The Ringmaster (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
lordofthering) wrote2016-10-19 06:48 pm
lordofthering) wrote2016-10-19 06:48 pm
IC SUGGESTION BOX
A real suggestions box hanging outside of the Ringmaster's "office."
Slot takes paper letters and perhaps very small animals.
A real suggestions box hanging outside of the Ringmaster's "office."
Slot takes paper letters and perhaps very small animals.
[ ...she's right. As much as Strange wants to complain about how he was mad or it was that potion's influence or how he didn't have all his memories, the fact remains that every time he's dealt with a faerie, both in the carnival and back in England, he's fucked up somehow.
Some 'expert on the fae' he was. The only reason he was still in the carnival was that the Ringmaster saved his ass...and yet he still got into a fight with her.
He continues to awkwardly tread water for a moment. Thankfully, the lake and the Ringmaster's words have just zapped all the fight from Strange. ]
Then I need to learn, [ he decides. ] So that the next time this happens, I won't be caught off guard.
[ because he's still a bit paranoid and still a bit worried something's going to happen no matter what. ]
Some 'expert on the fae' he was. The only reason he was still in the carnival was that the Ringmaster saved his ass...and yet he still got into a fight with her.
He continues to awkwardly tread water for a moment. Thankfully, the lake and the Ringmaster's words have just zapped all the fight from Strange. ]
Then I need to learn, [ he decides. ] So that the next time this happens, I won't be caught off guard.
[ because he's still a bit paranoid and still a bit worried something's going to happen no matter what. ]
[The Ringmaster isn't really the sort to go easy on someone the moment they turn meek - especially when she's seen this process with Strange a few times now - but she stops yelling quite as loudly, at least. Even if she still looks pretty pissed.]
Learning would be much easier, I'm sure, if you ever listened to anyone besides yourself!
Learning would be much easier, I'm sure, if you ever listened to anyone besides yourself!
I listen to people! I listen— [ no, wait, he's sinking, pause for a moment while Strange pushes himself back up from the water. ] I listen to Arabella, to Lambert and Childermass. I listen to you.
[ except he just did a wonderful job getting into a fight with the Ringmaster, which Strange has just now realized. A look that's plainly 'aw fuck' flashes across his face. ]
At least, most of the time I do.
[ what a shitty justification. ]
[ except he just did a wonderful job getting into a fight with the Ringmaster, which Strange has just now realized. A look that's plainly 'aw fuck' flashes across his face. ]
At least, most of the time I do.
[ what a shitty justification. ]
[It's not like it's the only time, either! She used to think it was cute, but in such dire straights its started to feel less so. She scowls at him.]
Oh, you do not! Almost every time I, or anyone else, has ever spoken to you about magic, you contradict them! Seemingly apropos of nothing!
Even after everything you've seen, you still like to imagine that everything plays by the same rules as that kiddie pool of a world of yours! To take all of the magic in a Pillar of Creation and to give it to a single person so that they could kill a High Fae? Do you have any idea how insane you sound?
Oh, you do not! Almost every time I, or anyone else, has ever spoken to you about magic, you contradict them! Seemingly apropos of nothing!
Even after everything you've seen, you still like to imagine that everything plays by the same rules as that kiddie pool of a world of yours! To take all of the magic in a Pillar of Creation and to give it to a single person so that they could kill a High Fae? Do you have any idea how insane you sound?
I don't know what the fuck a Pillar of Creation is!
[ aaaaand then a bit of the insight hits. Right. He doesn't know what a Pillar of Creation is. And he didn't even bother to ask about what a Pillar of Creation is, this isn't something that could arguably be RM's fault as well (because Strange will go to his grave saying that the petty gem argument was at least partly Lapis and Peridot's fault). ]
So I suppose this is me asking. What exactly is a Pillar of Creation and why would it be a bad idea to give all of it's magic to one person?
[ And look, he's tired of almost drowning, so don't mind Strange as he awkwardly starts doggy paddling towards the edge of the lake. ]
[ aaaaand then a bit of the insight hits. Right. He doesn't know what a Pillar of Creation is. And he didn't even bother to ask about what a Pillar of Creation is, this isn't something that could arguably be RM's fault as well (because Strange will go to his grave saying that the petty gem argument was at least partly Lapis and Peridot's fault). ]
So I suppose this is me asking. What exactly is a Pillar of Creation and why would it be a bad idea to give all of it's magic to one person?
[ And look, he's tired of almost drowning, so don't mind Strange as he awkwardly starts doggy paddling towards the edge of the lake. ]
It is one of the wells from which all of Creation flows.
[She's still irritated, and it shows, but she is explaining at least.]
You could spend centuries studying the ways that Pillars interact with the rest of reality and still have no idea where to start. Creation chooses its champions, and not the other way around.
[She gestures vaguely.]
Metaphorically speaking, though, it is very much like a pillar... in that if it crumbles, it may allow for the entire roof to fall down.
[She's still irritated, and it shows, but she is explaining at least.]
You could spend centuries studying the ways that Pillars interact with the rest of reality and still have no idea where to start. Creation chooses its champions, and not the other way around.
[She gestures vaguely.]
Metaphorically speaking, though, it is very much like a pillar... in that if it crumbles, it may allow for the entire roof to fall down.
[ Strange is listening as he swims towards the edge. And at least now he grasps the importance: if a Pillar of Creation is that powerful, then shoving it's magic into someone would overpower them at best, destabilize all of Creation at worst. ]
What exactly do you mean by Creation? It sort of sounds like you're describing...well, everything.
What exactly do you mean by Creation? It sort of sounds like you're describing...well, everything.
[She puts her hands on her hips.]
It sounds like that, because that's exactly what it is. Everything that has ever existed is part of Creation, and without Creation all of it would cease to be and would never be again.
It sounds like that, because that's exactly what it is. Everything that has ever existed is part of Creation, and without Creation all of it would cease to be and would never be again.
[ Well fuck. By this point, Strange is able to touch bottom, so he stands up and starts walking out of the lake. ]
On the bright side, I now know how terrible my plan sounded, [ Strange can't help but remark, slightly apologetic. Though the fact that Creation is literally everything...the more he thinks about that, the more he realizes just how shitty this situation is. ]
That girl, Noa, she said that CY-Ren was planning something the world couldn't recover from. I thought she was being melodramatic, but if that's the case, [ urrrgh he hates to admit this, something which shows on Strange's annoyed expression ] then I need to worry more about stopping CY-Ren than Nightshade.
[ he'll still try and figure out what Nightshade's up to, of course. That paranoia's still there. But Strange is smart enough to realize that saving all of existence takes precedence over petty revenge (even though he STILL REALLY WANTS IN on that petty revenge & blasting Nightshade to hell). ]
On the bright side, I now know how terrible my plan sounded, [ Strange can't help but remark, slightly apologetic. Though the fact that Creation is literally everything...the more he thinks about that, the more he realizes just how shitty this situation is. ]
That girl, Noa, she said that CY-Ren was planning something the world couldn't recover from. I thought she was being melodramatic, but if that's the case, [ urrrgh he hates to admit this, something which shows on Strange's annoyed expression ] then I need to worry more about stopping CY-Ren than Nightshade.
[ he'll still try and figure out what Nightshade's up to, of course. That paranoia's still there. But Strange is smart enough to realize that saving all of existence takes precedence over petty revenge (even though he STILL REALLY WANTS IN on that petty revenge & blasting Nightshade to hell). ]
[ Sure hope the Ringmaster likes formerly evil supervisors appearing out of the shadows wherever she's at because, guess what, that's how Childermass returns as soon as he steps foot on carnival grounds. ]
We need to talk.
[ Serious as ever. Hellishly tired, too, but even so, this can't wait. ]
We need to talk.
[ Serious as ever. Hellishly tired, too, but even so, this can't wait. ]
[The Ringmaster has actually been watching the portal at the front entrance and roving around in the trees, making sure nothing from Wismuth has contaminated the carnival before leaving, and also ensuring that everyone safely returns.
She's a bit surprised to see Childermass come to her so soon, and it shows.]
Oh! You're looking better.
[Mostly, she notices all the Void that isn't there, which almost distracts her from noticing something much more insidious. Her face falls abruptly as it occurs to her, and she puts a hand on Childermass's shoulder, pulling him aside.]
...Wait. What is that stench? What did you do out there?
She's a bit surprised to see Childermass come to her so soon, and it shows.]
Oh! You're looking better.
[Mostly, she notices all the Void that isn't there, which almost distracts her from noticing something much more insidious. Her face falls abruptly as it occurs to her, and she puts a hand on Childermass's shoulder, pulling him aside.]
...Wait. What is that stench? What did you do out there?
[ Stench? He wouldn't know, though he can make a guess. He steps aside with her, brow furrowed and lips drawn thin in a worried line. ]
I did nothing, [ Apart from all the, uh, Harbinger... stuff, but— ] Though I fear Nightshade has. She tracked me down when she couldn't find the others.
I did nothing, [ Apart from all the, uh, Harbinger... stuff, but— ] Though I fear Nightshade has. She tracked me down when she couldn't find the others.
[She squints at him.]
...Didn't you have the Starlight protecting you?
...Didn't you have the Starlight protecting you?
Edited 2018-03-19 19:08 (UTC)
[She's not mad so much as she she is completely baffled.]
But... you...
[She makes a few confused gestures.]
You were the one who betrayed the Rose Queen directly - you were the one that let me into her realm to attack her! Have you no idea the level of offense she would have taken to someone putting her at risk like that? It's absolutely absurd...!
But... you...
[She makes a few confused gestures.]
You were the one who betrayed the Rose Queen directly - you were the one that let me into her realm to attack her! Have you no idea the level of offense she would have taken to someone putting her at risk like that? It's absolutely absurd...!
[ And what can he do for that apart from shrug? Which he does, as he does over plenty of other ordeals. ]
Yes, I realize that now. I was too focused on whether or not the Count would pursue me at the time... I did not think... [ A lot of things, actually. ] It was a mistake.
Yes, I realize that now. I was too focused on whether or not the Count would pursue me at the time... I did not think... [ A lot of things, actually. ] It was a mistake.
[Her incredulousness fades, faster than it would have if he'd tried to defend it. A mistake. Well. What can she say to that?]
...I understand.
[And she means it genuinely. She pulls back, looking like she's trying to figure out something instead, rather than focusing on hounding him about it.]
Well... if you didn't know, it seems obvious that the Rose Queen has cursed you.
...I understand.
[And she means it genuinely. She pulls back, looking like she's trying to figure out something instead, rather than focusing on hounding him about it.]
Well... if you didn't know, it seems obvious that the Rose Queen has cursed you.
[ It's a small relief that she's willing to accept his admission and move on, some tension leaving his shoulders, but hardly all of it. He frowns some. ]
Yes, that much I had assumed, but is there any way to know what kind of curse? Is it only a danger to myself? Or is it for the entire carnival?
Yes, that much I had assumed, but is there any way to know what kind of curse? Is it only a danger to myself? Or is it for the entire carnival?
That's... difficult to say.
[She's still looking him over, like she's trying to glean more specific information.]
A fae curse is like... placing a mark on someone you intend to victimize. Like, signing a contract promising to hurt someone. The fae in question is given power by that contract, in order to fulfill the deed. The end results vary.
It's not that whatever she wants is what will definitely happen, but she's dedicated herself to the attempt. It's the intention that has weight, and it means that the magic will conspire to aid her. It's a fate thing... like a geas, but inverted.
[She's still looking him over, like she's trying to glean more specific information.]
A fae curse is like... placing a mark on someone you intend to victimize. Like, signing a contract promising to hurt someone. The fae in question is given power by that contract, in order to fulfill the deed. The end results vary.
It's not that whatever she wants is what will definitely happen, but she's dedicated herself to the attempt. It's the intention that has weight, and it means that the magic will conspire to aid her. It's a fate thing... like a geas, but inverted.
End results vary... [ May cause death. Of course. ] I see. So I can expect something terrible to befall me, in some form, but will the Starlight's protection hold for Mr. Strange and Steven? Will she be able to track me simply because she's cursed me?
[ Naturally, he'll only think of himself after he knows the answers to these, assuming the Ringmaster even has answers for them. ]
[ Naturally, he'll only think of himself after he knows the answers to these, assuming the Ringmaster even has answers for them. ]
Tracking would be possible with any kind of magical bond... that's probably how Nightshade found you in the first place. You still had a contract with the Rose Queen, even if you betrayed it, and the circumstances were a bit dubious.
Maybe it will be easier for her now. I'm not sure. This whole time, I'd been thinking you were protected. [She pauses, trailing off...]
You're very concerned with those two, aren't you?
[It seems more that way, knowing that he made a deal on their behalf instead of just including them along with himself.]
Maybe it will be easier for her now. I'm not sure. This whole time, I'd been thinking you were protected. [She pauses, trailing off...]
You're very concerned with those two, aren't you?
[It seems more that way, knowing that he made a deal on their behalf instead of just including them along with himself.]
I'm concerned about plenty of people. [ So he can be tracked. That confirms the absolute worst to him, putting the entire carnival in danger. Seeing how he already looks pretty grim, there can't be much said for looking any grimmer. ] But it was Mr. Strange's dilemma that moved me to search out such protection. If anything were to happen to him before he saw his purpose through in England, I would find myself very much out of time.
[ Or however that would work, he doesn't know and he won't have to know, now. ]
For Steven... I think too many take it as a kindness, but if the Rose Queen found him, it would only lead Nightshade back to Mr. Strange again.
[ In short, protecting Steven was convenient, though he did feel like he owed him regardless. ]
Only this brings us back to the new problem at hand. If I can be found, it may be better to leave me in Wismuth.
[ Or however that would work, he doesn't know and he won't have to know, now. ]
For Steven... I think too many take it as a kindness, but if the Rose Queen found him, it would only lead Nightshade back to Mr. Strange again.
[ In short, protecting Steven was convenient, though he did feel like he owed him regardless. ]
Only this brings us back to the new problem at hand. If I can be found, it may be better to leave me in Wismuth.
Edited 2018-03-19 20:58 (UTC)
[Well, fine, be that way. Coldly practical as always. The Ringmaster seats herself on a nearby trunk, curved low to the ground.]
No.
No.
Because, given that Nightshade is already on Wismuth, staying there without the ability to draw on the Void would be tantamount to suicide.
[She says it quite plainly.]
And, since you refuse to be sentimental yourself, I will say that it's because there are people here that care about you - and if you found a solution for Strange and Steven's problems, we can find a solution to yours. You're an excellent Acquisitioner besides that, and a good man.
You probably deserve better than the things you've been dealt... so far as a fae can judge anything about moral fiber.
[She winks.]
[She says it quite plainly.]
And, since you refuse to be sentimental yourself, I will say that it's because there are people here that care about you - and if you found a solution for Strange and Steven's problems, we can find a solution to yours. You're an excellent Acquisitioner besides that, and a good man.
You probably deserve better than the things you've been dealt... so far as a fae can judge anything about moral fiber.
[She winks.]
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