(2504) Eternal Seasons

[Svelte Sven]

If Svelte Sven was upset or tired from doing behind-the-scenes work for the Spring pizza party, it certainly didn't show. While that was partly down to his naturally unexpressive features, he was also strangely enjoying himself. He had gotten up early that morning so that he could inspect the venue space, make sure there were enough chairs and table in storage, set up furniture and decorations, ensure that there were no missing or frayed cables in the sound setup, and several other miscellaneous tasks.

Perhaps it was the desire to fulfill his end of the Pledge, perhaps he had really just been that eager to help make the party a success, but the Darkling had gotten a little in over his head... He'd realized that there were a few extra plastic tables in the corner that were just taking up space and he had resolved to take them back to storage on his own. That had been about an hour ago. Did anyone really care that there were three folded-up tables in the corner of the room? Maybe not. Would anyone else in the Freehold have taken this long to complete the task? Almost definitely not. Sven had been slightly winded after the second table and forced himself to sit outside the party to regain his breath and composure. He was only now actually joining the festivities.

"Apologies for the delay, Queen Sonja. I'll be manning the food table." The Chatelaine was dressed in his usual attire, opting not to wear the Hedgespun Raiment that Sonnie had just made for him. Partly it was because it didn't feel proper to be flaunting his reward for a Pledge that wasn't yet completed, partly it was because he was deathly afraid of the idea of greasy pizza sauce getting on his brand-new enchanted coat. True, his usual jacket was also at risk, but it was easier to clean and replace mundane cloth. Sven had no idea how one went about cleaning a coat made of frozen waterfalls and he didn't intend to have to find out anytime soon.

"Hello, Vincent." As he passed the Beast, Sven gave a courteous bow and a smile. He offered the same to Mina, though addressed her simply as "Miss." He also made a point of performing the same bow for Sonnie's dog, smiling a little wider. "And warm greetings to the fabled Hound of Spring, Sir Fugly." And of course, he couldn't neglect to greet the man who was handily consuming a whole pizza by himself. "Hello, King Kray." A smile, but no bow. The Ogre was apparently uncomfortable with the gesture. Having finally greeted each guest, the Darkling set up at the food table, making sure that the pizzas were separated by topping and that there were plates and cutlery available. He would happily start serving drinks if requested, but he felt it was poor form to take the gifted bottles of rum and brandy without invitation. I am, after all, merely 'the help' right now.

[Withers]

The King of Winter hobbled into view without fanfare, sporting tweed slacks, a gray polo shirt, boat shoes, a flatcap, and an off-white cardigan. Naturally, Withers' usual cane and glasses were present as well. Offering small nods to the assembled, the Darkling made his way to the food table, beholding the food before him and eventually grabbing a slice of pepperoni. He does not move off just yet, standing near his courtmate.

"Afternoon, Sven," he offers, his voice slightly raspy before he clears his throat and observes the greater gathering.

Thereafter, the Darkling began to eat his pizza slice as he mulled over how he wished to engage the others.
He notes the Springs and the dog, the Courtless wolf, and, briefly, the hulking form of the Ashen King.

[Vincent Black]

"Well I am glad all is going good Prince Fugly. it looks like you are getting all the attention. Do you want anything, I could ask your mom if you do?" Vincent then notices the others have shown up. "Hey Kray. How goes everything? Glad you could make it, and you came hungry. Which is good there is plenty of food." Then turning to Sven and later Withers, "Hey fellas, glad you guys showed up. Don't mind me I am just talking to Prince Fugly here."

Vincent the stood up and grabbed himself some pizza slices and sat next to Withers, "I know you are concerned about me being a courtless, but I am not necessarily courtless" He pauses unsure how he would bring it up, it was easier when he told Sera and Circe. "I am a member of the Solstice Court, unfortunately the Freehold does not see us as a full-fledged court."

[Sonnie Wu]

"Hi Kray! Glad you could make it!" Sonnie waved to the giant, then gestured towards the cooler box full of ice and drinks. "Um, that's the drink center. I... don't know if that should be chilled. So just set it on the table, I guess?"

Fugly, meanwhile, barked excitedly at Mina. Vincent would hear: "Pet me! Pet me! Belly rub!" On cue, the pooch rolled over to show her his belly! The Spring Queen smiled at the Elemental, "Um, about six years now. He's a rescue." Quite literally. She had stolen the dog from an abusive owner. "Games? No, but there's stuff to do here at the park. The rides are active."

"Hey Sven! I was wondering where you were at!" She nodded agreeably to the young Darkling. "No new coat?" she asked slyly.

"Hi Withers. Nice to see you!" Sonnie gave the Winter King a little wave, a touch surprised he came. His presence was not unwelcome, of course.

The canine stared blankly at Vincent, most of what the lupine Beast was saying going right over his little skull. Did he want anything was understood, though. "Yes! Foods!"

[Kray]

His terrible teeth in his terrible jaw work to dismantle the pizza like it was effortless they had been shaped from doing much worse after all. Swallowing down the mouthful. "Oh. Hey Mina." The odd way her arm moved caught his attention it wasn't so far from normal but the ball joint just made it slightly off. I wonder how mortals perceive that? "Hm. Well enough all in all." Nothing all that exciting, nothing he cared to make known yet anyway. going on. "Uh. And yourself? How's things settling out?" She had probabaly been asked alot but it was part of proper manners of to ask so she would need to bare it being asked at least this once more.

The really interesting lost of the day arrived. The darkling did the rounds of greeting. "Hm. Hello Sven." The toothy smile of the ogre smeared with tomato sauce, not a far cry from imagine blood stains. "So. They been working you hard today?" This first pledge within the freehold really had his interest.

The arrival of the older looking darkling, because well looks and age can get a little muddled was a surprise. They might not at odds but a certain level of pomp and pageantry was called for even if it was just acknowledgement. Grey grey fingers tip that in the old winters direction. "Ah. King Withers." The bare minimum but it was given and more then he had got, rudeness was a risky business among the lost, forces unseen existed that didn't take it well.

The Vincent states the obvious pulling his attention. "Oh. Vincent I'm always hungry." And the glutton the best attempt to stave off the craving that made his belly growl no matter how full or his tongue salivate no matter how saturated.

At the spring queens instruction of where was okay to put what the Brandy was placed in ice. "Oh. Yes you chill brandy. Not to much. But some." And so into the ice it goes, for now at least.

[Mina]

Wait, Sven was here?! When did he get here?

“Hey Sven! The pizza is great, come have some!” inviting him to join them. Totally missing any social cues that maybe he was being shy or wanting to be by himself.

Then the older guy from the Coronation, whos name she didn’t know, but seemed like one to keep to himself as well. So she wasn’t sure how to approach that one.

Vincent was still talking with Fugly and the other two who just showed up, which worked for her.

But the excited bark from Fugly caught her attention and she looked at him only to see him roll over and show his belly, laughing, “Oh!” and proceeded to rub his belly. After all, that’s the only thing it could mean! “Awww! How wonderful that he’s a rescue! I’ve heard they make the best companions!”

No games kinda sucked, but, she should have brought some if she wanted games. Lesson learned.
“Then rides it is! After some food of course. Have to live a bit dangerously of course.” She jokes.

Taking a bite of pizza, then looking to Kray, “Really good thanks! Settling in good as well. Unpacking is well, a nightmare, but when isn’t it.” Chuckling, “But enjoying the city, found myself a studio I like, so I pretty good.” A happy, ish, smile. The studio would take some time to get settled into, but it gave her a creative outlet, which she needed.

King Withers? So the older man was a King. Winter perhaps, because Kray was Autumn, Circe Summer, and Sonnie Spring. Winter made sense, the guy was quiet, seemed to keep to himself.