⇨ THE SUMMERLANDS

[ringleaders]

Who: Everyone!
When: Day 119 - Day 126
Where: The Summerlands
What: Ignatius and Gild portal everyone to the Summerlands, with hopes of appealing to the Summer Maiden for help. Meanwhile, the carnival gets the chance to relax in luxury as only tentatively welcome guests. Here is the location write up from the last time the carnival visited. Since then, of course, some things have changed.
Warnings: Nothing in particular.

THE SUN RISES↴ After taking the time to rest, Ignatius and Gild will be able to pool together their energy to portal the carnival (and the airship) to the Summerlands. Those still in Polaris will be left to their own devices for the moment as Gild intends to ask for the Summerlands aid in relocating them, hopefully as soon as possible. With the effort the carnival put into sorting things out in there, however, they should be fine on their own for a little while, at least. They will arrive in the flowery fields at the base of the mountains, and soon the Summer Fae will notice their presence. Since the last time they visited, however, the atmosphere has changed. ► YOUR ARRIVAL: As the Summer Fae discover the group's arrival, it will quickly become apparent that there is a tension present that wasn't there any of the other times the carnival has visited. The Summer Maiden comes to greet the group personally, with an entourage of armed Summer Fae. They are not at all aggressive unless provoked, but there is clearly a wariness that is new. They seem uncertain about Ignatius being here, and while Gild will be able to do a lot of the talking and smooth things over, the Summer Maiden will deflect having a serious conversation about affairs until the carnival has taken time to 'rest.' It's more likely that the Maiden needs a moment to think over this new information before dealing with it. ► SUMMER CITY: After the Summer Fae become aware of everyone's presence, and the initial uncertainties are accommodated, they will invite you into their city. There are stairs that lead up the sides of the mountains, but thankfully there are also magical means of getting up there as well. The Summer Fae will be willing to help workers with the injured as needed, offering herbal remedies and healing magic to those that want it. You'll also be invited to join them for dinner, but it feels like more of a formality, and no one is obligated to take them up on it. ► SUMMER PEOPLE: The fae here will do their best to entertain these new visitors - but it doesn't seem that much happens here besides day after day of peaceful meditation and relaxation. It is not uncommon to see Summer Fae spent days doing exactly the same thing, whether that be enjoying the weather, listening to music, or dancing - the day and night periods may be similar to earth, but when you don't need rest it can all blur together just the same. Some of the fae work on feats of agriculture or craftsmanship, and while there is no particularly need to work in this place, they take pride in the fact that they do. ► FAMILIAR FACES: One very different thing about the Summerlands this go around is that there appears to be a small settlement built at the base of the mountains, filled entirely with the former residents of the Manor. Alyss and Reyna will explain that they set up a place to live down there with the Summer Fae's help, and that the fae seems to be trying to remain hands off except when they are needed. The Manor folk overall seem to be doing well, though there is some tension regarding their place in the Summerlands - they are clearly seen as refugees, and while the Summer Fae do their best to help them, the arrival of the carnival and the request for even more help with refugee aid seems to be making things awkward. ► OF THINGS TO COME: The Summer Maiden will remain distant for the first few days, but according to Gild and based on personal observation, it will seem that the news that the Ringmaster has been taken and the idea that even more desperate mortals are requesting to come here are putting her at significant ill ease. She's not rude or dismissive, but she seems reluctant to address the situation head on, though she has said that she will hold a meeting with the carnival later in the week to discuss everything in more detail. None of them seem particularly angry or resentful, but they seem to regard the carnival as an ill portent of things to come.

Comments

[hippocarnival]

"I think it's a heroic story?" Something that's not quite the flavor of the historical fantasy or poetry Gongenzaka's more likely to read, so much as a fairy tale... but it's probably as close as they can get, so he hopes he'll like it.

Yuya adjusts his position so he's facing the stage, and not quite touching Gongenzaka but sitting very close at his side. He cradles the tea in his hand, attentive as much out of his own interest in the play.

Despite the abundance of magic, the props seem to be minimal and it's a pretty simple stage. But the actor's voices carry as if they're right in front of them.

[betheman]

"A heroic tale..?" Certainly sounds interesting enough- Gongenzaka nods, and smiles, adjusting himself a bit so that he's sitting more comfortably by the other. As the play starts, he'll be sipping casually at his tea- as he gets drawn into the story and the music however, it is soon very quickly forgotten. His ears are perked toward the stage, and his eyes do not waver.

[hippocarnival]

Yuya offers a smile before their attention is captured by the play. It's a bold and dramatic story, following the actions of a summer fae as she pursues a quest of dignity and honor, defending mortal worlds from winter fae and making a name for herself across the multiverse. It culimates into fending off an entire attack on the world she stands on, singlehandedly. She also picks up a couple lovers in a torrid romantic affair by the end of the story. The character dynamics are kind of soap opera-y, which probably isn't surprising from the fae.

Yuya's engrossed with the tale, but not quite as much as Gongenzaka. All through the performance he steals glances his way, smiling warmly as he gauges his reaction to it.

At the end of it Yuya claps, despite not being in the audience proper.

[betheman]

It's definitely not surprising, especially if he thinks about the sort of thing that appealed to the Ringmaster; given that the Summer Maiden and her ilk were friends with her, he figures they have to at least have slightly similar tastes in the show.

Gon is snapped from his almost trance-like state of attention by the sound of Yuuya's clapping, the larger one joining in the motion with a nod and a smile. A good show!!

[hippocarnival]

Yuya grins wider, turning his attention up to Gongenzaka. "You liked it?"

He thought it was nice, of course, but he's really interested in Gongenzaka's impression. Yuya's doing this all for him, after all.

[betheman]

Gongenzaka nods eagerly, turning to Yuuya now. "Mn!! It was well done- despite so few props, and scenery, I, the man Gongenzaka, could envision what was being conveyed perfectly..!"

This may or may not have been magic. Who knows.

[hippocarnival]

Yuya just grins wider. By this point, the sun has fallen enough that the stars are becoming visible--and briefly, Yuya thinks they frame Gongenzaka nicely with the dark sky.

He nods once, humming with confirmation. "I liked it, too, but I'm really glad that you did."

Blindly, he reaches for Gongenzaka's hand, trying to find it with his own. "What about the tea?"

[betheman]

"AH-" The blind fumbling catches him off guard, and he hurriedly moves his nearest hand so that Yuuya can take it without knocking anything over. "It was a wonderful tea, of course..!" he laughs softly, blinking. "...Yuuya- did you worry that I, the man Gongenzaka, would find it unpleasant?"

Frankly he'd be surprised if they couldn't make a decent tea here,

[hippocarnival]

"I--" Well, kind of. Yuya averts his gaze sheepishly, his fingers tangling with Gongenzaka's.

"I just wanted to make sure I got it right." The date, making guesses of what Gongenzaka would like, trying to make it special. Strange talked him down from being such a perfectionist about it, but... that doesn't mean he stopped wanting better than good.

[betheman]

Gongenzaka leans down a bit, so that Yuuya can better see his face...and then, rather abruptly, Yuuya will probably not see anything at all as he's sandwiched in a massive hug.

Crunch.

"...It is more than 'right'," he assures the other, nuzzling him with a grin. "It was wonderful..! And is, still, wonderful!!"

Ok but air,

[hippocarnival]

Yuya's gaze flickers up as Gongenzaka leans into his view--and then his choking is promptly muffled by Gon's shoulder as he's squished into the hug. He twitches helplessly for a second before he squirms enough to at least free his face before he suffocates.

"I'm--glad, Gongenzaka!" His smile is a little strained, but he gives up trying to push himself out of Gon's hold. He knows that won't go anywhere. Maybe he can distract him into loosening up a little.

Yuya tilts his head to press his lips to the side of Gongenzaka's.

[betheman]

Distractions will certainly be more effective- as soon as Yuuya's lips connect, Gongenzaka freezes a bit, turning automatically as he loosens his hold on the other. "Mnh- Yuuya-?" he starts, blinking.

[hippocarnival]

Yuya sucks in a sharp breath when he can breath again, leaning back a little. When Gongenzaka turns back to him, Yuya offers a crooked, hesitant smile. "What... should I ask every time I'm about to kiss you?"

The distraction might be successful, but he doesn't know how he feels about that look.

[betheman]

"MNH!! That- of course not!" Gongenzaka protests, sputtering. "It is simply something I, the man Gongenzaka, am yet growing used to..!! That is all!!" PLEASE DON'T STOP DOING THE KISS THING,

[hippocarnival]

"Oh." Yuya gives Gongenzaka a teasing look, leaning in closer to him again. "So what you're saying is I should kiss you more so you can get used to it, right?"

There are zero flaws in this logic.

[betheman]

"AUH-!!" That, naturally, causes him to blush immediately. "AUH!! W-Well...o- Only if you wish to, of course..! It is not something you should force yourself to do, or...auh..."

You broke him, you broke him Yuuya..!

[hippocarnival]

Yuya grins wider, showing teeth, and Gongenzaka should fear for himself.

Yuya grabs Gon's face in both of his hands, juat barely keeping their lips apart as he watches him with a daring expression.

"And if I do...?"

This, he's definitely going to milk for what it's worth. Gongenzaka's flustered him too much with his courting.

[betheman]

Oh god.

Oh god!! "I..."

His voice comes out a squeak. "...That, naturally, would be more than fine...!"

something glinted on his tongue just now, but that was probably nothing

[hippocarnival]

Yuya's face is a bit too close and his eyes are locked with Gongenzaka's. But that squeak tells him he's probably pushed him enough, so he settles the tension with a quick, chaste kiss to the front of Gon's mouth.

And then immediately follows up with peppering more to his face. That might tickle.

[betheman]

"Mph-!" Suffice to say, a sudden attack of fast and fiendish kisses has Gon slightly knocked back and more than slightly squirmy from the neck up because hey!!!

That tickles!! "Mnh- KFNGHG!! Y- Yuuya-!"

[hippocarnival]

Yuya laughs, unrepentant, sputtering a little as fur sticks to his lips. Gongenzaka's protests get Yuya to stop for a moment, letting some space come between them. But that's then he notices...

"Is there something in your mouth?"

[betheman]

There is a bit of yelping in the sense of usual ticklish response, but as Yuuya slows up and stops, he as well pauses. "Mnh? In my mouth..?" he repeats, before raising his brows. "AUH-! Yes, that is..."

He moves his head a bit, so that he can stick out his tongue to show the piercing there. And then pull that back so he can. Talk. "...I, the man Gongenzaka, had many of those piercings from Shabon, yes..? While I chose to heal most...I, the man Gongenzaka, felt it worth keeping some of them, to at least determine if I preferred them..."

that's a tongue piercing bruh

[hippocarnival]

"Whoa." That's all Yuya has to say at first, going cross eyed as he stares at the stud. That sure is a tongue piercing.

He suddenly squishes Gon's cheeks, trying to keep his mouth open to keep looking. "A tongue piercing...? You like it?"

It's surprising. Yuya didn't take that as his taste, usually being so clean cut.

[betheman]

"A-AUH..!! Well..!" The words come out a bit awkwardly, what with having his face mangled by Yuuya now- and frankly, having it questioned makes it worse.

"Th-That is to say, I, the man Gongenzaka...did not find myself disliking it, and so..."

Yuuya please, you're making him second guess everything!!

[hippocarnival]

"Really?" Yuya squints a little. "Maybe I don't know you as well as I thought... uh, not that that's a bad thing--"

Yuya stumbles awkwardly and waves a hand quickly. He just keeps finding himself surprised with the talent in singing, suddenly suave gestures, and tongue piercings.

He lowers his hand, offering Gongenzaka a reassuring smile. "It's just like I'm seeing a new side of you."