⇨ 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

[lonesomewanderer]

He nods and understands as much as he typically does with Cole. Centuries of experience with spirits helped with that. If others were brought to it as Cole had been, it was no wonder that it was a mix of everything all at once.

"Do you feel that same hurt within the carnival itself?" he asks, curious. He had seen the mirrors come alive, he wonders what else might be more living than meets the eyes.

[hurtcomfort]

Cole emphatically shakes his head. "Things here are alive but not alive. The house wasn't just a house, it was something else."

An earth elemental, enslaved and bent to that different fae's will. A bit more alive than a spirit, more alive than Cole himself.

"Ask about the Prince. Others can explain more. They were there for all." Because that is the problem with Cole: he arrived during the middle of something and only has a story patched together from what he learned during and after that middle.

[lonesomewanderer]

He nods. "I will, Cole. Thank you." Because if that can help him make sense of what they were dealing with in the carnival, he would carefully pry information from others.

"Is there anything else I should know?" Since Cole has been here longer. Either more for him to follow-up with others or what Cole felt he could share.

[hurtcomfort]

Cole frowns a little, thinking. Is there anything else Solas should know... "Everyone is built of little hurts here, but a few shine stronger than the rest. Hell. Portland. The Prince. Tread carefully."

He's certain Solas will, Solas is nothing if not careful, but it's always good to know the points that people might have problems with so as not to bring them up in conversation or speak delicately if they are mentioned.

"Is there anything else I should know?"

Because Cole has a feeling the answer is yes. Whether Solas tells him or not is another matter entirely.

[lonesomewanderer]

What a list to keep track of. They were ones he would keep to heart if they come up in conversation. It was always easier to get information when people weren't on the defensive. If only others weren't so wrong, so often...

Cole's question has him standing up straighter somehow, sharper.

"Nothing that you need to play a role in, but I suspect you have questions."

[hurtcomfort]

Nothing that he need play a role in? That's the problem right there. Cole's certain that no matter what Solas thinks, he'll need to play a role in the upcoming events. After all, what Solas wants will hurt people. And anything that will hurt people, Cole knows he'll be there.

And he does have questions. But, best to focus on one of the problems that Cole needed to solve quicker than the larger problem of trying to keep Solas from burning everything down.

"Why do you think I don't remember?"

[lonesomewanderer]

"I... do not know," he answers truthfully. When he left the Inquisition, he had stopped Cole from truly knowing what his next moves were. It would have been too much of a risk. But when he had met them a year later at the Winter Palace, he had done no such thing. There had been no point.

So something had been different in when they had come here.

"It had been over a year since I left the Inquisition before I wandered here. Perhaps time has less meaning here," he muses with a s light frown.

[hurtcomfort]

A year?! Cole just looks a bit shocked at that. Forgetting a month would be something, but forgetting a year? Something had to have happened. What it is, he doesn't really know. But a year was too long a piece of time for Cole to not worry about it somewhat.

"I'm whole now," he mutters, with a frown on his face. "This shouldn't happen. I know." This wasn't like before, where memories of the real Cole sprung up to hurt him and meddle with his mind. This was different.

[lonesomewanderer]

"No, it should not," he agrees. Cole isn't the only one confused by this missing time. "I suspect it has to do with the magic here."

If the fae had some way to alter time or completely ignore it, it could explain something of this. Solas knows he did not hallucinate a year of his life as much as Cole did not mysteriously lose it when he remembered his most recent moments in Thedas so vividly.

[hurtcomfort]

"Which magic? Hers or everyone else's?" Though Cole suspects that Solas means the Ringmaster, it can't help to clarify. After all, there was so much magic in this place. Cole wasn't magically sensitive to begin with, he could just tell certain things, but even he could pick up on some of the differences, some of the ways each person's magic felt different.

"It stains the soul. Some people don't like it. But it just is."

[lonesomewanderer]

"Hers appears to be the center of it," he clarifies. Though he has no doubts there is other magic at work here. Hers appeared to be the oldest and most powerful of it, holding the entire carnival together at its core. There was much about the fae he wanted to learn.

He glances up at Cole's hat. "You sounded as if you did not like the mark it left on you." Just saying.

[hurtcomfort]

As Solas points out the obvious, Cole reaches up to try and yank down his hat, as if that will somehow hide his ears better (it doesn't.)

"I'm changed," he explains, with a little frown. "I thought I knew who I was but now it's different."

That's what he really doesn't like about this. He dislikes the ears, he especially dislikes the fact that the ears were tossed onto him without thought or permission.

[lonesomewanderer]

So the mark left by the carnival was not quite so easy to adapt to as Cole made it sound to be. A side effect of being here, but if many are like what Cole has then Solas has no doubts that others are ill-adjusted to them as well.

"Your physical appearance has altered yes, but not who you are," he returns. "You remain Cole." And anyone who knew the spirit would be hardpressed to disagree.

[hurtcomfort]

That does more to reassure Cole than he knows. He remains Cole. And if Solas thinks he does, then that's a sign that Cole actually does. Cole idly rubs one of his ears as he nods.

"Tell me if I change. I'll tell you if you do."

Because if the magic can change his appearance, then who's to say it can't change his self? Cole doesn't know, but better safe than sorry. Solas knew the old him and Cole knew the old Solas (or, at least, so he thinks)

[lonesomewanderer]

"It is a promise then," he agrees. Though the prideful part of him doesn't think any changes would happen to him unknowingly. He is thousands of years old and a powerful mage. He would be on his guard.

With that settled, he goes back to Cole's original offer. "You are staying with people you have met here?"

[hurtcomfort]

"I am," Cole responds, with a nod. "You'd like Rita."

Someone who likes spirits, who adores magic, who's continually asking questions and experimenting and trying to figure out the unknown. Cole knows Solas, he knows Rita's someone who he would at least have an interesting conversation with.

9S...well, the jury's still out on how Solas would feel about 9S.

[lonesomewanderer]

His eyes light with recognition at the mention of her. Oddly enough, the woman shared goals similar to his and magic he was curious about.

"I have met her. We agreed to exchange our knowledge of magic in our respective worlds," he replies. "I did not realize she was a friend of yours." Hopefully not a misplaced trust though Solas would learn that soon enough.

[hurtcomfort]

Cole brightens up as Solas mentions he knows Rita. That's good! They'd like each other and both Solas and Rita desperately need someone to talk to about their goals. Perhaps if more people knew about Solas, what would happen back home wouldn't happen. It's wishful thinking. But, then again, that's Cole's m.o. to begin with.

"She wants to know about spirits. We talked about that." Those Cole had met, those the Inquisition saw and talked with and dealt with, things like that. Rita liked that sort of conversation, so Cole kept it going.

[lonesomewanderer]

Luckily for Cole, the spirit was right. He did like Rita. The girl was inquisitive and knowledgeable, and their oddly similar goals only helped. How strange it was to find other worlds that shared such parallels.

"So she told me. Her interest in magic appears to center around the spirits of her world. She has treated you well then?" And not as an oddity to be stared at and questioned at every turn?

[hurtcomfort]

And Cole nods. "She tries to understand and tries to listen. That's more than some people do." His voice is very matter-of-fact as he states that. It's not that Cole thinks it's cruel, he's certain it isn't cruel. Just that it's a statement of facts. Some people don't really think about what he is or try to understand him unless they have to.

But Rita doesn't. And Solas doesn't as well. And Cole likes that about both of them and trusts both of them for it.

[lonesomewanderer]

"I will make an effort to get to know her better." For both an exchange in magical practices and to keep an eye on those Cole considered close. "Was there anyone else of note here?"

That Cole thought worth mentioning, in any case.

[hurtcomfort]

Cole is interpreting this as anyone else of note here that Solas might like to talk to. After all, the people who Cole enjoys talking with, Solas might not think he has time for. 9S is kind and smart. But what could Solas learn from 9S and vice versa?

"Lambert?" he asks, in a questioning tone. Maybe, that might work, but it might not. "His mind feels like ours, except louder. But definitely the Commander. He reminds me of her."

Turns out that one fantasy rpg protagonist feels a lot like another fantasy rpg protagonist to the spirit.

[lonesomewanderer]

Lambert. That was a name he hadn't heard yet and he makes note to seek the man out. If he reminded Cole of the Inquisitor then Solas hopes the man is as competent. Though he does wonder--

"Does he wield magic?" he asks. "I intended to learn what I could of the magic brought here beyond the Ringermaster's."

[hurtcomfort]

Lambert doesn't remind Cole of the Inquisitor. A different person who goes by the Commander reminds Cole of the Inquisitor. But, as he's got trouble with words and doesn't realize that you should specify these things when you're talking about multiple people, Cole is blissfully unaware that he might have goofed something up.

Thankfully, the clarification's going to be unintentionally cleared up as Cole answers the question.

"Lambert has a bit of magic. The Commander has more." Cole hasn't actually seen either of their magics in action, but he knows. It's things they talk about or worry about, small little frets that linger in the mind.

"A lot of people have magic here." Pause. "They'll tell you about it." A lot of people won't friggen shut up about their magic here.

[lonesomewanderer]

The clarification does, in fact, help. Two people then that Solas should keep an eye out for.

"I have noticed the Ringmaster's preference for those with magical talents. Does the Commander have a name? " Because Solas is far more interested in the one with more magical leanings, for obvious reasons. While Solas is keeping his own magical prowess less known, he is more than happy discuss magic with others that want to prattle on about it.