LOST CARNIVAL -> IC Contact

[moonfang]

✆CHANNEL FREQUENCY: 015.01502
DESCRIPTION: Zangetsu spends quite some time listening in on the radio and learning all kinds of interesting things.

✉MAIL BOX LOCATION: Mailbox on Door
DESCRIPTION: The mailbox is nondescript and painted white. There's no name on it, but there is a black crescent moon painted on one side.

Comments

[atouts]

That's more literal than you might realize.

[ He is absolutely a shadow-jumping bastard, but that aside, his attention goes straight down to that empty sleeve. Oh, he's raising his eyebrows at that. ]

Ah. [ Did he really...? ] Zangetsu. [ Somehow, he manages to carry on as deadpan as ever, tone-wise, even in the face of this. ] Your arm appears to be missing.

[moonfang]

Ah what. This? [he wiggles his bare shoulder a bit, making the sleeve move slightly. Then he rolls it up to show the smooth, healed over amputation] I told you, didn't I? I made good on it.

[atouts]

[ There's a drawn out silence from the magician where he struggles to even find what to say to this, looking at where an arm should be, then at Zangetsu, then back again, and— ]

While... [ What the hell is he even supposed to do here? Is there a standard response when one's employee removes their own limbs? ] ...I'm sure the Ringmaster can appreciate an eye for an eye... [ Arm for an arm, whatever. ] This seems a little over the top.

[ 'A little'. Yeah. Sure. ]

[moonfang]

Maybe for someone who can't regenerate on command, yes. [he lets the sleeve fall again and rubs the smooth stump] But I can grow it back any time I like. I choose not to, until Gongenzaka's arm is restored as well. His handicap is mine, because I caused it. That's all there is to it, boss.

[atouts]

[ That does throw a slightly better light on it, when he explains further. It doesn't quite ease the vaguely disturbed look he gives Zangetsu, squinting at him, for a brief moment, but it's already done. He doubts he could order him to regrow his arm if he's set on this.

And if he really can do that...

He sighs, relenting. ]

Very well. If you're so sure, I suppose I can find no fault with... [ He waves a bit towards the empty sleeve. ] That. It does save me the trouble of punishing you myself, at least.

[moonfang]

Bahhahaha! Punishment! No. Got that covered. [he pauses, leaning against his doorframe] But just out of curiosity... what did you have in mind?

[atouts]

Putting you in a shadow and leaving you there until the carnival properly relocated. [ And who even knows how long that would be. Childermass is completely deadpan about it, saying that, so whether he's serious or not... ] Out of sight, out of mind, as they say. Preferably out of the Ringmaster's mind. I don't see her having a problem with your own solution, however, so that will be what we go with.

[moonfang]

Ew. Yeah. That's no fun. And not really very fitting or poetic. [a pause, then he glares at Childermass. SPEAKING OF THE RINGMASTER--] By the way!! I don't like that you knew about the rose thing and didn't tell me! I talked to the Ringmaster that night and she chewed me out, all, "Well I guess your supervisor didn't tell you!" What's up with that, man?

[atouts]

[ In the face of Zangetsu glaring, Childermass... remains as deadpan as he has been throughout this entire encounter. ]

I didn't tell most people. [ He points that out first and foremost. ] There was only so much that could be done until I had a real plan on how to get the rose and by the time I did, the Prince had poisoned or enchanted most of the carnival, yourself included.

[moonfang]

Then what's the point of having a team? Tch... [he says it as if he himself wouldn't keep crucial information to himself if he deemed it necessary. Team Acquisition is really just a bunch of self-serving jerks after all.

However, Zangetsu is also a strong believer in the ends justifying the means, so he can't be too angry about the whole thing]

... In the end we got the thing, so I guess your choice was the correct one.

[atouts]

Usually, I prefer a team that doesn't eat the other members on it. [ hint hint, but seriously, the poisoning of the entire carnival did throw such a wrench in his plans. In any case, he shrugs. ] And yes, in the end we did, although it would have worked even better had the Ringmaster not gotten distracted.

[ He's allowed to be a little annoyed at things, sometimes. The Ringmaster isn't safe from his judgment at aaaaall. ]

[moonfang]

[he rolls his eyes. THAT WAS ONE TIME AND HE ISN'T EVEN MAD... But yes, the poisoning of all the people who actually have to eat was... quite a pain. Smart on the Prince's part, but certainly a pain. Though, at the mention of the Ringmaster getting distracted, he cackles a bit and shrugs] Well, we all have our faults. The Ringmaster's faults include being a space cadet with the attention span of a small dog. [but they like her ok anyway]

[atouts]

[ ONE TIME IS ONE TIME TOO MANY, ZAN!

But anyway, Childermass wrinkles his nose a bit at his description of the Ringmaster's flaws, even though he's spot on. Or, well, close enough. He's not actually sure what 'space cadet' references, but hey. He'll just roll with it. ]

A little more seriousness in the face of certain doom would be appreciated, though I suppose as long as she manages to win in the long run...

[ He shrugs. What else can you do? ]

In any case, as you've gone ahead and dealt with the issue on your own, I don't see much reason to take up any more of your time, Zangetsu.

[moonfang]

[WELL HE DISAGREES But whatever. BEG TO DIFFER I GUESS.

Space cadet! You know, like -- oh right. Victorian England. Damn. He shrugs]

Results are what matter. [he chuckles and gives a wry, sarcastic smile] What, you don't wanna hang out?