⇨ 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

[chronosynthesis]

Syrlya puts his hands on his hips. "Yes, Strange. You are unfortunately still with the carnival, and I am not human."

Can he will himself to look normal again in Strange's dream? He's definitely going to try that.

[kingsroads]

Syrlya is able to make himself look normal. And, as Strange sets the books down on a nearby table, Strange's appearance changes a bit as well. He still looks human, without carnival changes, but his hair gets more gray in it and his face gets a little more lined.

"My motivation is for her," Strange explains again, as he reaches over to pick up the Arabella book. "Everything I've ever done, any spell I've ever cast, all the great works of magic I've ever worked were all for Arabella. It is hardly my fault that fate seems to think differently. And if I am going to better myself, or whatever nonsense you think I should do, it will be for Arabella's sake—not because you think it should happen."

[chronosynthesis]

That's very romantic, and Syrlya just ends up staring dumbly at it. Not out of an inability to comprehend, but he looks at Strange with muted surprise like it wasn't the response he expected.

Then Strange calls it nonsense and his expression dulls. It's an equal guess whether they're coming at different perspectives or different topics entirely, but it is an answer that suits what Syrlya asked. He shifts his arms to fold them loosely, raising a brow inquisitively at Strange. "Then why don't you step down from the nightrunners and take a position in the carnival that requires less personal endangerment? Something easier to assure your safety so that you can return to her."

[kingsroads]

Because pride. That's pretty much why. Because despite what Lambert might say, there's still this part of Strange that felt like Lambert wanted him off of the team simply because he wasn't good enough. Strange is still a bit too stubborn and reluctant to actually admit that it's pride. Thankfully, he has a different explanation to use.

"I'm certain the Ringmaster knows that things will only get worse from here on out. I'm a soldier as well as a magician. We're already the weaker party in this fight—the carnival should use every resource it has." And at least for Strange, he's counting himself as a resource.

[chronosynthesis]

Syrlya's been in enough wars to know how to tell a fine line between soldiers as resources and people. Thus, he doesn't react much to that, because it's just as much as how one might compartmentalize all of them. A good leader just doesn't forget the living aspect that they're endangering when delegating.

"And if it comes to the worst, I am sure everyone will be required to fight. Do you want to protect the people here?"

It's not too different of a question he asked Jasper, or Rita. They are the frontline, and most educated defense--and they won't have much of a job if they've nobody to fight for. If Arabella means that much to him, where does his priority lay?

[kingsroads]

"Of course I do," Strange responds, as if it's obvious. Whether it's the dream or the fact that he's just naturally open about these sort of things, Strange continues without any embarrassment.

"There are plenty of people in the carnival I care about. Lambert, Childermass, Rita, 9S, Yuya...and you, of course. If I can protect any of them, I will do so."

In Strange's mind, it's an obvious question with an obvious answer.

[chronosynthesis]

Syrlya pauses, and then his expression twists in something caught between wry and touched.

"Then better yourself for that, oh Greatest Magician," he points to Strange as he says it, circling his finger a little. "I meant what I told you before, that there are better ways than martyring yourself. If you are serious, then let us work on ways to do so. You are a powerful and clever mage, and it is a shame to see you restrict yourself simply because you do not believe you have to be better."

He pulls his hand back, his gaze losing focus on Strange for a second before he offers, finally, a genuine smile. "None of us ever have to be better, but that does not mean we shouldn't try."

[kingsroads]

It's a combination of the flattery and the smile that gets Strange to actually pay attention to what Syrlya's saying. Better himself...he knows that Sylrya is talking about more than just magic, more than learning new spells and new tricks. But perhaps if he focuses on bettering his magic, on making new strategies and figuring out new plans, then the rest of him might become better as well.

After all, so much of Strange is magic, and the parts of his identity that don't revolve around Arabella revolve around being a magician.

"Perhaps I shall at least try," Strange responds, with a wry little smile of his own. "After all, what's the worst that happens? I fail? I've already got a curse on my head and two fae with a claim on my soul, it can't get any worse than this!"

[chronosynthesis]

"Don't say that, it can always get worse," he counters, quickly, with severity that's only barely contained under the previous jesting.

He moves on from it immediately, though. "Provided either of us remembers enough of this conversation when we awake, why don't we practice before Eden? Identify some weak points and reconsider our strategy together. We've enough failures under our belt now that we have to be able to change something."

[kingsroads]

That sounds like a good idea. Strange nods, as he looks over at Syrlya. "We can't afford any failures to begin with. Not with the Mirror."

They only had so many chances to get the Silver Mirror. If they didn't get it now...then what? Then the likelihood that they could get it again was slim to none. Strange knows that though he wishes it were different, it's basically now or never for the carnival.

"Although, I have a hard time fully remembering my dreams," Strange lightly teases. "I'm afraid we'll just have to see if it happens this time or not."