If anyone, older member or newer arrival, wants information on... [ oh lord, this is going to take a while. Strange sighs slightly before obviously reading off a list of terms he's written down. ] Arcadia, the Rose Queen, Ignatius, Nightshade, the Count of Crows, Frost, the Summer Court, the Winter Court, how faerie court hierarchies work, the Wyld Fae, or the Beast, then I'll be happy to tell you what I know. I picked up some knowledge from my time in Portland and through conversations with the fae here and, for obvious reasons, don't want to bore all of you with far too many details and speculations at once.

[ There's a pause, partly to catch his friggen breath, before Strange continues talking. ]

I can at least explain Portland, though--for our new arrivals, of course. It's a city where the carnival was recently trapped for a month. Many members had their memories altered and believed they lived in the city for their entire lives. It was a...trying experience.

[ Understatement of the century. Strange sighs, like he's steeling himself for what he's going to say next. ]

Portland had it's own set of fae, some of whom I mentioned in my previous list. Plenty of the carnival members have ill-will towards those fae, who seemed determined to vex us and ruin our lives during that month. And despite the fact that we've left that world, I've a feeling that we'll see those fae again. Now that the Severing's removed, they can travel to different worlds the same way the Ringmaster can. And it wouldn't surprise me if some tried to reclaim what or who they believe they lost.

[ how dramatic! And quite possibly the worst way to end a broadcast as Strange just flips the radio off then and there. He has absolutely no clue how to best END the broadcast so not being cryptic is officially for chumps. ]

Uh, hello. This is Marinette. I know everyone's still recovering from the weird other world stuff that happened and all.

I guess I was just wondering if anyone here knew how to use a sword? Like, a real sword, for battle.

[She knows that a really weird thing to ask, but explaining it would just take so much time...]

So... Let me know!

[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.

[ When Strange starts talking, it's after a pause, like he's mulling over his words before he says them. ]

I think it's obvious that the realm the carnival resides in is exceedingly magical. People can learn spells even if they come from a world without magic and those with magic can find their talents pulled in ways they weren't expecting. [ exhibit A, Tamaki. exhibit B, Childermass. ] I think that it's also obvious that there's opportunity for a bit of chaos, especially from magic that someone from a non-magical world has just learned.

[ says the person who generally causes 75% of the magical chaos to begin with. Still, there's nothing condemning in Strange's tone as he talks about people messing things up...if anything, there's a hint of awe. Magic is awesome, after all, and he's so pumped that people in the carnival are picking up spells. ]

Most of you know me already but for those who don't, I am Jonathan Strange, magician and nightrunner. Obviously my duties to the carnival come first, but should anyone with magic, whether from their home or the carnival, want someone to practice, discuss, or explore magic with, I'll gladly offer my help! [ because he is a huge nerd and wants to see how everybody else's magic shakes out. ]

Of course, the offer of discussion extends to all the carnival. [ He can't help but laugh a little, tone obviously chipper. ] After all, you can still talk about magic even if you can't perform it!

So... how many people here are comfortable with casual sex? I'm asking explicitly about people who might be interested right now, to be clear.

[For something out of Foster's mouth, it's pretty well censored, honestly; he's spent a long time fighting with the urge to do this.]

Don't worry, I'm down for absolutely anything, the harder the better! I'm in trailer 18, so you can, ah... I'm easy to find.

If anyone still needs stuff to keep warm, I've found some coats and scarves and other winter clothing in the wardrobe's storage area.

[ There's a sound of boxes being opened and probably the sound of fabric rustling, because he's talking and sorting things at the same time. ]

Let me know if you need to borrow them?

Hey, guys? Anyone -- I hope you still have your radios...

[Ash sounds worried to the point of frantic, barely keeping her alarm and panic covered under a veneer of anxiety.]

Listen, something's really wrong here. Have you guys actually talked with anyone else? It's scary as hell, guys, they're hollow, it's like their brains have just shut down -- they're running for kicks and thrills like they're the only thing that matters. I mean I know all the drugs and stuff here can have that effect, but it's not just the junkies. And some of you all are scaring the hell out of me too just from what I've seen...

This place isn't safe. We're not safe here. It's too much pleasure and it might even be more than that. Pull out, guys. Please, now.

Okay! We've got a few more newbies so the mandatory ice breaker game is two truths and two lies! Say two things about yourself that are true and two that are a lie, and then everyone else well try and guess which ones are the lies. Got it?

I'll go first:

My blood is yellow.
I was hatched with four eyes and four horns.
Purple is my favorite color.
I'm a wanted criminal on my home planet.

[OOC: Respond with your own truths and lies and answer each other, or ask Psi about his. Threadjacking is encouraged!]

[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.]

[Not too long after Grandma Koel's message, Joker's voice hums out from the radios.]

This is yer stage manager speakin'~.

Now, I'm sure some of ya must be a bit nervous about the prospect of learnin' ta fight, and I hear ya. Koel's just worried about some of ya greenhorns and she'd feel better if ya knew how ta take care of yerselves. That last stop got us all shook up.

However, I know that for a lot of ya, it's bit much ta ask for, so I'm givin' ya an alternate solution. I'm still gettin' used ta the spell, but... I can make enchanted items ta help get ya out of a tight spot. Teleportation, s'what it's called, innit? They'll get ya straight ta the grove where us supervisors live, or at least that's what I'll try ta manage. Unfortunately, it'll only work while yer on carnival grounds, but it's better than nothin'.

If yer interested, just let me know~.

[507.50844: Entertainment]

...But, of course, all of ya in performance are gettin' one automatically. In case of emergency, it'll take ya right ta my trailer, where ye can hole yerselves up.