lostcarnival | ⇨ 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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Jack is doing what Jack always does when he's bumming around the Sanctuary: drinking coffee in the courtyard, or some other hidden away spot. Today he was in the former, making him an easy target for Yuya to find, as well as already being in the perfect location for their rematch.]

Already? I find it hard to believe you could've improved that much in such a short period of time.

I was unprepared last time! [He clenches his fist with determination.] But I'm ready for you this time. I won't be beat so easily!

Unprepared? [Jack scoffs.] Neither of us had played the game before, the playing field was even.

[He stands up, pushing aside his finished cup.] But hat doesn't matter, I accept your challenge! I except you to put up a real fight this time.

I plan to. [He drops the bag at Jack's feet before turning and bouncing back to give them a few fair feet of distance.

Then he faces Jack once more, holding his hands out at the ready.]

Hmph.

[He'll believe that when he sees it, but Yuya does seem serious, and so Jack will take him serious as an opponent. His pride is on the line here as well!

Jack reaches down into the bag and scoops out an armful of pinecones.]

Then on the count of three we'll begin.

[The countdown follows, and as soon as the imaginary timer starts, Jack begins lugging pinecones at Yuya.]

[Yuya's more than ready on three. He stops the first pinecone in a dime, only a foot in front of him. Then he stops the next one, and the nest one, and they collect in front of him like a shield.

He doesn't throw them back just yet, not until he has five or six... and then he throws them all back at Jack at once.]

[Jack's the kind of guy who keeps trying the same thing over and over again, even after suffering the repercussions. His method to victory was to apply pressure with power, and so he usually played games where that was a viable option.

It wasn't a terrible strategy, but it was easy to overcome with a little cleverness. As the pinecones gather in front of Yuya, Jack realizes the gargantuan mistake piling up in front of him only once they all come flying back.

He brings his arm up to shield his face, but even his hellfire is unable to disintegrate every last pinecone before it can touch him, and the few that get through are too close to dodge.

Thunk thunk.

That's the sound of Yuya's victory as Jack's hellfire fades, and two pinecones roll at his feet.]

[There's a long, stunned silence as Yuya stares at Jack when the final pinecone knocks into him. It's a heavy air he can't bring himself to break.

For about five seconds, before he's hollering in joy and throwing his fists in the air.] Yes! I did it! I win!

[Jack lowers his arms, a small scuff on his hand where a pinecone had hit him. He seems a little begrudging, but not entirely.]

Your practice paid off, but don't think this is the end! Next time, I'll be the one beating you.

[Yuya settles down and looks at Jack as he speaks. But he really can't help himself from laughing, despite Jack's serious tone. He's just so pleased with himself.]

Yeah, yeah--if we're gonna keep challenging each other, I'm Yuya. I don't think I said it last time.

[Jack doesn't even crack a smile, he just watches Yuya with the same stern expression. He's sore after the loss, but he's not a sore loser.]

You should already know who I am.

[Except he never told Yuya his name, and Jack's not as famous as he seems to think he is.]

Then if that's over with, I won't let you beat me a second time.

I should? [He doesn't recall them exchanging names last time they met...

Yuya leans closer and squints. There is something familiar about him. Did he see him around the Senctuary before...?]

Sorry, but I don't know your name at all. We didn't meet before that day, did we?

[Jack blinks, a look of confusion flashing over his features. He opens his mouth, gawking for a moment before he snaps it shut again.

Why does he feel like he's forgetting something? Something's not right.]

Everyone knows my name... [He doesn't sound so sure.] You knew who I was before!

I did? [Now Yuya doesn't sound sure, either.

It isn't related to his weird memories too, is it?] Strange question, but do you remember what I said?

I don't, but I know it happened.

[When he says it again, he's confident. He just doesn't remember how.]

You even said you met me before.

[He had said that, hadn't he? It's in the back of his head, he knows he knows Jack the longer he looks at him... there had been something important, really important involving... motorcycles?

No, more importantly, what was his name?] Was it... Jack?

[Jack watches Yuya's expression carefully, but he really doesn't know what it make of it. Was he right? Had Yuya remembered something?

When he finally says his name, it's a bit of a relief, and another piece of a puzzle of unknown shape and size falls into place.] That's right! Do you remember anything else?

... You called me conceited. [But look who's talking, Jack!! Yuya puts a hand to his head, looking frustrated.] But I don't remember when I met you. That's the hard part, it always comes back in pieces!

You? Conceited? [Jack lets out a bark of a laugh--well, it's not really a laugh. It's a scoff.]

I don't remember either, but that doesn't matter. You remember enough. Something's wrong with both our memories.

There's been a lot of things wrong with my memories lately. [But chalk Jack up for another person he weirdly recognizes, even when it can't be possible.] You're not the only one I think I know, but--it's always memories that I know didn't happen here.

Can I ask what else you've remembered...?

[Jack doesn't seem too enthused by the idea of sharing, but in the name of trying to figure out just what is going on here, he'll divulge a little.]

There's a reporter--a woman I know I've met before. I even knew her name after only catching a glimpse of her face.

...That's it. I know I've met her somewhere outside of Portland.

⇨ The Tourist Trap: WEEK 2

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the legacy of jack punching himself in the face continues

Is this what he'll be remembered by

I hope so

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