lostcarnival | ⇨ 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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[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.]

⇨ SHABONDAMASHII

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

ALL ABOARD THE TERRIBLE IDEAS TRAIN!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject