Carnivale

Ext - Carnivale Grounds, day

Murke swallows the chewed down wood as if this is perfectly normal and not completely deranged and then crushes up the empty cup to stick into her pocket. "I wooden expect it to cause problems. The mask is nice. If it's only for today, could I tell you another truth for it? Collect it another day, when you aren't going to use it again?" Rather than choosing one for herself, the rats reach for the shackles for they're at the end and easiest to grab, to make off with them while she distracts him with questions. "It looks friendly and I like collecting masks." The sound of another voice and 'dim raptor' draws her attention. "Does the soda pop make you go pop too? Why can't you have it?"

ᴄᴀᴇʟ (helio5igma Resident): Momiji was perfectly okay with the way Murke was chomping down the wooden stick that once held her corndog. He hummed as he contemplated her request and if weren't for the way his eyes took a sweep to the side, up and around as he thought he might not have spotted the rats. "OH! Tsk tsk, sneaky!" he chided and snapped his fingers to curl up the cloth around all of the items, hiding them from view. The rats had a few seconds to hop off before also being enveloped, if they so chose.

"I could've given you the mask... at the end of the carnival. It's not magic, you know. Just friendly. But your friends tried to sneak a pinch from me... so. I will give you a choice. Take a penalty for being impolite, and I will still give you the mask. Otherwise... I'm keeping it. You don't give gifts to rude people."

As Lira approached he waved with a free hand, nodding as he heard her order. "One coffee. Remind me? Cream and sugar? Hot?" he asked with a tilt of his head.

ᴄᴀᴇʟ (helio5igma Resident): "Oh and greetings Uggla! Do you also want something? The coffee is safe. The cakes are safe. But the other things - are good or bad, depending on what you like," he said with a wink to Murke.

Lira stares at the smelly being. "Uggla is vexed with me because I made him ride the teacup ride eighteen times the other day and then again four times today. He says if I start floating he will be even more vexed." She reaches up to pet the big owl's head; he nuzzles against her cheek. "It's not really that he makes the rules. He only thinks he makes the rules." She nods, because this obviously explains everything.

"I mean, I don't make all the rules. Her Fae Majesty makes more rules than I do, and I think Momiji must makes some rules too, because he told me some roles. But I make more rules than Uggla does, and that's just the law of the jungle." Pause. "No, Uggla. This is not the jungle. This is Callisto. I do not think they have a jungle."

She takes in Momiji's reaction to whatever the smelly one has done, listens to the words, grasps their meanings, but has no idea of the context. The owl, however, is far more interested in the rats. He makes a thrumming sound in his throat and stares. Intently.

??"Yes, cream, yes, sugar, lots of sugar, and yes, hot! Because I am cold!" Lira is sure this is the funniest thing anyone has ever said. Poor little chook laughs like a braying donkey. "Oh. Uggla. The gentleman is speaking to you."

Uggla's attention does not waver. Not even a little bit. Until he gets a good wind of one, that is. If an owl can shudder, that's what he's doing right now. Shudder, Flutter, it's somewhere in between.

Dorian (Alexandros Lycomedes) had bothered his twin about going to the carnival, wanting to get her mind off of some of her more serious pursuits, worthy and pressing though they might be. It was just the sort of event to attend and thumb one's nose at the supernatural weather that had haunted the isle. He meant to escort her all the way there on one arm, but that was entirely up to Dinah, all he could offer was a clean and cologned self to make the prospect more pleasing. As they neared the festivities, he looked up and around at all there was to see with an almost boyish glee taking over his face, unto showing teeth with his wide smile. This as he commented to his sister, "It's been aaaages since I have come to one of these. We should go on every single ride."

Dinah (dollihead Resident) hung onto her twin as they entered the fairground again. She liked it here, for all its...strangeness and risk, and the lovely tanuki who she wasn't entirely certain if she was cross with or not.

Dorian's excitement was palpable and she squeezed his sleeve, beaming up towards him. "I've not actually been on any of the rides yet." she agreed "I definitely would like to go on the ferris wheel. Maybe the carousel, but the teacups look like they go a little quickly.." she trailed off. "..be careful of the food too, darling, some of it is a little.. adulterated" she added in a whisper, pausing to look around "There are the games, too. How quickly do you think you would utterly destroy the test of strength?"

Familiar faces, even if one of them was masked, caused her to raise her free hand and give a little wave, the smile still on her face.

Murke pulls out the blue candy floss from her  jacket pocket now that her hands are treatless and this is a crime against her still hungering belly. "Oh. That is a lot of rides. If someone made me ride the cups that many time I'd be mad as a hatter too. Maybe you should get a Hare instead to go in the cup with you." Then she bows her head to the masked man while the rats are scooped up into the bag. Unlike their master, they look up at the tanuki with their tiny beady eyes that lack any regret. "I'm sorry, they were picking my prize for me. You can keep your mask."

When she hears the familiar voices of the Windgraces, she straightens slightly. Though she's still unwilling to look  them in the eyes either. "The blood and the corndogs are safe, I had them and nothing happened to me." She says this as if she wasn't forced to make a terrible alice in wonderland joke that lacked anything resembling a punchline.

ᴄᴀᴇʟ (helio5igma Resident): "The teacups are dizzying, very very," he said with a solemn nod. Behind Uggla and Lira the teacups whirl and spin with masked attendees in the cups themselves, trying to look innocent despite some of the green in a few of the riders' faces. He leaned forward and put a hand to his cheek as if telling a secret - but one all of them could hear. "If you want to ride the teacups... or the broomsticks, or the carousel - don't eat the blue candy floss first," he advised, watching Murke with just that treat. "You'll be slippery. May not stay on the ride, see? Unless you're okay with that."

Then he was upending one of his gourds, gently attempting to shuffle the rats out of the sack. "I'm stuffing it back inside you know. You'd better go," he warned, and only once they left went about pushing the open hole down onto the sack of items, making it schhhhlorp right back into it like the gourd was stretchy and accommodating instead of the hard clay material it was made of. "Be back with the coffee!" he chirped and

ᴄᴀᴇʟ (helio5igma Resident):  skipped up and into his car as he had before. From inside he called, "Can I get you anything, Mister and Miss Windgrace?"

Lira hears a newly familiar voice and turns to see that the pretty blonde lady is back again. "Hi, Miss Dinah!" She waves, not with her hand, not with her forearm, but pretty much with her whole arm. It's a good thing she doesn't know enough to be embarrassed. "But the teacup ride is the best! It does go fast!" Emphatic language is apparently the only language. The long-suffering owl first-lids his eyes and nuzzles in to (at least appear to) sleep against Lira's neck.

"A hare? I mean, hares are prey, you know." Like Lira is some kind of apex predator. From appearances, she appears to be about as devious and bloodthirsty as ... well, there's really not anything less devious and bloodthirsty than Lira. "And sometimes they are really supernatural beings. At least with Uggla, I know what I'm getting. Uggla thrumms in his possible sleep when she says his name. "Who are you, anyway?"

And she turns to the blond boy with Miss Dinah. "And who are you, also?" There's nothing but curiosity in her tone, but her

refinement is, well. Lacking.

Dorian (Alexandros Lycomedes) stopped watching the cups go round and round and noticed that he recognized the violet haired person. He was still busy beaming over having his sister on the bicep he flexed while walking with her toward the tanuki. He looked a little wounded when he was warned and then unwarned about the food, mostly because what of it he could smell was already marked eaten in his mind. Rather than chase any of that down, instead he argued his case to Dinah, taking up where Lira left off, "See the teacups will be fine, I will be right beside you. It is going to be great. Not sure I should swing the hammer or whatever the strength test is... ...it doesn't seem fair really. Unless there are prizes. Your sheep and rabbit could use another bedfellow." He turned his weaponized grin to her and waggled his brows. After leaning over to nuzzle his sister's hair for a moment, he'd stand to his full height again and call to those whom he knew, "Hullo there Miss... Bloody hell... I thought I had it.... Forgive me Murke! Miss

Dorian (Alexandros Lycomedes):  Murke, right? And Date-san! What a pleasure to see you again. Thank you for bringing us this carnival, this cheer to the season. I think I shall refrain from treats, but only for the time being."

Turning to the owl-bearing stranger he'd incline his head in greeting then answer her, "I am Dorian. Nice to meet you Miss...? And your little friend too."

Dinah (dollihead Resident) pulled a face when murke mentioned the blood and she shook her head, perhaps a little too quickly "...I think i'm quite safe without blood or corn dogs, thank you. Hello again" she smiled again, but as Momiji called back towards her, she lifted her hand to wave.

"Popcorn today, momiji-san. The butter one, I think if i'm to stay on the rides the sweet one will be too much." she tilted her head, trying to discern the mask until Lira's waving distracted her and earned another smile. Popcorn would be safe, right?

"Hello Lira. Hello Uggla. Dori darling, this is Lira, and the owl is Uggla. Lira, this is my twin brother" she patted his arm with a grin up towards him

"you wouldn't need to swing the hammer darling, you could just punch it and best any score there has been. probably that there ever would be too" she hummed at his assessment that her plushies needed companions and she nodded in agreement.

"you are right, you know. you must be. we will have to find something."

 The undead rats  do as instructed, hopping out and skittering back to Murke's boots to vanish up her stockings and hide under the long skirt. Meanwhile the blue candy floss goes into her mouth. "Slippery is good. I don't like rides." Her already disgusting, stained clothes now take on an oily sheen as she continues to stuff her face full of cotton candy. " As Dinah gives away Lira's name, it's committed to memory and she looks between all those around her, though  Dorian gets a nod as he recalls her name. "It's okay if you don't remember. I prefer to sli--ip people's minds." As she speaks she takes a steps and sliiiides as the bottom of her boots are now equally as oily as the rest of her.  "You're missing out, the blood is really tasty. More for me I guess." She shrugs as she continues to slip and slide across the leaves, finally finding her balance and stopping herself when she runs into the railing around the ferris wheel.

Kadan Berkshire: Kadan laughed at every suggestion, indulgent and enjoying himself, letting Blake lead the way towards whatever trouble and indigestion he wanted to throw himself into. The redhaired gent was along for the ride tonight, savoring whatever drama might result from it all. His costume was simple but perhaps quite effective in visual and symbolic impact. He smiled dark, nodding to each of the persons the two of them drew near in greeting, "Fine night for such amusements." He replied in general, eyes glittering with mischief brewing of his own, teeth gleaming in his tanned blitheness.

Blake Jermyn (Casron Fhang): [13:23] Blake Jermyn made a beeline straight for the food stall, pale blue eyes gleaming with single-minded desire. "I want to eat everything, he insisted, "cotton candy, candy apples, fried literally everything on a stick... This is the kind of fine cuisine I'm fuckin' talking about. Gourmet ass shit," he insisted, despite his favourite fare probably constituting the opposite of that. As he saw a small crowd gathered, he brightened further, waving eagerly. "Hey guys! What's crackin'?"

ᴄᴀᴇʟ (helio5igma Resident): Momiji emerged from the car with another mug of steaming coffee. It was the color of slightly dying leaves as Lira had requested the day before - very sweat and hot enough to warm one's hands while holding the cup. "There! Coffee. Do you have tickets to buy it with, Miss Lira? Your teacup championship only goes so far, you know," he asked though he did hand the mug over without waiting for a reply.

Turning back to his gourd he tipped it and slapped it a few times, making the shackles tumble out for him to hand to Murke. "And your hard-won special thing!" he exclaimed, rattling the cuffs as Murke went slippy-sliding out toward the ferris wheel. "...well I guess that doesn't count as running..." he mumbled then shook his head. "Welcome to Carnivale!" he greeted the two newcomers. "Please abide by the rules, and enjoy yourselves! Can I get you something to eat? I'm already grabbing popcorn for the lady!"

He gestured at Dinah before skipping back over to his car. The shackles... well they disappeared, and

ᴄᴀᴇʟ (helio5igma Resident):  Murke likely found one of her pockets significantly heavier.

"Dorian. You are alliterative with Dinah." Lira nods, because this explains everything. "I am Lira. I am a Chimerical Librarian, but I want to be a Technohermetic Mage. This is Uggla. Uggla is an owl. He just showed up one day, like my horns. And the markings on my skin. And -- oh! you are twins! You developed at the same time and were born from the same womb! And I often think how odd it must be just to have been born! I presume it would be rude to ask if you came from the same zygote, but I am curious!" Oh, Lira. How's that 'top ten ways to commit social suicide' bucket list coming along, babes?

But suddenly something else takes her attention. "Oh! I forgot to put my mask on! I will just get it out of my pocket...." Everyone, say a silent prayer of thanks that Twitter has not yet been invented, because Lira would be that every thirty second live-tweet, 'and then I did thiiiiis' "There! I feel much more carnie now. Carnivally? It's not 'carnivorous; that's Uggla. Is there an adverbial form of 'Carnival'?

I should look that -- wait, there are prizes?"

She watches as Smelly Murke (she did pick that up from Dorian's remembrance of the name) slips away to the ferris wheel and possibly back again. "I think I'll avoid the cotton candy," she says, mostly to herself.

But now there's someone here who's louder than she is. And someone else. And Uggla is asleep. She looks hopefully in Momiji's direction. Soon, she will have coffee. It will all be all right.

As she reaches for the mug, Lira's grateful expression turns somewhat terrified. "Tickets? I thought I had to give my tickets to you when I entered the Carnivale. How do I— do I need more?"

Dorian (Alexandros Lycomedes) wouldn't disengage from promenading Di until she broke contact. He had listened to Lira with his eyes boggling ever so slightly as she went on and on asking a question he was not sure was a question and he surely had no answer to. He'd stare at Lira dumbfounded and apologetic before asking, "I am sorry, it is a pleasure to meet you Miss Lira... but what?" He was not the brains of the family by a long stretch. The zipping by of Murke drew his eye and turned his head, and he put away the notion that she needed help when she seemed to be just fine. Upon hearing Blake's voice ring out, he made a note to turn and try to find the guy, knowing him it wouldn't be too hard.

Dinah (dollihead Resident) gave Murke another smile and she bobbed her head "It does seem it, I am certain, but I tend to be a little squeamish" The familiar sound of Blake's voice caught her unawares and her head whipped around to stare at him, checking him over for a long moment before her smile relaxed.

"Hello darling. I hope you're well" she said fondly, bowing her head towards Berkshire, the red hair unmistakable. As Momiji re-emerged, she gave him a wiggle-fingered wave.

"Are their special prizes available from you tonight, friend-tanuki?" she called after him as he dipped to fetch the popcorn again.

Lira remarking on the alliterative notion of her and her twin made her laugh and she nodded.

"both of my brothers begin with D, just like myself." she agreed. "Dorian is elder than myself, though not by much"

Murke's pockets, now heavier for the manacles in them, sag under the weight and she waves to Blake as her sliding adventure has ut her nearby. "The caramel corn is dangerous, bad, one pop and every cop will look at you, but the blood is the best. Except for the corndogs, oh maybe  I should dip the corndogs in the blood. Bloodycorn? Dead dogs? Mmmmm." She slides back towards the food, but the stranger by Blake catches her eye, if only for a moment. While he looks familiar, she can't quite place him, until she feels  a Lack. Death is absent around him and instantly she recalls someone with that same strange presence.

Kadan Berkshire: Kadan observed all the others with keen interest, brows twitching upwards from time to time. The carnival barker's tail was noted, and the things he offered. He recognized the death ridden lady he had seen before at the teahouse, albeit in his other guise at the time. He said nothing now to her of course, merely grinning at them all from a secret joke.

The commentary from Lira as she introduced herself rather inelegantly was illuminating as to the Windgraces' status, though he had guessed as much of the twins. As the horror of lacking tickets claimed the woman's expression, Kadan offered gallant with a flourish, a huge bunch of tickets in his fist to match Blake's. "You can have some of mine, Miss Lira." Kadan spoke with a smooth dark tone, like brandy, his smile almost beguiling naturally.

Otherwise he dipped his head more formally polite to the twins, foremost to Dinah then Dorian, "A pleasure to see you again, Lady Windgrace. And to you Lord Windgrace, I don't believe we've had the chance to speak in

Kadan Berkshire:  person until now. Lord Kadan Berkshire, at your service." He spared Dinah the need to make introductions for her other brother this time. Kadan had all the markings of a gentleman captain, a greatcoat hanging from his shoulders, but of course tonight he had the mask of the Phantom on his face in keeping with the festivities.

Hearing Murke's commentary as she sidled back, Kadan considered the options, sensing her gaze on him but merely nodding to her as a stranger. To Blake he brought the full wattage of his grin, squeezed his hand tighter briefly, "Cotton candy first perhaps?" He looked to the tanuki with high inquisitiveness to this request, searching the being before him with all his considerable senses to glean what he could.

Blake Jermyn waved cheerfully to Momiji as he greeted him, before his eyes went wide as he looked at what he held in his hand. "Oh man is that COFFEE? Hell yeah I want some coffee. And popcorn. And cotton candy. How do you pay for this shit, I got a bunch of tickets up at the front, will those do?" He waved the pile of tickets that Kadan had bought him.

He brightened further at the sight of the twins, scrambling over to them. "Dori! Di! Hey!" As expected, he was more than easy to find, both the vibrant devil costume and the enthusiastic waving pointing the way. "Good to see you guys out n' about, y'all doin' good?" However, as he looked to Dinah, a faint flash of guilt and concern shot through his revelry. "We should... Really catch up some time. Like, just the family," he murmurs, a faint tone of urgency in his voice, but then that smile is right back in place, refusing to let his worries interrupt the festivities.

"Oh, hey Grapes!" He waves to Murke as he spots her as well, nodding carefully as she tells him the

Blake Jermyn  secrets of the food here. "Ok, so no caramel corn, but corndogs with blood sauce is a go? Honestly, that sounds pretty fuckin' delicious, I'll take it... Can we get cotton candy with corn dogs and blood sauce?" He asks Kadan, as if he was actually prepared to listen to him and not j ust eat whatever he wanted. A friendly wave was also directed towards Lira, who he didn't recognize, but might as well start things off on the right foot!

ᴄᴀᴇʟ (helio5igma Resident): "ZYGOTE?" he called from inside the train car. The window to it slide open and Momiji held a bag of freshly popped, delicious buttery popcorn out in a red and white stripped bag. "For the lady Dinah!" he proclaimed. "And yes of course there are prizes - lovely prizes!" He pulled his hand back and shuffled around... somewhere before pulling out a handful of tickets. ...well, eight tickets. "Here, Miss Lira. Did I take ALL your tickets at admission, instead of just your admission ticket? Silly me. Go ahead! Play some games. I've taken two for the coffee today, and this is the rest for you!"

As he hung out of the train car he squinted through the mask. "It is coffee, and can come with cream and sugar or black. It's safe - nooo magical effects. Just like the funnel cake. The popcorn - well it's all you'll want to eat today if you have that. And the blue candy floss - well you see the little miss now. Slippery! Slick. Pink is the opposite. We don't have grapes. The corn dogs - just make you funny. Good jokes,

ᴄᴀᴇʟ (helio5igma Resident):  like she's telling. Blood... vampire's blood. You won't get enough of it if you have it. Or of... anything. Makes you a glutton."

He thumped on the frame of the window, rattling a sign that had the MENU on it and knocking over one of his gourds to spill the items across the window counter. Somehow, that gourd had... appeared there. Sometime. It spat out an eyepatch, a diamond-encrusted crown, a clown's frilly collar, and what looked like a metal stud piercing. "These are my prizes today! And today - for a truth. Something... very hard to say."

Lira nods at Dorian. "Twins develop at the same time, and are born from the same womb. They are either from the same initial group of cells, in which case they are identical, or from two separate groups of cells, in which case they are fraternal. Fraternal means 'brothers', which is funny, because I do not think you are brothers." So helpful, isn't she?

Having educated Dorian on his biological path to life, she turns to Dinah, "I do not have any brothers. I don't even know anyone else whose name begins with an 'L'.

She stares at the strange, dark man. "Does that-- I am grateful. Yu are kind." And she stammers. "I'm not a Miss, just a Lira," she mumbles. "I am just the librarian." This last mumbled so as to be nearly unintelligible Uggla shakes himself awake and peers at his person—might be interest; might just be vacantly staring: who can tell?

Lira stares at the other coffee lover. Reflexively, she cradles her own mug against her chest. Of course he doesn't want her coffee. He has many tickets. He

can get his own.

"I always tell the truth," she says, to Momiji. And then, "I have to go." Her face is a raspberry colour. "I think I have to go to the circus." Was that a euphamism?

And then she's skipping (yes, really) away, fast as she can, toward the circus tents. Because that seems like a safe place to go.

Dorian (Alexandros Lycomedes) listened to Lira with a blatant lack of entire understanding, but which part was anyones guess. He would not even have been sure where to start when she suddenly seemed to be departing. He turned from watching Lira disappear toward the tents when addressed and looked the red haired man up and down with a mild smile springing up to his stubbled face. He'd dip his golden head in greeting, and explain the rest which might not be surmised by proximity to Dinah alone in the urbane purl that was his voice, "Dorian Windgrace, Berkshire... I know the name but not this face. Charmed, I am sure. I see you are keeping good company." All that was formal drained from his face when he grinned at Blake, "Good to see you, mate. And looking well." Dorian's azure gaze searched over the black haired guy before and after he made that assessment.

Looking over the tanuki's prizes he'd sideye his sister to see if there was anything among them she wanted. He all but asked her with his face, biting his lip and raising both

Dorian (Alexandros Lycomedes):  blond brows.

Dinah (dollihead Resident) clicked her tongue at Kadan, wagging a finger on the hand that wasn't attached to Dorian's arm. "Now now, masquerade protocol, if you're wearing a mask that ought to mean you do not identify yourself, mm?" she said playfullly but she nodded. "in slightly less dire circumstance, though I can assure you that things are afoot in one manner or another" she said , vague enough for public discussion, at least, though Blake's words had her nodding, turning the finger that had been wagging to an upturned palm.

"whenever you can, darling. just be sure to let me know before you arrive. I have been busy in the study most often of late and we've not had your key cut yet"

As Momiji came back with her popcorn she disentangled herself to take the popcorn bag. The popcorn was all she'd want to eat? well, at least her brother wouldn't be able to complain she didn't eat. Eyes narrowing a little at the 'gluttony' blood description she 'hmph'ed quietly and she popped some of her corn into her mouth. Giving Lira a

Dinah (dollihead Resident):  smile, she chuckled

"our cousin is named Lyndsey. he's incredibly annoying, but his name begins with an L. there, you have one now" she said helpfully, turning her gaze over the prizes. The crown was attractive simply because it was a crown, the stud.. that made her smile in some sly amusement.

"A hard to say truth?" she quirked a brow at the Tanuki, then up to Dorian again. "...what do you think, Darling? Crown, or stud?"

Murke had intended to stop at the food cart, but she's too slippery, and keeps on slipping. When she loses her balance, leaves scatter leaves as she tumbles into the grass, still sliding.  She waves a small goodbye as she's unable to stop herself. This is just her life now as she slips away into the sunset.

Kadan Berkshire: Kadan has heard of coffee, Blake had exulted about it enough for him to be intrigued. "Coffee for me as well." he asked the masked man, clearly having enough tickets to get whatever he and his companion wanted if that was the currency used for it here.

"I want a bite of whatever you get, whatever you want.." He purred encouragement to Blake, knowing full well the lad's tendencies. He gave Blake the reins on the level of mayhem tonight obviously. He was more interested in the lad's reactions to the food than the food itself in any case. But there was surely danger to stirring up this particular gentleman depending on the food and company...

Regardless ee let the young man go dash over to the twins, his connection to the Windgraces not something he would have objections over in any case, despite the thread of distress he picked up from Blake interacting with them. An issue to discuss later no doubt, one among many.

He learned the nickname Blake gave to the deathtinged lady, the name she had given the Sidhe

Kadan Berkshire:  before tasting not real but it was no matter to him either way. Lira flustered her way to an escape route inciting an amused grin from the Fae, unconcerned whether she took some of his tickets or not. What was wealth for but to spend it in largesse on whim and favored people after all.

He grinned back to Dorian in greeting, "Nephew to the old man. He's kept me busy til now, handling his office. Good company indeed. Perhaps we could all share a drink sometime." A convenient enough explanation for his current appearance, keeping it all in the family, offering the invite casually as if not to stranger. Kadan was keen next to note how Dinah chose her words, grinning at her more roguish if she insisted he stick to the character he was portraying. "Well, I doubt your sibling would appreciate if I asked you to sing for me, dear Lady." He teased lightly enough, always never quite comfortably within the bounds of polite society at any time, and certainly not with any encouragement otherwise. As for mention of a

Kadan Berkshire:  key, he tucked that fact away for another time.

Hearing of all the effects from the substances on offer was illuminating, confirming what Kadan's senses were telling him. Everything here was part of a magical construct of some kind, other than the conductor himself with his gourds and mysterious aims. A truth for a prize? What odd circus prize would be worth the words he never wanted to say aloud to anyone?

Kadan stared at the trinkets, waiting for others to take their pick for once, and then put his heavy gaze onto the tanuki while Blake decided on the type of troubles for the evening. Kadan was trouble in a handsome package exquisitely fashioned by his will, it was only a matter of what sort of trouble tonight...

Blake Jermyn's eyes went wide as Momiji revealed the rather delicious sounding menu. "Oh, shit yeah... I'll take some coffee, and funnel cake, and definitely the corn dogs, though maybe pass on the blood sauce, I already eat enough as it is, probably just make me yartz doubletime..." He sighed, shook his head. "Oooh, prizes too? But... Damn. That's a hell of a hard bargain." He gulped, clinging a little bit tighter to Kadan. Telling the truth was his least favourite thing to do. "How bad does the truth have to be?"

He grins up at Dorian as he strides over, gleefully wrapping an arm around Kaden's waist as Dorian introduces himself. "Yeah this is Mr. B, er, Mr. B Junior," he says, trying to keep the fae's disguises straight, "we're kinda like, a thing." Turning to Dinah, he nodded. "Yeah, sure man. I'll like, drop ya a line, or at the very least shoot a paper airplane through the window." He gave her a slightly nervous, strained double thumbs up. Things were definitely afoot, that was for sure.

As Murke slid away, he

Blake Jermyn  simply waved again. "...Okay bye Grapes, good seein' ya," he said, watching her disappear into the sunset. Looking up at Kadan, he gestured towards the prizes. "You gonna try and win one of those things? I don't think I've ever heard you lie anyway..." Maybe there was a loophole to take advantage of here. "Or are you just gonna freeload off my food?" He giggled, clearly unbothered by the prospect.

ᴄᴀᴇʟ (helio5igma Resident): Momiji tilted his head back and forth, observing the others before ducking back to procure two cups of coffee. "Cream and sugar? Caramel or butter? Blue or pink?" he asked before Blake changed his order. He snatched a corn dog from somewhere. "Oh - well. Cream and sugar? And - fruit topping on the funnel cake, or just powdered sugar?" he asked instead then held up a finger. "Hm hm. The crown - the Diadem of Displacement. The diamonds are removable! And you can place them.... wherever you like. Eyes, ears, fingers, tongue... senses wherever you want them. The stud, well... that's the Cunning Linguist. Speak, understand any language being spoken to you. But. Needs to be charged once a month." After a little pause he swirled a spoon in one of the coffee cups. "You know... if you don't WANT to tell a truth, you could wait til another day, another mask. Or earn tickets. Currently, items are going for.... 500. Well. But the Frill. Finnegan's Frill is only 15."

Dorian (Alexandros Lycomedes): || When Blake made more introductions and Kadan rejoined further he listened attentively, then agreed, "Of course we should. Rarely have I turned down a chance for a drink in good company. Or even mediocre company if I am honest, this damnable weather being what it is. Hahaha It has made the island feel all that much smaller though it might as well be the edges of eternity."

He didn't know that he had any hard to tell truths lingering in mind to tell though he began considering what might be an appropriate trade. But he'd been eying the crown and the stud and having his thoughts go to places they shouldn't in polite company. Just the thought of certain piercings was distracting. He'd reach his fingertip up to tug at the collar of his shirt and offer his opinion first by going pink in the ears, and then he'd find words some seconds later, "I ahhhhh... I think both would be becoming on you, Dearest. I know one can never have too many diamonds, but the other thing sounds useful too." He would have started in

Dorian (Alexandros Lycomedes):  on Di's popcorn if it was sweet, but for now it was safe from his venturesome ring-bedecked hands. Looking up to Momiji's inscrutably masked face and then to Di, he pondered which item indeed.

Dinah (dollihead Resident) scoffed a laugh at Kadan's suggestion that she sing and she curled one hand into her popcorn. "I don't think anyone would thank you for that. Opera has never been my forte. petite angel of music I am not, unfortunately. My musical talents are far more musical than vocal. Perhaps one day" she popped more popcorn into her mouth to chew thoughtfully as she regarded the prizes on offer. She glanced askace at her brother and smiled, nodding in thought. "I did always quite want a crown..."

Canting her head, she lingered her hand over the crown... but reached for the stud.  

"...but this one, I think I shall put this through my tongue" she mused. She approached the tanuki, pondered a moment, then leaned in to whisper to his ear, twirling the stud between her fingertips. When she was done, she gave Momiji a pat on the shoulder, returning to her twin's side and pressing a kiss to his cheek.

Kadan Berkshire: Kadan didn't address any of Blake's nervousness, not in public like this of course. The truth from the Fae's lips could be molded to just about any outcome, having ages of experience twisting the truth to suit, but of course he never lied. He slid a fond hand down Blake's back as the youth clung to his waist, serving to drape part of the greatcoat over the smaller man, taking him under his wing as it were.

Blake's choices for food and beverages unwittingly dodged the worst outcomes perhaps, though that might depend on the dad jokes that might ensue to curse everyone further. There was amusement to be had for the fact Blake could just claim yet another conquest without batting an eye and no one was even surprised, a reputation working in their favor this time. 'Grapes' slipping off into the sunset was notable, seeing an example of the magical food at play and certainly one to avoid if he wanted to stay on the fairgrounds.

At Blake's urging Kadan eyed him bemused, his lips curving towards a darker

Kadan Berkshire:  suggestion at the taunt, "You know what I prefer to eat. What prize do you covet most? I can buy or earn the tickets if you don't want to speak the truth." Clearly the gent didn't answer direct as to himself, hearing of nothing worth his own truth yet from the barker, adding to the masked man, "Sugar and cream, lots of it, if you please." Kadan always preferred sweet and creamy things...

Dorian's comments might prove prophetic enough, but the acceptance of a drink was given Kadan's approving nod, "Then we shall do so soon. I will call at your home in due course if agreeable." The Fae was there often enough now for business, might as well mix in some pleasure as well. The emotional tenor of the blond's thoughts thereafter had Kadan hiding a smirk, open as he was to all such information being emitted from the beings within his vicinity.

Dinah scoffed at his tease as was intended of course, though he was made aware she had talent for other music, "Oh do tell? What instruments do you play if I may ask?" He

Kadan Berkshire:  watched her eat the popcorn, silently debating how the magic might take hold for her and for how long.

Kadan was unsurprised she chose the stud, though noted her boldness of location for it. His keen ears would hear whatever she whispered to the tanuki however unless she used magic to mask her words. No one's secrets were safe in the Sidhe's presence even if not uttered aloud in some cases. Whatever he might learn of the Windgrace Lady, he asked the masked one only mildly curious, "What does the Frill do, for being so cheap? How do you earn the tickets if this isn't enough for what Blake might want?"

Clearly Kadan didn't consider telling the truth worthwhile, either for himself nor in the effort to spare it for his companion as well.

Blake Jermyn nodded eagerly towards Momiji. "Yeah yeah yeah LOTS of cream and sugar. And powdered sugar on the cake. Lots of it." He was making grabby hands for the corn dog. He loved corn dogs... Cocking his head, he listened as Momiji described the prizes, bursting into rather predictable snickers at 'cunning linguist.' "Damn, that's useful though... Say, what does the frill do? That sounds winnable, maybe...."

He laughed at Dorian's comment, nodding in solidarity. "Yeah, at this point with shit running out like it's been, I'll take a drink in the gutter with a rabid raccoon," he laughed, "though yeah, I'd rather the good company. Kadan's great company, though I'll admit that's some personal bias speaking there," Blake admitted, beaming up at Kadan as he curled up happily beneath his warm coat. His brows rose as Dinah went straight for the piercing. "Oh, rad! If that thing works you're gonna have to teach me some Mandarin," he said with a grin.

"Awww, thanks man," Blake beamed as Kadan offered to try and win a

Blake Jermyn  prize for him, "all bein' a good boyfriend by winning me a prize at the carnival..." He giggled. "Gonna have to get you back for that at some point, send ya home with a stuffed animal as big as your couch."

ᴄᴀᴇʟ (helio5igma Resident): Momiji nodded and promptly procured a bigger mug. A big, creamy coffee - mostly cream and sugar really - was offered up for Berkshire. Once the decision for an item was made he cocked his head and leaned to listen in. Ears popped up on his head - raccoon ears to match the statue on his car - and he listened silent and still until Dinah was finished. Silently he offered up the stud. "All yours, Lady Windgrace," he said with a little bow. The blue eyes behind that mask, however, were on Berkshire. As if he knew the man was listening in.

"The Frill offers... flight. The ability to expel air in such a manner that allows you to fly, anyway." He nodded at the clown that had danced his way from the circus gate to lean against the ferris wheel fence. "One of his friends offered it as a... prize. For people wanting less of a cost." Handing the finished treats over to Blake and Berkshire he straightened up and stretched, one way and the other.

"Stuffed animals... I have some of those too. Or I CAN. Depending on

ᴄᴀᴇʟ (helio5igma Resident):  what you want. I can create." He demonstrated by pulling a little stuffed bear out of thin air. "But sometimes, there are side effects." Though not with the coffee, or the funnel cake.

Dorian (Alexandros Lycomedes) answered Kadan for his sister, having not dared speak on the topic of her singing voice and sure she'd be modest about it, "She plays piano with the light touch of a lark dancing on a branch in the springtime after a long winter." When his sister came back to him he held out his arm for her once more to play the proper escort, glad for the chances this chaste enough gesture allowed access for affection.

He snuffled warmly at Blake gushing over the redhead's affections. Listening to Momiji, and watching the sleight of hand there he was mystified, but enjoying it as part of the atmosphere.

He'd never ask his sister to disclose what she'd said, but he would reach up one hand to momentarily grasp hers, and look at what she intended to put into her tongue. His ears went red again, but he didn't say a word.

Dinah (dollihead Resident) scooped more popcorn, careful not to lose the stud in the kernels, giving a smile at the notion of Kadan visiting the house.

"drystan has been brewing. we have a little more of late than there has been" she offered towards the assembled men, beaming again at the subject of music.

"Piano, mostly. A little harpsichord though not for a very long time. I did play the harp for a while but i found it terribly dreary" she clucked her tongue at Dorian's praise with an impish smile, and carefully stuck the stud into the lapel of her dress, turning the smile onto Blake when it was secured away from butterfingers.

"Mandarin? an odd choice, but we shall. Perhaps I might even understand some of your peculiar mannerisms, darling." she teased, happily munching more of her popcorn. The mention...and production...of the stuffed animals caused her to visibly perk. Murderess, sorceress, priestess of the unknowable...but she did like her soft fluffy things. Another scoop of popcorn made it's way between her fingers,

Dinah (dollihead Resident):  her popcorn-holding arm twining with her twin. The reddening of his ears didn't go unnoticed, though she merely gave him an innocent smile.

"do you fancy the look of anything, bunny?"

Kadan Berkshire: Kadan couldn't truly help but hear everything within his range, smell everything, see everything, much as any other apex predator would. His power allowed for much further discernments as well. It might be a wonder the gentleman conducted himself so unaffected by the constant stream of sensory information but perhaps ages of practice made the difference or else it was just part of his nature without much effort involved.

The redhead met the coon themed being's gaze squarely, looking into that being as well. Another night the Sidhe might be piqued enough to delve into the carnival master's true motives and nature, but tonight he was just wanting abit of fun with Blake at his side, luckily or perhaps unluckily for everyone else.

Hunger was on display in his grin to Blake next, making it clear who he wanted to stuff on the couch tonight. His hand sought to move from Blake's back to his hip to pull in closer if allowed, purring pleased, "Of course. You wanted to be spoiled rotten. I'll get what you want, just

Kadan Berkshire:  say the word."

The huge mug of pale coffee was accepted, sniffing at the concoction curious, remembering what Blake had said about the effects of caffiene from this brew of bean juice. How such a substance might affect a Fae was about to be tested, woe to all present possibly. Blake was left to handle the rest of the food and drink and whatever he chose to hand off to the redhead to take a bite of first.

Dorian's rapt description of his sister's talents made quite clear the man's sentiments for her, thus both brothers had made plain their preferences at this point. Kadan grinned all the wider at the twins at the knowledge gained. "If you are ever of a mind to play, I would be happy to hear it, Lady." He smiled to her, eventually noting how she perked up at the offerings from the barker. Kadan was more cautious to the proceedings however, well aware of the kind of tricks that lurked in such things.

The description of the Frill's power earned a sharp glance to the clown in question, all part of the circus

Kadan Berkshire:  construct as far as he could tell. "What sort of flight? Controllable flight?" He asked, very well aware of the possibilities of what could go wrong, by accident or by design. There were plenty of tales of his folk after all doing just such tricks. The appearance of a stuffed animal along with the tanuki's comments hitched up a brow sceptical, "What side effects have occurred?"

Finally Kadan took a sip of the brew, letting the complexities of coffee suffuse his tastebuds, married with the mellow fullness of the cream and sugar to make it just the right amount of bitter and sweet. "Oh, this is good." He exclaimed, showing uncommon enthusiasm for once for regular food and drink. It was a rather divine flavor the Fae discovered, eyes gleaming in sudden delight before he quaffed a deep swallow of the stuff greedily. The effects of the stimulant in it soon to work through the gent and his rather easily excitable true nature.

Blake Jermyn immediately reached to take a sip of Kadan's coffee, even though he had a perfectly good cup of his own. Stealing nibbles from his loved ones plates was just, tradition, after all. "Expel air, huh?" He cocked his head as Momiji described the clown frill. "Oh, please let it be by farting... That would be hilarious...." His eyes glittered with hope, only to jump about 3 feet in the air when he spotted the dancing clown. "Holy SHIT how did that thing get so close...." Slowly, he edged away from it, casting nervous glances the whole time. "I love the stuffed animal, though. I want a huge one, though. One so big he has to struggle to figure out where to put it," Blake said, nodding eagerly. This was absolutely achieving the pinnacle of masculinity.

"Yeah, Mandarin," Blake nodded, grinning. "My old man used to live in Hong Kong and someday I wanna go back there with him, so I gotta know at least a little Mandarin in order to find my way around, yeah?" He laughed, before blinking up at her. "What? I don't t

Blake Jermyn  that weirdly, do I?" Yes, Blake. Yes you do. Perhaps his interdimensional zoomerspeak would be easier to parse with a translator indeed.

"You are way too good to me," Blake purred, nuzzling against Kadan's side as he clung to his wealth of food. Shoveling half the corn dog into his mouth at once, he chewed, swallowed, relished, and held it up to Kadan. "Try this shit, it rocks."

ᴄᴀᴇʟ (helio5igma Resident) hummed and 'flew' the little stuffy around in the space of the window before slipping out of the window to tumble and pop back up in the grass with them outside. "Controlled. In a fashion," he answered and pointed a finger at Blake once he mentioned flatulence. "Biiiingo," he said brightly, the only time any Japanese accent slipped into his voice. "Controlled by the amount of air inhaled and... expelled. And directional. Not much in the way of side effects there but these?" He waved the little bear around. "Depends. Something as large as Blake desires comes at a larger cost. Riskier. Bigger chance of something...going wrong? It's carnivorous. It's haunted. It's cursed. It's a real bear past midnight." He shrugged, raising both hands. "IF you'd like more innocuous prizes, you can take them instead of tickets at the games. Just tell the... ah, game moderator what you'd like. It'll be about..." he made a square about the size of his head. "...that big, you see?" He clapped his hands as they enjoyed the

ᴄᴀᴇʟ (helio5igma Resident):  coffee and flopped back onto the couch, reaching to tilt the straw hat down over his face, mask and all. "I'm going to take a nap. If you want something, do ask!" He flashed them a peace sign and the items on the window counter hopped themselves back into one of his gourds. (( just poke me on disc to buy an item or something! so sorry >.< melty brain ))

Dorian (Alexandros Lycomedes) shook his head about gaining a prize from the tanuki, when it seemed like he already had scored big time without having to spill a secret. This was just as well because all attempts at coming up with something had been derailed by other trains of thought. He sniffed at the popcorn once more to try and ground himself, and it did the trick. He'd almost missed the conjured stuffed animal, but upon seeing the way his sister perked up at it, he remembered, "I shall try the test of strength. Easier thing for an open book like me to do. Shall we meander that way? Thank you Momiji-san, oyasuminasai."

Dinah (dollihead Resident) 's golden eyes turned to peer towards Kadan again and she lifted her right hand, the one with the golden, leaf shaped ring that nearly always adorned it.

"Momiji's prizes are true and tested, my lord. I have had this one for quite some time and it has never steered me false" she smiled playfully. "And as to my playing...if you are to visit us socially, perhaps I shall then. It shall give me a fitting excuse to leave you boys to drinking. Heaven knows I ought be no part in that" she flipped her hand playfully and dug it back into her popcorn.

Blakes words about his Old Man caused her to pause and a butter-tipped finger touched the stud with a faint smile. "he did? Then of course. I shall do my best to teach you. And yes, darling, you do to me at least."

When Momiji demonstrated the plushies potentially dangerous nature, she giggled. It probably wouldn't be the strangest of her little collection, but she'd resist, for now. Though, speaking of carnivorous..

"ah! lord kadan. if you could pass a

Dinah (dollihead Resident):  message to your uncle for me? there is a large black stag roaming about. Markings on his face, golden eyes. VERY large. Please confer to him that this beast is mine, not some wayward stray or otherwise huntable?" She asked hopefully "the beast is a friend of mine." she added.

When her twin suggested finding the test of strength, she grinned up towards him and nodded.

"of course, darling. I hope they bought a spare, you'll almost certainly decimate the poor thing. Thank you, Momiji." she flicked a wave towards the Tanuki, then towards Blake and Kadan.

"Gentlemen. Enjoy the fair. Please come and visit soon, mm? Sooner rather than later for yourself, blake darling. we have a lot of family business to discuss"

Kadan Berkshire: Staring down at Blake in a show of theatrical mild horror, Kadan shared his half full cup of coffee in exchange for the half eaten corn dog. Sharing food was a love language he well understood, though most mortals would likely quail in fear on what passed as food sharing in Faerie, at least with certain Fae. "How huge of a toy are you wanting me to bring home, Blake?" He asked in mock disbelief. Was that a loaded question? Oh yes.

Learning the lad wanted a farting method of air travel and the tanuki confirming the method barely phased the Fae in truth. Being utterly ridiculous was quite normal for most of his kin in fact and had nothing to do with proving one's prowess where it counted, either on or off the various kinds of battlefields to be found in his homeland. Hearing of the father's worldly homeland was of note, though it might seem odd to the truly observant that Berkshire never seemed truly confused by how Blake communicated. The stuffed animal becoming something terrible was just as likely to

Kadan Berkshire:  happen anyway if taken to the Sithen. Perhaps the pool squiddle would get something to wrestle with out of it or the dryad would tear it to pieces for fun. Kadan shrugged to the risks in any case, though it certainly sounded to be less trouble to just get regular prizes from the various games to play here.

Dinah got Kadan's attention, conveying the warning about a certain large stag. His vivid gaze narrowed but he nodded sharply to her, replied succinct, "Very well, I will let him know to avoid the creature by your request, Lady Dinah." As for the social visit implied, "Perhaps when the fog is dealt with, there will be cause for celebration, yes?" He nodded to both Windgraces when the twins headed off to avail themselves of the rest of the fair. The family business mentioned was something to discuss later, along with all the other serious issues pending. But not tonight.

The barker retired upon the couch, leaving Kadan to turn all of his attention back to Blake, leaning into the lad's nuzzling fondly to

Kadan Berkshire:  chuckle at the notion voiced to him, "There is no such thing as never too good, you'll see." A promise, a threat, something unthinkable? Probably all the above when dealing with the maddest of Fae. This particular one kept humanity's cloak wrapped tight around him, wearing the mask of an infamous madman to mask his own madness.

With another laugh, feeling the heady rush of coffee's affects, Kadan took a hearty bite of the corndog.

Blake Jermyn squealed in delight as Momiji revealed his guess to be correct. "Oh. Oh shit. I might need that thing, that's fuckin' hilarious." He grinned, eyes wide. "Fifteen tickets can't be that hard to get, can it?" He nodded at the warning, then disregarded it entirely. "Hey. Babydoll," he asked, tugging on Kadan's sleeve, "you want a giant fuckin' stuffed bear that maybe turns into a real one?"

"Nighty night, dude," he said as Momiji conked out, turning to beam at Dinah. "Awww, thanks. I can't say I'm exactly the best student, but I'll sure as hell have the motivation." He giggled at the mere thought of visiting Hong Kong at long last, before waving as the twins departed. "Alright, I'll drop by real soon, see ya then!"

And then Kadan's question made him burst into giggles so hard that he sneezed a little. "Big enough to cure hysteria," he shot right back, snickering. As the twins meandered off, Blake waggled his thick, dark eyebrows. "Guess it's just us now, huh? ...And that creepy fucking clown," he

Blake Jermyn  gulped, staring at it over his shoulder.