⇨ 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

[kingsroads]

Considering that he isn't a bird and didn't pregame, Strange might be the most sober out of everyone at the moment: a terrifying thought, as he's also the one standing up and trying to become less tangled with the chair.

He's on his feet as Celandine is summoned...and as they learn just how drunk the poor polecat is. "We're all lucky I can't summon Siobhan," Strange points out as he clumsily walks over towards the paper as well. Celandine is rocky because she's drunk, Strange is rocky due to a lack of coordination.

"We've an inebriated bird and an inebriated polecat, the last thing we need is a drunk seal." At least, he thinks Childermass is drunk. His inability to bird happened really fast.

[atouts]

Inability to bird and to human, apparently, because a polecat and a looming man both stumbling towards him is only going to put a drunk crow in a bad mood. Whoever gets there first is getting snapped at, although accuracy is about as against him right now as walking in a straight line is against the other two...

[whattaprick]

"Too bad," Lambert answers lazily. "I would have liked to see her try to get on your lap."

Drunk or not, Celandine is a swift-moving target. Her fur puffs up as the beak closes onto air and she snatches the paper up in her paws and retreats.

"You're supposed to be fun when you're drunk," she scolds the bird as though it's a personal offense, swaying slightly and shaking her head.

[flashover]

More growling from Kuro, who turns his back on Yukio, tail straight up, and marches away to find SOMEWHERE ELSE to enjoy his drunken stupor! ... Which, judging by the way he sways as he walks, has already begun.

"He says that the kitchen counter is a perfectly good place to get clean and that he doesn't have to take your crap, Yukio." Rin says with a chuckle. "He likes to act all high and mighty like he's not a cat but then he does things like that!"

[kingsroads]

Foiled by a bird and a rat. Still, Childermass didn't get the paper so Strange is calling it a win. Walking over towards the table, Strange pours himself a large glass of the sunlight ambrosia and downs a good chunk of it in one gulp.

Hey, he needs to get more drunk, this will work. Though really, the fact that Childermass seems insistent on remaining a bird means that there's one less person to bother...which makes it a bit less fun.

Though, there's an idea forming at the back of Strange's mind. "If you can't do that...turning back thing you normally do, then flutter over here and I'll break your transformation myself." It's said in a 'duh, Childermass' sort of tone as Strange is entirely oblivious to the fact that Childermass might not want to be a person and definitely wouldn't want to be smooched.

[atouts]

Celandine's only response is an aggravated caw, whereas Strange's is... Childermass trying to take off again. He makes it into the air, but only long enough to land heavily on another table and startle a few of the caravan worker's gathered there for their own after hours drinking.

They'd been watching the three with growing amusement since the rush for the stupid drawing. Well, right up until a friggin' crow knocks over one of their drinks, anyway. Now there's a little less amusement.

[reflash]

“You can still get toxoplasmosis from cat sídhe,” Yukio explains, sinking even further into his chair. “Demonic toxoplasmosis.”

Or something.

It takes an absolutely monumental effort to push himself back up so he’s sitting in his chair, but he manages. He’s been tired for months, but with the combination of the magic and the alcohol, it’s hitting him harder than usual. He just wants to sleep.

“I should go. I’ve taken up too much of your time.”

Standing... is more than he can handle right now. Give him a moment to gather his strength for that.

[flashover]

"Pfffftttttt," Rin says, flapping his hand dismissively. "Kuro's not poisonous! And he's definitely not demon poisonous or whatever! Geez, Yukio..."

... Definitely some sort of misunderstanding, there, but what can you expect from a boy like Okumura Rin, who thought squids have ears?

"Awww... you don't have to go. Why don't you come lay down on the couch, huh? It's real comfortable. There's a nice fuzzy blanket around here somewheres."

[reflash]

“Not toxic, nii-san. Toxoplasmosis.”

But that conversation is going to have to wait for the world to stop moving and for Yukio to stop feeling sort of like a disarticulated skeleton wrapped in warm mochi. Standing is... ... possible, just barely, though it takes all of his not-inconsiderable willpower and he stumbles slightly just rising from the chair. It just makes the vertigo worse, but the couch is close enough that he can make it without falling. As soon as he gets there, he gives in, sinking carefully down onto his side (even now, he’s found the position where he can most easily see Rin and the entrance to the room).

“I don’t want to impose,” he says, but at this point it’s just politeness.

[prazerbutterfly]

That's a very kind thing for you to say to a bunch of strangers.

[Even if it was a nice thing to say and it brings him a great bit of comfort.]

Though tell me, is there anyone you know here? Family? Friends?

cue benny hill music

[whattaprick]

It's not until the crow knocks over a whole bunch of drinks and kind of seems to not generally not be acting Childermass-like that it occurs to Lambert that Childermass might not entirely be in the building. Celandine, as always, beats him to it.

"I don't think he can understand us," she giggles, curling in on herself.

Lambert gives the put-upon caravan workers his best grin, reaching blindly for the sweater Childermass left on the table and glancing at Strange. "If I catch him, you really think you can turn him back?"

[hippocarnival]

It's good! [Honestly, far more recognizable than Yuya's snowman. Clearly the inferior craftsman, Yuya will let Gon finish his Tama-C on his own and instead occupy Suzu while he does.]

[kingsroads]

To Strange's credit, he comes to that realization at the same time. This isn't Childermass screwing around while somehow stuck, this is...what, bird brain? Bird mind? This is probably the transformation spell messing with him because that's a thing that happens with transformation spells. He's halfway considering a lecture on this before Strange realizes that would be a very Norrell thing of him and thankfully bites that impulse down.

But seriously, was he the only person who learned something from his day as a cat, transformation magic could mess with one's mind! Good lord, you two!

At Lambert's questing, Strange scoffs. The man runs in ego, he is 100% certain he can turn Childermass back.

"Of course I can," Strange answers, without hesitation. This isn't like the bicorn, he knows this magic. How many times in the past few months has he had to deal with Childermass going bird and being annoying that way? A lot, Strange knows the spell, he's confident he can break it. "But we'll need to catch him for the spell to have full effect," said with a nod at that sweater.

[atouts]

Well, it's not like he's going anywhere else right now. Thankfully, he settles down on the caravan worker's table without knocking over anything else, mostly due in part of the workers grabbing their shit and backing off. They're no stranger to magic gone awry and they aren't about to get caught up in it.

Still, because of that, he goes from eyeing the retreating workers balefully to eyeing Lambert and Strange, instead, since they're suddenly the closest people making noise all of the sudden.

[whattaprick]

"Like the hunt then," Lambert says, and because there's a lot that could mean, he clarifies: "Keep his eyes on you."

Sweater over his arm, he seems to amble off aimlessly, but he's really just circling around the crow's table so he can come up behind him. Strange's distraction doesn't have to be all that long or all that effective -- a moment of inattention is all Lambert needs to try and throw the sweater over the bird and swaddle him up in the soft material.

The funny thing is, this isn't even the first time he can remember doing this, even if he knows that never happened -- not really. At least there isn't a broken wing to worry about this time.

[kingsroads]

Keep his eyes on you. Well, Strange can think of a few things that might catch a bird's attention. Hopefully one of those would work. He turns all his attention towards Childermass, looking over at the bird while trying to still keep Lambert in view.

And then one of the greatest magicians of the age makes kissy noises.

"Hello there! Are you a pretty bird? Who's a pretty bird? Erm, hello there pretty bird!" As he talks, Strange fiddles with one of the cuffs on his sleeve as he tries to show off his mirrored scratches, reflecting on the lights. Is this working? Who knows! But he's making an attempt.

[atouts]

Sure it works. Acting that ridiculous would get anything's attention, Strange. The crow turns his head to eye him warily, making a low, warning noise in the back of his throat as the magician makes awful kissy noises. God, there's a memory he won't be glad to have once he's human again, but as he isn't just yet, that thought won't cross his mind until later. So!

A distracted crow makes for an easy crow to grab, at least, Lambert getting the sweater over him before he can react to the creak of wood underfoot as the witcher approaches. It isn't without a struggle, though.

He can't flail his wings around, but he sure can raise a racket and snap at anything that comes near his beak.

[whattaprick]

A fact of which Lambert is well aware of, so he makes certain to keep the pointy end of the murder bird away from him and his eyes. This also does, however, mean all that snappy bird fury is directed in Strange's direction. He keeps his grip firm but not choking, and it's clear he's got no intention of letting him slip free until he's ready to. With both hands occupied, though, he can't use his preferred method of calming down panicking creatures, so he'll have to do this the old-fashioned way.

"Steady there," he murmurs, ears flicking lazily. Soothing doesn't come naturally to him, but it's the sort of tone he uses with Pig and Baker, low and affectionate. To think Childermass would act more like a scolding fishwife than a magician... "We'll get you out of this, if you'll stop being a hellion for five seconds."

He lifts his head to grin at the still-human magician in the room. "Ready to pucker up, Mr. Strange?" Celandine has squirmed her way up onto the table the crow has vacated, watching the scene with clear amusement.

[whattaprick]

"Interesting choice of reading material." Because in Lambert's world, records still mean books, even if his experiences in Portland tell him humans have come up with more interesting things to put on paper.

But as to the rest of it ... Lambert just raises his brows at 9S. "How much sex do you think I've had?" he drawls, tossing the question right back at 9S. If he's going to ask questions like that, he should be prepared for a hell of a lot of teasing from Lambert.

[dressedtothe]

Is this something only mages can understand? Because, "I don't understand the difference."

But he wants to know. He was built to be naturally curious, after all. Said curiosity was what got him into trouble all the time, but was he really at fault for wanting to know that which is hidden from him?

"Doesn't a road also point to a predetermined location?

[dressedtothe]

It never ceases to amaze him how quickly and easily Rita grasps the majority of his mechanical nature. The care she shows for him always surprises him, too.

"If my nanomachines accept it, there shouldn't be any problem restoring my skin to normal," he agrees.

His nanomachines can't regenerate so much synthetic skin on their own, but if it's just a case of connecting produced from an external source to his existing skin, the nanomachines should have no problems doing that.

"Let's give it a shot. No harm trying, right?"

[dressedtothe]

[Well, he's not lying down... yet. Oh man, at least Syrlya seems to appreciate the weed more than Cole did. At least until his expression slips. 9S prompts, his voice not quite able to convey the thin sliver of worry that manages to make it through the haze of the drugs.]

Say about what?

[He adds, sagely--]

You should sit down.

[kingsroads]

Strange waits in the background, watching Lambert and staying away as he wrestles the bird. He's waiting and watching because let's not get pecked my a bird. Eventually, Childermass is wrangled into something close to submission.

With a grin, Strange gives Lambert a nod. Time to kiss a bird. Strange quickly mutters the spell under his breath before he leans in. It's awkward as hell since Lambert is still holding a fussy bird, but Strange is trying to get a less-bitey patch of feathers.

Once he finds a spot, he leans in to give Childermass a quick kiss.

[dressedtothe]

9S scoffs. "Picking fights with us."

Well, it's more accurate that the androids have been picking fights with the machines; a lot of machines had been non hostile. Just staring into space. It was pretty weird.

But humans and androids had been on Earth first!

"We can't let the machines keep the planet. The humans deserve to return to their homes on Earth."

[kingsroads]

"In theory," Strange answers. "But in practice, you don't have to visit wherever the road takes. You can follow it and go wherever you wish."

Heaven knows there were some times he wandered the king's roads just to wander. They were here, they could be visited and explored. The doorway approach of his mirrors really couldn't do that.

"Doorways only go one way."