[The moment the shadows begin to clear enough that it affects where Gongenzaka and a few others are, an announcement comes blasting through on the public channel-]

The shadows around myself, and those with me, are now clearing! [he shouts, voice strong and clear.] If it is the same for others outside of the carnival, then heed my words- we return to the Carnival Grounds at once! The sooner we are within our own 'home ground', the safer!

More importantly, the easier it will be to help in the recovery of those taken! [For after all, they know damn well that the Ringmaster won't just leave anyone behind. So.]

We move! Now!

If I, the man Gongenzaka, encounter any others on the path back, I shall be making certain you come with for that matter!

[NO BUTS.]

[People have got to be getting really sick of Herbert's voice, and of radio posts, but this is all he can contribute at the moment: subtly turning on his radio. He's not talking directly into it, it's a bit distant from his mouth, clearly, but he says, clearly enough:]

The Ringmaster ate the Winter Queen? How were we meant to know this exactly?

[And it continues on from this point.]

[He really didn't want this to happen, but...]

I think it's time we start keeping a list of those who's disappeared, been taken, or is otherwise indisposed.

I'll start.

Lauren has been buried in the ground, somewhere, and Steven Universe has been taken by the Rose Queen.

[He says all of this blankly, matter of factly, and there's only the sound of a shaky breath at the very end.]

This is Carly- the Wardrobe Manager, [
Carly announces, not long after it's been made clear that a Number of supervisors have now left the premises. Her voice is rather uncharacteristically serious, and perhaps even cold.] I know I'm hardly the Warden, or the Nightrider- but they left a warning, and an order.

Everyone presently within Carnival Grounds-please, check in, NOW. Do NOT leave the Carnival grounds, for that matter, short of a Supervisor themself giving that order!

If I see anyone try...

....I will be making sure you stay. This isn't the time for heroics..!

[Surprise, it's another announcement!]

If anyone is still among the shelves and is not with a member of the carnival security, speak up. I will come find you.

[ The Nightrider’s message is brief and harried: ]

If you’re at the Carnival, stay there. If not, start heading back. Don’t go running off into the books like headless goats.

I’m going to look for the Scribe.

[Oh excellent, another broadcast on the public network! Only this time, nobody says anything directly into the radio. Instead, it just starts picking up everything after this point.]



[And then a few minutes later, Herbert finally starts talking.]

I.....mm, another--

[He cuts himself off. He sounds a bit scattered. A moment later, he describes, fairly well, the location he and the remaining others are at.]

I think the, previous rusalka may haaaave, actually been a fae--we just met another called Ignatius--he took Strange...

Nightshade is here.

[Gongenzaka's message is short-but more curiously, he doesn't actually release the transmit button-and the sounds of Nightshade and Frost arguing can be mutely heard, potentially.]

I, the man Gongenzaka, will be holding this line 'open'...

[...And so he is. Which makes it a bit hard to actually answer him, but at least all of Security knows something's going down.]

==========================

[AFTER THE CHAOS]

[The message doesn't take long to come in, but It Sure Does.] ...As those listening have no doubt realized at this point; Nightshade is not the only one here. Fae from both courts are present-including 'Frost', as well as at least one crow.

Both were fighting over a book. The book no longer exists...Unless any among our number can salvage text from melted material...

...More importantly, Yuuya and myself are uninjured- Peridot is...

Slightly. [Comes Marishi's somewhat muffled voice. Slightly injured. But at least people can finally shout at them now.]

[Herbert's harried, hushed voice suddenly bursts over the radios.]

Some distance in, to the left of the entrance--Lapis has been attacked and I am...incapable? Of rescuing her? It's story-related, as far as I'm aware, not involving these, fae, following us. Even so! If anyone haaas some, constructive input, let me know.

 So... since the Summer Court is chasing after us, I think I have something that can help.

In Portland, I learned a spell that lets you keep Fae out of places. Like telling them they're unwelcome and can't come in. It worked against the Rose Queen's magic.

If anyone wants, I can use it on their trailer to keep them out of it. Just in case. And--if anyone's really good at magic, it helps to have more people casting the spell! That way it's as strong as possible.

((OOC Post related to it!))