⇨ 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]

Cole pauses for a moment, looking intensely aggravated. Though, it isn't with Peridot: he's aggravated with himself.

"I'm trying," he simply says, as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. "But words don't work for me like they do for you. They're tangled in my thoughts and this is what comes out."

He doesn't mean to be cryptic and awful and not make sense. It just happens sometimes.

[periphrasing]

She stares at him a moment longer, conflicting emotions of irritation but also... sympathy? Coming off her in waves.

After a long pause, she exhales harshly and sets Pumpkin down on the ground, who immediately trots over to Cole and puts a paw up on his leg with a concerned whine.

Peridot folds her arms at her chest and frowns. "Setting the strange manner of speaking aside, then... Why would you think it would be at all acceptable to break into someone else's private quarters? Let alone those of someone you hadn't even MET before?"

[hurtcomfort]

Aww, it's okay, Pumpkin. Cole bends down slightly so he can better pet Pumpkin. The belly scratches have started.

"I could tell Pumpkin was there and she wanted to play with someone. And she can't unlock things." That's explanation enough in Cole's opinion. Pumpkin wanted to play with someone, Pumpkin didn't have opposable thumbs, Cole did have opposable thumbs and lock-picking skills. Ergo, he did a break and enter.

[periphrasing]

"So you did it to help her," Peridot murmurs, one hand at her chin. Then she does a double take because, wait, there's something else there that she completely blew past: "Wait. But how could you tell that she was in there in the first place? Much less ascertain her specific wants and desires..."

[hurtcomfort]

"I said this already. I hear the hurt." The scratches continue as Cole does his creepy thing and unintentionally picks up on Peridot's thoughts and worries. His voice unintentionally mimics Peridot's as Cole continues talking.

"What a weirdo, a creep, I'm trying to understand but he's not making any sense. That clod could have hurt Pumpkin."

Cole's voice loses the Peridot cadence as he goes back to his normal voice. "I don't harm things." Well, not unless it's needed.

[periphrasing]

Okay well she DEFINITELY is thinking that it's creepy that he's mimicking her voice like that. She grimaces uncomfortably, leaning back a little during and then just gaping at him when he's finally done.

"...Alright, so if I understand correctly, what you're trying to tell me is that you are some sort of telepathic being of an empathic variety capable of detecting mental and emotional suffering," Peridot observes, more or less knowing that she's stating the obvious but still somehow managing to maintain an authoritative tone about it anyway.

Hm. Despite being kind of freaked out by Cole's... everything, she's also undeniably fascinated. Assuming her conclusions are correct, of course. "Interesting. Though I fail to see how any of this correlates to your apparent lack of understanding of basic personal boundaries."

[hurtcomfort]

Those are a lot of words. "I'm a spirit of compassion," Cole helpfully pipes up, as if that will help explain things. He thinks he's a telepathic being of an empathic variety capable of detecting mental and emotional suffering, but that's a very long descriptor and Cole's not 100% sure on parts of it. Might as well sum it up the best he can.

As for Peridot's second question, Cole frowns a little. "It's hard to tell what is and what isn't. The hurts shine as strong as the words." Does that explain things? Maybe? But Cole thinks it does and nods a little before going back to petting Pumpkin.

[periphrasing]

It doesn't, but. Peridot can be remarkably adaptable, and she's kind of getting used to this guy's weirdness already. Or at the very least, she's learning to just roll with it.

"...You've lost me again," the gem says flatly, shifting her gaze down to watch Pumpkin just absolutely gobbling up all this attention she's getting. "A spirit of compassion though... I've never heard of such a thing. That's what your species calls itself?"

[hurtcomfort]

And Cole shakes his head slightly. "Spirits come in all shapes. Wisdom. Command. Justice. And I'm compassion. That's how I can tell the hurts."

It's an amazing lack of an explanation but it's what Peridot is getting. Cole isn't the sort to wax lyrical on the nature of spirits. He knows what he is, what he can do, and what he needs to do. And isn't that enough?

[periphrasing]

She's struggling to make sense of any of that, but honestly this sort of thing is so far outside her sphere of understanding, there's no way she's going to make sense of Cole's weird explanation. Perhaps this is a question for another day.

"Well whatever you are, I suppose there's no need for me to chase you off of my property," she snorts. "But next time, please ask before you go barging into my trailer?"

[hurtcomfort]

Ask before going into Peridot's trailer. That seems simple enough. He can do that.

"I will," Cole responds, with a little nod. And from now on, he actually will ask before going into Peridot's trailer. He'll ask Pumpkin! That counts, right?

And speaking of Pumpkin, the plant finally stops basking in Cole's affection and trots over to Peridot. Time to play with mom, it seems. Cole gets back up on his feet, knowing that he should probably quit while he's ahead, Peridot isn't yelling at him anymore. "If she doesn't seem interested in the ribbon, that's okay. We played with that."

What ribbon, well the spool of ribbon that accidentally got knocked under one of the morps while Cole and Pumpkin were playing. Surprise?