+ 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

[normandysworst]

[… Oh.]

Not… what I was expecting you to say, somehow.

[She finally puts her book down, shifts to stand from her bed.]

Uh… I guess. You just lookin’ for company?

[forwearemany]

(They headtilt some more, confused.)

Yes. Additionally, interaction between the 'mirror' and 'real' side of the mansion is uncommon.

[normandysworst]

Oh, well. Yeah.

[Somehow she just... did not expect them to actually take her up on being a friend? Why did she not expect this.]

Well, uh, sure. Gimme just a sec.

[She shuffles around to the other side of her bed, where her boots lie, lacing them up quickly. They're just like her Real's, and she stands just a few moments later.]

So why is this happening? Red Queen's been doing a lot lately.

[forwearemany]

(Well it's too late to back out of this whole friend thing now. They'd be really sad.)

Uncertain. Though she willingly exchanges data, the data she shares is limited.

She has indicated feeling responsible for us. Additionally, this event is intended as a celebration.

(They're not certain of her motives, though.)

[normandysworst]

Huh. Honestly, place has gotten a lot more… lively, at least.

[Doesn’t want to say better. Can’t say better. Hearts will have her head, for sure.

… Shouldn’t even be thinking of her as just ‘Hearts’, either. But it’s a colloquialism she’s picked up from her Real, even if only in her thoughts. But she approaches them, playfully holds out her folded arm for them to hold, should they want it.]

Here, I’ll even escort you.

[forwearemany]

Affirmative.

(The Queen of Hearts is beneath their notice, as far as they're concerned.

After a moment of somewhat awkward pausing, they do in fact hold her arm.)

Acknowledged.

[normandysworst]

[Yesss. She walks with them, making sure to close and lock her room when she leaves, and heads for the nearest hallway mirror to climb through. Despite obviously not needing it, she holds out a hand to help them through, just like her Real.]

So what kinda stuff is there? What do you want to do?

[forwearemany]

(And they'll let her help them. The similarity to her real is uncanny. There is one important difference however: she did not take their people from them.)

Uncertain.

[normandysworst]

[Maybe not in a direct way. But by giving herself over to the Reapers, she's doomed them just the same.]

So you're just looking to get outside? What're we talking here, games, rides, food?

[forwearemany]

(Except mirror timelines are fake.


They chatter a moment. Their plans hadn't really gone beyond inviting Shepard-Commander's mirror to join them.)

All options are sufficient.

(They just. They don't even care if they spend the whole time sitting and doing nothing while she enjoys carnival food. They wish to not be alone. She is always alone.)

[normandysworst]

[Or alternate realities. Who’s to say?]

But you don’t have anything you really want to do? C’mon, Legion, live a little.

[Ironic, coming from her.]

Is there something you’ve always wanted to try?

[forwearemany]

(Maybe, but they consider that possibility unlikely.)

Negative.

(They're not intentionally being difficult, but even if they were curious about organic experiences, they are incapable of experiencing things as an organic would.)

[normandysworst]

[She gets the feeling. Even if this Shepard didn’t know Legion, they don’t seem to be the chatty type. Too bad she is.]

Well, we can probably eat anytime. So let’s try some rides.

[They’re coming up on the carnival now, and Shepard can see the twisting structures of metal and wood.]

If you don’t give me a hard no on anything, I’m gonna drag you on whatever I want.

[forwearemany]

Affirmative.

(They are absolutely cool with this.)

We doubt that there is anything we would find sufficiently objectionable.

[normandysworst]

[A grin tugs at the edge of her lips.]

Well now that sounds like a challenge.

[She doesn’t know about their misadventures in the Mako, much back before when Legion doesn’t even remember. But boy, is she about to emulate it well, as she points to a spinning ride at the edge of the carnival.]


Then I say we start here and keep going. C’mon, I bet you can make it go ridiculously fast.

[Its like a teacup situation, where riders spin a wheel in the middle to control the velocity, and what better people for that than a super soldier and a robot?

They’re either going to fly into space or she’s going to vomit. Either one kind of feels like a win.]

[forwearemany]

(They stare at the suggested ride and chatter. It seems, for a moment, like maybe they're going to take back what they said.)

Affirmative.

(Another pause.)

It is possible our top speed will be limited. Additionally, this has the potential to be... hazardous.

(A warning, and also a statement of concern. They don't want another friend getting hurt. Or dying. Though unconfirmed, data indicates death is likely permanent for mirrors.)

[normandysworst]

Yeah, yeah, hazard whatever. You're all tech and I'm like, seventy five percent. What could go wrong with blunt force trauma.

[She grabs their arm, dragging them towards the ride and once they're close, shuffling into the car. Good luck making Legion fit, but they're gonna find a way.]

[forwearemany]

(They consider pointing out that she's still at risk, possibly more at risk than most, considering her nature as a mirror, but instead she starts dragging them and they mostly end up chattering.

That and stumbling awkwardly after her.

Also: Legion may be big, but they don't feel the same discomfort that organics do cramming themselves into small spaces and also have double jointed legs. It'll be fine.)

[normandysworst]

[Hell yes. As soon as they're in and the door is shut, Shepard starts experimentally testing the wheel in the middle of the car, seeing which way she thinks is faster. After an experimental pull or two, she decides on left, and positions her hands accordingly, gesturing to Legion to make sure they're also positioned right.]

Alright, so you either wanna pull this way, or push the other way. Once the floor starts moving just go as hard as you can.

[Will she regret this?? Maybe!! But you don't know until you try!]

[forwearemany]

(Though they remain uncertain, they follow her instructions.)

Affirmative.

(They'll start turning the moment she indicates they should do so. Please don't get hurt, Mirror Shepard.)

[normandysworst]

[Yessss. Don't worry, Legion, either this thing will hit top speed and they'll get tossed out, or it'll break or something. It's fine. To her point, she's gonna wail it, laughing the entire time as she tries to make it go as fast as she can. It's fine, Legion. It's so fine.]

[forwearemany]

(They match her speed without even looking down at their hands.

Instead, they watch her. She is happy. They have not previously seen her in this state.)