⇨ THE EPILOGUE

[ringleaders]

Who: Everyone!
When: Day 61
Where: The Carnival
What: After all the rescues team return, it will be matter of tending to the wounded and getting the hell out of dodge. The Ringmaster can handle the fleeing part, but someone will need to look after those in the medical tent. Or, maybe, you just want to show up and ask what the hell happened.
Warnings: Some messed up consequences of faerie fuckery.

IN REPAIR↴ As the minutes tick past, all four rescue groups will eventually return. Everyone in the carnival is encouraged to help out, ensuring that the rescues and victims both are taken care of after the fact. You can tag in here as rescuers taking care of business around the carnival, victims recovering, or other workers checking in to see what's going on. This log is for general aftermath threads, made by anyone.

Comments

Closed to 9S

[anti_nonsense]

After making the radio announcement with Syrlya and fielding a whole lot of questions she did not want to deal with, Rita finally gets to go home to her trailer for the night.

She jerks the door open, steps inside, and practically slams it, like she could not be more eager to put a barrier between herself and the rest of the carnival right now. Without taking another step, she leans back, her wings pressed against the closed door, and hangs her head. Her bangs fall over her eyes as she lets out a heavy, frustrated sigh.

They succeeded in their mission, but it doesn't feel like there's much to be happy about.

[dressedtothe]

It had been such a relief to hear Rita's voice on the radio, but that had quickly been replaced by confusion at the people upset about the means the Nightrunners (and Zangetsu) had used on their mission. Why are people so bothered about the use of mind control on their enemies?

But that all flies out the window when Rita returns. Putting on a smile, he says, "Welcome back."

Really, it's a bigger relief to see her here in person. So he steps forward, with the intention of pulling her into a hug.

[anti_nonsense]

Rita lifts her chin slightly to see his smile. With the way her announcement was received, it feels like he might be the only person who'd greet her like this now.

She throws herself into the hug, tucking her face into his shoulder. She probably looks exhausted and miserable right now, and she'd rather not be seen like that. But as she holds on to him, a fearful thought creeps into her mind.

"...Did you hear about what happened?" she asks after a moment, her voice slightly muffled.

[dressedtothe]

"I did."

He doesn't understand. They did what they set out to do and they got back in one piece, generally speaking. And people are mad about that?

"Strange will be back with us soon." That's all that really matters out of it.

[anti_nonsense]

He knows, and he's still happy to see her. That allows Rita to relax, but at the same time, she feels a powerful emotion welling up inside her. Right now, knowing there's one person who'll always be on her side means the world to her.

"Yeah... he will," she murmurs. That's what they went out there for, and they succeeded... even if not in the ideal way.

"Hey, Nines..." she begins after a silence. "What do you think the difference between us and fae is?"

[dressedtothe]

"Hmm..."

9S gives Rita's question some thought, even as he continues to hold her. Fae aren't as cool as humans, of course. Sure, they're overwhelmingly powerful, but feats of power aren't very impressive when it's just a part of what they are. Still, it's obvious fae are people, of sorts. But there's no denying that their way of thinking is different, the same way androids have a different perspective to humans and other biological beings.

"Well, going off the data I have of the fae," he begins, "They're so overwhelmingly powerful that it's hard for people like us to compare. But there aren't that many fae, right? Or at least, it doesn't seem that way. So I guess... they don't know what it's like to have a lot of people who are like them. People who are, you know. Equals."

Idly, he plays with some of the feathers on Rita's wings.

"What's on your mind?"

[anti_nonsense]

Rita lifts her head and rests it on top of his shoulder, allowing her to see over it. It’s a somewhat pragmatic answer he gives her, at least at first.

They lack equals... So if there were more fae, or if the power they possessed was equal between them... would they be more like humans? Are humans, when their power is unequal, more like fae?

“I hated him so much, I’d do anything to hurt him. Even if it meant...” she trails off, seemingly searching for the words, then begins again.

“Am I... like them?”

[dressedtothe]

"You're you." The words come out emphatic.

It doesn't matter what she does, even if she commits some terrible deed of her own volition, that's still her. And he knows that humans are capable of deep cruelty just as much as they are capable of incredible kindness. He won't think any less of her.

"Ignatious was our enemy. A strong one, too. So we have to use whatever options we have to our advantage. We can't fight power with power. We would all be killed... or worse." Besides, Ignatious started it?! "You came back in one piece," mostly, "And..." he smiles, even though Rita can't see it, "you're still you, Rita, the brilliant genius."

[anti_nonsense]

Rita's arms tense, her embrace tightening as she struggles with what feels like a lump in her throat. Of course 9S will support her. Of course he'll tell her just what she wants to hear. But she knows he means it.

"I'm glad you're here," she finally chokes out.

It takes a minute, but she gradually manages to calm down enough to continue, her voice quiet and even. "There's a good chance the Summer Court's going to retaliate for this. We'll have to be ready."

[dressedtothe]

9S waits. He can be patient! Sometimes! Letting out a quiet laugh, 9S says, "I think that's a given."

Making preparations and retaliation from the Summer Court, that is. The Ringmaster ate(?) Ignatious, after all. Why does he keep missing out on seeing her eat other fae! He wants to know how she does it!

He pulls back a little, so that he can gaze down at Rita's face. "But I think you should rest for tonight. You and the others were fighting hard."

While Rita and the others are not androids in need of maintenance after long and arduous conflicts, he's come to understand they still need their down time. In a way, resting and sleeping is like some form of maintenance for biological beings.

"We can make preparations tomorrow."

[anti_nonsense]

When he pulls back, Rita doesn't hide her face, but looks up to meet his gaze despite being visibly tired. "You're right," she says, managing a weak smile. "I feel like crap."

She's relieved, though. Provoking the Summer Court is a dangerous move, and one that a lot of people may resent Rita for. But 9S seems more than ready to accept that and face the consequences with her. With him here, it feels like whatever happens, it's going to be okay.

Breaking out of the hug, Rita steps past 9S and starts getting ready for bed. As always, it isn't much of a process, as she tends to sleep in the same clothes she wears throughout the day. She won't get a lot of sleep this night, but at least she feels less awful than she did minutes ago.