limacharlie | public channel, forward dated a smidge to the morning of d15

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public channel, forward dated a smidge to the morning of d15

Months ago, during the Celebration, a few of us got together to talk about and compare the magic from our worlds. Well, it's been a while since then and we've certainly picked up more magicians, so why not revive that little discussion group?

[ he's phrasing it as a hypothetical but as Strange keeps barging on, there's nothing hypothetical about it: he is totally reviving that discussion group. ]

I've asked around and the smaller festival hall in the building closest to the carnival portal is available for our use. Anyone who's interested should meet there tonight, just after sundown, for an informal gathering to talk about magic. There will be space inside the festival hall and outside in the snow for anyone to demonstrate their techniques.

Likewise, anyone who wishes to learn about magic should come and visit as well. [ And there's a bit of a pause like Strange is trying his hardest to choose his words carefully. ] Magicians in the carnival have different types of magic drawing upon different techniques. While one school of thought might seem incomprehensible, another might seem as clear as day. This is a chance for those of us with magic to learn from each other and develop our skills and those of us who wish to learn magic to see what practice would best fit their needs.

[ There's a pause, because Strange has no idea how to end this. ] Sound off if you're coming, I suppose. Oh, and can someone bring snacks?

( ooc: this is an ic post about mage club, an idea floated around on the cr meme a while back. I'll put up a mingle log later in the week for the actual meeting itself. as for this post, feel free to threadjack around! )

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I am human!

[ Comes a very un-Childermass-like outburst, anger with no real target rising back to the surface for... seconds, really, before he grits his teeth and steps back, turning away from Strange a little. His feathers are definitely ruffled, but it's probably not so funny right now, in this situation. People are looking. Caravan people, thank god, but that's still too many for him, especially if they're a pack of gossips.

He grits his teeth, taking a moment to settle down again, then adds, much more levelly, ]

Or I should be. Did you have business in the market? I'm not sure this is the best place for this...

[ But are they really? After all, all of them were changelings, turned by the Ringmaster's magic. And, at least in Portland Strange's mind, changelings weren't people.

Real Strange isn't entirely sure what he thinks about the matter. He lightly rubs the mirrored scratches on his wrists as he looks over at Childermass. ]

I don't. I picked it because this place was convenient to meet. Where shall we go?

[ Because of course they're continuing this conversation, why wouldn't they? ]

[ Childermass would argue the difference is permanence. Isn't that how it was meant to work, with the Ringmaster's magic and contracts? But that's neither here nor there, perhaps an argument for later in this conversation, so he waves off down a path leading away from the market. Like he can settle on any one spot, so they'll just wander. ]

Anywhere, just not here.

[ And it's that way that he'll start walking, this time over a well-worn path in the snow rather than out into the wilderness like the last time they met. At least they won't need to trudge through any snow drifts this time. ]

[ They won't need to trudge through snow drifts and, to everybody's surprise, Strange is actually rested. He manages to keep up with Childermass, matching his pace as they head away from the market.

Strange isn't the sort to let a good silence stay put so he just keeps yammering as they walk away. ]

We didn't talk about you too much. Truth be told, she was more interested in the mechanics of magic and the spell that changed us in Portland over you and Steven yourselves.

[ oh right, Steven. Does Childermass know about that? Should he be gossipping about Steven in the first place? Good job Strange, you're blabbing about a teenager. ]

[ Good. He doesn't have to feel bad about taking big, long steps, then (as if he would feel bad about it in any case).

But oh, he knows. He had left Steven out of his list of 'who knows' on the off-chance Strange questioned why even a child would get to know over the other magician himself, but if he knows already... Well, it doesn't faze him apart from drawing a slight frown out of him. ]

Even so, I will have to ask her not to go around mentioning it so off-handedly. I am sure this matter is a personal one for Steven as well.

Shimmer—that's her name, by the way—Shimmer had no idea this was personal to begin with. She simply noticed that the two of you had odd souls.

[ Shimmer probably doesn't need anybody to defend her but here comes Strange, defending her and their gossip anyway. Yes, it is a personal matter for Childermass and Steven. But what was the chance that any of the caravan members would realize it is a personal matter to begin with? ]

We talked about Portland, however, so she should understand why the subject is sensitive.

Let us hope so...

[ But it won't stop him from being wary. He took note of the court changelings here and immediately set about avoiding them. Maybe that wasn't the right way to go about it. ]

Though it is more than just an odd soul. The Summerland fae said I was faeblooded and the Ringmaster-- [ He will break off for a brief moment because it's still such an uncomfortable concept. Messed up soul, messed up blood, messed up... a lot of things, to be honest. He frowns and glowers straight ahead, but eventually does go on. ] She confirmed it. Enough that I may as well still be the Count's son.

[ And then Strange understands instantly why this is such a heavy topic for Childermass. It's not just 'my soul is odd', it's 'my soul is odd in a way that reminds me of a terrible period that I went through and a person that I'm not.' ]

I'm sorry to hear that, [ Strange murmurs, frowning slightly at the situation in general. ] I didn't know it was that extensive.

[ Only he is that person. Is and isn't, all at the same time, or at least that's how it sounded. Unsurprising how bending reality makes such a mess of things like this, but he won't mention it. Strange has his own issues with Portland without him adding more doubts to that pile.

So, he just shrugs, even if he does sound just a little more bitter about it than he normally does anything else. ]

I suppose I could make a game of it. See how many absent fathers I can rack up during the rest of my contract.

[ It's an actual attempt at a joke, at least. That's a little better, right? ]

Better you racking up absent fathers than my game of trying to get the fae's attention.

[ It's said with a wry little smile, Strange trying to make a joke to match Childermass's joke. But that doesn't change the fact that this is still a matter of fundamental importance for Childermass and Strange honestly has no idea what to do about it.

Because of course there's something he can do about it. Strange thinks that there's something he can do about most things. ]

[ And because he's Childermass, it's already apparent he isn't going to ask for help figuring out what to do with it, even if he will at least discuss it. ]

Hm. [ Really, though. ] You're right, that is better. At least we can expect those to remain absent rather than freeze everything and snow us in.

[ Though now that he thinks of Frost, he really hopes they don't run into that one again, either! Childermass would prefer no Winter Fae in the court's immediate future, thanks. ]

[ One day these idiots will learn how to work together. Today isn't that day. ]

Or kidnap one's wife. Or enthrall me into attacking my friends. At least Frost was just a nuisance.

[ Still, Strange kind of hopes he doesn't run into any of the fae he's dealt with again. ]

The first two, at least, should no longer be a problem for us.

[ One, he assumes, is extremely vanquished, the other unable to find Strange. If she can find the rest of them, well... It's not like he can do much about that part, but still. ]

I hope you're right.

[ Paranoid? Who's paranoid? Strange isn't paranoid, why would you think that. There's a pause before Strange swaps the conversation...right back to Childermass's odd soul, sorry buddy. ]

And I also hope you'll tell me if your soul undergoes any more, erm, 'oddities.' Norrell and I will be away from England for who knows how long. I want to know exactly what we might face.

The fact that none of us remaining in England have been murdered by an angry faerie makes the first quite certain, [ he points that out, very matter-of-factly. ] And we dealt with the second one. Regardless, the cards told me she was having a very bad time after Portland. I would not be surprised if you are the last thing on her mind.

[ Like the worst time and Nightshade absolutely deserves it. All the faeries from that place do, as far as Childermass is concerned, rotten, nasty things they were... But on the topic of his 'oddities'. Well. ]

I would hope it doesn't undergo any others, to be quite honest, but I can tell you to avoid suddenly being related to a faerie. I suspect you and Mr. Norrell may not run into that one, however. That spell seemed to be very unique.

We should look into finding you supplies for new cards here, [ Strange briefly interjects, with a small frown. After all, part of him is still tremendously guilty that Childermass gave up his cards just to keep Strange safe. The least he can do is look around to see if he could find anything potentially useful in the first place.

That second part though...Strange can't help but smile a little. However, it's a small wistful smile, not anything like the wider more obnoxious smirks he gives on a daily basis. ]

I've no idea what Norrell and I shall run into, [ Strange admits, with a little shrug. ] It's best I assume nothing is off limits and prepare myself accordingly.

That's fair, but also a good reason to find a way back for you two as soon as possible. If the book turns up nothing, we may want to ask the Ringmaster about it.

[ Another year in return for Hurtfew and everything swept away with it returned to England, his England, preferably at the right time. It's been something he's spent some time considering already, because of course, Childermass would.

His cards, though... That part he can only shake his head at. ]

And while I appreciate the thought, I have already looked through the market. I could find nothing I would want to use there, either. [ Which he'll allow himself to sigh over. ] The original set was cobbled together in such a strange way, I am not sure I can make them the same way a second time.

I may want to ask the Ringmaster about it. If you make a contract on Norrell's and my behalf, then I'll simply spite you by making a contract on your behalf in return.

[ Despite the fact that Strange honestly has no idea what the two of them will encounter back in faerie, Strange is confident that somehow, he and Norrell will find a way through it and back to England. Besides, Childermass has a life of his own. He's spent too long cleaning up the messes of English magic already, he shouldn't have to do it anymore. ]

You wouldn't know what to contract for on my behalf in the first place.

[ Or he would just decide something randomly and run with it, for better or worse. ]

Besides, if you remain longer than your year and a day, you can't possibly believe I'll leave you to your own devices for god knows how long and even where.

I've got an idea about what it would be.

[ What that idea is, Strange isn't saying. Instead, he's giving Childermass a wry little smirk of a smile. ]

You'll have to leave me to my own devices to begin with! Remember, I signed onto the carnival after you did. If you're so worried about me, Lambert can watch me for the remainder of my tenure.

[ Which Strange is saying for the sole purpose of being a shit. He knows that poor Childermass already has horror scenarios playing in his head of a Jonathan Strange whose impulse control is Lambert. ]

That'll only end in both of you getting yourselves killed...

[ Okay, untrue and unfair, but that's his initial feeling on it. Lambert would probably take the magician-sitting job seriously enough. Still, he shoots a look over Strange's way, suddenly suspicious. ]

But you've got an idea, do you? And just what might that be?

[ Strange may not be saying, but you had better believe Childermass wants to know! ]

[ this is Strange, any attempt at keeping a secret will last for literally a few seconds. ]

Your cards.

[ Weren't they just talking about that? About how Childermass couldn't find anything that seemed appropriate enough to redo his cards? If Childermass was going to make a contract to benefit Strange, then that's the contract Strange would make to benefit Childermass. ]

[ The man seriously cannot keep anything to himself, can he... but at least this gives Childermass a chance to shake his head — after a brief moment of looking surprised, that is, at such an answer — and dismiss the notion. He misses his cards, more than he'll ever admit to Strange, but— ]

They're gone, fair and square. The Fool was my entrance fee into the carnival and the rest were traded away. The Ringmaster may be willing to return the first, but the rest? Let those be.

[ At Childermass's surprised expression, Strange can't help but crack a smile. He doesn't know how much the cards mean to Childermass (and he doubts he ever will) but this is yet another example of Childermass giving something up or giving up a part of himself to try and protect Strange. Well, if Childermass attempts to do it again, at least Strange has a retort he could use to try and keep Childermass from trying to keep him safe (again). ]

I'm afraid I won't, [ Strange simply remarks, with a shrug. ] Norrell and I will work through the darkness and return to England ourselves. There's no need for you to sacrifice a year of your life and put yourself in danger for the two of us. And if you do, it's only fitting I make it so you get something in return.

For all we know, this is how you're meant to work through it and return, though I suppose I won't know for sure until I see what other prophecies the Raven King's book has in store for England.

[ Fine, he won't argue the point more than that, then. It's not like he has to make a decision for another six months, in any case. ]

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