hippocarnival | Lost Carnival

[ we are using this mailbox PROPERLY, this is a proper letter and everything. ]

To Yuya,

Truth be told, I honestly have no idea how to start this letter! But I suppose I shall start by offering you my thanks. You were a dear friend to me in Portland, perhaps a better friend than that Jonathan Strange deserved. I cannot overstate how much that friendship meant to me then, and likewise how much it means to me now. If there is anything that I can do for you, whether through my magic or through other means, simply ask and I shall be delighted to do so.

Likewise, I must apologize for my actions in that month, both for the callousness of my character as well as my attack on you in the Count's castle. I was not in my right mind then, but that does not absolve the fact that the action happened in the first place.

On a different note, I'm pleased to see that the angels' ritual worked (and shall graciously accept defeat with regards to Portland Jonathan Strange's faith in the Summer Court). Obviously I've no idea what happened as I was a little unconscious but considering that we are back in the carnival and I'm in my right state of mind, I have every reason to believe the angels' ritual proceeded as intended.

I hope this letter finds you in good health--it seems every one of us escaped with an injury of some sort.

Sincerely yours, Jonathan Strange

[It's more than a day before Strange gets a response. Yuya has no idea if he's even using the public or private channel right, he's tired. But trying to write a letter is way worse right now.]

You're forgiven. [His voice sounds hazy and distant, but he's putting as much strength into it as he can. Though he has to pause between sentences.] I'm glad you're normal again. Sorry 'bout... hitting you with a crowbar.

[ fortunately, Yuya succeeded at the private channel! Unfortunately, Strange is now IMMENSELY WORRIED. ]

Oh, don't worry about that, I deserved it. Though, may I be blunt? [ he's gonna be blunt anyway. ] You sound terrible. What's happened?

Um... I was the catalyst. It had to go through my soul to break the Severing... and Peridot. [Which hurt. What are the long term repercussions of having you're soul repeatedly mutilated, anyway? Should he be worried.]

But I'm gonna be okay. [Eventually.]

Edited 2017-08-01 16:50 (UTC)

My magic's absolutely useless with regards to the state of the soul. But if you need any food or reading material or someone to just keep you company, do not even think of hesitating before you call me.

[ because yeah! Yuya may be all 'oh, I'm gonna be okay' but he still does not sound like he's anywhere CLOSE to 100% (and also if Strange keeps busy helping Yuya, then he doesn't have to think about his own experiences. A+ coping) ]

Oh, thanks. [He sounds pleased at that, if tired. He has such great friends, making sure he's comfortable while he recovers.] Yeah, that's great... how's everyone?

[He's been unconscious and trailer bound, he has no idea what's been going on since they returned.]

Fine? [ his tone of voice is pure 'heck if I know' ] Honestly, I don't really know specifics. I've spent most of our return crafting apologies.

[Oh... well, that's fair. He already knows of a few people who weren't happy with Portland Strange.] Nobody, uh... everyone made it back?

[Strange wouldn't miss if someone died or was left behind, right?]

I think so. There are some people who aren't here any more: Miss Elsa and Mister Novak, for example--as well as Lars, my roommate. But I don't think it's because they were left behind. The Ringmaster wouldn't do that.

[ From Strange's tone of voice, he has 100% faith in the Ringmaster. ]

It's probably a trick of the carnival. Sometimes it sends people home for a while only to pull them back later.

[Huh, so people can complete their contexts in pieces... if Strange has that much faith in the Ringmaster then Yuya will just believe in her too.

That reminds him, though, of something that happened during the ritual. He hums.] One of us was... a bear in Portland? I think. Do you know who that was?

As a matter of fact, I do. The bear's name is Foster--and technically he was a werebear. Only in Portland, though. I believe he works under Psionic?

[ And there's a pause because hmm, how do you talk about Foster's everything. ]

He's...difficult.

[Foster. The one from the rescue mission. Yuya doesn't know him very well from the carnival, but that's something he's got a mind to right, now.]

Oh, okay. [He'll fine him later, though. He's far too tired right now.]

[ To Strange's credit, this is when he realizes wait, Yuya's super tired and probably needs to rest. ]

Well whatever you needed to know Foster for, it can wait until tomorrow. And again, contact me if you need anything. I'll try to have my radio on me as much as I can.

[Yuya hums in agreement.] I will. Thanks Mr. Strange.

[... Strange won't be getting any further response but Yuya also failed to actually turn his radio off before passing out so it'll be on Strange to cut the connection.]

[On B18, they will find a fancy looking gift box in his trailer with a note left on top. The handwriting is done in an over the top cursive that he might recognize as the Ringmaster's, written on aged papyrus with the ink seemingly made of shining gold.]

"Yuya-

You have done much for the carnival in your short time here. I look forward to seeing what you do in the future.

The Ringmaster❧"

[Her signature is so massive and florid that it fills up the rest of the paper. When they open the box, they'll find a crystal
staff. This staff can be used to enhance his warding magic, by drawing warding circles and symbols on objects in lines made of light. These lines only last as long as Yuya is concentrating on them, but he can train with the staff to gain more longevity. This can be used to defend from spirits, spells, magical attacks, and perhaps even physical violence with practice.]

[One day during the winter vacation, Yuya will find that a book has been delivered to his cabin, along with a small bottle and a message scribbled on a piece of paper torn out of a notebook:]

Yuya,

I found this book from Terca Lumireis. Thought it might interest you, so I'm giving it to you.

You and your friends tend to get in a lot of trouble, so I'm giving you this other thing, too.

-Rita Mordio

[The book included with the note is titled The Legend that Sleeps in Searing Sands. It contains various folklore from Kogorh, a desert civilization. The tales tell of things like mythical sand serpents, an oasis with healing water, and peculiar beast-like gods who impart wisdom or sometimes guide those who are lost in the desert. The final chapter describes a divine beast said to sleep deep beneath the Sands of Kogorh.]

[The other thing mentioned in the note appears to be a healing draft, containing two doses.]

[ There's a very large box left in Yuya's bedroom because Strange is bullshit and drops off presents via mirrors. The box is wrapped in a simple blue wrapping paper. There's a note attached to the top. ]

Dear Yuya,

While I have every faith that your barrier spell will grow and strengthen, you can't protect other people until you protect yourself first. This should help. Happy holidays and enjoy the winter.

yours, Jonathan Strange.

[ Inside the box is a set of elven armor. The armor itself is a light brown color and tailored perfectly to fit Yuya. ]

[He couldn't find what he wanted-but in the end, he had what he needed. ...Hopefully. Gongenzaka sighs, but with the pieces wrapped up and ready at least, he opens the door back to their cabin-one of these will, no doubt, be great for training in; practicing new tricks involving more dangerous feats, riding in vehicles, so on....It's lighter armor and nothing that matches anything else but perhaps Yuzu's own set-

Because no doubt it would be something they wore together, to help the other.

The other...he hopes it will work well with what Yuuya received from someone else. But for now, he comes in with large boxes...]

...Yuuya? [He calls, looking about. ...He hopes he didn't miss the other...]

[Gongenzaka definitely hasn't missed Yuya, who's dragged himself back to bed after finally relenting to his cold. There's tissues scattered everywhere.

When he hears Gon he rolls over, pushing the covers back so he can sit up to look at him.]

Oh, hi Gongenzaka. [It's said completely nasally.]

[Ooooh. That...does not sound good. Or look good. Gongenzaka finds himself looking over the small scattering of tissues with rather wide eyes, blinking through the shock.] Auh.... ....So it's gotten worse then, [He murmurs, frowning.] Mnhh...

...Perhaps it would be better if I, the man Gongenzaka, allowed you to rest then...

[Yuya frowns in response. He already hates being sick, and pity about him being sick just sours his mood on it even more. Anything is a welcome distraction.]

No, I'm fine! What--[He sneezes.] What did you want?

Edited 2018-01-09 07:12 (UTC)

You sound far from fine... [He mutters, but he comes in all the same.] ....I, the man Gongenzaka, have something for you... ...if you are up to it, then I would like to see you open it.

[Yuya sounds terrible, but all that grouchy indignation drains from his face immediately at the mention of presents.]

I'm up, I'm up! [He leans over, making grabby hands from the bed.] You can give it now!

HOH-!

Your illness is so temporary, that the idea of gifts can cure it then!? [He half jokes, unable to completely keep from smiling. Still-he passes the packages over.]

One is for training-both for the tent, and for otherwise...the other... [He grimaces, somewhat uncomfortable.] ...Truthfully, it would be best if you need never use that one...

I'm not dying. [He rolls his eyes, but there's a grin on his face as Gon hands him the packages. They're big and weighty so he rests them on his lap, muffling a cough and rubbing his nose as he does so.

Of course, he doesn't wait long before his fingers are digging into the wrapping and tearing it, but he does at least stop in the middle to look at Gon and listen.]

Eh? [He sniffs, raising a brow.] I thought you were getting something I was supposed to enjoy fully?

[So why would he never have to use it?]

Lost Carnival | Inbox

letter, sent at the start of the summerlands

Attempt over the radio

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LONG BOX IN HIS TRAILER: WITH NOTE

Mailbox - Holiday Gift

holiday gift!

ON THE FINAL DAY ON THE MOON...

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