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

[betheman]

Hmn! You hatched swiftly, it would seem, [Comes Gongenzaka's reply.] ...As for what occurred...as best as could be heard through the radio, it would appear that Zangetsu returned here with your soul and body upon your demise, while those left behind...

[Is it his place to go into the gory details here? Probably not. He'll let them expand on what he says, then.] ...Continued with their actions against Ignatius until the Ringmaster was forced to step in herself. [...By their hand.]

...Sadly, the most I, the man Gongenzaka can offer, is a crown of fire immunity... ...which I, the man Gongenzaka, would rather not part with for very long, as it was not originally mine...

[kingsroads]

I did? Well, we can add reviving to my list of many talents! [ because fun fact: Strange has no clue how long he was dead and no clue why he would hatch faster than most (he's chalking it up to 'because he's awesome,' though).

Gongenzaka's explanation raises more questions than answers. Still, he wasn't there, so Strange at least realizes Gon might not be able to ask the ten billion questions Strange has about the rescue mission. ]

So they continued fighting after I...erm, after I fell? How odd. [ so much for those books on tactics he gave Lambert. ] But what of the Rose Queen? I know Steven was taken. How did that happen and how was he retrieved?

[betheman]

Indeed, you can! With regard to exactly what they continued on with however...I, the man Gongenzaka, feel that is for themselves to explain. No greater words can come, save from those who were present, after all.

[Especially when it's torture. YAY. That said.] As for Steven however, I, the man Gongenzaka, can answer many things!

I was among those to retrieve him, after all! Though Steven was in poor condition upon our arrival, we were able to take him swiftly, and our escape resulted in few injuries..! ...Though indeed...we have most certainly created a grand enemy for ourselves...

[He has no doubts that queenie will want their hides especially thorn slashed and flayed, now.]

[periphrasing]

Strange!!!!!

[Shouted directly into the radio. Guess who's small and green and overjoyed to hear your voice again?]

Oh oh oh, I have SO MUCH TO TELL YOU. It-- Where are you? I'm not doing this over the radio!

[mylastchance]

You died?

[kingsroads]

Hello Peridot. [ and man, he is just as delighted to hear her voice as well. ]

I'm in the medical tent. I...don't exactly know where on the campgrounds it is, just that I'm there.

[kingsroads]

Yes. [ there's still a bit of awkwardness and hesitancy in Strange's voice before he continues. Raising the dead is a concept that he's used to. It's only the fact that he was the dead person which is still a little bit weird. ]

You have to set it up with her ahead of time, but the Ringmaster has a ritual to bring someone back from the dead.

[chronosynthesis]

Welcome back to the living, Strange. [He actually sounds a little positive about that, even. It's genuine!]

The Ringmaster is tending to the carnival, so you may not have a chance to speak with her just yet. But I'm listening, unless it is something you wish to speak of in person.

[mylastchance]

I know that.

[Just not the part where Strange kicked it.]

What happened?

[kingsroads]

We have, [ Strange muses, with a sigh. ] I doubt the Rose Queen will take kindly to her changeling slipping through her fingers again.

Still, at least it was only the Summer Court. The Winter Court has reason enough to hate us, I don't want to add more to the fire.

[ uh, about that.... ]

[betheman]

Unfortunately....the Winter Court was most assuredly involved.

Both were quite present here. They were, in fact the first to take from our number, though those others have also been retrieved.

[kingsroads]

I don't mind waiting: there's something I want to ask her directly.

[ namely 'why the hell did I find out about you killing the Winter Queen from IGNATIUS?' ]

As for you, I found out some more information about our Huntsman. The fae was an ally of the Courts before the Ringmaster deposed him.

[kingsroads]

To make this clear, you're asking how I died? That's quite morbid.

[ says the man who literally asked everybody the same question when he first arrived. ]

[mylastchance]

[Ignoring that.]

It must have been one of the fae.

[Give him a second and he'll start guessing.]

[chronosynthesis]

[There's a pause, as Syrlya's still reorienting his head to what was relevant in the carnival since returning some hours ago.]

Oh! Yes--an ally of the Courts? I wonder if the Huntsman is even a Wyld Fae himself... he must have been around before they began to conflict with each other.

[At least, he's not sure either of them would take a mutual ally without screwing them over one side or the other. Or both.]

[kingsroads]

[ well shit. ]

What the hell was the Winter Court doing here in the first place?!

[kingsroads]

Actually, my death was at the hands of a carnival member. I was enthralled by one of the fae—I was killed before I could kill anyone else.

[ the hesitancy's fading as Strange's voice becomes a bit more matter of fact. ]

[betheman]

Working with the Queen, naturally.

They are both after us- but not for Steven. They wish for the Ringmaster, for her part in the death of the Winter Queen. Our Doctor was able to feed the audio of the discussion between some of our own, and the court faerie here, a number of days ago.

Those we know from Portland were there- as well as Frost, and another faerie. The one who I, the man Gongenzaka, mentioned earlier. [He, uh. He doesn't know her name.]

[mylastchance]

Oh.

That must have been the one everyone was yelling about.

[kingsroads]

I assume he is. I doubt they let you rule over the Wyld Fae if you aren't a Wyld Fae yourself.

[ considering how many monarchists throw a bitchfit if someone from a different country marries in and becomes queen, Strange is PRETTY CERTAIN OF THE FACT that the Huntsman would be a Wyld Fae ]

There's something else you should know. [ a tiny pause, before, ] The Ringmaster murdered the previous Winter Queen.

[ to Strange's credit, he feels a BIT bad about airing dirty laundry like this but hey, she should have told him before Iggy did!!! ]

[atouts]

Come find me when you're capable of it. The rest should be able to fill you in on what happened just fine.

[chronosynthesis]

What if they don't have a choice? Arcadia is made of conquerors, after all.

[It's notable, he thinks, that it's a huntsman ruling over beasts, and a beast that overturned that. The Ringmaster herself would probably be able to shed more light on the matter, but...]

And I know. The Fae held something called an Elysium, and Herbert broadcast it over the radio. Notably, besides the murder of the Queen they also accused the Ringmaster of pursuing 'weapons of war'. The miracles.

[So uh. Everyone might be in way hotter shit than it seems, and that's not even getting into Ignatius.]

[kingsroads]

Can't you find me instead? [ Strange whines. if there was any worry in Childermass's mind that Strange was still enthralled, this whiny tone of voice is straight up proving that Strange is himself again. ]

I'm still in the medical tent.

[kingsroads]

Wait, you know about that? [ there goes HIS info... ]

Ignatius told me about the Ringmaster's actions. I didn't know he'd tell all of you.

[ he's talking about Ignatius like Strange would talk about someone he knows from England or an old army buddy, not someone who tortured and enthralled him like a week or so ago. ]

[kingsroads]

Of course they'd yell about it, I died. I don't see why people wouldn't kick up a fuss.