lostcarnival | [closed] well this was unexpected

[ Childermass counting on 'don't bother your coworkers,' yeah right. Childermass is Childermass, he's fair game for bothering. So, as the mirror flashes in his direction and Childermass gives him a glower, Strange notices those few items that don't blend in. It doesn't really surprise him: Childermass is a magician, after all. And given the chance to explore his abilities without Norrell looming over him, it only makes sense that he would do so.

He files that information away as he watches Childermass drink tea and spots the teacup on the counter. Oh yeah, he did make tea, didn't he. He makes a little noise of recognition at the thought. Setting the mirror down on the floor, Strange walks over towards the counter, picks up the tea and starts to drink it himself. ]

Thank you, [ said with a small nod. And, because he's a nosy son of a bitch, the questions continue. ] Out of idle curiosity, do you have any idea approximately how long you've been with the Carnival?

[ after all, time in Faerie can be different from time back in their world. ]

[ There's no doubt the carnival does run on different time, at least in some sense, but Childermass being Childermass has been keeping track anyway. He does have to pause and think about it for a moment, though, but he can readily remember the day he marked down in his current memorandum without getting it out. Which is good, since he isn't particularly interested in letting Strange near his notes quite yet, either, as he is right now. ]

Twenty-five days. [ Not even a full month. ] Such a shame that I didn't get to enjoy the peace and quiet a little while longer.

[ Since even several months after what happened at Hurtfew, he had still found himself more or less babysitting magicians. They just happened to all be new ones. So much for the weird vacation into Faerie. ]

From all the stories I heard, there isn't much peace and quiet to have in Faerie to begin with, even without the addition of mad magicians.

[ He can't help but give Childermass a wry smile as he says so. Yeah, peace and quiet, that's cute. Strange knows that he's not exactly a person that's good at peace and quiet. He could have been, for Arabella's sake. He attempted to settle down for her. But ever since she died...

No, it's best not to dwell on that. He was going to serve out her contract and when he returned home, he'd bring her back. ]

Still, twenty-five days. That's barely a dent in the year and a day contract that I assume you took on as well.

[ HA HA, YOU ARE STUCK WITH HIM. ]

Oh, I don't know about that. It was fairly quiet between locations.

[ But for all he knows, that may have been an unusual time, considering the lack of sleep everyone had been getting while in a literal dream realm. So, when he says that, he'll say it with a shrug. Hey, he could be wrong. He's also not going to look particularly upset over the idea of being stuck here for almost a full year and a day with Strange.

There are worse people it could have been. Norrell, Lascelles... No. Changed as he is by his own hand, Strange is still the least worrisome, even if 'least worrisome' still manages to be pretty damn worrisome here. ]

And it may seem barely a dent, but a year and a day isn't all that long to me.

[ But yes, let's discuss days, with no mention of his own contract. ]

[ The idea of Lascelles having to deal with the carnival is simultaneously hilarious and terrifying.

And yeah, Strange is totally picking up on the fact that Childermass hasn't exactly said what his contract was. But then again, Strange has a feeling part of that evasiveness might be due to this time nonsense that got thrust upon both of them. Of course, his response to that is simply 'tell him dammit' but he's already seen that's not going to happen.

Besides, he hasn't the foggiest where to start guessing. Childermass is definitely the mysterious type. No, he'll just caaaasually mention contracts later. ]

I don't know how well I'll take to quiet, [ he's got to admit, with a frown. ] Thought I must admit, the idea of performing is quite novel. It'd drive Norrell batty, but I've no qualms with a little showing off.

[ One could only hope Lascelles would be turned into a donkey within the week if he ever did show up. ]

I'm sure you can survive a day or two of it. [ Said like a man who absolutely does not believe that. ] It picks up again quickly enough, what with all the carnival business, so you shouldn't be too bored. Although, I should hope you'll show some restraint with the audience. The tent itself is fireproof, but I really doubt they will be.

[ Strange can't help but laugh at that, giving Childermass a wide grin. Even as a joke, it's preeeeetty telling that the jokes now extend to 'don't set people on fire.' ]

I've a feeling our definitions of restraint are different.

[ No, he'll definitely behave. He's got a pretty good idea that 'barbecuing the audience' is something that'll get you booted out pretty quick. And don't mind Strange just casually drinking his tea as he idly talks about setting people on fire. ]

Besides, it's simply poor business to immolate the customers.

[ Hey, it's good advice, not setting people on fire. It's also not something Childermass is all that serious about, but, again, that's always difficult to tell when it comes to him. Casually discussing it isn't like to faze him. ]

Oh, I know. I'm not sure our two definitions would even make it into the same book.

[ Not that he sounds like he considers that a good or bad thing. It simply is. Even before this, whatever this is that Strange has done to himself, all this madness, the same could have been easily said. Just not as drastically, that's all. ]

[ That much is definitely apparent. Childermass takes things in a relatively calm and quiet sort of way. Strange instantly take it to eleven. ]

Depends on how large the book is, [ Strange remarks with a wry smile. ] After all, we've both made decisions where we've ended up here. And we'd both probably be chastised for our lack of restraint when it comes to that decision.

You might be. [ Even though he won't be able to explain why, precisely, that might be, aside from adding, ] I do not plan on speaking with Mr. Norrell again, so he would be hard-pressed to chastise me about anything whatsoever.

[ Of which he has gotten the short end of often enough before. For his cards, for getting shot, for upsetting people, for mentioning anything related to the Raven King, did we mention for getting shot-- well, the list could go on, but he's not about to air any of those past grievances. The last straw, maybe, and even then only vaguely. ]

Though you're not wrong. [ Childermass will concede on that point, at least, just as he finishes his tea and idly fiddles with the empty cup after, looking down at it thoughtfully. ] I can't really say my own decision was any less reckless, but I do like to think I put a little more thought into it beyond opening a door and wandering in.

[ He can't help but give Childermass a quizzical look for a second. Not planning on speaking with Norrell again? That is odd. The more hints Childermass drops about his future and what will happen, the more Strange finds himself desperately wanting to know the details.

He still has a bit of tea left in his cup and takes a sip as Childermass continues talking. And hey, now that they've brought up decisions... ]

Why did you sign on with the carnival, by the way? I gave you my reason, it's only fair I hear yours.

[ Completely ignoring the fact that these two work on very different levels of 'secrecy.' ]

Only fair? [ Childermass looks up from his own empty teacup and seems torn between staring or maybe laughing at Strange, but he'll decide to do neither and go, ] Ah. I suppose it is.

[ He sets the cup aside, tucked away on the counter behind him, and takes a moment to think, briefly looking up at the trailer's ceiling while he does. After that, he'll launch into what is a story that he isn't even going to try and actually pass as the truth. ]

You see, I no longer have any desire to be a magician, but rather a milliner. With the magic is these days, it seemed a far more sensible choice and I always have been rather taken with women's hats. [ why yes, he is managing to keep a straight face while saying all of this, because he's goddamn Childermass ] Now the problem with that is, obviously, I haven't the faintest idea how to make hats in the first place.

[ So very obviously. ]

But I also remembered that fairies are well-known for being crafty, as I am sure you yourself are aware, Mr. Strange. [ technically... not incorrect, just... ] So naturally, I decided I may as well learn from them and here I am.

[ That is absolutely not the reason he signed on with carnival. ]

Edited 2016-12-07 23:19 (UTC)

[ That is totally not the reason he signed on with the carnival and Strange knows it.

He gives Childermass a "girl please" sort of look as he finishes his tea, setting it down on the counter. Still, he's quiet as he listens to the entertaining story that Strange is a hundred percent certain is bullshit. ]

I expected you to start laughing as soon as you reached 'women's hats.' You're more stoic than I thought.

[ But it's said with a little tone of admiration. Strange is a bit impressed that Childermass managed to say all that with a straight face--he'd have at least smiled a bit. Then again, has he ever seen Childermass laugh to begin with? Maybe he saw him smile once...maybe. ]

[ And on that note, it would be a fine time to actually smile and bring that number up to twice, but... he won't. No, he'll just shrug, as usual, and fold his arms across his chest as he leans oh so casually against the countertop. ]

You could say I have a talent for it.

[ One that's gotten him through dealing with more idiots than Strange can possibly ever know. See, the trick is to be laughing at them on the inside. ]

[ Let's be honest, Strange didn't expect him to smile there to begin with. Gotta hold up that rep, after all. He'll just take the 'smiling challenge' for the team by giving Childermass a wry little smile of your own. ]

One of your talents that's really quite obvious and yet somehow under-appreciated. [ There's a pause before he looks him over. This is quite possibly the longest conversation they've had, just the two of them. It's good, because he quite likes Childermass, even before their meeting here...but it's bad because Strange is just BURSTING AT THE SEAMS with questions that he knows aren't ever going to get answered. ]

Will I ever receive a serious answer, by the way?

I believe you already know the answer to that, but who knows? Perhaps one day I'll feel like telling you the real story behind my being here.

[ And for the many, many days that he does not, he can at least amuse himself by making shit up, every single time. ]

I know the answer that I want is different from the answer I expect to receive.

[ He's got a weird little feeling this is going to end up being a sort of game between them. "Hey Childermass, why'd you join the carnival?" and Childermass responds with a different lie each time. ]

I imagine the one day you do tell me won't be any time soon. In the meantime, I suppose I'll simply have to create theory after theory about the circumstances of your arrival.

[ See? He was right. Strange really does already know the answer. ]

Oh? And have you already worked out your first theory, Mr. Strange, or will I have to wait until the next time you ask?

[ Because those are only going to make this all the more interesting. ]

[ There's a pause, while Strange furrows his brow as he thinks. He's got a couple of half-formed actual theories...but if Childermass is going to give him something patently false, he might as well do the same.

Putting on as straight a face as possible, Strange continues. ]

During a bargain that went wrong, you accidentally cursed your first born child over to a fairy. As your dream is to eventually settle down in blissful domesticity, you took up a contract with the Ringmaster in order to see if she could nullify or rework the other fairy's contract, so you could live in happiness with Mrs. Childermass and the little Childermass child.

[ He is not as good at this at Childermass, and occasionally hints and cracks of a smile show up on Strange's face. ]

[ It's one thing to drone out his own ridiculous yarns, but hearing one from another is a wholly different matter.

To even come up with that story, one would have to imagine Childermass with a family, and that's funny even to Childermass himself. So, while he won't grin, he can't keep the crooked smirk off his own face forever. It's not a huge smile, sure, but it exists and will continue to, at least for a little while, as he turns to give Strange an incredulous look. ]

That I would let a bargain go so wrong is the least believable part of that.

[ Points for creativity, though. ]

Edited 2016-12-08 16:03 (UTC)

[ Yeah, any attempts at being serious are going out the window as Strange matches Childermass's smirk with a smile that's a little too deliberately innocent to be sincere. ]

You must admit, though, that my story's as believable as yours about being a milliner.

[ Well okay, it's LESS believable, but details, details. ]

[ Ridiculous though it is, it's also a little hopeful. Strange seems somewhat less manic for the moment. That's a good sign. Or, at least, Childermass would really like it to be a good sign. Whether it is or not, whether it lasts or not, he'll have to wait and see. For now? ]

Hardly. I would make a fine milliner, I'm sure.

[ Not even remotely, but he may as well run with the joke while it's there. ]

Though all that aside, [ That being all the complete and utter lack of answers. ] You'd found your way to the maze, but have you seen the rest of the carnival grounds?

I haven't, [ he simply responds, with a nod. ] The first thing I went to when I arrived was the mirror maze.

[ And really, is it really so surprising that Strange made a beeline to something entirely full of mirrors? But Childermass asking if he's seen the rest of the carnival grounds obviously means Childermass is going to give him a tour, right? Right! ]

I suppose the first thing I would like to see, if there is one, is supply storage. I shall need a basin.

[ Yes, he probably could ~~creep on~~ view people via magic using the sink...but man, it would be so much easier if he actually got a useful basin. Oh, and then he might as well get some bottles, and certainly a candlestick with some spare candles, and maybe there might be a useful knife in there as well...

That mania's tempered for the moment but god help us all when Strange finds a potentially useful broom cupboard. ]

[ He won't make much of a tour guide, lacking the enthusiasm for such, but he can at least point out what's what. ]

You can put those requests in through Mr. Joker. [ Since letting Strange loose on what's kept in supply seems like a terrible idea, which means it's being excluded entirely from the places they'll be going. Speaking of which, Childermass pushes away from the countertop and turns to head back towards the trailer's door.

He assumes Strange will follow. With how he's calmed down some, it's probably safe enough to go back to wandering the carnival proper. ] Though mind who's business you pry into. You're not the only magician around here.

[ Because he knows, man. He knows what the basin is for, he's seen that trick a thousand times before. ]

[ Excuse you, letting Strange loose on what's kept in supply is an AWESOME idea (no it is not.) Still, he follows Childermass towards the door, taking care to set the little mirror contraption turned magic doohickey on the counter before he leaves.

Of course, the problem with wandering around the carnival is that Strange still looks like a goddamn hot mess and is in seemingly no mood to do things like 'brush his hair' or 'shave.' But hey, at least he's a relatively calm hot mess. Strange gives Childermass a wry little smile at the warning about prying into others business. ]

Rest assured, Childermass, I don't intend to pry into your private life. [ just everybody else's. Though that does offer a question... ]

How many magicians are here in the first place? And how many of them are proper magicians verses poor souls that the Ringmaster stuck with the magician job as there was no better option?

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