+ Somewhere a Grandiose Carnival Was Going on in the Sky +

[vitaelamorte]

Who: Everyone!
Where: The grounds of the Mansion
When: March 9-16
Rating: PG-13 (warn if you go higher)
Summary: The Red Queen has thrown a carnival for everyone!
The Story:


From Friday, March 9, through Friday, March 16, the gardens and grounds of the Mansion will be a sprawling a carnival. The masked, unspeaking vendors will be selling trinkets and running free game booths. Carnival rides, exhibits, and foods represent all of the various cultures of those currently residing in the Mansion.


Of particular note, and perhaps incongruously, everything is decorated with red hearts.

Use this log for any and all of your carnival needs!

Comments

ferris wheel!

[uncaging]

[ The person he's happened to sit next to in the car of the ferris wheel is none other than Elizabeth, and she looks absolutely delighted to have him as her companion. ]

Oh, hello Major! Isn't this wonderful? I've always dreamed of going on one.

[spycurious]

[Fortunately this is not Ben's first ride of the wheel. He's so delighted to have Elizabeth with him.]

Elizabeth! [He smiles brightly.] This is my second time today. I came here earlier and found it to be quite pleasant.

[uncaging]

[ She squishes up to the side of the car so there's room for both of them, her legs dangling a little way from the ground. ]

I've seen so many pictures of them before - the very first one was built only a few years before I was born.

[spycurious]

[He settles in with her as the car starts to move and now that he's somewhat used to it, he can smile at her without the lurch of his stomach at being lifted off the ground.]

Really? I've seen them mentioned when studying, but paid little attention. And I know the Turks have 'pleasure wheels' made of metal and wood, but nothing that comes close to this.

[Ben breathes and relaxes as the wheel slowly turns.] I think it's very nice, a piece of genuine engineering meant for something so simple.

[uncaging]

In that case, make sure to add the 1893 World's Fair to the list of things about the future to research. That's where the Ferris wheel debuted. [ Along with the floating city where Elizabeth had been trapped until she arrived in Wonderland. ] I've often dreamed of being able to go there.

[spycurious]

I've read about the World's Fairs, I think attending one would be fantastic. [A wistful light shines in his eyes. He knows he won't live long enough to see America suffer through and then survive its first civil war, then grow strong afterward. He also knows he's lucky to be able to read about the country he'll build in his future.

Ben regards Elizabeth fondly as the wheel rotates and lifts them even higher.]

Wonderland is a double-edged sword. We're taken from our homes, but... we're given so much. ... At the cost of our memories, and then we must endure the events. I'm glad for having been brought here, I just... would like it to be a little less awful sometimes. [He laughs softly.] It's silly of me, not to be more thankful, I know.

[uncaging]

It's not ungrateful at all to think like that. [ She knows all too well what it's like to resent this place. ] I was completely alone before I came here. Now I have friends for the first time in my life, but sometimes I think it would still be better if I were still in my tower. [ She feels awful saying it. ] At least that way my Mirror wouldn't exist and wouldn't be able to hurt anyone.

[spycurious]

[For a few moments, Ben is quiet. He's grown somewhat used to the strange sensation of riding the wheel, and he's starting to find it relaxing, almost.]

What she chooses to do isn't your fault. [That he says firmly, trying to reassure her.] If she or anyone ever threatens you, I want you to tell me. [Ben looks over at her, feeling a swell of fondness for one of his first friends here.

A friend he hardly knows anything about because he's never really asked.]

You certainly aren't alone here, I promise. If you can't find me, find Caleb. Alright?

[uncaging]

[ She hesitates, not wanting to burden him with her problems, knowing she should be able to look after herself. Not wanting him to get hurt, either, especially after what had happened to Crowley. ]

All right. But please, don't go after her, not on my account. I couldn't bear for her to hurt you.