[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]

[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! ]