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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Something unfortunate happened, around the lunch hour of Day 94. In any other circumstance it could have gone well- Yuuya and Gongenzaka would have taken deep breaths, and settled what they were talking about with ease. But Gongenzaka has too much doubt in his heart and more than that he has a shard of a mirror stuck in his soul. His worries and feelings bend and twist, until his daemon comes rushing around the corner to see a bizarre sight indeed.

One Gongenzaka stops in his run. Turns, and frowns, and mutters that what he's done is dishonorable and unforgivable and he needs to fix this- but then also looks to the Second Gongenzaka.

The one who is holding his head and curling into a ball and starting to whisper and cry about the wrong that he's done and how he can't face that. Marishi stares for a few baffled seconds.

At which point the first one sees an opportunity- watch his double. He has important matters to attend to.

He does not leave Marishi a choice.

He simply goes.

[Heads it's FOCUS]

Gongenzaka has 'important matters' to deal with, but they are matters that he needs to employ perfectly. This, he is certain of. Rather than immediately going to face Yuuya, he leaves Marishi and his 'unwanted' double to return to his hotel room. Grabbing papers, ink, brushes...everything he needs.

He can be seen in one of the quieter rooms of the bathhouse, using one of the baths for...well, not a bath. For a while, he's simply sitting upon the water to jot down various notes and ideas in peace. Later on, he's wandering. Using a keen eye to make note of one building or another, of certain trinkets inside, certain clothes...

Notably, gift shops seem to have taken his attention. As it is- it takes a lot to catch his eye, but when someone else does he gives a polite if not stern nod.

"Greetings," he speaks calmly, almost distantly even.

Something doesn't seem quite right about this Gongenzaka.

[Tails it's PANIC]

Marishi doesn't get to babysit the 'dark' double for very long. If there is one thing he is not, it's 'constant'. Once Marishi tries to get him to talk to Yuuya (since well, that first one clearly won't), he's very quick to determine that doing so is absolutely the worst thing he could possibly do, even if he knows it was bad to leave things as they were. He breaks his speech patterns constantly, and instead looks for the first distracting thing and runs off there.

Which is exactly how he ends up with one or two strange collapsing wooden puppets. The pattern of spotting something neat and impulsively buying it easily causes his daemon to lose track of them- which means that there's no one to reel him in when he starts wandering off to other areas.

Because this side of Gongenzaka isn't depressed. He's avoidant. He can be very happy if he wants and that's exactly what he chases. Something new. Something distracting, something that will make him not think about what he just did.

At one point he peers inside a bar with all the tempted curiousity of a street-rough teen his own age. Actually he probably peers into a lot of places he ordinarily wouldn't go, with that sort of curiousity.

[WILDCARD - Gongenzaka's 'split' only lasts through to the morning of Day 95; they get pulled back together pretty quick, especially since neither one is adverse to the idea once the Lighter One's goals are handled. As it is, Dark Gon will be seen hoarding souvenirs, trying alcohol, and over all being a Very Irresponsible Gongenzaka. The Light One will be doing what can best be described as Date Research.]

Gongenzaka's lighter half won't have any trouble avoiding Yuya while he crafts his apology, because Yuya spends hours after returning to the bathhouse sulking in his room. He only wanders out in the evening when he realizes he's hungry, and that makes him painfully aware that it's kind of sad to lock himself in his room over a rejection.

It still hurts, but he's trying not to think about it.

If Gongenzaka were whole and aware, he would have chased Yuuya down long before he had a moment to curl up in his room.

That, however, is far from the case. It is also why when Gongenzaka knocks on Yuuya's door- rather, when the 'light' half does- he is dressed in a formal hakama of simple hues, a small gift in the free hand as he waits. No need to announce himself! He will make his presence known one way or another after all.

Yuya's just on his way out when he stops, hand on the doorknob. At least at this moment he's made sure his face is clear and he doesn't just look like he was crying. He waits, expecting some announcement of who's at his door. When it doesn't come, he slowly pulls it open to peek outside--and stops.

"Oh... Gonenzaka." Yuya's not surprised, but he is a little apprehensive.

"Yuuya," is Gongenzaka's greeting. Short, polite, yet not without warmth. It is then that Gongenzaka slowly brings himself down into a steep bow, face and hands low to the ground. There is no thunderous thudding with the force; it is a motion made with care.

"...Yuuya. For my actions and haste earlier, and for the pain and confusion which thus resulted- I, the man Gongenzaka, humbly ask for your forgivness. And...if willing, a second chance."

So, this is happening.

Yuya is immediately bewildered, stunned silent. Has he been dwelling on this? It's still just as grandiose as he always is, but somehow much more practiced than usual.

He jolts suddenly, opening the door all the way and having his hand hurriedly. "It--it's okay, really! I know, it was kind if out if nowhere, so let's just forget about it."

It probably won't be that easy to move on like Yuya didn't just ask to kiss him, but damn it he can hope.

"No." Practiced isn't quite wrong, but somehow what's improvised sounds equally held together. "To forget would be to ignore- and I, the man Gongenzaka, refuse to do such a thing to you," he adds as he stands back up. "Therefore... I, the man Gongenzaka, wish to share something with you. ...I would like to invite you to sit with me, for a while."

Yuya's gaze follows Gon up as he stands. His fingers curl tightly into the door, unsure how to read that. He's not entirely sure how to read Gongenzaka in general, right now.

"... Okay." He nods once before taking a step out into he hallway. There's no reason he should have to say no, after all.

He is smiling. Softly, warmly, and somehow less intensely than he otherwisw would, but he is smiling. "Good," he replies, allowing himself a small sigh of relief. He offers his hand for Yuuya to take- Or so it seems.

There is sort of a box in it. "I, the man Gongenzaka, wish to offer you this, as well."

Yuya closes the door behind him, his eyebrows lifting up into his bangs as he looks between Gongenzaka and the gift. This... isn't the kind of 'let things go back to normal' he was thinking of, but Gongenzaka said he wouldn't ignore it. And wouldn't this all be too elaborate for a simple rejection?

"Thanks," he says softly with an uneven smile, then takes the box and immediately opens the container to peer inside with pure curiosity. What is this, what's going on?

Lighten up Yuuya! It's fine. Fineeee...

Inside the box is a simple, but well picked gift. It appears to be a rather fun coloured stationary set- complete with a name stamp. It's not immediately apparent, but the ink creates a glittering effect.

Gongenzaka seems to have his attention swt ahead, on where they're going. He has absolute faith that Yuuya will enjoy his gift after all.

As to where they're going, it's outside, following a more dirt beaten path.

Oh--Yuya roots through the box, thoroughly distracted with looking through the contents that he misses Gongenzaka's first attempt to lead him along. Once he notices, he shuts the box and holds it close with a smile as he quickly falls into step.

"This is great!" He grins much more strongly, any apprehension about Gon's weird behavior being effectively forgotten about in the face of a present.

HE KNEW IT-

Well, confidence further empowered, Gongenzaka moves to continue leading the way to a more natural tea area- it appears to be reserved at the moment. Walking in, Gongenzaka gestures for Yuuya to enter the clearing with a slightly bowed head in what could well be a romantic gesture. It wouldn't be out of place; once in, it is akin to the bench location the found but Capitalized upon. Lights dance among tall bamboo stalks, and a blanket has been draped across the ground to hold a simple traditional tea set. It's ready to be poured, and...

"...Shall we sit?" Gongenzaka invites, voice soft and face marred only by past injuries and a happy calm smile.

Yuya's quiet as they walk, but his spirits are slowly getting brighter as he follows along. There's still an awkward pit in his stomach, like he's waiting for what happened earlier that day to cone crashing down on them. But right now... things are safe.

He peers inside the area, taken aback by it. It's pre-set, private, really very pretty. Gongenzaka chose this? To talk?

He rubs the back of his neck as he looks down at the tea, looking at Gongenzaka with a little hesitance. His face is getting warm again, but he tries to play it off.

"Yeah, sure." He says with his voice as steady as he can, a faint smile, and then he enters the area to sit on the picnic cloth by the tea set. He puts his gift beside him, looking around to take everything in.

Of course he picked this place! Well. It seemed perfect for the task at least. Gongenzaka takes a seat himself, waiting until Yuuya is settled before pouring tea for them both.

Only then does he speak. "Your words, earlier. ...As I, the man Gongenzaka have said, how I reacted was unforgivable. My answer may not have been spoken, but another- an incorrect one, I fear- was therefore implied. I, the man Gongenzaka, therefore wish to prove to you...to show to you, what my answer is, and indeed would have been," he continues, looking to Yuuya as he speaks.

Yuya takes his cup once Gongenzaka pours it, blowing over the top before takes quick, short sips to taste it around the heat.

His gaze lifts to Gongenzaka as he speaks, the cup pressed against his lips and he pauses and listens quietly.

"An incorrect answer?" He lowers his teacup, looking at Gongenzaka with anticipation.

Gongenzaka nods. "Aaah, incorrect. I, the man Gongenzaka, ran after all. At the least, I should have simply collected my thoughts, to realize the clear conclusion!"

Even shouting, he seems 'off'. Less emotive, less booming. He pushes on. "Yuuya... You are my greatest friend, and my truest companion. You are one who I, the man Gongenzaka, feel honored to protecr and be protected by. Yuuya...to be with you, is the greatest thing I, the man Gongenzaka, could have ever been allowed. Which is why, when I, the man Gongenzaka say this...I must assure you that these words come from the bottom of my heart. Yuuya.

"I, the man Gongenzaka, love you. Truly, and deeply, I love you."

Yuya gapes, the teacup tumbling out of his fingers and spilling on the ground.

It's more direct than Yuya's prepared for, and he says it and Yuya knows they're speaking another language, and it's not exactly the same implication but also, it is, and after his last reaction, Yuya can't fathom how Gongenzaka can say it so firmly.

His face is turning colors that compete with his hair. He flusters, fumbling backwards a little as he searches Gon's face for... something.

"... But?" He doesn't know what answer he'sa more nervous about.

Edited 2018-09-01 21:46 (UTC)

Gon is a rock. Patient and calm. The smile is real and honest but there isn't even a hair of doubt in his words. If anything there is only calm amusement as he catches Yuuya's mug with a vine. "Careful," he hums, "It would be best not to burn yourself, after all."

As it is. He waits a moment or so and says- "But? But what? There is no catch, Yuuya. It means the answer was 'yes'."

SPLIT DOUBLES | AFTERNOON 94 - MORNING 95 | OTA

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PANIC! And Bad Influences~

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