⇨ 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

[whattaprick]

“Well, that’s fucking obvious.” Harsh as the words are, Lambert sounds more like he’s on the verge of sniveling again, blinking rapidly while Celandine tries to lean comfortingly against Childermass’s hand.

“You think I like feeling this way? It’s pathetic.”

[atouts]

"Well if it's pathetic to be scared," Childermass mutters, looking down at the daemon cuddling up against his hand. He'll sigh down at her rather than at Lambert, slowly uncurling his fingers again to pet her properly. "Then we're both pathetic."

[whattaprick]

“You aren’t, though. You aren’t scared of anything.”

The assertion doesn’t hold much strength to it, though. Lambert is daring to look at Childermass over the edge of his knees. It’s hard to tell if it’s the words or the petting that’s helping him calm down somewhat, though who knows what might set him off next.

[atouts]

"Aren't scared of anything... ha... what a load of crock," dark Childermass murmurs. He looks up again, if only just enough to eye Lambert from the corner of his vision. "You think I don't dwell on how we might all die? Or that the Count might capture me? Or the Rose Queen? I'm terrified of that, those two, what they might do... Or..."

And this one he hesitates on, almost doesn't admit. It's difficult. He'll forge on ahead regardless.

"Of you. If we ever manage to get back to England together."

[whattaprick]

Lambert's watching Childermass, now, face no longer hidden behind his knees. He searches his expression, like he's looking for some sign of a lie, but whatever he sees is apparently enough to convince him Childermass isn't just making this up to get his guard down.

"What about me?" he asks, quietly. "That what Strange said is true? That I'll never fit in?" It's not exactly what Strange said, but it's what he heard, and that tiny, bitter part of Lambert's carried it this whole time.

[atouts]

Childermass shrugs. That is a part of it, just not all of it, and so he adds, "Or that you will hate it. That it will be dull or not what you had hoped for. That you'll regret your decision."

[whattaprick]

Lambert’s face falls a little, expression crumpling as he hugs his own knees.

“You never told me you think that. Any of that,” he mumbles. “If you don’t want me to go... you should have just told me so.”

[atouts]

"Likely due to how I apparently tell no one anything," Childermass sighs. It isn't even a complaint he can deny. It happens enough, even if most of it isn't anyone's business (or at least not Strange's). He raises his head further to look at Lambert as the witcher collapses in around his knees.

"And I didn't say I don't want you to go, Lambert. There's a difference."

[whattaprick]

“We’re supposed to be a team,” Lambert says, moodily, echoing Peridot’s words from three months ago, even if it’s in a completely different context this time. He can understand Childermass not wanting to tell anyone else, but ... this, between them? It’s supposed to be theirs.

“If all you can think of is reasons for me not to go, what’s the difference?” Lambert asks listlessly. “I don’t even know why you’d want me to come. You’re right. Any of that could happen. I just...”

[atouts]

"I'm not good at teams, either," Childermass grumbles, which goes hand-in-hand with never telling anyone anything. He will add in a lighter tone, however, "But we can work on it, can't we? I want you along because... I just do. Why can't it be terrifying and amazing all at once?"

[whattaprick]

"I wouldn'tt know," Lambert says, honestly. While Childermass may grumble, he just sounds uncertain. "I've never felt this way about anyone before."

"Lambert..." Celandine stirs in Childermass's arms, sighing. She's loathe to give up her spot -- she was quite comfortable where she was, thanks very much -- but she'll crane her head up to look at Childermass. Even if it is only half of him.

"You do know I'm not a substitute for him, right?"

[atouts]

Which leads Childermass to look down at Celandine and raising his eyebrows at her.

"And you do know I was practically flayed alive?" That's an exaggeration but still. He does sigh after that, though and looks up again to judge the distance between where he's on the floor and where Lambert is. Ugh. He's going to have to get up. "Ah... fine."

So he does, still cradling the polecat in one hand while he struggles to his knees first and then, yeah, just to that. He's going to steady himself against the bed and kind of shuffle awkwardly over to where Lambert is. As far as hugs go, this one is more or less the magician flopping over on the witcher and getting his free arm around him.

"Come here already, I can't dote on you if you keep moping around on this end of the room."

[whattaprick]

Celandine hadn't meant for Childermass to keep holding on to her as he (partly) rises, so she'll only let him shuffle a step or two forward before she leaps out of his hold and lets him get to Lambert the rest of the way. Dark Lambert hunches in on himself, uncertain again, but when Childermass puts an arm around him, he shivers briefly before he tentatively leans against him. His daemon flops over his bare feet, as if doing so might help anchor him in place instead of running away again.

And he just ... sits. Uncertain what he's supposed to say to that, if Childermass even expects a response.

[atouts]

He doesn't, not really. Childermass is mostly regretting having chosen to cross the floor the way he did and now he's paying for it by just resting his weight over Lambert in what is, essentially, a hug. It's very awkward as far as hugs go and that might be due to, well...

"I believe I've pulled a stitch," the magician says sheepishly after a moment. "So we may be stuck like this for... a few minutes?"

Just a few. Probably. Just need to let the pain stop being so painful.

[whattaprick]

For some reason, that just has Lambert sniffling and tearful all over again.

“You shouldn’t even be hurt,” he says, wretchedly. “I’m supposed to protect you.”

[atouts]

"You can't protect someone from their own stupid plans, Lambert," Childermass chides gently. However... "I am sorry. For flying off without you. That was my own fault."

[whattaprick]

"Why would you take me along?" Lambert asks, listlessly, staring at a spot between his feet on the floor.

"I lose my temper, I can't bargain, and I don't have magic that could help like that. Not like you or Strange." He wraps his arms around his knees. "Even if you'd brought me ... I'd just be more dead weight to worry about. You're all learning more, finding different ways to help the Carnival. I..."

He frowns, looking at Celandine at his feet.

"I just asked the Ringmaster to make me stronger and teach me how to summon a weasel whose only job is making me feel better."