⇨ 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

[espigeon]

"Oh, right." There's a long pause when the crow explodes up into the tree. Iuliael does not move to follow. This kind of thing happens a lot - all but the most injured birds will flee in these situations - but it still surprises him every time. He does know that cat claws and teeth cause terrible sickness in birds and he can do something to prevent that.

So Iuliael says the most cliche phrase availaible to angelkind, "Fear not!" and then starts singing. Nonverbal song, with the repetitive aspects and improvisations and millisecond changes in pitch that birds favor. Human and bird music is quite different.

[atouts]

Different enough that it really doesn't suit Childermass, not in the least. Being a real bird and being a changeling with a bird form aren't the same thing, so what an actual crow might not mind hearing only grates on his nerves. It's enough that he'll decide to change now that he's decided whatever that thing down there is actually doesn't plan on chasing him up here.

It isn't at all like a werecreature shifting forms, either. There's no in-between. It's just one second he's a crow, the next he's a person, having released the magic with a thought. Thankfully, he chose a branch big enough to support his weight, too, even if he is such a scarecrow of a man.

"Oh, cut that out," he tells the angel. "It's awful, whatever it is."

[espigeon]

"Oh! You're a... probably not a werecrow," he says thoughtfully, looking up. "That was so quick. Are you a mage? Or... no, not even a mage. You're..." Iuliael has to pause and sort through the options, eliminating angel and demon and vampire. "Oh, you're fae! Right? Hello."

He hasn't really noticed the tone, or the facial expression. This is not an observant angel, except when it comes to music. He just sounds concerned. "Did you get scratched? Do fae get, you know, with the cat claws and the sepsis? Birds do."

[atouts]

Fae? Fae. Of all the offensive things Iuliael could pick, it's that one. Childermass does not often take offense, but in this very particular case, he can't help but get his feathers up and reply scathingly, "I would not know. Perhaps you should ask a faerie if they do or not. I am mostly human."

With a few additions, true, but he'd still rather claim the human race as his own over what his father is.

[espigeon]

"Oh, okay." He's not entirely sure what that means, but Iuliael never lets being confused and losing the thread of what's happening, or sharp tones, get in the way of a good mood. "Do you get sepsis? It's very unpleasant. I could prevent it if you want."

[atouts]

"I'm not going to get sick over a cat scratch or two, if that's what you're going on about," Childermass answers before dropping down out of the tree to land easily on his feet. "Stupid thing barely did more than startle me."

[espigeon]

"I'm glad! I hate it when the birds get sick. They've already escaped predators that don't even need to eat them, that're just being cruel." He does sound actually, genuinely bothered.

On the ground Childermass towers over him, and somehow Iuliael looks less like a pigeon to a human form than he did to a bird one. There's a sense that he has more mass than he's letting on, and that glow makes it hard to get a good estimate of his size, besides 'smaller than a human'. "Do they do that to you often?"

[atouts]

It's uncomfortable, overall, trying to discern just how big or small this pigeon or... whatever he is. Creature. In all honesty, angels aren't something he's come in much contact with, at least not knowingly.

"What, the cats? They're cats. They'll pounce on me given the chance, regardless of form. They usually freak out when I do something magical to get away, though."

So he doesn't sound all that worried about it.

"Though you, you are clearly no bird yourself. Not really. Are you?"

[espigeon]

"I know it's how they're made, but the outcomes are just so regrettable," Iuliael sighs. "There are so many animals that will still hunt when they're not even hungry. It's such a waste. I wish I could give birds magic." Because that would end well, wouldn't it?

"No, but I like birds. Doves especially." Iuliael identifies strongly with the plight of the feral pigeon, as a species. "Are crows your favorites?"

[atouts]

"Some already do have magic and they're awful," Childermass points out, though his experiences lean more towards fae-created and owned birds having magic. They were all the Count's and therefore terrible. "And why in God's name would you think they're my favorites? I'm a changeling. I didn't choose to have feathers, much less what I can do."

Crow form is a useful spell to have, that he would have to admit to, but like crows? Hardly.

[espigeon]

"That just means they're the wrong birds," Iuliael insists. He hasn't been blinking, even in that superfast bird way with the sideways eyelids. He doesn't actually blink ever, except to express emotion, usually surprise or bafflement.

"Oh... I guess that's not how it works then." He sounds disappointed. "You're just created like that? I thought the best part of being mortal is the ability to choose."