[open] they're playin' my song, I know I'm gonna be okay

[babbylon]

Who: Gilgamesh and everybody! Seriously, everyone's welcome to tag in.
When: Shortly following the Heroes' return from the dungeon.
Where: Carnival Phantasm, Caissa
What: It's a threeway mingle for Caissa's hottest businesses: Carnival Phantasm, Independent Action, and Heaven's Feel. Come get a taste of each!
Rating: General audiences, most likely.

Welcome to Caissa!



CARNIVAL PHANTASM

[Today, Carnival Phantasm has its doors open to the public. The fake sakura tree in the room seemed to be blooming through the power of some magic and the combination of sakura petals and glitter added to the festive atmosphere. Irisviel was quite serious when she meant for the place to have a party, fantastical feel. The smell of tea wafted through the air, the music played gently in the background and everything was set for Caissa's First Maid and Butler Cafe.

In the welcoming area would be the stations for Heaven's Feel and Independent Action that were set up for Gilgamesh's and Caren's businesses. A sign up sheet was also present on the wall for anyone interested for jobs at the cafe.

The proprietor herself was dressed in her maid outfit, flitting between the welcoming area, seating area and kitchen. She was also making sure that her platoon of maids and butlers were doing well and the customers were satisfied. If anyone was causing trouble, Irisviel would descend upon them and rain down the punishment of the heavens (in other words, throw them out or let Nobunaga get to them).

At the back of the cafe was a small stage. Whenever a substantial crowd of people had gathered during the festivities, Irisviel would step forward with a microphone and make a short speech addressing them all.

"Hello everyone, thank you for coming and supporting Carnival Phantasm! This wouldn't have been possible without the help of Caren and Gilgamesh, so please patronize Independent Action and Heaven's Feel as well. So please enjoy the food and drink, challenge your maids and butlers to a round of games or take a picture—I guarantee that Carnival Phantasm will take you away from the real world for a brief moment to somewhere fantastical! Kyu~~n. ♡"

And so the festivities would continue.]

INDEPENDENT ACTION

[Caren's station in the Carnival Phantasm may seem to be understated compared to the others. Instead of fancy glitter or anything similar, she's gone with an understated look. Crates have been placed around, and while some of them are clearly for atmosphere (they have rocks if anyone peeks inside) there are others that hold containers for tea, new tea pots, flasks, and various assorted items. What’s with those strange looking flowers...?

There is a tea station set up in front of the crates, with seating area around it. All tea samples are free! While they rotate throughout the day with other teas (Manatea and Enchantea being the most notable), there are the teas that are made for Carnival Phantasm and Heaven's Feel. Dirtea is made with Carnvial Phantasm in mind, which is a vanilla oolong that cleanses your heart and mind. Connectivitea was made for Heaven’s Feel, and is a black tea and chai blend, with cinnamon, cloves, and has golden glittery hearts that make the tea into a golden experience.]

HEAVEN'S FEEL

[Gilgamesh has gone all out for his station, suited to his ostentatious personality. He's cordoned off a section with golden streamers and designated it as a "speed dating" area, so those interested can fill out their own cards and get matched on the spot with their fellows! Tasty cakes and pastries are provided free of charge, and there are also a few representatives floating around to offer information about the business. Naturally, Gilgamesh is on call to assist with any and all needs, dressed in a stunning number of his own.

But it's not all romance! Anyone seeking friendships, business partners, and beneficial alliances are encouraged to make use of their services and sign up. Every so often Gilgamesh can be seen hosting fun games, too, such as musical chairs and trivia. Although much of the trivia curiously seems to be centered around Gilgamesh himself...

Gilgamesh is easily the most boisterous among the three, so if you're not doing anything, expect to get pulled over into his general sphere of influence.]

(( More info about the featured businesses can be found on their respective pages, as linked. Don't forget to fill out a card with Heaven's Feel while you're there! Just to clarify, this log takes place at Carnival Phantasm; all businesses are represented in the same area, so feel free to tag among the stations however you please! Get out there and mingle, guys!

As a final note, all business are also open to hiring! If you're interested in employment, just check out those pages and sign right up. ))

Comments

[chronosynthesis]

[I]

[Syrlya gives the new cafe a cursory glance, but the first thing that catches his eye isn't the sweets or the costumes, but the tea section.

He's dressed out of uniform and in an embroidered purple vest and shirt instead, looking over the sample set. Sometimes he reaches for one of the teas... only to pull his hand back and look even more conflicted than before.]

How do they make so many flavors of one thing? I don't even know what it tastes like plain!

[II]

[And if you're enjoying the cafe some hours after things have started going, you may find your table tended to by Syrlya. Syrlya wearing a maid costume that doesn't quite fit with flat shoes (he didn't get far in the heels) and looking frazzled as he clutches his order notebook and some menus. He wasn't working here at first, was he?

He's still smiling brightly despite looking out of his element.] Welcome! I'll be serving you today--is there anything that you would care to start with?

I

[careosene]

Flowers.

[ The answer is out before Katniss, looking as though her own voice has given her something of a shock, quite registers who’d asked the question. That it’s Syriya, instantly identifiable even with the change of clothes, is a relief because otherwise she'd be yammering about tea to a complete stranger, but she’s unprepared for her own outburst all the same. ]

I mean [ A shrug as she finds a tea set to mindlessly fiddle with. ] it’s not always flowers. Herbs can be steeped to make teas... dried fruits too. Spices. Certain leaves – all kinds of things, really. Hot water's probably the closest thing to having plain tea. Hi, by... the way. [ THE "HELLO" PART COMES FIRST. ]

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya looks over his shoulder as Katniss just starts talking, but he listens very attentively.

When she finishes he offers a smile.] Hello again. I thought perhaps tea was made from the same ingredients if adjusted a little to change it... I suppose I have truly underestimated it.

What tea do you prefer?

[careosene]

[ As before, his calm has a way of relaxing her too, and she takes in the display before her with considerably less fidgeting. ]

No one's ever asked me that before. I suppose anything's fine... [ Then again, look at all the options they have! ] But - maybe I ought to try one of these before deciding. Here, you choose. Which sounds best to you?

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya laughs.] And here I was, intending to copy exactly what you ordered!

Perhaps it would be fitting to start with those that are most sentimental. [He points to "Dirtea" and "Connectivitea".] According to their description, they are very special to this union.

[careosene]

It is a special occasion. I don't know that I'd consider drinking something called Dirtea under normal circumstances, but– [ She exhales heavily with a decisive nod. ] Why not?

[chronosynthesis]

[He laughs.] With reason, there is probably no actual dirt in it! Though I cannot make much sense of what it does mean.

Still, shall I order two cups of Dirtea?

[careosene]

Yes. [ She nods, then scans the area in search of somewhere to sit. It's her first time really taking in the festivities, and she has to admit to being impressed.

A smile finds its way onto her face. ] You know, I've never actually seen anything quite like this. Are they all Heroes? [ Nodding to the other stands and stations. ]

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya holds two fingers up as he orders two cups of tea. He glances aside to where Katniss gestures.] Oh... I do not know about all of the staff and patrons. I'm sure there have been some curious locals. But the business owners are all fellow Heroes.

They really are letting us settle in.

[careosene]

Settle, huh. [ It's fairly bustling. There's an open table near the stage, but she decides to wait for him before staking a claim.

Besides, the ingredients in the Virginitea have caught her eye. ] Do you have anything like this? A... [ Hm. What would they call this back home? A luxury? Entertainment? She nibbles her lip. ]

A... personal business venture? [ She can't imagine the level of industrious comfort a person would have to possess to start something like Carnival Phantasm. ]

II

[wantnotneed]

I'd like--

[ She looks up when she's about to order and what she sees catches her off guard. Of course, there were other guys dressed in the maid costume as well, but the thing that's different about Syrlya is that he's smiling like nothing's wrong. Well, there could be plenty of things that are wrong, but Mammon honestly wouldn't know with how he looks right now. It pings her curiosity. ]

... an omurice! That's the one where you draw on the food with ketchup, right? I want that one! Do you draw on the food while I watch or do you do it secretly in the back?

[chronosynthesis]

[What is an omurice.

What is ketchup.] Of course!

[He looks rapidly over the menu before scribbling her order onto the notepad.] I can try to write it here if you would like... is there anything else I can get you?

[wantnotneed]

[ Mammon shakes her head. ]

No that's fine. I don't need anything more yet. I'd like to see you write it while I watch!

I'll be waiting~ [ With smiles and all. She looks like she's highly anticipating it too. ]

[chronosynthesis]

Very well. I will return as soon as possible. [He bows his head before shuffling back to the kitchens.




And after a brief explanation of omurice and how to use a ketchup bottle, he's back with a tray balancing her plate and condiment together.] One omurice right here for you!

[He sets the tray down on the table.] What would you like it to say?

[wantnotneed]

[ Mammon takes the time to marvel at the omurice and picks at the details. Well, not that she's a professional in any cooing field, but she appreciates how it looks. ]

I want a heart in the middle of a basic flower design! It shouldn't be so hard, right...?

[chronosynthesis]

Oh. Well, I cannot claim to be an adept artist, but I will try my best! [He straightens up with determination before he tips the bottle over and tries to squirt.

And then shakes the bottle a few times before he gets the ketchup to come out. A heart in the middle of a flower. If he goes very slowly, he's got this.

Sort of. It's recognizable, at least...? And running off the omurice onto the plate. He overestimated his scale.] How is this?

[wantnotneed]

[ He did try. Mammon looks at the omurice. At least the ketchup is edible...? It's only a temporary design, but still. It isn't up to her standards, but this place just opened, so she figures that she can cut some slack. ]

I can tell that you tried your hardest. I don't dislike that.

I heard they play games here. Can you do that too?

[chronosynthesis]

Thank you. [He lets out a breath of relief and bows his head.]

Um--yes, I can play games as well! There is a game with a crocodile--not a real crocodile. And a guessing game with ships. Ah, I suppose the crocodile is a guessing game as well. If you win, I understand you receive a prize!

[wantnotneed]

[ Seeing as to how they're both guessing games, Mammon wonders if this is the time to test her intellect--or her ability to read people. ]

So are you the type to go easy on customers or go all out? Because I can't appreciate a game where either side doesn't do their best, and I, for one, will do my very best!

I.

[rememberher]

Then obviously that means that you should try some.

[ While Lux was certainly no expert on tea herself, seeing the wealth of flavors made her want to try every single one. She might not be able to answer Syrlya's question, but that didn't mean that she wouldn't try to be at least a bit of an enabler herself. ]

Try opening one of the canisters and smelling the leaves. Usually that can give you a good idea of what it might taste like.

[chronosynthesis]

Is it appropriate to just open unpurchased stock...? [He looks at them thoughtfully, furrowing his brow.] Perhaps a made sample would be better. What sort of tea do you prefer?

[rememberher]

[ She looked surprised. ]

I thought it was customary to smell teas first before purchasing them, but...

[ Maybe that wasn't done here, which was fine, but it still seemed strange. Ah well. ]

That I prefer? I like fruit or floral teas myself. Mostly black teas.

[chronosynthesis]

Oh... so something like "Connectivitea"? [He points to the sign.] Perhaps that one, then. Would you like a cup as well?

[rememberher]

Oh!

[ A spiced tea? That isn't something that she's tried before, and curling a finger at her lips, Lux contemplated this for a moment. ]

Sure, I'll try it.

[chronosynthesis]

All right, two cups then! [He smiles as he turns to whoever is manning the station to order them.] I am not well versed in tea, so this will be a new experience.