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

[sageprincess]

[Ah. So that explains why he looks so much like Arthur. Her eyes seem to light up then as she follows along, and it's not because his excitement about the ferris wheel is rubbing off on her.]

I am Princess Zelda of Hyrule. It is a pleasure to meet you, Peter. But, if I may ask, are you by chance related to an Arthur Kirkland somehow?

[bydefacto]

[At the mention of Arthur, Sealand slows down to walk beside Zelda rather than run on ahead. His face falls somewhat, and his brow furrows in thought as he looks at the ferris wheel ahead.]

Yes. He's my brother. [His tone suggests some annoyance with this fact.]

Do you know him?

[sageprincess]

[Zelda's smile doesn't falter, though there is a hint of confusion in her eyes at that tone and the general enthusiasm crash. Why would he be upset over something like that?]

Yes, I do. He is a very dear friend of mine.

[Not

a trace

of irony.]

[bydefacto]

[...

Squint.]

Uh... Dear friend? [Well, that's weird. Maybe she's like Japan and is just being polite because he's England's brother or something. Yeah, that's gotta be it.

Why else would anyone say that about Arthur with such a straight face?]

He's a jerk, mostly. He won't recognise Sealand as a nation, and he's bossy and he won't ever let me do anything. [Totally mature h u f f.]

[sageprincess]

[Well, she is technically Japanese--

Sealand gets a raised brow and a slightly skeptical look at that, but she doesn't seem terribly put out by his grievances.]

I cannot say I know much about the politics of nations recognizing one another, but... I do know a bit about looking after someone younger than I am.

[The boy looks about Tetra's age, at least.]

Are you certain he does those things just because he wants to, or could that be his way of trying to keep you safe?

[bydefacto]

Safe from what? Being successful?! [He's pouting as they reach the entrance to the ferris wheel. He wonders why Zelda seems to like his brother so much, thinking maybe she's his girlfriend or something. That'd be really weird. And gross. Who would want to date Arthur?]

I'm responsible, and I have a Wikipedia page and a football team and everything! I could be a nation! He's just a big jerk.

[Never mind the whole bossing him about and not letting him do anything; that is admittedly perhaps to keep him safe. Especially now, in this place. He gets that...

England's still a stupid jerk though.]