towerofanimus

1369

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.]

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[Hey! Isn't that one of Luke's friends? Yulia's great to the nth degree grandchild, too! Tear's regard of the rides is uninterrupted for a little while, maybe. Well, he can't just go say hello without having something to offer, which means before heading in Tear's direction Lorelei goes hunting for something he thinks she might like.

Eventually he decides on cotton candy. EVERYONE likes cotton candy, right? And then poor Tear doesn't get to spend much more time alone and puzzled.]

Hello!

[She's saved from the hugs he preferred inflicting on everyone by dint of cotton candy, which is promptly offered.]

Would you like some? I've found these rides are much more interesting when being ridden, as opposed to just being watched. Why don't you try them?

[ It's not very hard for her to notice him when he approaches her before she attempts to approach him. After a few more weeks of adjusting to this place, she's gotten used to the fact that that Lorelei has taken a physical form. He's also rather whimsical and childish, but she doesn't seem to find it strange. After all he's an entity that has been manifested into a human form. How, she's not sure, but she knows this is every real as anything

Tear has never eaten cotton candy before so she's rather quizzical when she sees him a approach her with a cheerful greeting and cotton like candy that is offered to her. She takes it, because it's offered but she's not sure how edible it is. ]

Thank you, Lorelei. [ There's a ghost of a smile that briefly lines her face before her expression changes to its usual. ]

They do not appear safe.

[ Judging from what she had observed anyway. ]

[A very grim girl. Did she smile much? Memory suggested not. Serious sobriety was the name of the game with Tear Grants. That's really too bad, as far as Lorelei's concerned.]

It's edible. A little stringy, and really airy, so it takes a bit of work, but it's very sweet.

[Cotton candy. It had taken him a bit to figure it out. And longer to clean up the mess that resulted from figuring it out.]

I've heard that the creator of this place is very vested in our safety and happiness. I don't think he'd make something that would be deliberately harmful. Besides which, if something does happen, I'm pretty good at healing. Do you want to take a chance, see what happens?

[Have fun? Though maybe that part would be harder to do, poor girl.]

[ Tear smiled, but not all the time. At the moment, there were many things that kept her from smiling. She will eventually harden herself even more in regards to that. It always has been with her. She might have changed a little but she still holds to her usual traits. ]

I see.

[ She continues to give it a brief look, before peeling off the cloud-like layer of the sugary candy. ]

It's hard to believe anything that is said here, however.

[ She replies to him, keeping herself guard. It seems safe, but she can't doubt that it can be dangerous either. ]

Yes, but I don't believe that is the point.

[ -- but Lorelei is different and carefree, as opposed to her always cautious and guarded self.

Having fun isn't in her vocabulary, but having fun might help her mood of sorts. ]

One may go through life mistrusting everything, doubting everything, and reap its rewards in due time. Or one may go through that same life knowing all is an illusion, and find joy in spite of it. Knowing that sweet stuff is a deception doesn't make it less sweet when you eat it, does it?

[Some fights are hopeless battles, and this is one, and Lorelei already knows it. She'll likely never be a happy, carefree woman. It just wasn't her personality. That didn't mean he couldn't, or wouldn't, encourage it anyway.]

There's enough pain in a life without looking for more. So have a little bit of a treat, and maybe have a little fun on the way. If that isn't the point, then what is?

[One hand is offered, crimson eyebrows rising sharply.]

It's not a bad thing to pretend to forget for a little while. Come play with the teacups, and enjoy the snacks all over. If it becomes dangerous, I will keep you safe.

[In lieu of his isofon. Luke should be there, picking at Tear until she relaxed, until she tried to have fun. He'd know how to better than Lorelei. But Lorelei... will make do.]

I'm afraid it doesn't.

[ It's hard to get past trusting the tower. The Tower had done little to welcome her. The only thing she knew was that she's stuck here, just like everyone else. He's right, but she can't change the course of her emotions. Even if he says that, and she agrees, it's much more difficult to allow it to happen.

She is grateful for his efforts and maybe one day it will remind her that there are any things in life to enjoy. If this is easy, she might have been able to do it, but it's not easy and it won't get any easier. She listens to his words, taking them to heart. ]

It would be best not to bring you any more inconveniences, Lorelei.

[ Meaning she's not going to explain it to him because she doesn't want to burden him with her reasons or her emotions. She's not good at expressing herself anyway.

There's maybe a softer smile on her face, albeit sad but it seems to help her some. ]

Thank you, Lorelei.

[ She replies after a long moment of silence. She's able to protect herself well, but its a nice proposal from someone she doesn't really know well. ] I suppose, if that is what you want.

[ Sometimes looking at Lorelei reminds her of Luke, and it's not just his face, but something else. It seems to help her feel slightly better as she finally takes his outstretched hand. She doesn't want to let him be in danger either. There is nothing to do but to move on.

Just like life moved on. She. ]

This is no inconvenience. I like seeing people happy. You rarely seem to be. It's worth the struggle to give a little light to such a gloomy place.

[He has known her all her life. She didn't know him, couldn't treat him as a friend. Lorelei was fine with that. It was worth the effort. Perhaps by the time Luke returned, she'd be a little more at ease, and he could step out of the way and let them go back to being friends on their own. Did it work that way?]

What I want is as simple as that. A little happiness. A little joy. If something like this might be a tiny bit of joy for you, then I'll be happy with that.

[No ulterior motives, no sense that there's any trick or deception. He just wanted people to be happy, and enjoy what they can. He'll pull her carefully onto one of the teacups if allowed; he IS mindful that these machines may well suddenly break at any time, but he can handle injuries. A ride might not be enough, though.

He'll have to figure out something better. Something that might well break her unhappiness a little better. Memory didn't always serve immediately, this was going to take a little thinking!]

Does it seem that way?

[ She hasn't noticed her behaviour seems rather depressing at times. Tear herself, has always been a grim character. She does smile and she does behave concerned towards people she cares about, but it's a rarity now that she's been here.

Her smile seems more sincere after hearing those words. Things don't usually work that way, because they take time, but the thought is a lot nicer than one can ask for in such a place. She considers Lorelei one of her allies for the time being. She doesn't know much about him, other than he was the aggregate sentience of the seventh fonon in her world. He's not as easily replaced as he seems to think. Lorelei and Luke are two different people. ]

Thank you, Lorelei. My apologies for concerning you, but I am alright.

[ It seems she's been worrying people around her more than she realized. She follows after him as he pulls her lightly towards the tea cups.

It will take some time, but it seems she's lightened up a little, thanks to his kindness and sincerity. ]

Edited 2013-12-13 19:37 (UTC)

A little bit, I admit. Very serious, for one so young. We'll just have to see about finding something you really enjoy!

[It might be a little awkward to say, but he does it. It might be a lack of human social cues; hers generally give off waves of 'not interested, go away', but Lorelei has a knack for not noticing.

Besides, it's a worthy challenge. She was too young to spend all her time so serious.]

Ah, it's not something that needs apologizing for. It gives me a good excuse to say hello, and then try to get you to go on rides with me! You can call it selfishness if it'll make you feel a little better about it.

[It isn't, exactly. He doesn't have that quite right. Selfishness wasn't really interested in other people having a good time, and that's his primary goal here.

And if teacups and cotton candy helped lighten Tear's sobriety a bit, then it's nothing at all not worth doing.]

Now, when the little doors on the cups shut and we sit down, everything's going to spin, so if you feel really dizzy, just try to focus on something that seems stationary, like me or the floor. It'll help!

[A teacup is chosen at complete random, and Lorelei will continue to carefully tug her along. It'll be fun! Probably!]

Later if you'd like we can try some of the other ones, they don't ... spin quite as much.

[Because now that he has company he's going to be loathe to let it go.]

I see. It is not intentional

[ She replies to him in return for those words. Tear always seems to ] Yes, I suppose if that is possible.

[ She's not really good at expressing her emotions due to her training. The way she was trained made her behave like this. It's hard to display her true emotions when she strives to always be the perfect soldier figure and burying everything. it was easier than letting emotions get the best of her, but even at the most crucial of times, she is only human. ]

I don't consider it selfishness. I am thankful for your kindness.

[ She replies to his words with a much warmer smile. He may not be form the same dimensional existence as she is, but she knows he's rather different from what she has imagined Lorelei to be in the flesh.

The strange ride interested her for a brief moment, sitting down on it and feeling slightly dizzy from all the spinning. As he said, she manages to keep her eyes fixed on something so that she won't get too dizzy.

She gives him brief look for that statement. ] There isn't anything in particular.

[ Yes, it seems that way. He's not a bad person to be around. His innocence reminds her a bit of Luke's innocence, only Lorelei carried a different burden from Luke. They are also two vastly different individuals. ]

No, I imagine it's just how you were brought up. It's hard to shake off that kind of thing, especially if it's useful.

[Lorelei's been on these things before, and he's figured out how to deal with the dizziness and just enjoy the tinny carnival music and spinning and general noise and lights. And he's making headway besides! Every bit of little more relaxing, every bit of a warmer, brighter smile is all the reward he needed.

A little happiness on a day like this, artificially warm even in winter and full of delicious foods and silly rides and toys, is something worth having and remembering.]

Not anything at all, hum? We'll just have to find something. Maybe we can find a game that'll challenge your skills! Some of the prizes are really neat. Like the fluffy toy cheagle-things with the really long legs.

[Rabbits, not cheagles. Stuffed toy bunnies. Foreign animals are not in his repetoir.]

Yes, you are correct, Lorelei. I have been trained to with hold emotions. It serves as a hindrance in battle, thus it is rather difficult.

[ Tear nodded her head to his words. It was true, she grew up with these ideals drilled into her mind. It was hard to get past it once it was there. ]

Thank you for understanding.

[ She doesn't want to seem too stand offish to certain people. Lorelei had done nothing wrong, thus she had no reason to treat him coldly. It was just her usual attitude is always unchanging. Tear's eyes are focusing on whatever seems stable, because the ride seems to be making her dizzier and dizzier. It's not something she's fairly used to, but she can't deny the little fun it offered. ]

Cheagle-things?

[ She gives him a look. Tear isn't aware of rabbits either, she does give him a once over. There are games that offer small prizes like that? That's rather cute and she's not one to let that go easily this time. Tear enjoyed cute things and they made her happy. She just doesn't show it often. Lorelei can notice the brief change in her tone as she said that. ]

What sort of game would give...toys?

Edited 2013-12-15 10:28 (UTC)

[Maybe one day things would change for Tear. Until then, there wasn't much to be done about it!]

Cheaglelike. Imagine a cheagle, small like that with long ears and big bright eyes.. but with long back legs like a horse. They hop from place to place. Uhm, sometimes you can see them in the floor with the meadow, eating flowers and things. I don't know what they call them.

[The teacups are still spinning, which makes a proper explanation really difficult!]

Most of them, apparently. It seems to be a carnival thing. In normal carnivals you pay gald to play, and if you win you get a prize so in a way you're paying for the toy, but here it's free.

[ One day when she properly learns how to be a normal human being. For the time being, she was going to behave the way she always behaved. ]

I-I see.

[ That sounded extremely cute to her and she wanted to see them, though she could assume what they looked like.She has seen those things around from time to time. Tear is a bit dizzy from all the strange teacups having it spin and spin. ]

I've never been to one of those in Auldrant.

[ She's only sort of seen something similar but nothing would meriting. ]

[At least the teacups are slowing, which might spare Tear further dizziness. If they try another ride, perhaps the ferris wheel will be safer. And a little less nausea-inducing.]

Well! That makes two of us then. I know about them, but it's so different actually being there, don't you think?

[Lorelei's already looking around. The grip he keeps on the edge of the teacup suggests this isn't exactly a good idea and a solid hold is there to keep him from getting dizzy and falling over himself - but as the cups gradually slow he can point to where he'd spotted such games.]

There's some over that way. If there's a toy you like maybe we can try to get it. They're also not so spinny.

[Not spinny is good, right?]

[ Yes, it is a good thing that she can somewhat see the things around her without having them whirl into many different colours. The fonist isn't very used to unfamiliar machinery and having to sit in one somewhat intrigued her but also confuses her. She's never been to such a place before so, she admits it was almost fun. ]

I suppose it makes sense. Yes, it is very much different from what I had expected.

[ Tear nodded in agreement. It feels rather safe for once and her guard is a lot less stiff, but she's still keeping her suspicions just in case. She watches as he points to the area of the games. She can only briefly glance it as the teacup slows itself. ]

We...can give it a try.

[ Tear isn't really sure she's ready to expose her other side, but she can't hide the fact that she's a bit curious about these stuffed toys.

Not spinny is great! ]

[As soon as the spinning teacups stop, Lorelei bounces right out of the ride without any hesitation - then seems to remember that he better actually wait for Tear, and turns around to do so, wide-eyed. He could be patient if he had to be, but he didn't have to be!]

It's good to experience new things sometimes. Completely new is even better! Are you going to be alright? Dizziness can be a problem, I think.

[He'll wait. He doesn't really want to but it's best to make sure she doesn't suddenly fall over or get sick or anything of the sort. Honestly the gondola would have been a better bet for a first ride ever than the teacups were..]

[ Tear get out of the teacup, minourly dizzy but not too dizzy that she couldn't move. She follows after Lorelei and shakes her head. She's not going to go something like a second time. It made her stomach feel a little queasy. ]

I suppose can't hurt to attempt new things and I'm fine. I am slightly dizzy, but nothing that would impair my vision.

[ It's just the matter of getting her eyes to see straight for a second. She follows after him not too long after that, rather composed. ]

Perhaps it's best to take a moment anyway. There's no rush!

[He doesn't know that perhaps there is. In a couple of days this place would be rusted nightmarish ruin. Lorelei couldn't remember the future anymore, and it eluded him.

But it's easy to find the games, neatly set up like any carnival might, complete with dangling prizes, some plush toys, some other things.]

The other one though, it looks like it moves fairly slowly and only in a big circle. I can't imagine nausea will be an issue, but maybe best avoided if you don't like heights.

[Gondolas were big!]

If that is what you want, Lorelei. I can confirm that my condition is nothing to fret about.

[ She replied giving him her usual smile. Tear won't be expecting the same thing, but for now, it is best to juts go with the flow of things. Tear's rather fascinated with the culture of all of this. Tear has never engaged in such things, so it is all new and interesting to her. ]

It looks rather high.

[ But it seems to intrigue her a lot. ]

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Gmail provided no notify! ;o; sorry for delay!

Always okay! bus mysellf :D

AND NOW MINUS TYPOS

yes the typos lolll

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i would still like to continue this if you want to! sorry late as heck reply

Late is okay! I've been delayed myself.

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