lostcarnival | ⇨ SHABONDAMASHII

Entry tags:

⇨ 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

Yuya tolerates the lack of space, as long as it isn't inhibiting their ability to move. Strange's look up disgust is only met with some apprehension on Yuya's end, as he admits what happened. And then, of course, he has to go and be a dick.

Yuya sputters. "That's awful! Why would you say that to him?!" Even if Strange couldn't tell they were in love, that's so mean! "He got split in two like you did, you know."

That'd explain being emotional. Maybe Strange kind of earned that punch, he's realizing.

"I know that—Celandine told me." And Strange trusts Lambert's weasel soul enough that if Celandine said Lambert split in two, Strange believes that. He's still treating this like it's no big deal as Strange follows Yuya towards the main bathhouse.

"And I said that because it's the truth. Childermass probably cares more about the Raven King or his stupid book than he does Lambert." There's a pettiness in Strange's tone as he digs in his heels. Reckless Strange has enough emotional depth to realize that Yuya's angry at him and that it would be best to find a way to fix this, if only to get Yuya to like him again...he's just not sure how.

"But that's perfectly fine! This means that when Lambert goes to England, he'll be going just for me." There's a pause, as he gets an amazing idea. "You should come to England too!"

That doesn't sit well with Yuya at all, but he realizes if Strange still doesn't know that they're dating (he assumes that's still a secret to him) then he might reveal way too much arguing about why telling Lambert his boyfriend doesn't really love him is fucking terrible.

"You still shouldn't say that about people's--friends," he grouses, expression twisting sullenly.

Absently he grabs for Strange's arm, just below the elbow, to make sure they don't get separated as they walk close to the crowd. "If you find a way, I'd love to visit you in England."

That, he at least admits sincerely. Strange is a dear friend to him, and he doesn't want to lose contact in a few months."

Strange 100% knows they're dating. It's just that his dark half is a completely callous asshole who's perfectly fine throwing people under the bus if it helps get what he wants. And in this case, what he wants is people to pay attention to him and help fulfill the super needy part of his personality.

"I don't want you to visit," Strange whines a little, as he lets Yuya grab onto his arm. "I want you to stay there. You, Lambert, Rita, Tyki...I want all of you to stay in England and stay with me."

On one hand, this is some weird split half of Strange acting and speaking irrationally. On the other, it's still part of Strange so this has to come from somewhere, right?

"I can't," he admits, squeezing gently. "But you know, even when we both leave the carnival... I don't want that to be it. I want to still be able to reach each other. Rita, Lambert, and Childermass too."

He doesn't really know Tyki though, sorry.

Yuya's trying to be reassuring and rational, but Strange isn't taking it. He looks profoundly irritated as Yuya says that he can't stay in England. Because why not? Yuya should be in England with him and Lambert and Arabella, it's as simple as that.

"I don't care that you want to reach us. I want you to be with me." He squeezes Yuya's hand a little bit as he tries to drag him closer towards Strange...despite the fact that they're both still walking.

Since Yuya's not expecting to need to resist Strange yanking him around, so he's pulled sideways again with some stumbling. He blinks up at him, bewildered... before shuffling back to give them a little bit of space again.

Okay, he understood that this Strange was kind of clingy. But now it's getting weird. "We'll still find a way to see each other! But you can't come to Japan either because you have a lot waiting for you in England, right? I have to go home, but it doesn't mean I'm ever going to stop being your friend."

Nevermind they have no idea how to get that to work, right now Strange could probably use the reassurance that they won't lose contact forever when they leave the carnival.

Neediness, recklessness, and callousness makes for one heck of a slightly yandere combo. Yuya doesn't need to go back to Japan. If he goes to Japan, then there's no way he'd be able to see Strange again. So obviously Yuya's coming to England whether he likes it or not.

"But why would you want to Japan? My world is much more exciting and England is full of magicians. You'll fit in better there. Besides, do you really think you'll be able to go back to your normal life after all this is finished?"

Yuya's taken aback, like he can't believe he was just asked that question. "I want to go back because that's my home. My family is there, and Yuzu and Gongenzaka and my dueling."

He has real doubts he'll fit in better in England. For one, his English sucks. His fingers dig a little--not enough to be painful, but an absent response to Strange's insinuation he can't go back. "And if you can go back to a normal life after this, I don't see why I can't. It'll be different, but that doesn'tmean it'll be bad."

He knew it was going to be different when he got dragged into an interdimensional war and found out he was a world destroying demon, anyway. That's not offputting.

The more Yuya talks with Strange, the more obvious it is which of Strange's halves is the most fully formed. Hint: it's not this one. Strange honestly looks confused at the idea that Yuya might want to be somewhere that isn't with him. His confusion shifts to anger as Strange's grip on Yuya's hand tightens and he metaphorically digs in his heels.

"Gongenzaka's been here for what, three years? He's never going back home. And Yuzu took to this place so poorly that she left. She won't understand what you went through." Two massive assumptions, yet Strange is just plowing on and continuing talking like he knows he's right.

"Magicians work best in groups. Trust me, it's horrid being by yourself, with no one to talk to. So if you come to England, you'll be surrounded by people who'll listen to your opinions on magic, who'll help your magic grow and flourish to heights as great as mine!"

Yuya, unfortunately, only responds to Strange's anger with his own. Hearing him dismiss two of the most important people to him sets off a fire in Yuya. The reasonable part of him realizes this Strange is a bizarre shadow of the original, and what he says isn't an exact reflection of his feelings. The other part is just pissed.

"Gongenzaka's only been here one year, and he only signed on for another to stay with me." There's a point of pride in Yuya's voice as he says that--it breaks a little at the end, realizing that's his fault, but still. Gongenzaka loved him enough to prolong this nonsense for him. "And Yuzu's always been by my side and--and we have things only we can understand about each other, too! What she doesn't get, Gongenzaka will!"

He's not even worried about the magic. He doesn't care. He'd give up so much more to stay with them.

Strange is still angry: the flames on his head are creeping further up his hair as he downright glares at Yuya. Still, he knows when to back down. Or more accurately, he knows when to shift the conversation to try and get what he wants. Yuya's mad at him. Part of Strange wants to just continue to fight, but then what? Yuya would yell at him, they'd pull apart, and then he'd be all alone again. There's a tense ten seconds or so before neediness wins out.

"You're too much of a magician now for them to truly understand." Because of course Strange is still hyperfocused on magic as a selling point of his world.

"But fine!" Strange grumbles, like he's making a concession about all of this and giving Yuya some ground. He guesses he can give Yuya this much. If it means Yuya would stay with him, it's worth it. "Yuzu and Gongenzaka can come too. But you can't leave me."

Strange you are such a mess.

Yuya just glares right back at him for those tense ten seconds. Strange's concession isn't really relieving, and Yuya bites his lip--but it's totally pointless to argue, isn't it?

Yuya turns his attention straight ahead, seemingly accepting that (but that last sentence makes tbe hair on his neck stand up). His tone is still sulky when he speaks as he points down a fork in the road. "We can take a shortcut that way, we'll get to the bathhouse faster."

And fix this mess, but he doesn't say that.

He's such a goddamn mess. But at least for the moment, he's a mess that's following Yuya. Strange nods and lets Yuya lead the way. He's relatively silent and will remain silent until Yuya starts up the conversation again. Strange thinks he's made his point. He hopes Yuya understands.

Still, he's not letting go of Yuya's hand as they walk down the shortcut.

It's a steep path, cutting through an alley of trees and a bit of a physical workout. But it will cut some time off the trek, and then he can take Strange to him room and... the other Strange will probably know what to do.

He doesn't try to free his hand, but he's also stubbornly silent as they cut through the trees. So the awkward silence will probably last for a while, but Yuya's not slowing down.

The stubborn silence continues. But, to nobody's surprise, Strange is the first to cave and start talking again. Dark Strange really doesn't have the emotional capacity to navigate people being mad at him because again, comprised of like literally four emotions. When he speaks, it's with the knowledge that he's done something to piss Yuya off but can't figure out the best way to actually explain that or apologize for his actions.

So, he's going to talk about magic instead. It's something they all love, right? Maybe if he talks about it, then Yuya will be less mad at him.

"Have you been practicing the mirror spell that we worked on earlier this week?"

Yuya briefly glances at Strange. The walk is enough for his immediate frustration to fade enough for him to remember this isn't all of Strange. So his voice is a little calmer, even if he doesn't quite smile because this side of him is still really stressful.

"Yeah... I got it to work. I'll show you later, okay?" He squeeze's his hand in a way that's probably meant to be a reassuring gesture, as the trees start to spread apart and they're reaching the entrance of the bathhouse. Yuya almost starts to hurry.

Talking about magic distracts Strange no matter what. When Yuya says he got it to work, Strange lights up and is obviously excited. Wait, show him later? Fuck that noise, show him now!

"At least tell me how you managed to piece it out!" Strange happily responds, as he lets Yuya yank him even further towards the bathhouse.

"Well, I don't understand it as much as you. I just followed your advice, and tried to see it like a door instead of a mirror?"

There's still a lot of trial and error to really nail it down, but the first successes were exiting. Maybe they can celebrate properly when all this is fixed.

Meanwhile, Yuya continues their journey. Once they get into the bathhouse, Yuya looks around critically before trying to lead Strange down the path that is probably increasingly obviously towards the rooms (Strange's room), and not any room with proper medical care. They can deal with that after.

Yeah, Strange is figuring out pretty quickly that Yuya's leading him back towards his room and not anywhere near an infirmary. He opens his mouth like he's about to point this out, before sensible Strange rounds a corner, obviously relieved to see the other two. Looks like somebody's scrying spell actually worked!

"Oh thank God," sensible Strange mutters, as he looks over at Yuya and his reckless half. "Come on. We should go back to normal already."

Reckless Strange responds to that by glaring at Yuya and his other self as his grip on Yuya's hand tightens. Some of his claws are digging into Yuya's hand, but he doesn't really seem to care.

It probably doesn't help Yuya's expression absolutely lights up with relief when the other Strange rounds the corner, much happier to see him. "Mr. Stran--"

He cuts off as he feels the claws digging into his hand, flinching briefly before he looks down at their joined hands to see if it's breaking the skin. It prompts him to give reckless Strange a nudge, like he's trying to encourage him forward.

"You know you can't stay like this." Honestly, he's kind of scary like this.

Reckless Strange doesn't exactly want to leave. His claws continue digging into Yuya's skin as he turns to look at his other self. Not really certain what to do or how to convince himself that they should stay apart, reckless Strange falls back on something simple and kind of cruel: just outright trying to attack sensible Strange with various insecurities.

"And why can't I? It would be better if we stayed apart! One Strange to be useful, one to be a disappointment. Hell, maybe more than three people would actually trust me if that were the case!"

Sensible Strange frowns. It's one thing to think these things, it's another to have yourself vocalize them and say them in your face (wow, what a weird sentence). Still, he's thought these things already, so no matter what he says, that's not going to change his mind. All his other half is doing is telling him things he already knows. "I know this already," sensible Strange simply says. "But Yuya's right. I've got to become myself again."

Yuya flinches again and starts trying to pry his hand free from Strange's, because that's getting increasingly painful. "It wouldn't be better. It's not about being useful or disappointing, it's about being you."

He glances aside to sensible Strange, like he's hoping for some kind of backup here. Come on, have some self esteem! "Even if you stay separated, you'll just develop new bad habits and be something different, but it won't mean you're better! You don't have to change who you are."

The problem with having all your recklessness and impulsivity siphoned off into one half is that it's a little hard for the other half to say the right thing at the right moment. Give sensible Strange a moment as he tries to come up with the right thing to say. In contract, reckless Strange just keeps yelling.

"Oh please. Half the carnival would gladly trade me for something different," reckless Strange scowls, as he rolls his eyes. "You, Ignatius, and the Ringmaster. You are the only three who actually fine with the way I am, everyone else—"

"When I was brought before the Mirror," sensible Strange interrupts, "I called upon the boon with Creation to keep me whole. I didn't want the Mirror to change me and I didn't want to hurt people. How is this any different?"

Said with a pointed stare at Strange's deathgrip on Yuya's hand.

"They--wouldn't!" The problem is that Yuya, while not out of shape, is a teenager and more built for acrobatics than fights. Strange ultimately has the stronger grip, but he's still struggling to free himself. "You have friends here, and maybe you fight with them sometimes but they like you because you're you, and they wouldn't want you to cut yourself in pieces like this! It's not really what you want, is it? Wouldn't you rather have all of your feelings again?"

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject