⇨ 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]

"I always have the energy for work," Childermass mutters, while Childermass — the lounging one — rolls his eyes. Ignoring that, the busy half carries on, guessing, "And I imagine the Ringmaster would use whatever the third Miracle turns into. She's the only one who can handle them without being altered."

Though following that, lounging Childermass pipes up again, "If you're hoping for anything more than work chatter, you're going to be disappointed."

The magician Lambert is addressing is ignoring any innuendos. Either that or they missed him entirely, but the second magician gets them just fine, thanks.

[whattaprick]

“You do,” Lambert agrees, and there’s ... pride there, even if it’s misplaced, a sort of wistfulness in his expression before it clears and he withdraws the hand that had been shyly creeping over the bedsheets to him at what the other magician says next. He can’t distract Childermass when he’s working on something — a good Nightrider, someone Childermass could depend on, would know that. Rather than wheedle for more, he folds his hands in his lap and looks to the lounging magician with a slight frown.

“But he’s right. Work is important,” he says after a moment. “If we’d planned Eden better, if we’d known more, the Architects shouldn’t have gotten the chance to summon Lilith in the first place. We still don’t know much about the Beast ... but it isn’t going to be something sitting in a room waiting for us to find it.”

[atouts]

"Or someone would have tipped them off regardless and we'd still have dealt with Lilith. You'll never know," the lounging Childermass says sardonically. "Nor will that one."

To which he nods at the writing Childermass, who looks up to give his other self a look of disgust.

"Anything would have been better than what did happen," the one in bed disagrees coldly. "What the Ringmaster truly needs to do is cut loose the most useless members of this carnival. From what I've seen thus far, we certainly don't need a branch of diplomats. They don't even do anything."

To which Mr. Smoker over yonder replies, "You're just mad you literally walked right into that bear's claws. Get over it already. This isn't helping."

[whattaprick]

Lambert listens to the argument, head cocked, then shakes his head.

“The Ringmaster has her purposes for doing things,” he tells the haughty Childermass on the bed, then adds, “As do you. I’m sure you had your reasons for fighting Bezaliel—” And he doesn’t sound sarcastic, he sounds terribly earnest. “—but we can’t have an outcome like that again.”

He does reach out then, resting his fingers on Childermass’s shoulder. “We’re a team. We should act more like one. I’m someone you can depend on, now.”

[atouts]

"Pride," lounging Childermass jeers, "That's the only reason. Thought we were better at shadows than some animal, didn't you?"

Or them. Whichever. All that earns that Childermass is... another glare from the other one. This is going to get confusing fast, right? In any case, the Childermass by Lambert raises a hand to shoo the witcher's hand, and comfort, away. He'll focus on him instead of the other, less important magician in the room.

"You've split up as well, haven't you?" It's how he states he's dependable now that makes it stand out. "For the better, I hope."

[whattaprick]

Lambert nods, though not without a worried look at the far less business-like Childermass. Unfortunately that means his hand stays where it is, momentarily resistant to the shooting off.

“Yeah,” he confirms. “It feels ... good, losing all that. Like I can think clearly, for the first time. Do you know why it’s happening?” It’s Childermass — he must at least have a theory.

[atouts]

"Mirror," the magicians say in unison. Yeah, they already had this discussion. It's the lounging copy that has more to add, however, "And it's terrible. He won't agree to get back together."

[whattaprick]

Lambert frowns, looking at the lounging Childermass.

"Why would he?"

[atouts]

"For the same reason Lilith's goal was impossible," Childermass with the pipe states, gesturing idly around with the aforementioned pipe and leaving a trail of smoke through the air. "If it is the Mirror, splitting the good from the bad just doesn't work."

[whattaprick]

Lambert is quiet for a moment, looking back and forth between the Childermasses again with a small furrow developing between his brows. He doesn’t want to contest Childermass, but at the same time...

“Couldn’t you make it work, if you wanted to?” he ventures. “It’s not like trying to make a pure soul.”

[atouts]

"You can't," the lounging Childermass answers, while the one in bed adds, "Don't bother listening to him. He's nothing useful over there."

Which seems to be the last straw for the second version of himself, since he's tapping his pipe out in the ashtray and getting to his feet.

"None of us are whole," he cautions as he does, "And you'll realize that soon enough."

Especially once this Lambert realizes the Childermass he's sitting by, making eyes at, hasn't a lick of feeling towards the poor witcher. That won't exactly resolve Childermass's own problem here but perhaps it'll be a start.

[whattaprick]

Lambert may realize it eventually, but it won’t change much. You need some self-respect for that, and while this version of Lambert doesn’t have the need to please, he also doesn’t have the capacity to come to such a conclusion on his own. He can’t resent Childermass — any part of him.

“Where are you going?” He rises to his feet in slight surprise. “You’re still injured. You should be careful moving around.”

[atouts]

"Out," Childermass answers, frustratingly vague. "I can tell when I'm not wanted here."

Mostly by his other self, though Lambert lingering near that one and only that one is telling enough, too. He does move stiffly, carefully, of course, but he can move. It'll be fine. Probably.

"Where did you leave yourself, anyway? May as well go make sure he's not off to do something you'll regret later."

[whattaprick]

“But I want you here,” Lambert frowns. It’s hard, switching tracks, but if one Childermass is moving and the other isn’t... he reaches out, aiming to clasp his hand.

“How am I supposed to protect you if you leave?” He doesn’t answer the question about his other half. It’s more important to tell Childermass that.

[atouts]

Childermass does pause, letting his hand get caught in a moment of hesitation. He doesn't actually want to leave but he also knows this Lambert will most likely be fine. Still, he does give the witcher's hand a small squeeze before pulling his hand free again and continuing towards the door.

"You can't have everything you want," he admonishes. "Besides, I'm not going to sit in here and be bored to death by the two of you."

And the other Childermass doesn't seem inclined to ask his other self to stay, giving the entire display a look of distaste.

"Let him go," that one says, "He isn't worth your time. Neither of us needs such a distraction."

[whattaprick]

Lambert has a bit of a look of a puppy confused by two treats moving in opposite directions, but as one Childermass pulls away and another gives him a direct order, he nods.

“All right,” he says. He doesn’t have it in him to challenge Childermass. “If you need me, call me. I’ll come, no matter what.”

He’s still looking after Childermass as the door closes.

If it’s the worse half Childermass is setting out to look for, he’ll have his work cut out for him tracking him down. There are several pockets in Shabondamashii for someone who doesn’t want to be found to hide. Perhaps, luckily, most such places tend to be full of shadows. Enough searching and asking around will eventually lead him to Lambert sprawled dead drunk on some floor, a rumpled looking Celandine exhausted by his side.

[atouts]

He'd be quicker about it if the injuries weren't slowing him down. That and a distinct lack of magical prowess. It's still there, he can still tap into his own magic and traverse the shadows, but his 'light' side decided to keep the lion's share of that strength to himself. Frustrating, to be banished back to a lack of skill like this.

Childermass does find him eventually, however, more through asking around than by popping in and out through the darkness. He does arrive that way, but only after his last barkeep pointed him towards a back room. He brow creases with worry the second his eyes land on the sprawled out body but Celandine is still there. He must still be alive.

"Celandine," he calls the polecat's name instead of Lambert's, voice strained from the effort it's taken to even get here.

[whattaprick]

Daemons don’t really need to sleep so much as they power down. Lambert’s body is working it’s way through whatever he’s nearly poisoned himself with, and Celandine is still groggy, so for a moment, she thinks she’s hallucinating when she hears her name.

“John!” her fur prickles and her head shoots up in alarm, tail waving. “What are you doing here?!”

[atouts]

Childermass has to hold himself against the wall for a few breaths, but he's quick enough to push off from there and make his way over to the two. Stiffly, he gets down on one knee, offering a hand to Celandine first. She looks rough. She may not appreciate being handled right now.

"Looking for Lambert," he answers, "How is he? How much has he drunk?"

[whattaprick]

“You should be resting...” the daemon sighs, but while Lambert is unconscious and can’t protest it, she leans into that hand gratefully. The witcher’s expression tenses a moment, then slackens, somehow a fraction more peaceful than before.

“Enough to get like this. It’s awful, but he’s actually worse when he’s sober. He split into two and I don’t know where the other one is.”

[atouts]

"The other one is swooning over my duller side," Childermass can tell Celandine that much, at least. He really doubts that Lambert will stray far. "Who is resting like a good little boy. That counts, doesn't it?"

It does not. This Childermass doesn't really care. Since Celandine doesn't cringe away, he'll pet her gently, fingertips running over fur, and then move on to nudging Lambert. Worse when he's sober, eh? That won't be much use, then, but he isn't about to leave him here.

"I'm going to need help to move him anywhere..."

[whattaprick]

His duller side ... Celandine can’t help but chirp in dismay. “Not you too!”

Unfortunately, a daemon isn’t much help for heavy lifting. If Childermass isn’t offering to simply teleport them away, that means ... “You lost your magic?”

[atouts]

"Not all of it," Childermass tells her, "But... enough of it. I could try moving all three of us but I just don't know. I'm not sure I want to chance it."

Because there'd be no telling where they could end up. Maybe back in Lambert's room, maybe his room, maybe in a fountain on the other side of town. It would just be his luck if it were the last one.

"Did you see any closer inns near here?

[whattaprick]

Celandine’s head bobs, thinking.

“Not an inn,” she says finally, “But there are rooms down the street you can rent by the hour. For sex, you know?” She looks at Lambert gloomily, probably contemplating just how unlikely that is in his near future. Provided he survives this stop at all.

[atouts]

"Wouldn't be the first time I've stowed away in one of those..." Childermass would say that with a laugh if this were at all funnier. It isn't. "Stay here."

With that, he's climbing back to his feet and making his way into the dive bar proper. It won't take too long for him to wheedle one of the more good-natured bouncers to help him haul a drunken friend away. For a bit of a tip, of course, but let's be real. Childermass has nicked a few purses worth of money on the way here, so he isn't worried. So, he returns with help and they get Lambert up and out before anyone has to worry about unconscious vomiting on their floor.

It does take an awful lot of reassurances to get a room for an obviously dead drunk guest, however, and, again, paying quite a bit more. It does come with someone delivering cold water and some food -- something gentle and not like to turn a stomach -- to that same room.

"We have it for five hours," he tells Celandine once they've gotten Lambert settled and their hired help has gone on their way. It's one of the bigger, nicer rooms, definitely not something a normal, unsplit Childermass would ever splurge on. "So he had best wake up and get sober enough to walk by then."