⇨ 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

[anti_nonsense]

Good. He's awake, and it looks like he's calmed down a lot, too.

Rita pulls up a chair and sits at the side of his bed, her gaze drifting over him as she looks for obvious, exterior symptoms of the Rose's effects. "I want to examine your condition from a magical perspective," she explains instead of returning the greeting. But before getting into what that would entail, she pauses and asks, "How do you feel now?"

[starseedling]

That sounds like something Rita would want to do, and he can't claim it isn't something that sounds beneficial. He nods in understanding, though he looks a bit nervous. He's a little afraid of what he'll find out.

"I feel okay. Just... weird and tired." The things that feel different are hard to put a finger on.

Externally, it's still mostly just his gems having gotten bluer that sticks out. Maybe the natural flush to his skin is a bit different, too? That could be because of the mild, lingering fever, though.

[anti_nonsense]

"That's to be expected," Rita says with a shrug. Whether or not the Rose succeeded in changing him in any meaningful way, the whole experience would leave anyone feeling weird.

"All right, I'm starting. You don't have to do anything, so just stay where you are." Rita holds out a palm in his direction, then conjures an interface out of magic light, complete with a display and keyboard. She tries using his gem as a focal point; considering the visible exterior change, maybe she can look for contrast to find something that doesn't appear to belong.

Steven won't feel anything when she brings up the display. He's probably dealt with enough invasive magic crap for one day, so she'll refrain from doing anything other than observe.

[starseedling]

"Um, okay," Steven says, uncertainly laying back and letting her do whatever magical thing this is. He seems a bit nervous, but he trusts her enough that he can just put off thinking about it as she works.

It will become apparent, as soon as she starts scanning, that the thing most changed is his circulatory system. They are a focal point of magical energy in his body, like lines of energy instead of just lines of blood. The look of them is very similar to the vines of the rose itself - both plant-like and crystalline, all at once.

Steven's gem is obviously very connected to the make up of his body, despite the fact that he is flesh and blood, the energy from the gem allows it to augment and change his biology when necessary. If something major about his body was to change, it seems like it would most easily be triggered by the existing transformative ability of his gem.

[anti_nonsense]

Rita stares at the display, eyes transfixed on the shapes shown before her. The crystalline network is beautiful in a way, but saying so would probably sound creepy, so she refrains. Instead, she takes out a notebook and starts jotting down some notes.

"Your body typically operates like a human's would, right?" she asks, seeking confirmation of whatever's on her mind. "I don't suppose you've got any medical data on file that I can compare against..." Herbert seemed interested in collecting some on most of the carnival workers, but Rita can't say how many actually followed through with examinations.

[starseedling]

"Um... I think so? I'd never been to a doctor before I came here," he says, sounding a little bit more nervous at that question. Does asking if his body functions like a human mean it's not functioning like a human? Oh geez.

"But when Herbert asked people to come in, I did, so... so he's probably got that stuff for me, somewhere?" Steven has been eager to get checked out, actually. Maybe that was fortunate.

[anti_nonsense]

"I'll have to take a look at that," Rita murmurs, still half-distracted by her own note-taking. "Maybe add a few notes myself." Could be useful to have magical information on file for future reference.

...Right. Steven probably wants to know what's going on with him.

"Well... the good news is that everything seems stable now," she begins, glancing to his face.