High Striker Welcome Wagon

[Svelte Sven]

The Winter King of Los Angeles had spoken, briefly, of the unorthodox methods of the Sacramento Freehold. He hadn't gone into specifics, but he had made it clear that the usual Freehold Pledge was not the standard operation. Now Sven could appreciate what he had alluded to, vague thoughts and feelings which inadequately described the odd mineral that radiated Wyrd and sucked in Glamour like a sponge.

There was a vague feeling of safety, of acceptance, as his gaze fixed on it. The other Changelings were talking, and their words hit the Darkling's ears as he gazed at the Wyrdstone, but he only half-registered their meaning. After about half a minute the sentences formed in his mind and he rapidly blinked, as if throwing off a haze. "Yes." He said simply, slowly stretching a hand towards the object.

As his palm made contact with the alien totem, he felt a measure of Glamour leave his body, transferred from the physical contact into the Wyrdstone. It was... exquisite. No, that was an insufficient description, but then, he could not articulate a better way of describing how he felt when he touched it. There was a feeling of acceptance, comradery, as the unnatural energies from beyond the Hedge assured him that by sharing his own Glamour with the Freehold, the Freehold would protect him and know him to be true.

Of course, Sven could put none of this into words, certainly not so soon after making contact with the Wyrdstone. He settled for this, "I, Svelte Sven, Flowing Page of the Winter Court, formerly pledged to the Freehold of Los Angeles, do solemnly swear to uphold the laws and traditions of the Courts of Sacramento so long as I shall rest in its boundaries."

As if awakening from a trance, he shakes his head and color rushes to his cheeks before he retracts his hand. "That is to say, thank you all for having me here."

[Circe]

Classic detective work? Circe didn't have time for that. "Eh, hacking traffic cameras works a treat I find," Circe informs Withers. "Ghillie suits are too much like sleeping bags. I'd be happy to tutor on drones. Hacking would take a long time to each. Oh! If you want a quiet drone? Eh," she shrugs, "RC blimps with a camera add on I guess. Just saying."


Circe watches, waiting to see if the Winters do swear in or not. The smiles when they do. She reaches under the table, clicking something. She leaves it there for now. "Welcome both. I, Circe the Groundskeeper, Queen of Summer, and current Monarch of Sacramento welcome you to our Freehold in full. Now," she stands up, sipping her coffee, "I would have clicked to play music for the moment," she casts a look to Seraphina, "But somebody locked it in to Boom Shack-A-Lak. You didn't give Sonnie he computer password for here, did you Sera?"


Then looks back. "Oh, and there is one big, biiiiig treat for you Winters. Our Freehold has an Underland." She points down. "Rum Tunnels. Even found some wine there. Secret exits are a work in progress, unless you can phase through walls." She chuckles, "And have a gas mask. Or have gills. Or can turn into a mole. Though if you need a toilet, we have a LOT of old ones down there. Oh ho ho ho!"

Circe shrugs, "Seriously, there are a LOT of toilets. Never figured out why," she looks to Seraphina after she says this, "Unless you found something? I honestly stopped looked online after a half hour."

[Withers]

The old Darkling's smile widens slightly, his teeth glinting lightly beneath his bushy mustache.

"Ah, yes, the ways of surviellance have come a long way... you are likely right on the hacking bit. That may be well beyond me, I'm afraid, but a drone is an intriguing option," he admits, "Perhaps, in time, I will take you up on your offer to learn."

Withers raises his eyebrows at mention of an Underland.

"Hmm, I presume it's been abandoned for some time?" he asked, "Judging from what I've heard thus far, it's been some time since the Onyx Court has been present."

Withers was not afraid of putting forth effort to reclaim the space for the Silent Arrow's use.

[Seraphina]

Aquamarines watch as one Winter touches the Stone, and the feeling is, well, felt. He was safe, well, as safe as far as the Wyrdstone said he was. Beyond that was left to time.

A nod, “Welcome to Sacramento.”

Raising an eyebrow, “I don’t give out Funderland passwords Circe, sorry.” Just not her style.

“Meant to ask when was the next trip down to shore things up and get some Gates in place.” Gates were the easiest things to get setup. “I mean, phasing through the walls is fun and all, but the Gates will make it easy for all.” Not as easy to hide, but, they had to work with what they had.
“Uh, no. The Historical Society didn’t have anything to offer on the front. Only guess is that it made it easier for the workers who were digging into the stone and they didn’t want to allow for breaks to come to the surface. But those are only guesses.”

As far as the underground part, “It was stumbled upon some years ago, and the Freehold has decided to take it upon itself to use to as a safe house so to speak. A place we can go to ground, if need be, with multiple escape routes leading all over the city. Last used during the prohibition era based off research and maps from the Historical Society.” So not one Court has ever claimed it. It was the whole of the Freeholds.

[Svelte Sven]

Sven had a contemplative look for a moment before shrugging. "I would love to contribute, but I'm better at picking up information in a social setting than doing historical research. Or traipsing around unexplored and potentially dangerous tunnels, for that matter." Hurriedly he added, "I don't mean to imply I wouldn't assist if asked, just that I wouldn't put 'archaeology' on a resume."

He was surprised at how conversational his tone had become. Sure, he had not necessarily been speaking in Shakespearian English until now, but there was a bit less tension in his voice now. Sven wondered how much of that was due to the Wyrdstone's influence and how much was simply warming up to fellow Lost that had shown no hostility. Perhaps a measure of both.

Idling tapping a finger against his temple, the Darkling became aware that he still had his luggage with him. "Ah, I should have asked sooner, but is there a communal Hollow? I can make accommodations if necessary, but if there is a space to safely store things away from mortal eyes, it would save some trouble down the road."

[Circe]

Circe nods as Seraphina denies giving Sonja any hints. Which was good, she adored the monkey but bouncing on the bed leads to the doctor. Circe is smiling as Withers declines her offer, for now. She was still queen of guns and computers it seems. "Future has many prospects."


The topic of Underland is attracting attention. "Gate as in Hedge or as in replacing the broken, secret, mundy gates that fell over?" She dos have to think for a moment about secrecy. Sera beats her to it. "Soon would be good for another visit. We still need to either build a new wall or a secret gate for the collapsed connection to the storm drains."


After a moment, Circe adds, "I still have no idea how to build secret doors, but Internet is a thing." She looks to Sven, "Actually, manual labor is more important right now than research. We have 3," she holds up her fingers and looks to Withers with a smile, "Blocked paths. One is flooded and full of lamprey eels. No," she puts down the coffee to make an X with her arms. "One is a massive tunnel collapse. There were plans to open that up. The last is the storm drain collapse I mentioned. That we can actually see through the collapse, so more a crumbled wall. Engineering skill or manual labor would be welcomed."


There was the other part, but well should she? Yes, they couldn't use it. Circe smirks as she starts to tell a story: "Then there is a tram that leads to another dead end, but a wall collapsed that was a secret door. Which lead to another dead in with a built over doorway. That you have to phase through, but!" Yes she is being dramatic. And pausing, "The abandoned suburb on the other side is contaminated. Like, toxic and deadly kind from long exposure."


Circe shakes her head, "Ah, no. We do not have a communal Hollow Sven. Some regular motels and a small fund for stay overs is doable though," she taps her chin, "Contacts for new ID exists, as does contacts for less legal work. Hm? Oh! Underland is free from mortal eyes, but not of vermin. Nor free of dirt. Could use it to store illegal stuff, just nothing edible."


Circe figured anything Sven wanted to hide from mortal eyes was either fay in nature or something the cops wouldn't like.

[Withers]

Withers listens as Seraphina explains the Underland more in-depth.

"Understood, then I shall see what prepartions I can make to create a space for the Winter Court elsewhere, with Sven's assistance, of course, if he is willing," he said, "I had presumed it was mentioned as a previous place of the Silent Arrow's base of operations, so I appreciate the clarification."

"If research is needed, I have the time," Withers added as Sven hurriedly corrected what he had perceived as offense, "One of retirement's better benefits."

The old Winter's eyes widen slightly as Circe explains the dangers of the Underland - and the desire to open it up.

"I'll admit, I'm confused, Circe," he said, "I am uncertain if you are warning us to stay away or asking for our assistance. If its the latter, I can be of little help I'm afraid in the efforts of manual labor. I am stronger than I look, but I am not very dexterous. Thus, undertaking the renovations seems a risky proposition."

[Circe]

"Neat," she nods as Withers mentions retirement. A fascinating concept. Then he mentions being confused. Circe tilts her head, right eyebrow and ear raised. Confused?


"Ah!" She nods as Circe gets what Withers means. "Both Withers!" She gives him two thumbs up. Then goes back to her coffee. "I've read Upton Sinclair's Jungle. Not only are there MANY rats down there, we've had venomous reptiles too." She clarifies, "I'd not sleep down there unless you've no other choice and plan to defend yourself from the local vermin. The toxic neighborhood would require either the Contract of Separation or a pick axe to gain access to. Gasmasks and hazmat suits are something I can offer, but I doubt it'd be a comfortable sleep."


"We are working on the entrances that are collapsed. Either sealing them or making secret doors," she nods to Withers, "I get you can't do the crafting labor, but if you want to research how secret doors work, maybe find some blueprints?" Circe gives him an angelic smile, "That'd be great. Or if your strength is sufficient, sledgehammer and rocks will be needed for one of them, though it is kind swampy. Whatever you want to contribute, or not, this is a voluntary project."

[Seraphina]

“I believe most of the dangerous work has been done. I mean, it is still dangerous in certain places, and we’ve been trying to get those places marked as such. Most of what is being done now is cleaning things up and making it useable. I’ve been visiting the local Historical Society to gathering information they had that could be useful to us like maps and what the tunnels might have been used for. We have been making our own maps and building off what have been provided. Anything anyone can provide as far as assistance is helpful.”

Shaking her head, “A Communal Hollow had been discussed in the past, but nothing really got up and running. Most of the Seasons have and maintain their own Hollows, if Winter had one, it would have been built somewhere in or off the House of Mirrors. If you needed a place to stay, I have a full furnished apartment above my coffee shop that I let new members to Freehold use, free of charge. It isn’t anything special, but it’s a safe place to rest and get on your feet if you need.”

Looking to Circe with a nod, “Both. I believe it was decided that having Gates was needed for a variety of reasons, and trying to have them hidden was important. If we can one behind that gate, that could work, and someone had suggested a bookshelf.” So there were ideas. “Always happy to venture down and get to work, just let me know when would be a good time and what materials we still need and I’ll be ready to go.” Always one ready and willing to help.

To the other Winter, “Each of the Courts holds a place within Funderland. Spring has the Wishing Well for instance which leads to the Spring Tavern and Hollow. Winter had the House of Mirrors, and held Court there as well as Coronations. Though some Winters choose to host it outside of Funderland, each Winter Court seems to prefer to do things a little differently than the last. Autumn has the Haunted House, Ednas. And Summer has the High Striker.” It was just how it had been decided years ago.

“The safety concerns with the Under part is just to let people know to be careful. We have no completely fixed it up to be completely safe. We would be doing everyone a disservice to say it was safe to venture in by themselves. Asking for assistance is a way to let everyone have a hand in helping make it a part of the Freehold, after all, it is meant to serve the Freehold as a whole, and not just one Changeling or one Season. So we welcome the help, but let people know it is dangerous and caution needs to be taken.”

[Svelte Sven]

Sven had been mostly quiet for the past few minutes, choosing to absorb the conversation rather than make perfunctory grunts of agreement when he didn't have much to add. When Seraphina answered his question however, he piped up again. "Understandable, and it is very well possible that there may be hidden cottages to shelter Winter Courtiers in need. Our Court has a tendency to hide resources in case of emergency... and to not advertise that fact." He was about to decline the invitation to make use of an apartment, before biting his tongue and mulling it over for a second. Remember what they say about gift-horses and all that...

"I wouldn't mind taking advantage of your hospitality for a short time, if only long enough to get myself established in town." Spending at least an evening in a normal, mundane apartment would be comforting after over six hours on a public bus. Sven hated public transit. There were times when he swore that other passengers could pass for hobs.

At the explanation of how Funderland functioned he drew a wry smile. "House of Mirrors, eh? I suppose that's fitting." He declined to comment on Autumn's choice of venue, particularly since they did not have anyone to defend their honor. "As for the underground portion, how often are there expeditions down there? Is it just a sort of... adventure that freeholders embark on whenever it suits them?" He was curious about what was going on down there, but not so curious he'd scurry around with the rats without a damned-good reason.