lostcarnival | ⇨ FOURTH WALL EVENT! (OPEN TO ALL)

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⇨ FOURTH WALL EVENT! (OPEN TO ALL)

Who: Everyone and the 4th Wall Visitors!
When: Day 175
Where: Heartstone Manor
What: THE 4TH WALL BALL BEGINS! This is where unapped visitors can post and roleplay. Please read the rules and setting info below. For more information and visuals refs, read this. Questions can be asked over here.
Warnings: Individually marked! Could be a lot of things.

THE GRAND BALL↴

Heartstone Manor is a giant, spooky castle floating in the middle of a twilight filled void. It is the home of a Wyld Fae calling himself The Prince - and despite his name, he is a bestial creature crammed into a gentleman's clothing, completely obsessed with replicating the ideals of old timey human society, much like the 1800's. The Prince and his many servants all dress in a manner appropriate to to the 1500's - 1800's, and decorum and beauty are held sacred above all else. All the workers of the carnival are currently staying there, in the hope of enabling a successful diplomatic venture between the Ringmaster and the Prince. The Grand Ball is being thrown by the Prince to honour these guests, but his manner of doing this is going to come as a bit of a surprise.

THE RULES↴

Powers are all partially nerfed for 4th Wallers. They can be used in small to moderate ways for the sake of RP and narrative flavour, but 4th Wallers shouldn’t generally be using any powers in a super disruptive manner. No using powers for fighting with NPCs (yet), causing general chaos, or otherwise making your character a burden to the Prince. If they try, they’ll find themselves unable to do so.
Your character isn’t sure how they got here but they think they’re okay with it. Your character won’t remember how they were captured by the Prince at the start of the ball. They’re just kind of here and in formal wear, and something tells them it’s probably fine to just enjoy the ball. They are wrong.
In-game characters won’t initially remember how they all ended up at the ball either thanks to a temporary amnesia effect, but they will be able to be concerned about the fact that other people (possibly people they know) have shown up, and the fact that those other people are probably the Prince’s captives. Weren’t they doing something else at the castle before this, though? It’s hard to remember. This is all very confusing.
4th Wall character who aren’t apping in were possibly never the real deal in the first place. There are a mixture of genuine captives and spooky replications created with magic – this is to provide some flexibility regarding 4th wall character’s states in game, as well to allow more than one of each character to be played. If there are multiple people playing the same character, then whichever one has an app accepted will have been the real one.
No doubles of in game characters. (Taken list here.) No AUs, no CRAUs, and nothing else besides characters that have full source canons or are original characters/fandom OCs with no bearing on the canon plot. If you tag in with a character who breaks these rules we reserve the right to remove them.

THE SETUP: 4TH WALLERS↴

With incredibly foggy memories of their recent past, your character will find themselves at a grand ballroom dance, filled with a mixture of normal humans and odd looking humanoids that have strange features like wings, horns, tails, fur, and the like. They have vague memories of being dressed for the occasion, but are not sure by who or why. Most disturbingly, they will find that, at first at least, they don’t really care about the details. It seems like a pleasant event, doesn’t it? Why not enjoy it.
This effect is definitely some kind of mind control, so you can feel free to have your characters be a bit confused and conflicted about it. Ultimately, they have been charmed to participate in the dance, so they will feel like riding the wave is the best thing to do even if that wouldn’t normally be their cup of tea. If your character has resistances to some forms of mind control, they are still overruled in this circumstance.
They may discover people they recognize (castmates) or even duplicates of themselves (somehow?), and these can all be treated as canonly occurring and played out as such. This event is canon for Lost Carnival, so it should be played seriously and respectfully – not that silly shenanigans aren’t also bound to happen.
All characters are required to dress in formal attire appropriate to a period area – specifically anywhere from the 1500s to 1800s. The Prince prefers if people are heteronormative in their clothing choices, but if you want you can probably get away with your ladies wearing suits or men wearing dresses as long as they look presentable otherwise.

THE SETUP: MANOR GUESTS↴

You find yourself at the Grand Ball without really remembering how you got here. The last few days are a foggy blur, and though you can remember some of the important stuff you were dealing with, it will feel less important right at the start. Of course, as the night goes on, memories of how the carnival reached this event will become more and more clear – as well as the inevitable worry and stress that comes with it.
For most people, there will have absolutely no memory of anything that happened after the morning of Day 175. Did the boating trip ever happen? Possibly not. Even as the night progresses, they will still have no recollection of how most of Day 175 went, which is probably disturbing. The Mod has contacted those that are exceptions to this privately to tell them what they will remember.
The people lost to the Manor’s security earlier in the week will be here too, but not as guests. In fact, all of them will be dressed in the black attire of a Heartstone Manor servant and will seem pretty okay with that fact. There are parts of them that look changed – and their dispositions are definitely one of them. How else could they possibly be working for the Prince now?
Updates to the event situation will be posted down in this section below. People can react to these posts as the circumstances change, and may new top levels based on them. It is possible to try to sneak away from the ball, but Manor Security will be trying to hunt you down. There is no mandatory outcome planed to this event, so character decisions can and will have a major effect in where the plot goes from here.

THE ACCOMODATIONS↴

MUSIC AND DANCING: There will be music playing the whole night, and most of it is so good you feel practically compelled to dance to it. It's possible to resist, but why would you want to do that, you party pooper?
FOOD AND DRINK: There are circle tables set up with fine silverware, and upon sitting down you will soon have a waiter come back to ask for an order. You can request basically any European cusine and it will be made for you. You will also be given drinks, most of which are alcohol, no matter your age. Fae don't care about children.
BALCONY STARGAZING: There are balconies that are connected to the ballroom in multiple locations that you can step out onto to get some fresh air. You'll see the courtyard of the Manor down below you, but everything beyond that is black, as if the castle is floating within a twilight void. (Because it is.) One small change is that there are stars out tonight, probably added to the sky for the occasion.
ALL NIGHT LONG: The ball will go on far into the early morning. Or, at least, until everyone fucks it up.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

And Childermass will patiently wait for LeFlamme to take his time to look up and eye them. Time is short, but trying to rush the one man he believes can help them would be a terrible idea.

That question gets a small, curious tilt of his head out of the magician, but he won't outright admit he has no idea what the butler means.

"That would depend on which boy you mean. There are several who like to wander."

"Hm," he says. "I see. So, I've noticed."

He glances at bunny again, who still looks flustered.

"You've got one of my girls."

"That I do, sir," Childermass agrees. "She's been a guest of mine. Treated well, I assure you."

But more importantly--

"It was suggested that you might be the right man to speak to regarding something of great interest to me. Are you willing to hear me out?"

Syrlya stands back at first, with everyone else. But when LeFlamme mentions the boy it sparks another memory for him and he straightens up.

That's right. They spoke. He deliberates only a moment before stepping to Childermass's side, hands clasped behind his back, non-threatening, as he reveals himself.

"It is related to the matter that Steven spoke to you about. I am sure you already have an idea why he was unable to meet with you, so we will be in his stead."

"Ah. So you are together."

For whatever reason, LeFlamme seems to have no reaction to the fact that Syrlya just stepped out of nowhere. He remains at this dead, his pen still poised as if ready to beginning writing again at any moment.

"I had initially been unsure of whether that experience was real."

He finally sets down the pen, closing his book.

"So... What are your intentions? What would you have me do."

Childermass looks over at Syrlya when he appears, arching an eyebrow. So Steven did something... Interesting, but now isn't the time to ask. He won't eye the nightrunner for very long, turning back to LeFlamme.

"We're seeking a very specific artifact, one that the Prince stole from the Courts long ago. I would have you help us find it." He opens with that, but he isn't done there. "It would give our employer the edge to deal with him, an outcome that I believe you and yours may find more favorable."

Syrlya nods. "The Blue Rose, if you happen to know it by name. We can help each other in this."

Bunny nods hopefully, agreeing with Childermass and Syrlya's sentiments. LeFlamme glances between each of them, reading their faces, before continuing.

"And what is her intent after 'dealing with him'?" he asks, voice still level but now more intense. "I have noted that she seems more... permissive, than our master."

"They saved me!" bunny speaks up suddenly, stepping forward. "They could have let him take me, but they didn't..."

His gaze falls on her again.

"And what exactly was it that you were doing, girl? I should consider you a fool."

"Trying to warn us about the animals in the hunt, among other things," Childermass comments. For all the good that did... Two still dead, though the low number had been from how reluctant to kill most of the carnival was. Thank god for that.

"And I cannot claim to know her exact intent for after, but I also cannot believe that it would be malicious towards you or your people. She would likely be open to discussing the matter directly."

"Well," he says after considering for a period of silence. "Still the best offer I've had yet. I can't claim to know exactly where the Rose is or what is there to protect it, but I know where in his tower he keeps his most precious belongings. And, Manor willing, I can take you there."

"Then let us go quickly. I do not know how long what's happening back in the ballroom will keep everyone's attention," Childermass says once LeFlamme has made his decision. As such, if LeFlamme is getting them where they need to be, he'll also need to know how many people there are.

He looks over at Syrlya and nods back towards where the others should be, under all the illusion. Though, for Taako's sake, if he's still contributing his own magic, he'll add, "We can lay out all our cards for now. If it becomes troublesome, it's simple enough to hide everyone again."

Syrlya smiles with relief and drops his part of the invisibility spell. He nods to LeFlamme "Thank you."

Speaking of the Manor, though... "I have heard the Manor does not care for the Prince either. Do you know the nature of this place?"

LeFlamme doesn't seem surprised by the fact that there are others in hiding - almost as if he's been able to see them all along. His lips curl into a half smile as he sees the bicorn with them.

"So she isn't the only one you've managed to collect." He stands up. "I am thankful." He looks to Syrlya. "However, it sounds that time to explain is short. The Manor is, indeed, alive, but its ability to communicate is limited. We believe it is some manner of living creature, assigned this role, but there is no way to be sure. It would make us a matching set, at the least."

He moves to knock on the wall of his office, which opens to lead into another tunnel.

"Take me to the Prince's quarters," he says, and then enters the tunnel without waiting. "I can't take you directly to the Rose, but I can get you close."

Which is good enough for Childermass. He motions for the rest to follow and turns to go after LeFlamme into the tunnel.

They won't have to travel through the tunnel long. The Manor is apparently capable of making journeys supernaturally short - the tower is a fair distance from where they are starting out, but without many twists and turns they are apparently already in. LeFlamme will stand aside to let them pass.

"This is as far as I can take you," he'll say, a door appearing at the end of the tunnel. "This will lead into the Prince's private study... and that is the furthest I have access to. His most valuable possessions are hidden in the tower, but I fully expect them to be heavily guarded with magic."

"Also," he adds, tapping his nose. "Plenty of the Prince's magics are capable of seeing through illusions like yours. I wouldn't rely on them."

Syrlya looks momentarily surprised, but then his expression twists to a wry grin. "Of course. Thank you, LeFlamme. With success, we will be able to do far more for you and your people."

As long as they can get the upper hand. He inclines his head briefly before heading for the door. Once in the study, he'll start with 'look, don't touch', because you never know what magic will do.

Foster spent a considerable amount of that conversation listening to people talk about information he didn't have. Frustrating and intriguing, impatient and exciting in equal measure, but most of his energy was spent containing himself under the pressure.

That he accomplished this it at all is significant in its own way, but the less people notice, the better.

Following LaFlamme is also done in silence; he listens to that final warning, but doesn't say anything then, either--just regards LaFlamme equivocally, still more or less managing to keep his thoughts to himself.

Likewise, Childermass nods his thanks and understanding to LeFlamme, though he won't enter the study just yet. While Syrlya heads for the door, he'll turn back to address the bunny girl and the bicorn.

"I know it may be too much to ask you both to continue along with us," he says to them. "If you would like to leave with Mr. LeFlamme, I would not blame you. I am also willing to return you to the shadows if you wish."

Or if they choose to tag along regardless, well, he won't argue with them then, either.

The bicorn looks to LeFlamme, who looks back at her with a more sympathetic tilt to his expression - it's only now that LeFlamme reaches to give her a one-armed embrace, which she returns in kind. Then, she steps away, looking back to Childermass.

"I know that LeFlamme won't be able to protect me if I stay here," she says softly. "The only way to move is forward."

Bunny looks to her, and then to Childermass, nodding in agreement. They are both well aware that they are risking everything they have on this plan. There is no safety net to rely on.

"You're worrying her sick, you know," LeFlamme points out to bunny, who flushes a little and nods again.

"I know." Then, she smiles a Childermass, and steps forward. "Let's go."

Again, Childermass will nod, only this time towards the bunny and the bicorn, accepting their decision. It's time to move on, then. With those two in tow, he'll turn and step towards the study, following Syrlya and the rest of the group in.

Leaving LeFlamme behind, they will arrive in a large private study. Much larger than an office alone, it is more or less a study combined with a full-fledged library, filled with books and various odd devices on desks and tables. On the far side, there is a large fireplace and sitting area.

The bicorn will step forward with a look of recognition, and say that she believes his private bedchambers are the floor above this one. She remembers having been here a few times in the past.

What does the group do? Do they spend time searching or do they move on immediately?

Foster is only interested in the Rose. That's what the Ringmaster wants, so it's what he wants. He doesn't care about anything else, and his assumption is that if the bicorn servant was allowed here, then the Rose will not be.

He is, however, very aware of LeFlamme's warning about magic. He is so intent on keeping his hands--er, paws--to himself that he ends up agitatedly digging his claws into his hair instead. The sparrow is also in his hair, but in a much less restless way.

If anyone else intends to linger, he will look over the book shelves, doing his best to read the spines of what books he can see but growing increasingly impatient to move on.

Taako gravitates towards those devices; he doesn't reach out to touch or pocket any, partially due to his being afraid of one killing him somehow and partially due to his lack of pockets, but he is curious to see if any of it might be valuable and small enough to perhaps tuck into his bustier.

He keeps his hand closed tight on the handle of his glaive, though. Just in case.

From the corner of his eye, he watches Foster; the poor dude seems about ready to burst with anxious energy, and it's a weird thing to see. He knows just how unhinged he can go-- but fortunately, he also knows just what to do if he needs to chill out.

Syrlya's going to take a moment to search. His focus is anything of interest on the desktop, and the spines of books--usually focusing on the shelves Foster isn't so they can cover more group. Some information on the Manor, or just something particularly out of place is really what he's looking for.

Likewise keeping LeFlamme's warning in mind, Childermass will take a cursory look around the study at first, then choose the side of the room with the fireplace and sitting area for a much closer look.

It's not bound to be as interesting at the books or the devices, but it pays to cover every corner. He's looking more for things that appear out of place than anything else. If the Rose isn't in here or in the bedroom — although they won't know that for sure until they do check — then there could be a hidden room. A hidden room might have a trigger, although if the Prince would bother with a physical one over a magic word or something, who even knows.

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