bakerstreet | The Carnival Meme

The Carnival Meme

the carnival meme

WHAT TO DO:
1. Post with your character!
2. Pick a scenario and reply to people!
3. Have fun and try not to get sick on the roller coaster!

OPTIONS:
1. Games: From classic ring toss to the shooting gallery, here's your chance to win a prize for yourself or for that special someone. Some say the games at a carnival are rigged, but maybe, just maybe, you'll get lucky!

2. Food and Drink: The sweet smell of funnel cake and the familiar briny aroma of popcorn draw you over to the food and drink tent. There's cotton candy, candied nuts, and cheep booze, all here for your enjoyment.

3. Classic Rides: The carousel, the ferris wheel. All carnivals need these classic rides for kids and adults who aren't looking for the excitement of the faster-paced rides. Snuggle close to your partner and see if you can see your house from the top of the wheel.

4. Something More Exciting: This is for thrill-seekers. Here you'll find the Tilt-a-Whirl, the Gravitron, the Screamin' Swing--all the rides designed to make you lose your lunch. Hope you didn't have too much cotton candy!

5. Freakshow: Do they really have a bearded lady in that tent? It's time to find out. Buy a ticket and see the greatest oddities the world has to offer.

6. Tunnel of Love: Or perhaps tunnel of mild boredom. The red-tinted lights and quasi-romantic music are meant to make this ride a great makeout spot, if the chemistry is there.

7. Hall of Mirrors: You and your partner entered, thinking it would be easy to get out again, but dead ends abound in this wacky mirror-maze, and each mirror seems to show a more and more distorted image of each of you.

8. Fortune Teller: Whether one of the creepy machines or the even creepier women dressed up in a culturally insensitive costume, you cross someone's palms with silver and get your future told. Will it be happiness forever with your partner, or will ill tidings be bound your way? (Feel free to use this online tarot spread for extra fun!)

9. Wildcard: Any situation of your choosing happens in a carnival today! Go with the flow.

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[Genji's never been to a carnival, though he's not entirely out of his element here. The atmosphere and much of the set up is reminiscent of the street festivals held in Hanamura on the holidays. Everything's bright and cheerful, happy voices and jaunty music float through the air, and Genji's feeling somewhat giddy himself as he takes it all in.

Usually Genji doesn't bother with clothing, but tonight he's opted for a loose hoodie and some baggy pants to avoid attracting attention to himself. Naturally it's still difficult to miss the neon glow of his visor under the hood pulled over his head, but at least this way he doesn't get more than idle eyes passing over him unless curious passerbys are staring straight at his face.

At this exact moment, he's stopped walking by McCree's side in order to stare up at the largest, most harrowing rollercoaster present at the carnival, watching the cars race around the track, listening to the frantic and enthusiastic screams of its riders. The avid interest visible purely through Genji's body language doesn't spell anything good.]

McCree. [Genji's expression might be hidden behind his helmet, but the way he's grinning can be clearly heard in his voice.] We should ride it.

[ On the other hand, it’s been a very long time since McCree has been to a carnival at all. When you run with outlaws, it gets kind of difficult to show your face anywhere, let alone at a place that’s supposed to be fun for the whole family. He’s enjoying it, though, taking in the sights, sounds and smells. It was almost enough to make a man feel nostalgic.

Much like his cybernetic counterpart, McCree’s gone casual for this outing, in plain jeans and a simple plaid shirt, one sleeve rolled up to accommodate his mechanical arm. And of course he still has on his trademark hat and stupid belt buckle. You know, just in case anyone forgot he was a badass.

How he came to be hanging out with Genji on this little outing was beyond him, but the guy wasn’t bad company. They had just sort of found each other in the crowd and stuck together. It takes him a second to realize that Genji isn’t next to him anymore- ninjas, man- and he stops walking to follow the cyborg’s gaze. McCree tips his hat back as he looks up, up, up at the coaster’s initial drop and lets out a low whistle. ]

Tall order, Shimada. Sure you’re up for it?

[The question only gets a small chuckle out of Genji, the sound almost lost beneath the pitched screams that start up again from the coaster.] It will be fun to find out.

[Is Genji an adrenaline junkie? Maybe. At the very least, the lighthearted atmosphere of the carnival is bringing out a side of him closer to the carefree playboy he used to be, a side that hasn't been properly displayed since he joined Overwatch. He's willing to indulge in it as long as the mood lasts.]

And you? Cowboys are supposed to be good at taming wild steeds, aren't they?

[McCree might not presently be in his full cowboy get up, but that's not stopping Genji from teasing him about it.]

[ McCree's gaze slides over to the man beside him, and he quirks a brow. ]

Careful, kid. [ "Kid", even though there's only a couple of years between them. It just seems fitting, somehow. ] That's startin' to sound like a challenge.

[It's been a while since Genji has heard himself being addressed by something like that. The amused quirk of his mouth at the development is hidden safely behind his faceplate.]

If it is? [It's exactly what it is. But then, with concern that is not at all genuine:] No, I shouldn't do that. I wouldn't want to risk your heart giving out. Dr. Ziegler would be terribly cross with me.

[If McCree's going to call him a kid, Genji's going to fire old age jabs right back.]

[ That startles a laugh out of him; a short, barked out “ha!” The goading seems to have worked, because McCree slings an arm around Genji’s shoulders. ] All right, whippersnapper. Pay attention, ‘cause old man McCree’s about to show you how it’s done.

[ And with no further preamble, he hauls Genji towards the coaster. ] I betcha I won’t even lose my hat.

[Once, Genji would have shrugged that arm off like it had burned him; thankfully he's reached a point where he can accept the contact without trouble. He shows more of a reaction to 'old man McCree' than anything, letting out a laugh of his own, quieter than McCree's own bark had been. Hands shoved in the pockets of his hoodie, Genji allows the sharpshooter to manhandle him into line for the coaster.]

I thought there was a rule against betting things you can't afford to lose.

[Even if Genji's interested in seeing McCree attempt it. Especially against some of the more devious loops built into the track. His eyes drift for a moment to the people climbing off the latest run, taking in how some of them stumble their way past and the few looking green around the gills as they seat themselves on convenient nearby benches.

Thoughtfully:] Then again, perhaps the hat isn't the biggest thing you should be concerned about losing.

[ Ah. Well. This is the guy who somehow kept his hat on while riding on top of a high-speed train, so it’s probably fine.

He gives Genji a pat on the back. ]

It’ll take more than a little ol’ coaster to make me lose my lunch. Wouldn’t wanna upset your delicate sensibilities, after all.

[ Can cyborgs even get sick? Probably not, all things considered, but he’s not going to let that get in the way of some ribbing. ]

[The pat has his head turning back to McCree, giving a snort for the reassurance.]

I appreciate the consideration. It would be embarrassing to be stuck standing next to the full-grown man emptying his stomach over a carnival ride.

[Despite the long line of carnival goers before them, it's not long before they end up at the front. Genji slips out from under McCree's arm only to get a grip on the man's arm and tug McCree behind him as he winds them expertly through the crowd. He's not quite fast enough to claim the very front car, but the third car in line isn't a bad consolation.]

I've never been on one of these before, [he admits once they've settled in. Some of those turns and loops look far more devilish from the coaster car than they did from the ground. He reaches a hand upto secure his hood over his head; he's not as confident as McCree in his ability to hold items to his head by pure will, and he'd rather not have his tassel flying out to slap the faces of those behind them.] You're truly not concerned about losing your hat?

[ He gives a slight roll of his eyes, but it’s belied by the grin still plastered on his face. ] No, thank you for takin’ my dignity into account.

[ The wait in line thankfully isn’t long, and McCree slots into the car next to Genji. He supposes he shouldn’t be surprised that Genji hasn’t ridden a roller coaster before, considering what little (very little) he knows about the man. Probably not a whole lot of time for amusement park rides when you’re being put back together, piece by piece.

Now there’s an awfully dark line of thinking that he very quickly casts aside. ]

Don’t worry about me, rookie. Just try ‘n stay in your seat.

[ With prompting from the ride attendant, he tugs the safety harness down over his shoulders and it locks into place. Once everyone else is similarly secure, the ride lurches forward, catching the chain and making the slow ascent to the top of the first drop.

McCree adjusts his hat once more, making sure that it’s firmly in place before the coaster crests the top of the hill and plummets downward.

Considering it’s been a long time since he’s been to a carnival, it’s been a long time since he’s been on a roller coaster as well, but it’s kind of like riding a bike. Riding a bike without having to pedal or steer or do much of anything aside from holding on. Okay, so it’s not like riding a bike, really, but it’s still hard to forget.

He lets out a whoop of excitement at the first drop; it’s sort of like being a kid again. In spite of the wild turns and loops, he only has to secure his hat once when they crest another drop. How does he do it? Must be some kind of cowboy magic. When the coaster finally ends up back where they started and clack clack clacks to a stop, he beams over at his companion. ]

You still with me?

[Genji gives a shout of his own as they barrel down the first drop. He even copies the motion of some of the other riders, raising his free hand in the air as they go through loops, the other keeping his hood securely fastened to his head despite the wind's best efforts to rip it right from his head. He doesn't even think to look over and see how McCree is doing with keeping his hat on; he's too busy anticipating the next segment of the coaster, or watching the lights and the colors of the carnival below turn into one dizzying blur as they race over the track.

By the time the coaster pulls to a stop, Genji is practically vibrating in his seat. He laughs at McCree's question, the first unrestrained laugh he's made all night, breathless and giddy from the harmless adrenaline rushing through his veins. Sure, the battles they go through daily provide a lot more excitement, but it tends to be dampened by the risk of dying. This is pure fun, and Genji is reveling in the way it buzzes under his skin.]

Still here! [He gives another laugh when he looks over and sees that McCree's hat is, in fact, still on his head.] I can't believe you actually kept your hat.

[A fun side effect of this being Genji's first ride on a roller coaster: McCree gets to see a ninja being off-kilter. The usually graceful cyborg actually stumbles when he sets foot back on the platform, though it doesn't last long before his equilibrium kicks back in and he evens out once more.]

I suppose the bet is yours. What are your terms?

[ That laugh takes him completely off-guard, and Genji gets a deer in the headlights stare for a second, like it’s hard for McCree to reconcile a sound of joy and that oh-so-serious looking visor. His moment of disbelief doesn’t last long, and soon enough he’s laughing right along with the cyborg. It does a heart good to hear something so happy coming from someone who’s usually so quiet and stoic. ]

Told ya I wouldn’t lose it.

[ He says it with a grin as he hoists himself out of the car and steps onto the platform. He’s a little off-kilter himself, but it’s not as obvious on him as it is on the ninja, and he sorely wishes he had a camera to capture the moment of Genji not quite knowing which way is up. Ah, well. He'll just have to content himself with them memory.

In the face of Genji’s joy, it’s hard to ask for anything much, though he does pretend to give it some serious thought as they exit the ride. ]

Buy me a beer and we’ll call it even.

A beer at the carnival? What would Dr. Ziegler say?

[He even puts a dramatic hand on his chest. For shame, McCree. He drops the act once they're back on the ground, heading toward the food stands to make good on McCree's desired prize.]

Somehow you always struck me as a man of simple tastes. You seem at home wherever you have a cigar, a drink and your gun.

[It's a simplification of who McCree is, and Genji knows enough about him to know that, but it doesn't strike him as inaccurate either. Even back when McCree was in Blackwatch it was the vibe Genji got.]

But I suppose being able to adjust is required in the life of a cowboy.

[ He snorts, amused. Who knew Genji could be so... theatrical? ] I'm sure the doc's got bigger fish to fry than little ol' me havin' a beer.

[ The cowboy falls in-step alongside the cyborg, thumbs hooked through his belt loops, and head tilted to one side as he considers Genji's words. Truly, Genji isn't far off. He's never thought himself to be a complicated sort of guy. Eventually, he shrugs. ] I always thought it best to enjoy the simple things. Life's too complicated, otherwise.

[If only you'd met him pre-fratricide.

Genji hums thoughtfully over McCree's words, finds himself nodding in agreement.] It's a good sentiment. Odd how difficult it can be to grasp, sometimes.

[Maybe a carnival isn't exactly the ideal place for a philosophical discussion. But when you've spent an extended period of time being counseled by a Shambali monk, you pick up habits. He lets his comment hang there as they approach one of the food stands. The smells of carnival food wafting through the air nearly tempt Genji to order something for himself, but in the end he settles for simply purchasing McCree's beer. The exchange is a quick one made quicker by the stall owner's confusion upon seeing Genji's visor, preventing him from asking about ID before Genji can slip back to McCree's side.]

Your prize. [He may throw a small flourish in as he presents the bottle to McCree. A tiny one. He lets his attention drift over the crowd moving around them, the lights and sounds and laughter, letting it settle under his skin along with the excitement still present from the roller coaster.]

Have you been to many carnivals before?

[An idle question, but one with genuine interest behind it. Genji may have the core of McCree down, but not the small details that make him up. He's interested in changing that.]

[ McCree hangs back as Genji goes to the food stand, eyes carefully trained on the clerk. He doesn’t suspect there will be trouble, and he knows that Genji is more than capable of handling himself, but… well, prejudice is alive and well in this world. It would be easy to mistake Genji for an omnic, and who knows what would happen from there.

That’s another dark line of thinking that he’s quick to shove aside when it’s clear there won’t be any issues. His expression settles back into something amiable by the time Genji has concluded his business. He tips his hat at the ninja before taking the beer. ]

Thank you kindly.

[ He pops the bottle cap off with this mechanical hand (which is the best use for a mechanical hand, honestly) and takes a long drink from the bottle. The beer wasn’t even all that hard-won, but somehow it still tastes better. Maybe because he didn’t pay for it himself. ]

Not since I was a kid. Bein’ a wanted man ain’t exactly good for your social life. What about you? Got anything like this- [ He motions at their surroundings with his beer bottle. ] -back where you’re from?

[He hums at the question, quiet for a moment as he thinks back to home.]

Back in Hanamura, we had street festivals for the holidays. It was quite similar to this. [His tone takes on a nostalgic hue as he continues, his mind obviously beginning to drift.] The space didn't allow rides, of course, but there were food stands set up, games to play and trinkets to buy. Throngs of people laughing and celebrating. Every time a festival came around, I was unbearable to deal with. All I wanted to do was be at the festival and while away the night in the company of a beautiful person or two.

[Thinking of who he used to be back then, the carefree playboy, selfish and wild, is a strange paradox; that Genji feels like an entirely different person to the Genji of now, and yet not at all. Though he's certain it'll definitely sound like an entirely different person to McCree. The thought has Genji pulling himself out of memory to turn his attention back to his companion, offering a soft laugh and a shrug.]

So I get a blend of the old and new here. I like it. And the night is young yet; I'm sure we can still make up for your days of being on the run.

[ Genji isn’t far off with his assumption, because McCree’s eyebrows arch in mild surprise as he gets a glimpse into the other man’s past. ]

If you woulda asked me an hour ago if I thought you had a wild side, I’da said “no way, Jose”. Now? I can kinda believe it.

[ Riding a roller coaster with a person does wonders for perspective, apparently.

He leans back, resting against one of the barriers cordoning off one of the rides from the main walkway. For his own part, he’s got mixed feelings about the McCree of the past. He did what he did, and there was certainly no changing it, so feeling sorry for himself wouldn’t get him anywhere. On the other hand, it’s hard to forgive some of the things he did in his outlaw days. The former is a much easier mindset to keep, especially when the atmosphere thus far has been so jovial. ]

I got a beer and I got to watch a ninja stumble his way off a roller coaster. I’d say we’re well on our way.

That part of me has been tempered for the better. But it's nice to indulge every now and then.

[Nicer for company to share it with. Though Genji might not be the social butterfly he once was, he still enjoys being around people, even if all he's doing is basking in their presence. Getting to know one of the people he shares the battlefield with is a bonus on top of it. It was pure chance that led him and McCree to being at each other's side for the night, but Genji's glad for it. He'll have to make sure he expresses the sentiment later.

For now, the mention of Genji's momentary lack of grace has the ninja in question letting out a small, amused sound.]

Perhaps I should be glad you'll have no more record of that than your own memory. Or perhaps it's a testament to the coaster.

[Training on top of cybernetic enhancements - if a coaster was enough to knock Genji off-balance, even if for a second, it said something.]

Well on our way, but not there yet. Are you up for another challenge?

[He waves a hand past the food carts, out toward the lane of carnival games beyond. There's more than enough opportunities for friendly competition there.]

[ He’s kind of been enjoying getting to know Genji outside of the battlefield as well. The guy always struck him as just kind of aloof and… ninja-y, but McCree is quickly finding he genuinely likes his company. It’s better than wiling away the evening alone by a long shot. ]

Don’t suppose anybody’d believe me even if I told ‘em, so your reputation is safe for now.

[ But if he would have had a camera, you know he’d be showing that to everybody.

He follows the motion of Genji’s hand with his eyes, and when his gaze reaches the rows of games he just grins. Even if carnival games are rigged as shit, he’d bet that a ninja and a sharpshooter can give a lot of them a run for their money. (He also decides to omit the fact that carnival games are rigged for now. Surely it’s not all that relevant.) ]

You have to ask? Lead the way, kid. I’ll even let you pick the first game.

[The sight of McCree's grin has Genji smiling behind his faceplate, an unconscious reciprocation of the expression that he can't help. Genji can tell that the grin means nothing good, but that doesn't mean that he doesn't enjoy seeing it on McCree's face anyway.]

Good. I can keep you away from the shooting gallery, then.

[Genji knows better than to step on that battlefield with McCree, even if he did have experience with firearms. Which he doesn't - not beyond the basics, at least. He's not about to go and embarrass himself that badly at a carnival.

He dips his head in acknowledgement as he leads the way to the games, weaving his way around players and their audiences as he looks around for a good game for the both of them. His eyes scan over the stands and booths until they come to a stop on a simple game: Pop The Balloon.

Popping a balloon with a dart sounds fairly simple, and they both have practice with their throwing arms. An amusing, if likely quick, diversion.

(Little does Genji know.)]

This one, then.

Don't think I won't drag us there eventually.

[ If only because he wants to test his skills against the way the game will no doubt be weighted against his favor.

Ah, but the game they end up at is rather familiar in its own right. McCree's played more than his fair share of darts at more then his fair share of bars (seedy or otherwise), and he likes to think he's halfway decent, even with the few beers in him. He's also aware that those balloons are probably not going to pop all that easily. ]

Okay kid, we bettin' on this one or are we goin' best two outa three?

Edited 2016-06-26 03:39 (UTC)

For a game like this, two out of three seems the better idea.

[Because, again, Genji's expecting this to go fairly quickly between the two of them, so betting on the first round sounds boring. Little does he know.

He purchases his darts - five, since he knows that he'll at least need a couple throws to get used to the weight of the darts as compared to his shuriken. With that in mind, when his first two throws don't pop any balloons, Genji doesn't sweat it much. He feels he has a good grasp on how he needs to handle the darts now, and it is two out of three. He can always make up for it if he loses this round.

But then his third dart doesn't pop anything either, despite the fact that Genji is certain he hit a balloon this time. The way he stills after the throw makes his confusion obvious. ??? The fourth throw doesn't fair much better, and now Genji is just eyeing the wall of balloons suspiciously from behind his visor.

This type of rigging probably fairs much better again people who aren't trained assassins with keen perception and a tendency to throw sharp instruments around on a regular basis. As it is, Genji is quickly realizing that Something Is Up here.]

[ Suspicion is practically rolling off on Genji in waves by this point, and McCree can't help but laugh. He has five darts to match Genji's own, though he doesn't think he'll do much better. At least he's expecting it. ]

Doin' okay, junior?

[The last dart gets possibly the most petulant throw McCree has ever seen. Genji isn't even trying at this point. He'll make a better attempt on the second round.]

My... aim seems to be off tonight.

[Translated: "This game is cheating isn't it." Of course Genji can't say that out loud, with the man running the game right there, but it is heavily implied for his cowboy companion. Regardless, he moves back without complaint to let McCree take his shot, arms folded across his chest as he settles in to watch.]

we can voicetest together?

sounds like a plan to me!

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my inbox timestamped that last tag at noon and i'm still laughing

that is beautiful

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this thread is adorable and I am dying

SAME THOUGH i'm glad you're enjoying it too!! ps i love your mccree

aaaah thank you! I love your Genji too <3

thank you, i'm glad to hear it <3

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