⇨ 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

[brightspot]

"It's okay, I was just... Thinking about the last android I met, before I came here. The circumstances were kind of... intense?"

It sounds like a question, like she's not sure if that's the right word for it, but... She lets out a short, soft laugh, though there are tears at the corner of her eyes that she's working on fighting back. Laughing at herself, at how unexpected and sudden these feelings came rushing in.

"Sorry." And now she feels like it's necessary to apologize back, for her reaction. There's a small, apologetic smile that goes along with that.

[dressedtothe]

9S isn't sure what to do. If it were someone else -- like Syrlya, or Cole -- he wouldn't hesitate to give them a reassuring pat, but Five is a human. It feels a little inappropriate, even if seeing her in distress pulls at his own feelings.

He shakes his head. "It's okay."

He's not sure how to deal with this. But he'll try.

"You can, um. Let it out, if that'll make you feel better. You look like you've had a rough time."

[brightspot]

Let it out. Would that make her feel better? If she'd been back home, would she have spoken to someone else about all that's happened? ...Probably. She frequently talked to Android and Two about things that were bugging her. She just... doesn't have anyone she's that close to yet here.

Five takes in a deep breath. "It's... been a ride, definitely." Giving a brief look around, she decides it's probably best if she comes off the ice until she can calm down, and steps into the snow with her skates on before plopping down on a nearby bench. "This is so... I didn't even know him that long, a few hours, but..."

She trails off, wipes away a tear that's finally making its way down her cheek. The thing is, it's not even just Arrian, though. Thinking of Arrian was really just the final straw that broke the camel's back. The last drop in the bucket, of all the things she'd been holding in, not discussing with anyone.

"Do you... miss people from back home?"

[dressedtothe]

9S understands. He really hadn't known 2B for very long, barely even a few hours when he sacrificed himself and his memories for her. So he understands what it is like to be so deeply affected by with someone you haven't known for very long at all.

2B was supposed to be here with him, but she isn't and the knowledge that she really is infected and dying makes his insides twist.

"...Yeah, I do," he murmurs. More than Five can imagine. "I wish they were here."

He wants to go back to Earth to be with his fellow androids, to be with 2B, even though that would mean he would eventually be killed.

[brightspot]

"Me too," she says quietly. She takes in a deep breath, exhales slowly, trying not to let the emotions overwhelm her. "But I know... They'd want me to make new connections, new friends..."

Which is, of course, easier said than done, but... She's been trying. Maybe not as hard as she could have been, she's certainly been isolating herself on occasion to sulk, but she's still trying.

[dressedtothe]

Who knows if that's the case for 2B. She'd always been rather closed off, not particularly inclined to make friends in the first place. She probably wouldn't wish for the same thing... though she had told him to 'be kind to A2'. He doesn't even know A2! It's hard to feel kindness towards an android he's never met.

"Making new friends doesn't mean you're forgetting your old ones."

He almost offers to be her friend. But he's not equals with humans. He can't be. He can't; his creators had made sure of that. After a moment of hesitation, he continues.

"You don't have to force it. Just... take it slow. You'll be with us for a while." Awkward, he reaches out to pat her on the shoulder. "If you ever want to talk or do something fun, I'll be around."