⇨ WYLD HUNT

[ringleaders]

Who: Everyone!
When: Day 100
Where: Shabondamashii
What: The Wyld Hunt unexpectedly crashes the Shabon's dimension, leaving chaos in its wake. Those that have been with the carnival for a while might recognize it as the personal army of a fae called the Huntsman - also known as one of the Ringmaster's age old rivals, whom she dethroned thousands of years ago. The last we heard of him, he was pursuing the carnival, and it turns out he found them faster than anyone thought.
Warnings: Violence, theoretical cannibalism.

THE AUTUMN MOON↴ There isn't any warning. You might not even notice what's happening at first, with the approach of the threat happening as spontaneously as a zombie uprising. You're minding your own business, enjoying Shabon, when a random alien charges you on foot with sudden and aggressive intent. Whether or not you can throw them off or defeat them, you'll soon find they weren't alone. An entire army is descending upon the city now, and the carnival is the target. ► THEY ARE LEGION: The Wyld Hunt comes in all shapes and sizes, with beasts and men from all kinds of different universes having been caught up in its sway. Those that have been in the Hunt for a long while have more or less completely lost themselves - they now function only as part of a pack, hunting whatever the Huntsman wishes and consuming what their prey leaves behind upon death. Some members of the Hunt are newer and more unsure, but they are all a part of a psychic hive mind that compels them to move as a unit. Everyone in the Wyld Hunt instinctively know what the Huntsman wants them to do, even if they never speak to him. Their skills, powers, and physicalities are all over the board, but there are a notably large quantity of Wyld Fae among them, often being used as mounts by more powerful humanoids within the Hunt. When NPCing members of the Hunt for threading purposes there is a lot of flexibility to what you face, including entities and beasts from your own worlds - provided they are creatures capable of functioning independently. ► HUNT OR BE HUNTED: When set upon by the Hunt, it is easy to become overwhelmed. Unfortunately, in that situation, the only way to beat them is to join them. Beginning to hunt alongside the others will immediately pacify them against you. As soon as you start to follow, the thrum of the Huntsman's will will start to take over - the more you hunt, the harder it is to turn away from it. If you do stop, or successfully oppose the compulsion, they will be quick to set upon you again. Like the others, you will feel the craving to consume any individuals the Hunt has felled - you must resist this, because once you have eaten the prey of the Hunt, you'll be trapped within it indefinitely. ► WORN OUT WELCOME: The people of Shabon are used to crisis, but this is a bit beyond what even they are prepared to tolerate. The Hunt will be causing collateral, both of the human and the material sort. While the workers in Shabon have very well practiced escape procedures in the event of something like this, the other guests are not as fortunate. Plenty of them are capable of fighting back on their own, but they will not always be capable of avoiding the hordes. The longer this goes on, the worse it will get. Eventually, the Shabon workers will realize who the Hunt is after and start actively trying to turn carnival members over to them in order to make it stop. ► IN TWO PARTS: Tragically, this turn of events and the realization that she's managed to put everyone in danger once again will be what finally causes the Ringmaster to split in two. One side will immediately become disinterested in using violence to counter this problem, while the other will be desperate and reckless. This will also completely screw her ability to get anyone back to the carnival in time. There will be at least one Megathread dealing with her actions during this. PLEASE NOTE: This is a conflict the carnival is meant to survive, not win. The main point of this is to get the plot rolling in a new direction, so don't worry about figuring out how to defeat the Huntsman, because in this moment it basically won't be possible. Have fun threading out the crisis, and see where it leads. I wanted to be up front about that, as opposed to letting everyone grasp at straws to prevent a result that will be inevitable, even if the details will shift.

Comments

[pipers_son]

"If ya do that, then I'll just keep watch, how about that?"

Smell and any magical sensing abilities have problem been enough to pick up Joker's arrival on the scene long before he removes his invisibility so that he can speak up. He's more than a little roughed up, and more than a little ragged... but better than he could be, which is, frankly, dead. Invisibility, running, and lots of work on his healing skills have come in handy for him today. Of course, that means he's utterly exhausted as a result.

It's why he's not volunteering to fling himself right into the fray, but he's here regardless. After all, they're all exhausted. That's no excuse. If Yuya is still alive... That's better than nothing. They'll figure things out, somehow. Hopefully.

He nods to Sans. "I'll stay as backup, just in case yer too occupied." You know, with being their strongest person around, plus Strange, plus, well, everything. He can't fight, but he can watch and, more importantly.. If anything goes too south, then he can keep other people in the loop. It's what the radio in his hands is for. Honestly, it's a good thing he'd found it... although, considering the situation, it might be bad that he found it at all.

[betheman]

It would be really nice, if people would stop doing that.

Though, Gongenzaka likely did sense the other coming- it felt a bit like Joker would want to out himself on that matter, and here they are. There isn't a lot to say to that. Looking to Strange, and then to the others, Gongenzaka nods and stands.

"...Saah," he decides, addressing Joker first. "If that is the case then, I, the man Gongenzaka, shall be trusting you to do so." And to Strange....he takes a deep breath and focuses at making contact- a brief sensation of questioning brushing by the other. Is he getting that? Hopefully it's a 'yes' because other than that...

...Well other than that, they need to move- though he looks to Strange and Sans to lead in that case.

"...He is in this direction," he indicates with a short nod, followed by a point. "...Not too far..."

Just far enough that, well. They can't see him, and he can't see them.

Yet.

[kingsroads]

Good God, more people are showing up. This just cements it in Strange's mind: they've got to go save Yuya now, before even more members of the carnival show up to get themselves hurt. Because while he appreciates the effort, Strange isn't entirely sure how much use Joker could be as back-up, especially since they're fighting a fae. Despite the presence of two supervisors, Strange has decided that he's now the boss and they're going to put this half-hearted attempt at a plan into motion.

He doesn't entirely know how best to respond to Gongenzaka's weird soul powers, so Strange just intently thinks 'yes' for a solid few seconds as Gon points out the direction.

"If he's hidden, I'll find him," he simply says. As Strange activates his third eye, the burn scars on his forehead, arm, and hand light themselves on fire. Considering that his hair's already on fire and he's wearing his flame-colored slightly fire resistant cape, his #aesthetic is getting more and more on point. But, most importantly, it means he'll be able to see magic and maybe spot that fae if she's lying in the wings.

Gesturing for Sans to follow him, Strange starts walking down the street towards where Yuya is. He's got no idea what they're facing and has no idea what's going on, but they're a firebug magician who probably radiates Summer Court like nobody's business and a large bestial dog thing who probably radiates the Prince's magic like nobody's business: the element of surprise is also right out for them.

"Yuya?" Strange calls out, closer to speaking level than screaming level. "Yuya, where are you?"

[hippocarnival]

As they follow Gon's lead, it goes in a pretty straight forward path. Yuya's not hard to catch up to, swaying as he walks the same direction they're going in the middle of the broken street, at a pace much slower. All the while, he continues to call out.

"Help... help..." but it doesn't sound right. It isn't loud, or vibrant, or even... alarmed. It's nothing, no emotion reverberating in his throat as he continues to shuffle along.

Nothing about Gongenzaka's, or Sans' perceptions change as he comes into view. There's no other souls, no other traces of magic to indicate there's anyone around but Yuya. Given the effect is very internal, it's hard to say how evident the poison is in Yuya's system to Strange's third eye.

But his weird behavior is probably alarming enough.

[kingsroads]

Well this has 'huge fucking trap' written all over it. With a hand signal for Sans and the hopefully hidden Gongenzaka & Joker to stay back, Strange carefully walks over towards Yuya. He's already calling forth a fireball to one hand because again, huge fucking trap.

"And what precisely do we need to help you with?"

Knowing full well that this is a terrible decision, using the hand that isn't on fire, Strange grabs Yuya's wrist and attempts to forcibly yank him back towards the rest of the team.

[hippocarnival]

As Strange gets closer, Yuya's walking slows to a stop. It's when he speaks that Yuya turns around languidly, his head lulling over his shoulder as he looks back at Strange with dull, lifeless eyes.

And then suddenly his posture goes rigid and his back straightens up, although his expression doesn't change. Just before Strange can grab ahold of him, Yuya twists on his heels and runs with sudden precision and speed that wasn't present in his limping just earlier.

It's like there's purpose to where he's going, now, and he's leaving them behind if they don't keep up.

[osteothropy]

Sans keeps to the back as they pursue, but when he sees Yuya he just fucking growls as an instinctive reaction. That's not right. That has brain poison written all over it. Then Strange goes and tries to grab Yuya by the wrist and Sans almost loses it.

He charges over, skidding to a stop as he sees Yuya go running. He turns to the magician angrily.

"Strange," he thunders, uncontrollably agitated by Strange so immediately going for skin on skin contact. "You're gunna get yourself infected - it's contagious for all we know."

[kingsroads]

Even now, after he's decided to stop doing stupid things like 'signing up with one of the fae in order to spare the people he's with,' Strange still has the self-preservation instinct of a lemming and a tendency to not think things through. He gives Sans a look that plainly implies oh, NOW you're going to boss me around and act like a supervisor?

"If it's contagious, then we'll all be infected anyway when we save him—or hell, when we run into whatever trap he's leading us to." Because now Strange is certain this is a lure of some kind and Yuya's bait. But what else can they do? He makes a hand gesture towards where Gon and Joker are and, because he still doesn't really know how Gongenzaka's magic works, thinks 'follow me' very intently.

"Let's go." Fireball still at the ready, he starts running after Yuya, trying to keep him in sight as much as he can.

[betheman]

While words don't come across, there's enough frustration- not to mention the rapidly moving Yuuya blip in his tracking- to tell him what's going on.

"Joker," he starts quietly, nodding toward where the others went ahead. "We must follow." He'll give Joker the option of hitching a ride or not- but otherwise, he heads out and sends the feeling of agreement- a vaguely 'good' feeling, though perhaps not in this situation- with the image of a nod.

And also, a question mark. Because uh...what just happened?

[pipers_son]

It's called "some suspicicious bullshit" that just happened, and Joker doesn't like any of it. Then again, none of this has been good from the start, ever since the attacks first burst through, so at least his expectations are being met. He pats Gongenzaka on the side, taking a deep breath.

"I'll be right besides ya." And with that, he goes invisible again. It's the best thing he can do to keep himself safe and, by keeping himself safe, he can be of more use to this whole plan. If he's too far away, he might not be able to help if something happens, and if he's too close, he might get caught up in anything that goes after Gongenzaka. Not perfect... but oh well.

[hippocarnival]

And ahead of them, Yuya just keeps running. There aren't a lot of obstacles for any of them to have to maneuver, but Yuya's quick and doesn't seem to be held back by exhaustion or lack of breath. That could just be because he's in good shape, though.

It's a minute before he turns down the alley, stopping in the middle of it. It's misty, a concentration of magic, but... nobody else visibly there.

[kingsroads]

Strange takes a moment to just look at his life and look at his choices before deciding fuck it. Fuck it! This is going to be terrible, they're already here, but at least if he gets confirmation that Yuya's poisoned or dying or what have you then...well, then he can at least say he's tried.

He's standing outside of the misty area of the alley. Placing his hand in front of him, Strange quickly mutters a spell. He summons a gust of wind which blows into the misty, magical part of the alleyway. The wind is blowing the mist away from everybody, back towards the end of the alley

[betheman]

For a hot second, Strange is going to see another string of images in his mind courtesy of Gon's projections.

That image is him around one end of a corner, with Strange on the other.

They'll be back here, around the wall, for back up. More importantly though- an Eye, and a question mark. Strange, what do you see over there!

While waiting for that answer, he doesn't plan to move to walk down that alley suffice to say. Instead, he strains to feel out if more than Yuuya and Strange are in there. Something isn't right! (everything isn't right, actually)

[osteothropy]

Sans really doesn't want to follow. This seems really stupid. They know that fae is lurking somewhere, waiting for them, but they are going in anyway. Sans keeps low to the ground and at a distance, focusing on taking in their surroundings while the others focus on Yuya in particular.

This is starting to feel too familiar - chasing after someone who is already probably a lost cause. The entire scenario is starting to feel nearly identical to what happened in the Manor, and every part of it is leaving his ability to think rationally more and more in shambles.

"Don't," he says in a low voice, mostly directed towards Strange. He doesn't like this. He wants to go back.

[bestialpursuit]

The mist is, well, mist. It's not very corporeal. Strange blows it (along with a bunch of trash) back to the dead-end of the alley, where the wind pushes it up, tiny particles floating in the air above Yuya.

And then it happens in a rush. Driven by sentient force, the mist boils down towards Strange and out of the alley, chilly tendrils trying to cram themselves into his mouth, nose, and eyes.

[hippocarnival]

Yuya also teeters in the wind, suddenly lacking the stability of his own body. He drops to his knees, then sways forward to crumple against the ground.

He's alive. His soul is definitely still in his body. But it's like cutting strings from a puppet, with no ability for him to regain control of his limbs.

[kingsroads]

He can do that trick too, asshole. As the mist boils down towards him, cramming itself in his mouth and nose, it sinks into his body for a second before Strange turns into his smoke form. The slightly poisonous Nightshade smoke is mixing with the magical fae mist as Strange attempts to float back towards Yuya, away from the direction the mist is currently swarming.

[betheman]

Turning into smoke, to no one's surprise (certainly not his at least) means the connection is cut. It's too bizarre a state of anything, even if he connects directly to the soul.

And his first instinct is that something is wrong. But of course something is wrong, everything is wrong, and jumping tp see for himself won't help.

"Gh....lost Strange," is all he mutters for Joker, forcing himself not to move.

Ahh, but what about Yuuya? He can still sense him there, still alive! So he reaches to him, with the feeling of reassurance.

Marred by worry, and fearful questioning of course.

[hippocarnival]

Yuya's felt so trapped since this started. It's like he's been disconnected from his body, but without the luxury of being truly unconscious as something else seeps into him and takes control. Everything's a little hazy, but he knows enough of what's happened. He dragged them here. It was a trap. He's caused so much trouble.

Now that the poison isn't as active, Yuya has a little clearer grip of himself. He still can't move, but it isn't like he's sensing everything through a dizzying veil. That's when he feels the presence of Gongenzaka within his soul again. He couldn't respond before, but now.

Now, he pushes as much feeling as he can out. It's faint, weak, like he's struggling through the connection--but the emotion is direct enough to be understood. It's urgent, and a warning.

Leave him.

[bestialpursuit]

A second or two isn't much, but it's all the fae needs, her poison mingling with Strange's smoke and leaving a delicate trace of her presence behind. Whenever Strange turns corporeal, a faintly familiar feeling will hit: sweating, feverish, the world becomes disjointed, tilting oddly on its axis as a feeling of euphoria (or is it anxiety?) thrums through him and makes his heart beat faster as he starts to hallucinate. You know, Yuya's head turning into a pineapple and that kind of thing.

In the meantime, the mist rolls around the alley and, upon at least spotting Gon and another familiar form, will attempt to breeze through them in the same way, to the same effect. A sharp, nose-searing scent comes with it.

[osteothropy]

Okay, that's the fucking worst. Sans growls only grow louder, blue and gold energy crackling in his jaw. His massive tail swishes back and forth, its stinger ready to strike.

"GET OUT OF THERE!" he yells at the three of them, but something already strikes him as it being too late. His legs won't move. He physically can't make himself get any closer.

[betheman]

Gon doesn't even seem to think properly in that moment. He hears Sans, and his desperation. But he feels Yuuya's first, and it blinds him like a curtain. Choking on whatever shout he was about to make, he doesn't run away.

"...I'm trusting you-!" Is he speaking to Joker? Someone else? He doesn't even have time to say what with, or how.

Instead he thrusts his arm forward to shoot a blast from the repulsor while charging, holding his breath and hoping to hell a concentrated 'gust' can succeed in splitting a hole enough to avoid being poisoned as he runs for Yuuya as fast as his legs can manage.

[pipers_son]

All he needed to hear was "Strange is lost" for him to get ready to get airborn, wings tense and quivering while he stays on the ground. Sure, he edges back a little bit, looking around him to make sure nothing tries to get at them from behind. Just still on the ground. His wings make noise, after all, and his invisibility isn't like that of the other Joker from that one universe. He can't make himself silent, unfortunately, which ruins a whole lot of plans he could make.

At least he's prepared, when the smoke comes rolling out of the alleway, and he launches himself up into the air immediately. Shabon's streets are cramped, but he's flexible... And it helps that Gongenzaka is the one to charge forward, attempting to clear the way. Joker drops the invisibility almost immediately, biting back the urge to yell and instead just focus on getting higher and higher.

Time to see the reach of this thing, and if this will help him at all... and just what kind of report to make so that no one is left wondering where any of the taken are.

[kingsroads]

Strange only lingers in smoke form for a moment or two. And when he reforms, his experience with being mad and already slightly fragile mental state means that the magical madness hits hard. He staggers backwards slightly as his mind settles into the familiar state of madness.

Hmm. The candle in Yuya's head is almost out. He should fix that.

So as Gon lunges towards Yuya, Strange idly lobs a grapefruit sized fireball in Yuya's direction. He looks like he's about to burst into a fit of giggles as he does so. On the one hand, he's not aiming well at all and there's a good chance this fireball can go wide. On the other hand, grapefruit sized fireball.

[bestialpursuit]

Although the fae is remarkably agile for mist, it also means she's not particularly solid. As before, when wind is directed at her, she scatters and parts, allowing Gon a clear path through to Yuya ... well, for the moment.

Direct confrontation with this many individuals at once -- she's surprised, because she was expecting to lure only one more like she had with the skeleton -- isn't something she's accustomed to. So the mist swirls in the alley mouth for a second, regathering itself after being parted. Go after the ones who've clustered around her already paralyzed prey, one of them holding a fireball, or go after the lone winged beast that's taken to the air?

There's no question, really. The mist climbs up quickly after Joker, and above him ... and in the middle of the air, it coalesces into the form of a lithe, somersaulting girl with white hair.

Who's promptly going to attempt to land on Joker's back and try to force him to land. The alleyway is safe from her attentions, for now.