Duplicity Inbox

[bestofall]

You have reached Festival, king of entertainers and entertainer of kings. I'm fairly certain this device will allow you to leave a message. Best of luck with that.


Art by switalia

Comments

[chrisisofaith]

Seems that way. Typically how it starts: something understandable turns to more as power and fear grow in equal measure.

Not a fan of those who're putting knives and chains on the ones I give a shit about.

He sticks to well lit areas. Public. Mostly the Up, only the Down when he's got a friend.

[bestofall]

I can't say I blame him for that last part. Someone had attacked him before I had a run-in with him.

He doesn't seem terribly popular.

[chrisisofaith]

I can't imagine why.





Just keep an eye out for him. Those types get worse before they get better.

[bestofall]

If they get better.

I don't plan to interfere directly again unless he does something to force my hand.

[chrisisofaith]

I'll keep an eye out on him all the same.

Reall quick, though: hand or paw cause Candle said 'paw' so I want to make sure for you.

[bestofall]

Either. Both. I'm used to using human words for things like that.

[chrisisofaith]

Fair.

I'll see you at home.

[While he thought over all of....this.]

Gift!

[guylining]

All of Nate’s gifts are delivered via a fluttering origami bird, which flies directly to the recipient and puts the gift into their hands. Once it’s given, the bird will unfold into a note, which explains what the charm inside will do, and how to activate it. When the note has been read, it will explode into a miniature display of multi-coloured fireworks, which spell out “Yuletide wishes from Nate!” and then vanish.

Festival receives a ring with a multi-coloured diamond in the middle. When twisted clockwise, the stone enhances Festival’s flexibility, making him all kinds of bendy. On Christmas Eve, the Theatre will also be full of homemade Yuletide food and drink, for everyone who works there to enjoy.

gift delivery

[compellingstatement]

[As with Chris' gift, the large box wrapped in gold paper has no sender attached, just a tag with Festival's name. Inside, he'll find a large jar of premium catnip and a few cat toys in larger-than-average sizes. For the biggest kitties out there.]

Gift Delivery

[chrisisofaith]

[Either left at their home or given in person, Chris leaves a present for the few people he's connected with.

A small package tied with a raven card as signature, along with the gift itself is a small note and a plain black votive candle.]

City's got some other holiday on, but back home it's about time for Candleglow. You exchange presents to share in the year's wealth with people who you hope have wealth in the coming year. It's also a ceremony where everyone in the Moonsea lights a candle at the turn of the year and either sits with their loved ones until it burns out or sets it to sail in the Moonsea all around the shores.

I'll be at the beach at midnight when the year turns, you're welcome to come burn it with me or set sail in the tidepool or just keep it for yourself. No pressure or judgement either way.

Whatever happens in the next year, thanks for being my Tominant. Probably wouldn't have made so long without.

-C.S.

[Festival's gift is a gold hoop earing with small runes along the inside. When he tries it on, he'll find the enchantment on it casts a mild glamour to hide Festival's chest scar without him using his own magic to do so.]

[bestofall]

Were that I had the king's cursebreaker to help me, he might know what more to ask. I'll get started looking for the seller and any other buyers, but if you can bring me in contact with Nancy Cirrus it will save me a little time finding her as well. Some curses are not so easily discarded or given away.

[compellingstatement]

[The response takes a little while.]

I've called the phone number she left, but it seems to have been disconnected.
Or it was never a real number to begin with.
She left and address, as well.

[He'll send that along.]

If you could check in on her sooner, rather than later, that would be appreciated.

December 2020 gift reference

[bestofall]

For the December 2020 gift season, Festival received a set of juggling balls from his time as a jester in the court of Boywold. It was accompanied by a card printed with a mysteriously obtained picture of Festival's own O-face, signed by Bel and the Creator. Screw those guys.

going to handwave this if that's alright

[bestofall]

Bendy cat is bendy! Festival comes by the theater on Christmas Eve to join in the celebrations, and will make a point of thanking Nate in person.

[bestofall]

Concerning. I'll make that my first stop.

January 9th 2021 - Voice; un: ShowStopper

[alwayskayaking]

[Huh, odd that this username would be calling Festival. Tim had planned on trying to avoid Festival for the rest of forever until he talked to Inara and she was terrified of him for some reason.

Tim thinks he knows what the reason is. Too bad he's so very wrong. Maybe if Tim had any clue that he has a horrible clone running around hurting people he wouldn't be suspecting Festival. In the end Tim doesn't know, but he does know of one person who can look like him.

Will Festival pick up the phone? Tim is just going to keep trying to call him.]

Voice; un: a.fool

[bestofall]

[The first few times Tim calls, Festival ignores him. It’s simple enough to silence his device, and he has no interest in whatever this is about. He’s trying to be the bigger man here, and that means leaving Tim alone as long as Festival doesn’t catch him actively hurting someone, even if Tim tries to start something with him.

The calls just keep coming, though, and he does finally pick up.]

You’ve reached the municipal menagerie; this is the rhinoceros speaking. How may I direct your call?

[alwayskayaking]

Cut the crap. [Unsurprisingly Tim sounds angry. Except no, angry doesn't fully cover it, he sounds livid.] You want to ruin my life? Fine. Go ahead, but you don't go bashing my friends to do it.

What's your excuse? I wanna hear it. Why did you attack Inara out of everyone else I know?

[bestofall]

[For the first few seconds, Festival actually tries to think whether he’s done anything to bring this on. He doesn’t think he’s been ruining Tim’s life lately, but—

But that’s a bizarre and, frankly, offensive accusation entirely out of the blue.]

For one thing, if I were going to take action against you I wouldn’t do anything so crass and basic as to attack someone.

[...Unlike Chris, as it turns out, but Festival really doesn’t want to go into that with Tim.]

For another...who is Inara?

[alwayskayaking]

The woman you attacked while wearing my face!! [The words are spat out as Tim struggles deciding if he's more or less upset to learn Festival might have picked someone at random.]

[bestofall]

Amazing. In one breath you’ve accused me of two things I’ve not done.

...One thing I’ve not done and another thing I’ve not done a second time.

[alwayskayaking]

Is it because we're on the network that you're refusing to admit it? Because I haven't seen my friend in weeks and suddenly she's saying that I've attacked her. There's only one person I know that can copy my looks and voice and that's you. So drop the act already.

[bestofall]

Is it because we’re on the network that you’re making dangerous accusations? Hoping that if you’re vehement enough our minders will decide to punish me for something I did not do.

[Tim doesn’t seem like the kind to play a trick, though. Maybe someone has actually been attacked, as he says.]

...is she badly hurt? What did she say happened?

[alwayskayaking]

I'm happy to take this off the network if it gets you to stop attacking people.

Of course she's hurt! You beat the crap out of her! Any why?! She was defending Charlotte you stupid beast!

[bestofall]

[Festival’s voice goes very calm and very, very cold.]

I’ll say it here and I’ll say it wherever you like, you brainless donkey, you obtuse mule, I did not attack her. If you’re not lying, if she were actually attacked by an illusionist, I would like to help, but do not insult me again with these accusations.