limacharlie | public channel; forward-dated a hair to day 67

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public channel; forward-dated a hair to day 67

[ 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?

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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...

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?

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.]

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.... ]

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.

[ well shit. ]

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

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.]

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. ]

I, the man Gongenzaka, presume you received your information from him then.

We received it while listening to the Count of Crows attempt to condemn all those of the Carnival for the 'crime'.

[It was super not great. Anyway.] ....You speak of Ignatius as if you were speaking as something other than enemies, however... [Unspoken is, uh. Why???]

I'm sorry, the Count of Crows was here too?!

[ question about Iggy temporarily forgotten because why are all these fae showing up? And yeah, Gon said the Winter Court was here, but the fact that the Winter Court fae specifically was the Count of Crows is reason for alarm ]

What happened with him? Is Childermass alright?

You would have to ask him- however, I, the man Gongenzaka, spoke with him while helping Zangetsu to bring your...remains to the Ringmaster, [He coughs, shaking his head on the other end.]

Naturally...he did not allow himself to be taken.

Oh don't worry, I have every intention of bothering Childermass for information on what happened...and then bothering someone else for whatever Childermass decides to keep from me.

[ because let's be real, that's going to happen. There's a slightly awkward pause before, ]

And thank you, by the way, for helping Zangetsu with my corpse. It's never a pleasant experience to look upon a body let alone move one. You have my gratitude.

It is the least that I, the man Gongenzaka, could do; the presence of the body hastens recovery significantly, or so I am told.

[He coughs.] A-After all, for myself, it still took a full month...

It is fortunate that it was a matter of days, in your own case.

You were dead for a month?! [ and Strange was only dead for a few days? ]

Well. It seems I really am better at this than most!

[ HE IS THE KING OF REVIVING ]

Aaah...give or take... [RUB IT IN WHY DON'T YOU.] Suffice to say, I have become far more adaptable to magic since that time...

According to the Ringmaster however, she had worried for if the spell would 'stick', for a time. [Eeps.] Th-That is hardly important for now, however..!

If recovery time is based on how one adapts to magic, then of course I recovered faster than you! After all, I'm one of the strongest magicians in the carnival.

[ modesty is for losers. ]

Hnm! Is that your reasoning, then?

[His quickly souring mood is enough to make him remember something.

Namely that he didn't get an answer to his earlier question.] Is 'strength' and 'revival' what caused you to accept Ignatius' agreement, then?

...You did not clarify why you seem so able to speak his name without ill will, I should add...

What caused me to accept Ignatius's agreement was that if I didn't, people would die. [ just said in a matter of fact tone. ]

I am a nightrunner. It's my job to help keep the carnival safe, by whatever means necessary.

[His tone is quite flat.] I, the man Gongenzaka, was able to hear the true terms fo the agreement, and resulting statements clearly, do not fear.

...You are avoiding my question however, Mr. Strange.

Someone might have told you the terms of the agreement, but considering that you weren't there in the first place, you certainly don't have all the context.

As for your question, it makes no sense. You're asking why I'm not as angry as I should be? What a ridiculous notion.

I, the man Gongenzaka, heard the terms of agreement, Mr. Strange, just as I heard my friend from home attempt to argue for herself to be taken in your place, [He growls. The anger quickly fades, replaced by more of a huff or mumble.]

Is it so ridiculous, when one considers how most of those taken by the fae have looked upon those experiences? A radio may have recorded the events of your agreement, but I, the man Gongenzaka, would hardly know what followed wherever you were taken..!

That's why I volunteered-so that he wouldn't take anyone else. I've survived the fae already, I knew I could handle it. [ jury's still out if Yuzu or Zan could. ]

As for what happened, he trained me to be a soldier. Ignatius is a general, after all.

I imagine you will have plenty who will question you on the matter, so I, the man Gongenzaka, shall certainly not argue... [His tone does at least imply he feels Yuzu would've fared far worse, however so...He's grateful??? In a weird, round about way.]

Hmn. I suppose, that makes sense... ...such training does not sound like it would be at all enjoyable at any rate- I, the man Gongenzaka, can only imagine the sort of experience it would be, if spearheaded by a Faerie general.

It wasn't enjoyable. [ and that's all the details that Gon's getting! ]

But it did have it's uses. I've developed new ways of using my magic that I never thought of using before.

In other words...you have few qualms due to having...been able to practice new techniques, as a result?

[He's only SLIGHTLY skeptical, you see,]

Hmn. I, the man Gongenzaka, shall have to take your word for it...

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