⇨ 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

[pipers_son]

His fingers wiggle right over the surface of the radio.

"What if I do?"

[dontpokethat]

"Well, I don't know. Maybe I would break up with you." No he wouldn't, that's a huge lie.

As he says it, though, he's reaching over to try and make a grab for Joker's radio himself.

[pipers_son]

"What? No! Ginkoooo-" It's an overdramatic whine, and overdramatics are always guaranteed to be distracting... just, in this case, it's for Joker himself. He jolts as the radio is grabbed, and he tries to grab Ginko's hand right back. You know. The one he's not already holding.

"Hey!"

[dontpokethat]

Ginko breaks into that stupid, smug grin, not seeming to notice just how close they are as he tries to steal Joker's radio. "This is for the best, Joker; can't tell people anything incriminating if you don't have your radio."

[pipers_son]

"This is unfair bullyin', that's what it is." Right up against Ginko, Joker spreads his wings a little as if seriously debating on using them. Listen, when it comes to a battle of height with someone like Ginko, he needs all the advantages he can get.

[dontpokethat]

Oh, he sees THAT. Ginko snorts and tightens his hold on both Joker's hands. Can't fly away this way! "Oh, no you don't."

[pipers_son]

"Ginkooooooooooo!" Yes, he is whining. Yes, he's still trying to fly a little bit. "C'mon! I'm a supervisor, I can't be treated this way!"

[dontpokethat]

"Oh, come on, you know nobody respects the supervisors."

He's not wrong, okay.

"Anyway, I'll let you go if you promise not to talk about the dancing thing, how's that sound."

1/3

[pipers_son]

"Now ain't that just the rudest thing. Truthful, but still the rudest." And anyway, he's pretty sure the talking zebra got the most respect out of any of them when she was about. Still, he looks down at their joined hands....

[pipers_son]

Looks up at Ginko again...

[pipers_son]

And grins. "What if I don't want ya ta let go?"

Oh, all of this being out in the open between the two of them now is going to be fantastic for teasing now. He can just tell.

[dontpokethat]

Oh. Shit. Okay he probably should have seen this coming, but, uuuh boy that's convenient.

"Uh-- I... I don't know. Maybe I'll only hold on if you don't tell people."

[pipers_son]

"Ha ha." Out of all the noises Joker could make, the one he does in this moment is a lot more lowkey than what usually comes out of him. Unable to stop grinning even more than usual, he ducks his head down a little bit. It doesn't seem to stop his smile much at all.

"Then I think that sounds like a fine agreement."

[dontpokethat]

"Alright, then." He... guesses that's what they're doing. Despite himself, Ginko can feel the beginnings of a smile pulling at the corners of his mouth, and he presses his lips together and looks away to try and hide it.

He does, however, maintain his hold on Joker's hands, actually adjusting a little bit to hold on more firmly.

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand scene?

[pipers_son]

In comparison, Joker isn't entirely sure he can fight his own smile. On one hand, that's nothing particularly new. He's often smiling, either at one of his own jokes, or just out of habit that's hard to get rid of after so long. The one tugging at his face this time, however, seems... different. A little more uncontrollable, a little bit painful in how much it pulls at him, but in a good way. Like stretching after having sat down for so long. From where his hands are trapped in Ginko's grip, his fingers curl and tighten.

It's more than a little scary, giving in like this when he's spent so much of his life convincing himself he didn't deserve someone else this way... but now that it's happening, he doesn't feel so bad.

Still pretty scared shitless, tho.

sounds good to me!

[dontpokethat]

That makes two of them. His relationship with Psi means he's got some experience, at least, but... well, in a way, he feels like Portland meant they got to skip over getting started. Which... he suspects is the hard part.

But, for the moment, he'll focus on standing close to Joker, their fingers twined together, and... trying not to worry too much.