⇨ CAMPING GROUNDS

[ringleaders]

Who: Everybody!
When: Day 64
Where: The Camping Grounds
What: While the Ringmaster attempts to purge the carnival of magical tracing spells and deal with the angry fire fae in her belly, everyone else is getting sent on an emergency camping trip with some unusual local fauna.
Warnings: Camping.

CRYPTIC CAMPGROUNDS↴ You're given about three hours to prepare, after the Ringmaster tells you her plans for the coming week. There is a vast selection of camping equipment at your disposal, and the means to take along enough food for the length of the stay. The wilderness of the planet you're left on is nearly idyllic, but some people just don't like the great outdoors. ► CRYPTOZOOLOGY: As it turns out, the carnival won't be alone here. There is a varied ecosystem of cryptids to be found as well, living in relative peace and mostly reacting to the newcomers with curiousity. More details can be found on the plotting post. You are free to NPC the cryptids as much as you need to, as long as you stick to the behaviours described. ► DREAMSHARING: There is a player plot going on which will allow characters to share dreams! These are specifically more dreams than nightmares, and the mushi-adept characters will be here to help. ► CHILLAX: There isn't any plot twist for this setting, so this is mostly an opportunity to decompress from the last plot and get ready for the future. The Ringmaster will show up occasionally to help with needed medical treatments and check on things, but won't stick around for long.

Comments

[kingsroads]

"You'll have to get used to nudity," Strange teases. And before Rita can question him, he continues. "9S wants to learn about humanity. I'm certain there's a couple of essential human experiences that he'd want to learn about with only you."

Like sex. Strange is implying that 9S will want to have sex with Rita at some point. Can androids even have sex? Hell if Strange knows. He does know that 9S probably doesn't have any junk, but he also knows that there's so many different ways to be intimate. They can work around that problem if needed.

[anti_nonsense]

Rita's face turns beet red.

Her body stiffens, and when she seems to find it in her to move again, there's only one thing to do. She leans in and slams a fist into Strange's stomach.

"Don't think I won't kick your ass just because we're in the medical tent!" she sputters, her voice shrill and strained. "Y... you're not even supposed to know about that in the first place, you creep! If I catch you spying on us again, you're dead, got it!?"

[kingsroads]

Strange already had a heartfelt and slightly awkward conversation with 9S about this back when they were at the space station. As such, he's not as mad at Rita as he will be when he finds out that other idiots he knows were secretly dating. Besides, Rita's reactions are hilarious.

Unfortunately, he can't really dodge the fist to his stomach. Rita nails him pretty good and it takes Strange a moment to catch his breath.

"I've known for a month or so," Strange points out, like it's the most obvious thing in the world. Bit too late for him not to know about things. "9S and I chatted about the two of you while we were at those Olympics. Besides, it's always best to be open about these things."

[anti_nonsense]

With a huff, Rita sinks back into her chair. "I know. He told me you were scrying on us when--" when they kissed for the first time, but that's hard to say, so she stops and starts again with, "--while Lambert and Syrlya were watching, too. So I guess everyone in the department knows, thanks to you." She sounds bitter.

"What's so good about being open about it?" she continues in a grumble. "Some people actually value privacy, you know."

[kingsroads]

"Being open about it means that people can't have the wrong assumptions. For instance, I knew about 9S and 2B—and specifically, how 9S felt about 2B."

Strange is just going to let Rita draw her own conclusions there. Needless to say, it was a very awkward conversation while Strange tried to delicately find a way to ask 'are you two-timing poor 2B.'

"Besides, when you're open about things, others can help out and give advice." The teasing lessens in his voice a little bit: this part, he's saying with 100% sincerity. "He really cares about you."

[anti_nonsense]

Rita winces slightly when he mentions 2B. So Strange knows about that, too...

"I know he does," she says quietly. Then, scoffing, she adds, "...Hmph. What the hell would I want advice for?"

[kingsroads]

Considering he's a terrible gossip and a creep with no boundaries, it's really best that Rita just assume Strange knows everything and work from there.

At her question, he simply smiles. "Courting. What to do during your first fight. Navigating all those tricky bits of a relationship that nobody tells you exist until you run into them yourself. And I can help because unlike half the carnival, I've actually maintained a successful relationship for years on end."

Strange loves his fellow coworkers, but he can only think of a handful who might have had a functional relationship to begin with.

[anti_nonsense]

"A successful relationship? I don't know, I'd sooner chalk that up to a statistical anomaly than start looking to you like you're some kind of love guru." Rita folds her arms, giving him a dubious look. She can only imagine his wife must have endless patience.

"Besides, even if we had problems, I doubt they'd be the sort that you have any experience with."

[kingsroads]

Arabella does have endless patience which contrasts wonderfully with Strange's endless persistence.

"Some of them would be," Strange explains, as if this is the most obvious thing in the world. "Most first time couples have the same problems. Besides, I know 9S is inexperienced with relationships and I have a feeling you're the same."

It might be a bit callous to say that. But Rita's an abrasive grump who talks to rocks: Strange has a pretty strong suspicion she's never had a boyfriend or girlfriend before.

[anti_nonsense]

A tinge of redness returns to Rita's cheeks. She knows it's true; they both have no clue what they're doing. But in a way, that's fine. It means neither of them have any specific expectations, no need to be like other couples.

"Whatever happens, we can figure it out ourselves," she declares. "We don't need your help."

[kingsroads]

As Rita blushes, Strange gives her a wry little grin. Pegged it. It really is adorable how predictable Rita is at certain points.

"I'm certain you can," he flippantly responds, with a little shrug. However, as he continues talking, Strange's tone gets a bit more serious and a bit more gentle. "But having a relationship is damn hard. Sometimes it might be nice to talk to someone who's gone through the same. And if that happens, you can always talk to me."

[anti_nonsense]

"Hmph! Whatever," Rita huffs, rising to her feet. Sincere or not, she has no intention of running to Strange with relationship questions. How embarrassing would that be? "Don't hold your breath, old man."

In any case, it looks like she's said what she needed to say, and listening to any more talk about her and 9S is probably just going to get on her nerves. So it's best if she leaves now.

"I'm heading out," she says simply, and a bit abruptly. Giving him another glance, she adds, "Most of our things are still at the carnival, but I brought my most recent research notes. Some of it might be news to you, so... if you feel like it, come find me when you're back on your feet."

[kingsroads]

Strange brightens up as Rita mentions her research notes. That definitely is of interest to him, especially since he's got a sneaking suspicion he missed waaaay too much plot info while he was captured and/or dead.

"I should be on my feet within a day or so," Strange explains. Really, no matter how he feels, he will be on his feet within a day or so. He's not that good at waiting. "I'll seek you out then."