+ 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

[jivitadana]

[Minato looked around and then smiled at her.]

What did you plan on us doing together in there?

[Again, just checking! She was very forward, which then seemed to contradict the way she was earlier, as if she had only been with someone for the first time. It didn't really bother him. He thought it was interesting.]

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Oh, I dunno. Talking to each other, so we can learn more about ourselves. [ Kissing. ]

Holding hands. [ Kissing. ]

Enjoying the quietness and the warmth of one another. [ Kissingkissingkissing. ]

Just...romantic things. [ KIIIISSSSSING!!! ]

I mean. [ Her cheek rubs against his sleeve again, almost like she's a cat trying to imbue him with her scent. ] If that's okay with you.

[jivitadana]

[That was a lot of romantic things. Minato didn't think it'd be so bad going with her there. What could possibly happen? Honestly too, he hadn't ever been in a tunnel of love anyway and had only seen them in the movies or read it in a manga somewhere, probably. Hm, but he did have to consider something:]

It's just dark though. How can I see how cute you are if there's not enough light?

[So that was a little problem. To him, at least.]

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[ Her eyes widen. She pulls away, cheeks red and heart thumping.

Without thinking, she scrambles to get out her device and holds it up. ]

I'll keep the flashlight on! The whole time! You won't miss out!!!

[ Whatever it takes for him to say that again! And again and again! ]

[jivitadana]

[Minato smiled again and nodded, thinking it was cute that she was trying so hard.]

But I like the way your hair shines in the sun.

[Some flashlight wasn't going to be nearly enough light. But man, she had a solution for everything and she really wanted him to go with her to that tunnel of love.]

And you're cute when you blush.

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R-Really?

[ AHHHH now he's got her torn! He's already being so sweet out here but she wants to be in there...!

Monika shoves her device back into her pocket. You can practically see the math equations floating around her head as she considers her options. ]

Uh. Maybe...maybe it has a section that's outside? So we can get the dark and the light? And I'll shake my hair as much as you want! A-And find some way to keep blushing!

[ Those wouldn't be too difficult, honestly. ]

[jivitadana]

[Minato nodded, thinking that might be okay. They could go check it out together and see if it did have an outdoor section of it. He started to walk with her still latched onto his arm, making sure she could keep up with him.]

We'll go see if it does. That way I can see you in the light and I'll remember what you look like when it's dark. But you don't have to work so hard for me.

[Now he sounded like he was giving her too much trouble, that she had to put in so much extra effort per his request, and she shouldn't have to do that or even humor him at all.]

Just be you. That's enough for me.

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[ Ohhh, her heart is melting. He's very nearly perfect!

Them together like this, however? Absolutely perfect. She giggles to herself, enjoying the foreign feeling of warmth against her skin. ]

Has anyone ever told you how utterly sweet you are? I feel like I need to taste you to make sure you aren't actually covered in sugar~

[jivitadana]

[Minato didn't know where this tunnel of love was, but for now, he liked just walking with her like this. Whenever they'd find it, then they'd find it. No rush or anything.

He smiled again, thinking she'd be rather disappointed if she did end up tasting him. He was probably very bland and boring and ordinary. His boyfriend might have a different opinion though, /cough.]

Carnivals have lots of treats. I can get you one instead? Those would definitely taste better than me.

[Probably a lot better. He did tug her a little closer to him just for a moment.]

Mn, but you're the sweet one, actually. You smile, laugh, are cheerful and bright, and you always have nice things to say about me.

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[ DAMMIT. She thought that'd be an obvious path to victory! She'd have to try harder! ]

I'm...I'm not hungry. Ahaha.

[ How could she be? Being showered in so much love, being told such wonderful things, being so near to him...!

Her stomach growls. It needs to shut up. This is not the time! She can be amazed at that later!

No, her focus is only him now! She steels herself and jumps in front of him so that they're forced to stop walking. She is determined! ]

Then maybe you could taste me instead!

[jivitadana]

[Minato did hear that she was hungry and needed to eat something, but didn't say anything. There wasn't really much time to say anything because, well, they're at a standstill and she's kind of offering something she maybe shouldn't be offering.

He did run his hand through her hair, just a little bit and for only a moment.]

I don't think someone like me is good enough for someone like you.

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[ She closes her eyes, shivering at the sensation. She never realized something like that could be so intense.

After what feels like an eternity, she opens her eyes again and stares into his. She gives a small smile, hoping that someday she can be as devoted to someone as he is. ]

It's--it's okay. This stuff happens.

[jivitadana]

[It did happen, and even if she did smile at him, Minato thought that there was always going to be a little bit of melancholy in there too. It didn't matter what he did or how much he wished it away, it would still remain.

He did reach to hold onto both of her hands if he could.]

All I wish is for you to be happy.

[It seemed presumptuous, but he hadn't meant it that way at all. Who was he to know what made her happy or what she really wanted? But he also hadn't meant it facetiously or disingenuously. He just wished that she could be happy or content because there was something about her which he couldn't really place or describe that made his heart ache a little. Was that why she was so cheerful in the first place? To hide it? He wasn't sure.]

If for now that means we'll spend the day together, that's okay with me. But only if it's okay with you.

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[ Her eyes sting for a brief moment. What a strange sensation.

The moment soon passes. She surmises it was a reminder not to let her persona slip. ]

That's really nice of you, Minato.

[ She glances down at their hands then back up at his face, her expression tinged with a bittersweet undertone she can't fully get rid of. ]

Could we just...sit together somewhere quiet? And talk? I'd like that a lot.

[jivitadana]

[She was more than kind, too kind to him to start. He didn't deserve that kind of attention because who was he? She had so much to offer, so she deserved that much in return.

He smiled and nodded to her. Since they were going to go sit which required them to walk to somewhere quiet and peaceful, he let go of one of her hands and kept hold of one of them. They'd go there together.]

Of course. I'll listen too to anything you want to say.

[It was a given that they'd have to listen to each other, but he made the offer out loud because sometimes, it was hard to find someone who would just be a sounding board, someone who could help hear and listen to all that was coming in and not judge or assume or dismiss. He had been someone like that and had to remind himself to continue to be that way and that maybe sometimes he didn't mind it reciprocated.]

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Th-Thanks.

[ Monika begins walking, giving his hand a small squeeze. She wants to say she was able to do that, at least. ]

Do you know anywhere nice? I, um, haven't really gotten a chance to explore much.

[ More like at all, but she doesn't feel the need to divulge that for some reason. ]

[jivitadana]

[Minato smiled and gave her a nod. He gave her hand a light squeeze too.]

There are some benches in the sun or in the shade. Or there are some trees with shade. We can sit under those?

[Wherever she thought was nicer. Or maybe even more romantic?]

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[ She feels a twang of aching in her heart. Under a tree sounds so romantic! Even if she doesn't want to torture herself like that...she starts leading them towards a nice, shady patch of trees and sits under one.

Sure enough, the dark seclusion of the trees and the soft, rustling music of their leaves is romantic as hell. Sigh. ]

I...never thought I'd get to experience this, honestly. It's surreal.

[jivitadana]

[Minato followed after her and thought too that it was nice too to sit there together.]

I'm glad we could do this together. Is there anything else you haven't done before?

[Was there anywhere she wanted to go too? He wondered if he could help her too with anything she might want.]

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Mm, me too.

[ Monika pulls her knees close and rests her head on them. Oh, that question. All she can really do is laugh. ]

If I told you all the things I'd never done, we'd be here all day, Minato. Maybe even all week. Weird, isn't it?

[jivitadana]

[Minato shook his head. He didn't think it was weird at all.]

It's not. Your experience is just different. It's yours and it's you. You should be okay with it.

[Because there were also a lot of things Minato hadn't ever done before, even just simple things that normal kids or teenagers would've done. Or would get to do.]

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[ That makes her raise her head. ] Really?

[ Monika's silent for a while, watching the leaves above. Words are brewing under the surface, but she's having trouble figuring out what to say and how to say it. ]

It's, um. It's kinda hard to be okay with it. Every day, I was trapped in my own personal hell. And now? [ She sighs, fiddling with a leaf. ] Now I'm just in another one.

[jivitadana]

[Minato was listening and he thought he could understand what she was saying.]

I meant more like it's okay if you haven't done the things you haven't done. No one's judging you.

[And no one should. It was her life, her existence, she should be okay with it and didn't have to think it was weird. But she was here now and could possibly change it. This place did give them chances for that kind of thing.]

But can I ask what happened? Why is it the same here?

[What would make it like hell at home and here too?]

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[ She smiles a bit. ] I'm glad one of us thinks that.

[ Her silence is longer this time. Only one person knows her secret, and he hasn't even scratched the surface of how much deeper it goes. The thought of even telling someone else...

Eventually, Monika shakes her head. ]

It's way too embarrassing. But don't worry, I've learned how to deal with it. You can get used to anything if you put your mind to it!

[jivitadana]

[Minato nodded and gave her a smile. He might worry just a little for her sake since he'd keep in the back of his mind that home might not be the most ideal place for her and then to end up here where it was somewhat the same? But he more than understood that some things were her prerogative to keep to herself and he didn't intend on prying.]

Mn, that's true, especially if you do your best.

[He hoped though that she did have a chance to be happy somehow without having to fight or having to get used to anything.]

If it ever becomes too much for you to deal with alone, then I'll be here to listen or help you if you need it.