[Day 60, Afternoon]

[whattaprick]

[ By the time the radio turns on it’s about an hour after Lambert’s group has returned and reported their findings to the Ringmaster. Now it’s just a matter of letting everyone else know. It’s Syrlya who speaks first. ]

As most of you are aware, the Summer and Winter Courts have pursued the carnival into the Athenaeum and taken some of our people hostage.

[ “Hostage" is a nice way to say permanent enslavement.] According to the Scribe and Curator, the lifelike and antagonistic nature of the books found here is the library’s defense against intruders, and it is under our control.

And has been under our control this entire time. [Tyki’s voice chimes in, at this point. To which he’s not bitter at all about it. This entire mess could’ve possibly been avoided.] Our will has been controlling the stories to a certain victory each time we have been swallowed up by one. It should be comforting to know that they cannot use the stories against us. They have not been given these defenses.

If we cast the Fae into our own narrative, the magic should be strong enough to combat them. We will be bound to the same story, so we cannot allow them to turn its favor or-- [And this he sounds less certain about.] --break the confines of the story ourselves.

It should be noted as well that the story cannot be entirely unbelievable. To play the part, it must seem plausible. One cannot just snap their fingers and a fae is weakened, for example. Something like that will allow them to break the story. The narrative must be consistent and convincing.

[ The Nightrider finally speaks. There’s an edge of tension to his voice, but otherwise, he’s pretty composed. ]

The good news is, this means you don't have to be a fighter to help. Bad news is, we still have to figure out how we're going to do it, who's going or staying, and if we're dealing with the Courts together or one at at time. We need to come up with something fast -- I don’t want them to give time to figure out their own plans. Catching them by surprise is the best chance we’ve got, so working together in groups makes the most sense.

If you have any useful ideas, now’s the time to share them.

[ And 9S chimes in: ] If anyone wants to hear the exact exchange we had with the Scribe and Curator, I can provide a recording for your viewing.

I said useful ideas.

[ ooc: this is mainly an ic planning post! ooc plotting post to follow to organize things more formally, but feel free to threadjack each other, form up groups of your own, all that good stuff to work out where your character will be. ]

Comments

[scientificist]

We were right.

[whattaprick]

So since you've got previous experience, you're volunteering to lead a group, right?

[ Hey, might as well. If self-confidence is how they're winning this thing. ]

[scientificist]

As long as swords aren't required I anticipate being well enough to do to by...tomorrow. I'd appreciate further information on the fae, if I'm to face them.

[whattaprick]

They only thing they're reliably weak to iron. But since we're part fae now, that would work against us too.

You've got experience with chemicals, don't you? Why don't you... [ He pauses, thinking about his own repertoire that's seemed fairly limited at this point. ] ... craft an elixir that makes someone immune to fire, or put them to sleep for a thousand years? That kind of thing.

[prazerbutterfly]

You're going to give him a fatter head at this point but we could use the boost if he could create something like that.

[scientificist]

If it's a story, I can create anything surely--but really, I meant that water fae is easy enough to determine a counter to, as is Ignatius presumably. What are the other fae, about? Thematically?

[anti_nonsense]

The Rose Queen controls plants. Nightshade uses poisons. The Count of Crows is associated with, I guess, shadows and birds. Frost is self-explanatory.

[scientificist]

That...sounds...very doable--you know, as far as stories go, it would probably be most fitting and, therefore, I'm assuming successful for me to challenge that woman who kidnapped the gems.

I'm willing to provide...alchemical healing to other attempts, of course.

[soft_focus]

Are there other things you know how to use to do things?

...Maybe I can make a list!

...Since I'm probably not allowed to come, you're bringing the radio still, right? [Be more worried about Reira getting the fat head, honestly.]

[scientificist]

As magic seems to consist of a series of gestures, I can manage that well enough to be believable.

You aaaabsolutely shouldn't come--but yes, I am bringing my radio.

[soft_focus]

Good!

It would be, um.... 'Nicer', if they had screens and things, but I guess you'd have to hold it weird all the time if that was how it worked...

...But what about not magic? If you make things that are almost like what you normally use for things, then you have that to use too, right?

[anti_nonsense]

Alchemical healing, huh...

I don't suppose you're willing to try crafting an actual fireproof elixir? Might come in handy, with where I'm going.

[Considering their only limitation is imagination, Rita's technically just as capable of this... but it'd be easier to have something with a prop and backstory, so she doesn't have to come up with some nonsense herself.]

[scientificist]

[Rita can't see, but the following pause is just. Herbert looking wryly down at his still healing burns.]

Definitely. I'll let you know whether the final product is actually drinkable or a...salve.

[anti_nonsense]

[Sure would've been nice to have this stuff sooner, huh. Sucks to be you, Herbert.]

I'll be waiting, then.