⇨ WISMUTH

[ringleaders]

Who: Everyone!
When: S2:D6-D11
Where: Wismuth and the Carnival Grounds
What: The carnival enjoys a few days in Wismuth, a coastal city on this planet's version of the American east. However, there are a few things very unique about this version of the planet...
Warnings: The usual, wholesome fun.

PILLAR OF CREATION↴ Upon arriving, things in Wismuth will seem pretty peaceful. It's a massive city, with no shortage of things going on, but things like violent crime and homelessness are at an all time low. You can wander the streets without much scrutiny, presumed to just be tourists, and most people here come across as helpful and friendly. ► VIBRANCY: The main thing that sets this planet apart is its vibrancy - AKA, the raw creative energy its filled with, flowing from its status as a Pillar of Creation. There is no literal pillar, but Wismuth and its planet is a place where Creation's energy comes through strongest. As a result, everything here feels somehow more real, more intense in a way that's hard to put a finger on. Life is abundant, and its bleeds through in every sensation. ► ATTRACTIONS: There are plenty of things to see while going around the city. First and foremost, there is a lovely beach area bordering the ocean, and a number of tourist aimed attractions built around it. There are giant malls, movie theaters, live stage performances, museums and all kinds of other points of cultural interest. Anything you can do in a big city you can do here, but better. ► ALLOWANCES: The Ringmaster will be giving everyone a reasonable amount of local currency for a few days on the town. You can't make any massive acquisitions with it, but it's more than enough to eat out, see some shows, go to the beach, and whatever you like. You can feel free to pick up some casual supplies, like mundane clothing and souvenirs. There will be more given out later, after the performance week. ► PERFORMANCE: Performance week is starting early this time, after only a couple days of exploration. When the carnival has already been on vacation for a month, the Ringmaster figures they may as well get right to it, and then do more touring afterwards. Members of the local populace will find themselves in the carnival once performances begin, dazzled by the other worldly sights. Magic doesn't seem to exist here, despite the fact that it will flow easier for people bringing it from other worlds.

Comments

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya holds up his hands in surrender when she jumps, but when she seems to calm down he crouches down to her level.] Lost what? That light?

[That something, anyway.]

[soft_focus]

Mnh, yeah... I'm trying to make a shield, [She explains, nodding.] ...That's what Taako said it would be.

...I don't think I'm supposed to see it when I make it though...

[hippocarnival]

How else are you supposed to know where it is, or if it's working? [That doesn't sound near as effective as all the other shield spells he knows, including his own. What kind of magic...]

Is Taako teaching you magic? [Whoever that is, he doesn't know every name to every face.]

[soft_focus]

Yeah! ...I asked Foster, but Foster said it'd be bad if he taught me magic... ....he got me some books, but he said I should ask Taako.

Taako knows lots of magic, but he said a shield was the best spell to learn first. ...He helped me learn to make cookies too. [Anyway. Um. Hmm. Shield.] Umnhh...

...I don't know... ...I can tell when it's there even before it glows but...

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya is not familiar with Foster's brand of magic. He just assumes the reason is something to do with how much he hates himself (that might not be wrong).

Taako can't be a bad guy if he's teaching her a shield spell, right?] I didn't know you were learning magic. How long have you been at it?

[soft_focus]

Mmmn, I just started, so... ...It was just before we left the moon? [Sort of, at least.

He's not actually wrong about Foster's reasoning though. It really Wasn't the magic. It was just his decision he'd be a lousy teacher here.] It's harder in the Carnival though...not a lot harder, but a little...

[hippocarnival]

But it's also getting easier because you're practicing, right? [That's something right there.]

Mr. Strange taught me a shield spell, too... you should have something to protect yourself with, so if you want I can help you.

[soft_focus]

[Maybe, maybe not. She seems a little hopeful at least, even if she just sort of tilts her head in thought.]

He did? [Strange? Huh. Well, she supposes it makes sense that he'd know That at least...] ...Is it a different shield then? ...How does it work?

[hippocarnival]

Probably? We modified it from a spell he knew when we were in Portland. Like this.

[He holds his hands out, and a solid translucent dome pops up around them, the effect sort of like being under glass or in a bubble--clear, but just visible enough to know where it is.

It dissolves after a few seconds.] The magic's from inside me or something. The harder I focus on it, the stronger it is.

[soft_focus]

Hmmm!! [Now that's enormous. She looks around, one part through shock, another with sheer awe, the girl's eyes wide.] In...side? [She asks, looking toward Yuuya.]

...How does that work though, that the magic is 'inside'..?

[hippocarnival]

It comes from me. [He puts his hand on his chest for emphasis.] Instead of spirits, or something. It's based on my will.

[He rubs the back of his neck.] Uh, that was possible in Portland, using magic like that, and since then I've been able to do it. But I'm still learning how to make actual spells work.

[soft_focus]

[Now, that just doesn't make sense.] ...Isn't all magic using your will, if you're the one using it? [She mutters, wrinkling her nose. That's just silly. But, she finds herself thinking back to how Foster explained it-that whole 'belief and perception' deal.

If making magic work is all about believing and truly thinking it will work, then perhaps thinking of it using a particular order is exactly what Makes that work. Maybe Yuuya's shield is working so well because he thinks that's how it works. Or something.

She's rather quiet, while she thinks about this. Might want to wave a hand in front of her.]

[hippocarnival]

Not exactly? Like back home, at least the magic that Zarc used was from the monster spirits, not himself. And for Mr. Strange, it's from the Raven King and all those contracts he made. And the fae.

[Yuya, despite his grumbling, actually did pay attention to the books Mr. Strange made him read for their magic training. Some of the details are probably lost, however.]

[soft_focus]

If it was all monster spirits though, how come he could talk to them?

[That's magic, isn't it? And....] ....You still have to decide what the magic will do when you use it, though...

[hippocarnival]

Well, Mr. Strange talks about it like it's different! [He shrugs unhelpfully.] He knows more about magic than me. He's really sensitive to it.

[Yuya is definitely deferring the the expert here. He could still sense the magic left on his pendulum cards, he's not about to argue with that level of magical sensitivity.]

[soft_focus]

Mnh. I guess he would... [She'll just. Not mention that when she showed Foster and Taako his book they entered hysterics and proceeded to do humorous dramatic readings.

It was funny, but she doesn't want to hurt anyone's feelings over that.]

...I'm still learning the way Taako's magic and Foster's magic works though, I think...

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya raises a brow. Didn't she just say Foster wasn't teaching her...?] How long have you been practicing?

[soft_focus]

[H E Y]

..............I already told you that..............

[GOSH YUUYA] Since the last while on the moon.

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya, laughs and moves to pat her head.] I meant today. You haven't been at it since this morning, have you?

[It's... mid-afternoon now, he thinks? Not that Yuya's any less relentless about training, but Reira's much smaller and younger and, frankly, had enough of spending all her time around getting good at something.]

[soft_focus]

..Oh. [Oh.] ....Mnh... I don't know. I've just been practicing...

...I asked someone to call me when I'm supposed to go work again, though.

[CHILD...]

[hippocarnival]

You know, it's good to take a break even when you want to keep practicing. That way you don't get tired of it and you refresh yourself when you start again. [He smiles.] Have you seen a lot of the city yet?

[soft_focus]

Um..! I know..! I was going to stop when I wanted to do something else... [Well...whatever floats her boat? Regardless.] I've seen...some of it?

...

...it's really big...

[hippocarnival]

Yeah, it's a really big city. [He straightens up a bit, moving as if he's going to get up.] But if you want to keep practicing, I won't distract you. You're starting to get it, so you just need a little more!

[soft_focus]

Mnnhh... [She doesn't want to say it, but.... ...he's already distracted her...]

....Did you find things that weren't in Maiami, here? [She eventually asks, blinking.]

[hippocarnival]

Of course! [He chuckles.] It's not Japan. I think we're somewhere in America?

[Don't ask him where, though, his geography isn't that good. Yuya moves to stand, dusting off his pants.]