⇨ INTERLUDE: A Continuation

[ringleaders]

Who: The Ringmaster, all Supervisors, and any rule-breaker onlookers.
When: Twilight on D40
Where: The woods surrounding the grounds.
What: The Ringmaster found something threatening and has decided to share it with her supervisors.
Warnings: Wannabe satanism.

CATCH A FALLING STAR↴ The Ringmaster waits for all of the Supervisors to arrive before continuing onward. She doesn't say much about what they are doing as they wait for everyone to arrive, simply explaining that she has found something concerning that she needs to show them. Once everyone is together, she will lead the pack into the woods - with or without any snoops who may be trying to follow after, against her wishes. The forest is far more accommodating to her than it is to anyone else who tries to navigate it. Instead of getting wound in circles by its path, and running into dead ends, it's as if the trees have moved themselves to intentionally create an easy path for her to follow. It's stretching into the twilight hours as they travel, and various phosphorescent flowers and pods have begun glowing among the leaves with the shift to night, faintly illuminating the way. The sun is low in the sky when they arrive at the spot, still present but swiftly fading as its light cuts through the trees in beams. They reach an area that is not so much a clearing as it is a small space, tucked away between trunks and branches. In the center of that space lies a large, black mark, cut into the earth like a ritual sigil. The dirt and rock is blackened along its lines, and all plant-life within a few feet of its presence has died out completely. As the dark approaches, the black of the lines will seem to paradoxically glow, as if the void within it somehow creates a light of its own. The Ringmaster kicks a few last leaves off of the mark - it seems that she's been clearing away mess from this spot already today, and indicates the digit with a snarl of disgust. "I told you I was cursed!" she insists, putting her hands on her hips.

Comments

[periphrasing]

"...Alright I'll bite. What are we supposed to be looking at?" Peridot says cautiously, eyebrows raised slightly.

Seriously. She's got nothing.

[pipers_son]

Oh well shit she was right.

Joker isn't exactly dressed for a long trek- a crop top and leggings are fine, sure, but he landed before the Ringmaster completely shoeless. Still, the stage manager doesn't complain as he obediently follows along, rolling his neck a bit and occasionally exchanging questioning glances with his fellow supervisors. Surely he can't be the only one that's uneasy, right? However, when they finally get to the spot that's got their boss in such a mood, he slowly comes to a stop and raises his eyebrows. That's certainly something.

"If it's a curse, fae markin' or something, maybe?" he offers, giving a low whistle as he ventures just a little closer to the mark. Not too close- he doesn't want to futz about with weird magic no matter how the Ringmaster herself is treating it. "'Course, I don't know much on that end, so..." He glances back to his fellow supervisors, wondering if one of the others more skilled in weird fae magic bullshit will recognize it or if he'll have to ask the Ringmaster herself.

[osteothropy]

Sans has been giving the the mark's area a weird look since they got within range of it, and is eyeing it even more critically, now that he's got a visual. He vaguely recognizes the shapes of it, but he's not sure what from. Some sort of spell thing, right? Nothing he pointedly studied, though, in any of his fae or monster studies.

"Ritual magic," Sans explains, glancing over at Peridot and Joker soberly. "Looks like it sucked the life out of everything nearby... hell of a curse you've got there."

He stretches, glancing over at the Ringmaster, cracking his neck.

"Now, who'd do a thing like that to someone as nice as you?"

[cuckooed]

Sans, is this really the time...

"It looks like an alchemy symbol," Koel replied, squinting and frowning. "Can't say which one, but I've seen some like these. Usually for transmuting things. Like vodka into plutonium."

Her life in the government service was weird sometimes.

[lordofthering]

The Ringmaster clicks her teeth like she thinks they're all being stupid - especially Sans. She kicks up some more dirt near the mark, but doesn't actually touch the lines as she clears away more leaves, as if that will make the answer more obvious to them.

"It's infernal. Demonic. It's the sign of one of those incessant apes from the hell dimensions, and it's familiar, even worse."

She crosses her arms, looking positively venomous.

"It's the same feeling I got from the spells of those blood drinking savages."

[dorkypantsuit]

"Are you shitting me?" Psi exclaims loudly in irritated disbelief. Of all the things to find. He is also staying away from the mark. Well away. He doesn't know much about curses, but he can see how the plants are dead and that makes this very real and very concerning. Even worse, it was apparently from those vampires.

"This has been here this whole time?"

SANS AND PERIDOT GET EXPLOSIVES

[osteothropy]

They appear in the Supervisor Grove, mostly because Sans wasn't one hundred percent sure where Peridot would need to go to do this. He did know he'd rather leave the meeting immediately, however. Let's see how little he can do while on this diversion.

He shrugs a shoulder at her once she's had a moment to re-orientate herself.

"No offense, Peri," he says. "Wasn't saying it'd be your bombs to do the job... just think that destabilizing a ritual space has good odds of causing magical fallout. Not that I know anything about demons."

[periphrasing]

Peridot looks unusually disgruntled; one would think she'd be pleased as punch to have her idea taken seriously, but. No. Not this time.

"I'm going to be honest with you? I... wasn't really expecting her to actually listen to me," she says, rubbing one arm anxiously.

[osteothropy]

"Me neither," he says, lifting his arms in a casual shrug. "But hey, maybe if we waste enough time over here she'll get bored of that idea and come up with a new one."

He parts Peridot on the shoulder, presumably in consolation.

[periphrasing]

She shoots him an unimpressed look. "More like she'll get angry about being kept waiting and possibly punish us."

[osteothropy]

"Eh," he says, batting a hand. "Just tell her I made you do it. Wasted your time. I bet you she'd believe it."

He's not one hundred percent but he's at least a little bit serious. This situation is honestly so ridiculous that he doesn't know what to do with it anymore.

[periphrasing]

"I'd rather not risk it, if it's all the same to you." Seriously, Sans.

She does pause, though, and scuffs the ground with one clawed foot. "So... you probably know more than I do about this magical nonsense... What do you actually think will happen if I do this? I was just assuming it'd make a crater and destroy the ground it's burned into, but..."

Creeping sneakers

[thevictoriandetective]

Sherlock had heard the message on the public channel and his interest and curiosity was instantly peaked. He was a detective, he was always a nosy sort of fellow and this sounded particularly juicy.

He waited until the supervisors had started to leave and gather, and he followed them as quietly as he could. Being covered in green scales actually did wonders when it came to hiding in the woods, and he was rather miffed at how easy it was for them to go through the woods. The last time he'd tried it was a complete and utter disaster that ended up with him being turned into a chameleon for a length of time. He was back to normal--well, as normal as he could be in this place, plus it wasn't like he didn't escape completely unscathed--a frown as he pursed his lips, all too aware of how different his tongue was now.

He hovered closely but not too close, enough to hear conversations clearly and see through the leaves of a bush. Now to observe.

[otoko]

[He knew something was going to happen the minute he heard the message. This was a man who put body parts in the fridge to study how they'd rot like they were some kid's science fair project. Secret Forest Meeting wasn't going unnoticed.

Which meant he could end up with 'Shermeleon' again and he wasn't really in the mood for that. (And if HE wasn't, then Sherlock DEFINITELY wasn't)

As soon as he hears the announcement, he puts his tracking to use and hunts the other down-and by the time he finds the other....well.

Now that hooves are on earth rather than hardened carnival ground, the steps are muted. Paw pads might as well be leaf fall, with how careful he is. He might want to get Sherlock out of here, but that IS the point after all.

Getting him OUT of here.

Hello Green Sir, a furry demonic puppy is behind you.]

[thevictoriandetective]

[It felt like everything went quiet for a second. That was a little odd. Sherlcok had a chill down his spine. Which was either from something that was bugging his subconscious, or most probably because it was nighttime now and he was cold-blooded. That would certainly be fun--passing out or getting lethargic in front of a secret meeting.

There's a pause. He's usually the one doing the sneaking, and he's actually not used to people sneaking up on him. Impressive, Gon. Most impressive.]

...

[Sherlock turns around from the admittedly interesting conversation the supervisors were having with the Ringmaster to see his rather large roommate just...there, looming. Really!?

The scaled detective rolls his eyes and throws a hand up in exasperation. He's certainly not stupid enough to talk out loud right now, but seriously...]

[betheman]

[Yes, looming. And his eyes appear to be filled with a very real, very directed rage on top of it all. Obviously he has no words-he can say nothing, if he expects them to get out of here. But he jerks his head to the side, baring his teeth briefly out of instinct.

Get. Out. Of Here.

They are talking about blowing things up Sherlock, they need to LEAVE.]

[thevictoriandetective]

[...nah.

Sherlock rolled his eyes and promptly turned back around to concentrate on the secret meeting. So what if things were going to explode?

That just made it all the more exciting.

Self preservation? Sherlock Holmes had none.]

[betheman]

[Alright then fine. Fine.

He is going to PICK HIM UP.

He has very large arms that are very good for this purpose, and he is definitely going to try and pick this slippery not-snake up!]

long range creeping

[kingsroads]

Strange had also heard the message on the network and wanted to see what was up. The problem here was, he's still recovering from getting shot earlier. Like a pesky thing like 'getting shot' was going to stop him, however. Especially since ha ha, all supervisors includes Zecora, there's no one to help push him back to needless things like 'bed rest.'

After traveling via mirrors to pick up his silver basin (and then realizing yeah, no, we're staying back in the medical tent, even that little bit of magic exhausted Strange more than he realized, maybe bed rest isn't a bad idea), he filled the basin with water, and cast the proper spell. Show me Joker. It would be easiest to view his supervisor, after all, that's the man that Strange had the most contact with. The spell worked. Through the water, Strange could see Joker and the other supervisors, looking at a large black mark in the ground.

"What on Earth is that?" he asked aloud, to nobody in particular. The problem is while he could see them clearly, hearing their conversation was another story. He has absolutely no idea what's going on.

So hey there medical tent, there's an unkempt and exhausted magician just staring straight into a water-filled basin. You know, as you do. And if any supervisors feel a little tingle on the back of their neck like they're being watched? Straight up this guy. Likewise, if any supervisors have the ability to detect magic being used, it's not like Strange has done anything to hide his traces. There's only three magicians in London, after all, he's not entirely used to people realizing he can spy on them.

[atouts]

"...what are you up to now?"

Childermass has been out a lot longer, long enough that he'd even slept through the Ringmaster's announcement. After the possession and whatever it had taken to remove the machine that had caused it, he hadn't been all that inclined to wake up anytime soon. If it hadn't been for the telltale sign of someone else — definitely not Zecora this time — using a spell nearby, he may have remained so. Of course, he does not move nor give any indication that he is awake now, on a different cot within the medical tent, silently watching Strange through cracked eyes.

When he asks his question out loud, that's when Childermass will answer with a question of his own. His voice is quieter, dryer and more cracked than he'd like it to be, but it is what it is. There's so much hope that the answer will be something benign and he won't have to get up and go over or do anything at all, but, logically, he knows that isn't going to happen.

If Strange is spying on someone (and it isn't himself, obviously), something must be happening.

[kingsroads]

Oh. Hello there, Childermass. Strange can't help but be relieved when he hears the man's voice and, more importantly, hears the telltale sign of slight irritation. He's back to normal. They'll have to talk about the 'you totally shot me' thing eventually but right now? Strange is simply going to avoid the problem. Ain't no rest for the wicked and apparently ain't no rest for Strange's babysitter as well. He doesn't move from where he is, still looking in the basin, but he makes a little noise at Childermass's question.

"Were you asleep when the Ringmaster made her announcement? She had something she wanted to show to the supervisors. I want to see what that something is." Said as if it's the most obvious thing possible. There's a hint of exhaustion in Strange's voice, but he continues talking. "There's some sort of sigil carved in the ground that they're all looking at—I don't recognize it, though."

He's not surprised he doesn't recognize it. Still, Strange can't help but realize, there's no chance he'd recognize it in the first place. Of course, it'd be a lot more helpful if he could hear what they're saying but beggars can't be choosers. Whatever it is, it's obviously not good.

[atouts]

See, he knew it was going to be something he had to get up for. Childermass sighs and closes his eyes again for about two seconds, then resolves to indeed get up, first pushing himself up to sit and swing his legs down off the cot. Then he's standing up and crossing over to join Strange by the basin. He'll stand over both, though not without putting a hand on Strange's shoulder to at least stabilize himself as he watches the meeting being shown in the water.

"Not a common one, whichever it is," he'll add once he's had a moment to look. "I do believe I've seen it before, though I do not recall the meaning."

Considering the amount of books he's either retrieved or gone through back at Hurtfew, that's likely not too shocking, but sigils weren't in much use anymore, not with the absence of magic. There'd been no need to memorize them then.

"Which one are you spying o--" Oh, and there Joker goes, into the trees. That's a nice view of tree branches and leaves now. "Ah. Him. I suppose a better question is should you be spying at all, Mr. Strange?"

[kingsroads]

It makes sense that Childermass might recognize it while Strange doesn't. He's had much more access to Norrell's books, after all, especially the ones at Hurtfew. Strange is stabilizing himself on the table where the basin lies, both hands sitting flat on the table to provide better balance. Two wobbly magicians, creeping on the supervisor.

And yup, there Joker goes into the trees. It at least provides a wider view of the sigil through the tree branches but Strange still can't wrap his head around what it is. Plus, now he gets the wonderful view of spying on leaves.

Still. Should he be spying in the first place. What a silly question. "Probably not," Strange admits, with a little frown, still peering at that sigil as if staring at it will somehow reveal to him just what it is. "But in the Ringmaster's broadcast...she sounded aggravated. I wanted to see what annoyed her so much and why."

[atouts]

Yes, it is a silly question, because Childermass can't believe he has to be asking it in the first place. Any number of the supervisors might be able to sense they're being watched, for all they know, though as it is, they all do seem distracted. Probably for the best (for these two, anyway).

"Then it must not belong here," he surmises. "As it seems she's passed the aggravation on to all the supervisors as well. A curse, perhaps? All the grass around it looked dead to me, like it was pulling the life out of its surroundings..."

Sure, a sigil could be imbued with a variety of magic, but if everyone's upset, curse it really the easiest guess to default to.

[predaconchow]

[Somewhere in the trees nearby, there's a shitty crow watching all of this.]