⇨ 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]

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.

[dontpokethat]

"Yeah... seems like he could probably handle this just fine, anyway." Ginko thinks of himself as being pretty adaptable, but jeez.

"Back when we were getting ready for performances to start up again." He huffs and raises his eyebrows slightly at Joker. "Sorry for distracting him from practice for a bit, there - he acted like he was going to get me in trouble with you."

Obviously, he must have been joking, but still.

[pipers_son]

"Oh, so much trouble~." Joker's grin shifts from easy and relaxed to mischievous in the blink of the eye. "Distractin' my coworkers after we've finally got ta worken after such long breaks! For shame, Ginko. I can't believe ya would be so horrible. The only dilemma is what exact way I should punish ya~."

[dontpokethat]

...See, a few months ago, Ginko would have moved on with the joke without a second thought. But, uh. Dating Psi has taught him a lot about recognizing suggestive language. Ginko leans forward a little and sort of squints at Joker.

"If you're trying to imply something with that, you'd better tell me."

[pipers_son]

Resting his elbow against the table, Joker curls his hand upwards so that he can rest his chin in it, all the while leaning in just as much as Ginko is. There's no verbal answer. All there is...

...would be a wink and a blown kiss to the air.

[dontpokethat]

Ginko very nearly bolts upright at that, even though, frankly, he's not sure what he expected. Instead, though, he stays stubbornly where he is and wills himself not to let anything show on his face. No flustered twisting of his mouth, no furrowed brows, and absolutely no blushing.

It... doesn't really work. There's something like vaguely indignant pouting going on for sure.

"You're out of control, you know that?" It's fine, just continue the joke and it will be fine.

[pipers_son]

Has he ever seen Ginko make a face nearly as adorable as that ridiculous little twist of a pout that's resting there now? Fuck- maybe it's always been there and it's only now that he's really noticing, for reasons he'd really rather not exist. Joker masks them the only way he knows how, straightening up again with a laugh. "Aw, but y'know I wouldn't be the same if I didn't tease ya a little!"

Fortunately, Ginko is saved from any further 'teasing' by the appearance of food, and Joker perks up. "Oh, so this is it." Give him a second to realize a lack of knowledge here, Ginko.

[dontpokethat]

It really is a good thing the food arrives when it does, because Ginko doesn't even know quite how to respond to that. Joker is right, and, as embarrassing as his teasing might be, Ginko can't really imagine him not acting like that. He doesn't really want to try, either.

Damn, he's got it bad. He's got to do something about this.

He brightens up, though, at the arrival of their food. "Oh-- thank you." He doesn't waste any time in taking one of the pairs of chopaticks, momentarily oblivious to Joker's impending Problem.

[pipers_son]

Well, he won't be oblivious for much longer. As Ginko picks up the chopsticks, a light of awareness flickers into Joker's brain, and he pauses, hand held awkwardly along the tabletop. Well. Hm. This is awkward.

"Ah.... Ginko? Bit of a question, if ya don't mind." Is there any way to ask this that doesn't make him feel a little foolish? Probably not. Sheepishness weighing down his brows, he blinks over at the other man.

"How do ya... use those things, exactly?"

[dontpokethat]

...Ah. There's a problem that hadn't occurred to him.

"Oh, right-- you guys use forks and stuff, right?" He looks at the chopsticks in his own hand, trying to figure out how to even go about teaching something like this. He slides one out of his hand and sets it down, then holds up the other for Joker to see. "Hold one like a pencil, but closer to the top - like this."

[pipers_son]

It's a problem that hadn't even occurred to Joker until five seconds ago, either, although he doesn't know why he didn't think of it.... Besides that he was far too excited to think about it at all.

Well, at least the solution is... probably easy? Joker obediently picks up one half of the pair, and looks up to Ginko expectantly again. Hopefully he can do this with one hand.

[dontpokethat]

"Right. So, the second one..." Hm. Come to think of it, he's not sure Joker will be able to make this work with one hand, given that he doesn't know how to hold them to begin with. "Uh... hang on."

Ginko moves the food aside so he won't knock it over when he leans over the table to pick up the second chopstick and just kind of... slide it into place in Joker's hand. "Just-- keep it balanced on your ring finger like that, and hold it in place with your thumb. Uh... once you get used to it, you should be able to pick them both up at once."

And Ginko won't need to hope in terrified silence that that wasn't too weird a thing to do.

[pipers_son]

Leaning over to help him when he obviously can't is only to be expected of Ginko. He's always like this, after all. Still, with their heads close together like this, Joker's own bowed as he takes in the way the chopsticks rest there... Somehow it feels weirdly intimate, or is it just this city that's doing that to him?

Desperately wanting to break the ice, Joker laughs a little. "Alright, I think I get it... I'dve picked it up myself, but I think most folks outside the carnival would get worried with how I can bend my fingers." Or most other aspects of his body, frankly.

"So do I just.... stab it, then?"