public channel; forward-dated a hair to day 67

[kingsroads]

[ There's a bit of a pause before Strange starts talking, as if he's not entirely certain what he's going to say. He sounds a bit tired, but awake enough to hold a conversation. ]

For those of you who didn't already know, I'm not dead anymore. [ pause. ] Which, I suppose, is obvious as I'm talking to the radio, but the point stands.

I'd like to speak directly to the Ringmaster, Syrlya, and Zangetsu, if possible. As for everybody else, can you please fill me in on what happened from the time I left with Ignatius to now? Don't spare any details, this will be written down for posterity's sake.

[ fun fact: Strange has ABSOLUTELY ZERO CLUE about the various levels of trainwreck that the fae party in the library + rescue missions + torture session were. ]

Finally, odd question, but did anyone bring any flameproof fabric?

Comments

[chronosynthesis]

Ah--I'm not certain. [He shrugs, his gaze drifting sideways. He doesn't remembering hearing it, at least.]

I... actually made a request to return home as we were leaving, and only returned today. [Therein lies the other problem with bringing Strange's wife gem, besides that Syrlya wasn't going to do that anyway.]

[kingsroads]

[ Syrlya's a bro. Admittedly, he's a bro who has very little context on things, but he's a bro nonetheless.

Strange leans in a little, listening as Childermass explains things. He nods a little at the explanation—Strange only knew a little bit about the shadows being odd, but the Count causing it makes a lot of sense. Still, there's a big worrying spot in Childermass's explanation. ]

Did the Rose Queen show up?

[ Because Strange knows she kidnapped Steven, ergo she was in the area, ergo she might have shown up. And considering that Strange knows Childermass is cursed...well, he's suddenly a bit more concerned about all of this. ]

[atouts]

They all did. The Rose Queen, Ignatius, Frost, Nightshade, and one other faerie... Winter Court, from what I could tell. The one who took Lapis Lazuli and Jasper.

[ He just said it was a meeting place for peaceful faerie negotiations, so of course, they all showed up. ]

[kingsroads]

[ There is no delicate way to say 'did she try and hurt you because of your curse.' So Strange pauses, mulls things over for a second, before awkwardly asking, ]

And did she try to do anything to you?

[ Obviously it couldn't have been too bad as Childermass is upright, not kidnapped, and not dead, but Strange still worries. ]

[kingsroads]

You did? How was it? [ Strange asks, blissfully unaware that the answer is 'a fucking nightmare' ]

[chronosynthesis]

[It might be a small mercy for Syrlya that he's not completely turned to face Strange. It obscures a little of how he goes still and fights off the way his expression starts to crumble with frustration and anxiety.]

Well... [He starts slowly, staring across the tent.] The carnival's future does not seem so dire, now.

[It was a fucking nightmare.]

MMMM LOST MY TAG

[moonfang]

[he makes a sound somewhere between a growl and a hum]

I'm... sort of two minds about the whole thing. On the one hand, bein' able to do that to a True Fae, having that kind of power! It's intoxicating. To be able to torture, even kill. I understand the temptation. I felt it too. But on the other... I ain't sure Ignatius wad the best target fer all that. I dunno... you hung out with him. He struck me as a guy just doin' his job, not really in it for the thrill of makin' us wimpy mortals suffer. Is that about right?

[kingsroads]

[ And Strange winces. That bad, huh? ]

The last time I went home, I ended up cursed and almost died. [ it's said in a matter of fact tone. This isn't Strange playing 'my pain is worse than your pain', this is Strange acknowledging that yeah, sometimes it sucks to go home. ] Do you want to talk about it?

[chronosynthesis]

[Does he want to talk about it? He's not entirely sure. He's still kind of reeling from it.

He probably needs to collect his thoughts, first, before he can even explain it coherently.]

Thank you, but... perhaps when you are more well. With alcohol.

[atouts]

[ He survived, sure, but Strange has every right to worry. There's a pause, a grimace like he'd rather not say but he will. ]

She promised the Count her aid if he turned me over to her. He had no real interest in reclaiming me up until that point, it would seem.

[kingsroads]

That power can be intoxicating, but we have to be better than that. [ he has to be better than that.

there's a pause before Strange picks up the thread of conversation focused on Ignatius. ] But yes. He's different than Nightshade and her kind. He said— [ but whatever Strange is going to say, he changes his mind at the last minute. ] He's a soldier. He spoke like soldiers I knew and trained me as a soldier. If the Ringmaster hadn't killed the Winter Queen, things might have been different.

[kingsroads]

[ Strange can understand that. Even for a chatterbox like him, there's still a few things he wants to process before telling them to everybody. ]

If we were in a more civilized place, I could shoplift a bottle of alcohol or two. As it is, we might have to wait until we return to the carnival.

[kingsroads]

How could he turn you over in the first place? You don't have a contract with him. [ and then, the obvious answer strikes Strange. ] It's the faeblood thing, isn't it.

[ It truly sucks to be Childermass. ]

[moonfang]

Haaaaa. Nightshade, that little pixie shit. She, the Rose Queen, and the Prince, may he rest in goddamn pieces. I'd like to invite them all back to the Library for some of our special fun.

And there's more to the story there, too, isn't there? Killing the Winter Queen wasn't just a whim, I'm sure. [he laughs, humorlessly] Fae act like they are above humans and the other races, but in the end, they fall to the same vices, miscommunication, and backstabbin', don't they.

[atouts]

It is. [ Amazing how he doesn't sound all that thrilled about that, huh? ] My memory must have faded enough that I did not remember that was... possible before, but... it is.

[kingsroads]

Does it matter if there's more to the story? It won't stop the Courts from chasing us.

[dressedtothe]

[Grose. All that decomposing, why do humans also have to be so organic?]

Well, that's good. That just means you'll be fine with some rest, doesn't it?

[That's how it works, right?]

While you're awake, do you need anything?

[do you need a gopher, strange]

[kingsroads]

[ and in this moment, 9S becomes Strange's favorite person in the entire carnival. ]

A snack would be nice. I am a bit hungry.

[kingsroads]

And now we're matched for fae we have to worry about, [ Strange points out. It's not like he's gloating or rubbing it in Childermass's face. It's just that Strange has to worry about Ignatius and Nightshade, while Childermass has to worry about the Count and the Rose Queen.

Because that whole faeblood thing has quickly become an even bigger point of concern. ]

Obviously, you weren't turned over to either of them. Who do I have to thank for keeping you safe?

[atouts]

Okumura and Shima both. [ There's a second or two of a pause, as Childermass recalls, right, there's two Okumuras now. ] Rin Okumura, I mean. Mr. Okumura used the fire from the other's demon to take me out. Surprising no one, I can't exactly take orders if I am not conscious to do so.

[ And he apparently survived that, so good show, everyone. In any case, he looks down again, leaning over some to rest his arms on his knees and clasp his hands between. ]

Do you think... [ Strange isn't the best person to run ideas by, honestly, but they are from the same England, magicians both. It gives his opinion some value, at least. ] If I asked the Ringmaster to deliver the book's translation key to Mr. Segundus, that she would do so?

[moonfang]

I find that motivation matters quite a bit, actually! What you fight for is every bit as important as the fight itself.

[kingsroads]

You might have to sign another contract for it, [ Strange points out. He knows the Ringmaster likes Childermass, but her goodwill can only go so far in the face of fae nonsense. ] But I think she would.

[ he can read between the lines: if Childermass wants the Ringmaster to deliver the key to Segundus, then he believes he might not be able to do it himself. ]

I might sign another contract myself, [ Strange admits, ] if I can't find a way to break my curse in the next few months or so.

[ Strange is slowly realizing that he's fucked seven ways to Sunday. But if he can get Norrell back to England before the other magician even has a chance to touch all of Strange's mess, then all the better. ]

[periphrasing]

[She absolutely thinks that this is super cool shit, and splits into a manic looking grin, eyes alight with fascination.]

Woooooaaahhhh...

[She says it appreciatively, leaning forward a little to watch.]

Alright, I'll give you that. You want to hear something even more impressive? [She puffs up a bit, pointing to herself with her thumb.] I cut a high fae's arm off.

[chronosynthesis]

Are you suggesting that Lambert didn't bring any of his own? [Is he also suggesting Strange would loot Lambert's alcohol if he really wanted? Yes.]

[kingsroads]

[ Okay WHAT. Strange's eyes widen and then almost instantly swap to a bit of a worried expression. Oh my God, are they going to add another fae to the list of people pissed off at them? We've already got the Rose Queen out for the carnival, please don't let there be another fae who's seeking revenge for being disarmed (eyyy) ]

What happened?