⇨ 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

[periphrasing]

The whole time he's staring, Peridot is staring right back, worried and expectant. "...Oh. Um. Okay. Good!" She looks kind of uncertain, about that answer? Like it should be the best outcome theoretically but--

Yeah OK this is super awkward. She has some regrets.

"...You have my gratitude, as well," she adds. "For protecting Steven. I might have said that already, but it's important to me, so it bears repeating."

[atouts]

Some regrets, some regrets all around but they can't help that now.

But hey, there's a shift in topics, even if that one is almost just as awkward. Slightly better than accepting apologies, however, even if Childermass's response to it is to, initially, just shrug. He is... not a man of very many words, but that much is likely obvious at this point.

So here comes another silence while he smokes, though he does eventually manage a, "It was the least I could do for him." The very least, after Portland. Although now that Steven is a part of this discussion, he does have to quirk an eyebrow at Peridot and ask, "Are you Steven's guardian while his father is absent, Ms. Peridot?"

[periphrasing]

"Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm," Peridot hums at length, unsure how to answer that question. "Define 'guardian', in this context? Do you mean like a parental figure? Because if that's the case... No. Absolutely not. But I do have a vested interest in protecting him, if that's what you mean."

[atouts]

"A guardian is who cares for the child in place of a parent," Childermass tries to clarify. "It does not necessarily mean parental. Mostly I want to know if I should be keeping you appraised to anything related to Steven that may come up in the future, although he does seem like a fairly independent in his own right..."

But still rather young. Probably. Technically, Childermass was looking out for himself at that age already but he can't apply 'vicious little street thief' to everyone else's childhood over here okay.

[periphrasing]

Peridot blinks, considering all that. "Oh. Well... He generally tells me everything anyway." She says that like it's a immutable fact. Steven? Lie to her? Never. "But then again... I guess he did fail to tell me about your protection deal just as much as you and Lambert both did, so. Perhaps an agreement to share extra information might be beneficial."

[atouts]

"When it concerns his safety," Childermass amends. Not that he expects to have Steven telling him all sorts of random secrets, mind, but plausible deniability is a nice thing to have. "Anything else and you're on your own. I don't really suspect I'm someone he'd care to confide in too often, in any case."

[periphrasing]

"...Even with that stipulation, the terms are agreeable," she nods after a second of contemplation. "At any rate, I don't feel that he requires as much supervision or adult intervention as all you humans seem to think he does. Steven is more than capable of handling himself. He faced down his fair share of catastrophes even before ever even setting foot on carnival grounds."