⇨ THE LUNAR SOLSTICE

[ringleaders]

Who: Everyone!
When: Winter Breaks: Day 6 - Day 25
Where: THE MOON
What: The carnival journeys to one of its moons to celebrate the Lunar Solstice. More information here.
Warnings: Winter fun.

MOON WALKING↴ The journey to the moon only takes a blink of an eye, but it leaves the carnival far away beneath you. The second moon can be seen on the peripheral, massive compared to its usual view. At least when the holidays start out, there will be no notable wildlife on the moon, though this is something you can talk to the Ringmaster about if you think it needs a change. It sounds like this is the first time she's used it in quite a while - it probably needs some dusting off! Claim your cabins, and proceed to... well, do whatever you want! There is no rush and little obligation, besides to enjoy yourself. For real, this time. She promises there will be no vampires. Or, at least, none that don't already work for the carnival. ► CABINS: Living arrangements are character choice for this event, and there are a variety of cabins of various sizes, mostly built to house 2-6 people, though you can fit more in if you squish. They are all made of wood and of a rustic design - no fancy modern furniture, here! Each building is housed with a fireplace and the needed amenities. You can pick up materials to cook with the private kitchens if you like. Theoretically, you could spend the whole holiday sequestered away, watching the snow fall. Some of them also have outdoor hot tubs available! ► ACTIVITIES: Activities are mostly going to be character driven, though there will be some large group games like bingo and maybe a poker tournament happening at some point in one of the festival halls. Otherwise, there is a lot to offer: skiing, snowboarding, hiking, ice sculpting, snowball fights - it goes on! If you'd like to run a winter activity, just let the mods know, and we will get the word out there for you. ► FEASTING: Every day isn't a full-out feast because that would get a bit unhealthy, but there will be a number of specific feast events over the holidays where everyone is encouraged to let out their inner hedonist and stuff themselves. There will be one big feast per week, with smaller but also delicious meals offered in between. The feast dates will be B12, B18, and B24. There's also plenty of alcohol available for anyone who wants it. ► SHOPPING: As mentioned in the planning post, there is a massive market being run by the World Walker Caravan! The Ringmaster has given everyone 1250 credits to spend on items, but there is a caveat - must spend at least 500 of those credits on gifts for other people. And it better be a good one, if you only buy one! (She will ask that you do not buy her presents, however. She appreciates the sentiment, but it seems sort of silly buying her things with her own money! If you'd like to gift her, please have it be something more personal or handmade, but you are not obligated to get her anything at all.) ► TREATMENTS: The beginning of the holidays will also be about the time that the emergency Medical Team will have finalized their treatments for the Prince's poisoning. Watch out for further information on that - and make sure to get treated if you are suffering from petrification or poison induced illness! The holidays will be a lot more fun that way.

Comments

[dontpokethat]

[Gross, honestly.

But also, in a weird way, that... pretty much acts as confirmation of what Ginko had suspected. He leans back, hands braced against the deck, and looks up at the sky as he processes that.]

...Shit.

[He doesn't sound particularly distraught, honestly, though... in fairness, 'distraught' is very rarely a word that can be used to describe Ginko's behavior. Mostly he sounds... tired? Resigned?

It shouldn't really be a surprise. Well. In a way, it isn't. He didn't expect it, but it's not a huge shock to hear, and the more he thinks about it... what did he expect? From what he's heard, it seems that Psi's species typically has multiple partners, anyway. So this... should be fine.

He's not sure if it is, but it should be.

Of course, instead of voicing any of that to Fucker van Denend over here, Ginko just says,] Fair enough, I guess.

[reflash]

That matter is absolutely not settled, and Yukio's just itching for a fight at this point. He twists the cap off the bottle and takes a drink of the glowing liquid.

And, you know, promptly starts coughing because Yukio doesn't do shots and that's a lot of alcohol. And he also instantly regrets it because, well, that was obviously a dumb decision.

LETS PRETEND THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN while Rin opens his presents.

[fortuneglass]

"Like I said, it varies a lot..! They just...all know what they like and they like doing it, basically. Even if that's sleeping." Also they're sort of sworn to some sort of....isolation deal, but she doesn't know much (if anything) about that part....

[fortuneglass]

Test fabric first, test fabric first! [She insists, pulling the blanket free after 'tying off' the stitch.] There is this though-this is how you're going to end, and start each point. You go back, and fourth, stitching over itself. It'll reinforce the equivalent of a knot.

[Now then-she'll switch over from the blanket, to a bit of tester scrap.] Ok~! All yours~!

[betheman]

PfffH-HOH-! [He half laughs, half chokes, nearly knocking his snow pillar over. 'Lost', of course! It clears into a more strong laugh however, and he claps the other's shoulder-a bit more gently now that he's conscious of what he's doing, naturally.]

Aaah! That, most certainly, is a promise which I, the man Gongenzaka, feel we can keep..!

Rff! [...Agrees Suzu.]

[dirthena]

For a moment she doesn't move, doesn't blink. Simply stares him down before she nods, and steps aside; it won't be the last she sees of him, Lavellan is certain of it. "For now," she says, and gestures him on before sticking her hand back into her coat so that she doesn't reach for him. The temptation is there, it will always be there.

"I shall see you around, Solas." For he won't escape here, not here.

its bright red its askin for it shhhh

[soft_focus]

[Buddy you ride around on a pink hippo, embrace it.

And it Eats the Flowers, ofc.

The snufflewomp sniffs for a moment, and then slowly takes to the air, apparently ditching the need for hands over all. Fiddling with its fore legs, it promptly looks over Yuuya with wide eyes, before giving a loud ribbchirp, and diving for the boy's hair.]

UMN-

[SHE DID NOT FORESEE THIS.]

help him

[hippocarnival]

Ah--[Yuya jerks suddenly as it goes for his hair, but he stops quickly in it's too close that he doesn't want to risk hurting it. It tickles, but he can't squirm around once he's lost sight of where it went so he just ends up flailing it hands uselessly.] Aah! Where'd it go?!

[More importantly, what is it doing?]

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya scoops Suzu up in his arms when she responds. He ducks his face down, hiding the embarrassment that starts to burn and shakes his head.] I'm being serious!

[The metaphor has kind of gotten away from him, but he's certain in his conviction. He's not going to fail his precious people again. What else is he learning magic for?]

[soft_focus]

Umnnn!! [Oh dear. After a few attempts to go at what is clearly an Enormous Flower, the snufflewomp seems to be a bit confused and tuckered. Eventually a tiny weight settles down, with a croaking nod.]

....They're giving up, I think...

...They like to eat flowers, so maybe they got confused by the colours?

[betheman]

Hmn! What-I am not allowed to laugh, where I, the man Gongenzaka, feel we have come to a positive agreement? [He huffs, crossing his arms.] This is good, is it not?

...Laughter, after all...should be for more than mere jokes! [it's normally for jokes gon]

[hippocarnival]

No, I didn't mean it like that... [He mumbles, face still flushed with embarassment--but for a slightly different reason, now. Gongenzaka is too severe of a person to be anything but straight forward. But Yuya's sensitive, especially when he feels he has something to prove.

Gongenzaka isn't looking for him to prove anything, though. That's all on him.] It's a promise, then!

[betheman]

[Some things just never change. The laughter dies, though the smile doesn't fade.] Yuuya.

...As you said-it is a promise; and I, the man Gongenzaka....have absolute faith in that promise you have made, aah?

[hippocarnival]

My hair isn't a flower. [Whine whine. He almost reaches for it, but considers better and instead tries to just see where it landed. It's not very successful and mostly makes Yuya look cross-eyed.]

I've never had a frog before... did they tell you how to take care of it?

[soft_focus]

It's not a frog, [she corrects immediately.] And they don't know it's not a flower! They just see it's shiny and red. [But don't worry, don't worry-she gestures for him to follow, and uncovers the tank she'd draped a small sheet over. It was meant to be Night Time after all and the firelight was going to ruin that.]

...It's a Snufflewomp. That's different. I got a lot of instructions, and they were written down, but they also made a 'vivvvv...' ...vivvar...viv...

[Moment please.]

....They made a 'Vivarium'! So there's lots of plants and things in there already, and you don't have to clean anything other than water and food stuff. [Tadaaaah. It's a nice little tank-it didn't need lots of space, being the size of a hummingbird, but it looks like for ground activities at least, it's good. There's space enough for a little carefree flying in there as well, though he'll probably want to take it out for that kind of free time.]

[hippocarnival]

[He looks up when Gongenzaka calls his name, and after his affirmation Yuya smiles, too.]

Yeah. Me too. [Not that there was any doubt in Yuya about Gongenzaka. Keeping Yuya on track was something he and Yuzu had already been doing. Still, that faith in return is enough to bring him right back up.

He adjusts his hold on Suzu before carefully getting to his feet.] Let's find some twigs and stuff for our snowman.

[betheman]

Hmn! Twigs, you say..? [Suzu squirms a bit, but yips excitedly as the mane on Gongenzaka's back rustles.

He sure is holding out a vine, like a dweeb.]

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya blinks, staring blankly for a moment... and then he bites his lip as he barely conceals a sound of amusement.]

Yeah, that works too. [Actually, it reminds him...] You gave Connie a piece of your mane, didn't you? Isn't it kind of like your hair...?

[betheman]

Aauh, so I did.

...Actually, I, the man Gongenzaka, have been practicing to create small crafts using the vines, [he adds, nodding a bit proudly.] It is....a little different from hair, I should say?

It certainly feels a part of me, but....it still grows rather uniquely, creating flowers, and leaves...

[He grins.] Perhaps you shall receive something yourself!

[Just don't think of it as hair and it'll all be better, Yuuya.]

[hippocarnival]

[Yeah, he still doesn't see how that's not like taking his hair. Fur. Whatever. Gon can do whatever he wants with whatever grows off himself.

He reaches to take the vine, turning it in his hands before plopping back down and starting to strip it so he can break it and use the leaves to form hair, eyebrows, a nose...] So you're going to give me a piece of you for a gift?

[Look at Gon, accidentally dropping hints about his present and Yuya is picking right up on them.]

[betheman]

Among things.... [You'll never know WHAAAAT (probably an omamori).] I, the man Gongenzaka, have made a small thing for everyone receiving a gift however, so it is still a surprise.

[hippocarnival]

[So he making stuff out of it, huh? That's infinitely more possibilities, but Yuya won't ask. Gongenzaka is obviously trying to really make this a surprise. But--] You know I'll be happy with whatever it is, right?

[Don't overthink it, buddy. If this was back in Maiami he'd only be asking for cards.]

[betheman]

Gh-

I-It is about more than making you happy though..! I, the man Gongenzaka, wish to gift something which you can enjoy fully, after all!!

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya's gaze drifts to Gongenzaka's sash as he speaks. His expression shifts to be a little less amused and a little more warm before he turns back to the snowman. He's making a valiant attempt at getting it to look like Nico Smiley.]

What'd you get Yuzu, then? [Gongenzaka missed their little gift exchange from taking the cure, so he hasn't seen whatever they have or haven't exchanged.] I won't tell!

[betheman]

[To that, he crosses his arms.] That is unfinished.