lostcarnival | ⇨ SHABONDAMASHII

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⇨ SHABONDAMASHII

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.

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Peridot frowns. "This will probably sound weird coming from me, but. You know we don't have to figure this out right this second, right? We're here to relax. You're in here specifically to try and recover from your gruesome tiger wounds. Plus, I'm the one that's in charge of the armory. Fixing this is my problem a lot more than it is yours."

"Normally I only reserves that privilege for those that fancy me, Mister Strange. I know you are just as much married as you are into magic. You'll excuse me if I have some doubts," he says plainly and honestly.

In any case, he's not letting Strange touch him still but he is offering his hand to him to hold if he really must grab onto something. He'll find that's the only thing he can grab without attacking. He's already approaching the entrance and heading outwards towards the festival. Instead of walking towards it, he'll take a left towards the open fields.

"I already told you I'm not going anywhere," he repeats, at least not yet.

He really has no idea what to do here, but he can't leave Rita like this. This is just, some kind of weird, probably magic induced, problem that the Carnival regularly encounters. What about their plans to return to Terca Lumireis together? He made that plan with the whole Rita... Surely there's a way to reverse this? It doesn't seem right to leave them separated like this.

9S smiles, the best he can. He's better at acting confident or unconcerned than 2B was, at least. "Maybe she'll change her mind if I'm there with you." Or not? Rita is kind of stubborn, sometimes. "Besides, you both can't stay here. We're going to have to get back to the Carnival at some point."

9S's cheeks heat up and it's not just because of their proximity to the heated water. His gaze falls to the water's surface.

"Well, yeah."

Rita is a human -- part-human still counts -- so... it already feels almost sacrilegious to have a close relationship with a human. If he didn't treat what they have with seriousness it would feel Wrong. He would chase the stars for her and if they ever became separated... there isn't anything he wouldn't do to return to her side.

"Isn't it the same for you and Childermass?"

He's still sore about Childermass outright pretending he didn't know a thing about Lambert's love life, considering he's involved in it.

Strange wrinkles his nose with annoyance at Tyki's statement. Just as much married as he is into magic...for all the good that did him.

"Four of my dearest friends here are in relationships of some sort and I have a feeling a fifth is to join them. Whereas in the past year or so, I've only seen my wife, my actual wife for five or so minutes. Everything else has been illusions or phantoms. Even in Eden I was taunted with her voice, but bereft of Arabella herself."

He moves to try and get in front of Tyki and block the man's way. "Damn marriage. I'm tired of this and I want to be happy here and now." And so, knowing full well that he might just fall through Tyki's face, Strange impulsively leans forward to try and kiss the other man.

"You've never expressed such wanton need before. Why the change of heart?" he questions, his hand sliding out to press over Strange's chest if he can help it, keeping some space between them without him falling over.

Coming out of the Manor, Tyki had joked that if Strange ever tried to kiss him again he'd show the man a good and proper one, with tongue, but the thought to dominate the situation barely crosses his mind. He doesn't resist, not entirely, his hand coming up to block the kiss between their lips. There's an amused look on his face.

"Happy... with me? You'd have to learn to share, Mister Strange. I'm barely one to cling to just one individual. Perhaps I've stroked your ego far too much. Whatever this is that's overtaken you is sure to leave you with lasting regret. We're you not a friend I would've taken advantage of you already."

Some introductions are bound to be a little awkward, such as when Hinawa comes across a very familiar woman as she's heading to the baths. She stops and stares for a moment before realizing what she's doing. She's still a little tired from her ordeal in the prisms and- oh. Oh no. She knows where she's seen this other woman before.

Beau might also recognize her, even without the creepy mirror eyes and... is that sheep's wool instead of hair? "Ah... hello there."

Strange doesn't move away, letting Tyki's hand linger on his chest. Tyki's going to have to be the one to move because Strange is enjoying pretty much any sensation of physical contact that he can.

"Nothing's overtaken me," Strange grumbles. "In fact, I'm more certain of things now than I was before! That other me gets to deal with all the dull, responsible things. I'll simply do what makes me happy. And what makes me happy is being here, with you, forever."

And kissing. Kissing also makes him happy. So, without a care in the world, Strange leans forward to try for kissing attempt #2.

"But how does a fish get a pedicure...?" She's so confused. Also that might just be the one she's picking by virtue of wanting to find out how it works.

Rita's eyes light up at that suggestion. It's true... Maybe things will go differently if he's there.

"I don't think either of us plan on being left behind. But..." Well, she could tell him all the ways they could try living as separate people, or she can take the opportunity to see if that can be avoided altogether. She stands and straightens her yukata. "...Never mind. I'd bet she's at the Carnival, so... do you want to go now? I think... it's a good idea, for you to talk to her."

Luckily, the portal connecting the two dimensions isn't too far away.

Fortunately, this Rita happens to be the half that's somewhat receptive to pep talks. She nods, her face brightening. "Y...you're right. It's not like she's an impostor. If she's really a part of me, then she can be reasoned with. I have to try, anyway."

She makes like she's about to march out the door, but she hesitates, and stops to face Strange again. "...Let me know if you learn anything, okay?"

Rita keeps her gaze low. "I'm afraid of that, too..." she admits. It's part of why she wanted so badly to kill their enemies, to be absolutely certain that they couldn't come after them anymore, and to be sure that her world wouldn't be the next one they came to colonize. But she knows they can't exactly destroy the whole Summer Court...

But is making peace with them really any more realistic...?

"I just... can't trust in him, or the other fae, like that. After everything they've done..." She shakes her head. "Maybe I can't stop you, but... don't take any unnecessary risks, okay?"

"I know." He'd have been more surprised if Rita did want to give Ignatius a chance, given everything. "If you can just trust me and the Ringmaster, that's enough."

She must believe in him to some degree, too, if she's been agreeable to so many requests for his leniency. Maybe Yuya can't make any promises for change, but... "You know, I wouldn't do anything to endanger everyone. That includes you."

Because Rita's a precious friend. He has a lot in the carnival he cares for, and everyone's lives deserves to be protected in all of this. He knows it's a lot to trust Ignatius with something so important, but he feels like he's making the right choice to give him the space for a second chance.

Syrlya snorts, taking another sip of the wine. Lazy fools with too much power, maybe. "Don't tempt fate by saying things like that. It is a quickest way to have it turn on you."

He's become such a pessimist, hasn't he... maybe if everything didn't always seem to take a turn for the worst and all.

"Well if it's pathetic to be scared," Childermass mutters, looking down at the daemon cuddling up against his hand. He'll sigh down at her rather than at Lambert, slowly uncurling his fingers again to pet her properly. "Then we're both pathetic."

Having made sure Steven is okay, Amethyst decides she might as well get all the gnarly conversations over with, and goes to find Peridot.

It takes her a while, but she eventually comes across her in one of the baths. It looks immensely relaxing, so of course Amethyst interrupts by flopping on the floor by the bath and dangling her arms in next to Peridot's head.

"Hey."

Despite not getting the exact answer he's looking for, he inevitably gets the one he should be. He's not going to deny all of this is flattering. Like Strange, Tyki enjoys the attention, the explicit dance of attraction between two people. He's not afraid to be the reason marriages are off, or can he count the amount of married women he's had in his bed over the years. Anyone who talked was easily silenced by his family. The Noah were very to the point and concise.

"The other you? You mean what I have before me isn't all of you, Mister Strange? That certain seems unfair~" he teases, Strange's lips again failing to kiss him. He knows Strange might get frustrated the more times he fails, but none of that matter to him. It's why his hand pushes outwards, giving Strange a bit of a shove backwards, "Forever is a very long time and I'm sure that won't last."

"The fish give the pedicure," Strange clarifies. Assuming that Hinawa's picked that one, he gestures for her to follow him as he starts to walk to that specific treatment area.

"You put your feet in a pool and the fish nibble off the dead skin."

"MNH! We do not need so many clothes! Particularly not yukata," he emphasizes, drawing a sigh from the other.

"Well, I suppose for vacation wear you have a point..." the cat laments. As it is. He is at least considering This one.

Gongenzaka looks to Joker, a brow raised. "Just how many do you intend to be purchasing then..."

"MNH-"

To this, both of them flinch- it feels not unlike when they were called out by Yuzu, and while Hanamaru is not Yuzu, the impulse to duck an incoming paper fan still lingers.

The cat speaks first. "...You're not getting out of this one, Noboru..." Bugger.

"...It is...not a common reaction..." Ahhh, but that's hardly an answer either. "...I, the man Gongenzaka...recovered in this fashion due to the 'eggs' used by the Ringmaster to revive others..."

When the spell dissipates, the reaction is imminent.

Gongenzaka leaps upright, immediately panicked. "NH!! Y-You!! I shouldn't have said that," he yelps, holding his head. "No...I shouldn't have- I shouldn't have come out here, or...or run, I shouldn't have talked," he rambles, going back and forth on himself before finally backing away from everything. "I...!"

"...I need to go somewhere else..!!" Okay buddy, whatever you say.

"I will," Strange says, with a little nod. Except he won't because he'll get hit with this dumb splitting into two nonsense a few days from now and has to deal with his other self being a bit of a needy yandere. But hey, he's planning on telling her if he finds out anything interesting.

"Best of luck dealing with your other half."

[She frowns.] ...I don't think that's it... ...that's not how everyone else said it works, anyway.

[A pause.] ...Do people really grow that fast in three years?

[You'll grow that fast, kiddo.]

This is irritating him more than he wants to admit. However, reckless Strange doesn't have much in the way of hiding his emotions. His hair burns a little brighter and the flames creep up closer towards his scalp: he's obviously irritated by all of this and stumbles backwards slightly at Tyki's push.

Strange opens his mouth like he's about to tell Tyki something, but then closes it a second or so later. When he starts talking again, it's in a tone of voice that's very 'I know something you don't know.'

"Let me touch you and I'll tell you about the other Jonathan."

The engineer jerks in surprise, her ears flicking up at the sound of the familiar voice. She whirls around to see Amethyst flopped down next to her.

"Amethyst! You're back!"

Peridot is nothing short of thrilled to see her. If she doesn't quite twig on to Amethyst's melancholy demeanor right away, it's probably because she's just happy to see that she came back this time. The last time Amethyst left for home, she was gone for months. She'd promised it'd be different this time, and Peridot had trusted that, but it still hasn't stopped the what-if's from eating into her relaxation efforts a bit.

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Page 65 of 100

⇨ SHABONDAMASHII

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Sorry for the wait. It's like every time stuff pops up there is some natural disaster

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thanks for that, florence

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Meeting coworkers

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for peridot

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