⇨ 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

[hippocarnival]

"Right, that's what I mean. It's supposed--" And then it click and he does a double take at Gongenzaka, looking bewildered.

"Are you... going to stay like that when we go home?" From the slow tone of his voice, it's obvious he hasn't even considered that being a possibility.

[betheman]

Ah.

This is not how he ever intended to be made to think about this. To think about what he wanted to keep, what he didn't want to keep.

Gongenzaka is a bit silent. Eventually, he can only cast his eyes to the palm of his actual hand.

"...So much of who, and what I, the man Gongenzaka am now... ...These things manifested as part of incidents beyond anything we had seen until that point. ...In their own sense, they were scars from those times... ...I..."

His ears droop. "...It feels as if to abandon that would be...'wrong'."

[hippocarnival]

Yuya doesn't say anything at first, sitting on it. To him, the transformation wasn't much more than a side effect. He's used to it, but he never applied meaning to it beyond 'a lot of magic'. So something feels a little off, how Gongenzaka explains it, and he has to reconsider.

His gaze unfocuses, for a moment, before he looks back up at Gongenzaka clearly and furrows his brows.

"If they're scars, then... I think you should let them heal." It must be different for Gongenzaka, who has recieved so many changes from being hurt. Are they painful for him? Yuya's become used to seeing it, but does it hurt Gongenzaka when he looks in the mirror?

He scoots a little closer, putting his hand on Gongenzaka's arm. "It's not abandoning anything to let yourself get better."

[betheman]

"Mnh?" He seems briefly alarmed by how Yuuya describes that. Getting better and healing are all good when one thinks of a painful injury, or a scar that one wishes excised and removed some how but...

Gongenzaka can't bring himself to see it like that. They are scars of a different sort, with memories and experiences he never wishes to see gone. That is the sort of scar that it is, to him.

It doesn't hurt to see in the mirror at all- it is him, and that is how it boils down.

Yuuya's tone worries him however, and he studies the other with somewhat wide eyes. "Auh... Y...Yuuya..." He swallows. "...Do you yourself see them as..."

...A problem? Or something else?

[hippocarnival]

"I don't--I mean, I wasn't planning on... keeping them. But I don't hate them?" He chuckles faintly, shrugging. "But I'm weird enough as it is."

Without adding tails and scars and all the like. He looks over Gon briefly, before settling his gaze firmly on his face. "But I don't think you should keep them just because of what happened. You didn't deserve any of that, you know? Not dying, or..."

God, there's more than he can even say. Yuya shakes his head. "You should do what makes you happy, not what you think you have to. You're going to remember this no matter what."

[betheman]

"Mnh..." He doesn't answer immediately. Mostly he just looks to the side. Ears pinned back, it seems he struggles to properly find the words for what he wants at all. "It... ...It isn't simply because of...that," he slowly says, swallowing. "It..."

Hahhh...

"...What would you do, Yuuya? ...if I, the man Gongenzaka, were to return home and choose to stay this way?"

[hippocarnival]

Oh. Yuya blinks slowly. "What, you mean..."

He purses his lips, looking down at himself briefly before turning his attention sideways, nervous.

"I--it wouldn't change being with you, if that's what you mean! Whatever you choose, we can work it out." He nods decisively. At least that much he's certain about.

"But I haven't considered keeping... you know, if I'm not fae anymore, I might not even see it."

[betheman]

Yes. He might not see it. There would be a good chance, an enormous chance of that much. But seeing isn't all that matters after all. After all there is also...

"You would know, however," he says calmly. Quietly, as he stares at the water. "...What was, and was not there."

[hippocarnival]

Yuya bites his lip, but Gon's worry draws him to look back up much more sternly.

"And I asked to kiss you now and not once we got home, didn't I?! You're still Gongenzaka, that hasn't changed at all."

He makes an awkward grab for Gongenzaka's hand, reassuring. "And if it's like this, we'll figure all that out."

[betheman]

Suffice to say Gongenzaka still looks slightly unsure. His brows are furrowed, and for all the faith he has, well...

There's things where that just gets harder, honestly. "...I, the man Gongenzaka, can't change anything about myself right now," he starts, swallowing. His hand is taken, and he continues. "...Therefore...I had worried..."

But he trails off- because it feels as though there would be no point, and that it will be nothing but whining if it goes on. He simply sighs, a slightly relieved sound, and sinks a bit into the water. Well...if he says it's fine it's...fine, isn't it?

...It's fine.

[hippocarnival]

"I know that," he responds, leaning his back against the edge of the bath. "There's still..."

His eyes roll up as he mentally counts down. "Like, ten more months? We'll probably both keep changing until we leave."

He holds his other arm up a little, looking at the scales that cover his elbow and the back of his hand. He hasn't changed as dramatically as Gongenzaka, but he's still weirder than before.

[betheman]

"Mnnh. It is quite a lot of time," Gongenzaka acknowledges, nodding. He does huff. "...One would think that I, the man Gongenzaka, would stop picking up new things, and yet..."

Well. Whatever. He actually sort of likes the hole already too- it's a good place for flowers to come through. For new things.

And it made a good frame for this tattoo he's finding himself pleased with.

Ah well. "...At the least, there is likely time to ask how a 'permanent glamor' shall function..."

He's. Sort of wondering.

[hippocarnival]

Yuya pauses, then shrugs helplessly. "I guess it'll be a lot like how it was in Wismuth?"

That's the most recent approximation of Gon looking like his old self that Yuya can think of, anyway. "When things calm down, we can always ask the Ringmaster..."

After all, it'd be her magic, wouldn't it? He lowers his arm, looking back up at Gon. "We don't really have to think about it yet. Right now, things are like this."

[betheman]

Hmm. Wismuth is a good way to think about it, he realizes. That or Alola, but Yuuya wasn't there... "Hmn..." He ponders it, before giving a laugh. "Hah! Indeed- if we should need the specifics of how it functions, I, the man Gongenzaka, am certain she would gladly answer!"

Ah....though. "...As you have said however...I, the man Gongenzaka, doubt we shall see use of the glamor before we are finished with this 'hunt'..."

[hippocarnival]

Yuya shrugs a shoulder with an absent, confirming sound. Yeah, they probably won't have a reason to go to a place they're going to have to hide as humans... but then, he wouldn't have expected they'd have to go to a place to hide as animals, either.

Right now, though, he's not inclined to dwell on that. When their little break is over, it's going to be all back to business. And he's doing what he can to be ready when that time comes--but selfishly, he also just wants to spend time making some happier memories to hold onto when things get tough again.

So he lets the silence settle comfortable between them while they finish soaking. Occasionally, he steals a sideways glance to Gongenzaka without grabbing any attention. But it's not until they're out of the pool and changing back into their clothes that he makes a decision. He doesn't wait long after Gon is done before grabbing his hand and tugging. "Hey, come with me for a bit."

[betheman]

The soak is exactly what he needs. It soothes any awkward tension that came from the colliding of different activities in two bodies, and helps alleviate all the iron sting from a few days ago- not to mention, the hang over. Once they're out of the water, he's changing into a yukata it seems- handily sewn up in two parts for the poor taur's sake.

Gongenzaka turns as his hand is taken, blinking- but nodding. "Mn? Where do you wish to go, Yuuya?"

[hippocarnival]

"Just my room." Nowhere fancy this time, but Yuya's just not bold enough to even give a cheek kiss in the public bath... and he feels like he has something he needs to prove, if they're going to do this (they're really doing this).

He glances over his shoulder, hoping Gon is going to walk with him because there's no way when he starts that he'll be successful dragging him. "You didn't have anywhere else to be, right?"

[betheman]

"Mn, I see!" No he doesn't. But he's absolutely walking with the other, no need for dragging. "I, the man Gongenzaka, had merely intended to return to my own room- so I do not indeed have anywhere else to be!"

So it's fine to go to yours, in other words.

[hippocarnival]

"Great!" Yuya perks up, as if he even expected a different answer. If he was feeling a little bolder, they could take the mirror... but he doesn't want to accidentally get Gongenzaka stuck in it.

So it's walking, Yuya's energy tangling on his apprehension as they go. Once they reach the room, Yuya slides the door open an then gestures inside with a sweeping showman's bow.

"After you." Because of course he needs to be that corny.

[betheman]

Suffice to say, he'll be quite astounded when 'mirror travel' ends up a thing.

For now though, it's walking, as always. Gongenzaka simply smiles at the other as his friend bows, nodding his head in reply before stepping in with a ducked head. He imagines the room will likely be similar to his own....

...Well. Perhaps smaller maybe...

[hippocarnival]

It probably is, seeing as Yuya's room is as standard as the rest. There's his souvenirs starting to litter the place, a kite and candies and other goodies, and his blanket strewn messily over the futon he didn't both putting away. But it's fine, he's not sharing with anyone anyway.

He clicks the door shut behind him, and then circles around in front of Gongenzaka. He reaches his hands up and gestures, beckoning. "Come down here."

Because Yuya's not climbing up, sorry, being a giant means you gotta get on level with the little people.

[betheman]

"Hmn?" For all that he pulled off something extremely romantic before, Gongenzaka is certainly a clueless man. He looks around the room with casual curiousity, taking in the kite and the candles, the trinkets and blanket, before turning as Yuuya closes the door.

He follows, blinking with evident interest as he stares at the other. "Mnh? ...Yes?"

[hippocarnival]

Yuya's places his hands folded against Gongenzaka's jaw, fingers spacing through the fur slightly. His gaze flicks up and down, briefly, but he doesn't respond verbally. No, he takes his determination and just goes through with it. He leans in, closing his eyes and pressing his lips against the front of Gongenzaka's.

Fact: Yuya is not good at kissing. He's never done this before, doesn't have any reference but vague and probably inaccurate recollections of what he's seen on TV and the occasional affection between his parents. It's stiff and closed-lipped and, actually, he doesn't know what to do at this point past awkwardly hold it.

But he's still kissing Gongenzaka, and his cheeks turn red.

[betheman]

Yuuya is kissing him, and that means he's kissing Yuuya. Or, well. As close as it gets for now. Shock, fortunately, holds his mouth shut- his eyes widen, and a blush heats his face as he slowly comprehends that this is happening, that's a kiss, most of the leaves and blossoms along his back reacting first as they rise and stiffen in turn.

He hasn't seen much on TV, and romance was far from something that ever took his focus. There were more important things to do, more important things to say, and as far as he'd been taught in life 'love' was something shown through actions. Things to help with no benefit to yourself, things to lift up, even if you yourself were lacking in that as well. And of course the flip side was 'find someone who will do that for you as well' but...

He'd never considered that part.

It's hard to return a kiss when the most you can really do is very carefully try to press back, but if there is anything he can do it's at the end of the kiss proper. Because the minute it's over, Yuuya is getting pulled close in the tightest (but not most crushing) hug he can muster, not unlike the hugs of old.

Complete with the Face.

[hippocarnival]

Yuya's kiss isn't at all any more nuanced, so he doesn't quite catch onto Gon's struggle. What he does notice is the push back, and his heart just about jumps out of his chest. He hadn't done it with assumptions, good or bad, but it still fills him with elation to have it returned and confirmed. This is something new, which makes is equal parts anxious and exciting--but you don't get anything if you don't go forward and try, right?

It's somehow harder to break the kiss when either of them are actually moving, stuck in a rigid and awkward position. But Yuya finally leans back, just a bit, and looks up at Gongenzaka. But before he can say anything Gongenzaka yanks him forward into an embrace. He's a little thrown off, but when he can take a deep breath he laughs vibrantly and holds on tight.