[ Considering it's meant to be a "training" week to help break in the newer recruits, Childermass will, at last, use the acquisitions channel for... well, anything at all. The past few stops didn't call much for thievery and he actually isn't sure the next one will, either, but it's time to take stock of who he has.

So, at a much, much too early time in the morning, all thieves and singular conman will be getting the ever so chipper (which is to say, not at all chipper and instead entirely deadpan) message of, ]

I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday, but now that it's over-- [ In case they needed to be reminded. ] Who do we still have? Sound off. Name, role, and if you would please include some background, I would very much appreciate it.

If nothing else, you should all at least know who each other are.

Months ago, during the Celebration, a few of us got together to talk about and compare the magic from our worlds. Well, it's been a while since then and we've certainly picked up more magicians, so why not revive that little discussion group?

[ he's phrasing it as a hypothetical but as Strange keeps barging on, there's nothing hypothetical about it: he is totally reviving that discussion group. ]

I've asked around and the smaller festival hall in the building closest to the carnival portal is available for our use. Anyone who's interested should meet there tonight, just after sundown, for an informal gathering to talk about magic. There will be space inside the festival hall and outside in the snow for anyone to demonstrate their techniques.

Likewise, anyone who wishes to learn about magic should come and visit as well. [ And there's a bit of a pause like Strange is trying his hardest to choose his words carefully. ] Magicians in the carnival have different types of magic drawing upon different techniques. While one school of thought might seem incomprehensible, another might seem as clear as day. This is a chance for those of us with magic to learn from each other and develop our skills and those of us who wish to learn magic to see what practice would best fit their needs.

[ There's a pause, because Strange has no idea how to end this. ] Sound off if you're coming, I suppose. Oh, and can someone bring snacks?

( ooc: this is an ic post about mage club, an idea floated around on the cr meme a while back. I'll put up a mingle log later in the week for the actual meeting itself. as for this post, feel free to threadjack around! )

[Hinawa immediately threw her complementary mirror on the ground and stomped off back to the carnival upon hearing what the last 'challenge' would be. She doesn't know or care who might be paying attention to the radios, she just wants to yell into the ether more than anything.]

This is barbaric! How can anyone agree to this!? They're going to die!

We've chased the target into the Ringmaster's tent, following it into the hole!

Get someone at the top of the ladder, I want a guard at the portal!

No, guards!

[This little fucker is fast and whatever it wants, if it leaves the Carnival grounds, it's game over.]

[Sans is blue.]
[Lambert is dark red.]

( [ Supervisors’ Channel ] )

[ Public Channel ]

[ Lambert’s voice is terse, and irritable: ]

Our next stop’s called Heartstone Manor. We’re going to go over some ground rules to make everyone's life, especially mine, a lot easier.

[Sans is also here.]

The RM has already covered a lot of this in her announcement, but it is officially our jobs to make sure that it sinks in. Dealt with True Fae before? Then you know this isn’t a joke. Yes, your fashion sense and table etiquette are now a matter of life and death. This is me, Sans, telling you to take this seriously. Hopefully that means something to you.

To summarize the gist of what was said, here are some basic RULES. The Nightrider and I will be watching. So, even if the Prince doesn’t catch you, we will.

[Sans recites “The Rules” like he’s just whipped out a pair of reading glasses and is quoting them from an official document:]

DO:

• Follow the daily schedule
• Follow dress code
• Be polite to The Prince and his servants
• Keep your radio on you

DON’T:

• Whine about everything
• Seed rebellion or talk about rules breaking on the network
• Make any deals or promises to other fae servants
• Lay any hard disses on The Prince, ever, under any circumstances
• Don’t sweat the small stuff: this is gunna grate on a lot of us, so just focus on the end goal… which is not dying

Don’t mess it up.

That, too.

[ And now for something unrelated to Pokemon, faeries, and even Greysol, delivered in his more or less constant deadpan, as if this news, in particular, is somehow as exciting as watching paint dry. ]

If you are a carnival worker who has been given an extra job under the Acquisitioner, I would highly suggest answering this as soon as you possibly can. Failing that, I will come find you.

[ Definitely not a threat... right? It doesn't sound like one, honestly, but considering he can show up anywhere that has enough shadows in it, well... ]

For the rest of you, and assuming there are some who are new among you, this is John Childermass. I've been promoted from magician to a supervisory role. If you are in need of something being collected for you that the carnival is currently unable to provide, submit a request through your supervisor.

If you are lacking in one, we can work something else out. [ And here, there's a pause. A very, very short one, but one nonetheless. ] Assuming, of course, that you aren't a blatant troublemaker or asking for anything ridiculous.

[ That's all, folks. You are now free to continue on with your day. ]

[This message will go out about fifteen minutes after arriving in the carnival, while everyone is still waking up and recovering. The Ringmaster sounds far more subdued than normal - like maybe she's tired, or sick, or perhaps just sad.]

That... wasn't what I expected to happen.

[There is a long pause, and then she sighs.]

I imagine you all have some questions. I don't have time to address all of them now, but I can attempt the most important one. Who you were there isn't who you are now. It isn't a creature entirely separate from you, either. They are a reflection of your identity - they are who you could be. Who you could have been. The reality of circumstance and choice is too complex to figure out all the factors that changed you, but in the end, it doesn't really matter.

Use these memories to guide you, not to demean you. Allow them to inform your future, but not rule it. You are, as ever, all of what you choose to be.


Please be polite to our hosts. She didn't know know I was coming. Bye for now.