lostcarnival | ⇨ THE ATHENAEUM

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Normally Yugo might've been reassured, but remaining relegated to simply watching the fight makes him more wary and anxious about the situation than usual. He hates being... helpless!]

If you're not playing right into this thing's plot!

I...

[For all her 'talk', she grunts as she dodges a blow from the spirit, the woman's jaw tight.]

This is the end, feathered maiden..! [He shouts, launching her back until she's up and against the window as in one of the artistic cards. It is too familiar a scene, and Carly curses as she's pinned, breathing tight.] Presuming I was limited to the same tactics I started with...was a mistake..!

[Ooof..! Carly grinds her teeth, and looks toward Yuugo.] ....Yuugo..!

....I'm probably going to torch this guy in a few moments..! [C A R L Y]

[Not if Yugo tries it first. The teen comes forward, his eyes blazing as he positions within the middle of the conflict and lets loose with his plasma breath.]

*PWING-FOOOSH!!!

[Here's hoping he doesn't set any books on fire.]

Hmhmhmhmmhh...nice try, [The spirit replies, and with the wave of his wand, Yuugo's attack is made quite ineffective- it splits through the plasma with ease, turns the remaining glow into nothing but dust, and-]

NHHH-! [The glass behind Carly cracks, and she's launched back and 'below', without even a scream.

'Divine' seems a bit confused by that bit in particular.] Oh...? That wasn't as thrilling as expected...

[He snarls in frustration, but turns when the gigantic window shatters. Aw hell- what exactly is down there, was this really part of some plan?! What if something else tries to get her while she's...]

C-carly...?!

[Don't worry, Yuugo. Carly is fine. In fact, Carly is more than fine, rising back up with beating wings and in the form of a much Larger than typical humming bird.

She looks Mad.] YUUGO, [She booms, screeching,] DUCK.

Wh...what on earth is this... [Divine seems quite fearful, backing away as he looks toward the massive hummingbird. His single visible eye is wide with shock and terror, yet somehow even then, it seems...scripted.] Since when did the Maiden have such power..!

[...Definitely scripted.]

[Considering that he's not fireproof at all where it counts, Yugo has to contend with being absolutely stunned at this display as well. Is that just the story lending Carly a dramatic twist or-

Wait he still needs to get his butt out of the way. Right. Doing that, doing that now.]

A...a god...no, a demon..! [The book spirit of the 'Serpent' mutters, backing away even further. While the real Carly is at the glass window however, with flames licking her beak, she abruptly clamps it shut- and Yuugo will see why.

He's not too far from the other cards, but one in particular may shed some light on the woman now blocking Divine's path- slowly walking in until he realizes what he's doing, and turns, frozen.]

You...You've returned from the dead!?

HEH!? I've got the God's role here!? [Carly herself sputters, ignored by the spirits. The woman meanwhile stands- a strange copy of Carly in a sense, garbed in ceremonial robes, with blackened eyes.]

That's right, Serpent- you cast me down, and now I have returned..! And with the might of the Spear-Wielding Crow, we shall cast you back to where you send me, and then further..!

[Urp. Carly herself is...looking to Yuugo now, hissing despite her size somehow.]

I-I didn't expect a double of me to come out of this..!! I don't think I can torch him either now..!

[AWKWARD]

[As weird as it is to being seeing double with someone that's not his own face or Rin's face... the book spirits can do whatever they want for the moment, including banter.]

And they get a room to do all that, while we find another book.

[Not that he won't flip through new card art when his hand finds what's lying around besides stone.]

They get a room, while I'm stuck here..! [Carly protests, watching the bookspirits continue to go at it-]

'But...But-'

'No 'buts', Serpent...but I am merciful too,' [The spirit-Carly chuckles, and if the real one was not a bird, she'd be pursing her lips.] 'I will give you One Chance to strike me down...'

Oooooffff...Yuugo, we'll just fly our way out- I think I can find my way back from here... [She mutters, though her eyes keep moving back to the spirits.]

Oh... y-yeah, we can...

[And quite abruptly Yugo cuts himself short as he's trying to focus on digging the hoverbike back out from his pocket. The teen almost wonders if maybe he went so hard with his plasma breath that it already made his throat get all choked up- but he's already aware of the real reason.]

.... SO THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED?!?!

Is this really the time? [Carly huffs, feathers ruffled immensely. At the moment, the Serpent is fruitlessly railing against the BookCarly, who is grinning quite darkly and vilely in turn. 'It's over!' the Serpent is snapping.

'Are you sure?' is the Maiden's reply.] We can talk about what is or isn't real later, I-

Ohhh... [Rather abruptly, Carly sways, her large beaked face shaking.] Ohhh, I don't feel good...

'Now....FACE THE WRATH OF A GOD!'

URrff..

[That might not be wrath, and Yuugo should probably get behind a pillar.]

[Unfortunately, someone seems to be fresh out of common sense for the moment. It's lucky enough that Yugo's not in the way while hot with upset in every sense of the word- though this time not literally.

He's also about to retort back when that happens, which doesn't help either in curbing said feelings.]

Wha-...?

[If Yuugo doesn't get behind that pillar, he is going to Regret it-and big time; Carly spews a massive blast of sickly violet flames toward the fighting duo, launching the serpent past the Maiden and far beyond the doorway, while the Maiden herself laughs.

Shaking herself of the fires, her form shrinks as the story fades as well. Without being shackled by 'obligation' to the tale, she quickly takes her normal form and covers her mouth.] Ooooogggh...I feel nauseous...

[Well once he sees it's a giant uncontrolled blast of fire breath, Yugo takes the split second he has between it being much more obviously telegraphed and then spewed out everywhere.

Then he turns back toward Carly once the pillar he's behind and everything else disappears.]

... Come on. Let's get the heck out of here.

Uggghh... good idea, [She mutters, swaying on her feet.]

...We can talk later...

[Assuming he even wants to talk or needs to, but. Well. Later...later....]

⇨ THE ATHENAEUM

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d o n e thread yay