Welcome back to One Life. A quest that was intended to be a one-shot, it's getting a second thread that will likely be shorter than the last.
Updates are once a day unless I'm too busy or tired.

Last Thread: http://thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2024/6013758/

>>6050129
>Dream (Johan will not recall this dream, but it will likely both help and hinder him subconsciously in the future)

This seems interesting.

>>6050129
>Dream (Johan will not recall this dream, but it will likely both help and hinder him subconsciously in the future).

>>6050129
>Dream (Johan will not recall this dream, but it will likely both help and hinder him subconsciously in the future).

>>6050133
>>6050256
>>6050292
>Dream

Writing.

Rolled 88 (1d100)

You close your eyes and let a dream spurn itself.

The feeling of falling down gently takes you. Different colors coalesce into each other, all vying for influence.
With a sudden thought, you start to rise through the confusion. Faster and faster, you ascend once again. Familiarity greets you as like an old friend, guiding you into an upward feeling.

And in this great symphony of light, you can hear...

An alarm waking you up. You've almost forgotten that you set it up. What time was it, again?

>It was time to go to sleep again. You're taking a day to rest.
>The Witching Hour. It seemed like a good idea at the time (Warning, taking this option will make Johan very tired for the rest of the day if he remain up, due to previously waking up at this time before).
>Eight-thirty in the morning, just in time for your usual routine.
>Write-in.

Don't worry about the roll there, it's not really important. If there was a crit or a crit fail I would've just shown some flashbacks to certain parts of the last thread.

>>6050660
>The Witching Hour. It seemed like a good idea at the time (Warning, taking this option will make Johan very tired for the rest of the day if he remain up, due to previously waking up at this time before).

>>6050660
>Eight-thirty in the morning, just in time for your usual routine.

>>6050668
>The Witching Hour

>>6050670
Eight-Thirty A.M

Will give it until later tonight before I start writing, any anons feel free to vote until then.

>>6050984
>Eight-Thirty A.M
Forgot to greentext this, and 4chan isn't allowing me to delete the post and redo it.

Sorry anons, due to something urgent popping up I haven't been able to update tonight. I'll try to do so tomorrow.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>1 The Witching Hour - Take Two
>2 Keep It Consistent

Writing. Might take a bit.

Another Witching Hour.

You rub your eyes, and with a groan you turn off the alarm clock. Despite really feeling the exhaustion now, you still power through it. You stand up, and turn on the lights, eyes blinking and straining to adjust from the change in brightness.

The hotel is quiet, you can hear the singing of the crickets and it surprises you how they're still alive despite the cold weather. Looking around the room shows nothing particularly concerning, even going as far as to check under your bed and behind the furniture. You decide to open the curtains and look outside again, and are greeted once again by nothing except the lights from the outside. It's both too bright inside and too dark outside to see anything of interest.

Sighing and turning the lights back off, you wait for your eyes to adjust again to get a clearer picture of the outside. As you do so you can't help but feel like you're going to fall back asleep at any minute now. You try to keep yourself awake by humming a familiar tune that you can't put a name on but it ends up almost backfiring and making you more tired. And like before, you can hardly make out anything outside due to the darkness enshrouding much of everything. There are a few lights here and there, and a sidewalk can barely be seen if you look from a certain angle, but otherwise there isn't much that can be helpful.

You're awake now, and it's still dark out.

>Go outside again, like you did last time. Surely something different will happen this time around? Maybe you could check your taxi again?
>Take a drive outside. You may be tired, but it could be interesting.
>Return to bed. You shouldn't even be up right not. (Do you want to get up at the usual time, or at some other hour?)
>Write-in.

And happy 4th of July to all the Yankees!

>>6051530
>Go outside again, like you did last time. Surely something different will happen this time around? Maybe you could check your taxi again?

>>6051530
>Go outside again, like you did last time. Surely something different will happen this time around? Maybe you could check your taxi again?

>>6051572
>>6051573
>Back Out Again

Writing.

With a sigh you decide to venture out once more.

The hotel was soundless, other than the the duo of footsteps emanating from you breaking the silence. There was nothing of note to mention, at least as far as your tired senses could tell you.

You exit through the back, in a mirror of how you did last time. Immediately upon going out the wind picked up, throwing about flurries of leaves and garbage. You put your hands in your pockets and stifled a shiver.

Unfortunately said wind and darkness both seemed to conspire against your eyes, preventing anything meaningful to be discerned. You regret not getting a flashlight or anything like that at that odd looking hardware store, Malvin's Mechanisms.
You can't help but grin, appreciating every memory you can still grasp onto.

Still you attempt to concentrate on the feelings you had last time, but you recall that whatever it was probably wouldn't bother you so soon after your little expedition yesterday at around the same hour.

>That isn't going to stop you. Will a little bit of air discourage you? You can feel your second wind already, so get out there! (Johan will go to his taxi with this option)
>No, you'll go back inside and sleep until your usual time to get up. You could get sick at this rate.
>Perhaps you're looking at this the wrong way. You should try to keep calm and wait. Maybe sing a little tune.
>Write-in.

>>6052409
>That isn't going to stop you. Will a little bit of air discourage you? You can feel your second wind already, so get out there!

>>6052409
>No, you'll go back inside and sleep until your usual time to get up. You could get sick at this rate.

>>6052436
>Won't Stop You

>>6052540
>Bed And Rest

I'll give it a few more hours for anyone else to vote before I roll between these and start writing.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>6052735
>1 Keep Going
>2 Sleep

Writing.

>>6052788
>I lost the battle to stay awake
It's over. The wake has fallen. Millions must snooze.

>>6052793
>millions
billions

----

Going back home again is the sensible choice.

And just as quickly as you got out you go back inside. The difference in temperature brought an end to the piercing feeling from the wind and the immediate shift back to a comfortable warmth, something you now appreciate.

Other than that you prepare once again to go to bed, setting your time to eight thirty in the morning.

As you drift off to sleep you can't help but regret the lack of anything happening while you were awake. Maybe it was for the best, since it's always good to be cautious. You could've become sick or worse.

You have a dreamless rest. No men in business suits or abstract dreams you can't recall will haunt you this time.

...

Waking up in the morning, feeling refreshed, you get up and clean yourself. It's eight-thirty in the morning once more, just like it should be. You smile.

After getting yourself clean and ready, you decide to look at the flyer that you've obtained. It read as follows:


-Come to the Oceanview Charity Festival!-

-'Concession Stands! Games! Entertainment!'-

-'Win The Thousand Dollar Money Pot!'-

Beginning at Saturday the Fourteenth at Oceanview Park at Nine A.M.

--'Brought to you by the Equitable Volunteers in Livelihoods, a charity organization that supports orphans and the homeless.'


It sounded fine, and gave you something to do at the very least. The stylization gave you feelings of a classic carnival, there was a small cartoon sheep by the corner that seemed to be the mascot.
But more interestingly, and relevant to you, is the fact it said 'Saturday the Fourteenth', potentially giving you an easy way to find out the current date without anyone knowing you don't have many memories if you play your cards correctly.

You have some options.

>Yet with that being said, you feel like having a breakfast and a chat. Perhaps you could go back to Dingo's and get a quick meal, you couldn't expect the 'Noirs' to be there as they specifically said they will only be there every other day.
>It's time to work, food could wait. You can still talk with your passengers about the carnival, if you'd like.
>While the gym would be closed until this Saturday, that doesn't mean you can't still see the other areas of the hotel.
>Write-in.

>>6052809
>While the gym would be closed until this Saturday, that doesn't mean you can't still see the other areas of the hotel.

>>6052809
>Yet with that being said, you feel like having a breakfast and a chat. Perhaps you could go back to Dingo's and get a quick meal, you couldn't expect the 'Noirs' to be there as they specifically said they will only be there every other day.

>>6052885
>See Your Surroundings

>>6053150
>A Good Way To Start The Day

I'll write in a few hours and roll between these two if there aren't any changes by then.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>6053568
>1 Hotel
>2 Eat

Writing. There's a chance this will take a while since I might have to help some neighbors very soon.

>>6053688
Take your time, QM. IRL comes first.

Going back to a restaurant for breakfast again suited you.

And your stomach seemed to be placated by the thought. Once you made sure you had everything you decided to go ahead and leave.
After some minutes you get to the taxi. On your way out of the place you noticed the same receptionist from yesterday was still where she was when you last spoke to her, smile and all. You wondered if she was there all night.

You're about to start the taxi when you get the idea of trying to look at the footage from yesterday to see if anything happened while you were asleep. A few minutes of trying to figure out how to see the recording and how to operate the system, you're grateful to find some in-built way to see what happened. Fast forwarding it, you don't seem to find much. That is, until you see some shadows passing by, the people they're attached to not being caught by the recording. Unfortunately due to the wind you couldn't hear what was being said, if there was anything at all. You think of the the shadows seems familiar, but the only place you can pinpoint is a dream.

Your eyes chance on seeing the clock again as you're pondering, and you realize that more than twenty minutes have passed. You decide to think about this later, and re-install the cameras before going to Dingo's.

You keep your eyes peeled for anything interesting while on the road, but you don't see much out of the ordinary.

Dingo's eventually comes into view once more, with it's procession of parked trucks and humble Americana style. The pinball machine is still up in front, but you choose to wait at least until you're done eating before consider to try your hand at it.

[1/2]

>>6053740
Upon entering the restaurant you're once again assaulted by the same smell of grease as before. As expected the Noirs aren't here today, but that drunk that was alone at a table yesterday now has some friends with him. The 'Trucker Gang' and the 'Blue Collars' are still around in the usual cliques.

The bartender, a tall, tattooed, mustachioed, and muscular ex-sailor named Ryan, is behind the counter of the bar. He nods to you after seeing you enter, an act which you reciprocate. You approach him to decide your order.

It seemed like the breakfast menu had not changed since yesterday:

--Menu
-Bacon and Eggs
-Omelette and Hash Brown Special
-Pancakes/Waffles
-French Toast
-Soda/Juice or Complementary Water for any made order

>Get the same order as yesterday.
>You'll change it up for today (write-in)

You both greet each other, and with that done the waitress (who admittedly you didn't see approach) went off quietly after you told her your order.

[2/2]

>Try to talk to Ryan about the Carnival and get his opinion out of it, if he even has any. You will likely find out what the date is today this way.
>Ask about the waiter and waitress or one of the other small groups of people that are here (any specifically? You could also just ask about them all, but that might take some time).
>Talk about his time at sea. He probably has some good stories.
>Write-in.

Just a reminder you can always select multiple choices unless it's specifically said otherwise. So you could talk about all of the above, but keep in mind it might take some time.

Sorry if there are any mistakes and/or spelling errors, I'm in a bit of a rush.

>>6053693
Thank you for your patience anon!

>>6053750
>Get the same order as yesterday.
>But with coffee
Was a long night with an interrupted sleep. Got to stay sharp!

>>Try to talk to Ryan about the Carnival and get his opinion out of it, if he even has any. You will likely find out what the date is today this way.

>>6053750
>Get the same order as yesterday
>Try to talk to Ryan about the Carnival and get his opinion out of it, if he even has any. You will likely find out what the date is today this way.

>>6053774
>>6053841
>The Usual (With A Side Of Caffeine)
>Casual Carnival Conversation

Writing.

You ordered the usual, with an extra kick for adrenaline.

"I heard that Oceanview Park is having a charity carnival. Any thoughts on what that's about?"

As an answer to that inquiry Ryan's right eyebrow lifted up. He seemed to examine your facial expression, as if trying to see if you had any ulterior motives. Before you could really say anything he seemed to be satisfied by your apparent confusion.

"You don't know what it's really about, aye?"

"To be completely honest I don't. Only that it's this Saturday and it's your typical carnival stuff. Here" you bring out the flyer and show it it him "a woman was handing them out to people in front of a store."

The bartender unfolded the creased and now moderately crumpled paper, reading it for a few seconds and grunting before handing it back to you.

"I wouldn't get your hopes up to find something anything good there. Most of it's cheap, and their games are fer fools to bring in the cash" you could hear a bit more of his accent than usual slip through. Despite that the origin still annoyingly eluded you.

"Huh" you thought about it for a moment "I mean, that's really not that big of a deal. This is a charity carnival, right? The whole point is to spend money for a good cause" for a split second you thought you could see him bristle at that statement.

"That is what they'd make ye think. And that is how they get ye. Take it from me, lad" with this the mustached man took out an empty shot glass from seemingly nowhere and started cleaning it with a napkin.

You blink and are silent for a few moments before you continue.

"Saying that, I'm assuming you won't be present there this Saturday, right?"

A half amused chuckle escaped from him "You'd be right again, lad. Even if I did, the work tomorrow wouldn't let me be" so it was tomorrow, then? That meant that today was Friday the Thirteenth, a date which sounded just on par for the course.

>"So I take it that you have a history with this charity?" You can't imagine said history there has been positive, but you're curious now. This sounds like the sort of thing the Noirs would be all over.
>Shift the conversation to something else. There's still much to know about this place, and Ryan seems friendly enough to talk about most things. (Anything from the other patrons here to the cowboy owner, the place itself, or anything that the brawny bartender might know about).
>Make some small talk before trying to ease into a comfortable silence while you wait for your food. (Will you join one of the other table after, go back to work, or go somewhere else?)
>Write-in.

>>6054599
>"So I take it that you have a history with this charity?" You can't imagine said history there has been positive, but you're curious now. This sounds like the sort of thing the Noirs would be all over.

>>6054599
>"So I take it that you have a history with this charity?" You can't imagine said history there has been positive, but you're curious now. This sounds like the sort of thing the Noirs would be all over.

Also, maybe ask something like "so is this an annual thing, or what? Is it always this month of the year, or does it vary?" Maybe we can wheedle out what month it is.

>>6054599
>>"So I take it that you have a history with this charity?" You can't imagine said history there has been positive, but you're curious now. This sounds like the sort of thing the Noirs would be all over.

>>6054629
>>6054639
>>6055006
>Charities And Histories

Writing. I might not finish until tomorrow since I'm tired today, sorry.

>>6055519
Rest up, QM. We'll be here.

"So I take it that you have a history with this charity?"

"Ye could say that, aye" he doesn't elaborate further than that, and you realize it might take a bit to get him to talk about it.

"From what you're saying this looks like it's something that would intrigue the Noirs" you mention the name you'd given them in your head without really thinking about it too much.

"The who?" He pauses wiping the glass for a moment to look at you quizzically.

"Ah, the 'hardasses', I think you called them" this makes him give a bit of a chuckle while murmuring something akin to 'it being a fitting name for that lot'.

"They could try to find something," he says again after resuming his cleaning of the glass "aye, they probably already have. They're a secretive folk, and I don't just mean the hardasses themselves."

Before you could respond the waiter brings you order to you. You're tempted to just eat it right now, but you still want to get at least a bit more information before you do.

"Should I even go? It doesn't sound like you'd recommend them."

"Working for them, no. But going there? Aye, should cause no trouble. These 'events' are popular when they come around, I doubt this time will be any different. So unless you have business with them you'd be fine" his accent was starting to wane again. It was strange, you thought, how that sort of thing stood out to you.

"So is this an annual thing, or what? Is it always this month of the year, or does it vary?" you said with the hopes of determining what month it was, and if you're lucky the year too.

"Nae lad, it comes by once every two years, by late summer. I'm surprised it's come by this late, being August and all that" while that was helpful information, what came next was interesting in its own right "must'a been something to do with leap year, or how it isn't one, I reckon."

>"What do you mean by it not being a leap year? And why would they care about that?" That struck at you, for some reason. Although this might be a bit blunt to say, you could just pass it off as not really paying attention to that sort of thing.
>"Their pockets must be deep for them to afford doing this every year. At the very least I'm guessing their 'Money Pot' isn't legit, right?" It's a good way to figure out more about them, and maybe you could ease out some more information about this charity organization. You had the distinct feeling in the back of your mind that you were forgetting about something relevant, but had no way to confirm it with what you already knew.
>While this information was a good start, you planned on eating while either thinking about it or getting another opinion from someone else around here. (Where do you sit next? You could always sit alone to think about what you've just learned).
>Write-in.

>>6055521
Thank you for your patience anon.

>>6055770
>"What do you mean by it not being a leap year? And why would they care about that?" That struck at you, for some reason. Although this might be a bit blunt to say, you could just pass it off as not really paying attention to that sort of thing.

>>6055770
>"What do you mean by it not being a leap year? And why would they care about that?" That struck at you, for some reason. Although this might be a bit blunt to say, you could just pass it off as not really paying attention to that sort of thing.

>>6055889
>>6055924
>Leap Year Care

Writing.

"What do you mean by it not being a leap year? And why would they care about that?"

"To tell you the truth, lad, their leaders got a few screws loose up there" he said as he pointed to his head briefly "I don't really know much about their personal beliefs myself, but I know enough to say this isn't just about money" a bit of a vague answer and you can see that Ryan has more experience of dealing with these people than he lets on, but you can't discern any lying in his words. You're not too surprised about him not being so open, you did just meet him yesterday.

"Yes, but what about it not being a leap year? I haven't really been paying attention to that sort of thing, is it weird that a leap year isn't happening?" you try to go back to your first question again, to which Ryan responds first by shrugging his shoulders.

"It's supposed to be one but it isn't. That's most what I hear about it. Something about it being every century, at least that what the suits and the eggheads say about it."

While not exactly reassuring, you've still made some very good progress with this conversation. You're about to say something, but you'll admit that you're being distracted by the food that's looking back at you.

>Drink a bit of apple juice to satiate your thirst.
>Sip on some coffee. You'd hate for it to become room temperature.
>Just eat a bit. It might seem a bit rude, but most people here are rough around the edges so you doubt Ryan would mind.
>No, you'll wait a bit longer before eating.

And that just leaves how or if you're going to keep talking about this. You notice some of the 'Blue Collars' are starting to leave, likely going to work.

>"You said that most people come by the carnival, right? Makes you wonder how the police aren't all over this, since I'm assuming there's some embezzlement going on."
>"How dangerous are these guys, if at all? I mean, yesterday some guy threatened to shank me. You think those two could be related?" A bit of a stretch, but it could help in knowing who the man you saw at the hotel was.
>"So are these guys some sort of doomsday cult or what? Man, that'd be wild." A bit of levity should be fine, but this is also to gauge whether there's actually a doomsday cult to worry about.
>Write-in.

>>6056426
>Sip on some coffee. You'd hate for it to become room temperature.
>"How dangerous are these guys, if at all? I mean, yesterday some guy threatened to shank me. You think those two could be related?" A bit of a stretch, but it could help in knowing who the man you saw at the hotel was.

>>6056426
>Sip on some coffee. You'd hate for it to become room temperature.
>"So are these guys some sort of doomsday cult or what? Man, that'd be wild." A bit of levity should be fine, but this is also to gauge whether there's actually a doomsday cult to worry about.

>>6056479
>>6056708
>Caffeine

>>6056479
>Danger Details

>>6056708
>Doom Jokes

I'll get to writing in a few hours and will roll for it if there isn't any change in the votes.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>6056971
>1 Details
>2 Jokes

Writing. Might take some time.

"How dangerous are these guys, if at all? I mean, yesterday some guy threatened to shank me. You think those two could be related?"

Hearing this new information made Ryan furrow his brows in thought.
While he was doing that you decided to sip the coffee, mostly before it grows cold and to feel it's taste if nothing else. It's not phenomenal, in fact it had a rather burnt flavor, but there was this oddly smokey aftertaste which lingered on your tongue.

"Dangerous? No more than any other organization lead by scum. But hiring someone who threatens people like that isn't their style" he puts away the glass he was cleaning and gives you his full attention "can ye tell me more about this fellow, lad?"

You oblige, not really seeing any reason not to share about it since you've mentioned it first. Although you do feel a bit hesitant to tell him about your anonymous police call.

>Tell him. You don't feel like he's colluding with anyone.
>Don't. Some things are better kept a secret.

"Plaid shirt, low-to-dark voice..." you can see Ryan trying his best to recall if he'd ever seen or heard about someone like that in his life "sorry lad, don't know anyone like that in my time. Maybe the hardasses could help you out with it, after the carnival gets out of town at least" that was a bit disappointing, especially since as far as you could discern the bartender was telling the truth.

Before you know it you already drank half of the coffee without realizing it. You think the effects will kick in an hour or two from now, for some reason.

>"Well, thank you for your help anyway. I'll keep an eye out for whatever comes." The coffee is a nice start but nothing beats wolfing down a good meal, which is what you intend to do now.
>"You said they were lead by scum. Can you tell me anything about them?"
>"Speaking of the what the Noirs are doing, how much influence does this 'charity' have in general? I don't know much about these detective guys, but are they really trying to do something about what's going on?"

>>6057127
>Don't. Some things are better kept a secret.
>"Well, thank you for your help anyway. I'll keep an eye out for whatever comes." The coffee is a nice start but nothing beats wolfing down a good meal, which is what you intend to do now.

I've been feeling sick so I wasn't be able to update, sorry. I'll get back to writing once I feel better.

>>6057127
>Don't. Some things are better kept a secret.
>"Well, thank you for your help anyway. I'll keep an eye out for whatever comes." The coffee is a nice start but nothing beats wolfing down a good meal, which is what you intend to do now.

>>6058396
Feel better soon, QM!

>>6057158
>>6058431
>Secret

>>6057158
>>6058431
>Wolf Down

Writing.

>>6058433
Thank you anon!

"Well, thank you for your help anyway. I'll keep an eye out for whatever comes."

He nods once and you go to wolfing down your food. The combination of bacon and eggs, a classic despite how greasy it is, goes down smoothly with the apple juice. You gulp down your coffee as you start taking bites from the french toast. It was made with much better care than yesterday's version, yet dissapointingly lacked some flavor in certain areas, you realize. It made you wonder if there was a difference in cooks from day to day.

As you're about to finish you notice the door open with a flashy swing. And from there a cowboy swaggers in as he looked around the place. It seemed like the apparent owner of the restaurant, Jeremiah Dingo, had made his grand entrance.
You noticed that most of the restaurant had taken an equal amount of interest as you in the appearance of the place's head, since most of the talking now became a series of murmurs, with a few greeting him or waving towards him. Dingo himself seems to not take much note of this, other than a subtle tip of his hat for those that greeted him, as he started to approach the bar counter.

"Mr. Barnaby, we's got us a situation in the boiler room. Think you could give a hand?" His voice didn't disappoint the western stereotype, bearing a heavy yet elegant country twang "I'll hold the fort 'ere while you take a gander at it."

Barnaby, said bartender, seemed to merely nod his head again. He gave his goodbye to you and wished you well on what you were dealing with, something which you reciprocate back to him, and after a pat on your shoulder he leaves.

"Howdy, young'un. Yer a fresh face 'round these parts, ain't ya? Ah'd reckon Ah wouldn't be forgettin' a customer's face. How're ya taking to this 'ere establishment?" It seemed like you've gotten the attention of the big man himself. Not totally surprising since you're the only one sitting at the bar stools. However you don't really remember Dingo going behind the counter. It was almost like he had simply appeared back there.

>"Just fine, sir. This establishment has been pretty good, I like the aesthetic." A quick conversation couldn't hurt, right? You'll keep the conversation safe, at least to see what the owner is all about, if nothing else.
>"Well, the place has been pretty good so far. I've been coming here since yesterday. The atmosphere is good, and the people are nice enough. Although sometimes the food could be lacking in some areas..." If he wants an honest review you'd give him one.
>"I wouldn't really know, I just recently started eating breakfast around here. I'd love to stay and talk some more, but I really have to get going for work. You know how it is."
>Write-in.

>>6058775
>"Just fine, sir. This establishment has been pretty good, I like the aesthetic." A quick conversation couldn't hurt, right? You'll keep the conversation safe, at least to see what the owner is all about, if nothing else.

>>6058818
>Just Fine

Writing.

>>6058775
>"Just fine, sir. This establishment has been pretty good, I like the aesthetic." A quick conversation couldn't hurt, right? You'll keep the conversation safe, at least to see what the owner is all about, if nothing else.

"Just fine, sir. This establishment has been pretty good, I like the aesthetic."

"Ya reckon?" a few seconds of humming passed before he added "Ah reckon that's mighty fine flattery from a city boy, just don't be skittish 'bout a touch of straight talk, ya hear?"

"No sir, I won't" you'll admit you aren't entirely sure what he was talking about there, the meaning lost in the waves of dialect "but I was wondering for how long you have been heading this place. It doesn't exactly seem like the most modern place, no offense" a bit of a harmless question that he would be able to answer easily.

"No harm done, partner. And to answer that, Ah've been wranglin' this joint longer than a hound's life. This ol' homestead's been handed down from kin to kin. My ol' grandpappy put up this place after the war, fashioned it to resemble them stories from his young days. Honestly, the Captain could tell ya more 'bout its age than Ah could. He's been toiling here longer than me."

"The Captain?"

"Mr. Ryan Barnaby, sailor and 'old salt', he calls himself" you knew that Ryan was a sailor of some sort, but him being a captain was news to you. Dingo seemed to procure a bit of jerky from somewhere and began chewing on it "he's been around since my ol' man's days, rest his soul."

"I see. I'm sorry for your loss" he just waved it off and muttered something about it being years since his passing. At least, you think he said something to that effect, besides it being uncouth, it was difficult to understand people while they chewed food. You blink again. Why did you just think that?

"Ah reckon you're eyein' this jerky, want a piece? Got a bunch from the store, more'n Ah 'kin handle. So don't fret none, it's on the house" he seemed to notice you staring at it.

>"Sure, I'll take one."
>"I'll take a few, since you're being so generous."
>"No, thank you. I've already had a good breakfast."
>Write-in.

After you say that you notice that most of the people that were here this morning, save for the drunk and his friends, have left. And some more miscellaneous people have come around here, less conspicuous that most and with a far more 'normal' appearance.

>"I noticed that there's a pinball machine outside gathering dust. I couldn't help but wonder about it." Another innocent conversation that might lead to something, but it just as well could be a meaningless type of smalltalk. But then again patience was key.
>"About the Captain, he just told me this morning about his experiences with some carnival that's passing through. I've been thinking of going there, what are your thoughts on it?" A bit forward, but since Ryan has been working here for so long you imagine Mr. Dingo would know about it. It might also be nice to have a second opinion on the matter.
>"As much as I'd like to keep chatting, I have some work to do today. I hope you have a good day, sir." Go back to driving around.
>Write-in.

>>6059422
>"No, thank you. I've already had a good breakfast."
Portions are good here.

>"About the Captain, he just told me this morning about his experiences with some carnival that's passing through. I've been thinking of going there, what are your thoughts on it?" A bit forward, but since Ryan has been working here for so long you imagine Mr. Dingo would know about it. It might also be nice to have a second opinion on the matter.

>>6059422
>"Sure, I'll take one."
Save it for later.
>"As much as I'd like to keep chatting, I have some work to do today. I hope you have a good day, sir." Go back to driving around.

>>6059428
>No Thanks

>>6059494
>One For The Road

>>6059428
>About That Captain

>>6059494
>Have A Good Day

I'll give it a couple some hours before I roll and start writing. Just be warned it's been pretty busy for me today so I might take a while.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>6060103
>1 No Thanks
>2 One For The Road

First roll.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>6060233
>1 Captain
>2 Have A Good Day

Second roll.
Writing.

"As much as I'd like to keep chatting, I have some work to do today. I hope you have a good day, sir."

"Reckon ya got it, 'cause it's nigh on noon. wishin' ya a good 'un" he gives you a smile, somewhat hidden by his mustache, and goes to checking the counter. You thank him for the jerky as you pocket it, which he merely responds with a 'Don't fret none, pardner'.
You make your way out and sure enough, the sun makes it clear that it's almost midday. Despite the sun's glare, the chill outside still seeps into your skin.

You enter your taxi, and part of you wants to be safe and look at the recording just to be safe. Besides, you can't trust such a low class area like this. Yet you couldn't deny that the people here were rather nice to be around, feeling a strange camaraderie. Besides, what's life without some risk? It's how it should be.
You shake your thoughts away once more. That was certainly more vivid than you recall it being.

In other news there is a piece of jerky in your pocket, and after inspecting it you found that it was rather standard in appearance. A minimalist image of a bull was plastered over the wrapping, with terms like 'Organic' and 'Free Range' claustrophobically decorating the package in all it's commercial glory.
After looking at it for a bit, you decide...

>To give it a few bites while on the road. It's a nice snack.
>In saving it for later. It's jerky, a product designed to last a while.
>Write-in.

After you think for a bit more, you find the driver's wheel once again and go back into a near trance. The engine starts again, and you're off.

>Work, like you said you we're going to do. You'll go back into the hotel once you're done.
>Make a trip somewhere. (Will you could go back to a store like Malvin's Mechanisms, or somewhere else like a grocery store or even the port?)
>You feel a rare tug of... something. You will follow it, going ever faster.
>Write-in.

Sorry if this took a while longer than usual and for any grammar errors, I've been tired all day.

>>6060285
>In saving it for later. It's jerky, a product designed to last a while.
>Work, like you said you we're going to do. You'll go back into the hotel once you're done.

>>6060369
>Jerky For Later
>Work And Hotel

Writing.

Work must continue.

You shake the feeling away, immediately feeling a sense of regret for what could've been. This would've been fine any other occasion, but the feeling today was strong enough to call out towards your psyche. Despite this the future is still around the corner, and it waits for no one.

Work is like a blur. People come and go like a revolving door. Although there is no sense of monotony from this as a strange gratitude swells up in your chest. It is imperfect, but still extant.

Again the only truly notable customer is the rather obese woman with an air of high-class surrounding her. Her cat, whom you are now aware was called Mr. Perecles, seemed to compete with her on who was the most stuck up as she continued to dote on him. Although it felt like either cat or woman would cause issues, they left once more to The Crown, an expensive looking restaurant, without incident.

Time seemed to fly by, and already the sun was starting to set. You go back to Oasis Hotel and park your car. However before you leave you decide to check the cameras again, just in case you missed something.
To both your relief and disappointment you find nothing out of the ordinary. Looking at the clock again you find that it is now five-thirty in the afternoon. Despite how late it was you didn't feel particularly hungry. That meal from Dingo's must've been more filling than you expected.
The sun threatened to go beyond the horizon for the day, leaving the city with only it's artificial glow for guidance. However it's not enough to warrant quickening your pace as you enter the building.

>Go in the hotel proper and look/work out within the recreational areas. While the gym won't be open until tomorrow, that doesn't mean you can't see the other places like the swimming pool, basketball court, or the indoor track.
>Loiter around and inside the hotel. Surely there are people around to socialize with, right? You could try talking to the receptionist again if you don't find any.
>Sleep early. While some might think it's a waste, your body will thank you. You feel like you'll have a dreamless slumber.
>Write-in.

>>6060992
>Go in the hotel proper and look/work out within the recreational areas. While the gym won't be open until tomorrow, that doesn't mean you can't see the other places like the swimming pool, basketball court, or the indoor track.

>>6061033
>Recreational Look

Writing.

>>6060288
Hope you're feeling better, QM!

>>6061451
I'm feeling much better now, thank you!

----

You decide to look at what Hotel Oasis has to offer.

And you go towards where the receptionist pointed you to after you inquired about the gym. Noting the difference in how the hallway was shaped, most interestingly how it seemed to gradually become wider, the appearance of the inside didn't fully line up with how the hotel looked outside. Yet there were still windows and doors leading out, and you could even see the taxi from where you were standing.

Sure enough, you found the recreational center. In front of it were some tables in what appeared to be a waiting area, but what purpose it served eluded you.
On some of the tables were rows of pamphlets, detailing rules when it came to swimming. You grab one, assuming you'd need it.

Passing through the entrance you see two ping pong tables, and a group of three men laughing and talking by a corner.

Walking a some more finds you in front of the basketball court. Surrounding it was the indoor track the receptionist mentioned. The distinct feeling that this wasn't as big as other basketball courts or tracks you've seen enters your mind. You couldn't help but think that the way it was organized seemed counter-intuitive, or at the very least could cause too much overlap between what should be two separate areas. Maybe there was some sort of hotel schedule for it, since this area seemed devoid of humans for the time being. Wouldn't the front desk woman mention something then, if that was the case? It didn't matter much, and wasn't worth the current consideration.

Beyond that there was the nanatorium. There were a few people swimming from one end to the other. You could definitely feel the humidity in this place, and it served as an interesting contrast to the cold of the outside. But, like with the basketball court, it wasn't as large as you'd anticipated.
More interestingly, there were a few men by the door at the end of the area. They seemed to be repairmen, if the toolbelts around their waists were any indication.

>A game of ping pong could be fun. You imagine that the three guys will be happy to have a fourth player to even it out.
>You neither have any sort of swimwear or even the knowledge of swimming, but maybe you could try to figure out what's needed by reading the pamphlet.
>Talk to the repairmen about the gym. You're somewhat curious about what happened.
>Write-in.

>>6061455
>Talk to the repairmen about the gym. You're somewhat curious about what happened.

>>6061541
>Repairman Revelations

Writing.
Just a forewarning I might not be able to finish today since I got a surprise visit from some family members and I'm tired from work on a home project.

You decide to approach the repairmen.

And you almost slip on some of the slick tiles as you do so, but you easily righted yourself and maintained balance by finding your center of gravity. Thankfully none seemed to notice, or at least pretended to not see you almost fall on your face.

You dust your shirt off and continue on like nothing happened.

Soon you're at the door and the animated repairmen that guard it. You wait for them to finish what they're talking about. Marty (who seemed to be fatter and shorter than his companion next to him) was talking to Louie (the skinnier sibling of the former) about what they had for dinner last night. You aren't really paying attention to the conversation.

"I'm tellin' yuh Lou, yuh have tuh put in at least three layers tuh da lasagna. Ya' dig? Or else it turns out like yuh had it last night. Okay?" said Marty.

"Yeah yeah, you doan hafta tell me twice" came the slightly exasperated reply of the taller man. His attention was drawn to you in a bid to change the subject away from his less than stellar culinary abilities, but before he could say anything Marty spoke first.

"And what's up wit' ya, buddy? Yuh need anythin'?" his voice was somewhat gruff, yet not unkind. It reminded you of the rather rough clientele of the restaurant you've been eating breakfast in recently. They probably have gone there a few times, it might be worth asking before they leave.

"Yes. I was just wondering about the gym. It's still closed, I assume?"

"Yep. We's just gettin' the finishin' touches done here, but de lady says we gotta keep it cause 'company policy' or somethin" comes the immediate reply.

"Right, thank you for your service here."

"Na, it's nothin'. Just doin' our jobs, eh Louie?" he nudges to the other man, who in turn adjusts his cap before replying.

"You betcha" says Louie.

Company policy once more. It seemed like there was much of that around here.

[1/2]

>>6062314
"Well," you reiterated "it's still appreciated. I've been here for just the last couple of days, and I was wondering about the gym itself."

"Eh yuh got ya weights 'n treadmills, just de usual stuff gyms have."

"No, I mean, what happened to it? Why is it out of commission to begin with?"

The two brothers looked at each other for a moment in wordless conversation, broken by Louie's shrug. Marty then turns to you again.

"Eh since you'se a guest I guess yuh oughta know" he rubs the stubble on his chin "basically, it got wrecked real bad. Like a storm came in dere."

"Or an explosion" added Louie.

"Yeah, like an explosion or somethin'. There were parts everywhere, stuck in the ceilin', da walls, everywhere" now the rubbing evolved upwards into scratching his moustache "weirdest thing, no one heard anythin' when it happened. It was fine one morning. Then bam! Gym wrecked."

"Gotta tell ya, you're lucky to come by so soon. It's been almost half a year since the repairs started, and it's basically just me and Lou here doing de finishin' touches."

"Ahead of scheduel and everthin'!" Louie added. It seemed like a habit of his.

[2/2]

>"Nobody heard or saw anything when it happened? Are you sure?"
>"So it's been half a year since the gym's been unavailable? That sounds like something that would be noticed, especially the way you're describing it."
>"I see... well thank you once again, it's been a pleasure talking to you both." You'll do something else before you it gets too late in the night. (But what?)
>Write-in.

>>6062318
"Parts everywhere? Parts of machinery, or were there... PEOPLE in there, when whatever happened, happened?"

>>6062318
>"So it's been half a year since the gym's been unavailable? That sounds like something that would be noticed, especially the way you're describing it."

>>6062320
>Part About Parts

>>6062361
>Time And Knowledge

I'll try to write in an hour or two if I don't fall asleep by then. I've been extremely tired since yesterday, so I can't promise finishing this today.
I'll combine asking both of these questions to the brothers if there aren't any objections to that.

>>6062938
I'm interested in >>6062361 as well (and suggested >>6062320) so I'm down for it at least!

Sorry I've been too busy to reliably vote, but I really enjoy the atmosphere of thsi quest, so thanks for sticking with it and take all the time you need.

>>6062947
Thank you for the comments! I appreciate it, mostly since I'm trying to get back in the groove of writing.
Also no need to apologize.

----

"Parts everywhere? Parts of machinery, or were there... PEOPLE in there, when whatever happened, happened?"

To this Marty and Louie went a bit wide eyed for a split second at the mental image, but just laughed before Marty tried to clear up what he meant.

"Nope, just machines. Can yuh imagine dat, Louie? It was one hellufa' clean up job already. And yeah it took up some pretty pennies tuh sweet up da deal, but body parts everywhere? Yuh talkin' a million bucks, lowest!"

"We'se just a buncha repair guys," Louie commented after his brother was done "not your average palookas, you feel me? But still just the machine crew. Body cleanin' is outta our pay grades."

"And 'sides" this time around the shorter of the two interjected "that'd get the fuzz all aroun' this joint, 'n make 'em stick around 'til dey got something outta dis. It'd kill off de hotel pretty quick, yuh know?"

"Yeah, it'd kill 'em real good" after getting a nonplussed side glance from his brother, Louie sheepishly added "metaphorical like, I mean. Not really kill 'em."

"No one was hurt at least?" you half wish you could inspect the place yourself at this point, but it was likely the gym was repaired enough to enshroud things at a first glance. You might need some assistance if you wanted to find anything.

"Nah, would'a heard or found somethin' about it if dere were injuries. Far as we know nobody was even dere when it happened. Anythin' coulda caused it though, since they'se keeping it mum" Louie once again spoke.
The way that these two went on showed how close they were as a family. You felt a small swell of emotion in your chest, almost nostalgic. Whether it was from the ghost of a memory or the fact you might never see your family again -if you had any- was unknown.

"What do you mean by 'keeping it mum'?" you commended yourself in hiding any stray emotions from showing on your face and focusing on getting some answers.

"I mean it's kinda an open secret at this point. Most all of de guests know about it" you're attention kept shifting between the two as they both kept speaking for and above each other, with Marty talking this time. You found it easier to assume you were talking to both of them when you spoke "bad fer business, I guess" he further clarified.

[1/2]

>>6063282
"Speaking of the guests, all of this sounds like something that would've been noticed. Especially if the gym was unavailable for, what, half a year?"

"Yeah, around dis time last year. I remember de whole shebang like it was yesterday. Got called in the middle of the night for a big deal, had to leave early the mornin' after. We had'a bring in de whole crew fer dis one. When wazzit again Lou?"

"September the twentieth, last year, big bro. Jamesfield's birthday was a week before, remember?"

"Yeah, couldn't if I wanted" this elicited a chuckle from both of the men at an inside joke. You wondered if the Jamesfield person they were talking about was the same one you met at Dingo's "wonder what he's up to, haven't hearddabout him since Monday" Louie's reply to this was a simple shrug and a 'dunno'.

"And to answer de first part of de question" Marty started after a breath "yuh could hear someone talkin' about it almost always in de next few months after it happen'd. Buncha people left after dat. For a while it was just me, Lou, de crew, 'n some hotel staff."

"The hotel hadta make a few contracts to prove they were gonna pay us, we all thought it was goin' down under. Until guests started comin' back, I guess" Louie added while scratching his chin. Unlike Marty, his face was clean shaven.

>"Jamesfield? As in, the guy that acts like he came out of a detective show?" Bringing awareness to how you both know the same group of people could bring less confusion later on. And you have the strong feeling showing that you know about the Noirs will help in getting the Brothers to trust you, and ultimately help you in solving this mystery.
>"Was the receptionist part of the staff that was here when that happened?" You assume she was and want to know more, but you risk talking around in circles with this.
>"Anyway thank yuh- thank you both for the talk, but I should get going back to sleep around now."
>Write-in

Sorry for this update being so late, I overslept today and have to deal with some family and neighbors.

>>6063285
>"Jamesfield? As in, the guy that acts like he came out of a detective show?" Bringing awareness to how you both know the same group of people could bring less confusion later on. And you have the strong feeling showing that you know about the Noirs will help in getting the Brothers to trust you, and ultimately help you in solving this mystery.

>>6063386
>Old Friends And New Acquaintances

Writing.

>>6063285
>"Jamesfield? As in, the guy that acts like he came out of a detective show?" Bringing awareness to how you both know the same group of people could bring less confusion later on. And you have the strong feeling showing that you know about the Noirs will help in getting the Brothers to trust you, and ultimately help you in solving this mystery.

"Jamesfield? As in, the guy that acts like he came out of a detective show?"

"Yuh talking about de same guy dat wears a fedora 'n trenchcoat? Has a buncha buds with de same stuff?" Marty himself now inquired. You nodded in the affirmative.

"I've met him and the group he's in at Dingo's. They all go there once in a while, from what they've told me. We talked for a bit, they seem like an interesting group" you recall there being a group of around five people, all dressed in varying ways that made it seem like they were private detectives of some sort. Other than showing them the card that Lucian gave you, and the story you shared to them, you admittedly don't know much of them other than their names (and even then even that wasn't entirely clear, if the name 'Lady' was anything to go by).

"Well dontcha know it. It's a small world ain't it Lou?" to which Louie responded with a simple 'it sure is, Marty'.

"I imagine you're both familiar with them?"

"You betcha. We all go way back, been years now" Louie, with some hand motions, tried to express what he had just said with questionable levels of success.

"We'se gettin' ahead of ourselves, Lou. We gotta introductions goin', we always hafta do dat when meetin' a friend of a friend" Louie, while on one hand seemed to acknowledge his brother by saying 'oh', he seemed strangely pensive otherwise. Marty simply shook his head.

"I'm actually more of an acquaintance of theirs than anything. I've only known them since-" you attempted to clarify before getting interrupted.

[1/2]

>>6064034
"Eh fuhgeddaboudit. If yuh got 'em all to speak with yuh, it's more 'an what most coulda done" you found that comment to be odd. While they were certainty reserved, the Noirs didn't seem unapproachable "anyway, better late than never. Name's Marty, Marty Marelli. Pleasure to meet yuh" after this he took off his glove and grasped onto your hand, giving it a shake. His hands were calloused and his grip was firm, although the shake itself, unexpectedly, wasn't too overbearing.

"And, eh, I'm Louie Marelli" Louie then seemed to snap out of whatever reverie he was in and proceeded to do the same as his brother. While he was certainly more animated in handshaking than his sibling, his hands were softer and you felt like you could easily pull out of his grip at any time if you felt like it.

Both of the brothers seemed to be more at ease with you. And your intuition told you that they would trust you. Yet still, you hoped the ramifications from this interaction would end up in you favor.

[2/2]

>"I'm Johan, it's also a pleasure to meet you two gentlemen. I hate to be so rude so soon after we've introduced each other, but I have to go to sleep for tomorrow. I feel like I'm going to be pretty busy that day."
>"My name is Johan, my pleasure. But going back to the Noirs, I think this sort of thing with the gym would be something they'd be interested in."
>"I'd like to introduce myself as well, but I can't really do so if I don't know my name..." Spill the beans. It might be reckless, but you have a good feeling about these two.
>Write-in.

>>6064036
>"I'm Johan, it's also a pleasure to meet you two gentlemen. I hate to be so rude so soon after we've introduced each other, but I have to go to sleep for tomorrow. I feel like I'm going to be pretty busy that day."

>>6064036
>"I'm Johan, it's also a pleasure to meet you two gentlemen. I hate to be so rude so soon after we've introduced each other, but I have to go to sleep for tomorrow. I feel like I'm going to be pretty busy that day."

>>6064144
>>6064158
>Introductions But I Must Leave

Writing.

"I'm Johan, it's also a pleasure to meet you two gentlemen. I hate to be so rude so soon after we've introduced each other, but I have to go to sleep for tomorrow. I feel like I'm going to be pretty busy that day."

"Don't let us hold yuh. I know what it'l like, havin' to work on the weekends 'n stuff. Gotta get dem thirty winks, eh Lou?"

"I think it's more like he's gonna go to the Carnival tomorrow" Louie was probably spot on with that one "or I'm guessin' he's lookin' to solve what happened here at the gym. Sure stumped me" also probably true.

"Yeah, well- duh Carnival, yuh say?" this seemed to get Marty's attention. He turned to you with no small sense of urgency "dem games are bad business, yuh know? Sure it's got a buncha people comin', but it ain't worth it" this was the second time someone had warned you about this Carnival. You were about to comment, but Louie began first.

"Doncha worry about it, Marty is just angry about losin' a bunch last time we went there" a small grumble could be heard from Marty before he went on to elaborate.

"Louie, yuh gotta admit dere ain't no way dem games are legit" he looks back to you "don't trust 'em none, okay?"

"I've heard that before. In fact now that you mention it" you said "the Noi- I mean, Jamesfield, Albin, the Lady, and the rest of that group seemed to be interested in it for whatever reason" this was more about sorting out your thoughts than anything. How it was all connected was left to your imagination, there were probably many different factors at play, it was almost amusing to think about.

"No kiddin'? Dis is de first I've head of that" he turns to his taller brother "yuh heard about it Lou?" said sibling responded with the shake of his head.

"Anyhow" and he turns back to you again "don't let us keep yuh here, Mr. Johan. Oh, right, but if yuh ever wanna call us up, just look fer 'The Marelli Brothers'. Tell dem yuh gotta talk to de big bro or the tall guy. Dey're going to send you up to us or tell yuh what's happenin'."

After some more informal goodbyes, you're finally able to head back. It seems like around the time you were talking, most of the people had left. Passing by a window revealed how late it had become. It seemed like that talk with the Marelli's, as enlightening as it was, sponged in more time than you'd anticipated.

Arriving to your room, you flick on the light and get ready to sleep. Out of habit more than paranoia, you check everything. It all seems to be in order, if a bit dustier than before.
There is now the matter of your alarm.

>Same time as usual, eight-thirty in the morning.
>The Witching Hour. Third time's the charm.
>Actually, you'll sleep in that day.
>Write-in.

With that settled, you find that sleep will soon claim you.

>Dream again.
>Have a dreamless night. It will be restful if nothing else.
>??? Warning: This option might cause Johan to be tired tomorrow, even if he sleeps in.
>Write-in.

>>6065116
>spoiler
*will cause

>>6065116
>Same time as usual, eight-thirty in the morning.
>Dream again.

>>6065116
>The Witching Hour. Third time's the charm.
>???

>>6065136
>Same As It Ever Was

>>6065786
>Third Time

>>6065136
>Dream

>>6065786
>?

Will give it 4-5 more hours before I start writing, I should be free by then.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>6065987
>1 Eight Thirty AM
>2 Witching Hour Take Three

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>6066168
>1 Dream
>2 ???

You sleep.

While you're not particularly tired, you easily go to sleep after lying on your bed for a few minutes.

Yet before that you could feel the pull of... something. You're able to dismiss it, however. You feel like you've just missed an opportunity of some sort. Although you have the sneaking suspicion it won't be the last opportunity you'll get to do this. In fact, you might just be postponing the inevitable.

A dream seems to seep it's way into your mind.

And suddenly, you're in a wheat field.

Looking around proves that you're all alone.
You try speaking, but the sounds that come out of your mouth sound like the chiming of bells. Some more experimenting proves that you can control the volume and sound they make. It's as if your vocal cords have been replaced.

A sense of familiarity passes by, and you realize that you are in a dream. Despite how strange the sensation is, you're able to focus thoroughly, making nothing feel out of place.

Before you realized it, you're walking. Wading through the wheat feels like treading through quicksand.

After some aimless wandering, you hear the sound of whistling. It flows through the grains and gently crashes against you. You follow it for a while until you can hear nothing more.

Despite it being a dream, you feel very tired. You yawn freely, and decide to lie down for a nap.
But as you're about to do so you feel a sense of dread run through you. This was because you've neglected to focus on your objective. And because of that, you may never find that lovely sound again.

[1/2]

>>6066194
A panic runs through you, and sure enough the whistling was gone. And in it's place was an unnatural silence.

The sky, once noble blue with clouds dotting it, had turned grey with smog. The wheat field was dead and diseased. You could sense something encroaching.

It was clearly evil, to this perspective at least.

Yet, you couldn't help but feel excitement bubble up in you. Approaching was something you could finally let your intuitions have the freedom they needed.

"Alas, that would unwise" the voice of a woman spoke to you, coming from everywhere and nowhere all at once. You felt like you had heard her voice recently before, although there was a clear elegance to her tone you couldn't quite follow.

"I shall skip the pleasantries. You have been acting disappointingly. Forsooth, you have not been fully following the natural order of things."

You tried speaking back, but you only were able to speak in the sound of bells.

A sigh could be heard, before a great feeling of disappointment could be sensed. It was as obvious as the air around you.

Or as obvious as the beeping alarm clock waking you up.

And just like that, you're up. That dream was certainly odd, you can't really figure out the meaning to it. But you have a feeling it'll come back eventually if you continue the way you are, perhaps in better humor.

You get dressed and ready to head out.

[2/2]

>Except you won't head out, at least not yet. You want to see the gym before anything else.
>You will go to Dingo's restaurant once more. The Noirs should be there, and you're curious to see what they're up to. Besides, getting breakfast isn't a bad idea.
>And you'll head out for a walk around the block. After a dream like that you want some time to think.
>Write-in.

>>6066205
>You will go to Dingo's restaurant once more. The Noirs should be there, and you're curious to see what they're up to. Besides, getting breakfast isn't a bad idea.

Eerie. So blue is tied to order, green to insight, and red to more impulsive, maybe unwholesome urges... Maybe.

Hm.

>>6066205
>You will go to Dingo's restaurant once more. The Noirs should be there, and you're curious to see what they're up to. Besides, getting breakfast isn't a bad idea.

>>6066228
>>6066245
>Breakfast Curiosity

Writing.

>Eerie. So blue is tied to order, green to insight, and red to more impulsive, maybe unwholesome urges... Maybe.
This is surprisingly close to the truth, I will say that there's more to the colors than what was mentioned here.

You decide to drive towards Dingo's place once again.

It has certainly become a habit at this point, you think to yourself with some amusement.

You get properly ready and awake. And other than a few stifled yawns you feel prepared for the day.

Getting to the car and the actual ride itself are rather uneventful. You try to focus on driving, yet that dream kept bothering your from the back of your mind.
While you'd think this would help pass the time, it actually does the opposite, and the roads seem to stretch on for hours.

Despite this, you find yourself back at Dingo's.

Immediately you notice the flurry of activity in the place. You could assume the festivity has brought it about.

Interestingly in front of the restaurant there is a group of people playing with the pinball machine. Although it would be more accurate to say that some are attempting to play, while others just tilt it or can't get the machine to start working without a kick.
Most notable among the people there was someone you could only describe as a 'Greaser'. Pompadour, mullet, sunglasses, and sporting a dark leather jacket, he had a strangely imposing aura around him despite being no older than nineteen. He leaned against the wall and aloofly smoked a cigarette.

Either way, you enter the place. There are more people here than there were before, and many groups seem to be more merged with each other. But with some searching you can make out the distinct appearance of the 'Trucker Gang', and the 'Noirs' are still in their same corner acting as reserved as one would expect.

From table to table both the waiter and waitress scurry around taking orders and delivering them with clinical precision. It was impressive, as far as waitering goes.

You begin to approach the bar, more out of habit than anything. There's more people there than in the last couple of days, but they seem to mostly keep to themselves. Ryan seemed to be busy enough, and is even pouring some drinks to people.

The menu is the same as before:

--Menu
-Bacon and Eggs
-Omelette and Hash Brown Special
-Pancakes/Waffles
-French Toast
-Soda/Juice or Complementary Water for any made order

But on the side there were 'Styled Old Fashioneds' as an alternative for any of the orders, whatever that was.

>Sit at one of the stools and make an order. (The usual, or something else?) You may be able to talk to some of the customers or the bartender there if you wish.
>Try to join the Noirs, you're still curious about what they're up to. Yet this might stop you from getting your food as soon as you'd like, considering there's only two people serving.
>You turn back around and see your luck with the pinball machine. Although in truth you're more interested in the people surrounding it than the thing itself.
>Write-in.

>>6066968
>Sit at one of the stools and make an order. (The usual, or something else?) You may be able to talk to some of the customers or the bartender there if you wish.
The usual.

>>6066968
>Sit at one of the stools and make an order. (The usual, or something else?) You may be able to talk to some of the customers or the bartender there if you wish.
Usual order, and a stack of pancakes for the table the Noirs are at. We'll join them when they get their complimentary treat.

>>6066971
>>6066973
>The Usual

I'll write sometime tomorrow. I'm too tired today to write coherently and will probably pass out in the next half hour lol
I'll also combine ordering a stack of pancakes for the Noirs if there aren't any objections.

The usual was nice in this place.

You sit down at the bar in one of the available seats by the end, ready to make your order. Next to you is a young man wearing a rather large pair of circular glasses, a buttoned up shirt, and suspenders. From what you heard he talked confidently, but was otherwise unsociable, as a few cursory attempts from other patrons to start smalltalk demonstrated. He definitely seemed out of place in a restaurant like this.

Speaking of, you found yourself enjoying the loudness and occasional cheering, the festive mood being rather intoxicating. A small grin rose on your face.

After a few seconds after sitting down the bartender, Mr. Ryan Barnaby, approached you with a notepad in one hand and a half-poured bottle in the other. He placed said bottle away in a smooth motion and wiped a bit of sweat from his brow. His clothes were a bit ragged, his mustache unkempt, and even the little mermaid on his arm looked like she had seen better days.

"Mornin' Johan. Wish I could spare a few seconds to chat, but as you can see" he held up his notepad, and revealed the many scribbles and orders on it "my hands are a bit full. What can I get ye?"

You told him you'd have the usual, which he responded by quickly jotting it down with a pencil he summoned from somewhere.

"If that'll be all lad, I best get moving."

"Well..." before he could depart you asked if you could give the table with the Noirs a stack of pancakes.

"Aye, I could do that lad" the muscled sailor-bartender looked amused by the request. You couldn't help but notice his face softened moments after you made the suggestion. It was rather subtle and fleeting, you're not quite certain how you noticed it in the first place.

You gave him your card to cover the cost of the food, which he took and processed it without much issue.

The chatter and activity continued to envelop you, eventually turning into a pleasant buzz. Soon enough you felt like you were once more left to your own devices.

>Join in the cheering and laughing. It doesn't even matter what it's about, just that it's happening is good enough!
>Try to talk to the man sitting next to you. Although you're not sure what you could say to hold a conversation (suggestions highly encouraged).
>Just wait patiently. It can't take that long for your food to come, right?
Write-in.

>>6068039
>Write-in.
Should be in greentext, sorry.

>>6068039
>Just wait patiently. It can't take that long for your food to come, right?

>>6068039
>Try to talk to the man sitting next to you. Although you're not sure what you could say to hold a conversation (suggestions highly encouraged).
Where's he from? What brings him to town? What's with the glasses?

>>6068103
>Wait Patiently

>>6068256
>Talk

I'll roll for it in an hour or two and get to writing.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>6068950
>1 Wait
>2 Talking

Writing.

You're curious about the man.

And decide to talk to him. Just because others failed doesn't mean you shouldn't give it a chance.

You try clearing your throat, which garners no response. Then you try saying a few 'heys' and 'hellos', with a similar outcome. He seems to be either actively ignoring you or the commotion is too large for him to hear you. You decide to give him the benefit of the doubt.

It was only when you poked his shoulder that a reaction was finally elicited. He looked at you, eyes carrying an unspoken query.

"Can I help you?" the question was given words. His voice sounded somewhat more nasal up close.

"Yeah, hey" you tried to give off a friendly give, with admittedly mixed success "you seem new around here. I know the people here can be a rowdy lot, but they aren't bad" at least you hope so, for everyone's benefit. He merely responds with a half-attentive 'uh-huh' before sipping from his drink. Did it always have a straw in it?

"So" you weren't going to give up that easily "are you from out of town?" he gave you an annoyed look at the continued attempt at conversation.

"Not really. But I do not uthually frequent thethe partth" a very clear lisp caught you off guard. Then again he had mostly responded in one to two word sentences with the previous attempts at conversation you'd witnessed, so it isn't that odd you didn't catch it.

An awkward silence again threatened to overtake the interaction, juxtaposed by the loudness that now served as background noise.

[1/2]

>>6069076
"By 'these parts', you mean this part of town or just the area in general?" you try to break the ice again.

"Jutht thith part of town. It'th not like I'm from out of the city."

"Yeah, I get that" you nod your head, and half wish you had something to drink like he did "I take it you don't frequent this place?"

"I do not" he said. You felt like he wanted to scoff at your inquiry "thith ith my firtht time coming here."

"There's been a celebration around here for the carnival" he gave out a bit of information about himself, that was progress "I'm not surprised it's so popular, though. A part of me thinks people just want an excuse to celebrate, you know?" after a few seconds without a reply, you decide to ask another question "what brings you here? You don't seem to be in a particularly festive mood."

"The human mind almotht alwayth lookth for excutheth to procure endorphinth, dopamine, therotonin and the like. You could look at it from a cultural lenth, and notithe the environment and type of work thethe people do to come to that concluthion" it takes a second for you to process, but you realize he basically just reworded what you'd just said in his own way "and to anthwer your queththion, that ith none of your buthinethth."

"Ah, okay. I didn't mean to pry" you try to think of something to keep things going, eventually your gaze putting emphasis on his glasses "so what's with the glasses? Are you farsighted?"

"Actually" he adjusts them out of unconscious habit "I have a severe cathe of myopia" apparently the confusion was clear in your face, since he unamusedly clarified with a "I'm nearthighted. Thethe are prethcribed to my thpecificathionth."

The conversation then dies again.

[2/2]

>This person is certainly odd, yet you still want to know more. You'll keep trying to ask questions or at least speak to him.
>Just keep on making some smalltalk until you either get your food or see the Noirs obtain their pancake stack, then you'll politely excuse yourself.
>Go back to waiting quietly. He clearly isn't in the mood for conversation, so you'll save the both of you any trouble.
>Write-in.

Sorry about taking so long in updating. My parents just called me on the phone while I was in the middle of writing.

>>6069079
>Just keep on making some smalltalk until you either get your food or see the Noirs obtain their pancake stack, then you'll politely excuse yourself.
Bit of a pseud, is he? Well, doesn't seem like a BAD sort.

>>6069079
>Go back to waiting quietly. He clearly isn't in the mood for conversation, so you'll save the both of you any trouble.

>>6069089
>Polite Prattle

>>6069090
>Waiting Once More

Will wait a couple hours before rolling and start writing then.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>6069746
>1 Wait Again
>2 Chat Politely

Writing.

Quietly waiting.

Deciding to do this isn't as difficult as you'd expected, since you realize conversation isn't going to go anywhere. Although a small part of you feels like you've given up, you shake that feeling away.
Thankfully the awkward silence is drowned out by the sounds surrounding you.

To pass the time, you go back to looking at the mild chaos.

That drunk you'd seen the last couple of days was a few seats away from where you were sitting, talking to what was probably one of his friends. He seems to be in good spirits.

Currently serving said drunk was Ryan, pouring some sort of clear liquid into a rather tall glass.

You see a few unnamed yet familiar faces with the people you've dubbed within your mind as the 'Blue Collar Workers' and the 'Trucker Gang', who as you noticed earlier had mostly merged with the rest of the crowd of strangers.

Passing by them all were the uncannily similar looking waiter and waitress, skillfully and silently weaving between people here and there without complaint. If you had to assume, they were relatives of some kind, likely twins.

Your eyes passed on the multitude of people, and for a second you think you see a familiar face, but it is gone.

Eventually you shift your focus on the Noirs. They were, still, as distant as before. You also noticed a severe lack of pancakes in their midst.

Back at the place you were seated, you stifle a sigh at man next to you. While he didn't seem like the bad sort, you hope, you had to admit he was a bit of a pseud. Or at the very least a nerd of some sort. You found the contrast to be somewhat funny.

[1/2]

>>6069860
Really, and while you already thought about this not long ago, the unfolding scene before you, loud and cheerful as it stood, was rather nice. Indeed, there were many interesting things to notice as you watched.
For some reason, you felt at ease with those last two thoughts. Yet, despite that, a feeling of annoyance was in the back of your mind. Why, you couldn't really say.

As you were about to go into thought, you noticed the waitress carrying a tall stack of pancakes directly towards the Noirs. It gained some attention, and even a few laughs as the tower passed them by. She deftly placed it on the table of the half-stunned, nearly-monochrome group.

You could see some conversation pass between Jamesfield and the waitress. She looked around for a few seconds and after identifying you pointed your direction. On your part you decide to give a friendly, if sheepish, wave towards them.

You planned on approaching them, but there were a few ways to go about it.

[2/2]

>Just go to them and greet them. Keep it simple, you'll get to satiating your curiosity soon enough.
>Stroll up to them and get right down to business. You didn't want to waste too much time. And you were curious about what they'd found, if anything.
>Maybe, once you're with them, you should present the idea of sharing some of the stack with the people around? It would be popular with the rest of the crowd here at least. Though the Noir group probably already has enough people to eat it all if they tried.
>Write-in.

>>6069862
>Just go to them and greet them. Keep it simple, you'll get to satiating your curiosity soon enough.

>>6069862
>Just go to them and greet them. Keep it simple, you'll get to satiating your curiosity soon enough.
Business after pancakes, like the good lord Anung Un Rama said.

>>6069867
>>6069869
>Business After Pancakes

Writing. I'll try to get it done soon.

Rising from your seat, you approach them with a smile.

And you're greeted politely enough by the group with a scattering of 'heys' and 'hellos', you notice both the Lady and Mike having started to eat already. Plates and utensils had already seemed to have materialized in front of everyone, with only the waiter smoothly passing by as evidence of what had transpired.

Jamesfield himself refused anything more than a single pancake, stating that he had already eaten. You could see slight rings beneath his eyes, as well as his attempts to stifle yawns. Yet the rest ate happily with varying levels of eagerness.

Taking note of the mood here, while everyone was outwardly reserved you could feel a boiling excitement. Although you could be wrong, seeing as you had only met these people once before before and can't make a truly accurate assessment.

Well, that could always gradually change.

"How's everyone doing?" you ask the table. Responses varied, with generally nonchalance. It followed in an almost clockwise pattern of responses, with Mike finalizing things with a grunt and a 'just fine.'

"We've been holding up. The last couple of days have been something else. How about you, son?" came in the more detailed reply of Albin after he'd spoken.

"Other than almost getting shanked the other day, just great" you may as well share this with them, you figured. It could give them something to chew on.

"Yeah, we heard" Mike said in between bites "the loudmouths in the fuzz were talking about some anonymous tip. Say, this isn't half bad" he took another from the stack in the middle "I oughta be getting some of these more often."

"You'll regret it if you do, believe me" Albin said in response, half chuckling, before looking towards what in hindsight was probably your surprised expression "you weren't exactly inconspicuous" he explained "it was easy enough to figure out your routine from asking around here. You're one of the only taxi drivers that come around these parts, you know. I'm guessing you used the booth that was by the abandoned apartment complexes were near the East Commercial Line, right?" you nodded, a bit stunned.

"The police" Shapes continued from where Albin left off "aren't exactly subtle about hiding what they know from the public. Especially when it comes to public landlines."

Well that's just great.

[1/2]

>>6070393
"I wouldn't worry about it too much" you could hear the Lady talk now, in as much of a comforting tone as her unfortunately high-pitched voice could give. She had stopped eating, and her face was planted in that same titleless book from before "we actually weren't entirely sure it was you until we told Ryan what we suspected. The fuzz probably has less of a chance to figure it out."

"Say, I'm surprised you didn't use your own phone. Those usually come with the fancy cards, don't they?" Mike commented towards you. While it was a mystery to you for the most part, knowing that it usually came with a phone was interesting if a bit worrying.

"I'm not" Albin said, saving you from answering "those things are worse than any public phone by a long shot. You have to contend with the mess of bureaucracies and corps if you use anything public, but you never really know who's listening with those private-bank phones. Better the devil you know, you know?"

The waitress, soon enough, comes by to serve you your food. You dig in as the Noirs continue to talk.

The conversation then devolved into more theorizing, debating, and banter between the people here. You'd mentally admit to yourself that most of the theorizing either went over your head or seemed wholly uninteresting. Thoughts swirled like smoke and speech meshed with the rest of the crowd, complimenting it. There were attempts to bring you into the fray, to some degree of success.

[2/2]

>Continue the smalltalk for a little while longer. You will find out more about the Noir group, both in the interesting and mundane. It's a good way to get to personally know them better.
>Try to get to talking about Lucian and what they plan on doing today. You're certain they're up to something, you can just feel it in them.
>You keep on making mental exercises with them. While it could help sharpen your mind, it could prove a bit risky with this specific group.
>Write-in.

>>6070394
>Try to get to talking about Lucian and what they plan on doing today. You're certain they're up to something, you can just feel it in them.

>>6070394
>Try to get to talking about Lucian and what they plan on doing today. You're certain they're up to something, you can just feel it in them.
>Also mention meeting those brothers and the whole gum situation, and ask their opinion on the carnival.
Is there a connection? A pattern? These guys are good at recognizing those, obviously.

>>6070398
>>6070723
>Plans And Findings

Writing. Might take until tomorrow morning to finish.

You decide that it's time to breach the subject of Lucian and their plans.

But first, it might be wise to speak to them about meeting the brothers and the whole deal with the gym. The former seemed to know about them, while the latter would surely interest this group.

You began with the latter. Explaining it to them wasn't as difficult as you'd expect, since you don't know too much in the first place. Jamesfield was the first to speak on the matter.

"I've heard about things like this. It always ends with more questions than answers, like there's no logical solution" before you felt that Jamesfield could elaborate further he let the sentence trail off as he yawned.

"Still it's something to look into. Where was this, again?" Albin said, less as a question and more to have you confirm it.

"Oasis Hotel, I live there" that last part elicited a few surprised looks from the people here, Jamesfield especially, who looked like he'd just solved a puzzle that was nagging at him. Which was odd, since you could've sworn you've already told them you lived at the Hotel. Maybe you didn't. You have been keeping most information about you to yourself.

"Were you checked into the hotel when this happened?" the question came from Mike. You shook your head.

"How do you know all about this then?" was Mike's additional and immediate query. This actually brought you to another subject you wanted to talk about.

"I talked to both of the Marelli brothers as they were finishing repairs for the gym. They told me all about-"

"So it was you that they were talking about, then" Jamesfield interjected "now it makes sense. Saves me the trouble of having to wonder who in the last few days I talked with could live in Oasis" he looked at you with an emotion you couldn't quite place. Maybe he was just a bit tired.

"Huh, well- wait" a sudden question popped into your head "why didn't they just tell you it was me?"

"They couldn't really specify. Said something about "keepin' de guests' biz on da down-low" because of a contract."

"I see" you remember the receptionist mentioned some sort of privacy statement "that's one mystery solved at least" you smile. Jamesfield simply nods.

[1/3]

>>6071144
"We've actually been looking at Hotel Oasis for a few years now" Albin said after the exchange "it seems to be a magnet for the type of things you just described."

"It ain't the only one 'round here, but a hotspot for sure" Shapes commented on the side.

"Yeah, could tell you a few interesting stories on that front. Anyway the gym was the first time things turned into a PR nightmare for them, you know" Albin finished here. It certainly explained a few things.

"So you guys know the Marellis, then? They said you guys were friends with them" you felt like they hadn't really been clear on that.

"Marty and Lou? Yeah we know 'em. They spoke to Jamesboy here last night" Lady motioned to Jamesfield, who looked deep in thought.

"When it comes to them being our buds? They ain't half bad, but..." Shapes seemed to be looking for some way to properly describe his thoughts.

"They aren't the sharpest tools in the shed, usually just brute force through things" Lady said, nonplussed. You could see that for Marty, yet assumed Louie might be more up their alley. Then again, you hardly knew any of them so you kept said thoughts to yourself.

"Gotta give 'em credit, they're tough as nails to pull off half the things they do" was the response form Shapes "both can be real good help when you least expect 'em to be" you could see that the others agreed to that, some more begrudgingly than others.

"They didn't seem too bad to me" you decided to talk about it as well "pretty down to earth people. Louie had burned some food I think" a 'that sounds like Lou alright' was heard from Mike "they seem to hold up well on their own. I only just met them, but at least Marty seems has trouble like anyone else. I mean he talked about how the carnival scammed him last time he went there when I mentioned it, which seems to happen to everyone" at this last part a quiet seemed to blanket itself over the group "what?"

"Yeah, the carnival, huh" Jamesfield responded quietly, making you strain yourself to hear him "they've been biting a bit more than they could chew. Just look at all these people having fun, waiting to get scammed. They don't know or they don't care none about it."

"But when you do that sorta thing for long enough you're bound to have a couple of folks peepin', tryna figure out how you operate" said Shapes, with the agreement of the rest of the Noirs. You doubted they'd say anything more about what's going on in such a public place.

[2/3]

>>6071145
Well that mostly answers what they felt about the carnival at least. And they practically insinuated there were plans of some sort in the ready. You assumed the Noirs had a part in said plans, or at the very least are looking into it. You recall what Ryan said about them.

But anyway, you felt like you were digressing from what you really wanted to talk about.

You let the conversation go on for a bit longer and slowly fade away before you try to introduce the main point subject you'd hoped to discuss; that being Lucian.

You decide to take a more straightforward approach.

"So, you guys remember that business card I gave you?" a few nods are your answer "have you guys found anything about Lucian?"

"That guy? He's a real trip" Jamesfield began "his company, 'Material World', for starters, was another shell corporation under the 'I.A.C'. Then Material World somehow managed to break free and was able to successfully perform a hostile takeover against them a few days ago" you sorely wish you could ask them about these things, but refrain from doing so both due to how this 'IAC' was talked about as common knowledge and not wanting to distract Jamesfield from continuing.

"But that's just it, see" Mike decided to mention something "we don't know when 'Material World' began, see. It popped into existence one day without any reason."

You can't help but feel rather proud of these guys for some reason. To find so much in such little time necessitated speed and risks.

"Lucian himself has just as big of a question behind him" Albin continued after "we don't know anything about his past or where he came from. He hasn't even been seen by many, and a few people don't even believe he exists" well that was just ridiculous. You'd seen Lucian already, hadn't you? "but he shot up the ranks like a rocket, and is now about to become one of the most powerful men in the world. Assuming we know the whole story, that is."

This was certainly interesting. You were about to eat another serving of your food, but realize you'd already eaten it all between these conversations.

[3/3]

>"Mind if I have a pancake?" There were quite a few left, proving that they may not be able to eat them all. You'll stay here and try to wrap up the conversation about Lucian.
>"Can you guys tell me about the I.A.C?" A bit of a risky question, you feel. But you might gain more knowledge from them than anywhere else.
>"Thank you, this has been really interesting. But I should get going to work. I'm thinking about seeing the carnival sometime today, anything I should look out for?"
>Write-in.

Sorry for the late update and any typos. I'm in a bit of a hurry.

>>6071147
>"Thank you, this has been really interesting. But I should get going to work. I'm thinking about seeing the carnival sometime today, anything I should look out for?"

>>6071147
>"Can you guys tell me about the I.A.C?" A bit of a risky question, you feel. But you might gain more knowledge from them than anywhere else.
We need to know...

I'm probably not going to be able to update today because of how busy I've been and tomorrow is up in the air, sorry about that.

>>6071192
>Carnival Caution

>>6071329
>See About The I.A.C

I can't promise that I'll write today, but I'll roll between these two in a few hours if there's no change.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>6072915
>1 Should Get Going
>2 I.A.C

Sorry anons, I don't think I'll be able to finish the update today.
I've been doing some house repairs/painting and it's been eating up a bunch of time after I come home from work.

"Thank you, this has been really interesting. But I should get going to work. I'm thinking about seeing the carnival sometime today, anything I should look out for?"

"There's the big tent in the middle, I wouldn't go there if I were you. It's the newest attraction, and they've been keeping a lid on it as a 'surprise'. If you ask me there's something funny about it" Jamesfield said. You would keep that in mind "other than that most of the games are fixed to take your dough, but you probably already know about that."

"Especially that money pot of theirs" Albin adds.

"Also don't think 'bout chowin' down on them caramel apples over there, they'll have ya wishin' you was pushin' up daisies" were the words of Mike from the back. While you couldn't see his face as he said them, the tone bore a grimace and made it seem like he spoke from experience. It earned a few chuckles from the rest of the group.

"Anyways, as long as you don't get wise 'n snoopy and stick to the regular hot spots, 'cept for the big top, you oughta be ok" Shapes said. You found the advice ironic, considering they probably are 'snooping' around the place already.

They speak about what they're going to get for lunch here, joking about just saving some of the pancakes, which reminds you that they're all going to be here at lunchtime. You find that half surprising, considering that the carnival would be open at nine in the morning.

After sharing a few more words with them, and thanking you for the pancakes, you give your farewells.

You depart, standing up from your seat and wading through the now more subdued chaos. It seems like a few people left while you were talking with the Noirs. You hope you haven't used too much time by being here.

[1/2]

>>6073499
Exiting the restaurant, the time of day confirms that it's still morning, much to your relief. You notice that the pinball machine is now being unused.
The 'greaser' is still in the same spot, smoking a noticeably smaller cigarette.

>Play, or at least try to. It shouldn't take long.
>Do not. Just keep going to your car and don't waste your time.

Soon enough you enter your taxi and start it up. You're on the road before you know it.

It's busy today, with no shortage of people trying to get from place to place. This comes with the caveat of there being an annoying amount of traffic preventing you from moving forward.

More than once, as you drop off and pick up passengers, you're able to see 'Oceanview Park' with the charity carnival before its full swing. There was indeed a giant tent in the middle like the Noirs had commented, but there were many rides that you hadn't seen before. For example there was an entire roller coaster you swear you hadn't seen before when you looked at the park from a distance last time.
It seemed rather elaborate for a simple charity carnival. You're honestly surprised more people haven't been talking about this.

You actually recognize some of the Blue Collar Workers doing some last minute preparations and what you assume is double-checking everything.

Nonetheless you keep on going. The people you take are either extremely talkative or almost completely silent, with little in between.

After what feels like hours of moving passengers you check the time. It is five minutes before eleven A.M.

[2/2]

>The carnival should be open by now, you're going to go in there and see what it's all about with your own two eyes.
>What's the rush? This was the perfect opportunity to get more money and see the relatively quiet of the rest of the city in contrast. Maybe you could use said quiet to your advantage...
>Go in, but keep on the entrance before you enter. You should see what it's like from the outside before actually taking a step in, maybe talk to a few people behind the stalls.
>Write-in.

>>6073500
>Do not. Just keep going to your car and don't waste your time.
>Go in, but keep on the entrance before you enter. You should see what it's like from the outside before actually taking a step in, maybe talk to a few people behind the stalls.

>>6073500
>Play, or at least try to. It shouldn't take long.
>Go in, but keep on the entrance before you enter. You should see what it's like from the outside before actually taking a step in, maybe talk to a few people behind the stalls.

>>6073036
IRL comes first. Don't sweat it.

>>6073573
>Don't Play

>>6074302
>A Quick Game

>>6073573
>>6074302
>Approach With Caution

Will roll for the first option and write a bit later on today if once I have the time.

>>6074304
Also thank you anon for the patience. I know I've said this before but the QM curse is real. I haven't been as busy with life before I started this quest.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>6074594
>1 Don't Waste Time
>2 Game

Rolling and writing.

----

A quick game never hurt anyone.

You had approached the pinball set without much of an expectation. It was only through a whim that you'd really decided to do so.

The crowd from before had mostly disappeared, with only the Greaser and a few others remaining. They seemed as aloof as before, not acknowledging you being there.

The machine was currently unoccupied, which also may have factored in to why you're now taking out a coin from your wallet and inserting it into the machine.

It flashes on, to your surprise, with a neon glow similar to the one saying Dan's Grill just above Dingo's restaurant. For a brief moment you wonder why it's called Dan's and not Dingo's, recalling that this restaurant is family owned. You hadn't actually referred to it as such when talking about it, always saying that it was Dingo's, but everyone seemed to know what you were talking about. It isn't too odd considering the presence and eccentricities the owner seems to have. It's easy to imagine his influence coloring the place.

These thoughts happen for a split second, as you watch the small metal sphere jumping to life from an unseen spring. The game starts.

You try to feel where the ball will go, and predict it's erratic movements as you focus on scoring more points.

The flashing little lights and sounds are like sparks that guide and taunt you. You tune out the rest of the world as you continue to play.

Before you know it, the game is over.

By the top of the board you see your score displayed in all of it's digital glory. While you aren't in the top three, you've at least managed to break into the highest ten scores. You're quite certain you could do better if you were to play more often and focus on doing so.

You're about to leave when you notice you'd attracted the attention of the Greaser. He doesn't say anything, merely looking at your score and then back to you before nodding. He goes back to what he was doing, which was nothing in particular, and lets out a puff of smoke.
Not entirely sure what to make of that one sided interaction, you move to your taxi. But a small itching part of you feels proud for a reason that escapes your memories.

----

[1/2]

>>6074769
You decide to approach the entrance at first before entering.

You're lucky enough to find a free space to park in which is not too far away. You take note of where you are, making sure you don't forget where the car is. While a taxi isn't exactly inconspicuous, it's better to be safe than sorry.

But either way you walk towards the entrance, noting the burgeoning amount of families, couples, and people in general that are arriving. You think you see the man you spoke with at the bar this morning, barely identifying him by the sun's glare in his glasses.

By the front there are various vending stalls which you're sure are only here for the carnival. They aren't particularly extravagant, serving as an introduction to wet the palates of people before entering. The stalls sell some of the usual food, such as hot dogs and ice cream or refreshments of some sort. There were four of five by your count, mostly passed by in favor of the supposedly greater and higher quality selection inside.

As you approach the gates you find that there are some people just loitering around, much like in some did by the pinball machine at Dingo's. However these people seemed to be more in tune with contemporary fashion than the Greaser or others within said restaurant. They didn't seem to be doing much other than buying from the stalls and hanging around, you imagined said stalls in front weren't complaining due to the business they were getting.
Other than that there seem to be a few families stalling, and you could gleam from passing conversation that they talked about what the plans were upon entering. You find it a bit strange, but then again this might just be some last minute planning, or perhaps attending might've been more of a spur of the moment.

The inside of the carnival seems not to disappoint, with many abounding amusements and entertainment you can see despite not even being inside.

[2/2]

>Try to talk with some of the people here. There's no shortage of people around, you just have to find the right opening. Or you could buy something from the vendors and chat with them, why were they here and not inside to begin with?
>Purchase something from the stalls and wait around for a little while. Perhaps there is something you've missed? There's a chance you might just be wasting your time, but there's no harm in waiting and watching.
>Meticulously looking around and talking is nice and all, but maybe you could go around the block and see if there's anything happening by the sides. Maybe you could find another entrance?
>Write-in.

>>6074771
>Try to talk with some of the people here. There's no shortage of people around, you just have to find the right opening. Or you could buy something from the vendors and chat with them, why were they here and not inside to begin with?
Curious about the vendors, in particular...

>>6074771
>Try to talk with some of the people here. There's no shortage of people around, you just have to find the right opening. Or you could buy something from the vendors and chat with them, why were they here and not inside to begin with?

>>6074773
>>6074842
>Stall Stalling

Writing.

After a bit of consideration you look for people to talk with.

And with that in mind talking with the vendors seemed like the most obvious thing to do. The ghost of a thought passes into your mind. Why go about things so slowly? You could've just crashed into this place. From the sides, the back, or even from the front itself. Memories that hadn't happened wash through you; the sudden burst of glass as you enter the airport, witnessing the cracks form on your taxi's window. Flying over a bridge, you felt something truly...

Before you were able to finish that thought, one of the families approached you and inquired if people can still participate in the raffle.
It was a family of four: a woman held the hand of a young boy, no older than eight. A man, whom you surmised was the father, was also the one that had approached you. A girl, with an annoyed and impatient look on her face (which seemed to slowly be replicated by her brother) followed a bit behind them, far enough to not fully be associated with the family (and any perceived embarrassment made by them) but not enough to be out of either parent's sight. By all accounts it appeared like a normal, if weary, family.
For a moment you aren't sure what to say, or if you should even say anything at all.

>Shrug your shoulders and feign ignorance. You're pretty sure it'll be open for a while yet.
>Just tell them it is and be on your way, you can't waste time with this.
>Tell them, but also add that you wouldn't trust buying into it.
>Write-in.

After that you resume walking towards the closest stall, which happened to be selling hot dogs and corn dogs. A middle aged man was manning it who, while tall, was also pudgy. He wore a grease stained apron that covered even more grease stained clothing. He had a disinterested, unkind look on his face. A receding hairline completed the unfortunate look.

>Buy something out of politeness and try to ask about why he's out here and not inside with the rest of the carnival. Although he may not seem like the talking sort, you can't judge a book by it's cover.
>You'll just purchase something and try your luck with some of the loiterers. Perhaps if they see you joining them with your own food they might be willing to converse.
>Just pass by and go to one of the other stands. (You can see one stall that's selling ice cream and slushies despite the cold weather, and another that seems to have soft pretzels and sodas. The ice cream stall is the closest by, Johan will go there unless specified otherwise).
>Write-in.

>>6075715
>Tell them, but also add that you wouldn't trust buying into it.
>Just pass by and go to one of the other stands. (You can see one stall that's selling ice cream and slushies despite the cold weather, and another that seems to have soft pretzels and sodas. The ice cream stall is the closest by, Johan will go there unless specified otherwise).

>Just tell them it is and be on your way, you can't waste time with this.
>Buy something out of politeness and try to ask about why he's out here and not inside with the rest of the carnival. Although he may not seem like the talking sort, you can't judge a book by it's cover.
We're on a mission! A... Vague, on-specific mission. Still!

>>6075739
>>6075715
Oops, meant to tag the post.

>>6075735
>Informed Addendum

>>6075739
>Your Way And Their Way

>>6075735
>Better Luck Next Stall

>>6075739
>Polite Purchase

I'll roll for these in an hour or two and then write if nothing changes before then.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>6076280
>1 Addendum
>2 No Time Wasting

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>6076342
>1 Next Stall
>2 Buy And Chat

And you pass him by, not really wanting to deal with it.

Luckily you don't seem to get any attention from him, good or bad. Or from anyone for that matter. It's fortunate that there was such a large crowd passing by.

You think back to that family and how you just told them what they wanted to hear before you went on your way. Any attempt at explanation would've taken a while and kept you were you were. It was for the best--you reasoned--they were slowing you down.

As you muse about this, you come across another stall. This one, though the air was chilly, seemed to have a selection of different ice cream flavors and types. From ice cream bars, classic cones, and even ice cream sandwiches. Slushies, of either blueberry or raspberry, were also available.
The whole thing seemed to be connected to an ice cream truck, cleverly hidden by the stall itself.

This one seemed to be headed by a classy looking ice cream salesman. His face, in contrast to the place you almost bought a hot dog from, seemed kind. He wore a stereotypical ice cream salesman's attire; bow tie, apron, hat and all. He didn't seem to be any older than you were. A small, friendly, and professional smile seemed to be perpetually on his lips. It would've reminded you of the receptionist woman's from the hotel, yet it seemed to be somewhat more sincere.
He immediately took notice of you when you approached.

"Hi there, how can I help you this fine, beautiful morning?" while technically correct, you figured calling it morning was a stretch. It couldn't be more than ten minutes after eleven.

"Well, you seem to have a pretty good selection of ice creams here" for some reason you felt more at ease with the way he was saying things, and felt the sudden urge to buy something from here despite not being particularly hungry. But other than that you were mainly just trying to find a good way to say what you were wondering "why aren't you over at the carnival proper? I feel like it could be more of a hit there."

[1/2]

>>6076381
"It would, yes sir" he said. You just now noticed that his voice wouldn't sound too out of place coming from an old radio show, such was his tone and the way he enunciated certain words "but that's just not how the cards are dealt sometimes" he shrugged his shoulders at this "you gotta make do with what you have, that's what my old man always said."

"Now, can I interest you in some of the selection here? We aren't getting any colder today!" he laughed at his own joke while pointing at a chalk board, and you couldn't help but join in with a chuckle despite not really getting it.

You look at the board for the first time.

--Order
-Ice Cream (Cup or Cone)
-Ice Cream Sundae
-Ice Cream Sandwich (Chocolate or Vanilla)
-Ice Cream Bar
-Slushie (Blueberry or Raspberry)

As for flavors, there seemed to be many that mostly seemed to apply for either the Sundae or the classic ice cream.

These included:
-Chocolate
-Vanilla
-Cookies And Cream
-Strawberry
-Butter Pecan
-Lemon-Lime
-Banana
-Mango
-Neapolitan
-Mint Chocolate Chip
And a few others that seemed to trail off beyond sight.

>"Yeah, I'll have..." (Order what you wish from the selection. Johan will just get a plain vanilla ice cream if you don't want to choose)
>"I think I'll pass actually." It might be considered rude, but you really aren't hungry.
>Write-in.

You did still have some questions. You hoped his answers wouldn't be as vague as the one he just gave.

[2/2]

>"So is is there some sort of ice cream mafia muscling out people from the carnival or what?" You feel like he was a bit too vague about when he answered.
>"Pretty crazy how this place seems to blow up, don't you think? I mean, just look at all the people coming here." You'll try to get a read on what he thinks about the carnival itself.
>"For how long have you been in the ice cream business, if you don't mind me asking. You seem to have a pretty good setup here. I mean, the timing is a bit off with how cold the weather is but still" He does seem professional, surely he'd know it's a bit odd to sell this sort of thing with how nippy it is outside. You wonder if he's actually someone who's independent or part of a larger group. Maybe he'll let something slip if you're lucky.
>Write-in.

>>6076383
>"Yeah, I'll have..."
>>-Ice Cream (Cone)
>>-Neapolitan
Three flavours, three colors... Like our mind.

>"So is is there some sort of ice cream mafia muscling out people from the carnival or what?" You feel like he was a bit too vague about when he answered.

>>6076383
>"Yeah, I'll have...a cone of Neapolitan.”
>"So is is there some sort of ice cream mafia muscling out people from the carnival or what?" You feel like he was a bit too vague about when he answered.

>>6076397
>>6076412
>A Three Colored Cone

>>6076397
>>6076412
>Ice Cream Mafia

Writing.

"So is is there some sort of ice cream mafia muscling out people from the carnival or what?"

"Sometimes the biggest obstacles are right under your nose, ready to pounce at you when you least expect it" the vendor once again responded with another quote. dancing around the inquiry.
He was in the middle of taking a second scoop of ice cream, something he insisted on as "a first timer's gift" and wouldn't take any objections.

"Is that another saying from your old man?" despite just only having met him you felt comfortable enough to do some banter. Once you realized how easy it was for him to put people at ease, it took a concious effort on your part in order to focus and keep your guard up.

He laughed again, and once more you couldn't help but follow up with a chuckle of your own. There was something funny about that laugh.

"Ha! Naw, that one was patented by yours truly" he was just about done making your ice cream, wrapping the cone with a napkin on hand.

"That doesn't answer my question still, you know" you took it from him as he handed it to you.

You gave the frosty dairy product a tentative lick. It was cold, it would be strange if it wasn't, biting your tongue. The three flavors amalgamated into a new taste as they entered your mouth, giving saccharine aftertaste. But then again, doing something like this can be fun. Why should you care about things like common sense and logic, if it would bore you and make you stop in your tracks? Yet time was a line that kept moving forward. All actions have their consequence, each leading towards the other.

"...and that concludes how I came to sell things here instead of being an ice cream big shot" it seemed like the words in your mind took you away from the story that came out of the vendor's mouth. You could've sworn that your train of thought wasn't so lenghty. This feeling eventually led to suspicion as he started chuckling.

"I kid, I kid. You spaced out on me for a moment. Looked like you'd just gone into to your own little world for a few seconds there."

[1/2]

>>6076968
"Really? Was it that obvious?" that was a bit worrying. Spacing out in the middle of something important seemed less than optimal.

"I'll say. Maybe it was just my good eyes or charming personality that was able notice it right away, who knows?"

"...anyway, I will keep that in mind. Thank you for the ice cream , this is actually really good, where-" no, focus "you know, that question still hasn't been answered."

The man looked you in the eye with an expression that just seemed tired.

"What is there to say? Business was bad over there for some reason and I couldn't sell a thing. I triple checked everything every time, from the product to the selection, and even getting customer feedback, but nothing turned up. If there's something phony going on, or if it's just plain old bad luck, then hey" he shrugged his shoulders here "that's how the cookie crumbles. Can't get too upset over it, gotta dust yourself off and get back up, etcetera."

"Anyway," he settled himself for a bit "is there anything else I can help you with?"

[2/2]

>"No, thank you anyway. I hope you have better luck around here than inside." Be on your way, the festivities are waiting.
>"Yes, actually..." (Ask anything specific? If not then Johan will ask one of the previous questions to him)
>"Where did you get the recipe for this? It's really good. It seems odd that it'd be so overlooked, even in this type of weather. Name's Johan, by the way." A bit late on the introduction, but you have to admit this did taste pretty nice. Almost made you forget that you weren't hungry. It was odd how he couldn't sell it at all, if his story was taken at face value.
>Write-in.

>>6076970
>"No, thank you anyway. I hope you have better luck around here than inside." Be on your way, the festivities are waiting.
The mission!

>>6076970
>"No, thank you anyway. I hope you have better luck around here than inside." Be on your way, the festivities are waiting.

>>6076985
>>6076988
>Thanks And Good Luck

Writing.

"No, thank you anyway. I hope you have better luck around here than inside."

"Likewise. I think you'll need it more than me" although you expected it, no laugh came from the vendor. But still that smile remained on his face, the same as it was before. You take your leave, ice cream in hand.

You go through the crowd, riding along the wave of people entering. Merely another face looking out from the multitude, you could hardly hear your own thoughts.

A sense of deja vu struck you as you almost got lost in the crowd. You looked around, for something. For someone.
Really, what was going on around here? Why are you even here? This could be a waste of time.
You felt like that vendor you had just talked to was hiding something. Or maybe not, who knows really. You're around halfway done with eating your ice cream as you thought this.
In hindsight you probably should've asked what he meant with that last part.

You hadn't really taken a good look around you, but being inside this carnival was...

Well, it was like you'd expect it to be.

Games were everywhere, held by stalls or tents, bearing very boisterous vendors and game operators. The food stands took the same philosophy in their appearance, as did everything else really. Whether it was out of custom or logic that they did so, you didn't know. Ultimately it didn't really matter.

But either way there was a greater selection of food items than by the entrance, you weren't even sure where to begin with that. From french fries to pies, to hamburgers and pretzels, and even the dreaded caramel apples you heard about, there was more than you could really take note of.

However it was impressive to know that all of this was headed by a single organization, whose name slips from your mind at the moment. That roller coaster by the back was a testament to it, serving as a background to most of the park.
There were also many little rides and types of entertainment scattered around the place, be it carousels, bumper cars, tests of strenght, hoop throwing games, you even spotted some apple bobbing. There was even what appeared to be a boat ride, selling itself to be a placid and educational(?) experience. The river, you noted, was connected to a certain bridge that you happened to fly across some time ago. Now that was something worth remembering.

[1/2]

>>6077719
It is also impossible not to notice the grand attraction right in the middle of the whole place. It was a large circus tent, striped red and white. A few people approached it with curiosity only to be shooed away by what you assumed were guards. It was not open yet, clearly.

A bit to the side of it there was a platform and a podium. Likely for the raffle, or any other announcement.

You had long finished the ice cream, and were now in the process of eating it's cone. A part of you felt sad that it was gone already, but you quickly shake off the feeling. You're not even that hungry anymore, even though it would be lunchtime soon.

The smell of cheap overpriced food and the chatter of people wafted into the air. You take note how it wasn't as rowdy as it was in Dingo's.

[2/2]

>Go around and look at the rides and games and food stalls. You probably aren't going to participate in any of the games, but you'll get a closer look at what's in store here. Maybe you could talk to someone there? It didn't even have to be the owner of any of the places. But otherwise, you noticed a distinct lack of any ice cream stands around...
>Just wander around for a bit and see where you end up.
>Try to take a closer inspection at the big top. With some luck you could find a way to enter it.
>Write-in.

>>6077721
>play one of the games, and talk to the stall operators as you do so
Don't spend much. Just a little. Consider it buying info.

>>6077721
>Go around and look at the rides and games and food stalls. You probably aren't going to participate in any of the games, but you'll get a closer look at what's in store here. Maybe you could talk to someone there? It didn't even have to be the owner of any of the places. But otherwise, you noticed a distinct lack of any ice cream stands around...

Sorry I've been sleeping a lot most of the day and I don't think I can update today. I should be able to do it tomorrow.

>>6078511
Understood. No worries, QM. See you tomorrow!

>>6077722
>Operator Operation

>>6077738
>All Around

I'll try to finish in a bit, but I've really been feeling a bit more tired than usual these last couple of days.
I'll combine these two choices since they can flow well with each other, if that's alright with everyone.

>>6079159
Fine by me!

Look around.

You go towards the various stalls, first seeing their intent before taking any action.
It is more of what you've seen: various games and differing types of food abounded. Despite the clear lack of winners in the games, not many seemed to care. In fact half of the people seemed to go there as if resigned to their fate. Still, they seemed to be having fun. Perhaps it was more of a social gathering, than an attempt to actually gain anything material. It was food for thought.
Speaking of such, the smells of oil and grease from certain rides put a damper on the appearance of said sustenance. Even the quickly disappearing dairy product you had purchased from the ice cream vendor seemed slightly less appealing.

Soon said cone in your hand is nothing more than a stub. Another bite makes it completely vanish. It was a nice meal, all things considered, you think to yourself.

Still no ice cream stands. It was odd, but at the same time not really. Who would sell ice cream when it's so cold out? Almost in response to that a chilly breeze swept by, almost making you shiver. Most of the people around didn't seem to mind too or notice too much, those that did mostly just looked around, as if realizing what had just happened, before shrugging and going back to what they were doing to begin with.

[1/3]

>>6079185
A few moments later from wandering around you decided to approach a game at random. The operator of said game bore the stereotypical 'funfair operator' look in his appearance, with a flat hat and bright red vest. It was surprisingly popular around the funfair, with many adhering to the same fashion through unsaid consensus.
The game itself was a simple test of strength. A tower stood in a small stall, with a bell attached to it's top and a hammer by its side. You could guess what the rules were.
A series of prizes were behind the stall, all ranging from useless trinkets to stuffed animals. The grand prize was a watch, describes as being worth at least a hundred in cash.

"Step right up! Step right in! Show your strength and win a prize!" he bellowed out into the crowds. A few teenagers had given the attempt, and surprisingly their halfhearted efforts bore fruit and they left with a few things.

"Hey, you!" you turn your head from inspecting the object "you and your pal can show your worth and be big winners! Waddaya say, give it a shot?"

You were curious enough to try, but the identity of this 'pal' confused you. That is, until you caught something from your peripheral view and turned towards it.

To your left, closer than you'd expect, was a mime.

He gave you a look of surprise before taking a step back, in the opposite direction of you as you took a step back from him.
His appearance was tall and lanky, wearing the typical striped mime costume they all seem to have.

A thought emerged from your mind; for how long had this mime been following you around? Surely it couldn't have been that long.
You scratch the back of your head as you think this, and notice that the mime was doing the very same thing in tandem with you. Ah, so it was one of those things.

Well, you won't let it get to you.

And so, after paying the man to play, you start by lifting up the hammer. It's surprisingly light, you feel. The mime continued to mimic you as you inspected the hammer.

You give it a swing, and hardly make the puck go halfway.

It's almost impossible to not notice that the mime was still copying you, in what was surely an exaggeration of your first attempt. You stifled a bit of annoyance.

[2/3]

>>6079186
"Well, that's some tough luck right there. You could always give it another go, eh?" you almost felt insulted at the blatant technique to keep you going. And a little curious as to how those teenagers could've got some prizes while you didn't. You voiced such, and were only met with replies of "they're probably jocks or something" or "it's just beginner's luck. Maybe you'll get some rubbed off on you if you keep at it."

But either way, you weren't really here for any prizes. You mostly were here for information.
And began by trying to chat with he stall operator, to a disappointing lack of success. The stall manager proved to be vague, more so than the ice cream vendor, and worse he seemed to take this as an opportunity to try and get you to play more.

However, you did hear something interesting after asking about the stall itself and when he first started.

"Oh boy, this might surprise you but your humble host here was only in since the last time this place came to town. Some of these fine establishments all around us have a veritable history to them" you're not sure what exactly prompted the second part of that sentence, but you were listening nonetheless "not to say I, and other fine hosts don't have none, but this place has been around for what, a century and a half?" he spoke this last inquiry to none in particular. The mime however, in a rare act of not replicating your every move, shrugged his shoulders.

You were at your fifth attempt, and still no luck. The only reason you had gone for so many tries was because it was cheap. Almost unreasonably cheap, actually.

[3/3]

>Keep going at the game and try to get more information.
>Say your goodbyes and go towards another game stall. It didn't really matter much where, most were pretty similar to each other.
>Go somewhere else (maybe one of the rides, or the food stalls? You could also just keep wandering around and hope to bump into something interesting).
>Write-in.

>>6079187
>Go somewhere else (wander).

>>6079187
>Keep going at the game and try to get more information.
When and by who was this fair started? Who runs it these days? And what's the oldest business or game here?

>>6079388
>Wander Elsewhere

>>6079404
>Operator Inquiries

I'll roll between these around a few hours from now and start writing.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>6079622
>1 Wander
>2 Questions

Writing.

Wander for a while.

With how things were going you weren't going to get more information out of this man anytime soon. And even less from the mime.

Perhaps the best call now was to hope you'd stumble into something, rather than pry the the information out or play into the operator's ego. Some of the best things in life can happen through chance, you thought.

With your mind made up, you decide to end your stay here. You were, unlike your monochrome shadow, starting to get sore arms from the constant swinging.

"That's a shame, son. I had a feeling your were starting to get a hang for it" he said, disappointment etched in his voice, after you'd relayed your intentions. And you see an avaricious glimmer in his eye. You find it strange that the price was so low.

"Well, it's your loss" he said, and without missing a beat turned from you and started shouting again. To your gratitude the mime had seemed to grow tired of mimicking you somewhere between the last swing you made and your conversation, he seemed to find more entertainment in emulating the operator now, solving that problem.

"Step right up! Step right in!" you could still hear the words as you departed, growing fainter by the minute and being drowned out by the rest of the activities around. You'll admit you had the fear there was some sort of caveat to playing, given how cheap it was. You were happy nothing materialized, and hoped it would stay that way.

Passing by, and sometimes through, the same places you were at before can seem meaningless. It was as if you were just forgetting about your focus. What were you doing, really?

However, despite thinking that, you could see that there was more around than you thought.
One of these noticeable things was that there were quite a few entertainers around, with you paying more attention to it due to the appearance (and annoyance) of the mute actor from your time at the test of strength.
Other than mimes moving around like small smudges in an otherwise colorful landscape. There were a few clowns, jugglers, and strongmen, mostly congregating by the giant tent in the middle. Was there actually going to be a circus here? You didn't see any animals or other telltale signs of a moving caravan. That last part was actually rather strange. They didn't just spring up from the earth, could they?

[1/2]

>>6079759
While aimlessly walking around, you gain a greater sense of awareness of your surroundings as well as a few landmarks. So it wasn't a complete waste, you figure. But that may just be your conscience justifying it. Help doesn't just come down from the sky.

As you're thinking about these things, you feel a light tapping on your shoulder. Startled and turning around you're met with the unnaturally pale face of a woman. She smiles at you, and you register that she's another mime. Great.

She makes pantomimes something about a person walking in place and looking around, turning out her pant's pockets inside out, and showing both sides of her hands after raising them. You feel confused for a moment, until the mime suddenly produces a wallet, seemingly from thin air, with what's surely a trick of her hands.

You blink once, then twice, before realizing that that was your wallet.

Quickly, you snatch it out of her hands as she raises up her arms in mock surrender and gave a self assured grin. You start to feel your temper rising at the unruliness. But you have to admit it was entertaining, if the small crowd clapping for whatever this was is anything to go by.
She bows once, with a mock grace. The spectators soon spread out and melted back into the rest of the crowd. You found slight consolation that at least she wasn't mimicking you like a certain peer of hers had.

Honestly, you felt...

>Still a bit annoyed. This isn't exactly what you had in mind for 'bumping into something interesting'.
>Amused. All things considered it was still in good humor, no?
>A bit of weary. Both in the tired and cautious sense.
>Write-in (?)

Johan will still feel every one of the emotions above to an extent, this is mostly a choice in which is more noticeable/dominant for him.

Yet it would do well to be more aware of pickpockets, with that example.

Before anything else you check your wallet and the rest of your pockets. Thankfully everything seems to be in order. You think about your next course of action.

[2/2]

>Try to 'talk' with the mime. While you don't particularly feel like playing charades, you might gleam some interesting insight. Who knows, maybe it could prove meaningless and informative in equal measures?
>Take a closer look at the tent in the middle. The Noirs might've warned you about not going in there, but merely approaching it can't bring any harm. Right?
>Back to seeing and participating in the game stalls. You could still salvage things from this mostly pointless encounter and get back on the right track. But what exactly was the 'right track' to begin with?
>Write-in.

>>6079761
>A bit of weary. Both in the tired and cautious sense.
>Try to 'talk' with the mime. While you don't particularly feel like playing charades, you might gleam some interesting insight. Who knows, maybe it could prove meaningless and informative in equal measures?

>>6079761
>Still a bit annoyed. This isn't exactly what you had in mind for 'bumping into something interesting'.
>Try to 'talk' with the mime. While you don't particularly feel like playing charades, you might gleam some interesting insight. Who knows, maybe it could prove meaningless and informative in equal measures?
Ask what you can expect from the big tent, and how soon. Ask her opinion of the owners. See if we can puzzle our the resulting pantomime.

I might have to postpone updating today, sorry anons. I should have more time to write by tomorrow.

>>6080515
Se you tomorrow, QM!

>>6080019
>>6080367
>Pantomimic Persuasion

>>6080019
>Weary And Watchful

>>6080367
>Annoyed In Mind

Will roll between these if there aren't any changes in four to five hours and then start writing.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>6080934
>1 Weary
>2 Annoyed

Sorry for taking so long, I fell asleep for a bit too long.
I'm actually not sure if I can finish this update today, it might have to wait until tomorrow morning, I apologize.

Communicate with the mime.

Or at the very least you'll try to. Curiosity drove you forwards in this instance.

You turn to her, as she in turn looks at you. A slight tilt of her head speaks a voiceless inquiry.

Seeing it as good of a prompt as any to continue, you clear your throat and begin.

"So, for how long have you been doing..." you motion at her "this sort of thing?" it's good to start small, you think, testing the waters with how well 'communication' can work between the two of you.

She responds with an upward wave of her hands by her face, colored by a slightly confused look. Does she want you to move your head up? That doesn't make sense. No, she wants you to elaborate.

"Both as a mime and a part of this place" while you can notice that you've guessed accurately, at least you assume so from her immediate nod. However you notice she seems to subtly grimace a bit at the last part of your sentence.
Bringing up both her closed hands, she first lifts five fingers on her right hand, closes them again, and brings up two fingers on her left.

"Seven years as a mime in this carnival?" she shakes her head "then, five years as a mime and two years doing it here?" her face brightened, making you wish to smile as well yet you keep your guard up, and she gives a thumbs up. Good, that was a more obvious success.
But you are a bit surprised she's only been here twice. Unless she's been following this place for two whole years, a thought which you vocalize. She gives a singular silent laugh, shakes her head, then crosses her arms. You're pretty sure that's a no.

[1/4]

>>6081145
For a moment you want to ask her to talk with you normally, but think better of it for multiple reasons: the first and foremost being that this was her job, any sort of chat would likely break whatever code she was going by. And before that stream of consciousness can expand any further you catch yourself from getting lost in thought, noticing that the person in front of you is staring at you. You try to explain you were merely lost in thought and laugh it off, but you could tell from the strangely concerned look on her face that she believed there was more to it. You're not even sure if there is anything more to it.
Thankfully she doesn't seem to pursue it, as much as a mime could press about any type of topic anyway.

"Since you've been here at least two times, I imagine you know a bit about this place" you think how best to phrase the next questions you have in mind "well, you know more than I do at least."

"I'm assuming you don't know much about the big tent, right?" since she hasn't been here for that long, you don't expect her to know too much if anything. She seemed to initially nod, before thinking better of it, and then making a so-so gesture with her hands.

"In that case, do you know what I could expect if I were to go there?" she taps her chin at this. Just as you thought she was going to just shrug, she begins making some pantomimes.

First she pretends to carry something heavy on her back, and then stops in order to draw a rectangle with her two index fingers.

"They were carrying heavy boxes on their backs?" she beams again and nods.

[2/4]

>>6081147
The second part of this pantomime was a bit more difficult to figure out. She opens an invisible door, then opens her hands and acts as if she's reading something and finally points to her head.
After that she pretends to push and drag something forward with no small difficulty. The next moment she has a very depressed look on her face, her hands holding bars made out of nothing. With comical speed she switches to mimicking someone barking orders, and returns back into the subordinate that was pulling, who now stands up straight and gives a salute.

"Okay, I got the part of people dragging a cage and their boss being there" she gives another thumbs up, smile accompanying soon after "but the first part with the book and the door is giving me a bit of trouble."

She taps her chin once more, something you've come to figure as her thinking. She points to her forearm, then points to you. You feel a bit more confused than before.

"My forearm?" she shakes her head. She then points at her entire arm, before shaking her head again. She points at her forearm once more, and then at some random man in the distance.

Fore... body? You felt like you were getting closer with that thought. And then it hits you.

"Foreman?" she smiles once more "the foreman was reading a book after opening a door?" she starts to nod her head for half a second before stopping. Ultimately saying it's so-so with a shake of a hand midair.

"Alright so the foreman was doing... something" a small bit of annoyance goes through the back of your mind, and you almost think to yourself that this is a waste when compared to getting information through other methods. However you can't really blame her for it, this is what she does for a living. At least you think that's the case. And besides, this hasn't been a waste of time with the new information she's provided you with.

"It has something to do with a book and a door at least?" she gives a tentative nod before you continue "well beyond that I'm guessing you know about the owners, more or less. What's your opinion on them?"
At that query she sticks out her tongue and lifts down an eyelid. Seems like she's not exactly a fan.

"Yeah, I've noticed none of the higher ups around here aren't too popular" that's what you've got from the people you've spoken to in the last few days "I don't suppose you've worked or are working for them?" she crosses her arms in an x-shape "I figured not."

[3/4]

>>6081149
"Since we're on the topic of that big tent, when do you think something might happen in it?" she gives you the gesture to elaborate "I mean, when do you think it's going to open at least? Or maybe have their big show?" this elicits an apologetic shrug from the mime.
However she doesn't stop there. She first points at herself, the ground, and finally to the back of her wrist. Afterwards she points at the sun, and then hides her face behind her hands, before slowly rising up from them.

You think about it, and you have a reasonable grasp on what she's trying to convey.

"You've been here in this place for some time. Since before dawn" her face is gleaming at your response and she even makes a few claps. It seems you got that rather accurately "so you're saying you've seen them set up in the morning" another nod, this time a bit more excitedly than the others before.

While she's distracted you notice, for the first time, a little to her side and down there seems to be an upside down cap with money in it.

>You'll give her some change after you're done talking with her. It's a polite gesture.
>Perhaps a more generous tip would do well, considering how entertaining and interesting this has been.
>No, you're going to pretend you didn't notice it actually. It may sound petty but you're still annoyed at that stunt she made earlier.
>Write-in.

You look around you, then at the sky. It's around midday, you figure. And while it's still rather populated, the mime and you have been strangely undisturbed.

[4/4]

>Ask her about the employees around here. You recall seeing some of the Blue Collar Workers around here earlier today around the place. You wonder if they have anything to do with the big top. Maybe you could even ask about the Noirs, although it's a long shot that she might've seen them, you're not even sure if they're around here yet (feel free to ask any other questions with this option).
>Focus on trying to communicate and understand pantomiming. It's surprisingly easy for you to grasp it's understanding, as if you had a talent for it, whether from something in your past or just through a whim of fate. Besides you have a sudden feeling that you might be able to find something useful through this, a strange connection to something just out of your reach.
>This has been nice, more helpful than you expected it to be, but you wish to do something else (you could look at the rides, or go back to playing some games, or do any number of things like wandering again).
>Write-in.

Sorry in advance for taking so long and for any lack of quality in the writing. I've been having a pretty rough day and got only a few hours of sleep due to housechores specifically finding a bunch of mold in the closet and basement. I know that mold can be pretty bad if unchecked so it's eaten up a large part of my day (and will probably make me more busy than usual if I'm being honest) trying to clean it.

>>6081151
>You'll give her some change after you're done talking with her. It's a polite gesture.

>Ask her about the employees around here. You recall seeing some of the Blue Collar Workers around here earlier today around the place. You wonder if they have anything to do with the big top. Maybe you could even ask about the Noirs, although it's a long shot that she might've seen them, you're not even sure if they're around here yet (feel free to ask any other questions with this option).
Describe the Noirs and the Blue Collars we've seen a bit. Give she rmore to work off of than our idiosyncratic internal nomenclature.

>>6081156
IRL comes first, especialy with structural and health hazards. No reaosnable anon will ever begrudge you that.

>>6081151
>You'll give her some change after you're done talking with her. It's a polite gesture.

>Ask her about the employees around here. You recall seeing some of the Blue Collar Workers around here earlier today around the place. You wonder if they have anything to do with the big top. Maybe you could even ask about the Noirs, although it's a long shot that she might've seen them, you're not even sure if they're around here yet (feel free to ask any other questions with this option).

>>6081280
>>6081359
>Polite Gesture

>>6081280
>>6081359
>Employee Inquiry

Writing.

>>6081280
>IRL comes first, especialy with structural and health hazards. No reaosnable anon will ever begrudge you that.
Thank you for the kind words, anon. Still I'll at least try to make a post explaining why I can't update for the day.

----

"Do you know anything about the employees themselves? I've seen a few familiar faces around here."

"What I mean by that, is if you've noticed anything odd from them. Or just general things you've seen" she doesn't even have to tell you to elaborate for you to do so. You feel like you're going to keep getting the hang of 'talking' like this. Even though you're not going to really focus on deciphering body language you'll still gain some knowledge here. You take the time to describe the Blue Collar Workers as best as you can remember them, while also mentioning having seen them earlier today doing some last minute fix ups.
The mime woman, now looking through her memory (and tapping her chin with a finger once more), gazes around for a bit as if searching for something before closing her eyes.

This continues for a few seconds before she suddenly flashed open her eyes, looking like a lightbulb was turned on above her head.
She first lightly knocks on the top of her head a bit with her knuckles. She then pretends like she's carrying something heavy, exactly like she did earlier.

"People with hard hats were carrying the boxes. And they match the description I mentioned?" she nods happily "interesting. Other than that there was also-" before you can continue she waved her hands to stop you. At first you were confused, but you got the idea she was trying to say she just remembered something. You motion for her to go ahead.

At first she begins posing like a body builder (an act giving a rather comical effect, as she was more on the lanky and thin side), then she flips back into knocking her head in the same way she did a few moments ago. She then spreads her arms wide around her. Finally she points at the tent in the middle.
Something to do with the Strongmen and the Blue Collars. Open wide? Was the tent open earlier today? You relay what you think she meant, and she shakes her head. She then makes the same pantomime for 'long time', before pointing at the big top again.

"So the big top was around for a long time?" she gives a thumbs up "and it was set up before you came here, is that what you're trying to tell me?" she responds in the negative after giving you an odd look. That was a bit of a test in your part, you wanted to see if she was being consistent in her story.

[1/2]

>>6081919
"Ah, you already said you saw them set up the tent didn't you?" she pouts for a moment, puffing up her cheeks "right, sorry. I'll try to pay more attention from here on" and you could almost hear her say "you better!"

Still, that left deciphering what she meant earlier about the Strongmen and the Blue Collars. You take an educated guess.

"So the workers and the strong guys were spread all around the carnival earlier?" she nods and smiles "I'm assuming you're also saying they congregated by the tent in the middle" another nod. Interesting. You also ask her what they were doing, and she silently replies with an act about fixing, carrying things, and digging. Any attempt to have her elaborate is met with a shrug and an apologetic look, before she reveals that they were shooing her from place to place. You can't really blame them, mimes can be a bother. But at the same time you feel a pang of sympathy for her. Any risk can go belly up, and it seems like she caught the short end of the stick more than once.

At the very least she's being consistent in her pantomiming.

"I see. Well, on another subject, you wouldn't happen to have seen a certain group of people around here?" you expatiate about the appearance of the Noirs, trying your best to not use phrases that were borne from your mind that she would, realistically, have no knowledge of.
To begin with, disappointingly, she shrugs. But as she thinks about it again and again she comes up with another pantomime. After some guesswork from your part (with her pretending to be tip-toeing around and hiding behind invisible blankets), you're able to surmise that there were two men snooping around earlier today at different hours. You ask if she was able to catch a good look at them, but it seems like she assumed they were safety inspectors from the way they dressed, and unfortunately didn't think much of else of it at the moment.

Considering you had just met the Noirs this morning, they must've been here earlier on.

"Were those two men here before the sun rose?" she nodded, followed by a quizzical look on her face, as though asking something "they're just people I know. They tend to be more on the sneaky side, and can be hard to get a hold of" from what you know of them at least. That seemed to satisfy her curiosity. However she seems to be deep in thought at something.

[2/2]

>Try to gain more of a sense of knowledge in body language as you keep 'speaking' with her. It seems like you might have a talent for it. However you no longer feel that strange connection to something within your mind anymore, for better or for worse.
>Ask her about the carnival in general. You've likely exhausted everything she knows about the big top, but she seems like someone who's been around the block so to speak.
>Thank her for her time and throw some money into that cap before leaving. (Where will you go to? What will you do?)
>Write-in.

>>6081919
>Was the tent open earlier today?
*open to the public earlier today
It can be assumed this is what Johan meant in his mind either way, but still I'll clarify it.


Also sorry for any typos and things like that, I'm in a bit of a hurry rn

>>6081920
>Thank her for her time and throw some money into that cap before leaving. (Where will you go to? What will you do?)
Check out the big top.

>>6082032
+1

>>6081920

>>6082032
>>6082357
>Tent Trek

Writing.

Thank her for her time.

"Well" you finally said, taking out your wallet and throwing some money in the cap "thank you for your time. It was a pleasure talking to you" a great irony came in that last statement. In response she lifted her beret with a flourish, grinned, and bowed. You could almost hear her say "the pleasure is all mine".
With her hat off, her hair could be seen in more detail; a jet black color that draped down, matching the dark stripes in her attire. Straight as it was it bore some puffiness, and was long enough to barely graze her shoulders. Said hair happened to tilt slightly forwards along with each small bow she seemed so fond of doing. Although a bit shorter than you, she was lankier than you were.
Her clothing was standard as it was stereotypical for a mime to wear; black striped, long-sleeved turtleneck shirt accompanied by dark black pants and suspenders, the French beret on her white-gloved hands perfectly matching the dark of her hair and trousers. It was something you had seen in other mimes around the park-turned-carnival.
Her facepaint was a plain snow-white, done well enough to even include her ears, the snow color only broken by two perfectly circular blush marks on her cheeks. Each mime had a slightly different type of face paint, you realized. The mime that mimicked you earlier had no such blush marks, but four small triangles were below and above each of his eyes, facing downwards and upwards respectively.

You wondered, briefly, if it was this carnival that had come here on top of her place of work and not her coming here for the carnival.

While a bit late in the 'conversation', you think whether or not to introduce yourself to her.

>"My name is Johan, by the way." Stretch out your hand for a shake. You're curious to see how she'll introduce herself.
>Just nod and be on your way. A small part of you still doesn't want to bothered by them too much.

Walking away with a final wave, you merge into the crowd. While the big top is hard to miss, the people around you made traversing more difficult than you'd expect. Was there some sort of wave of people that just entered?

Nevermind that, you saw that the crowd got larger as you went towards the big top itself. You're probably not the only one curious about it, and given how prominent it is you're not surprised it's caught some attention. Perhaps one of the main reasons there's such secrecy is to increase the curiosity surrounding it?

As you wade through, however, you find those theories about to be tested. For you notice the crowd start to dissipate after a certain point, the reason why soon revealed.

[1/2]

>>6083042
A group of people, composed mostly of Strongmen and the occasional Blue Collar Worker, served as bodyguards to the place. Hearing familiar phrases of "please turn back, we apologize for the inconvenience" and, more usefully "I'm sorry, but this attraction won't open until four in the afternoon" are said by spokesmen in suits behind the guards.
You're slightly surprised by how clinical and corporate the tones are, compared to the more friendlier and energized way most of the carnival operators advertised and generally spoke with everything having to do with what they owned.

You look around, and most of the Clowns that were here are no longer present. There were a few Strongmen scattered behind the lines, though you imagine you might be able to find other clowns and strongmen somewhere, not necessarily connected to this tent, if you really tried to look for them.
The jugglers from before were an entirely different issue, being as common as mimes and scattered around the place.

[2/2]

>Look around and have some dialogue either with either the clowns, the strongmen, or the jugglers scattered around.
>Four in the afternoon was at least three hours to wait. Maybe you could go to one of the rides or games or the like and try to get a better picture of the place and the people here. You currently had mostly been to the generally popular areas and had a good idea of where most things were.
>Honestly you're tired of trying to get information so gradually and passively. Try to find a way to break in or at least get a better look. There must be somewhere with weak defenses.
>Write-in.

>>6083042
>"My name is Johan, by the way." Stretch out your hand for a shake. You're curious to see how she'll introduce herself.
>>6083045
>Look around and have some dialogue either with either the clowns, the strongmen, or the jugglers scattered around.