More colours than you can shake a stick at, don't even try [Mingle]

[ourearth]

Date: Friday, the 2nd of August - officially Saturday, the 10th (and unofficially Sunday, the 11th)
Characters: Open to all!

---

It is Mossgate's fifth season, and the the first signs come when the flag above the town hall showing the town coat of arms is removed and replaced with the bright and beautiful pride flag. Anticipation is high in the LGBT+ areas of town, and the traditional pride pre-parties take place in the LGBT+ venues on Friday and Saturday nights. Bunting starts to go up along the main streets of town, and volunteers are gathered for meetings and rehearsals. Any latecomers who still wish to volunteer are invited to turn up and make themselves known at this point (especially anyone with a valid first aid certificate!)

Pride officially opens on Sunday, with special free walking tours of the notable LGBT+ venues and sights around town twice a day, as well as open lectures at the universities featuring such topics as “What is a definition anyway: LGBT identities throughout the times” and “50 years and going strong: An overview of the situation of Pride parades worldwide”. Interested parties can sign up online using the local theatre's website, where they will also be able to browse the special LGBT+ program for the week (which, unfortunately, is not free, but those volunteering at any point over the week will be provided with two free tickets as one of their perks – either to be used alone for two events, or with a companion for one). The twice monthly LGBT+ book club is holding a special taster event on Wednesday evening, and the comic store is also holding special events each evening, focusing on a different LGBT+ character or author each night. Some of the religious institutions in the town are holding special LGBT affirmative services, and some are also holding drop in sessions. The RSPCA holds a pride themed dog show. Certain beauty stores, hair salons and barbers are holding trans-friendly sessions and workshops, some outside of normal working hours (although some are only accessible by signing up in advance). During the evening, there will be LGBT+ pub quizzes and special LGBT+ events up and down the high street. And, of course, plenty of other stores will also be taking advantage of the pink pound and the locals will notice the sudden influx of rainbow products, especially in the touristy shops along the beach front.

Something else starts showing up on Sunday and will be found around town the entire week of Pride: Parcels of various shapes, sizes and colours, some packaged like a present, some like regular postal items, some in entirely different ways. They just sit around in places where curious fingers might prod them, annoyed people might move them, or people might pick them up with the rest of the delivery unthinkigly. Essentially, they can be found anywhere, inside and out. They only have one thing in common: When touched, they explode into a cloud of glitter. And the glitter gets everywhere within a fifty metre radius if nothing (like a wall) stops it. The glitter bombs sitting around and waiting to explode seem to get neither less nor more. Those who can recognize Mr Neutral's scent will find it on the packages.

The other thing starts slowly and almost imperceptibly. All around town, things that break the light like thick glass, mirrors, sprayed water, and so on, will grow more likely to show a rainbow. Short rain showers will almost invariably leave one. All of this is still very natural until Thursday, when the strong, lingering, beautiful rainbow left after a rain shower portrays the colours light blue - baby pink - white - baby pink - light blue. By the time the main event rolls around, there is a ridiculous number of rainbows of all Pride flag colours everywhere, and the sky carries multiple rainbows of various identities' colours at the same time.

The main event, of course, being the pride parade, held from 11AM on Saturday the 10th. It starts at the town hall, progresses along the main beach front road and ends up at the Green from around 2PM. It's a massive event, equal to Brighton or Manchester, with plenty of floats and sponsors. All along the parade route, flags, bunting and ribbons float in the sea breeze and barriers have been placed to keep the audience from getting under the feet of the walkers, dancers, prancers and stompers that will make up a part of the parade's diverse make-up. The parade itself is made up of an interesting mix of local businesses and big name sponsors; the local walking society walking behind Absolut vodka, the WI walking ahead of Skittles, and the local scouts being proceeded by Stonewall and followed by the Conservative Party.

The Green has once again been set up with stalls for sponsors and local businesses, including charities like the RSPCA and the Samaritans. Those out for freebies won't be disappointed, with stickers, badges and sweets being handed out left, right and centre, especially by the representations of political parties who are doing their best to build some trust back up with the population. Because every Tory representative called out for increasingly ridiculous reasons, Mary Saunders had to take the Tory stand into her own hands and is brightly chatting with people about everything that is not national politics. The local reproductive health centre also has a stand, handing out condoms, dental dams, and advice.

A dance area and a DJ have been set up around the bandstand, and with several bars having build temporary extensions, the party will go on well into the night, although the parade officially ends at nightfall, when there is a fireworks display. After the fireworks, the Green is temporary cleared, and after it reopens, only those with ID proving themselves to be 18 are allowed back inside. There is, however, an alternative, alcohol free party held in the town hall for any ages.

Pride officially concludes on Sunday evening with the Kings and Queens ball, an extension by tradition that is held in the Hive. With the bar cleared out to make a second dance floor, there is a flamboyant tie dress code, (as long as it's smart and fabulous, you'll be welcomed), and while tickets generally sell out months in advance, Alexander keeps a few to one side for late comers, and volunteers are (again) provided with two as part of their package. When the bell finally tolls at 2AM, and the last partygoers are sent home, Mossgate will return to it's usual, quiet self (but the glitter will take some time to clean up completely).


[ooc: Everyone who comes in contact with the glitter can, but doesn't have to get a plot echo out of it.]

Comments

[warped_replica]

Exhausted mentally from the attack that somehow never feels less than a step from the grave, Benjiro remains partially absent while Walter is gone, staring off as he waits. When Walter returns, the teen looks up from the ground to the offered open bottle, and takes it gingerly in both hands. Once he has a soft grip with one hand, he uses the other to slip his facemask enough to put the bottle to his lips and gulps half the contents.

Bottle set beside him in the bench to pace himself with his mask returned immediately after, Benjiro looks towards Walter, but not yet to his face. He has to think quite hard to understand the purpose of the wipes, but does piece it together, “Oh...for the glitter. Thanks. It’ll be a start at least.”

Using one hand to rub at his face, Benjiro releases a quivering sigh, then asks with apprehension in his voice, “...Walter? When...when exactly did you figure it out?”

[iamnotgod]

"Not immediately," is his first reassurance.

"This latest Echo is the most confirmatory evidence we have - that there even could be two possible sources for memories was something I only started to consider last October."

Combining both the dinner meeting with Russell and the events of Halloween.

[warped_replica]

The teenager processes all of what Walter says slowly, and he nods faintly, “And you couldn’t say anything about it without risking...” he gestures vaguely, “this.” Benjiro sighs heavily with a sharper hiss through his teeth. He must be more of a mess than he realized if he could no longer be called on to reason through the situations their Numbers place on them.

He questions what will give first. His sanity or his integrity. Will the pressure of becoming a monster crush him before he reaches the point of no return?

[iamnotgod]

Walter's lips are pressed, as he comes to sit by the teen and provide support that way.

"We've both been driven to question ourselves by our Echoes, more than anyone should have to question themselves over anything."

Ben should remember when Walter was in a similar state - in January, and more recently. There's more than one kind of monster.

[warped_replica]

Benjiro watches his friend’s feet as he comes to sit beside him, and only then does Benjiro finally risk a glance to his face. A twinge of guilt hits as he listens and drags his gaze back to the ground. Walter has already undergone an Echo like the kind Benjiro so fears, and he has managed to control it. Yet, in this moment, it is not about changes in emotions or behaviors, or even underlying thought.

A clone is simply a replication of an organic being. It is considered lesser than the original, and in this case, qualifies as a horrifying counterfeit.

Still, Walter’s words are a comfort if only for the way that his friend can empathize. Switching to speak in Japanese, Benjiro braves voicing a thought, “I just don’t understand why... Why him and not the first?” The potential benefits of increased size and strength are heavily outweighed by the risk of that violent anger.

With no viable reason beyond himself, Benjiro has only himself to blame.

[iamnotgod]

Some days, 'control' feels dubious. But he's held on, mostly because of the support of people including Ben himself.

"We may as well ask why Sadie gets the memories she has, or Doctor Tilly or Sam Stone. The memories hurt, but they hurt all the more because we don't control it, and can't feasibly do so."

He dares to offer Ben a sideways hug, even now.

"We may as well ask why there are Numbers at all."

Though that, at least, may yet prove to have an answer.

[warped_replica]

Benjiro made a promise, and he intends to keep it as long as he can.

The lack of control is an aspect that has remained a constant, and the teenager groans in acknowledgement of it. The displeased sound ends earlier than intended when Walter disrupts the frustration with the initiation of a hug. Eyes closing as he takes a measured breath, Benjiro leans into that hug and lays his hand over one of Walter’s hands.

“...that’s literally the question we’ve all been asking since the aurora borealis,” he mutters with a tinge of humor. Fatigue steals the hints of a smile after a moment, but his thoughts are starting to clear.

[iamnotgod]

Walter 'harrumphs' in bemusement, because Ben is right.

The hug continues, seeing as they both need them where they can get them, really.

"It's not as if anyone we've met yet has those answers, though."

Or that they can expect such a person to waltz into their lives any time soon.

[warped_replica]

“Even if we never do, eventually we’re going to figure some of this nonsense out,” he replies with a hint of determination. Between all of them, they have to be capable of discerning more from the Numbers. He will not concede on that matter, and regardless of his personal descent, he will endeavor to accomplish that much.

After a moment lingering there, Benjiro slowly sits himself up to lean back on the bench where he can reach his arm closest to Walter around his friend to better return the hug.

“...sorry for sharing the glitter,” he adds as he realizes how much a mere hug has already spread the glitter mess on him onto Walter.

[iamnotgod]

"You're right."

Because he can't not agree. Determination is one thing they have in spades, where they don't have answers.

He snorts, because for once he doesn't care about the glitter.

"It'll wash off. Eventually."

Ben is more important.

[warped_replica]

“Eventually...” Benjiro echoes in acceptance of the allowance.

His thoughts turn to an underlying factor he had not discussed with Walter at any length previously. At first, it had been a matter of having a more urgent situation at hand. Then, the conjecture around the memory rusted with doubt. He did not see a reason to broach it without having more solid evidence.

Now, he has it.

Feeling safe with Walter so close to him, Benjiro’s expression clouds as he tries to construct some decent way of broaching it. He doesn’t dwell long before reaching his free hand up to rub at the back of his neck. Speaking in Japanese once more, he tries to ease into the detail that makes the label of clone far more repulsive, “...there is something else. I do not think it is anything you could have figured out. I only put it together between this memory and one I got back in June. It showed me where he came from if I am right.”

[iamnotgod]

Walter's own response, composed faster than Ben's, is also delivered in Japanese.

"From what we've gathered so far, his life was already unpleasant. I can gather that it started that way as well?"

His life, not Ben's life.

[warped_replica]

The distinction is an important one and allows Benjiro to continue.

“His creation is something I have not yet witnessed. But I know who made him and part of why.” He pauses briefly then continues with a reminder, “Given the population of New York City in that time includes a wide variety of aliens, it was not surprising. An alien by the name Sh’Okanabo.”

Delaying the matter of why, Benjiro follows a tangent, “Which also explains the alien language I can write.”

[iamnotgod]

"Sh'Okanabo..."

That's not a name with any significance to him - but then, it wouldn't be, now would it? Even where aspects of these other people's lives are familiar, the details, the overall story, were strange.

Though Walter's attention is immediately arrested by what Ben says next.

"How long have you been able to write in it?"

It's not something Ben's let come up before.

[warped_replica]

Strange seems to be the major theme for all of the memories Benjiro has received.

Guilt knotting his brow, he answers, “...since I got the memory. Right before I started building the boat. I got them both when I tested the samples from the tunnels in the school lab.” Rather than hold back any details about it, he will confess, “I actually started using it to record more detail in my notebooks rather than stick with shorthand. Being the only one to write and read it should make the information I’ve recorded safer.” He even rewrote some parts and burned the original pages of shorthand.

“...I apologize for not telling you sooner. I should have.”

[iamnotgod]

Walter squeezes Ben's shoulder gently in the hug.

"Languages from another world are well-suited to that sort of thing."

And any envy or anger at not getting to know earlier is easily swept aside.

"It was no folly to do such a thing, Benjiro. Some secrets come out at their own pace, or not at all. That does not reflect badly on you."

Walter would be a hypocrite to say otherwise, based on his own experience.

[warped_replica]

It has been undeniably useful for recording details.

His guilt is not assuaged by the assurance from his friend. “I am so afraid of what could happen if my Number changes me too much. Enough that I feel I have to hide all of it. Even the things I should share,” he explains. Then he looks directly to Walter, “I do trust you, Walter, but I have not been showing it.”

[iamnotgod]

Walter looks softly at Ben.

"What do you wish to share, then? Hugs count," he adds.

It may sound like a joke, but he means it; just as much as he could any other answer.

There are many languages of trust; he's not going to force Ben to use one over another when he's not ready to, or at least not willing to try.

[warped_replica]

“There is only so much glitter I can ask you to withstand,” he says with a lighter tone, but with honest intention.

He quiets for a thoughtful pause, hand briefly settling against his chin. There is so much information, and he has not yet sorted it all out for himself. His hand drops as he turns the opportunity into something more focused, “...if you have any questions, I can try to answer them. I do not know where to start.”

[iamnotgod]

"You had mentioned learning more about 'why' he had been created. And- did he ever have a name?"

Referring to him in various ways as not Ben, while important, was doubtless going to sound vague after a while.

[warped_replica]

“He did not have a name. Only the leader among them had a nickname they used. As for why they were created, I suppose that can explain the lack of identity. All four clones were made for the express purpose of attacking and potentially killing the four brothers from which they were cloned. They would occupy the turtles. More importantly, they were used in a trade to Darius Dunn. Sh’Okanabo needed information from Dunn for something he called ‘The Day of Awakening’...and coming from him, it would be bad for everyone else.”

Benjiro would be open to a suggestion.

I can ICly have Walter volunteer Fred, unless you had an idea in mind?

[iamnotgod]

"We can give him an idiosyncratic name, I suppose. A codename, rather than just referencing him as a clone."

It'd be more dignity than the mutant turtle had gotten in life, sad to say.

As for the rest... Walter scowls, though not at Ben. "Something apocalyptic, no doubt. It does sound like the sort of thing that would fit the nature of the world they're from."

He was a genius, so maybe a name that reflects that?

[warped_replica]

The suggestion of giving the clone a name is one that gives Benjiro pause. He has endeavored to keep the clone at arm’s lengths in all respects that he can, but he does pity the beast. The teenager nods, “...yes.”

“More than likely,” he says in agreement. Donatello’s memories carried some harsh experiences as well.

[iamnotgod]

"How about Enrico?"

The name is given in English, of course.

"As for the rest- how many memories, proportionately, do you believe you've gotten from the two of them thus far"

[warped_replica]

Benjiro repeats the name softly behind his mask, then nods once, “I think that should be suitable.” At the very least, it will make it easier to discuss.

Regarding memories, the teenager takes a count with little delay, “Six from Donatello, and five from Enrico.”