lostcarnival | ⇨ THE SUMMERLANDS

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"We don't need everyone... just enough to even the odds. Maybe if we are lucky, even give us some sort of edge."

He stuffs the second half of the roll in his mouth, chewing slowly as he considers that. After he swallows, he threads his fingers under his chin. "I am sure we could find another way to get home that would not require contesting the Hunt... but the Ringmaster has never left her own to their fate, so it seems cruel to do the same."

So he's on the boat of saving her, too, which means sticking with the rest of the lot. He looks sideways to Tyki. "If no one can do it alone, then let's work together once more to see her retrieved safely."

"You make more sense than most people here who always try to rally numbers over actual beneficial acquisitions," he states, reaching out for some hearty looking meat dish.

"Would you though? Would you leave her if there was no option. Would cruelty outweigh your need to go home?" Sorry not sorry. He always likes to pry into the mind of those he sort of wants to.

He meets his gaze, leveling his stare now that food is on his plate, "A year ago I might've thought I could do anything on my own. I have my reasons more than just wanting to go home. Things have changed."

Syrlya pauses halfway through grabbing for an apple. He briefly raises a brow, before following through with taking the fruit for himself.

"I would consider leaving her to be a failure." He rolls the apple in his hand, considering. "If you say there is no option, then that would have to be after exhausting the possible ones... so there is not much of a choice to make at that point. Throwing yourself at a battle that is already lost saves nothing."

So sure, he'd go home like anyone else would if there was truly no hope. He can't afford to die on the Huntsman's doorstep when he still has so much obligation to his world.

"Dealing with higher powers have a way of making you realize how small you truly are."

Hmm, Syrlya was not like many of those he fought at home knowing it was a losing battle yet still trying anyways. Then again, Innocence wouldn't let them run. He could judge a character given how hard one tried to survive and he stares at the apple in Syrlya's hand with a thought of stealing it while distracted in his thoughts.

That is until he realizes he stopped talking and only nods along with his words.

"The real question is was the Huntsman stronger than her, could we actually make a difference, and did he cheat in killing her," given how powers were and the fact they just took down the Mother of Invention. But the her motives and reasons were different. "Those made to hunt are a different sort than the fae we dispatched thus far."

"They are more like dealing with Thralls. In one way, that is to our favour--it makes their actions predictable, because they ultimately follow a singular will."

Sure, there was a degree if self that meant they could pursue it different ways. But not so much they couldn't plan based on the Huntsman's own perspective. He presses his fingers against the apple, staring ahead thoughtfully.

"It is possible he has rebuilt his power, but the weapon was... too clean of a kill. It is, however, only one weapon. And only one person at the helm of the entire hunt. If we kill him, we dismantle the whole thing."

And guarantee he doesn't pursue the Ringmaster again, of course.

This is Tyki reaching out and trying to take that apple even if he has to cheat and use his Power to Choose. Syrlya has a point and he leans back in his chair thoughtfully.

"We're sure he doesn't have any generals or right hand men in that herd?" Not that he doubts they are all enthralled under the Huntsman himself given that unique hive mind. He's seen the Carnival, far too many times, enter a location without proper information similar to Eden.

"Most of them seemed like fodder ready to slaughter for their master but there is no telling how innocent anyone within that Hunt is or how chaotic it might get once everyone is free from that hivemind, if possible. Though, that is not important. I'm not a bleeding heart that needs to save everyone. Our objective is the Ringmaster."

Syrlya fails to tighten his grip enough to prevent the theft of his apple. He blinks rapidly, turning to stare at Tyki in bewilderment.

"Even if he does, they are being driven by his direct will as well. Whether they choose to create a new hunt or find a new path is something that will not happen immediately. We will have time in the confusion to escape."

He remembers how confused and lost the Mordrem were with the dragon's death. Of course some would try to recreate that purpose, but it will never be what it was under the Huntsman.

"It's just their numbers are smothering," Ever the opportunist, Tyki takes a bite out of that apple to claim it, chewing while nodding along with his words.

"I'm more concerned with the rage that comes after extreme confusion. Not to mention those that might've enjoyed or become condition over time to keep going. But you're right, most will fail to react properly after being freed, if at all."

He licks his thumb of some juice from the apple, remembering how fun it was to pick off a team leader within a group of Exorcists just to watch them panic.

Syrlya grabs for another apple.

"Of course. But organizing themselves as a group, to deliver any coherent effort against us... that takes time."

He nods once. "But no one should agree to pursue them expecting anything short of endangering their lives."

"Hmmm, you would think one would have some common sense not to pursue. There are also a lot of Wyld Fae that might act independently but if we get the help we need we shouldn't haven't worry about that."

Mostly, Tyki didn't want a repeat of the bathhouse and he'll devour that apple core and all while trying not to think about it.

"But I have to agree. Not many cause rally and organize others at a moment's notice."

⇨ THE SUMMERLANDS

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