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

Audio: UN: Hexappeal83

[sleight_of_fate]

[It's several days after the events at the house party that Festival receives a voice message from Rhys.

The same Rhys that turned into a demon and then proceeded to ravish/ravage the pheromone-drunk bard, which explains why his voice is so hesitant.]

Hey. Um, Festival.

This is Rhys. I know you might not want to talk to me, but I wanted to talk to you. I wanted to say I'm sorry about what happened in the house.

What I did in the house. If you're willing to talk to me, this is where you can reach me.

[He pauses, then adds,]

Thanks. Hopefully I'll talk to you soon.

audio | un: a.fool

[bestofall]

[He's had Thoughts about this. Feelings, too. He's seen people talking on the network and he knows what happened to that guy from dinner, that transformations were a thing, but...

But it's complicated. He'd wanted it...or he'd thought he wanted it. That scares the hell out of him. It takes him a few hours after receiving the message to decide to reply.]

Did you...did you choose any of that?

ATTN: FESTIVAL

[duplicitymods]

❝

DUPLICITY CITATION No. 75340 December 3rd 2020 Violation: Attempted interference with another Dominant's Contract Fine: $2000 fine **and** 48 hours of Community Service Payments and Punishments must be received/enacted within 30 calendar days, or debts will be handed over to the Remittance Facility.

❞

un: thearchivist; text (after his text from Tim)

[compellingstatement]

You need to stop impersonating people from my world, Festival.
You were there when I talked about what happened to Sasha.
I appreciate you want to help Charlotte, but for god's sake, think things through!

[Says Jonathan Sims, notable thinker of things through.]

Tim thinks you're one of the Not-Them.
I've told him you're not, but he's barely listening to me right now.
Find a different way to help.

un: a.fool

[bestofall]

I'd gathered he thought that, given he said so upward of twenty times. I will point out you'd not introduced me to him or told me he was from your world.

[He'd known, but a.) that's clearly not the point and b.) he's not going to admit to having impersonated Jon again. Or the third time, if Claudia hasn't notified him.]

This was the kind way. I'm at a loss for what else I can do that wouldn't make me as much a monster as he is.

text; un: carminecorvid

[chrisisofaith]

That fucker who threatened you on that dom finder, that the same person as one Tim Stoker?

text | un: a.fool

[bestofall]

That petty creature? That craven man frightened of any and all he doesn't understand?

Yes, that is one Tim Stoker.

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.

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.

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.]

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.

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?

voice; un: carminecorvid (Event Misfire)

[chrisisofaith]

Stardust
I'm thinking you've a mighty fine arrangement of scarves and ropes, a'course, but I found a very lovely deep purple with strands of silver in it. Might look lovely on your wrists...maybe back around your thighs like before.

Been a bit since that trick and you'll have to try a little harder to break 'em over those sashes from before.

[Was that meant for his tominant? Not in the least...]

Re: voice; un: carminecorvid (Event Misfire)

[bestofall]

[There is a brief moment in which Festival thinks this is just a rather odd message from Chris about home decor, and then--wrists. THIGHS. If it were someone he disliked he'd let it go on, perhaps even put on a different face and encourage it for a laugh, but with Chris--

Nope.]

Ah, Chris? You've a lovely taste for color, but I'm reasonably certain this wasn't meant for my ears.

text; un: speed | event based slightly garbled misfire

[mph]

Bi\\y what goin5 on
u getting these#

CITATION

[duplicitymods]

❝

DUPLICITY CITATION No. 823792 Violation: Encouraging and supporting dissent, in direct defiance of government laws Fine: Behavior modification collar + 20 hours of community service Payments must be received within 30 calendar days, or debts will be handed over to the Remittance Facility.

❞

Text: luckyducky

[astraythought]

Good evening,

My name is Ducky, and I received your name from Jon Sims, who suggested you were a Dominant in search of a submissive. I would be interested in discussing that matter if you're amenable. I arrived shortly before last week and all of its confusion--I would have reached out sooner if not for everything.

If you're not interested, that's alright as well. Regardless, thank you for taking the time to read this message.

Ducky

text | a.fool

[bestofall]

Good evening Ducky,

Believe you me, it's better you waited for me to return to my right mind.

While I wouldn't say I'm on the prowl, it's true that I'm between contracts and that there's a certain timeline of expectations. Are you from Jon's world? I imagine if you are he must already have issued whatever warnings he thought necessary.

Regardless, I would be delighted to take you out for tea, or for something stronger, if Jon believes we might get along.

Festival

[compellingstatement]

[It's a more reasonable 6 AM on the 3rd when Jon texts Festival. The cat comes to mind only because Sasha is still out, he doesn't feel like Martin or Peter will indulge him, and he's still anxious about the argument with Tim after Daphne.]

Would you be able to check something for me?
I wrote something in paint outside the Creator's mansion.
I'd like to know if it's still there or if they managed to get rid of it overnight or of some people are going to see it.
Currently in prison.

1 of 2

[bestofall]

Jon Sims I cannot imagine why you would possibly be in prison. I shall travel to the Creator's home forthwith to find out whether the no doubt uplifting and encouraging message you left for him remains on display.

un: thearchivist; text

[compellingstatement]

Do you do commissions for poetry?
I'm looking to get Martin some sort of personalized gift, and he loves poetry.
I thought something from a genuine bard might be nice.

text | un: a.fool

[bestofall]

Jon, you should know me better than to ask. I'll do nearly anything for pay.

A love poem, then?

Delivered on Dec 25th

[compellingstatement]

[On the morning of the 25th, Chris and Festival will awake to packages addressed to them on their doorstep. The one for Festival contains a few tins of very fancy catnip tea blends, along with a hand mirror that has cat ears on it.]

un: thearchivist; voice

[compellingstatement]

[Jon never calls. He texts, which may indicate the urgency of the situation. With Tim being in the Down, Jon knows he's not going to get through the checkpoints fast enough. He needs magical transportation. There's one person he knows of who can do that, specifically. Whenever Festival picks up, Jon's talking immediately.]

I need your help. Tim's been attacked, but he's in the Down. I need to get to him. Please can you use your magic to get me there? I'll do anything. Anything you want, Festival. Please!

text | un: a.fool

[bestofall]

Festival's Mu--

[He doesn't even get the joke out before Jon's talking over him, and of course. Of course he should have known it was an emergency if it was a call from Jon, and of course it's Tim who's in trouble.]

Oh, Tim's going to hate this. Of course I'll do it--call it a favor owed. Where are you now?

Audio; UN: Ravens

[chrisisofaith]

[He’s been putting this off, he knows, but he’d promised he’d talk to Festival, so…]

Hey. Hope your day’s going well. Heading home, so if you want anything, speak up.

Also…got something serious to put in your lovely ear.

[bestofall]

It wouldn't be another gold ring, would it?

ATTN: FESTIVAL

[duplicitymods]

❝

DUPLICITY CITATION No. 18148 Violation: Sexual Deviancy (Dominant/Dominant) Fine: 2 weeks Realignment Payments must be received within 30 calendar days, or debts will be handed over to the Remittance Facility.

❞

Text; un: Ravens

[chrisisofaith]

I’ve got weird news

text | un: a.fool

[bestofall]

I delight in the fact that this could mean almost anything coming from you.

Christmas (Eve) Delivery

[themisfit]

[ Festival gets two nice bottles. Whiskey and wine, to cover distant bases.

For an optional encounter with "Santa," see here. ]

Delivery 12/31

[chrisisofaith]

[There's a present delivered the last day of the year, marked with a tag that holds the printed picture of a raven on it. A letter inside accompanies the present itself, sealed with silver wax that holds the signet press of two crossed feathers topped with a cluster of three six-pointed stars.]

May I share my bounty with you that you have plenty of your own for this new year.
I'm so thankful to have you back to me. I love you dearly and I'll always be available to you, even if we aren't living together.
Turn my old room into a pillow pit nest or the like. I'll help.
Happy Candleglow
-C.S.

[Festival will find honey lavender cookies along with a much larger package full of plant-like pillows inside.]

[delivery on 12/25]

[compellingstatement]

[One Christmas Day, Festival will find himself the new owner of a box that contains a very nice bottle of rum and a very nice tin of highly potent catnip. There's no note or other indication of who this might be from.]

un: thearchivist; text

[compellingstatement]

I need your help to win a bet with Chris.
Could you tell me what sort of fancy dress someone from your world would wear if they were a magic user?
Maybe with a raven motif to the style?

[bestofall]

Hold on, if you're finally admitting you're a witch I think I've just won a bet myself.

It's going to be yards and yards of fabric, you realize? Yards and yards.

Text | un: LadyRogue (backdated to 3/14)

[rogueinladysclothing]

[This is not how she wanted their next interaction to begin, but... such is life, it seems. Amelia's message arrives late in the afternoon the day after the failed heist, when she's already on display outside the People Zoo.]

Festival, I have need to see you again soon. An apology is owed for my part in what Hawke's going through.

I'm indisposed for the next few days, and have work obligations over the weekend. Are you available Monday or Tuesday next?

[bestofall]

I appreciate that, but it really isn't necessary. Hawke and I spoke about the risks of our shared association before ever we put pen to paper. I'm sorry for what you and he going through now, but I'm certainly not owed any apology for it, neither from him nor from you.

If I can assist in your current predicament, though, certainly let me know.