⇨ WISMUTH

[ringleaders]

Who: Everyone!
When: S2:D6-D11
Where: Wismuth and the Carnival Grounds
What: The carnival enjoys a few days in Wismuth, a coastal city on this planet's version of the American east. However, there are a few things very unique about this version of the planet...
Warnings: The usual, wholesome fun.

PILLAR OF CREATION↴ Upon arriving, things in Wismuth will seem pretty peaceful. It's a massive city, with no shortage of things going on, but things like violent crime and homelessness are at an all time low. You can wander the streets without much scrutiny, presumed to just be tourists, and most people here come across as helpful and friendly. ► VIBRANCY: The main thing that sets this planet apart is its vibrancy - AKA, the raw creative energy its filled with, flowing from its status as a Pillar of Creation. There is no literal pillar, but Wismuth and its planet is a place where Creation's energy comes through strongest. As a result, everything here feels somehow more real, more intense in a way that's hard to put a finger on. Life is abundant, and its bleeds through in every sensation. ► ATTRACTIONS: There are plenty of things to see while going around the city. First and foremost, there is a lovely beach area bordering the ocean, and a number of tourist aimed attractions built around it. There are giant malls, movie theaters, live stage performances, museums and all kinds of other points of cultural interest. Anything you can do in a big city you can do here, but better. ► ALLOWANCES: The Ringmaster will be giving everyone a reasonable amount of local currency for a few days on the town. You can't make any massive acquisitions with it, but it's more than enough to eat out, see some shows, go to the beach, and whatever you like. You can feel free to pick up some casual supplies, like mundane clothing and souvenirs. There will be more given out later, after the performance week. ► PERFORMANCE: Performance week is starting early this time, after only a couple days of exploration. When the carnival has already been on vacation for a month, the Ringmaster figures they may as well get right to it, and then do more touring afterwards. Members of the local populace will find themselves in the carnival once performances begin, dazzled by the other worldly sights. Magic doesn't seem to exist here, despite the fact that it will flow easier for people bringing it from other worlds.

Comments

[anti_nonsense]

That look of surprise and disbelief quickly turns to one of disgust.

"Ugh... of course it's Strange's fault! That idiot! What the hell was he thinking!?" This isn't even the first time she's heard of him using transformation magic while under the influence of something. Can't he go one week without doing something ridiculous!?

[dressedtothe]

< Incoming transmission from the radio public channel >

9S perks up, neck stretching out in curiosity, listening to a rather fascinating broadcast.

9S could chime in or have Pod 153 to and let Strange know where he is, but Strange deserves every bit of yelling he gets. If a chicken could look smug, that's 9S right now, before he settles back down next to his clothes, head tucked in close to his chest.

[anti_nonsense]

Rita glares at the radio, almost as if intending to glare at Strange through it somehow.

But as the facts come out in the conversation, and Strange finds himself on the receiving end of blame and yelling and some rather dark what-ifs, Rita lets out a sigh, then looks back to 9S, who looks about as pleased as a chicken can look with the outcome. "Guess we can let him squirm a little longer." She could pick up the receiver and set his conscience at ease right now, but in her mind, he deserves this.

"For now... hold still. I'm gonna take a look at that spell he used on you." She holds out her palm and conjures a glowing interface with a seemingly abstract visual display of the spell's composition. With just a glance at it, Rita's expression sours once more.

[dressedtothe]

Asking 9S to hold still immediately results in him perking up out of curiosity. She's going to look at the spell? How? Still seated, he tries to peer at her screen, to no avail, of course.

At Rita's expression, he tilts his head. What's the matter? he tries to ask, except all that comes out is a squawk.

[anti_nonsense]

He may be able to see some of the display, as it's fully translucent, though the contents would appear reversed from his point of view, not that the shapes or characters are likely to mean much to begin with. Especially in this case, because...

"I've never seen a spell that looks so much like complete garbage before," Rita complains, wrinkling her nose in disgust. "It's an absolute mess. Full of redundancies, looks like it was slapped together by someone who didn't know what they were doing... How the hell did it even work?" It's almost a miracle... or whatever the opposite of that is. Some kind of crazy fluke.

[dressedtothe]

Oh. 9S returns to sitting like a chicken loaf.

Well, that makes sense, considering Strange was so high when he cast that spell. And especially after his experience with Lambert getting high and unintentionally(?) transforming into a dragon and crushing 9S under his passed out body.

Really. Cole got off lightly.

< The new location known as Wismuth contains an unknown quality in its atmosphere. Hypothesis: The unknown quality of Wismuth enables magical effects to be produced more easily >

[anti_nonsense]

Rita pauses to look at Pod 153, then nods as she turns back to the display. "Yeah... I suspected as much. I could feel it too, when I tried using magic there. It's invigorating, in a way."

She types a few things into the interface before her, causing the display to change slightly. "In this case, I suppose it was a perfect storm of stupidity. I can try to reverse it, but... hm. It's a lot easier to undo a spell that makes sense than one that's as jumbled as this. Could take a while."

[dressedtothe]

That seems to upset 9S, who fluffs himself and flaps his wings, squawking in protest.

< Risk of additional side effects when undoing an unstructured magical effect is greater than acceptable levels. Proposal: Unit 9S should be taken to the Ringmaster to remove his transformed state >

9S doesn't appear to be entirely happy with that proposal either, getting to his feet and continuing to cluck angrily.

[anti_nonsense]

Rita stops, her fingers falling away from the keyboard as she frowns at Pod 153. "Hey, I can handle it just fine!" she protests. But she knows the pod's recommendations are generally in 9S's best interest, and it's not really wrong in suggesting that trying to undo an unstable spell runs a risk of backfiring... yet also, it seems it doesn't necessarily represent how 9S feels.

Seeing 9S react with agitation, Rita looks back to him and asks, "What do you want to do?"

She doesn't know how he can answer that, but she'll give him a chance to try, anyway.

[dressedtothe]

How is he supposed to express to Rita that he wants Strange to bring him to the Ringmaster, not her? 9S looks down at the floor for a moment, thinking before he raises his wings and tries to point at Pod 153.

Pod 153 is no mind reader either. Just very good at guessing 9S' behaviours based on collected data.

Yes, 9S totally played charades with Pod 153 to explain what happened.

< Hypothesis: Unit 9S wishes for Jonathan Strange to be contacted >

9S bobs his head.

[anti_nonsense]

"Hmph..." So that's it. Rita kind of wanted to try dispelling it, as annoying as it looked, but it's 9S's choice in the end. And Strange probably should have to own up to his own stupid mistake personally.

Rita sweeps a hand, dismissing the display and causing it to vanish. "All right. Let's give him a call." She reaches for her own walkie talkie, sets it to the public channel, and starts talking.

"Hey, moron. You better be ready to take responsibility."

[dressedtothe]

9S would be more willing to give up his body in the name of scientific magical experimentation if he didn't have just one for once. So, sorry Rita. It's not happening today.

And heck, just to reassure Strange, for a given value of reassurance when 9S is still mad at him, 9S clucks loudly.

[anti_nonsense]

Well... that works. Strange got his answer, and at his next request, Rita gives a sideways glance to the walkie talkie left on the clothes-pile.

She sighs, sounding annoyed. "He can hear you," she assures the magician.

[dressedtothe]

9S' opinion of Strange's apology, well. See, it's hard to say, when he's still a chicken and unable to speak human words. Clucking some more, 9S scratches at the ground with his clawed feet.

Rita help!!

[anti_nonsense]

Huh. That old jerk actually sounds kind of sincere, for once. That, or he's used to weaseling his way out of trouble by saying the right things. Rita wouldn't put it past him.

But the apology isn't for her, and it's not up to her to accept it. So after a delay, Rita firmly tells him, "Meet us outside the Ringmaster's tent in ten minutes. Don't be late." Then she turns off her radio.

"Let's go. Pod, bring his clothes," she commands, once again acting like Pod has any reason to listen to her. "9S, you're coming with me." With that, she reaches out to scoop him up.

[dressedtothe]

Pod 153 usually doesn't directly 'listen' to Rita's instructions, but this time it just so happens that Pod 153's assessment of the situation has come to the same conclusion. Pod 153 floats down low to collect 9S' belongings.

And with 9S being unusually obliging about being carried by Rita, well, Pod 153 isn't making any comments about it.