[hr][hr][center][h1][b][i][color=a0522d]Gilbert Summers, "The Hat"[/color][/i][/b][/h1][img]https://occ-0-1722-92.1.nflxso.net/art/80bc8/4fa55a1a549c6e720b7eac87dd14dfd3b6d80bc8.jpg[/img][hr][b][color=sienna]Location:[/color][/b] Ville au Camp (Carnival Setup) 
[b][color=a0522d]Skills:[/color][/b] N/A [hr][/center]

	Somehow, Gilbert was not surprised. He did not possess any psychic abilities that would allow him to sense the motivations of others; were he to have such powers, there likely would not be such undercurrents of growing concern about the presence of these carnival people as existed within him then. It did not take mind reading, telepathy, nor the much-envied power of clairvoyance to guess that the person in charge wasn't going to want to speak with him. Fitting, really. He found the entire lack of exchange just another slice from the same wheel of bitter, odoriferous cheese that had been forced upon them from the minute they were allowed on the property. 

	Gil was fully prepared to turn his attention to whomever would care to listen as he discussed, in the extreme brief, his purpose for that particular knock on the door. It would have been loud, clear of tone and intent, and assertive. Perhaps that was why yet another representative of the carnival that he had not been introduced to as of yet chose that moment to intervene. Perhaps it was merely coincidence. In the end, it didn't really matter to Gilbert. Well, there was no reason to be rude to this lady, regardless of the conversation with entities unseen or imaginary nearby. 

	 Gil removed his hat and addressed the woman with a polite and melodic voice. Even a charming smile. He was a friendly kind of guy, mostly. [color=a0522d]"Gilbert Summers, madame. Thank you for trying to explain the situation. I am curious to note that whomever is in charge, or whomever else you are speaking with at the moment, appears to be unable to see into the hearts and minds of men. I am here to speak about a different matter."[/color] 

	The prodding to offer an arm was accepted with a wink and a smile. Of course, a walk wouldn't hurt a thing, especially as Management gave absent refusal to speak with him. So long as the lady wished to walk within the confines of their setup, Gilbert was more than willing to stride quietly about the area. [color=a0522d]"I am concerned."[/color] His voice was light, with nary a piece of direct accusation aimed at the lady. [color=a0522d]"Your Management wishes to speak later tonight. I can respect this. We all have our needs to attend in the meantime. What concerns me are the disruptions to our home, before our chance to meet and have certain things discussed."[/color] 
 
	But to the point of his discussion, [color=a0522d]"If Management wishes to do more on our grounds, she may ask permission of her host. If your people need anything of us, likewise they have but to ask. Conversation, take a meal with us, share a drink or two even; I will assure that we are amicable as you are our guests. We are even curious, ourselves. I also understand that your carnival is here by invitation of Evelina Lucas. I was not made aware of this beforehand, and she is notably absent now. Whatever Evelina may have said needs to be explained and verified through me before further liberties are taken. I will continue to honor her wishes as best I can, though we need to come to a better appreciation of one another before a misunderstanding spoils what could be a very edifying friendship. I genuinely hope we have not wasted each other's time. It would be a pity."[/color] There was no trace of sarcasm nor pride in his statement. He remained as he generally portrayed himself to the world: open, easygoing, yet assertive. 




[hr][hr][center][h1][b][i][color=cd5c5c]James Grady[/color][/i][/b][/h1][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/b0c1bca3-09d6-44bd-9e30-4651777b3ef6.jpg[/img][hr][b][color=indianred]Location:[/color][/b] Ville au Camp (Kitchen House)
[b][color=cd5c5c]Skills:[/color][/b] N/A [hr][/center]

	It was a long shot to ask Andromeda to return to the carnival grounds so soon after leaving. James knew that. He nodded slowly at the pale lady with a look of non-judgemental understanding on his face. [color=cd5c5c]"Ain't no thing, Miss Andy. You do you, we got this. I'm sure the Big Guy's gonna understand just fine."[/color] He was talking, of course, about Gilbert. It gave James a mote of worry that there was only one Emendator left on the grounds, not to mention only a small group of Paradoxes. Their numbers had been lessened fairly recently, as well. It seemed to the ebon-skinned southern gentleman that this was an added bit of disadvantage, considering the lessons on teamwork that had been drilled into them over the long months of their training. Maybe their natural predisposition toward independent action would be of use that day, rather than the hindrance it was sometimes portrayed as in hindsight. A happy medium, maybe? So long as they were out there, taking care of what needed to be taken care of, James was good either way. 

	Walking back into the area set aside for the carnival, James found himself drawn to the wreckage of the big Ferris Wheel. He wasn't quite as up close and personal to it as some of his teammates were when it collapsed, and the lure of it was strong. This was where the entity referred to as Management made a public appearance, or as public as one can be on the Plantation grounds, and demonstrated what could only be called [i]power[/i]. The altering of reality based upon what appeared to be simple willpower. James let his mind wrap around what had occurred just earlier as he stared at the wreckage. 

	So long as he was out and about among the carney folk, he kept an eye peeled for anyone familiar to him from that incident - the short fellow who seemed to run things in the absence of Management, or the younger man who made the climb to help his friend dangling off the side. Hell, or that guy -  who was raining blood while hanging on for dear life as his precious wheel collapsed under its own weight. James located a passerby and got out a quick question, [color=cd5c5c]"Hey, that fella what was hurt from before, is he okay? Know where I could find him?"[/color] Maybe the man could use a cup of coffee. Or someone to vent to who wasn't someone he saw everyday.