lostcarnival | ⇨ POLARIS 3.0

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⇨ POLARIS 3.0

Who: Everyone!
When: Day 115
Where: Polaris
What: On the morning of day 115, a couple hours before the technicians would come to pick up the test subjects, the escape plan will officially come into effect. If your character has been left out of the loop up till this point, feel free that someone hastily explains the plan during the initial phase! The meat of everything else will be played out via megathreads and any private toplevels people want to make.
Warnings: Probably violence.

PEER REVIEW↴

The plan starts with getting everyone out of their cells. Childermass is going to be using his Gilded Mark to enhance his shadow movement abilities, unabling him to teleport himself and other people out of containment. If your character has other ways of escaping they are free to pursue that, but on a base level, it can be assumed that everyone gets out thanks to Childermass. (Thanks Childermass!) Once everyone has been removed from their cells by some means or another, they will be forced to split into teams as swiftly as possible, as the moment people start breaking out, negative attention from the staff will start building. The area is poorly guarded at first, but as people become aware of the breakout, more will arrive.

Gild, speaking on behalf of her inside plant, will say that those that 1) want to get their stuff back, 2) want to find Ignatius, should get the assistance of their allied Deltas to access sector A5. From there, they will have to access Polaris's storage in A3, a neighbouring sector, and find access to C2, the station where Ignatius is being held. They should expect to be met with armed resistance, but with any luck allies will be there to assist them.

In general, characters will be most effective if they back one of these major objectives:

► TEAM LOOT: This team is trying to get back the items and pets that were confiscated when the group was brought into Polaris. Their objective, according to their allies on the inside, is to get to A5, and then make their way to A3. The important thing is being able to locate their stuff among a sea of other items, and to make it through security in order to reclaim it. Gild's plant has said that they will assist with this. After getting these items, Team Loot may wish to merge with Team Rescue.

► TEAM RESCUE: This team's primary focus is to get to A5 and then make their way to C2. If desired, they may wait for or join with Team Loot, or they may strike out ahead in order to take advantage of the element of surprise. The key factors are obtaining a way to access C2, as well as being prepared for armed conflict with the technicians guarding it, as well as possibly the Mother of Invention herself. Though, the ideal is that Gild will be distracting here at that time.

► TEAM DISTRACTION: This team can do their thing wherever they please, as their main intent is to sew general discord and distract the staff from the teams doing more important things. They should be prepared for armed resistance, but what tactics they pursue beyond that point are highly variable.

► TEAM FORTRESS: This team is attempting to set up a protective base of operations in the original sector in order to survive the conflict and protect their noncombatant comrades. How they accomplish this is also highly variable.

Other objectives may exist, of course, and can be made with their own separate top levels. Chunks of these megathreads will have to be played out in summary form, so when characters are simply trying to get from place to place and specifics aren't necessary, feel free to stick to that format. Assume that everyone is already out of their cells for the purpose of the megathreads.

Here is a shitty map of how the sectors connect, from a side view of the central Polaris hub.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

But he wants to be the strongest! He hates relying on people like this, the fact that so many of their battles have ended with cross your fingers, hope that your giant snake friend or weird magic library or magical rabbits play along and help.

"Truth be told, the only thing getting us through this is plain luck. We almost died in Eden, we almost died in Polaris, we're definitely going to die if we go into the Wyldlands..." Strange trails off, with a frown.

"I can't afford to die again. But if I stay here, on this path, that's what's going to happen."

Yuya pauses, quieting as that sinks in. It's coming from pain, and he understands how that clouds your ability to see.

"Hey, that's not what you said before, right? When I said I wasn't doing enough for my friends..." Yuya hadn't been saying it was luck, exactly, but he didn't believe he'd done as much to make a difference as Strange did.

He looks up at him. "It's not just luck, it's--we're making friends. We're helping people, and when we help people they help us. Like Creation, and the Furies in Eden. Maybe we're not strong enough on our own, but we're not alone."

They're not alone. Yuya had felt like it, when they first arrived, but the truth is that more than just Gild came to their aid.

"That's why Shimmer's here. And Samyaza." And the manor girls Yuya doesn't actually know at all.

"No one died in Eden, right? And nobody died here."

Strange looks like he's halfway torn between sulking and yelling. Sure, it'd be nice to believe that others would always be there to help and that whatever powerful forces they've made along the way would always be on their side. But people are fickle and the fae are powerful: it's foolish to assume they'd always have help.

Thankfully, one thing catches his ear and Strange's expression goes from 'potentially ready to yell' to 'curious and interested.'

"Shimmer's here?" he says, with a little excitement in his voice. He straight up did not know that. Damn, now he's got to try and see if Polaris has any alcohol or anything like that.

(He doesn't really care about Samyaza, sorry weirdo rabbit thing.)

"Yeah," Yuya smiles briefly. "She helped us get through security." He doesn't actually know what Samyaza was doing, he's just caught her around when he got himself mobile again. But he's confident she's been helping.

He pulls back a little, a little more genuine strength in his expression. "They came back for us. Just like Gild came for Ignatius. The Ringmaster never left anyone behind, either, and we'er here for each other, too."

Even the carnival isn't just one person, it's many of them. Working together and moving forward. "And we've done this much because of that, right? It's not hopeless. Maybe... as much as we want to be, you and I aren't strong enough alone. But we are when we're together."

That's the Power of Friendship.

Shonen protag speeches are only partly effective on someone who's not from a shonen canon. This opens more questions than it answers (why the hell did they bring Yuya along, it's not like there were a lot of reflections on Polaris). He pulls back a little as well, but very pointedly looks a little annoyed when Yuya mentions the Ringmaster.

"The Ringmaster also conveniently refused to tell us that she was wanted by two Courts before any of us signed on. I know that you want to see the best in her, but I simply can't forgive her for that."

How many people would have signed on if they knew that there was a high possibility they'd get screwed over by the fae? Strange doesn't know for certain, but he's got a feeling the percentage would be a lot lower.

"Did she even apologize for holding that information from us? She had plenty of time to do so and, as far as I can tell, she never did."

Yuya lets out a sigh, resigned. "No, she didn't. I think she thought she left it in the past, but if we'd known... not everyone signed up for something that's worth this."

He certainly understands being angry about it. He's not going to blame Strange for that. She's made plenty of mistakes. "But I don't want to leave her with the Huntsman, not knowing what he's doing to her... I don't want her suffering."

Even besides that his contract is unfinished, and important, he happens to care about her as a person. Yuya shrugs a shoulder. "But it's not just up to me and what I want. That's... something we should all talk about. With Ignatius and Gild."

Because they'll probably still need some fae assistance if they're going to save her.

"We should," Strange admits. There's a little pause before he looks over at Yuya. Strange mulls over his words before he starts talking. Since he's brought Ignatius up...

"I know I don't need to tell you this, but be patient with Ignatius. A fae's domain...from what I understand, it's the very core of their being. Having his aspect shifted like this would be like if you suddenly couldn't do magic or became part angel." Or like when Childermass became a faeblood, Strange thinks, but doesn't say. He's seen first hand a few of the of fun existential worries that come when your entire existence shifts.

"He'll be confused and possibly scared and we don't need people trying to make him feel better with nonsense like telling him everything's going to be alright. Because in his mind, everything isn't alright."

Yuya knits his brow, not sure if Strange really doesn't think he needs to tell Yuya if he's going to tell him anyway and bring up assurances that Yuya tries to share when things are looking bleak.

"I know he was changed." Yuya's saw it. He's talked to Steven about the same issue and he knows about Childermass. "I don't think that's what Peridot thought was going to happen when she asked Creation to help him."

He rubs the back of his neck. "But that is him now, so if there's something we can do to help him be more comfortable and cope with it, then we can be there for him."

"Just don't force him into anything," Strange continues. He's not entirely certain Yuya's understanding what he's saying, so he tries to explain more clearly.

"You're very good at trying to see the good in things and inspiring people. But sometimes, someone might not want to see the good things. Let him wallow, if only for a little bit, before you come in with pep talks and reassurances."

Not every time is time for a pep talk. And Strange is worried that Yuya's just going to come in, guns blazing, with his 'everything is fine and you can get past this' right when Ignatius is in the middle of a sad spell and honestly believes that nothing is fine (which frankly, Strange doesn't blame him for indulging in).

Yuya chews on his lip briefly. The idea that Yuya could force Ignatius into anything is absurd, but he doesn't dwell on that part. "I wasn't! Have you talked to him?"

Yuya's asking mostly because he hasn't, on account of being down for the count from the whole nearly dying thing. Rita mentioned he'd run away from Gild, but there were also a lot of other factors that went into it. He probably is miserable.

Edited 2018-11-14 18:01 (UTC)

"Not yet. Partly because I spent the past few hours magically fixing my own broken arm to a workable state, partly because I'm giving him space." Strange stresses, as he rubs his nose slightly in irritation.

"Considering that he left the conversation as soon as Gild started hounding him, I suspect he wants some time to himself. I'm giving him that. I'll talk to him when we're all less keyed up from this nonsense."

Said with an accompanying hand gesture to the burnt out remnants of the farm. This nonsense obviously means 'all of Polaris.'

"Hounding him?" Sometimes, the way Strange talks about Ignatius makes him sound like glass. It's something Yuya recognizes mostly from how other people have talked about him, with fragility. Like Gongenzaka. Mostly Gongenzaka. When was this conversation? Yesterday?

Yuya shakes his head. "I'm not saying your wrong but... that means you didn't ask him, right? You're assuming he doesn't want to talk to anyone because it's hard to talk to Gild."

That, too, Yuya knows too keenly. The tendency to interpret other people's actions through the lens of what he feels, or what he would do. It's something he's still working through, still trying to overcome.

"I thought we were out here to test your shield," Strange grumbles. This conversation's shifted too far towards nitpicking and what Strange views as people pointing out his flaws for his own liking.

"I will talk to him. But later, once we're both in a more solid state of mind." Because Strange is still a little testy and emotionally pulled from confessing all of his fears and doubts to Yuya not even ten minutes ago. He's certainly not going to be working through anybody else's emotional crises in this state.

Yuya's shoulders sink and he looks away. "Yeah, we were."

He steps backwards until he puts a few feet between him and Strange. His expression is still a little troubled, but he takes a deep breath and focuses on pushing his shield out in a smaller size around him, trying to reinforce it as much as possible.

"Okay, I'm ready."

Strange is still a little grumpy and a lot bit not wanting to reflect on his actions. He takes a few steps back and mutters an incantation. The ground starts to rumble a bit ominously.

"I'll go from small to large," Strange explains, as a small rock about the size of a baseball raises up from the ground. "Tell me when you feel the shield start to give."

And then, not even a second later, Strange flicks his hand and the rock flies at Yuya's shield. As he does so, a second rock starts to rise from the ground...and Strange just keeps on complaining.

"I should be strong enough on my own," Strange grumbles. "How the hell can I protect people if I always have to rely on someone else?" Something that he hopes Yuya would understand, especially since they're working on his protection magic here and now.

Yuya only holds one hand out as he keeps the shield up. The gesture isn't actually necessary, but it helps him focus. It ripples with the first hit, and Yuya flinches when the first rock hits, and he scrambles to reinforce for the next one. It doesn't break yet, but he's not at his most focused.

Especially not when Strange is still talking. Especially when they're doubts that Yuya's been fighting with again and again for months, running in circles like he can't find the right direction to make it happen.

"If I knew, I'd already be doing it." He flinches again at the second rock, but it doesn't break yet. Trying to defend against rocks isn't the best time for him to be self-reflecting, either. "Gongenzaka was always the one strong enough on his own, and even he's been beaten by them!"

Strange briefly looks offended at being compared to Gongenzaka of all people. The second rock slams against the shield as Strange calls forth a third.

"Gongenzaka didn't fight in the peninsula. Gongenzaka didn't give England back her magic." The third rock slams into the shield as Strange starts to call forth number four. "Gongenzaka isn't one of the most powerful magicians of the age. The Ringmaster didn't charge Gongenzaka with Ignatius's safety. I am so much more powerful than Gongenzaka and yet I can't do anything!"

For all the faith Yuya puts into Gongenzaka and how strong he views him, it's an objective truth in Strange's mind that he's much more magically powerful than Gongenzaka and, as such, what is a problem for Gon shouldn't be a problem for him. The fourth rock flies towards the shield.

"I--" Yuya almost yelps at the force of the second rock, blanking out of the conversation briefly as he focuses on keeping the third rock from coming through.

"I know that, I just meant--what I thought was being the strongest isn't enough! Even Ignatius--even as strong as he is--!"

He yelps as the forth rock crashes to the barrier. He stops it, but it flickers out of form. Yuya quickly throws the shield up again, a little weaker in haste. "So maybe instead of being strong enough to protect people by ourselves, what we have to do is protect each other."

It comes out faster than Yuya's brain consciously thinks about it, but... that's right, isn't it? Even Ignatius needs help. Even they need help. Looking after each other, it can't be one way--it's a back and forth, and everyone taking care of each other. That's how they've made a difference every time.

If he had more time to think back, he'd realize it's never been one person who's strong enough. One person to save the day. Even with the Ringmaster.

They always needed each other.

"Oh that's easy for you to say," Strange snaps. He's noticed that Yuya's barrier's fallen and gives him a moment to resummon it. The flames on his hair are just creeping further and further up as he takes a moment to just indulge in his anger and fury.

"You have Gongenzaka. Lambert has Childermass. Sans has Papyrus, the gems all have each other, and now Ignatius has Gild and Rita. Well where does that leave me?"

Strange knows that it's inherently selfish. But man, it is so hard being the one who's constantly the third wheel, constantly the one on the sidelines to congratulate people for growing closer and, in some cases, falling in love whereas the one person who you'd give your life up for to protect is a whole different universe away.

"I tried to explain this to Peridot, that aside from me, everybody here has someone who will protect them and who'll look out for them no matter the circumstances. But she didn't listen!"

Edited 2018-11-14 19:55 (UTC)

Yuya looks stunned as the fifth rocks slams into the barrier flickering against the impact. His hand drops to his eyes and he stares, wide-eyed from behind the weakening shield. And then his hand clench into tight fists, but he doesn't notice how painfully his claws dig into his skin.

"I'M HERE FOR YOU!"

His vision blurs with tears as he screams, sucking in a sharp breath that only brings his tone down a little. "I've tried to tell you--do you really think the only person I really care about here is Gongenzaka? That you're not important enough to Lambert because he's with Childermass?"

His voice rises an octave, disbelieving only because how many times has to impressed to Strange how much he matters to Yuya? How many times has Yuya tried to be there, managed to be there. Even in Polaris they were arguing about letting Yuya help Strange.

"You have people here! You have me, and Lambert, and Ignatius, and Childermass, and other people! Why won't you accept us?!"

There's really no way to explain 'because I'm used to intense relationships with and being the main focus of like, one or two people max and I still haven't wrapped my head around the concept of having lesser relationships with multiple people.' He always fixated on Arabella and, to a lesser extent, Norrell. And okay, neither of them were here, but then there was Lambert! And alright, then Lambert started dating Childermass, but then there was Ignatius! But now Ignatius has his sister and he's mended his bridges with Rita so now what?

"If you had to choose between anybody else and the carnival and Gongenzaka, if there was...I don't know, a trial where you had to pick, you'd pick Gongenzaka over anybody else—and don't try to deny it, I know it's true." He remembers that whole 'going to die for him' conversation. "I want something like that. But I don't have anyone like that here."

Does this make sense? Strange isn't sure he's making sense. He's struggling with his words as the anger and fury shifts towards frustration, mostly at himself for what is admittedly a very stupid feeling.

Edited 2018-11-14 20:36 (UTC)

Yuya bites his lip, almost hard enough to break the skin. It doesn't sit well with him, not that his relationship with Gongenzaka isn't more intense... but the insinuation that it makes his other relationships lesser somehow. Yuya's not someone who's already been surrounded by friends, either, but that's made the friends he has made all the more precious.

He's also a little offended at the insinuation he'd screw someone else over for Gongenzaka (he'd screw over himself first) but that's a hypothetical scenario neither of them are going to come out right about.

"So, what, you mean how much we care about you isn't good enough?" That comes out way too harsh, and even Yuya flinches at the accusation. "I thought... I thought we were closer than that. You're my friend. One of my best friends, and I want to be there for you!"

He looks aside, loosely wrapping his arm around himself. "Do you really think I'd just turn on you or leave you if it came up? That I wouldn't find a way for you?"

Very awkwardly, Strange jams his hands in his pockets as he continues to talk.

"I know you'd try," he admits. Yuya would try no matter what, that's just the sort of person he is. "And I know that Ignatius would try as well." Because Ignatius came back for him when Strange was captured by the Twelve in Eden and honestly, that's the kindest and most touching thing that's happened to Strange in ages.

"And I know that if she were with us, the Ringmaster would find a way, just because of that 'no carnival member left behind' sort of attitude she had." Which Strange still respects even though he's still mad at the Ringmaster for not telling them about the Courts thing and things are complicated, okay. "But she's not here any more and I'm well aware that a mad magician with a tendency of finding trouble isn't the top of anyone's priority list and...I just..."

He stammers for a bit, lost for words, before it's Strange's turn to sniffle a little and try to blink back tears. "It's dumb and nonsensical, I know, but I just want to be someone in the carnival's top priority. And I'm not. And I doubt I'll ever be, and I don't know what to do about it."

"I'd try because I care about you," Yuya clarifies, because Strange doesn't matter to him for simple altruism. Strange matters to him as a close friend, and Yuya's put so much of his heart into nurturing that because he's wanted to be close, to be liked, to make Strange proud.

Now he feels like he's just hitting a wall, and a cold reality. He rubs his eyes, to try and dry the tears away, but he doesn't look back at Strange.

"I don't know what else I can do," he sniffs. "You won't let me help you when I try. You tell me you're fine, but you're not."

It's crushing, to feel like it doesn't mean enough.

"I don't think I've been fine for a while," Strange admits, as he gives Yuya a little hiccup of a laugh. He reaches up to rub his eyes as well as he looks over at Yuya...and winces a little when he sees Yuya not looking at him.

He thought that this was something he could take care of on his own but the cold hard truth of multiple emotional outbursts in the span of a half hour and the fact that he got so wrapped up in his own head that he set an entire fucking farm on fire and happily participated in fae murder is a bit of a sobering realization that no. He can't take care of this himself, can he.

"I'm sorry I didn't let you help before," he admits. "If I tell you about it, will you listen?"

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