⇨ CAMPING GROUNDS

[ringleaders]

Who: Everybody!
When: Day 64
Where: The Camping Grounds
What: While the Ringmaster attempts to purge the carnival of magical tracing spells and deal with the angry fire fae in her belly, everyone else is getting sent on an emergency camping trip with some unusual local fauna.
Warnings: Camping.

CRYPTIC CAMPGROUNDS↴ You're given about three hours to prepare, after the Ringmaster tells you her plans for the coming week. There is a vast selection of camping equipment at your disposal, and the means to take along enough food for the length of the stay. The wilderness of the planet you're left on is nearly idyllic, but some people just don't like the great outdoors. ► CRYPTOZOOLOGY: As it turns out, the carnival won't be alone here. There is a varied ecosystem of cryptids to be found as well, living in relative peace and mostly reacting to the newcomers with curiousity. More details can be found on the plotting post. You are free to NPC the cryptids as much as you need to, as long as you stick to the behaviours described. ► DREAMSHARING: There is a player plot going on which will allow characters to share dreams! These are specifically more dreams than nightmares, and the mushi-adept characters will be here to help. ► CHILLAX: There isn't any plot twist for this setting, so this is mostly an opportunity to decompress from the last plot and get ready for the future. The Ringmaster will show up occasionally to help with needed medical treatments and check on things, but won't stick around for long.

Comments

[atouts]

Lucky for Strange, Baker will be content with leaning into the scratching fingers in his mane this time. He escapes a second run in with massive amounts of dog slobber, this time. Childermass, however, is infinitely less pleased with Strange than the dog is and that's honestly just the norm for this conversation.

"It's not obvious?" Childermass asks, twisting where he sits to look at Strange again and gesturing with a hand nowhere in particular, as if just to present some very obvious fact that doesn't actually exist in the air he waves towards. "It's... you know what it is!"

A lot of things that he doesn't particularly feel like putting to words right now, all of which don't seem to be a problem at all to the carnival at large. Certainly not to the fae, nor a number of places they've been to, even different versions of Earth itself, and certainly not anything he's held against anyone else here. What other people do aren't his business, but himself... It's a mindset solely from where they are from, which is why Childermass can't help but offer Strange a look of sheer disbelief.

"And yes, I do realize we aren't in England right now, but why in god's name do you think I wouldn't try to hide it?"

[kingsroads]

"Because we aren't in England right now in the first place!" Strange answers, as if it's the most obvious thing in the world.

Childermass is talking to the person who outright wrote to Norrell asking about necromancy, made no secret of the fact that he wanted to summon a faerie servant, spent all of his time in Venice looking like an unwashed hobo, and once he went crazy, actually told people that he went crazy. Even when he was sane, Strange's grasp of 'following social conventions' was shaky at best, and it's only gotten worse as time went on.

Though he does understand a bit why Childermass might not want to have said it. Even though they weren't in England, they were still English magicians. The worries, prejudices, and thoughts of the time would always linger in the back of their minds.

"Since you can be open with these things here, I can't understand why you wouldn't," he points out, as he continues to scratch Baker's mane. "Better to have happiness while you can."

[atouts]

"While I am well aware you have no respect for it, some men do actually value some privacy in their lives," Childermass offers that in reply. It's true, incredibly true in his own case, a man that so many know so very little about. "While I am not one to take any stock in the opinions of others regarding me, I would rather not be made into a spectacle, either."

[kingsroads]

"Being part of a couple isn't making a spectacle of yourself," says the man who would undoubtedly make a spectacle of himself should Arabella show up. We've just got two opposite levels of privacy and forthrightness that will never even remotely approach a happy medium.

As such, Strange is still baffled by the fact that Childermass thought this was something to keep quiet in the first place.

"You're allowed to show you like things that aren't tobacco or your dog," Strange teases.

[atouts]

"Not usually," Childermass replies. He's kept what he likes and dislikes close to his chest, always. It's only with Baker that it's become more apparently he even has emotions beyond 'don't care' and he's still waiting for that to bite him in the ass one day.

Only this is far worse.

"I like tobacco and my dog and my horse. I like magic and my cards. Love, however, isn't the same as like, Mr. Strange."

[kingsroads]

"So you love him as well?" It's an honest question, as Strange looks over at Childermass with an inquisitive frown. Because he heard Lambert say that he loved Childermass. But Strange knows damn well that it's possible for one person to love someone and not be loved back.

Strange doesn't seem to care that he's putting Childermass on the spot like this. He also doesn't care that he's straight up staring down Childermass as he waits for an answer.

[atouts]

"I don't think I'd put up with him as much as I do if I didn't," Childermass says, which is about as close to a heartfelt confession as anyone can expect to get. Surely Strange can understand that. After all, the man's own wife sure has to put up with a ton of her husband's own bullshit.

[kingsroads]

Strange does indeed understand that. He's not blind to the amount of bullshit poor Arabella's had to put up with. He gets what Childermass is implying, even though he's not saying it.

"Lambert outright said it," Strange teases slightly, just to give Childermass grief for the purposes of giving him grief. "Still, I understand what you mean." This is Childermass, in his own weird standoffish stupid Childermass way, saying that yes he loves Lambert as well.

Strange pauses for a moment before, slightly awkwardly, continuing, "I know I don't need to say this, but be gentle with him. At least, be gentle with regards to the two of you." Lambert's said that witchers don't have emotions enough that whether now or in the past, he might have actually believed it...even though both Strange and Childermass know it's definitely not the case.

Plus, there's that whole Lambert confessing to Strange that Childermass is pretty much his first love thing.

[atouts]

"Yes, well, our Nightrider is far more emotional than some other people," is what Childermass has to say to that, which is to say that Lambert is a massive sap. He does have to give Strange a bit of a sideways look at what else he has to say, though. Be gentle? Really?

"And gentle doesn't typically figure into it..." Even if that's hardly true, although he does suspect Strange means emotionally gentle. "Not that you stand much to suggest anything of the like. It sounds as if you've traded Lambert in for a High Fae as a friend."

[kingsroads]

Well that lovely moment lasted all of fifteen seconds. Strange goes from mildly hopeful that this conversation can finish without any more yelling to utterly annoyed that nope, this conversation is going to have more yelling.

"It's not my fault Lambert's an ass," Strange grumbles, as he looks away from Childermass. Because their dumb fight was a good 2/3 Lambert's fault and that's the story Strange is sticking with. "Are you even interested in my opinion on the matter or do you just want to scold me for my terrible choices?"

[atouts]

"You're both an ass."

No one else in this entire carnival can even disagree with Childermass on that, just try and find someone. That said, Childermass also isn't so single-minded about this disaster that he won't give Strange his chance. He sits up straighter and looks expectantly at the other magician.

"I would like to hear it, actually," he says. Without the entire carnival trying to argue over a radio channel, it might be easier. "Because I am well aware of what the court fae do to those they take and I've yet to meet one willing to defend their master."

[kingsroads]

Strange is still a bit worried that this is all going to explode on him, but if Childermass wants to listen, then Strange will talk.

"After we made the bargain, he turned me to ash and reformed me in the Rose Queen's gardens. And then for ten or so minutes, we talked. He explained to me why the Summer Court was looking for the Ringmaster in the first place—something which, if I'm remembering correctly what everyone told me, the Ringmaster only confirmed after the Courts told everybody that."

What with being brainwashed and dying and then getting into so many dumb fights, Strange hasn't had enough time to be as angry about that as he should. At least Ignatius was open enough with him to tell Strange one of the reasons why the carnival was pursuing the Ringmaster. If the courts hadn't shown up, she might not have ever told them.

"Yes, he enthralled me. And yes, there were aspects of my stay with him that I'd rather not relive. But I don't think he did them out of some sadistic pleasure." He's trying to keep his tone as deliberately neutral as possible, but a little bit of disbelief slips through anyway. Considering that the vast majority of the fae they've encountered seem to be assholes for the sake of being assholes, the fact that Ignatius was even slightly decent left a huge impression on Strange.

[atouts]

"That she killed the Winter Queen? Yes, that is common knowledge by now," Childermass says and he could add a few points, but that isn't what they're focusing on right now or, at least, it isn't what he's focusing on. Ignatius isn't sadistic. So that he isn't as awful as Nightshade makes him somehow better?

He doesn't scoff, so there's that.

"I see." There's a pause, ever so slight, before he adds, "Did you know the Count rescued the three sisters? The ones from Portland. Swept them away from their terrible lives. At least, that is how they would tell it."

His three sisters, technically, but it grates on him to claim even that much.

[kingsroads]

Strange doesn't know why Childermass is shifting the conversation away from Ignatius. However, considering that this sounds like an easy way to shift to 'and then the Count fucked them over just like how Ignatius will fuck you over,' Strange is almost instantly wary. He doesn't know where this is going, but he knows he probably won't like it.

"I didn't," he answers. "The Jonathan Strange of Portland wasn't too keen on learning about your childhood."

Like, this much is obvious, Childermass. Of course he didn't know that, Portland Strange was a douche.

[atouts]

"And all in all, I suppose their lives under his command weren't all that terrible, though plenty of my memories of those days are a little hazy, I do admit."

It could easily go that way, but Childermass knows that, too. This is a delicate topic and he'll need to choose what he says a little more wisely than what's been said before, in anger. He's still upset. He's worried. None of that really seems to matter to Strange.

"Provided they never disagreed with him, of course. He required loyalty above all else." Because seriously, who cares whatever else the kids get up to so long as they do what they're told. "Now, the Count is no Ignatius, that much I know. Even the Ringmaster feels that way, that Ignatius is, at least, honorable, but as far as being sadistic goes? The Count isn't, either. That man never does anything without a purpose and 'for pleasure' doesn't factor into it. Knowing that, should it change how I feel about him?"

[kingsroads]

Strange is still on the defensive, like he expects the conversation to go south or for Childermass to start berating him for his choices. He's tense, and listens to Childermass's explanation with a frown. He understands what Childermass is trying to do. Not being sadistic isn't enough for most people to make a defense of someone, it's just a basic measure of human decency.

"I am not trying to discredit your feelings towards the Count," Strange carefully starts, "but what was he like to your sisters? Were they just tools for him to use? Or did he actually care about them? And I am not saying Ignatius cares about me," Strange quickly interjects, before any assumptions can be made, "but we got along well enough before I was enthralled."

Almost under his breath, while looking off to the side, Strange admits, "He said he respected my choices."

[atouts]

It really does come down to that. 'He didn't brutalize me as badly as this other one' isn't a very solid defense.

"I doubt that man is capable of caring about anyone," Childermass answers, "But if you needlessly break your tools, what's the use of having them in the first place? He invested time in all of us, but no, not out of care. If you did well, you were rewarded. If you did poorly, punished."

And that 'he respected my choices' is Strange's next defense does bring a scowl to Childermass's face, but he'll smooth it away, lest the man think he's judging him (even if he is, he really is).

"He's a general, Strange. He needs to be able to command troops and their loyalty to get his job done. Of course you got along well. Considering he got a new toy soldier out of this whole mess, that may have been the high point of his day."

[kingsroads]

It's not a solid defense, but it's one of the few attempts at a defense Strange has. He knows that 'I've got a different feeling about him than the other fae' and 'just trust me, okay' are shitty defenses and yet Strange is worried that he's going to have to fall back on those.

"This all would have been different if Lambert didn't almost kill the man," Strange grumbles, more for the sake of grumbling than anything else. Because as much as Strange wishes they could, they can't go back and change Lambert's dumbass decision.

"Why are you asking me these things to begin with?" he snaps. "I know I made a mistake. If I had the means to, I'd go back and stop myself from making that agreement. And I realize that Ignatius enthralled me to the point where I almost killed Lambert—I'm not defending that! But you said yourself, he's a general. And all the things he did to me were simply the result of Ignatius acting like one."

[atouts]

"Can you blame us for being worried? You're defending a man who considers you to be property," Childermass says, shrugging as he does. "Those who remember how that feels are going to be wary of that, even angry to hear it. Every time someone speaks poorly of Ignatius, you're there to pick a fight. It's not natural, Strange. He barely had you for two days."

[kingsroads]

"He considers me to be a soldier," Strange rebuts, even if he's not entirely certain that's true. He'll have to ask Ignatius about that and, well, who knows if he'll get that chance.

"And I'm defending a man who was tortured. Aside from a few exceptions, it seems a lot of the carnival is fine with that fact."

There's no comment on the two days thing. Strange is still trying to figure out how to reconcile his awful training montage spirit quest that seemed like it went on for an eternity with the fact that at most, it probably went on for a few hours. And Lord knows if he mentions said awful training montage spirit quest, it could be another point for Childermass and the rest to press him on.

[atouts]

"A soldier who will never be paid, will never be allowed to return home, perhaps not even allowed to die seeing how any of the High Fae can pluck souls out of the air." Yeah, totally just a soldier. "And as far as I could tell, most people spent time yelling at Rita and Syrlya for their part in it. You missed that, by the way."

The whole being dead thing.

"As for myself? I can't seem to find it in me to feel bad for any of the court fae. Could be it was time we actually humbled one of them, for what little that may even be worth."

[kingsroads]

Strange looks downright disgusted at Childermass's response. "How is torture and forced kidnapping humbling?"

He is glad to hear that people yelled at Rita and Syrlya for it. Needs more yelling at Lambert (who Strange places most of the blame for this debacle on), but Strange is fairly certain that he'll at least get some more yelling in before the week's out.

[atouts]

"What, you mean doing to them exactly what they do to us? It isn't on the level by any means, but you really can't understand that?" Childermass isn't exactly a vengeful man. It's just he can see the appeal behind it, even with most parties regretting it after the fact (except, of course, Lambert).

"No doubt you'll have some spiel about being better than them but knowing they aren't invincible isn't a bad thing."

[kingsroads]

"Considering that we have a weapon of war in the center of the moon, of course they know they aren't invincible! Hell, the Blue Rose already killed one fae to begin with."

To Strange, this just sounds like a list of excuses and justifications, of Childermass finding a way to rationalize what Lambert did. There were plenty of ways to show the fae that they aren't invincible which didn't involve literal torture.

[atouts]

"A Wyld Fae. They hold no value in the courts," Childermass says, brushing off the death of the Prince like it doesn't mean anything (and they're all better off for it, anyway). "And it was the Ringmaster who ultimately destroyed him, not the Rose."

And that's about the end of what he even has to say on the matter. It's with a resigned look that he just... lets it go. He can only hover over being angry for so long before it just becomes exhausting and so—

"But fine. Do as you will, believe whatever you want, it's what you've always done." He turns back to stare gloomily into the campfire. "And try to avoid Nightshade if you can. I've no idea if the Starlight's protections hold up through death or even a change of ownership."