intro | day 104

[tacosgay]

Listen.

[The voice that comes over the public channel is... odd, and new to most folks here. He pauses for a bit, as if that's the entire thought-- but, sure enough, he follows it with an obviously annoyed question.]

So we're just kind of... here, because they say so? Like... this can't be legal, can it? Has anybody tried talking to the fuckin' police about this?

[As he speaks, he gets increasingly irritated, his voice breaking.]

I'm gonna be real with you guys: I've got half a mind to just kinda magic my way out, except I'm pretty sure the Ringleader or whatever would come after me. Is that a thing?

Comments

[small_reservations]

[Axel laughs. The amusement may be faked, but it's a decent imitation.]

You selling memberships?

[tacosgay]

You're welcome anytime for free, my man. The pocket spa welcomes all visitors.

[small_reservations]

Pocket spa, huh? Is that a euphemism or literal?

[tacosgay]

Which would you prefer?

... I mean, it is a literal pocket spa, but, you know.

[small_reservations]

Hah! Yeah, that does sound pretty sweet.

[He specifically doesn't answer what he'd prefer, though.]

[tacosgay]

You should swing by my trailer sometime and I'll show you how it works.

[small_reservations]

I'd like that. Which trailer are you in?

[tacosgay]

24. Just, uh, you might wanna radio in and make sure it's me home and not my roommate first. Trust me on this.

[small_reservations]

Oh? What's wrong with your roommate?

[tacosgay]

Buddy, I don't even know where to fuckin' start. Little mouthy green guy, just... look out for 'im.

[small_reservations]

Little, mouthy, green. Got it.

Oh hey, we're neighbors. I'll wave once I get back from patrol.

[tacosgay]

Cool deal, my dude, I'll keep an eye out for you. Be cool to meet the face behind the chatter.

>Action

[small_reservations]

[It's another couple of minutes before Axel returns to his trailer, having patrolled his designated section of the carnival. He looks out to the trailer Taako mentioned, trailer 24, and waves.

He looks pretty freaky, mind. Like some technicolor tiefling. Long horns, green-brown tail, hooves, glowing eyes... and short-shorts under a carnival t-shirt, as is his wont to wear. The shorts reveal that his legs are completely gazelle-like, as he trots closer to his neighbor's trailer.]

>Action

[tacosgay]

[Honestly? Taako's seen worse. He once watched a guy he's dated back home turn into a skeleton. It's fine.

He does raise his eyebrows a little-- but he breaks into a lazy smile after a beat, waving back at his neighbor.]

Hail and well met, my man. How was patrol?

[small_reservations]

Long.

[He grins right back.]

Nice to meet you too, I guess. Sucky circumstances, though.

[tacosgay]

Ehhhhhh, I've met dudes under worse ones before.

[try having died too many times and getting fussed at by death's sexy servant.]

Shall I fetch the pocket spa, or are you good for tonight?

[small_reservations]

Honestly, I just wanted to say hi and then turn in, but I'll admit to being curious about how a pocket spa would work.

[tacosgay]

Oh, yeah? Well, I can show you how it works, at least, and then you can go about your merry way. Hold on just a second.

[Taako vanishes into his trailer; only a few minutes later, he reemerges, a little pop tent in hand.]

Check this shit out.

[He tosses it to the ground, expands it-- and it unfolds into a full size door attached to a very small tent. But, if Axel looks inside, he'll see a very nice little spa-- not a fully-sized or fully-staffed establishment, but there are a few nice things to be seen in there, and a lot of nice, warm steam and soothing music.]

[small_reservations]

[Axel raises an eyebrow. That's not what he was expecting, to say the least. He's not sure what he expected, but that's not it. Maybe some kind of kit?

Then he looks inside. And immediately flinches back.]

It's bigger on the inside! Did you get this - you must've gotten this cleared, right? I'm no physicist, but a pocket dimension inside a tiny private dimension is probably bad news!

[tacosgay]

... nnnno?

[He giggles nervously, the sound high and lilting in the back of his throat.]

Uh... is that a thing? See, I didn't exactly pay attention to the whole introduction spiel here, so I probably did miss a few... details. Uh. Well, it hasn't caused some kind of schism yet, so it's probably cool, right?

[small_reservations]

[Axel does some quick mental arithmetic.]

... Probably. Honestly, even if I did report it, it'd probably just get confiscated. For the Ringmaster's personal use, no less. I guess I can keep it secret.

[tacosgay]

I super appreciate that, thanks. [He mumbles to himself:] Especially considering how much I paid for the fuckin' thing...

[Aaand then he switches back to addressing Axel, a grin on his face.]

Anyway, anytime you wanna take yourself a little rest, you just let me know. It'll be our little secret.

[small_reservations]

I'll probably take you up on that. For now, though, I'm going to go rest in my trailer.

[He grins right back, and gives a lazy salute.]

See ya 'round.