⇨ The Tourist Trap: WEEK 1

[ringleaders]

Who: Anyone, anywhere in Portland.
When: October 1st - 7th, 2017
Where: Portland area, in the new reality.
What: Memories begin returning to the displaced as the fall gets chillier. How the hell did we end up here, again? Also, apparently, the fair is in town.
Warnings: Individually marked!

PORTLAND BY NIGHT↴ Memory regains will come into effect at the beginning of October, to whatever degree you've decided upon, and may be regained at whatever pace you desire from then on. For those with their full carnival memories, it will be like waking up in the body of someone else - for those with half and half, it will be like rapidly recalling sets of memories from a totally different life. Those with full amnesia will simply feel as if this is how it's always been. Unfortunately for you, memories aren't the only thing you have to deal with. The supernatural community of Portland is bustling all of a sudden - could your presence and these events somehow be related? ► THE OUTER CIRCLE: As of the start of the month, the Portland Circle of Enlightenment will find itself starting to get swarmed with members from other chapters. Most notably, it would seem that a small cabal of top mages from the North American Enlightenment Council will be making their home in Portland's HQ. For anyone but the highest of ranks, the purpose behind their visit will be unclear, but it seems like something is definitely up on a metaphysical level. The Circle will be buzzing with rumours of unique planar activity and threatening omens. It seems that it all started with an unusual flare of activity in the planetary ley-lines, starting approximately a week ago. However, even if you would usually be the type to keep tabs on such things, you will find that you oddly have no memory of observing this phenomenon yourself. ► THE ANIMAL FAIR: Good news, the fair is in town! Or, at least, it would be good news... if this was a regular fair. Instead, what's being observed is a bunch of nearly identical flyers, spread all around Portland - each of which bears only the words "THE ANIMAL FAIR", a seemingly bloody paw-print of unknown origin, and the directions to a vague forested location outside of the city. It's dated for October 7th, and all instances of its posting having been discovered with a scattering of rose petals, crow feathers, and pre-burnt matches laying on the ground around them. Most are taking this to be some kind of bizarre viral marketing campaign, but others may know better. ► THE EARTH SPIRIT: If you have connections to The Pack or any of its many variations, you'll probably hear whispers of something very odd that occurred last week - according to the elders, it sounds as if the Earth Spirit, the magical and spiritual center of the planet, has suddenly taken a wound. It's not clear why or how, but there is a fair bit of concern among spiritual types, as it is werebeast belief and nebulous magical fact that the magical forces within the earth are the source of all magic here, as well as the source of life. While many werebeasts claim to have felt the Spirit succumb, you strangely have no memory of such an event occurring. Though things do feel strange, if you know how to tap into the Spirit yourself. ► THE WAR CRY: Though Anath's rain of terror across North America lasted for the first fifteen years or so of the Severing, most independent demons have had enough time to start taking the arch-demon's relative inactivity for granted. For that first while, the warrior queen had seemed determine to rebuild an army on earth by forcing her scattered brethren into service - only for her to gradually settle down in a fortress somewhere in Texas and dig in her heels. Of course, this was too good to last - it sounds as if she and her demonic legion have begun tearing their way up the west coast, their goals remaining a mystery. Their destination, however, is almost certainly Portland.

Comments

[kingofd]

What?! Killing you wouldn't solve anything!

[Jack gestures with one hand, dramatic as usual.]

I'm talking about a game! [He catches a glimpse of her helmet just then, and it clicks.] No, a race.

[insidescoop]

Then don't say duel, say-!

[She doesn't quite finish that, as her shadow's eyes widen with glee. RACE HIM!! he demands, likely speaking to Carly alone. PUMMEL HIM!!

Goodness he's eager. With a slight glance to her feet, she thus nods.] ...A race then. What do you get if you win, though?

[kingofd]

Don't question my semantics!

[Jack points at her, entire arm outstretched.] If I win, then you have to answer my questions truthfully!

[insidescoop]

HEHH!? [Ohhh whatever. Aslla is just as riled at this point, and even though she's wrinkling her nose-

'What do I get then??' she's wondering, and of course, Aslla immediately answers with SOUL ASK FOR HIS SOUL ASK FOR-

'THAT'S TOO STEEP!' He can't really argue in that case, but-

'Ugh, fine, ask him for his word on a Favor...' Well. Mental conversations aside.] ...Alright. I'll answer your questions.

But if I win, then you owe me a favor!

[kingofd]

A favour? [Jack makes a wry face, betraying his skepticism. A favour could be a lot of things, but then something tells him, deep within his gut, that he needn't worry about a favour from Carly.]

I agree!

[He turns and starts to walk back the way he came.] Meet me at the corner of □□□□ and □□□□□□ Street, and don't forget to bring your bike.

[insidescoop]

Right! If I need anything, you'll help for that thing! [It works!

And as Jack takes the deal, she nods determinedly...before frowning at her shadow once Jack is gone.] ...Honestly, what was that about...

No time to 'dicker' about it, Carly-go! Face him, and win!!

Hahhhhh...

[Well ALRIGHT. She'll be at the corner then, on her bike, helm on.]

[kingofd]

[Jack rolls up just after her, revving his engine. His own bike is on two wheels, and painted entirely in white and chrome. There's a small logo painted on the side of a red dragon (or perhaps a demon) breathing fire.

His helmet obscures his face, and if Carly can see through his glamour, she'll notice his horns actually stick out through a set of holes at the top.]

So you made it. We'll race this route. [He pulls out a map of the city and holds it out for Carly. There's a simple course drawn out in red marker.]

[insidescoop]

[That...is fucking adorable, honestly. She opts not to talk of adorable helmets for now however, focusing instead upon the map.] Of course I came, [she replies, briefly lifting her visor to get a better look. Seems a simple enough route...] You would have just tracked me down otherwise, probably...

[Well, she gets on her bike again, nodding.] Ready?

[kingofd]

[Jack turns to face the road, his tail raising behind him as he leans forward on the handle bar of his bike.]

On my signal. 3! 2! 1!

[He throws his hand out, and with it flames flash before them. He steps on the gas.] Go!

[fortuneglass]

[The trick, Carly finds, is not blowing out your dang engine in the first five seconds. It's a bit like pacing oneself-while going at a fair clip, of course. Carly roars into motion, but she doesn't immediately angle to pass Jack. No, if anything, she focuses on keeping near...

Waiting to strike...]

[kingofd]

[Jack, on the other hand, goes full speed ahead. He needs to find out why Carly is so familiar, and the only way to truly do that is to duel her! If she's someone important, then he can think of no better way to find out. The questions he'll ask once he's won are merely a bonus.

Their first turn approaches, and Jack takes it boldly, barely slowing down.]

[insidescoop]

[As does she. As a native of the city (far as she's aware at least), she's familiar with these roads...it works in her favor, though she imagines Jack to be just as familiar himself. She takes the turn without slowing, leaning into it and practically hugging the curb as she gains a little distance-but not too much.

She'll save it. Save the tank and speed for the 'final stretch', and with a glance toward Jack she prepares to gauge just how much HE has ready in store as well.]

[kingofd]

[Jack focuses on gaining his lead now, and as Carly saves her speed he starts to inch further and further ahead. He glances back at her at one point, shouting.]

Is this the best you can do?!

[insidescoop]

[There is no answer-though it is suspicious that for each inch, Carly seems to slowly make up the difference again.

At least until the final stretch is in sight. The engine roars- and it revs, and to the side is what Carly was waiting for. One ramp, made with construction materials and she's gunning for it-]

[kingofd]

What?!

[Jack only sees it once it's too late. In the same moment his front tire passes the edge of the ramp, Carly's climbs up it. His eyes widen as he watches her; it all seems to happen in slow motion, with Carly shooting up the ramp and Jack barreling ahead, knowing the inevitable.]

[insidescoop]

[No answer but speed-speed, and the wind in the air, as Carly blasts up and beyond, soon coming to pass the 'checkpoint' and finish line.

The bike comes to a halt as she turns to face Jack, skidding somewhat before it hits total rest.

....Tadaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.]

[kingofd]

[Carly gained so much on that final stretch that it takes Jack a full three seconds to pass the finish line himself. He turns his bike and slides to a stop, planting one foot on the ground.]

...You'll get your favour.

[fortuneglass]

[Carly removes her helm, and nods, blushing somewhat with pride. She can't place it, but somehow this particular race had more of a....feeling tied into it. How, she cannot say.] Good..!

...How can I call you?

[kingofd]

Call me?

[Jack balks.] Don't tell me you didn't have a favour in mind.

[insidescoop]

You're not supposed to use favors for things on the fly after all..!

And you're a demon, right? So if we need your help for something, it's going to be for something big!

[Carly no]

[kingofd]

Don't think you can misuse my abilities!

[Jack finally bothers to lift the visor on his helmet.]

I can give you my home address.

[insidescoop]

It's not going to be a misuse! [What even is misuse with demons, that's a good question.

She sighs however.] ...I suppose that works...you really don't have a phone number though?

[kingofd]

Phones are a nuisance, I have no desire to be bothered by anyone at any time!

[Jack has never heard of the 'silent mode' option. Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out a pen and a slip of paper, writing down his address.]

Here. [He holds out the slip. On it, Carly will notice it's the address to a building--not a house, not an apartment.]

[insidescoop]

....I see... [She looks at it, and squints... ...And looks back to Jack.] ...And I'll definitely find you here when I need you, right?

[kingofd]

If I'm home.

[He's helpful.]