⇨ 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

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya laughs, waving his hand in a dismissive gesture.] It's fine! I'm kind of why you got wet in the first place.

[And he's definitely going to dry off much quicker than Gon.] Fae still use towels, right? We can get one from them... have you seen the Summer City yet?

[It's closer than the gate is, anyway.]

[otoko]

The city? ...I, the man Gongenzaka, will admit to not seeing much... ...I prefer the outskirts, I will admit...

[hippocarnival]

[Well, Yuya's going to grab for his wrist with both hands to give him a tug that they should get going.] But if you haven't seen much, how do you know that's true? Have you done anything besides training since we got here?

[otoko]

Auh!!! I-I have!! I, the man Gongenzaka, have been taking numerous walks in fact!

[He rolled around in a flower bed too before he realized what he was doing and screamed into his hands for a moment, actually. DAMN INSTINCTS!!!]

[hippocarnival]

[Things Yuya would pay to see if he knew about them: that.]

Doesn't count! Everyone else is taking this as a vacation, it wouldn't hurt you to do the same.

[Like, he knows you're diligent about your training and everything, Gon. But come on. Walking is just training with sightseeing.] Some of the fae told me they have these special gardens where magic happens in the City. I haven't been to see any of them yet, but it sounds cool right?

[otoko]

Nh-! It-It's still a vacationing activity..!! [He insists, following all the same.] Mnnn...I, the man Gongenzaka, suppose it would be interesting... ...just what sort of magic though..?

[hippocarnival]

[He shrugs.] Fae magic, I guess? I didn't get the details, so it'll be a surprise for both of us.

[Really, Gon, never expect Yuya to be that calculating.] I doubt it's anything that'll hurt.

[otoko]

Considering we are in Fae...

[Yuuya please.] C-Certainly not, but that leaves a number of things it could still be!

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya looks over at Gon with a raised eyebrow.] Isn't that the fun part?

[Somehow, this isn't unlike their philosophy on action cards. Although Gon approaches those with less trepidation.] You're not worried, are you?

[otoko]

No!!

[FAE ARE STRANGE YOU SAW JACK AND THE MAYPOLE.]

[hippocarnival]

[YUYA IS STRANGE HE ROPED THOSE FAE INTO A GAME OF TAG.]

Good. Let's go!

[Luckily the city really isn't far. Yuya manages to catch the attention of a fae wandering into the courtyard--who doesn't even need his explanation at the sight of Gon, and rushes to get him some towels.

Like, three of them because they don't have any big enough for his stature.]

[otoko]

[Ohhh fine he's coming! But he better not come out of this with braids in his branches or something.

The towels ARE appreciated though, even if he seems a bit sheepish about it.]

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya will let Gon handle drying himself off, but he does at least carry the extra towels until Gon needs them. It's probably resulting in a post-wash fluff on his friend... he really does have a ton of fur. Idly, Yuya wonders if that ever itches, all that hair. And leaves.

He remembers to turn to the Fae and thank them while Gon dried off, and asks directions for those miracle gardens.]

[otoko]

[He'll do his best on that- the towels at least are good for his foliage...As it is, there's lots of rubbing, and then brief shaking, and his ears are twitching madly as he goes, muttering thank yous to anyone in earshot.] Phew....

[Looks...kinda like a cotton puff with leaves.]

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya is trying not to stare, but Gon just looks more and more dog like... he's gotten used to seeing Gon this way, but there's parts of it that are still strange, trying to piece together the human he remembers with his more bestial features.

This is what potent fae magic does, huh...] She said it's this way. [He points down the hall, already set to take the lead down there.]

[otoko]

The thing you wished to see? [he asks, looking up from the towels. Well...he nods then, and follows after.]

[hippocarnival]

Yeah! [Which he didn't ask further about because now he's really gotta dedicate himself to this "surprise" thing. So down the hall they go, to the end where mist seems to surround the trees the deeper into them they go, weaving around carved bark to reach the center.

It's darker than the rest of the Summerlands, shrouded by the tree's canopy above it, but the life in it is no less vibrant. The swamp-like flowers still bloom vibrantly and a few small frogs can be heard croaking. There's a ferny growth that comes up from the ground in masses, surrounding the bases of the trees in foresty foliage that seems to turn almost teal in places. Between the base of two trees where the ferns are shorter there's a small pond, and on that pond glowing amorphous figures that almost resemble will-o-wisps touch the water, dancing and walking upon it.]

Whoa...

[otoko]

[Well, they'll both just have to be surprised then. And...

...Surprised they are. Or at least he certainly is. As they come into the garden, it feels as though it should be later in the day than it is, a sunset perhaps, some dusky time where will-o-wisps glow best as the leaves shine. The darkness of the canopy provides.

His paws and even his hooves move with silence, and barely make a mark upon the ground, and with wide eyes, Gongenzaka takes in their surroundings.] ...So this is a 'miracle', [He murmurs, and from his words, it is clear that he would agree.] ...It is beautiful...

[hippocarnival]

It's really pretty. [Yuya, of course, makes his way straight for where the action is happening--the pond with the wisps dancing. He drops to his knees and leans over to watch them with a childish grin.

A couple of the wisps stop and appear to turn to Yuya--it's hard to tell when they don't have faces, but they skate closer to the water's edge.] Gongenzaka, look at this!

[otoko]

Auh... [He certainly agrees, to a point-but Gongenzaka turns to look at Yuuya, blinking.] Mnn...the wisps seem to be greeting you... [He should hope they aren't dangerous, given where they are...but the plants making up his body have him somewhat nervous about coming near, admittedly.]

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya has full faith in the Summer Fae and their funny gardens. Nothing's hurt him so far! He holds his hands out--but when they shy away from being poked at, he moves his hands to instead provide a platform for them to stand on instead. A couple are brave enough to venture on his hands, so he lifts then up and looks over his shoulder.]

... What are you so nervous about? [He raises an eyebrow.]

[betheman]

N-Nothing..!!! I-I, the man Gongenzaka, am merely keeping safe distance from the flames!

[LOOK THEY'RE FIRE RIGHT??? RIGHT??? ....Annnnd Yuuya's touching them.

Well this feels silly. He grimaces somewhat, trotting over rather sheepishly.] ...Though, if they are not truly fire, I, the man Gongenzaka, imagine it will be fine...

[hippocarnival]

You... thought you were going to catch fire? [He laughs softly as he rises to his feet, turning around and holding his hands out so Gon can see the wisps that are now dancing on his palms.] I dunno what they are, but it's definitely not fire. It's kind of shaped like a person.

[betheman]

A-ABSOLUTELY NOT.!!! [yes]

...No doubt, they are some form of fae... ....I, the man Gongenzaka, suppose 'hito-dama' come close? [Will-o-wisps!]

[hippocarnival]

[Fae probably makes more sense than 'disembodied soul', but that definitely feels fitting for their appearance.

He regards Gongenzaka silently for a moment, before stretching his arms to hold the wisps close to him.] You can touch them. They don't burn.