[open] ring the bells that still can ring

[pipers_son]

Who: Joker and you
What: All's fun and games, but the Performers still need to work. Joker occupies himself with that, and maybe a few other things. Like cooking. Or sunbathing.
Where: The Big Tent, the cookhouse, trailers, and eventually the lake
When: Days 145 - 152
Warnings: Potential talk of trauma? But nothing more than that

A - Time to Work

[It's over the Performance Department's channel on the radio that Joker's voice buzzes through.]

While it's all well and good ta take a break, this is a reminder for folks ta get practice in. We won't be doin' real impressive shows for a while, probably, but that just means it's more important ta keep practicin' for when we move on from the Summerlands.

Any problems or questions, come find me in the Big Top. Oh, and we got some new folk in, in case ya haven't seen yet.

[Sure enough, Joker can be found in the ring, bouncing around making sure people are doing fine, practicing some tricks himself... All sorts. He'll come over the second he sees someone enter.]

B - Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle

[In the cookhouse today? Well, you'll find Joker getting to work, apparently mashing up all sorts of fruits, getting their juices.... Of course, with the one arm problem, sometimes this means needing to get inventive.... Are his feet shoeless? Don't worry about it.]

[Later on, Joker is bouncing from trailer to trailer, leaving jars of jelly and jam for everyone. Why? Well, you'll have to stop him to find out.]

C - Lost in Thought

[Joker knows a lot of people in the Summerlands, what, with the carnival already having visited it once before and Joker being... himself. So it's of no surprise that throughout the carnival's stay, he's often gone into the city, chatted with just about everyone, and acted as if he's perfectly fine.]

[On occasion, however....]

[Those who go to the carnival's lake will find him trying to push what looks like a.... blow-up rubber floating thing out onto the lake's surface with his feet, Feathers the Dartix trying to help him along. Joker is notably not wearing any actual swimwear... besides, like, his usual atrocious mash up of 'modern' fashion.]

[Later on, if no one interrupts him on shore, Joker is out in the water proper, but not... really messing around. He's just sprawled along the pool float stomach-first, his wings stretched out completely and partially in the water. Occasionally the water carries him a little closer to shore- perfectly within talking distance.]

Comments

[pipers_son]

I practically live here, Strange.

[But he's more amused than anything as he glances down at the smoky mass that used to be a pair of feet.]

New addition to the act, then?

[kingsroads]

To myself as well, [ Strange adds, with a wry little smile. It's odd. He still finds the whole 'occasionally he doesn't have feet' thing bizarre, but he's adapting fairly quickly. Part of being in the carnival for so long, he'd imagine.

Though, as Joker mentions how he practically lives there... ]

Well, if you practically live in the big top, then perhaps you wouldn't mind turning that supervisor trailer over to someone who would actually use it?

[ he's teasing ]

[pipers_son]

Already bein' used, don't worry~.

[Doll will fill it up, after all, and he has a bird nesting there too. It all works out. Still, that's the least interesting part of their conversation and he nods at what are supposed to be feet.]

So gonna use it in yer act then?

[kingsroads]

I suppose so. After I get a better grasp on it, of course.

[ Because, as bizarre as his feet turning to smoke is, at the moment it's...just that. Feet turning to smoke. Which is interesting, but not as interesting as some of his other magic. If Strange is going to give a magic act, he wants it to be the most impressive, grandiose, ridiculous display of magic he could muster, not something akin to party tricks. ]

I've got a few ideas that would be quite interesting, but I first need to see if I can actually do them.

[pipers_son]

[That's what he likes about you, Strange. In Joker's tent- well, the Ringmaster's, but his too- the more grandoise, the better. So he grins at the 'interesting', head cocked sharp as a bird's.]

Run 'em by me, won't ya?

[As much as he likes to be surprised, he needs to be absolutely positive that the audience more than anyone will be in for a good show.]

[kingsroads]

[ And that's what he likes about you, Joker. It's not 'Strange, aren't you worried you might be biting off more than you can chew' or 'Strange, how precisely are you going to do that', it's 'run 'em by me, let me hear them.'

So Strange's expression just lights up as he starts talking. ]

My current entrance is through the mirror and my exit is through water. If I manage to make it so my whole body can turn to smoke, then perhaps I could add an extra level to the mirror entrance. Picture this! My act starts, the lights dim, except for one spotlight directly on the mirror. Nothing happens for a moment or two but then, as smoke, I come through the mirror and linger in the big top for a moment, long enough to draw everyone's attention, before turning back into myself!

[ He's getting waaaay too into this. It's all said with utter confidence, entirely not paying attention to the fact that a: Strange can't fully turn to smoke right now and b: Strange can't really turn his clothes to smoke either. Who cares! He'll figure that out! ]

[pipers_son]

[Attentively, Joker listens to the explanation and starts envisioning it all in his head. The mirror trick has always been a fun one for performances, but with some smoke added to it.... Joker whistles a little bit.]

[As the responsible person in charge of this whole thing, Joker should probably bring up the clothing thing. Instead-]

Can ya just do regular grey smoke? Or do ya think ya could add color ta it?

[kingsroads]

At the moment, I can only make it this color, [ said with a gesture to his lack of feet. Technically, his smoke is a dark purple--the precise color of nightshade berries though Strange, not being the outdoorsy type, hasn't picked up on the significance yet. Though as he thinks about the color, Strange frowns, as if just realizing something. ]

Damn, this means Carly will need to redo my outfit. [ But back to the topic at hand! ] I can work with this, though. There's things you can throw in fire to make it change colors, perhaps I could reinsert the fire part of my act and use some of those to have the flames match the smoke.

[ This is the most relaxed Joker's seen Strange in literal months. He enjoys talking shop and workshopping his act but talking magic is even more enjoyable than that. ]

[pipers_son]

Well, what else is new for Wardrobe? [Joker is sympathetic, but, well. He's been with the carnival for a while now. When your workers are constantly getting new additions or becoming very big or very small... It happens all the time.] She'll manage, I'm sure of it.

[Sorry for your life, Carly. Joker isn't sorry to leave it behind himself.]

Anyway, sounds like a plan! Interested in trying it out now and workin' out any kinks that might pop up, or are ya more focused on just the basics?

[kingsroads]

I'm afraid the grand demonstration will have to come later. I already know a few of the kinks that need to be worked out and they need to be worked out in private.

[ Because one of those kinks involves clothing not turning into smoke and let's not accidentally get nekkid in front of Joker. They're friends but not the sort of 'it's okay if I accidentally see you naked for a bit' sort of friends. ]

[pipers_son]

Right, right. [Magic bullshit, he gets it.] Anythin' I can help ya with, just give a shout.

Lord knows I need ta get back inta my job anyway.

[Portland was.... one big time sink. Among other things.]

[kingsroads]

[ Strange is about to let Joker leave...when he realizes something he should have realized earlier. ]

I do have one thing you can help with, [ he asks, a wry little smile playing on his face. ] It's the mid-afternoon. Mind telling me how you aren't char-broiled yet?

[ you ain't a vampire any more, what gives. ]

[pipers_son]

[Well that makes him turn around quick, beaming.]

It got all fixed! Y'know what I was in Portland, right?

[kingsroads]

I do now. [ And Strange's smile just tenses a little. Yes, he knows he was awful in Portland and yes he knows he deserves it, but punching? Dude, really? ]

You were the angel that punched me in the face.

[pipers_son]

Yeah, ya were bein' a bit of a tit. [What? It's true. Joker says it rather fondly, 'tho. It's so nice to have regular pyromaniac Strange around.] Anyway, I think that sorta... cancelled it out?

[His hand wobbles vaguely.]

[kingsroads]

[ Strange gives a little shrug. Can't deny that, he was an asshole. What's more interesting is the fact that Joker's just suddenly not vampiric any more. Which...okay, Strange has to admit, he's got no idea why being an angel for a month would cancel out vampirism. ]

I won't pretend to understand how that cancelled it out in the first place, but I'm glad to see you're back to your old self.

[pipers_son]

Demonic versus angelic? Who bloody knows. [Spiritual bullshit is still beyond him. Joker shrugs.] At least now I can have a normal sleep schedule, and eat actual food.

Which is a blessin', let me tall ya.

[kingsroads]

I can only imagine! So many different things could be done with blood but at the end of the day, I suspect they all still tasted remarkably similar.

[ Strange is teasing, giving Joker a grin of his own. ]

I assume you've made a stop at the cookhouse already?

[pipers_son]

[In the melodramatic language of his people, Joker places his hand on Strange's shoulder and gives an exaggerated sniffle.]

Apples, Strange. They're beautiful things. Along with just about everythin' else in the cookhouse. I had things I used ta hate, I was so grateful.

[A beat.]

And then I spat 'em out, because they were disgustin', but still.

[kingsroads]

[ Strange matches the exaggerated sniffle with a laugh of his own. Drama queens are gonna be drama queens, it seems. ]

I suppose we should count that as a good thing! If you still share your same dislikes, I suppose that means the vampirism didn't change you as much as it could.

[pipers_son]

I suppose there's only so much a change of.... whatever that counts as can do ta a man, huh?

[He steps away proper, waving over his shoulder.]

Anyway, as usual, if ya need anythin' for yer act, let me know and I'll see what I can do.

[kingsroads]

I shall, [ Strange remarks, with a little nod. ] Until then, enjoy your time among the living!

[ he's definitely teasing, but he also means it slightly seriously. You can be in the sun now, Joker! Go lay out near the lake or something! ]