lostcarnival | ⇨ FAERIE TALES

Letting Lambert start was a mistake, Rita realizes as her face reddens. She glances at Zangetsu, who's been off doing... something, and apparently getting really into it, then to Syrlya, with his more subdued approach.

Rita takes a deep breath, then through gritted teeth, continues the story. "...The scholar enlisted the help of three companions to safely escort her to the place of summoning, where she could face her enemy once more." Syrlya gets an uncertain look, then her attention turns to the illusion slowly forming around them. "The soldier knew of just the place, and he led them to a grand coliseum made of weathered stone, lined with towering arches and statues of ancient warriors."

As if brought to life by an incantation, the scenery around them seems to phase into reality, becoming solid as real stone.

Rita takes a moment to look over their new surroundings, then tells the others, "I'll get the summoning circle ready. The rest of you, make whatever preparations you need." From one of her pouches, she produces a piece of charcoal, which she then uses to draw an intricate magic circle on the floor.

While Rita finally takes the reins of her story, Lambert steps back to watch it take shape. This is the stuff of pure imagination -- more powerful and all-encompassing than any spellcraft he's seen before -- and it's a little impressive, how real it feels under his feet.

For all he'd made fun of Rita before, he has his own worries about how effective his own preparations are. Even Zangetsu seems to have grasped how this works better than he has, if the change in his appearance is any indication. With Strange's memory gem in his pocket a reminder of what exactly it is they stand to gain and lose, Lambert nods to Zangetsu.

"We'd better get out of sight," he says. "There should be plenty of places to watch and hide."

Before he goes, though, he pauses to kneel, touching a hand to the ground beneath.

"We need you," he says, willing the words at the Athenaeum as best as he can. Yeah, it looks stupid, but asking the Earth Spirit for help had felt damn stupid too. If there's any power to be borrowed here the same way he used it in Portland, whatever the Scribe and Curator says about it already being at their disposal, it can't hurt to ask directly -- especially when he isn't, as yet, sure of exactly what kind of asspull he'll need when the time comes.

"We've lived your stories. Now help us tell ours." With that little piece said, he'll get back to his feet and head off into the Coliseums constructed corridors, heading for a place in the stands with a higher view.

Edited 2018-06-03 00:21 (UTC)

Rita drags the charcoal along the ground, drawing a magic circle that, logically, just shouldn't work, but she takes care to use symbols relating to the intended spell: symbols of fire, strength, conjuration, and whatever else will help Rita visualize this made-up spell in her mind.

When she finishes, she rises to her feet and sees that Lambert and Zangetsu have taken their positions, somewhere hidden from sight. Only Syrlya remains, seemingly ready and awaiting her next move.

"All right... I'm doing it," she breathes. Then, as if to reassure the world itself that she can, she adds loudly, "With the advanced summoning techniques I've honed through my research, I know I'll be able to bring him here!" There. That should... do it? Maybe?

Standing outside of the circle, Rita holds out her hands and begins the (totally bullshit) incantation. "O Lord of Conflagration who bringeth destruction on thy foes, heed my voice and appear before me!"

To her surprise, she feels some kind of power moving within her. Can her voice really reach him like this...? In a more agitated tone, one that sounds much more natural for Rita, she adds, "We're here to make a deal, Ignatius! If you're not a coward, then come out and face me!"

She'll have to wait a little while, but he does show up. It's at a leisurely pace, as is his way - at least when he doesn't perceive there to be anything worth rushing for.

Instead of arriving in the circle or anything more sensibly dramatic, instead he appears on the edge of the coliseum. He gives the arena a somewhat appreciative look, before strolling across the stone to meet them, leaving burning footprints in his wake.

"Rita," he calls out, obviously amused. "Have you changed your mind?"

When Rita notices the presence slowly approaching them, the hair on her neck stands on end, and she whirls around, eyes wide. She takes a deep breath, pushing past the fear and finding the strength to say what she planned to.

"I'm here to challenge you," she firmly clarifies, straightening her posture and looking the fae in the eye. "You like duels, right? So fight me. If I win, I want you to give us back that idiot you took last time."

"Hm," is all he says at first, looking her over. He takes his time in responding.

"And if I win? What do I get?"

So much for hoping he'll risk his new servant without any incentive... but whatever. They knew this was a possibility, and as such, it's been planned for.

"Me," Rita answers, bitterly. "If you win, I'll join you."

But only a moment passes before she hastily adds, "That's not a risk I'm willing to take lightly, of course. That's why this guy's here." She gestures at her companion. "Syrlya's here to help establish the terms of our fight, make sure everything's fair. Wouldn't want you using any bystanders as hostages, like last time."

"Any agreement I make, I'll abide by. You should understand that much about me by now," he says, ever so slightly miffed at the idea that he'd play unfair to begin with. She seems to misunderstand what the whole point of their previous encounter was.

"Because of this, the laws of magic themselves will defend my oath, with far more power than your friend here could offer." He thumps a fist against his chest. "You would best consider that, if you're planning any trickery in return, little girl."

Rita narrows her eyes at the accusation, then seemingly shrugs it off. It wouldn't be productive to argue over something like that now.

"That might be so," she admits with a frown, "but we mortals have our own way of doing things. Even if it might seem like a useless formality compared to the magic backing your oaths." She nods to Syrlya.

Syrlya's expression twists in disbelief (panic, it's panic) as Rita dives right into challenging Ignatius. It's only a little relief that she hastily adds the expectations of terms to it, but he can tell she isn't trained for diplomacy. His gaze moves quickly between the two of them as they negotiate, and he's almost too quick to take Rita's opening to speak when he gestures to him.

He sets the book onto the ground before moving to stand between them, facing Ignatius, and offers him a respectful bow. "We mean no trickery. I have heard you are someone of great honor to their word, and that I can respect. If you will grant us the same, then we seek to win Strange back fairly."

With that he pulls the scroll and quill out of where it's tucked between his belt, and unfurls it. "The terms of the duel will be so: You, Ignatuis, and you, Rita, agree that the duel and only the duel will be the deciding factor in your conflict," He nods to each of them in turn before continuing.

"This duel will be between the two of you only--no other mortal or Fae may interfere, or be called on to interfere, and nor may you target or interfere with the actions of those outside of the duel. The duel will be decided by the first received wound, one round only. If Ignatius is the first wounded, then he relinquishes his hold of Jonathan Strange completely. Should Rita be the first wounded, she submits her service to Ignatius."

He waves the quill in the air, looking at both of them expectantly to come take it. "If these terms are acceptable to both parties, then their signature is to be bound in blood."

In the meantime, Lambert's managed to climb his way higher into the stands. A tug at his medallion, a shift of magical power in the air, makes his ears prickle, and then the faerie himself's standing in front of Rita and Syrlya.

Hearing Syrlya read out the terms makes him feel uneasy. He's no expert on contracts, though, so if there's a loophole in that -- beyond what they themselves are planning to use to their advantage -- he can't find it. For now, he'll do little more than watch the fight ... and scan the rest of the coliseum for any sign of trouble. It's not a done deal yet.

Zangetsu has taken up position on the opposite side of the coliseum from Lambert, perched on one of the tallest statues. The amphitheater setup carries their voices to the feathery hare ears hidden in his long hair, and good fucking lord he panics when Rita almost blows it. Thank goodness, the plant guy is here to establish the terms they'd gone over before.

They're simple terms, but fairly tight. But it is irritating -- with Ignatius in the ring, it's hard for Zangetsu to suss out individual spiritual pressures. ... No matter.

Time to see what shakes out.

Edited 2018-06-03 05:09 (UTC)

Ignatius listens to the terms, taking time to consider them. He rubs his chin thoughtfully, and then grins a little bit in amusement.

"And why should I agree to such binding terms," he asks, "when you already have hidden allies lurking in wait? That is not a tactic of the trustworthy, is it?"

"That makes us sound quite foolish." Syrlya glances sidelong to Lambert and Zangetsu, inclining his head to them. "They are mortal, as am I, so we will have no clearance to interfere with the duel. I am aware we will not win Strange's freedom by voiding these terms."

He taps the paper. "They do not prevent you from using all the magic at your disposal to duel, just as they allow Rita the same."

And that's what the narrative is: magic, and at Rita's disposal. She's taken it into her hands, so Syrlya sees fit to trust her. "I believe that puts your strength on equal ground, which would make a more fair and honorable duel."

Syrlya doubts he has to explain Ignatius' raw power is probably at least twenty times Rita's. He just hopes Ignatius sees picking on the weak the same way.

Edited 2018-06-03 18:12 (UTC)

"Going out to challenge a High Fae without taking precautions is what I'd call foolish," Rita adds, almost casually. She doesn't bat an eye when Ignatius points out the presence of their allies. If anything, she'd be more surprised if he didn't notice.

“They're here to intervene in the event that we can't agree, and we end up with a brawl instead of a duel." It's not exactly a lie, as that certainly is a situation where they'd step in. Ignatius should be able to see that the duel's terms specifically forbid her allies from getting involved. Hopefully he won’t have a big problem with the extra observers.

There's something a bit odd about that assertion - that they'd be on a level playing ground, here. Ignatius has no illusion that a duel against Rita under normal circumstances would be "fair" by mortal terms. So what is different here?

"Bring out your men," he says, making a beckoning gesture in the exact direction that Lambert and Zangetsu are hiding. "Then we'll talk."

Lambert's really only hidden by line of sight, rather than properly concealed, having taken a seat in the stands like the good audience member he's supposed to be playing. He's not inclined to follow the fae, but lacking any better options at the moment, he supposes there's nothing for it but to follow and see where this goes, trusting that the damn narrative will make things work in their favor.

Getting to his feet, he tosses Ignatius a jaunty wave and a smirk, before he starts plodding down the stairs towards the arena. While he's dressed for a fight, he won't draw any of his weapons, thumbs hooked into his belt instead. If Rita's inclined to play it casual, then so will he, following her lead.

“Hidden”. Zangetsu can’t ever really hide himself, not the way he leaks spiritual energy. He has a better go of it in his Bankai form, compressed as it is, but he wasn’t super trying anyway. He cants his masked head to one side, then vanishes from the top of the giant statue, reappearing next to Lambert with the light jingling of the chain at the end of his sword . This blade, Tensa Zangetsu, has no sheath, so he just holds it casually to one side.

He gets he’s Ignatius a small jerk of his head in greeting. “Yo.”

Ignatius pauses to give Zangetsu a once-over, as if he's examining something in detail. Eventually, his lip curls into a faint smile of satisfaction, apparently having determined something of worth from it.

"So," he says, looking at Syrlya. "Tell me more about this magic what will make Rita my 'equal' match, as you put it."

Rita sighs, seemingly annoyed. "Fine. I guess you're not as stupid as you look." It's not like they can pretend Rita's going to use nothing but normal magic accessible to humans against someone of his level. She'll have to show her hand... or part of it, anyway.

From a pouch, she pulls out a vial filled with a slightly cloudy red liquid. "This is a potion our Doctor made. After I drink it, I'll be fully immune to fire for the next hour or so. If you want to injure me, you'll have to do it directly."

And with a cold, confident look, she adds, "Besides... I'm not the same as that girl you knew in Portland. You don't have any idea of what I'm capable of."

Ignatius's question makes Lambert's tail flick, eyes narrowing. He doesn't have much of an impression of Ignatius, besides being loud, straightforward, and apparently down for a fight. Most of the plan (or as much of one as they had) hinged on Ignatius accepting the duel and whatever Rita planned to accomplish with the Athenaeum's aid. Right now, it looks like they're not even about to get to agree to terms.

But when Rita starts speaking ... he's reminded, again, that they're in a story. A story they control, at least as much as the Athenaeum's powers will allow them. They need to think of themselves as victors, not victims.

"She's right. She's not the girl you remember," he interjects after Rita, folding his arms and letting pride fill his voice.

"She's also the Guardian of Knowledge -- a champion chosen by Creation, given its strength. That makes her more than capable of holding her own against one of you." Luckily for Lambert, he doesn't have to pull on much imagination for this bit, because it actually happened ... more or less. The Scribe's writings had stuck close to reality with some narrative liberties, but what had really happened was fantastical enough without needing embellishment. Childermass may not have defeated Nightshade, but she also hadn't completely wiped the floor with him. If Ignatius agrees to the duel's terms, it's more than enough for a fight to first injury.

If he doesn't agree ... well, it'll be useful someone who can call on Creation in any brawl that follows, anyway.

Edited 2018-06-03 23:03 (UTC)

Syrlya holds his gaze right back at Ignatius, pausing enough for Rita to interject--and in that moment he's thankful for her boldness.

He smiles, glancing to Lambert, but holds the growing confidence from approaching his expression. "That's right. And she holds a stone to enhance her magic well above the potency of any mortal--it may not be a Queen's miracle, but it certainly grants her enough power that she can lay injury to you."

Or at least, that's what he hopes the narrative turns the bloodstone into. It's probably not far off from what a whole one could do, even if this is just a shard. He can believe that.

Ignatius makes a big show out of pondering their offer, considering her alleged status as a Guardian. He doesn't seem worried, however. Instead, he's smirking.

"A Guardian of Creation? I've seen the like before." He's looking her over carefully. "In fact, I've felled more than one."

He shrugs his shoulders, ever casual.

"However, my answer will have to be 'no.'"

... Okay, he'll bite. "Why? You do not seem like the sort to refuse out of the potential to be challenged--do you not think her capable?"

"Or maybe you're scared you'll actually lose to a mortal," Rita chimes in with a sneer.

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