Hi.
Hey
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The younger members of the Umbra Carnival gather around Nixie. Sparks from the fire drift off toward the stars and the smell of roasting weed-rat drifts upon the air. It's been a hard day setting up for the shows tomorrow. But now that's over for the night and it's story time...
The last time we were here in Ilsurian the town nearly linched us all. I remember it like it was yesterday. The people of this region have always seen Varisians as petty criminals and thieves. But this was different. The towns heart was bleeding and the people here were suffering. But in that dark hour, 8 or so shining individuals, Carnival folks just like yourselves, stepped forward and saved the day. They hadn't been with the troup but a few weeks and they were to give their first performances...
Flashing Back...the story begins!
<sigh> "Look what my life has come to. Performing for simpletons in a backwater carnival. Oh well, best get on with it. Try to keep the rotten tomatoes out of your small clothes."
Estevan puts on a show, speaking of mysteries and legends of deserts of Osiron and the Far East, flaunting his resistance to fire.
An odd arrangement of props is brought foward, consisting primarily of two large tanks of water, one covered in a black cloth, the other containing a rather large fish. Between the two is a strange labyrinthian forest of broad pipes with several bends, and sharp wooden poles jutting every which way. Suddenly, a pale hand rises from the curtained tank, fingers arching back and flexing at an angle not normally seen unless one has the misfortune of meeting a rakshasa. As it reaches up to grab the nearest pole, it's followed by the head and torso of a rather attractive if unusually gaunt woman, unclothed but easily covered by long matted tresses of ink-black dripping hair.
As she pulls herself free of the water entirely, it is revealed that in place of legs she has an alarmingly long and flexible black tail, slithering and coiling about like a snake or an eel, the finned tip of which splashes the closest onlookers with salty brine as it finally leaves the tank.
Pulling herself over the first bar and under the next, she begins to thread her body through the tangle of obstacles, dislocating joints and stretching oddly elongated limbs to slide through pipes at impossible seeming angles, and at one point even threading her torso through a loop of tail to briefly form a knot, before eventually sliding silently into the other tank, reaching out to quickly snatch up and devour the fish within in a single bite while still fully submerged. She then presses an unnerving grin against the glass, framed by the floating mass of her hair before slowly reaching up and over the edge with one long arm to claw at the space quickly vacated by a fast-fleeing child.
Wave was always calm when the pressure pressed in. He stood up on a platform 30 feet off the ground, but he felt serene as he surveyed the crowd. Just as his master taught him years ago. He was sure his master would have a thing to say about the direction he is taking his life and the style that was taught to him. Wave takes the hanging bar and waves and bows to the crowd. Then he's off. He springs from the platform hanging on, swinging his body to gain momentum. Finally at the peak he lets go, flipping and reaching for the next bar.
Landing and somersaulting to the next bar before landing on the platform across the center ring. The crowd roars in approval. A leaf in the wind. He smirks to himself as he bows to the crowd.
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Almara doesn't drive new troop members hard, so after their first performances our heros all have the chance to explore the Miday and get to know everybody...
The Midway is where a lot of the attractions are. This is where you would wanna take a date, win her a teddy bear or pull him behind a tent for a squeeze. It smells like roast meat and candies, you bump in to lots of people and fireworks burst in the starry sky. You see some attractions available...
Estevan goes and takes a look at the baby dragon and watches the visitors for any little doves that look like they may be drawn to his flame.
Nori doesn't especially want to do much socializing with the crowds and ruin the illusion, bt isn't above swinging a mallet with her deceptively thin looking arms to help encourage the crowds to give it a try while looking for a place to snag a drink.
Wave approaches the tent that Hajeck stays in curious about what his performance is and if it's true or not.
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Nori met Narthi Vangkot, the big Ulfen Strongman who runs "King of the Carnival" yesterday. He was nice to her. But he probably didn't realize how strong she was. Step right up little lady, demonstrate to us your passion and power! He hands her the mallet but refusese her Copper Piece. Not for you Nori dear, for you the game is free. You let ol Narthi take care-o-the costs!
Wave enters the tent of the Great Hajeck to find a silly old lady struggling with her robes. Damn that Almara, placing my great act so close to that stinking zoo smell...I...AHHHHH, come in, come in! She invites Wave to sit at the purple clothed table with the crystal ball on top.
Wave sits across from her at the other side of the table. "A pleasure. I am curious as to what you do here."
Aware he is at a carnival of outcasts, he plays along. Nothing gained from calling her out.
The burly young man at the puppet cart puts on his performance for the youngsters. His clothes reveal the physique of one for whom physical effort is at least second nature, while his story brings to mind certain of the 'teaching tales' of youth.
"Ah of course it is real, do you think we a circus of frauds and hucksters? Tell me my dear, have you seen any other delights that tickle your fancy." Estevan is deliberately putting on an accent to "add to his mysticism"
Nori shrugs, grabbing the mallet...
...and stretching her arms in oddly elastic manner as she swings back, brings it slamming down with surprising force.
"See folks, it's easy enough. Just takes a little leverage."
(6/7 Bloodrage rounds left today)
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@Nori: Narthi the Ulfen scratches his head in surprise as the cylinder hits the lion head. The head roars and sparks fly from it's ears. Narthi: Hellz bellz girl, I had no idea you had it in ya! He offers you a choice of prizes.
A rubber ducky.
A glass gar with bubble blowing solution and a bubble wand.
A slinky
A little stuffed lion that says "mew" when you squeeze his tummy.
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@Wave: The old women relaxes a bit when she realizes you are a member of the troop. But she still puts on airs. Well, my dear child, I am a seer, from diiiiistant laaaands. I read fortunes, of course. Usually things like "does he love me?" or "will my cows get sick this year". I'm happy to read your fortune for free, of course. Every new member of the troop gets a free reading from the great Hajeck. What is it you wish to know?
Estevan leans down and kisses the proffered hand with a flourishing bow. "I am Estevan, speaker of mysteries, master of fire and descendant of the mighty Efreet." his teeth flash with a charming smile.
"Hmmm. While I perform for the troop now, I wish to one day travel and experience the world. Tell me, will something outstanding happen in my life."
Estevan neatly slips his arm around the girls' waist as she melts towards him. [b]"My lady, let me give you the guided tour of the carnival." He leads her towards a stall selling delicious candies.
"'til we meet again fair lady" Estevan gives a little half bow and a wave.
Estevan watches the girl depart, then looks around and heads for the fortune-teller's tent.
Nori feels some degree of affinity for a nice coiled spring, claiming it as her prize and sliding it up her arm.
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The great Hajaeck smiles as Wave sits down. She makes a fun showing, reciting magic words, waving her arms, even trying to secretly throw a little flash powder on a candle for effect . Finally she settles in and peers deep into her Crystal Ball. Um, yes I see...an image. It's a women. A women who was important to you...a sister? Perhaps? Yes, and she was also very kind to you in the past. And she...she got sick. She looks up and studies your face desperately trying to discern a reaction. Finding none she tries again: No...no that's not it, she got...lost? Did you lose someone dear to you?
Estevan walks in.
Kittea was wrapped up in a bunch of clothes, anything to conceal her actual lithe figure and, the fact she wasn't any of the usual races of the time. Especially in a dump like this. If they were to see her, she felt it would mean certain attraction. So no, plenty of layers (poncho included, of course), would go a long way into that.
There had to be a prize here worth taking. An unattended purse easily cut open and taken. She just had to look harder.
While Dylan is willing to put a smile on his face to charm the crowd, but when he isn't 'on duty' he'll find an out of the way spot to go and mope.
"Yes, I have a sister and a brother. She was short-tempered and I fear she picked a fight with the wrong people and she never returned. I never did learn what happened to her." Wave looks down momentarily, but composes again to his almost neutral appearance again.
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Dylan plops himself down wearily behind A7 tent. It's a quiet spot. On the other side of the tent wall he can hear Madame Masque's Barker prepare the crowd. She is about to perform.
Barker: "Let and gentlemen allow me to introduce the lovely Madame Masque!"
Out onto the runways (see A7 description above) walks a shapely woman in a provocative Varisian costume gown of red and black silk held together by ribbons. Madame Masque is adorned with all manner of scarves, necklaces, earrings, and other decorative costume pieces, but her face is concealed by a finely crafted silver mask showing only her playful brown eyes. She remains mute, but nods and waves to the crowd.
Barker: "This game is all about perception my friends. Our lovely Madame Masque will strut her stuff down the runway for a minute before entering the mirrored cabinet over there. After a few moments not one, not two, but THREE Madame Masques will step out and walk down the runways again. Each lovely lady wears an entirely different costume from the original, but only one wears a single piece of jewelry or item of clothing worn by the original girl. You all have one minute to call out the matching item, and the first to correctly guess wins. And of course only those that bet may play! What do you say? 2sp! Ante up!
The men of the crowd fall atop eachother to pay the barker for the chance. Who knows what Madame Masque would give the winner!
Obviously she is trying to get Wave caught up in her act. Most likely a fake, but it would be a lie to say he wasn't curious what she would come up with. "What is she saying?"
Oops should have knocked thinks Estevan as he realises that Hajaeck is with a client... still he is curious, and will quietly watch if he's not ushered out.
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The act suddenly gets serious. Haejeck's inept demeanor changes. Her eyes widen and pupils dilate. Her hands slam down on the table and her head sways back and forth. The voice that comes from her is a growly howly unearthly thing. I am Gorla-kozuthan. Your sister is here with me. Why should I allow you to speak with her?
Dylan plops himself down wearily behind A7 tent. It's a quiet spot. On the other side of the tent wall he can hear Madame Masque's Barker prepare the crowd. She is about to perform.
Barker: "Let and gentlemen allow me to introduce the lovely Madame Masque!"
** spoiler omitted **
Dylan will succumb to curiosity and peek into the show, "Curious. I havn't seen a show like this before. I wonder what the dodge is?"
He's less interested in trying to find the original jewelry and more in figuring out the trick... (Dylan is way too cynical to assume there isn't a trick involved)
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You watch as the box opens and the pretty lady steps in. But from this angle you see the other two ladies already inside. No wait, there are THREE other ladies in there...They stand in the corners and as the double doors of the box open they reflect off eachother, hiding the corners where the ladies stand from the audience's view.
The original lady steps into the 4th corner. The doors close. When they open a moment later the other 3 ladies walk out, thus each wearing an entirely different costume. A cheap cheap trick. But this is a Varisian Carnival.
The trick is not to stare at the pretty ladies ...
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Dylan says it just as the husty man in the crowd does too. The purple flower in her hair! Just as he says it though, two of the women on stage vanish. They were only illusions. The real Madame Mask walks out of the box and stands next to the third illusion showing off the purple flower. Evidently, this Madame Mask is more than just a trickster. Dylan would do well to remember it...
Madame Mask walks down the runway to where the Husky man is standing with a gaping jaw. She slowly pulls a single ribbon from her costume, allowing it tumble into the winner’s grasp.
Sensing that this is not just the normal act he begins to be concerned for the fortune teller. "What is happening? Who is Gorla-kozuthan? My sister is with you? Some jokes are taken too far." A rush of words seem to come out as he tries to grasp the situation.
Kittea probably thought way too much on that. There were PLENTY of targets here. All that was left was the choosing, and she would go crazy, finding the first person worth a damn before coming up behind them, and working her (maybe!) magic.
It probably wasn't happening though, regardless this first hit was going to be a bit risky, and she was going to find something to keep her occupied before trying again. Oh look, a fortune teller.
Dylan attempts to push down his sudden jealousy with the cynical thought, "Well she made his night with a scrap of ribbon. Hope he thinks it was worth the silver piece."
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Just as he is about to become concerned wave's foot taps something under the table and Gorla-kozuthan's voice 'skips'. Ah, a phonograph. A good trick. She only pretends to be an inept fortune teller. In reality she's a pretty good scammer. She almost had you...
Kittea reaches for the pocket...
Dylan sees the Ribbon fall into the mans hand...
Then at that moment from out in the crowd there is a scream. Estevan recognizes it. It's the girl he just met, Jessa...
"Jes..." a look of concern flashes over Estevans' face, as he exits the tent and runs towards the scream.
"Excuse me." Wave stands and exits the tent he was in.