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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[LIGHT]

[A - Spa]

[After days of being a bird and all of the stress that had come with it, Doll is wound up like a spring. Arriving at a place where she heard talk of a hot bath and a festival seems like just what the proverbial doctor ordered, though the first thing she did after being shown her room was collapse onto the bed for a long nap. And when she wakes up... she feels so refreshed. Almost like she has no worries at all.]

[Donning her light robe, she practically skips down the stairs looking for the bath, pausing to greet and chat with anybody who she crosses paths with. Eventually she catches up to someone she recognizes--]

Evenin'! Ya headin' f'r the baths? 'M headin' there m'self!

[DARK]

[B - Festival Town]

[Everything is so frightening-- where is Joker?]

[Ever since waking up next to another version of herself, Doll fled the bathhouse and immediately got herself lost in the endless festival and press of tourists. Each one seems to give her a judging look, and all of the buildings are starting to look the same. She can't figure out where she is, she needs help, she always needs help...]

[She stands out as a guest of the bathhouse to be sure, so it's probably a little odd to see her tucked into a dark corner with her back to the wall, watching people go by. The moment she sees someone she might recognize, she perks up like she's going to call out. Maybe she shouldn't bother though, she doesn't want to bother anybody, and she doesn't want to attract the attention of anybody who's going to be angry with her.]

[Herbert, who has been convinced into a sober black yukata (even if he's wearing it with all the underwear he possibly can) is making his way slowly through the crowds, trying to see if there's anything actually useful for sale at the festival when he notices Doll. As the Doctor, he's encountered everyone at the Carnival at least once for one reason or another, so he does recognise her, even if they haven't interacted.

He can't think why she's tucked herself into a corner like that, though, other than sensibly hating the festival atmosphere just as much as he does. It's plausible she might need help. He doesn't particularly want to, of course, but he supposes he might as well work out whether she does and call one of the group she's commonly with to deal with her? At least that would give him a break from shoving through this crowd.

So, choice made, he shuffles his way over (geta are bad and he hates them) to address her.]

Miss...Doll? [It feels stupid to call someone that but it's all he's got for her.] What are you doing here?

[To be fair, it's all Doll has, so she can't exactly blame him. She looks up when he addresses her, and of course Doll recognizes him as the Doctor who'd seen her for some very minor scrapes and so forth. She doesn't seem too happy to see him, though, and shuffles her feet awkwardly.]

'M... 'm lost. [And she sounds embarrassed and scared about it.] I can' find th'bathhouse, been lookin' for near hours, feels like.

Lost? [Herbert looks around himself, and really tries to tilt himself higher on his geta and look around. Huh. It is confusing, look at that. He wasn't really thinking about how to get back to the bathhouse on his way out here and with the press of the crowds he's been disoriented. How irritating.]

I think it's...the central aspect of this, place: it shouldn't be too hard to find again. [He does a bit of a half shrug.] There's nothing really worthwhile out here anyway, only trinkets and other garbage. Why did you leave in the first place? Did you find whatever you were looking for?

Wasn' lookin' for nothin', jus'... had ta leave. [She steals a quick second of eye contact before she looks away again and down at her hands to twist them nervously. The bathhouse is pretty central, she should have been able to figure this out on her own.]

Woke up next ta somebody what looked like me-- gave me the willies, so I scarpered off. Didn' pay much mind ta where I was goin'...

[Herbert really doesn't know what to make of this. Someone who looked like her? Is this a usual aspect of the bathhouse? He wouldn't mind it too much, it would be useful to have a clone of himself for scientific purposes. He'd get twice the amount of work done if one of him could always be working on reagent. Maybe he'll take a nap and hope. But that's really besides the point right now. Truthfully, he has no idea what's happening. Possibly it's more sinister.]

We should look into that, willies or no--if it's anything dangerous the Carnival would have no idea it wasn't you. Follow me, I'll get us back. [He starts shuffling away again, looking out for a local to demand the location of the bathhouse from.]

Look inta it? No! [Doll backs away a step, further into the corner, looking terrified.]

Every time we stick our noses inta somethin', it's always bad for everybody. We should just let this alone, get on with the week 'n let it be.

[Self-preservation was king, obviously. And with everything the carnival had encountered before, Doll couldn't say that her assessment on what would keep everybody safe was wrong.]

Besides, what's somethin' that looks like me gonna do? 'M too small ta be any trouble for anybody here.

[Herbert pauses, midstep, and turns around to face Doll as she retreats. He gives her something of a flat, rude look, as if she's too stupid to fully comprehend what's going on.]

You've already stuck your nose into it just by virtue of waking up--you have no idea what that other you is capable of. Especially as your. Friends, your, brother have no idea that the real you is lost out here in the city. As far as they're concerned, that other you is the only one there is. [He starts to walk purposefully back and then almost trips over his geta before catching himself and half-stumbling forward to confront Doll more effectively.] Leaving it alone is just as much an action as a real action would be in this case.

[This is so much more than he wanted to be involved with when he offered to help out here. How annoying.] Are you intending on staying out here or are you coming with me?

[If Doll had been more herself this entire conversation wouldn't be happening like this, however she has no impetus to stand up for herself or tell him that he's being far too hard on her given the circumstances. Instead, she looks up at him and trembles like a leaf, curling into herself as though he might lash out and strike her. As far as she's concerned, it's not outside the realm of possibility.]

I'll come, I'll come! Don' leave me here, please! [She looks practically hysterical at the thought of being left to her own devices, but conflicted about walking near somebody who seems so angry with her.]

[At the start, Joker had been convinced that things couldn't happen so easily. They've had lowkey stops before, of course, but their last 'stop'- retrieving the mirror- had become such a mess... Would they really be in the clear? Would things actually be alright? He'd tell anyone who asked him that it'd be okay, of course. That they'd have a bit of time. But in the back of his mind, there'd always be that uncertain mantra, that bit of paranoia and uncertainty. He'd thought Celebration would be okay, too, but...]

[But nothing. Right now, it feels like those worries have peeled away, in the form of something he can leave behind. He's not so bogged down with his own paranoia, his own fake smiles. Right now, it feels like he can actually be what he's always wanted to be. Not twisted and broken and constantly fucking up. Can he change things? For once, he feels certain that he can.]

[Step one of changing things means actually living out his life as he's wanted to, and not just faking it. So he's taking the time to live what good they have available, exploring all around, hoping to see people he knows. So of course when he sees a familiar figure, hidden away in a shyness that doesn't entirely suit her, he can't help but break out into a beaming smile.]

There's my Dolly!

[Laughing, he comes over, wings tucked carefully against his back. It won't be the end of the world if he bumps into someone, but he'd rather get to her all the quicker.]

Joker!

[What a relief-- but simultaneously embarrassing to be caught in such a state. Doll rushes a few steps towards him, intending to grab and hold on as long as he'd let her, but a second later she stops. She shouldn't be relying on Joker for everything, he does too much already and she's only adding to his pile. He shouldn't have to look after her like this, rescue her every time she gets lost.]

What... what're you doin' here? Kinda far from everythin'...

[Even if his adorable little sister will stop part of the way, Joker has no shame in stepping closer, hand going to rest on her head fondly.]

Innit obvious? I'm takin' a gander at everythin'. Can't do that if I don't go everywhere. Besides- [His mouth quirks up in a playful smile.] I figured there'd be some people who'd get all quiet in the carnival and hide away someplace.

[He hadn't thought Doll would be one of them... but that just means it was a good idea to venture off.]

[And the gesture does make her feel warm and safe. Everything will be fine as long as she has Joker and their family, someone to fall back on and support her. She wrings her hands as the thought comes, unbidden, that this can only last so long before he discards her, but the moment is nice. She shouldn't ruin it.]

Ah, right, 'course. [Doll nervously combs her fingers through her bangs to resettle them over her face.] I wasn' hidin' as such, the crowd was jus' real big. Felt like everybody was starin'...

[When she's so obvious like that, it's equally plain to see what she's fussing about... He moves his hand a little, making sure that he doesn't get in the way.]

Did ya look ta see if they were?

[Because he's pretty sure they weren't at all... but he won't dismiss her so easily like that.]

[They weren't, of course. If anybody was staring, it was probably because she looked lost and terrified, not because she's hiding a serious scar under her hair. But it feels, to Doll, as though that's the only thing people see when they look at her.]

Maybe they looked away when I looked. [She gets this stubborn streak from somewhere...]

[Who.... could she get this stubborn streak from... It's truly a mystery...]

[What's not a mystery is who's grabbing her visible cheek in a light pinch.]

Every single person can do that?

Ah-- Jokerrr! [Doll leans towards the pinch, whining in protest over the treatment but not really doing anything to stop it aside from looking up at Joker with big sad eyes.]

...no, every single person can't do that...

[Sometimes, she's still such a child.... Joker keeps his hand there, even as he draws down into a crouch before her, knees up to his chest. He has to be a lot more careful when he's wearing the clothes traditional to here, after all.]

Mm, that's right. Ya gotta remind yerself of that. Although I know it's probably tough... [His wings shift a little bit, stretching from the state they were drawn into.] Well, part of that's probably a little my fault, too.

[This part of her is still a child, for certain, and while she's not completely content to stay that way, she's not confident enough to consider herself an adult. So this is how it is. At least she can take some benefit from it-- she loves it when Joker takes care of her. It's only slightly dampened by Joker's assessment that anything is his fault.]

No, that's not true. None'a this is your fault, nothin's your fault.

Hey, don't worry about it. [A slight tug of her cheek.] S'okay if things are my fault, sometimes. Me not bein' honest, that probably hasn't helped ya at all, has it?

[He smiles a little, an expression with mixed emotion in it that's not really good or bad.]

But I've already decided ta be better so you'll be able ta believe me again when I tell ya things like "folks aren't starin'".

...what? [Doll freezes and stares at Joker like he just slapped her instead of tugging on her face gently. Somewhere deep down, Doll has always known Joker has lied to her on multiple occasions, but maybe she's never wanted to believe it. Being faced with the truth about it is jarring, especially when it's so bluntly stated. It doesn't feel right, and it makes her think back to that other version of herself she'd woken up next to, and she wonders if she wasn't the only one...]

When, uh. [She nervously brushes Joker's hand away from her face.] When did'ya decide this?

...Y'could try ta look a little less like I hit ya...

[Although he guesses he's kind of pulling the rug out from under her... Joker lets his hand swing down to rest on his knee.]

And.... probably before we got here. And before that. At least, I told myself I'd decided, but... [Letting out a breath, he ducks his head.] Well. Even yer big brother can get scared.

Sorry, it's jus'... sudden. [She didn't mean to look so stricken, but the admission that he's lied to her enough for her to form some kind of habit is a little disconcerting. Doll tries to rearrange her face into something that looks more worried than stunned, but it's difficult when she's trying to be calm and marry this version of Joker with the one that kept her from all of the dangers of the carnival for so long.]

[She looks down at the ground for a moment, then reaches to tip Joker's chin back up.] I know. I'm scared too, 'n hidin' things because of it. I understand why, even if I squawk about it.

[He lets her do it easily enough, greeting her with another small but genuine smile.]

Still not an excuse, 'tho, right? Because ya got so upset. I didn't know what ta do, even though it was obvious.

So... We should stop bein' scared together, yeah?

[This is still too weird for her to process. Joker being forthright about all of this, apologizing, recognizing that she was upset. After being brushed off so many times, and reassured right before a subject change? This is uncanny.]

...what, y'mean, tell each other everythin'? [This sounds like a scary thing she doesn't want to do.]

⇨ SHABONDAMASHII

Doll - OTA

B | I have to because this is just a terrible idea.

ALL ABOARD THE TERRIBLE IDEAS TRAIN!

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B because let's set this off

oh boy oh boy

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