⇨ 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

[pipers_son]

[Oh, he's definitely not happy about that idea, and the pause that comes from him says that well enough without any words. His fingers knead into his palms, and he glances down at the chaos before them.]

....Ya don't have ta. This sort of mess- I know everyone and their fifth cousin has gotten involved, but you don't.

[destiny_key]

But...

[Sora reaches out for Joker's arm, and for just a second, he wishes he were eight years old again. Everything was so much more simple. But eighteen years old is much too old to be cowering behind someone else.]

I want to. If I can help just one person... wouldn't it be worth it?

[pipers_son]

[For a log moment, all he does is stare down at that hand, an uncomfortable twist somewhere in his gut that seems both familiar and yet completely different to anything either him the angel or him the human have felt. Finally, his mouth curves in an almost pained smile.]

I think I went and raised ya too well, Sora.

[destiny_key]

[Sora can't help but laugh at that, but his eyes are misty when they look up at Joker.]

Yeah, you did.

[Carefully, Sora steps forward and throws his arms around Joker's middle. Because it's true, that his guardian angel has been so much more than just that. He's been a father and a friend when Sora had neither, and because of him, he's grown up into a fine young man.]

[pipers_son]

[Aw hell- Joker doesn't think he can last this whole mess if he starts crying now. So all he does is hold Sora close, resting his face into the boy's hair. Whatever his true memories are.... His feelings are real enough in this moment.]

[That's all he needs.]

You'll be careful, won't ya?

[destiny_key]

Of course. I gotta look after you, don't I?

[Sora chuckles again at the weak joke, and lets himself enjoy this moment. So what if he's grown, so what if they're in the middle of an epic battle; he wants to remember this, just as it is.]

[pipers_son]

Ha. Guess ya do.

[Another ruffle of his hair, and Joker tries to tell himself that it'll all be alright. That, whatever his memories, whatever happens...]

[Good things will happen in the end.]

[He has to tell himself that.]

Ready ta learn how ta use that thing then?

[destiny_key]

[Sora finally pulls out of the hug, and ignore that wetness in his eyes because they've got a battle to win. He smiles, and nods.]

Yeah. Let's go.

[pipers_son]

[With a grunt, he hefts Sora up, keeping him close as he dives them down to the outskirts of the battle- no point in getting to the thick of it. Joker has to raise his voice as they go down, however.]

Just yell if ya need me!