[Open]

[hippocarnival]

Who: Yuya and you!
When: S2:D28-32
Where: Carnival Grounds
What: Yuya wakes up with a couple new changes, and general carnival shenanigans
Warnings: Proooobably none?

[Balance Beams]

[Yuya woke on the 28th with no trace of Creation in him—just a little reminder on his face, of tiny stars around his cheeks and  eyes that shine in the light gold of his soul color (and his other fae mark looks lighter as well.

He has a new appendage.

He’s not exactly happy about it—a thin, lizard-like tail in iridescent orange scales that’s about as along as he is tall. His tail isn’t big, so it doesn’t shift his center of gravity too much. Still, it’s just enough that Yuya notices it when trying to practice for the upcoming performances. He’s left slightly off center, and that’s not going to do in front of an audience.

So he’s taken to long hours in the big top, using the only inches high balance beams with very thin widths to try and orient himself with his new tail. Sometimes it flails wildly or Yuya teeters one direction or the other with his face pinched in concentration. He makes it to the other side easily, but it’s not as smooth and refined as he’d like it to be. If you’re walking by, try not to get smacked in the face, the legs, the anything.]

[Magic "Practice"]

[Alternatively, now that he no longer has his Guardian abilities, Yuya’s back to fairly typical magic practice. He’s got his staff out by the training area, using the glowing crystal at the end to draw various patterns on the ground.

Smiley faces, that is.

This is absolutely practice. It’s rune drawing practice or. Something.

They don’t last more than a couple minutes, but there is a constantly moving pattern of smiley faces (smiley suns, smiley flowers) going across the open field.]

[Wildcard]

[Hit me]

Comments

BALANCE BEAMS...DAY 31

[betheman]

[To say that it's 'good to be back' would be...putting it quite lightly, really. Gongenzaka of course found out fairly quickly into his own morning routine that he didn't come out of it as unchanged as he thought, but compared to spending three days dehydrated and then growing a bush, being 'alarmingly flexible' is...Fine. He's fine with that, it's really nothing to worry about after everything else.

But speaking of new changes, it is with mild surprise that he comes upon the tent to greet Yuuya only to spot him fairly close to the ground-and so, the once more enormous 'taur comes trotting in, eyes wide as they take the tail in.] Hmmnnh...you appear to be growing more used to this, fortunately, [he observes, complimenting his friend at least.] Exactly, how long have you been practicing, however?

[There are probably other things they could or should talk about (such as the fact that Gongenzaka is here at all, and that the plan for an Egg is even now more than ever likely to end up necessary), but really, it'd be nice to go back to something more 'normal' for at least the first five seconds of a conversation.]

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya stops halfway along the beam, turning to look at Gongenzaka.] Oh--yeah.

[Sure, they can totally pretend he took having a tail so suddenly well. At least, his balance is getting back to where it was.]

Uh... I took a break an hour ago. [So, a long time. That's probably not a surprise to Gongenzaka, who's been dragged into Yuya's power trainings before. When he sees a setback, he's determined to climb over it. Still, he offers Gon a smile.] How's it feel being big again?

[betheman]

[It's not four legs, and you're not on the ground, Yuuya. So you're doing GREAT. In any case, he merely nods, before going slightly red in the face with a laugh.] Ahahaaa...

W-Well, I, the man Gongenzaka, certainly would not say I am 'dependent' on being as tall as I am... ...but to not be the size of En is certainly something I, the man Gongenzaka, am quite grateful for..!

Regardless of actual strength, it did not seem as though many were taking my words seriously... [It was quite different from Yuuya's desperate attempts to keep Friends Safe, suffice to say.]

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya just won't say how distracting it was that Gon was basically a purse dog.]

Don't worry, I know it was for something really important! [Creation and saving the world and helping his friends and all that.] You just had to be small and cute for it.

[And Yuya has permanent proof of that. He makes it to the end of the beam, then nimbly twists on his feet and starts walking the other way across it.]

[betheman]

Aaah! When standing in for Sans however... [The scratching behind his head continues, along with the nervous laugh. That did not go well, and he's just glad at least one or two members of Security still took his word as Important.

Regardless.] W-Well! It is good that I, the man Gongenzaka, will not require that form if we need 'Creation' again...

[...He hopes. He can't really 'ask' Creation what their boon is or will be. Hrm.] With any luck, beyond what was spoken about on the radio, things should perhaps return to a state of 'calm' at least...

[hippocarnival]

I hope so. [Yuya spreads his arms wide as he crosses the beam. Honestly, Wismuth was probably supposed to be a calm visit as well, and they know how that turned out.

Still, everything was all right in the end. Most of it was really nice, and he'll definitely remember the people there fondly.

Yuya hops off the beam once he makes it to the other side, where Gongenzaka is.] I think Creation needed us... It's everywhere, isn't it? But I've never felt it until there. It's the same with the Void--that could happen in any world.

[Including theirs, is the obvious implication. Yuya kind of hopes it doesn't.]

[betheman]

Auh.... [he shakes his head.] It is...

...Certainly, your words are true, but that is not quite what I meant..!

...When Creation left us, I, the man Gongenzaka, heard and felt something which remained behind, [he explains, quite serious.] Yuuya...

What I, the man Gongenzaka, am saying, is that I believe I could potentially call out to Creation, if the need arrives..!

[Pretty Cool]

[hippocarnival]

Eh--really?! [Yuya straightens up in shock, his tail going equally stiff for a moment. It's mostly just surprise, and when it click with him a wide grin splits across Yuya's face.]

That's great! [It is, in fact, pretty cool.] It's like Creation has your back, right? Like... if you're in danger?

[Even if Gongenzaka wasn't picked as a Guardian (although as far as Yuya's concerned, he would have been equally good as one), Creation still saw what he did. It's still willing to help, and even if Yuya doesn't quite grasp what an overarching metaphysical concept it is, he appreciates it.]

[betheman]

[There is a somewhat awkward nod, as though he himself really isn't sure about the whole thing. It seems, and definitely IS great, he just...

Isn't 100% certain how it works.] Auh...I suppose that is how it would be, yes...

...Certainly, if I, the man Gongenzaka, were to call upon such forces...it would be unforgivable to do so if the situation was not most dire..! A true waste of the right!

[hippocarnival]

[That, honestly, seems to be par for the course for Creation.] I'm, sure you'll know what to do when you need it.

[It's something best relied on with intuition. Hopefully, something like that won't be necessary anytime soon.

Much like the anticipated revival spell, but Yuya's lost track of the days and near forgotten Gongenzaka needs to renew his contract.] Were you looking for me?

[There's not a lot of reason to patrol around the big top when performances don't start for hours, anyway. Unless being deputy means double the patrol? He hadn't considered that.]

[betheman]

[Creation is whimsy, that's for sure. So, he simply nods.] Auhh...we shall certainly see, at the least...

[He did well enough without before, he will admit. That said. He blinks, and then coughs.] HMN!

That is correct..! I, the man Gongenzaka, had to wait a short time before bringing it forward...however, my contract in fact completed over one week ago..!

[Well. That's quite...a thing.] As such...I, the man Gongenzaka, have spoken to the Ringmaster-you remember what we agreed on, I hope..?

[Otherwise this is about to get Alarmingly Awkward, Yuuya.]

[hippocarnival]

[Oh. Oh! Yuya straightens up immediately.] Oh--yeah. The egg, right?

[The revival egg for Yuya, in exchange for another year of service for Gongenzaka. Yuya starts mentally counting up the days he's been here--four months? Five? Shoot, he should get a calendar or something, but it still offsets their contracts by not quite half a year, and--]

... Uh, you wanted to do that now?

[betheman]

Aaah, correct. ['The egg'.] The Ringmaster has stated that she is ready when you are-naturally, given how unexpected things appear to be in the coming days...it would be best to do so as soon as possible.

[Especially with risks that cause in-house fighting, as it were. ]

[hippocarnival]

Right... [Yuya rubs the back of his neck absently.] I've been practicing for a while, so I can stop for now.

[That's an invitation, so he gestures for Gongenzaka to lead. He knew this was coming, and there's no need to ask if he's sure. Yura knows the answer to that.]

[betheman]

Mnh! In that case, let us go- it should not take...too long, fortunately, [He explains, nodding.] So you should be able to return to practice quickly..!

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya's not terribly worried about practice, but whilethey walk he tilts his head to Gongenzaka.] What about you? How is it, being a deputy?

[He pauses.] I heard you want to find the other fae artifacts, too. You know, you don't have to just because you for promoted.

[Did Gon say he did? No, but Yuya's just making sure.]

[betheman]

MN-! [Excuse him as he shines red in the face for Other reasons now-] I-It is quite a responsibility..! ...though, that is more due to the fact that Sans is currently recovering, no doubt...

[He coughs, and then rather abruptly turns to stare at Yuuya.] Mnh-!?

Y-You assume I would do such a thing, simply due to a propmotion..!?!

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya stares back at him for a second, before answering his gaze down.] No.

[He assumes Gongenzaka would because he's a good, helpful person who must believe it'd be for the good of everyone in the carnival.

But the whole ordeal with the Prince still feels like... too much. Having to go through something like that again makes him anxious, his shoulders tight and tail twitching for a second.]

[betheman]

[It's such a short answer, but one that causes him to stop. After all-Yuuya's face alone, as well as the tone, speaks volumes. Gongenzaka looks down to his friend, his own voice soft.] ....Yuuya, [he eventually asks, ears twitching backward.]

...Are you alright, Yuuya?

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya stops as well when Gongenzaka calls his name, pausing. He doesn't turn back to Gongenzaka, with two minds about how he wants to respond to that.

He clenches his fists.] The other two are probably going to be even worse to get.

[Even if the suffering is the same, to go through it again makes it harder.]

[betheman]

[Again, silence reigns for a moment, small tells of nervousness and unease about him. Twitching tail, flicking ears-his feet are grounded, but even now he is unused to restraining the motions of other things.]

Aah, [he finally agrees.] ...That is quite likely the case.

...I do not doubt the Ringmaster considered this long before she presented the idea, either. [No doubt it's been on her mind since the Manor's end, if anything. He remembers all too well the progression of events on the ballroom floor.]

[hippocarnival]

Did you think about it before you agreed? [He's not sure how Gon couldn't, given he went through the worst of it. Isn't there a solution to besides putting themselves in the same agony? Besides watching his friends dragged away and tormented and unable to do anything?

He really wishes those powers stuck around.]

[betheman]

How could I not give it thought, [he counters firmly, looking to his friend with a stern frown.] Yuuya. Whether or not you feel it 'safe', it is a matter that will at the least affect you, not to mention Yuzu and others, by default. You will be here.

...And having seen Nightshade while in Wismuth... ....I, the man Gongenzaka, doubt they will simply avoid the Carnival if we choose to have only the rose.

[Whether they found for themselves one of the other two before attacking, or simply waited until their guard was low, it was a danger. A danger that could not be ignored.]

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya twists on his heels, looking up at Gongenzaka with stubbornness, tail lashing harshly for a moment.] But why isn't there another way?! Why can't we do anything else to protect ourselves? Getting them is probably going to be just as bad as getting the rose!

[And the rose was bad. It was really bad.]

Me: oh right two of these incidents killed gon huh-

[betheman]

[Gongenzaka startles, enough that the vines and fur all at once raise up at once. And for a moment he says nothing. He stares at his friend, neither in confusion nor even in any sort of anger or upset. Simply...a dull surprise, a stunned stare that renders him quiet.] ...Yuuya.

...I, the man Gongenzaka, cannot say I entirely agree with what is to be done...but at the very least, we can work to make certain the process involved with the rose does not repeat this way.

[It was bad. It was the worst. He doesn't need the reminder. But-] ...Within such a short time, things have become...truly dangerous for us all, [he half laments, turning his gaze away.]

...The rate at which this has occurred... ...Rose or none, [he adds, grimacing.]

...I, the man Gongenzaka, would rather we be ready for what arrives this time, than simply allow it to come to us again.

[It has happened twice with the vampires. And if the Ringmaster's mood at the manor proved anything, then the Manor itself was yet another example. Not to mention Portland, as well as what lurked in hiding while they were in Wismuth. There would be no preventing it, and Yuuya himself has only seen the recent brunt of it from Portland on.

Danger would find them.

Better to face it upon their own terms, this time.]