[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

he's determined to be the best big brother...!!

[sunderings]

Are we not?

[ Here, there is a slow, artful cant of his head, the long fall of his braid (its plait not so regal, so structured as it is on a normal day, but instead mimicking a series of hearts in shape!) tumbling down, over his shoulder. Funny, that however much she should flout his offerings of a meal, that he should only ever be endeared, his golden eyes lighting with a distinct measure of fondness reserved only for her, his family, who...! He captures. Linking her arm with his own (even if their disparity in height makes for an interesting juxtaposition), he makes it known that if she does not take the small parcel from him--...

...he'll simply take her instead! ]

Who knows why I'm whisking you away, after all. [ A playful hum, a step forward taken. ] Your patrons are sure to speculate, and will likely care to stay until we've returned.

[ Why, already there are whispers echoing from afar. Independent Action's proprietor is being spirited away?! ]

he's filled with determination?

[showsnopiety]

[How is running away from work dastardly? Or taking a break? She supposes it could be taken that way. But it isn't as busy as it was before, and she's been making rounds throughout to make sure everything is going smoothly.

...though she didn't usually find herself falling against an adopted brothers side, and grunting from the sudden movement. What in the world...]

I would think it would be obvious?

[Though perhaps not why she's allowing this without fighting tooth and nail, for those who know of her. She shakes her head at him, but allows him to whisk her off to play. He loves having his way, and they haven't really spoken to each other as much as they should, she supposes.

Not as much as they used to.]

and fighting spirit!

[sunderings]

[ No, not as much as they'd used to, and Sion is thoroughly remiss for it. Though they'd their exchange of letters, ever since the day when he'd fallen before the Oubliette's shrine, he's been distant—but for no longer! Tugged closer to his person, Caren falls neatly against his side, cradled (as a little sister should be!) at his hip before her voice lilts in question, and the King...! ]

What seems to be obvious— [ Though bereft of Guiding Light, La Vista gleams, gilding his shoulders as ever and as always, his mana channeling through its faceted beads to produce a pair of rather familiar wings...! And, all at once, light falls upon them, veiling them completely as Sion ushers Caren away with a lilting, resonant laugh: ] —is oftentimes not so.

[ And for the 'show' of their departure...? A small series of oohs and aahs trail after them, despite how store-traffic has stabilized and slowed.

After they've reached their destination (a bench just outside the supply store!), though, he seems to sober: ] ...I missed you, you know.

and sparkles!

[showsnopiety]

[They've had their silly letter exchange; she looked out for him when he fell by the shrine. She knew that sometimes, when he was down, he wanted to be left alone. So she let him think to himself, though not knowing what the source could be.

And now it seems she's indulged him a bit. Maybe too much, as he uses his weapon to veil them completely from sight. This was a new application though she supposed it made sense. He was reflecting light, after all.

The light with so much love. She still rolls her eyes at the murmurs, even as she stays quiet, waiting for him to make his dramatic flare.

And instead she gets this. She almost wanted the flare more, almost.]

Did you? I'm sure.

[There's not much to miss, she would say, and she moves to pull away from him. She's not acting prickly, at least? Not overly so.]

I would say there's nothing to miss, but then you'd start huffing and denying it. I'm not in the mood to argue about that.

[Though she will argue about the curry. She ain't touching it.]

and ridiculousness?!

[sunderings]

Missing someone... is not about how very long it has been since you've seen them last—

[ —though it's a little undeniable, isn't it, how he has only brightened all the more in her presence; his smile easier, his tone light-of-heart, carefree. ]

Or the time which has passed since you've last heard their voice—

[ —even if he should warm to it, her taciturn diction, softly spoken as always. In him, it only inspires a gently lilting tone, featherweight and easily carried away upon the brisk autumn breeze: ]

It is about the instant when you find yourself doing something incredibly bothersome and menial, and wishing your sister were there, by your side, to share it.

[ Silvered lashes lowering to hood over golden eyes, he presses the parcel once more into her hands, its charming purple (owls and hearts, just where did he find that?) fabric just begging to be unwrapped. Does he mean to share the curry...? ]

Though I could also say that I missed you more than sun misses the sky at night.

[ And not a word of it untrue! Sion has always had that way about him, perhaps more so, now, after what he had glimpsed when he had fallen; the images seared into his mind's eye. If only she asked, he would tell her. No longer is he afraid of burdening her with the weight of his realm, far away from here. He would lean on her, but only if...

She would lean on him, in turn. ]

Will you not at least unwrap it? Humor me, and you'll find yourself surprised.

[ ….by a jewlery box of Hydrangea and lace, sitting atop the usual bento container. It is resonant of Sion's mana (light and love, love and light), and within it, a King's necklace and a Rook's ring, strung together on simple silver chain. Without a shadow of a doubt, the items have been synthesized by a big brother who cares only for his sister's safety; her welfare. And however simple, however small (he'd tried to keep her tastes in mind—nothing extravagant, nothing gaudy), the items limn with a King's power and a King's grace.

(And an inexplicable something, ancient and old, much like the shades of him that only she would know.) ]

They are small tokens, but I wished to congratulate you all the same.

most ridiculousness

[showsnopiety]

[She's pretty sure all that he's saying could be found in a hallmark card. He's getting all fluffy just by hearing her voice, standing by her. Whatever for? She hasn't even done anything. She's tempted to just let the parcel drop in the nearest rubbish bin.

Especially when he puts out the sun missing sky bit.]

The sun is always in the sky, fool. It's us who turn away from the sun.

[Or rather, the planet does. But she has no time to lecture him on the particulars of science. Instead, she opens the silly purple fabric and...finds hydrangea, her favourite flower, flourishing on wood. His mana of love and light is almost sickening; it's so heavy. And she opens the box to find...

He synthesized these things. He had to find someone to help him with this, to get the effect he wanted, for both things.

She can feel something making her eyes prickle, hot and heavy, and she blinks rapidly. And that makes her go very quiet. She doesn't cry, unless the pain is too much.

...she cried though when Adra brought her back though, and neither of them understood why.]

Why.

[The word slips out soft and deadly.]

Why did you waste your time-your mana-on someone like me?

[Golden eyes lift, and she stares at him, her gaze overbright.]

Or was this a test run before you make love tokens for your beloved Alice?

[sunderings]

"Do not waste mana, do not waste food..."

[ —he echoes, voice falling to a silvered, sotto dulcet. Always, she has chided him, scorned him for expending (himself) his mana upon her, such that he cannot remember a time (either in battle or in play, or even when they first had met, once upon a dream) when she hadn't made to refuse him, not until now, this moment when she looks to him with bright (glassy) eyes, asking only

why.

(She really is lost, isn't she, his little sister.) ]

But Caren, what could be wasted upon you, someone who saves, protects, and builds? [ Head canting artfully to the side, he regards her with only the most gentle of expressions, his words ringing with such clarity, such belief, that (at least where one Hero King is concerned) they are the truth of the world: ] You are my family, my little sister who knows not what to make of kindness; of the bonds she has made here, and yet...

[ A broad, encompassing gesture. ]

Look at all those you have brought together. [ With Independent Action, no less. ] I am happy for you.

[ So much so that he'd spoken in frivolous, silly, whimsy nonsense with the singular hope of seeing her huff and puff and say stop it now, you fool. Instead, though, she simply continues to look (perhaps accusatory, perhaps a little bit cruel), blinking back acridity and moisture.

(She is more human than she thinks she is.) ]

That happiness... [ Graceful, he dips into a bow. Deliberate, he leans in. Slowly, he presses the softest kiss to the slender rise of her cheek, chaste and affectionate. ] ...was the sole thing upon my mind as I synthesized the pieces together.

[showsnopiety]

[Is he mocking her? Her eyes narrow, even as she tries to blink rapidly. Ire, it seems, is a certain way to make the tears vanish, or at least be turned into a lesser emotion and priority. She still wanted to refuse him but...

What was that nonsense he said? The protection, the building-what has she done to encourage such faith? Truly, she's been too kind to him. For him to think himself family. To believe she is capable of good things simply because they're good...

She has an agenda, she always has. And while he can indulge himself by acting the part of the fool, there's too much awareness in his eyes.

Maybe that's why she lets him stay around. There's thousands of years of pain, etched into that body of his, even if she isn't aware of it.

That doesn't hold her back from being petty. Her face turns, as if to peck him back-but no.

Her teeth are bared, and unless Sion thinks to yank back, she clamps onto his cheek in a quick, hard bite. There's no attempt to hold on; instead she lets go after a moment or two.]

You're dripping sentiment, and that's not something I need. Or you for that matter.

[There's a hint of a snarl, a bit of a grump in her voice, almost habitual and grumpy.]

Keep your happiness. Smothering me is the best way to kill me, not help me. Who helped you with the synethesizing?

[And did they know or does it mean they're free of an ass kicking?]