[PUBLIC CHANNEL] RINGMASTER'S NINTH ADDRESS (LATE D44)

[lordofthering]

[The radios will light up about an hour after the Ringmaster has pulled everyone off of the space station, signalling one of her broadcasts. She sounds hesitant to speak, in a way she usually doesn’t. After the button is pressed, it takes her a moment to get going, though she makes her voice efficiently authoritative when she does.]

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about this, and... I have a very important announcement to make.

In the past, I’ve made a practice of punishing those that have cheated or damaged the carnival with a year of service. In better times, many recruited by that method came to like it here, and became faithful members of the carnival family. Right now, though... things are different. They have been for a while.

So it is clear, I am no longer interested in demanding extended service for minor violations during performance weeks. Given the level of danger that has become customary, I can no longer consider those contracts balanced. So, I will be finding more mild ways of punishing infractions instead, that won’t result in any additional contracts.

I know what you may be thinking – but if you already have a contract with me, I cannot break it retroactively. I know that, from time to time, it seems that people leave the carnival without warning, without finishing their contracts, but... that business is out of my control and always has been. All current contracts stand, and I can’t afford to change that.

However... if you feel that your recruitment was particularly unfair, or that you were tricked as opposed to being genuinely caught in a crime against the carnival... speak to me, and I will consider offering you something to make up for it.

...That said, don’t take this as an invitation to try my patience.

Comments

[pipers_son]

[...Huh. This is a surprising development. Joker thinks over it for a moment, before his voice comes over the radio.]

That's good. S'what should be done.

[lordofthering]

Of course it is! That's why I'm doing it.

[IT WAS HER IDEA.]

[pipers_son]

So ya never have bad ideas, huh?

[LISTEN, HE'S JUST SAYING]

Anyway, it's not like I'm complainin'.

[osteothropy]

Wow.

[Sans's voice is waning as he replies, with just an ounce of forced humour.]

Things must be really going to hell, then.

[lordofthering]

Ever the optimist.

[prazerbutterfly]

[Enjoy the laughter first before Tyki manages to actually speak.] Generous as always, gorgeous.

Not that I can really cash in on any proposed conversations. I can't say I was actually 'tricked unfairly.' [It was his choice after all to play that game with her.]

[lordofthering]

No, you definitely got what you bargained for in that regard.

[She sounds amused, though.]

[prazerbutterfly]

Given the choice and the knowledge, I would probably do it again. As stunning as you are I can't say it wasn't somewhat worth it. Maybe next year, if we're still alive.

[lordofthering]

Considering another round?

[She sounds pleasantly surprised.]

[prazerbutterfly]

I always adapt to any situation. [And he hates how comfortable he's gotten here.] It's a decent break from home right now. I may have traded one war for another but I can't say I'm not having some fun.

[anti_nonsense]

You’re serious?

Since when does a fae care about balanced contracts?

[lordofthering]

Since when does a fae care about anyone they lord over?

You know, it's not as if the one year limit was a thing imposed on me.

[anti_nonsense]

So that stipulation just came out of the goodness of your heart? And this new policy, too?

[Sorry RM, Rita's experiences with fae have made her cynical as hell.]

Shouldn't we expect there to be some catch?

[lordofthering]

Oh yes.

And what catch could there possibly be? Please do elaborate.

[She doesn't sound completely sarcastic.]

[anti_nonsense]

I... I don't know! Fae usually seem to come up with ways to screw with people that I wouldn't even imagine.

[exaomori]

That's such a generous offer~

'Course, it's only natural to wonder why you've been thinking 'bout it so much, isn't it?

[lordofthering]

I should have thought that was obvious. We've encountered some distinctively unglamorous people lately that I'd really like to distance myself from, ethically.

[exaomori]

Nyahaha, no need ta get testy. I ain't been here long enough to know all the little details.

Honestly, I ain't used to any kind of fae or spirit reconsiderin' like this, so it feels a little suspicious. That's all~

[spaghettimonster]

Wait, when people leave early... that's not you sending them somewhere?

[lordofthering]

No... it's much more complicated than that, I'm afraid. You'll recall how I bookmark the place you entered the carnival from, so you can return to that moment?

Well, sometimes the timeline doesn't appreciate that so much. The powers that be insist things be set back to how they were before.

[spaghettimonster]

Oh no! The powers that be better not, I have things to do. Like working through the full year! And, fixing the timeline...?

No wonder Frisk and Flowey disappeared.

[lordofthering]

I wouldn't worry about it, in your case. It tends to only happen to people who have been here a short amount of time... short enough that the temporal stress test is still underway. Statistically, you're probably more likely to die than to have your timeline undone at this point.

[spaghettimonster]

Phew! That's a... relief? I think that's a relief. Mostly. I'm happy to understand a little better, anyway!

[shearmadness]

[Nui's a bit surprised and it shows in her voice.]

What brought this on? It's kind of sudden, and I think the danger is fun!

[lordofthering]

Mostly the fact that not everyone is as interested in danger as you and I. It gets to be a real drag, having people be depressed and in mortal peril all the time. Especially when they are inclined to blame you for it.

[shearmadness]

I could see how that might be a bummer. Especially since some people are squishier and less trained than others.

[Progress! Nui has learned to care at least a little about others' well-being.]

[everybodypanic]

So about that machine I broke.

That's all fixed now, right?

[lordofthering]

[Oh shit, here it comes. It begins.]

...I suppose it wasn't exactly intentionally malicious, on your part...

[everybodypanic]

Yeah, exactly! Like, nobody even told me what would happen.

[They did.]

And it's like, I don't really go out of my way to break stuff to begin with.

[You do.]

At least, not unless I have good reason. You know?

[You didn't.]

[lordofthering]

...Well.

If you think you have a case, I am open to looking into it. I won't be giving out any full favours worth of compensation, but if you WERE to ask for something, what would it be?

[everybodypanic]

Uh... hmm.

[Crap she didn't actually think she'd get this far.]

Can I get back to you?

[lordofthering]

If you'd like to discuss this further, you can come see me at your leisure.

[hurtcomfort]

[ there's the world's longest pause before Cole veeeeeery tentatively starts talking in the radio.

it's obvious that he straight up doesn't like talking over the radio. but he's learned that people don't like it when you barge in on them so he guesses he'll suffer through it. ]

Brought by the Prince, saved from suffering, the lesser of two bindings. I don't mind that! I like it here! Most like me aren't here but some are and some will return. What about us?

[lordofthering]

[She sighs, because she really wasn't expecting Cole of all people to speak up.]

I would have thought that saving you from the Prince's clutches would be payment enough.

[hurtcomfort]

Oh.

[ you know, now that she points that out, it seems really friggen obvious in Cole's mind. It's just that what a shock, embodiment of compassion didn't really take into account that 'his ass getting left there' was a valid option. He sure feels a bit stupid. ]

Thank you?

[ this conversation is obviously making him intensely uncomfortable. ]

[lordofthering]

[She just grumbles in response.]

[hurtcomfort]

[ And Cole is taking this as a sign that he can hang up and it's fine for him to end the conversation!

At least nobody threw anything at him this time. ]