just gotta ignite the light and let it shine

[whattaprick]

Who: Everyone who's stupid enough to show up for this, because legal drinking ages are for people from a different century/planet.
When: Afternoon/Evening, Day 30
Where: Lakeshore
What: Local Carnival workers get wasted and set off fireworks by the lake.
Warnings: Carnival shenanigans, ie. booze, drugs, and people getting set on fire probably. Put any tag-specific warnings in your headers!

So, Wismuth happened.

Lambert's pretty willing to bet a good chunk of the Carnival is pretty happy to act like Wismuth didn't happen, but he also doesn't really care about what sorrows people are drowning or not tonight: he knows he needed this drink, and after he'd slept off the immediate exhaustion that came with running around Wismuth for nearly two weeks with the power of Creation more or less constantly burning through him, he's ready to something, anything to feel like himself again.

Fast-forward to the lakeshore. There's a huge bonfire going, a box of assorted fireworks that's been 'liberated' from wherever the hell engineering keeps their supplies, and probably a crate of wine that's going to disappear sooner rather than later. Anything else, someone's going to have to bring themselves.

[ ooc: This is a mingle log! Bring your own entertainment, food, questionable substances etc. ]

Comments

[dirthena]

Lavellan can't help but laugh out loud at his expression, grinning. He needn't say anything more -- she can tell from that alone that they've met and exchanged words. Were they aware of how similar they were? Surely they must be if they found themselves at such great odds.

That Strange keeps it polite is much appreciated, and she gestures dismissively. "He is a master of the Fade," she has no qualms about admitting that, knowing that Solas will own up to it without question. "Well versed in magic pertaining to ice and spirits as well." A pause, and then -- because she told Solas she would not lie for him: "If I were to produce a list of the most powerful mages in Thedas, he would be on it."

Sorry bud.

[kingsroads]

"How interesting," Strange remarks, in a tone that's a little too forced and an expression that's a little too tense. "If I were to produce a list of the most powerful mages in England, I would be on it." And not just because England had less than five magicians for a while! He is powerful and Solas can suck it.

"Though I do wonder," Strange starts. When he speaks, it's in a tone of honest curiosity, despite the fact that his words are a smidge condescending. "How much use would his magic of the Fade be here? Can you access the Fade within the carnival or is that solely restricted to your world?"

[dirthena]

For a moment her mouth works silently, and she can't help but grin. "If you are trying to put yourself against Solas, Strange, I'd both advise you that you cannot win and that he does not care." Or at least he wouldn't care so obviously. Whatever competition he wants to have with him is none of her business, however amused the idea makes her. And not because she thinks poorly of Strange, but just the idea that anyone could wish to test themselves against Solas is hilarious. There is just no good way to tell Strange he's trying to take on a mage so powerful that the elves of old who used magic as easy as breathing thought he was a god.

His question makes her pause, and she shrugs. "I can access magic here, and I dream. Those two things would indicate that even if the Fade isn't here, I still have a connection to it. I can only imagine it's the same for him." Perhaps more, considering.

[kingsroads]

Strange matches Lavellan's grin with a cocky one of his own. He cannot win? Oh that's all the more incentive for him to try. He doesn't know what sort of competition this will take on or what sort of rivalry this might further spawn between him and Solas. But Lavellan saying that Solas is more powerful is catnip for Strange to prove her wrong.

"We shall see," Strange simply responds, while visions of showing up Solas start dancing in his head. But not now. They're talking magic right now, any sort of plans for a 'fuck you' to Solas will happen later.

"Though I did not know dreaming was tied to the Fade that much. And yet, my world does not have the Fade and I still dream. Any ideas on that?" It's asked in an inquisitive tone, nothing challenging or provoking. Strange is honestly curious to hear Lavellan's answer.

[dirthena]

"When you decide to try, please let me know." Because she'd love to see Strange take on Solas, if only because she can't believe Solas would care. And the result would at least be entertaining, if something she might have to do damage control on. Nothing she hasn't had experience in before.

She pauses for a moment, thinking about it. "I'm not sure. You were talking about each world having an associated realm -- perhaps the Fade is much like that for Thedas, and yet being here and interacting with others isn't enough to sever us from it completely."

[kingsroads]

"Considering your world's magic, that would make sense." Strange has no idea if Solas could still do the dreamer magic he did back home in the carnival, but if he can? Then that's definite points to there being some trace of the Fade here.

"I wonder...if mages from your world are still tied to the Fade, then that connection exists here. Could mages like myself use that to find a way to connect to the Fade?"

It is an intriguing idea. And one that Strange isn't entirely sure can happen in the first place, based on his massively skeptical frown. He's going to bring it up anyway, because that's what magicians do: they talk, discuss theories, argue with each other, and make all sorts of discoveries in the name of magic.

[dirthena]

An interesting thought, and one she'd been circling around since arriving. "I'm not sure. I wouldn't be able to describe what I do when asked -- just that it happens when I will it." She moves her amputated arm as if she was going to do something with the hand there, and simply sighs.

"It's a part of me, is what I mean. I don't remember what it's like to not be able to use magic." So she wouldn't be able to direct people into using it who have never used Thedas's magic.

[kingsroads]

And Strange can't help but smile a gentle little smile at that. "Whereas I have plenty of experience in not using magic. I've been a magician for less than ten years."

It's probably closer to seven or eight years at this point, but in between timeline shenanigans in the carnival, going home for a little bit, and the time he spent trapped in the darkness, Strange isn't precisely sure of how long he's been a magician, down to the months. Describing it in vague periods of time would be best.

Still, it's reassuring to hear that he and Lavellan were at least slightly on the same train of thought.

[dirthena]

"Less than ten years and you think so highly of yourself?" It's said in a jesting manner, but she's also beginning to think he absolutely doesn't know what he's getting into. Still, that he's eager for it is enough that she smiles at him. It's different than the mages back home, the ones in the Inquisition, who weren't ever trained not to live in fear. She tried to help them, in some way.

Lavellan nods in understanding, and takes another sip. "I'm sure, with Solas, we could come up with a test to see if you could." And oh yes, she's dragging Solas into this. He'd know more, after all, and she'd enjoy seeing them clash.

[kingsroads]

He knows he should be a bit more modest. The Ringmaster has pointed out multiple times just how small potatoes Strange's world is compared to others. The magical history of his England is start and stop, an England that's just discovering what it can do. And logically speaking, he knows that Lavellan's world, with it's long, storied history of magic means that she (and by extension, other mages from her world) probably do know more about magic than Strange does.

But she mentions Solas again. And fuck iiiiiiit, Strange is the greatest, he knows this shit, of course they'll find a way to help connect someone who isn't from Thedas to the Fade and of course this won't be possible without Strange's help. He doesn't even bother to hide the smug expression on his face as he leans in towards Lavellan.

"Considering that Solas is the Fade expert, it makes sense to bring him along. But don't underestimate me and my skills: I think highly of myself for a reason." A reason other than arrogance and egotism, that is.

[dirthena]

For some reason, the only thing Lavellan can think of is a offhanded comment made by Solas -- no real god need prove himself, anyone who tries is either mad or lying. Infuriating, in retrospect, but also she wonders how such a thing with Strange. Still, her amusement doesn't fade and she gives him a slight nod. "I will endeavor not to," she says, sincere in that, at least.

She does take a skeptical skip of her wine, however, looking over the rim of her glass before shaking her head sightly. "I would like to know more about those mirrors of yours, however." Because that seems to be a constant between their two worlds.

[kingsroads]

Now this is a good swap of conversation. Strange's eyes literally glimmer with excitement. Talking about magic is fun enough but talking about this particular brand of magic? About the king's roads and the Raven King? And the magic hidden behind there? He could do this all day!

"Then where shall we start? How I discovered the magic hidden the mirrors? Or the roads that lay behind them?"