[Can anything get worse than the attack already is?

The answer is a resounding Yes. (And that's BEFORE everything else, for that matter.)

When Carly comes onto the radio- public radio on that note, for while she would rather not distress everyone further, it's something everyone should probably know- her voice is tense. Low, and flat, and stiff, as it has been in the past when handling something relatively unpleasant...or when causing it, for that matter.

Which is never a good sign.]

...Herbert is dead, [Is what she starts with, not that there is much else to say.] ...I have what's...left of him, [She says, sounding remarkably calm outside the clear hesitation as she chooses her words.

There goes one of their medical staff, for the time being though.]

[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.

Hello! I'm one of the newest members to recently join the carnival but because of... um, recent excitment I never got the chance to introduce myself to everyone. My name is Shiemi Moriyama and I'm from the same world as Rin and Yuki-chan if you're familiar with them.

I'm also the carnival's newest nurse so if you ever need medical assistance then let me know, I'll do my absolute best.

( somewhere in the background there is a noted 'Nee Nee' sound. )

Oh! I can also help with providing different types of plant life that you might need or might be more familiar with since we're surrounded by so much unknown. My familiar, Nee-chan, is a greenman-- a type of demon that can summon plants from his body. My family runs actually runs an apothecary back home and I'm training to take it over so I can also help with greenery questions or problems you might have.

[Honestly, it isn't his fault he doesn't have hammer space or fancy magic to use for hiding stuff. Tyki didn't have to suggest he should contribute some other way like he had something to make up for when the topic of assuring the rest of the Carnival that the situation was under control came up; any one of them could have done that! But in the end there wasn't a graceful way to weasel out of it, so here Shima is, sighing and clicking his radio on to the public channel once they'd made it back to camp and had some rest.

The aggressive cheer in his voice poorly disguises the put upon tone to his announcement.]

Mooorning everybody~

Shima again. I'm sure some of ya've been wondering what's been up with that fae that our last team captured 'n got the Ringmaster ta eat. Well, good news, she's fine now 'n the eating was temporary.

Iggy-san is doing less hot, but he's alive 'n we've got him inside, uh... I guess it was a beach moon? Not sure how that works. But yeah, for whatever reason, since I fit the Ringmaster's criteria for a person suitable ta bring along for a chat with him, here's a first hand account that his powers have been stripped and he's successfully contained 'n not leaving the Carnival for a while.

Take a sigh of relief, or brace yourselves. Whichever!

So uhhhhh…! I guess we’re camping! I’ve been camping before a few times, so if anyone needs help setting up a tent or building a fire, you can always ask me!

Umm… what else…. [there’s a shuffling of papers. In has a bunch of stuff he wanted to go over, so he made notes!] Oh! As for food and supplies, I took what I could from the cookhouse and brought it with me. I set up a tent that’s just for food and cookware and stuff. You can borrow pans and pots and utensils or whatever, but be sure to bring them back! We have some little charcoal grills and some grill pans for over the fires, but no ovens or toasters or anything. Nosh will be around to keep an eye on the food — she’s a little intimidating, but she won’t hurt anyone!

… Ah, and unless someone in the carnival has some ice magic, we’re gonna be eating a lot of canned food, dried stuff, and wild berries. Maybe those horned rabbits? Kuro said he saw some in the woods. If someone can make us some ice, great! Otherwise… we’re gonna have a big barbecue tonight to use these hotdogs I brought!

Last thing! I brought all the Hellbats with me so they wouldn’t be in the Ringmaster’s way! I thought it might be nice to let people uh… “borrow” them. They do what I tell them to, and they are great for starting fires or, like, being little heaters. So if you want one or two for your campsite, ask me that too! There’s more than enough of them for everyone. [he whispers conspiratorially into the walkie] I think they’re breeding, actually… It seems like every week there’s one or two more… And even I’M not that bad at math.

((OOC: Since Ginko and Tanyuu are both going to be talking in here, Ginko’s voice is indicated in green and Tanyuu’s is purple for readability.

For more details on the plot, please look at the OOC post!))

Hey, guys. Sorry to interrupt the camping trip, but we’ve got something of a problem.

You might have noticed some odd-looking flowers popping up around our campsites; those aren’t native to this world. They’re a type of mushi that have found their way here.

[And now that Ginko has a semi-captive audience--] Specifically, they’re kaoriyoroboki; these mushi blur the lines between people’s minds while they sleep, allowing them to experience and share each other’s dreams. Their presence allows people to sleep more peacefully, as well, which some of you may have noticed.

Unfortunately, long-term exposure to kaoriyoroboki while you sleep will cause the borders between your minds to blur more and more, until your identities and memories start bleeding together irreparably. Tanyuu and I are working on keeping that from happening, but the mushi purge isn’t quite ready yet.

[No one can see it, but rest assured that Tanyuu is shaking her head fondly at GInko’s rambling. Her brother...] It shouldn’t take more than a few days to gather everything we need, but in the meantime try to avoid napping too much. Symptoms usually only start appearing after a week or so, but let us know if you start to feel confused or misremember things.

[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.]

[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.]

Wait a minute.

You mean that part about staying here and working for a year was actually true?

I thought I could just, you know, sign and leave. Like, hell no I wasn't actually gonna stay! Even if I did kind of break something.

[Jinx, that's not how magical contracts work. You really should know this by now.]

Can I get a do over?

[There's some unintelligible squeaking noises in the background. And Jinx just sighs.]

Yes, Kuro. I know this isn't the first time I've signed without reading.

[If only you could hear how hard she is eyerolling right now.]

Who asked you?