⇨ THE SUMMERLANDS

[ringleaders]

Who: Everyone!
When: Day 138 - Day 152
Where: The Summerlands
What: The Ringmaster brings the carnival to the Summerlands immediately after being freed from Portland so that everyone can take a fucking nap. Her included.
Warnings: Individually marked! Most likely discussion of torture and trauma in here.

DAYS OF SUMMER↴ You made it! And things are back to normal... more or less. Upon waking, you will be greeted with a clear blue sky and gentle breeze – the carnival has found itself situated between a pair of mountain peaks, with great fields of flowers extending in the distance. In the other direction, you’ll see mountain-top cities and tall waterfalls accenting vast swaths of forest. Some of you will already know this place. It’s the Summerlands. You game here once to rest in safety nearly a year ago, and now you’ve come to rest once again. ► WAKING UP: Shortly after the carnival arrives, the Ringmaster will send out a somewhat cryptic radio message - but her immediate location won't be clear. Whatever items you had on your person at the time the Severing was broken will still be on your person, including whatever clothing. All of the animals and pets of the carnival will have returned to the grounds as well, though they are currently free from their designated living spaces. Things in the carnival will appeared to have naturally aged a month, as if the carnival was been sitting here empty and waiting while everyone was in Portland. The lawn needs mowing. ► SUMMER CITY: After the Summer Fae become aware of everyone's presence, they will welcome you into their city. There are stairs that lead up the sides of the mountains, but thankfully there are also magical means of getting up there as well. The Summer Fae will be willing to help workers with the injured as needed, offering herbal remedies and healing magic to those that want it. You'll also be invited to join them for dinner, but they will not be particularly offended if they are turned down, for now. ► SUMMER PEOPLE: The fae here will mostly enjoy the company of any carnival members that offer it - it doesn't seem that much happens here besides day after day of peaceful meditation and relaxation. It is not uncommon to see Summer Fae spent days doing exactly the same thing, whether that be enjoying the weather, listening to music, or dancing - the day and night periods may be similar to earth, but when you don't need rest it can all blur together just the same. Some of the fae work on feats of agriculture or craftsmanship, and while there is no particularly need to work in this place, they take pride in the fact that they do. ► NEW ARRIVALS: Though the Ringmaster will not be offering much guidance for the first week or so, eventually the carnival will begin running for a few small performance sessions, off and on, as a thank you to their fae hosts. The carnival will also be open to receiving new arrivals during that period, and so there will likely be some newbies to train and get orientated as well.

Comments

Chill Break

[mylastchance]

Carly?

[He calls out, looking for her as he enters the costume tent. He isn't even sure she'll be here, but he looked in he trailer and figured this was the next best bet for where she would be. True, he could have tried the radio, but then he'd have to explain why he was looking for her, and well... He hated having extended conversations over that thing, so he just didn't.]

[He carries a small amount of clothes in his arms, and she might be surprised to see a full set of antlers growing out of his head. They definitely weren't there before now.]

[insidescoop]

[Very handsome antlers, but that's beside the point. Carly, her eyes far less black than before, looks up from what seems to be some rather intricate detail work.

Her expression brightens when she sees who it is.] Mmn! Lauren! You're alright then..!

[mylastchance]

[He smiles weakly at her. The outfit and her changed appearance both strike him as odd, but Carly doesn't seem concerned so he avoids asking her about it for now.]

Yeah. Guess so.

[Not through anything he'd done. The day had been saved thanks to a lot of others, but he doesn't dwell on the thought. He'd come here for a reason. Well, a reason beside just wanting to make sure his friend was okay. He shifts the bundle of clothes in his arms, leaning some of their weight on the table.]

...Can you show me how to sew?

[fortuneglass]

[No questions makes everythi g easier. It speeds things along, it calms everyone down, and...] Hmmm? ...With the sewing machine you mean..?

[mylastchance]

Uh, maybe?

[He sets the clothes down, starting to dig through a few of them.]

Susan grew wings, so we cut some holes in the back of his shirts, but now they're sort of falling apart.

[He pulls out a smaller shirt and turns it over to show Carly what he means.]

Um, also I need bigger neck holes for mine...

[The reason should be obvious, but he's hoping she won't make him say it regardless.]

[insidescoop]

[Carly does her best to keep a neutral expression through this...though it is Hard. There is wincing, chewed lips, awkward half raised hands...

Hooboy.] w.. well, I can definitely teach you, but...

...why didn't you ever bring the clothes here before..? We'd have done repairs you know, it is our job...

[At least she didn't make him explain the neck holes.]

[mylastchance]

[He can tell by her reactions that he's messed up. He blushes a bit, feeling embarrassed, but pushing through anyway.]

Well... You're always so busy, and there aren't a lot of people who can sew here.

[insidescoop]

Mnnghhh, that's true I guess, but...

[Oof. Complaining about someone not coming sooner won't help anything, so she brushes it aside as quickly as she can. Not the time! So!] ...Well...

W-well I guess we have to increase that number then..!! Otherwise you'll be hemming these holes all wrong, you know..!

[mylastchance]

[He looks to the table feeling kind of nervous.]

Well. I'd wanted to learn for a while anyway.

[He just hadn't really had anyone to ask before.]

It's irritating having to barter with the tailor for it.

[insidescoop]

Heh, bartering?

[What what wh- Oh anyway.] Well-! Let's get started then ok? No time to waste!

[mylastchance]

Okay.

[He says it the way you might if you were agreeing to some deadly or serious task, but it's just sewing. He waits for her to give him instructions.]

[insidescoop]

Alright...so first, let's start with an easier bolt of fabric...something you'll have to work with a lot! Did you bring anything that you need to sew over..?

[mylastchance]

Um...

No.

[fortuneglass]

Do...you have any measurements then? [she offers.]

[mylastchance]

[He's starting to feel very embarrassed again. When he talks again it's quiet and uncomfortable.]

...Measurements?

[insidescoop]

Yes! We need the measurements of what you want to make the clothing for-so in this case, you, or Susan!

[mylastchance]

[He looks at the pile of clothes he set down earlier, and then realization sets in.]

Oh you meant... Do I have the things I want sown.

[Not sewing tools. Of course. Man, he feels so dumb right now.]

I mean. I just wanted to repair these.



Maybe I should come back later.

[Or never, you know, that was a good option too.]

[insidescoop]

Exactly!

[And ah-she quickly waves her hands, shaking her head.] Later?! We can definitely start now you know, it's fine..!

[mylastchance]

[Her high energy gestures sometimes destroy him a bit. He's the one who started this though, and he can't back out now.]

Well... If you're sure.

[insidescoop]

Of course I'm sure! Now...let's teach you the stitches you're going to need first, so that you can fix these.

let me know if this isn't okay????

[mylastchance]

Right.

[He shifts so he can see her work easier, paying extraordinary attention to the stitches as she goes through them. It's a level of focus that isn't really necessary for simple sewing like she's explaining, but well, he's determined to do it correctly the first time.

Of course being close to Carly while she works only make the differences in her appearance stand out even more. Something must have happened to her, he realizes suddenly, in Portland. He frowns, losing focus as he makes that connection suddenly. Most people probably would have made that assumption from the beginning, but Lauren was here about sewing before, and still is now, actually. Too bad his intense concentration from only a moment ago is swiftly dwindling. Instead he finds himself focusing on Carly as he looks her over in concern.]

...Is everything alright?

it's all good!

[fortuneglass]

[The work goes rather easily enough. It's moving smoothly, at the least, and those torn up things are looking a bit better now...

And then she pauses.] ...Eh?

...What do you mean?

[mylastchance]

[He shrugs, looking embarrassed and wondering if asking that was wrong.]

I don't know.

[And he really doesn't know what he means, only that he was concerned about her because of the way she looked. Of course a change in appearance hardly meant disaster around here, but he'd had the though and once he did couldn't stop himself from asking.]

Are you well?

[Does the question make more sense this way????]

I had to backtrack and remember what was going on -wheezes-

[fortuneglass]

[Ah. Well. Carly just chews her lip, and looks back to the sewing machine.] Ummnnh....I'm okay. ...Why, do I look sick..? [SUDDEN CONCERN. Though it'd be a fair observation-the poncho is there because she's molting after all...]