⇨ THE ATHENAEUM

[ringleaders]

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.

Comments

[soft_focus]

[THE MOST SERIOUS.]

...............How do you know who has the smart stuff in them...

[Reira don't judge the books that's mean.]

[pipers_son]

[This is why he loves kids. Chuckling and abandoning his clean up duties completely, Joker clops down with his legs crossed.]

Well, what do ya think is 'smart stuff', first of all?

when u literally forget both of them were working wHOOPS

[soft_focus]

....Mnhh...

..Stuff that people need to know, that isn't obvious, I guess...

[So she says, while gently nudging some of these cats into position again. You guys were doing so well, don't start misbehaving now!]

well now only one of them is lmao

[pipers_son]

Well, for me... [He taps his chin thoughtfully, watching the cats. Need any help there, kitties?] I'd say it's all that academic stuff. Like science, and such.

What about you?

[soft_focus]

....Like the books we got from Wismuth, for school things?

[She's been STUDYING. Anyway, cat One is being picked up and carried toward what looks more like a bird post.]

Stay here, Peacat.

[Now.] Mnh...some of those things are good, and smart I guess, but they're not things everyone has to know, I think....

Things that help you stay alive, and cook, or stay clean, those are smart things.

[pipers_son]

Yeah, that's right.

[Peacat...He understands the pun, but what an unfortunate name regardless. Joker laughs quietly to himself as the cat-bid is carried off.]

So do ya think a book with recipes would be smart, then?

[soft_focus]

[She is quite thoughtful, as she considers this, stroking the cat a moment to make sure they Stay There.

Eventually she nods.] ...Only if they're good recipes, [She answers seriously. There is No Use in poorly made recipes, after all.]

[pipers_son]

Ha! Maybe I should make a book, then.

[Chuckling, he gets back up to his feet again. Okay, time to keep putting things away...]

I know how lots.

[soft_focus]

Ah-!

[What!!

There is a small meow beside her, and she looks down to find the cats have now gathered around her legs again.] MN-! Hey, no, you have to be sitting over here, [She fusses, hurriedly trying to get them in place again while holding the conversation.]

Umn-! How many is lots of recipes?!

[pipers_son]

[That's sure not a reaction he expected, and Joker bows his head, muffling his laughter with his hand.]

Ya sound so surprised! Do I not seem like the cookin' sort?

[He'll get to how many recipes he knows in a minute.]

[soft_focus]

You're the 'Stage Manager', not the 'Chef', [Is her somewhat blunt reply as she lines up the cats again. At least one tries to move immediately, but she rather warningly pats one pocket.

The cat hurriedly remains in line, knowing that they won't be seeing what's in the pocket if they move again.]

[pipers_son]

Ha. [Curious, he watches just as curiously to see what's in the pocket himself. Is Joker in fact just a large dumb cat despite his wings and antlers? Listen.] Well, once I almost thought about becomin' the Chef instead.

[soft_focus]

[It's treats, you nosy winged deercat, TREATS-

Which she is currently withholding, as she looks them over and does a test walk around them. Stay Still, Kitties...]

Why didn't you? [She asks Joker in the meantime, the cats doing their best to follow her with their eyes.]

[pipers_son]

[BUT WHAT KIND OF TREATS- ]

Ah, well.... I guess I just like performin' more. I can cook whenever I want, but runnin' the big top would happen a lot less if I wasn't in this job. Right?

[soft_focus]

Mnhhh...I guess so... [But, she does frown now, looking to Joker from behind the cat line.

At least one 'mrows' somewhat pitifully.] ...But, why do you know so much about cooking, then?

[pipers_son]

[Such a pitiful noise... Hold out, Reira, he believes in you.]

Well, someone had ta cook in my family, right? And then I had a job, for a while, where it was expected.

[The toxic memories of that job are part of why he hadn't gone into the kitchen, admittedly...]

Anyway, I know at least over a dozen. Ever hear of Scotch Eggs?

[soft_focus]

[It is Extremely difficult to hold out, and if Reira's chewed lip is any sign, the cats are picking up on it. Two are now 'mrow'ing.]

Um-! I haven't! [She quickly answers, trying to distract herself.] What's a scotch egg?

[pipers_son]

[hey, if him rambling about things helps her avoid the temptation of cute cats...]

It's a hard boiled egg, all baked up in meat and bread crumbs. If ya manage ta train 'em well, maybe I'll show ya how ta make it~.

[soft_focus]

[NEW EGG DISH....

She hurriedly, and determinedly, puts her hands behind her back, before frowning at the cats.] You have to be quiet too..! [She pleads, not that the cats particularly feel like agreeing.]

[pipers_son]

[Joker bites down on his tongue to make sure that he doesn't laugh too much.]

Got it under control...?

[soft_focus]

Mnhhh... ...I don't know...

...they're supposed to be able to be in here but not get distracted by people food in the audience...

[She can't really improvise being the audience that well though, hence 'tempting treats in pocket' instead. Granted, she has to reward them later...]

[pipers_son]

Do ya think me and Feathers in the audience could help teach 'em?

[Feathers is a mostly good bird who wouldn't immediately stuff his face into a popcorn bag. Immediately.]

[soft_focus]

Eh? [Reira looks to the bird, and then to the audience area, not to mention the cats. She ponders it a moment, but...] Mnhh...

...You should make sure you have lots of popcorn, and hotdogs, and things..! Just to make sure then!

[Reira, please define 'lots'.]

[pipers_son]

Ha, then I'll have ta hurry and see if there are some things left over or that I could make quickly!

[Pushing himself up, he dusts off his knees.]

Give me a few minutes, alright?

[soft_focus]

[Reira nods, absently shooing one of the cats who finally broke from line to try and beg directly.] Mn, ok!