⇨ 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]

"You know her?" Lapis... probably shouldn't be surprised, but judging by the reaction, it's definitely not a good thing. She rubs her arm, nervously. "Like I said, I didn't make a deal... I probably wouldn't now, with what you've told me." If Peridot says there isn't a way to do what she wants, then Lapis just has to believe her.

[periphrasing]

"Well thank the stars for THAT," Peridot yelps, wringing her hands nervously. "That's the same faerie who kidnapped Amethyst in Portland, AND brainwashed Strange, AND attacked Lambert at Wismuth. She's with the Summer Court, she-- She works under the faerie that wants to take Steven away!"

[mirrortide]

"Oh." Is all she can really say to that sudden deluge of information! Thanks, Peridot! Why did you never tell her any of this before hand! Lapis, very clearly, does tense, like she means to yell and get angry again, but then, at this point, it's not worth it because honestly the relief that she didn't make the deal is a bit more emotionally available.

"Well... Now she can't? I guess. I wouldn't have done anything to put Steven in harms way." But also, she significantly care's less about everyone in that sentence, ending with not a single fuck given about Strange.

[periphrasing]

The point isn't whether you like those people or not Lapis, the point is to illustrate how dangerous Nightshade is! GOD.

"No no no no no, this is... This is extremely concerning," Peridot says, flapping one hand at lapis and anxiously biting the claws on the other. "If Nightshade is here, that means the rest of the Summer Court can't be far behind. Unless... Maybe she was just an illusion from one of the books?" She's pacing nervously, trying to weigh the probability of both scenarios.

[mirrortide]

"... A book illusion?" Hey, you know who hasn't really been paying attention? Lapis. Lapis Lazuli has not been paying attention to literally anything that has been going on in the Library up until this point. "I guess she did appear when I picked a book up off the shelf? Does that make sense?"

[periphrasing]

"Yes... Yes, it does," Peridot replies, looking momentarily relieved. Fortunately she's not questioning the fact that Lapis seems to not know about the illusions, because she's choosing to take the other gem's querying tone as her just being impressed by how smart she is.

"You said Nightshade was acting as if you were in her 'garden', right? Yes... Yes, that would make the most logical sense, that she was merely an illusion from one of the books! Unless... Unless it really was Nightshade, and she was just ACTING like an illusion to try and get you to make a deal with her?"

[mirrortide]

"I don't think so. She could have probably got something out of me with the whole trespassing thing in that case, couldn't she have?" Apparently, Lapis somehow managed to escape that one by distracting Nightshade enough. She puts her hands on her hips. "Not that it's her garden anyway. There's not even any vegetables."

[periphrasing]

Peridot makes a weird gurgling whining noise that would be impossible to articulate in written word. "Maybe... Still, we should warn security about this right away, just to be sure."

[mirrortide]

"That's a bad idea!" Lapis is quick to shout, and there's definitely a pause before she quickly crosses her arms defensively. "I just... I mean, what would everyone say? Even if it's just an illusion, won't they wonder why I was talking to her at all? Or how I managed to get away?"

[periphrasing]

"It'll be worse if it turns out that it WAS the real Nightshade, and something bad happens because we didn't tell anyone!" Peridot insists. She's sympathetic, but. Come on Lapis. Think about it. "I won't tell Sans and Lambert anything more than what they absolutely need to know, okay?"

[mirrortide]

The big issue with that is, Peridot, that Lapis just doesn't give a single fuck about anyone other than herself, Steven, and Peridot. "Can't you tell them you saw her instead? Then you don't even have to mention me!" It'll be fine!

[periphrasing]

Peridot wrinkles her nose. "I guess I could do that," she says uncertainly, clearly not entirely comfortable with the idea.

[mirrortide]

Lapis relaxes again, though she doesn't let go of her own arms. "Thank you. I really appreciate it, Peridot." She rubs her arm, nervously, like she wants to do something, but resists. "I promise I won't cause any more trouble for you."

[periphrasing]

Her expression softens considerably. She just can't be upset with Lapis when Lapis is already upset with herself.

"Hey, it's no trouble," Peridot reassures her, even though it absolutely is, and she is now just convincing herself that it isn't. "The important thing is that we let the proper carnival authorities know about the potential threat. Besides, you didn't know who you were talking to. Now you do!"

There is a distinct urge to give the other gem a hug, but. She's not sure that Lapis would be receptive to the contact right now.

[mirrortide]

Well, she might be a little receptive, but since Peridot doesn't go for it, it doesn't exactly matter. Instead, she just watches Peridot for a moment, giving an awkward sort of half smile. "How do you do it?" She asks, suddenly, though doesn't provide context for what it is.

She probably doesn't realize she's spoken out loud.

[periphrasing]

Peridot gives her a quizzical look, cocking her head like a confused dog. "Do what...?"

[mirrortide]

"Huh?" Lapis looks at her for a moment, before she shakes her head. "Oh, it's nothing. Don't worry about it." It's not like it's Important Or Anything!

[periphrasing]

"Oh. Um... Okay," she says, still curious but not really willing to grill Lapis for an explanation. She pauses, a look of concern growing on her face. "Are you going to be alright, Lapis?" Peridot asks.

She figures now probably isn't the best time to let her in on the information she just found this book. She'll deal with that once they're both back at the trailer later.

[mirrortide]

"I... think so? I don't think I'll head straight back to the carnival though. I wanna look through a few more books, just in case I really do find something that can help." But she wont talk to anymore Fae. Probably.

[periphrasing]

"Right! Okay." Peridot smiles, twitching the tip of her tail happily. "I'm going to go take care of reporting this Nightshade sighting then, but. You know how to reach me on the radio, if you need me?"

[mirrortide]

"Yeah, I know. Thanks, Peridot." She's... really lucky that Peridot has put up with her for so long, isn't she? Especially after she nearly went and did something so apparently stupid. "If I find anything, I'll definitely tell you."

[periphrasing]

She grins; it's maybe a bit sheepish, or awkward, but it's genuine. "Yeah. Okay. I'll see you back at the trailer, later..."

She's just going to flash Lapis one last smile and then shuffle awkwardly away to grab the book that she needs before departing, unable to identify exactly why she feels so damn sad all of a sudden.