⇨ 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

C

[genice]

Day two, and he really needs to figure out what limitations he's working with. Day one started him off observing the acts and performances being given in the big top and the smaller areas, Victor still in a strange liminal space of actively suspended disbelief. It was one way of handling being overwhelmed, and frankly, he was powering through on will alone. There are tyrannosaurus rex's here. There's floating and magic and people with all kinds of body parts and apparently, that's a feature of working here, one that has very little to do with voluntary modifications.

One more joy that he has to wonder how it will effect whatever he ends up doing, before shoving the thought aside and acknowledging that he'll face that when he comes to it. For now, he should hunt down their Stage Manager and have a proper talk, to see what...

His thoughts trail off as he comes across the odd assortment of animal themed pouches and bags. Almost at the same time, there's a large bird calling out for him to listen: Victor blinks, staring at Feathers, and wonders if this means he should have asked Reira if her large eagle friend also had a hidden talent for conversing. Large birds here are surprisingly chatty.

"... Yes?"

[pipers_son]

With attention firmly got, Feathers cheerfully begins to hop on over. Sure, he could walk or waddle, but hopping is much easier. Once he's close enough, he leans over, nipping and plucking at Victor's pants. Unfortunately, however smart most Pokemon are, they don't get the ability to speak. He has to just keep tugging him along, over to the pouches.

[genice]

He watches in a gentle sort of bemusement, not used to dealing with birds as a whole, let alone seemingly intelligent ones on a mission. "Hey," he says, trying to step back first, not wanting his pants to develop any unnecessary holes on his second day around, "Stop that. Please."

He makes a shooing motion, Feathers' persistence paying off by Victor relenting to follow along after him for the sake of his wardrobe. "Here, see, I'm following, no more pulling at me, all right?"

Coming to a stop close to Feathers, but warily trying to stay out of beak reach, he's by the pouches... and lifting an eyebrow. "These are... cute?"

What's going on, bird. Victor isn't getting it, largely because never in his life has there been a pile of oddball animal pouches sitting around backstage. Mostly stuffed animals, after performances, being collected for donation to charities later on. "Does someone need help getting this together for gifts, prizes, donations?"

Victor is so ready to believe the bird might even pantomime an answer. This is where he is, because what should he not believe right now.

[pipers_son]

If there's any issue with his beak and delicate fashionable clothing, Feathers doesn't see it. They have people who can magically make clothing better, right? What's the big deal? Still, once Victor is close enough, Feathers stops bothering his poor pants and hops back to the pile.

Still incapable of talking, the Dartrix can at least shake his head before nudging forward one of each type of bizarre little toy separate from the pil. Expectantly, he looks up at him.

[genice]

They're his only pants from home, Feathers, be kind...! Victor stands before the pile, with the bird, and watches each of the different little toys be nudged forward. He doesn't get it in particular, but he does cautiously duck down, eyeing Feathers warily. His smile is close lipped--he's not sure what bird body language is like, but he knows beaks are sharp and talons rend, so he'd rather not accidentally provoke a bad response.

"Do you want to play fetch?"

Yes, that's his next line of thought. After all, this is what Makkachin does when bored and wanting to play.

[pipers_son]

A breath-holding moment of anticipation seems to have taken over the bird as Victor kneels down, and he watches... only to deflate at the question. A soft sad coo accompanies the way he shakes his head.

Definitely not fetch. He's not that kind of pokemon!

[genice]

No fetch? He looks from Feathers to the stuffed toys, reaching out with his eyebrows quirked up. When he holds one up at random, he offers it out to Feathers.

"I'm sorry, I still don't know what you want me to do with this."

[pipers_son]

With a toy finally picked up, Feathers lets out a delighted coo. Immediately, he bumps his head up into Victor's hand to nudge it closer to him.

Yes, that! Keep that!

[genice]

Bird distributes stuffed toys: grown adult man has no idea what to do about it. He can hear the ridiculousness of that running through his head as he holds onto the toy. Having any large animal bump into his hand, let alone a bird, carries some intimidation along with it.

Still, he seems to catch on, bringing the toy to his chest. "You want me to take it?"

He'd try petting Feathers, except, well, he doesn't know what one does to pet a bird. Thus he keeps hold on the toy and waits for...

... well, he waits for something.

[pipers_son]

And what he's waiting for, apparently, is a nod from a bird.

Good job.

This was definitely a surreal encounter or anything.

[genice]

He's holding a gill shark and having a bird nod at him.

But really, it's not the weirdest thing, so he nods back and says, "Thank you. I'll put this somewhere safe so I can take it back to my trailer later, okay?"

[pipers_son]

A couple more delighted cooing noises flutter up to Viktor, quite satisfied with this arrangement. And now that he knows what he picked, Feathers can deliver it to him if he forgets! It all works out.

For now, however, with one last nod given, Feathers starts to preen himself. gotta look sharp in show business, after all.

[genice]

Victor stands and regards the preening bird. He's mystified by apparent intelligence levels of everyone he runs into at the carnival, and while it seems this bird isn't sapient, it's definitely... intelligent.

Meaning Victor doesn't just try to set the stuffed sharp container back on the pile, but he smiles, waves, and slowly walks away. Time to go... over there. Yes. Time to watch this show and make educated guesses on what will be in store in his near future.