⇨ SHABONDAMASHII

[ringleaders]

Who: Everyone!
When: Day 92 - Day 99
Where: Shabondamashii Bathhouse
What: With the Silver Mirror claimed and the animals of Eden relocated, it's time for the carnival to kick back and enjoy an interdimensional bathhouse and the surrounding festival city. Meanwhile, the scattered shards of the Mirror have an unexpected effect.
Warnings: Dark/Light halves acting weird.

THE BIG CLEANSE↴ As the carnival recovers, the Ringmaster has brought it to the gates of a famous interdimensional bathhouse to rest. She won't be joining you for most of it, though she will be checking in frequently and available by radio. She's fixed a large portion of the Silver Mirror after it shattered, but it seems like pieces are missing. She doesn't want to rest until the missing shards are dealt with, and the Mirror itself is locked away safely. ► YOUR OTHER HALF: The shards missing from the Silver Mirror didn't just disappear - after breaking apart in Eden, fragments of the object embedded themselves in the spirits of those not already touched by its powers, and those that had been the most fae-touched. That means, your characters. The effect of this, explained in more detail on the plotting post, is that some characters will be splitting into two versions of themselves: the Light, and the Dark. This doesn't mean good and evil, of course, it's far more complicated than that. Splits can start happening at any time after arriving in Shabon, and initially characters won't know how to rejoin with their twins. Later on, it will become apparent that they need to reconnect via the shard of the Mirror they share... of course, in order to rejoin, you have to have both halves, and not all twins will be as eager to go back to the way things were before. This plot point is optional. ► SPA DAY: When you're not engaging in metaphysical division, you are free to enjoy the many luxuries that Shabon offers. Things will mostly have an east-Asian bend, like what you would see in the movie Spirited Away, but as long as it doesn't affect the setting much, you can honestly have whatever spa-type services available that you want. Food is served both in restaurants and 'buffet' style. There are also well paid sex workers here, if that is your thing, but make sure to tip well. ► FESTIVAL TOWN: The city surrounding Shabondamashii is largely meant to catch the business of interdimensional tourists. There are frequent parades and other events held, and the architecture is very closely packed. It's easy to get lost if you leave the bathhouse, but it's definitely worth it if you like party. You can pick out a few outfits for yourself and some fun nick nacks, but nothing that would normally require mod approval.

Comments

[hippocarnival]

Yuya's taken aback, like he can't believe he was just asked that question. "I want to go back because that's my home. My family is there, and Yuzu and Gongenzaka and my dueling."

He has real doubts he'll fit in better in England. For one, his English sucks. His fingers dig a little--not enough to be painful, but an absent response to Strange's insinuation he can't go back. "And if you can go back to a normal life after this, I don't see why I can't. It'll be different, but that doesn'tmean it'll be bad."

He knew it was going to be different when he got dragged into an interdimensional war and found out he was a world destroying demon, anyway. That's not offputting.

[kingsroads]

The more Yuya talks with Strange, the more obvious it is which of Strange's halves is the most fully formed. Hint: it's not this one. Strange honestly looks confused at the idea that Yuya might want to be somewhere that isn't with him. His confusion shifts to anger as Strange's grip on Yuya's hand tightens and he metaphorically digs in his heels.

"Gongenzaka's been here for what, three years? He's never going back home. And Yuzu took to this place so poorly that she left. She won't understand what you went through." Two massive assumptions, yet Strange is just plowing on and continuing talking like he knows he's right.

"Magicians work best in groups. Trust me, it's horrid being by yourself, with no one to talk to. So if you come to England, you'll be surrounded by people who'll listen to your opinions on magic, who'll help your magic grow and flourish to heights as great as mine!"

[naturalsakura]

Ah, solid ground. How she loves it. Despite being only in the air for a short period of time, she still has to find her footing for a bit. Finally getting her bearings, Haruhi lets out a small sigh before she smiles at Dark. "That was awesome!" She laughs, almost in disbelief because wow that totally did just happen.

She takes a small breath, calming herself. Okay then. She looks back towards Dark. "So, what exactly is going on in here?"

[hippocarnival]

Yuya, unfortunately, only responds to Strange's anger with his own. Hearing him dismiss two of the most important people to him sets off a fire in Yuya. The reasonable part of him realizes this Strange is a bizarre shadow of the original, and what he says isn't an exact reflection of his feelings. The other part is just pissed.

"Gongenzaka's only been here one year, and he only signed on for another to stay with me." There's a point of pride in Yuya's voice as he says that--it breaks a little at the end, realizing that's his fault, but still. Gongenzaka loved him enough to prolong this nonsense for him. "And Yuzu's always been by my side and--and we have things only we can understand about each other, too! What she doesn't get, Gongenzaka will!"

He's not even worried about the magic. He doesn't care. He'd give up so much more to stay with them.

[kingsroads]

Strange is still angry: the flames on his head are creeping further up his hair as he downright glares at Yuya. Still, he knows when to back down. Or more accurately, he knows when to shift the conversation to try and get what he wants. Yuya's mad at him. Part of Strange wants to just continue to fight, but then what? Yuya would yell at him, they'd pull apart, and then he'd be all alone again. There's a tense ten seconds or so before neediness wins out.

"You're too much of a magician now for them to truly understand." Because of course Strange is still hyperfocused on magic as a selling point of his world.

"But fine!" Strange grumbles, like he's making a concession about all of this and giving Yuya some ground. He guesses he can give Yuya this much. If it means Yuya would stay with him, it's worth it. "Yuzu and Gongenzaka can come too. But you can't leave me."

[hippocarnival]

Strange you are such a mess.

Yuya just glares right back at him for those tense ten seconds. Strange's concession isn't really relieving, and Yuya bites his lip--but it's totally pointless to argue, isn't it?

Yuya turns his attention straight ahead, seemingly accepting that (but that last sentence makes tbe hair on his neck stand up). His tone is still sulky when he speaks as he points down a fork in the road. "We can take a shortcut that way, we'll get to the bathhouse faster."

And fix this mess, but he doesn't say that.

[starseedling]

"Wait - there's a WEDDING?!" Steven exclaims, that detail immediately dominating his focus. Nothing else matters until she explains who is getting married. It could be basically anybody, and he'd still be thrilled.

[drrdrrdrr]

"Oh! Yeah!" Amethyst sits up on her back legs. "It was awesome -- Ruby and Sapphire got married!"

[kingsroads]

He's such a goddamn mess. But at least for the moment, he's a mess that's following Yuya. Strange nods and lets Yuya lead the way. He's relatively silent and will remain silent until Yuya starts up the conversation again. Strange thinks he's made his point. He hopes Yuya understands.

Still, he's not letting go of Yuya's hand as they walk down the shortcut.

[hippocarnival]

It's a steep path, cutting through an alley of trees and a bit of a physical workout. But it will cut some time off the trek, and then he can take Strange to him room and... the other Strange will probably know what to do.

He doesn't try to free his hand, but he's also stubbornly silent as they cut through the trees. So the awkward silence will probably last for a while, but Yuya's not slowing down.

[dontpokethat]

"...What?" One of Ginko's ears flicks upward. Why would he go back? Liking the occasional reminder of his home world is one thing, but going back for good... that would be another entirely.

He shakes his head slightly. "I wasn't planning on it. I like coming across places like this, but... the fact that they're so rare makes it all the more exciting. Besides, I couldn't very well leave all of you here."

He'd be fine on is own, if he did have to go back. But he likes the people here, and he'd rather not leave and not know what would become of them.

[dontpokethat]

Ginko barely gets a moment to anticipate what's probably about to happen before she climbs up, and then he just-- freezes, tenses up, before making a halfhearted effort to push her away. It's just... way too much, the enthusiasm and the contact and... he just can't deal with this right now.

"I-- really don't think that's a good idea, Doll. Can't you ask someone else?"

[kingsroads]

The stubborn silence continues. But, to nobody's surprise, Strange is the first to cave and start talking again. Dark Strange really doesn't have the emotional capacity to navigate people being mad at him because again, comprised of like literally four emotions. When he speaks, it's with the knowledge that he's done something to piss Yuya off but can't figure out the best way to actually explain that or apologize for his actions.

So, he's going to talk about magic instead. It's something they all love, right? Maybe if he talks about it, then Yuya will be less mad at him.

"Have you been practicing the mirror spell that we worked on earlier this week?"

[hippocarnival]

Yuya briefly glances at Strange. The walk is enough for his immediate frustration to fade enough for him to remember this isn't all of Strange. So his voice is a little calmer, even if he doesn't quite smile because this side of him is still really stressful.

"Yeah... I got it to work. I'll show you later, okay?" He squeeze's his hand in a way that's probably meant to be a reassuring gesture, as the trees start to spread apart and they're reaching the entrance of the bathhouse. Yuya almost starts to hurry.

[whattaprick]

Lambert, as himself, would definitely have had something to say about Yuya being taught by Strange, but this halved version of Lambert acknowledges it as a practical step to take.

"Sensible of him," he agrees, simply. "The militia can't be everywhere. People have to be able to protect themselves, including being able to get places when they have to. But you'd better make sure to ask him about managing the downsides too." He does flash a quick, wry smile then. "I'm sure Gongezaka wouldn't appreciate you accidentally getting yourself trapped in a mirror."

Being the idealized version of himself doesn't make this Lambert any better at magic, unfortunately, since it's not a skill he would ever particularly claim. He does, however, touch a hand to his chin and take a moment or two to think about Yuya's problem.

[whattaprick]

"Now it's two asses smoking it," Lambert says, laconically, before be blinks and shrugs.

"Why not? Nobody's looking for me, or needs me. Wouldn't be much of a spa if anything needed killing in it." He tucks a hand under his head, looking at the patterned ceiling.

"What about you? Don't you have diplomating to practice?"

[whattaprick]

"Strange," Celandine answers, lowering her head to rest it on the sheets. "Or part of him, anyway. He ended up becoming two people too. One of them kissed him."

And thus, the hand, though it doesn't quite explain everything about the injury.

[hippocarnival]

Yuya's expression withers because, well, he's already gotten stuck in equally uncomfortable ways. But he's not going to admit to it.

"I'm not planning on jumping through the Silver Mirror." He's reasonably wary of touching fae artifacts.

He looks Lambert over, pausing for a moment. Strange said he was split in too, but it's a really awkward thing to ask outright and see if it's still a problem. So, he won't. Not yet. "But I'll be able to do more when we're in trouble."

[whattaprick]

"After what Strange did with it? Doubt the Ringmaster's letting anyone near it anytime soon."

Lambert doesn't seem to entirely realize he's being observed, tending to be a one- or two-objective sort of person at a time. He's alert and watchful, but there's a tension in how he usually holds himself that's missing. Lambert typically looks like someone ready to start a fight; this Lambert seems like he'd be more likely to end them.

"Magic can be tied to emotion or thought," he says, finally. "Was there anything in common about the times you succeeded?"

[hippocarnival]

"Uuuum..." Yuya's eyes roll up as he tries to find the common thread. He's not as sensitive to the actual magical force, so there's a degree of nuance he just can't pick up on it. Thoughts, though, or emotions..."

I guess... I had a clearer idea of where I was going." He pauses. "And I don't get distracted in the middle. But I think that's because I need to be faster at it."

[hippocarnival]

"No, you'll be fine!" Yuya can't help but continue grinning, but his attention is drawn away easily once Haruhi points out one of the games.

"Oh... impossible, huh?" He pumps his fist in the air in a very show-offy, if goofy gesture. "I've got a pretty good throwing arm. Let's try it!"

[chronosynthesis]

Syrlya squints at her, suspiciously. "My current clothes do not make me blend into the walls, either. I am hardly under stealth."

People wandering carelessly are always going to be, well, careless (and okay, he can be clumsy too). So he's not quite following her logic, if it's not just defecting from a different reason.

[chronosynthesis]

"I'm sure, Strange." And with that he sinks a little further into the water--enough that some of the wine spills over the edges of his newest wound, and wine is more acidic than water. Syrlya jerks, surprised when it stings a little, and shifts back up.

[chronosynthesis]

At that, Syrlya snorts. "We share a trailer, and I do not believe I have ever once seen him fix himself in the mirror."

Doesn't mean he never has, but Syrlya's never borne witness to Strange doing things like 'personal tidiness'. "Given the current state of his hair, I fear it will only become worse again."

[hippocarnival]

Yuya cringes a little, stalling before he turns to face her. Her appearance is kind of--odd, given the argument they just had not too long ago. But... maybe what he said actually did do some good? Embrace the girl she wants to be or whatever.

He's also not sure if she's messing with him by playing dumb, so he hunches his shoulders a little defensively. "What look? You're not mad?"