⇨ 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

[worldlyafflictions]

[He definitely tried to leave, but as soon as he's grabbed he knows not to do anything stupid like try to yank out of her grip. He still leans against the pull though.]

O-oh, we do?

[exaomori]

What, afraid of sensei all the sudden~? I promise, I don't bite~

[So keep ur butt right there while she checks out, shima, or else she will come find you. Feeling relatively satisfied that he won't make a break for it, she'll release her grip on his shirt to buy the shirts. At least checking out is fairly painless and quick. Spending money that wasn't hers was great, and Shima doesn't have to wait too long for his doom!]

Nyeheh, at least this Ringmaster pays decent. That Mephisto's a tightwad when it comes to giving out bonuses.

[Well, maybe he had a bit longer to wait. At least until they're out of the store they were in and make their way down the street a bit.]

Maybe I should get a pedicure while I'm out~ It's been too busy back home for me to have any fun!

[or... maybe she'll just take her sweet time and see if she can make him sweat a bit.]

[worldlyafflictions]

[Shima at the least really did have stuff he wanted to purchase so he gets that squared away before Shura drags him out of the store.]

Um... why do I have ta come along for that...?

[He'll sweat, but also he'll whine.]

[exaomori]

[She expects the whining. She isn't deterred.]

Aren't ya interested in the things girls like?

[Like pedicures. They're great!]

You'll get to learn first hand how nice they are!

[worldlyafflictions]

[Sounding dubious]

First hand...?

[exaomori]

Mm, should I say first foot instead?

[ that is not a real question do not try to be clever shima ]

Unless there's something you'd like to talk about instead, of course! Ya seem so jumpy around me recently~

[worldlyafflictions]

Umm, I'd be okay with it if ya'd just assume the best and nothing has ta be talked about!

[exaomori]

Ahaha~

[that was the wrong answer]

If yer gonna be that way, then we'll just have to make it quick, won't we?

[And take this conversation down the next empty alley or side street they find.]

[worldlyafflictions]

[IS THERE A RIGHT ANSWER HE CAN ACTUALLY GIVE? He slows and lingers, reluctant enough that Shura might have to grab him again to drag him along.]

--On second thought, I think I see a directory for the boulevard; ya might be able ta find a salon listed?

[exaomori]

[Of course there's a right answer! And cooperating with her is the first step, you little spy. So if she has to grab him by the arm to get him moving at a decent pace, she will. But wouldn't it be more relaxing to walk around without Shura's vise-like grip on his upper arm?]

What a good idea~

[It is a good idea! It makes finding the little spa a couple blocks up that much easier. It's too bad she wants to keep her hands free--a mani/pedi would be great right now. Alas, interrogating Shima was more pressing than her need for relaxing. But it's a busy day--all of the technicians are busy, but there's sure to be an opening for this brother-sister pair in fifteen minutes! In the meanwhile, would they be willing to wait in the quiet little lobby and sip on a refreshing beverage? Of course they would, Shura assures the lady in the front. And of course they'd be willing to take a look at the service menu while they wait.]

Nyeheh, maybe we should get a massage, too!

[Sitting right next to Shima on a chic loveseat, she just wants him to sweat just a bit more. Just a bit.]

[worldlyafflictions]

[Shima sits, holding a cup with both hands and sipping his unusually delicious cucumber-strawberry water meekly. He's trying not to give Shura more reason to use stronger intimidation tactics... but also... look, there's no way he's not secretly enjoying himself, in a slightly twisted way, playing spy games and doing stuff he normally wouldn't get to. So he's trying not to let on about that either, because then he'll definitely be in trouble. He doesn't want to die...

Mostly.]

Haha, I don't think I have the funds, but I wouldn't mind hanging around ta watch.

[exaomori]

You aren't that lucky ♥

[This isn't the beautiful woman who will let him lay his head in her lap as he dies! And though she's hesitant to go all out on a kid like him, he still works for Mephisto, which isn't earning him any favors in her mind. Circus or not, he's a danger to Yukio and that has to be taken care of before she can let her guard down.]

Maybe that's something you should save up for. Y'know, since you've been gettin' along with Yukio so well recently. He prolly deserves somethin' nice for puttin' up with you!

[worldlyafflictions]

That guy probably could use a massage... Ya sure switched over fast ta wanting ta spoil him, I'm jealous.

[Only slightly jealous though. He doesn't need Yukio's problems.]

[exaomori]

Mm? I wanna spoil him?

[excuse you what are you saying shima]

I'm jus' sayin'--with all you're doin' to him, you'd better be willing to take care of him.

[worldlyafflictions]

Wait, am I marrying him, suddenly? What do ya think I've been doing??

[exaomori]

Nah, I'd be kinda relieved if you were just marryin' him!

[seriously if yukio fell in love with someone and was having fun she'd be super happy, even if it was this particular shima...]

But since you and your boss seem intent on taking him out of the Order, I guess it's pretty close!

[worldlyafflictions]

[Plz Shura, that'd be an unmitigated disaster.]

[But there it is, the direct accusation.]

Ya do know he's the kinda guy who plays himself, right? I didn't really do anything but tell him what the options are and wait.

1/2

[exaomori]

[anything for the okumura twins' happiness, even if it means that...]

Of course I know that~ I ain't blind!

[She pauses, takes a long sip of her water. She'd remember this later--Rin could make something like this for her, right?]

I'm not going to be angry about you snatchin' Hachiro. [a bit of a lie] But Yukio's not the same story. Since you're the one who's been extending the invitation to him, I expect you're willin' to act as his guardian while he's out gettin' his answers!

[exaomori]

[And then her voice drops, low and perfectly lethal.]

So if anything happens to him, I'll make sure you take full responsibility for it.

[worldlyafflictions]

Um... You can take it out on me if ya want, I guess [he doesn't think he could stop her], but what are ya even expecting me ta do? He's got two meisters and four classes on me. I already got my ass handed ta me by him once while he had a broken arm. If ya expect me ta guard him... [shrugs. Yukio would definitely be fucked.]

I can warn him about bad decisions but that won't actually stop him, ya know...

[exaomori]

Take it out on you? You think I'll just be beatin' ya or somethin'?

[Back to that sweet voice of hers, as if it had never changed.]

Trust me, there are better ways ♥ I can make sure that the only tits you see are the 2d ones in your dirty mags if that's more convincing! [She doesn't know about the one Mephisto rewarded him with that was later torn up, but he seems like the type to value his girlie mags.]

And as for how you're supposed to do it--you're a sharp boy, so I'm sure you can figure out a way. You don't have to guard him if no one's aiming to hurt him, but you'll have to figure a way to get him out safely before somethin' happens. That's all~

[worldlyafflictions]

Ummmm [Does sweat a little there because What Does That Even Mean? Scary... but still] like I said, no matter what 'incentives' ya use, asking me ta do stuff that's impossible is just gonna be impossible even if I get punished... Adults sure are demanding... [Mephisto and Lucifer and Homare and Lighting and now Shura. Well, at least these are demands he actually got himself into by his own actions.]

[He huffs and sinks back in the chair with his cup up to his nose.] If ya want a way ta help him, it's not like there aren't options... Heck, ya actually got him ta talk now, which is better than I can say for how things went down at home.

[exaomori]

If ya didn't want to play with adults, than ya shouldn't have agreed to spy for them.

[Spying's not all fun and games, Shima! Especially not when you're doing it for both sides.

On the other hand... He knew that Yukio talked to her? Wait, had he been watching them the entire time? Her grip on her cup tightens, nearly enough to crack the thin plastic.]

But you're right, he did talk to me a bit~ I didn't know you knew, though. You're a pretty sneaky kid, aren't you?

[worldlyafflictions]

Eeeh, it's not that. It's just, well, with everybody relying on me like it's not a job they wanna do themselves, it feels like a little politeness wouldn't be too much ta afford, ya know? Not that I won't do my best anyway, since I found something I'm good at!

[Smiles back! Like he isn't implicating her along with the vague "they" adults in his life.]

The good news is it's really only my neck on the line here, even though he's spilled! Commander-in-Chief Lucifer really wanted Okumura-sensei ta go over willingly. He wants him as an ally, and with him wanting ta cut ties to the Order, I don't think he'll be treated badly. As for how much of a danger Okumura-sensei is ta himself and ah.. others, well. there's a whole year now for the people closest to him ta figure out how ta get him ta accept help, isn't there.

[exaomori]

[She's not offended by the implication because it is true.]

That's just being part of adult, gettin' pushed around by your superiors. It doesn't matter what your job is, though you certainly picked the worst one if you're wantin' respect!

[protip from Shura, who is continually dealing with crap from Angel and Mephisto...]

But I don't want ya thinkin' that you're my only hope! This is just insurance, just in case somethin' happens. It'd be silly not to have more than one plan in mind, all considerin'.

[It's really suspicious that he's telling her all of this?? Yukio had only mentioned that Shima had been talking to him, and they didn't go in to what was going on more than that.</small.]