1369

[animusmods]

Characters: Anyone coming to Zo's carnival
Setting: Cafeteria; please specify the date and location in the carnival in your subject header!
Format: Anything
Summary: Zo has set up a carnival for the residents, but it's not meant to last. Anyone wandering after the bombs go off might see things they never wanted to see...
Warnings: Psychological and body horror
Note: Characters entering the carnival from the 27th to the 30th will experience visions! Please refer to the info post for details and reply to this thread if your character enters the carnival during these days.

[The carnival has taken up the entirety of the cafeteria. A large roller coaster and ferris wheel tower over the residents, while a child-sized roller coaster, a merry-go-round, and spinning teacups project much less daunting silhouettes. Stands are set up with standard carnival foods available, from ice cream to cotton candy. These stands do not ask for anything as payment.

On the twenty-seventh, the carnival appearance changes. The machinery all appears rusted and broken down, as if weathered with decades of rain and snow. Plants grow up and around the rides, ruining them, and all the food is rotten.]

Comments

25th, 26th, 27th, and 30th; all over

[fragileprophet]

25th - near the entrance

[It's clear by taking one look at the boy's generally calm face that he's amazed by his surroundings. Though carnivals aren't unheard of on his home, he's never actually seen one, and even if he had it would be doubtful that he'd ever be given a chance to really explore one or heaven forbid enjoy the rides and activities available for them.

Still, Ion can be found mostly lingering close to the entrance, away from the rides. He seems to be hesitant about running in and having fun, instead contenting himself to simply watching the other residents enjoy the carnival. If Anise knew he had jumped right into the thick of it without waiting for her to confirm it was safe, he was sure he'd never hear the end of it.]

26th - With Anise; everywhere
(Please specify whether you want to interact with both Anise and Ion, or if you want to tag to one of them individually)

[It's fortunate that Ion has a good deal of experience with Anise jerking him around by the arm, otherwise it would probably be more than sore by now with the amount she drags him about the carnival. Dragged or not, he smiles wide at the girl's side, clearly enjoying himself and laughing when appropriate as they float from testing out snacks to contemplating which rides to go on.]

Those tea cups look rather dizzying--[Ion comments as he looks around and weighs the options.]--but I'm still not so sure I'm willing to give the roller coaster a try. What do you think, Anise? Which one looks like the most fun?

27th - by the teacups

[The new appearance of this place worries him. He doesn't to linger for too long, but at least for a short amount of time Ion obliges his curiosity in order to examine the spooky carnival. When he reaches the teacups, he reaches out to touch the crumbling ruin of the ride, his face twisted in a mixture of emotions.]

Zo had worked so hard...

[Ion sighs, letting his hand drop sadly back to his side.]

What could have caused this?

30th - near the roller coaster

[After having found the floor in its state of disrepair on the 27th, Ion had decided not to venture back onto the floor. He knew Anise would disapprove; it could be dangerous, after all. As curious as he tended to be at times, he didn't want to worry her just as much as he didn't want to cause anyone any trouble if he happened to find himself in a threatening situation he couldn't escape.

So when he finds himself waking up among the carnival's overgrown attractions, he's both surprised and ill at ease. Unsure of how he got there in the first place but not wanting to take any chances, Ion turns to make his way back to the entrance when a flash of light coming from the roller coaster catches his attention. It's heading toward him, but Ion has no time to register this before he's knocked heavily to the ground. He takes in a sharp breath as he hits it...but that's when he begins screaming.

Because his chest--it hurts unlike any pain he's ever felt before. He can't even hear himself screaming, can't hear or see anything beyond the searing, indescribable pain. It's a small mercy when he blacks out completely, going silent from his place on the ground.

He's not in the carnival when he wakes up, though he feels disoriented as he blinks up at the blank ceiling. Ion stands on shaking legs, and calls out, but the laboratory he finds himself in isn't anywhere he recognizes. This troubles him far less than the first person he sees--dead, bloody, insides spilling out from his mouth. Ion shrieks, stumbling backward, only to run into an equally dead woman. And then there's another, and another, and Ion has to clutch at his eyes as he falls to his knees, feeling sick.

After a few minutes, he composes himself well enough to try to explore more--but then he blinks, and he's back in the carnival, staring up at nothing. Immediately, he'll reach for his chest and start to breathe in a heavy, panicked fashion, though he finds that he feels no pain at all. If someone had found him while he was screaming or unconscious, he'll look up at them, still clearly out of sorts.]

Did--did you see it?

26th with Anise just duo everything

[lookmanostrings]

Are you scared?

[There's a bit of a mischievous look on his face as he appears by Ion and Anise, his violin and bow on his belt and one hand under his chin.]

[fragileprophet]

[Ion was probably more scared of Fado, who he hadn't even seen sneak up on them until he was speaking. His pale face colors before he can stop it, and he looks sheepishly over at the other boy.]

...I don't know if scared is exactly the word I'd use for it. I just think it might be too intense for me with my weak constitution.

[After all, if he could barely walk around on the stairs without passing out, what was a roller coaster going to do to his heart rate?]

god i'm sorry i didn't realized you liked gold diggers so much

[forhislegacy]

Hmm, maybe we should try the merry-go-round... [She looks thoughtful, but she's startled out of her thoughts by Fado's approach. Anise snaps her attention to him sharply and, in typical Anise fashion, puts her hands on her hips.]

We're not scared! Ion and I can handle anything if we're together! [Then she grins.] Right, Ion?

she take my moneyyyyyy when i'm in neeeeeed

[lookmanostrings]

[Ion's answer makes him chuckle more than anything. Ah yes, stairs were not always the best of friends sometimes.] I suppose that is true-- but at least here, I believe you are sitting down.

[The point still stands however, as he moves his arms to fold behind his own back and smiled at Anise.]

I see-- you two are close companions, then?

[fragileprophet]

[Ion can't help but smile widely in a return to Anise's enthusiasm.] Yes, of course!

[The answer works well as a double response to her as well as Fado. Though, of course, he gives a better explanation for the blond.]

We are. Back on our home world, Anise is my Fon Master Guardian. [Arguably she still held that position here, but Ion wasn't about to force her to meet obligations that hardly made a difference in the Tower.] She's also my good friend.

25th

[ninjainviolet]

[Sheena recognizes that expression--having had a similar one the first time she had seen Altamira, and smiling in understanding, she approaches the young man.]

Is this your first time at an amusement park?

[fragileprophet]

[Looking bashful, Ion nods with a chuckle.]

Is it that obvious?

[It probably was. He honestly wasn't too surprised.]

I've always wanted to see one. I never thought I'd actually get the chance.

[Perhaps it was a bit bittersweet, considering where they were and the circumstances that had brought it...but there was no point in refusing to enjoy oneself. Especially when Zo had probably gone to so much trouble to make this all possible.]

It's so much to take in.

[ninjainviolet]

[Sheena smiles at him knowingly.]

Only to someone who's had that same expression the first time they went to an amusement park.

[She nods slowly as he explains.]

Let me guess. It's too far away for you to get there easily?

[She follows his gaze and turns back with a chuckle.]

It really is, and no matter how much people describe one, it's just not believable until you see it, right? Is there something you wanted to try first?

[fragileprophet]

Yes. [Ion sighs, though not particularly heavily.] Even if that wasn't true, however, I doubt I'd find the time to go.

[Even that wasn't the full reason. If Ion had had the time, he certainly wouldn't have had the energy to make the trip. And even if he had had the energy, he doubted any of the Maestros would have given him permission. If it wasn't one thing, it was surely another.]

But that's true! It makes me appreciate just how much work must go into building and operating these sort of places. [But at her last question, Ion looks momentarily startled, then shakes his head.]

Oh, no. I'm fine just watching, for now. I don't know where I'd start...and my Guardian would give me an earful if I ran in on my own before she finished scouting.

[ninjainviolet]

[She has no idea about his health issues that could keep him from traveling, so she goes for the one thing she does recognize.]

Your Guardian? [From the way he said it and the fact that he said he'd never find time to go, Sheena can only guess that he's an important person with too many duties to leave him some free time.] You mean a bodyguard?

[From what she's seen of this place, he definitely needed one. Although, she wondered if part of his guard's being upset would be from him heading off and having fun without her.

However, Sheena wasn't about to risk finding out, and stayed right she was with him.]

Okay. Well, how about this: You tell me what looks interesting, and I'll tell you about it? This way, you can give your Guardian a list of the places you'd like to go. [And since she'd already have been through the park, she'd know the fastest route.]

25th

[ambassadorasshat]

[Considering Luke probably already has several marks against him regarding Ion and Bad Decisions, one more probably couldn't hurt, right? Besides, he doesn't know what Ion's opinion regarding the carnival's safety is, and he's been at the carnival for a while and it seems safe so far.

That said, Ion's got an excited redhead approaching him. The last time he was at an actual carnival was never, so he's not missing the opportunity now.]

Hey! Ion!

[He's not going to try to drag Ion in yet, but he may try eventually.]

[fragileprophet]

[In all honesty, Ion's just happy to see Luke. He was glad that there was still one of them here, as they seemed to all have a bad habit of disappearing. It's even better to see the redhead looking so excited, and Ion can't help his face from lighting up as he returns the greeting.]

Hello, Luke! You look like you're enjoying yourself. I'm glad!

[ambassadorasshat]

Of course I am, this is one of the best things the tower admins have done for us.

[So far. He hasn't been there that long, and it's certainly better than one of Ruana's 'games'.]

Have you been in yet?

[fragileprophet]

[Ion just shakes his head, though he doesn't exactly look disappointed in the action.]

No, not yet. I've looked around a little, but Anise insisted on scouting the area first. I'm sure she'd be upset if she found out I didn't wait for her to finish.

[ambassadorasshat]

[There's mention of Anise and Luke quickly goes from excited to slightly panicked.]

Aw man, Anise is down here?

[Ruining his fun. Boo Anise.]

Well, that's boring.

26th, bring them both on, she can handle it!

[gradosfinest]

[After the carnival has been around for a day and nobody appears to have been flung off any of the rides or otherwise horrifically murdered, she's considerably more relaxed with the whole carnival. That and, well, she's still gotta eat something, a healthy diet is important for being a proper soldier!

An over-sized plate of nachos with cheese probably doesn't count as healthy, but what the hell, it's good and she'll do a few extra laps around the gym later today to make up for it or something. And when she spots a familiar face exploring the carnival alongside a not-quite-so familiar face she waves enthusiastically with her free hand, walking over towards them. Ion seemed to be a very friendly person from her prior meeting with him, so surely any friend of his must be too!]

Ion! Hi there!

god speed, Amelia.

[fragileprophet]

[Ion turns to look away from the rides at the sound of his voice. He smiles immediately and returns the wave.]

Hello, Amelia! [He laughs lightly when he sees what she's holding.] You look like you have your hands full.

[The Fon Master gives the knight a chance to respond before he moves to indicate Anise. He assumes the two haven't yet been acquainted, as Amelia only called his name and when they met she hadn't shown any real indication that she had met anyone else from Auldrant. It would be rude for him not to introduce them to one another.]

This is Anise: she's my Fon Master Guardian, as well as a dear friend of mine. [He pauses, turning to Anise.] Anise, this is Amelia; we met earlier in the month at a party. She's a knight!

26th Duo!

[melodyoftheabyss]

Everything alright?

[ The Fonist mused, approaching her two companions. She's not really interested in much of this, as intriguing as some of the things were.

The cuter things had her gawking for a while, but mostly she's been controlled. She's also surveyed enough to consider it safe for the time being, but it's been a while since she's seen some of her companions. it's a relief to see them well and happy. ]

[fragileprophet]

Hello, Tear!

[Ion smiles her way when she makes herself known.]

As far as I'm aware. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves, and Anise and I are doing the same. I hope you have been, as well?

[melodyoftheabyss]

Hello Fon Master. It's good to see that you are well.

[ Tear greets him as she approaches him. ]

I'm glad to hear that you are enjoying yourself. I have been well, thank you.

[ As well as she can be on certain losses, but she's not going to burden her friends on her own internal feelings. ]

30th

[keybearer]

That all depends on what you saw.

[The truth is, Riku's returned to the wreckage again and again just to see if anything strange happened again, but by now it's been three days with no results. At best, he's found others with similar experiences, and he assumes that Ion is one such person.

But seeing how Riku bore witness to Ion's screaming, he'll go ahead and step closer, extending a hand if he needs help getting up or at laest getting balanced.]

[fragileprophet]

[Ion's thankful for the hand. He feels so weak and so shaken, and he's not sure if it's due to his pre-standing condition or if it's due to what he saw. Perhaps, both. Likely, both. He didn't want to believe that seven months in this Tower could excuse him from being horrified at the sight of mutilated bodies. And imagined or not, he wasn't going to forget that pain in his chest anytime soon.

The boy's knees wobble clearly beneath him as he tries to reorient himself, his free hand coming to rest against his forehead.]

There was a light coming from the direction of the roller coaster...and then I was knocked to the ground. It felt...it felt like something was being ripped out of my body though I don't know what; I've never experienced anything like that. I think I must have fainted...but when I woke up...when I woke up I was in a laboratory.

[Ion's hand clenches against Riku.]

Everyone there was dead. I must have been stuck in that place for at least...ten minutes. It's hard to tell.

[keybearer]

[While Ion reorients himself, Riku stands close, just in case he falls over or needs some extra balance. He can't just walk out on this guy, especially after screaming his lungs out.

As Ion speaks, he stands relatively still, one hand reaching for his chin. A light, huh? And he actually felt something in his vision? And not just any feeling, either; the feeling of getting torn from his body.

His eyes squeeze shut for a moment at the mention of dead bodies...]

The bodies you saw... were they film and wires like us, or, well... real?

[fragileprophet]

[Ion takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly as he considers the question he was given.]

They...they were real, I think. [He frowns. He's still rather pale, but the boy is already starting to look a bit less shaken, if only slightly.] As far as I could tell, anyway. If they weren't, they were glamoured, but I don't recall any of them wearing collars...ah...but if they were, I'm not sure I would have noticed. I'm sorry.