day 5

[mayfield_mods]

[The fifth day doesn't dawn at all. In fact, the sky simply isn't there anymore; the only thing visible if you look up is pure black nothing. Most of the carnival itself is no longer visible, having been blanketed by thick white fog; any attempt to enter said fog will result in your body rapidly disintegrating. The street at least still seems to be intact, but with no way out and the fog slowly creeping in, who knows how long that'll last?

Luckily, it seems like the cavalry has finally arrived.]

(OOC: This marks the last day of the event! Anyone who has won a prize from Mayfield's carnival will be able to access both Mayfield and this area through the funhouse, and will be able to take one person with them on each trip they make. If your character is not rescued by the end of the day, they will be disintegrated by the fog and will wake up the next morning in Mayfield with the standard revival effects. You are free to comment in this post regardless of whether your character signed up for the event.)

Comments

[waiting_for_the_worms]

[Kariya, having already been rather off-balance from the debris falling and exploding around him, was more or less knocked off his feet by Garviel's hard push. As a result, it's more of a matter of falling into Rin's arms than running into them, but either way the two are reunited at last. He picks himself up quickly enough, pulling Rin into a tight but brief hug before looking around.]

I'm fine. But how did you get here? Is the way still open?

[gandere]

[ While she's normally not one to be affectionate, her hands refuse to let go of him right away, their bodies lingering in an embrace despite the chaos. ]

It looked like it was when I left, but who knows. We need to get away from this part of the town before ...

[ Before what Her gaze looks up towards the sky as she tries to think of just what to say. How can she even begin to describe what's happening as of this very moment? ]

[waiting_for_the_worms]

['Before it collapses.' He knows. Kariya releases the hug, taking Rin by the hand and starting off away from the church.]

...Come on. Let's get going. We can talk about it when we get back. I'm sure Sakura is worried.

[gandere]

[ She'll squeeze his hand a bit more firmly than usual as she follows after his lead. ]

Right, Sakura is worried. We both heard your message so it helped us, but...

[ It really didn't. All it did was reaffirm how stupid Rin had been. Why would she ever stop doing what she's supposed to do in this town? Because they both showed up in her life? That was all the more reason to do it! ]

[waiting_for_the_worms]

[Kariya smiles, squeezing back as they charge off toward the fun house. She didn't mention that's where she came from, but somehow she didn't need to - it was how Kariya got here in the first place, so it stands to reason that's the way out too.]

Thank goodness it got through. I'm sorry I worried you and your sister. I'll have to make it up to you when we're out of here.

[gandere]

I didn't say I was worried! [ It's impulsive for her to snap anytime someone makes her out to be "weak" and showing emotion? That's the greatest offense! ] I said Sakura was! I should beat you up for making her feel that way in the first place!

[ Flipping her hair over her shoulder mid-strut, she follows it up with a "HMPH!" ]

Since it was your first offense though, I'll let you go easy! Although if you do want to bribe me after still...

[waiting_for_the_worms]

[All he can do is smile and chuckle a little at Rin's behavior. He knows her well enough by this point to decode that kind of talk, as she was already well on her way to this level of tsundere when she was just a kid. It feels good just to be near her again. It's something he was starting to think may not happen.]

How do sundaes at the diner sound?

[gandere]

Too fattening. [ Huff. ] You'll have to do better.

[ Talking like this was hopefully enough of a distraction of the danger that looms around the pair, Rin's pace picking up. There's nothing more she wants to do at this very moment other than keep him from feeling further despair. ]

[waiting_for_the_worms]

[It seems to be working, at least for the moment.]

How about clothes shopping?

[You know, for horrible Mayfield fashions. He hasn't really seen how bad they are yet.]

[gandere]

The stores here are horrendous, Uncle Kariya! The skirts fall to the knees. To the knees! [ It's a travesty to even consider it. ] You're going to have to think of another thing. Third time's the charm, yeah?

[waiting_for_the_worms]

All right, all right... Let's see...

[Oh man, the pressure is on!]

Ah! How about a picnic? Just the three of us. [And probably Rider and Lancer, knowing how things will probably go.] We'll make an afternoon out of it.

[gandere]

A picnic? [ It's nice to think about that as she walks with him. ] Our Servants might show up--[ Looks like she has the same idea as him. ]--but it would be nice. Just a little time together just to get to know each other.

[ Squeezing his hand again. ]

I can't wait for it, Uncle Kariya.

[waiting_for_the_worms]

All right. I'll be looking forward to it, then.

[He smiles over at her before picking up the pace a bit.]

But for now, let's get out of here.

[gandere]

Right, I have to get you back to Mayfield. [ Speaking as though she doesn't plan to return with him. ] It shouldn't take us long, it's just right over here.

[waiting_for_the_worms]

Wait... aren't you coming back with me?

[gandere]

I plan on escorting you back. Once I'm sure you've safely returned, I have to come back here. [ And it's almost as though she's completely ignorant of the past when she continues. ] Father is here too and I don't know why, but I want to keep him from harm's way too. I know he has my gemstones, but mother would be upset with me if I just let him remain here. He's new to Mayfield, so he might not know his way back as well as I do.

That's why I have to return. I have to help Father return. [ She pauses in mid-step to look towards him. ] Unless... do you want to help me find father?

[waiting_for_the_worms]

[The look Kariya gives Rin is basically 'are you even serious' condensed into a facial expression. He shakes his head, trying to suppress his irritation at all of this.]

If I went with you, he'd probably refuse to come back at all.

[gandere]

Then I'll knock him out cold and you can help me drag his body. [ Naive and oblivious. ] It's better I take you back myself though. Sakura will be happy to see you.

[waiting_for_the_worms]

I'm only going back if you promise me that you'll get out of this place alive whether you find your father or not. The last time I saw him was three days ago, and he wasn't in good shape.

[gandere]

[ That's something little Rin-chan can't bear to hear. ]

W-What? It's more important that I find him then. If he's been killed, I have to make sure his body makes it back to Mayfield. Even if I have to give my life, it's imperative that his body is found.

[waiting_for_the_worms]

Then I'm coming with you.

[gandere]

No.

[ Rin's resolve won't be broken with this. ]

You need to return to Mayfield. For Sakura's sake. [ Because Sakura won't care if Tokiomi fails to return and Rin's too 'good' in her eyes to fail. ]

[waiting_for_the_worms]

I'd never be able to forgive myself if I went back and you never made it back.

[gandere]

Then you're just going to have to trust me when I say I'll make it back.

[waiting_for_the_worms]

[He looks ten kinds of not okay with that, but...]

...Okay.

[But that's not going to stop him from drawing her into a tight hug before he goes back through the funhouse.]

Stay safe, Rin.