⇨ The Tourist Trap: WEEK 4

[ringleaders]

Who: Anyone, anywhere in Portland.
When: October 22nd - 31st, 2017
Where: In Portland, for the last time.
What: The seasons change as the Winter Court seizes a surprise victory, claiming both the Tree of Life's pendant and the blood catalyst needed to take control of the Severing Ritual. Meanwhile, interdimensional problems are about to get more weird. Check out the conflict results for the attack on the Circle as well as the Beast's attack on the Summer Court here.
Warnings: Individually marked!

DAYS OF WINTER↴ As the end of October nears, so does the grasp of winter. On the night of the 22nd, it will freeze overnight, and the temperature will drop for the following days. As the night grow long, world-wide magic slowly reaches it apex, set to reach it on the night of Halloween. With so many factors at play, knowing what to do with that moment of power may be a challenge. ► FULL CIRCLE: The Angels succeed in their planned attack on the Circle, managing to get to the living quarters of the Council members with the help of Ashleigh Mischief. The plan goes without much resistance from the mages or from the demons attempting to claim the ritual object for their own. Of course, when the fae make a surprise attack on the Angels after they flee the scene, it has the surprise result of the Winter Court ended up with the pendant in their talons. Threads for this attack can be done in this log. If you need mod direction at all, let us know, but otherwise feel free to NPC demons, angels, or random Circle members as you require. ► THE QUEEN'S GARDEN: Realizing that the Rose Queen is distracted with attempting to claim the pendant, the Beast will summon her co-conspirators to raid the Queen's gardens. The ultimate plan seems to be to get the Beast far enough into the gardens to kill the Queen, while also rescuing as many changelings as possible along the way. As it turns out, this doesn't go well. While they do manage to penetrate the gardens with Childermass's help, the Rose Queen, Ignatius, and Nightshade happen to all be there. Seriously outnumbered, even by the Beast's terms, it will take everything the group has to just make it out alive, sustaining heavy injuries as they go. In the end they will manage to rescue Greg universe and four additional changelings that were imprisoned there, but any damage done to the Summer Court itself will be negligible. Threads for this can also be played out here! ► REFLECTIONS: As the ritual draws closer, the line between this reality and the one you came from will also be becoming less clear. Regaining memories is not required, but it will naturally become easier to occur, especially if you're already started receiving them. It's a good time to start making connections, while you still have the chance. ► THE SEVERING: One way or another, the Severing is going to make an impact on both this world and the lives of those trapped inside of it. The Angels are going to be making an attempt to interrupt the Winter Court's ritual, as will the Summer Court and Anath's forces. Whoever comes up on top will be the ones to decide what to be done with it. Yet, with news that the Severing continuing could cause irreversible damage to the planet's spirit, it could feel like there are no perfect options. There will be an event header put up for this by the mods closer to the end of July. (NOTE: canon powers will returning while the ritual is in progress, so keep that in mind for planning - both sets of powers will be active.)

Comments

[otoko]

Auh-! [Well, well met indeed? He frowns a bit.] ....If it is all the same, I think I shall just bow... ...I will be using my fists quite a lot in any fights, and even a slight burn could cost my strength.

...And there would be only one thing to restore that... [Something he'd. Rather not. Eat.]

[anti_nonsense]

Rita knew an attack was likely coming, and when it does she stops, rolling to the side as the flames fly past her. It was worth a shot, trying to run through... but it sounds like Axel isn't kidding.

Standing up straight again, she looks back to him, determined. "Watch me. The Rose Queen's going down, and you're getting out of here, even if I have to drag your ass with me!" With that, she swings an arm out, and with a quick incantation, sends a fireball at him. It'll burst before reaching him, releasing a powerful wave of hot air. Maybe it'll knock him down... but then, Axel might be stronger than she knows.

[anti_nonsense]

When Lambert comes tumbling toward her, Rita jerks away, instinctively repulsed by the iron poker coming way too fast in her direction. The alarm in her expression fades as soon as he stops moving, however.

All things considered, that was a damn good landing. "You sure you're new at this?" she asks, giving him a dubious look before returning her attention to the monster. Holding an arm out, she starts gathering fire over her open palm, preparing another spell. They don't have much time before it'll attack again.

[espigeon]

Oh! Well, okay. I didn't think of that.

[There's a sense of genuine disappointment and the attempt to damp it down. Then he brightens again, all hopeful.]

Maybe later? If everyone survives and isn't already hurt, you know.

[anti_nonsense]

Seeing the failed spell, Rita swipes a hand over the bowl, erasing the image and returning the water to its normal colorless form. She nods at Lambert's guess; that's basically right. "He either ran back to his friends in the Summer Court, or one of the two courts captured him." He's made enough enemies at this point that Rita doesn't sound the slightest bit surprised.

As for what to do now... "We're almost out of time. If we're going to stop the Winter Court, we'll just have to do it without his help." She folds her arms. What other resources do they have...? "Yuya, you've been talking to the angels, right? Don't they have a plan to get into that realm?" Seems like something they wouldn't overlook.

[tacosgay]

"That's... a good fuckin' question, actually," Taako says, smirk audible in his tone, as he steps into his apartment, closing the door behind him. He throws himself onto the couch-- a favorite location of his to lounge since his arrival in this life, though he has no idea how the Taako who actually rents this apartment feels on the matter.

"Like... I mean, back home, we pretty much definitely had fairies, I think, but they're not the kind of all-powerful magic dictators they are out here. Not as far as I know, anyway, and I'm pretty fuckin' sure I'd know, at this point."

[whattaprick]

"You know Sans?" Lambert asks, quizzically. He hasn't connected Papyrus to the cat the angel brought into the cafe, but that seems an unimportant detail in the larger scheme of things... but at the question, he frowns harder.

"Whatever we can. We can't let them complete the ritual." He'll just leave out that his real motivation is because he's pretty sure Winter's version of the ritual involves Childermass dying. However, it's at this point that he'll narrow his eyes at Papyrus, growing defensive.

"... Just who are you, anyway? You were interested in the Animal Fair before." God. What he'd give to go back to a few weeks ago, when that was his biggest problem...

[whattaprick]

Childermass is such an asshole, Lambert doesn't even know why he wants to see him freed from the Rose Queen's service. In contrast to the changeling's impassive demeanor, Lambert's visibly upset and fuming, though uncertainty in the face of being stonewalled like this has made his grip on Childermass's shirt falter.

"Fine. Just for you I'll try not to die." Exhaling sharply, he releases him, turning to go and rejoin the rest.

[small_reservations]

She makes a good point, and he's grateful to have it off. He's still exhausted, but at least he can move again. The first movement he makes is to reach for her and... Take the water bottle. He chugs about half before replying.

"Yeah. I figured she'd be mad enough after the first time to do something like this if she ever got me back, but that was pretty bad." He looks around, a little sheepish, at the mention of wards. "I'm not that good at the finicky stuff, y'know. My wards are probably falling apart." He's more reliant on the metal in the structure to keep him safe, from both fae and burglars. Even his windows are barred, though they're removable from the inside.

[small_reservations]

If he hadn't had his wings spread, it might have only knocked him down. With them out, though, he sails backwards, colliding with a rose bush. It's not fun or comfortable, but he pulls himself out, frustration burning in his eyes. "What do you think you can do against her? You'll just get yourself killed!"

... Actually they both might be in trouble. The fire Axel started is no longer just a wall, it's spreading, slowly. He attempts to regain control over it, but it's too late to stop it growing further, though he manages to slow it down.

[hippocarnival]

Yuya frowns. He's not sure why the Winter Court would want Strange, aside from maybe binding Childermass. But the Summer Court probably had a lot of reasons to capture him by now.

He nods to Rita. "Yeah. They have a plan to get in there and do the ritual themselves, so they want to stop the Winter Court from using John just as much as we do. But I don't think any of us would say no to more help."

[hippocarnival]

"Yeah! I think... maybe we knew each other?" Maybe that's why Yuya had been so driven to chase after Tamaki at first. His memories were coming back more clearly now, easier to recall as they collected in his consciousness.

"I think you were there when I joined."

[hippocarnival]

"Don't worry, I don't have to be holding it to--whoa!" He sputters as he's dragged back into the shadows. He attempts to look at the elemental as they pass it, but his senses are too obscured.

He pulls himself forward once they exit the grassy patch and Yuya looks around. "... It's got here! Does that monster have it?" Yuya hopes it didn't get rid of it.

[periphrasing]

Peridot grunts, lifts her head to REALLY make sure that no one else is around, and then hops off of Lambert's knee and gestures for him to look away while she changes back. She's been practicing in the last few weeks on a spell that'll just summon up some clothes for her, but she still has to finish transforming before she can bother to cast it. It's a pretty silly spell. But, useful for someone whose garments tend to just fall into a heap whenever she changes.

Once that's taken care of she joins Lambert in sitting with her back against the alley wall, letting out a soft huff of breath through her teeth. "I was going to suggest Uber," she snorts, "but a cab driver is likely to ask fewer questions about..." She trails off and gestures vaguely at Lambert and his numerous injuries. "...All of this."

Like she doesn't currently look like hell herself.

[periphrasing]

Peridot just gives him the most unimpressed, vaguely annoyed stare she can muster.

"...How about I just call you "Magical Clod" instead," she suggests. This guy, keeping her at a disadvantage and then telling her not to be rude...

[periphrasing]

Look Strange, she was INCREDIBLY skeptical about the whole "Earth Spirit" thing too, up until she actually managed to talk to it.

She was definitely just being a little shit about Lambert and Childermass, but she sure didn't expect to see such a dramatic reaction out of her brother. She'd had her suspicions about them, sure, but apparently she was more on point than she realized. Eyebrows raised, she watches him with a sort of bemused interest as his face shifts through a veritable rainbow of colors... and then Strange goes ahead and says that.

Peridot doesn't believe in karma. But. Wow.

"He's my BROTHER!" she squawks simultaneously to Lambert's outburst, disgust written all over her face. It really doesn't matter if she knows for a fact that her whole family history with Lambert and Miko is a false one, that's still just weird and gross.

[kingsroads]

Strange has started giving Pumpkin some well deserved scratches and is about to go into a little whoosa woosa good dog, issit you, yes it's you when all of a sudden, he's yelled at from two different people. His eyes just bug out for a moment and Strange just instinctively backs up because again! He's getting yelled at! And he's getting yelled at over something stupid?

Honestly, it's not completely out of the ordinary that someone would make a mistake like that. The haughtiness kicks right back into gear as he pushes back that surprised expression for one closer to his normal annoyed.

"How was I supposed to know that?" he grumbles, gesturing back at Pumpkin. Come back here you little fluff, it's okay, the yelling's stopped. "You don't look a thing alike and you share the same last name. Of course someone would assume married over siblings."

At least, of course the man who doesn't have any siblings in both realities and was also married in both realities assumes married over siblings.

[anti_nonsense]

Rita feels right at home with an inferno at her back, even as it spreads, blocking her path and growing closer, the heat licking at her skin. Unless it's Ignatius' own flames, she won't be deterred by fire. No... right now, even if Ignatius himself shows up, she has to be prepared to push forward. This is her only chance.

"I'll do something!" she cries, defiant as she conjures more flames. "I won't sit around and wait to be captured! And I won't let her keep doing whatever she wants with you!" She thrusts the flames into the space between them, where they burst, raining sparks and smoke to hopefully mask her movement while she makes another dash, trying to get around the encroaching fire before it completely cuts off her route to the inner gardens.

meanwhile in the Stairs Zone

[pullingamiko]

Okay, now there's too much yelling going on down there to be ignored. Miko tried to mind her own business, really, but--

--But okay no she did not try at all. Miko scoots a couple steps down the stairs and crouches on a step, furry ears angling toward the living room while she tries to stay out of sight. Stealth!! Sort of, theoretically. Hopefully they'll be distracted enough not to notice her.

[atouts]

He should probably say something more, stop him before he's back with the rest. Maybe Lambert is in the right this time, maybe he actually deserves an apology, but... no. Childermass will just step back once his shirt's been let go and watch the man leave in a huff.

If there hadn't been an audience around, it might be different, but right here, right now? Childermass has a reputation to keep. He's helping these people with hopes of someone dying (just someone else) and, with luck, to get away with some of said person's belongings. Now really isn't the time to seem less intimidating.

[atouts]

"No," that much Childermass can say with absolute certainty. "Even if it were smart enough to think to, iron burns straight through faerie magic. That's what's powering it."

Hence why finding the crowbar is the best idea they have right now. It'll go through the elemental like a hot knife through butter if Yuya aims it right, though Childermass doesn't have the time to explain it in as much detail. He gets up to his feet, having left the shadows crouching originally.

"Go and look. I'll keep it distracted once it gets back around to us."

Which may take a minute. It's a hulking load of stone and fire. Strong, but slow.

WALKS IN A WEEK LATE WITH STARBUCKS

[destiny_key]

nothing about that no
did something happen???

i know there was something going on but no ones telling me anything
are you okay???
is john okay???

[whattaprick]

Lambert's just going to stare incredulously at Strange for that. Literally only you would make that assumption, Strange, how old do you think they are?

"We were in the same foster family," is just what he's going to finish with, reaching up to pinch the bridge of his nose and close his eyes.

The rest of statement is so incredibly stupid it doesn't even deserve being acknowledged, so he's not going to, and he's just going to move right on to correcting the other mistaken assumption in this conversation.

"And Childermass isn't anyone's boyfriend, much less mine. That was a joke." The metaphorical eye-lasers he's shooting at Peridot after that say it had better be.

[atouts]

He's being a jerk and he knows it, but he also imagines she'll hear more than enough about him if she gets around to questioning Lambert. Provided they survive, that is. So, for now, he'll only raise his eyebrows at the name Peridot suggests, then slowly fold his hands behind his back. He'll give an air of thinking about it for a second or two, but beyond all that, he doesn't give much of a reaction to it otherwise.

"If that pleases you," he gives as an obnoxiously neutral reply. "But I would reiterate that I would, at the very least, prefer that as Mr. Clod to you."

Because manners, right? Right.

NEVER TOO LATE come into my arms

[whattaprick]

He's not.

The winter court got him.

We're working on getting him back.

[ He can't even answer the 'are you okay' question because he's so far from okay it's not funny, seriously. ]