⇨ 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

[hurtcomfort]

Oh. Oh no. 9S loves Rita.

It was obvious before, but it's even more obvious now. And that was what mattered most. Not the fact that she was human or the fact that she was cursed. But the fact that she was Rita.

Cole is 100% going to try and make this relationship happen and make this android and this blastia expert do a kiss. But right now, he needs to help 9S work through this.

"Not less than human. Just not. And even when not human, she'd still be Rita."

[dressedtothe]

9S' voice is flat. "If they're not human, they're less than human."

Sorry if that's an insult to your Inquisitor, Cole, but it's true.

But it doesn't mean that they're not capable of feelings or emotions like a machine lifeform. It just means that they're not as elevated in 9S' eyes compared to a human.

It's why he can treat Cole as an equal, but people like Strange and Lambert, he can't quite totally relax around them. Even when they're behaving like idiots, they're still humans, still his creators, still greater than him.

[hurtcomfort]

"Rita is human and yet she was not. Childermass is human and yet he was not. Lambert, Lauren, Susan."

Is Cole just going to have to go through and list all the people who turned into animals at some point? Because he can definitely go through and list all the people who turned into animals at some point. If not being human made someone less, then almost every human here was less than human at one point. He's standing his ground, trying to insistently make his point, as if that would help 9S just see.

"The gills were gone, the fangs faded. Some made and molded, souls shaped, an aspect of angels. Not all of them were brought back."

[dressedtothe]

He has no idea what Cole is talking about now! Soul shaping? Angels? When did angels come into the picture?

9S manages to curb the urge to stomp his feet in irritation.

"They're all humans," he insists. "Their shapes can change but they're still human."

They might've been non-human in appearance -- Lambert's dragon ass crushing him on the moon springs to mind -- but even in that moment, they're human in his eyes.

"It doesn't matter how much magic changes them, they're still human."

[hurtcomfort]

But are they? Despite the fact that he's a creepy mind-reading empath spirit, Cole can keep secrets. So while he wants to mention Childermass's worry, the fact that his soul's shifted to fae-blooded and how exactly does that enter the equation, Cole keeps his mouth shut. It's not worth mentioning that just to try and convince 9S.

This all just seems so arbitrary in Cole's mind. 9S is claiming things are human because they started off human, even if they changed or shifted somehow in the process. "It's not that simple," Cole grumbles, "It's never that simple."

Especially not when a spell can rewrite your entire being.

"Ask others about the vampires," he simply responds. "Or the angels." He wasn't there for either the vampire attack or Portland, he can only pick up hurtful memories from it. But other people could explain it.

[dressedtothe]

If it seems arbitrary that's because it is. He knows a little about vampires and angels thanks to Joker, but nothing in huge detail. He knows that becoming a vampire changes you but stuff it. As far as 9S is concerned, they're still who they were before. Just like when he was a chicken, he was still an android at (metaphorical) heart.

"Yeah, yeah," he says dismissively. Whatever you say, Cole. It IS that simple. But seeing an opportunity to get out of this conversation, he points out the kids in the park, playing happily in the water. "Anyway, after the whole thing with the cat and mouse, I thought you'd like this place better."

The fact that 9S enjoys seeing the happiness of humans is just a side benefit.

[hurtcomfort]

Cole's about to continue, about to press 9S that no, it isn't that simple, why do you keep thinking that way, when he's distracted by the kids.

"I do," Cole admits, as he looks over at the kids playing. This is...nice. It's good to be reminded of nice things, that there's some places where compassion isn't needed as much as others. Because as much as Cole adores helping and adores taking care of people, there's a little tiny part of him that hopes for the day where he isn't relevant.

"This is nice," he continues. Looking over at 9S, he gives the android a little nod. "Thank you."

One of the kids slips on a patch of water, falling to the ground with a thud. It looks like he's about to cry. Without even thinking about it, Cole straight up ditches 9S to walk over towards that kid.

[dressedtothe]

Wow! Thanks, Cole.

But 9S isn't surprised that Cole's distracted by the kids, and isn't (too) offended that Cole's immediately wandered off to help. He brought Cole here because he'd enjoy being amongst people who are happy and people whose problems are probably easier to solve than the likes of the Carnival members.

When it looks like Cole's completely forgotten he's there, 9S slips away. It's not like he has to tell Cole how to get back home, after all.