[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]

[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. ]

[chronosynthesis]

Oh, no, not at all. [He shakes his head.] I have not been here that long, nor would I consider it my expertise. I'm predominately a soldier and--I suppose adventurer? I do not often stay in one place to set up shop.

[careosene]

An adventurer! [ That's something she hadn't known about him. ] I guess it's natural for the Republic to want people with such experience. What was your life like before this? You just – [ a shrug ] You seem well-adjusted.

[chronosynthesis]

Well adjusted? [He tilts his head, rolling his eyes up thoughtfully.] It was very active. Elder dragons in my world have risen and threaten to take all life away from us. I fight against them to preserve... as much of the world as I can.

I have traveled all over to fight for that sake. It is not too distant from what Blanc has asked of us, if with a different enemy.

[careosene]

[ She stares, further convinced that everyone in Cassia must be a kind of saint. ] Did your family travel with you?

[chronosynthesis]

Ah--no. I do not have a family quite as your people do... though many of my people have pursued a similar goal. And I have friends.

[careosene]

So your entire culture is different from ours; not just your appearance. [ In her head, Katniss is whistling with amazement. ] This is so new to me, I'm sorry. Your friends, then. Were they soldiers like you are?

[chronosynthesis]

... No. [He glances aside, taking the chance to collect their order so he can collect himself for the moment his back is turned to Katniss.

He sets one cup in front of her.] I mean, we come from very different backgrounds. Mine was the only one from the military. They were detectives, a miner, a student, a hunter...

[careosene]

That's quite a spread. [ Katniss is about to ask how people from such varied backgrounds managed to get along when she remembers how Peeta, a baker's son, and Finnick, who was basically royalty before the Reaping, got along splendidly. ]

How did you meet?

[chronosynthesis]

I was investigating some disturbances... that is, a group attacking settlements. And then a murder, another attack--ah, as we discovered these were all from the same source. But as each of their homes were threatened or their expertise called upon I met them.

And then when one of the dragons rose, they helped me with that too.

[careosene]

Ah. [ She drops her nose to hide a smile in the rim of her cup. ] So - you're the type of mercenary who attracts trouble. No wonder you were in such high demand when we met.

[chronosynthesis]

I'm not a mercenary! [He sits up straighter.] I am part of a very respectable Order, just... my friends are not. They have other alignments, but we do good work together as a guild.

But I am not really hired for anything. I help because I can. [He doesn't deny attracting trouble though.]

[careosene]

[ Noted! And it does nothing to stifle her growing urge to laugh. ]

I guess Guild does sound nicer than 'wandering band'... You know, I don't think I could ever get used to that kind of freedom. Do you miss it? Traveling like that?

[chronosynthesis]

Hm--? [He tilts his cup and looks thoughtful.] Oh... not that so much. We actually travel frequently to assist others and serve out duties requested by the government here, so I do not find myself so trapped. We are given free reign so long as we always return when they need us.

[careosene]

That's true. We're basically allowed to come and go as we wish.

[ She takes a sip. Still too hot. ]

Hm. You don't think it seems too good to be true?

[chronosynthesis]

What seems to good to be true? This place? Or the allowances they grant us?

[careosene]

The latter. How they can afford to be so lenient when we're supposedly so important?

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya tilts his head, pausing a moment as he mulls over it.] I suspect both because they do not know how to handle such a situation, and they wish to remain in good relations with us.

We are strangers here who have no reason to be agreeable to them if we do not wish to, and many of us seem to be appearing every month. And their own people are banned from practicing magic that we are capable of using. It is better for everyone if we actually want to help them, rather than feeling used.

[careosene]

[ Except for the suspicion on her part, Syrlya’s reading of the situation matches up well enough with her own. It’s not how the Capitol would do things, but it makes sense assuming Blanc’s leadership is after more than just repelling Noir at any cost. Still, it's a very convenient set up for those in power. The Heroes' livelihood depends on their continued generosity, and with everyone in varying states of vulnerability they're given very little choice but to go along with things when they arrive. What will become of them if and when the war ends?

The sound of laughter brings her out of her thoughts. No one else seems unhappy. What does she know? Perhaps she's just bitter over her part in the uprisings back home. At least here she can ask questions and talk openly.

With a resigned nod Katniss blows a bit of cool air over the tea, hoping it will calm her mind and allow her to simply enjoy this moment. Cassia is undeniably a better place to live than any of the Twelve Districts of Panem, and yet it's still part of a world that tore her away from her sister. ]

Has anyone ever succeeded at getting home? Anyone you know? [ Whatever vague answer her room minder gave has been long forgotten by now. She makes a deal with herself that no matter what he says, she'll drop the whole subject after this and go back to being normal. To having a nice, cheerful afternoon in a nice, cheerful shop. ]

[chronosynthesis]

No one intentionally. [He rests his chin on his palm, taking another sip of tea.] But I have heard of those I was acquainted with leaving bit the way we arrive--suddenly in light any most likely a result of magic.

But what determines who leaves is as mysterious as who arrives. I don't believe Blanc had the knowledge to unravel it, but I am more hopeful for Gammon. They have not distanced themselves so far from magic.