Vivant Corp. Presents: Le Carnaval de la Vie! Monday, May 2nd through Friday, May 6th Hours of Operation: 12 PM to 2 AM

https://www.raleighnc.gov/content/PRecRecreation/Images/BordenFletcherAmphitheaterOverall.JPG (Photo cred: Borden Fletcher Amphitheater)

Located on the grounds of the wonderful Shanachie Theater, the Carnival takes up the whole of the amphitheater, the center of which has been covered by a tent to give it a circus-y feel. The tickle of music soars and dips; flutes and violins, organs and brass beats, coaxing you to turn the next corner and step deeper into the lively panorama of the Carnival.

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Surrounding the circus tent are dozens upon dozens of brilliantly, colorfully illuminated game booths with every prize imaginable. Listen to the barkers amidst the pandemonium of shrill bells and whistles, calling you close to try your luck! Have your weight guessed; test your balance, your aim, your strength — win your sweetheart that enormous stuffed dragon you're certain will not fit in the house!

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Dotted throughout the grounds are several food trucks and stands serving both the sweet and the savory. Feel your mouth water as the aroma of confections, sugared almonds & pecans, powdered beignets, buttery popcorn and more tempt you to feast with the wild abandon of Beltane.

Though the selection of dizzying rides is plentiful, they all have duplicates so as to cut down on line times.

http://www.thefoundationlvs.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Carnival-photo.jpghttp://mendoncarnival.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Carnival-2.jpg (Photo Cred: thefoundationlvs // Mendon Carnival)

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Themed Nights:

Monday, May 2nd:

In addition to the other on-going festivities, there will be a paper lantern send-off at precisely 9 PM to honor the May Queen and the faerie courts. Lanterns will be provided to everyone who buys an armband for all-day admission.

Wednesday, May 4th:

~~VIVANT SHOWCASE~~ Have you been wondering what all the pop-up shows around town have been about' Then make sure you come see the final show - aerial and circus performances starring Rhydin's own Lirssa al Amat and Canaan Devillier. You won't want to miss this!

Friday, May 6th:

A fireworks show that will blow your socks off!

_______________________________________ OOC Information: This will be a board only event that lasts through the business week of Beltane. I will be giving out inventory icons to everyone who attends the carnival since this is my ?final event' before Cane moves along with his business plans. So if you'd like an icon, feel free to add your polyvore sets and/or any tidbits of play you'd like to the post. The carnival is open to everyone. Playables will be made on the 2nd, 4th, and 6th with specifics for your enjoyment. This post was co-written with the talented Lirssa alAmat!

Monday, May 2nd

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Folks were bound to see Canaan patrolling the carnival through the day, a walkie talkie clipped to his belt and a bright smile on his face that rivaled the intensity of the sun. Most of the man's time was spent under the large tent stretched over the center of the pavilion, helping set up the stage for the show that would take place on Wednesday.

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Late in the evening, once the skies were dark, paper lanterns filled the night sky in tribute to the May Queen.

It is likely Canaan could be spotted lighting up a couple lanterns with Salvador.

Monday May 2nd

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Wearing an Event Staff armband, the purple haired amazon could be found in the company of her devilishly delightful partners in crime, Jackie Von Tombs and Keirra Owens.

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The trio of (adorable) terrors had set up shop for the week.

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Do you Dare: Kiss and Tell Fortunes Told, Hearts Stolen!

A combination Fortune Telling and Kissing Booth, the ladies cordially invite you to come tempt fate with us! Have your fortune read, or "steal" a kiss! Both, if you're feeling brave! Unforgettable experience guaranteed, and always reasonably priced!

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Come gaze into the crystal ball, or someone's lovely eyes. Have your fortune read, or just play the Loteria with us. Stop by to see what Fate (or Fate's Underpants) has in store for you!

And never, ever forget: Vie D?couverte: Discover Life! http://i.imgur.com/IZW6vmS.jpg

Credits First and foremost: Written in Collaboration with Jackie and Keirra! Drawing of the Girls by the crazy talented player of Keirra! Holy Crap! Kiss and Tell image is a still from a Justin Bieber lyrics video on Youtube. (I know, I know.) Fortunes Told Kiss Print by Patrice Murciano Kissing Booth Image Fortune Telling Tent Image

OOC Info Thing the first: Super thanks to Vivant for letting us play. Thing the second: Please feel free to include a stop by the booth to visit the girls in your write-ups. Thing the third: We will have icons for you, but you have to tell us what you came for! Thing the fourth: Please keep it classy. This is a family event, you know!

It took some urging but Claire rolled out of bed sometime in the mid afternoon and brought the twins along to the Carnaval, likely with their almost seven foot tall manny (that's a man nanny, she guesses) in tow. When they weren't enjoying the rides and the food, she spent plenty of time on the games and the twins definitely went home with their pick of stuffies; a purple and pink unicorn for Alexander and an oversized but snuggly giraffe for Averia. The 16-month-olds didn't quite stay awake long enough for the lantern send off but that didn't keep Claire from hanging around for it.

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With her shift at the Hair or Dye Salon Braiding Bar Tent over for the day, Grace left the Beltane Festival to check out the Carnaval with her not-King.

Naturally, their first stop was to Kiss and Tell to play Loteria with the girls and find out what the future held, and to stand in awe of Keirra's amazing Russian accent.

Next up, all the Carnaval food Grace could hold (which is a lot: she's got a mighty big appetite for such a tiny girl) and several of the games. Somebody wants that giant stuffed dragon even though she's very sure it won't fit in her RV, and also that it outweighs her.

Reluctantly giving up on the games for the time being, Grace and Mark could likely be seen sending up paper lanterns together for the Paper Lantern Send-Off.

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Lirssa spent the afternoon at Le Carnaval de la Vie, enjoying the rides and games. She checked in with her boss (the latest, and he'd likely say greatest with that cheeky Cajun sass) when she spied him, and then waited for the lighting of the lanterns.

Saila had maybe planned in advance in case Dris showed. "Mm. Dris smooches! I have just the thing," said the muse with a giggle of delight. Once he'd paid (and not in glitter), the girl pulled a tube of the shimmery-est, glitteriest lip gloss she could find from her bag, applying it liberally before she puckered up.

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"Thanks, handsome!" Saila waved with a grin as the Bard swayed off, pocketing the new package of glitter he'd given her. "And come back tomorrow!"

Lirssa Sarengrave, the last lingering humanoid creature capable of speech that remained in the Annex, watched as the only two duelists of the evening zipped out and she gave waves as they did.

The sphere bot drooped a little lower in its orbital circuit around the rafters of the Annex with a sad bot sound.

"Ahh," Lirssa sighed with a smile, "the joys of early week dueling. Probably everyone still has a hangover from last night coupled with feasting at the carnival." She pouted up to the bot. "Sorry. I'd offer you a drink to help with your woes, but thinking that's not very helpful to you."

Rising back up with a whirr-whistle, the bot's LED spherical face displayed: "\_(ツ)_/"

"Exactly," said Lirssa, with a nod to the Bot. "I say you and I take the night off and go back to the carnival. I mean, what could they do to you? Bet you'd be killer at some of the games."

The bot made an inquiring whirr noise, displaying the following, in order:

O_O

>_>

(*^0^*)

The last was followed by a trilling, excited whistle.

She did her best to try and follow that. "Umm...so you want to' Or are you stuck here?" Lirssa was not sure how the bot actually worked.

The bot turned to 'face' its docking station with a "_" and then turned back to 'face' Lirssa with a display of ～゜・_・゜～ before it floated toward the stairs. It played a sound clip of the Batman theme along he way.

Listening to the music while heading to the stairs, Lirssa said, "Nice touch."

—-

And that is how it came to pass that the spherical caller bot came to be floating around the Carnaval de la Vie between the hours of 11:30 pm and 2:00 am on the first night of festivities. For a large portion of the evening, it hovered around with a series of cheery whistles and constantly displaying its signature happy face: ^_^ - It even participated in some games! All of the stuffed merchandise it happened to win was given out randomly to passing children who were out way past their bedtimes, and caused it to accumulate quite a following.

(( Taken 100% from live play with some modifications for story flow and absolute thanks to Lirssa Sarengrave for encouraging the bot to misbehave. ))

By the raise of his brows and curve of his mouth, it was obvious that Dris did not find Keirra's antics to be the least bit amusing. His disturbed expression was quickly smoothed over by Saila leaning in to coat his cheeks in glittery kisses, however. He took her hand and kissed her cheek, pausing to pass some quiet suggestions into her ear.

"Might want to tell yer friend t' tone it down a bit, love. This carnival's s'posed t'be a family friendly affair. The whole point o' all this an' the shows leadin' up to it's to impress potential investors, not scare them away with inappropriate commentary like that."

With a brilliant smile and one last kiss to Saila's cheek, he patted her hand and withdrew, pausing to gift Jackie with a wink and spare one last disapproving glance to Keirra. Then he took his leave in a shower of glitter and rose petals, because he could.

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Eden sneaked out of work early (lalala Peaches and Andrea won't even notice!) and headed over to start celebrating Beltane! Carnaval was first on her Beltane agenda because she loved the food and games. She didn't go on any of the rides, though she did spend a good amount of time chatting up the ferris wheel operator, asking him every question possible (how does it work" how tall is it' how many times does it go around in a single ride" how many people can ride at once" how many people ride in a day"). So far, she had not had any luck winning a stuffed prize at the games (her budget kept her limited to the number of tries she could take) but she enjoyed cheering on other people, friends and strangers alike! By the time of the paper lantern lighting, Eden was laying on her back on the grass, eating her third round of cotton candy, watching the lanterns drift up into the sky.

Watching the glitter man disappear, Keirra did listen and even fought the urge to put up her most favorite finger. Go her! When Saila spoke to her, she rolled her eyes at the kiss and nodded. Looking after where he went, Keirra found an inappropriate thought in her head, and she leaned up, standing on the very tips of her toes to whisper in the tall purple haired girl's ear. "Could've talked to me like I was in room," not breaking character but toning it down. Another eye roll. "With this type of clientele, you're going to owe me stepping stool," she mumbled with a grin and kissed Saila's shoulder.

When Mason approached, Keirra's cheeks reddened a bit, it seemed out of character for the rogue. She averted her eyes, pretending she didn't see him because she'd half assumed he was here on a 'date.' So when he approached so looked at Saila, and then pretended to write something on her hand, brows a wiggling for a moment. This seemed different though, as much as she'd never admit it, she liked the weird cowboy.

"Mm..." In a Russian accent. "Tha's hilarious... You're paying me for kiss?" Grinning up a storm, she looked away for a moment before standing up on the tips of her toes and planting a kiss on his lips.

Eyes trailed to the stuffed animal, and then he held it out. "Oh got! Tha's so cheesy! she laughed and took the stuffie, holding it close before she set it aside. "Mm....Le's see... Looking at his palm, reading it and smirking. "Let me check ball." Eyes shifted to the crystal ball and she ran her hands over it dramatically. "I'm seeing.....Ah yes...You're going to find yourself in good company later. I'm seeing a girl with pink hair....Very feisty but very fun." The only fortune she'd tell that night that would come even close to true, she was sure. The little phony winked at him.

Saila recognized their late night cowboy visitor, too. There was a wealth of information available in a well timed fist bump she'd received from the Russian rogue the night before, to be sure, but there was also a flash of memory from a particularly dramatic night some months back.

She nodded in kind, gave him a friendly little wave.

Additional feedback came in the way her friend was "writing" on her palm now, and all the muse could do was smile. Mismatched eyes taking in the giant stuffed dragon, she gave Keirra a little shoulder-squeeze of reassurance, Go on!

Tuesday, May 3rd

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Unfortunately, the Cajun's attire was rather repetitive throughout the week. Uniforms, boo! There was not time for him to visit the market stalls, but he wore his gift of a hat from wisp proudly all day. Cane spent most of the day helping the crew replace all the lighting around the stage and put on the finishing touches.

He could be spotted in the evening hours sharing a meal with Salvador at one of the many picnic tables dotted throughout the fairgrounds — it did not appear to be carnival food, but take-out from elsewhere. He even managed to hit up a ride or two with the Spaniard, spending as much of his free time with the man as could be spared.

And there went Dris! Benjamin lazily trailed after the bard, enjoying the spring weather in old jeans, a red T-shirt sporting Marvin the Martian and old red chucks. He may have stolen a kiss from Dris, but dutifully paid up for the Kiss and Tell girls.

"How am I supposed to pick just one? I'll take one from each," he grinned rakishly. Tempting Fate, because he knew Jackie's Mum and several of her extended family.

"I'm Benjamin Piers, by the way. Loved seeing you at Beltane, ladies," he added with a comically flourished bow to Keirra and Saila.

Of course, then he held out his hand for a reading. Specifically, saying "I've come to get my palm red, as well."

Tuesday, May 3

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Tuesday was turning out to be a mighty busy day at the Kiss and Tell Booth. It seems a certain dedicated fan had been helpfully spreading the word and singing the booth's praises everywhere he went, which drew a long and....most unfortunate....line of participants.

A particularly...remarkable individual....asked for Saila by name. Saila, politely, asked what 'Saila' might look like.

"Well," the man said, or rather slobbered, "she's s'posed t'got purple hair...is you her?"

Having prepared in advance for just this particular situation, the towering teen snagged her dear friend Jackie (sorry Jackie!) by the shoulder and dropped a purple wig on her head.

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"Here you go!" Saila exclaimed cheerfully, pushing Jackie towards the most peculiar-looking gentleman. "This must be her."

The muse tried very hard to convince Cane to call their enthusiastic fan off, but no dice. The flood of unfortunates continued.

Well, money's money, right'

Thankfully, Dris came to the ladies' aid, bearing lovely flower crowns as gifts. "Oh thank the gods, Dris. No amount of glitter in the world can fix what Sal's done to us. We need more Bard kisses, please!"

The Bard, it's said, was all too happy to oblige. Saila was so grateful she even kissed the bird.

Later in the day (but not before Saila had attempted to throw her other friend under the bus, too, trying to convince another ...interesting...individual that what he thought he'd heard, 'tall with purple hair' was actually 'small with pink hair', because pink and purple were so similar so it was an easy mistake to make, y'see"), the girls were rescued again, this time by a lovely gent Saila and Keirra had met at the Beltane Fire Lighting, where the three of them had answered the challenge to jump over the fire together. She grinned at Benjamin's charming words, most grateful to kiss somebody who looked they might've actually showered today for the first time in more than an hour.

"My hero," she told him after leaving her lipstick print on his face. She didn't explain why.

Oh how she'd cackled at Saila's antics with Jackie—that was until later in the day when Saila shoved Keirra towards the monstrosity. "I can't I'm pregnant!" she said, planting her heels and scooting across the floor with defiance. Then yes, there was another hero, and when Saila took her leave to go thank him, she fell back on her little bum. Hair clung to her lips and she looked up at Saila with puffed out cheeks.

Picking herself up, she looked up at the man. "Oh yes....Yes, I read fortune. You come, come! Sit!" Across from him, she took his hand and began examining it with a careful gaze. "Oh yes...Strong hand," she nodded running her thumbs over his palm that wasn't drawn on by the beautiful Jackie. She made a displeased sound and then moved for her crystal ball. "Ahh....I see very good luck in future, yes...Good fortune and beautiful women and handsome men will flock to you like bird and bread..." A nod, because she knew he wasn't buying it, but hell if she wasn't good at reading people!

"...Thanks, Jackie," Benjamin noted, amused, to his heart-y palm. To Saila, well, he was confused, but he accepted the thanks graciously as the kiss. He may have started to say something, but Keirra had his hand and towed him off for a reading. His head tilted, and lips twitched when she gave her foretelling.

Flock to him like bird and bread..." He grinned, and that turned to laughter. Did she know or was she psychic"

He hung about for a while and played bouncer for the girls, but then pulled off his shirt, and unfolded wide, powerful wings the colour of the storm, gray, white, black.

"I will see you later, ladies, I do believe I shall go and find a bard to share some bread with," he assured them before taking flight.

Wednesday, May 4th

Jewell and Sapphire went to Le Carnaval de la Vie to catch the Vivant Showcase; they were super excited to see Lirssa (and Sapphire didn't mind ogling Cane). Sapphire guilted Jewell into going on a few rides too while they were there. When Jewell departed to participate in Diamond Days, the teen stayed to hang out at the carnival.

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Wednesday. May 4th, 2016

On the day of the performance, Cane arrived early to the carnival with Salvador. He stopped by the Kiss & Tell booth to deliver a box of beignets from a shop in town and a thermos of piping hot coffee. The good kind. Keirra and Jackie would have to fight Saila to the death if they wanted her to share said coffee because chances were she tried to hide it as soon as he handed it over. He wished the girls luck for the day and then disappeared into the main tent where he remained for the rest of the day.

In the hours preceding the showcase, several circus performers wandered the fair grounds, stirring up excitement for the main event.

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~Vivant Showcase~

Ex-Governor Emcee Extraordinaire Sheridan Driscol introduces each of the night's main performances:

Eric Cross- Aerial Pole Ziva Segev- Aerial Hoop Canaan Devillier - Cyr Wheel Chet & Lynielle Adagio - Acro Lirssa al Amat - Handbalancing Gavin Pleasant - Solo-Equilibre Lirssa al Amat & Canaan Devillier - Straps Duo

After the show, the cast members will be available to chat with the public. Canaan stuck around to hug some people and shake hands, chat with folks about his vision for Vivant, as well as schmooze a few bigwigs. As the clock drew closer to 9 PM, he invited any and all to join him in participating in Diamond Days at the Outback.

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Grace left the Hair or Dye booth at the Beltane Open Air Festival a little early today to meet up with her not-King, eager to check out the Vivant Showcase she'd been hearing about from her Braiding Bar patrons all day. After the show, they stopped by Kiss and Tell to say hello and maybe get some smooches from the girls, and then probably went to gorge on more festival food. Because festival food.

After a morning spent in meditation, she was at the amphitheater by midday. The sheer delight in anticipating the performance cast any sense of calm mind the meditation had created right out. The electric feeling — the safe kind — zipped through her. Stretching with the other performers, they shared stories of past shows, laughs about the tricky parts of their routines, and a few hidden snickers at how often their boss was sneaking off to take smoke breaks. "Be the best for him, yeah?" Lir smiled to the others. "And for yourselves. This is the night."

In the wings, she retraced her routine, like a map in her mind following each twist and turn. The nervousness was pitched perfect, just enough to make her energy lift and sharpen her awareness. She was not going to fail Canaan.

When the show was done, Lirssa managed to find some familiar faces such as Eden and Sapphire to give hugs. She remained longer than others to speak with audience members about the performances, Vivant, and the hopes of the venture. As much as she wanted to visit with friends at Diamond Days, she had one very compelling reason not to go.

Besides, there was the carnival to visit again.

Wednesday. May 4, 2016.

As previously mentioned, Salvador arrived at the Carnaval in the Cajun's company. When Cane stopped off at the at the Kiss & Tell, however, the Spaniard did not accompany him. He instead drifted off somewhere nearby to wait for him to conclude his business there, and then rejoined him for a stroll through the grounds. For the length of all that time he was dressed plainly in his usual torn jeans and nothing special tee-shirt style.

About an hour or so before the show, he departed to fetch himself a songbird and some other items. Together, Aoife and Salvador attended the showcase, seated right up front in a specially reserved section set aside just for Coterie members. This spared the whole lot of social anxiety sufferers from losing their shit entirely and allowed them to enjoy the show.

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After the performance, they stuck around to admire the Cajun in his other native environment. See also: socializing. They presented Lirssa with a bouquet of orchids that included a note card with a message handwritten by Sal himself. The Spaniard had one hell of a kiss reserved for Canaan as well, and a bouquet of bacon roses instead of actual flowers.

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Salvador waited around in the wings until the Cajun was done socializing, shaking hands and receiving his congratulations. Then he whisked Cane off to have some fun beating on people at the Outback for Diamond Days. Aoife melted away to do songbird things when no one was looking.

As they had promised Lirssa during the Fires, Eva and Mason—-a much more sober Eva and Mason—-were in attendance at the Carnaval Showcase to watch Lirssa perform. In fact they had spent most of the day at the Carnaval in the company of their two nephews and niece, Jamie, 12, Bran, 10, and little Mary, 8, who were on a vacation from their parents.

The Carnaval was the perfect activity for the five of them, all of them enjoying the rides and games. Over the course of the afternoon, they had sampled all of the food, Mason had won Mary a stuffed green dragon that had caught her eye, and Eva rode the spinning swings with Jamie and Bran until she was convinced they would all be sick.

When it came time, they made their way towards the tent to enjoy the Showcase. As soon as Ziva's performance was over, Mary declared, "I wanna do that!" which had Eva and Mason exchanging uh-oh glances over her head. But between the acrobatics and death-defying-daring, all three kids enjoyed the show, and so did their accompanying adults.

When it was over, Eva and Mason herded the kids forward to meet whatever cast members they could, including Cane and Lirssa. Mary and Bran collected autographs on their programs while Eva and Mason encouraged their curious questions, and then offered their thanks and congratulations before moving the kids along so as not to monopolize their time.

At the end of the day at home, Eva flopped on the bed and stared at the ceiling, exhausted. "Do we really have to do that again tomorrow?"

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May 4th

Josette was grateful the Vivant Showcase was so conveniently located right on the Shanachie grounds. The show was early enough so she would be able to catch Lirssa's performance and cheer her on before she had to dash back to the theater to warm up for the Gala. Josie was enthralled by all of the talent in the showcase, but especially with the way Lirssa and Cane seamlessly worked together to thrill the audience and draw several gasps of awe. By the end of the show, she was cheering her heart out and on her feet with the rest of the audience.

Though she could not linger long enough to congratulate Lirssa in person, she left a vase of peonies and star jasmine flowers for the girl with the starshine smile, along with a hand written note of congratulations on a truly spectacular show.

Thursday, May 5th

After a successful show and a night of dueling, Cane arrived at the carnival in the company of the Spaniard just a few minutes before the gates opened. The two were in one another's company for very nearly the whole day. They lingered in the main tent to oversee the tear-down crew for a while, then wandered the fair at their leisure.

At 1 o'clock, Canaan decided to swing by the Kiss & Tell booth, at which time Salvador took his leave. The Cajun invaded the booth space for an hour, enthusiastically monopolizing all the kisses he could manage and sending those who sought their fortunes to the girls. Any and all teenagers were sent on their merry way with a friendly, "Come back when yer older."

After Salvador returned, Cane bid the teens farewell and much luck for the rest of the day.

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Thursday, May 5 - afternoon

In the company of Stardreamer Manor staff and students, as well as her mom and sister, Azure strolled the grounds of the carnival. It was all so much: the lights, sounds, smells, and the people. At first, it was wondrous. Her heart beating in her chest like tympani.

With a beignet in hand, she giggled with Imogen watching some of the older students get kisses and fortunes at the Kiss & Tell booth. Why her mother did not stop them, Azure couldn't say. They sure looked foolish to her. Phen only kept Olivia from squirming free to go pucker up and cuddle with the big man there.

Azure watched her mother's fingers explain to Olivia, but the big man probably didn't know sign, she thought. She didn't want his feelings hurt, or that he thought her mother didn't think well of him. That would be a tragedy! So, even though Olivia understood what their mother was signing, Azure got up the courage to speak out in translation. "Wait until you're older, Olivia. Save something for growing up, you bold girl."

Phen smiled at her, and Azure shrugged her shoulders. "What can you do' She's three!"

Her mother's sapphire eyes rolled. She mouthed thank you to the big man, and the collective were on their way again. Azure touched her cheeks, sure they were burning, and suddenly everything seemed too much.

The sights and sounds were starting to hurt, and suddenly an arm wrapped around her shoulders, pulling her close to a familiar scent of jasmine. Her mother held her close, and she felt safe again.

Friday. May 6, 2014

The Carnaval de la Vie has put together a spectacular fireworks show to round out the week of terribly good fun and to thank all of its patrons for participating and supporting the Vivant Showcase.

After a long day spent in Elsewhere Park, Canaan commandeered the Ferris Wheel so he and Salvador could sit in the highest bucket for the duration of the 15 minute show.



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Friday, May 6

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After what had to have been the strangest night she'd had in awhile, Saila made it work on her final day as a gainfully employed person with just minutes to spare. Getting the Kiss and Tell Booth ready for its first customers, the girl settled in for one last day telling fortunes and stealing hearts.

The Hot Air Balloons in the sky over Elsewhere Park made her nostalgic in a sad way, her heart twinging uncomfortably, but thankfully there was a steady stream of new clientele to entertain and ease her mind.

Just before the fireworks display, it's extremely likely that the teenager climbed up somewhere high to get a better vantage point. She'd perch there, probably in a tree or on a rooftop, for the duration of the show, and then it was right back to work again until the Carnaval closed for good at 2:00 a.m.

As much work as it had been, Saila was strangely bummed when the last lights were shut off.

Friday was likely the day that Claire was looking forward to the most out of the entire week. Hot air balloon rides for Beltane and fireworks thanks Carnaval de la Vie? Double score.

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Monday May 2nd

With the armbands purchased, Levi & Quinn spent the day riding rides and playing the carnival games. Lunch was taken at Matadero Meats and at precisely 9 pm, they lit the candle and watched as the sky lantern that carried a blue and silver ribbon tied to it sailed away.

Hand in hand, they watched until it was no longer visible, and then they headed home.

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Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Ransom arrived at Carnival de la Vie early in the day, with Eden and her seven year-old son, Will, in tow. They had chosen Wednesday because they'd heard that Cane would be in the Vivant Showcase, and after watching him flip and slip around in the unstable and lube-slicked "Bat Cave" weeks before, they were curious to see what he could do when he wasn't busy fighting with the equipment, so to speak.

They spent much of the day on the rides. Like his mother (and like Ransom), Will had a penchant for the faster, more daring rides, and he was usually ready to hop back in line by the time each ride was over.

Sometime after a big lunch of carnival food, the three of them came across the Kiss-And-Tell booth. Ransom and Eden declined to have their and Will's fortunes read, for various reasons, but Eden and Ransom both 'stole" a kiss from Saila. Not to be outdone, Will, little Casanova that he was, 'stole" cheek kisses from each of the three women manning the booth"and then proceeded to strut around like a tawny-haired peacock for the rest of the day.

That confidence carried over into the games. Games of chance, balance, aim, and skill, none of them were overlooked. Every round amped up the excitement and the level of friendly competition the three of them had going. At some point, it became a test of who could win the most plush toys for the other two. The results were unclear, but Eden and Ransom conceded defeat to Will.

And then the three of them decided to deposit all of the toys on "uncle" Rhys' bed once they got home.

When it finally came time for the Vivant Showcase, they piled into the tent with the other spectators to watch the show. There was plenty to ooh and ahh over, and as the show wound down, Eden and Ransom exchanged a look, suspecting they would have their hands full over the next few months as Will proceeded to try out several of the types of acrobatics he had just watched. "He's his mother's son," Ransom murmured to Eden as they exited the tent.

After the show, Eden and Ransom stopped to chat a little bit with Cane and the rest of the performers, and to congratulate Cane on the show. Will also wanted to talk to Cane. He had questions"many questions"about the acts he had seen in the show. Mature for his age, Will displayed a restrained sense of eagerness and an intelligence that were more at home in older kids; he wasn't just interested in wild feelings of flight and strength, but in the how of it all. He wanted to know how everything worked together.

Eventually, Eden and Ransom dragged Will away, calling out more congratulations on the showcase and the success of the carnival.

Hours later, on the ferris wheel, their final ride of the night, Ransom sat with an arm around Eden, and with Will nodding off against his other side, and smiled up at the star-studded night sky. It had been a good day.

——

OOC Note: Written with permission from, and in collaboration with, Eden's player.