#carnival

"Why not?"

gently corrects "She's not 'making' me do anything."

Thirteen simply waits. She does not seem to concerned, one way or another. The dagger in her hand, its well made and she flips it almost idly. Catching it by the handle each and every time.

"Stay or go. It does not matter either way. I have shown you both sides, as I promised I would."

"Same reason you want to be a librarian, I guess." (He tosses it up, catches it , and turns to go)

His brows knit at that answer

Thirteen looks to Earl and Zara. "If you do not wish to do this. Please wait near the beginning of the trod. We will be along shortly. I do not wish Basile to eat you if you fail to make him laugh."

"I... I'm sorry, Lady." she offers the dagger back.

She takes the dagger back. "It is fine Zara." Said in a gentle whisper. "Just please do not rush ahead on the trod. I would rather you alive than to be dragon meat."

He hands his own back, "Thank you for being our guide. I will honor my promise of silence."

(He moves on a ways, and then stops to turn back and wait forThirteen)

"Go now, before it starts in earnest." She follows Ice then and they can see one other thin form too, it joins Thirteen, dressed in a long dark cloak, its hood pulled up.

Earl takes Zara's hand gently in his, and leads her to where they were asked to wait, assuming she does not change her mind.

Zara retreats, but can't help looking back - curiosity drawing her eyes.

(Three sluagh, moving in on the stage)

And out he goes with Zara. "I hope you didn't leave for 'my' sake." a low whisper as they wait beyond the sight and sound of the ritual

The Ailil lord starts to speak. "My people thank you for the celebration this night. A party to break down barriers to tear apart rules, to incite change. " His voice is like liquid. So smooth, so warm and inviting. "Please join me in this sacrifice. In this glamour that we give so freely back to the dream." His silver mask glints in the light of the sun that is just about the rise.

"Killing is anathema."

"An entire year of dreams given freely, now to return to where they have came." The circle moves, all on the stage now. A large circle around the passed out mortal king. Thirteen steps forward. Showing Ice what to do. Knives raise almost in unison.

(He follows her lead, raising it. The sequins flickering in the light of whatever lamps are still lit nearby, and glinting off the metal blade of the dagger, sharp and edged)

He looks to Zara, and nods, "Yes. Death is a part of the cycle, but it feels wrong to go from spring to winter as some seem to do."

"....I am a poor sluagh." she squints at the distance, making out what she may.

"Well, I'm a terrible troll," He says, "Maybe though, we just suffer from being good people?"

"Now." The sidhe lord orders, his own knife flashing. It goes so fast. So fast. Who killed him one well never know. The blood starts to flow, trickling off the stage. But the glamour is freed too. Its like a wave, and hits like one too. Even Earl and Zara can feel a bit of it. Raw glamour and aged glamour. A feast that can be felt for blocks.

Thirteen is braced, perhaps expecting it. Some who are new look a little dazed by it. More than few new chimera seemed to have popped into being. The redcaps dart forward to dip their hats. Thirteen simply turns away.

(Undoubtedly, he is splashed with some of the hot spray that will always happen, when a dagger slides into heart, or artery. But at least he isn't the only one)

"Savages.." She whispers. Perhaps about the caps. But her own tatters are now stained once again. But then...that is nothing new.

(It staggers Ice, who wasn't prepared for it. He drops the dagger with a clatter, sending up another splatter. But he keeps presence of mind enough to turn and follow Thirteen)

She still has her gloves on. She will touch his shoulder to guide him, if needed. Moving down the steps as other revel in the kill.

Earl feels the rush of glamour even from where he waits, and shakes his head at it.

(He does, as well, although now covered in blood. He follows, and has presence of mind to pick up hat and cane as he goes, although his shirt is still nowhere to be seen, by his compatriots)

(He seems dazed, maybe a little drunk, still reeling when he reaches the others. No, he was unprepared for a Hiroshima-blast of Glamour at ground zero)

"I should have warned him." said to the others as they arrive. "Miss Zara, when we get back, perhaps you should go inside and get a shirt for him?"

"He's going to be okay right?" He says with concern to Thirteen, "We felt it, some of it, even here."

She nods to Thirteen, and reaches out to steady the blood-spattered Ice.

(He reaches up, and finally pulls the mask off. Blinking at her with dazed eyes)

She nods to Earl. "It is a lot of glamour. The king is not allowed to be mused or ravaged for that entire year. It drives most completely crazy." Said softly.

"Dream struck," he says grimly. "For mortals I think it's called Dreamstruck"

(He looks down at his hands, then starts picking at the gloves, to peel them off, getting smudges of blood on his forearms, and not seeming to care) "Anybody sees. Need you to punch me, give me a nose bleed," (Muttering, even now still trying to think ahead)

"Home, shower, bed. Yes?"

"Yeah." (He flicks eyes up, swaying, and then squints at Earl. And then, high praise) "You don't suck."

She leads them carefully down the path. Dealing with Basile as he stops her once again. It takes longer this time, but finally the demonic dragon laughs, allowing them to pass.

"thanks. " he says, though it's softly done and there is worry in his voice.

(He turns to follow, and....yes, Ice recovers somewhat as he goes, steadying at last, enough to walk unaided and keep up)

"Perhaps it is best if you do not sleep at the hold tonight." Said once she deals with the dragon. "Perhaps the shop, or at Zaras house?" Said to Ice.

"Can't let Dria see....oh, hell with it." (A huff out) "Shop."

"Think her parents would have a fit, I come in like this, nu?"

She nods. "It would not be wise."

"I can drive."

((My Blood Glamour Level is still below 0.08!))