lostcarnival | ⇨ THE ATHENAEUM

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⇨ THE ATHENAEUM

Who: Everyone!
When: Day 47 - Day 58 ish
Where: The Athenaeum
What: The carnival arrives at book world. First week, they'll be performing for magical manifestations of book characters. Second week, it's time to hunt (for books, in the library.) Around Day 58 some stuff will occur.
Warnings: Reading is mandatory.

FAERIE TALES↴

Though the carnival will be performing for its guests in the first week, they are welcome to search the Athenaeum while they are off duty during that time. The manifestations of story characters will be out in full force during performance week, with animals, people, objects, and even locations growing out from various tales. Most are distracting at worst, and will be curious to check out the carnival. Some, however, can be as dangerous as they were in their stories of origin. You know what to do.

► IT'S TIME TO ROLEPLAY: The best way to deal with book ghosts is to follow their narrative to its logical conclusion - turn the tables, work the story so it ends in your favour! Naturalistic and narratively satisfying plotting will have the manifestations following your lead. However, push too hard and introduce too many plot holes, inconsistencies, or illogical plot twists, and they will reject your reality utterly, becoming quite aggressive in the process. You can also use your natural abilities and powers to fight them in a traditional sense, but in the Ringmaster's experience, it's best to fight reality benders by bending reality right back at them. If you aren't careful, it's possible to be dragged fully into a story's reality, and then things get really messed up.

► IT'S ALSO TIME TO READ: The carnival came here for a purpose, and that purpose is to research. Specifically, the Ringmaster is looking for information on the Queen's Miracles - the set of ancient fae artifacts that the Blue Rose is one of. The carnival needs these artifacts to defend itself, but nobody knows where they've been for thousands of years. That's what the books are for. However, nothing is stopping you from pursuing knowledge for personal reasons. The halls are open to your perusal, and only your heart can guide you to the book you truly seek. Check the plot post to see what's allowed, and sign up to find plot info or other important game information below.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

NH- Th-This is no contest, Yuuya..! More than that, we were children, during those times! And you have most certainly learned, and come to master such reactions in many ways, and-! [And to be fair he really hasn't seen how bad it gets AFTER the matter of the Battle Beast, but-]

Yuuya- should I, the man Gongenzaka, not be the one there for you? [he asks, eyes watering just a touch.]

You have. [Yuya leans forward, his hand reaching for Gongenzaka's arm again and bracing against it. His grip is a little tighter this time, firm, claws lightly pressed against the skin in a way that's not far off from how Gongenzaka would often steady Yuya. If by much smaller hands.

His expression is a little disbelieving.] Isn't that what you've done since we've met? You've always been there for me, and protected me, and helped me improve my dueling and myself. And it...

[His expression softens, and he worries over his lip. Not out of reluctance, so much as making an attempt to keep his voice steady and strong. His emotions still leaks through, however, raw and earnest.] It means a lot to me. You're my best friend, and you've given me so much I don't even know what to ask for! I've never believed you weren't there for me.

It's okay. [Yuya smiles, and despite the waver in his voice and the way his eyes are misting, it's a strong and honest expression.] I wanted to be stronger so I could be someone you and Yuzu could rely on. I know I'm still getting there, but... I'm strong enough for this.

MNhh.... [......Gongenzaka's eyes are assuredly watering, even as the rest of the man seems to bristle- to be fair, it is only the leaves which stand on end, no doubt entirely because of how worked up and 'touched' he's feeling right now.] Yuuya...

[Someone had Better Duck, because arms are imminent.] NNHHH-! Such dedication is exactly why I, the man Gongenzaka, wish to be someone you can also continue to rely upon...!! To simply cease offering that sort of aid would be unforgivable, particularly with the one I, the man Gongenzaka, would call my greatest friend..!

[Tears. Tears, Everywhere.]

[Yuya twists when he's pulled forward to keep his face from getting buried (suffocated) against Gongenzaka, though there's still a grunt of discomfort as he's promptly squished.] I--I didn't mean you had to! You know I've relied on you all this time.

[He sags a little, weighted by that. Not in that he's ashamed, necessarily, but it's kind of redundant to hear Gongenzaka talk about wanting to be the reliable one when he always has been.] I've always relied on you, and you've always been there for me. And you always will be, right?

[He doesn't actually need the affirmation, though. Yuya tries to look up at Gongenzaka, but all he really sees is a bunch of fur and his chin.] But that's not what I'm talking about.

Aaaah, naturally..! [So at least he agrees with points 1, 2, and...

Cue record scratch, he needs to pause-not release the hug though. Just pause.] ...It...is not?

[well that's just embarrassing now yuuya why'd you go saying that-]

No! [Yuya can't help it--Gongenzaka sounds so surprised that he ends up laughing, even if only briefly.] I know all that. I...

I know how much I need you. [Suddenly he's glad he can't see Gon's face like this as he turns his head back down. That is really embarrassing say, even if he knows it's true. It sounds needy, and he's not going to prove himself stronger like that.] You don't have to prove anything to me. I want to prove you can trust me the same way I trust you.

MNH- I- It is not that I, the man Gongenzaka, feel you don't know that, but..!

[...He should really shut his mouth, shouldn't he. Body twisting around a bit so that the legs are more situated upon the ground (how on earth has he been curled like that this whole time), he quietly and slowly breaks the hug, sighing.]

I, the man Gongenzaka, certainly trust you. More than anything Yuuya, I trust you.

...so please, trust me, when I, the man Gongenzaka, say that I am fine.

[That point flew over his head like a dang fastball-]

Okay. [Yuya rocks back on his heels, this time looking up at Gongenzaka's face properly. He's caught the conversation in his own words, because he can't take back the trust he's placed.

Not that he doesn't trust Gongenzaka. It's just not as easy as he thought, trying to navigate changing in their friendship. Yuya was for a long time something weak and fragile that needed to be protected... but he's trying really hard to reach his friend's levels.]

But if you ever aren't. [He's here. So he'll just set that precedent, gently squeezing Gon's arm before pulling back.] Even if you think it's small.

[He smiles warmly, assuring. Strong.]

Hmn-! [Gongenzaka nods. And moving one hand to the other's shoulder, nods again, as if to settle the matter in his mind, and around them.] I, the man Gongenzaka, swear to you...I will do just that.

[~~But only 'small', not miniscule, like so many things are, naturally.~~]

...Sahh, Yuuya... ...Let us find something 'better' to read, than such poems.

[...Seriously, something better would be a great idea.]

[Yuya grins, pushing the scrolls further away on the table before pushing books around to look at their titles.] Uh-huh. You haven't found anything about what we're supposed to find, have you? It's a lot harder than I thought...

[Maybe it's because of his reservations taking them to begin with.]

Ah..............

....n...no...

[GOOD JOB FINDING A GREAT WAY TO SHUT HIS MOUTH THOUGH.] Hm-M!

...Perhaps I, the man Gongenzaka, should search more readily than I have been...

[Implying that he hasn't been at all, but then again he did get Side-tracked...]

I don't know if that's going to help. [Yuya's been searching, readily, and hasn't found shit.] It's not organized very well.

[At all. But Yuya points to his eyes.] But maybe if we're looking together, we'll have a better chance?

Hmm...Indeed, two sets of eyes-or perhaps even more, [he laughs, pondering if he should summon his daemon,] Will help considerably no doubt..!

..Well... [He looks around.] ...If we are to go on whim then, let us search in spite of our odds, shall we? [Let's DO THIS.]

All right! [Yuya abandons the books they've both left of the table to bounce back to the shelves. It's fine, they can sort through and return those later. Right now, they have actual information to try and find.] Mr. Strange said one of them might be a mirror... but it doesn't really narrow it down a lot.

Strange did? [BOY THAT MUST BE GOING GREAT] HMM!

Well, we shall keep our eyes open for mirrors then....as it is, there are two miracles to seek-the mirror then, but one other such thing as well.

[Yuya hums and nods, already perusing the shelf.] A mirror that can remove darkness from someone's heart, and... what were all the miracles again? [Something and something, he wasn't paying close attention what with throwing a fit and all.

Yuya stops at one book, pulling it out and turning it over in his hands before opening it. it's fairly small, thin, with a golden color. And--] Aw, no! This was supposed to be private!

The Sun and the Shade, the Wood and the Rot- [And aH-]

MNNH? What is the matter?!

[WHAT HAPPENED]

[He gives Gongenzaka a pouty look.] It's about when I saw the Summer Maiden, but I promised not to tell anyone part of what we talked about! Does he really have to write everyone's secrets down?!

[He says the end with a little more edge, like 'secrets' have not all been as innocuous as a conversation with the Summer Maiden.]

HMM!! If it is a promise, then I, the man Gongenzaka, shall not press!

Such an oath could well be akin to a contract with the Ringmaster, after all!

[At least Gongenzaka seems to respect it, even if it is a rather extreme response.] ...Mnh...though perhaps, you should keep it near you until it is close to when we must leave...if only to guarantee none here see...

Yeah... [Yuya pauses before opening the book, just so he can see what exactly was written.

That's certainly an idea he's had regarding the story about Zarc, but so far he's had little luck attempting to locate that, either. Rather than admit to that, though, he falls into a brief silence as he reads the short passage.]

I guess this is the whole thing... [He flips over a page. His voice falls a little monotone as he absently summarizes the text.] She thanked me with a special favor because of--uh.

[Uh. Wait a minute.]

MNh- You do not have to explain everything, Yuuya..! It is quite fine! [He insists-after all, that. Would defeat the point of honoring a secret.

Though he does abruptly stiffen, when he realizes what Yuuya has said.] A...

A favor?

[Yuya turns his head up and gawps, staring blankly at the shelves. He learned enough about the Fae in Portland to know how restricted to their deals they are, and yet somehow he hadn't connected the dots that because of that, they don't make offerings and polite language so casually. It isn't just thanks for the sake of thanks.

At the time, he was just thinking more about the Ringmaster, and downplaying his part in the affair, he hadn't considered what that actually meant.] She thanked me!

[It only took him like, four months to realise.]

[Cue some Serious Sputtering.] G-

Th- Th-

She thanked-

Y-Yuuya..! That is a very incredible matter indeed..!! I, the man Gongenzaka, should perhaps liken such a matter to what Creation chose to bestow upon myself..!

[If only because, as much as Creation is definitely a leg up over the fae...Summer can actually freaking talk to Yuuya if and ever he cashes in on that favor.

He, on the other hand, sort of gets to hope and pray.]

[Yuya's face flushes as he closes the book and holds it tightly. He really meant it when he said it wasn't just him--he didn't even do the hard part!] I--I don't even know what to do with it!

[She's like, the third most important Summer Fae. That's a lot.]

[Oh-!

FRIENDSHIP SENSES, KICKING IN. Gongenzaka quickly pulls himself to a calmer state, coughing.] W...Well!

After all, you have yet to request any such thing from her now, correct?

Presumably...such a thing does not bear a 'time limit'. Rather instead...it is something to keep in mind, for when you feel she could help you most.

Given what we are to do now... ...it is a matter which could well save another's life, I imagine...

...Do not fret for what to do with her 'thanks' for now, Yuuya-no doubt...this sort of favor is one which you will understand the need for, when the time comes...

⇨ THE ATHENAEUM

bE THERE FOR EACH OTHER THEN YOU N ER DS

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gently ties this off...