9th Act - Boys and girls of every age

[pipers_son]

Who: Come one, come all!
Where: Goldenrod, the Eve's Garden Circus
When: The 3rd - rest of the month
Summary: Just like always, the Circus is busy as usual... But with a bit of a spooky twist added on thanks to their current partnership with a certain Haunted House.
Rating: PG
Log:



The Circus is always bustling with activity, even on the days when the shows in the Big Top aren't on. There's plenty of stalls to enjoy besides those, after all! Games, and food, and stalls with all sorts of interesting things for sale. For those living in Goldenrod or passing through, it's no doubt quickly settled itself as a regular scene.

On the 11th, however... Just as always when the shows are promised to happen, the Circus is more bustling than usual and today there's a twist. On the 3rd, those walking past the Circus' gates will find themselves in QUITE the different atmosphere. Genuine spider webs are strung across the stalls, skulls strung up in them that seem to clack their teeth at passerby. Legions of pumpkins are sprawled throughout the area. At night, their eerie glow lights up twisting paths throughout the circus grounds. Even quite a few of the workers seem to have gotten into the spirit (possibly at their boss' badgering), and wear outfits from the simple masks to the more complex things. Those who were here for last year probably won't be surprised.

Beyond the change in atmosphere, however, there are still the things that are usually about! Food, games, and stalls selling various knickknacks can all be found relatively easy although they're joined by a few other themed goods. There's also, of course, the show that will be playing three times a day in the big tent proper! It also seems like the Litleo hoard has been released onto the grounds once again, with little bags of delicious candy tied around their necks.

One notable addition is what appears to be a small station of sorts with a rather ominous carriage that stops at it every now and then pulled by what appear to be a pair of Rapidash... only colored darkly with bones painted across their heads and what might be actual skulls acting as face covers. Well then! Perhaps you might be interested in letting it take you to the haunted house?

It's a relaxed and fun little adventure... at least, it is until things start getting strange with those weird fusioned Pokemon... The circus grounds are still open, regardless if people are changed or not, but you'll be disappointed if you're expecting any shows from underneath the big top itself. Joker has no interest in putting his performers in danger like that, you see. But then, that just might mean you'll see him wandering around for once and not run so ragged.

Comments

[samsa]

[With a few of his Pokemon having volunteered themselves for scare actoring, Kaneki has more than enough excuses to come visit the Circus grounds. There's no real reason for him not to, though, especially since this is the first Halloween he's spent in Johto. The good people of the Circus haven't disappointed in getting things decorated up all festive, that's for sure. Who knows- he might be convinced to help out a little too as it gets closer to Halloween.

Right now he's browsing through the different game stalls set up with Rikki the guard Zangoose ever present perched upon his shoulders. While he's slightly bent over looking at the Ducklett Pond, something looms behind him, extending a large claw to drop heavily onto his free shoulder.]

Haah!

[Kaneki jerks upright, spinning around to get a face full of a Gliscor's leery grin as he pulls back after earning himself a low warning growl from Rikki, hovering there with a raspy "kekeke~"]

Louis! Don't sneak up on people like that! ...what is it?

[He asks as the large bat points eagerly at a different stall with his tail, gesturing for Kaneki to come follow. And what's the game he wants to play?]

Bobbing for apples?

[Of course Louis would want to see his trainer get his head and shoulders soaked just minutes after they got here...]

IC introduction to worst Zoroark is a go

[soundmind]

You should try it!

[And who should appear from seemingly nowhere but Maka right beside Kaneki. Even though she brought her Pumpkaboo this time, Ghost Light doesn't seem to be with her, she is also missing the bag that she brought as well. Otherwise, she's watching Kaneki with a smile as if nothing unusual is going on.]

What's the harm? The worst that can happen is you'll get wet and we'll have to go back to get a change of clothes. ...Or Lee can blow dry you, I guess.

OH BOY

[samsa]

[Kaneki blinks, glancing over at Maka's sudden appearance. Well he...llo there, when did you get here...

Louis, meanwhile, nods vigorously in agreement. Whether or not he can tell what's up here is anyone's guess, but if he knows he sure ain't telling.]

Well...I guess so. Were you going to play too?

[soundmind]

Mhm! We can take turns playing, it'll be fun!

[Maka reaches up to take his arm, then hesitates when she realizes that might scare him. A totally normal Maka maneuver. Instead, she walks ahead and points at it insistently.]

Come on!

[samsa]

[The sudden change of mind is stranger than anything, but Kaneki decides not to say anything as he follows with his Gliscor following close behind, eager to see how this unfolds.]

Do you want to go first, or should I?

[soundmind]

Ehhh? Don't think you're getting out of this, Louis is the one who suggested it, and you're his trainer, so you go first Kaneki!

[She playfully (and lightly) slaps him on the shoulder as she says this.]

[samsa]

[...OKAY...]

W-well...alright...

[Kaneki shares a brief glance with Louis- who is, of course, still grinning like this is the best day he's ever had- before he steps over to the stall. There's a big tub of water with red and green apples floating in it. All you have to do is manage to grab one to win a small prize, as well as keep the apple you fish out.

Also, hands have to stay behind your back, of course.

He kneels down next to the tub, rolling his sleeves up as a precaution before folding his hands behind his back before dipping his head down to try and grab an apple in his mouth. Unsurprisingly, without anything to actually get purchase on, it's next to impossible as the apples roll and skid just out of reach while he's subjected to Louis snickering over his shoulder.]

1/2

[soundmind]

[Not just him, Maka too is laughing quietly at the attempts, and she kneels down at Kaneki's level as if to get a closer look at what he's doing. In actuality, she's raising up her hand to wait for just the right moment to give him a little push.

Just a little dunk won't hurt anything.]

Ken, you have to go deeper if you want to get an apple. Like this.

[Push goes his head underwater, and Maka sits back laughing uproariously. Look at him! He looks like a drowned Rattata!]

[soundmind]

[...She's laughing, that is, until another voice calls out, sounding really irritated.]

Blair! What are you doing?! Joker told you to go to the Haunted House!

["Maka" gulps and looks up with a guilty expression at another Maka coming up to them with her bag in hand and Ghost Light at her side.]

I can't believe you, pulling this shit again. Get out of here, scat!

[Maka scuffs at the ground at "Maka"--who disappears into a puff of smoke to reveal a black foxlike creature that then scurries away. It was worth it! she calls back in Pokemon language.]

Ugh...are you okay, Ken?

[samsa]

Hhkblghpff-!

[Comes Kaneki's reply as he jerks back out of the water, drawing in a loud breath of air before coughing and choking the rest of the water out of his lungs. Louis can hardly stay aloft he's begun to laugh so hard at this point, half tempted to follow Blair to see where she scurries off to.

With his hair masking his eyes, Kaneki turns his head a little, just barely able to make out Maka standing there through the wet strands. He only heard the tail end of the conversation as he pulled his head out of the water, but seeing her with Ghost Light...he can guess what happened.]

...I met Blair, didn't I?

[soundmind]

[Sigh. All right, where'd she put the spare towels? Maka puts herself at level with her friend while searching through the bag, Ghost Light hovering around making tiny distressed "boo" noises at the state of everything. What happened? Did Blair just try to drown Kaneki? The little Pumpkaboo worries as Maka drags out a folded up towel and sets to work.]

Yeah, you met Blair. I'm starting to think I need some kind of password system with my friends, this isn't the first time she's done this.

[...Fluffing at his hair to get it dry first seems like the logical step, hence that's what Maka is doing.]

I'm glad someone's having fun, at least.

[samsa]

[Kaneki sighs, deciding not to get up from the ground just yet. He's dripping wet as it is, his head soaked along with his collar and shoulders. His eyes close briefly when Maka starts to dry his hair, one hand coming up to take hold of the edge of the towel to help.]

Yeah...why is it that I've been ending up the butt of so many jokes, lately...?

[It's a rhetorical question said with a light laugh under his breath as he glances down and off to the side. First Rin, now Blair...but it's not like he isn't used to this sort of thing.]

[soundmind]

[It's a rhetorical question. Absolutely. But Maka doesn't like people getting bullied, even if it's for "fun" and it's all in good humor.]

Because you look gentle and exploitable. People used to do it to me all the time, because I was quiet and my dad--well, point is, they used to, but I made them stop.

[She stops her motions and drapes the towel over his shoulders, going back to dig into her bag for another one. Ghost Light in the meanwhile hovers closer to the two, still watching Kaneki with concern. She continues her thought once she's dug out another towel and a comb for Kaneki's use, passing both over to him carefully.]

It's not as serious as all that, of course, Rin doesn't mean any harm. Blair isn't around most of the time, either, I just asked her to come over for the circus. It's just that...new people come every day, and I'm not sure if the next one is going to be a really bad person or not, so I worry.

[samsa]

[Kaneki mutters a thanks as he takes the towel and comb in hand, using the comb to brush his bangs out of his eyes with varying success.]

I probably should have known that wasn't you, anyway...I thought she was acting a little strange.

[But oh well, what can you do? Nothing thus far has really hurt him or anything. It's just been a little embarrassing.]

[soundmind]

You're new to her, I think she doesn't know how I'd act around you very well. And she probably shouldn't if she's going to keep trying this.

[Blair doesn't have a concept of how humans flirt either, so at least there's no danger of her doing...other weird things.

But bringing that up would probably gross him out, so she doesn't. Instead, Maka brings out two little items for Kaneki--one that looks like a Litwick phone charm and one that looks like a Pumpkaboo plush. The Pumpkaboo is wearing a purple bowtie, so this is clearly a special Halloween edition.]

Here, I got these for you. You can put the charm on your Gear, and the plush can match with the one you already have. Let's leave the games alone for now and go get something to eat, huh?

[samsa]

Mm?

[Kaneki lowers his hand where he'd been scrubbing the towel against his hair again, moving to stand up at the same time. Oh no those are cute...]

Aw...thank you. And yeah, that sounds like a good idea. ...sorry Louis. We can try again later.

[He adds as the bat seems to deflate at the suggestion. They can always come back to games later, and even Louis can't pass up food. Plus, Kaneki will have to try to win Maka something as well.]

[soundmind]

They're serving pancakes here, isn't that weird? Pancakes.

[Despite saying that, Maka looks pretty excited about that.]

And they're shaped like Noibat, too, it's cute! Louis, we can get you some pancakes, just don't think that means you can start eating actual Noibat. [She adds that teasingly to the Gliscor, no hard feelings little buddy.]

[samsa]

[Louis makes a face at that, sticking out his tongue. As if he'd ever eat a Noibat! ...they probably don't taste good anyway.

Kaneki laughs softly as he scrubs at his hair a little again before they start to leave the game stands, heading toward where the food stalls are set up instead.]

I could go for some ice cream, actually...I think I saw a lot of different kinds somewhere.

[soundmind]

Ice cream's good too, maybe they'll have booberry flavor.

[Puns.]

This is your first Halloween here, right? From what I understand they don't celebrate Halloween in Japan, at least not in the same way that it's celebrated in America. [Though in Death City they didn't exactly do the trick or treating thing either. Only for really young kids.] What do you think, Mr. Ghost Expert?

[samsa]

[He nods slightly, lowering the towel from his head to instead hang onto either end that drapes across his shoulders, his hair damp now as opposed to soaking wet.]

It's really...festive. I wasn't expecting for everything to be decorated up as much as it is.

[Or for there to be so many different attractions, but he figures that has everything to do with the circus' involvement.]

[soundmind]

Even the people, right?

[Meaning how some, even herself, are wearing costumes.]

It's a fun time for a lot of people, specifically because they can dress up and just do silly things. Don't be surprised if you run into some pranksters when it gets closer to the actual day of, too. The night before Halloween is commonly called "Mischief Night."

[samsa]

[Pranksters...just what he always wanted...]

I'll try not to be. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves, at least. It's pretty fun.

[When you're not being half-drowned by Zoroarks.]