lostcarnival | ⇨ GREYSOL

Entry tags:

⇨ GREYSOL

Who: Everyone!
When: Day 155 - Day 169
Where: Greysol
What: The carnival resumes its tour, this time heading to Greysol, a city tied deeply into the fabric of the multiverse. Here, everyone has an animal companion from birth that is the second half of their soul - and thanks to the Ringmaster, so do you. (Remember,

joysweeper is our guest event runner for this location, and location specific questions should go to them.)
Warnings: Individually marked!

THE CITY OF GREYSOL↴

The carnival arrives in a manicured park in the center of a big city that sprawls out along where the river reaches the ocean. It’s spring, early enough that nights are chilly, warm enough in the days that people and their souls savor the weather, and sometimes shelter together from the rain. Greysol was designed from the bottom up to accommodate the human-dæmon bond. Go out and see!

► THE SHAPE OF YOUR SOUL: The dæmon-forming spell kicks in at about four in the morning. Most characters will wake up with their souls in some small form, curled against them. Even if they were awake, they became dazed and unfocused while their souls were being drawn out of their bodies and have little memory of how it happened.

Until that evening every character's dæmon is able to change shapes, and children and some teens will continue to do so. Most will settle on their permanent forms by evening. Characters without dæmons will just look on, and the few who are thousand-pound bears have to handle being really big.

► IT’S GOOD TO SETTLE: Elaine Tavis Aracari, sixteen-year-old daughter of two actors and a moving pictures sensation herself, just ‘settled’ - her dæmon Tavis stopped changing shape - as a stunning blue peacock. Settling is a major coming of age milestone and celebrated as such in different ways all over the world. She and her family are throwing a massive party in the central park and inviting the public to join in! Enjoy easy access to free catering, live music and showings of moving pictures, and displays of mostly trivial magic. There are also form readers from across the country setting up booths, happy to accept a small fee to inspect your dæmon’s settled or most favored forms and tell you what they mean. Is there anything to these analyses? Eh, maybe, but they’re flattering and fun.

► WITCHING HOURS: Characters who are clearly witches for this event will often be assumed to be in town for a lover, and people, witches and not, may want to know who that is. Humans usually regard them with wary respect and interest. Real witches living with their human families or on business quickly suspect that something’s up, but without clear and present danger take a relaxed wait-and-see attitude. Wait for long enough and any possible decision will come around again, they believe.

There isn’t time to learn much witch magic, but witches, real and carnival-made, have an inherent power: the ability to fly using branches of “cloudpine”, an attractive soft-needled tree common in the park. Witches usually ride large branches as if they’re steeds but can use even short sprays, and you’ll probably see the few witches in the city coming to the park to do so. Why not try?

► BEAR PUN: Human-panserbjørn relations have historically been troubled, but have warmed in the past century. It’s the 65th anniversary of the breaking of the Siege of Bertin, a much-mythologized time when Spectres flooded Greysol and a company of panserbjørn arrived and directed efforts to get the survivors out of the city. A statue is being erected and many florid accounts of the story are being told. If you’re in a panserbjørn shape for the duration of the visit you will probably get thanked and celebrated by people trying to hide their nervousness of you. Expect someone to ask if your dæmon would be a human - it’s a common supposition.

► KERNER ISLAND: From the harbor you can see a wooded island. Although there are no rocks to speak of it sports a tall lighthouse, and nearly all boat traffic avoids it carefully. On a clear day someone with binoculars or a particularly sharp-eyed soul can see loads of trash, birds and various other animals that don’t seem local, and… children? Adults and settled teenagers will see tall vague shapes moving about too.

When asked about it the most important thing adults will tell other adults is don’t go there. They’ll hold their dæmons close and tell you that on that island are things that eat souls. They may also admit with mixed pride and shame that it’s been a source of wealth and innovation for the city. There’s a facility there that can open windows into other worlds, and the children who can reach it can cross through and bring things back. Many of the children are recruited by research and development teams on the lookout for items they can use, but there are also kids out to have adventures or who’ve run away. More on this later.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Underwater...! If 9S had a proper stomach, it would clench at that thought. Sure, he can deal with a little water, but being completely submerged is not a terribly good idea for him.

"That makes you from England, right?"

That's a location from the Old World! Is he a human from before the aliens attacked? 9S becomes noticeably more interested in Strange.

"I wonder, does your country of origin matter when it comes to magic? What sorts of things can you do?"

"I am," Strange answers, with a nod. "As for your second question, in my world only Englishmen can perform magic. And, at least at the moment, it's only a handful of Englishmen in the first place."

At least, he's fairly certain only Englishmen can perform magic. If there were any other magicians in Europe or the colonies, then certainly Napoleon would have found them and conscripted them to fight in the peninsula the way Strange was conscripted.

But it's at that second question that Strange just looks so smug. What can he do? A whole bunch of shit, that's what.

"Most of my more flashy magic I'm saving for the carnival. However, I do know a few more subtle spells that I can demonstrate here, if you wish."

Is magic some kind of property inherent in Englishmen? Kind of like how combat units are incapable of hacking.

But more importantly... 9S says eagerly, "Heck yeah I would!"

This a perfect opportunity to see human magic! It would be a valuable experience to bring back to the rest if the androids.

It's a long complicated answer that involves a lot of long complicated faerie nonsense so yeah, sure magic is some kind of property inherent in Englishmen, let's go with that until Strange shoves his book at poor 9S.

The opportunity to show off is more important. Placing his hand on the earth, Strange mutters something under his breath. There's a brief feeling of power before a few flowers pop up from under the dirt and rapidly grow, bud, and bloom. They're small flowers, wildflowers over anything else, but they're brightly colored and smell beautiful.

"There we go," Strange responds, a bit self-satisfied. "A demonstration of English magic."

Books are dead.

Whatever happened to watching the film? Apparently it's been completely forgotten in lieu of the fare more interesting show in front of him.

9S crouches down to get a closer look at the flowers, their scent wafting through his olfactory system. "Are these real?" His fascination is clear from the awe in his voice. "Or are these constructs?"

Can he touch one? 9S reaches a hand forward to do just that.

"I don't know what you mean by constructs but the flowers are entirely real. Feel free to touch one," Strange remarks, with a smug little smile. Because they are real, 100% flowers, no illusions or anything to try and deceive the senses. If 9S scanned one then it would show up as an actual plant, native to this region, healthy and thriving.

"You can pick one also, if you wish. The flowers have already grown, then can certainly be picked."

9S' area of speciality unfortunately isn't plant life; that honour belongs to another unit. Granted, 9S isn't particularly known for sticking to what he's actually supposed to be doing. But at the very least, he can tell it's real and alive.

He picks one, but he holds it awkwardly, as if unsure of what to do with it. This is creation. Isn't that supposed to be something in the realm of gods? For once, he's struck dumb, as if his vocal systems are experiencing a failure.

Finally, he says, "This is incredible!" The plucked flower is cradled in his hands. It's not disappearing. It's not disppearing. "You said you're working as a magician. When do you perform? I want to see more."

What is doing his actual job?

Just continue to feed his ego and call him amazing, Strange can get used to that. That smug little smile stays firm on his face as he laps up 9S's praise. If the android was struck dumb by such a small spell then who knows how he would react to a larger, more impressive feat of magic!

Forget the movie, Strange is going to show off an array of spells instead.

"I perform at the carnival--though there's around a week until our next performance. However, if we return to the carnival grounds, I wouldn't mind giving a private show!" Of course, they'll have to walk back to the carnival grounds. Strange's main methods of closing the distance in between things involve reflections: and there's no mirrors, ice, or puddles around for him to just yank 9S through.

"What do you say?"

Strange has picked up a fan.

Why the heck not. There's no Command to tell him what to do, and 2B isn't here to keep him on track (not that he would ever abandon his job!!).

"I say, yeah!"

Let's blow this joint, Strange! Though, 9S glances down at the seal and her popcorn. How's Siobhan gonna come if she has no legs?

9S is about to get that question answered. As Strange stands up, Siobhan looks at him and sighs. She starts floating, 'swimming' upwards through the air until she's about level with his shoulder.

"If we must," she responds, with a sigh. "I WAS enjoying the movie, but we'll watch it another time." There's a pointed look at Strange because they're watching that movie whether he wants to or not, dammit.

Gesturing for 9S to follow him, Strange starts to head back in the direction of the carnival.

Is. Is floating normal animal behaviour?

But 9S follows the pair anyway, his glamour butterfly flitting behind him. As they walk, 9S peppers Strange with questions, like Does you saw people in half? Doesn't that hurt them? After all, that's something human records said magicians did.

But when they finally re-enter the Carnival, 9S pauses. "Hey, mind if I get my pod? I want to show your performance to everyone back home."

Normally his pod would be with him at all times, but a hovering box bot buddy in a world that isn't so technologically advanced would definitely make it hard for him to blend in.

"Not at all!" Strange remarks, having absolutely no idea what 9S's pod is. Though, show his performance...it must be some sort of recording device. He doesn't know exactly how to work them, but through all of the various worlds the carnival's stopped at, Strange at least has a slight idea of how a recording device works.

But the phrase 'show your performance to everyone back home' is enough to warm his show-offy egotistical heart. Hell yeah, 9S can record it!

"Shall we meet in the big top? My act does have a flashy entrance so if I'm not there but a mirror is set up, then go ahead and start recording. I'll be able to tell when you enter."

By watching 9S with creepy spying magic.

Heck yeah!

9S gives Strange a quick salute -- left arm bent at the elbow, hand held horizontally at his chest -- before saying, "Roger that!"

And he absolutely books it out of there. The more observant would notice his slightly heavy footfalls as he runs, but he quickly disappears out of sight.

As agreed, he's soon entering the Big Top, his pod beside him. It looks like a hovering box with two metal arms with three fingers jutting out. As he walks over to a good spot in the front, 9S wonders if Strange is ready.

"Pod, record the entire performance. I bet the others would love to see it."

His pod replies in a voice that can only be described as female and robotic.

< Affirmative. Recording will commence in 3. 2. 1 >

Edited 2017-09-12 01:26 (UTC)

Thankfully, Strange is ready. There's a large standing mirror, sitting in the big top, near the back of the ring and a water barrel about halfway full to one side, but that's it. Thankfully, Strange managed to get some things set up before booking it backstage when he heard 9S and Pod appear. A combination of scrying and straight up eavesdropping tells him when the two have shown up and when Pod started recording.

The surface of the mirror ripples briefly before Strange magically steps through it, as if being pushed out from the mirror. His daemon follows, before she comfortably sits herself down next to the mirror. And now that they're in the carnival, the glamour of Greysol's been removed and 9S can see the various changes the carnival's given Strange: most notably, eyes that are comprised entirely of mirrors, and which shimmer as the light reflects off of them.

Oh, that little metal box thing must be Pod. Strange focuses his attention on the two of them, giving 9S and Pod a little nod before he speaks.

"Obviously a show can only go so far on it's own. I'm not in my performance attire and there's nobody to help man the lights. I suppose that's all the more reason for anyone watching this to attend the carnival! After all, my act can only get better. Though, you may wonder, what can possibly top the act of traveling through the mirrors themselves?" His voice raises as he gestures theatrically to the mirror--and then, almost on clue, Siobhan slaps the mirror with her flipper with a resounding thud as if to prove just how solid it is.

Turns out the daemon's just as theatrical as her other half. Because Strange is just far too hammy. He's settled into the show-offy role of a magician annoyingly well. "I've plenty more tricks up my sleeve. 9S, Pod, and any future viewers: are you ready for an astonishing display of the strength of English magic?"

9S has never attended a magic show before, but somehow, he feels that the correct response to the amazing feat of strepping through a mirror is loud applause, his wide-eyed expression easy enough to read. It had never even occurred to him that the mirror could possibly be fake, but Siobhan's demonstration more than proves otherwise.

Strange looks very different now, though. It's practically instinct for 9S to scan Strange. Is he like all those other Carnival workers who are human but changed by fae magic?

Already delighted by what he's witnessed, 9S cups his hands around his mouth and shouts back, "I'm more than ready!"

Pod 153 on the other hand, doesn't respond at all; it is only programmed to respond to the unit it is supporting, after all. But it is recording every moment.

And so, the act starts. It's an impressive barrage of magic. Strange mostly uses the elements, working whatever's around him into something different. Scooping up a handful of dirt, Strange tosses it in the air where the wind shapes it into circus animals of all sorts. Two feathers yanked from backstage become two birds of paradise, flying around the big top before they vanish with a gesture. What started off as a tendril of water from the water barrel becomes rings in various shapes and sizes as Strange and Siobhan improvise something on the spot. The seal 'swims' through the hoops of water, coming up from the barrel, adding in her own twists, turns, and flourishes.

Whenever there's a moment that he needs to do something, be it catch his breath, rest for a moment, or undo a spell, Strange talks instead. He tells 9S about magicians of old, people who could easily turn into mice or foxes, people who cast amazing magic that even dwarfed his own. He tells 9S about the king's roads, roads leading from England to Faerie that Strange rediscovered and explored. The act goes on for a lot longer than it normally would. It's fifteen to twenty minutes before Strange pauses and looks back up at 9S and Pod.

"I'm afraid my act is almost over. But before I make the obligatory grand exit, do you have any questions or requests?"

9S is a rapt audience, cheering and gasping with surprise in all the right moments. And for the backstory... 9S listens, processing the information and filing them away in his memory system. Magic has been long gone for thousands of years, and to hear of it spoken of so freely, so wonderously... It's almost like he's being mentally taken to another place, another world where fantasy is real.

He has so many questions, he's not sure where to start. But he gets the sense that now is not the time to ask those sorts of questions despite Strange's statement. No, now is the time for--

9S cups his hands around his mouth, as if he were one android trying to be heard amongst a sea of people in the audience, and yells, "Finish with the best you've got, Strange!"

Precisely what he wanted to hear. Strange gives 9S a wide grin. Normally he'd end the act differently, but screw it! He has a seal here who's equally desperate to show off, let's craft something on the spot.

"Siobhan!" he calls out, before gesturing to the water barrel and muttering under his breath. The seal's eyes sparkle as she swims back through the air. A moment later, a different seal forms from the water in the barrel, one held together by Strange's magic and one that looks like a replica of his daemon.

It's taking all his concentration to keep the water in the shape of the seal and keep it mirroring Siobhan's movements. The two seals dance around the air, swimming in circles, twirling around each other in an elegant aerial ballet. It lasts a minute or so before Siobhan notices that Strange looks a bit tired out. She swims back towards Strange who, with a gesture, sends the water seal flying past 9S and Pod, splashing against the wall of the big top near the back of the stands.

"And there we go," Strange simply remarks, obviously out of breath. "Not entirely what I usually do but, then again, I usually don't have a seal for a soul!" As he talks, Siobhan nudges the barrel of water with her head. It falls over and what's left of it splashes onto the floor of the big top. With a look of relief, Strange steps into the puddle, followed by his daemon.

"I do hope you enjoyed it!" Strange mutters something under his breath before giving 9S a wild grin. Less than a second later, both seal and magician vanish into the puddle...only to reappear at the back of the stands, currently out of sight of the camera, but easily audible and visible if 9S turned around. Really, Strange knows he should say something, but he'll wait a moment for Pod to turn off the camera and to catch his friggen breath. When was the last time he had done so much magic like that, for such a long period of time?

Heck yeah 9S enjoyed the show. At this final demonstration, 9S lets out a whoop of joy.

Once Strange disappears into the water, signalling the end of the show, Pod 153 finishes the recording. Normally, 9S would inspect the video quality, you know, just to check, but he'd noticed the guy had seemed a little flatter close to the end there. Weird.

It's practically reflex for 9S to ping for lifeforms in his immediate area; being a Scanner model and unsuited to combat, it's even more important that he's aware of his surroundings, which could include potential hostiles. It doesn't take him long to realise Strange is at the back... and sounding like he's in a bad way.

Turning, 9S rushes to the man's side, alarm evident in his expression. "Strange! Are you alright? What happened?"

What's he supposed to do? He only has a rudimentary understanding of medicine for biological beings. His pod hovers behind him, speaking in its robotic voice.

< Alert: Human respiratory functions irregular. Proposal: Provide rest and care to restore normal respiration activity >

Strange however, just laughs 9S's concern off, shaking his head. "I'm fine," he says, though he's not moving from his spot, leaning against a post of the tent. But how to explain this in a way that 9S would understand?

"I use a part of myself in the magic to help hold everything together and make the spells work the way they do. Naturally, there would be results if I use a lot of myself in a short time."

That makes no goddamn sense and Strange realizes it. Quickly, he adds in, "Think of it as combat drills. Someone could be the most talented swordsman in the world. But if they practice at their full strength, as hard as they can, for a time longer than expected, then of course they'll get tired!"

The more Pod scans him, the more the machine will find that Strange isn't in danger of passing out or anything of that sort, he just needs to catch his breath, drink some water, and not push himself to the magical limit again.

Hmm. 9S doesn't really understand it as a point of shared experience; as androids, they don't really tire so easily. Really, their biggest concern is physical breakdown from repeated and frequent over exertion. Do the combat androids even need to practice? And, well, he's not even supposed to be able to fight, so running through drills is a moot point.

But he understands it, in a way. Magic is a drain on Strange's energy source and he just needs to replenish it.

"If that's the case, you really should rest. Sit down or something. You look beat." A glance away. "You shouldn't have gone so far if it was going to do a number on you."

"Yes, but I wouldn't have given a good show if I didn't go so far in the first place," said as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. Strange has a mixed relationship with things like 'self-preservation'. Oh, he wants to stay alive and wants to stay in one piece...but it's alright if he pushes himself to the limit while trying to get there. Ergo, it's perfectly fine if he pushes himself to the limit in the name of a good show! He wants to impress 9S and anyone watching, after all.

Still, if 9S wants him to sit down then hey, don't mind Strange, he'll happily sit down. He starts moving down the stands, closer towards the audience arena of the big top. There are seats here, let's sit there instead.

So, carefully, he sits down, looking over at the android with a small smile. "Happy?"

Look, it's fine if 9S pushes himself to the brink of death -- sometimes even over it -- but it's not fine if someone else does!! 9S kind of hovers by Strange's side, ready to give him a hand if it turns out he can't make it to a seat on his own.

"Yes. You really shouldn't be so reckless... But I'm glad you let me see your performance."

9S sits down next to Strange, still feeling a little guilty at being the reason the guy pushed himself so hard in the first place.

"Have you wondered what your show looks like to the audience?" He gestures for Pod 153, who hovers a little closer so it is within arms' reach. "I could show you."

If 9S feels guilty, Strange doesn't realize it. He gives 9S a small smile as the other man sits next to him. And then, as 9S mentions showing the performance, Strange can't help but look surprised. Truth be told, he had no idea how Pod worked and therefore had no idea they could view the performance then and there.

He is a little curious. He knows how the magic works and he's seen it be used before, by Childermass and by Norrell. But both of those magicians had a more understated way of doing things. Even in the carnival, Childermass's act tended towards vanishing over large feats of magic. And whenever he casts his own spells, Strange is too worried about the specifics to see just how they look. That surprised expression lingers for a few moments, before Strange assents.

"Why not! Show me what it looks like."

9S feels a little better, being able to offer something in return for the show he received. Get comfortable, Strange.

"Pod, project the recording so Strange can view it."

After all, 9S doesn't really need the recording to be projected when he can tap into the data himself.

< Understood. Initiating playback >

Pod 153 hovers just above 9S' shoulder. A small flicker and a beam of light is projected from the pod, materialising into a semi-solid screen within comfortable viewing distance of the pair. 9S wriggles in his seat until he's in a comfortable position.

As the video plays, the sound and video are crisp and clear. Every flare of magic from Strange, every one of Siobhan's airborne dances, captured in HD. And, of course, Strange's own voice is played back, grandiose as he shows off, strong and powerful as he had told 9S tales of the magicians of his world.

...Though unfortunately(?), the recording has also picked up every one of 9S' shouts and whoops of excitement throughout the entire show. Thaaat's a little embarrassing, hearing himself act like that.

Edited 2017-09-17 02:50 (UTC)

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

wanna timeskip the walking back to the carnival bit?

you betcha

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject