⇨ 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]

[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.]

[betheman]

[What does that 'THIS' mean-

Gongenzaka is quiet for a moment, keeping his hands to himself and even crossed. Marishi, naturally, keeps quite silent-merely looking from one to the other as he furrows his brows.] ...Aaah, so I did...

...Memory claimed it was from what became of my 'hometown', but...

[Well. It wasn't Really his hometown, after all. Even if the pain of re-finding a place long changed was still there.] ...That form of myself left for America not long after it was purchased...

[hippocarnival]

[That's more of a clear recollection than Yuya expected, and he looks up at Gon. Was that something he told him when he showed Yuya...?]

You remember that much? [He's more awed than anything, most of those fake memories having faded outside the month they were stuck there.]

[betheman]

I remember 'thinking' of it, when I, the man Gongenzaka, showed you the one in Portland, [he notes, frowning.] ...Memories of that life... ...are quite faint, but the objects which I, the man Gongenzaka unintentionally brought with me still have some form of association, I shall admit...

To call it memory... [Marishi interrupts, frowning.] ...It wouldn't be entirely accurate. Knowledge of a fact-that is far more correct. We certainly can't remember details surrounding what we know...

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya pulls against the price tag, checking it out.] Yeah, I don't really remember anything except that month now. I guess because the rest of it wasn't real?

[He didn't think much about that, otherwise it occupies his mind how invasive it is... and how similar it probably is to whatever Zarc did to put him in his parent's arms.

He lets out a low whistle at the price tag.] Maybe you should have brought that instead of those books.

[They're apparently in the range of thousands for an authentic antique one.]

[betheman]

[Gongenzaka can't help himself-he gives out a roaring, open laugh, one so loud it nearly wakes the dozing owner.

Nearly. But he laughs, and shakes his head, looking to Yuuya.] The form of myself that was there valued the books which I, the man Gongenzaka now own, more than their 'karakuri'-and the books in turn are something which I have since enjoyed.

What would a karakuri do, but sit upon the shelf, and gather dust? It doesn't carry the same importance, to 'me'...even if it reminds me of that place.

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya smiles, dropping the price tag. The obvious answer is 'make tea', but it does kind of involve another person to even show it off for that. And Yuya sure doesn't drink fancy tea often enough for that.]

Yeah, you're right. I didn't really think about bringing anything from there with me, but there's nothing I really miss.

[It'd been a really closed up life. The stuff he was sentimental about, it was from his real life or memories he can't really read anymore.]

[betheman]

Nothing at all? [He asks, raising his eyebrows despite the smile.] You did not leave much behind then, did you? [he observes in turn, nodding. His alternate self had brought books that seemed 'right', even to his fuzzy, disjointed memories. It had paid off, in that regard. ....Perhaps for some then, nothing had felt right once the split began.]

[hippocarnival]

Well, I do miss moving stuff with my mind. [He wiggles his fingers jokingly for emphasis.] But I wasn't all that happy there. When I started to remember things, I really wanted that life to be true instead.

[He was lonely in Portland, and found friends there, but... it wasn't the same. It wasn't full of promises and happy summers and people waiting for them.

Yuya puts a hand over his chest, where the mark is.] I really wanted to go home, right then.