⇨ 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

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

If you're the boss
I'll fear no loss.

[Never worry, Joker. Absent an emergency, she'll be there. She has a lot to come to terms with in her mind, but none of it is really too bad.]

[pipers_son]

[That she's still there is enough to relieve him- everything else can be handled as they go along. Stepping into the tent, he gives one of his usual dramatic bows.]

Shall I escort ya, Miss Zecora?

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

I'm finished and ready
If you hold me steady.

[Of course, there is no actual way for him to hold her steady when she's a zebra, but the jest amuses her as she comes over to join him.]

[pipers_son]

Always waitin' ride by yer side~.

[Waiting for her patiently, he starts to guide her along out of the carnival.]

Though I hope yer patients weren't too great a tide?

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

For problems in the head
They avoid me instead.

[Which is why she keeps trying to conscript people to make others come her way. Before things explode. Even though mental problems aren't exactly her specialty, save with words and wisdom.]

[But rather than dwell on that, she regards Joker with amused skepticism.]

And through what fate
Do you have no date?

[pipers_son]

[Teasingly, he waggles his eyebrows at her.]

I know that I'm no handsome stallion
But I thought we were companions!

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

Hush and enough!
Don't tell me that stuff.

[Zecora knows perfectly well that Joker is a popular man in the carnival!]

We are indeed friends.
Do you envision other ends?

[pipers_son]

Who knows, who knows~
No one can say how fate flows!

[But his laughter starts to ebb a bit as they step out into the beautiful fields of the Summerlands, and, the further they get from the carnival, the more thoughtful he becomes.]

Although frankly, I might not be much of a guy ta settle down with anyone.

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

If you tried to settle down
In the carnival, you would frown.

[Knowing that they will eventually all go their separate ways, for sure, means anything here is impermanent by definition. Unless somepony really wished to give up their old life entirely. Zecora certainly didn't.]

[pipers_son]

Ha! I won't disagree with ya on that part
But even before this, that wasn't my kinda heart

While of course I'm a really handsome guy
I think it'd be best for people ta pass me by

[Loosely, he shrugs, trying to seem careless about the idea even as it makes a part of him twitchy inside.]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

You believe your charm
Would just cause harm?

[Zecora looks up at him with her usual steady gaze, the kind that both accepts his words and challenges him to defend them all at once. She has a bit of a knack as a teacher, after all.]

[pipers_son]

[That startles a laugh from him.]

It sounds unpleasant when ya put it like that!

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

I merely say
What you sent my way.

[After all, Joker -- it must be harm you fear, because what else would keep you from trying if you wanted? Zecora is pretty certain a bevy of people here would take the chance if he ever offered one, both past and present.]

[pipers_son]

Ha, really now...?

[...Well. Maybe not charm.]

Some people aren't much for brief things, really, especially with the carnival as it is.

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

In your words, I find
You don't say if you're that kind.

[Are you really going to dance around this with wordplay and expect to get away with it, Joker? Really, she'll stop prying if you ask, but trying to dodge with verbal trickery won't really work.]

[pipers_son]

Ah ha, I guess not...

[WHY ARE YOU SO GOOD AT THIS ZECORA... WHY ARE YOU SO SMART. And why does he keep spilling things like this, for one thing.]

[...Although he guesses he knows perfectly well why.]

Just- a lotta background and stuff, wouldn't be much appealin' ta anyone lookin' for something deeper or someone lookin' for somethin' short, yeah? Anyway, what about you, do ya think ya could be with anyone in the carnival? In general, I mean.

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[Because Zecora is wise, and as a hermit by nature is well-prepared to hit that sweet spot where enigmatic meets blunt.]

I do not mean to deride --
But is that for YOU to decide?
If you do not hide
What you feel inside
Then why not give romance
An honest chance?
If they say 'no'
Then at least you know.

[Like that. That may actually be a little more clear than much of her advice, actually.]

For me, none have confessed
Any interest.
Even here they find
I am not their kind.

[pipers_son]

[Zebra hermits sure are smart... Joker grinds the heel of his palm against one antler a bit, laughing awkwardly.]

I suppose yer right.

[The city is a bit closer now, and Joker makes his way around familiar faces (in more ways than one) with ease.]

Still, what about yer interest?

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[Zecora paces in silence next to him as they weave just that bit, to give the question its proper contemplation.]

First off you must understand
My leaving home was not planned --
Though at this later date
I think it was a sure fate.
The past and friends of which I've spoke
Were almost all pony folk
And a baby dragon for good measure.
Their friendship is something I treasure.
But no zebras, not one.
In years I have see none.

So the answer must bore you to tears:
I haven't thought to look in years.

[pipers_son]

[With the walk they have, they certainly have enough time, and Joker understands it's a bit of a personal question. Still, the answer catches him by surprise, and his eyebrows rise up. While it's not exactly been a secret that hooved creatures are the norm where Zecora is from... he'd always taken it for granted that included zebras.]

And s'never bothered ya?

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

Without romance I do not grieve.
It is a thing I can take or leave.
If it came I would not say 'no'.
But I am happy already, so
What in this can bother me?

[But she looks up at Joker with a wry little smile.]

Why the curiosity?

[pipers_son]

[And he smiles right back, earrings jangling a little bit as the ears they're attached to twitch.]

Well, I like ta think we're both good friends
And it'd make me glad if ya had a happy end

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

My life will be happy no matter its course.
Happiness has only once source.

[She pauses in her steps to lift one hoof to her chest. She kind of had to admit that humans were built in a way that made this gesture far more effective when they did it, numerous other flaws aside, but she's pretty sure he gets the point.]

[pipers_son]

Now aren't those words pretty wise
Although from you that's no surprise~.

[Chuckling, he looks ahead.]

Still, if ya ever feel lonely or need a bit of help
I'll be right there if ya ever make a yelp

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[Zecora looks at him -- then bursts into bright and merry laughter, quite out of keeping with her dark and spooky demeanor, but perfectly in line with her real nature.]

Given what we have been discussing
Just what sort of aid are you offering?