lostcarnival | ⇨ The Tourist Trap: WEEK 3

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⇨ The Tourist Trap: WEEK 3

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.

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"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.

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.

"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.

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?

"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.

"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.

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.

"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...

"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.

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.

"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.

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.

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.

A counterattack? Rita wasn't expecting that. With how sick he looked, she thought he'd be down for the count already.

She braces herself for the blast, but the force is more than she expects, and it knocks her upward and back... but she smoothly maneuvers her body around in a near-perfect backflip, landing on her feet. For a moment, even she's surprised. Rita's never done that before, has she? But it was like she was moving through muscle memory, like she's done this dozens of times before...

Well, if it worked, it worked. She decides to take advantage of the surprise recovery and moves to attack right away, throwing a simple, fast-moving fireball at Strange.

Strange wasn't expecting that near-perfect backflip either. He looks over at Rita with a surprised look on his face, about to ask how she did that, when Rita tosses a fireball right at him. Strange quickly puts his hands up in front of his face as he starts to mutter a counterspell, but the barrier only gets halfway up: the fireball smacks straight into him and knocks him right over as he lands on the ground with a thump.

As he's already a bit winded thanks to the illness, Strange just lies on the ground for a moment. A few tiny flames lick his shirt sleeve but Strange quickly pats them out, not really caring that he's doing so with his bare hands. It's only a few seconds before he slowly staggers back to his feet. "That was unexpected."

He's got a cantrip at the ready to call up a barrier spell if needed...though it's hilariously obvious who's going to win the fight if Rita wants to continue (hint: not Strange).

Curious to see if he'll actually get up or not, Rita holds off on attacking while Strange is down. She's relieved in a way when he stands; it means she gets to show off more of her techniques.

"You're not getting tired, are you, old man?" she taunts him with a grin. "Because I'm just getting warmed up!" She crouches, sweeps a hand over the floor, and conjures another spell. Flames appear at her feet, then run along the floor in a line, as if following a gunpowder trail. When the fire draws close to Strange, it suddenly bursts into what could be described as a geyser of flames, spilling upward and outward.

Strange gestures at the ground. The barrier spell forms around him in an arc, so that most of the flames crawl up the side and shoot over his head. He can feel the heat of the flames as they lick the barrier around him: Rita's more powerful than he realizes.

"With age comes experience!" Strange taunts back. He makes a hand gesture in Rita's direction and three quick yet not as powerful bolts of force shoot in her direction. "I fought in the peninsula, I can take out an overeager firebug!"

It's only later that Strange will realize he has no idea what peninsula he was talking about.

The peninsula? What peninsula? Doesn't ring a bell for Rita.

Whatever. She's got more important things to worry about, like these force bolts headed her way. She sidesteps the first one, but her movements aren't as quick as the spell is, and she doesn't quite clear the next one. It hits her in the arm, the force throwing her shoulder back and ultimately knocking her fully off balance. She twists around as she falls to the floor, landing on her arm and knees. It's not very graceful, and neither is the indignant shout she makes as she tumbles.

This is what she gets for not bothering to learn much for defensive spells, apparently. But Rita's still got plenty of fight in her. Pressing the hand of her uninjured arm against the floor, she kicks out her legs and jumps right back up to her feet. She flexes the other arm and rotates her shoulder a bit, testing to see how it feels. It smarts, but nothing's broken.

"Don't be so sure," she retorts, holding her palms out and already conjuring a new spell. "I bet you've still got lots to learn!" A ball of light appears in front of one palm, which she moves around in a circular motion, drawing a ring in the air. Then, with a few more words, the light turns to flames and from its center, a trail of fire spirals outward, gaining size and momentum as it spins its way toward Strange. Looks like she's starting to lose sight of her original plan of holding back.

To his credit, Strange has figured out that Rita's spectacularly a one-trick pony. She's using fire, more fire, even more fire, and fire on top of that. The easiest thing to do would be to cast a water spell and just knock her out that way...except for the fact that Strange doesn't know any elemental magic to begin with. That's lesser magic, the magic of warlocks and changelings. But it would be damn useful right here and now.

And good Lord that is a lot of fire. Strange drops to the ground in a crouch, casting the barrier spell right over him, like a turtle going in a shell. Thankfully, that prevents Rita's ring of fire from entirely setting him alight. Unfortunately, the back of his coat is straight up on fire. Still staying close to the ground, Strange shrugs the coat off as he quickly decides what to do next.

He's equally a bit of a one trick pony as Strange keeps defaulting to force bolts. Rita hasn't shown any defensive magic, if he keeps knocking her over and keeps having his barrier spell at the ready, he'd win in the long term. This time, however, there's a quick one aimed at Rita's head, followed by another quick one aimed at her feet.

Rita sees her chance. She just has to dodge his next attack, and then...!

She ducks to avoid the first one, but the second catches her by surprise. Quickly, she rolls to the side, the bolt grazing her as it whizzes by, taking a few of her feathers with it. Still crouched on the ground, Rita starts her next attack spell.

She conjures a quick fireball and throws it at Strange with a wide sweep of her arm... but this one's just a decoy. The coat he discarded, the one that's on fire, she can use as a catalyst. With a vague gesture, she brings that fire under her control, changes its form into that of another fireball, and without warning, sends it hurtling at Strange from the ground behind him. It bursts, releasing a wave of hot air at him.

Strange dodges the decoy fireball, quickly casting up a barrier shield. All his attention is focused on that one to the point where he doesn't notice the fireball Rita forms behind him. The burst and rush of hot air cause Strange to wince, closing his eyes in pain as he staggers forwards, staying on his feet though he almost fell over.

It's obvious that the combination of lack of combat experience and his current illness means Strange is flagging fast. He hurriedly casts a force bolt in Rita's direction, but lord only knows if it hits. One more attack and he's down for the count.

Rita smirks with satisfaction when her attack connects. There's something familiar about all of this, in an almost comforting way. Trading blows, dodging, casting, attacking... it's like a dance routine she's practiced a hundred times. When Strange fires his next attack, she raises her arms to block, taking the hit... but she manages to stay on her feet despite the impact causing her to stumble back a step. She's taken worse, hasn't she? Maybe that was the other Rita... but maybe that doesn't matter.

Rita presses her palms together, and as she pulls them apart, a stream of flame appears between them, growing longer as she opens her arms wide. She then seemingly grips one end of the string and brandishes it, snapping it out at the air like a whip. A smile tugs at her lips; this weapon feels just right, like something she's used before.

Wielding the red-hot fire whip, she lunges forward, lashing it at Strange. Should he block it, she'll just lash again and again until she strikes her target.

A quickly constructed barrier spell blocks the first two lashes from the fire whip. On the third lash, the spell shatters, and on the fourth lash, the whip connects with Strange's hands.

"Ow, fuck! Not the hands! That's playing dirty!" Says the man who, given the chance, would happily play dirty. He holds one hand up in mock surrender, while he starts shaking the other one, as if that would somehow lessen the pain. Oddly enough though, Strange is smiling, as if he's forgotten the fact that he hates Rita and this fight started because he was the one who kept antagonizing her.

"Best two out of three?"

Rita raises her weapon to strike again, but when he surrenders, she relents, allowing it to dissipate into smoke. "Dirty!? I was going easy on you, old man!" Despite that, she's drenched in sweat, both from exertion and from the near-constant heat of her flames. She can still feel the adrenaline, the exhilaration...

But she's not here for recreation. Actually, she probably shouldn't have gotten so caught up in this in the first place...

Rita shakes her head. "Yeah, no. It's time for you to go. Or do you want to wait for the angels to come and throw you out?" At least, there should be a few of those around. There's no doubt that their battle's drawn somebody's attention by now.

"Round two'll happen later," Strange sighs. Because Rita's right. They've attracted attention and Strange knows he isn't the most popular person around. The last thing he needs is someone barging in to get him in trouble. And the Rose Queen's brat probably isn't even here to begin with.

It's odd. He knows that he hates Rita. But at the same time, this was the most fun he's had in ages. So though he hates her, he can't hate her that much? Who knows. This is yet another oddity in the month full of oddities that Strange has absolutely no idea how to deal with.

"Until then," Strange says, with a nod, as he starts to head for the Sanctuary exit.

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anti_nonsense - 2017-07-23 02:10 (UTC) - Expand

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