⇨ 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]

Refused? [Yuya's distracted only a moment as his drink is slid across the counter, and he grabs it immediately. He rubs his chin as he regards Marishi's 'The Man, The Myth, The Legend' shirt.]

Oh, I get it. [He smiles wryly, taking a sip of his drink. It's because of his speaking quirk, isn't it?] Well, as long as you like it, it's fine.

[betheman]

Indeed~ [Marishi is Still Purring, and Gongenzaka merely huffs.]

Mnnhhh...It does not reflect upon myself, you should know..!!

Oh no, of course not~

[u like iiiiit gonnnnnn]

[hippocarnival]

Yeah, sure. [He raises a brow.] Maybe it's too arrogant but it was a gift, wasn't it? So you like that someone thought about you to give it to you.

[Absently, he reaches over to try and feel the collar of the shirt, unconcerned about being close with Marishi.] Is it comfortable?

[betheman]

[Right on the nose-Marishi naturally answers where Gongenzaka is still too (sadly) proud, with a simple nod.]

Quite comfortable, thank you~ He has another one too, actually...

It is worse, [He mutters, despite going beet red.]

Ahahaha~ She meant well by it~!

[hippocarnival]

Oh? [Yuya crouches down to Marishi's level and leans over, conspiratorially.] Now you have to tell me what the other shirt is. Obviously I'm never going to see Gongenzaka wear it!

[Come on, Marishi, give him the details.]

this icon is hilariously great for marishi

[betheman]

Don't....

[Marishi's grin could destroy mountains.] Ohhh~ I'll tell you exactly what it says~

Marishi....

Imagine a big 'warning', like for Hazardous things...~ Except this one says 'CAUTION', [She begins, waving a paw dramatically.] Logic prohibited-Device is powered by PURE MANLY ENERGY..!!! ..PFHFHFHHHHHHH..! [It's pretty clear she's barely containing herself over this.]

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya rolls his eyes up, absently sipping his drink as Marishi builds up the suspense--and then he chokes on it in a wave of giggling, helped along be Marishi's apparent humor about it. He bites his lip, looking up at Gon.]

... It doesn't actually make any sense, does it? [Non-sequitur humor, usually not Gongenzaka's thing. Which is what makes it amusing, because for all his manliness Gongenzaka has a steadier head on his shoulders than Yuya.] I guess that's a prominent feature...

[To get two shirts about being the man.]

[betheman]

[Gongenzaka, perhaps, looks as though he might want to die right now. Just a little. Maybe he already has, inside.] O-Of course it doesn't..!! We even spoke extensively while at the manor..! And the book we received was also...

So it wasn't the BEST, that's no reason to be so sore..! We traded it at that lovely 'swap' she made anyway, use your head, Noboru...

Mnnhhh.... [Very Prominent.]

[hippocarnival]

[Now he's curious what the book was about, but he's probably ruffled Gon enough.]

Well, you can't really complain too much about a gift. [He moves to stand, looking Gongenzaka's gaze-- although he half expects the actual answer to come from Marishi.] What's it bothering you so much about?

[betheman]

....

It was...

Not good, [He mutters, frowning.] ...Very...rigid, with a weak plot-

You could say it was 'committee' written, I suppose-something that would be mass produced from a team instead of any author. Truthfully Noboru, I doubt she knew it was going to be that unfortunate a read...

[Which, in Daemon Speak, means that Gongenzaka is having a bit of internal struggle about trying not to take the not so challenging storybook to heart when it came with.........That T-shirt.]

[hippocarnival]

[It takes Yuya a moment to put the pieces together, looking at him curiously before he realizes how it probably bruised Gongenzaka's ego. He could take the shirt in good humor because he knows Gon is smart, but he must feel like some part of the sentiment is genuine.]

I'm sure she didn't mean it that way. [Gongenzaka's drink is slid across the counter just then. Yuya grabs it quickly and holds it out for his friend.] You're really thoughtful, and your test scores are way better than mine!

[As if Yuya's scores are anything to be proud of.] I know how smart you are.

[betheman]

Mnnh...most likely, of course... [It's pretty clear he's doing a lot of self-restraining here to pull things back in order on that bruise. It'll be easy enough to look back on it with rolled eyes once he's there but...Hooo.

Marishi nudges the other's leg, and after a moment, it seems he's successfully cleared the 'hill'.

Enough to raise a brow as he takes his cold matcha drink, at least.] ....Those test scores of yours would most certainly do better if, perhaps, you did not stare off during classes....

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya nudges Gon's hand as he reaches it, playfully, before he relents and lets Gongenzaka have his drink.]

It's boring. [He doesn't say it with much force behind it.] But I don't need all of that to be a pro duelist anyway. As long as I pass, it's fine.

[He's resigned himself to not being very intelligent, it doesn't even bother him. Instead he points to the door.] Let's see what else we can find.

[betheman]

Boring is no excuse..! [He half jokes, before more seriously sputtering.] GOH- A-And that's no excuse either..!! It's important to keep one's grades up..!! [The man insists, his daemon merely laughing.]

Aaah, yes, more exploring could do us well..~

Marishi..! [He hisses under his breath, lest they attract attention.]

[hippocarnival]

Marishi's on my side! [He almost sings it, laughing as he bounds out the cafe and down the stairs two at a time. It probably is good long to linger too long when talking to an invisible cheetah.

He stops as the base and turns on his heels, one hand on his hip as he waits for them.]

[betheman]

Th-That is not what it means..!!

It just means you need to be more open about things, Noboruuuuu~ [Why must his soul gang up on him with his best friend-

Well, they're going down the steps at least, disposable cup in Gongenzaka's hand, on his part.] Mnnh, I, the man Gongenzaka, did not say there was anything wrong with exploring in the first place..!

No, you just had your head in studies and responsibilities~

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya likes to think he knows Gongenzaka really well, but it is kind of nice having Marishi around to speak for the stuff he's not as open about. And, of course, for peer pressure.]

I know. But there's no point worrying about it now when we can't go to school. [Once Gongenzaka is down, Yuya stays side by side with him, slowing down instead of taking the lead as they walk. He's more attentive of the buildings as they pass them, looking for something both of them can enjoy. All the while, sipping his drink.]

LITTLE DO THEY KNOW...

[betheman]

AUH- [..................]

Ooo~ Got you there, [Marishi chuckles, Gongenzaka sighing in defeat.] Now then, where to...

Hmmm...it is still too early to find a place to eat...so perhaps, it would be best to find a more proper 'tourist' location. ...A museum, maybe? [He offers, looking to Yuuya. Honestly, he's kinda lost on this Touring thing.]

[hippocarnival]

Maybe... oh. [There's an antique shop that catches his eye, both because he's never been in an antique shop before and because of the utterly eclectic decor around it. Some washed-up surfing sign, an old bike, Whatever the fuck this thing is. It's all run down and weird.

Absently he grabs for Gon's arm to stop him from moving as he points it out.] What about that? It looks pretty cool.

[betheman]

[He hopes he internally speaks for everyone when he thinks what the Fu-]

...............what on earth is it, [Marishi mutters, pulling her nose up as Gongenzaka stares.]

Auh.... ...An antique shop, perhaps? [Gongenzaka notes, assuming Yuuya speaks of the Entire building.] ...Hmm, there could be quite a number of 'things' inside...

[hippocarnival]

I've never been in one. It's going to be all Western stuff, right? [He gives Gon's arm an insistent tug before heading into the shop. The elderly man at the counter seems only half away, hardly roused by a couple teenagers wandering it. The inside is about what you expect--crowded walls and shelves full of old decor, some of it in better condition than others. It's cramped and takes some maneuvering, but at least most of the fragile stuff is somewhere safe or anchored down.

Yuya glances back once to make sure Gon's following before he almost disappears between the shelves.] Look at all this stuff!

[betheman]

Not necessarily, [He answers, keeping his voice low as Marishi falls silent for the time being.] Antiques are objects passed over time, [he explains, looking a round with mild curiosity.] They could be from the west...but they could also be from other places, passed through trade, family...

Ah-!

Yuuya, be careful though..! [AND DON'T JUST VANISH ON HIM DANGIT]

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya's head sticks back out from between the shelves, pouting.] I'm not breaking anything.

[He's not a little kid! Which means after saying that he's vanishing from sight again, peering into a glass case full of old knick knacks. They're here to explore, so he's exploring.]

muffled portland flashbacks

[betheman]

Th-That is far from the reason..! [This place is big and cluttered and dammit Yuuya you could disappear behind a pile of old musty carpets and he'd never see you again-

But fine, then, he'll...Explore. Barely feet in and he's already spotted something that's catching his eye however, though not necessarily for good reasons.]

Oooooohh....

Ahh... ....A Karakuri...

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya is not going to evaporate in (this) antique store.

The knick knacks don't prove particularly interesting, given about half of them are weirdly shapes salt and pepper shakers. So Yuya takes a slow circle around, occasionally making faces at the ugly porcelain until he wraps back around to where Gon is. And also spots the Karakuri.]

... Do you think it still works? [He leans closer, but doesn't try to touch it. It seems so fragile, even knowing it's a little robot.] You had one in Portland, right? The ones that serve tea.

[Yuya doesn't sound bothered at all to reminisce. He hadn't known what it was at the time, without all his memories, but remembering all of Vampire!Gon's trinkets brings a small smile to his face.]