⇨ 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

ice sculptures

[dirthena]

Lavellan certainly makes an interesting figure -- a head shorter than the average human woman -- and very stubbornly refusing to put on shoes or socks in the snow. She has a thermos of hot cider clutched in her hand, steaming slightly, and occasionally she sips from it as she passes judgement upon the various statues.

"I don't know," she says to whoever is closest to her at one point, squinting and tilting her head to the side. "It almost looks like a swan if you do this, but if you look at it straight on--" No, she still doesn't see the description of Squirrel with Nuts.

[dressedtothe]

Unlike many of the other Carnival workers, 9S is still unchanged, his appearance still human-like save for his legs; his synthetic flesh has melted off the back of his knees and sides of his calves and thighs, exposing his metal frame. As usual, Pod 153 hovers not far from his shoulder and his eyes are covered by his visor.

So it might be strange that he's seemingly following her gaze towards the 'swan' and also tilting his head. Sorry, he's not seeing it. But that's mostly because....

"What's a swan?"

[dirthena]

Far be it from Lavellan to avoid or look down upon those obviously less human than the rest -- her stature and her ears mark her as anything but, at least where she's from. But she still can't help the way her eyes widen at the newness of just how not human everyone here seems to be. She notices that someone has covered up his -- he can't be much older than a teenager, can he? -- his eyes, and wonders how he can see it at all.

"A bird," she supplies, rather unhelpfully. "Large and white, with a long neck." Considering this, Lavellan decides that perhaps that's not the best description if he can't see. "They make a startling sound, like they're full of nothing but rage -- a hiss. And they bite."

[dressedtothe]

9S' instinct on meeting someone new is to discreetly scan them to get an understanding of what they are physically. The stranger looks similar to Taako with the ears, so 9S is expecting his sensors to report back something similar: some kind of humanoid being that isn't a human, despite the appearance.

"They bite? But birds don't have teeth!" Sounds fake. 9S sounds distinctly skeptical. "Are you sure they're a kind of bird? Birds usually flee from danger."

Guess who doesn't have much experience with birds? This guy.

[dirthena]

There is nothing special about her, beyond the missing arm and the distinct non-human nature of her; her eyes would reflect light in the dark, but that was simply another part of being an elf. At least where she's from.

Lavellan grins, and shakes her head. Something about him makes her think of the younger members of her clan -- always ready with questions, including ones she doesn't know. "One doesn't need teeth to bite," she assures him. "But I'm sure a swan is a kind of bird. Has wings, a beak, feathered, lays eggs."

She uses all of those together to imply what makes a bird, if only because in Thedas one can mix and match and come up with something not very bird like at all.

[dressedtothe]

Just another weird almost human-looking humanoid, then. Since she's not a human, then she won't be afforded any additional respect. As long as she's not a Gem or any other sort of alien that invaded Earth, then he can get along just fine.

"Hmm, if you say so."

That description does match up with what he knows of birds, so he can't completely discount what she's saying. Though the does notice something else...

"The description says it's a squirrel, though."

[dirthena]

"Perhaps the artist was in error? Although," she smiles, almost sheepishly. "I'm not entirely sure what a squirrel is." It doesn't look like anything she knows of in Thedas, and Lavellan has spent all her life running around forests. Which is presumably were the creatures is, if it eats nuts.

Strange to think of this placing having different animals -- but physical change was something that happened regularly here, so she shouldn't be that surprised. Humming, Lavellan shakes her head. "I suppose it's a matter of interpretation."

[dressedtothe]

9S never understood art. Most androids don't. And whenever they tried to create art of their own, there was always something missing.

"But if it's in the description, that's what it is," he insists. Since they both don't know what a squirrel is, there's only one way to be certain. It's a bit of a long shot since they're not connected to the Bunker any more, but... "Pod? Do you have any visual data on squirrels?"

The previously silent robot pipes up, speaking in a robotic but distinctively female sounding voice.

< Negative. Cannot establish connection to Bunker databases >

[dirthena]

The voice from the metal being takes Lavellan by surprise -- she has heard of the golems of the dwarves, but they were supposed to be tall and made from stone. Not hovering in the air as if kept aloft by magic. Her eyes grow wide as she stares at it, curious rather than with fear.

"What is it? And... what is 'Bunker'?" Lavellan doesn't reach out to try and touch it, but it's a near thing -- the urge is there, as is her obvious curiosity. But she has practice at holding herself back, and doesn't wish to offend the pair of them.

[dressedtothe]

9S glances up at the robot. "Oh, you mean Pod 153?"

He raises his hand into a fist and the pod bumps it with one of its four arms.

"Its my tactical support unit. It assists me in everything from combat to data gathering. The Bunker is the station we operated out of. Its servers store our data, anything from information gathered about the old world, to the personality and memory data of androids like me."

there's an image through 'changes' on his page if you need, aha...

[betheman]

The beast which joins Lavellan from behind is massive; 9 foot even, with the lower half a mix between horse, bear, and plant, all impossibly leaving minor tracks in the snow instead of the impressions one would expect. He is, perhaps, even less dressed for the weather; despite the plant mane he has, the only clothing to his name is a t-shirt with a sash tied about the shoulders, and a headband above his brow.

The furred being peers downward, apparently studying the sculpture himself. His right eye seems solid white, as if blinded-the opposing arm meanwhile is metal, a clear replacement. He is, truly, a mess 'things'. ....And apparently, as he leans downward to peer at the sculpture with more scrutiny, a rather gentle critic as well.

"Hmmmnnnn.... ...If, perhaps....one looks from another perspective?" he tries, though from his tone, he too, is questioning this Heavily. "Though, it is....certainly difficult to tell..."

much appreciated!

[dirthena]

That.... is not what she she expected when she finally turns to see the source of the voice. Lavellan had noticed the odd members of the carnival before, of course -- but this is the first she's seen change to such an extreme extent. Her staring is pointed, but there's no disgust in her eyes as she looks up at him -- just wary caution that fades after a moment or so. After all, if he wished to kill her he'd have already done so.

And considering her track record, thinking that someone might isn't a wrong first thought to have. So she gives him a slight nod, and then turns back to the ice sculpture they're examining. "It could be a creative exercise? I hear that's what people do when they attend the sorts of parties where these things are common. Stand around and try and one up each other in any way they can."

And not outright competitions, but it definitely seems like something Orlais would pull. Which is really the only place Lavellan can imagine something like this being found in Thedas.

[otoko]

There are not many who do expect anything like Gongenzaka, to be fair. He has had, perhaps, a string of the oddest luck there is with regard to changes of the extreme sort. Enough that mentioning how long he's been there at all has resulted in some....large misconceptions.

"Hmnhh....where I, the man Gongenzaka am from, I have certainly seen contests such as this while training within the mountains...however, they were a mix of 'entertainment' and 'skill', while there. ....If this is something like that..." Well, Lavellan was already taking a guess at it being some sort of contest, herself, so he shrugs. "...Hmnn. Perhaps the majority of us have not had enough time in the snow, if this is 'skill'..."

[dirthena]

"Gongenzaka," she says, focusing on the name first. "It's a pleasure to meet you." At least the way he introduced himself seemed to imply that was his name -- Lavellan would feel a fool if it weren't. But it wouldn't be the oddest thing she's experienced yet today, so one could never tell.

But the comment makes her grin, and she shakes her head in amusement. "I don't think there's enough snow in the world that will change my mind about the skill involved in this."

[otoko]

If she felt she misheard it, she need not worry-Gongenzaka's 'unfortunate' verbal quirk will guarantee she hears it often. It's meant to be humbling on his part, really.

It really doesn't sound like it to most, suffice to say. For now at least, Gongenzaka gives a hearty laugh, shaking his head. "Aaah! Indeed, it is a shame that those from home could not have been here for this..! Though even so, it takes a great level of courage to put one's work out for others to see, as well...

"I, the man Gongenzaka, must commend them for that much, at least..!" Though, that is hardly the point. "It is a pleasure to meet you, as well, miss! I, the man Gongenzaka, take it you arrived due to the...'Open gate'?" Ringmaster needs to lay off the sauce-

[dirthena]

Well, he has a point there. Lavellan grins at that, and waves a hand at it. "True enough. I wouldn't even know where to begin with something like this, so even something that causes others to pause is a triumph enough." A pause, because Lavellan isn't exactly filled to the brim with kindness and compassion for people she doesn't know. "The artist may think about relabeling it, however."

At his question she nods. "Lavellan," she says, introducing herself. Nothing before it or after, no Inquisitor, no First of Clan Lavellan. The hollowness around her name is something she does her best to ignore. "And I did, yes. It was an offer I was not in a position to turn down."

[otoko]

"Hmn! Gongenzaka Noboru," he introduces, nodding his head. Interestingly...'the man' isn't before it there? He doesn't seem to use it all the time either, which is perhaps a touch odd. Gongenzaka at least, does not notice any hollowness. Or at least if he does, he does not bring any attention to it.

"Such a situation... ...It seems to be the situation which many arrive here, in, I have noticed. I, the man Gongenzaka, certainly wish you the best in whatever necessitated your contract, in that case however," he adds, giving another polite nod of the head. Though-

...He did only say gate, when he thinks about it. "MNH- A-Assuming of course, you speak of a contract, rather than the gate itself..!!" In which case he feels something of an apology is in order-no one enjoys needing a gate Immediately.

[dirthena]

She notices, and wonders about it. It seems impolite to ask, at least in a first conversation, but Lavellan tucks it away to chew upon and question later. Like much of what she sees, and who she runs into. It seems like a fair assumption, however, to assume that most people were human before the changes started seeping in. Herself and Cole being the most obvious, she supposed.

The possible misunderstanding and his backtracking isn't needed, and Lavellan holds up a hand to reassure him. "You were right the first time. And... thank you." He doesn't know what she's facing, but the unexpected kindness of a stranger is always appreciated. "How long have you been here, if I may ask?"

So she knows what to expect, after all. She hadn't considered changes to that extent, but if that is what will become of her -- best to be prepared now.

[puddingemote]

Tamaki is also eying the sculpture critically, and has so far ignored the description (reading, ew). When she suddenly speaks, he glances over at her, not recognizing her; at first he might have thought she was a World Walker, but perhaps she's a new recruit after all.

Tamaki himself is just over seven feet tall, so he has to look considerably down to see her.

"From up here, it looks kinda like two seahorses. Or maybe some kind of mongoose?"

[dirthena]

The only time Lavellan has felt so short was with the Iron Bull -- she looks up, and then looks up. It's a struggle not to make some sort of joke about how tall he is, and if that was natural or a byproduct of being at the carnival, but she resists. For now.

Instead she offers a small, thin smile. "I don't know what either of those are, so I'm afraid it's not going to help me much."

[puddingemote]

"You've never seen a seahorse?"

He sounds a little surprised there; not everyone knows what a Mongoose is, but everyone seems fascinated by seahorses.

"They're little fish... they kinda look like they have a horse head. And they have a curly tail."

He demonstrates by drawing a swirl in the air with his finger.

[dirthena]

"My clan isn't from an area by the sea. Not traditionally, anyway." For now that they were in Wycome, they were about to get a lot more ocean than they'd bargained for. The description makes her grin, however, and she shakes her head.

"It sounds like it would fit in my world just fine. Have you seen a lot of them?"

[puddingemote]

"In aquariums, and on TV. They're cute."

A lot of things that live in the sea are creepy, but seahorses aren't. They just float around and look nice.

"Where are you from? Do you look like that all the time?" He doesn't consider that this question might be rude. Everyone changes in the Carnival, after all; he doesn't normally have horns.

[dirthena]

"We don't have TV where I'm from, and aquariums are --" Known in theory, but hardly in practice. She gives him a wry smile and a shrug of a shoulder.

The look like that earns him a scowl, lips pressed together. "Thedas. And yes," she says, with perhaps a bit more venom than required. "Although most of Thedas would prefer that I didn't."

[puddingemote]

"Eh? Is there something wrong with you?"

She sounds pretty pissed off about it. He squints at her, but other than her pointy ears and the marks on her face, he doesn't really get what the deal is. She kinda looks like the elf guys from those long fantasy movies Riku likes. Tamaki can't really remember what they're about because he always falls asleep halfway through.