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

[kingsroads]

[ So time to bother more people about this Elysium. Got it. ]

Of course they haven't forgotten. You can't simply forget the death of a monarch.

But speaking of the Ringmaster, what's this about her stepping in at the fight with Ignatius? It wouldn't surprise me if Lambert needed back-up, considering how none of his strategies actually worked, but it sounded like you and Rita had the situation under control.

[ at least, from Strange's position of 'listening to Ignatius make pained noises from under multiple feet of water', it sounded like they knew what they were doing. ]

[chronosynthesis]

... The Ringmaster currently has Ignatius alive and captive. [That's the most succinct explanation.]

That is a longer story that it may be best to speak about in person. [Everyone else has heard what happened, but it is easier to explain the torture bits face to face.]

[kingsroads]

[ Well, Strange can safely say that he didn't expect that answer. There's a confused pause before he speaks again. ]

I'm at the medical tent. Meet me there.

[ there's another pause before Strange can't help but ask, ]

Is he hurt?

[ Strange has a feeling the answer's yes. Ignatius didn't seem like the type to go down without a fight. But to be wounded enough to be captured? Something had to have gone wrong. ]

[chronosynthesis]

[That is the question.

There's rustling as Syrlya departs back to the tents.] He was last I saw him, although I do not know how quickly Fae heal from non-fatal injuries.

[He pauses.] Why?

[kingsroads]

[ because a large part of Strange hates the idea of being the direct or indirect cause of someone's suffering and a tiny part of Strange's stomach just sinks at the idea of being the cause of Ignatius's suffering.

which, of course, just makes him all the more confused and annoyed about this. ]

You should have found a way to save me without hurting someone.

[chronosynthesis]

[A twig snaps.] Oh, as if your decision to throw yourself into his service did not hurt anyone! I would ask if you even thought about any other solution first, but I believe I already know the answer.

[At that point he dials his radio down, because he doesn't care to have this conversation in front of everyone.

It isn't much longer before he throws the tent open, quickly location Strange and marching to his bedside. Despite the spike of irritation, he mostly looks worn and tired--although he's putting on his best attempt at authoritative anger.]

[kingsroads]

[ Strange also looks worn and tired. But, as soon as he sees Syrlya, he tries to put on his best attempt at righteous indignation as he props himself upright...then realizes for the first time, the inherent problem of having fire hair and a plant roommate.

Hmm. Better not get too close to Syrlya. As it is, battle of the sleepy angry men, round 1, fight! ]

Tell me what happened, [ he simply orders. ]

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya folds his arms and turns his nose up.]

We made an attempt to duel for your freedom, but Ignatius declined. Since we could not very well leave you in his service, we used the Athenaeum's magic to trap him while Lambert summoned you.

He tried to kill us after that, of course. Zangetsu brought in some sort of ocean. [Because you fight fire with water, at least someone on that team understood that much.] You proceeded to fight him and Lambert on the surface while Rita and I battled Ignatius. You will have to ask them what exactly resulted in your death, as I only caught Lambert after he fell back into the water.

[kingsroads]

[ Right, there's fifty more questions about this that Strange wants answered. But first thing's first... ]

Oh, I know what resulted in my death. Lambert was too busy fucking around to do what he needed to do. I was close to killing him before Zangetsu stabbed me.

[ Strange tries to keep his voice level and calm, but there's a little hitch in his voice as he talks about it. ]

Lambert's not a magician: he only knows the theory of summoning magic, and even then his grasp is probably shaky. How could he use a magic that he doesn't know how to use in the first place?

[chronosynthesis]

[In any other circumstance, Syrlya would be much more sympathetic to the pain of dying--he's been through it now, after all. Even the hardest of soldiers can be worn be the reality of battle.

Instead, he purses his lips to restrain himself from frowning even further as he describes what happened with Lambert. It's the way he says it, more than what occurred, that frustrates Syrlya all over again.]

I think he made it up. [Syrlya waves a hand.] That worked in the Athenaeum, just making up magic. He was able to use it to restrain Ignatius so he wouldn't kill us all--which he tried, when he ordered you to assist him.

[If Strange remembers dying, then he probably remembers being all too willing to join Ignatius in murder too.]

[kingsroads]

[ Strange makes a noise of interest as Syrlya mentions how the magic worked. That's...interesting. It's a pity he couldn't have examined it further. Note to self, don't get possessed in magical areas.

Strange is listening intently as Syrlya continues talking. ]

But you hurt him even after restraining him. [ it's more trying to figure out the order of things...however, Strange is still a bit judgy. ] What happened?

[chronosynthesis]

Rita had impaled him with a sword. [He gestures to his chest.] It was not enough to kill him, obviously. Once Lambert recovered, he determined we could use the opportunity to obtain information from Ignatius.

So, I... used the Athenaeum's magic to make him speak, and Rita displayed it with her book. [He shifts slightly on his feet.] We learned a little more about how the Courts have been pursuing the carnival, for how long, and the Summer Court's stance on the Ringmaster.

[There's almost a moment to give Strange a chance to ask about that, but Syrlya decides quickly to just get through the story first.] Then Lambert decided to share him memories of the pain that some of the carnival members have experienced at the hands of the Fae using Rita's book. AFter that, the Ringmaster arrived and swallowed Ignatius and we returned to the carnival.

[kingsroads]

[ fun fact: when Portland you is down for torture and enjoys making people's lives miserable, regular you ain't here for that! ]

That's barbaric.

[chronosynthesis]

We've heard. [He sounds more resigned about that. It isn't that he doesn't have regrets, but he already suspects a strong emotional stance isn't once that's going to get him listened to.]

I am sure the Ringmaster will speak to us about what is to be done for Ignatius when she is ready.

[kingsroads]

[ Strange pauses, gives Syrlya a bit frown...then relents a little. He's too tired to argue that much right now. Yelling shall come later. ]

I'll tell Lambert this as well, but might as well tell you. If something like this happens again, I'm off the team. I don't want to be a part of binding someone like that.

[chronosynthesis]

You will have to tell Lambert. [He replies simply. He won't try to convince Strange either or stay or that something like that won't happen again, because he's not the Nightrider. That's Strange's choice, and they often enough have the whole carnival tangling in whatever mess they run into, titled as a nightrunner or not.]

Was there anything else you wanted explained?

[kingsroads]

God, probably, [ Strange sighs. So much happened in the span of a few days that he doesn't even know where to start. He frowns for a moment, thinking, before he asks. ]

Steven and I were taken. Was anybody else? I know there was Winter Court involvement, did they take anyone?

[chronosynthesis]

Lapis, Jasper, and Lauren were taken as well, but they have all been retrieved. I believe it was someone from the Winter Court that kidnapped Lapis and Jasper, but it would be best to ask them directly, or Peridot who retrieved them.

[At least, he remembers her announcing she was going to, he sees no reason she didn't.]

[kingsroads]

Jasper was kidnapped? [ that seems to personally annoy Strange as he rolls his eyes in an aggravated fashion. ] And after I kept her from attacking Ignatius! Peridot's right, she is an idiot.

[chronosynthesis]

[There's a brief pause before Syrlya cracks a wry grin. Not out of personal amusement, but it's a little easier to see Strange back to being mildly petulant instead of the tension over Ignatius.]

With any luck, there have been a few lessons learned. [He gives Strange a quick once over, his expression slipping a little.]

... Did he at least do it quickly? [He inclines his head to Strange.]

[kingsroads]

[ By 'did he at least do it quickly,' Strange is assuming 'how quickly did Zangetsu kill you.' It's his turn to have his expression slip as Strange tries desperately to force it back into something resembling nonchalance. ]

He did. A sword, clean through the heart. [ There's a pause before Strange continues. He doesn't really know why he's saying this, just that he feels he must. ] I'm thankful for it, but it's nicer than I deserved. I almost asphyxiated Lambert and would have done so had Zangetsu not stabbed me.

[chronosynthesis]

... Good. [Is all he has to say for a moment, but it's completely sincere.]

Deserved or not, I don't believe any one of us wanted you to suffer for it. And I do not know the toll the Ringmaster's revival magic has, but you look like you should continue to rest.

[kingsroads]

[ Strange looks a bit wary, as if he's a bit shocked the conversation is going the way it is...before he just accepts that all right, Syrlya's not going to question him about things like 'how he knew he could asphyxiate someone with magic'. Which really, thank God for that. ]

I would like to rest, [ he admits. ] I'll need my strength to yell at Rita and Lambert eventually.

[chronosynthesis]

Should I be grateful I'm not being subjected to so much yelling? [There's no relief in his tone, since they're not really more guilty than him... but they are more likely to yell right back.]

I'll leave you to it, then. I hope you have a swift recovery, Strange.

[He turns to go, but suddenly stops and glances over his shoulder.] Oh, that gem of yours--I left it in the trailer before the carnival departed. You should find it there when we return. Your quill, as well.

[kingsroads]

[ The amount of joy on Strange's face when Syrlya says 'I left your gem in the trailer' is comparable to that of a small child that was just told their missing dog was found and the dog also brought home some candy. Because he remembers seeing the gem at the start of the fight...and then nothing else. ]

You should have brought it with you! [ Strange chides. There's no malice or whinyness in his voice, this is just Strange pointing out the obvious. ] Now I've got...what, a few days until I see it again? How long are we camping anyway?