[PUBLIC CHANNEL] RINGMASTER'S EIGHTH ADDRESS (D30)

[lordofthering]

[Around the start of the new performance week, the Ringmaster will light up everyone's radios with an important message. Or, rather, some important musing.]

Hello, this is the Ringmaster speaking. I say that for the benefit of any new arrivals - everyone else surely recognizes my voice, by now. The rest of this may leave you in the dust as it will be touching on some carnival history, but you can may questions if you want to get up to date.

So, I spent a lot of time thinking when the lot of you were busy with that Pillar drama. As most are aware, a couple months ago we went on a mission to retrieve an extremely powerful artifact called the Blue Rose, which we have been using to defend the carnival from faerie threats. Which, seems successful so far, given that Nightshade didn't dare enter the grounds the entire time we were there! A victory, indeed.

It got me thinking, though... the Blue Rose actually comes as a set. As I've explained to a few of you, the Blue Rose is an organism created by the first Queens of Arcadia. Only three artifacts of its kind exist, as far as I know, and I fairly sure that none of them are actually in faerie hands.

So, I thought... what if we were somehow able to get the other two? Not only would that be enough to ward off the Courts completely, it would go a long way to defending us against any of the other nonsense we come across! Perhaps we could even go back to business as usual, for a while...

Anyway, in an attempt to be more forthcoming, I am presenting this idea to you for general 'work shopping' purposes. I know that the Blue Rose was a big hassle to get, but we know so much more now than we did then! I think it's worth a second look.

Comments

[moonfang]

Well, that depends. Do we have any idea what the other things even ARE? Or where they are? I mean. I’m all FOR all the firepower, hehehe.

[lordofthering]

The set from the stories refers to the items as "of the flame and frost, of the sun and shade, and of the wood and its rot." The Blue Rose is the power of flame and frost, obviously. So then, naturally, we'd be looking for "sun and shade" and "wood and rot".

[whattaprick]

"A big hassle" is one way to put it.

[ Words were never quite drawled out with so much sarcasm. ]

How many of us are going to have to die this time?

[lordofthering]

Nobody died the first time!

[Long pause.]

At least, not permanently.

[dontpokethat]

I... see where you're coming from, but this sounds extremely risky.

[He is NOT convinced ok]

[lordofthering]

How do you know if it's risky or not? We don't even know where the other artifacts are, yet!

[Maybe she's slightly defensive.]

[spaghettimonster]

'That pillar drama'...

[Papyrus means to respond to the question itself, really, but he can't help but echo her with lightly, slightly sardonic humor. Ringmaster, really?]

[lordofthering]

Well, you can't deny that it was definitely dramatic.

[Come on Papyrus, that shit was dramatic as fuck.]

[kingsroads]

Obviously we should get the other two! [ said as if it's the most obvious thing in the world and everyone else is a moron for thinking differently. ]

After all, better us than the other courts.

[lordofthering]

[She considers that for a moment, and you can practically hear the frown in her voice.]

...Well, now I'm not sure if I'm on the right track or not.

[pipers_son]

[On one hand: fuck anymore drama]

[On the other...]

I say.... We investigate 'em, just a little. Find out what they are, where they are, what the risks are. Once we know all that.... I think then we'll be better equipped, plainly speakin', on if we want ta proceed.

[lordofthering]

That's entirely fair. I was considering just doing that myself, but...

Well, lack of information has caused some problems in the past. I don't often plan ahead, but... I...

Wanted to do better, at that. I suppose.

[anti_nonsense]

Do you even have the means to safely contain that much power...?

[Rita saw where the Blue Rose has to be kept, and she understands well why it needs to be kept out of reach of enemies and even allies. But what are they going to do, cram them all into the moon?]

[lordofthering]

I do have at least one other moon.

[It's true, she does.]

[dirthena]

"A big hassle." Would that mean it had something to do with the Prince or--

( she's trying to catch up with all of this, alright. )

So long as we know a little about what we're going to be getting ourselves into, it doesn't sound like a bad plan.

[lordofthering]

Yes, the Prince was my uncle who wanted to marry me in order to satisfy his backwards human ideals. He also kept a house of terribly cared for slaves.

His means of protecting himself from the Courts was the Blue Rose, an artifact he stole from them a long time ago. We bested him, and took the Rose for ourselves.

[chronosynthesis]

Even just the Blue Rose is a lot of power for one person. [His tone is... only slightly accusatory. The Far being naturally powerful is only more reason not to give one a whole lot more.]

How much do you know about what they area and where they are? Do you assume they are not already in capable hands because no one has claimed it, or is there proof?

[lordofthering]

Whether they are in capable hands or not isn't the point. The point is that we need them.

[Like, really.]

Also, maybe whoever has it is evil, like the Prince was. We won't know until we find out.

[criticallyfucked]

If garbage like me was enough to retrieve the first artefact, then surely it will be no trouble for this Carnival to retrieve the rest.

[Matter-of-fact. Let's be honest, even Foster knows that their victory with the Rose was sort of a miracle.]

I know I have... wasted time, wasted opportunity and squandered myself, my potential with ingratitude.

[He sounds outright disgusted.]

But please, please allow my untrustworthy, worthless life to serve you again...!

[I mean. You already own him, it's on his butt. It's presumptuous, arrogant even to assume he would be the best tool for the Ringmaster's plan, or even a tool in her plan--he knows, he knows he's not useful for anything except cleaning the toilets, changing light bulbs on the carousel, but--

But if there is one thing he can be, it's used. And at the end of his use, expendable.]

[lordofthering]

[The Ringmaster sounds a bit like she's rubbing her temple as she peaks.]

...You may.

[That much she will relent on.]

I would note that whether or not you, personally, are garbage, the others responsible for its acquisition are not.

[atouts]

Assuming you don't wait until an hour or so before sending us all off to play house with another uncle of yours to let anyone know about the next two...

[ Sure, he managed with what resources were on hand at the time but it was close. Too close and led to a hostage situation, to boot, so yeah, no one should be shocked he doesn't sound thrilled by this idea. ]

But if us taking the Blue Rose has gotten the attention of the Courts, leaving the other two just laying about somewhere would not be in our best interests, even I must admit that.

[lordofthering]

See, this is why I'm telling you so far in advance! No secrets this time!

This is a blatant attempt at transparency. It is commendable to recognize your own mistakes.

[hippocarnival]

[There's a solid thump when the talk button is pushed by the wall as a result of Yuya clear throwing his radio across the trailer into it.

That's... his opinion.]

[puddingemote]

Do you actually want our opinion...?

[he's like 90% sure she's just going to do it anyway]

[lordofthering]

I sure as hell wouldn't have asked for this collective verbal thrashing if I didn't want to know...

I don't appreciate your arbitrary skepticism.

[periphrasing]

[She's kind of freaked out about voicing dissent against the Ringmaster just thanks to a natural fear of authority, buuuuuut...]

To be perfectly honest with you, after what we went through to get the last artifact? I'm not especially keen on repeating the experience. Additionally, I am well aware that this is the general sentiment that many others have already expressed to you, but also, I'm a Supervisor, so my input is extra important and warrants sharing.

[lordofthering]

I appreciate your candor, Peridot. The response has actually been more positive than I expected... but how to progress is still up in the air.

[espigeon]

Ah. Hm.

[Julien hesitates. He super doesn't want another escapade like this but is very used to the idea of sacrificing his comfort and wants for something bigger.]

Big hassle indeed, but, no final deaths. ...That's what they call it back home, as long as you have another body you're not dead for good.

If someone had just one of these other things would they be able to counter you? Is this a rock paper scissors situation where each is strong to one and weak to another? I kinda feel like collecting more and bigger things will also get us more and more attention but we're there already, aren't we.

[lordofthering]

Having spent some time working with the Rose, I get the impression it's less about them countering each other, and more about them balancing each other. Such wild power seems that it would function best when accompanied by others of its kind to keep it steady.

Not sure how they'd work when conflicting, though.

muffled yuuya screaming tbh

[betheman]

Hrmnnnn....

[Why isn't Sans awake for this. Why. Why isn't he awake. This is going to destroy his head-] Indeed, as many have noted, it is a risk... ...however, as was also noted, these artifacts are not something to be trusted in the wrong hands...

[Marishi is joining in. Having her around helps with the headaches.]

You noted that they are practically legend among the Fae themselves-but given our possession of one, and how that possession came to be, it feels only a matter of time before others realize that those artifacts must also exist.... [Something Strange noted, actually.]

...In other words, if we ignore the matter ourselves... ...it feels as though we would be allowing another to obtain it instead.

Someone far worse than you, to say the least..~! ...and we'd rather that not happen, frankly.

[There is...a pause. And given how close he is to the end of his contract, his words have more weight to them than they usually might, when it comes to his dedication.] ....Which is to say...

...I, the man Gongenzaka, despite this risk... ...Feel I shall want to aid in this quest.

[lordofthering]

I'm actually surprised to hear that from you, of all people?

But that is my main concern. That, and I feel like the three of them may actually make a difference, instead of just delaying the inevitable.

[insidescoop]

Ahahaha.... ...we can just not talk about the pillar again right? [CARLY PLEASE.]

MNH-! Listening to all of this... ...Well, it doesn't change my mind at all..! It's dangerous for sure, but we went in completely blind before, and still...mostly came out okay! [It's a very big mostly and it shows in her tone, frankly.]

I say we do it! We try it, it's important! Besides, it would probably be easier to make sure no one takes them Back from us, if we had them all together...

[c a r l y no-]

[lordofthering]

That's the hope. I get the impression from looking at the Rose, that they might work better together...

More stable, perhaps.

[worldlyafflictions]

Wait, so how much sorta-dying was involved with the Blue Rose thing? Did I sign on for stuff like this?

[He wants to know if it's in his contract]

[lordofthering]

Technically you signed on to do whatever the carnival is doing.

But, in full honesty, our efforts to acquire the Rose resulted in several temporary deaths and someone having their True Name stolen.

Which was its whole own disaster.

[lonesomewanderer]

[ Powerful magical artifacts, you say. ]

If you know where these artifacts may be, they would be worth investigating. What happened in your efforts to obtain the Blue Rose?

[lordofthering]

I don't know yet, but I intend to find out.

The Blue Rose was acquired from my 'uncle' - another Wyld Fae called the Prince. I first attempted to negotiate for the possession of the Rose, but all he really wanted from me was marriage, as it turns out. Then he started threatening and kidnapping my people, and other terrible things.

So, we killed him.

[wild_magic]

[She's actually asking for their input this time? Susan is very surprised by that, but at the same time he's happy that maybe she's trying to do things better now.]

I think it sounds dangerous, but not doing anything is dangerous too. So we might as well try, right?

[lordofthering]

That was my thought... but I'm certainly not looking for another mess like the Manor. All I want right now is for things to calm down for a while. It just doesn't seem to be happening on its own.

[everybodypanic]

Is it gonna be dangerous and life-threatening?

Because if it is count me in!

[lordofthering]

Based on past experience it's entirely possible!

If that's what your into, I can certainly make sure you're involved in the most dangerous parts. Someone has to.

[drrdrrdrr]

Uhhh okay hold on Nightshade was there? [SOMEONE sure missed something while she was off being a brainwashed familiar,,]

[lordofthering]

Unfortunately, yes. She was reported as being seen at the original concert, and then ostensibly spent the rest of the time attempting to tail certain individuals.

Only two actual confrontations occurred, though, mostly thanks to the protective wards Childermass commissioned from the Starlight. You were likely covered by the one protecting Steven given your connection, and Sans spent most of trip out of commission.

Unfortunately, she did manage to leave a mark on Childermass, but given that he's still alive, its all much better than it could have been!

[exaomori]

I know a bit of prevention is worth a lotta of cure an' all, but can you tell me about what exactly this Blue Rose thin' is to begin with?

['Artifact' just happens to be a really vague term when it's something she may end up having to put herself at risk...]

still on hiatus but i didnt wanna forget about this

[mirrortide]

[Naturally, Lapis is not enthused about any of this?]

I don't want any part of whatever it is you're trying to do! My job, that you gave me, is to dance for performances to repay my debt, and that's all I'm here to do! Not wander around and end up in all of these horrible situations! It's pretty much been every other place we've gone to that has ended up turning horrible! That's been "business as usual" since I got here! And now you want to directly put everyone in danger by looking for these all powerful artifacts!?

[YOU'RE CRAZY AND YOU MAKE BAD CHOICES, RM. Like, Lapis probably makes bad choices too, considering that she's mclosing it on her boss, but.]