welcome to mayfield: day 3

[mayfield_mods]

[Those who wake up in the town on the third day will soon notice that something's definitely off. The cracks in the sky are appearing more frequently and lasting for minutes at a time, and there's a strange white fog drifting over the clouds.

For those who've just arrived, welcome to our new little town! We're sure you're glad to see your missing friends again; nothing to worry about here, they've just been too busy enjoying the upgraded carnival to go back home. Any bleeding limbs or serious wounds you may spot are obviously just a sign of how much fun they've been having.]

OOC: If your character damages or affects the carnival or town in a noticeable and normally permanent way, please comment here.

Comments

[bloodsugar]

[aha...! Charles!

he gives a little jump at the sound of Sir Creepsalot directly behind him -- turning to face him before exhaling a rather relieved sigh. (yes, relieved -- and grateful to see him. IS THIS A STRANGE SIGHT FOR YOU DEAR...)]

Charles...! You're a sight for sore eyes...

[encored]

[IT IS A STRANGE SIGHT ACTUALLY. he kind of misses the looks of shock and horror that he used to get whenever he'd appear behind people! but now isn't the time for pining over glory days...]

I'd say the same to you, but it would be better if I didn't have to see you at all. [which he means in the 'I might just be worried' way, even if it sounds like the 'your face gives me headaches' way]

[bloodsugar]

Yes, yes... I'm sure the sight of my face is turning your stomach right about now, hm? [why does he say that fondly as if it's endearing...]

You're doing okay...? Have you run into any trouble?

[encored]

More than anything I've run into yet. [a sage nod...]

I haven't run into anything yet, no, but I've seen the trouble that others have found themselves caught in. [his gaze shifts to the interior of the church for a split second.] What of yourself?

[bloodsugar]

[he'll just pat you gently on the shoulder, poor boy. yes it's hard being you...

but mention of certain 'hardships' others have endured sobers him some, and his gaze follows his friend's.]

...Mm. I'm just fine...

I was lucky to find Esther and Cain with me in very short time. We've been holing up here for the most part. Since neither of them have any special immunities or regenerative abilities, it's important to keep them safe. [not all of us can hax heal ok Mr. Chiropteran.]

Charles... do you have any idea what's going on?

[encored]

[yes it's hard being traumatized by a face he can't seem to get away from...

he nods a little, maybe internally grateful to some clearly microscopic degree that no harm had come to him yet.]

It's a wise idea to stay here, at least. The rats seem to avoid this place. [which is good for people without hax healing who actually need to sleep!] They're both doing well for the time being, food and water issues aside?

[he looks back at that, brow furrowed.] I have no idea, unless you're referring to the general... format, I suppose, of what's occurring. The motives behind it are a mystery to me.

[bloodsugar]

They're getting restless. Afraid. [it wasn't hard to see why; the situation was unnerving and people were beginning to stop returning back here at the end of each day... a walk around the Carnival proved that not everyone was as cautious as they should be and had paid the price.] But they're alright. Esther brought a little food and water with her through the funhouse, so... they aren't in bad shape. I'm not sure how long it'll last, though.

[so, he's very worried ;;]

...Nothing like this has happened before? [hn. he doesn't know if that's a good or terrible sign...]

[encored]

Nothing like the carnival has happened before. Being trapped in isolated communities outside of Mayfield with little or nothing to eat or drink and the possibility of physical harm, on the other hand, is nothing new.

[he makes a soft sound of annoyance, looking back into the church and placing his hands on his hips.] I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Esther's quick thinking won't be anywhere near enough to keep things from going sour. I've told this to Cain, but often in situations like these, only a small handful of survivors make it to the very end of the stay.

[bloodsugar]

[hn... ;( he knew as much himself, but... he had hoped that maybe -- despite what previous experiences should have taught him -- there would be a purpose, a reason and rhyme to all of this. something that could be done... something that might help their chances...

he hangs his head a bit more with a quiet sigh.]

I don't understand this, Charles. What do they hope to gain...? Putting people through this trials, over and over again...

[encored]

[he'd like to think he's apathetic to the whole song and dance by now, and through his words and demeanor alone it would certainly seem like he is. while he wouldn't be sticking around the church or people he knew if that was truly the case, it probably doesn't make him sound any less callous.]

Do they need a reason for it? Some of the things we experience might be out of their control entirely, or due to the judgment of one among the several of them who hold power. Either way, contemplating the causes won't do you much good. Just prepare for what follows.

[bloodsugar]

[to be honest, a little 'callousness' is something he's familiar with. it isn't like it bothers him nor is it something he finds offensive... Tres was often blunt and completely cold, seemingly detached -- so he's used to seeing the signs of someone who appears totally apart from emotions while secretly

you know

demonstrating them quite obviously...]

Should I be praying for our souls, Charles? Or maybe skip right to the usual funeral psalms...?

[encored]

[OH NO he's been transparent all along... now if only he could see how transparent he was so he didn't get so baffled whenever people called him out on actually caring

but that gets a laugh from him since he gallows humor is always appropriate in his opinion!! except he's actually being serious whoops... at least there isn't much amusement in his tone, despite his smile.]

Skipping to the funeral psalms might be a good idea. One for every person you see, that ought to be enough.

[bloodsugar]

[ho, hum... you know he'll get around to it one day!! he does like telling Charles how see-through he is and how he knows they're buddies and you totally love him forever okay.

he heaves the most world-weary sigh of his life...]

You have an unnerving sense of humor, you know that? You don't honestly think that all of us will die here, do you?

[encored]

[why are all of the people he associates with stalkers or trolls or both, this is terrible...

also arching a brow at that. it's not like he's the one here known for theatrics and overexaggeration!]

It's the only way back to town in some cases.

[bloodsugar]

[stalkerdom and trolldom aren't mutually exclusive, kukuku...]

...Some cases? That scenario has happened before?

[...]

[encored]

[his life choices have lead him down this dark path and now he's stuck with a pack of stalker troll losers with no one to blame but himself...]

As I've said, the carnival itself is a new theme, but the idea behind it isn't. In Westport, I was told there were no survivors by the time we were all returned to Mayfield. [he gives a half-shrug.] When we were in Maipole, on the other hand, I believe most people simply woke up in their own beds. However, injuries sustained in the town were transported along with them. Many remained injured until their next death.

[bloodsugar]

[...this isn't comforting, Charles, you know that...

he's absorbing this with a few beats of rather heavy silence. he doesn't know what to say... but-- one thing strikes him.]

...You died in Wesport... didn't you?

[it's quiet, and he's watching him side-long. charles :(]

[encored]

[comfort isn't his specialty, sadly...

the question earns him a small, dismissive wave of the hand. westport is a giant tango of Bad Memories for him, so he tends to deflect and avoid the topic wherever possible.]

Before a few, after most. It's why I only known second-hand that the remainder of the population was killed within the next day. Radiation poisoning, I believe it was.

[bloodsugar]

[mm. there's no joke on his lips this time. maybe it's just the tension in the air around here, right? but he's taking this seriously without deferring to the wisdom of humor to make light of it all.]

I'm sorry.

[encored]

[his brow furrows for a moment like he's getting ready to be angry, but he remains impassive in the end.]

You should re-direct the energy you put into being sorry and use it to prepare yourself for a potential repeat of the situation.

[bloodsugar]

[prepare to watch those he loves die? no... no thank you. he's lived that 'end game' back home once, where death isn't impermanent. he doesn't intend to suffer through that again.]

...Sometimes, the less you say... the more it seems as though some part of you is screaming, Charles.

[he's shifting to grasp the rosary in an almost subconscious gesture as he looks out at those milling about in the church. it won't end that way, will it...? it won't...]

I'll do everything I can to make sure it doesn't come to that. I'd ask you to stay where it seems safe for now, but... you've never been very good at listening to that kind of thing, have you?

So, I'll stick to 'please be careful' instead. I'll be here if you need anything.

[encored]

[welp, that actually does manage to make him angry. it isn't that he wanted to learn to accept death, and he's really just making a point to bluntly warn everyone because he cares, but what he views as sickening optimism gets under his skin faster than it ever did before in situations like this.]

It's yourself you need to worry about. If you're still clinging to the notion that you alone, or anyone for that matter, can change the most likely outcome, you'll be one of the people who suffer the most. [he huffs, and turns to withdraw back into the church.]

[bloodsugar]

[it's okay to admit that all this bothers you... being played by Mayfield; being killed... watching those you care for -- because you do -- get hurt, Charles ;(

...but he watches him go; even he on occasion knows when not to overstep his bounds. please take care of yourself, Charles... alright...?

he wants to see you alive and well at the end of this... ;(]