[Way too much shit has been happening lately, from Julien's call on the radio to San's disappearance to the whole uneasy mess that was the Prince's little hunting excursion. What can Joker even do? He's the Stage Manager; this is out of his jurisdiction.]

[According to Lambert and Childermass, however, he can at least do this.]

Hello, folks. This is yer Stage Manager again, with a little reminder. We are guests here. So try ta follow the rules that have been set in place, alright? This includes at dinner, and at curfew.

I know we're all real curious, half of ya probably never even been in a castle before, but it bears repeatin'-

[And he very suddenly drops his warm and thick accent, going for something that almost sounds proper and is, thus, weird as hell coming out of Joker's mouth.]

Don't break the rules or curfew.

[Aaaaaand then it's back again.]

If yer havin' any trouble with anythin' or have questions, I'm available right now. Yer free ta come find me, over in the library. Have a good night, everyone.

[And for the love of god, don't do something stupid. He knows that's a lot to ask for, but please.]

[ Lambert's out of better ideas. With the Warden (probably) in the Prince's hands, even if it risks panicking his more easily riled colleagues, who will almost certainly notice Sans missing at breakfast ... he doesn't have a choice.

By the time this message comes on the radio, there's only about ten minutes until they have to be harried off to breakfast, and that's pushing it. Nonetheless, he's got to make an effort: ]

Hey. I need a second opinion on this outfit. Can you come by my room?

[ However, he won't be replying on the supervisor channel even if he's questioned. Take a hint, guys! ]

[Hi, did you want a radio message at two in the morning? A minute ago Julien yelled "No!" which might have been audible in the rooms to either side.

He's very distracted but has enough of his wits now to not want to cause a panic. His human form is using the angel language he learned in Portland. Only a few other carnies understand it, and his voice has the artificial flatness of someone who's learned to speak calmly in bad situation. His breath keeps catching in a pained way, though, and he doesn't know it but he's only got a minute or so left.]

I took Reira to see me in the stable. There are wolves. They're taking us outside somewhere. Servants are not part of this.

I will try to help her. Any way I can.

It's my fault.

[ Roughly around five in the morning, the supervisor-only channel will crackle to life with Childermass's consistently bored-sounding voice, even in the face of this particular news— ]

Tyki Mikk is missing. He failed to report back in earlier this morning and isn't in his assigned room. I've yet to check the rest of them, but I can if need be.

[ Although Zecora may have known even before now, depending on whether or not she's a light enough sleeper to know when her roommate is shadow-stepping in and out of the place. ]

Attention everyone! This is your Papyrus speaking. I have discovered... a library! By which I mean, I asked if there were books, and somebody led me here. Some of you, I'm sure, are saying to yourselves... "What's the point of this announcement? I don't read? Why are you telling us this, besides letting us hear your voice...?"

Well! That's really quite simple. Some of us don't sleep... at all?? Which makes the whole curfew thing kind of a nightmare. The not-dreaming, bored kind.

Thusly: I've decided to entertain myself, and all of you (who choose to tune in), with audiobooks! The kind where you can't fast forward, because it's just me, live, reading a book. But you can suggest books! I am open to whatever.

So catch me tonight! At curfew! On my channel! 172.79787!

Somniacs, disregard this whole message. The rest of you, I'm now taking questions and suggestions.

[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.

[Several hours later, as the day approaches evening, the Ringmaster will return. Unfortunately, she doesn't sound any more cheerful than before - in fact, she sounds far more flustered and frustrated, though she is trying to conceal it beneath a layer of authority. Her words go very much against what she said before, and she's trying very hard not to acknowledge that.]

Alright, change of plans. [There is the edge of a tired sigh in her voice.] My... ally, has decided that in order to negotiate properly, we all need to stay over at his castle for a few days. Grab anything you'll need for the next little while. We'll be heading out to his realm after supper.

...

[There's a notable pause of hesitation, and it shows in her voice.]

I must admit... despite our connection, this ally is another Wyld Fae, and he is not a fun character. I am having us stay with him for the sake of diplomacy, but it is very important that we are civil while we stay there. Be kind to our host, and he will be... well, perhaps not kind in return, but he won't be able to hurt you. Those of you more familiar with my kind... I'm sure you understand the importance of playing by our rules.

Don't disappoint me, everyone! I'll be very upset if you do. What I'm trying to accomplish here is very important, you see. In the face of... recent events.

If you have any questions, now is the time. Lambert, Sans, Childermass... I will be contacting you separately.

[All the radios will light up green as she speaks - yep, it's Ringmaster time. Perhaps not a surprise, when they will probably be at their next stop soon. However, what might be a surprise, is the fact that she sounds uncharacteristically serious.]

I have business today, outside of the carnival grounds. I don't want anyone to come with me, it isn't necessary. There is an ally that I need to negotiate with, and all I need is for you to sit tight for a few hours while I work things out. We'll be off to our next tour location as soon as this is settled.

If you have any problems, contact your supervisor.

[And that's it. Wow.]

If there are any supervisors still awake and standing, would you please make your way to the Big Top? The Ringmaster appears to have died.

[ —and turned into an egg, which is something he should really include, but he's tired. Sounds it, too, although what he isn't sounding on top of that is worried, since this is all said in a very matter-of-fact way. ]

[Frankly, Ginko would like nothing more than to pass the fuck out for a few hours or days, but. He has work to do.

In fact, seeing as how the menagerie is empty, and he’s already retrieved a dwarf wyrm from the top of a trailer and hauled Lamar the headcrab out of a trash can, that work is apparently going to start with getting the animals back where they belong.]

Hey, so-- sorry to ask this right after… all that, but if anyone sees any of the menagerie animals around, would you mind telling me? Or… you know, bringing them to the menagerie if you can. Maybe don’t try to capture the big ones on your own, though.