⇨ 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

[periphrasing]

Peridot definitely hears something coming from the stairs, and she shoots a suspicious glare in that direction. Fortunately for Miko, Lambert and Strange quickly distract her from investigating the disturbance any further.

She nods thoughtfully as Strange explains his proposal, and then cocks her head curiously at what Lambert has produced from his coat pocket.

Her nose crinkles. She lifts a finger and points at it unnecessarily. “Hold on—Is that… Did you….”

Take that off of him? Pick up one of his shed feathers? Did he give it you as a gift or something? Lambert what the hell.

[kingsroads]

Like Lambert, Strange is a boring human and doesn't hear the noise from the stairs. There's something new to judge anyway. Strange's nose wrinkles at the same time Peridot's does. Because Lambert. That's gross. Do you not realize how gross that is? So, despite the fact that Lambert's glaring daggers at him, Strange is going to open his damn mouth and give Lambert shit about this.

"Most people wear a jacket that their boyfriend gave them, not carry around the changeling equivalent of hair clippings."

And don't worry Pumpkin, those fingers are 100% not poisonous and also 100% giving ear scratches, oh my god he is so gonna steal this dog.

[pullingamiko]

Miko frowns and looks questioningly down at Screamo, as if she's going to be able to answer what the hell they're talking about in there. What does Lambert even have in there? And... wait, so does that mean sweater guy is a changeling after all? She didn't know changelings could turn into--

Oh holy shit does he have like, a handful of feathers or something. Lambert what the hell. It's too bad she's supposed to be hiding, so she can't join in mocking him about it.

[whattaprick]

Not deigning to answer either of them, Lambert stomps back over to the couch and drops the feather on the coffee table. His movements are sharp and jerky, but it isn't embarrassment at the present he's leaving them with as he retreats. There's almost definitely a bit of blood on the end of that quill.

It's only once he's stepped back that he offers any kind of explanation for leaving them with such a weird memento--

"It's hard to hold on to someone's jacket when faeries are kidnapping them, so this is all I've got," he says with false brightness, mouth twisting in a sharp, ugly sneer before he turns sharply on his heel.

"I'm going out. Text me what you want for dinner."

And before anyone else can react to that, he's gone.

[periphrasing]

The skeptical look on Peridot's face slooooowlllly slides away when her brother explains the significance of the feather and then abruptly leaves.

"Lambert--" she starts to say, half-rising from her seat, but. He's already gone. Pumpkin has twisted in Strange's arms to watch him go as well, whuff-ing inquisitively. Peridot just blows a harsh breath out with her cheeks, flopping back down onto the couch, her stare lingering on the door for a long moment. Great. And now she feels like the world's biggest tool. She hadn't even realized she was saying anything quite so hurtful, either...

She supposes the only thing to do for now is to try her hardest to locate Childermass, and apologize to Lambert later when, hopefully, they have more information on his whereabouts.

She looks up to meet Strange's eyes, scowling grimly because, hey, she's not the only one who fucked up here, and she hopes Strange knows that. "Alright, well... The fact that it literally came from his body and it isn't just a random belonging of his should at least help focus the spell, right?" There's even some blood on it! Lovely. Surely that must be help too. Blood is useful in magic, right?

[kingsroads]

To his credit, Strange does look a little apologetic as Lambert leaves the room. That apologetic expression is on his face for a few moments before he feels Peridot scowling at him and Strange quickly adopts a scowl of his own. He's fine! He's not sorry about his actions, he didn't goof up, he is entirely perfectly fine with how things went except for the fact that he really kind of isn't.

"It should," Strange admits, as he gently sets Pumpkin down on the ground. Almost a moment later, she starts whining. "The spell I use can easily be modified to include a sympathetic tie, especially one as small and personal as this feather. We'll need a large bowl of some sort, like a mixing bowl, filled with water. Likewise, I'll need pencil and paper so I can write down the incantation--you'll say it, while I perform the actions needed, thereby linking our power together for the spell."

It certainly sounds like a lot of impressive magical bullshit, at least. And fits in with any theory that Peridot's read about multiple people casting spells and/or scrying.

[periphrasing]

Peridot listens to his explanation attentively, nodding thoughtfully. "Wait here," she says once he's done, rising to her feet once more. She goes to disappear into the next room, but pauses briefly in the entryway to glance back at him. "Oh, right-- There's a pencil and notepad there next to the computer, if you want to start writing. I'll attend to the other items."

And then she leaves, Pumpkin obediently trotting after her, perhaps hoping that there may be food involved in whatever task is sending Peridot into the kitchen. There's some rustling and clattering coming from in there, the sound of a tap running and then stopping. When she emerges once more, she's awkwardly balancing a battered looking mixing bowl, trying not to slop water off the sides of it.

[kingsroads]

As Peridot leaves, Strange moves over towards the computer to pick up the pencil and notepad. Unfortunately, he's walking a bit closer towards the staircase as he does so. Miko might want to get the heck out of dodge because it is only by the convenience of plot and Strange's own obliviousness that he hasn't spotted her.

Instead, Strange sits down next to the computer for a moment to scribble out the spell in handwriting that's definitely readable, but also atrocious. He's still writing down the incantation when he hears the water slosh as Peridot returns.

"Good! Set that down on a clear space like a coffee table or something and place the feather to the left of it. I've almost finished writing down your part..."

[periphrasing]

Peridot gladly does as instructed. The water slops onto the table a bit when placed, and Peridot grumbles and lazily mops it up with the sleeve of her sweatshirt.

She holds the feather up for a brief examination-- more out of curiosity than out of a search for any additional information-- and then gingerly places it down by the bowl like she's asked, sitting on the opposite end of the couch from strange.

"I hope we can find something," she murmurs suddenly, her demeanor strangely devoid of her usual self-confidence. "I'd much rather have some good news to relay to Lambert, once he makes it back."

Pumpkin whines with concern and hops up next to her, and then leans over to try and sniff the feather. Pumpkin, don't eat that....

[kingsroads]

As he finishes scribbling down the spell, Strange turns back towards Peridot. Walking over towards the coffee table, he hands her the spell. It's amazingly hodge-podge, some sort of calling upon the elements incantation mixed with a bit of Latin mixed with a bit of a language that Strange phonetically wrote out because like heck Peridot can read cuneiform or any other not-English alphabet.

"I hope we can find something as well," he admits, with a frown. Not because it'll make Lambert happy but because Strange desperately wants to make certain that Childermass is okay. He rolls up his sleeves slightly, before moving from the couch and kneeling down in front of the table. Poor Pumpkin gets nudged away by Strange's elbow as he kneels down.

"Tell me when you're ready. We don't need to hold hands or anything, but you'll need to place at least one hand on the bowl itself."

[pullingamiko]

...Well now she's almost glad she wasn't around to make fun of Lambert. However, the fact that he's gone means this is just... nerds doing nerd crap now. It's boring as hell to listen to, and she doubts watching it will be much better.

...Unless it is better. She scoots down the last few steps and tries to peer around the corner, seeing if she can make out what they're doing without being spotted herself.

[periphrasing]

Peridot takes the spell and holds it right up to her nose, scrutinizing it carefully. Reading the spell out in her head a few times over to make sure she doesn't have any questions automatically seems like a good idea, especially given Strange's rather, uh... Peculiar handwriting...

"No offense, but your penmanship is atrocious," she says blandly, lowering the paper from her face. "As your apprentice, I could assist you with improving that. You know. Between lessons."

Peridot is now really the time--

[kingsroads]

Now is really not the time. Strange just gives Peridot a Look. Yes, his handwriting is kind of awful, but that's why people invented computers, okay?!

"As your teacher, I'll take that advice into consideration after the spell." A roundabout way of saying sure, I'll help teach you magic, but it's a way nonetheless. "If you can't read any words, point them out to me and I'll tell you what they say."

He looks up, with a frown...and sorry Miko, you're straight up busted. Strange's expression goes from confused to a bit annoyed as he makes eye contact with Miko. "I didn't know you had a sister as well as a brother," he idly says, not looking at Peridot, but staring straight at Miko as she peers around the corner.

[periphrasing]

"Nyeh--!?"

Peridot looks up sharply, her eyes narrowing as she immediately locks her sights on Miko. Honestly? She should have expected this.

"I KNEW I heard something before-- MIKO! How long have you been sitting there eavesdropping on our conversation!?!" she yelps, hopping to her feet.

[pullingamiko]

CRAP.

Miko jumps to her feet and scoops Screamo up in her arms, almost scrambling up the stairs before she thinks better of it. That would just kinda prove she knew she wasn't supposed to be here, huh.

"Uuuh--! I mean, I wasn't here that long, I was just looking forrrr... some water! Yep!"

So convincing.

[kingsroads]

"The last time I checked, faucets weren't usually found in the stairwell."

Should a grown man be tag-teaming with a college student to guilt trip a teenager? Nope. Is a grown man tag-teaming with a college student to guilt trip a teenager? You betcha.

[periphrasing]

"Yeah! And there's a perfectly functional tap in the bathroom upstairs! YOU LIAR! EXPLAIN YOURSELF AT ONCE!"

YOU'RE EMBARRASSING HER IN FRONT OF GUESTS, MIKO.

[pullingamiko]

Miko shoots a scowl at Strange - nobody asked you, old man - before turning back to Peridot, her free hand on her hip.

"Well I don't have a cup up there! Besides, why would I want to listen in on you guys' boring egghead stuff, anyway?"

[kingsroads]

Don't mind Strange, he's just staying quiet and watching the argument with so much interest. This is petty and kind of stupid and he straight up wants to see how it ends.

[periphrasing]

"Uh, because you're nosy!? And it's not egghead stuff, it's very serious magic that we're performing for a very serious reason, and--"

Partway through this sentence Peridot realizes that trying to stress the importance of this scrying session to her teen sister of all people is completely pointless, and she breaks off in a fit of indignant spluttering, like Miko has somehow duped her into having his argument on purpose and Peridot can't believe that she walked right into it.

"Just-- Go to the kitchen!" She flaps her hand agitatedly towards the entrance to the other room in a shooing motion. "Retrieve your water and then BEGONE FROM OUR SIGHTS!"

[pullingamiko]

Honestly, even if she hadn't realized it on her own, the fact that Miko has twisted her expression into a mockery of Peridot's and is currently lip-syncing clumsily along with what she's saying would probably be a good indication.

Then she literally actually stomps her foot. "Fine! Have fun with your weird nerd crap, I'll be upstairs having a life!"

She stomps into the kitchen, making a point of being as LOUD AS POSSIBLE about getting a glass of water, because if she has to do this now to maintain the illusion she set up, she's going to be annoying about it, dammit.

[kingsroads]

Only child Jonathan Strange thinks that this is all really funny. He's trying to hide that smile on his face and look like a mature, responsible adult but Miko literally stomps into the kitchen, he cracks. Strange grins, a big ol'shithead 'I find this hilarious because I'm not part of it' sort of grin.

"I don't know. If she's curious about the magic, I personally don't mind her watching as the spell's cast. Of course, it is 'weird nerd crap' in the first place."

He is causing trouble just for the sake of causing trouble.

[periphrasing]

Peridot is just mortified that she's acting this way in front of guests. In front of her potential future teacher, no less.

...Then she catches a glimpse of that grin and. Hm. Well at least he's not actively disapproving of this whole display?

"Please don't encourage her," Peridot growls at him, breaking her death glare directed towards the kitchen long enough to shoot him A Look. She's just going to tap her foot impatiently, waiting for Miko to reemerge and disappear back upstairs again so that they can get on with this spell already.

[pullingamiko]

Oooh man that is good to hear. As little as the workings of magic tend to interest her, she is curious about this whole thing.

Besides, if she stays it will annoy Peridot. Always a bonus.

She trots back out of the kitchen, water in hand, grinning. "Hey, it could be less boring if I'm actually watching! And I can be quiet and stuff."

[kingsroads]

Strange is straight up encouraging Miko. Or, at least, he's deliberately being a gadfly and poking and prodding both girls just to see how far he can push this gloriously petty sibling rivalry.

"As I said, I don't mind her. But as a whole," he says, turning towards Peridot, "it's your decision. After all, you're going to be as much a part of the spell as I am. If you think Miko would be a nuisance, then we simply won't perform the magic until she leaves."

This is a room full of metaphorical children.