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

childermass | new | ota

[atouts]

► THE NEW

[ For all that John Childermass would like to act untroubled by the sudden shift in the sky, even he cannot. The moons make no sense to him, nor do the stars, and he's fairly certain it had not taken this long to work out that deal. Then, it would not be the first time a sky made no sense to him, much to his irritation.

Perhaps he should have expected this.

Though it's not as intimidating as the last bizarre sky he encountered. This one, at least, is pretty enough to linger outside the tent and stare. It's dark enough that he doubts anyone will catch the note of wonder on his face as he does, no doubt helped by his shabby black greatcoat, coat, vest, hat, basically anything besides his shirt and cravat, which peak out from the rest as white. ]

Well. That's something. [ He'll say at last, breaking away from stargazing to search his pockets for his pipe. The next person to come by close enough, he'll move from the shadows to get their attention and ask, ] Excuse me. I don't suppose there is anywhere I could get a light from, is there?

[ Asked with a nod towards the pipe, in case they mistake what sort of light he means. ]

► "ORIENTATION"

[ Or, apparently, "a bunch of strange people get up on a stage and sing poorly". How that's worker orientation, Childermass wouldn't be able to say. For his part, he's sitting as far from the stage as humanly possible, top hat set aside and greatcoat hung over the back of his chair as he sits and watches. He'd propped his boots up onto the edge of the table at some point, manners be damned, and he must have found a light eventually, because he's puffing away on that pipe of his. If he's eaten yet or picked up any drinks, it isn't clear, since there's nothing else at the table with him.

He's people-watching, mostly. At least, he thinks most of these people are people. Some sort of people, if definitely not human ones. Currently, he's trying to decide what's stranger here: them or the singing... ]

"orientation"

[mistweaver]

[The noise kind of has Jou Shan on edge. She's used to crowds, sure--any Horde city tends to be packed, and Orgrimmar is the worst, but the noise is another deal.

She's had a few words in passing with this gentleman, and sure, he has a smoke already, pipe lit and people-watching as he is, but there's a certain something missing. Well, considering this is supposed to be a bar, too, anyway.

Being the beer snob she is, she cotton picks through the alcohol until she finds something in the ale that she finds acceptable, picks up two, and delivers one to the table before Childermass' boots.]

Hai, familiar face, you look as if you can use this. Safe enough, I have had a taste of mine.

[As if to prove, she takes another, though it's probably equally strange to see a panda taking a pull from a beer bottle...]

[atouts]

[ There's a dragged out moment where Childermass just looks at the beer, then looks at Jou, at the beer a second time, and then-- ]

Ah, of course. Tonight would not be complete without a bear bringing me a beer. [ His voice is as deadpan as ever, although there's a small twist at the edge of his lips that might be a smile, although it is sure to be a grim one. Tonight has definitely been a night. He will at least add, ] You have my thanks. I hadn't thought to get anything.

[ More like he's still too wary to. Anyway, with the arrival of a lady, he'll swing his boots back down off of the table, carefully to avoid knocking the bottle over, and gesture towards an empty seat. ]

Please, join me. I can't say I know much of anyone else here, either.

[mistweaver]

Perhaps I should go get food, as well? It is never a good idea to drink on an empty stomach. [Though for the moment, that is exactly what Jou is doing, advice be damned.

At his thanks, she gives a smile and a small bow.]

It would be my pleasure! Though you did not have to drop your feet for me. I have sat near much worse than a pair of dusty boots. They certainly do not outstrip a wet Worgen or an orc for rudeness, I assure you.

[She's trying to make a joke, but really, she's probably only confusing him. Still, Jou pulls out an empty chair and has a seat.]

Though I did not catch your name. I am Jou Shan Aleflower, formerly of Azeroth, at your service! Such as it is, and I imagine by terms of my contract, the circus comes first. [So she concludes, with a wry smile of her own.]

[atouts]

No. That would only make getting drunk all the more difficult. [ Even if that shouldn't be a goal, but come on. Just look around them. ] And I think tonight is one of the rare nights I'll aim for that. Case in point...

[ He picks up his beer and gestures back towards Jou herself with it. ]

I haven't the faintest idea, Miss Aleflower, what a worgen or an orc is. [ Creatures? More strange people? ] Though I do know I did not give a name before. I am John Childermass, from Yorkshire.

[ No formerly about it. ]

New

[mylastchance]

Oh, uh. I have flint and steel if you want to use them.

[Says a tall man with pointed ears and a significantly older looking outfit.]

[atouts]

[ To a similarly tall man with outdated clothing, although early 1800s may still be modern in comparison. ]

If you don't mind, that should do fine. I'll barely need more than a spark.

[mylastchance]

[He shifts, fumbling with a leather bag at his side. It looks handmade. Poorly handmade, but he does manage to retrieve the flint. He hands them over.]

You can keep those if you want.

[atouts]

[ And Childermass will take them, though not without a vaguely surprised look. ]

Won't you be needing them back?

orientation

[dorkypantsuit]

"This is what I like to see!" The Psionic is smiling as he approaches the new worker. He's clearly not human, he's also probably not entirely sober.

"Even if karaoke isn't your kind of thing you can still make yourself comfortable and have a good time!"

[atouts]

And here Childermass had thought the talking bear was bizarre. Whoever this is, whatever this is, surely ranks up there alongside Jou. Possibly stranger, even, as he has at least come to peace with the idea of talking bears. Basically, the Psionic is treated to quite a long stare, long enough that, eventually, he'll decide that, yes, this person is apparently sticking around.

Only then will he stop puffing away on the pipe.

"Of course. I've made myself comfortable in far worse places. If anything, I would call this one of the easier ones for it."

[dorkypantsuit]

The stare is so long it's impossible not to notice, but The Psionic simply smiles wider at the response he's invoke, showing off all his very pointy teeth.

"Oh really? And what worse situations have you found yourself in?"

He doesn't care that he hasn't been invited, he sits down in a nearby chair backwards, so as not to crush the wings sprouting from his back.

[atouts]

He can't quite tell if the wider smile is meant to intimidate or not, but he'll opt for, perhaps, not. Surely he wouldn't sit down and continue asking questions if he'd taken offense at the stare.

"Ships with not enough room, horse stables, cold places in the middle of nowhere. A crowded hall is, at least, a warm hall." Meaning the cookhouse. "Now, from the look of you, should I take it that you work here, sir?"

Or have worked here, in any case. It's not as though Childermass might deny working here now, as well.

orientation

[waitingforplayer2]

[ Somehow, when Chiaki returned from her adventure to the food table, she ended up only a few chairs away from the strange man in a top hat. She's still mostly watching the stage, fascinated by every new person that arrives there. But the person a few feet away from her is ... interesting, as well.

He also doesn't have any food in front of him. ] ... Have you eaten?

[atouts]

[ It takes a second or two before he realizes, yes, that was directed at him. It isn't something anyone typically asks him, more something he'd pester certain other people with on occasion. He turns to look at Chiaki, brow furrowed a little as though he's puzzled.

Why would anyone want to know? ]

No? No, I have not, not yet.

[waitingforplayer2]

[ That top hat is just really strange to see being actually worn, really. It's enough to keep her response from being immediate, and she shakes herself out of her momentary silence. ]

Here... [ She passes him one of her two plates, which has some pastries and dips on it. ] Do you want some?

the new

[puddingemote]

[Tamaki stops when the man approaches him. Looking him up and down quickly, he thinks maybe he could take him, if this guy wants a fight.

But he wants a light instead.

Tamaki looks at the pipe, then shakes his head.]

Smoking is bad for you, old man.

[atouts]

[ Well, okay, that's two points immediately against whoever this young man is. That said, Childermass remains fairly civil, only arching an eyebrow at the claim. ]

You think? Hm, well, it's yet to give me any trouble, boy, of that I can assure you.

[puddingemote]

[Boy is only one step below "youth" on the list of things Tamaki doesn't like being called. He huffs a little.]

It probably will. The director always told us we weren't allowed to smoke 'cause of that.

orientation

[pipers_son]

[Be honest with yourself, Childermass: it's the singing]

[Anyway, something is soon joining the table, and it's a plate of meat that looks curiously purple. A certain familiar face is grinning down at him, bright pink eyes shining from both the gem-light and amusement.]

Well, I certainly wasn't expectin' us ta meet again with our positions bein' what they now are, eh?

[atouts]

[ The world of karaoke: infinitely more frightening than faeries.

As for the plate of highly suspect meat, which absolutely shouldn't be purple, Childermass takes a moment to frown at that before looking up to the familiar face that's set it there. It's Joker, who he's yet to find disagreeable, so that means he'll be frowning slightly less at him than he'd been at the plate.

There's a very brief second or two where he considers taking his boots down off the table in the presence of his new boss, but it really is only under consideration for two seconds before he discards the entire notion of it. Norrell had to put up with it, so Joker will just have to, as well. ]

I admit it came as a surprise, sir. [ He agrees once he's moved his pipe aside. ] But I am in no position to argue with it.

[pipers_son]

[Good news: Joker doesn’t care about boots on the table, and just flops down into a seat himself to prop one of his own shoes up there as well.]

Ha. Ain’t none of us. Still, suppose it all works out. So, what do ya think of- [Excuse him, he has to cough, and it’s definitely not a laugh.] -the workers’ orientation?

the new

[solaris9]

[ A light, as Goku well knows, means matches or a lighter. He hasn't been living with a smoker for years without knowing such things. Unfortunately, he doesn't have either of those things with him right now. ]

Sorry, I don't.

[ He squints a little bit at the thing in his hand. ]

Is that like a cigarette?

[atouts]

[ Strangely enough, that puts Goku ahead of the curve over Childermass. Neither matches nor lighters exist yet where he's from. ]

You mean a cigar? [ Similarly with cigarettes, but the word sounds close enough to cigar that he can make an educated guess. ] This is a pipe, though you put tobacco in it all the same, so yes, I suppose it is.

[solaris9]

[ Cigar...? Close enough, Goku figures. The pipe looks kind of funny, all curly and such. ]

Ooh okay. I've never really seen one of those before. They sell lighters and stuff at stores, but I dunno where you can find one around here. I'm new.