⇨ DANGEROUS ENCOUNTERS

[ringleaders]

Who: Anyone out in the library.
When: Day 59
Where: The Athenaeum
What: Towards the end of the visit, we are visited by a series of worrisome NPCs, who may or may not be illusions. There will be at least 5 NPC toplevels posted overall, all happening in a similar time period ICly (in rough chronological order), so not everyone needs to be in every thread.
Warnings: Possibility of very real danger to anyone who participates. Remember that Sans has told everyone to travel in groups, so if you aren't, you'll probably get a scolding later.

TURNING THE PAGE↴ As the carnival continues to explore the Athenaeum in the pursuit of more information about the legendary Miracles, the tension is thick with the knowledge that the Summer Court could be in pursuit any day now. On Day 59, a series of threatening encounters will begin manifesting - but are they real, or an illusion?

Comments

[kingsroads]

"It isn't your fault that you couldn't stop it," Strange responds, as he looks over at Steven. "Remember what happened with the Prince? The fae can enthrall people and make them do things they normally wouldn't. As long as you tried your best, that's what matters."

And he's certain that Steven at least did that much. Strange traces over the water, dividing it into four parts. As he traces, the lines traced by his finger glow a faint gold. This lasts a second or two before the lines fade and a dark murkness covers the water. Unfortunately, Strange knows exactly what this sort of murkness means.

"It looks like Childermass is somewhere warded." He's not going to lie to Steven, but it's obvious Strange doesn't like the results. "This could mean he's been taken by the Summer Court. But this also could mean that he's back at the carnival, and the Ringmaster's warded it against my magic. I simply don't know."

Fun fact, Strange still doesn't know that the Winter Court showed up as well. He doesn't want the conversation to end on this apprehensive note, as he continues with, "Who should I scry for next?"

[starseedling]

He'd intended to distract the Rose Queen long enough for the others to run, and then to take the opportunity to escape and hide himself. With the ward maybe she wouldn't have found him. He never got to that part, though. The second he'd gotten close, it was already too late.

He let her take him away. He didn't even fight. It's a terrible feeling.

Steven frowns at the water as Strange works, unsure of how to proceed. He doesn't know how long they have before they're interrupted, so he needs to prioritize. He doesn't yet know about the Winter Court, either. Not conclusively.

"Lapis?" he asks, unsure. He has reason to suspect it won't work out, either. "I was trying to find her, but... I got lost before I could."

[kingsroads]

Wisely, Strange decides to keep his mouth shut on the fact that Lapis is a big ol'traitor and Ignatius was looking for her in the first place. That can be a conversation for later. With a wave of his hand, the spell dissipates and Strange and Steven's reflections are shown. And so, Strange attempts the spell again: Strange quarters the water, the lines glow as he does so, the image shifts to...the murky darkness again.

Well this isn't helpful in the slightest. The two people he scried for were hidden from him somehow, this is bullshit and not helpful and is mostly serving to irritate Strange. Strange scowls, as if it's the puddle's fault before he waves his hand over the water again and, a bit more frantically and aggravated this time, starts going through the motions of scrying again. Third time's the charm, he's got to be able to find someone with the spell as he refuses to accept these circumstances. An image of Lambert appears in the water: he's walking down one of the library's corridors, armed and looking like he's ready to stab something.

"There!" Strange gloats, still annoyed but a bit triumphant, as he points to the water. "At least we're able to tell where someone is."

Though what Lambert's doing wandering around the Athenaeum is beyond Strange.

[starseedling]

Steven reaches out to the water like he's going to touch it, and then pulls back. Lambert is still on the move. He doesn't know what for, but if he is still going, as the Nightrider, it probably means the carnival is still trying, too.

It kind of hurts to look at. Seeing members of the carnival, still out there, with what seems like this wall of water between them. He wishes he could say something to them, but he can't.

Steven nods, trying to analyze what he sees. Lambert seems like the usual level of pissed off, when it comes to crisis situations.

"Childermass isn't with him," Steven observes, frowning. Then, he makes a gesture, like one would on an iPad. "Can you... zoom out?"

[kingsroads]

Strange gives Steven a little frown. Why would Childermass be with Lambert in the first place? Sure, they're both friends and they both were probably looking for him, but there's something so odd about Steven's observation that causes Strange to frown. "They're not joined at the hip, you know," he answers, a bit confused. "Childermass probably has his hands full keeping acquisitions in check."

Because the other option is that Childermass is kidnapped and hidden away somewhere in the Gardens and nope, Strange isn't even going to bother thinking about that. Still, Steven asked him something, so Strange is going to do the magic. He makes a flicking gesture and the image zooms out a little. It doesn't zoom out too much: Strange still needs a bit of work on that, we're only talking 10% or so more of an image. But there's Lambert, walking determinedly down one of the halls of the library, looking like he's ready and waiting to stab something.

"I can't do anything about the lack of sound," he admits. "If Lambert had a mirror on him, I might be able to speak directly to that, but I doubt he carries one on him in the first place." After all, why would he? He's a witcher, not a magician.

[starseedling]

Steven might have an overly romanticized image of the two of them in his head, but he feels like they tend to do a lot of things together. He definitely knows a lot about their emotional relationship, given how many times he's accidentally been privy to their mutual feelings, radiating about.

"Yeah, but," Steven says, uncertainly. "...I think Lambert would want to protect him... with everything's that going on. Childermass is in a lot of danger, and... last time Lambert couldn't stop the fae from taking him." Though, maybe it follows that Childermass wouldn't be out with him, then. "But... maybe Childermass is hiding back at the carnival."

He hopes that's what's happening. But, no time like the present for candid observations of mutual friends.

[kingsroads]

"Childermass is smart," Strange points out, as he continues to watch Lambert. In the visual, Lambert pauses, and looks like he's yelling for someone and waiting for a response. "If I may be honest, Childermass is a lot smarter than I am. If he's not here, then he must be back at the carnival."

Childermass isn't an idiot who'd willingly offer himself up to the fae like Strange did. Childermass always had a plan of some sort, even if that plan was just 'find a way to stay safe.' And again, Strange refuses to think about the alternative.

He hasn't really taken his eyes off of the water yet. It's a bit creepy the way Strange just watches Lambert while still holding a conversation with Steven, but spying on him like this is something Strange has come to do on a regular basis. And really, he'll take any hint of normalcy in this awful situation.

[starseedling]

It might be creepy, if Steven wasn't kind of in the same zone himself. He half lays down next to the pool, crossing his arms and rest his head against them as he watches. He wants to believe the same thing that Strange does. If Childermass is safe, then at least one of them has avoided their fate.

He's quiet for a little while longer, before his ears fold back with a growing worry in his gut. He voice is soft and reluctant when he speaks.

"We can't let her see this," he says. If the Summer Court finds out where they are in the library or anything about what they're doing... it could spell disaster for them. It's selfish, to watch like this. There's nothing they can do, and all they're doing now is putting the others at risk.

"...We're going to end up fighting our friends. Aren't we?"

[kingsroads]

Strange doesn't want to admit it, but Steven's right. Both about the fact that they shouldn't be watching this and also the fact that they're going to probably fight their friends. He gets one last look in at Lambert before, with a wave of his hand, the spell vanishes and the water reflects their faces again.

There's a pause before Strange actually answers Steven's question. "Most likely." At least, he's certain he will. What's the use of training a soldier if you don't have them fight someone?

"I can dispel certain types of fae magic," Strange starts to explain, seemingly out of nowhere. "If we're in the same area and I'm myself, I can try to disenchant you. However, if I am also enthralled, I know I won't be any use."

[starseedling]

Steven nods, understanding. If it comes up, he'd certainly take the attempt, but he kind of doubts it will. Strange is more likely to get mind controlled like that than he is, and Steven doesn't really think there's anything he could do.

"I don't think I can do anything about that stuff," he says, melancholy. "The only time I could is when someone's sleeping, maybe, by going into their dreams..."

It only occurs to him then, as he says the words himself, and his eyes go wide. Wait a damn second. He abruptly pops back up onto his hands and knees, looking at Strange urgently.

"I... wait! Mr Strange, can you knock me unconscious?" he blurts.

[kingsroads]

Well he wasn't expecting that. Strange looks a bit confused before he realizes what Steven's talking about. Ah, right! That dream-walking thing he can do. If he could at least manage to tap into one member of the carnival's dreams, then Steven could at least tell everybody where they were and what had happened.

"I can," Strange responds, with a smug grin on his face. Steven's already tired and has so much magic pushing through him: the toxicity of his smoke form ought to be enough to knock him out entirely. Granted, the Rose Queen might not like it if she learns what he did, but better Strange take a punishment than Steven.

"Can you do something for me, though? If you can reach someone, I've a message I want delivered."

[starseedling]

Steven seems relieved that the answer is yes, so everything after that is gravy. He looks a bit brighter just thinking about the idea of getting to talk to one of their friends. He nods attentively, ready to listen.

"Yeah, I will," he says. "What is it?"

[kingsroads]

"Tell Lambert to remember what I need him to do."

Granted, what Strange needs Lambert to do is absolutely murder him should the situation call for it, but that's one of the million things in this conversation that Strange straight up isn't going to tell Steven. Yes, Ignatius knows about the revive. But the strategy of 'get murdered' is the closest thing that Strange has to strategy right now and he's sticking with it.

[starseedling]

Steven is a little bit confused by the request, but he's going to respect it. It must be some kind of secret plan they had together. If he never finds out the details, maybe he can imagine it's something that will help them.

"Okay." He nods, looking determined again - at least for now. He's going to do this. He can pass along the message. It's the best they can do.

"...I'm going to lay down first," he says. He crawls back onto the grass, glancing at Strange, before curling up next to him like a cat curling up to their owner. He closes his eyes. He doesn't know how this is going to work, but... he isn't going to think about it. Instead, he's going to think about his friends.

"Okay," he says again. "Do it."

[kingsroads]

As Steven nods, Strange looks a bit relieved. Good. At least this way, he's got something close to a plan. He trusts Steven to relay the message somehow and he trusts Lambert to actually do the deed if the situation calls for it.

"Keep your eyes shut and remember to breathe," is all Strange says. A moment later, he turns into his purple smoke form and swirls around Steven's head. Even though he technically doesn't have eyes right now, Strange is intently watching Steven's breathing. The moment Steven falls unconscious or looks to be asleep, he'll float away and resolidify. After all, he just wants to knock Steven out, not poison him entirely.