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.

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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?"

Reckless Strange doesn't say anything. Instead, he just looks between sensible Strange and Yuya with an expression that's equal parts irritated and desperate. A moment passes before he lunges forward, grabs sensible Strange's hand—

And then they merge. Where there were two Stranges, there's just one, facing Yuya and looking slightly surprised. Oh. That was easy. And so, he continues the conversation as if this is perfectly normal.

"I'm afraid you're wrong," Strange casually remarks, as he idly prods his nose. Almost instantly, he winces. Nope, that hurts, not going to do that again. "I can think of plenty of people who would like me more if I was someone else. Still, I'm not going to give them the satisfaction of letting that happen."

Fuck you everybody, you're stuck with him.

Yuya waits for a moment, apprehensive, but when Strange seems to be himself again, he immediately relaxes with relief.

"Well, I'm glad you're back to being yourself." Not the least because yandere Strange was a little terrifying, but if Strange isn't going to bring up the whole 'you can never leave me' thing, then he's not going to either.

He looks down at his hand, flexing it now that it's free--it's sore and there's a couple shallow puncture marks, but all it needs is a bandaid. Strange's situation is a little more urgent. "Uh, but we should really find you a doctor now."

"We should find you a doctor as well," Strange says, as he gestures to Yuya's hand. It's obvious that something's annoying or physically hurting Strange slightly, more than just the emotional hurts of 'great job dipshit, you'e cut up your friend.' Oddly enough, he feels like something's stuck there. As he talks, he massages the tip of his nose slightly, like he's trying to push something down or something towards the end of it.

"Were I myself with my full capacities of thought, I wouldn't have hurt you like that. Hell, I wouldn't have said the terrible things I did. I'm truly sorry and—"

And then another shard of mirror falls out of his nose and falls to the ground with a remarkably loud clatter for a very tiny shard. Thankfully, Strange now has the mental capacity to realize hey, this shouldn't be coming out of my nose, what the fuck is going on.

"—and everything else can be said after we find the doctor."

Yuya looks up, then holds his hands up in an easing gesture as Strange starts to apologize. "No, I know, it's--"

And then something falls out of his nose. Yuya slowly looks down at it, stuck surprised. And then he dives quickly, picking it up in one hand and grabbing for Strange's arm with the other to start pulling him along. "Yeah, let's go now!"

He holds the shard up to the light as they walk. It... "Is that a piece of mirror?"

Strange easily lets himself get yanked down the hallway. He's far too busy worried about the fact that there have been multiple shards of mirror stuck in his nose than anything else at the moment.

"Maybe? I'm not sure!" he says, in a slightly panicked tone that's a good mirror of Yuya's. "This is only the second time this happened—the first shard fell out after Lambert punched me."

So what, does this mean his nose is made of mirrors now? That's stupid! He has skin! What's going on?

"It's not the first time?!" How the hell did Strange get a mirror stuck up--wait. "Are you made of mirror now?"

Like, he has mirror everywhere else. Maybe it's started getting inside him? That's kind of a horrifying thought.

He'd like to hope they can get a real answer, but as it is he's just going to bust into the clinic room in a panic and hope the healing bathhouse is also good at healing broken noses.

"I've got skin!" Strange whines, like this somehow affects the fact that he might be made of mirror. "How can I be made of mirror if I've got skin?"

But that's the most protest that Strange is going to make before they're yanked off to the clinic room. Obviously, a literal broken nose is different from a few puncture wounds, so Strange and Yuya are separated for a bit. When Yuya sees Strange for the next time, he's got this slightly foul smelling herbal gunk smeared all over his nose. He's also holding a hand mirror and constantly muttering spells as he looks in it.

There's a small pile of broken mirror shards sitting on a table next to him. Fun fact: they all came from his nose. Another fun fact: Strange has bullshitted some magic to get them out of his nose.

When he spots Yuya, he stops muttering and gives Yuya a weak smile that's trying really hard to be confident. "Well, do you want to hear the good news or the bad news first?"

Yuya watches him go, inspecting the mirror shard before he's sat down for some quick salve (it smells weird) and a bandage. He ultimately throws the shard in the trash, waiting it out until he can see Strange.

It's immediately obvious he didn't need to keep it, because Strange has a growing pile on the table. He approaches with trepidation, leaning on the edge of the table. "Um... tell me the bad news first."

And then immediately follow up with the good news, he's still looking like he's barely containing his worry.

⇨ SHABONDAMASHII

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