⇨ 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

[genice]

"I'd planned on it, but thank you. It's good having that reaffirmed." He smiled, albeit with his eyes remaining serious. "My best protections are the kind that have me not getting close enough to end up in a bad situation. When it's avoidable." With a small shrug of his shoulders, he glances away. He hopes there's always that option. It's the kind of belief he chooses to have, while considering... well.

Mortality.

"Rita, if we do die here, what happens to our remains? Do they get sent back home?"

[anti_nonsense]

"Huh?"

That question catches Rita off guard. Her brow furrows, as it often does when faced with a question she doesn't know the answer to. "I've never really thought about it. Maybe we'd just... disappear, as far as anyone back home would know." And considering some of the dangers they get mixed up in, there's no guarantee there'd even be a body to send back to their worlds, if the Ringmaster was inclined to do so in the first place.

"Why?" she asks after a moment.

[genice]

Just disappear? He doesn't like that thought, as little as he likes the alternative of showing up as a body. Avoiding death altogether is best. He flashes Rita a smile and lifts his hands to shoulder height, shrugging with his eyes closed in somewhat morbid amusement. "Just wondering!"

Carnival workers aren't to harm each other. It's everything else that goes above and beyond what he knows how to navigate that brings out the more morbid concerns. He might as well ask the Ringmaster when he tracks her down for a proper conversation about the rink potential and the rest. More to do before all that, but it's another thought to hold onto, for better and worse. "Hopefully about what won't be relevant, but I'd like to know what might be in place to let the people who don't know they're waiting on us that we're never coming home."

[anti_nonsense]

"...Right."

A dark, distant look crosses Rita's face as she considers that. The fact that her life is sometimes endangered here at the carnival is something she knows well enough, but it was usually something she could brush off without much thought. I won't die. That's what she said... just before she did, not long ago.

Rita was lucky to have been brought back. She might not get lucky again. If that happens... will Estelle and the others ever know what happened? Will their plan still work without her? And what about 9S...? She wouldn't get to show him her world.

"If you're worried about it, you can try asking the Ringmaster to give you something to help protect yourself with. Can't promise anything'll come from it, though." Whether friend or foe, fae tend to be capricious like that.

[genice]

He's amassing an interesting list of questions to pose to the Ringmaster, to be answered or sidestepped as she would. He tries to keep this one in mind, knowing he won't forget. At the very least, it's a concern he has because of those he loves. There are certain stories he never wants them to hear, but it is worse, he thinks, if he were to disappear entirely, never seen again.

"I'll see," he says, not so much cheerful in this, but considering, hands resting on his hips. "Want me to pass along anything relevant if I hear?"

[anti_nonsense]

Rita slouches back in her chair and turns her book over, running her fingers over the fore-edge, searching for her place.

"Yeah," she answers, somewhat absently. "The more information, the better." That's just her policy in general. It's not that she wants to know for any particular reason...