⇨ 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]

Okay, he'll take that as... seeing if he can keep his feet on the ground. He figures Joker will let him know if the cold gets to be a problem.

...Actually, he might not. Ginko will just. Keep an eye on him.

He shakes his head slightly, his gaze staying on the ground. "Uh... not particularly, no. You hear that from Psi?"

[kingsroads]

As a matter of fact, nobody told Strange exactly what the ring does. Just that it somehow involves punching and will somehow make up for his inability to throw a punch to begin with. He's about to continue to argue that no, they didn't tell him, but the conversation shifts as Childermass mentions Lambert and how he's asleep.

"Well, we are magicians," Strange responds, wry smile on his face. "Driving people to boredom with constant arguing is to be expected."

Strange shifts in his seat slightly, trying to get a better look at Lambert. He tilts his head slightly in an attempt to get a better look at Lambert's face but overcorrects the tilt thanks to the alcohol. "I wonder," he can't help but muse out loud, "when was the last time he looked so relaxed?"

[atouts]

Childermass could name a few times but guess what, he's not going to, and settles on just looking over at Strange and shrugging instead. Like, how would he know? Really?

"So much for the witcher mutation to outdrink us all," he deadpans — or tries to, words slurring some as he does — in place of giving any real answer to that. "I never even got around to... to my gifts. I have some, you know. For people. It's very strange."

Mostly due to his chronic inability to spend more than absolutely necessary or, in fact, have people he cares enough about to give anything to. Quite surprising, all in all.

[betheman]

"She does not necessarily have an option, in some cases," he warns grimly. "Faerie operate through very strict 'laws'... ...if the pieces are in place, it becomes quite tense indeed..."

Case in point, where they Just came from.

[anti_nonsense]

Rita sighs, once again relieved. There were a lot of things he could have asked about that were far more embarrassing than that. That particular statement, at least, is one that she doesn't mind standing by.

"I meant it, yeah," she answers firmly. "You said it yourself once; it's your capacity for complex emotions that sets you apart from mere machines. From what I've observed, the ways you think and feel aren't that different from humans." As far as Rita's concerned, that's more than enough reason to view androids as equals.

[dressedtothe]

Aren't all biological beings dying from the moment they're born? But, he supposes it must've been something more immediate.

"Wow, that's lucky."

Probably not the expected reaction to that kind of news. But his train of thought is soon explained.

"Trading an arm for your life? That's not a bad trade, considering you only get one life."

[kingsroads]

Strange can't help but give Childermass a quizzical look. Because him? Gifts? Caring about people? Honestly, that's a bit of a shock. To Strange's credit, he doesn't outright say 'I have no idea you actually give a shit about people beyond your own self-interest' but it's written large on his face.

Well, he had no idea that Childermass actually gave a shit about people beyond his own self-interest, except for Lambert. Even drunk, Strange can remember how they're spending a large amount of time together and how Lambert's soul seems much more comfortable around Childermass than it does Strange.

"I assume one of those gifts is for Lambert? I can wake him up if you wish to give it to him."

[dressedtothe]

Yeah. Yeah......

At the interest in his partner, 9S can't help the giddy grin on his face. "Her name's 2B. She's a combat model and really good at it. Waaay better than the standard combat model."

Unusually better, which was something he observed and noted. Now he knows why. And with the dire situation back home... 9S forces himself to keep his smile.

"She's kind of reckless though. I can't tell if it's a combat model thing or just her."

[dressedtothe]

9S stays quiet for a long moment.

Is he really not that different from humans? In some ways, that makes a small bloom of pride grow in his chest -- after all, androids have been trying to be like humans -- but... they're not worthy of being truly like them.

And he knows Rita's statement isn't true. Humans have free will. He... he doesn't. He can't hurt a human no matter how hard he tries. Ichigo had proven that to him. But he somehow managed to kill Rita? Was that because at that point in time, he didn't consider Rita a human? The thought disturbs him more than he cares to show.

"We were created to serve humans," he begins, the familiar explanation on his tongue. 9S tightens his grip around the table's edge, keeping his gaze fixed on his burned knees to avoid looking at Rita. "I can't..." See himself as being equal. "...We're not worthy of being the same."

[betheman]

Phew... [In that case, let him somewhat collapse on his back here-lower legs sort of awkwardly held the way any quadruped can manage like that, while the upper arms are more at the side.]

Gelid demons? [He asks, raising an eyebrow as he holds his eyes closed.] I, the man Gongenzaka, know not of what demons you speak... ...it has merely been a very...Long day of having fun with snow..!

...This arm... [He holds up the robotic one.] ...Recently fitted-Zangetsu and I therefore sought to test to make certain it functioned as a replacement should...

[And with a 'wmmpf' it's back on the snow, the man giving a loud sigh.] Hauhhhhh...I, the man Gongenzaka, have not had such a snow fight since I was nearly your size...

[periphrasing]

"Psssh," Peridot snorts. "It's hardly cheating if you're just really really excellent at something."

Says the gem who would probably throw a fit if Lapis ever used her water powers against her in any sort of contest, ever,

Last Time

[osteothropy]

Item Purchased: 3 x T-Shirt
Gift?: Yes
Total Item Cost: 41
Credits Spent: Sans
Additional Notes: Stupid shirts

Item Purchased: Infinity Pen
Gift?: Yes
Total Item Cost: 22
Credits Spent: Sans
Additional Notes: I spent all my money

[mirrortide]

"It's kind of a really big advantage, Peridot." Which is why she remains skeptical at best. But also, Peridot has at the very least encouraged her to build at least one (1) fort.

[periphrasing]

"Whatever," Peridot literally waves her off, flapping one hand. "Let's just get outside and get building already!"

Annnnd she bounds off into the snow, too eager to get started to put up with second guesses any longer.

[anti_nonsense]

Seemingly just remembering the task at hand, Rita picks up the samples she'd intended to try next, and brings them closer to 9S.

"Who decides who's 'worthy'? I mean... what's the metric for that?" she asks as she prepares a strip for application. She could just tell him that she thinks he's worthy... but maybe it'd be more productive to try and understand why he thinks the way he does. Is it really just the way he was made...? It's not a very satisfying explanation. There has to be some kind of internal logic, a thought process that convinces him he's unworthy.

[mirrortide]

Well, then Lapis has no choice but to follow after Peridot, trekking barefoot through the snow! Not that it bothers her because she's a gem and all. "Where did you want me to put it?"

[chronosynthesis]

There's no moon dragons. [Syrlya mumbles dully, closing his eyes. If he just doesn't look and think about the fact that he's hallucinating, and just might enough to the point that he's seeing full-fledged illusions, then it's really not so bad.

It's still not as bad as 'focus training', and the memory makes him shudder.

But wait.] The Ringmaster is a dragon of some sort, isn't she? [Or turns into one which, frankly, close enough.]

[chronosynthesis]

"I... suppose so." No, Syrlya considers the cold an awful time for exercise. But Doll obviously doesn't share the same opinion, so he's not going to argue.

He folds his arms absently, tilting his head emphatically. "You're having fun. How long have you been doing this?"

That is, ambushing the unsuspecting with cold, frozen water.

[atouts]

At which Childermass might take offense, but probably not. He knows how he comes off to people and he rarely ever corrects it.

"One of them, sure," he tells Strange, "And one for you. A few others for... others. She did say we had to spend a certain amount, after all."

If they wanted to spend anything at all, that is. He came away with at least one thing on his own credits, only one. Worthwhile, though. In any case, he shakes his head and leans back against the couch.

"But no. Let him be. I can just get them tomorrow or some other time..."

[dressedtothe]

9S manages to hold back a laugh. Of course she'd want to break it down into something that can be quantified. He doesn't answer, not directly.

Instead he asks her, "Can a human become equal to their god?"

[kingsroads]

Strange can't help it: he looks a bit surprised as Childermass mentions he got a gift for him. Oh. That's nice. A bit unexpected, but still nice. Idly, he can't help but wonder what it is but if Childermass doesn't want to get it now, then he'll just have to find out later.

"Well, if you don't want me to wake him up, then I won't do it," he answers, as if it's the simplest thing in the world. But that does present them with a new problem. Strange really doesn't want to move right now. But he's not entirely tired, not just yet. So, he slumps backwards on the couch as well, staring at the ceiling in a slightly creepy unblinking manner.

Strange isn't really good with silence. So, the quiet lasts for a few moments before Strange opens his mouth to talk again. "This is nice." Okay, he's saying something dumb. "Not the snow thing, I'm still of two minds about that, but just...this." And he gestures vaguely at Lambert's trailer. Sitting on the couch, being drunk with two people whose company he enjoys, not really giving a damn, that's the nice thing.

[dressedtothe]

[That's right Syr, there are no moon dragons on the moon.]

Isn't she a fae? ...That's not another word for dragon is it?

[Guess who missed out on the cool transformation sequence!?]

[nevergained]

It's okay now. It's fine.

Frisk's listening again.

"...did it feel longer?" Because they have experience with that. A lot of experience with that. Frisk's life had become a groundhog loop day from hell, even if a lot of good came from it. And a lot of bad.

There's a lot of good and bad 'things' that went along with all the 'maybes', now that Frisk thinks about it.

[anti_nonsense]

Rita pauses, sample in hand, then goes ahead and applies it to his leg. "Applying samples 9 and 10," she reports first, then steps back and takes a few seconds to think about his question.

"God, huh..." Is that really how 9S sees humans? Is it how he sees her? Rita's not sure how to feel about that.

"I've never really been one to believe in gods," she begins with a shrug. While many people in Terca Lumireis have some spiritual beliefs, few believe in specific deities. But having visited many other worlds, Rita's realized that's not necessarily the norm for human societies. "But hypothetically, if I ever did meet a god, the question wouldn't be if I'm worthy of being equal to them... but if they're worthy of being elevated and adored in the first place."

Of course, that's the kind of thing that only a nonbeliever can say so easily. And spirituality aside, after everything she said when she was drunk, it's probably no secret that Rita doesn't have the highest opinion of her own species.

[chronosynthesis]

I don't know, we don't have Fae in Tyria. [He waves his hand with the joint around lazily.] But she turns into one when she wants.

[There's a long pause before ah, right, 9S had missed that whole final scene.] The Prince turned into dust and she turned into a dragon and ate him. So many worlds, I can't keep track of what is and isn't familiar to me.