lostcarnival | ⇨ THE LUNAR SOLSTICE

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⇨ THE LUNAR SOLSTICE

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.

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At least Childermass is familiar even if neither bothered to introduce themselves. It was the type of acquaintance Solas could appreciate. The expression he instinctively makes at the reason why that area is avoided is clear. He would be avoiding it as well even if it meant camping out in the cold.

"It seems I am not the only one with a preference for solitude," he remarks with a slight shake of his head. The dangers of arriving after others had the chance to lay their roots where they pleased. "Fewer is more than I expected to be left."

So maybe his searching wouldn't be for naught.

Or it could be. Even Childermass hasn't kept track of all those newly arrived, much like Solas himself. To which he does have to comment with, "I am surprised to see you decided to stay to the point you would even have this problem. I assumed you would wander back out through the woods after the maze, like so many do."

But then again, some people deal with far worse than the mirrors howling mockingly at them

He waves off the comment. "I have dealt with far worse than mirrors dealing in trickery," he returns. "You know of the contracts and what they can promise."

So he had stayed. He was set on his path and if the setback of losing his focus only cost him a year and a day of service then it was a price worth paying. He would be surprised if he learned of anyone here staying without a promise at the end. Well. Besides Cole.

Probably not the best time to warn him about how much worse it can be than mirrors. If all Solas has to deal with for now is a lack of empty, isolated cabins, then he should at least have a fine time on the moon.

So, Childermass just shrugs instead and generally agrees, "All too well." Though he won't bother asking about what he's contracted for. Some things are personal. "Since you are staying, though, I suppose I ought to introduce myself. John Childermass, the carnival's Acquisitioner."

And he's getting a polite nod in place of an offered hand. Run into enough claws or arms you phase right through and there's another habit that dies fast...

Personal and Solas finds it unimportant to share. Unless one is from Thedas or knows of ancient elven items of magic, knowing what he wanted wouldn't benefit anyone. He does, however, return the nod of greeting preferring that to a handshake.

"Solas. I have been told I am to be a medic." Slightly surprising to him, but something he has the magic for. He somehow helped to keep those in combat with the Inquisitor alive during dire situations. "What is it that you acquire for the carnival?"

"Whatever it is the Ringmaster and the other supervisors might need," Childermass answers with a shrug. It's exactly what it sounds like, or near enough. Acquire this, acquire that, although he doesn't offer up just how he does that just yet. "Supplies more often than not, dull as that may sound."

He won't even get into the entire grand theft magical artifact part of the job.

"A medic, though. I am sure people will be glad to hear that, Mr. Solas, but I must warn you that you no doubt have your work cut out for you."

His brows go up slightly at the explanation. What a powerful fae would request as part of her contracts couldn't all be basic supplies. He imagines it is something he will learn with time and he can be patient.

"Solas is fine," he corrects though this man may be the first human he's run into that's attempted some sort of politeness. "My time here will pass quickly if I am busy. Does the carnival run into more than its fair share of trouble?"

Childermass will nod again to the correction and make a mental note on that, though it's the question he'll address when he speaks again, shrugging slightly as he does.

"Often enough," he admits. "We run afoul of the Ringmaster's enemies on occasion and the carnival doesn't always end up in a friendly dimension. The nightriders do their best to look ahead for what may or may not be dangerous to us, but it isn't always apparent. The rest of the time? People just find their own ways to get hurt, no matter how benign a stop is, but I believe that, at least, is a universal truth."

People doing dumb shit: a constant in every world, dimension, universe, and realm.

Oh, that is a fact of life that Solas knows all too well. He used to be one of those to rush in foolishly and injure himself. The days of youth, so long past him now.

"That was the impression I gathered despite what I have arrived into," he says with a slight gesture to the winter wonderland around them. It had all seemed too serene though he had appreciated the cold with a strange amount of fondness. "I will stay on my guard then."

And apparently keep others here alive and tended to. At least he would learn more about those here that way.

"A good plan," Childermass agrees, although he also turns to look around them before returning his attention to Solas with a faintly amused huff. "Though here, it should be safe enough. The moon is a part of the carnival's realm and the caravan only visitors, not the other way around."

Which is a strange change in what's the norm. Typically, they would be the one hosting visitors in the carnival, not being served by the visitors, but he won't go on about it.

"In any case, should you have trouble finding a cabin to yourself, my own is the farthest one out from the village. That way." And he nods in the direction Solas had originally been going. "It's really only where I do a bit of work during the day, so if you'd rather stay there, I wouldn't care. Provided you don't mind dogs, of course."

He nods. While Childermass says it should be safe, he will keep his guard up. Everything was strange and new, from those hosting them to the other workers themselves. It would be a learning experience for a while yet.

The offer gives him pause. It's unexpected coming from a man he has only met recently, but not unwelcomed.

"If you would find that agreeable," he returns and glances off in the distance. "I wanted to find somewhere quiet." And he would manage with a dog around although--

"Are animal companions common here?"

"Wouldn't have offered it if I did not," Childermass is quick enough to assure him. Of course, what Solas doesn't realize is the sheer size of the dog in question, but... well, he may just find that out in person soon enough. To the rest, he shrugs some, then turns to carry on walking as he answers.

Probably expecting Solas to keep up. You know, rather than continuing to stand barefoot in the snow in one spot this entire time.

"And they're common enough, I suppose. If you ended up anywhere near the menagerie while down at the carnival, you may already be aware that most animals here are about as peculiar as everything else around here."

Solas falls into step with the other man, enjoying the chill against his bare feet.

"I would expect nothing less from a place seeping with magic." If the animals were 'normal' then it would be shocking. He's seen enough of the other workers to see what changes happened to them. Never mind that the fae in charge was powerful. He's seen the creations of Ghilan'nain.

"You spoke of your own dogs. Are they as peculiar as the others?"

"I've only the one," Childermass replies, "Although the Warden keeps a small pack of skeletal ones, strange as that may sound."

And infinitely more intimidating to run into randomly than his own will ever be, even with the size difference between Baker and those three. As for his own, well, it won't be too long until they reach the cabin at the very end of the lane, sat up on the top of a snowy hill and away from everything save some pine trees.

"Baker, though... Well, you can see for yourself. He technically isn't a dog at all, I suppose. He's from one of the worlds we visited, one where the population lived side by side with, hmm. Elemental beings seem the best way to explain them. Most do look like animals, but not all."

His brows go up. Necromancy seemed to be a popular skill in the carnival. At least he would know if he saw a skeletal dog wandering around, it was likely to be friendly rather than attack him on sight.

"A natural part of their world or created constructs?" he asks. These worlds that the carnival visited held his interest. He was always a wanderer at heart and was curious to see where they would end up after this break on the moon.

"A natural part," Childermass answers. "They were as much a part of that world as the people there. Still, a bit of an odd place, but I don't think I would mind visiting it again if the carnival ever does backtrack."

Not to mention Alola was literally a tropical paradise, which was also pretty damn nice.

That would be a sight, to see what other worlds considered normal. Strange as the dog may be, it would be an opportunity to watch and learn more of this place he missed out on. Though he has to ask--

"What of the other places the carnival has visited? It seems I have missed much of its journey already."

"A realm of dreams, a city under an ocean, a world where one's soul exists on the outside. There's been a curious variety..."

To list the least horrific ones, at least in Childermass's own mind. He won't mention the literal hellscape adventure or the one or two digital worlds, for various reasons. In any case, they're coming up on the cabin at the far end of the moon's little village.

A cabin, porch light left on for the sake of seeing the steps up, which is where he'll be heading.

Edited 2017-12-19 06:20 (UTC)

Ah. His eyes light up with curiosity. Those were realms he would enjoy seeing. As much as he was prepared to return to Thedas to complete his plans, this would be a worthwhile detour for more reasons than what the contract promised.

"All the more reason for me to be interested in what lays ahead of us." Though at some point he would have to learn of the less fun places that Cole had mentioned to tread lightly around in conversation for the hurt they caused.

There's a small nod of approval when Solas realizes what cabin they are approaching. Yes, this would be worth having the one roommate and a dog. "Were you one of the first to select your cabin?"

"Hmm, something like that," Childermass answers that question in an incredibly vague way, although it sounds like he finds that funny, somehow. He would, of course, seeing how he's a big cheater when it comes to getting from point A to point B. But like most other things about him, he isn't inclined to share, and instead leads the way up the steps to the door.

"But yes, I doubt you'll find anywhere we end too dull," he carries on, switching back to the topic of the multiverse. "Though do take care to listen to any warnings about what worlds the carnival stops at. They are never in given in vain."

Anyway, they probably won't have much more time to discuss that from this point on, seeing how as soon as that door opens? There's that telltale bark and scrabble of dog claws on the bare wooden floor and, a few seconds later, a six-foot-something beast shoves his way out the door to greet Childermass in a very dog-like way, shoving his nose into his face and trying to lick him, even though the man shoves him off gently.

Baker does indeed look and act akin to a dog, but the size alone immensely outstrips even a mabari and his coat is bright orange with black stripes, with a wildly fluffy cream-colored mane interspersed with similarly hued feathers. For now, big dog ignores Solas, still trying to smother his master even as he wrangles him back into the cabin and frees up the entrance.

"Go on, back in. I haven't even been gone longer than an hour, your ridiculous beast..."

As if Solas minds how Childermass obtained this cabin seeing as he stood to benefit from it. Seclusion was always preferred.

Solas turns his attention to the cabin door and--

And to the rather large beast that is greeting Childermass. The man hadn't been kidding when he said it was different than an ordinary dog. Friendly enough it seemed though Solas always felt an odd kinship with wolves. He stands to the side as he watches the friendly greeting and gestures towards the door.

"He is larger than I anticipated," Solas remarks and continues in a light, dry tease, "Are you certain there is room for all three of us?"

"Unless you were planning on taking his spot in front of the fireplace, there should be," Childermass answers as he pushes the dog back further, then gestures towards that exact spot he'd mentioned just before.

To Baker, he says firmly, "Go lay down. Over there."

Which inevitably earns a whine from Baker, but he does go, albeit reluctantly. That settled, he glances back towards Solas.

"It's a two-person cabin, beds up there in the loft overhead." With stairs and everything. "So feel free to take the side of the room without all the papers on it."

He notes the fireplace and that the large dog appears to be obedient to its owner. "Easy enough." His gaze shifts to the loft and he nods. The cabin was more than enough, he simply needed a place to sleep and stay away from the others when he required the break.

"Papers you are reading? Or ones you are writing?" Either of which Childermass is doing has Solas' interest, of course. Learning was his secondary goal after completing his contract.

"Writing, mostly. I keep my own notes on the places we've been," he answers, shrugging as he does. "Though I am afraid they may come off as incomplete. There are a few I am still working on."

And at least one that's been consigned to a single page, the remaining notes on it left crumpled up in a trash bin months ago, back at the carnival proper. If Solas decides to snoop, he'll find himself needing to seek someone else for an expanded explanation of whatever the Matrix is.

"If you do not mind, I may find myself reading them while I am here," he says calmly. As if he wouldn't read them anyway without Childermass' permission, but he could present it as if it were up to the man's approval.

If there was one thing Solas hated, it was being at a loss for information. He was used to holding all the cards, to knowing far more of what was going on than he did here. That he was at such a disadvantage here left him feeling off balanced and he would do all he could to alter that.

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atouts - 2018-01-05 03:01 (UTC) - Expand

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