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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[ 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?

[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.]

[ 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?

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.

[ 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.

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.

[ 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.

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?

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?

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.]

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.

[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.]

[ 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.

... 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.

[ 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.

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.

[ 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?

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.]

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

[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.]

[ 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?

[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.

[ 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.

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.]

You know, I've no idea if he did or didn't. I'll have to check his tent.

[ except for the fact that Strange and Lambert are going to get into a stupid fight the next ic day. rip chance of getting drunk. ]

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public channel; forward-dated a hair to day 67

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