⇨ 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

l a u g h s sadly for her

[genice]

( 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. )

[soft_focus]

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...]

[genice]

( 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?

[soft_focus]

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.]

[genice]

( 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. )

[soft_focus]

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.]

[genice]

( 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. )

[soft_focus]

[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.

[genice]

( 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?

[soft_focus]

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.

[genice]

( 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. )

[soft_focus]

[There is, most certainly, a number of 'pressing matters' going on. Of various degrees of 'pressing'. Not that Reira is aware of most, really.] I guess so... [Big Guess.

But anyway.] ...Yes? [....She doesn't know the equivalent to 'yeah'.... ...But the feeling, at least, is there! So she nods quite furiously.] Okay! ...Self-study!

[BRING ON THE S C H O O L]

[genice]

( With his current ignorance of those other things, here he is, now hearing Yakov yelling at him from a world away. Ah, fond memories. )

Self-study it is! Now, any ideas on who we can talk to in order to go about getting those books, or funds to head out and look for them ourselves when we can?

( "We" because by gosh this is a team effort even if it is not what he expected out of his day when he, well... it isn't what he expected ever. That's fine! This is all fine. Sort of. )

[soft_focus]

[Hmmm.] ....Childermass from Acquisitions gets stuff...

[So, he could file a request there...and depending on his mood it could well work for that matter.] ...The Ringmaster gave me allowance to use here, so she'll probably give you some too, though.

[It's probably more money than that game would have cost you. Go figure.]

[genice]

( Ah! The first time she's mentioned a name that he understands from the start. His smile now is more self-assured: he's got this. )

I'll talk to Childermass about it first, and then see if our lady employer will be so kind as to forward me an allowance as well.

( Though he'll have to be careful to make sure he gets all the small necessities he lacks because, for some reason, he hadn't planned on an entire year break in the circus when he'd set out from skating practice. So it goes. )

In the meantime, did you want to show me the rest of your charges here? I think after Tyrannosaurus, everything else is going to be less... surprising.

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

[soft_focus]

[AWESOME. She'll just nod and nod and...well. Nod. This works! And...]

Yes! [Getting a littttle more character in that language voice, good for her!] This way! Let's go!!

[victor's got a big storm comin-]