⇨ 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

[spaghettimonster]

Papyrus dodges her throw, his gloved hands pressing a ball into shape. If it weren't for those gloves offering a little padding... it would take forever to pack them right! Not having body heat is a slight disadvantage here.

"You can't win, I have the height ground!" Not really, he's down the slope a little ways. But it's not the literal high ground that matters here. "I'm taller!" He flings the ball, then ducks down to make more. "And! I'm defending myself!!"

[disjunct]

Like you know what a sense of decor is. [ besides, he probably tears it down, right...? ]

[ Takes a shot ]

Never have I ever forgotten how to use the trash can when I'm done eating candy bars!

[npcarnival]

On Shimmer's side, she will go into the alcohol hard, downing the first glass almost immediately and quickly refilling. The Ambosia is a bit insidious in that it doesn't have much of a kick, and therefore you could find yourself putting down a lot without noticing, if you aren't careful.

She'll say that she isn't sure how much the rest of the Court ever adopted the technology - she saw little of Arcadia outside of Mother's own domain. There were a few times, but... she's not sure that any of the others were all that interested in something that a few saw as a pathetic attempt to usurp the power of the Summer Court.

Which, is sort of was, really. Of course, it was never her business to question it.

She has little reaction to his condolences, and will say that far worse things happened in that place, and that she is the last person that he should feel sorry for. She was up there in the hierarchy, by the end, and she managed to bring her brother, Scald, with her.

[anti_nonsense]

[Rita's eyes widen in surprise at that question, though the expression soon gives way for a look of mild approval.] People don't usually ask that. It's been that way for hundreds of years.

But... from my research, I'd have to guess... it's because of the blastia. It's--aah! [She lets out an indignant yelp as her feet slide out ahead of the rest of her, throwing her off-balance and seemingly about to fall over backwards.]

[sarcaskick]

[ He absolutely does not take a shot. ]

Laziness isn't forgetfulness.

Never have I ever hummed the most annoying tune of all time every single time my roommate is trying to take a nap.

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya's from one of those more peaceful worlds, at least in regards to monsters. He's curious when she mentions the blastia... until she's flailing about.]

Ah, Rita--! [Yuya lunges forward, grabbing for her arms to try anf pull her upright again.]

[dressedtothe]

What's that supposed to mean? Sometimes, 9S finds it hard to figure out what humans mean when they talk about their physical biological reactions. But it's clear she's leaning quite heavily on him, so...

"Alright. Let's get you sitting down."

Will they make it to one of the seats by the fireplace??

[disjunct]

[ NOT taking a shot at all. ]

'The Happiness and Peace of Mind Committee' is NOT the most annoying song in the world. I know because I listened to the worst set of music known to man, because, you know, despair. I had it on loop for a while, then I started to like it and it got boring.

[ Now something he can't deny. ]

Never have I ever kicked my roommate in the head, deliberately or not, while sleeping.

[ Their beds are just on the floor now, so... ]

[spaghettimonster]

[Surprise shows on his face at the mention of the Delta Rune, but Papyrus listens patiently to the gift's description. And then he smiles widely, cooing.]

Oh my god, that's such a thoughtful gift!

So helpful, and so heartfelt...! And you, hardly feeling many things yet. You're going to be great friends, I can tell.

[kingsroads]

Strange'll ask as a point of clarification, so each fae has their own domain in Arcadia proper? Or is Arcadia more like an organization and less like a physical place that he was under the impression it was?

Strange does make a sort of 'urgh, of COURSE' noise as Shimmer mentions that people thought the Mother of Invention was trying to usurp the Summer Court and adds in that yeah, people thought that with the Count of Crows as well. Maybe Frost too, but Frost was just kind of a dick, didn't really get a good chance to talk with the guy.

And with a caveat that she doesn't have to answer this if she doesn't want to, how did she and Scald escape Mother's domain and join up with the caravan?

[sarcaskick]

[ Oh he is absolutely taking a shot for that, and from the smile widening on his lips it was, at least sometimes, super deliberate. ]

Never have I ever stolen all of my roommate's bedding to try and make them sleep on a bare mattress.

[dressedtothe]

[Despite everything, 9S' hearing isn't really all that much better than the average human's. Still, he does managed to catch what Yuya said.

Huh?]

What do you mean? Nothing happened to me? I'm fine!

[Honestly, he's forgotten all about the exposed metal, being in a location that isn't terribly easy for him to see, and not being in pain from it. More importantly! Be careful of the other skaters coming through!!]

Watch out!

[hurtcomfort]

"2B."

Because isn't that the root of so many of 9S's problems? His actions at the ball, his actions now, his choices and thoughts and hopes all tie back to 2B and 9S's relationship with her. A friend then a killer then something else entirely (or a killer then a friend then something else entirely.) Guilt writ large over a curious little scanner.

"You miss her," Cole simply responds. "Even after what you know."

[disjunct]

Well, we're roommates, we have to share... and it was getting cold-- [ not sounding innocent at all as she takes a shot for that. ]

Never have I ever stretched myself across both beds so my roommate couldn't use either...!!

[hurtcomfort]

Without complaining, Cole takes the desserts from 9S's arms. He follows Pod over to the table, setting the desserts there as well. And good. 9S got Rita something as well. It'd make her happy and really, isn't that what the purpose of the whole gift giving thing is about?

Though, curiosity killed the cat as Cole walks back over to look at what's in the bag. And...he has no idea what it is! It's plants! Cool! Why are there plants here? "Are you going to eat that too?"

It's plants, buddy. Cole's got no idea what the hell's going to happen with these.

[moonfang]

Yeah, Gon is kind of... leaving entire troughs as he walks through any snow that isn't already packed down. Zangetsu's fluffy feathered feet and light step keep him on top of drifts, for the most part, making his bouncy step even... dare I say it... cuter?

Hopefully that rock mess would be cleared up soon enough. He knew that the more clever among them were working on a cure.

As Zangetsu comes close, he realizes he must have missed this store when he was just sort of blitzing through, looking for warm winter wear. "Exotic Pets", the sign reads. He looks at Gon with wide eyes.

"What did you do?"

[spaghettimonster]

"Huh?" Papyrus loses a few precious seconds staring at them. He'd noticed the pokemon, but hadn't connected the dots to this being a dog pokemon; it looks nothing like Gongenzaka's Snubbull, or like any of the dogs back home. But the alert, obedient chase...

"Oh my god! No! Bad dog!!" he shrieks, and turns tail. Instinct, or recently-acquired mental changes, propel him towards a tree. Papyrus wills magic into his own soul, pinging it blue and yanking upwards so that his jump carries him a good ten feet up into the branches.

But it's a pine, and the branches are full even low to the ground, the needles slippery and hard to grip. He scrabbles for a hold, barely higher above the ground than the six-odd feet of his height. It's all too easy to imagine the dog nipping at his ankles.

[npcarnival]

Arcadia is a physical place, yes - a domain is just, like, her house, or her property. It's just that when fae are so powerful and the rules of physics are a little bit nebulous, each fae's home can feel very distinct from the rest, and sometimes operate by different rules. It's all the same place, though, generally speaking. You don't have to cross between worlds to move around it.

She'll laugh, and say she's not sure if the Summer Court is as jealous as the Winter Court seems to be. Maybe jealousy is just a part of the court's design. She never knew any Summer Court until she met Moss, here at the caravan. It seems like the carnival has a Summer Court with them too, don't they?

There's not much hesitation in explaining her escape. Essentially, she had just been a trusted enough disciple to work at one of the Mother of Inventions colonies, set up on a mortal world. The Caravan happened to pass through while they were operating there, and got caught up in the whole thing. In the end, her and Scald ended up aiding and escaping with them.

[dressedtothe]

And there it is.

Of course Cole's rooting around in his head again. But he can't be angry when it isn't on purpose. 9S wouldn't be surprised if he's practically broadcasting his thoughts and feelings to the spirit.

And it's true, he does miss her. Carnival life had been easy, when he knew that he would be reuniting with her after a year and a day. Now... that's not even certain. It doesn't matter that she killed him, over and over again. He doesn't blame her for that. It never entered his mind to blame her for his murders, even though it was her hands that taken his life.

It's fine, it would always be fine, as long as they could be together again.

"Do we have to talk about 2B?" he mutters, looking away. "She's not here." Like she should be.

It hurts to think about 2B. About how it wasn't fair that that was the role she was given to play. About the pointlessness of it all. About how her happiness would be impossible without the deaths of everyone else they worked with.

[disjunct]

Also yeah, most of that is filler for the booty shorts and thigh highs. Booty shorts and thigh highs would just be like, too cheap, you know?

[kingsroads]

See, the problem here is that Strange is a fricken idiot and doesn't know people got their souls changed via Portland. So he looks a little surprised to hear that they've got someone Summer Court in the carnival! But hey, if Shimmer says that's a thing, he's got no reason to not believe her so yeah, they totally do have a Summer Court.

They also might have a Winter Court, though Strange isn't 100% certain on that matter, just that a certain raven man's magic looks pretty damn Wintery. He's not certain either of them might want to talk about changeling drama or what have you, as Strange implies that their court affiliations come with a bit of baggage, but he'll be happy to make introductions if Shimmer wants (and after he goes through a list of possible people who said Summer Court person might be).

Gossip-wise, he doesn't know if the Summer Court is as jealous as the Winter Court but both courts certainly seem to have their fair share of assholes. Strange is also getting a liiiittle more liberal with the alcohol because that first half a glass went down real smoothly and he feels fantastic, this stuff must not pack a punch at all!

[npcarnival]

Shimmer will clarify that she does mean the young boy with the rose wings, and that she noticed the man with the dark feathers as well. The two of them came off like changelings to her, in a way that the others don't. Of course, Strange himself is a changeling, she'll point out, in a sense. He has the magic of the Ringmaster.

The boy and Childermass, though, seem to have something far more innate. Her and Scald had been curious about it, but didn't want to ask unprompted. Court affiliations and changeling business is almost always a sore spot.

Shimmer seems to be trying to remember if she has seen the Count or Frost. One time she was brought before the one and only Winter Queen as one of the Mother's assistants... that entire experience was very overwhelming, of course, so it is hard to recall.

Despite the grim reality of the events she's talking about, Shimmer is getting pretty giggly as a result of the Ambrosia.

[kingsroads]

Well it's a bit of a surprise to learn that your friend's being has indeed been changed by fae magic to that extent...so Strange just fuckin chugs the rest of his drink.

Strange will tell Shimmer this much: Steven & Childermass's aspects being changed in that way is most likely the result of a powerful spell that shifted the carnival changelings' identities for a month. Shit happened, it sucked, he's happy to bitch and moan about it if Shimmer wants to know more.

He definitely is interested in her seeing the Winter Queen because Strange knows enough about fae hierarchy to know that it's a Big Deal and oh my God does Strange desperately want to gossip.

Shimmer's getting giggly, Strange is just getting loud. His hand gestures are also going all over the place but he's grinning like an idiot all the while. For all of Strange's 'oh, I'm just gonna pace myself' that moderation went out the window and he's getting pretty drunk as a result of the Ambrosia as well.

[sarcaskick]

Oh, please. Like you couldn't have found a way.

[ She would have even been his first shared-sleeping-space partner!

Oh well, shot. ]

Never have I ever wanted to share a bed with my roommate.

[npcarnival]

Shimmer will prompt him to talk about Portland for as long as he wants, since that is very much something outside of her experience. Will he go over most of it?

She originally saw the Winter Queen because the Mother of Invention was showing off some kind of "tech" that she'd developed, in the hope that the Queen would be interested. A big part of her work was in trying to find ways around the Fae's weakness to iron... as far as she knows there was never any great progress with that, but essentially the Mother had been looking for Court support in developing what little she had.

As far as she recalls, the Queen was mostly dismissive, but she also wasn't allowed in any more secretive discussions of it.

The Mother... went through a lot of changelings, researching with iron. That was why she had to do it on a planet outside of Arcadia, because iron is forbidden there.