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| hero(es)= [[Pythagoras-858]]<br>[[Juliet-178]]<br>[[Arganthone-056]] | | hero(es)= [[Pythagoras-858]]<br>[[Juliet-178]]<br>[[Arganthone-056]] | ||
| villain(s)= [[The Clown Emperor]]<br>[[Skollops ag-Warka]]<br>[[Sympus ag-Forgos]]<br>[[Radluhac ag-Wampyr]]<br>[[Director Darius]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Sebastian Steer]]<br>[[Snap-Dragon|The Snap-Dragon]] | | villain(s)= [[The Clown Emperor]]<br>[[Skollops ag-Warka]]<br>[[Sympus ag-Forgos]]<br>[[Radluhac ag-Wampyr]]<br>[[Director Darius]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Sebastian Steer]]<br>[[Snap-Dragon|The Snap-Dragon]] | ||
| featuring= [[Madame Tarsa]]<br>[[Jenny Everywhere (38167th Universe)|Jenny Everywhere]]<br>[[Santa Claus]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Cupida Hartnell]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Claus-025]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Mandragora-257]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Lord Thymon]]<br>[[Sneernobiel]]<br>[[Gorbazaglaz]]<br>[[CS-NA]]<br>[[Banker-059]]<br>[[Pessimist-242]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Pessimist's Fog Ship]]<br>[[Sigma-063]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Larrikin-1029]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Sellane ag-Narra]]<br>[[Karshassinwellshkhan III]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Ghost of Christmas Past|Past]], [[Ghost of Christmas Present|Present]], and [[Ghost of Christmas Future|Future]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Ebenezer Scrooge]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Mrs Hudson]]<br>[[Sherlock Holmes]]<br>[[Professor Moriarty]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Doctor Watson]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Mechanical Fortune Teller|The Mechanical Fortune Teller]]<br>[[Frog Mayor|The Frog Mayor]]<br>[[Baron Frankenstein]]<br>[[Boris Karloff]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Frankenstein's Monster | | featuring= [[Madame Tarsa]]<br>[[Jenny Everywhere (38167th Universe)|Jenny Everywhere]]<br>[[Santa Claus]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Cupida Hartnell]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Claus-025]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Mandragora-257]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Lord Thymon]]<br>[[Sneernobiel]]<br>[[Gorbazaglaz]]<br>[[CS-NA]]<br>[[Banker-059]]<br>[[Pessimist-242]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Pessimist's Fog Ship]]<br>[[Sigma-063]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Larrikin-1029]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Sellane ag-Narra]]<br>[[Karshassinwellshkhan III]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Ghost of Christmas Past|Past]], [[Ghost of Christmas Present|Present]], and [[Ghost of Christmas Future|Future]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Ebenezer Scrooge]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Mrs Hudson]]<br>[[Sherlock Holmes (Prime Universe)|Sherlock Holmes]]<br>[[Professor Moriarty]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Doctor Watson]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Mechanical Fortune Teller|The Mechanical Fortune Teller]]<br>[[Frog Mayor|The Frog Mayor]]<br>[[Baron Frankenstein (Frankenstein's World)|Baron Frankenstein]]<br>[[Boris Karloff]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Frankenstein's Monster (Frankenstein's World)|Frankenstein's Monster]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Millicent (The Time of the Toymaker)|Millicent]]<br>[[Jenny Everywhere#Geometron Jenny|“Geometron Jenny”]]<br>[[Wendy VII]]<br>[[Bibliophile-962]]<br>[[Philatel-426]]<br>[[Mechanical Sphinx|The Mechanical Sphinx]]<br>[[Herodotus-724]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Cupida Hartnell]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Aphrodite]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Celebration-665]]<br>[[Colonel-028]]<br>[[Sorceress Sally]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Marksmanship-522]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Tracker-764]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Imperial Imperator|The Imperial Imperator]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Vertolin]]<br>[[Trafero]]<br>[[Doctor Curious]]<br>[[The Frost King#Member of the Council|The Frost King]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Lord Nachtos]]<br>[[The Drink-Mixer]]<br>[[Alistair Neezley]]<br>[[Frederick]]<br>[[Barnabus Raffleby]]<br>[[Viltus (The Time of the Toymaker)|Viltus]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Conquest-932|Conquest]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Lord Nefarious]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[The General]]<br>[[Ghost of the First Premium Turkey]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Sexton Blake]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Inspector Lestrade]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Mycroft Holmes]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Horatio Ernest Topper|Horatio Topper]]<br>[[Lady in White|The Lady in White]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small><br>[[Stingy Jack]]<br><small>(mentioned)</small> | ||
| setting= [[Cupid Homeworld|The Cupid Homeworld]];<br>[[Workshop of Madame Tarsa|The Workshop of Madame Tarsa]];<br>[[Thrash|New Wellsia]], [[Dimension Epsilon Five]];<br>Victorian [[London]], [[Prime Universe]];<br>[[Madame Tarsa's Toybox]];<br>[[Castle Frankenstein]], [[Frankenstein's World]];<br>[[Interdimensional Black Market|The Interdimensional Black Market]];<br>[[New Subcinctus]], [[Universe (The Time of the Toymaker)|unnamed universe]]<br>[[Darkborough]], [[Jynx Dimension]] | | setting= [[Cupid Homeworld|The Cupid Homeworld]];<br>[[Workshop of Madame Tarsa|The Workshop of Madame Tarsa]];<br>[[Thrash|New Wellsia]], [[Dimension Epsilon Five]];<br>Victorian [[London]], [[Prime Universe]];<br>[[Madame Tarsa's Toybox]];<br>[[Castle Frankenstein]], [[Frankenstein's World]];<br>[[Interdimensional Black Market|The Interdimensional Black Market]];<br>[[New Subcinctus]], [[Universe (The Time of the Toymaker)|unnamed universe]]<br>[[Darkborough]], [[Jynx Dimension]] | ||
| length= 21 chapters<br><small>(+ Epilogue)</small> | | length= 21 chapters<br><small>(+ Epilogue)</small> | ||
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| dates= December of 2020 | | dates= December of 2020 | ||
| original_link=[https://thecrewofthecoppercoloredcupids.wordpress.com/2020/12/26/the-time-of-the-toymaker/] | | original_link=[https://thecrewofthecoppercoloredcupids.wordpress.com/2020/12/26/the-time-of-the-toymaker/] | ||
}}'''''The Time of the Toymaker''''' was a novel in the ''[[The Crew of the Copper-Colored Cupids (series)|The Crew of the Copper-Colored Cupids]]'' series, cowritten by [[Aristide Twain]] and [[Lupan Evezan]]. It served as the series' 2020 | | seriesnav2 = [[Christmas (real world)|Christmas stories]] | ||
| previous2 = ''[[Geometrons' Holiday (comic story)|Geometrons' Holiday]]'' | |||
| next2 = ''[[The Winter Quests (novel)|The Winter Quests]]''}}'''''The Time of the Toymaker''''' was a novel in the ''[[The Crew of the Copper-Colored Cupids (series)|The Crew of the Copper-Colored Cupids]]'' series, cowritten by [[Aristide Twain]] and [[Lupan Evezan]]. It served as the series' 2020 [[Christmas (real world)|Christmas]] special. | |||
As was customary for such a special, many characters and settings from previous installments of the series were thrown together into a Yuletide plot. This included a prominent supporting role for [[Jenny Everywhere (38167th Universe)|Jenny Everywhere]]. | As was customary for such a special, many characters and settings from previous installments of the series were thrown together into a Yuletide plot. This included a prominent supporting role for [[Jenny Everywhere (38167th Universe)|Jenny Everywhere]]. | ||
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After the two Cupids explain the purpose of their mission, Jenny opines that [[Madame Tarsa]] probably had some safeguard in place to resurrect herself in case anything happened ot her, which might be worth looking into. With the Fog Ship unable to take off again, she agrees to [[shift]] the two of them back to the [[Workshop of Madame Tarsa]] and join them on their investigation beyond that. | After the two Cupids explain the purpose of their mission, Jenny opines that [[Madame Tarsa]] probably had some safeguard in place to resurrect herself in case anything happened ot her, which might be worth looking into. With the Fog Ship unable to take off again, she agrees to [[shift]] the two of them back to the [[Workshop of Madame Tarsa]] and join them on their investigation beyond that. | ||
==== Chapter 5 ==== | ==== Chapter 5 ==== | ||
Moments after Jenny, Juliet, Arganthone and Pythe have left, [[Pythagoras-858]] (in a human disguise) turns a corner into the same street of Victorian London, which turns out to be none other than 1895 [[Baker Street]]. He makes his way to [[221B Baker Street]] and is greeted by [[Mrs Hudson]]. She is initially reluctant to let him in, but after he persuades her to simply pass his name along to [[Sherlock Holmes | Moments after Jenny, Juliet, Arganthone and Pythe have left, [[Pythagoras-858]] (in a human disguise) turns a corner into the same street of Victorian London, which turns out to be none other than 1895 [[Baker Street]]. He makes his way to [[221B Baker Street]] and is greeted by [[Mrs Hudson]]. She is initially reluctant to let him in, but after he persuades her to simply pass his name along to [[Sherlock Holmes (Prime Universe)|Sherlock Holmes]] and gives it as “[[Professor Moriarty|Professor James R. Moriarty]]”, Holmes naturally lets him in. Pythe, though keeping his true nature as an android a secret, reveals to Holmes that he is a time-traveller by pointing out an error in one of his monographs which he has yet to publish, and whose only draft currently resides on Holmes's own desk. Baffled but intrigued, Holmes agrees to hear him out. | ||
==== Chapter 6 ==== | ==== Chapter 6 ==== | ||
Back in the [[Workshop of Madame Tarsa]], [[Arganthone-056]] attempts to get the [[Mechanical Fortune Teller]] to tell them whether or not [[Madame Tarsa]] had any failsafes in place. However, after it transpires that the Fortune Teller is programmed to never give a straight answer to a question, an irritated Arganthone stomps off to join their companions, who have already made their way to the [[Madame Tarsa's Toybox]]. | Back in the [[Workshop of Madame Tarsa]], [[Arganthone-056]] attempts to get the [[Mechanical Fortune Teller]] to tell them whether or not [[Madame Tarsa]] had any failsafes in place. However, after it transpires that the Fortune Teller is programmed to never give a straight answer to a question, an irritated Arganthone stomps off to join their companions, who have already made their way to the [[Madame Tarsa's Toybox]]. | ||
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After catching up with them through the initial stage of the Labyrinth inside, Arganthone rejoins [[Juliet-178]] and [[Jenny Everywhere (38167th Universe)|Jenny Everywhere]] on the outskirts of [[Wild West Town]], where they are greeted by the [[Frog Mayor]] of the town. The Mayor is initially mistrustful of them due to the bad behaviour of the two previous Cupid visitors of the labyrinth, [[Pessimist-242]] and [[Larrikin-1029]], but after he is reassured that not all Cupids are as irksome as that duo, he advises them to seek out the oldest toy in the Labyrinth, currently residing in the [[Christmas Toyland]], as she might know some of Tarsa's secrets, even if the Mayor does not. | After catching up with them through the initial stage of the Labyrinth inside, Arganthone rejoins [[Juliet-178]] and [[Jenny Everywhere (38167th Universe)|Jenny Everywhere]] on the outskirts of [[Wild West Town]], where they are greeted by the [[Frog Mayor]] of the town. The Mayor is initially mistrustful of them due to the bad behaviour of the two previous Cupid visitors of the labyrinth, [[Pessimist-242]] and [[Larrikin-1029]], but after he is reassured that not all Cupids are as irksome as that duo, he advises them to seek out the oldest toy in the Labyrinth, currently residing in the [[Christmas Toyland]], as she might know some of Tarsa's secrets, even if the Mayor does not. | ||
==== Chapter 7 ==== | ==== Chapter 7 ==== | ||
Having been brought up to speed and ferried to the [[Workshop of Madame Tarsa]] by [[Pythagoras-858]], [[Sherlock Holmes | Having been brought up to speed and ferried to the [[Workshop of Madame Tarsa]] by [[Pythagoras-858]], [[Sherlock Holmes (Prime Universe)|Holmes]] is able to deduce that Tarsa's aggressor must have had some means of teleporting in and out of the room, and observes that they stole Tarsa's [[Madame Tarsa's cane|cane]], which is neither in her hand nor anywhere to be found in the Workshop. Pythe comes up with a slightly alternative hypothesis: that Tarsa was attacked by one of her own creations (who thus didn't need any teleporting abilities to get ''in''), who subsequently escaped using the powers of Tarsa's cane. | ||
==== Chapter 8 ==== | ==== Chapter 8 ==== | ||
Meanwhile, inside the Toybox, [[Jenny Everywhere (38167th Universe)|Jenny Everywhere]], [[Juliet-178]] and [[Arganthone-056]] reach the [[Christmas Toyland]]. After passing through a simple wooden door, they are greeted by the strange and festive sights of the place. Interrogating a living puppet [[Elf]], they are told to ask the conductor of a nearby Toy Train to take them to “the old dollhouse at the top of the hill”, where the Oldest Toy in the Labyrinth allegedly lives. They buy tickets at a discount from the jack-in-the-box ticket-seller and enjoy the scenic train ride, during which they look upon various strange Christmassy landmarks including the [[Star Atop the Tree]]. Finally, at the end of the train tracks, they reach the life-sized “dollhouse”. | Meanwhile, inside the Toybox, [[Jenny Everywhere (38167th Universe)|Jenny Everywhere]], [[Juliet-178]] and [[Arganthone-056]] reach the [[Christmas Toyland]]. After passing through a simple wooden door, they are greeted by the strange and festive sights of the place. Interrogating a living puppet [[Elf]], they are told to ask the conductor of a nearby Toy Train to take them to “the old dollhouse at the top of the hill”, where the Oldest Toy in the Labyrinth allegedly lives. They buy tickets at a discount from the jack-in-the-box ticket-seller and enjoy the scenic train ride, during which they look upon various strange Christmassy landmarks including the [[Star Atop the Tree]]. Finally, at the end of the train tracks, they reach the life-sized “dollhouse”. | ||
==== Chapter 9 ==== | ==== Chapter 9 ==== | ||
[[Pythagoras-858]] and [[Sherlock Holmes | [[Pythagoras-858]] and [[Sherlock Holmes (Prime Universe)|Sherlock Holmes]] land near [[Castle Frankenstein]] in [[Frankenstein's World|a new universe]]. Holmes is initially disbelieving, thinking of [[Baron Frankenstein]] as simply a fictional character, and, when he is introduced to Holmes, the Baron has a symmetrical reaction, but after Pythe provides the due explanations about the nature of the [[Multiverse]], the two eccentric geniuses turn out to get along well. After a spot of conversation on the nature of Frankenstein's experiments, he gives them his guesses (based on his experiences with [[Frankenstein's Monster|his monster]]) as to what [[Madame Tarsa]]'s rebellious toy might do next. Building from the Baron's insight, Pythe drags Holmes off to the [[Interdimensional Black Market]]. | ||
==== Chapter 10 ==== | ==== Chapter 10 ==== | ||
Received by the Oldest Toy in the Labyrinth, a [[Millicent (The Time of the Toymaker)|worn teddy bear]], [[Jenny Everywhere (38167th Universe)|Jenny Everywhere]], [[Juliet-178]] and [[Arganthone-056]] explain [[Madame Tarsa]]'s predicament. The teddy bear confirms that Tarsa entrusted her with some of her secrets, and, taking out a seemingly blank book from a shelf, she uses a secret sigil to make one page become legible. The page contains a rhyming riddle which speaks of some “key” which must be retrieved from a “distant star” and could be used to reanimate Tarsa. With the teddy bear unable to shed any further light on the mysterious writing, the three travellers agree to try and see if they can find out anything more about this key in the archives of other, learned civilisations. They select as their first target the “forbidden wing of the [[Euclidean Plane]]'s Pentagon”, into which Arganthone broke once before, “for a [[Scarlet Wings]] mission back in ’84”. | Received by the Oldest Toy in the Labyrinth, a [[Millicent (The Time of the Toymaker)|worn teddy bear]], [[Jenny Everywhere (38167th Universe)|Jenny Everywhere]], [[Juliet-178]] and [[Arganthone-056]] explain [[Madame Tarsa]]'s predicament. The teddy bear confirms that Tarsa entrusted her with some of her secrets, and, taking out a seemingly blank book from a shelf, she uses a secret sigil to make one page become legible. The page contains a rhyming riddle which speaks of some “key” which must be retrieved from a “distant star” and could be used to reanimate Tarsa. With the teddy bear unable to shed any further light on the mysterious writing, the three travellers agree to try and see if they can find out anything more about this key in the archives of other, learned civilisations. They select as their first target the “forbidden wing of the [[Euclidean Plane]]'s Pentagon”, into which Arganthone broke once before, “for a [[Scarlet Wings]] mission back in ’84”. | ||
==== Chapter 11 ==== | ==== Chapter 11 ==== | ||
[[Pythagoras-858]] and [[Sherlock Holmes | [[Pythagoras-858]] and [[Sherlock Holmes (Prime Universe)|Sherlock Holmes]] arrive in the [[Interdimensional Black Market]] to find it strangely empty. The only thing they come across is a dramatically-convenient tumbleweed which turns out to itself be one of [[Madame Tarsa]]'s creations, “[[Tarsa’s Terrifically-Well-Timed Tumbleweed|Tarsa’s Terrifically-Well-Timed Tumbleweed, For All Your Dereliction-Conveying Needs]], (…) supposed to be sold in a special holiday package with the [[Convenient Chirping Crickets]]”. | ||
The Tumbleweed points them to where everybody's gone: they have gathered to watch a fight that's broken out in the centre of the Market between the [[Queen of the Black Market]] herself and her [[Wraith]]s on one side, and a [[the Clown Emperor|mysterious magical clown]] and his endless army of smaller duplicates of himself on the other. Realising that the head Clown is wielding [[Madame Tarsa's cane]], Holmes walks calmly into the commotion, using his skills at ''[[baritsu]]'' to dodge the clumsy attacks of the smaller clowns and Wraiths, and manages to trip the Clown. However, he uses the cane to teleport before any information can be extracted from him. The panting Queen confesses that she knows nothing about her attacker either. | The Tumbleweed points them to where everybody's gone: they have gathered to watch a fight that's broken out in the centre of the Market between the [[Queen of the Black Market]] herself and her [[Wraith]]s on one side, and a [[the Clown Emperor|mysterious magical clown]] and his endless army of smaller duplicates of himself on the other. Realising that the head Clown is wielding [[Madame Tarsa's cane]], Holmes walks calmly into the commotion, using his skills at ''[[baritsu]]'' to dodge the clumsy attacks of the smaller clowns and Wraiths, and manages to trip the Clown. However, he uses the cane to teleport before any information can be extracted from him. The panting Queen confesses that she knows nothing about her attacker either. | ||
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Arriving in the snowy [[Euclidean Plane]], the trio of [[Jenny Everywhere (38167th Universe)|Jenny Everywhere]], [[Juliet-178]] and [[Arganthone-056]] head for the [[Geometron Citadel]]. However, as soon as they get close, patrolling [[Triangry|Triangries]] and [[Octaser]]s chase them off, believing this to be yet another attempted invasion of their world from the [[Crew of the Copper-Colored Cupids|Crew]]. They return holding a white flag (or, rather, a white leaf), calling for a Christmas truce and bringing a captive [[Ambagesque]] as a present and token of goodwill. While one of the guards goes to ask their superiors, the visitors and the guards begin to engage in a good-natured snowball fight. When the emissary of the Geometron Council return, they grudgingly allow the Cupids to search the Geometrons' records. Unfortunately, after much searching, it turns out the only sentence in the Geometrons' “file” on Tarsa is “The Cupids may have information about her”. Deciding they might as well take this at face value, however, the three resolve to head to the [[Cupid Homeworld]] and ask [[Bibliophile-962]] whether the [[Cupid Archives]] might hold relevant data. | Arriving in the snowy [[Euclidean Plane]], the trio of [[Jenny Everywhere (38167th Universe)|Jenny Everywhere]], [[Juliet-178]] and [[Arganthone-056]] head for the [[Geometron Citadel]]. However, as soon as they get close, patrolling [[Triangry|Triangries]] and [[Octaser]]s chase them off, believing this to be yet another attempted invasion of their world from the [[Crew of the Copper-Colored Cupids|Crew]]. They return holding a white flag (or, rather, a white leaf), calling for a Christmas truce and bringing a captive [[Ambagesque]] as a present and token of goodwill. While one of the guards goes to ask their superiors, the visitors and the guards begin to engage in a good-natured snowball fight. When the emissary of the Geometron Council return, they grudgingly allow the Cupids to search the Geometrons' records. Unfortunately, after much searching, it turns out the only sentence in the Geometrons' “file” on Tarsa is “The Cupids may have information about her”. Deciding they might as well take this at face value, however, the three resolve to head to the [[Cupid Homeworld]] and ask [[Bibliophile-962]] whether the [[Cupid Archives]] might hold relevant data. | ||
==== Chapter 13 ==== | ==== Chapter 13 ==== | ||
The [[Queen of the Black Market]] invites [[Pythagoras-858]] and [[Sherlock Holmes | The [[Queen of the Black Market]] invites [[Pythagoras-858]] and [[Sherlock Holmes (Prime Universe)|Sherlock Holmes]] to have lunch with her. As they eat, they discuss what the Queen and the Cupids know of [[Madame Tarsa]] and their guesses about [[the Clown Emperor|the Clown]]. Pythe notes that he believes there is only one Clown who multiplied himself using the power of the cane, as self-duplication is an ability which Tarsa displayed in the past; he hypothesises that the Cane is an [[Artefact of Power]]. However, the conversation turns out to have been overheard by [[Skollops ag-Warka]], who bursts into the tent where the three have been eating, demanding to learn more about such Artefacts. | ||
==== Chapter 14 ==== | ==== Chapter 14 ==== | ||
In the [[Cupid Homeworld]], at the Cupid Post Office, [[Lord Thymon]] discusses the toys he is looking forward to receiving (unaware of the troubles with Madame Tarsa) with [[Philatel-426]]. Soon, they receive the visit of [[Jenny Everywhere (38167th Universe)|Jenny Everywhere]], [[Juliet-178]] and [[Arganthone-056]], here to introduce Jenny to Thymon as they promised to, while they were in the Homeworld. After doing so (with the two extradimensional entities getting along surprisingly well), they go find [[Bibliophile-962]] at the [[Cupid Archives]]. He does not know of any in-depth documentation about [[Madame Tarsa]] other than a few short Fact Files based on the Cupids' recent experiences with her, but agrees to help them look for such materials in the depths of the Cupid Archives. | In the [[Cupid Homeworld]], at the Cupid Post Office, [[Lord Thymon]] discusses the toys he is looking forward to receiving (unaware of the troubles with Madame Tarsa) with [[Philatel-426]]. Soon, they receive the visit of [[Jenny Everywhere (38167th Universe)|Jenny Everywhere]], [[Juliet-178]] and [[Arganthone-056]], here to introduce Jenny to Thymon as they promised to, while they were in the Homeworld. After doing so (with the two extradimensional entities getting along surprisingly well), they go find [[Bibliophile-962]] at the [[Cupid Archives]]. He does not know of any in-depth documentation about [[Madame Tarsa]] other than a few short Fact Files based on the Cupids' recent experiences with her, but agrees to help them look for such materials in the depths of the Cupid Archives. | ||
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Identifying themselves as friends of [[Tracker-764]], [[Marksmanship-522]] and [[Bibliophile-962]], they easily get themselves taken to the city's visionary leader (and former head of the [[Consistency Imperium]]), [[Vertolin]]. After the appropriate greetings, he takes them to what remains of the archives. Unfortunately, though they do have some information on Madame Tarsa, it teaches them nothing that they don't already know. Jenny suggests that they head to the [[Interdimensional Tavern]] next to simply ask around for relevant information. | Identifying themselves as friends of [[Tracker-764]], [[Marksmanship-522]] and [[Bibliophile-962]], they easily get themselves taken to the city's visionary leader (and former head of the [[Consistency Imperium]]), [[Vertolin]]. After the appropriate greetings, he takes them to what remains of the archives. Unfortunately, though they do have some information on Madame Tarsa, it teaches them nothing that they don't already know. Jenny suggests that they head to the [[Interdimensional Tavern]] next to simply ask around for relevant information. | ||
==== Chapter 17 ==== | ==== Chapter 17 ==== | ||
Having received the coordinates from [[Skollops ag-Warka]], [[Pythagoras-858|Pythe]] and [[Sherlock Holmes | Having received the coordinates from [[Skollops ag-Warka]], [[Pythagoras-858|Pythe]] and [[Sherlock Holmes (Prime Universe)|Holmes]], joined by [[Wendy VII|Wendy]], end up in [[Darkborough]], the gloomy capital city of the planet [[Shenanig]] in the [[Jynx Dimension]], which is under the rule of an evil sorcerer called [[Sebastian Steer|Emperor Steer]]. It is night, past the Imperial curfew; the streets are foggy and deserted. Spotting a lone top-hat-wearing figure in the fog, Holmes tackles him to the ground — but it turns out to be [[Doctor Curious]], an eccentric mad scientist with whom the [[Crew of the Copper-Colored Cupids]] have had dealings in the past, rather than [[the Clown Emperor|the Clown]]. The Doctor does however state that he met the Clown an hour earlier, heading towards the [[Imperial Castle]]. | ||
==== Chapter 18 ==== | ==== Chapter 18 ==== | ||
At the [[Interdimensional Tavern]], a listless [[Jenny Everywhere (38167th Universe)|Jenny]], [[Juliet-178|Juliet]] and [[Arganthone-056|Arganthone]] fail to find out any new information about Tarsa. They end up returning to the rhyming riddle, and Juliet has a flash of inspiration. She realises that the star mentioned is not a literal star, but the [[Star Atop the Tree]] they saw in the [[Christmas Toyland]], inside which the “key” is surely hidden. The three rush to their repaired [[Fog Ship]], headed back for [[Madame Tarsa's Toybox]]. | At the [[Interdimensional Tavern]], a listless [[Jenny Everywhere (38167th Universe)|Jenny]], [[Juliet-178|Juliet]] and [[Arganthone-056|Arganthone]] fail to find out any new information about Tarsa. They end up returning to the rhyming riddle, and Juliet has a flash of inspiration. She realises that the star mentioned is not a literal star, but the [[Star Atop the Tree]] they saw in the [[Christmas Toyland]], inside which the “key” is surely hidden. The three rush to their repaired [[Fog Ship]], headed back for [[Madame Tarsa's Toybox]]. | ||
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However, a literal [[Snap-Dragon]] emerges out of the boiling brandy “waters” of [[Snapdragon Lake]], heralded by apocalyptic chanting from the living raisins. With their [[anti-gravity circuit]]'s batteries running low, Arganthone stays behind to battle the flaming beast while Juliet flies with Jenny to safety. Eventually luring it into the open, they manage to defeat the Dragon by exploiting the fact they observed earlier that magical snow clouds appear to douse any fire that threatens to burn part of the Toyland; getting the Dragon tangled up into a piece of ribbon, they watch as it sets fire to said ribbon and then has its own wreath of blue flames extinguished by the clouds. | However, a literal [[Snap-Dragon]] emerges out of the boiling brandy “waters” of [[Snapdragon Lake]], heralded by apocalyptic chanting from the living raisins. With their [[anti-gravity circuit]]'s batteries running low, Arganthone stays behind to battle the flaming beast while Juliet flies with Jenny to safety. Eventually luring it into the open, they manage to defeat the Dragon by exploiting the fact they observed earlier that magical snow clouds appear to douse any fire that threatens to burn part of the Toyland; getting the Dragon tangled up into a piece of ribbon, they watch as it sets fire to said ribbon and then has its own wreath of blue flames extinguished by the clouds. | ||
==== Chapter 21 ==== | ==== Chapter 21 ==== | ||
[[Pythagoras-858]], [[Wendy VII]] and [[Sherlock Holmes | [[Pythagoras-858]], [[Wendy VII]] and [[Sherlock Holmes (Prime Universe)|Sherlock Holmes]] let themselves be captured at the gates of the [[Imperial Castle]] and are taken to the Imperial Throne Room, where they find [[the Clown Emperor]] sitting on the throne, wearing a cape and top hat. They talk, with the Clown confessing that he's already grown bored with being a [[Dark Lord]], but doesn't know what else to do to alleviate his boredom. | ||
Meanwhile, in the [[Workshop of Madame Tarsa]], [[Juliet-178]], [[Arganthone-056]] and [[Jenny Everywhere (38167th Universe)|Jenny Everywhere]] agree to let Juliet be the one to “break the ice” with the mallet. [[Madame Tarsa]] is freed in a flash of light and a hail of ice-fragments. She confirms that she was frozen by an intruder who was trying to steal the half-built toy she was working on, in order to acquire the [[Power of Creation]]. | Meanwhile, in the [[Workshop of Madame Tarsa]], [[Juliet-178]], [[Arganthone-056]] and [[Jenny Everywhere (38167th Universe)|Jenny Everywhere]] agree to let Juliet be the one to “break the ice” with the mallet. [[Madame Tarsa]] is freed in a flash of light and a hail of ice-fragments. She confirms that she was frozen by an intruder who was trying to steal the half-built toy she was working on, in order to acquire the [[Power of Creation]]. | ||
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* [[Juliet-178]] and [[Arganthone-056]] visit [[Dimension Epsilon Five|the universe]] of the planet [[Thrash]] before delving into [[Madame Tarsa's Toybox]]. | * [[Juliet-178]] and [[Arganthone-056]] visit [[Dimension Epsilon Five|the universe]] of the planet [[Thrash]] before delving into [[Madame Tarsa's Toybox]]. | ||
* They then head to the [[Euclidean Plane]], back to the Homeworld, from there to [[Universe (The Time of the Toymaker)|the universe]] formerly home to the planet [[Subcinctus]] and the [[Consistency Palatium]], then to the [[Interdimensional Tavern]], and back to the Toybox. | * They then head to the [[Euclidean Plane]], back to the Homeworld, from there to [[Universe (The Time of the Toymaker)|the universe]] formerly home to the planet [[Subcinctus]] and the [[Consistency Palatium]], then to the [[Interdimensional Tavern]], and back to the Toybox. | ||
* [[Pythagoras-858]] picks up [[Sherlock Holmes | * [[Pythagoras-858]] picks up [[Sherlock Holmes (Prime Universe)|Sherlock Holmes]] in the [[Prime Universe]], takes him to the Workshop, then to [[Frankenstein's World]], to the [[Interdimensional Black Market]], and finally to the [[Jynx Dimension]], home to the planet [[Shenanig]]. | ||
====Other==== | ====Other==== | ||
* According to [[Pythagoras-858]]'s research, [[Santa Claus]] is an interdimensional parasite who spreads to new universes every year, first planting the idea of himself in the local culture, then gaining a physical existence sustained by the belief of children. | * According to [[Pythagoras-858]]'s research, [[Santa Claus]] is an interdimensional parasite who spreads to new universes every year, first planting the idea of himself in the local culture, then gaining a physical existence sustained by the belief of children. | ||
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* In the next year's own winter special, [[PROSE]]: ''[[The Winter Quests (novel)|The Winter Quests]]'', [[CS-NA]] recollected how the previous year's yuletide adventure for the Cupids involved “a Christmastime jaunt to save [[Madame Tarsa|a god-like being]]”. | * In the next year's own winter special, [[PROSE]]: ''[[The Winter Quests (novel)|The Winter Quests]]'', [[CS-NA]] recollected how the previous year's yuletide adventure for the Cupids involved “a Christmastime jaunt to save [[Madame Tarsa|a god-like being]]”. | ||
* Jenny's brief first meeting with Thymon in this story proved a launching pad for a relationship between the two, which was first revealed in [[COMIC]]: ''[[A Shift in Relationships (comic story)|A Shift in Relationships]]'' and [[PROSE]]: ''[[Family Business (short story)|Family Business]]'', both of which briefly referenced the circumstances of their first encounter. | * Jenny's brief first meeting with Thymon in this story proved a launching pad for a relationship between the two, which was first revealed in [[COMIC]]: ''[[A Shift in Relationships (comic story)|A Shift in Relationships]]'' and [[PROSE]]: ''[[Family Business (short story)|Family Business]]'', both of which briefly referenced the circumstances of their first encounter. | ||
* Pythagoras mentions the events of [[PROSE]]: ''[[A Copper-Colored Christmas Carol (short story)|A Copper-Colored Christmas Carol]]'', and the [[Claus-025]] incident first glimpsed in [[PROSE]]: ''[[Father Christmas (short story)|Father Christmas]]'', to Jenny. | |||
==Behind the scenes== | ==Behind the scenes== | ||
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[[Category:Featuring Philatel-426]] | [[Category:Featuring Philatel-426]] | ||
[[Category:Featuring CS-NA]] | [[Category:Featuring CS-NA]] | ||
[[Category:Featuring Celebration-665]] | |||
[[Category:Featuring Arganthone-056]] | |||
[[Category:Featuring Lord Nachtos]] | |||