⇨ GREYSOL

[ringleaders]

Who: Everyone!
When: Day 155 - Day 169
Where: Greysol
What: The carnival resumes its tour, this time heading to Greysol, a city tied deeply into the fabric of the multiverse. Here, everyone has an animal companion from birth that is the second half of their soul - and thanks to the Ringmaster, so do you. (Remember, joysweeper is our guest event runner for this location, and location specific questions should go to them.)
Warnings: Individually marked!

THE CITY OF GREYSOL↴ The carnival arrives in a manicured park in the center of a big city that sprawls out along where the river reaches the ocean. It’s spring, early enough that nights are chilly, warm enough in the days that people and their souls savor the weather, and sometimes shelter together from the rain. Greysol was designed from the bottom up to accommodate the human-dæmon bond. Go out and see! ► THE SHAPE OF YOUR SOUL: The dæmon-forming spell kicks in at about four in the morning. Most characters will wake up with their souls in some small form, curled against them. Even if they were awake, they became dazed and unfocused while their souls were being drawn out of their bodies and have little memory of how it happened. Until that evening every character's dæmon is able to change shapes, and children and some teens will continue to do so. Most will settle on their permanent forms by evening. Characters without dæmons will just look on, and the few who are thousand-pound bears have to handle being really big. ► IT’S GOOD TO SETTLE: Elaine Tavis Aracari, sixteen-year-old daughter of two actors and a moving pictures sensation herself, just ‘settled’ - her dæmon Tavis stopped changing shape - as a stunning blue peacock. Settling is a major coming of age milestone and celebrated as such in different ways all over the world. She and her family are throwing a massive party in the central park and inviting the public to join in! Enjoy easy access to free catering, live music and showings of moving pictures, and displays of mostly trivial magic. There are also form readers from across the country setting up booths, happy to accept a small fee to inspect your dæmon’s settled or most favored forms and tell you what they mean. Is there anything to these analyses? Eh, maybe, but they’re flattering and fun. ► WITCHING HOURS: Characters who are clearly witches for this event will often be assumed to be in town for a lover, and people, witches and not, may want to know who that is. Humans usually regard them with wary respect and interest. Real witches living with their human families or on business quickly suspect that something’s up, but without clear and present danger take a relaxed wait-and-see attitude. Wait for long enough and any possible decision will come around again, they believe. There isn’t time to learn much witch magic, but witches, real and carnival-made, have an inherent power: the ability to fly using branches of “cloudpine”, an attractive soft-needled tree common in the park. Witches usually ride large branches as if they’re steeds but can use even short sprays, and you’ll probably see the few witches in the city coming to the park to do so. Why not try? ► BEAR PUN: Human-panserbjørn relations have historically been troubled, but have warmed in the past century. It’s the 65th anniversary of the breaking of the Siege of Bertin, a much-mythologized time when Spectres flooded Greysol and a company of panserbjørn arrived and directed efforts to get the survivors out of the city. A statue is being erected and many florid accounts of the story are being told. If you’re in a panserbjørn shape for the duration of the visit you will probably get thanked and celebrated by people trying to hide their nervousness of you. Expect someone to ask if your dæmon would be a human - it’s a common supposition. ► KERNER ISLAND: From the harbor you can see a wooded island. Although there are no rocks to speak of it sports a tall lighthouse, and nearly all boat traffic avoids it carefully. On a clear day someone with binoculars or a particularly sharp-eyed soul can see loads of trash, birds and various other animals that don’t seem local, and… children? Adults and settled teenagers will see tall vague shapes moving about too. When asked about it the most important thing adults will tell other adults is don’t go there. They’ll hold their dæmons close and tell you that on that island are things that eat souls. They may also admit with mixed pride and shame that it’s been a source of wealth and innovation for the city. There’s a facility there that can open windows into other worlds, and the children who can reach it can cross through and bring things back. Many of the children are recruited by research and development teams on the lookout for items they can use, but there are also kids out to have adventures or who’ve run away. More on this later.

Comments

[dressedtothe]

What? "Ten years!? That's so long! I've only been rolled out for three!"

Three years of life, but... there's been some corruption and instances where he didn't have time to back his memory up before his body was killed, so really, it's less than that. He's sure most androids have been around for longer -- YoRHa are quite new -- but still. Ten years. The idea that humans are jobless for over 3x the length of time he's been alive is totally blowing his mind.

"What do you even do with all that time? I mean... I know children are kind of a pain," putting it bluntly, "and need to be looked after, but... I dunno. Isn't it hard, not having a role or a purpose?"

[kingsroads]

"But that's the thing. Starting in those ten years, we try to find our role or purpose. Some people know what they want almost instantly, others take longer to grow and cultivate their desires." And then some, like Jonathan Strange, don't have a goddamn purpose until they're almost thirty.

Though really...considering how shocked 9S was that humans didn't have roles for over ten years, he's going to keep quiet about that whole 'useless gentleman bachelor' aspect of his past.

"At least in my time, humanity has adjusted to the fact that most of our population won't have a purpose for those first few years. Though I will admit one thing—it's damned hard not having an occupation, especially when members of your company wish you to have one."

[dressedtothe]

Building an entire society around the fact they don't know their role or purpose? Humans sure are such strange creatures. Luckily, 9S manages to prevent that thought from being verbalised.

But... hm. "You know... after our war with the machines is over, I'm not gonna have a job any more." Despite his expressed incredulity over having no occupation or purpose, 9S is actually looking forward to it. It's hard work, being a soldier! If he doesn't have to run a stupid errand on someone's request ever again, it'll be too soon.

Kind of scary to think about. Sure, there's things he wants to do when there's no more war to fight -- like go shopping with 2B -- and his most cherished memories are doing inconsequential things like fishing off the side of the flooded city, or getting chased around by a boar that he might have provoked accidentally on purpose. But... could he do such things for the rest of his active time? Those moments... aren't they precious because they were stolen between missions?

"So I guess I'll be as purposeless as you were as a child." He grins, cheeky. "Maybe I'll need an Arabella to whip me into shape?"

[kingsroads]

A look of understanding crosses Strange's face, as he nods. He fought in the peninsula and though he was one of the lucky ones with a wife and a purpose to come back to, Strange knows that some soldiers didn't. And what did one do when all the things they had done for the past few years faded away into nothingness?

"I've fought in wars as well," Strange idly remarks, in a calm tone of voice. "I know what it's like." However, this admission is turning the conversation far too serious for Strange's taste. This is neither the time nor the place for serious reflections on wartime, so Strange decides to shift the mood a little.

"Of course," Strange teases, "your Arabella would need to know how precisely to whip you into shape in the first place. I was lucky: a man sold me some spells and told me a prophecy. Since I've no gift for prophecy and you've no gift for magic, we shall have to find something else to spur your Arabella into action!"

[dressedtothe]

Strange is a soldier, too? Somehow, he never struck 9S as the sort. But he's quickly distracted by the rest of Strange's words. Oh man, he's really dug himself into a hole with that comment, hasn't he?

9S fights to keep the rising heat off his face. "H-Hey! You're making it sound like I have 'an Arabella'!"

Because he doesn't. Not at all. He's far too single for that sort of thing. Nope.

[kingsroads]

Uh huh. Far too single. Suuuuuuure.

Having plenty of experience teasing others about loves, crushes, or secret boyfriends, Strange picks up on that hesitancy in 9S's tone and just pounces. He's got a grin on his face that's a giant, shithead sort of smile.

"You're the one who brought it up in the first place! So go on, what's her name? I shall have to guess if you don't tell me!" This is despite the fact that Strange knows barely anything about 9S's world in the first place. Oh well! Since this is mostly teasing, perhaps he could suggest someone from the carnival instead?

[dressedtothe]

Goddamn it!

9S leans away from Strange, as if that small amount of distance will save him from the teasing. "I'm not gonna tell!" He's clearly flustered now, his voice rising. "So you can guess all you want!"

Which basically confirms there is someone.

[kingsroads]

Most likely, it's someone at home. After all, 9S has only been here a few days and that might not be enough for him to develop a crush. However, considering Strange doesn't know any other androids from 9S's world, teasing him about someone at the carnival it is.

So, Strange frowns, putting his hand to his chin as he looked over the android in exaggerated thought. Hmm. It'd need to be someone vaguely around his age--or, at least, his visible age. Someone equally inquisitive and equally prone to fuming and fussing should Strange mention this nonexistant crush to her.

"I've figured it out!" he responds, with a proud little smirk. "Rita Mordio. That's the person who's making you so flustered."

He definitely hasn't figured it out. And he's got a sinking little feeling in his gut at saying such a direct statement that's entirely untrue. But it's at least fun to tease 9S about it. And, the more he thinks about it, they would make a cute couple.

[dressedtothe]

Okay, so he might be just a little curious about who Strange would guess. He knows full well that Strange can't possibly know about 2B, so his real feelings are safe, at least. But...

"Oh come on!" Rita? Really? "She's just my roommate! Despite your human standards, we're not doing anything inappropriate."

He can't, anyway.

But he won't let Strange continue to control this conversation. He doesn't like being on the back foot like this, and human creator or no, 9S can't bring himself to have the same level of formality as he should have in face of all this treating.

"Maybe," he begins. "I should tell Rita what you thought of us. Do you think she'd get a kick out of it?"

[kingsroads]

"She's your roommate?" Strange remarks, with a frown before he laughs. Well! That's unexpected! He had no idea the two were roommates, this was just Strange hypothesizing based on personality. "That only makes my hypothesis that more likely!"

Says the man who's been roommates with a teenage boy and now a widower. Strange cannot talk with regards to any sort of wink wink nudge nudge sleeping with your roommate sort of situation.

But 9S telling Rita...honestly, this'll probably end up with Strange getting punched again. But it'll piss her off so much that he's actually considering it. "You know what? Go ahead! I've a feeling she'll let you down, but better to be let down easy than to carry a torch for so long."

Humans suck, 9S.

[dressedtothe]

"Well, if you say so..." 9S' smile draws wide. "Pod, open a line to Rita, will you?"

Using his pod to connect to the walkie talkie network is so mcuh easier than using those handheld devices, that's for sure. Obliging, the pod calls Rita, a holographic screen opening nearby. Normally, a person's portrait would appear, but unfortunately, there's only sound here in the Carnival.

"Hellooo Rita. Do you have a moment?"

He has the biggest damn grin on his face as he says it.

[kingsroads]

Strange remains quiet as 9S calls up Rita. Really, the likelihood that this conversation will end with Strange butting in or breaking into a fit of laughter is high, but right now he's remaining as quiet as he can, smirking still.

Though, the fact that 9S used Pod is interesting. He'll have to ask what that screen is supposed to be. Obviously it's something video, that's how he watched his performance, after all. But what do videos have to do with phone calls?

[dressedtothe]

Fortunately(?) for Strange, he's going to be able to clearly hear Rita's response to his call.

Glancing over in Strange's direction, 9S just casually gets up and walks a few steps away. Close enough that Strange can still hear their conversation, but oh, he'd like to have a little bit of distance in case Strange decides to do something about him telling Rita. After all...

"Sooo, I was just talking to Strange. You know Strange, right? He thinks we'd make a good couple." A glance over in the magician's direction. "He thinks we're doing things."

[kingsroads]

What?! That's not what he said at all!

Strange just flushes bright red before he starts complaining, hoping that Rita can hear him. He's attempting to stand up and walk over towards 9S's direction...but forgot that he currently has a six food chunk of his soul hanging out near his feet.

"Really, I didn't--" And then Strange lets out a small yelp of surprise as he stumbles slightly against the seal, "Siobhan, move!"

This is giving 9S plenty of time to throw Strange under the bus before he can defend himself.

[dressedtothe]

And gleefully throwing Strange under the bus he does. Sure, 9S will come to his rescue if things get too hairy, but otherwise Strange is just going to have to deal with Rita's wrath. Surely it can't be that bad?

Just to make things harder on the magician, 9S walks a little further away. When Rita asks where they are, he replies, "At the Big Top!"

Somehow, he manages to keep his laughter from his voice.

[kingsroads]

Stumbling over his seal, Strange jogs a little bit towards 9S. Of course, he's still whining and complaining all the while...especially since he has a feeling he knows what Rita just asked.

"Now you're just being difficult, turn that thing off!"

Of course, Strange's rarely used voice of common sense points out, there is a puddle up here and mirrors down on the floor of the Big Top. He can just turn tail and chicken out of Rita shows up.

[dressedtothe]

Hahahahaha not happening.

Well, in the end, 9S doesn't get much of a choice, because Rita closes the call first, causing the holographic screen to disappear.

Now that the call is over, 9S doesn't try running away. "You sound worried. What's the big deal?"

His grin is far too wide to be innocent.

[kingsroads]

"I'm hardly worried," Strange complains, with a little huff. It's just that Rita's punched him like three times by now and, at least in Strange's mind, only two of them were deserved.

"Honestly, I was only teasing. I don't see why you have to bring Rita into it just because of something like that."

Idly, Strange starts walking back towards his seat...though he doesn't sit down, instead climbing over the seal to stand in the stairs area of the bleachers.

[anti_nonsense]

It's not long before footsteps can be heard from the entrance. Apparently, Rita wasn't far away. Or she was in a hurry to show up. Maybe a bit of both.

When Rita steps inside, she gives 9S a short glance, then immediately zeroes in on Strange. "To begin with... what the hell prompted you idiots to talk about something so stupid in the first place!?" Is this a chance to explain? It almost seems that way, but Rita is making a beeline towards Strange at a brisk pace, and it doesn't look like there'll be much time before she's in punching range. Her daemon, in the form of a caracal, slinks along behind her.

[kingsroads]

As Rita makes a beeline towards Strange, Strange makes a beeline towards the puddle on the top of the stands he magicked himself through earlier. Unfortunately, it's looking like Rita will manage to reach him before he reaches it.

9S you traitor. Still, Strange tries his best to explain what's going on as Rita storms towards him.

"I was teasing 9S about his infatuation. Any sort of implication that things are..ah, otherwise is purely his fault!"

Because Strange will happily throw 9S under the bus and call out the fact that he's got a big'ol crush on someone to try and save his own skin.

[dressedtothe]

Strange HAD given him permission, and 9S is the sort to take a mile when given an inch. Well. He'd probably take a mile anyway, regardless of permission. But Rita arrives and 9S stands back out of her way so he can watch.

Aw man, why did he have to go tell her about that?

"I'm not infatuated with anyone!" he protests loudly. "You're the one who thinks that about me and Rita!"

That's his stance and he's sticking to it!

[anti_nonsense]

Rita breaks into a run as Strange tries to retreat, but it's Krios, her daemon, that gets ahead of both of them. In a truly catlike fashion, he darts ahead and then meanders into the path of Strange's feet. If Strange is unlucky, he might trip on the creature, but even avoiding that, the obstacle may serve as just enough of a delay to ensure Rita catches up.

"No excuses!" she yells after him. And, as soon as Rita's close enough to punch, she does, grabbing at Strange with one hand (she wouldn't want him facing away) and using the other to swing at his face.

[kingsroads]

Fortunately for Strange, he manages to make it to the puddle. Unfortunately for him, dodging Krios means that Rita's managed to catch up with him. He plants his feet in the puddle, spinning around to try and cast the spell...but then Rita grabs at his coat and clocks him right across the nose.

Congrats 9S, you got a human punched, how does that make you feel. Because Strange sure is giving 9S a glare like this is somehow all his fault despite the fact that Strange was the instigator. But, he's standing in a puddle and he really doesn't want to hear the riot act from Rita so turning tail it is. Strange quickly mutters an incantation under his breath and then magically vanishes into the puddle, a trick that he's getting annoyingly good at. As the magician teleports away, so does the daemon, though where Strange vanishes through the puddle, Siobhan simply vanishes.

Later, losers! Strange is halfway across the carnival now: have fun explaining all this nonsense to Rita, 9S!

[anti_nonsense]

As Strange slips away, Rita shoots a look at Krios, who's already scanning the room for signs of Strange's daemon. "They're both gone," he reports. Rita groans with annoyance. Well, at least she got one good punch in before the coward bolted.

Sighing, she makes her way over to join 9S. It looks like she's about to say something, perhaps comment on what just happened, but instead she suddenly swings out her fist in a sucker punch to his nose.

"Hmph! You're both pathetic," she says through gritted teeth, as she tries to pretend that didn't just hurt her hand a whole lot. In fact, it really, really hurts.

[dressedtothe]

It actually feels awful seeing Strange get punched. 9S' expression twists. Why does he feel so terrible? It's just a punch! Strange is clearly not hurt that bad! He's so preoccupied with examining this odd feeling that he doesn't realise Rita is rapidly approaching until it's too late.

He backs up, but it's not enough to save him from the punch to the nose. "Ow! What was that for?"

It hurt, but. Well. He's made of metal underneath. The punch definitely hurt Rita more than it hurt him.

"Geez. You know I'm metal underneath. Of course it's going to hurt." He has the grace to look concerned, a tendril of guilt in his voice. This had all started off as a joke played on both Rita and Strange, but now he just feels awful. Unusually awful. It's so weird. Yet Pod 153 isn't commenting on any sort of anomaly. "I don't have medicine for humans, but I could bring you to the medical tent."