⇨ 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

[periphrasing]

"Oh," is all Peridot says, staring at him with surprise. This guy? Killed people? Seriously? She has no choice but to take him at his word but. Yikes.

"Well. I won't tell anyone your thing if you won't tell anyone mine. Even if I am a bit curious for details. I don't think you need to worry too much, though," the gem snorts. "I'm sure Lambert has killed a bunch of people and so have some of the others here. As long as you're not running around actively offing people..."

Distracted by a thought, she cocks her head at him, pursing her lips thoughtfully. If he managed to find something about her past in this library... is it maybe possible that what she read earlier was...?

"Actually... I read something earlier that recalled to mind that phrase you used to describe yourself, back when we first met. Are you familiar with something called the Fade?"

[hurtcomfort]

Peridot's talking about the Fade but Cole's still a bit scared and still trying to justify his actions. She's worried. She doesn't know what to think. "I killed the Venatori because they want to end the world and I killed Lambert because he hurt people, but I won't kill here. Not unless they're trying to hurt us."

The words come out in a bit of a ramble, as Cole continues to justify himself. In his justification and slight panicking, Cole doesn't realize that he probably should specify that the Lambert he killed was a dude from his world. Whoops.

But then he backtracks a bit. He was so focused on the tragic backstory bit that Cole completely missed what Peridot mentioned. The Fade? She did mention the Fade, didn't she? How would she know about that? "This place doesn't have the Fade," Cole mentions, after a moment's pause.

[periphrasing]

Peridot can at least assume that it's a different Lambert from context, though hearing the phrase 'I killed Lambert because he hurt people' does throw her for a second.

"So you DO know what it is," she says triumphantly, excited that her conclusion seems to be correct. "They may not have the Fade here but they do have books about it. So that is the true point of your origin?"

[hurtcomfort]

And Cole nods. All spirits come from the Fade. He is a spirit, ergo he must come from the Fade as well.

"I haven't been there in a while. And the last time I went, things went wrong." Like, 'trippy hellscape face your inner demons and acknowledge your fears' levels of wrong. It was not a good time for anyone involved and Cole's awkward little frown tells Peridot that without him even having to say it.

"But that is where I'm from." A pause, before he asks, "What did the book tell you?"