[PUBLIC CHANNEL] RINGMASTER'S TENTH ADDRESS (LATE D60)

[lordofthering]

[The Ringmaster is here to give you some information.]

It seems useful for everyone to know that the Blue Rose is currently trying to escape its container. It's not succeeding... but it is certainly trying. I'm keeping an eye on it for now, but my current assumption is that our assailants are somehow responsible.

Comments

[scientificist]

Is it somewhere that the Library's defenses might have an effect or should I assume it's simply best for us to, make our move as soon as possible?

[lordofthering]

I'd rather not get the Athenaeum's magic involved with the Rose if at all possible, so I suppose this message is mostly intended to convey that speed is an asset, yes.

[scientificist]

I'll let Peridot know, if she isn't already listening.

[periphrasing]

Wh-- I've barely had any time to prepare!!

[lordofthering]

It isn't going to break out any time soon, at least at its current pace. I just mean to say that our enemies are obviously up to something, and that should be kept in mind.

[scientificist]

How long would you estimate we have?

[lordofthering]

That depends on if this behaviour escalates. Currently, I don't see it causing serious problems for at least a few days.

[scientificist]

Right. Well, that will at least give me enough time for all the, "alchemy", I've promised. Aaas long as it doesn't escalate.

[lordofthering]

Escalation is always the trouble, isn't it.

[periphrasing]

Steven also spoke to me in a dream and mentioned that the Rose Queen was trying to... "strengthen the bond" between him and the Blue Rose. Maybe this is the result of those efforts?

[lordofthering]

How is it that Steven is a dreamwalker and this is the first I've heard of it??

That's a bad combination. Dreamwalking means he can communicate telepathically over a distance, and his modifications from the Blue Rose means he has an easy reference point to find it on the other side.

[whattaprick]

Ah, shit.

[ He’d taken Strange having his memories rummaged through as a given, but somehow he hadn’t thought to extend that to Steven as well. ]

You think the Rose Queen’s letting him do this on purpose?

[lordofthering]

She wouldn't have to know he's been doing it... it just matters whether or not it's contributing to her attempts to form a connection to the Rose in the first place.

Like I said, it isn't currently posing much of a threat, but it would play straight into her hand to have a son already altered by its energies who is also capable of astral projecting.

[whattaprick]

What's our worst case scenario?

[lordofthering]

That she manages to form a connection through Steven and manages to make the Rose attack the carnival itself, or at least bring itself into her hands.

[periphrasing]

I didn't know you didn't know!!

[SHE'S SCARED.]

H-he didn't seem brainwashed when I talked to him, at least??

[lordofthering]

Peridot, it's fine.

[She feels like she needs to take a step back here.]

It's just annoyingly convenient for the Rose Queen to have access to something like that.

A surface level view of Steven's profile simply didn't make the ability obvious.

[periphrasing]

He has a lot of weird powers. It gets hard to keep track of them all sometimes.

[She falls quiet for a bit.]

So to make sure that I'm understanding correctly... You concerned the Rose Queen could use this ability of his to. To Possess the Rose directly?

[lordofthering]

Or something to that effect... To Possess it directly or simply to be able to give it commands from so far away. It sounds like she was its custodian before it was lost.

Steven lacks the strength to command it on his own, I'm more worried about the two of them working in tandem.

[periphrasing]

So we need to get Steven back before she figures out how to do that, essentially.

He has trouble resisting her. We talked about that a bit. I just hope he can hold out...

[lordofthering]

I'm sure he's doing what he can. Faeblood simply have the odds stacked against them, when facing their progenitors.

Unfortunately, in the meantime, I will have to do what I can to prevent him from crossing into the carnival. Whether he is under her control or not, we can't afford it.

[periphrasing]

But that's-- What if he manages to get away somehow and then can't get in to safety!?

[lordofthering]

[She's trying to keep her voice level.]

Peridot, I don't know what you expect me to do.

[periphrasing]

I don't know! Just... Not that?!

[She knows the Ringmaster has a point, and little choice in the matter but. It's a hard pill to swallow.]

[lordofthering]

I'll remove the ban as soon as rescue efforts are underway. For the moment, I can't risk allowing the Rose Queen into the carnival through him.

I didn't ban compromised people last time and Sans broke into my treasury as a result. He could have done much worse.