⇨ 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

[myownpearl]

Pearl's leather jacket is made of tougher stuff--which is good because she'd be especially angry if it had gotten a tear. Pearl rips her helmet off and uses it to swat at the birds. They still manage to get at her hair, her shirt, and her pants. Eventually she tosses the helmet and turns in time to see the crow become a person.

Feathers. Control of a murder of crows. Pale skin. Pearl pales herself. She recognizes those traits of course, and she fears she knows exactly who this might be. There's no time for talk of any kind on Pearl's part, as her eyes immediately focus on the spear pointed at her throat.

She reaches for the bag on her back. Although, as she does so, the glamour shimmers out of existence. It's not a backpack at all--it's a sword Pearl had concealed with magic. Most overlooked it, though a powerful fae like the one before her had probably already seen right through it. She doesn't pull it yet, but her grip is on the hilt.

"Who?" Words. Words were important and she was going to buy as much time as could with them. She knew it would be a tight game, fae loved their word games, but that's how she knew she could at least get a name out of the fae even though she had a strong suspicion of the 'who'.

[atouts]

Sadly, Barb is still human enough on that side of the family to really be considered 'fae', which means she doesn't bother with games. She is obnoxiously straightforward, although also definitely not paying attention to the way Pearl reaches for the backpack.

As far as she's concerned, it's a pack. What of it? A closer look would have revealed the illusion, but she wants to get this done and over with.

"You know who," she snaps, "I know you're one of the Queen's little pets, just like my worthless brother is. You absolutely stink of summer."

[myownpearl]

Pearl blinks. She'd been expecting something a little less blunt, apparently her assumptions on this encounter had been wrong. Still, she stands ready because now she DEFINITELY knows that the crow-woman is not going to like her answer.

Also, it's now painfully obvious what relative she's talking about. Although Pearl's next words aren't exactly a lie.

"That may be...but that doesn't mean I have any idea where he is at every moment."

[atouts]

"But you must have some ideas," the changeling spits out impatiently, shoving the tip of the spear closer.

"Where he lives or where he works, where his 'friends' are," although the way she says 'friends' is sarcastic, as she doesn't believe Childermass capable of actually having any. "Maybe just what entrance to your mistress's weed garden he uses the most to get in and out."

[myownpearl]

If this changeling thought Pearl was going to just give up the Rose Queen she was sorely mistaken. Pearl gripped the handle of the sword and pulled it out in one fluid motion--putting it between herself and the spear. Her eyes narrowed and her foot slipped to a fighting stance, "I will not give my mistress away so easily and if Childermass is working with her then I suppose I have to protect him as well."

[atouts]

The appearance of the sword buys Pearl some space, as the crow sister leaps back a step or two at the blade coming between her and the other changeling. Oh, this will drag it out, sure, but seeing the sword in Pearl's hand earns a vicious grin creeping across her face.

"And here I thought you were going to be the boring one," she laughs. "Fine, be that way. I'll just dump your body in the rose garden after I'm through with you!"

And on that note, she lunges forward again, both hands gripping the spear this time as she angles it for a real stab at Pearl.

should we plot an outcome of some kind over pm?

[myownpearl]

Pearl raises the sword, this is probably going to go down as the dumbest thing she's ever done. Or at least one of them. Still, there's no going back now and she's just going to have to live with it. Assuming she lives. She really hopes she lives, but that's not what she should be distracting herself with right now.

Instead as soon as she lunges forward, Pearl drop down and rolls out of the way to her right. She brings the sword up to parry and then strikes back herself.

if you would like, sure o/

[atouts]

The spear point misses, finding Pearl's bike instead though more glancing off the metal than causing any real damage. She rebounds quickly, whirling to face the other changeling just as the sword swings her way. There's a burst of magic from the crow sister, a sudden flicker of shadows, and then she's gone. Rather than dodging the blade, she's vanished entirely.

Only from in front of Pearl, though. The tell-tale scrape of asphalt underfoot, the light clink of her silver jewelry, give away that she's moved through shadow to pop up again right behind her.

sent

[myownpearl]

She winces when the bike is hit. She works hard on that bike and seeing it scratched isn't exactly pleasant. Of course, it could be worse--she could be the one scratched of skewered. Pearl's further thrown off by the disappearance, which honestly she should have seen some trickery coming. This opponent was a changeling as well and hadn't Pearl been utilizing her own abilities recently to come out on top?

On the positive side, Pearl was used to magical combatants. When the woman disappeared, Pearl suspected she would appear behind her or to the side. After all, that's what she would have done. Pearl swiveled, slashing out with the sword even as she moved back to get away from the range of the spear.

[atouts]

The sword meets the metal of the spear haft, the two clashing together, and a good thing, too. The crow sister had meant to jab the spear at Pearl's back, but turning to swing forced her back to defend. Then, the other changeling is out of reach, leaving her to snarl and charge after, taking another swing at range as soon as her running steps take her close enough.

[myownpearl]

Pearl moved to dodge and avoid the hit, but the crow woman was faster than she' anticipated. The spear tears through her jacket sleeve, cutting skin as well as it rips through the leather. Pearl hissed, but stayed focused and parried with her blade, pushing the spear away from her. If that wasn't enough to push them apart, Pearl would follow up with a kick directed at the other's chest.

[atouts]

Any triumphant taunt that may have accompanied the cut, no matter how small, never leaves her lips. As soon as she recovers from the spear being pushed back, she grins and begins to speak only to find a foot connecting with her chest. She ends up making an angry sound instead, stumbling back hard enough to stagger, trip, and fall flat on her (potentially) feathery ass.

[myownpearl]

As she dropped back from the kick, Pearl had to take a moment to regain her footing.

Pearl was disappointed in the torn jacket, but it couldn't be helped. Even so, it was impossible to resist, and Pearl felt a smirk appear on her face. Although she knew she shouldn't celebrate. Those of the winter court were known to be quite ruthless--even by fae standards.

She rushed towards her. If she could pin her down or incapacitate her she could then get away. Well, assuming she could get away from the murder of crows, but one problem at a time.