Day 68: [NIGHTRUNNER CHANNEL]

[whattaprick]

If you haven’t been approached already, I’m letting you know now: we’ve got a couple of people asking about being let on the nightrunners. I told them they’d need to convince you, not me. You know what we do, you know the risks, and you know what I ask for — if they come to you, let me know how they do.

Also, I’ve banned Strange from going out on preliminary scouting or any mission with a more than average chance of running into the fae. Unless I or the Ringmaster specifically say otherwise, that stays. He can whine about it as much as he wants, but if you see him violating that order, I want you to tell me that too.

Comments

[kingsroads]

Do you? Because as far as I can tell, neither you, Lambert, or Rita have even acknowledged the monumental stupidity of what you all did!

[chronosynthesis]

You were dead, Strange, so I am afraid you missed being part of that conversation.

Is your response always going to be to try and turn the conversation to someone else so you do not have to reconsider your behavior, Strange? Because if you are incapable of learning, you will continue to be more of a liability than any actual help.

[kingsroads]

Just because I'm criticizing you for your choices does not mean that I'm unaware of my own.

[ especially because he had a conversation with RM where she spells out some of the fun terms & conditions of his very rushed choice. ]

[chronosynthesis]

Then what will you change? [If he sounds disbelieving, he is.]

[kingsroads]

[ there's a long pause because urrrrrgh, he doesn't want to actually admit where he fucked up. ]

We need more information in order to better tailor strategies closer to each of the fae we might encounter. I made my agreement with Ignatius thinking that what happened would be like when I was with Nightshade. Likewise, we were all caught unaware by whatever the Count did with the shadows. A detailed plan of action against each fae we know of would be ideal, but a vague idea would suffice.

[ this is probably the most tactical Syrlya's ever heard Strange be in the entire time he knows him. it's intensely un-Strange like and downright WEIRD. ]

We also need to reevaluate how we think about the fae as a whole. [ and then, in a tone of voice that implies 'I know you're going to yell at me for this', Strange continues. ] I've asked the Ringmaster if I can talk with Ignatius whenever she's finished doing...whatever the hell she's doing with him. Hopefully that will provide some insights on fae society in general.

[whattaprick]

[ Lambert would tell about that, normally, except — ]

Sounds like more reason for you to stay behind.

[kingsroads]

What, so I can come up with strategies? [ because of course he'd do that, he's amazing. ] I can do that just as well from the field.

[whattaprick]

Talking to Ignatius.

[ His tone says: I think this idea is intensely stupid, I’m not happy about it, for all I know he’ll use his connection to try to command you to do shit to break him out. But— ]

If you really think that’ll make a difference ... then do it.

[kingsroads]

[ well that's unexpected. There's a shocked pause before, ]

Thank you.

[whattaprick]

You said he respects you. He knows you. Right now, you’re probably the only person in the Carnival he can probably be sure isn’t going to hurt him. Maybe he doesn’t see you as an enemy, either.

[ You know ... because he’s also the least threat to him right now, logically. Lambert will tactfully refrain from saying that. He won’t tactfully refrain from saying— ]

I’m not asking you to seduce the guy, and if I even get a hint he’s using you to get to the Miracles or the Carnival, I’m kicking your ass. But it’s something different. So it’s worth a try.

[ Strange can’t make things worse. Oh god, Strange is absolutely going to make this worse. ]

[kingsroads]

If you even suspect he's enthralled me again, I want you to kick my ass. [ and actually do it this time, not a whole bunch of kissy blood bullshit. ]

But we'll see. I imagine whatever he's going through right now has to be slightly traumatizing. [ what with the whole 'gotten eaten and then gotten vommed back up' problem. You don't have to know what happened to Iggy up on the moon to know that must have sucked. ] Most likely, there will be some recovery time. So when or if the Ringmaster lets me talk to him, I shall try my best.

[ and not just try to weasel out of his contract! ]

[anti_nonsense]

About this...

[Rita hesitates. There's tension in her voice, and it's clear that she's holding back from saying all kinds of things about what she thinks about this plan.]

If you're going to talk to him, I'd like it recorded. There won't be any need for suspicion if we can just watch the whole exchange.

[That way, they'll know for sure if Strange tries to make any more stupid deals, or if Ignatius tries to manipulate him... and they'll be able to see for themselves the results of their actions back in the Athenaeum.]

[kingsroads]

You'd have to ask the Ringmaster, but I wouldn't mind that.

[ Strange can just disenchant/break any recording device if he and Iggy want a private conversation. c: ]

[anti_nonsense]

[That sounds like a good way to make everyone even more suspicious!!]

Good. If you don't have a recording device, I can provide one.

[kingsroads]

Make certain that it's a device that isn't Pod, [ Strange points out. ] I've no idea how much of his magic Ignatius would have access to and I doubt 9S would want his friend to be fried.

[ because of COURSE the recording device would be Pod, Strange knows about Rita and 9S. ]

[anti_nonsense]

[Rita takes a moment to seethe, because damn it, Strange, you're the last person she wanted to know about her and 9S! She manages to keep her tone even, however.]

It's not.

Pod's too valuable to be left in an enclosed space with a dangerous person like that.

[whattaprick]

Peridot has those cameras of hers. You could probably borrow a few if you asked.

[kingsroads]

A few? [ Strange's tone is a bit skeptical. He's not gonna barge in there with like fifty cameras, you guys! ]

I'll ask if I can borrow one or two of them.

[anti_nonsense]

That's fine. [Peridot's equipment should be reliable, if used correctly.] I have a video camera of my own, as well.

Also, I'll check any devices beforehand, to make sure they're in working order.

[So there's no 'oops, what do you know, it didn't work for some reason' after the fact.]

[kingsroads]

[ Strange makes a tiny little noise of aggravation. ]

Is there anything else you all want?

[whattaprick]

Don’t make me regret trusting you.

[ Simple and blunt. ]

[chronosynthesis]

We do need to reconsider how we regard the Fae, if people area getting kidnapped this frequently. [That Syrlya can actually agree on, if for different reasons.]

So what happens when you are cornered by one with people you need to protect again? How will you get them out that time?

[kingsroads]

I've been alive for around two days and I spent half of that in a groggy haze. Give me time to think things over and then I'll come up with a plan.

[chronosynthesis]

Fine. You can present something once we've returned to the carnival properly.

Training and strategizing is probably warranted for all of us.

[kingsroads]

It certainly is. We can't afford to be caught off guard like we were in the Athenaeum. I'll come up with something.

[ he'll even throw in pictures. ]