[ The radio comes on mid-conversation. Or seems to. Now what careless carnival worker could have let their thumb slip on the button today? ]

--time like the present. [ Lambert’s voice, light and mocking, is instantly recognizable. ] Don't be shy now.

I need time, [ Jonathan Strange, the other part of this conversation, responds with a little huff. ] You can't expect me to craft a perfect apology on the spot like this.

Doesn't have to be perfect. [ The witcher drawls, with exaggerated patience. ] Apologies usually start with 'I'm sorry.'

Which is only half the apology. Again, I'll need some time to decide what I'm going to actually say.

What's there to decide? [ And, for those who actually know Strange, what follows is a slightly falsetto yet uncanny impression of the magician’s snobby English accent, though it’s pitched a little whinier than the real thing. (No, it’s just as whiny as the real thing.) ]

'My name is Jonathan Strange and I'm dreadfully sorry for freezing the Carnival for a day. Won't happen again. Carry on!' See? Easy.

[ Somewhere in the background, a Haunter is laughing at Lambert’s impression. Strange, however, is VERY put out and starts to whine. Lambert has him pegged. ]

I don't sound a thing like that! Besides, you're one to talk. How many people know you're the new Nightrider?

You're right. Should have thrown in a couple of peninsulas to make it really authentic. [ There’s a pause, before he adds, like an afterthought: ] You're the first one I told.

[ You know, no big deal. Strange pauses for a moment before changing the conversation entirely. ]

Look, just give me your radio before you manage to accidentally muck it up. [ Strange is teasing, but there’s still a bit of a serious tone underneath his words. ] You didn't know what it was the last time we talked, I'm not entirely certain you know how to work it in the first place.

Little late for that.

[ There’s a pause: about as long as it takes for someone to realize a magic walkie-talkie has been on this whole time. Aaand then post ends with just the sound of a scuffle breaking loose as Strange desperately tries to grab the radio and salvage his dignity. All throughout, Haunter’s still laughing like an idiot in the background. At least the radio turns off before the Carnival’s further subjected to these two morons, though not before someone’s foot goes right through a crate and bodies hit the floor. ]

[ ooc: Lambert and Strange are idiots, news at 11. ]

[ Now that a day's gone by with nobody trying to put a hit on the Ringmaster, it's the PERFECT time to ask his creepy questions. ]

How many of you have died before, whether on your world or at the Carnival? You don't have to answer if you don't want to, I understand this might be a sore subject for some.

And if you have died, how were you brought back to life? Please try to be as detailed in your answer as possible.

[ just asked like no big deal, there's nothing weird about asking how people died in the slightest. c: ]

Out of curiosity, you know, for no particular reason at all, is anyone truly unhappy about being held against their will in this Carnival? What would you do if you had a chance to be free of your contract?

[If there's injustice about, he's got a motive for...certain activities that he believes could free them all from this Carnival.]

[Early Day 55, all of the radios's screens will light up green, as they do when the Ringmaster speaks. Despite the message she is delivering, she actually sounds quite at ease.]

Hello, everyone. I am obligated to report to you that I have lost my abilities and have become mortal, for the time being! This means that for the next little while, I will be as easy to kill as any one of you, and won't be able to perform any of my spectacular feats of magic. So, don't become the target of any terrible curses in the next little while, hmm? I wouldn't recommend telling the merfolk of my state, either.

I assure you, this is not a lie or a trick, I am merely informing you out of solemn duty. It should not cause problems in the long run, but there may be minor inconvenience over the next few days. Don't ask me how this happened because I'm not going to tell you.

You may complete your performances for the week as expected, and I will update you when circumstances have changed.

Any questions?


[Follow up log is here.]

EVERYONE JUST--SHUT UP!

DON'T MOVE, DON'T TALK, DON'T BREATHE!

[Sherlock, you're not doing much to improve your standing in this Carnival, are you?]

[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.