[ Hey, guess who has his voice back? Turns out traveling to Mainframe gives you plenty of voices to hear. But is he actually going to report back with anything useful? ]

"All of Man’s works, all his cities, all his empires, all his monuments will one day crumble to dust. Even the houses of my own dear readers must – though it be for just one day, one hour be ruined and become houses where the stones are mortared with moonlight, windowed with starlight and furnished with the dusty wind. It is said that in that day, in that hour, our houses become the possessions of the Raven King."

[ For once, his voice isn't carrying that edge of mocking, actually managing to sound solemn and thoughtful -- not that it lasts. There's the sound of a book being snapped shut, and Lambert resumes the rest of the radio post speaking in his normal tone of voice: just a touch insufferably smug. ]

Maybe Master Strange should consider becoming a poet, if he ever gets bored of being a magician.

[ And then, as an off-handed follow-up to that: ]

All scouts and nightrunners, report in. Let 'em know what they're in for.

Helloooo everyone! It's one of your friendly resident tailors here, with important news for performers!

Namely that if you're performing you're going to need to wear something!! Yet suddenly I'm hearing that there's at least one last minute act going on!? Whoever you are, you need to get fitted, hurry up, hurry up!

Oh!! On that note though, obviously not everyone who needs clothes will be performing~ So if you haven't gotten yourself re-fitted for things since growing new changes, and you need some alterations, just come by the tailor's tent!~

Or, um, if you're just new as a whole, I guess we can talk about a wardrobe..? Really though, you might be better off just getting clothes from the islands at this point...

[Look who finally figured out that maybe he should make himself known. It was probably Elsa or a nudge from the Ringmaster that got him going that he needed to start gathering some people for his work. Good thing he had worked with cellphones before, enough to grasp the idea of the device.]

For those unaware, I am not Jimmy Novak. He is my vessel, but I am not him and he is not me. It's difficult to explain and even more for others to understand but please don't throw yourself at me for a hug or ask that I bring you food. I am an angel, and those of demonic origins can find my presence unsettling or painful. I would like to avoid anyone being hurt or frightened if they try to embrace me thinking that I am Jimmy.

[There's an exasperated murmur in the background, probably someone keeping Cas on track or reminding him that not everyone knows who he is.]

Nametags? Why would I wear a nametag? What is a nametag? [More murmurs and Cas finally speaks into the device again instead of to the other person.]

Oh, yes, I am Castiel. While I have been with the Carnival for some time, I have rarely been with all of you. It was better that I be out in the world getting the things we needed. I have been promoted to the Acquisitioner position. I am in need of others to fill out the roles of helping me gain what the Carnival needs. I would also like to have lists of what is needed from the other Supervisors or people within the Carnival. I don't think the note I got that everyone needs a fluffy kitten is a legitimate request. Nor is fifty percent less material on performance costumes. That would be something to request from your own Supervisor or the Ringmaster herself.

What do you do when someone keeps getting mad at you no matter what you say or do?

I... Need help with something. But I can't be specific.


How can you help someone if you don't understand what the problem is?

[ The radio crackles to life, if anyone's paying attention to it. There's the sound of waves crashing in the background and gently rolling surf, the distant sound of bird calls... ]

Couple of things about our next stop. First, doesn't seem like there are any demons or vampires, and all my limbs are still here, so that's an improvement. Dress for sunny and hot. Or don't, if you like sweating through your clothes and getting heatstroke. Everything's on a bunch of islands, so if you want to get around you need to either rent or catch something to ride on. Locals will talk your ear off about that if you let them, so I won't get into it.

They're obsessed with animals here, so you'll see plenty just walking around in the grass and in town. Don't seem dangerous, but we haven't seen everything yet. People here use something to keep track of the kinds you run into, but you can get by without it.

[ Its indistinct, but Carly's voice can be heard in the background, a faint gurgle of distress: 'Actually, the Pokédex is very very important, Lambert...!' She is, however, going entirely ignored. ]

That's it from me. Any other nightrunners got something to add, don't be shy.

Well, that was a shitshow.

[ Lambert's voice, on the line, is even pricklier than usual. He's only saying what he's pretty sure everyone's thinking, okay. ]

Who's still here?

[ Someone hasn't been clued in yet on the possibility that radio chatter crosses dimensions. How do magic box talking things even work, man. Sup new vampire buddies. ]

Uh, so, okay, someone has got to know. Does that forest really go on forever? Like, ya walk through it for miles and miles and just end up at the gates again? And again? And... again?

Because it sure felt like it! I don't think I ever want to see another tree again for as long as I live!

[ Hey everyone, guess who spent an excessive amount of time repeatedly getting lost in the woods before finally signing up? That's right, it's this guy, this guy right here. ]

[Just one day before they leave Atlantis, all Nightrunners will be astounded (or not) to have their walkie talkies light up for an actual message from their 'elusive' supervisor.]

This is Mari Makinami, Nightrider Illustrious!

Effective immediately, all Nightrunners and employees under my jurisdiction are required to complete and submit a five-page report, minimum, to me within one week of arrival at each new location.

Failure to comply with these orders will be met with punishment and a new requirement of TEN pages, to be completed and submitted to my mailbox before we leave said location.

And--

Uggggggh. Okay, no. You know what? I tried!

But I can't keep that tone up. It's just... ugggggh.

I'm absolutely serious about this, though.

Including the part about punishment.

[There's a second of dead air, to let that sink in..]

This is important, we need intel.

I can't be everywhere at once, and neither can the Ring Master. Probably. As far as I know. She's kind of hard to "get," okay? Even for me.

Either way, we don't exactly have the Dead Sea Scrolls here. If we there's something we need to know--which is EVERYTHING, by the way!--we've gotta do the legwork ourselves.

Besides, I do also have some goodies to hand out. At my discretion.

...so look forward to that!

Okay? Okay.

You have your orders, guys.

Mari out!

[OOC: I do not really expect anyone to write out 5 pages of observations about each new location. BUT. If you go the extra mile and, say, leave a summary of what those notes entail or what they're written like in her mailbox or deliver them to her personally, you'll get an IC reward.]

[Bright and early on Day 58, the morning after the final carnival performances, your radios will light up with a very enthusiastic broadcast from the Ringmaster. Someone's having a good day, apparently.]

Hello, all you beautiful people of mine! Guess what? I'm back to normal! As powerful and gracious as I ever was - and I want to express my appreciation for all the kind words and offers of help you have given during my time of 'weakness.' Your loyalty and support is most flattering!

Even better, with your help I have won my bet! [And she is positively thrilled.] Please know that your combined efforts and my natural cunning have awarded us something very valuable for absolutely zero charge, and it will be of great benefit to our carnival in coming weeks.

I won't bore you with the details, but the carnival is back in action, and we will be leaving Atlantis in three hours! Please finish up any last minute business you may have, and we will be on our way!


[Well! That explains almost nothing.]