⇨ 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

[myownpearl]

Pearl falls silent for a bit, the thoughts racing one after another in her head. She considers their positions, what she's been tasked to do along with Rita's own standing. Pearl had always known this might happen when she formed the group--but she had done it anyway in the hope that the Rose Queen's affection for her would extend to her group. She should have known better...what the Rose Queen felt for her was hardly affection.

"Don't divide your focus, Rita. It's all or nothing. The stakeouts are part of my missive, so I will take that burden from you. I will take your shifts--you focus your attention where you must...all of our attention," she finally says in a decisive tone.

[anti_nonsense]

"I can handle--" Rita starts to protest, but stops, biting her lip. Pearl doesn't sound like she's up for debating right now, and... this might be Pearl's way of supporting her. Getting support from her boss isn't all that unusual in itself, but considering the Rose Queen's involvement... it probably isn't easy for her.

"... Fine," she relents. "I'll focus on the Sanctuary. But I still want to know what's going on with the fair. If some other fae's making a move in this city, it could affect all of us."

[myownpearl]

Pearl hopes she won't have to explain herself. She's already walking a fine line by allowing Rita to do this when she has obvious connections to herself. Pearl knows that the Rose Queen might find out about this and her reaction might not be as kind. Pearl cannot go against her directly, but she can also remove any hindrances to Rita and hope for the best. It isn't even indirect interference, she's merely freeing up Rita's schedule. It seems, however, that Rita DOES grasp that Pearl is trying to allow her some aid--even if it barely counts at all.

When Rita speaks again, Pearl nods, "I will keep you informed. I promise."