⇨ The Tourist Trap: WEEK 3

[ringleaders]

Who: Anyone, anywhere in Portland.
When: October 15st - 22th, 2017
Where: Still in Portland
What: As all sides of the struggle gradually become informed, and the awareness of outsiders begins to spread, Portland faces a critical question - what should be done with them? And who gets to decide?
Warnings: Individually marked!

THE WOLVES AMONG US↴ ► WHEN SEPTEMBER ENDS: It's fairly common knowledge that October is a special month - Halloween has always been an excitable time in the supernatural community, because its during this month that the magical energies of Earth seem to disproportionately swell in power. This peeks on the 31st, and has every year for as long as anyone can remember. The holiday of Halloween is a byproduct of this, because the magical phenomenon has gone on for ages past. It's also a pretty common time for wizards to attempt bullshit shenanigans, and also when the Severing first came into effect. ► TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL: Towards the end of the week, Prudence Jaeger will be asking her angelic contacts for a pretty huge favour - she wants them to help her and some of her associates break into the Circle stronghold that the visiting Council members are staying at. It seems that they have some kind of macguffin item that will be needed to crack the barrier cutting off the Earth from the cosmos - and, to that end, allow the angels and mysterious outsiders to return to wherever they call home. ► THE PATH TO HELL: Perhaps unsurprisingly, Team Heaven isn't the only group to clue into the fact that the Circle has what they need. On the same night that the angels go in, so will Anath's army, as the arch demon finally arrives in the city just in time to join the party. Whether the angels and demons fight each other all the way or cooperate to achieve a mutual goal is up to them. ► WITH GOOD INTENTIONS: The Circle and Torchlight aren't all bad, okay? It's entirely possible that they are just acting in the best interest of humanity - unfortunately, that has resulted in them being pretty massive pricks recently, and now the payback for that is arriving on their doorstep. If you're a member of the Circle, you may or may not realize that anything is coming in time for you to prepare. (That will depend on your threads up to the end of the week.) However, once the fight starts, you'll be charge with defending the Councillors whether you like it or not, and Torchlight is getting pulled in as an unexpected ally to ensure their safety as well. Are you going to heed their call? Or is it time to split from the pack? ► BLOOD OF ICE AND FIRE: It's been made no secret that the Rose Queen isn't the only fae trying to pull back her lost changelings - now the Winter Court appears to be doing it, as well. More than a handful of changelings have gone missing over the last couple weeks, lost to both the thorns and agents of the Count. Whatever they're doing, it's also in competition with each other - Winter and Summer will be biting at each other's heels far more than normal, to the degree that it becomes clear they must have some competing objective in mind. Unfortunately for everyone else, that objective happens to conflict with the desires of just about everyone else. Fae are, by nature, opportunists. - ✪ - These are the major conflicts that will be coming to a head towards the end of Week 3. In the meantime, your actions will decide how certain elements are set up, and what the likelihood of success is for each group. Dice rolling handily won the opinion poll where we asked for the preferred method of conflict resolution, so that will be coming into effect a bit later on to determine who actually wins and loses, with advantages based on the choices made.

Comments

[kingsroads]

"Stomach bug--and don't worry, it's not contagious." The lie will fall apart the more Rita presses for more details but Strange has already found that people don't really want to know the details if you look like shit. Fingers crossed that applies here.

Still, Strange can't help but pause before asking, "Do I really look that bad?"

It's asked in an honest and curious tone, like Strange legitimately has no idea that he looks kind of awful.

[anti_nonsense]

"It better not be," Rita grumbles in response. "People here have enough to worry about without having to deal with... this," she says, gesturing vaguely at Strange in general. "You look like you got hit by a truck after a long night of drinking." He did ask.

"Not a great image for a prim and proper mage of the Circle, if you ask me." As if Rita really cares about that. She just enjoys the irony. "But then again... do they even know you're here?" From their last conversation, it seemed like he was doing quite a bit of investigating behind their backs. Maybe that's still the case.

[kingsroads]

"They don't." There's a pause, while Strange mulls things over. It's best to tell Rita some aspect of the truth. After all, if she tries to ask about Circle things, he'll have no idea how to answer in the first place. He's not telling her the entire truth just yet because an agent of the Rose Queen prowling around the Sanctuary? People are going to jump to all the wrong conclusions and they'll jump to them fast.

"And they won't know what I'm doing any way. I've decided to sever ties with the Circle." Something which is utterly terrifying but also...kind of awesome? There's a little part of Strange that leaps at the chance to put the bureaucracy and politics of the Circle behind him and just do magic instead.

[anti_nonsense]

"You... what?" Rita's eyes widen, and she actually stumbles back a step. This guy? The guy who, just last week, couldn't shut up about his station and the wealth of information the Circle grants him access to? Rita might not think much of the Circle, but he clearly does... or did, and now he's throwing that away? She can't believe it.

"Why the hell would you do that? Wait... you're lying, aren't you? They must have kicked you out. Right?"

[kingsroads]

The guy who, just last week, spent most of the conversation lying through his teeth about just where exactly he got some of his information from. The guy who made a bargain with a fae and he still can't piece out why he did it, just that it's the best decision he's made in a while. And the guy who really didn't want to be around the Circle when that piece of information came to light. It's self-preservation, not cowardice.

At Rita's accusation, Strange can't help but roll his eyes. "Ridiculous. I've simply found another cause more worthy of my time and more likely to achieve what I actually want."

This is a hundred percent bluster and Strange trying to seem like he knows what he's doing. "I don't think they can afford to kick anyone out now anyway."

[anti_nonsense]

They can't afford it? Interesting. With the way the Council's been flexing their muscles around town, one would think the Circle was in a much better position than that. Maybe their actions were just a bluff, or an act of desperation. Then again, there's always a chance that Strange is full of crap.

What concerns her more is this supposed cause he's chosen to back instead. Is that for real, or is he just covering for his wounded pride? "And what cause is that?" she asks, looking doubtful.

[kingsroads]

As he talks, Strange places his hands behind his back, explaining in a tone that's a bit too haughty for his own good. "The Rose Queen's the only person in town with the slightest chance at breaking the Severing. As such, I've made an alliance with the Summer Court."

He knows Rita's going to hate this. He's fully prepared for Rita to yell at him and question his judgement and possibly punch him again. But what does she know? She's a changeling, she probably doesn't know the scope of the Rose Queen's powers or just how important the Severing is to begin with. Her opinion doesn't matter in the first place.

On the other hand, it doesn't occur to Strange that mentioning he's going to work with the Rose Queen in the very building that the Rose Queen attacked a week or so ago is a terrible idea.

[anti_nonsense]

The Summer Court? The Rose Queen?

"Are you insane!?" she sputters in shock. "I mean... are you completely braindead? In what world does that sound like a good idea!?" Rita knows people who fought tooth and nail to get away from the Rose Queen. How could he willingly join her? And what kind of an idiot is he to admit it here, of all places, and to Rita, of all people? There's no way she's letting him near any Sanctuary residents, knowing this.

"And since when do you want the Severing undone? Didn't all this crap start because someone was messing with it in the first place?" It doesn't make sense. Just what is his goal here?

[kingsroads]

His goal is opportunism, a bit of cowardice, and simply staying alive. Buuuuut Strange probably isn't going to tell Rita that.

"I've always wanted the Severing undone!" he can't help but exclaim, as he rolls his eyes. "I might not have talked about it, but that doesn't mean it isn't true. That's the main reason I've joined with her in the first place." After all, undoing the Severing, uniting the realms of Earth and Faerie (and also heaven and hell but those don't really matter)...there's something intoxicating about that idea. He'd kill to even get a glimpse of faerie as it was.

"Besides, I wouldn't throw stones if I was you. Don't you still work with Pearl?"

[anti_nonsense]

Undoing the Severing... What exactly would that mean for the world? With Portland already on the way to becoming a supernatural battleground between the various factions, Rita can only imagine that opening those floodgates would make things worse for mortals living here.

Somehow, in her mind's eye, Rita can see it... or something like it. A barrier around the world, vanishing suddenly, allowing a swarm of otherworldly creatures to invade and devour everything in their reach. A cataclysm. Is it a memory...? Or a vision of what's to come?

His sudden mention of Pearl gives her pause, but only for a second. "Like I said before, Pearl keeps that business separate from the Renegades. I don't work for the Rose Queen, and I never will." There is a twinge of doubt, somewhere within her. The Rose Queen has made an enemy of Rita, and Rita's begun to actively work against her. She and Pearl won't be able to avoid the subject for much longer... In the worst case scenario, they might even have to fight each other. That's the one thing Rita doesn't want.

No... Rita can't let him distract her. "What good will breaking the Severing do?" she demands.

[kingsroads]

"It'll get the Rose Queen off your back, for one. The Severing separated Earth from the realms of faerie, heaven, and hell, confining all fae, angels, and demons who were on Earth to be stuck on Earth. The fae don't want to be here just as much as humans don't want them to be here."

Or, at least, one member of the fae doesn't want to be here just as much as humans don't want them to be here. Strange is basing this entire hypothesis on his two conversations with Nightshade. But of course all of the fae wouldn't want to be stuck on Earth, right? Why else would they do the damn ritual?

"Wouldn't you be happy if all the fae had left? That's what Summer Court is trying to do in the first place."

Don't mind the blatant emotional manipulation in this conversation.

[anti_nonsense]

They'll leave? It sounds too good to be true. In fact, it probably is.

Rita hesitates for a moment, then shakes her head. "Of course I want that. But I'm not that naive. When the fae decide that they own something, they won't stop until they get it back." And if that something includes the very lives of Rita and her fellow changelings, then she can't stand by and let them do as they please.

"Besides... that's not why you're doing this, is it?" Rita makes the assertion confidently, even though she only has a few clues as to what else might be on Strange's mind. But if she sounds like she already knows plenty, he might fill in some of the blanks for her.

[kingsroads]

"It's part of why I'm doing this," Strange admits, with a little shrug. "Reuniting the realms is what matters more for me than whatever the Rose Queen does later."

But there's also that pesky little problem of his memories. And the fact that he's apparently got a soul touched with magic from a different universe. And so much more bullshit that's apparently tied to the Severing and really, just removing the damn thing would be good because then everything would be normal. Or, at least, understandable.

[anti_nonsense]

That doesn't tell her much. Looks like she'll have to show more of her hand, see if that gets him talking.

"Would that other part happen to have something to do with the displaced memories certain people around here have?" Rita narrows her eyes pointedly at him. This could be a stretch... but, no, with the timing of it, and the things Yuya told her... there's something here. "Funny how those started right about when the Severing was tampered with."

If it was that way for her, and for Yuya, then it's likely the same for Strange.

[kingsroads]

"Goddammit, not you too."

Yep. It very obviously has something to do with the displaced memories certain people have around here. Because as Rita mentions said memories, Strange just rubs the bridge of his nose, leaning against a Sanctuary wall to support himself. Of course she had displaced memories! Every fucking person he talked to had displaced memories! He sighs, as if this is the greatest inconvenience known to man, before Strange starts talking.

"You probably have an odd soul as well, though the best way to test that is through fae magic." Which Strange has a sneaking suspicion Rita will say no to. "It's not a coincidence that all of this is happening at once. Tampering with--"

But nope, that sentence isn't going to get finished because a spasm of pain shoots through Strange's gut as he bends over slightly. It's inconvenience due to self-imposed illness, not anything magical in the first place.

[anti_nonsense]

Bingo. Looks like Rita's hunch was spot on.

Looks like he already figured out she's in the same boat. No surprise there. Anyone who hasn't had the same experience either wouldn't have heard about it, or wouldn't believe it. Of course, believing in the phenomenon doesn't necessarily mean Rita believes the half-baked explanation she heard from Yuya, which he supposedly heard from this guy.

"What do you mean, odd soul--" What kind of vague crap is that? It sounds like nonsense. But before Rita can press him, he suddenly doubles over. "Hey, don't even think about throwing up in here! If you're gonna be sick, do it outside." In fact, he should probably go outside anyway, since he sure as hell isn't welcome in here anymore.

There's a strange sense of familiarity in the back of Rita's mind, like she's seen someone like this before... a tired, sickly-looking man who... no, was it actually the same person? Couldn't be. Rita wouldn't be caught dead hanging around this guy, would she?

[kingsroads]

"I'm not going to vomit," Strange grumbles, as he looks over at Rita with a frown. He straightens back up, trying (and failing!) to look dignified despite his current status of 'hot mess' and despite the fact that it's pretty obvious that leaning on the wall is the main thing that's keeping him upright.

"What I mean by 'odd soul' is that there are irregularities that shouldn't exist. Some of us with odd memories have our souls touched by magic from another universe--I'm one of them, but I know there are others. And, at least according to the specific fae I work with, this means we're from that other universe as well."

Which is something that Strange didn't believe at the start. From another universe, ridiculous, he's lived his whole life here. But now that everything was spiraling out of control, the oddness has intensified, and the memories in his head have started growing more and more vivid...yeah, he'll buy it.

[anti_nonsense]

"Uh... hold on. We're from another universe? Do you know how crazy you sound right now?" Even after Strange basically declared himself her enemy, Rita doesn't know if she should take him seriously. Is he a threat, or just a total lunatic?

She gives him a doubtful look. "I don't know about you, but I already know where I'm from." Yuya said something like that, too... that their memories could be fake. Rita doesn't believe it. She can't start doubting herself now.

[kingsroads]

Now it's Strange's turn to get that odd sense of familiarity. Because his first response, the one that he bites back is of course he sounds crazy, he's mad, how many times has he told you people that. But he's not mad. Is he? What's left of the rational voice in the back of his head points out that he's been poisoning himself solely to try and bring on memories that may or may not be real, that seems pretty mad to most people. But no matter.

"I don't know if we are or aren't. My memories haven't been as appearing as quickly as others' have." Case in point, Yuya. "But one thing's certain: whether it's our lives in Portland or our lives in these displaced memories, one of them is a complete lie and removing the Severing is the only way to find out which is which."

And honestly? Part of Strange hopes that Portland's the fake one.

[anti_nonsense]

"So... what, you're throwing everything away and risking what you have left, all for a life that might be real?" Rita might not have much, but she can't understand that. If he loses that bet, he could end up owned and ruled by the fae because of it.

"Whatever your reasons, siding with the Rose Queen is a stupid choice... and on top of that, it means that you and I are enemies." Arms folded, she looks him over with a cold expression. "Honestly, I should kill you right now." It would be wise to cut off any support for the Summer Court, weakening the Rose Queen's defences, making it easier to attack her directly.

But despite the casual threat, Rita doesn't move to attack. Is it because of how pathetic he looks? That's part of it, but there's something else...

[kingsroads]

"Then try to do so," he snaps. The words are out of Strange's mouth before he realizes it. Strange is at the ready, ready to fire off a shield charm cantrip if needed...but nothing happens. Rita's bluffing. He knows she's bluffing, she's not moving to attack, she's not moving to do anything. So naturally, Strange makes it worse.

"Ignoring the fact that you'd be putting everybody in this building in danger, I doubt whatever spells of protection placed on the Sanctuary will hold up in the ensuing fight--although, can you even fight in the first place? Does that half-assed school of magic you practice even cover combat magic, changeling?"

But it's odd. For all of Strange talking smack, he's not moving to attack Rita either.

[anti_nonsense]

Why doesn't she? There's a nagging feeling, like there was something she wanted from him, something he'd have to be alive for... Another one of those memories? Rita's not sure how much stock she can put in them, but for the time being, she intends to follow her instincts.

As his taunts continue, however... Rita can't help but smirk, as if he said something funny. "You're joking, right?" She raises her hands, and with a few quick gestures, conjures several flames that float in a circle around her, like will-o'-wisps. "I specialize in combat magic." Her instincts may be telling her not to kill him, but that doesn't mean she can't still threaten or hurt him. In fact, that could be fun.

There's a good chance that using offensive magic here is going to get the attention of the protectors of the Sanctuary, but it's fine. Rita's prepared to explain her actions. Not like anyone will be upset to hear she was antagonizing someone who's running errands for the Rose Queen.

[kingsroads]

"I do hope you're ready to explain why you attacked someone in the middle of a safe house." It's Strange's turn to make a few quick gestures as the air in front of him shimmers and the barrier spell activates. Because yeah, he's a coward, and will gladly let Rita make the first move so he can point fingers and claim that she's the one who attacked him later, he's perfectly blameless, and so on and so forth.

Granted, he still doesn't think that Rita can actually do much with her magic, something that will certainly bite Strange in the ass once she actually attacks.

[anti_nonsense]

Rita's smirk doesn't budge. "Of course. I'll just tell them you're one of the Rose Queen's goons." Because that's basically true, and it's a damn good reason to fling fire around in here. Besides, the Sanctuary building itself still has plenty of damage from the Rose Queen's attack. A little more won't make that big a difference.

Besides, that barrier spell is practically an invitation. The prospect of testing her offensive magic against it makes her almost giddy.

With a flourish of her arms, Rita directs one of the flames to his shield, where it bursts, fire splashing outward and heat pressing hard against the barrier. The moment it dissipates, she throws a second one. And a third.

But Rita doesn't think she's going to break his shield with a few tiny fireballs like those. So, once it looks like she's fallen into a predictable pattern, she raises a hand, above which the remaining flames all converge into a single large ball. She then points to Strange, launching the mass at him. When it bursts, it releases a powerful wave of hot air, shattering a nearby window. In the interest of not killing Strange, she tries to restrain the actual fire from catching or burning anything directly, though for a few seconds, the heat in the room is nearly unbearable, even for her.

[kingsroads]

As the flames hit the shield, Strange gestures and mutters under his breath, trying to keep the barrier spell up and in one piece. He can feel the heat of the flames as the fireballs hit the shield, but he keeps it up.

Rita's right, though. It takes all of Strange's effort to keep the massive fireball from breaking through his shield. When it bursts, the shield collapses, and Strange is almost knocked backwards by the blast of hot air. The fact that he's visibly sweating now makes him look even worse than before but, oddly enough, Strange is having the time of his life.

As he staggers back upright, grinning like a maniac, he gestures towards Rita in a manner that's a bit too theatrical. A bolt of force flies towards her, aiming to knock Rita off her feet.