⇨ The Tourist Trap: WEEK 2

[ringleaders]

Who: Anyone, anywhere in Portland.
When: October 7st - 14th, 2017
Where: Portland area, in the new reality.
What: The week begins as the time of the Animal Fair finally arrives! Meanwhile, the truth of this reality starts to be revealed, and forces both human and celestial alike attempt to take advantage of a rare opportunity.
Warnings: Individually marked!

BY ANY OTHER NAME↴ Tensions thicken as various supernaturally forces react to the events of the previous week. Something critical is afoot, and it's only a matter of time before things start coming to a head. It's time to find out more about what's happened to this world, and what will happen in its future. ► A NIGHT AT THE FAIR: From the night of the 7th to the morning of the 8th, the Animal Fair is officially in town. There is a top level down below with more information, though you can also RP content from this elsewhere if you wish. The host, who is very likely something called a Wyld Fae (if you discovered that ICly), will be present, but they will only be appearing to you of their own accord and attempting to track them down by force will be ineffective. Just kick back and relax! Fairs are supposed to be fun. ► THORNS IN YOUR SIDE: Culminating in a full fledged attack against the Sanctuary, it would seem that The Rose Queen is declaring war on the changeling population of Portland. Though the vicious attack of thorns against the safe house was eventually stopped, it wasn't without damage, and the black roses that caused it are still popping up around the city and threatening the places where homeless and lost changelings would be likely to congregate. It's obvious now that this is a serious threat - will it ever stop without an intervention? ► HELL ON EARTH: As Anath's march draws near, the first waves of her demons will be entering the city. Primarily acting as scouts and foot soldiers, these demons will be attempting to secure loyalty from the local demon populace, as well as taking out any angels they can manage to catch. It's a level of aggressiveness against heaven's forces that hasn't been seen for years, and it's a foreboding hint of things to come. These demons can be NPCed by anyone, and will mostly be thugs or manipulators who don't know much about Anath's plans but do know that you need to join their side. They are also rowdier than most of the demons in Portland, and are a threat to the innocent mortal populace as well, if they decide to try to get their kicks here. ► THE WIZARD POLICE: The Enlightenment Council seems to have demanded control of the local Circle chapter, and now backup has arrived. These mages are being sent out into the city as if they are a police force, and will be attempting to demand control of various common supernatural areas, as well as questioning community members that they run into. Whatever is going on, it seems to have resulted in the Council instituting what is essentially martial law... of course, not everyone sees any need to heed their demands. If you are a demon, warlock, or other rogue element, expect to be harassed or even attacked by them. These character can be NPCed, and if you need additional information you can ask the mods.

Comments

Joker / Jaoel

[pipers_son]

A - Pre Meeting

For all the fact that this is an angel meeting, for angels, Joker lands on the front steps of the church with his probably-human-definitely-psychic charge tucked under one arm and a beat up barely conscious embarrassment to demons under his other. Although at least with Sora, he carefully sets him down on his own two feet once they're inside the church- listen, flying was faster and easier than taking a bus, which would have refused them from Psi bleeding everywhere anyway.

Anyone who appears to be even close to giving him a look for this will get a prompt, "Oi, mate, got a problem?"

Otherwise, Joker finds a bench to sit on in the rows of pews, and sets Psi laying down on another where he watches blankly as the demon almost inevitably slithers off of it to collapse in a heap on the ground. After a second of apparently debating if he should bother to exert the energy required to pick him up, Joker just leans back against the bench with his arms spread. He's too damn tired for this.

...And he does look it, for anyone taking a gander. Angels don't technically need to sleep, being the divine messengers and warriors and shit that they are, but Joker looks like he could do with a long nap. Occasionally while he waits for this whole thing to get starter, he grimaces and wipes at his face, trying to stay away. While he's tried to clean it up, there's blood splattered here and there, especially on his shoes and beneath his finger nails. It's clearly different than the blood smeared on him from carting around Psi. Occasionally, something in his eyes or hair or skin almost seems to shimmer- he's two seconds away from giving up on his "polite" human appearance and becoming full on holy warrior.

But it's fine. This is fine.

Meeting Time

When it's clear that Pru has gotten through the majority of the reasons why they're here and what the hell is going on, thus making it Question Time, Joker wearily raises his hand.

"Alright, so this is all well and important, but why do the demons and the Rose Queen give a good-" A pause where he was clearly going to swear and then remembered he's supposed to be a Professional (tm) divine entity. "Why do they care about this spell? What's in it for them if they keep it goin' or destroy it?" He looks around to see if anyone else has a better idea than him.

...After a second, he also nudges Psi with his shoe, but he's not expecting anything there.

we'll start with A

[npcarnival]

Pru stands up in alarm as she sees a demon being drug inside - the human is less notable since she already knew that Joker was a particularly protective guardian. The demon, though?

"What the hell is this?" she asks, gesturing emphatically in the direction of Psi's delirious body.

[pipers_son]

While it's obviously no cause for laughter, Joker still sort of snorts out one in the back of his throat. "What the hell..." He obviously finds it hilarious, in that exhausted way where a lot of things are.

He's had a rough day, let him live.

After a second, however, raking his hand through his hair, he musters up a better answer. "Rudolph, if someone wrote questionable fanfic on if reindeer were demons." He nudges Psi with his boot. "Psi. Demon. Guy I know."

[npcarnival]

She's a little embarrassed to have said that in front of a room of angels, but no matter.

"Okay. Yes. But why did you bring him here?" she asks, no less critical.

[pipers_son]

"'Cuz there's nowhere else to bring him," he says, trying to keep it not as sharp as he's feeling.

"You were at the Sanctuary, y'know what it's like over there. And without that, where else could I put him in a hurry where I'd know for a fact that he wouldn't get attacked again by other demons or a large enough rat?" He huffs out a breath between his teeth, nearly a whistle. "With everythin' becomin' a right mess, I don't have a lot of options for this kinda thing."

[npcarnival]

She raises his hands in defeat, obviously having heard enough.

"Fine! Whatever. That's fine. Just... I am trusting you to make sure this information remains discreet. If it doesn't, you will be the one to blame."

[pipers_son]

With a great theatrical sigh, he slides down off of the bench, and crouches down in front of Psi. Gently, he smacks the demon's face. "Hey. Hey Psi. Up and at 'em, mate."

And then, assuming those eyes even come close to opening- "How many fingers am I holding up?" Joker holds up two, only to suddenly switch them to four.

Just to be a dick.

....And maybe prove a point.

[dorkypantsuit]

He's barely even aware of what they're talking about, but a slap to the face gets his attention. With his face as bruised up as it is even a gentle slap kind of hurts. He opens the eye that isn't swollen shut (the left one) and looks at Joker confused.

"Wha...." Fingers? What the fuck does it even matter how many fingers Joker's holding. He actually tries to count them for a second, but he's dizzy as all hell.

"A number?" He finally says after a long pause. Look if this isn't important he's going to pass out again now. "Just. Fuck off."

[npcarnival]

Pru just raises her hands dismissively, as if she is washing her hands of this.

Have it your way, then.

after the meeting

[npcarnival]

Pru seems a little confused by his question, pausing for a moment to consider if there's something she's misunderstanding. She tentatively continues.

"...They want to be free. Angels aren't the only ones trapped on Earth... Anath, the arch demon, is raiding the city for that exact purpose. Her lover, Lord Baal, is still in Hell and she wants to return to his army. The Fae... well, the Fae have never been very happy to be on the receiving side of imprisonment."

"They want a way out as much as you do."

It is in this moment that Sora will have a vision.

[destiny_key]

The vision hits Sora like a truck, and it's one of the most intense ones he's ever had. One moment he's listening, and the next, his eyes go out of focus and his hands, previously playing with his necklace, drop limply to his lap. To anyone who hadn't seen it before, it was probably a rather alarming sight, as though, all of a sudden, Sora had turned off.

It's also one of the more violent things he's seen in his visions. He'd seen things before, car crashes, violence, but nothing so... deliberately creepy. The man in the vision, the changeling with the dark feathers, looks familiar, though Sora doesn't remember having ever seen him before, but it's painful to watch this whether he knows the man or not.

It's almost a scene from a horror novel, and when he wakes up, it takes him a moment to groggily readjust to where he is.

[pipers_son]

There are a few thoughts Joker has there on demons and fae nonsense, but it's around that time that he glances at Sora from the corner of his eye and jolts upright. Sorry, everyone- his kid takes all priority, and he immediately scoots close with his hands hovering up just to make sure that Sora doesn't fall over or something. Patiently, nearly holding his breath, he waits until the boy finally starts to come out of it.

"Are ya alright?" he asks. That takes precedence over the details of whatever it was he just saw.

[destiny_key]

Sora blinks a few times, and then reaches up to rub at his eyes with his fists. He feels tired and a bit drained, but he's starting to wake up now. Distantly, he hears Joker ask if he's alright, and he nods dazedly. It's another minute or so before he can find his voice to actually answer.

"Y-yeah... I'm okay," Sora replies softly, finally moving his hands away from his face to look at Joker properly.

[pipers_son]

Well, Sora usually is.... after a while. Still, Joker can't help but feel is metaphorical feathers ruffle as he leans in closer, hand on Sora's shoulder just in case. You never know with visions, sometimes. He drops his voice lower.

"The usual, or a weird one this time?"

[destiny_key]

"Um... both?"

It wasn't a memory this time, definitely a premonition of the future, but he's not sure he'd call it 'normal'. It was weird, just not in the way that Joker was thinking.

Tiredly, Sora scoots closer and then sags into Joker's side. Vaguely, he's aware that the meeting is still going on around them (or was it over now?), but the vision was taking precedence in his mind.

"It wasn't a memory, but it was... weird. Like, creepy weird. Like a... cult ritual or something."

[pipers_son]

Listen, the meeting will be there, it's fine. Joker has more pressing concerns; it's who he is as a guardian angel.

Wrapping his arm tight around Sora, Joker frowns as he listens to the brief description. Cults- the last thing they need with all this bullshit. Although, now that he's thinking about it...

"What kinda ritual? Did ya see that?"

[dorkypantsuit]

Wow fucking rude. If he could stand he'd nudge you with his foot. It's hard for him to focus and his brain is a bit slower than normal, but he can hear what's being said, and he definitely starts to pay more attention as they talk about undoing the spell. Honestly the thought of it makes his blood run cold. He can't really think of a way to explain to Joker, tongue tied as he is, why certain demons are eager for the connection to hell to be forged anew. When hell was first cut off there had been many high ranking demons who lost control of their armies. People deserted their allegiances, or else their leaders were lost, trapped in a world they could no longer reach.

"S' no one to boss... Like a debuff. Serious dicks."

[moonfang]

He waits for a bit, until much of the meeting is over, before bothering the demon that had been dragged in by the guardian angel.

"So. The hell happened to you? You look like you lost a fight," he says, pausing for effect. "Badly."

[dorkypantsuit]

He laughs, and then winces. He's still laying on the floor. Mostly because he just doesn't have the energy to move.

"Three... Lost three times."

[moonfang]

"I apparently ain't a healin' type of angel, so I can't help you there..." Zangetsu crouches down, looking at the guy, trying to see if he recognizes him.... But it's no good. He just didn't know enough people from the carnival to be able to spot their features among these strangers.

"Who did it?"

[dorkypantsuit]

He tries to shrug, but that hurts too. He just gives up on moving, frowning in annoyance.

"Demons." he says, you can hear the scorn in his voice, despite how he is also a demon. "Angel magic can't heal me anyway, so don't worry about it."

[moonfang]

"Demon on demon violence, huh?" Zangetsu lets out a weird bark of a laugh. "What is the world coming to, these days? Then again... here you are at an angel meeting. Which means ya either got a deathwish or are one weird demon."

[dorkypantsuit]

"Little of both?" he offers with a lopsided smile. "What's it to you Mr. Not Angel?"

[pipers_son]

Oh, hell- Joker glances down at him, leaning over a bit. He think he can understand what Psi is trying to say, but- still.

"Yeah, but it worked out all right for ya until it didn't, huh?" Reaching down, he lightly touches Psi's shoulder. No slapping or patting, just a touch. "Try ta rest, ya mess."

[dorkypantsuit]

He nods, not even really knowing what he's agreeing to aside from just wanting to rest. His whole body aches, from scratches, bruises, or whatever it is that's ailing him. It's almost funny how this used to basically be his normal state of existence, though he'd never had so many injuries all at once before, usually just a few at a time.

"Don't let 'em undo it."