⇨ 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

[otoko]

Auhh! Naturally!!

[It must do...something, right!? And he's eyeing that snowball you little shit-]

Hmmm....I, the man Gongenzaka, suppose it could be called both. Certainly for us, it was 'camping'...but it was with purpose, after all!

It was far from some sort of 'special grounds', by any official means, however...

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya doesn't even mind his gaze.] I guess that makes sense. You're a nature guy after all.

[He snorts, grinning with amusement. He's nature guy to the extreme now. He ducks to gather more snow.] We didn't really go on vacation after Dad disappeared... it was okay, but I'm kind of excited about this.

[otoko]

M-MNH... [..........Yes. He supposes he is-his ears prick nearly vertically, and great 'beast' glancing over a few leaves from his mane before coughing.] A-Auh....Y...Yes....I, the man Gongnezaka, suppose so....

...It's made keeping my hair in order quite difficult, sadly... [Why This. But anyway.] Mnhh.... ....Well, it would seem we have some time to make up for, if that is the case! [He starts, before coughing at the end.] ...Mnh. ...perhaps....after the cure is completed....

[any....day now...]

[hippocarnival]

[Lambert's assured Yuya enough he's not worried about the cure, but he understands if Gon is urgent about it. He's half stone and poisoned. It sucks.

He looks up, particularly at Gon's hair. It's a mess, and then he stares at it with a vague sense of how wrong it is. Gongenzaka actually was very mindful of his hair, that isn't a simple hairstyle like Yuya's scruffy mop. Gon's kind of a mess in general, actually, but it's especially jarring to see his hair in disarray.]

What if you braid it? [A ponytail probably isn't suitable, but braids are tidy.]

[otoko]

...Braid?

[..........Yuuya.] ...............Mmmmnh....Yuuya. ....While I, the man Gongenzaka, have certainly braided cord before........

....this was with two hands...

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya drops the snowball to wave his hands in emphasis, basically forgetting its importance.] I know how to braid hair! I can do it.

[He has not, in fact, forgotten that Gongenzaka only has one arm. He probably never will.]

[otoko]

Mnh!? You can?! [Wait.] ....When have you braided hair...?

[hippocarnival]

I grew up with Yuzu. [His only friend for years was a girl, of course he learned how to braid. It's easy.] Come here. [He gestures him down where Yuya cab actually reach.]

[otoko]

Yuzu has worn braids? [Yes, this is his main question. But here he goes then, bringing himself down, down....Right down, this is sort of awkward actually because not only must he lay down, he still has to stoop a bit due to how high off the ground his lower body remains.] Auh....do you have anything with which to fasten a braid at this time, Yuuya?

[hippocarnival]

Sometimes it was dolls. [He was six, don't judge him.

Gongenzaka is way too big now, but once he's in reach Yuya moves to comb his hair into three parts with his hands.

And then Gon points out something important.] Uh... maybe?

[He probably won't want to use his headband like a bow. So Yuya starts patting his pants down first, checking his many pockets for...]

Aha! [He retrieves a rubber band from one of the lower zip pockets at his shins. Maybe don't think about how long that's been there.

He puts it on his wrist before getting back to work braiding.]

[otoko]

Ahh, I see. [No judgement here Yuuya, though he does smile a bit wider.] Mnh....try to be careful though, aah? I, the man Gongenzaka, cannot be sure if any branches may have worked in near the roots yet....

[Loose braid will probably be best then.]

[hippocarnival]

I'll be careful! [Or at least as careful as he usually is, but Yuya doesn't care so much about minor scratches. He's definitely bruised himself worse dueling.

He's gentle with parting Gongenzaka's hair, untangling a couple loose leaves before he plaits it down in a quickly, loose braid. Nothing fancy, but it's even enough and it works to keep Gongenzaka's hair organized and out of his face.]

There you go. [He ties it off with the rubber band before leaning back.] I think your hair is even longer than Yuzu's now.

[It was probably always longer than Yuzu's, but it's hard to tell when he styles it.]

[otoko]

Haahahaha! I, the man Gongenzaka, should hope it is..! It would be a very small style otherwise! [And his pomp is typically Massive.] Ahh...Thank you however, [He adds, gently moving the braid to the side before tucking it under his headband.] ....It is certainly much more out of the way, now....

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya stuffs his hands in his pockets, grinning. Though he does pause for a moment.] It's kind of hard to do a lot of things with one arm, right...?

[It definitely seems like it would be, even with the assistance of vines. He leans around to see if he can see anything sprouting from the stump.]

[betheman]

A- Yes, unfortunately....Practice with vines, most certainly, has helped....but I, the man Gongenzaka, have been worrying for the long term, suffice to say...

[Fortunately, come morning, Zangetsu is....Very Much changing that. Not that he knows yet.]

[hippocarnival]

[It's hard to relate to being crippled like this. Yuya's realizing it's probably worse than it even seems. He can't duel, can't braid his hair, can't... do lots of things because they need two hands instead of one.]

You have a lot of friends to help you. [Yuya included, though he's already offered his assistance. Still, it does make even basic snow time fun a little difficult. Yuya glances around briefly before points off into the distance, to the trees.]

Have you been away from the cabins yet? It should be safe to explore, right? [If Gongenzaka is going to take a walk, they can make it a more interesting walk.]

[otoko]

Aaauh, that I do....Zangetsu in particular has....shown an interesting level of solidarity, I must say... [Geeze. That said.] Mn-a little; actually, I, the man Gongenzaka, may have spent a few credits already...

[hippocarnival]

Zangetsu has? [Don't mind that his tone is a little incredulous. But he won't press.]

For gifts, right? The Ringmaster was really encouraging us to spend it on gifts... I found a couple things, but I have a lot more to buy.

[otoko]

Aah. He removed his own arm, and has since refused to grow it back until I, the man Gongenzaka, am able to either do the same, or find a replacement. [So yeah, that happened.]

Mnh, for gifts, yes! I, the man Gongenzaka, did not intend to spend anything, if much at all, upon myself....there is little which I, the man Gongenzaka, would need after all!

[Short of pruning shears, right?]

[hippocarnival]

[Gon's not a very material person, which makes him hard to shop for. Yuya's only somewhat confident in his idea for a gift.

But that's not the most concerning thing after what Gon just said and he chokes on air.] He what?! Why? How does that fix anything, you're still missing the arm he took!

[betheman]

In his mind, no doubt....he is handicapping himself as he did me. ....Zangetsu was not in his own mind, Yuuya-it is that matter for which I, the man Gongenzaka, was apologized to for. If anything, he was able to restrain himself quite well..! [He adds, huffing.]

....But Zangetsu is a sword-no doubt, a weapon for death, when released into such a state.... [Well. Regardless.]

...He apologized to me in person-and took his arm off before my own eyes, while making his declaration. I, the man Gongenzaka, shall not disrespect him for that.

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya juts out his lip. He wouldn't call any of that 'restraint'. He looks down at the snow for a moment, kicking it.]

That's not a good reason for what he did. [It doesn't make him feel more forgiving. Sure, his arm is gone, but what's he doing so it doesn't happen again? To help Gon recover himself?

Well, it's not like Yuya's going to go confront him about it if it's enough for Gongenzaka. So instead he's just pouting to himself.]

[otoko]

As one who has done similar acts, I, the man Gongenzaka, do not intend to blame him for what was beyond his control, [Gongenzaka replies almost coolly, a somewhat haunted look in his eye.]

It is something that will not repeat-certainly not if he can help it. What matters now, Yuuya, is moving forward.

[hippocarnival]

[That first statement gets Yuya to look up, and he's about to ask what Gongenzaka means... but something in his expression tells Yuya that he probably shouldn't.

So instead he lets out a sigh.] We are moving forward. After everything that happened, we're getting better. And we'll finish our contracts and go home and in the end, everything will be all right.

[Like a pendulum, swinging happiness back to them. He puts his hand over his chest where he feels the weight of it.]

[otoko]

[Gongenzaka looks to his friend, but after a moment, places his one hand upon the other's shoulder.

And he gives to him a smile, warmth back in his face.] Aah. That we are, Yuuya. So let us focus on moving forward with our friends here, and enjoying ourselves for now, hmn?