⇨ THE ATHENAEUM

[ringleaders]

Who: Everyone!
When: Day 47 - Day 58 ish
Where: The Athenaeum
What: The carnival arrives at book world. First week, they'll be performing for magical manifestations of book characters. Second week, it's time to hunt (for books, in the library.) Around Day 58 some stuff will occur.
Warnings: Reading is mandatory.

FAERIE TALES↴ Though the carnival will be performing for its guests in the first week, they are welcome to search the Athenaeum while they are off duty during that time. The manifestations of story characters will be out in full force during performance week, with animals, people, objects, and even locations growing out from various tales. Most are distracting at worst, and will be curious to check out the carnival. Some, however, can be as dangerous as they were in their stories of origin. You know what to do. ► IT'S TIME TO ROLEPLAY: The best way to deal with book ghosts is to follow their narrative to its logical conclusion - turn the tables, work the story so it ends in your favour! Naturalistic and narratively satisfying plotting will have the manifestations following your lead. However, push too hard and introduce too many plot holes, inconsistencies, or illogical plot twists, and they will reject your reality utterly, becoming quite aggressive in the process. You can also use your natural abilities and powers to fight them in a traditional sense, but in the Ringmaster's experience, it's best to fight reality benders by bending reality right back at them. If you aren't careful, it's possible to be dragged fully into a story's reality, and then things get really messed up. ► IT'S ALSO TIME TO READ: The carnival came here for a purpose, and that purpose is to research. Specifically, the Ringmaster is looking for information on the Queen's Miracles - the set of ancient fae artifacts that the Blue Rose is one of. The carnival needs these artifacts to defend itself, but nobody knows where they've been for thousands of years. That's what the books are for. However, nothing is stopping you from pursuing knowledge for personal reasons. The halls are open to your perusal, and only your heart can guide you to the book you truly seek. Check the plot post to see what's allowed, and sign up to find plot info or other important game information below.

Comments

[mirrortide]

Lapis doesn't even look up to respond to her, too busy flipping through a book with illegible writing.

"It's a library, not a garden."

[npcarnival]

"Call it what you will, but you'll find that it's in your best interest to pay your dues," she says, and as she does it will become obvious that vines and grass have started growing on the bookshelves and floor around them. "Perhaps I could even help with this quest of yours - what are you looking for, exactly?"

[mirrortide]

That much is, in fact enough to get her attention. And she does take a step back to look at whoever this is.

Unfortunately as it's a library, there's not exactly water around to defend herself. Instead Lapis side steps the question of payment. "How exactly do you think you could help?"

[npcarnival]

"Well, it's my garden," she says. "I can find anything you could possibly be looking far, much easier than any wandering stranger could hope for. Simply tell me what you need, and I'm sure we can come to an arrangement..."

[mirrortide]

"And you'd be willing to give whatever it is i'm looking for to me." She sounds, incredibly dubious here. Also she still doesn't know who this is or what they want from her? Or why they keep calling a library a garden.

Weirdo.

[npcarnival]

"Of course," she says, smiling. "My word is my bond."

[mirrortide]

With a very audible 'Hmm', Lapis crosses her arms as she considers it. It'd definitely make looking for what she wants easier?

"I've got some morps I could give you." Do you want Art of the Highest Quality? "Or a skeleton, I guess."

[npcarnival]

"It would be impossible to judge the worth of my aid without knowing what you require," she says. "Is it something rare? Mysterious? Powerful?"

[mirrortide]

"Uh. Powerful? I guess? I'm just looking for the best way to protect my friends." So is it a powerful spell? Or mysterious? Rare, maybe? All three, perhaps? Lapis has no clue how to quantify it?

[npcarnival]

"And what are these friends threatened by?" she asks, as if she's taking notes.

[mirrortide]

"Faeries. And demons and vampires. I'm kind of looking for a catch all kind of thing."

[npcarnival]

"Ah, so no specific goals! Now that's a big challenge..." she says, looking at her nails. "Warding off all those things at once is probably impossible - that is, unless you have an extremely big stick." She puzzles over it for a moment. "It'd probably have to be something absolutely legendary..."

[mirrortide]

"Which means you can't do it." And notably, Lapis sounds disappointed.

[npcarnival]

"I wouldn't say that..." she says, drawn out like she's giving it consideration. "I do know of thing that could fit that description. A particularly rare faerie artifact, called the Blue Rose..."

[mirrortide]

"That's not a stick at all." Again, a frown. And a dismissive hand wave. "No way I'm getting near that thing. Anything else?"

[npcarnival]

"Well, with that attitude you'll never protect your friends," Nightshade says dismissively. "It's a dangerous world out there... any solution to your problem is going to be at least a little bit scary."

"Though, there were supposed to be similar artifact out there..."

[mirrortide]

"I think I've heard about those. Not really sure how you'd go about getting them." Scary is fine, deadly is not. "What about a way to break a fae contract?"

[npcarnival]

"Ooh," she says, with a sudden weight. She smirks just a little. "You can't get something for nothing. A contract doesn't just go away... not without filling its place with something else. Something better, perhaps."

"Making a clean breakaway, that's not so easy. Changing employers on more favourable terms, however..."

[mirrortide]

Oh. See, now that does get Lapis' interest. "And what would those terms be?" If she can just... Get away. Maybe deal with something less than the contract to the Ringmaster... Or even, honestly, she'd take the same amount of time with something more favourable. A year isn't long, in gem standards, but for what she's dealt with since coming to the carnival, it's been too long.

[npcarnival]

"That depends on who you let take you on, of course," she says, glancing at her claws. "But I know a few fae out there that would demand so much less of you... no ridiculous adventures, no dangerous missions... maybe a day or two of real service, and then smooth sailing from there on out..."

"If you're interested, I could always put in a good word for you..."

[mirrortide]

That... sounds like a really good deal, but... "And how long are these other fae days?" Like, she has to cover her bases here. She knows just enough about Fae to be cautious. "And what kind of things would they want from me?"

[npcarnival]

"As I understand it, your boss has a few things that my bosses want..." Nightshade says, slyly. "That Blue Rose thing, in particular. You sounded familiar with it."

She waves a hand dismissively.

"The days will be the same as the ones you're accustomed to. Twenty four hours each, I believe? Honestly, I see no reason why you couldn't go home immediately after performing such a tremendous service... and the fae I would recommend to you is an honourable third party, who could ensure the deal is made fairly."

[mirrortide]

Lapis crosses her arms here. "If the Blue Rose is so powerful why wouldn't I just keep it for myself?" She knows it's a pretty hot commodity, and that the Fae seem to want it, but if it's as powerful as they say it is, then there's really no reason why she shouldn't take it for herself.

[npcarnival]

"I'm fairly certain you'd be incapable of wielding it, long-term," she says, uncaring. "But you're welcome to try... and to be devoured by the Great Beast immediately after."

[mirrortide]

"The what now?" Great Beast? You're joking with her.