lostcarnival | ⇨ The Tourist Trap: WEEK 2

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⇨ The Tourist Trap: WEEK 2

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.

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"The whole thing started about a week ago. A bunch of vines covered in black roses appeared on the Sanctuary doors overnight. That was the warning." He asked for details, so Rita supposes it's worth mentioning the initial incident. There's no need to hold back information when it comes to the Rose Queen's actions.

"The attack came a few days later. One minute, everything was normal, and the next, those same kinds of vines were growing everywhere, breaking through windows and under doors, blocking exits and filling rooms with those flowers..." Her brow furrows as she recalls the chaos, trying to organize those thoughts into something coherent. "I don't think they were going for the kill... at least, it wasn't the priority. The vines were making a beeline for any changelings they could reach, trying to grab us and drag us away to... somewhere." It's not hard to guess where.

It's not hard to guess where the changelings are being taken either: back to the Rose Queen's realm. So, at the same time as the state of magic is in flux, there's rumors of a warlock coming to town, and someone casts a spell to mess with the Severing again, the Rose Queen is taking changelings back to her realm? This is all building up to something big, something worrisome. The only question now is what's going to be the match that sets off this damn powder keg.

"I've a feeling I know where they're being taken," Strange responds, with a bitter frown. "The Rose Queen attempting to take back what's hers? This can only end poorly for all involved." Changelings, fae, anyone caught in the crossfires...because Strange is certain that nobody will let themselves be taken willingly.

"For the record, I was never hers to begin with," Rita says, frowning. "I don't know if she was grabbing changelings at random, or if she struck a deal with another fae, or if I got marked somehow..." She shakes her head. There are too many possibilities, and no way to know for sure at this point.

In any case, she can't let herself be the only one sharing information here. "You think this has something to do with that 'event' you're investigating? Just what are you looking to find out, anyway?"

"I'm trying to find out plenty of things. Though I suppose my overall goal is to see why the state of magic is so odd. That's part of the reason why the Circle's swarming all over town. Omens and planar activity have pulled up some bizarre readings."

It's actual information, but it's not information that would completely out Strange and risk him getting in trouble with the Circle. After all, any idiot who could cast omens would see that the state of magic was weird.

"Sources say it's tied to the Severing--something which I'm not even going to bother asking you about, changeling." There's so much derision in the word, as if being a changeling meant that someone was equivalent to a bug Strange stepped on, or a piece of garbage on the floor. "Needless to say, you won't know anything to begin with."

At the tone of his voice, Rita's hands clench into fists.

"And you do?" she shoots back at him through gritted teeth. "Don't act so high and mighty."

It's a legitimate question, though. Even if he's a mage of the Circle, how much would a human really know about the Severing that a changeling mage wouldn't? But then, thinking back to what he said before... could he be implying that the Circle was involved in the Severing in the first place? That can't be right...

Strange continues to act so high and mighty as he raises an eyebrow at Rita. "Of course I do. The Circle's home to esoteric texts that people in your station could only dream of seeing."

This is a lot of lying. Needless to say, any information that Strange received, he obtained through his conversation with Nightshade, not any conversation with Circle members. Still, there's no way in hell he's mentioning that part. He's just going to keep gloating and keep acting like an asshole partly because he can, partly to see if he can actually get some respect for once.

If it's respect Strange is going for, he's going to be very disappointed. Rita's had about all she can take from this guy. What's more, if he's just going to waste her time with his insults and his gloating, there's no reason to keep holding back on her temper.

"My station? Cut the crap already."

Without any additional warning, Rita winds back one of her fists and then lunges forward, throwing a punch at his face.

"Who cares if I'm a changeling? Don't waste my time. If you've got information worth bragging about, then put up or shut up. Idiot." There's a good chance that this approach will just make Strange less willing to share, but at this point, Rita would probably be fine with that, too.

The problem with Strange being a gloaty egomaniac with a stick up his butt is that he assumes that everybody else will retaliate in the same way that he does: being an asshole, sniping back and forth at each other, and passive aggression. He doesn't expect actual aggression.

Rita's fist connects and it connects hard. There's a satisfying thud as her fist connects, followed by Strange stumbling backwards slightly. Needless to say, he was not expecting that in the slightest. Gingerly, Strange prods at his jaw, opening and closing it experimentally. Nothing seems to be broken, but it hurts like a bitch.

"What the fuck was that for?!" It's a stupid question because really Strange, what the fuck do you think it was for, but he's still a bit taken aback by the fact that he actually got punched. Noticeably, he's not making any attempt to swing a punch at Rita himself because he is a gentleman and gentlemen don't get into fist fights and really, it's not like he'd be able to hit her in the first place. Strange knows his limitations and one of them is punching.

"What do you think?" Rita snaps right back at him, folding her arms and staring him down with just as much derision as he'd shown her moments earlier. Damn, that felt good. "You think you can insult me again and again, and I'm just gonna take it? Get real, old man."

It doesn't look like he's going to try to hit back. That's fine. Rita will go ahead and stay on the offensive, then. "You said you could tell me some of the Circle's information. Don't tell me that was it." She sounds pointedly unimpressed.

Strange just glares at Rita. He really doesn't want to talk to her about the Circle's information and what he knows...but also he doesn't want to be punched again. Not getting punched wins out over being needlessly secretive. So he grumpily relates what he knows to Rita, while still holding the side of his jaw in a tad overdramatic fashion.

"The recent oddities have something to do with the state of magic itself. It's been in flux for the past week or so, as if someone cast a massive spell. All of this has something to do with the Severing, though I'm still working out the details of how and why."

If he had to bet on it though, the how would be 'Circle mages' and the why would be...well, he's still working on the 'why'. "Also, apparently there's a warlock coming into town to cause shit as well as the demons coming into town to cause shit and the Rose Queen coming into town to cause shit."

"A warlock... and even demons, huh..." Now that's something Rita hadn't heard about until now. "And the Rose Queen isn't the only powerful fae making bold moves, either. Sounds like we're about to have a real freak show on our hands." Rita, of course, considers herself to be one of the normal ones in this equation.

Well... if he's in a cooperative mood right now (by her measure, anyway), Rita supposes she'll test her luck and keep pressing. "What do you know about the Severing? Besides what everyone knows." For all the boasting he was doing just now, there must be something.

Strange just scoffs at Rita's question, giving her a look, despite the fact that he's still holding his jaw. "I know plenty," he grumbles, scowling all the while. At least, he knows more than others would. "The question now is, why on Earth should I tell you what I know to begin with?"

Considering the fact that Strange folded at the first display of physical violence, it's pretty easy to figure out what the best strategy for getting him to talk some more is.

That response earns him an exasperated look from Rita. Really? He's going to play this game?

Well, violence worked the first time, so maybe it really is the answer here. She grabs him by the front of his shirt and winds back another fist. "I don't know, maybe because you want to keep all your teeth?"

As Rita yanks him closer, Strange folds. "The Circle caused it!" he blabs, warily eyeing Rita's fist, kind of terrified that she'll haul off and punch him anyway. "The Circle were the people who cast the spell in the first place, and all the etheric nonsense happening right now is because someone's meddling with it."

Of course, he's not a hundred percent sure the Circle caused it in the first place. But that's what Nightshade told him and he really sees no reason for the faerie to lie.

At that, Rita slowly loosens her grip on him and lowers her fist. "So it's true." She already had suspicions, based on a few things he said earlier. But... somebody's meddling with it? What would that mean for their world...? And how does it tie in with all this other weirdness? It has to be connected.

"Last question," she says decisively. This has been bothering her ever since he used that binding spell. "Once you're done gathering information, there's someone you plan on sharing your findings with. Who?"

Well. Rita was smarter than he gave her credit for. Strange expected someone more closely aligned with the fae to point out his specific wording in the binding spell, not a changeling in a biker gang (because really, that's the only place he can think of in their conversation where he hinted working with someone else). Strange can't help but give her a little impressed nod.

"I can't tell you--and don't try to hit me again, it won't be any use! We cast a binding spell as well, I'm not going to risk the backlash by telling you her name."

Granted, faerie contracts aren't binding spells...but at least in Strange's mind, they're probably worse. The agreement with Nightshade was that they wouldn't betray each other, Strange is taking all the precautions known to man. Telling Rita that he plans on sharing his findings with a woman is as much as he's willing to bend.

Her name. Not a man, nor a group, but one woman. If he really did make an agreement like he said, that's probably the only clue Rita's going to get about his mystery associate. It'd be nice to know if she's an enemy, at least... but there's no use in pursuing it here and now.

"Fine," she says with a casual shrug. "This conversation ended up being more productive than I expected, anyway." For Rita, at least. There are some things she'd like to try to confirm independently, given how sketchy this guy is, but all things considered, he's told her some interesting things. "You done asking questions, too?"

"Considering that it ended up less productive than I expected, I suppose I am." Strange knows he came out worse in the conversation. He barely got any information, except for what he now knows about the Sanctuary, and he got punched in the jaw (which still hurts! What the hell, Rita?!). He rubs his jaw as he talks, as if it's twinging in pain just by thinking about getting punched.

"Best of luck trying to unravel all this nonsense, changeling. I'm afraid you'll need it."

"Hmph. You might want to think twice before underestimating me again." Rita's not exactly sure where this almost gleeful feeling of confidence is coming from. She doesn't have a solid plan. Maybe it's just the adrenaline from having punched and threatened a mage of the Circle... But for some reason, she feels like she can do anything.

With their exchange apparently finished, she hops onto her motorcycle and, with the vehicle rumbling loudly, she rides away.

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⇨ The Tourist Trap: WEEK 2

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