⇨ 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

[atouts]

Twice! Good god, can he even leave these two alone? The look Childermass gives him likely answers enough because he's frowning at him, oh so much frowning.

"He hasn't said anything about either times."

[kingsroads]

"It must be terrible to have someone keep secrets from you like this."

How about them apples, Childermass? Strange indulges in this one, brief wonderful moment of Childermass frowning and caught off guard before he decides to stop being an ass and answer the man's questions.

"The first time was back in the Summerlands. I doubt the two of you were courting back then. The second time was earlier today."

[atouts]

"I doubt they're secrets," Childermass scoffs, "And just not important enough to garner a mention."

He can see Strange's game here, to get on his nerves. It's working, to be sure, but he'll finally pull up some resolve to resist it. Of course, his feathers are still ruffled with annoyance, but there's only so much you can do with feathers.

"Summerlands, you'd be right about. Earlier today..." He eyes Strange. Summerlands, now here. "What? Do you only do this for spa discounts?"

[spaghettimonster]

"You want to talk about this stuff, again?" Papyrus glances at them from the corner of his eyesocket, still turned away towards the door. "The ways we're... not so different?

It's hard to guess exactly what his brother means, in saying that none of it counts. There's at least two thirds of Papyrus and half of Sans, a majority of each of the brothers, isn't that enough? But maybe it's something more like, a drunken confession doesn't count, and neither does any more magical shift of inhibition or personality.

It's a moot point anyway, he and Sistina agree.

"That might take a while," she hedges. "The other Papyrus doesn't want... well, anything to do with all this. I'll have to... try to talk him around, convince him it's important."

"Who can blame him for that, nobody would want to feel like this."

There's other things Papyrus can blame or complain about his other self over, but not his hesitation to reconnect. Much less the soul-searching beyond it necessary to be one person again.

[spaghettimonster]

His squinting doesn't stop, though it screws into something a little more bewildered.

"...It's not a good thing if something bad happens to part of me," Papyrus says, slowly. He doesn't know whether he's making fun of her for saying something obvious, or trying hard to line it up so he doesn't say anything mean, or if there's some hidden layer of truth in it that he hasn't figured out yet. "If it was good, it wouldn't be bad. That's how bad things are, they're not good, not to any part of anyone... not even the most terrible parts..."

He trails off as one hidden layer of truth reveals itself, whether she meant it or not. Bad things happening to bad people are still bad things. Yelling at Sistina - or himself - just makes things even worse. Then he doesn't even get to feel neutral about neutral things.

"...Is all that stuff about thinking we need to think of something to go back together... something you know, or something you think? People think conflicting things all the time, without... breaking into pieces."

It might be difficult, as he is, to hold onto knowing that and really feeling the certainty of it for more than a few minutes. For now he pulls the tip of his tail into his lap and fidgets with it, loosening the joint to the crystal tip reflecting his time under demonic influence.

let's revive this, i didn't get as overwhelmed w/ tags as i feared

[impatientdefense]

"What the fuck," Beau hisses, taking a half-step back from where she'd been directed before she catches herself. The mannequin isn't attacking, just talking.

She shoots Carly a quick glance, mostly keeping her eyes on the mannequin. "Is that thing alive?"

[verbaltic]

"What're we looking for?" Hanamaru asks. Having zero context on the Miracles, she's just assuming something like 'a really cool spell' or 'blueprints for a wall,' not 'a fae artifact that's also kind of sentient.'

[kingsroads]

They 100% only do this for spa discounts.

"There's a few treatments you can only have if you sign up for a couple's package," Strange explains, with a little shrug. He has absolutely no shame in gaming the system and fake boyfriending it up so that he can get some sweet spa perks.

"If we ever stop by a third world with a spa, you'll have to find someone else to pair up with. Lambert and I have our strategy ironed out oerfectly."

Said strategy is just to call each other sweetie at various points in the spa day but otherwise act as they always do.

[dressedtothe]

This is a good start, 9S thinks at first, but then this Rita calls the other Rita the reject and he can't help but be a little disappointed. It's really weird to hear Rita speak to, well, herself like that. Like she's someone she barely acknowledges the existence of.

The one he saw first... holds everything Rita doesn't like about herself. The parts she's apparently rejected. But just because you reject a part of yourself doesn't mean it stops existing.

"Hey, aren't you being kinda harsh?" He glances over at the yukata-clad Rita, shooting her a reassuring smile before returning his attention to the one in shorts and a casual top. "What's with the cold shoulder? You both came from the same Rita."

[impatientdefense]

Beau wouldn't be impressed by that policy, for sure. Not unless it was for reasons like 'the soldier is okay at soldiering but REALLY GOOD at whatever else we need', when there were enough other soldiers to help herd the noncombatants. Not having seen the scale of fighting they're in for.

Her eyes narrow at him when he frowns and completely evades the question, but fortunately for him - and his desire not to explain the whole thing - she jumps to the wrong conclusion. Magical contracts are serious and ironclad, as it were. They must not do reassignments, just leaving people wobbling on hooves or adapting to new limbs or whatever to adjust as quickly as possible.

"What, you've got the power to do that?" She finally settles for asking, raising her brows at him and snorting back a laugh. "I get it. I say yeah, and you go 'oops' and actually turn me into like... a frog, or something."

[prazerbutterfly]

"Shouldn't you?" he offers back, leaning down to press the point.

"Your marriage was one out of love and not obligation, was it not? A rather rare thing in a world full of politics and situation cravats," his voice low and concise, painting a picture of some cheezy story, "Just as your other half running around this bathhouse is every much a part of you as well. It is you, despite everything else you seem to glad to be rid of."

He gestures with one hand, waving it about a little dismissively. As he said before, he's not going anywhere for now, "I understand living in the now, indulging in happiness and the pleasures of life more than anyone. That level of commitment isn't something I can see myself getting into."

[kingsroads]

"Of course I have the power to do that," Strange scoffs. He wiggles his fingers in a slightly over the top fashion, something that was probably Strange going for 'magical' but ended up closer to 'doofy.'

"I've served directly under kings, generals, and three separate fae. I've rerouted rivers, brought magic to a magicless world, and, of course, turned people into animals. Aside from our fae, I am the most powerful wizard in the carnival and I can do anything I set my mind to."

Except heal, make shields, or give stat buffs. But really, those barely count, he can do almost anything he sets his mind to. He's definitely gloating and drumming himself up, but there's a grin on his face as he says so. This is Strange listing off his accomplishments because he can and also partly to be a shit.

[kingsroads]

It's as Tyki mentions his other half that Strange narrows his eyes. As far as Strange can tell, there's really no reason to bring that version of himself up. Is this why Tyki's being so nice to him?

"If you understand living in the now, then why do you keep trying to stop me from doing so?" Strange grumbles. He pushes himself up off of Tyki, so that he can actually look the man in the eyes. He doesn't really want to leave Tyki and leave this conversation...but he also doesn't want to discuss his other half at the moment.

"Besides, it's better that I'm split. The other Jonathan can be useful, he can go off and do all the things that everybody wants me to do. I'll just stay with you."

[prazerbutterfly]

Oh, he's hit a nerve. He can tell alone from the abrupt change in body language from relaxing to sitting up. It makes Tyki grin at the side of his mouth. Also Strange, you idiot. He's being nice because Strange is his friend and he always goes along with his whims.

"Because I'm attached to you, Mister Strange. I would hate to do something that would ruin that, not that you could get rid of me easily should this complicate matters down the road. Were this you, in all of your self, I likely wouldn't be as resistant," he says honestly and to the point. "Don't be so jealous of your other half. I'm not going anywhere."

[periphrasing]

"Sure, that's great, but I don't even know if Lapis knows about any of that! Or if she'd still do that here!" Peridot snaps, gesturing wildly with one hand by jerking it up out of the bath, sending droplets of water flying. She knows she shouldn't be getting mad at Amethyst. She knows this isn't her fault. But it's hard to be grateful about good intentions when you've just received shitty news that is this degree of upsetting.

[hippocarnival]

Yuya nods absently as he listens. He can pick up on the implication there--adoptive family with no idea their exact ages or birthdays, they were probably orphans.

"So... did you meet each other in the circus, or before it?" It sounds like there's quite a few of them, the way he talks about it.

[kingsroads]

That frown is still on Strange's face but it softens a little as Tyki speaks.

"You've got to promise that." Is this petty? Yep. Is this childish? Super childish. But Strange desperately wants to believe what Tyki's saying is true and is willing to resort to petty nonsense to make it so. "You've got to promise that even if I do something that doesn't make sense, even if I do something like that Ignatius business, where the entire carnival hates me for it, you'll still be my friend."

Because Strange knows that the likelihood of something like that happening again is pretty dang high.

[impatientdefense]

Beau takes in his whole bragging with another snorted laugh, and waves down for another drink. There have got to be some gaps in his skillsets, given that he's here and nobody was surprised he got caught by the Mirror. Right now he sounds like every worked up description she's heard Nott make about Caleb, and it's just not realistic.

"Okay..... So, being as you're so badass," and she's not quite laughing at him, but in that middle area between skeptical and credulous, trying not to commit to believing anything. "How'd you wind up with the carnival? Kind of a far cry from working with royalty."

[kingsroads]

"It used to be that you could sign onto the carnival for a year and a day in exchange for something." Before everything went to shit, that is. "I signed on to learn about a particular spell. I didn't know how it was cast, I wanted to learn, and now I do."

He's being very circumspect, mostly because that particular spell is technically necromancy. If Beau wants to know the answer, he'll definitely tell her: there's something about this woman that Strange likes and he's enjoyed all his conversations with her so far. But again, necromancy. You don't drop that information in casual conversation.

[drrdrrdrr]

"I know!" says Amethyst. "Look, I know stuff's not the same here, but -- she's not like a totally different person, y'know?" She slaps her tail against the water. "And you're still totally a huge wuss about ever upsetting her here, too!"

[prazerbutterfly]

It's kind of adorable how strongly he felt about this. The splits were bound to be annoying and yet all this tense air would feed him with valuable information. It would help him understand those around him more. Some of it, he would be grateful for, just like now.

"I promise," he says firmly, no hesitation lingering in his voice, "Even if I were to turn against you all for some reason or another, you'd still be my friend, because I am attached to you. You're reckless, irritating at times, have broken my con with your rash decisions, and often resort to tactics without thinking. But that changes nothing, Strange. I love you for everything you are."

He looks upwards towards that night sky, no longer to meet his gaze, "Little could change that."

[kingsroads]

This Strange isn't even trying to hide his emotions and hide his feelings. When Tyki says that he'll love him for everything, his face just lights up with excitement and relief. Good. That's close enough to remove his doubts and reassure him of Tyki's true intentions.

"I want you to call me Jonathan," he says, with a little smile. "None of this 'Mister Knowledge' or 'Mister Strange' nonsense. Surely we're close enough for that."

There's a pause, before Strange gives Tyki a wide grin. He's about to launch into one of those rash decisions as he moves forward and attempts to grab Tyki in a tight hug.

[prazerbutterfly]

"But Jonathan is so long..." he snorts, his face plastering on an amused expression, that grin working its way into his features. He can keep teasing all he wants.

The hug is unexpected but he allows it because he's never one to turn down a hug. Even a monster of the carnival could do that and he'd have little to no reservations about accepting it. Try to grab anything else inappropriate and that might another thing all together, "Strange would be a better fit, given that is what you are."

[kingsroads]

"Mister Knowledge is even longer than Jonathan!" Strange teases in return.

Thankfully, the hug is chaste. Strange does linger for a bit longer than expected before he lets go of Tyki and lays back down on the grass, resting his head on Tyki's leg. For all of Strange's initial desire to cast magic or be a firebug, now he's looking like he might just take a nap instead. Emotions are tiring and, thanks to Tyki's words, he feels safe and comfortable at the moment.

He's not even going to try and dispute Tyki calling him 'strange' because he's not exactly wrong. In between going mad and befriending a Summer Court fae, 'strange' is one of the nicer insults people can call him. "But if you're more comfortable with 'Strange,' I suppose you can still call me that."

[dontpokethat]

"Your... teeth?" Wow he should not think that's so funny, it's a fair question from someone with no... eating experience. But it does take him some work to stifle a grin. "Uh... not much, unless what you're eating is really sticky."