starseedling: (you can't disappoint the sun)
Steven Universe ([personal profile] starseedling) wrote in [community profile] lostcarnival2018-03-04 09:01 pm
Entry tags:

GETTING OLD NEVER BOTHERED ME ANYWAY (OPEN)

Who: Steven and OPEN.
When: Day 23
Where: Steven's new Fortress of Solitude.
What: Steven has decided to run away from his problems Princess Elsa style, and
Warnings: A teenager's existential crisis, as also possibly violence directed at you.

In the end, there was no one he could trust with this.

People from the carnival wouldn't understand. Other Harbingers... well, they were chosen for a reason, it seems like. He was just as bad, probably. He remembers vaguely how, at the start of this, he'd had the idea that maybe it would be fun. Like he could be free and in control in a way he'd never been before.

He's not, though. Lashing out isn't fun, and he isn't in control. At least, he wasn't out there, or in the penthouse. Despite all these new powers, he was still terrified of encountering the fae, and he couldn't seem to stop letting people hurt him. Maybe he wasn't strong enough for this.

So, for now, he's done. He wants to give up at giving up, and he doesn't know where that leaves him. So, he decides to hide.

From the outside, this is all very conspicuous, because it has resulted in a literal jungle of plants filling the block surrounding the supermarket he'd almost destroyed a week earlier, twisting itself into the perfect example of a nature element dungeon in an adventure video game. Vines have created a structure of caverns and crystal windows, coloured in shades of dark purple all the way to lilac. Various flows glow with an inner pink light, illuminating things from the inside.

There are no more fruit animals or vegetable pals. Instead, there is a bizarre uptick in lost and confused children in the neighbourhood - children that seem like they've appeared overnight. When spoken to, they seem to be just like any other child. The only difference is they have no idea how they got there, either.

[OOC: Steven is using his Growth Spark to reverse aging in a number of civilian interlopers that have appeared to hassle him, who now are very confused and also very physically young wandering the streets. It also means that their adult counterparts have gone missing. You can NPC anything you want regarding this, since they are just normal people who've been reserve aged into kids, and don't remember how besides that Steven was involved.]
fortuneglass: (:D)

An Idiot Arrives

[personal profile] fortuneglass 2018-03-06 04:54 am (UTC)(link)
"Hmmhmhmmhh...HMMMHAHAHHAHAHAH! Behold, people of Wismuth..! The end is near, and while this will not be how you meet with it, I-the Harbringer of Fulfillment, shall soon make you wis- ahh- Wuah?"

Carly has been getting quite into her role, suffice to say. When she tells herself it'll be over in a matter of days, and there won't be anything left, it's easy to be the 'bad guy'. She's not even hurting anyone, really. Just causing a lot of fuss, and ruckus, and-

'W...WWwuUUUAAAAAHHH' 'AAAAaAAAAUUUU-'

And apparently her audience is not what she thought. "AAAAH-!! N-No more crying, no more crying! It's just acting~! Acting, like on TV, right~? Ahahahaaa~"

It takes a bit of fluster before the Very Evil Looking Lady calms the gaggle of children she's unintentionally terrified with her ULTIMATE MONOLOGUE-she'd been pretty sure this wasn't a kids only zone! Actually, she'd targeted this spot for the business traffic...so this was odd. (This was probably what she got for spending as much time as she could out of the Penthouse focused on doing Her Duty-CyRen Love Spell or no CyRen Love Spell, she has nothing but love for CyRen after all-)

Of course, being left to just wander from her Monologue Spot to think up a new plan meant noticing just where she was going.

"....Hahh??"

And where she's going seems to be a heck of a 'castle'. Or at least, some kind of weird plant dungeon thing. -y. "HmnnNNNnnnh..! Impressive work..." she has to note, whistling as she wanders on inside. Good structure-Love the windows, and the colours worked marvelously together for the effect, best she could tell. "Hellooooo!" she calls in, still completely in costume, and still moving across the ground with no visible feet at all. "....Is the one I think it is in heeeeereee?" she tries, grinning almost cheesily.

Plants mean Steven right..? Right..?
dontpokethat: (why did i do that?)

[personal profile] dontpokethat 2018-03-07 04:20 am (UTC)(link)
All things considered, after his run-in with Tanyuu, it would probably make sense for Ginko to stay out of Wismuth as much as possible until things were more resolved.

Unfortunately, near-death experiences have never been enough to keep him from sticking his nose into things, particularly when there are... huge numbers of children wandering around aimlessly with no idea as to how they got where they are.

He wanders down the block, speaking to a few children, and... well, without much other idea of what to do about their situation for the moment, he just kind of ends up directing them to each other, advising them to stay together and doing his best to direct them to stick together, and... preferably move away from the mass of vines.

He, meanwhile, keeps moving deeper into the suddenly-grown jungle, because that's just the kind of person Ginko is. Even when he should really really stop while he can.
motivenotfound: (Default)

[personal profile] motivenotfound 2018-03-07 06:04 am (UTC)(link)
You know what they say about cats being contrary.

Steven's fortress is appropriately terrifying, an imposing tower of thorns and crystalline bramble, but at least one being out there isn't fazed. And of course, that being is a cat. It's not even clear how he got in, really; did Steven leave enough room for that? Does it even matter?

Either way, there he is: a sleek black feline creature that Steven would surely remember from the penthouse, where it mostly seemed to enjoy the view from the high windows and not acknowledge much else. It's only the size of a larger house cat, but instead of a cat's tail, it has a long, shimmering peacock's tail in gradations of black and silver, and its body is covered in dozens of large glowing eyes that seem, inexplicably, to disappear when they're closed.

"Steve-man," he announces himself with a greeting.

He has a very... deep purring voice.
pipers_son: (Don't get me wrong)

[personal profile] pipers_son 2018-03-09 06:13 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oi! Steven!"

There's certainly one person at least who'd realized immediately what all the plantlife had meant, although Joker has to admit that all the children around are new. He's done what little he's able to in herding them to somewhere they can wait out in relative safety, away from whatever mess might show up next. If there's one of the carnival playing at hero, well, hopefully they'll take care of that. Joker has nothing up his sleeves, and, frankly, he doesn't want to waste too much time on it anyway.

The reason he'd shown up is the reason that everything is covered in greenery, after all. At least, he feels relatively sure of that. Joker's spent a bit of time walking around the fortress, Feathers taking to the skies to see if there's any way he can get in from above, but finally the pair venture inside the jungle. Joker had meant to see if anything else wild had been happening... And, well. This is sure 'wild'.

He just hopes this doesn't mean that something worse has happened to Steven after the boy had already been in such a state... because all he has is a phone, a texting ring, a throwing knife, and his cloak.

...And, you know. Feathers.
pipers_son: Return it to it's mom now. (You are not about to raise that)

[personal profile] pipers_son 2018-03-09 06:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Immediately, Feathers puffs up in interest and Joker's own ears flick up with a jangle of earrings. "Steven, there ya are!" Certainly that was a faster response than he was expecting. With this mess, Joker has to admit that he was expecting to be in here for ages.

Well, don't look a gift horse in the mouth, and all that. Joker hurries forward, trying to take in everything about the younger boy. He's been crying and exhausted, but it doesn't look like he's hurt...

Best not to take chances. "Yer not hurtin' or anythin', are ya? I mean, physically." Everyone in this mess is very clearly messed up in other ways.
pipers_son: (iconography) (Let's play another riveting game of)

[personal profile] pipers_son 2018-03-09 06:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Honestly, it'd be more foreboding if it wasn't coming from a young teary-eyed boy whose first act of villainy was to harass people with animated vegetable and fruit animals. Joker takes it in stride, certain Childermass is fine, and instead leans forward to pat the boy's head.

"Sounds rough. Why won't we go sit-" Feathers suddenly flares up a little bit, wings batting out, and Joker bites on his tongue to stop from swearing when he gets smacked in the face. "Oi, what's that- Bud, no! Don't you and Feathers get inta it!"

This is a serious moment, dammit.
pipers_son: (The shit I just took made me regret)

[personal profile] pipers_son 2018-03-09 07:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Fortunately, Feathers is a well trained owl with a type advantage. Despite his posturing and flapping, he stays firmly on Joker's shoulder. In fact, once Bud is away from him, Feathers immediately and anxiously fusses over his disturbed wings. Absentmindedly, Joker reaches up to pat him on the head. He knows his anxiety bird has his quirks. What's more important is following after Steven. He glances around as he walks, taking in the softer lighting.

Well, it's better than the last room, at least.

Joker sits down where he can, gesturing for Steven to come next to him. "Alright, why don't ya tell me what happened. Was Childermass pickin' on ya?" He's kind of a dick as a Harbinger, after all. Joker has already learned that.
pipers_son: (leyline) (Well do you wanna do it now or later?)

[personal profile] pipers_son 2018-03-09 07:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Automatically, one of Joker's wings stretches out to go around Steven's back and shoulders, as good as any arm just without the fingers. And considerably more feathery. Speaking of feathers, his Dartrix hops to the ground to give his poor shoulder some rest, and peers around at Steven as he starts to speak.

As the boy explains things, Joker's expression dims to sympathy. A 'bad' parent, huh... "Ya didn't deserve ta go through that," he says after a breath. "I'm sorry I wasn't there ta help, although I wouldn't have been able ta do much, I suppose." Not against Childermass, not yet.
motivenotfound: (Default)

[personal profile] motivenotfound 2018-03-09 07:27 pm (UTC)(link)
"You can call me Tabris," the cat replies, which is kind of like an answer. As a peacat, he'd had a very standoffish look, but as a familiar, he appears to have a broad, unwavering smile.

He sits down on the floor across from Steven and begins to purr deeply. "Don't worry, I'm here of my own free will." Truth be told, Mari is much too wrapped up in her private affairs to worry about what Steven was doing. But Tabris has no such issue, and Mari is operating perfectly fine without him. He's simply enjoying observing the other Harbingers. He reports back to her with their affairs, but she neither asked him to do this nor intends to get involved. She just likes to know what's going on. Then she can plan around it.

He also likes knowing what's going on. But his motives are less practical.

He just finds it fascinating.

"Why? Do you not like her?"
pipers_son: (iconography) (Hey I was just wondering if you could)

[personal profile] pipers_son 2018-03-09 07:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Well. Now he's gone and been called out rather bluntly like this, although he knows it's less from Steven having any true suspicions or proof, and more that the boy is stressed. Joker still raises his eyebrows at the accusation.

"I wouldn't betray ya, unless I wasn't myself," he says, the mixture of lies and truths weaved together perfectly. On one hand, he knows he'll be going against Steven's "wants", with the boy as he is.... but it's also not a betrayal to get him out of this. It's.... complicated, in a way. At least the answer is a simple and easy one, however much Joker knows it will be difficult later.

"Listen.... Would it make ya feel better about Nightshade and all that if I stayed here?" With a shrug, Joker grins a little. "No need ta go back ta the carnival when things are gonna end soon, right?"
pipers_son: (leyline) (FYI I found your friend asleep in my)

[personal profile] pipers_son 2018-03-09 08:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Joker's emotions are a mess anyway. No one should get involved with them, let alone Steven Universe. Hell, Joker wishes he didn't have to get involved with them.

Instead, for the time being, Joker chuckles a little bit. "Ah, probably," he says, unconcerned. "But it'll be fine. Although I should probably leave a message... Ah!" Reaching up, he untangles one of the things he keeps wrapped around his antlers. Along with his charm for teleporting back to his trailer...

"Tyki got this for me, when we were on the moon." He offers the small texting ring to Steven so that he can see it. "I'll just tell 'im that I'm elsewhere, and that practice is cancelled, all that. What do ya think?"
pipers_son: (leyline) (Also what is a socially acceptable)

[personal profile] pipers_son 2018-03-09 09:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Really, he didn't doubt it too much. It'll be a little tough to manage but... Well. It'll be fine. Leaning back on one hand, Joker chuckles a bit.

"Ya type better than me. Want ta help me figure out what ta send him? Ah-" He inclines his head towards Steven. "And we could ask him ta send messages ta anyone else, if ya wanted. I'm sure he wouldn't mind."

At least, Joker plans to make it up to him. He does have that fae ale....
dontpokethat: is to create more problems until you are dead (the best way to solve problems)

[personal profile] dontpokethat 2018-03-09 11:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh. Well, that's not a great thing to be happening.

Ginko slows down, pulling his coat a little tighter around himself, and tries to pinpoint the direction the voice is coming from. "...Steven? Is that you?"
pipers_son: (leyline) (Also what is a socially acceptable)

[personal profile] pipers_son 2018-03-11 02:17 am (UTC)(link)
"Ah, that's fine," Joker says, accepting the ring back. Carefully, he turns it over in his fingers so that Steven can see what he types, and, because there's no escaping it, the fun and weird ways Joker can bend his fingers to make this not an incredibly frustrating ordeal. "Won't even have ta lie. Here, watch."

And with that, he types and sends a message, pretty simple and clean when all things are said and done. Best not to get too fancy on a thing like this, his typing is atrocious as it is.
pipers_son: (idk what to do with this kid)

[personal profile] pipers_son 2018-03-11 02:25 am (UTC)(link)
"Tyki won't be a pest about it," he responds, shrugging. As for his little sister... Joker's mouth twists a little, just at the corner, and there's a flicker of.... something complicated and a little miserable that Steven will probably pick up. When it comes to his family, well, even Joker can't hide all of that behind his mask. "And Doll.... doesn't often believe me, about some things." He wishes she wouldn't question so much... but that's only to be expected. She's growing. The lies he told her as a child won't be able to hold up.

Shaking the thoughts out of his head, he puts the ring back and pushes himself up to his feet. "But it's decided either way! So." He looks around pointedly. "Only been' eatin' chips, then?"
dontpokethat: because i have something to prove (no i didnt drop all this on the floor)

[personal profile] dontpokethat 2018-03-11 04:39 am (UTC)(link)
"...What am I going to say, then?"

Look, he can't just assume Steven is totally wrong. But he's guessing he's expecting him to try to get him to come back, which... he'd like to, if he sees an opportunity, but honestly? After what happened with Tanyuu, he has no intention of just jumping right into that.
pipers_son: (leyline) (We can't ever have kids because)

[personal profile] pipers_son 2018-03-12 11:12 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh, I'm sure ya do~. But how about we get a proper meal started up, huh? Somethin' nice and homecooked."

Grinning, he leans down to prod one of Steven's cheeks with his finger. "Or else you'll start growin' chips and soda on the plants instead of just fruits and vegetables~." Well. Probably not. Then again, who knows? They live in strange times and visit strange places. Joker won't say 'no' to one or the other.
insidescoop: (well shoot)

[personal profile] insidescoop 2018-03-13 12:34 am (UTC)(link)
Oh geeze, indeed. Carly, admittedly, probably should have been around at the penthouse more. A lot more. Instead...well, she got right into things, and has probably come back to sleep, and occasionally eat. Occasionally. Being out and about has had its advantages-plenty of chaos to sow, loads of 'terror' to reap, and...

Well, quite frankly she's avoided a lot of drama outside one or two fights with those from the Carnival. And she's been the master of deflection for probably a couple of years longer than Steven.

It takes her a bit, to follow Steven's voice-as she does however, her tone softens a bit. It just...doesn't feel like the time for abundant cheer and interest, with such a grumpy voice greeting her, and with a statement like that...she's not sure what's wrong.

But something is. "...Come back..?" she repeats, frowning as she looks for the boy. It doesn't take long to find him of course, but she lifts her mask off for the moment, staring toward him. "...I don't know what you're talking about but... ...Well, I definitely wouldn't force you to go somewhere you don't want to," she insists, shaking her head. "Besides, you made a really great place for yourself, it looks like..! Lots of plants, and..."

And she's getting a bit ahead of herself. She bites her lip, gliding over at a somewhat slow pace. "...Steven..? ....Did something happen..?"
dontpokethat: or a cool looking leaf. either one (i hope that one day i will find love)

[personal profile] dontpokethat 2018-03-18 06:08 am (UTC)(link)
Ginko is surprised, for a moment, to actually see Steven. He considers sitting down - just to try and make Steven more comfortable, to calm him down. But... well. Tanyuu had been pretty calm.

Maybe it's best that he be ready to leave if necessary.

So he just slides his hands into his pockets, and stays standing. "Alright. Then I won't." Instead...

"What are you doing in... here?"
motivenotfound: (Default)

[personal profile] motivenotfound 2018-03-19 04:46 am (UTC)(link)
Tabris and Mari are very tied up in each others' business, just not the way two individuals usually are--let alone a Harbinger and Familiar. It might be more accurate to say they are acutely aware of each others' business. He doesn't react or respond either way to Steven's opinion of Mari--Steven could have said he hated her and it wouldn't have bothered Tabris. Why would it?

He's not Mari.

"Let them know you're leaving?" the cat repeats, sounding equal parts incredulous and... maybe you could call that 'amused.' "They figured it out."

Okay, now he just sounds smug.
dontpokethat: for all the drama and intrigue i have caused over the years (i am sorry)

[personal profile] dontpokethat 2018-03-21 05:03 am (UTC)(link)
"He... betrayed you? What do you mean?" Should he be worried here? Well-- obviously, yes, but in particular should he be worried about Childermass betraying Steven and what that might entail.

Ginko tilts his head slightly and looks around at their surroundings. "...Seems pretty lonely."
fortuneglass: (.3.)

[personal profile] fortuneglass 2018-03-21 05:12 pm (UTC)(link)
There is nothing like a good bag of comfort food to (not) make everything better after all, and Carly finds herself thinking about how she should probably grab herself a bag (or two, or three) later.

She listens in silence-eyes widening a fair bit as Steven notes what happened, but her mouth joins in on the wide-open motion once he finishes. "EH!? Th-The same as-"

The woman is quick to come over-or, well. Try. The dress really really isn't made for running, and... "If anything, I should be giving him a piece of my mind right now..!! What was he thinking, snooping through someone else's things!?" Carly will try to look for the other's eyes to meet them-try, but if she can't, settle for 'all of Steven' as a target to look at when she speaks. "And if he attacked you, then you had every right to attack him back..! I..."

...She pauses. And falters a little. How could a fight become 'treat me the same as everyone else'? It's worrying. Frightening, even, to think about the depth of such words, and Carly's voice quiets. "...Steven... ...do you think I would hurt you..?"
fortuneglass: (.A.)

[personal profile] fortuneglass 2018-03-21 05:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Everyone hurts. In more ways than one, she supposes-that was...half the reason she finally broke wasn't it? That everyone clings and denies until the weight of their sins are just...too much.

Yet Carly can't bring herself to say that right now, simply staring at the other for a moment with sad eyes, before managing a few words in the resulting silence. "...Can I sit with you?" she asks first, before looking around. "...Would some light be alright? ...My fire doesn't burn, and...I could always put it on strings to keep from draining the plants, after all..." It'd be more like ghost lights, or wisps, or...

"...You don't have to talk, if you don't want to, but... ...It seems like it'd be better to have someone willing to listen at least, right? And..."

...

"...I definitely don't want to hurt you, Steven. ...Definitely not for anything happening now. ...So I won't. ...And if I did, I wouldn't leave-that's a promise, okay? I..." She needs to stop talking-she's getting a bit ahead of herself after all.
dontpokethat: i wont be listening (say what you will about it)

[personal profile] dontpokethat 2018-03-25 11:30 pm (UTC)(link)
"He attacked you? Are you okay?" He... won't ask if Childermass is okay, because if Steven left after throwing him through a wall he probably doesn't know. Also Childermass probably is not okay, but he can't really... do much about that.

"What... was he doing that he shouldn't have been?"