⇨ 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

[chronosynthesis]

Syrlya's too used to people coming in and out of his life for months (years) at a time--and doing the reverse, so he doesn't actually consider when they last spoke until Taako prompts it. He remembers those he retrieved the Rose with very clearly, and that was the last time they spoke directly.

"Oh! Yes, I suppose so." He's not invested enough to needle about the package. It's probably not a problem. "I'm faring well, thank you. I hope most of us can say the same now that we have had time to recover."

And nothing blew up on the moon, so said recovery not completely derailing is a positive in his book! "With any luck, it should continue. This city is... peculiar, but it does not appear dangerous."

[tacosgay]

"Yeah, uh... this place is actually pretty dope," Taako responds, and he relaxes a little, easing into a lazy smile. He shifts his grasp on the tightly-wrapped smoking paraphernalia in his hands, his fingers curling around the "shaft" without much of a thought. "We should definitely visit more chill beach cities and far fewer magic fae manors, if you ask me. Uh, not that the Ringmaster has, but, you know."

It occurs to him that he actually hasn't talked to RM much at all in his time spent in the Carnival; it's a little surreal, considering she's the entire reason that he's there, and the reason that he's shaped the way he currently is. Her magic is literally imprinted on his body, but he can count the times he's spoken to her in person on one hand.

Somehow, though, he finds himself okay with that, given she doesn't seem keen on listening to what he wants.

[chronosynthesis]

Syrlya covers his mouth as he chuckles. "I do not believe you are alone in that sentiment. From what I've heard, most would rather we stay very far away from the other Fae and their troubles for a while."

Syrlya doesn't have a very robust frame of reference for carnivals, even the mundane kind--so he can't claim if this is more or less expected for one, but the danger of livelihood--yes, he's used to that.

"That was your illusion magic working alongside mine in the Manor, wasn't it?" He perks up at remembering it. "And the transformation--is illusionary magic you're profession?"

[tacosgay]

"Nope, I'm a transmutation specialist, my dude," Taako says, drawing himself up to puff out his chest proudly. "But, uh, I guess turning things into other things does kind of... cross over with illusions sometimes, doesn't it? Sort of."

Honestly, the Illusion school of magic was super tempting for him, back when he first chose a specialization; but Transmutation is just so much more versatile, and also still lets him shoot fireballs at people, which is a must.

"But I do dabble in illusions and evocation from time to time."

[chronosynthesis]

"There is some overlap," Syrlya confirms. Although he's never heard of anyone specializing in transmutation, but that's probably because of how unwieldy it is compared to the more dedicated magic professions.

"So you warped your body directly for your disguise for the Prince? That's very complicated magic to pursue, isn't it?" Given the way Taako perks up, he's proud enough of it. "How long have you been practicing?"

[tacosgay]

"Ummmmm..." Taako fidgets with his hair idly, his smile a bit sheepish. "That's kind of a hard one to answer, but I guess it's been, like... eeehhhhhh... a hundred and... fifty years?"

He's clearly uncertain, trying to think; he's only very recently begun to remember most of his life, and sorting out the order in which some things happened is still difficult. His mind hasn't yet adjusted to having full access to his entire library of memories, particularly given he has over two centuries of them to sort through.

"Give or take." He shrugs, grinning.

[chronosynthesis]

"Oh!" Syrlya's not as surprised as he could be. Norn chould be pretty long lived, they just rarely died of old age.

He had no personal concept of existing so long, though, so Taako's uncertainty hardly registers with him. That's a lot of memories, of course someone might not remember a lot of it very well. "Is that enough time to master it?"

[tacosgay]

Taako breaks into giggles at that, curling his entire hand into his braid's curves.

"Well, it's certainly a good head start," he says, "I don't know if I'd say master, but, well, I've got a pretty good handle on things by now. I've done some pretty dope stuff, if I do say so myself."

[chronosynthesis]

Dope is a... good thing, he assumes. "I noticed in the Prince's Manor. You're very skilled."

He pauses, because that reminds him of something else as well about that whole group that pursued the Rose. "Ah, you did not end up under his influence as the rest of us did, correct? How did you avoid it?"

[tacosgay]

Taako flutters his lashes, a cute, yet goofy bit of imagery that he intends to be far more charming than it likely actually will be; but that question interrupts his fawning over being praised, and he breaks into a grin, reaching for the bag he's got over his shoulder.

"Oh, nothing big, I just used a little bit of... magic!" And then he reveals... a salt shaker. "... magic salt shaker, that is. Not... my magic, but, uh, anyway..."

He holds it up for Syrlya to inspect, tapping it from side to side to shift the salt within.

"It's special. It turns a lovely shade of pink if it detects there's any kind of poison in the food you sprinkle it on. And it's delicious."

[chronosynthesis]

Syrlya's words are honest, but he's definitely more interested in the salt shaker when it's produced. He leans closer, as if he expects to find some visually unique property to it--but it really just looks like salt to him.

"So it's an enchantment, and not a natural effect of it?" He wonders if the spell is possible without the salt quality... like an incantation that would effect the food directly instead of the salt. "I admit, I had not anticipated poison to begin with... that, I suppose, was my mistake."

Mental note: anticipate anyone suspicious and feeding him too be poisoning it from now on.

[tacosgay]

"Well, given I paid good gold for it from a place that insisted it sold magical goods, it had better be magic." Taako frowns at the Sodium-Free Salt Shaker, as though trying to judge it for himself, though he keeps it held out so that Syrlya can inspect it all he wants.

As for anticipating poison... Taako isn't sure where to even begin with that. He has his reasons to be paranoid; trauma and nearly ruining your own life has a way of doing that to someone.

"Eeeh.... it's just... good to be prepared, you know?"

[chronosynthesis]

"That is true." Can't really fault paranoia after something like the Prince--and who knows what else Taako has had to deal with in all his years of living. Now that he thinks about it, the elders of the other races often seem more suspicious as well...

He straightens back up, finished inspecting the salt shaker. "And it did a lot of good in the end. Were some of you not prepared, we wouldn't have obtained the Rose."

He'll have to remember to get something that susses out poisons himself.

[tacosgay]

Boy, if Taako head him calling him an elder out loud, he'd pitch a fit. He's fairly young for an elf, alright?

... well, a young adult, of course, but still.

Anyway.

Taako puts his Sodium-Free Salt Shaker away, shrugging his shoulders lightly. "I always keep a handful of things on me, uh, provided I can find somewhere on me to hide 'em. Fortunately those gowns the Prince had us in had plenty of little hidey holes in those big skirts and bustiers."

[chronosynthesis]

Syrlya is five, basically everyone is old to him.

"No enchanted bags?" He questions lightly, absently adjusting his sleeve. Of course, for all the arbitrary rules the Prince had about his Manor and their attire, maybe it was against the rules to bring any.

[tacosgay]

"Nope, not for me-- I mean, I definitely tried to get my hands on one, but those things are harder to come by than you'd think."

... wait! He reaches down into a pocket, and reveals something else: a smaller bag with a padlock on it, keeping it held closed.

"Well, uh, I do have this? But I think it's exit-only, and I'm not supposed to open it until, uh, it wants to be opened, I guess." He shrugs lightly. "A Goddess gave it to me. You know how gods are."

[chronosynthesis]

Syrlya leans over to inspect that, too, although at Taako's assertion he pauses, briefly uncertain. Does he know how gods are?

"Well, I have only met one, and he is willing to put the entire world into ruin for the sake of his power, so... perhaps?" Are they usually like that? Not according to the stories of humans, but hose were just that--stories. "She did not give you any hint what it holds?"

[tacosgay]

"Yeah, no, uh, this one was more like the mysterious cryptic guidance and holy gifts but only if you work for her type."

Taako has never been all that impressed with the idea of gods or goddesses, and his learning magic only made him less impressed. He doesn't really see that much difference between them and himself, honestly.

He holds the bag up, turning it in his hands.

"Nope. Just that it's going to only open at the time I need it most. Sort of a deus ex machina in a bag, I suppose."