⇨ 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

[kingsroads]

Strange pauses for a moment, taking a sip of his coffee while he mulls things over. It's not an answer, but it's close enough to an answer he'll get. If he didn't care as much, he could attempt to cast a binding spell or something like that to try and force an answer out of Pearl, but even Strange realizes that the delicate balance between the mages and the Rose Queen needs to be (mostly) maintained.

Maybe if he gives her a freebie, she'll be more likely to drop some information? Probably not, but it's worth a shot.

"I don't know why she's wasting her time on that. Your former and my current organization is focused on far more important matters." There was go, an oblique hint: whatever the Animal Fair is, the Circle seemingly gives no damns about it.

[myownpearl]

Pearl quirked an eyebrow but said nothing at first. Instead, she turned her attention back to her breakfast and coffee. She ate slowly, picking at the doughnut like she wasn't particularly interested in it or the conversation. After a few bites and a sip of coffee, which was also taken slowly, she looked up.

"You should know that the fae often have different interests and ideas of what is important. And just because she has me on this particular task does not mean she doesn't have others looking into different matters," Pearl finally says.

[kingsroads]

Well, Strange is taking this moment to finish off his fritter. He eats faster than Pearl, taking large bites and eating more like someone who eats just to keep going than someone who eats to enjoy food.

At Pearl's statement, however, Strange raises an eyebrow. He pauses, swallows what's in his mouth, then continues.

"In that case, I hope she doesn't underestimate the work my organization is doing. For her sake."

After all, even a fae as powerful as the Rose Queen would be affected by the odd magical fluctuations and worrying omens. And while Strange doesn't exactly know how he feels about the Rose Queen...magic would certainly be more dull if she wasn't around.

[myownpearl]

"I'll pass your concern along," Pearl replies, though it isn't quite as biting as before. She'll admit, she's curious. How can she not be when it's an organization she used to belong to. However, that's her past and she knows how they feel about her in the long run. She cut ties and that is that. However, it does seem like several things are happening at once in good ole Portland.

[kingsroads]

"If you want to," Strange remarks, with a little frown. He's honestly not sure if Pearl will pass the message on to begin with and, even then, if the Rose Queen will listen.

This is the Rose Queen they're talking about, after all. Why would she listen to a mage in the first place, especially one who's stuck in the middle, without any hope of advancement into an actual position like Strange is.

"Well. If there's nothing else you want to talk about, I might as well leave you to your thrilling activity of staring at a sheet of paper." Said oh so sarcastically.

[myownpearl]

Pearl figures it couldn't hurt to share the information, though she probably won't credit it to Strange per say. For all she knows her queen might already have this information and Pearl will not be bringing anything new. However, should it prove to be new information it couldn't hurt.

She bites back on the fact that she hadn't wanted to talk to him in the first place. That seems to be the right call since he DID just give her some information. "Sounds like a good idea to me," she replies instead. Which actually might not be much better, but one of her Renegades could appear an any minute and she wants to make sure that meeting can go smoothly.