lostcarnival | ⇨ THE PRINCE IS DEAD

Entry tags:

⇨ THE PRINCE IS DEAD

Who: Everyone!
When: Day 178 - B1: Day 6
Where: The Carnival and sometimes on top of the Heart of Stone.
What: Now that the Prince is dead and gone, there's a lot left to sort out. As the remaining servants are liberated and those captured by the Prince are tended to, it's time for recovery and goodbyes.
Warnings: Nothing in particular.

HOME GROUND↴

At long last, it is over. The Prince is dead, and all of his stolen Names have been restored - all that's left to do is treat the wounds and move on. For the first day or two, the Ringmaster will be arranging passage for the servants that are left, all of which have remembered their names for the first time in years. The earth elemental that had been trapped and forced to serve as the Prince's manor, the Heart of Stone, is happy to help for the moment. It appreciates the Ringmaster's mercy, and is free after untold eons of imprisonment.

Yet, there are plenty of aspects that are far from simple. There are still servants left mad and transformed into beasts, with no easy way to change them back. The Prince's spells outlive him, and those bearing his poison and his curses will have a difficult road ahead of them. Though most of the bestial servants have been rounded up, and a large number that had been reduced to unmoving statues returned, even the Ringmaster can't return them to normal so simply.

The next week is for rest and for settling remaining affairs. If you want to bid farewell to any particular NPCs, or assure care is given where it's needed, now is the time to do it.

► A CURE: The Ringmaster will tell everyone simply - there is no simple way to undo another fae's magic. The Prince's powers were essentially on par with hers, which means that those who have been transformed to stone and those that were cursed into beasts and driven insane are not something she can trivially fix. It will take the work of the carnival and a couple weeks of treatment to shed the curse of stone, and the maddened servants are an entirely separate matter. She will do what she can, but for the most part she is arranging for the Prince's servants to be cared for elsewhere. At least for now, the Ringmaster will be animating the stone portions of people's bodies with magic, though those portions will still be a bit clumsy and numb feeling.

► THE NEW HEARTSTONE: In the absence of the prince, the Heart of Stone will be taking over the remains of the Prince's realm and preventing it from collapsing into void. As it turns out, the manor had been an earth elemental all along - a form of Wyld Fae almost on par to the Prince and Ringmaster themselves. How the Heart of Stone was enslaved is a long story presumably, but the Ringmaster considers it to be a sign of the Prince's own depravity. The Heart will be allowing visitors for the first couple days of this period through the portal, but keep in mind you are essentially just walking around on its body. At least the realm has a floor, now, instead an endless abyss surrounding it.

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Lambert, being Lambert, just laughs, quiet little 'heh' that probably sounds more derogatory than he means it to. Then again, it's Lambert: it's hard to say what's intentional and what isn't...

"That's because they're from one of the worlds we visited before you signed up ... or Pig is, anyway." He nods at the horse. Tyki may or may not have been paying attention to the radio, but Lambert vaguely recalls it wasn't until after Tyki joined that he found the egg in Pig's paddock. "She had Butcher later."

Butcher can smell the apples, so it probably won't take him too long before he manages to locate the lump of one wherever it is on Tyki's person.

He almost disputes the fact he 'signed up' when in truth he did put his name on her contract. Still, he says nothing and instead watches the donkey manhandle him from across the gate. It's enough to walk back through it with his Power to Choose and when Butcher finds his prize he'll dig into his pocket to pull out the apple.

He'd be surprisingly easy to knock over right now with his guard lowered around the animal so he just lets him have it instead of teasing and playing keep away.

"I remember you mentioning her before with an egg. I didn't put that much thought into it nor did I pay attention to the conversations for long. None of it seemed to make any sense." Nor was it really vital information to gather in general. "In this carnival I have learned just about anything is possible."

"Pokemon don't make sense," Lambert agrees, firmly, even as Butcher, the greedy little bastard, inhales the second apple as quickly as the first.

"Horses shouldn't be able to start earthquakes, dogs shouldn't be able to breathe fire, and they definitely shouldn't be able to have an egg together. But here we are." He gestures, vaguely. Of course, the concept of 'shiny' Pokemon is completely lost on Lambert, so he has no idea Butcher's colors aren't inherited, but he is the same bright orange sheen as Childermass's dog, and his temperament's closer to Baker's too. Enough proof that there's a relation, as far as Lambert's concerned.

"Pokémon. Right." Because he's heard that term once before and had no idea what it was. Now it makes a little more sense to lump in these creatures into a category.

"You know, at first I thought you were the one causing the earthquakes, not the horse, when I first met you." He had already met a lot of people in his life that could utilize powers or use their Innocence to create devastating effects.

He's spoiling Butcher now with a third and final apple he has on him to avoid him nosing around for more. He offers it with the same half reluctance, half amusement, as the last. "Ah, so that was the egg you lot were talking about. That's a bit strange."

That makes Lambert laugh, loudly enough to startle Butcher to look at him, but not enough to make him go for that last apple (om nom nom).

"I'm no magician," he shrugs. "But yeah, I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it myself. Didn't even hatch or anything -- it was just an egg, and then..." He twirls a finger, indicating the little shit who's cleaned Tyki out. Who's also decided, apparently, that Tyki is his favorite person now, since he's doing his best to lean against his legs while whickering happily.

"You're never getting rid of him now."

"It's hard to discern who is or isn't a magician at this carnival even with spells and powers so readily available within a lot of their grasps." Even he couldn't rightly be called a magician or wouldn't be in his world. He performed the impossible day with his power but it wasn't magic like Strange's. Then again, magic could be taught.

His hand is up for a moment near the donkey currently showing affection because he himself has not much idea on where to touch such a strange creature. In the end it is treated much like a horse as his hand slides down its head over and down the side of the neck. His other hand is up against its face with a light pat.

"Ah, see. I told you apples were worth the appreciation."

Edited (wording orz ) 2017-12-05 13:13 (UTC)

"If apples could get us everything we wanted, the world would be a much simpler place."

At the end of the day, it is still a donkey. Butcher reacts favorably to the hand on his head, though he shies away with a snort from the hand on his face, and Lambert chuckles.

"But they can be picky about where you pet them." Satisfied that Pig's in good enough shape for now, he lets her go, though she'll stay as close as she can, ears tilting and swiveling inquisitively. There's little warning for what the witcher says next.

"So, you still feeling like shit?"

"Maybe but then over time given the change and flow of humanity we'd be fighting over apples," he replies with little or no filter on his words right now. It's true and it is hard to deny.

Being an information gatherer and one who adapts to situations he'll learn from that and remember to keep pets towards the head and not on the snout. "Everyone has their little places they love scratched the most."

Yet the conversation changes drastically in measure and in tone. He'll turn his attention away from Butcher and focus solely on Lambert now. "Yes, but not as much as before."

The witcher makes a discontent noise of irritation, though it isn't directed at Tyki so much as it's directed at the circumstances in general.

"But it could be better." He glances at Tyki. "We're working on a cure for the poison. Or will be, soon. That should help clear things up."

"It could be a lot better. As sick as I am I am also fascinated to a small degree," he says as his fingers raise to touch over his heart. He has no idea where his soul is suppose to be but he figures that's a good start, "After all I shouldn't be poisoned."

His wings will flutter in discomfort under his shirt as they seep through his clothing with his power and stretch outwards into the air. Already the petrification has started to stagger up them, his shoulders, and the back of his neck. There's a grim turn of his unrelaxed grin in disgusting sarcasm, "But we live with our choices, don't we? Still, I'm not going to complain if you hurry. Then maybe I wouldn't have to find odd places to sleep."

"We live with our choices," Lamber agrees, a defiant spark coming to his eye and the way he lifts his chin. "And living doesn't mean lying down and waiting to take what comes."

He'd made his choice agreeing to be Childermass's distraction, fighting Sans across that balcony. Not all of the circumstances were ideal, but at least the decisions were his own. He's over the worst of his wallowing about it, and now he's ready to keep going, whatever it takes. Though Tyki's words make him smirk a little, cocking his head.

"You aren't human, I can tell that much. What are you?" The question is abrupt and direct, perhaps, considering the last time they touched on this topic Tyki seemed ready to toss Lambert off a balcony, but hey, maybe it'll be relevant for the cure. "The poison affects the soul, so you've at least got one of those."

"Except, that's what we did, isn't it? We waited despite our efforts to escape. From my understand there were several that attempted to find me when I went missing and then others went missing but no one was found," he says as his hands found outwards to display both of his hands as if weighing the options, "While the others eventually rested and Sans was worse for wear down in that Underbelly, I went out and looked for a way out every day."

And he was someone who still tried to attack the Prince before being enchanted and got a nice sting for his efforts. Reira and Julien were spared that petrification because they didn't fight back. Yet he can't say he just stood there and took it either.

"You're not the first to ask me that," he begins, quite sure he won't be the last either. Questions like that meant death in his world but here none of that really mattered nor was there any real reason to hide, "In my world I am called a Noah. Not that I expect you to know what that is." He's teasing for all of Lambert's directness.

Lambert shrugs, lips tightening. "Retrieving whoever's gotten themselves lost is supposed to be the nightrunners' job." One they hadn't done very well at, unfortunately, but none of them were really equipped to deal with fae. They'll be better prepared next time -- they have to be.

But then Tyki goes on, and he shakes his head slightly, smirking. "No, I don't know what that is. But I don't expect you to know what a witcher is, either."

"Is it now? Not that I blame anyone but myself," he begins even if he's over it already, "I imagine training might be in order then." Not that he can really say that for himself. Fae were the unknown variable. How did one even train for fae.

"Something to do with witches?" Of course, witches were painted likely a different way in his world. Regardless, he continues, "Humans in my world all contain a specific gene. When a Noah dies, given time after his or her death, that gene awakens in a random human. We are given immense strength, speed, agility, and unique abilities and magic. Every Noah is unique in some way and there are only thirteen at any given time." Unless you counted the wayward Fourteenth but Lambert didn't need to know that.

How indeed. That's a question Lambert's asked himself more than once, but ... he knows he's not like to find any easy answers. But it's best to take things one day at a time.

"Sometimes," Lambert shrugs, after a pause to contemplate what Tyki's just told him. 'Unique abilities,' huh ... that doesn't sound ominous at all. He cocks his head, electing not to elaborate further in favor of asking his own nosy questions instead.

"So it could happen to any human, at any time?" Sounds nasty. "Means you're taking over someone's life, doesn't it? Do you still remember being human?"

"Any human of my world," he clarifies in case that didn't quite stick, "But you're right. It is kind of like taking over the previous generations memories and experiences." Or he was suppose to. The one that previously killed all the Noah before his own messed with the 'Memory' and only those that survived the encounter remember everything from the previous timeline of Noah.

He's aware that he's not getting information back right now but that could always come later. He knows Lambert and anyone else that has asked if he's human was seeking more than willing to give. Thankfully, Tyki liked to talk.

"Yes, I remember being human. I remember growing up, the lessons that came with it, everything. I remember the change and the pain that came with it, the fresh memories, and the abilities the followed." After a while most Noah rejected their humanity and gave up everything that came with being human. Tyki was that rare sort that didn't. He was unique but that was his choice. Despite everything, his family accepted him into their fold.

"I figured that much," Lambert answers, a touch amused, though he cocks his head as Tyki goes on. It's an interesting enough story, and he's content enough listening to it. He may not be offering much back, but that's largely because it seems weird to make the conversation about himself when it seems more like Tyki's happy to talk about himself. Still, it's not an experience he finds entirely unrelatable. Waking up to knowing your world's changed forever ... he knows what that's like.

Tyki doesn't sound regretful, so he's not going to bother asking if he wishes it could have been otherwise. It just sounds like a fact -- people live, people die, people sometimes take over other people's bodies and get reborn.

"Do you remember being a Noah before, too?" he asks, his ears flicking idly. "Must get confusing, carrying that much around in your head. And why only thirteen?"

Inside of his mouth his tongue drags along the bottom row of his teeth and he has to consider the lines between truth and dangerous truth. He could lie, he was no stranger to that, but there just wasn't a point if none of these people were ever going to go to his world. Still, there was also information he couldn't tell in case his family ever arrived. It's why there might be a small hint of silence between them as he stares at Lambert and considers.

He reaches out for Butcher all over again as he finds something to do with his hands on instinct as not to do something rash with them, "We're suppose to. To answer the question likely already forming in your head, there was a complication. Someone was trying to take over the head of the family or become what he was. He damaged the memories of every person he killed. There weren't many survivors." Which complicates matters especially to him. After recent things he has started to ask a lot of questions about himself especially after he was Exorcised. Tyki had more questions about Joyd than he actually wanted answered.

"Thirteen 'Memories' of Noah equal thirteen people. We all embody a 'Memory.'" Go on, Lambert. Ask him what his is.

Edited (wtf is Mememories) 2018-01-06 05:10 (UTC)

Lambert waits out whatever decision Tyki's working through, petting Pig for something to do with his own hands while the other man makes up his mind. Contrary to popular belief, Lambert can be patient when he wants to be.

Butcher starts a little, but he's quick to nuzzle up into Tyki's hands, nickering happily at the attention.

"Sounds like a hell of a family," is what Lambert has to say to that, in return, though not unkindly. Because really, it's an odd story. Sounds like a curse, or a ritual, or both. No more or less odd than boys that get taken at childhood and changed with magic, he supposes, but still, hardly normal ... but since Tyki leaves him hanging, he'll go ahead and bite:

"Just one memory? Which one are you, napping?"

It's such a strange pokemon and he admits he's fascinated by how floppy it looks. Yet the pets are affectionate without any hint of mocking. Tyki always seemed like he was patient and most of the time he could be for a good bit of information. His hands are busy now and it is easier to get lost in thought.

"From what I understand he was not part of the plan. A lot of us don't know what happened for him to exist but he did. Mockingly named 'the fourteenth. But that's a story even I don't fully know." Maybe it is something he'll ask the Ringmaster should he decide to stay longer.

His grin is returning slowly with a bit of cheek at his question, "Pleasure."

Tyki's going to get a grin back in turn, though in his case (surely surprising nobody) the expression is accompanied by an all-too suggestive brow waggle.

"Any particular kind of pleasure, or just all of it?" He asks, drawling the words for the maximum amount of innuendo possible. (After all, it's Lambert.) Still, he'll follow up that up with a more serious question head cocked inquisitively. "What does that actually mean, being a memory? That you're not a whole person on your own? I don't think your personality's that bad."

Because why treat it seriously when you can joke around like a tool instead? Anyway.

"Oh no, Mister Ram. All the pleasures of life." Though at the eye brow wag he'll he'll cock his head to the side. Tyki wasn't one for pride but he was confident, "But that does include the pleasure you are thinking of."

His hands lift off Butcher enough to open up palm upwards and he lets the tips of his fingers curl. Again, he's teasing, "I am rather good with my hands?"

Even if that doesn't last long, "We know the truth of the world. We inherit all of Noah's Memory from the time of the Great Flood. It doesn't make me less of a person than I was before. If my Noah were torn from me, I would simply be human."

The Great Flood? As if Lambert knows what that even means, but he grins wickedly at Tyki's confident response. He'd offer something filthy in return, no doubt, but any momentum for that is broken when Butcher -- displeased by the break in attention -- just straightens up to ram his head right back against Tyki's hands, a silent demand to keep up the petting. And Lambert just laughs.

"There's someone who certainly seems like he'd vouch for that." Even if he is, well, hooved and furrier than Tyki would like that ringing endorsement to come from. "Careful. You almost make it sound like you're being possessed, the way you talk about it like that." He says it with sort of a clinical appraisal, looking at Tyki like if he squints enough he'll understand what he's made of after all. Though to backtrack a little--

"You said it gave you abilities?"

He's finding rather quickly that more people here know about stories, folklore, and faerie tales than biblical references. It kind of is working out for him. Honestly, he could tease back and forth all day with Lambert. The man appealed to that affectionate nature. His grin falls from a mischievous one to a cheerful one all over again Butcher demanding his attention and return to that petting without delay.

"Well, I'm glad I have a fan," he says with the same confidence as before. "Maybe you're right. Maybe you're wrong. In either case, please don't try to Exorcise me. It was painful the first time around and I'd rather not experience that again."

But to answer his actual question, "Speed, enhanced strength, and other things."

"With you? I wouldn't know where to start," Lambert snickers. "It's not like I know where Noah's body is buried. Can't lay it to rest and set it on fire."

Exorcisms are a bit different where Lambert is from.

"Are the 'other things' part of your act?"

⇨ THE PRINCE IS DEAD

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