lostcarnival | [closed] well this was unexpected

Only in certain circumstances. [ Childermass admits that somewhat stiffly and only partly due to being about as annoyed as the people he's bothering. ] But it would seem our tour is at an end.

[ Because he's not going to finish the entire circuit if Strange isn't going to behave.

It's almost becoming habit already to try and take the madman by a shoulder and steer him in the preferred direction, this time away from, well, everyone else. Time to see if they can make it through the Gamer's Circle, since he still intends to stop by the cookhouse in the end, even if he is cutting this short. ]

Oh, but we just started!

[ Still, he's pretty sure why Childermass's stopping the tour right now. After all, he'd want to hide in the shadows and keep away from the rest—they couldn't really do that now, could they? Not now that Strange's busted the trick open once already.

Strange doesn't fight as Childermass pushes him in a certain direction. And...well, good luck getting through Gamer's Circle because as soon as they arrive, the lights and sounds and everything distract Strange more than he wants to admit. It's a bit of a struggle dragging him: occasionally he stops to look at some kind of carnival game and Childermass has got to forcibly yank him to keep him going. ]

[ They still could, if only the old fashioned way of skulking along the edges of the carnival itself, but he doubts that would work out any better for them. This time isn't the same as when Strange had seen through his tricks the last time; he'd never been too serious about following the man, so being found out meant very little to him.

This time it'd been for the best, in his own mind, but it's a moot point now. Reapplying the spell would be more of a headache than he cares for, so it's getting past the Circle the normal way. He's still patient, at least, allowing to be pulled off course towards one game or another to let Strange take a look, if not for very long.

When he has to apply some force, he will, and they'll somehow — after what feels like an age — make it to the back of the cookhouse. It's the back way that they'll be using, which will put them right into the kitchen. There's a brief second or two before he actually lets Strange go again that he's looking warily around them, for someone, but there's only cinder sprites at work here.

Only then and there will he let Strange loose again. ]

[ Eventually, they make their way to the cookhouse. And the wafting smell of food reminds Strange that he is a bit hungry. Most of his time in Venice was spent trying to figure out how to bring back Arabella, not on things like 'taking care of yourself.' The lack of an attention span doesn't help—and oh hey, there it goes again because cinder sprites?The cinder sprites get Strange's attention more than anything else. Because what on Earth are these. Most descriptions of fairies paint them as relatively human looking. These...obviously aren't.

Now that he's let loose, Strange immediately makes a beeline towards them, peering at the cinder sprites and watching as they work. He doesn't interrupt them (because they are working), but he's straight up creeping. ]

Your grip is quite impressive, [ said almost as an afterthought as he pokes around the kitchen, out of simple curiosity more than anything else. God help us all when he inevitably finds the fruit. ]

[ As long as he's not poking the sprites, Childermass won't stop him from creeping on them. They're somewhat sentient, but they're also the souls of those doomed to eternal servitude for pissing off the Ringmaster, so dealing with Strange watching them is just about as awful as anything else in their existence. No big deal.

Though one does manage to give Childermass a reproachful look, to which he frowns at and shoos it off, adding, ]

Don't you have something to be doing? Go on. [ And hopefully that something won't be to tell the head cook there's two magicians raiding the kitchen. That done, he'll take a peek at what's on the stove currently. ] And of course it is.

[ He's back to addressing Strange now. ]

Dragging magicians around is something I have far too much experience in.

[ While Childermass shoos away the cinder sprite, Strange continues poking and exploring, much to the annoyance of all the other cinder sprites, who have started to give each other looks that are pure 'dude, really?' If Strange notices, he doesn't make any sign of acknowledging their annoyance. And then in his prowling around, he finds a pineapple, sitting innocuously in a bowl of fruit. Picking the fruit up, he gives it a downright death glare.

And oh hey, Childermass is talking, go pay attention! Childermass, then taking care of this horrible thing, this repulsive piece of fruit. ]

I have a feeling though it's much less literal back home—that is, unless parties are involved. [ They both know there is no damn way Gilbert Norrell would go to a party unless forced. ] Now if you'll pardon me for a moment,

[ Strange returns to glaring at the pineapple as he mutters something under his breath and...poofs the fruit from existence. Where is it? Who knows! One of those cinder sprites decides huh, now would be a good time to hide the rest of the fruit and starts scurrying off to do so. Thankfully, Strange is oblivious. ]

[ That innocent pineapple did nothing to you, Strange, what the fuck even-- okay, that isn't exactly what crosses Childermass' mind when Strange makes the fruit vanish, but it's pretty damn close. It involves a few prolonged seconds of staring, bemused, but it feels like one of those things to let go rather than question.

Why a pineapple, why that would bother him, how would it ever make sense to a sane man?

No, he'll ignore it. ]

You'd be right. [ The dragging about hadn't been as physical when it was Mr. Norrell. Just try and imagine the indignation if he'd done that with him, basically strong-arming him across half a carnival. ] Though the exasperation was much the same. Here.

[ 'Here' being added on once Strange has dealt with the pineapple, because he probably wouldn't be able to catch the bread roll (it's a little cheesy, as in actual cheese, not as in tacky) being tossed his way as Childermass helps himself to what's been left out. ]

[ Strange catches the bread roll easily. He looks at it with an expression that's a little ravenous as he digs in, eating the roll like he hasn't eaten in ages. It doesn't matter how good or not the roll is, Strange is ravenously eating it. Eventually, he pauses, swallows, and speaks. ]

I do hope that you literally dragged him at certain points. I doubt it, but the image is quite amusing.

[ Making fun of Norrell's a valid reason to pause eating. And, now that he's finished with that...Strange goes back to finishing off the roll as fast as he can. ]

Out of the way of something, on occasion. [ Which isn't as amusing, but it's the best he can offer. ] He's never been very aware when he has his nose in a book.

[ Hey, something Strange and Norrell both share, isn't that hilarious? No? Maybe? He won't point it out, of course, and instead finds a spot leaning against a now larger, grander kitchen counter and helping himself to a bread roll of his own. ]

[ How weird, something they both share, who knew? Strange doesn't realize that Childermass is essentially calling him out as well. Instead, he finishes off his bread roll and prowls around the kitchen to find more food. ]

That much is obvious, [ said with a little smirk. ] I've had to struggle to get his attention plenty of times while we worked together.

[ look at him, he's...oddly nostalgic ]

[ Here's hoping the cinder sprites have managed to hide any additional pineapples as Strange goes on the prowl... ]

I usually found it quicker to work around him. [ Which probably explains a lot, it's only that the 'a lot' falls to a number of details Strange just wouldn't have known. Who ever really pays attention to what the servants are up to, right? ] Though I could see where that would be more difficult in your own position.

[ Man, a couple of those cinder sprites are doing a REALLY GOOD JOB of "move the pineapples behind Strange's back when he's not looking at them." The carnival will live to have fruit salad another day. ]

It's hard to work around someone who's supposed to be your teacher. [ Bitter? Why would you think that, he's not bitter in the slightest, oh my god he is really bitter. Strange is frowning as he continues to search the kitchen and ooh, wait, that's a bit of cheese, that looks pretty good.

He looks back up towards Childermass as he munches on the cheese that he claimed for himself. ] This is a depressingly normal kitchen, by the way. This is Faerie, after all, I was expecting something a bit less... [ a bit less like an actual kitchen. ] Well, more different!

[ Well, it's not as though Childermass can't understand where the bitterness comes from. He knows all too well and he isn't about to defend Norrell. He won't add anything more to that fire, however. Instead, it's time to consider the kitchen.

The depressingly normal kitchen. ]

Oh? You've often spent time in a normal kitchen, Mr. Strange? [ Seems to him the kitchen is greatly improved from, say, what was expected in their own time, actually. ] Could be there's no need to add magic to what already works.

I've spent enough time in a kitchen to know what one looks like. I managed an estate once, you know.

[ granted it was for five minutes before he fucked off to become a magician because some dude under a hedge said so but Ashfair still counts, dammit. ]

And yes, you have a point but...well, it's Faerie.

[ The bits of the Kings Roads that he had seen were awe-inspiring. Strange could have (and did) wander around those for hours. This...well, roller coaster aside, it looked a lot like a normal carnival.

It's entirely possible that Strange has way too high expectations and way too big an imagination. Though, the lighting that's not candle light is quite convenient, that can stay. ]

[ So long enough to delegate anything related to the kitchen to someone used to kitchens, he would imagine, which Childermass isn't sure counts. ]

Faerie will look however it wants to look, even if that happens to be mundane. [ Finished with his own roll, he'll just keep on hanging out, leaning against the counter. ] In my own experience, it looked mostly like a poor reflection of England. This is far more solid.

[ And therefore far more preferable. ]

[ Yes, but he doesn't want solid. And that's the main problem these two are having. The familiar is comfortable for Childermass. Strange is perfectly fine to throw away the familiar and plunge straight into the unknown given the chance.

He finishes his food as he looks over at one of the cinder sprites, busy working. At least there was one thing properly otherworldy in this kitchen, even if it was...not what he expected. Sighing, Strange looks up at Childermass. ]

Solid as it may be, carnivals travel. Perhaps I'll see something more like my tastes at our next destination.

[ well no, it'll be the matrix which'll just confuse Strange even more but details, details. ]

[ Which is a place Childermass could take him to, as they're already settled there, but the thought of trying to keep a madman wrangled through a trip to a sprawling, futuristic American city is the stuff of nightmares. In fact, he might prefer dealing with literal Nightmares again, instead, since at least something intent on hunting him down and killing him is predictable.

So, as if probably expected, he shrugs. It is what it is, Strange. Deal with it.

The lone silver lining is he can at least mention the previous destination without having to worry about Strange running off to try and visit it, and so he will, adding after the shrug, ]

I'm sure you will. The one before was a literal realm of dreams. I'd say the carnival was the only thing there that didn't keep changing.

[ A realm of dreams...Strange pauses for a moment, as he lets his imagination run wild, picturing just what sort of place a realm of dreams would be, especially if you added in the dreams of Faerie and the carnival residents as well.

That pause lasts for a moment, before Strange wistfully responds, ]

That sounds wonderful and yet at the same time quite dangerous.

[ Not just because some dreams are nightmares--even the happy dreams have the potential to lead one astray. After all, more lately than in the past, Strange has found himself dreaming of Arabella. ]

I do wish that I could have seen it.

Very dangerous. You'd be amazed at how many creatures in a dream will try to eat you.

[ Or more like in a nightmare, though hardly limited to that. It's only the phantasm he met in a regular dream seemed more silly than dangerous. ]

I did keep notes, [ He'll include after a short, thoughtful pause. No one's ever actually seen what writes down in those little books of his, since no one's ever really cared before, but he may as well offer. There's nothing damning in the Dream Realm one, in any case. ] Though I know that's nothing like visiting it in person.

[ On the one hand, Strange isn't surprised that Childermass kept notes. On the other hand, he is a bit surprised that Childermass would let him see the notes. How nosy he can be with the rest of that little book, Strange doesn't know, but at least seeing the notes would help him figure out what sort of places the carnival visited. ]

If you don't mind, I'd like to see those notes. After all, I have absolutely no idea what sort of places the carnival stops at--they could at least provide a small bit of enlightenment.

[ It won't be an offer Childermass will be making often, but a book of notes may as well be as good as a babysitter in this case. He can skip out and track the stage manager down while the other magician is distracted. ]

It's only on the one location, so, no, I don't see why I should mind. [ The Matrix notes are still in progress. There's a lot of opinions about automobiles in those. ] We should get going, anyhow, before the cook catches us back here.

[ If there's anything else Strange wanted from here, he'd better pocket it now or forever hold his peace. ]

[ Strange casts one more look around the kitchen as if he'll somehow miraculously spot another pineapple that he can vanish (or more likely, that he can unintentionally teleport to someone else's bed). Once that once-over is done and the kitchen is blessedly pineapple free, Strange gives Childermass a small little nod as he starts to follow him out of the kitchen. ]

I doubt either of us would take well to being punished--especially for something so childish as sneaking a bit of food. [ though it'd kind of be amusing to watch Childermass get in trouble for filching food--he's just so serious! ]

Where to next?

[ he asks, completely forgetting the fact that no, it's nowhere next, you already ruined the tour Strange, stop that. ]

[ Well, he doubts there'd really be anyhting to punish, but being run out of the kitchen like a pair of uncouth brats doesn't quite fit. Best to leave before it happens, right? ]

Back to the trailer. [ Because Strange may have forgotten, but Childermass has definitely not. It's back out the way they came in, then he's leading on to cut through the Gamer's Circle again, only this time in the direction of the backyard. ] It's not as though I'm carrying those notes on me.

[ Those would be what populated his small, organized space in the chaos that he's stuck calling 'home' for now. ]

[ As they reach the Gamer's Circle, Strange stops walking for a moment, idly looking at a few funhouse mirrors, set up off to the side for passing people to look at. There's a pause while Strange thinks things through. Back to the trailer...there was a larger mirror in that trailer as well, affixed to the bathroom wall. He wasn't able to access the King's Roads back in the mirror maze, but perhaps that was because of the enchantments on the maze itself (for it must have been enchanted.) These mirrors, warped though they be, might be different.

It can't hurt to try, after all. ]

Perhaps I shall get there first, [ he idly muses, as he takes a few steps towards the mirror, ignoring Childermass. Why not. After all, there's no harm in trying! Placing his hand in front of him (because he is not going to smack his nose into a mirror again), Strange walks towards the mirror, murmuring slightly as he does so...

...and then surprise, just creepily vanishes into the mirror. The King's Roads might not be here but travel by mirror somehow still works. Might want to hurry back to the trailer, Childermass, before Strange pokes his nose into everything imaginable. ]

What?

[ But too late, when Childermass turns at what Strange says, the man's already gone, vanishing though the mirror. It's not the first time he's seen that and it's also not the first time he's cursing himself for never getting the other magician to show him how that works.

Left behind again, it would seem.

At least he knows where he's gone this time, though, and while he does consider rushing after, there's something about showing up winded and frazzled that irks him. It would only show it's that simple to get on his nerves, which a mad Strange might take as just too funny. So, no, he'll walk (albeit quickly) instead of racing after, trying to recall what he's left out in the trailer as he goes.

The memo book full of his notes and drawings from the Realm of Dreams is a given, along with the earlier musings on the carnival itself, a few of the carnival denizens, hippogriffs, the monster book. There'd be the dreamcatcher he got to keep to put up in the trailer (with a footnote regarding that in the dream notes).

Then there's the other little notebook, older, more dogeared, and slightly more hidden under his other papers. That's the one with an awful lot of letters in a language that makes absolutely no sense copied down towards the end, followed by some frustrated seeming writings on searching elsewhere. Further back would probably reveal much more, but, well, regardless of what Strange goes after first, Childermass will be throwing the door open sooner than might've been expected. ]

[closed] well this was unexpected

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)