apocalypsehowcomm | Event - Circus, Circus

Event - Circus, Circus

Circus, Circus

➥ By the Pricking of My Thumb

(cw: wax, potential compulsion and fighting)

The train pulls into the railyard at noon under a bright blue sky. The engine is a bright red with orange and yellow flames painted along the sides. The first carriage after that is pitch black with similar flames and a logo for the Fenix Down Extravaganza. It's a stylized red phoenix head in a circle of orange and yellow, the name of the circus painted across the top and bottom, mirroring the curve of the circle. A line of carriages stretch out after that, painted all different colors, but each maintaining the motif of flames down the sides and each bearing the company logo.

Excitement comes to the railyard. The circus is in town for a one-week stint before they continue their journey north. People in colorful costumes--clowns, 'fire fairies' covered in drips of candle wax, and those in animal masks--paper the town with advertisements. You might even find yourself conscripted to help with putting up the fliers and posters if you look idle. A stack of posters is placed in your hands. A $100 bill set atop seems to be your incentives to do something more than just toss them in the bin. There's a frantic energy both about the performers and the people in town. You might even find yourself strangely caught up in it. You want to help spread the word, to ensure the posters reach every part of town. Everyone else who's been conscripted, as well? You can do it better, faster. You need to be faster. You need to claim the space for your own before it's lost to someone else.

There hasn't been a circus come to Gloucester in decades, and it's the Fenix Down Extravaganza! They're renowned for their pyrotechnics and laser lights shows. Surely the enthusiasm for all that is just… catching.

The tents and booths are set up in vacant fields to the west of town, and there's one curious addition, as well. There's a railroad car that's been seemingly pulled away from the railyard somehow. No one sees it being moved, but it's out in the vacant field, and some might recognize it as the old, dilapidated thing that had been hidden in the railyard, the charred husk filled with old posters. It looms, in the field, almost seeming to smoke where it sits. It's quickly cleaned and restored over the course of the day the circus is setting up, though, and it seems to have been turned into the ticket booth for the front of the circus, complete with a new bright red paint job.

➥ Something Wicked This Way Comes

(cw: large-scale vehicular collision, industrial disaster, fire, harm to animals)

It's not a single person who can claim credit for the find, but many people all together. Hours have been poured into researching the mysterious midnight train crash that had rocked people from their beds almost a week ago. Finally, something is found. Stitched together from local newspaper clippings from around Cape Ann, a story emerges, identifying a derailment in the city of Gloucester back in 1921. More than a dozen workers had died in the railyard and there were fires beyond that in the town. The train itself had had only a few people aboard, performers for the Smoke and Mirrors Acting Troupe, along with animals used in their performances. The stories seem to be tucked away a few pages from the front of the newspapers, which are dominated by stories about skyrocketing unemployment following the Great War and the return home for the troops.

All of the stories seem to end with the same sentiment: It could have been so much worse. If the train had derailed further north in one of the more populated cities, where it had been scheduled to arrive the next morning after the crash? It could have been hundreds, maybe even thousands dead.

The information, whomever has found it, is enough. ADI calls a staff meeting. Ghostly circus train derailments just before another circus rolls into town? That's not a coincidence. Everyone who's willing is purchased a ticket for entrance to the Fenix Down Extravaganza, and every person is assigned a partner to join them. Don't lose track. There will be no kidnappings this time. ADI is determined to keep their people as safe as they can be while investigating. Maybe have a chat with your new companion(s).

Those who misbehaved during the last event's Sticky Wicket prompt and were caught with either an opened box or found to have injuries related to the artifacts inside the boxes will be assigned an additional person to their group. A mentor to keep them on the right track this time. And also to narc on them if they mess up again. Better behave, partner.

➥ Send In the Clowns

(cw: reference to cannibalism, fire, pain, mild body horror)

There's a light and excited atmosphere about the circus once a body makes it through the long queue out front. The sweet and sticky scent of fried and sugary foods permeates the air along with barbecues and the ever-present smell of ash. Fire would seem to be the main attraction for the Fenix Down Extravaganza. Fire dancers, fire jugglers, people swallowing fiery swords, and walking over beds of hot coals. There are sideshow attractions and games to see before heading into the big top. Notably, there are no animals or signs of animals at the circus save for a small contingent of goats that are set up as a petting zoo, and a sideshow with a reptile exhibit along with a 'snakeman.' Otherwise known as a performer decorated with shiny sticker scales who provides interesting 'snake facts' to anyone who happens by.

The Food
The food is typical carnival garbage. A little overpriced, but still decent and provided in excess of what people should reasonably eat in one sitting, especially for things like the cotton candy and funnel cake. There is some decent grilled food available, and those who go snooping will find that the food prep within each of the little booths is acceptable for what it all seems to be. There is one booth characters might notice that has 'long-pig' on the menu. Or does it? Check again, and it's not there. It seems to be selling hotdogs, though. Just ordinary hotdogs. Care to bite into one?

The Games
Your standard rigged carnival games: the ring toss, the ladder climb, the baseball and milk jugs. Spend more money for bigger prizes! But you're risking losing it all, as well. There are a few unique games, as well, though. One is called 'The Floor Is Lava,' and participants must make their way around a strange obstacle course that's up on balance beams. If you slip and go down, it's just grass of course. But for a moment, for a split second, you can feel the heat and agony as the lava engulfs your body. You're fine, though, of course! It's just a game, after all. Even if you might feel a bit… singed after that. Another game someone might find tucked away in an obscure corner is 'Liar, Liar,' which involves throwing beanbags at targets. Each target lights a match that helps to burn a string leading toward a cartoonish figure in polka dot boxers. The goal is to get the fire to touch the boxers before a timer runs out. When the fire hits the boxers, there's an uncomfortably realistic shriek. But it's probably fine.

The Sideshows and Exhibits
Fire is the overriding theme at the side shows with fire dancers and jugglers being the most prominent amongst the tents. Attendants for the tents all wear full (and varied) animal heads obscuring their faces; though, if someone is rude enough to rip off their masks, they'll just find disgruntled employees who would like that back now. The more notable sideshow acts include:

The Twisted Twisters - A pair of contortionists who maneuver bowls filled with flames while they shift around. They're very affable, joking with each other as they work.
Flammie the Magnificent - A magician who's open about his use of smoke and mirrors, as well as making objects appear in a burst of flame. He's a purposefully goofy magician aimed at younger kids.
Asbestos Mike - A man who juggles burning coals. His hands are… unfortunate to look at. But he doesn't seem to mind and claims to have no working nerve endings. He's extremely calm about… everything.

➥ Lost & Found

(cw: child endangerment/distressed parent with missing child, disorientation, hallucination)

And then, of course, there are the 'experiences.' They're not rides per se. Those are hard to pack up on a train, but they're exhibits to pass through with a particular theme toward interaction or ogling. There's a small wax museum with decently-crafted models of a few famous individuals. And then there's the Fun House. It's a mirror maze inside that seems to stretch on far larger than the small space it's set up in should allow. For those who make it to the center of the maze, they'll find a dark room with a single mirror in it. This, unlike the rest of the mirrors in the Fun House, isn't one that distorts your form. It's simply a standard mirror. There's also a corridor of mirror beyond it that leads to a quick escape from the Fun House for those lucky winners who make it there.

Said 'winners' will find that everything seems to be perfectly normal when they step out onto the bustling circus grounds. But is that- Ah, that's someone they wanted to talk to. Or maybe it's someone who looks suspicious. Just someone they want to follow. There is a figure and it's someone they want to follow. If they do so, they'll quickly lose said figure in the crowd, only to spot them a ways on a few moments later. Pursuing this figure will result in the winner being run around the circus grounds, never quite able to catch up. If they stop their pursuit, they will find themselves somewhere that they have not seen before. There may be a sense of disorientation as they try to get their bearings.

For those who don't enter the Fun House or come out as winners, they might notice someone--a parent--frantically looking about some other time. The parent comes up to them, asks if they've seen their child, before hurrying off to try to find an employee for help. Their little one was just there. They just came out of the Fun House and now… now they can't find their child! Employees will be only too happy to help, but non-employees might be quicker on the draw to locate the missing child. They're always found in a random place, seemingly unharmed but confused and frightened as they search for their parent, claiming they saw said parent going just over there, or over here. Still, you've reunited a family! No harm, no foul, right? Kids go wandering all the time. Parents really ought to keep a closer watch.

➥ The Ringmaster

(cw: fire, pain, immolation, screaming)

"Please be advised the following show contains flashing lights, sudden loud noises, and fire. Anyone who may have difficulty with these, please make your way to the exit. Our employees will provide refunds for anyone who may have challenges due to these effects." A full two minutes pass to allow those who need to leave time to do so. And then…

"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, and everyone in between, put your hands together for the one, the only, Fenix Down!" The words sound over the PA system in the tent just before roaring calliope music picks up and the man himself practically dances to the center of the ring in the main tent. Fenix is a remarkably short Caucasian man with dark hair, brown eyes, and a suit that looks like it's on fire, all orange, red, and yellow licks of color across the fabric. His bright yellow tophat features the company's phoenix logo on it, and he nearly loses the thing as he dashes around the ring, grinning like a madman and eliciting cheers from the audience as he raises his arms for them to shout.

"Are you ready, my friends, for the brightest, the grandest, the most extravagant show you have ever seen?" Thunderous cheers from the audience. "I am Fenix Down, and this is my extravaganza!"

The show plays out with two main acts with smaller ones in between. The main acts are introduced by Fenix in turn:

"Penny, the dancing flame!" is firedancer with an elaborate show involving a flaming whip and multiple other performers in horse heads acting as her 'animal companions' for the show.
"And Roderick, the man with laser hands!" is a young man in large, dark glasses who conducts a laser lights and pyrotechnics production from a DJ-style turntable as rock music plays and performers dance and tumble around the ring.

On the final night, there is a change to the performance, though. "And now, my friends, my dear friends, we have a special treat, a new main act to premier: Pyre, the burning man!" Those who are witness to this will see a young man enter the ring. He's sweating and a bit on the heavy side. He also looks… frightened. Frightened and exhilarated. He waves to the crowd as a circle of pipes is raised from a stage in the center of the ring. Pyre sets himself in the middle and lifts his hand. Liquid sprays from the pipes and for those who are close enough, they will likely recognize the scent of gasoline.

"I will be reborn and rise as the phoenix!" Pyre declares before striking a match. His whole body catches immediately in flames and there are horrified gasps and screams from the crowd. Those who might try to interfere are asked to hold on, hold on, just wait by employees. There's nothing to do for young Pyre, anyway. The flames burn rapidly until he collapses on the stage. Fenix makes the first subtle movement he has ever made for anyone who has watched his other performances. A small snap of his fingers, half-covered by one hand. The fire snuffs itself out immediately.

"Now, ladies and gentlemen, I know that seems frightening, but just watch," Fenix calls. "Like a phoenix, we rise!" As he says this, Pyre picks himself up. His clothes hang in a charred mess about his form, but his flesh… it seems to have knit itself back together. He is whole, and proceeds to give the audience a double-thumbs up. Relieved guests erupt in applause for this… very strange and rather harrowing final act.

After each performance for the night, the main acts and Fenix are available to take photos, sign autographs, and generally schmooze with the public for a little while. They each have a small tent so that you can have a moment of privacy with your favorite act, if you'd like. If anyone is looking for answers, particularly, these are the top of the hierarchy and might prove the most fruitful to speak to. They're also the only people in the circus that seem to have supernatural energy about them, for those who might have such senses to notice that.

➥ Mod Notes

GENERAL - Players are welcome to play NPCs for themselves when they are needed in a thread. If you need more information on general behavior for these types of NPCs, please feel free to ask! In general, the information provided in the prompt should be sufficient and you're welcome to make up any details beyond that for your specific scene. For this event, the only NPCs that should not be controlled by players for threading are: Fenix Down and the Main Acts in The Ringmaster prompt. These NPCs will be played by mods and available for interaction.
BY THE PRICKING OF MY THUMB (25-26 August) - Characters may accept fliers to put up a maximum of three times (that's $300). Not everyone will feel the compulsion to put up the fliers, but if you need incentive for your character to take action, they can do so. The fliers are ordinary adverts with dates, hours, location, and pricing for the circus. Characters can wander around some of the set-up for the circus, but they'll be shooed away if they linger too long with a request to leave for their safety. Circus personnel doing the set-up are not interested in talking. They'll ignore characters or threaten to call the police for harassment if characters persist in bothering them while they're trying to set things up. Those who attempt to mind-control the workers or otherwise compel them for information will quickly discover that these are genuinely just ordinary people who are doing all the set-up. And they would really like to do their job because they do not have enough time.
SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES (25-27 August) - Players are free to OOCly select their ADI-assigned partner. Those who misbehaved during the Sticky Wicket prompt (and there was evidence of that misbehavior) will find themselves saddled with a mentor, either as their partner or in addition to their partner. This mentor (if they're a PC) should be someone who DID behave in that prompt or who has not made themselves a problem for ADI up to this point. Partners are not required to stick together or with their mentors for the duration of the event. This is just an opportunity to get some new CR (or strengthen existing CR)! And maybe butt heads while you slip away from each other while investigating. Mentors will be expected to be somewhat responsible for their charges, though, if you would like to play with that dynamic.
SEND IN THE CLOWNS (26 August - 2 September) - Regular employees and sideshow acts have no particular information to provide about anything sinister going on at the circus. As far as they know, the work is grueling sometimes given the quick set-up/break-down and schedule, but they're paid very well and even have benefits! They're pretty protective of their employer, as a result, and aren't going to willingly trash-talk him or the circus beyond some standard grumbling about the extra work going into this as Gloucester wasn't originally on their tour schedule.
LOST & FOUND (26 August - 2 September) - Employees will be generally helpful in these situations, using walkie-talkies to try to find missing children. They won't be fast, though. Parents will be uniformly distressed, then grateful to anyone who might assist in locating their children. Children will be wholly unharmed, wherever they are found, but frightened, confused and disoriented. Characters who end up as 'winners' in the Fun House will need several minutes to get their bearings back after following their hallucinations. If they try to return to the Fun House, they won't seem to be able to find the center of the maze anymore, and the mirror maze will appear to be wholly ordinary and the correct size for the space it's in.
THE RINGMASTER (26 August - 2 September) - Characters who would leap in to assist Pyre will be waylaid by staff just long enough for him to stir and complete his act to show that he is, indeed, alive and seemingly fine. Those who still try to interrupt will be escorted out by security. Characters will have the chance to speak to Fenix, Penny, Roderick, and Pyre during this prompt. The first four will be available for the full week the circus is in town. Pyre will be available the final night. Characters may interrogate one NPC each. Each NPC will have different information they may be able to provide.

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[ INLAND EMPIRE [Godly: Failure] - This has taken a sharp turn for the worse. This man is terrifying in a way you cannot fully grasp. You need to back-out, both of you. He is a danger. ]

[ roderick won't get much closer than he has, as harry sharply sets a hand on his shoulder and gives it a squeeze. it's a tight one, a warning. he will take insults to the face all day, but he won't tolerate it toward others. especially not wanda. ]

You know, I think we're good here. Thanks for your time, Rod. [ he smiles, mean and tight. ] Don't swing those laser hands around too much. Wouldn't want to get the light in your eyes and damage your eyes. Would be a real shame.

[ HALF-LIGHT [Easy: Success] - Do it. Grab one of those hands and slam it in his face. Give him a *real* good show.
VOLITION [Formidable: Success] - Temporary satisfaction based on aggression will only hollow you out. Move on. He isn't worth it anyway. ]

[ then he lets go of the shoulder and takes Wanda's wrist, squeezing it light to reassure. ]

[her life is a myriad of people she loved now dead; a little laughing at her wouldn't make a difference to her psyche at all, but there is something about roderick's tone that she would really like to dig her hands into—to really dig at information about those mirrors, to seek answers for the faces she saw.

—but, instead, harry takes over and keeps the man at a distance; wraps his hand around her wrist in a reassuring way as they start to walk away.

wanda says nothing to roderick, looks away from him as immediately as harry's hand grounds her to the now.] I could have handled him myself. [squeeze some angry red into his head, make him regret laughing at her expense. she feels like an angry child, breathing out carefully to ease the tension from her shoulders. it's telling, at least, the way she holds instead to harry's hand with her own. she feels a little shaken up.

it is a short pause that they need to take for wanda to get her head on straight. pyre is just up ahead, free of any interested 'fans' at the feat he managed tonight.

wanda would like harry to take on with his usual questioning, but she thinks maybe they should start off with the right foot.]

Pyre, right? [she pulls out a marker and a flyer from a pocket, presenting it to the performer, a smile on her face.] Could I get an autograph?

Edited 2021-08-30 02:34 (UTC)

[Pyre is glancing around and rocking on his heels, looking happy if a bit vague. When he sees them heading his way his smile grows and he immediately reaches for the offered poster and marker.]

Hell yes, you can! How'd you like the show?

[ she could have handled it, but how would it turned out? he didn't want to be near that creep anymore after that. anger is in him and he does his best to shake it as they enter pyre's tent. he has his hands in his pockets, crinkling his fingers, straightening his face to mask his amped emotion.

he's about to open his mouth after wanda- ]

[ AUTHORITY [Formidable: Success] - Hold it. Before we proceed, a word of advice: let her steer this conversation.

(Really? Don't you normally tell me to take charge, or to pull my gun out to make a scene? By the way I left that at my apartment because I don't trust you with it.)

AUTHORITY - Don't trust *me*? You do remember I'm *you*, right? In any case, let her take charge. Can you see the spark in her eyes? She has an idea. Let her execute on it. Don't open your mouth to talk in circles. Now, you may proceed. ]

The show was amazing! Especially that finale you gave. Way better than anything Roderick could do.

[ friendship ended with roderick, now pyre is their best friend. ]

[it really is all thanks to black widow's tutelage that wanda can pull off a credible enough smile to accompany her banter, pulling excitement where there really isn't any—especially when it comes to the unsettling performance.

there is a frivolous accent to her words, more akin to younger women, and visible physical excitement in the way she clasps her hands and sways on the balls of her feet.]

Seriously! My uncle [points at harry, this is all spontaneous] and I are huge fans of circus performances — we never missed a single night — and just when we thought it couldn't go out with a bang — there you were!

There's no way you'd let us in on your secret, is there? Oh, [she points at the poster] could you sign it to Wanda?

Better than--better than Roderick?

[Pyre boggles at this declaration, looking like he's been given a huge Christmas present but also like he's afraid that Christmas present is going to grow fangs and bite him. His eyes dart to the door of the tent as if expecting said Roderick to be lurking there.

But there's a poster to sign, and adoring fans! He gets back on task, bracing the poster on a nearby box and signing it TO WANDA FROM PYRE in big, loopy letters he scrawls out slowly and precisely.]

Oh, a magician never tells! But I can let you in on one thing: fire. We use lots and lots of fire.

[He grins as though he's said something worth saying.]

[ INLAND EMPIRE [Formidable: Success] - Uncle!? Oh dear, that's quite the shock and turn. Have you ever been an uncle to anyone? No, you don't have any family, not anymore. They're all dead or gone.

DRAMA [Easy: Success] - Sire, do not let the fair maiden down! Go along, play it up! For this scene of the show, you are now Uncle Harry. Oh, I do wish we had time to make up a backstory and motivation, but for now improvise. ]

Yes, yes, Wanda and I both agree! [ he puts a hand on her shoulder, a comforting gesture to help sell the act. ] We thought Roderick was great all the other nights, but tonight? You absolutely *lit up* the circus and stole the show. Tell me, did we just witness your debut or were they just saving the best for last?

Uh — it was clearly the best for last. Duh. Entertainment 101.

[she puts on an exasperated look as if to dramatize the fact that, yes, they have these heated conversations all the time regarding whatever they are fixated upon. the circus this time around, it seems.

at the signed poster, she grows visibly giddy again, grabbing it and staring at it for a while long as if this is the best piece of merchandise she could get her hands on.]

Besides, [a light backhand smack at harry's chest] can you believe when Roderick said his act was the best, and that the Fun House was second best after his? All that knowing that Pyre here absolutely stole the show. [a shake of her head, a roll of her eyes, turning to pyre.] Like a mirror picked out in some random place even has the same talent as you, am I right?

[Pyre watches the back and forth, smiling in a way that's almost shy under all this praise.]

I mean...why not both? You did just see my debut, and it was a bang to go out on, right? It's like witnessing a piece of circus history.

[Okay, he's clearly not that bashful.]

And, uh--Roderick's a real professional. He does a good act; I learned a few things from him. The Fun House, though? I guess it's...fun. I haven't gone in there in a while but it's been...popular, lately.

[He looks thoughtful at that, like he's just thinking of something.]

[ he scoffs, a small playful grin on his features as wanda smacks up at him. ]

I think you will come to surpass Roderick, Pyre. His light show is impressive, sure, but it's nothing compared to what you did in one quick move. And the fun house is just a bunch of mirrors, isn't it?

The mirrors made me all kinds of dizzy. [a thoughtful hum] Though I guess that was the point.

Some people say they saw weird things in the mirrors. Dunno about that, [she shrugs] but sounds like it's just a bunch of tricks.

...You really think so?

[Pyre looks entirely too pleased and hopeful--and reins himself in with an awkward little cough and a redirection of his attention to Wanda.]

I mean, the circus is all tricks...but that's what makes it fun, right? I hope you didn't get too dizzy. All that midway stuff is...yeah, it's a bunch of tricks.

[ RHETORIC [Challenging: Success] - Is it really *all* tricks? He doesn't sound so sure. Or he's hesitating, perhaps to not reveal anything?

EMPATHY [Medium: Success] - He seems concerned for Wanda, a genuine one unlike the laser hand man who only wished to see her frightened. ]

It was very dizzying, yes. [ he breathes in, trying to ease himself as his chest constrains. what a horrible place, and a worse time. he looks down to Wanda, face contorting with concern- ] I must admit, I had something of a mild panic in there. Wanda and I got separated while inside and lost each other even after we got out.

[she looks over at harry carefully. play up some sympathy, huh? pyre's concern does seem genuine at the very least.]

It must sound silly. Getting lost isn't a big deal, but— It's just us, you know. [leaning into harry's side, she pushes on this idea of a niece who is close to her uncle.] It kinda gets to Uncle Harry.

[wah wah]

Even if it's just tricks, it still feels pretty real. You seemed a bit scared at first, Pyre. I got really worried for you when you got onto the stage.

[Pyre looks between them, something like confused temptation warring with sympathy in his eyes.]

'Course I was a little scared. Even if it's only a...a trick, you have to have respect for fire.

You, uh...hey, how about I give you some vouchers for the midway? To make up for the funhouse not being so fun. You could go out and play some of the other games together.

[He's not quite meeting their eyes as he smiles and makes the offer.]

[ SUGGESTION [Medium: Success] - This could be an opportunity. Look at how he averts his eyes. Dig in. ]

Oh, no, no, please no. Vouchers are unnecessary. [ he smiles politely, trying to ease the man with his apologetic tone. he glances to wanda. ] You know, I think we're more curious than anything about it. How it all works the way it does?

Edited 2021-09-04 03:33 (UTC)

[she looks at harry, trying to follow his train of thought.]

Oh, right. The mirror, wasn't it? I've never seen anything like it in other circuses with similar fun house ideas.

[now, she turns her attention to pyre.]

I know your trick is a secret that you can't reveal — where's the magic if we knew, right? But I think our curiosity would be sated if we got a hint about the mirrors. Please?

Sorry, I don't--I don't really know how that all works; I didn't help set any of that stuff up. All my work's been under the big top, tech stuff and now the new act.

[He seems genuinely apologetic; he's skirting around some truth with them but his ignorance about the mirror isn't feigned.]

You sure you don't want those vouchers? We've got plenty of other games. Like, uh, the Floor is Lava. That one's fun.

[He looks...guilty? Like he feels like he has to make the repeat offer but is starting to doubt whether he wants to.]

[ HALF-LIGHT [Medium: Success] - Again! Again with the getting nowhere and being run around in circles! This is getting ridiculous. Why doesn't he want to answer your questions!? What is he *afraid* of?

DRAMA [Formidable: Failure] - It's no good, sire. The act isn't working. Back to basics. ]

Pyre - we know you know something. If not about the mirrors, then something else. We're not stupid. [ he narrows his eyes, frustrated with the run-around and the dumb voucher consolation prize being offered. harry takes a step forward, not ready to give this up. ] What aren't you telling us? Cough it up, fire boy.

Edited 2021-09-06 03:21 (UTC)

[wanda can feel harry's frustration before he even says anything, and as soon as the words are out, she knows that the acting gig has run its course. she thinks of what she could do, to help, and finds herself approaching pyre—

and putting her hand up to his temple, a dance of her fingers bruising scarlet as her eyes glow, mind control sweeping in waves through his mind as she binds it.]

Answer his questions.

[Pyre shifts to take a step back, uneasiness coming to a peak as Harry's demeanor changes.]

What? I--

[He turns his eyes on Wanda as though to plead his case with her only to find her fingers brushing against his temple. His eyes go unfocused. His voice is small and soft when he responds.]

You shouldn't play the games. They'll scare you.

[ VOLITION [Medium: Success] - There is an undeniable shift in his demeanor. It isn't because of you though. Look at his eyes, how vacant they are. She *did* something to him.

INLAND EMPIRE [Challenging: Success] - There is more to this magic than you can comprehend. Something terrifying. ]

[ harry turns his head to look at wanda, trying in vain to understand what she did. he turns back to pyre without saying a word or betraying a thought. ]

And that's the point, isn't it? Roderick mocked us for our time in the Fun House, for our terror. The bigger question is why? Why is this circus trying to scare us?

[as soon as her magic is inside a person's mind, it will wear off depending on the person's mental strength. as it is, wanda takes a few steps back, keeping an eye out for any changes that would pinpoint the end of her mind control spell.

she remains quiet, to wait for the answers to harry's questions.]

Oh. That sounds like Roderick, yeah.

[Pyre's brow furrows as he thinks about it, how to put it into words.]

We gotta scare you because the flames are hungry. Because we're hungry.

[ ENCYCLOPEDIA [Medium: Success] - There is an entity associated with a fear of fire and burning, along with the destruction of unrealized potential. The Desolation.

INLAND EMPIRE [Formidable: Success] - The theme of fire across the circus. The big show-stopping number where a fan is lit on fire, briefly, to simulate his death by immolation. Even the mirrors that reflect the loss of someone dear to the heart, running away from you, lost forever. ]

You're feeding an Entity, aren't you? The whole circus is in on it. [ it isn't a question, but more a put together of all the pieces. he inhales, crossing his arms. ] What's the end goal? Are you going to just keep going on tour, setting yourself on fire to scare the crap out of everyone? There has to be more to it than that, right?

[ he looks at wanda, trying to gauge her reaction, and silently guess how much longer whatever she's doing will last. ]

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carmesi - 2021-09-09 17:51 (UTC) - Expand

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