lostcarnival | ⇨ WISMUTH

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"How extensive is that ability of yours? Would you be able to pick out any odd thoughts, perhaps particularly negative against... say, the carnival or any of its members?"

Syrlya is absolutely considering whether Cole can be some sort of locator for threats to the carnival. Especially against threats that may physically hide themselves, but if they can't hide their thoughts...

"It doesn't work like that," Cole clarifies. It would be useful if it worked like that. And he's got a feeling he knows a few of the people who Syrlya might want him to try and spot. But it just won't work. He's trying to pick his words carefully so that Syrlya understands.

"I tried to see what the Prince felt—Rita wanted me to. He was worried and waiting but I couldn't tell what for. Others can bar or block." Cole looks up at Syrlya, tilting his head slightly as he doesn't meet the man's eyes. "You could, Commander."

Well, maybe he could with practice. Still, Cole continues. "If they hurt, it would be different."

It doesn't? That's a pity--Syrlya was almost hoping for an easy solution for once.

So Cole's abilities are centered around emotional pain, but hearing 'Commander' again reminds Syrlya that not all of it is. "You were able to sense specific things about me there weren't related to my emotions. Is that what you expect them to ward from you?"

"How could I know what to expect when it's always unexpected?" People hiding their minds, cutting them off, blocking him or stopping his access has only happened a few times. Solas could do it. The fae could do it. And it stops seemingly at the most random intervals for Cole. He didn't know why Solas would want to stop him from learning about the mirrors (he does now, a sadness learned by Lavellan, but it's not his to share.) Just that he did.

"I can tell some things about others, though. He thinks he can't feel. She hates it here. He thinks of her, face playing in his mind, what can I do, how can I save her, how long will I have to wait. Some are hurts but some tell about the hurts."

"How--by anticipating it based on likely circumstance...?" Maybe it isn't likely circumstance yet, but when you're faced with intense, volatile power that your own can't match, you have to adapt quickly. He's learned that the hard way too many times.

He opens his mouth again to counter that, because his title was just objective fact and not a wound, wasn't it? So was the way people interpreted the 'Commander' as a beacon, as...

He purses his lips with a frown, thinking better of it. "I see. Nevermind, then. Just be attentive, while we will put all our efforts to the carnival's safety, things can still be missed."

Right, it still never hurts to have another pair of eyes for anything suspicious.

Cole nods. "I can do that." Is that just what Syrlya's looking for? Being attentive, paying attention, trying to spot enemies and those who wanted to hurt them? He did that back home! He can certainly do that here!

There's a brief pause, before he continues talking. "I'm glad you talked to her, by the way," Cole remarks, seemingly out of nowhere. "You and Lavellan share the same shackles."

The burden of command, a title that's become more than just a title, rallying the troops to solve the impossible mystery and stop the unstoppable action. A beacon of hope to the hopeless: Cole recognized that the Commander was like the Inquisitor from their first meeting. He's just glad that they've recognized that as well.

For a moment, Syrlya isn't sure whether Cole spoke to her about it or just picked it from his brain. That's probably a question he's going to be asking himself often with Cole.

"Share the same--ah. Is she your Inquisitor, then?" They had spoken about their shared duties, and she mentioned Cole. But it didn't occur to him at the time that what she was referring to was the very same thing that Cole was so reminded of when he looked at Syrlya. Hey, maybe Thedas has multiple made-heroes trying to solve catastrophes, he doesn't know. Sometimes, he wouldn't mind there being someone else, too.

Of course, there was, but he's long gone now.

"She says she isn't here. But she still is, just as you still are the Commander." So that's a yes, Lavellan is his Inquisitor. These things become a part of you, doing things and making choices because you have that history of a title behind you. He could tell that Lavellan was annoyed people weren't giving her information, that she didn't know what was going on. A leftover from being Inquisitor, and part of her now even if she tried to ignore it.

"Both of our other options are gone as well," he chimes in. "One to the wilds, one to Weisshaupt." Yet another reason why the Inquisitor and the Commander were alike and yet another reason why Cole's just so pumped they actually talked.

That, he knows, comes from his thoughts, and he looks back up and furrowed his brow for a moment. 'Option' isn't what he'd call Trahearne. Or Destiny's Edge. They were friends who shared the same burdens he did, and it was increasingly up to him to see through the protection of their world. If they didn't, then what was every struggle and mistake for?

He knows why it's so heavy that Lavellan would want to leave parts of it behind. "I understand it that she succeeded in what being the Inquisitor was for."

"She did," Cole responds, with a nod. "She sealed the sky and stopped the Elder One. She saved the world."

Which, of course, Lavellan had help with. But considering she was the only one with the big handy plot device embedded in her hand, a lot of this fell on her feet by default. It's something that Cole's aware of and, at the same time, sad it happened in the first place. It's hard when the weight of the world is on your shoulders. But thankfully for Thedas, Lavellan proved up to the challenge.

"And she remembered," he continues, almost under his breath. "Too many men under the same banner is dangerous. But she remembered they were all people."

"Of course they are people." That's hardly a question in Syrlya's mind. Sure, he didn't grieve for each lost solider individually, but he know what they sacrificed, what their hombres and family lost. It was the same thing anyone else fought for.

This is probably not the best place to stand around to talk, however, so Syrlya gestures for Cole to continue forward again. His own gaze still wanders around, but everything's normal.

"Sometimes those in charge forget that," he simply responds. It's not a question in Syrlya's mind. But after seeing the mages, how Erimond treated the wardens, how the wardens treated the wardens, Cole knows that for some in charge, forgetting people are people easily happens.

Still, they're moving and talking so Cole follows Syrlya as they keep going. As they walk, it's as if people just aren't seeing Cole: they won't make eye contact, they'll look over him, things like that. Which considering that he's wearing his big hat and has a sweatshirt on backwards, Cole's not exactly a sight to easily miss.

⇨ WISMUTH

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