⇨ 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

[dontpokethat]

"Well-- no, it's..." He sighs and stoops down, partly to let Antlers out of his bag and partly to avoid looking Joker in the eye when he speaks again.

"I... don't actually mind too much when it's you. I mean, I usually appreciate some kind of warning, sure, but-- that wasn't the problem." It was actually just fine. Completely fine. A lot like with Psi, actually.

Dammit, should he tell Psi about this? Will it bother him? They'd only just worked out how to handle the whole "talking about feelings" thing, now this...

[pipers_son]

Shit. Something in his chest positively sinks the more Ginko talks, although Joker does a commendable job of swearing or letting his face twist with emotion. He just glances down the street, fighting against his own stupid traitorous heart.

"Well," he says, trying to keep his fingers still around Miu. "I'm still sorry. Gonna be alright, then?"

[dontpokethat]

Ginko re-wraps Antlers' leash around his wrist, tucks the tote bag under his arm, and takes a deep breath. When he stands up and turns back to Joker, it's with the slight, subtle smile that Joker is probably more used to seeing by now.

"I'll be fine. Better now that we're out in the open." He nods at Miu. "Out of curiosity, are you planning to put her down or just keep carrying her around?"

[pipers_son]

Times like this make him wish he could push people away, let them know without saying anything about how bad an idea it is to get involved with him too closely. Let them know that he doesn't deserve the kind of things they want to give him. But if he acts too strange, then he only hurts them, and that's worse than anything.

So Joker goes back to as normal as he can, putting the same old smile back on as he scratches Miu underneath her chin a bit. "And lose a little chestwarmer? I think I'll kidnap her instead, Ginko~."

[dontpokethat]

Joker, if you think any of that would convince Ginko anyway, you clearly still need to get to know him better.

"Aw, you've got to give her back eventually. If you kidnap her, who will suffocate me in fluff when I'm trying to sleep?" Despite everything, his smile becomes just slightly more genuine just from this stupid joking around, and he gestures for Joker to lead the way.

[pipers_son]

There. That's a little better. At least as a stopping measure, because Ginko's sense of self preservation is questionable. How he'll deal with this problem is.... something he'll have to figure out later.

For now, Joker tries to bury his feelings down as deep as they'll go, and starts to walk again with a laugh. "Oh, I'm sure ya could find somethin'. I could let ya borrow this pillow Steven got for me. S'furry!"

[dontpokethat]

"He got you one, too? Man, how many of those did he pass out?" By way of explanation, Ginko adds, "He gave Tanyuu and me matching ones. One patterned like Un, the other like Ah."

Frankly, matching mushi-themed pillows are one of the cutest things Ginko could imagine the two of them being given.

[pipers_son]

"Ha." Joker laughs a little bit into the back of Miu's head. "Probably as many cookies as I passed around, probably." Then again, cookies come in batches, and pillows take a lot more work. Either way- "He's a sweet kid. Doesn't belong in the Carnival with the mess it's been lately." Then again, not many of them deserve this.

After a few moments of walking, Joker twists into a smaller sidestreet that's a bit too large to be called an alleyway. He looks over his shoulder, just to make sure that Ginko is still following him, before he stops in front of a restaurant squeezed inbetween a few other little stores. Sure enough, there's something that seems close enough to Japanese put onto the sign, along with the title "HATCHO" that's clearly the name of the restaurant. The window is large, showing an inside with a couple of booths, a couple of small tables by the window, and a long bar where one can watch what appears to be a nice elderly couple cooking and preparing food. There are a few little things put up on shelves, little knickknacks that the elderly like to keep around to remind them of home.

Joker bounces on the heels of his feet a little, cradling Miu against his chest. Despite what he's telling himself, somehow he can't stop the curious excitement in his chest. "So, I get it right this time?"

[dontpokethat]

"...Yeah. He deserves better than things have been, that's for sure."

When they actually come across the restaurant, Ginko brightens up visibly. "Sure did. This place looks like it's for real - just hope they allow dogs, huh."

[pipers_son]

"Well, we could always tie 'em ta somethin' and keep a watch from the window, yeah?" Joker nods to the glass. "And they're smart enough, they'd let us know if anythin' bad was happenin'."

...Well. He hopes they would, anyway. That isn't going to sour his mood on being right for once.

[dontpokethat]

"Right. We should see if we can buy them each a quick snack, too." After running around all morning, he's sure they'd appreciate it.

Ginko kneels down by a bike rack near the door, and ties Antlers' leash to it, giving his head a gentle pat. "You stay here for now, okay? We'll be just inside."

He's got no idea if he can understand that, but, you know. Just in case.

[pipers_son]

It takes a little while longer for Joker to tie Miu's leash as well, for fairly obvious reasons, but this isn't the first time he's had to manage. It takes a foot and his teeth to help, sure, but he manages. Getting up, he pats his knees off and goes to hold open the door.

"After ya~."

[dontpokethat]

For a moment, Ginko wonders if he should try and help, but... he supposes that might be insulting. Joker seems to be handling it just fine, even if it takes a bit longer. So he stands by while he finishes, leabing over to give Miu a pat, too, before heading for the door.

He goes ahead and steps through with a slight smile, then greets the couple behind the counter, glancing around to get an idea of if they should just go ahead and sit down.

[pipers_son]

Somehow, it feels a little more appropriate to let Ginko take the lead on this sort of thing. Despite that thinking, however, he still can't help but pop out from around Ginko's shoulder with a grin. "Alright if we take a seat by the window?" The husband of the pair laughs a little, giving his go-ahead, and Joker doesn't waste any time going over there.

"Yeah, they look like they're behavin' themselves so far." At least, Antlers is no doubt being The Best boy. With that confirmed, Joker glances down at the menu. "So... I haven't the faintest idea of what ta choose here, Ginko."

[dontpokethat]

Frankly, that's fair enough, considering Ginko's tendency to fluctuate between being too direct and just... needlessly vague. Having Joker ask outright is actually a bit of a relief.

Ginko sits down, looking out the window to where Antlers has settled down on the sidewalk while Miu sniffs around. "Hopefully that won't change."

As for food, though... Ginko looks over the menu, tilting his head slightly. "There are a lot of options... I think I know what I'm going for, but, to start with, what kind of meat do you want?"

[pipers_son]

"...Meat?" Joker tilts his head back to look up at the ceiling, faux thoughtful. "I've never been picky... but it's not like I get ta have fish very much, so maybe I'll try somethin' like that?"

After all, he has plenty of chicken, or things like chicken but that no one knows where they're from when it's the carnival.

[dontpokethat]

"Good choice. I'm thinking about getting udon with fish cakes, myself... you could get that, or grilled fish if you don't want noodles." A pause, then: "Or sashimi, if you don't want it cooked, either."

[pipers_son]

There is a couple of things Ginko has said here that Joker has to take in, and he holds his hand up, elbow on the table. "Hold on, what's the udon like again?" He can't remember if he's had that.... Then again, he thinks he can remember a couple of occasions when he's had raw meat before that was fine.

[dontpokethat]

"Oh, it's noodles made of... uh, wheat flour, I think? They're usually about this thick." He holds his fingers a little less than a centimeter apart as a visual aid.

[pipers_son]

Well, that's probably obvious in hindsight. Joker makes a curious noise, familiar with noodles at least, thank goodness. "Do they come with a sauce, or somethin', then?" He knows... spaghetti...

[dontpokethat]

"They're probably in a soup." So, like sauce but More. "It's... if you've ever had miso, the broth is kind of similar."

He has no idea if Joker has ever had miso, so this might be a pointless comparison. So: "If you haven't, just trust me, it's good."

[pipers_son]

"Well, if it's in a soup, then it's even better." He has an appreciation for the classics, alright? You can never go wrong with soup, or stew, or anything like that.

Something occurs to him, however, and he leans forward a little. "Ah, what if we both got somethin' different and just traded 'em a little bit? Sharin' is carin', or however that goes." If he's going to try something new, why not go for as wide a net as possible? And Ginko gets more too, if he cares for it.

[dontpokethat]

Ginko absolutely agrees with that sentiment, which he just shows with a smile as he looks at his menu again.

"Huh... you know what, that sounds like a good plan. So, there's the udon - anything else catching your eye?"

[pipers_son]

It feels good to get an idea that has Ginko smile, even a little, and the feeling is one that Joker immediately tries to smother to death even as he looks at the menu with a hum. Food is a good way to ignore his emotions.

"Then.... Since you'll be gettin' those fish cakes... We should add somethin' else. Ah- it says tempura is vegetables and things?"

[dontpokethat]

"Yep - fried in batter." He gives a quiet huff and glances up at Joker. "They might have it with fish, too, but we should probably go for the vegetables. Making a balanced meal and all that."