⇨ 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

[kingsroads]

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.

[anti_nonsense]

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?"

[kingsroads]

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.

[anti_nonsense]

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?"

[kingsroads]

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.

[anti_nonsense]

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?"

[kingsroads]

"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."

[anti_nonsense]

"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.