⇨ 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

[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."

[pipers_son]

"A balanced meal, huh?" Joker laughs a little bit into his hand, amused. He's pretty sure none of this is going to be balanced by the end of it. "In that case, then, since ya have the fish covered, and we're gettin' noodles and vegetables... What's left?"

[dontpokethat]

"Hm..." Ginko considers the menu for a moment, frowning, because he is not even remotely a nutritionist and is rapidly running out of ideas of what would be "balanced". "We could always get some kind of red meat, too."

Two kinds of meat, wheat noodles, and deep-fried vegetables is definitely a healthy meal.

[pipers_son]

Joker tries, badly, to hide his grin behind one hand as Ginko puzzles over the menu. It's cute when he tries to take this sort of thing so seriously... which is the kind of thinking that's going to ruin him, he realizes, and Joker further hides his expression by ducking his head down to look at the menu again himself.

"Red is things like beef, so this...." Joker squints at the menu. "Gyudon?" Excuse him as he fucks up that pronunciation.

[dontpokethat]

Oh that was a disaster and it was adorable. Ginko snorts, and immediately covers his mouth with one hand. This is... definitely going to be a problem.

He nods and removes his hand, but forces his face to stay in a more acceptable degree of smile. "Gyudon, yeah. That sounds like a good one to get. You know what you're going to drink?"

[pipers_son]

Another jingle of hidden earrings on flicking up ears, and Joker heart does a twist in fondness at the laugh and a little bit of pain at his own fondness. Ignoring it, Joker mutters the proper pronunciation, mimicked from Ginko, a couple of times under his breath before he nods decisively. Then that's decided.

"Ah, probably just a soda, or somethin' like that. That's the same anywhere, right?" And he likes the little bubbly pops. It's fun.

[dontpokethat]

"Probably, yeah." Sometimes it's easy to forget just how common stuff like that is in these more... well, futuristic worlds. "Think I'll get tea, myself. Nice to get it without brewing myself. ...Or letting Tanyuu try."

Listen, he adores his sister and would do anything for her, but also saying that they seem to have different tastes in drinks is putting it generously.

[pipers_son]

Joker snorts into his hand at that, eyes shining. "Now, now, don't let her hear a say that," he teases, even as the husband comes over for their orders. Leaning back, Joker gestures to Ginko.

"I'll let ya handle sayin' these right, since I think we both know I'll just make a fool outta myself."

[dontpokethat]

"Oh, she knows how I feel about her tea already." Because he's told her to her face and they've ended up arguing about it, of course.

He nods, still smiling a little despite himself, and turns to order their food - udon with fish cakes, tempura vegetables, gyudon, and his tea. He lets Joker order his own drink, though; he's guessing he won't have as much trouble with that part.

[pipers_son]

Definitely no trouble, he's glad to say, and no mispronunciation! Really, one of these days he's going to have to get the hang of another language.... That, ha, isn't angelic. As the pair reunite to get to work on their order, Joker hums and glances out the window again.

"I'm glad I remembered this place for ya."

[dontpokethat]

Ginko looks up from watching the two "dogs" outside, a vague sort of surprise flickering over his face. He looks away again with a faint smile, and silently wills his heart to slow down. This is stupid.

"...I am, too. Gives us a chance to just...do something nice." Without anything horrible happening. "Next we just need to find somewhere with English food, huh."

[pipers_son]

True enough, it's been a while since they've gotten to do anything like this... The year hasn't been particularly kind to them. Besides, as far as Joker is concerned, treating Ginko to something similar to his home is the least he can do for, well. A lot of things he's been putting him through. Including the thing that he's just realized.

Maybe if he just doesn't think about it, he can stop feeling it. Just for right now.

So for right now, he laughs a little bit. "If I want English food, I can make it myself! I'm a pretty good hand at it- but I've boasted about that enough since we've known each other, huh?"

[dontpokethat]

"You sure have." He snorts and actually makes himself look at Joker again. It's fine, he can deal with it. This is fine. "But it's nice to get familiar food without having to make it yourself sometimes, right? ...Or maybe that's just me, since I can barely cook to begin with."

[pipers_son]

"Ah..." Joker's gaze flicks up to the ceiling thoughtfully. Now that he thinks about it... "I suppose it's easier... but then, even when I wasn't the one cookin' back in England after I become the ringleader of my circus, I suppose I took it for granted. And I haven't really had the chance ta savor it any other time I've come across it."

There's one place that managed to nail it pretty spot on... but considering it was the Prince's manor, the food was a bit spoiled for Joker, he has to say.

[dontpokethat]

"Exactly. So we should keep an eye out." Or two, in Joker's case.

Ginko rests an elbow on the table so he can prop his chin on his hand, looking over the restaurant's decor. "...Guess that's another thing about the Carnival, huh. Going so far from home makes it easier to appreciate what we're used to."

[pipers_son]

"Even if we're used ta travellin' a lot." Joker follows his gaze, taking in all the things he only ever heard about secondhand back in England. Even the, he thinks, that was from a different country that just seemed similar to Japan- a relative of sorts.

"But then, I guess that's what happens when all yer travellin' is just stuck ta the same country, right?"

[dontpokethat]

"Probably. Apparentlly Tyki's been all over the world; d'you think that might give him an edge getting used to this?"

Or maybe it doesn't matter, and Tyki would take everything in stride either way. It seems like his experience would help, though, right?

[pipers_son]

"Uh... Maybe." Joker shrugs a little, snorting. "Then again, we both know him." He's a rather flexible character, to say the least. Perhaps that's why Joker likes him so much. "Now since when have the two of ya gotten ta talkin' about those kinda things?"

Well, not like animal caretakers don't pass through the big tent during practice plenty of times as it is.