lostcarnival | ⇨ WISMUTH

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⇨ WISMUTH

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

( ... how big is Tyrannosaurus? She's not that small, relatively speaking. He might need to upgrade his estimate to a pony size. Perhaps an ostrich? His mind insists on finding animals that make sense from his context. One day is no time at all to start running with strange directions. )

Went to the moon. ( ~~With Steve.~~ ) There was snow on the moon? ( Colour him confused and laughingly holding his hands up. ) Wait, I'm not keeping up. Frisk is another one of the workers here, like Jonathan and you?

( That's much easier to grasp than "we went to the moon," where he's now imagining it snowing with it's lack of atmosphere and all the moondust playfully converted into something more like the place he just left behind. )

Just how big is Tyrannosaurus?

( If he's lucky, she'll put up with him asking all the dumb questions and feeling like he's fumbling to keep up with an onslaught of information she takes for granted. We went to the moon?! )

It's one of the Carnival's moons..! ....The Ringmaster said we could fly there if we wanted... ...but it would take a few hours...

[She hops off the cloud though, the tiny child walking out from under the trailer awning to point upward. There it is, off in the distance...Very white....] Mnh, they are..! Frisk is a clown, and... ...I don't know what Jonathan does. He's magic. [That's very vague. Anyway.] Ummm....

[Oh no. The hesitation is...] ...She's definitely taller than the trailer!

[OH NO] She looks bigger than she is though, because of all the feathers...

( We could fly there if we wanted. Victor glances upward, unable to stop himself. How many moons does the Carnival have, and... no, slow down, focus on the grounded details, not the moon snow ones.

Then again, he watches a child hop off a cloud and wonders what in the world grounded even means. He looks up again when she points, seeing what she means after a few moments of searching the sky. )

Magic, huh? ( Magician is what his mind leaps to, but he doesn't even let it linger for long. A clown and a magician? Okay. And an animal larger than the— )

Wait, she's what? ( He whips his head back around to look at Reira, opening his mouth to speak, then closing it again before he blurts out something stupid. Okay, where to start with this? ) I'd... like to see that. It's hard to form a mental picture of what she looks like, just hearing she's so big.

( There's literally no bird he can imagine being that large. Maybe Tyrannosaurus is actually a giraffe? )

Yeah! He can turn into smoke! [Clearly a standard magic trick, and not at all literal. She does seem to be getting more and more excited-if excitement was a small smile at least-despite the um. Slight Lack of Confidence going on from Victor here.

To be fair not a lot go to her about the menagerie.] Mm-! I can definitely show you then..!! I could show you a lot of the others too, even, if you want!

Much more than I've ever managed. ( He says, affable enough, though predictably, believing it in a manner of smoke and mirrors. Magicians are incredible at what they do. He doesn't except the magic itself is real, even with the nonsense he's already starting to face. There's a limit to believability before he has to have a moment to break down certain understandings and probably laugh it all out.

Her enthusiasm at least warrants a warmer smile on his part. He's always appreciated seeing people light up over whatever had their interest and passion. Even if that's for a giraffe. Giraffes are great, who is he to judge? ) I'd appreciate that very much, thank you. I'll appreciate hearing your insight on all of the ones you take care of as well. ( He laughs, a light enough sound. ) I have a dog back home, and I've helped out with a rinkmate's cat before, but that's about the extent of my personal experience with different animals.

Mnnhhh... ...Yuuya used to have lots of dogs and cats... ...That's what he said, anyway, [She explains, motioning for him to follow before she moves for the Menagerie path-way start.] They're at his house, so I bought him 'snufflewomp' from the caravan. They're really small, and like flowers, and sleeping in the sun, so I thought he'd like that one....

[It's also basically a hummingbird frog. Tricky tricky. The path, in any case, might as well be a hiking trail. Complete with bridges formed of vine itself, and...No fences. They'll pass the sign for the menagerie, sure, but. No fences. Just...Trees and the paths. Mmmm....]

Tyrannosaurus' spot is over this way..! They like meat a lot, but they also like trying to fluff up when I'm there. Julien says she's trying to make me warm and give me food, but I don't think it's good for me to eat too many things like that...

[Why were you eating raw meat ever kiddo- oh well, delicacies, maybe...]

( He hums an acknowledgement of what she says about yet another person he doesn't know, registering more that a snufflewomp is small and foreign and nonthreatening. Probably. Small, flower loving, and sun-napping could be dangerous, but he wants to be optimistic.

He follows along readily enough, observing landmarks as they go. The trail is a bit of a surprise, almost too rugged compared to what he would expect. Are people to visit the menagerie? With these kind of walking paths? This would never pass regulations to allow access for wheelchairs.

(The things that come to mind.)

The lack of fences is another oddity. He's half expecting they're just expertly worked in, or perhaps an extensive electronic collaring system with all the fence-lines buried under earth, like with some dog runs. It could be possible. Why not?

His attention comes back to her when she mentions... yet another person he doesn't know, though at least he's getting a list of people who all probably work here. Connecting who knows who and in what capacity and in what way is going to either be a quick study or a next to impossible one. )

This Julien knows something about animal behaviour? ( The "meat" could be... well. Victor furrows his brow, picking all that apart. ) You'd want to be careful with anything raw, especially if it isn't fresh or served properly. From what I know about people preparing raw diets for their pets, it's not what anyone should be eating, so maybe hold off?

( He's not sure if she's joking with him, or if it's a cultural difference he's not aware of coming to the forefront now. This is all delightfully bizarre, the continuing lack of fences keeping him off center. Is there really a giraffe just roaming freely? Isn't that unsafe for the giraffe as well as the visitors? He listens all the harder for anything moving in the foliage as he follows along toward where Tyrannosaurus the hopeful giraffe likes to be, apparently.

... Do giraffes even eat meat? He lifts a finger to his chin, tapping without thinking about it. He knows they like leaves, but could they be omnivorous? Or... what the in the world(s) is Tyrannosaurus? )

Edited 2018-01-18 06:55 (UTC)

Yeah, I try not to get any in my mouth when she tries it...and I only ever ate things like that when there was nothing else! ...But Julien is a bird, so he knows lots about how birds and dinosaurs work!

[oh no. Just as she says that, she stops, and holds up a hand.] Ok! You have to stay here, otherwise you'll be over the barrier, and that means Tyrannosaurus can reach you! Hang on! [She adds, hopping over one of the bushes lining the path before waiting on an answer. Mere moments after she does, and the trees farther past her seem to...Rustle. A little.

There is also some light Thudding sounds.] HI TYRANNOSAURUS..!

[She is Absolutely Shouting For Whatever is Coming.]

( ............................ he nods, letting himself turn over the easy comment of Julien is a bird and swallowing it down for later examination, because Julien is a bird?! Metaphorical or literal? These are important details he has no present information to fill in. Staving off that headache, he... )

The barrier?

( So it is a buried fence? He does as instructed, meaning he stays on the rough hiking trail of a pathway while he watches her leap over the bushes and start shouting out the animal's name.

No, Victor realises as the thudding comes closer and the trees rustle more, a large animal moving between them with its own grace. Her own grace. Tyrannosaurus emerges, focusing on Reira, an enormous, feathered animal with no hint of wings, only tiny numbs of taloned arms tucked up in the feathers of its chest. Her chest.

Tyrannosaurus was a giant bird. A giant carnivorous bird, and Victor couldn't help it. He felt his adrenaline levels shoot up, clenched his hands into fists, and lifted an arm to his mouth to try and stave off the burst of laughter that verges just shy of being hysterical and a touch horrified. Not even terrified: if he believes anything, it's that Reira was being genuine. He stays here, where apparently the Tyrannosaurus can't reach, and he starts laughing, laughing, because this is too much!

He concentrates on speaking in Russian, not because he's figured out what they're speaking: it's just the only language he feels like he can fully capture how ridiculous this is. Even English won't do, though his words are only captured between peals of laughter. )

That's a giant bird. A dinosaur? You meant it literally. It wasn't a pet name! That's actually a Tyrannosaurus? I can't believe this. This is crazy, this is all insane.

( Victor Nikiforov, Russia's Hero, the Living Legend, is clutching his stomach with near-tears in his eyes from laughing over the temporary mental break in witnessing a young girl rendezvous with a form of extinct animal towering over her.

This is fine. This is so entirely fine, in about five minutes, when he gets ahold of himself again. )

Mm! The Ringmaster made it so that it's nice for everyone! [She explains, in a way that naturally explains nothing. And just as she says that, there's the T-Rex. Crouching down, lowering its head to sniff at Reira, and then nudge the girl as she laughs a little, before carefully climbing on.

The level of 'cute' in the chirping sound that comes from the thing is a stark contrast to the size, honestly. But there she is, gently scratching from atop a head she practically blends in with.

Um-well, this is odd though. Ironically, Victor hasn't been speaking English the whole time-everyone in the Carnival automatically speaks Fae. It keeps it easier, simpler...Reira doesn't even know English, in fact.

But it's a different language, different enough that one would or could switch to another. And Reira's eyes bolt wide open when she hears the words.

A number of them are unfamiliar-there was no reason for anyone in Donbass to mention dinosaurs, after all. But.... ...Crazy? Insane??? Her mind tries to piece together the response, but it comes out-somewhat stiff toned, despite the look on her face. She had been good at listening, in those days.

Speaking was something that could get someone hurt, or worse.] Iiinns.. She's not..!, [She manages, shaking her head furiously.] Tyrannosaurus isn't insane...!!

[That is Not Quite what he meant, Reira.]

( He does notice the shift, if not the means of it. Reira sounds different to his ears as soon as she's speaking in his first language; there's less of a smoothness to her speech, reminding him of how he'd sounded when learning English and French. He has to gasp for a breath and turn his head her way, one hand still wrapped around his middle, holding on. The back of his other wrist dashes across both eyes, disturbing the few tears of hysterical release that'd found their way there. )

Not her. This place, this situation. That's insane.

( It certainly isn't sane, and he has no place to mind or not for anyone other than himself. Only he's staring at her again, because she's sitting on top of a giant extinct animal and defending said animal's sanity. )

Tyrannosaurus seems very nice. She likes you, that much is obvious. ( He pauses, licking his lips and biting down on his tongue to forestall another burst of laughter, still a reaction to the sheer improbability of this all. ) You speak Russian, Miss Akaba? I didn't expect anyone would, once I learned we weren't in St. Petersburg.

( He still can't process the whole of what Tyrannosaurus means, so he doesn't. He accepts it, lets it flow past him, and focuses on the things he can manage: like language, and the realisation that he recognises it's what this young girl had responded to him speaking. As long as Tyrannosaurus doesn't start speaking too,
he's probably got himself under control again.

He is not going past that bush barrier, whatever construction it is. Nope. )

Umnnh... ...Oh... [Well, if he says so. In her view, it's all fine once you get over it, but...well. Maybe he isn't at that stage, then. That's probably it.

But now...he'll be catching red flags of another sort, if he isn't careful.] She's really nice, when she knows you. ...More than Barfy...

[She blinks, and frowns, however.] ...Is that what it's called..? ...'Russian'?

....then...is St. Petersburg where people that speak it are from?

[Well it's...One place..]

I'm sure she is. I'll have to ask for an introduction sometime.

( He doesn't make any move closer right now. Barfy sounds... anything but promising, though he does try to remember that name. (He'll possibly remember by the time he actually meets Barfy.) He runs one hand through his hair, subtly shifting how he stands so his feet are more firmly planted on the ground. Okay, he's got this. Whatever this is. The worst contract he's ever been strongarmed into, and that's including that one ice show he did as a teenager. )

St. Petersburg is a city in Russia, so yes, people from there can and do speak Russian. There are a number of other countries outside of Russia that speak Russian. Kazakhstan, for example.

( He says this all more slowly, deliberating as he speaks. It's odd for her to be so unaware of what the language was, even if her name sounds Japanese to his ears.
Maybe he should try speaking Japanese? His was rough, too obviously foreign, but he could get through uncomplicated conversations these days. Nine months of immersion hadn't gone unused, though his... accent, for lack of a better word, seemed to amuse Yuri.

For now, he sticks with Russian. )

Where did you learn Russian?

[It is odd, and rough, yet only the sounds are in such a state. The phrasing, the pacing, everything else is right on point, practically mirrored or copied or-]

...This is... ....The soldiers all used these words. ....this is how they always talked. ...Sometimes there were people that sounded different, but...it was almost the same as this.

....I don't know where that was though, [She admits, shaking her head.] ...it's just where 'Mom' took me from.

( Somehow the implications of what she says are as grounding as his feet on the ground. While he hasn't faced just how many worlds people might be from yet, he already knows it's not about singularities. He can guess that a certain... pride instilled in Russia can lead toward the circumstances that leave young children surrounded by and expected to be soldiers. Even in his time, young people can be expected to attend camps meant to instill a sense of national pride, amoung other things, where they learned even rudimentary skills of warfare.

Still, he finds himself frowning just a touch, hands coming to rest on his hips. )

So you were raised around soldiers until you were taken away. Was that when you... Did you end up in Japan? You don't have to answer any of this if you don't want to, Miss Akaba.

( In his limited experience with the kids at the rink, it can be harder for younger girls and boys not to feel they need to answer when older rinkmates and adults ask them questions. He has no role for authority or a desire for it; he asks to try and understand, well aware he doesn't need to in the end. Still. )

Edited 2018-01-18 21:34 (UTC)

Yes!

[An easy answer.]

That was... ...As long before coming here, as I've been here. Under one year, I think!

[One would think she should know for certain, with a time frame That small-but there's already enough Off about this, really...]

( He brings one hand up from his hip to card his fingers through his hair, leaving his hand resting against his head. )

Have you been happier since going to Japan? Or coming here?

Yes!! [Oh wait there was more-]

Here, though!! I get to learn about lots of things here..! Like different foods, or what things feel like, or sound like...And I got to read a book, and then more books, too!

[This appears to be sounding Worse the farther he goes-and Reira, fortunately, is at least mostly oblivious to how bad all of this is.]

( He laughs, this time not hysterical, and not lasting all that long. It's more of an exhalation and a smile sent her way, angled up because she's on a TYRANNOSAURUS REX. He still can't really make that make sense, but again, let's it flow past. There's nothing he can do about it other than acknowledge she's still very much there and happening. )

It sounds like you've had many opportunities here. It's unfortunate it took until now for that to happen, but I'm... glad you're getting to more fully live your life now.

( There's a heavy irony here, because at right around her age he was dedicating his own life to a sport he didn't look beyond for twenty years. She's so young, she has so much life ahead of her. Getting a start on that now, in his eyes, isn't a sadness. )

I hope that's the same thing you get to keep doing once you're back in Japan. Though come to think of it... are you working on any kind of home-study program while you're here?

( Grounding thoughts concerning the young girl riding the Tyrannosaurus. Yes. Schooling plans. )

Edited 2018-01-19 03:59 (UTC)

Study?

[Uhhhh. Huh?]

Mom was the headmistress of a 'dueling' school, but... ...She used the chair and wires for that, with me. So everything just 'went in'.

[Don't Send Her Back To Japan-

But also she sure doesn't realize that School Exists For Other Things.]

( He goes silent for a beat longer than is polite in normal flow of conversation, resisting the urge to reach up and pinch his nose or look around for an adult better capable of handling this. He can guess, with good reason, that perhaps when someone's busy running a carnival that both has willing and unwilling additions over the course of years, one might not be concerned about educational standards across various... worlds.

Oh, how his head hurts even making that thought. )

Studying when you're not attending school. I had to do that for most my youngest years. If you wanted help figuring out a schedule or subjects... I'm not familiar with Japanese standards of education, so I'm no help there, but I'm at least familiar with the process.

( There's no other adult he can tap out to yet, but he has hope there's going to be someone, since she's been here for longer than he has. Clearly that's how this works. It has to be, outside of the fact it's just as easy to make the assumption that anyone else is handling it. He sighs, offering up a weak smile while sorting his thoughts. )

Not as... fast as this chair sounds like, but much more enjoyable. More books, more time spent working through solutions on your own. That might depend on what books are on hand here at the carnival, but if someone can find you decent ones based on what you've last been learning while still around this city... would you even want to do something like that?

( Do kids even want to go to school? He's sure not saying You Must, he has no right. )

[She listens with considerable curiosity. It's already been a strange experience, speaking in a different language-the words are there, but with them come....thoughts, hazy dreams almost, of things she'd long forgotten.

Most of it is still rubble.

But she's listening, and the T-Rex is starting to get a bit sniffle-fussy, so she comes back down, at least so they can stop talking with a tyrannosaurus in the way.] Umnn....

...I'm already learning a lot of things here... ....I don't know why learning more things would be bad. I think all of the books in the 'Book Spot' are stories...but I don't know if they're for the things you're talking about. ....I stayed in mom's school, but I didn't go to the classes there. So I don't know what 'school' is like, I think.

( It's somehow easier when she's down on the ground again, largely because he can mentally block out some of Tyrannosaurus as simply a bulk and part of the landscape, living as she is.

Victor nods, not... again, sure what to say. So he focuses on what he can offer as suggestions, since Reira doesn't seem opposed to him chattering on about it. He can already imagine Yuri telling him to shut up already; but he doesn't feel that would have been Yuri's response at this age, either. Only later on, as he was fighting for his own space and own self. )

I'm afraid I'm not much help telling you what it's like, since I wasn't often in school, for training reasons. But if there aren't books right now, is there anyone we might talk to who could help find some you could use?

Hnm.... [There is. One very big problem with that.] .........

I don't know.

[There's lots of people, but, well.]

....You're the first one who mentioned a school like this.

( He can't hide the fact his eyebrows climb upward when he hears her say he's the only one who's mentioned a school at all. Especially coming from him, the guy with alternate education needs due to a career in competitive athletics. That's... nowhere near as jarring as the T-Rex, but still a surprise. )

Ah, that's... People probably have all sorts of things that feel more pressing.

( He smiles, knowing that's likely true, but there goes his hope for more responsible adults being around to help. Somewhere, Yuri Plisetsky is laughing at Victor Nikiforov being ostensibly responsible, even if it's a true and genuine accounting. He's just not responsible for Yuri Plisetsky, by and large. )

Okay! How about this? If you're interested in learning as a self-study, we can figure out who might help us get the right materials, and... proceed from there?

( Better as actions than a promise. Promises are very, very easy to forget. )

⇨ WISMUTH

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anddd implications of warfare coming in

l a u g h s sadly for her

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and fade to black.... good luck...victor...