⇨ THE SUMMERLANDS

[ringleaders]

Who: Everyone!
When: Day 119 - Day 126
Where: The Summerlands
What: Ignatius and Gild portal everyone to the Summerlands, with hopes of appealing to the Summer Maiden for help. Meanwhile, the carnival gets the chance to relax in luxury as only tentatively welcome guests. Here is the location write up from the last time the carnival visited. Since then, of course, some things have changed.
Warnings: Nothing in particular.

THE SUN RISES↴ After taking the time to rest, Ignatius and Gild will be able to pool together their energy to portal the carnival (and the airship) to the Summerlands. Those still in Polaris will be left to their own devices for the moment as Gild intends to ask for the Summerlands aid in relocating them, hopefully as soon as possible. With the effort the carnival put into sorting things out in there, however, they should be fine on their own for a little while, at least. They will arrive in the flowery fields at the base of the mountains, and soon the Summer Fae will notice their presence. Since the last time they visited, however, the atmosphere has changed. ► YOUR ARRIVAL: As the Summer Fae discover the group's arrival, it will quickly become apparent that there is a tension present that wasn't there any of the other times the carnival has visited. The Summer Maiden comes to greet the group personally, with an entourage of armed Summer Fae. They are not at all aggressive unless provoked, but there is clearly a wariness that is new. They seem uncertain about Ignatius being here, and while Gild will be able to do a lot of the talking and smooth things over, the Summer Maiden will deflect having a serious conversation about affairs until the carnival has taken time to 'rest.' It's more likely that the Maiden needs a moment to think over this new information before dealing with it. ► SUMMER CITY: After the Summer Fae become aware of everyone's presence, and the initial uncertainties are accommodated, they will invite you into their city. There are stairs that lead up the sides of the mountains, but thankfully there are also magical means of getting up there as well. The Summer Fae will be willing to help workers with the injured as needed, offering herbal remedies and healing magic to those that want it. You'll also be invited to join them for dinner, but it feels like more of a formality, and no one is obligated to take them up on it. ► SUMMER PEOPLE: The fae here will do their best to entertain these new visitors - but it doesn't seem that much happens here besides day after day of peaceful meditation and relaxation. It is not uncommon to see Summer Fae spent days doing exactly the same thing, whether that be enjoying the weather, listening to music, or dancing - the day and night periods may be similar to earth, but when you don't need rest it can all blur together just the same. Some of the fae work on feats of agriculture or craftsmanship, and while there is no particularly need to work in this place, they take pride in the fact that they do. ► FAMILIAR FACES: One very different thing about the Summerlands this go around is that there appears to be a small settlement built at the base of the mountains, filled entirely with the former residents of the Manor. Alyss and Reyna will explain that they set up a place to live down there with the Summer Fae's help, and that the fae seems to be trying to remain hands off except when they are needed. The Manor folk overall seem to be doing well, though there is some tension regarding their place in the Summerlands - they are clearly seen as refugees, and while the Summer Fae do their best to help them, the arrival of the carnival and the request for even more help with refugee aid seems to be making things awkward. ► OF THINGS TO COME: The Summer Maiden will remain distant for the first few days, but according to Gild and based on personal observation, it will seem that the news that the Ringmaster has been taken and the idea that even more desperate mortals are requesting to come here are putting her at significant ill ease. She's not rude or dismissive, but she seems reluctant to address the situation head on, though she has said that she will hold a meeting with the carnival later in the week to discuss everything in more detail. None of them seem particularly angry or resentful, but they seem to regard the carnival as an ill portent of things to come.

Comments

Syrlya | OTA

[chronosynthesis]

[Ice and Fire]

Syrlya's not the kind of person who's very good at losing himself in the luxury of recreation. Much like Shabon, he ends up spending less time socializing and dancing, and more time working. With no immediate plans, that means his mind is on working with the new elements he's found himself attuned to.

He takes his practice outside the city, at least, because it proves to be a little... destructive. He's used to using magic to fight, so offense is the first possibility he tries to nail down. There's scorch marks and sheets of ice left on the bark and the ground in the grove he's practicing in, but his real target are illusions he creates. Usually some form of creature or monster he's dealt with before, but some of them get a little personal.

[Be Our Guest]

He doesn't completely ignore their hosts, however, striking up conversation with various crafters to hear them explain their work and process. He's amicable, for the most part, but he's aware of the attention that seems to follow when he enters the city--Fae trailing from a distance, whispering between each other, some bold enough to approach curiously.

He knows exactly where it comes from, and he's expecting to be dealing with this for the rest of his life, but there's still relief when he bumps into someone from the carnival and can converse with them to politely block any interaction with the nosy locals. He points to whatever crafts the Fae is showing off when they swing by close enough--could be sculpture, could be glasswork, could be illusions...

"It is impressive, isn't it?"

[Wildcard]

Syrlya can also be found to some of the invited group dinners, or otherwise dragged into shenanigans. They have a lot of freetime here.

ice and fire

[anti_nonsense]

Rita's got a similar plan in mind; get away from the city, practice some destructive magic... but as she's flying between the trees, she sees a flash of fire, and glides over to the grove to investigate.

"Elemental magic? Huh," she remarks as she lands on her feet and steps into the grove, recognizing Syrlya. "I didn't think that was your kind of thing."

His 'foe' looks a heck of a lot less familiar to her, though, and she regards it with a curious look.

[chronosynthesis]

The illusion that shatters is some form of half crystal monstrosity. Syrlya stops, turning to Rita as she speaks.

"It isn't, really." He admits, flexing the hand he was casting with. And then there's realization on his face.

"But it is yours. I have found an attunement to fire and ice since the... experiment with the Blue Rose's seeds. Those are elements you are already familiar with, aren't they?"

[anti_nonsense]

"Hmph. You don't waste time," Rita comments, stepping closer and looking around at the patches of frozen grass and scorch marks. She wears a pale orange dress, apparently received from the locals, judging from the dramatic way it drapes around her. Fortunately, it's not too long, so it's perfectly suitable to move around in. "You're saying you want some pointers or something?"

She holds out an arm in a half-shrug. "Guess it couldn't hurt. I was planning on getting in some magic practice, anyway."

[chronosynthesis]

Syrlya smiles crookedly at that. No, he generally can't afford to waste time and isn't inclined to start now.

"If you would not mind. It's been time time since I felt so new to using magic." And Syrlya isn't too proud to ask for help when he's clear out of his element (heh). At least, so long as the help is someone he can bear being in the same room as. Though...

"How is the state of your magic, now?"

[anti_nonsense]

"It's... different," Rita says, holding a hand over her heart. The red glow shines faintly through the thin material of the Summerlands gown. "Not in a bad way, though. It's more like... it feels more natural than ever, using fire and ice magic."

For someone who's spent most of her life trying to understand the nature of magic, possessing magic that's an actual part of her is kind of... exhilarating.

"Why don't we start with you showing me what you can do?" Rita takes on a casting stance, and with a flourish of her arms, she conjures what looks like a hulking fire elemental, ready to fight. It's not quite the real thing; rather than moving on its own, it happens to be a mere construct, with all of its movements carefully controlled by Rita. Its color, like her fire magic, is closer to white than the red-orange look of natural fire. It pounds its massive, flamey fists together, as if issuing a challenge to Syrlya.

[chronosynthesis]

Syrlya's brows raise and he lets out a weak whistle. So she can make elemental constructs, too? He almost goes right into asking about that, but decides to save it for the end.

He draws back a little, his movements still slower while he recovers from his injuries--but he's not letting that stop him.

He assumes this will be a spar, because Rita's not one to hold back, so he crouches down and presses his hand to the ground. Ice creeps along the grass, speeding up until it spikes under the elemental in an attempt to stab an inhibit movement at its feet.

[anti_nonsense]

"Using ice to immobilize it... not bad," Rita comments, maintaining her stance while the elemental sways, its balance thrown off by the ice-spike. "That might cripple a solid opponent, but...!"

The fire elemental pulls its arms close to itself and seems to charge up its fire, the blaze rapidly melting away the ice it's been impaled with. It then lurches forward and swings its fist at Syrlya. As it does, Rita continues her commentary, almost nonchalantly.

"Fire can be quick and versatile, save for a few... certain limitations. You'd be better off trying to smother it than pierce it."

[chronosynthesis]

Syrlya jerks his attention up as the elemental lunges, but before the hit can connect Syrlya teleports back a few feet. He straightens up, swaying a little from the speed, and holds his hand out.

"I'm a little lacking in spells that smother." He twists his hand to generate a ball of fire that he shoots quickly at its head, like maybe the force can knock it apart.

BE OUR GUEST khyeyeye

[fortuneglass]

Carly unfortunately is forced to hold a very strained smile when Syrlya happens to turn her way. She's certain he didn't mean it- heck, did she even tell him about the whole 'eyes' business?? She can't recall.

But. Well. "O...Oh..~" she manages, coughing. "...Is it?"

There's quite enough strain in that voice to say something might be wrong here.

[chronosynthesis]

Syrlya unfortunately doesn't know about her eye impairment. So when she seems uncertain he just looks at her with mild confusion.

"I thought it was." He shrugs a shoulder, gesturing to the ornate details on the weaving. "I can't imagine the time it takes to sew in a pattern that intricate."

[fortuneglass]

"Aha....I...Is that so...ah..." She already sounds rather 'odd', just to start. But very quickly she sort of breaks, trembling and shaking until finally she has a confession to make.

"I... ....I can't see it..~!"

It's really fucking her up, right now.

[chronosynthesis]

Syrlya looks between Carly and the fabric, and comes to the most extreme but logical conclusion from a statement like that. "Are... you blind, Carly?"

Well, in a sense she is.

[fortuneglass]

"...I...I can't see any shadows...aha..."

So...yes.

"J...just things in full light..~!" AHAHAHAHAHIT'S FUNNY RIGHT SO FUNNY this is the worst

[chronosynthesis]

"Oh. Oh, Carly, I'm so sorry." Genuinely, because that sounds... well, he can't really visualize it but given it seems to be basically blinding her, that's still terrible. "Is there anything that can be done?"

Probably not, but maybe she's already found some hope against hope.

[fortuneglass]

Carly swallows, and she trembles somewhat as the smile fades. She's spoken to Strange by now. To the Starlight, even. And...

"...Everything points to just ripping them out and putting something else there again," she breathes, holding her arms close. She bites her lip, another panic-smile gracing her face. "I...even if I wasn't awake, I wouldn't be able to stand knowing I went through that again...it was terrible enough to begin with..! But...a second time?"

Carly swallows. "...I can't. ...which means this just Is now, even if it destroys every career I had before."

[chronosynthesis]

Syrlya would probably be more inclined to just rip his eyeballs out to get them working again, so he can't relate there. He's not going to say that, though, instead fixing Carly with a sympathetic look (that he's not actually sure if she can see?).

"My people have a saying... 'where one path ends, another begins'." He shrugs, a little helplessly. "I know it is probably not much of a comfort now, but our tragedies do not have to mean that all doors are closed to us."

Closed to Lambert

[chronosynthesis]

The meeting with the Summer Maiden was... well, not a disaster, but he hadn't gone into it expecting for them to all take a trip to barter with the Summer Queen. When he considered the help of Ignatius' allies, he was thinking... smaller connections. Maybe bigger is better here, though, since it's the Summer Maiden's status that makes their affiliation protected enough to even consider it to begin with. Provided nobody loses any favor with anyone.

He seeks Lambert out as the day starts to wane into evening, and once he catches him alone in the city he quickly heads beside him and offers him a bottle by the neck. It is definitely alcohol. He's gor assorted snacks wedged under his arm as well, in a basket.

"Here. I don't know if you have had the chance to indulge yet, given everything."

[whattaprick]

The Nightrider isn’t difficult to find, or at least Syrlya won’t have trouble finding fae to direct him after a scowling dragon man who’d stormed off after the council was over. Lambert’s perched himself on a balcony that overlooks part of the city — a structure built to jut off of where one of the streets lazily rises and winds around in a manner that’s clearly more aesthetic than functional. Something which applies to a lot of things in this city.

Without a word, Lambert reaches for the bottle, places it to his lips, and takes a long, thorough swig that drains a good third of the bottle without blinking, before he lowers it and takes an unsteady breath.

“Thanks. Doesn’t actually help, but lets me pretend it does.”

[chronosynthesis]

Syrlya raises a brow as he proceeds to guzzle the bottle far faster than Syrlya knew was physically possible.

"Of course." He's feeling a little numb, himself, which is either a step above or below angry. "I doubt there is any shortage of alcohol for us if you find yourself needing to pretend a little more."

He shrugs as he shifts some sort of chewy, sweet mixture out of the basket to nibble on. "The goal has moved a little beyond simply rescuing the Ringmaster."

[whattaprick]

Lambert shakes his head.

“I’m not sure anyone else has a goal,” he corrects, frowning. “Getting the Summer Queen off her ass sounds nice and all, but the chances of that actually turning out to be a good thing for us? I wouldn’t bet on it.”

He stares mournfully down at the bottle in his hand.

“With our luck, Winter or the Huntsman’s going to come right in the middle of all this or the Summer Maiden’s getting abducted.”

[chronosynthesis]

"The Summer Court is in worse straits than I thought if that's possible... but I suppose it would be just our luck."

He chews on the treat thoughtfully, letting the silence hang for a moment. "We do stand to gain a lot if the Summer Court can be convinced to leave our people be and take up arms against the Winter Queen themselves. Give her less time to chase a group of vagrants and her prior ally around the universe. Or kill her."

A consequence that maybe can be left in the Court's hands, and not theirs.

[whattaprick]

“Knock on wood, right?” Which is Lambert’s cue to reach out and rap his knuckles smartly on Syrlya’s chest. (He thinks he’s funny, okay.)

“As far as I know, they’re already fighting the Winter Court. And losing. From what they said at the council, it sounds like it’s the Summerlands fae changing their minds about giving up fighting and throwing back in with the Court that might really make the difference. But the chances of that happening...” Lambert shrugs.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’ll take a truce between the Summerlands and the Summer Court if it buys us the strength we need. It’s just hard to imagine them actually taking the deal.”

[chronosynthesis]

Depending where he knocks, He's going to be met with smooth and hard crystal instead of the softer plant matter that makes up most of the rest of Syrlya's body. Syrlya just raises a brow.

"We do not know enough about them, as enemies or friends, to expect much. We are taking a blind leap of faith and hoping for the best."

His expression twists wryly at that. "Which will either be exactly what we need or doom us all. But we might also be doomed going straight to the Wyldlands and ignoring the bigger picture. What I wouldn't give for a little foresight for once."

The kind of foresight that doesn't give vague clues and fail to show all the consequences.

[whattaprick]

“The Starlight’s the fae you want to go to for that. Or ask Childermass to read you his cards. But neither of them are going to tell us anything we don’t already know.”

Lambert looks away, crossing his arms and cocking his head.

“So what if this doesn’t work out? We come back and just head out with any of the Summerlands we can round up?”