⇨ 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

[soft_focus]

[She seems quite incredulous about this.] ....How would I remember that...?!

[And hell for that matter, this seems to bring a glaring flaw forward!] ....How do you remember that about yourself?!

[mylastchance]

[That... Actually makes him smile.]

It was hard at first, but my Mom helped me remember. Even if you can't remember the exact day knowing the month or the season can help you keep track of things.

[soft_focus]

....I don't think even Mom knew about that day though...

[She probably knew the year thanks to some scientific test or whatever, though. But...hmmm.] ...I don't think I'd want to ask her either.

[mylastchance]

[He wonders what that means. How could a mother forget the day of her own child's birth? He must be misunderstanding something, so he pushes the issue aside for now.]

Well, there are lots of people with weird magic here. Maybe someone can tell you.

[soft_focus]

[Adoption Happens sometimes Lauren. Sometimes a mom is someone you don't even know...

She's far more interested in the learning bit for now though.] ....So I just have to find someone with magic?

...do you have magic?

[It would save time.]

[mylastchance]

[EVEN AN ADOPTIVE MOTHER WOULD KNOW SOMETHING LIKE THAT.]

Yeah, but I can't tell your birthday or anything. Sorry.

[soft_focus]

Oh.

[A little disappointing.

And hey-sometimes a birthday just ain't on the record Lauren.] So it's the wrong magic...

...Mnnnhh...who has the right magic then?

[mylastchance]

[He frowns, wishing he could be more helpful]

I don't know. But if I find out I'll tell you.

[soft_focus]

[Well. Reira just sighs, and goes back to trying to coax the 'snat'-or Snake Cat- from his hiding place in that case. Oh well.] Okayyyy...

[mylastchance]

[He watches her, just the slightest bit amused as she continues to try and coax the creature while the snat begins bathing.]

It might respond better if you call it's name.

[soft_focus]

....

I don't think it has a name though. [Actually on that note-] ....He just doesn't want to leave the sun, I think. ....He's happy there.

[Can't tell why, but she figures it's the sun. It did sort of stretch for it.]

[mylastchance]

[Lauren nods, thinking that's a pretty good hypothesis. The he turns to the cat and just straight up asks it if it's enjoying the sun, because talking to animals is a thing he can do. Reira can understand his question, of course, but so will the Snat, though only Lauren would be able to understand it's answer.]

[soft_focus]

[Being a cat and a snake at the same time, the answer is a resounding Y E S, and being able to give that answer just makes them purr even more with contentment.

She might not understand anything but she does pick up on the impressive amount of happy feelings coming from the fluffy noodle suffice to say.] ...See? He's happy.

[The Most.]

[mylastchance]

[Lauren smiles, and nods.]

Your right. Maybe we should come back for it after the sun moves.

[soft_focus]

...I'm supposed to bring him back to his pen though... [she replies, frowning.] ...Do you think there's sun in there..?

[Answer: Yes. But sun is also here. Therefore, they are staying Here thanks.]

...It's supposed to be my job...

[mylastchance]

[He tries to offer her a comforting expression. He can tell she's worried about the consequences of failing to meet expectations. Lauren knows this place by now though, and he know's the people here aren't the kind to be needlessly cruel to someone new, especially someone so young.]

You'll still be bringing it back to it's pen. It just might take a little longer. They didn't give you a time limit did they?

[soft_focus]

...No...

...but I don't know what would happen to them if I leave either... [What if a Giant Dog comes and EATS HIM. Or something.]

[mylastchance]

Hmm..

[He pauses, looking thoughtful for a second.]

I can guard them, if you want.

[soft_focus]

You would? [Whaaaaat-] ...Even if they're here a long time though..?

[Look she doesn't know how fleeting sunbeams are-]

[mylastchance]

I don't have anything else to do today. And the sun does feel nice.

[soft_focus]

Umn! Okay! [Well shit, that works then! She's even smiling a bit.] Thank you! I-

[wait]

.............how am I going to know when to come back...

[mylastchance]

[He reaches into his hoodie pocket, pulling out his radio.]

Do you have one of these?

[soft_focus]

Um!

[YES. She pulls hers out, and.................that shit is Definitely Not On, this thing is OFFLINE hooboy.] ...Yeah.

...I just put it on one of the pockets... [Back shorts pocket. Handy for hiding things mostly because her hair covers it from there.]

[mylastchance]

Ah.

[He nods, holding his in a way where they can both see it as he fiddles with it.]

This button turns it on. Have you seen one of these before where you're from?

[soft_focus]

Umn. I saw a lot of soldiers carrying them, I guess... [she replies, perhaps a little too casually.] ...I thought if it was on though, it'd run out of power.

...Also it gets loud. [Just take it off the general channel for a bit kiddo,,,]