⇨ 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

[kingsroads]

Well Yuya isn't wrong. Strange gives him a wide grin as he nods.

"It took me a while to find a job in the first place. She could have gone with anyone but waited for me."

His tone is still light, but there's a hint of sadness creeping in. God how he misses her. "She's always been the sensible one and knew me better than I knew myself. Lord knows I would have been miserable if I only ran the estate."

[hippocarnival]

"That's right. Because she pushed you, you found magic, right?"

Something that also makes Strange happy. Yuya can hear that sadness--he definitely understands it. "You're getting closer to seeing her again. Just the end of your contract and getting rid of your curse and you'll be with her."

By contrast, Yuya looks at him with hope. He definitely believes they'll find a way to be together again. And he could probably focus on Strange and Arabella the whole time and forget why he was asking advice, because Strange's love it'sa so clear it's hard for him to not get invested in asking questions. Even if it's bittersweet, he obviously likes talking about her.

[kingsroads]

"I know," Strange remarks, with a wistful sigh. "I just have a few more months left."

But only a few months feels like an eternity. They're at the door to one of the dining halls: Strange pushes it open for Yuya to enter.

"I'm certain you've guessed already but I won't stay. Even if we haven't found the third miracle and the Courts are on our tail, I'm leaving when my contract is up."

[hippocarnival]

"... I know." It's Yuya's turn for his expression to shift sadly. "And I'm going to stay until Gongenzaka's contract is finished."

They've both decided what they're going to do at the end of their years, and there isn't any changing it. Still, as Yuya walks through the door and turns back to Strange, there's a little hope in his voice. "Maybe we'll learn how to talk across worlds by then?"

They talked about it back in Wismuth, but there just... never seems to be the right time, with everything else happening. But Yuya's not sure if they'll have the chance after Strange leaves.

[kingsroads]

Strange takes a moment to steel himself before he gives Yuya a self-assured smile. "Of course we'll find a way. After all, I am the greatest magician of the age. If anyone can figure out how to do it, it shall be me."

He hopes. He's talked across realms before, of course he can find a way to talk across worlds. Besides, anyone else would mess it up.

"Now come on. Let's get some supper."