[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

[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.

[careosene]

[ Katniss isn't entirely sure what she'd been hoping for, but this news comes as no pleasant surprise. ] Guess there's nothing we can do about it for now then. [ She wrinkles her nose and blows again on her tea. ] Speaking of magic, though, I was wondering... What determines a person's mana reserves? There was an - accident the first day I arrived. Somehow I was able to use magic to fix things despite having never done it before. Is that normal?

[chronosynthesis]

Oh--yes. We seem to become quite quickly attuned to the magic of this world, regardless whether you have anything like it in your own world.

[He taps his chest--where there is nothing, because he isn't in uniform, but the intent is there.] At some point you will awake feeling slightly different as you... I can only say attune to a particular nature of the magic here, and this determines your rank. When I became a Queen, I found my ability to tap into magic greatly increased but everyone has at least a little.

Expertise determines how capable you are at using that reserve, of course. It can only be a good sign that you were able to cast a spell properly on your first day! [He smiles.] That's very impressive for never having used magic before. Perhaps you will find yourself along a similar rank.

[careosene]

You mean Queen? I... haven't given it much thought, actually. Do we have to ascend through each rank in order?

[ Admittedly this is the first time she's really, seriously considered the benefits of leveling up. Katniss's temperament and skill set are such that she's quite content with just her arrows and, yes, the convenient ability to heal minor burns and things. Ambition never suited her. ]

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya shakes his head.] No, they refer to different specializations of magic. You start at Pawn and will find yourself suddenly prepared to study the magic of a King, Queen, Rook, Knight, or Bishop. Queens and Kings have the greatest reserve of magic, but the resulting spells are very different between them. Ah, even those of the same rank may specialize even further!

It--may be overwhelming if you are not used to anything like it, but I think you will understand it.

[careosene]

Heh. [ After a final blow, Katniss decides to brave the temperature of her tea again and is rewarded with a mouthful of sweet vanilla. The taste is so rich compared to what she's used to that she actually draws back a little. ]

Wow. [ looking up ] It's so good! Did you expect it to be this good? [ There's a beat and then she grins. ] Hey. Thanks for playing teacher. You're not half bad. Bet Pigeonsblood would pay you for it if you're ever low on colle.

[chronosynthesis]

I did not expect Caren to be anything short of fantastic in her craft. [She seems the kind of person to take pride in her work.

He sips the tea with a smile.] I do not know if I can follow human systems rigidly enough for that... but thank you. I'm always glad to help people.

[careosene]

Caren's the owner? [ Her next sip is more of a swallow and followed by a contented sigh. ] I feel like I ought to thank her somehow.

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya chuckles.] She might appreciate that, if nothing else for the flattery.

How are you doing since arriving? Is it still disorienting? Are your roommates good company?

[careosene]

The excess will take some getting used to, but [ shrug ] what choice do any of us have? [ Beat.

She lowers her eyes to her cup, looking uncharacteristically shy. ] I... haven't actually seen my roommates too much.

[ aka she's a friendless loser ]

[chronosynthesis]

Ah... do they wander often, or is it you who does not stay still? [He tilts his head.] Which room is assigned to you?

[careosene]

K210. [ mindlessly scratching her cheek ] I try not to spend too much time there if I can help it. [ Since, you know, waking up naked in an unusual doesn't do much for memory association. ] I guess our schedules just don't align. It's not a problem, though. [ Heaven forbid he pity her. ]

[chronosynthesis]

You aren't too far from me! I am assigned to K205. [He smiles, setting his cup down.] If you ever wish to find me, you are welcome to stop by. [A pause.] Er, though I suppose carrier is more reliable since I am also often away...

[careosene]

[ There's a moment, and then she's blurting out ] I can call you. If I ever need you or there's a job we could do....

[ That is something carriers can do right? Is this how you make friends? ]

[chronosynthesis]

Absolutely! I would be honored to serve by your side, Katniss.

[He quickly slurps up the rest of his tea. This is totally how you make friends.]