aterat | Welcome to the Carnival

Entry tags:

Welcome to the Carnival

Who; EVERYONE!
What; The Traveling Carnival
Where; The Circus Complex and Green Northwest of the City
When; Mid-March
Warnings; None as of yet!

Welcome to the Carnival

A MULTI-DAY AND MULTI-NIGHT ENTERTAINMENT EXTRAVAGANZA!

That is precisely how the advertising banners draw the curious in to the circus complex outside the city, and they do not disappoint. Visitors will be welcomed and told to enjoy themselves, thanked for their patronage, and even given a welcome gift: a small, folding mirror in a box as a door prize. Along with the mirror is a hand-written note in silver ink, written in elegant script.

If you use me before sleep, you will certainly dream of what might have been!

Visitors to the grounds anytime of the day or night will be drawn in by the colorful lights and whimsical sounds of the carnival that dominates both the park and the Circus itself. There are fair rides on the midway. Yes, that's right. Actual, honest to goodness rides. Some are probably familiar, which others are completely alien. There is a Ferris wheel, a haunted house, a house of mirrors to name a few, as well as whatever you as players may want to dream up. If riding fair rides isn't your style, there is an entire shopping district of craftsman hawking wares, food galor to be found (ranging from exotic meals to typical carnival food) as well as enough alcohol to keep everyone well and truly intoxicated for their stay at the carnival.

There is an entire galley of carnival games as well, if winning that special someone an stuffed animal or new pet (think a brand new goldfish) is more your style. You can show off your skills in the shooting range, try to land rings around moving poles, try to guess the number of marbles in one very large jar, and anything else you're welcome to dream up! It seems the visiting clerks here like to change their games up, so now two trips to the galley of games will ever be the same!

The caller outside the sideshow might try to entice visitors in to his gallery of oddities and here things get very interesting. It seems something like a zoo, or a freak show if you want to call it that (and it may make some players and characters uncomfortable). There are creatures in residence from any number of worlds, be their your own or creatures (or races) pulled from other media. The features of the sideshow also seem to change every time it's visited. You may want to go back several times to see if you can share something you've seen with someone else. You might even be successful!

THE MAIN EVENT

Over the several days of the carnival, there are regularly scheduled showed, either in open-air stages or under Big Tops, and they range from magic shows (that use real magic), or stunt demonstrations (that even use motorcycles, which is odd. Has anyone ever seen a motorcyle around here?) to wild animal acts, acrobats, and even clown shows! The tend to change, any they're repeated regularly so you're sure to see something you came to see! There's no limit to the number of times a show can be seen, either, so bring your friends!

DON'T FORGET THE FOOD

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"Human." Inesa echoed softly. "It is such a restrictive word. To my estimation, there are more non-humans than there are humans." It was cruel but also unwise to hurt others. There were few who believed in pacifism. "I am not sure what it means either. Perhaps no one here falls under the definition that is being used." It made her wildly uncomfortable.

Inesa turned to Ivy and shook her head. "Please excuse me. I do not know what to do with my thoughts. I do not wish to trouble you with them." It hurt her to know that these people were so cruel.

"In your world. I'm not sure if it's the case in everyone's world. I've met a few people here who seem pretty sure that nothing other than humans exist where they're from. Then again people thought that where I'm from before the virus hit." The virus had changed everything, including the population of humans compared to non-humans. "We'd have to know who owns this to tell what criteria they look for." Though it definitely did make her wonder who owned it, it seemed as though it'd just appeared out of nowhere.

"It's fine," she said with a dismissive wave of her hand. "You're not troubling me."

"I suppose so." Inesa looked uncertain as she turned to face Ivy. "I am of many worlds with the ability to travel between them. To me, they are all of the same universe. They are just separated. Some knowing how to travel between while others do not." She wondered if others saw it differently. This city held skills that were similar to hers though it pulled things into it.

"It is all very different." She glanced back at the tent. "...our basis of comparisons." It was strange and for someone who lacked many human traits, Inesa found it confusing. She struggled to understand the different viewpoints when some were so hopelessly narrow. "It feels very selfish to me."

The carnival too. It seemed so beautiful but the people here are selfish too. "What do you think?"

Is that so?" That was a bit unsettling to learn. "Impressive power." She was cautious and trying not to seem like such an intense amount of power might make her a bit uncomfortable. It was helped by the fact that this woman seemed a lot more meek and innocent than her own Master.

"Everyone is selfish in their own way." Ivy had to admit that it wasn't something unique to just humans. In some ways it was even worse with the undead, who were nothing but selfish. "That's what I think."

Inesa turned towards Ivy, her expression soft and understanding. "It might be impressive but I am unable to use my powers here. If I could then I could help stabilize this world but that is not possible for me." She was not part of the natural order of this world and anything she did would have a counterreaction. There was no telling what it would be and Inesa aired on the side of caution when using her magic.

"Ah." Her smile tilted a bit awkwardly. "I suppose that you are right." Inesa was still learning to be selfish and at times it was difficult for her. She wasn't a naturally selfish creature but has learned that sometimes it's better to be selfish.

"Um... thank you. For speaking to me. I am at ease knowing that there are people like you here too." She knew many of those in the city but she liked meeting people with different points of view.

"Weird that they want our help but they'd limit someone who could helps powers. Unless they really do have no control over how we're brought here." A while ago they'd discovered it was some portal that allegedly had to do with it and that they'd lost control of it. Wasn't surprising that they'd never heard much more about that, it'd seemed like both the Aspects weren't thrilled to admit they had no idea what they were doing. Or why they'd been left. Sometimes it felt more like they were told to just live and help the world rebuild as a throwaway response to keep them content while something else went along.

But maybe Ivy was just paranoid.

She rolled her shoulders in a shrug. "You don't have to thank me for speaking with you." At least try to be nice, Ivy, you can manage it. "I know what it's like to feel like an outsider."

"I have never really thought about it but yes. If they wanted someone who was as powerful but not limited, they would have summoned my sister." It wasn't because their power levels were different but Inesa followed rules that her sister Maria simply ignored. "We all struggle, in our own ways. The people here are likely no different."

Inesa turned toward Ivy with a warm welcoming smile.

"Then I hope you can speak to me freely as well." She bowed her head and held out her skirt in an informal greeting. "I am called Inesa in this world. It is nice to meet someone who understands my thoughts but also opens my mind to new possibilities. May I know your name?"

"Some people have suggested that there's a possibility it's random," there was a bit of irritation in her tone at that. Truthfully, most of the clues she'd gathered pointed to that as well. The idea that it was completely random though just irked her to no end. If it was random then there was no pattern and nothing they could do to figure out how to stop it or how to send people back.

"In this world only?" She raised an eyebrow curiously. "Ivy Tamwood." She'd considered leaving it at Ivy, but old habits die hard and the Tamwood name had weight behind it back home.

Inesa considered this point of view seriously before shaking her head. "I do not believe that it is random. Even if we do not understand, everything occurs for a reason. That is how nature is." Even if energies were unseen or appeared random, the reason was hidden somewhere.

She giggled and nodded. "Yes. My race does not have names. I was given my name by a dear friend but I have gone by many other names as well."

"But! I like Ivy. The name suits you. It is a beautiful vine." Inesa was a fan of flowers and plants.

Ivy wasn't really sure how much she agreed with that sentiment or even how much she wanted to agree with that sentiment. There was no reason to argue with someone over it though, so she just hummed in something like agreement.

"What race are you? My master was like that, going through a number of names." She wasn't even sure what his original name may have been. He'd said at some point, but she wasn't even sure if she believed him. So much of what he said was a lie.

"Well," she smiled and bit down on her lip. "Thank you. Haven't heard that in a while." The last person she could remember complimenting her name was Skimmer when they'd first met.

"We do not have a name in the traditional sense but I have been called an angel in the past." There wasn't an exact race that Inesa resembled but the definition she'd receive of an angel was close enough for her to use the title liberally. "My race rarely leaves its world and we exist outside of the natural cycles of the worlds."

It was difficult for her to explain but she tried.

"Really? I think it would be rather obvious." Ivy was a very lovely woman. "Do you not think you are pretty?"

"Are you an angel then?" There was a part of her that was actually pretty curious about that. Angels worked in souls, didn't they? Or they did in most things she'd read about them, which could be useful to her.

"I know I'm attractive," she said with a half smile. But it was an attractiveness that came from her abilities and her status as a vampire, not from anything about her. At least that's how she saw it. It was kind of pathetic to think about it that way really. "Pretty is something different."

Inesa giggled. "Well you are very pretty and yes. I am an angel." Her smile became a little bashful as she continued. "My body is made up of my magic. This isn't what I look like but appearing in a human form is traditional for my race. It's also a little more comfortable."

It had taken time for her to get used too but after a few months she liked to remain in this form and never changed it. It was to the point that this was Inesa's identity and she often forgot that she could reshape her form.

"Well, you've chosen a pretty good form," that was the weirdest compliment Ivy had ever given someone. Smooth, Ivy, real smooth. "What do you actually look like?" Immediately after asking she found herself regretting that. Was it really something to just point blank ask like that? Especially if she was saying it was more comfortable.

Inesa smiled. She wasn't bothered by Ivy's question. "Thank you. My natural form is comprised of magic like this one but this form limits the flow between me and the world around me. It is... fluid, some would say." It was really hard for her to explain but she was trying her best. "I have been told that my eyes are purple and my hair turns very white. My skin is also translucent. Though my form can seem human it is not exactly. It shifts freely like the wind or light."

She gently tapped her chin. "I hope that makes sense. It is a bit hard to describe and it is unsafe to show you."

"That sounds like it'd be beautiful," and a part of her wanted to see it. The follow up confirmation by Inesa that it wouldn't really be possible to show her only confirmed there wasn't much of a reason to ask. Even if she was really curious now.

"It's too bad it's unsafe."

Inesa giggled. "If I can ever learn to control it I will let you know. Perhaps it could help too." If she released her current form she'd have more access to her magic as it wouldn't be used to keep her in the form known as Inesa.

"I believe I have remained in this depressing place for too long. I really enjoyed speaking to you. I hope we have a chance to talk again." She didn't like the carnival after learning of its horrors and it hurt to remain so close when it felt like there was nothing she could do to change it.

"Mm," she gave a little nod and bit down on her lower lip. "I hope you do figure something out." She knew what it was like to not have control.

"I enjoyed it too," she smiled before looking down again a bit awkwardly. "I hope the rest of your night finds you in a less depressing place." Ivy couldn't help but hope for that herself.

"You as well." Inesa smiled and lifted her hand in a gentle wave before turning and heading back into the crowds that occupied the fair's main thoroughfare. She had a lot of things to think about but it was comforting to know that she wasn't alone.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Welcome to the Carnival

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/end <3