[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

[showsnopiety]

She has no idea of her charm, her cuteness...

[She sneers, and her eyes go to the table and the meal she prepared. And she's surprised at the churning emotion under the surface, wanting to break out due to Gilgamesh's fickle nature. She's known about this unreliable Servant from the start, but she still doesn't want to let him go without a fight. Or better, hurt him for it. Is this how her father felt sometimes?

Or was she really a freak?]

I can't be her, and I have no desire to be. You know...you have a strange way of saying to someone 'I miss you'.

You can say the words. I won't hold it against you.

[babbylon]

That isn't really what you want to hear, is it?

[Gilgamesh actually laughs at the idea she even would. No, she's not after affection, or at least not the gushing sort. She doesn't want it, doesn't need it, and may not even be able to process it. That similarity with Kirei he can quite easily see; she's cold to her core, even if her heart beats with warmth on occasion.

Gilgamesh nudges a slice of pie towards her, pointedly. Eat.]

What you really want to hear is, "I don't want anyone except for you".

[showsnopiety]

[She doesn't. It might make her feel a little ill, like the gushing from Sion, the bothering from Shinn, Jae-Ha's affections. She can be warm but...it's difficult to be that way.

Accidental. She knows if she tries she'll fail.

So she takes up her fork, and stabs it through the pie.]

And how practical would that be?

[Her gaze flickered to his eyes, and she takes a bite. Chews, and swallows.]

What I want is not to be forgotten. To be a priority. You couldn't focus just on me, even if I entertain you.

[babbylon]

[The words seem to strike a chord with Gilgamesh, somehow. He drops his fork and grabs for her wrist, tightly. Not painfully, not cruelly, but to command her attention and to emphasize the sincerity of what he says next.]

I shall never forget you. Not ever.

[But of course she knows very well he can't promise priority. It's not possible in this situation, and simply not in his nature.]

[showsnopiety]

[She pauses, watching him. She can feel the force from his grasp, but his words...

Her eyes widen briefly, shocked, before she shivered once, and things were back to normal.]

Is that so?

[Her gaze relaxed, and she made a small sound.]

Keep your word.

[No threats, no order. Just a statement. She might accept someone else forgetting, but not him.]

[babbylon]

I will. Because it is also my own wish, that I not be forgotten by anyone.

[It means that this isn't Gilgamesh playing around with her, toying with her, or just making fun at her expense. It's a real promise because it's a reality he lives by, each and every day. To disappear, to die, and yes, to be forgotten, to be irrelevant... those things were the worst nightmare of the eternal tyrant.

He has made too many strides here and met too many important people to leave them all behind, as less than a memory.]

Regardless, don't let the matter sour you. I have also not forgotten the accord we made.

[He reassures her with a brief kiss, pressed to her cheek. That is done publicly should be seen as a sign he is not ashamed of her or what they are to each other.]

For this round, you pass.

[showsnopiety]

[Who could forget someone like Gilgamesh? But it was a reality she faced. What he faced too, and why he had feared it so much he sought eternal youth.

It was funny. Weeks after the other, two loud men declared not to forget her, and wanted her to do the same.

And could she couldn't promise she would remember either of them. She wanted to, if it mattered. Her eyes closed briefly, and she took in a deep breath.]

Good.

[She should have earned it months ago, but time slipped by. Perfection. Excuses. So on and so forth. Her hand comes up to gently brush against his cheek, knowing that someone will see. It was never meant to be a secret.]

When the next fight comes-do you want me to be there, by your side?

[Dungeon, war...didn't matter. Even if they encouraged the worst of each other in the field, they'd at least have a great time. The moral people wouldn't but they would. ]

[babbylon]

A pass equates to a Seal.

[That had been the agreement from the beginning. And Gilgamesh could be slippery at best when honoring terms—in this very conversation he'd demonstrated his loyalty tended to be questionable—but he sees no reason to wriggle out of it now. He enjoys her company and sees no need to escape it.

And truth be told, she has his obedience already, but it's Gilgamesh so he has to make a grander show of it for pride's sake.]

You may call upon me once, in any regard, in any capacity, and I will come without hesitation. The choice of venue is yours.

[showsnopiety]

I won't forget.

[One Seal. One Command. She can almost feel it being pressed into the back of her palm, into her arms. But it's just fancy, or a memory of those doors in the dungeons. It hadn't been so long ago she'd gone through them.

And it hadn't been so long since she earned his loyalty either. But pride was pride, and she was willing to go with the show.]

And I won't use this carelessly, or lightly.

[Her tone almost becomes teasing.]

But it's too bad the Petrosians can't recreate the Seals.

[Or can they, with their tattoos and inks? She didn't really check it very close. One look at a tramp stamp and she was Done.]

[babbylon]

They can recreate Circuits, to a degree, with enchanted ink.

[Of which Gilgamesh now had quite a few. The curling end of a tattoo can even be seen near the edge of his collar. But a woman like Caren desired absolutely control, which he can't exactly blame her for. It would be almost too convenient to be able to summon him anytime, anywhere.

Too convenient, and too powerful, which is likely why the gods of this world decided she couldn't have it.]

But as for a simple tattoo... you would honor me and our bond if I might perform the rite personally. I have sufficient skill with a needle.

[showsnopiety]

You have those skills.

[Of course he has those skills. He's just a crappy cook. But since he can't recreate the Seals-that would be far too powerful, a far too useful thing to have-the gods didn't allow it.

Her eyes narrowed in thought. Recreated Circuits. They'd be painful, but if Rin could go through that, so could she.]

I would like to see what you had in mind.

[Not to mention...]

It might be difficult. I know under usual circumstances, harm of any kind can take time.

[If it hadn't been for the smog on the train, she wouldn't have died. She's certain of that now. So this might mean they'll need her deshelled so to speak. Which means...a curse, or a bishop's potion to make her vulnerable]

[babbylon]

[Gilgamesh laughs, a quietly menacing sort of sound.]

You forget that I am a Queen. So I can make the burning... burn.

[A win-win, essentially, as it is both an act she'd find pleasurable and one sufficient in breaking her skin and doing "enough" harm for the shapes to properly form. It would hurt, and it might take some experimentation to find the right combination, but as he's imagining it would certainly be possible with time and effort.

It also certainly said much of their relationship that something so sinister would draw them even closer.]

Afford the matter a bit of thought; we are in no rush. You have two more to earn in the meantime.

[showsnopiety]

[She shivers. That was from anticipation, no doubt. She still remembered how she had dragged her fingers against his skin and....she swallowed. She needed to focus.]

I was going to say, we could use a King or a Bishop to assist, but no matter.

[This was their ritual, between them. There was something about torture being one of those things that made them both restless. Other people wouldn't understand.]

No matter. I'm sure we'll come up with something that satisfies us both. What's the next task?

[babbylon]

A test of ruthlessness.

[Gilgamesh reaches for his wine, indulging a hearty sip.]

To be undertaken when next we go to war. I shall divulge more details when the date approaches.

[showsnopiety]

Ruthlessness...very well.

[This sounds like this could be fun. Maybe.]

This might be entertaining. Should I bring a bottle of wine?

[babbylon]

[Gilgamesh gives her a Look.]

To pour decadently all over that tight little body of yours? Why, yes, of course...

[showsnopiety]

[She offers him a flat look. Really Gilgamesh. She should have expected it.]

Mention tight little body again, and I'll break the wine bottle over your head.

[babbylon]

[Gilgamesh just laughs. She should have expected that, too.]

It seems the wayward Master has returned to high spirits.

[showsnopiety]

I wasn't in low spirits in the first place.

[Maybe she was? A little? But it does feel more...normal to get the banter back.]

[babbylon]

You were pouting, girl.

[And his face reads don't even deny it.]

[showsnopiety]

[She's just going to give him a look.]

Over what?

[Seriously what does he think she was sulking over? She doesn't sulk. She never sulks. She's sulkless!]

[babbylon]

Eat your peas.

[Gilgamesh, meanwhile, couldn't seem any further from sulking. His faint smile says as much.]

[showsnopiety]

[She rolls her eyes at him, and helps herself to the lamb. Just hecause she could.]