⇨ 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

[chronosynthesis]

"Only until you can stand on your feet for longer than a minute." Syrlya honestly hopes that's going to be quick, and that the Ringmaster didn't severely cripple the man.

"The Ringmaster has Ignatius, alive. I suppose she will explain what she is doing to him... later." He gestures outward, making it clear he doesn't have more details than that. But he figures Lambert would want to know.

[whattaprick]

That's ... surprising. Lambert's expression says as much, brow wrinkling in confusion ('IDIOT' still hasn't been wiped off the side of it that hasn't been covered with a bandage, since apparently people find it necessary that it remain) and consternation, but he mostly just absorbs that news for a moment.

He already knew Ignatius was alive, but nothing else more specific than that -- and he wasn't sure it wasn't just a false memory while he was falling in and out of consciousness. He hurts too much right now for this to be made up.

"Anything else to report?" It occurs to him this is the second time Syrlya is filling him in on information after he's been taken out of commission. He supposes it's appropriate.

[chronosynthesis]

Syrlya shifts sideways on his feet. This, he's a little less certain of, and it briefly shows on his expression before he goes into explanation.

"About what happened with Ignatius. That is... not typically something within my capabilities." Not exactly what he meant to say, but not untrue, either. "Befuddling someone's mind to the point of controlling their will would be--well, it isn't practiced or studies in Tyria. Even if you were to ask, I doubt if I could do it again."

He doesn't want to do it again, but there's still a bit of conflict in impressing his desires against that of his supervisor. Especially in the role the Nightrunners play--they're supposed to make the hard, unpleasant decisions to protect the rest of the carnival.

[whattaprick]

Lambert kind of wishes he was still high for this part of the conversation, because it’s not any easier to follow sober. He watches Syrlya — the most uncomfortable he’s seen the mesmer, barring the time Lambert was trying to figure out if his life story included any juicy details about hookups — then squints.

“Are you trying to tell me you quit?”

[chronosynthesis]

"Wh--no!" Syrlya waves his hand quickly and then, sheepishly rubs the back of his neck. "I mean, I have considered returning... home, for a period of time, but I only meant I cannot manipulate another like that again."

He bows his head a little--the blue rose growing at the base of his ponytail seems to be coming in as a bud again. "I apologize."

[whattaprick]

Well, he didn't really think Syrlya was going to quit, but with such a rambling build-up like that, he had to ask.

"Apologize for what?" Lambert waves a hand -- or would, if lifting it didn't feel like a huge pain right now and more effort than he wants to engage. The twitch of his fingers should be enough, anyway, to vaguely indicate the intended motion... or something.

"Leaving the Carnival? I can't exactly stop you." Obviously. "More surprised the Ringmaster would let you go."

Or maybe he shouldn't be. He's aware that people are angry at the nightrunners, and he can guess that includes the Ringmaster, though it would deeply offend him to think that her issues might stem from some moral high ground. He doesn't have any of that! She should have known that when she promoted him!

[chronosynthesis]

Would she deny him? Syrlya hasn't asked yet, nor had he heavily considered their actions might force him to stay there for the interim. He shifts on his feet with a little uncertainty as he straightens up, glancing aside. "No, that I cannot bend someone's will into giving us information again."

He clasps his hands behind his back and regards Lambert again, raising a brow. More lucid doesn't mean entirely lucid, he supposes.

[whattaprick]

Lambert pauses. There’s something he’s supposed to be picking up here maybe, but Syr’s expressions are hard to read.

“Can’t,” he starts, “Or can’t and won’t, even if you had that kind of power again?” It seems worth clarifying.

[chronosynthesis]

Syrlya blinks, taken aback. He hadn't considered if it was even possible for him to acquire that power again, perhaps because he wanted an excuse to deny trying again.

"I doubt we will find many Athenaeums out there." That doesn't answer much. Syrlya crosses his arms. "I would rather not, but I won't question your judgement if you think it is the best solution."

[whattaprick]

Lambert looks at Syrlya, cocking his head like there’s something he’s trying to understand. Honestly, he’s a little but perplexed, but—

“Why not?” This is a man who’s never obeyed an order quietly or without questioning it in his life, so Syrlya just ... accepting it is a little weird. “I could be wrong about the best decision. You really all right with that?”

[chronosynthesis]

"What?" Syrlya looks genuinely confused when Lambert questions it. When he proceeds to doubt himself that makes it a little more clear, and Syrlya's expression softens.

"I have seen enough to trust your judgement. You are the Nightrider, after all." And thus ultimately in charge... but Syrlya can't say he's overall had a problem with Lambert's decision making. He can't even say this was the wrong one, just that there's an aspect he'd rather not have to participate in again.

[whattaprick]

"That's the first time I've heard that," Lambert snort, looking away, but it's clear there's something in what Syrlya's just said that genuinely embarrasses him. "Strange questions my judgement all the time."

Not always about nightrunner business, no, but enough about everything else. Though thinking about it now, Lambert's mind can't help drifting back, frowning. Strange is dead. He'll be back, presumably, since the Ringmaster said she had him, but he doesn't know how to feel about the whole situation.

"I'm not used to people listening to me," he admits, after a moment. "I was the youngest Kaer Morhen, and they never let me forget it." He pauses, glancing over. "And I'm used to working alone."

That's been less true since he got to the Carnival, but...

[chronosynthesis]

Syrlya raises an eyebrow slightly, with faint amusement. "Well, you are in charge now. If you intend to stay as the Nightrider, I am sure you will find your way with it."

Which is not something he would say if he didn't genuinely believe Lambert was capable of rising to his position. He's seen others do it, before, with the same strength of heart.

Though--"Do you think you made the right decision?"

[whattaprick]

They're small words to Syrlya, maybe, but to Lambert ... well, he wouldn't say they solve all his problems, but it's oddly reassuring. He thinks he knows Syrlya well enough now to believe he wouldn't be one to offer hollow platitudes.

The question that follows, however, is much less relaxing. Lambert doesn't rush his answer, pursing his lips and considering.

"There are no right decisions," he says, finally. It may be cliche, but it's true ... and it's always what he's believed. "Just the ones that get you what you want, and the ones you can live with. Sometimes, if you're really lucky? They're the same thing."

He pauses. "I think we could have done better. Used the Athenaeum's magic smarter. Not lost Strange. But dealing with Ignatius? I'd still do the same thing."

[chronosynthesis]

Syrlya tips his head slightly. No right decisions, huh...

He wonders about that, but not enough to press Lambert's perception of the matter further right now.

"I see," he says it neutrally, without a lot of force. He hopes 'do the same thing' isn't actually going to be a decision they'll be faced with anytime soon, but... he otherwise can't exactly call Lambert wrong.

"I agree we could have approached it better. There is no changing what occurred, but at least it is something we will remember in the future."

[whattaprick]

Lambert nods. That’s more or less how he feels about it — admittedly, with more bloodthirstiness involved, but experience has taught him nobody is interested in hearing that.

“We don’t know if what we tried will pay off,” he says. “Not until the Ringmaster is done with him... and not until we know how the Court answers.” He frowns.

“I wish I could tell you to take as much time as you want,” he admits, “But the sooner you’re back, the better.”