sticksandbones | The fire is out of control

[The public has been growing restless, emotions are running high. Few have begun to voice their displeasure, the time is ripe for the picking.]

[Anyone who is Aware and willing to help may be called to assist in inciting a riot within the Kingdom so chaotic and frightening, it will force the Forest to show its hand. Light things on fire! Loot buildings! Make a huge mess of everything! Shadow Milk loves to see it!]

[Have run!]

[While all hell breaks loose, there will be a smaller group entering the castle. Shadow Milk dons his mask of The Sage to get through some of the immediate security. He is a close friend of the Queen after all.]

[Once inside the hard part begins. They will have to find the King and Queen to separate them.]

dwbthis its a tool that will help us later

[Look at what an upstanding looking person he is, with his small entourage who he is bringing in from the riot for safety. Nothing suspicious about him at all, just him, his son and some friends looking for the King and Queen.]

This way, if I had to guess, the Fool King may try and put the Queen on lock down to protect her, and hide her away in their bedroom. Keep your eyes peeled!

[While the general crowd of people is already going quite feral in the streets, one particular pigeon is standing high on a tower of crates, precariously balanced with one foot more elevated than the other. Without his Oripathy here to dull his senses and thoughts, his voice carries loud and passionate over the sounds of windows smashing and wood splintering.]

We have before us a betrayal of the highest degree — not from us, but from the leaders who would scorn us, who would cast us into the streets. Leaders who break bread while we wallow in poverty, who sip their wines and host their parties while telling us to kneel. Who, I ask you, allow them to have their luxuries? Who pays their taxes, labours in their fields, grows their crops and fights their wars while they rest in their gilded palace?! Who has been complacent for far too long?!

Us, my friends, it is us who have been comfortable in our oppression, finding no need to whet our blades with the taste of blood. No longer! For all we have kept quiet, they have found it in them to squeeze every last drop of life out of us. They have spat upon the people who gave them their livelihood in the first place. They have pushed and pushed and pushed, and even in our destitution have we said, "Thank you, thank you for letting me live another day," yet have done nothing to change our circumstances!

There is but one King against hundreds of us! Will you permit the King's soldiers to march against your families any longer?! Will you let him and his ilk control our thoughts, spoon-feed us lies, and trample our soil?! You will not! You cannot! We do not serve the King nor Queen; they are meant to serve and protect us! And what do we, dear people, do when our leaders are unfit?! How should we chase away the rot that has infested every corner of the castle?

[He sweeps his arm dramatically toward the castle in the distance, a bolt of lightning striking an empty part of the street in that direction.]

With pitchforks, with knives, with teeth and claw if you have nothing else! With a fire that blazes through the streets, we can burn out the infection that has taken hold! Our efforts will yield not only peace, but glory! But make no mistake: A kingdom made by our own hands has no room for dissenters and cowards. If you seek to laze about, then leave. If you seek to spurn our efforts, step forward and face the judgement of lightning. We will see who the victor is!

[Meanwhile, somewhere a short distance from the speech: Flamebringer is clinically insane, has already murdered six guards, and is currently in active combat with a second. Both blades are out which is how people know he's serious, but he's also completely uninjured. The blood he's covered in is not his own.

He also smells like burnt flesh.

Yay!

If he sees you getting accosted by kingdom guards while he's lighting fires in the streets, he will pivot on his heel and start beating the snot out of them for you. Y'know, gotta make sure you can either get to the king or light your own fires safely! It's like having a rabid guard-dog on hand at all times.]

[It's been months since Stan really got to flex his powers, and even then he hasn't had many occasions to use them in front of a crowd. He's supposed to be taking it easy until his blood corruption wears off, but desperate times call for hellfire and violence.

He made some of the other members of Team Arson get good study sticks and after a while of wrapping the tops in cotton and soaking them in lantern oil, he's lit them all on fire with his classic electric blue flames so that even the rioters without fire magic can cause a little chaos.

Stan doesn't need them though. He's ripped the sleeves off whatever stupid fantasy shirt this place gave him, so he can keep flames all the way up his arms if he needs to. His clothes aren't fireproof here, but eh. If he loses his shirt it wouldn't be the first time he lost it causing trouble.

At first he's casual about it, dragging his fingers across wooden beams and cloth banners and lighting them up with matchbox friction alone. Very few people here are actually real, and the ones that are will probably get pointed out and escorted to safety if they don't join in, so he feels absolutely no shame in escalating things.

He smashes glass. He lines his pockets with gold. He slams both hands down on Juice Boy's stall and demands Pitt Cola one last time while staring him down with flaming unnatural blue eyes and a fanged grin. It isn't long before the entire booth is up in flames and Stan is lighting peaches on fire like little grenades and throwing them anywhere that could use a little more heat.]

FUCK THE MONARCHY!

[He yells and laughs manically while lifting up a wooden stool, lighting it aflame, and SLAMMING it into the nearest hard surface that could catch fire.

In other words, he's having a blast. Entirely worth any potential blood corruption it could cause! The first guard that comes near him is getting a fiery punch to the face, WHO WANTS A WELL DONE PIECE OF THIS?!?!]

[ He's quiet for the moment. Outwardly he was playing the part of a frightened child, one hand gripping his father's sleeve...

But in reality, he was focusing. What he was seeing wasn't exactly what was in front of them, so he could use the extra guidance while he parsed through the tangle of different threads littering the halls. Of course, a great many people had ties to the people who called the castle home- this was never going to be a simple task, but he followed the taut thread that connected his father and White Lily Cookie. It was so tight it threatened to pull itself apart in places, but it still held firm enough for him to pick it out and follow.

He doesn't speak right away, but he does tug his father's sleeve and point to the right hall. ]

... I can't tell if the threads are Elder Faerie's or for the entity, so I don't know where he is, but she's that way...

The truth of the Silver Kingdom is that it was built on martyrdom. Self sacrifice, self destruction, all for a greater good... but only if you chose to do so. The only one without choice was Elder Faerie Cookie himself, and he had long since made peace with that. Otherwise it was prosperous, rich and safe, someplace where every faerie could live well.

But that is reality, and this is a dream. A dream built off the self-loathing of one woman, and the God who would take advantage of it, twist that which she loved most into one more weapon to use against her.

What's more, the damage done to the bulb holding them all captive has had an effect; Lily's pain has triggered a malleability to the Dream, more so than had been there previously. Passenger speaks, and faeries listen, and their view of the kingdom shifts.

He's right. He's right! The crowd roars, and the ire towards Queen White Lily shifts towards the King, who's been here longer. So they arm themselves, and fire bursts through the silver streets.

The guards and knights swarm, descending upon the riot from all angles- wings and all- and all eyes in the Dream are on you. Flamebringer and Stan are making quite the ruckus as well, so they too are targets.

~~and the man in the back said EVERYONE ATTACK and it turned into a ballroom blitz-~~

The Sage and his son can go in, yes! Best to get to safety, the guards think nothing of it. But there's an oppressive feeling in the air and it's not because of the fires outside.

Pavlova can see a pure white string leading through the halls, but sometimes it gets tangled in silver and dark red.

Odile is extremely unsuspicious! She's here often with her research team, and she pretty much always has the same disgruntled expression she's wearing right now.

Of course, she's already been marked, but it's not as though she's done anything since getting that threatening letter. She's even been working with her team! Mostly going through their reports and demanding more details.

Now she doesn't do more than glance at the guards, for all the world as if she's entirely forgotten the trouble she got into before.

Luckily Steph's role in this plan is to do her actual job. She's among the knights as they come after the rioters, and takes advantage of the first burning building that's still occupied to grab a couple of her colleagues to form a rescue team. Some of them might have been pretty close to taking down one of the ringleaders when she grabbed them, but come on, saving lives takes priority!

Good, they're all just a handful of people who definitely belong here, there's nothing to worry about. No ulterior motives. He checks to make sure they're all still together before turning down a hall.

"The Sage" puts his hand on Pavlova's back.

"Can you see anything?"

[ He looks to his father for just a moment and relaxes a touch. ]

... Her thread is tangled with a silver and a dark red one... probably indicative of that... thing and Elder Faerie Cookie.

[ He's going to see if the threads lead off different directions or the same one... and also see if they're with Lily or not. It might be bad if he tried to read them properly in the middle of a situation like this. ]

The Guards don't seem phased by Odile's presence, nor anyone else's- if anything they're glad someone's sought refuge at the castle- oh good Heavens someone punched with fire!!!! Inside, inside, now!

The red string ensnares the entire castle, the entire dream. It's like a stifling spider web. But the white string leads to the central throne room.

They can hear White Lily and Elder Faerie arguing, but it's hard to tell what's being said.

"I'd say we've found them," Odile notes quietly. The pair probably can't hear her over their own argument, but it never hurts to be cautious.

Indeed. Shadow Milk will halt them just shy of going inside.

He wants to try and listen for a moment. If there's nothing dangerous to glean from the argument beyond what they might expect, he will nudge Pavlova to go in and try to pull White Lily away. He motions for Odile to wait a moment before they themselves go in.

[ He'll wait alongside them until he's given the nudge... and when he is, he takes a moment to prepare and just bursts into tears.

He'll approach the door, wiping at his eyes as the tears stream down. ]

Miss Lilyyyy!

[ It's somewhere between a distressed wail and a sob, and he stumbles into the room not a moment later. He lifts his head as though to check if she's there, and he hurries over once he does find her, burying his face in her side and hugging her tight. She can feel him tremble and shake as he sobs. He only allows himself a moment before he looks up at her, panicked. ]

M-miss Lily, its Sugarfly- she... She ran off to help people evacuate and now I can't find her anywhere! She could be hurt or--

[ He startles slightly, as though he only just noticed Elder Faerie in the room with them. He whimpers and tucks back against her side, realizing he interrupted, but not backing down. ]

( you can make some things out, actually! )

Saint Lily, you aren't listening, the rioters are madmen, we can't tell if they're after you as an outsider or just looking for bloodshed in general, we must not go out there and you especially cannot save them-

Don't you dare use my name like a trump card when we're arguing! Something isn't right, Elder Faerie, can't you see? There must be another force at play-

( and then pavlova bursts in, alarming the guards at the door. lily whips around, missing the downright mutinous glare "elder faerie" casts pavlova as she lets him attach, arms around his back. )

Sugarfly...? That... ( she turns to elder faerie, who shifts his expression to frustration and worry alike once more. ) Don't you see, my love? The longer we wait, the more innocents will be harmed. We must stop this.

The Silver Knights will. You are the last known subject of their ire, however- I will not tolerate it.

Tolerate- if crowning me was a mistake, then there's a simple solution! I-

( ... yeah, it's going to continue even with lily's protective embrace of the boy. )

Odile waits patiently outside, as instructed, the heavy book she uses for Combat Craft held tight.

Juuuust a moment longer. He wants to see if Pavlova can actually get White Lily away. If he can't budge her on the next round then they will storm in.

[ For as much attitude as Pavlova can have, he doesn't get truly angry very often. It's a slow building fire until it bursts and fizzles itself out. Anger isn't something he's had to fake often, but it had its uses just like fear. This was one of those times, he figured as White Lily- or Saint Lily, he supposes- pulled him close like some sort of ornament. He stayed there for a moment as the argument cycled. The entity seemed to be stalling, so after a moment more the little boy wriggled out of her arms, his little feathered wings puffed out like that somehow made a difference ]

Are you just going to stand here yelling at each other? People could be crumbling out there! If...

[ He wiped at his teary eyes and looked between them gaze landing on Lily with such a hurt expression. ]

If you won't help me I'll save her myself!

[ And with that the boy ran for the other door. ]

Wait-

Pavlova!

( lily reaches for him, curling around almost as if protecting him from something only she knows is there. with how the strings twist and shift, maybe she is. a haze had been over her eyes, and now she's visibly struggling against something. )

I- Please, don't go by yourself, I- I'm sorry.

Lily. I forbid you from going out there with that boy-

( and something-

snaps. only pavlova can see how wide her eyes get, how she seems to be shaking, staring at nothing before she moves to hold him closer, mumbling something ("we have to go")-

when she speaks, her voice is raw, tinged with hurt.

that is not her elder faerie. )

I am the Light of Freedom and not even you can command me, knowing my true name or not. Pavlova, where did you last see her.

[ Jackpot.

He only struggles a little bit when she tugs him back in, unnerved by how the threads twitch and shift. He's not entirely sure what just happened, but between that and her reaction... he thinks she's finally woken up. The whisper seems to cement that, but...

Whatever the case he'll keep the act for the moment. Until they are truly alone. ]

Th-The forest to the northwest. She ran that way. C'mon!

[ He keeps a tight hold on her hand and leads the way out of the room! ]

( has she?

no.

she just knows that the man she's been loving as her husband is not who he claims to be.

she follows- or more like she quickly overtakes him, one hand in his and the other pulling up her dress for more freedom of movement. as they pass the door she locks eyes with the sage, and something impossible to name flashes across her face before they leave.

the queen has left the building-

completely ignoring "elder faerie's" yelling as he attempts to follow her, grab her wrist- it's only when he sees odile and shadow milk that he freezes, face contorting with rage. )

[Excellent. He is so proud of you Pavlova, really a chip off the old block.]

[And White Lily, too. A strange sense of pride comes over him when he hears her finally put her foot down. That's right, if you're going to claim that piece of the Soul Jam like it's yours then embody it the way you should. No one has any right to cage you, especially Him]

[They lock eyes for a moment as he moves in, motioning for Odile to follow, and the look is. Much easier to read on his face. Don't worry, he'll take care of this trivial little matter.]

[The rage on Elder Faerie's face runs through him like lightning, and that "Sage" personal falls away entirely. With a loud, rude noise, he laughs. In his hand his staff forms.]

My, My. Trouble in Paradise, Foolish King?

[ Odile spares a glance at Lily, but her target is inside. She grins wickedly and quickly casts Slow IV on the king. She won't let him get the jump on them. ]

It's no surprise, given how helpless he is against her.

[Ah, the real fun part!

Even with wings and weapons, Stan's still pretty sure the rioters have the upper hand. Armor isn't exactly famous for heat protection, and were they really prepared for wave after wave of blue and red flames?

Stan, after sending yet another banner on fire, decides it's time for target practice.]

HEY FAIRY COPS, I GOT SOMETHING FOR YOU--

[And he starts throwing more flaming fruit up at them! The first several shots aren't that great (7, 10, 11) but the last couple hit (13, 16), and there's even one nat 20 in the bunch.]

SUCK ON THAT!

The fire is out of control

Team Arson.

Team Regicide

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SPEECH! SPEECH! SPEECH! ARSON! SPEECH!

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TEAM ARSON GENRAL REPLY

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Sage's paid expired so just use your imagination-

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