⇨ 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

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.

[otoko]

While far from a question he'd find rude, it is at least an interesting change, to not be met with a plethora of questions right off the bat. When Lavellan holds her hand upward, he gives a nod in reply. But ah-there comes the more awkward to answer point, one which he's learned to provide explanations for quickly. "I, the man Gongenzaka, have been here for one year," he begins, almost immediately following with more. "However...

"It would be best to realize that the extent of most changes, by such a point, is far from so extreme. The situations which brought upon my own...were quite unique indeed."

[dirthena]

The magic here is unlike her own world, where binding only comes through blood magic or if one was dealing with a spirit. But this new form of magic is one she's slowly learning the rules to, at least in terms of what happened after the contract was signed and one dwelled around it for long. His honest answer is much appreciated, and her lips twitch up at his hurried explanation that it wasn't usual.

"I didn't want to as that quite as directly, but I appreciate you getting to the heart of the matter," she admits, with a small smile. "Did it hurt?" Another question that might seem silly, but she's never specialized in shapeshifting herself -- an elvhen magic, yes -- yet she rather prefers to remain as herself.

It would make being here far more difficult, she thinks, if this was the end result.

[otoko]

Gongenzaka beams, a more friendly, less 'small' smile. He is nothing if not direct, where it counts-to hide the truth does nothing, though he's certainly guilty of it with closer friends. As it is, he shakes his head. "I, the man Gongenzaka, can safely assure you it did not! In fact," he laughs, recalling an earlier incident before they took the vacation, "There are many times where the common changes which employees experience go unnoticed, for a time..! A friend of mine here, she was quite alarmed when she saw her ears in the mirror, recently..!"

They got Pointy. Gasp.


"Auhh....major changes however...hmn... ...It did not hurt, but I, the man Gongenzaka, cannot say they were without their oddities... ...Prior the growth of my mane, I was quite thirsty..." Plants Needed Water-

[dirthena]

At least he didn't take offense to it, and Lavellan nods, trying to commit it all to memory and deuce what she might experience in her time in the Carnival. "So unnoticed changes, unless it has something to do with the change itself." For what else could he mean by the fact that he felt thirsty when the plants were very obvious. "Thank you, Gongenzaka. Your help is appreciated."

"Although -- what went wrong with her ears?" Cole had nug ears, so Lavellan is simply assuming that rather than any more, well. Simpler change.

[otoko]

"For the most part, yes." Naturally, he can't really speak much for exceptions without growing increasingly specific. Sometimes people are just...'lucky'. He doesn't seem proud or especially elated with the compliment in any case-while he smiles, he merely nods his head, as if it were merely another part of a job he's meant to be on vacation from.

...The question of ears, of all the things, is what causes the smile to widen a bit. "Auh...Well!" he chuckles, scratching his cheek, "I, the man Gongenzaka, would not say something went wrong...Merely that something is different. Truthfully, they merely became pointed!"

[dirthena]

It takes a moment for her to realize what he implies, her own hand going to touch the point of her ears with a smile. Well, at least if that was the case, she's unlike to meet anyone wielding knife ear as an insult; if anyone would even dare think of doing such a thing while working for a magical carnival. Her smile becomes more wry, but no less friendly for it.

"Yes, I can imagine what a shock that might be," she jokes, taking it in stride. "But I think I will manage if it happens to me." Lavellan can't help the joke -- it's something she's known for back home, and something her companions had appreciated or disliked in turn.

[betheman]

Really, the chances of any more than perhaps 3 people at most within the grounds even thinking such a term could exist, would be....Just as low, so it's a fortunate matter indeed. The joke, certainly, earns a laugh.

"Ahaah! Well! If you find yourself with fangs as well, simply hope they are not quite as long as my own then! It took quite some time to adapt, in this case," he chuckles, the relatively long incisors practically gleaming.

[dirthena]

For a moment she nods, looking at his teeth and trying to imagine herself with something similar. Failing to do so, Lavellan shakes her head with a small smile. "I shall hope for something a little less-- well, a little less overall, I think." On account of not really being prepared for anything that will make her less of who she is.

That is enough of a problem as-is; there's no need to make it worse.