[The radios will glow green as the Ringmaster begins a broadcast.]

Welcome back to the carnival, everyone. Things may look the same as before, but I assure you, there is no stone that has been left unturned or tree that hasn't been uprooted. We'll have no more stalkers from here on out.

There are a few things of relevance that I have to tell you about. Firstly, Ignatius is no longer in the moon. Instead, he's been relocated to a small island in the middle of the lake. He can't leave it, and you aren't allowed to visit it without my permission. If you do, and he wounds you, you can consider it your own fault.

In a related matter, I've decided to invest my magical energies into granting each of you a ressurection egg, as we clearly can't anticipate any peaceful resolutions from this. If you don't know what that means, it's essentially a ritual spell I'll need your help in completing - once it's done, it will bring you back to life if you happen to perish, but only once. Also, you will have to be in the egg long enough to regrow and hatch. This is no small favour on my part, and it won't work unless your soul can make it back to the egg.

Thirdly, after calling in several favours, I think the location of Eden is almost within view. A few allies will be joining us over the next week and giving us more information. Until then, carry on about your business, as there are some new things you'll have to get used to.

We're going to be organizing the Supervisor guided departments differently from now on. I have explained the details to the Supervisors, and they can fill you in on what will be expected of you. There will not be only six categories: Militia, Acquisitions, Engineering, Management, Administration, and Medical.

Supervisors, feel free to sound off with what group you are leading and what it is for.

"With the power of the Silver Mirror, the Nephalem Lilith was able to create a realm according to their desires - a realm where the Beasts could devise the Soul that would lead them, and build a perfect world. While the rest of the multiverse spiraled into Chaos, Lilith aspired towards Perfection."

[ It had taken a bit to scour the book for any other bit of information once he'd gotten it back from one of the stupidest book specters he had to misfortune of running into but now that he has, here he is, reading the first bit over the radio.

Following that, he adds, asking, ]

Has anyone else found something regarding a mirror? I believe this may be one of the miracles but confirmation would be nice to have.

[ ooc, feel free to threadjack as needed ]

Hm, weird question, but: does the 'collective unconscious' sound familiar to anyone? When you were in your original reality did you ever dream about places and events you weren't there for? Especially about being in space and probably speaking in Russian or English, if you've got equivalent languages and people have actually been in space I mean.

How about shared dreams? Probably not super common, any of these, maybe once a month? Thanks.

...and, okay. If you could choose somewhere to go for the next stop, what would it be like? I'm unsurprisingly kinda into the idea of a talking bird world. With treehouses. Didn't I hear the Carnival went to one years ago? Anyone been there who can crush my dreams now and say it was terrible?

[Around the start of the new performance week, the Ringmaster will light up everyone's radios with an important message. Or, rather, some important musing.]

Hello, this is the Ringmaster speaking. I say that for the benefit of any new arrivals - everyone else surely recognizes my voice, by now. The rest of this may leave you in the dust as it will be touching on some carnival history, but you can may questions if you want to get up to date.

So, I spent a lot of time thinking when the lot of you were busy with that Pillar drama. As most are aware, a couple months ago we went on a mission to retrieve an extremely powerful artifact called the Blue Rose, which we have been using to defend the carnival from faerie threats. Which, seems successful so far, given that Nightshade didn't dare enter the grounds the entire time we were there! A victory, indeed.

It got me thinking, though... the Blue Rose actually comes as a set. As I've explained to a few of you, the Blue Rose is an organism created by the first Queens of Arcadia. Only three artifacts of its kind exist, as far as I know, and I fairly sure that none of them are actually in faerie hands.

So, I thought... what if we were somehow able to get the other two? Not only would that be enough to ward off the Courts completely, it would go a long way to defending us against any of the other nonsense we come across! Perhaps we could even go back to business as usual, for a while...

Anyway, in an attempt to be more forthcoming, I am presenting this idea to you for general 'work shopping' purposes. I know that the Blue Rose was a big hassle to get, but we know so much more now than we did then! I think it's worth a second look.

Victor Nikiforov, new showman here. I have a question for anyone who has a few minutes to talk!

( There's a smile in his voice; entirely deliberate, and entirely gone once he gets to his question. )

What things do you wish you'd been told about or known from early on once you started working here?

This is…Herbert West: a contributor to the recent cure as you may recall as well as…your new Doctor. [He pauses to let that sink in, sounding really smug about it.] The Medical Team is still, small but as more experienced members join it has become more…evident that we do not have the resources we need to properly, treat the Carnival staff.

Namely: up to date medical documentation on you all—now, I made do before with what I had, during the process of constructing the cure but those involved may recall being asked various questions, questions which would have been unnecessary had the previous department been keeping your notes on file. Perhaps medical files aren’t required by, magical zebras but they are required by. Me. It is considerably easier for everyone when all previous knowledge doesn’t leave with the former physician—I’m sure you can agree. [He’s trying his best to sound congenial, definitely, but it mostly comes off as stilted as usual…maybe it counts that he’s trying?]

Today and tomorrow, myself and Mr Okumura will be available to perform physical examinations; any additional medical history you can provide is, welcome, and if you would prefer to attend on an alternate date, contact me to arrange a time.

[And then because so many people here are damned word weasels:] I have to insist all of you show up. Even if you’re healthy. Especially, if you’re healthy to give us an idea of your baseline state but we will, of course, treat any issues you have. Understand, it’s for the good of the Carnival and everyone’s…future well-being.


[ooc: Make sure to help me out by posting anything you think of to the med tent info post. Also, Herbert is almost literally always in the med tent during daytime hours but let us know if you have an ooc preference for checkups.]

Umnnnnnhhh....

...What kinds of names do you give birds?

I have....a small one, that's a sparrow...and.... [There is a brief pause.] ...Now I have a really big one, that they called a 'Scarlet Eagle'.

The sparrow likes to sit in my hair, but the eagle can't sit on me, unless I'm laying down. She's too heavy.

People keep asking me what their names are though, and I've never named something before....

[Without bothering to announce himself, Herbert just starts speaking over the radio. His voice is, at least, pretty distinctive, soft and measured and nasal. Probably recognisable as the guy on the first cure announcement.

Who needs names anyway, right? The information is most important.]

The cure for the venom has been completed. For those with the symptom of petrification the procedure is, twofold: a single dose transdermally applied medication as well as a medicinal beverage—those not demonstrating petrification need only ingest the latter. The transdermal medication is formulated in the shape of a solid sphere that will dissolve and subsequently effervesce to distribute itself in water--ideally for use in one of the various, lunar spas for a period of no less than 8 minutes. I…would advise drinking the beverage either after or at least 6 hours before the bath or else, make certain you are supervised…

[Dammit, Lambert. There is so much alcohol in that half of the cure.]

I will be at the small cabin just to the left of the entrance for, those who want to collect their medication—someone will deliver it otherwise. I am, additionally staying on the radio to answer any questions you may have.


[ooc: The cure is here! It's... a weird herbal alcoholic beverage (THANKS, LAMBERT) and uh. Basically the Ectoplasm jelly bath bomb from LUSH. Please call Herbert out on accidentally inventing the bath bomb. The bomb is purple and segmented on the outside and smells of citrus. Once it's been put in water it oozes diluted bright green slime with magic sparkles in it. It glows slightly. The slime permeates the stone and gradually turns it back to flesh. The drink tastes like drinking a herb garden and alcohol. It rejuvenates you from the poison effects and also you'll get drunk. Sorry, kids. Medieval Poland.]

[Oh hey, Rita's actually using the network today. Her voice sounds weak and raspy, but she's got some water handy, so she should be able to make it through talking without hurting her throat too much, at least for a while. Besides, this is important.]

Right... so, apparently, I'm not supposed to do anything too strenuous until I've recovered more... which is fine and all, but the thing is... I've already read every book in my trailer three times over.

Anybody got any books I can borrow? Nonfiction is preferred, but frankly, I'm getting desperate.

[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.