⇨ 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

[kingsroads]

Well. That is sudden. Strange's expression shifts from something a little confused to a big, slightly soppy smile as he looks over at Lambert.

"Thank you," Strange says, turning to give Lambert a genuine smile. "I don't regret meeting you either. You've been a close friend to me and my time at the carnival has been better with you in it."

He was a dear friend at a time and place where Strange could count those he cared about and who cared about him on one hand. He'll always love and appreciate Lambert for that. Emboldended by a case of the feels, Strange just continues talking.

"And you're more than just a witcher. I know that I've criticized some of your recent choices, but at least they were choices. The carnival is full of people who are willing to go with the flow and very few people who are willing to stand up and change the course. You at least try. And I appreciate that. No matter what I do or what path I may take, I want you to remember that."

Because Strange knows that as soon as he gets the chance, he's leaving. And he hopes that he doesn't have to tell Lambert that otherwise he is literally going to start crying.

[whattaprick]

Trust Strange to take a simple sentiment and spin it out into something sappy and embarrassing.

“All right, enough of that,” he says firmly, making a face and pushing himself to his feet. “I can’t tell if you’re flattering me or warning me, but—” he holds up a hand to silence any protest, “I can’t listen to all this without a drink in me, so save all the sap for later — if we’re still here when this is all over.”

If they even get the chance. Lambert doesn’t have any illusions about their odds, but it doesn’t need to be said.

[kingsroads]

It's a little bit of both. Strange opens his mouth to clarify, but then Lambert holds up his hand and Strange silences himself. He frowns a little at Lambert's last statement. If we're still here when this is all over. Yeah. He knows what that means.

"Or if we're both still here in the next week or so," Strange responds, with an awkward little frown. He doesn't want to say it. He really doesn't want to say it. "Perhaps we should get that drink now," Strange sighs.

[whattaprick]

Lambert thinks it over, then shakes his head.

“Not right now. I’m supposed to be meeting Childermass soon.” To keep working on a spell that won’t do what he wants it to, is what he doesn’t say, but he gives Strange a smirk nonetheless, like his worries aren’t weighing him down. We’ll find the time to get that drink.”

Though they never do, at least not for the rest of their stay in the Summerlands. Lambert’s too preoccupied with magic, trying to think of a way out of the corner they’re in, and trying to navigate the difficult new patterns of his relationship.

[kingsroads]

"I'll hold you to it," Strange says, giving Lambert a nod. But he doesn't. As their time in the Summerlands goes on, Strange draws further and further into himself, retreating from the rest as he thinks about what he now knows he has to do and just how the hell he's going to do it.