⇨ 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

[periphrasing]

Some weirdly illogical part of Peridot is almost disappointed that Amethyst seems to have given up already. Which is dumb, and doesn't make any sense at all, because she's very much committed to this line of thinking.

"It would just complicate things, anyway. If we hooked up." She pulls a nearby toaster out of the scrap pile and starts dejectedly picking at a rusty spot on it. "She hates it here. I know she's going to want to leave as soon as her contract is up."

[drrdrrdrr]

Amethyst shifts onto her side and props her cheek on her hand. "I mean... maybe she'd hate it a lil less if you guys got all this junk out in the open. I'm just sayin'."

[periphrasing]

Peridot looks like she considers this for a second... But then shakes her head. "No. No, I don't think that's true. She hates the carnival, she EXTRA hates the Ringmaster for keeping her here... And the carnival is always moving around, getting into trouble. While you were gone, when we were at the Prince's castle? She basically begged me to leave. She was so scared..."

[drrdrrdrr]

Amethyst sort of slumps down, her cheek kind of mashed against her hand. "Maaan... I kinda don't blame her, but -- we're pretty much always getting into trouble back home too. I just figure, like... maybe if you guys had this stuff sorted out it'd be like... I dunno, easier to deal with everything else?" She sighs, and adds, half into her hand, "I mean, I know it makes it easier for me."

[periphrasing]

Peridot looks up and stares at her for a long, long moment, her expression indescribably sad. There's a rather large number of tumultuous thoughts all vying for her attention in her head. Amethyst has a point, actually... but the engineer just can't see how to broach the topic with Lapis, even if she could work up the courage. There's too many factors, it's too risky. There's a very good chance it might do more harm than good. But isn't it also kind of unfair to keep these worries to herself, when Lapis might appreciate the full honesty?

In the end, these thoughts all come down to the same overwhelming compulsion. Peridot tosses the toaster to one side. Lifts her hands up to her chest for a second, hesitating... and then holds her arms straight out in front of her for a hug.

[drrdrrdrr]

Amethyst blinks in surprise, but only for a moment. "Aw, Per..."

She pushes herself up and scoots over to deliver that hug. There's a crisp packet in her hair, but it's fine, probably.

"You prolly shouldn't listen to me anyway, what the heck do I know," she says with a lopsided smile. "I just... I dunno, don't want you to be sad or whatever."

[periphrasing]

It's fine. It's totally fine. Peridot holds on to her tight, and with her tail curling around Amethyst's back and squeezing as well, it's a triple threat of a hug.

"No, no... You're probably right," she chokes out. There's no actual tears being shed here, but Peridot is kind of breathing really heavily, and her voice is tight with emotion. "I'm sorry for behaving like this," she creaks without pulling back from the hug. "I just really, really like the carnival, I'm not ready to leave it behind yet! But I don't want her to think that I like it more than I like her, you know?"

It's hard to say if this is Wismuth's atmosphere making every feeling that much more intense, or if this is just business as usual for a gem who has surprisingly big feelings for such a tiny little person.

[drrdrrdrr]

Amethyst makes a small hiccuping sound, not having quite been expecting to be hugged so tight when she's been on and off snacking on garbage for the last half-hour, but she squeezes back, resting her head against Peridot's.

Geez, this is not her area of expertise at all, she thinks, staring at the inside wall of the dumpster as Peridot talks. What would Garnet say...? She doesn't know -- she just hates that this has Peridot so upset, and she double hates it because of how close it is to how she was acting not too long ago.

Ugh.

"Then... maybe you should tell her how much you do like her," she suggests.

[periphrasing]

"Maybe..."

She still really doesn't sound like she wants to, though. She's scared. For a lot of reasons.

"I'm sorry for dumping all of this on you," she murmurs, dropping her arms down and resting her chin on Amethyst's shoulder.

[drrdrrdrr]

"Naw," says Amethyst, tucking Peridot under her chin. "We're in a dumpster, ya might as well dump some stuff."

[periphrasing]

At this point Peridot gives up completely and just. Grunts? And awkwardly shifts so that she's in the other gem's lap with her legs draped past her waist. It's almost like she is trying to disappear into Amethyst's mass, because existence is too much of a drain right now.

After a long pause, she groans despondently into Amethyst's gem, the sound muffled:

"D'you wanna make out for a while?"

[drrdrrdrr]

Amethyst considers this for a moment.

"Yeah," she says decisively. "Actually I gotta kiss up on you extra to make up for how long I was gone for, 'cause I totally figured Lapis would be taking care of that but I guess not, huh?" She sucks her teeth in exaggerated disapproval. "Guess it's on me to get your smooch tank all topped up."

[periphrasing]

Peridot lifts her head a little ways up off of Amethyst's boobs, blinking. Then snickers softly. Somehow, it's an incredibly warm and fond sound, while at the same time being absolutely repugnant and nasally.

She sweeps her long tail around and coils it around Amethyst's own, giving it a light squeeze.

Better get comfy. They're probably going to be here for quite some time.