⇨ EPILOGUE

[ringleaders]

Who: Anyone who's ever been in the game before!
When: Day 143 and for the rest of time.
Where: The Ringmaster's Realm.
What: It's a time of reunions and also a time for goodbyes - for now, but probably not forever. This is the final official log for Lost Carnival, and it's potentially open to anybody who's played in the game. Thanks for everything!
Warnings: Is it safe? It's probably safe.

THE EVER AFTER↴ It's done. The Huntsman is gone and the Winter Queen has been cured of her self-inflicted condition. It will take time, but if things proceed well, it seems like they could end up with a sympathetic party in the Winter Throne. At the very least, guilt is a hell of a drug when it comes to getting someone's ear on important matters. The damage that has been done is not something that can easily be fixed. Lives have been ruined or lost completely, and emotional wounds can last a lifetime. Yet, for the first time in eons there is a bold hope for the future - a hope for change in ways the Courts never knew they could. There is so much to do in the aftermath that it will be years before any of it has been truly seen through. In the immediate hours and days following, however, the Ringmaster will be focused on seeing to the needs of her carnival. Or, at least, what was her carnival. She isn't sure what it is now. She'll probably always think of them as her family, even if they don't return the sentiment. Things are different now, are they not? They are no longer her followers, but the friends and peers she had always wished for in her previous life. After they have finished their business in the Winter Court, she will bring them all back to the remains of her realm. They need time to rest, and time to think. As she begins the reconstruction of her world, she has a few announcements to make. Firstly - all lingering contracts for those present are now considered paid. She will fulfill their wishes to the best of her ability regardless of how many days would have been left. Of course, it will take her a bit of time since they are all happening at once, but she'll be going down the list! All other contracts will be fulfilled or cancelled depending on individual situations, and whether or a person's connection to the carnival was still active. Otherwise they've probably been reset and their contract cancelled anyway. Secondarily - she is unsure of the future of the carnival itself. With how much there is to do, she doesn't feel that she can simply run away again, no matter how easy that would be in comparison. Being one of the Miracles puts her in a unique position of power, and this time, she wants to do right by it. Her and Ignatius have some ideas, but it will probably be a while before they come to fruition. However, she will rebuilding her realm in a new shape, and everyone is welcome to stay there as long as they want. Alternatively, she will help them travel to wherever in the multiverse they'd like to go instead, and they will retain easy passage back to her realm whenever they wish to travel there. In the future they can probably even learn to world travel on their own! Thirdly - she is going to be inviting back people who still had open contracts so that everyone can catch up and make decisions about going home. Not all of them will show up in this time, but she wanted to give them the opportunity. So, if friends or family went home but haven't been reset, they may possibly be arriving at the new Ringmaster realm to catch up. Otherwise, their contracts will be considered paid and they can stay at home. This mean, previously dropped characters can reappear in the realm to visit and get some closure. As a final helpful gift, those who became Miracles will be able to edit the reality of the realm to their liking while she works on it. So, if you want to hang out and build some things, you are free to design and magically construct your own spaces like high-res Minecraft. And that's only the beginning.

Comments

[whattaprick]

And as though he’s been summoned by name, Lambert pops onto the porch (literally) with a flash of light, appearing right at the magician’s elbow. Much like Childermass, he’s dressed for the weather, though his is scanter, in a tank top that fits close and a pair of board shorts pattered with flames. He’s also acquired a distinct tan, the seamlessness of it on his upper body a testament to how little time he spends with a shirt on.

“I’m going out for some groceries, beautiful, do you want anyt — hey, Syrlya,” the witcher greets, like its not at all a surprise to see the mesmer there. He won’t have been the first visitor they’ve had, nor even the first one to be subjected to their domesticity, which apparently includes casual pet names now.

[chronosynthesis]

"In a dumpster?" He raises his brows. Sounds like a person that deserves to have their ass kicked. "It's lucky that Lambert--"

He cuts off as the man himself appears, raising a hand. Syrlya has been previously one of least people phased by their increasingly public affection, when it's already so normal for his people. Childermass probably prefers once less person to give them crap, even if good-natured. "Hello, Lambert. I hope you do not mind the surprise visit."

[atouts]

Pet names from one side of the relationship. As far as anyone else would know, that is, but in any case, Syrlya would be right in how Childermass isn't fond of getting crap over it. England had been harsh enough, souring what mood he ever did have for such jokes ages ago. As such, he grimaces some, but he won't tell Lambert off for it. It's not as though he knew they had company.

"He always loves company," the magician answers to Lambert, turning in his chair to look over at him impassively. "If you're still planning on making a trip to town, I might suggest takeaway now."

Although, that has him looking back Syrlya's way.

"Unless you were interested in visiting town yourself?"

[whattaprick]

The speculative gleam in Lambert's eye promises nothing good at the suggestion, but only because, yes, they've gotten more additions to their weird little family on this rock, and Lambert is happy to show off where Childermass is more content to play things out.

"I'm good for either," he shrugs, leaving it it Syrlya's hands, while he moves close enough to companionably hip-check the magician's arm, hand stealing down to give an absent-minded squeeze. Yeah, sorry Childermass, even years of having it at his disposal hasn't worn down the novelty of indulging in affectionate physical contact -- especially after England, which Lambert would be privately glad to never visit again.

"No teleporting, though. It's exercise for the Pokemon, so we're going the slow way."

[chronosynthesis]

"Is that a suggestion for all of us?" He puts the back of his hand to his mouth to stifle a chuckle.

"I actually have yet to see the rest of this world, so if you need to make a trip into down I'll gladly join you." He shifts to stand up from the seat. "Are you bringing all of them along?"

[atouts]

"Not all of them, no," Childermass says, stifling the urge to roll his eyes. It would be kinder to just take the shadows but if Lambert is already pushing for taking a trip to town the old fashioned way, well. "All of them would be a stampede... Apart from Baker and Pig, we do have a few Pokemon saddle-trained."

Although that said, he can't help but eye Lambert warily.

"Did you have one in particular in mind that might tolerate Syrlya here?"

[whattaprick]

Lambert waves a hand, airily.

"Why go by land when we could go by water?" he says. "That's the real scenic way to see Alola. Lets just take Boat."

Off in the not-so-far distance, a couple of Pokemon ears prick up at the word 'boat.' Suddenly, that patch of grass seems a little emptier. Odd.

[chronosynthesis]

"You named one of them... Boat?" They actually managed to get worse than 'Baker' and 'Pig'.

He glances about as the other Pokemon start to scatter. Because all of the food is gone, or... something else? "Are they large enough for all of us?"

His first mistake is trusting Lambert's judgement.

[atouts]

Even Childermass grimaces faintly, though he won't flee the same way the other Pokemon do. Baker, for his part, doesn't seem to care, so he turns to trot over to the porch to see what's up, tail wagging and happy as ever. That's really the default mood for the Arcanine, isn't it?

"Boat? Are you certain? He may try to eat Syrlya."

[whattaprick]

“He’s never actually eaten anyone,” Lambert protests, straightening as Baker comes over. Admittedly, that’s not for lack of trying. The witcher steps up to the giant dog and catches his face up in both hands, making kissy noises too sappy to transcribe about how he’s a good, smart boy who’ll look after the house while they’re gone, though the command is more than likely lost since his fingers are giving him a vigorous scratch at the base of both ears at the same time.

“I’ll go ahead and get Boat ready,” he finally says when he looks up, grinning. “Grab a beer or something. I’ll meet you at the docks.”

He presses one more kiss to a greying muzzle and pops out in another flash of light.

[chronosynthesis]

"I thought I had reached a point of inedible to most other creatures."

He watches Lambert teleport away before turning back to Childermass, hands on his hips. "So he's cometely gone from beast killer to beast tamer, hmm? I think he likes it better."

[atouts]

"You'd be surprised what some of these are capable of eating," Childermass says, getting up to more or less take Lambert's spot by Baker, giving his fur a ruffle. "And it does suit him. Of course, it helps Pokemon are much more friendly than the beasts he's used to."

Anyway, he isn't grabbing a beer or something as Lambert suggested. He's just going to tell Baker to be a good boy and watch the place while they're gone, he'll bring back more treats, all of which ends with Baker giving an affirmative bark before shouldering his way up onto the porch to nose at Syrlya before going anywhere else.

Lambert and Childermass have said bye to him. Clearly, that means he does, too. Regardless of whether Syrlya does or not, the magician will wait and then turn to lead the way away from the house. There's a little path winding through the tall grasses, leading down to the docks.

[whattaprick]

By the time the pair get there, Lambert's already at the dock, au-shaped boat-like thing hitched to the end of it and bobbing gently in the water while he works on hooking up some kind of harness to a ... well, it's some kind of shark, that's for sure, though floating sharks with winglike fins. As Childermass and Syrlya approach, it attempts to lunge out of Lambert's hands, serrated teeth parting as it surges up towards them, only to be reeled back in by a tug on its reins, the witcher laughing as its jaws close on air inches from Syrlya.

"Sorry, Boat gets a little excited around new people. Get settled in and I'll get her hooked up." He gestures vaguely at the boat, which is evidently the means by which he intends to convey them to their destination. On closer inspection, that U-shaped indentation is about the perfect size for a certain magenta shark Pokemon...

[chronosynthesis]

Syrlya snorts as Baker pushes his nose against him, giving him a solid ruffling around his ears and head. "We'll be back."

With the patting done, and without beer (Lambert will have to provide that himself), Syrlya follows after Childermass to the docks. Alola is still well ahead of Tyria in technological innovation, but he thinks he recognizes that it's some sort of water carriage to be attached to...

Well, he's not sure what he can call it, jerking back suddenly when it lunges and snaps its jaws at him. He gives Lambert a dour expression after a moment.

"And I'm sure you were not waiting to do that." But okay, he'll go sit in the water carriage.

[atouts]

"Excited is one way to put it," Childermass says, not at all amused by the display of massive shark teeth. Lambert, Syrlya is a guest, don't feed them to sharks! Anyway, he takes one look at the hook-up for Boat and, as he's done about a dozen times before, more or less any time Lambert's tried to get him to ride this damn thing, he wrinkles his nose.

"I think I'll sit on your shoulder instead."

He does not want to get wet, thanks. So, in a flicker of shadows and motion, Childermass goes from tall man in a purple Alolan shirt and khakis to a crow. It's very un-Pokemon-like but he's yet to run into anyone who hasn't mistaken him for a Murkrow with feather problems or something. That done, he flits up to settle on top one of the dock's pilings, watching Lambert get that contraption set up.

[whattaprick]

Are you really sure you want to stand on the shoulder of a guy who's about to be riding on a jetskiing shark, Childermass? Are you? Lambert rolls his eyes in good-natured contempt and urges Boat into place before he takes up his own position -- one foot on each stirrup to the side of the beast, leaving him standing.

"All right, we're heading out. Hold on." There's no revving of an engine or anything like that, but the Syrlya's seat abruptly jerks and tilts slightly up with the resistance of the water it's cutting through as Boat starts to push forward, churning the water in her wake. Lambert whoops, gripping the handles, and steers them towards one of the main islands.

It's a surprisingly quick trip, though a scenic one -- lucky enough not to attract any other Pokemon except in the distance, Lambert points out the main features of the area's geography as they zip along bright blue, thankfully mostly level waters. If it was any windier, Syrlya would be having a bit of a rougher ride. The port they do eventually pull into is bustling with many smaller boats and a larger cruise liner, and its one of the smaller docks Lambert will guide them to, before hopping off.

"Well?" he beams, red-faced from being in the sun and still slightly damp from the spray. "Nice ride, isn't it?"