⇨ 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

Medli | OTA

[dragonsattendant]

Brave New World

[ Well, once Medli's all squared away, the next thing to do is figure out what to do with the interlude before the worker's orientation.

She never knew what to do with her free time. Maybe some exercise would put her mind at ease.

If you don't find her aimlessly wandering (and fidgeting with her hands something fierce), you might find her testing out her flight capabilities. Unlike some veterans here, her wings are not only natural but where her arms normally are instead of on her back.

But even with the added lift under her wings from her contract, a sudden gust will bring her crashing to the ground right by someone else. Possibly into them. Oops. The Rito girl scrambles to her feet, and bows deeply. ]

I'm- I'm sorry! You're not hurt, are you?

Orientation

[ This... doesn't seem like the kind of orientation she was expecting. Medli's a little annoyed, honestly. They should be taking their jobs seriously!

Some food and drink later, she's accepted that this is the way it's going to be, and she'll make the best of it. Once the stage is clear, and no one seems to be making a move towards it, she'll take initiative and fly over to stand on it.

Introductions were in order! She bows to her audience (regardless of how many they may number) and begins to speak. ]

So... hello, everyone! I'm- My name's Medli, and I'm going to be your new beast tamer! Exciting, huh?

[ A short, awkward silence. The girl fidgets. ]

... But! Enough about me. Well, it might be mandatory to do this, but Rito women can't really sing like the men do, so, um...

[ She reaches into her hammerspace bag, and pulls out her harp. The musically inclined may note that the harp is actually a lyre, but the game calls it a harp and that's what I'm sticking with. ]

But I can play this! I know it's not my job, but I've practiced it a lot. I hope I sound okay!

Well, here goes...

[ She takes a deep breath. Her attention is now fully on her harp, and she begins to play. ]

brave new world

[linkedpenumbra]

[It wasn't much of a shock for nighttime to greet Shadow's eyes after his session with the Ringmaster, since daylight wasn't something his body could tolerate. And the amount of time that actually passed between his arrival and now doesn't matter much in his mind either.

With more than enough free time before that orientation nonsense, here he is floating along, minding his own business for the most part until that wind sends the bird girl head over heels into the dirt. Shadow's not hurt, he's just watching for a moment.

.... Just so you know, that gale wasn't him.]

Heh, surely you're a lot better than that at flying around here!

[The crash was amusing at least, if the smirk on Shadow's face is any indication. Once again, he totally had nothing to do with this.]

[dragonsattendant]

[ Oh, thank goodness. ]

Not really... I couldn't fly that well at home, either, and I'm still getting used to--

[ And then she looks up and sees Shadow. Really sees him. Her eyes go wide. Well, as wide as the Toon style will allow for, anyway. ]

Link?!

[linkedpenumbra]

[Well that's interesting. It makes Shadow pause in the middle of his sneering for a brief moment. He's positive that he doesn't know this girl or what she is, but if she still mistaking him so easily for his counterpart... The smile on his face returns, but it's not genuine at all.]

Yeah, that's me.

[Oh this already feels too easy and Shadow's loving it.]

It's been a really long time though.

[dragonsattendant]

[ She lights up. ] Oh, Prince Komali will want to hear all about your adventures! Did you figure out what Valoo meant? Did you save your sister?

[ Medli wants to hear all about it, too, apparently. ]

[linkedpenumbra]

[Hm. None of that's ringing a bell. And though he could easily say that "he" accomplished such things... well, what would this weird girl do if she did figure out his ruse.]

Well you should already know that I'm the hero...! There wasn't a puzzle or riddle too hard to me to solve and no monsters stood a chance if they got in my way.

[.... Convincing enough?]

Brave New World

[fastestdraw]

[The skele-taur does yy-YOW! on the initial collision - but he's startled; not really hurt in the remotest!

He shuffles on his hooves and turns - and on seeing a little(? hard to tell - all sorts show up at this carnival, all aging in different ways!) bird lass bowing in apology, he chuckles, in a positive sort of spirit of amusement!

And he bows back, with a small, quick-ish lift and bend-in of his right arm.]

I've had way worse, missy! One bump from a flyer ain't nothing.

And you?

[Straightens up and brings his tone down to a less-high point - he hasn't seen this gal around before, and so this seems prudent to ask!]

Are y'all tryin' to get somewhere?

[dragonsattendant]

Oh, I'll be al--right?!

[ Looking, up, Medli jumps back in surprise. A Stalfos?! HERE?! ... on what appeared to be a horse's body, no less?!

She quickly recomposes herself from her initial freakout, though. When you're being asked a question, you have to answer! ] U-um, not really! Just testing my wings and getting to know the place, t-that's all!

[fastestdraw]

[He laughs again, leaning back a bit with a hand over his mouth - he's not trying to be rude, but ha, yeah, he gets these kinds of reactions.]

Y'all can smooth them feathers, little lady - I don't bite!

I'm just another member of the crew here. [Straightens himself out likewise, gets back into lightly-piping conversational mode!] There's another who looks a tad bit like me around here, but he's more dog than bronco.

[And as for her wording...]

Now, correct me if I'm missing my guess, but that mean you're gonna be joining us for the year up ahead?

[dragonsattendant]

Oh, I see... Um, yes, I am, sir! I'm joining the carnival as a beast tamer!

[fastestdraw]

[There is a small part of him that instantly wonders - not in a condescending sense, but in just a surprised sense - at the fact that she does seem a bit smallish and young-ish to be beast-taming, even after all that he's seen - but. Ha ha, instant recollection of all of that does keep him from expressing any of that.]

Well, then! Most certainly a pleasure to have you on board with us, miss!

[He bows again! Not a one-arm-bent, "excuse me" bow, but a proper greeting bow - getting down on one of his foreleg's knees, with his arms out and a palm up.]

My name's Easel!

I'm one of the patrolmen on the grounds here -- and part o' the Nightrider's crew. [Standing properly with all four hooves planted again, swings one of his arms to end with him pointing at himself with a thumb.] If y'all ever find yourself having any trouble 'round here, if y'all find me, you let me know and I'll do whatever I can to set things straight.

You hear?

[waitingforplayer2]

[ It's one of the calmer tunes that's graced the stage all night, and Chiaki, who's been only halfway paying attention for large sections of the night, perks up immediately. Her ears swivel towards the stage to catch every note.

The entire time the tune is playing, she watches. It's the most beautiful thing she's heard all night. Almost homey.


Later in the evening, Chiaki's wandering the floor while idly playing her game when she nearly runs into the birderson. ] Oh! [ The recognition hits her halfway through an apology. ] ... The harp! Right?

[dragonsattendant]

[ And Medli is ducking out of the way when she's addressed. ] Hm? Oh, yes!

[ She pulls it out and smiles. ] I hope it was satisfactory. I didn't have a chance to practice before "orientation"...

[waitingforplayer2]

No, it was beautiful! I've never heard anything like it... How did you learn?

*randomly assigns komali's grandmother a name*

[dragonsattendant]

Oh, good! [ She beams at the compliment, though her smile falters at the next question. ]

My teacher was a woman named Anali. She's taught me almost everything I know. The harp, Valoo's language, all of my duties... I'm nowhere close to her level of skill, though. I'm not sure I ever will be...

[ This is a sad subject for her. She decides not to dwell on it. ] But I'm always practicing it when I have downtime, because she told me that it would be important for me.

sounds legit to me

[waitingforplayer2]

She sounds really nice. [ Chiaki's never really had someone like that. The closest she had was Chisa, before--

She swallows. ] Always? I'll probably hear a lot of it, then, huh? It reminded me of home.

Orientation

[fragileandsoft]

[ Between all the rock and pop songs and the vocal performances of varying skill and sobriety, the lyre makes a striking difference in the room. Medli's performance catches Greg's attention immediately, and he applauds loudly once she's finished.

Once she gets off the stage, Greg approaches. ]

Hey--Medli, right? That was pretty impressive, up there.

[dragonsattendant]

Oh, thank you, sir! [ Medli blushes, and does a quick bow of gratitude. ] I didn't know this is how the orientation would go, so I didn't have time to practice beforehand... but I'm glad you liked it anyway!

[fragileandsoft]

Pretty polished for a surprise performance. You perform much back home?

[ He remembers his manners, and offers a hand. ] Greg Universe. I'm in engineering here, but I was a musician way back when.

[dragonsattendant]

Well, I've never put on a show for people, before. But I practice a lot. My teacher said it was important, and so I've taken it to heart.

[ She accepts the handshake. ] It's nice to meet you, Mr. Greg. [ What's a surname, can you eat it?

She makes the connection between him and Steven, though. They look similar, so perhaps the shared name means they're related? Best not to ask, though. ] Really? I'd love to hear you play some time!

[fragileandsoft]

I gotta agree with your teacher on that. Even without an audience, I always feel better if I'm playing my guitar. Music's just a good habit to get into.

[ He smiles softly at her. ] 'Course, I'd be happy to have you as an audience, too. Maybe we could even play together sometime, if you're up for it.

orientation

[wild_magic]

[Susan has parked himself in front of the stage at the moment, just watching all of the various performances with a smile on his face. He's never been to such a crowded place before, and it's exciting, but even more exciting is watching the people who get up and sing. So when Medli stands on the stage it's different, compared to the rest, but that doesn't stop him from watching happily and clapping loudly when she's done with her piece.]

[After she leaves the stage, he goes to talk to her.]

It's a good thing you played that song, all the singing was getting a little boring!

[dragonsattendant]

[ She takes a bow to her applauders before hopping off the stage, merging with the crowd once more.

When found, she smiles sheepishly at the boy. ] Oh, I wouldn't say they're boring. I've never heard a lot of these songs before, so I just... consider it a new experience!

[wild_magic]

It is pretty cool to listen to them all... But more people should try something different. Maybe dancing?

[dragonsattendant]

Dancing? Hm... I think I saw a fur-covered woman dancing not long ago. [ What is bear, let alone panda? We just don't know. ] But like I said up there, I would have sang, too, if I had the voice for it...

[ Fun fact: When you hear birdsong, it's, to my knowledge, always the males. Females don't sing. The same probably holds true for Rito. But that's just a theory. A GAME THEORY! ]