Christmas in July

[Jack Violet]

The aroma of spiced goblin-fruit ale and pine needles hits before you even step off the bottom rung of the well’s ladder.


Pushing through the hidden door into the Spring Court's Hollow, the familiar, quaint medieval tavern has undergone a festive, if slightly surreal, midsummer transformation. Garlands of evergreen are draped across the timber beams, glittering with tinsel and fairy lights that flicker with an almost living zest. Strung up high above the bar, a suspiciously lively clump of mistletoe occasionally wriggles, daring anyone to stand beneath it.


Near the hearth, Jack stands back to survey his handiwork with a satisfied grin. He’s managed to haul in a full-sized projector and a portable screen—a strange piece sitting alongside the tavern's rustic charm. The white canvas is already illuminated, displaying the title card for A Christmas Story on a crisp loop, ready to go.

Jack had put up info on the Freehold Board to let people know when, where and what time. And now he waited for anyone to arrive.

[Circe]

Celebration in the Hedge is a call for fun and some caution, at least according to Circe. And the theme? Well, hat was easy enough to enforce as the Santa hat on her head would attest. She even had a small backpack full of extra hats for others to don as desired. The backpack being a must as she also had a tray of crackers, cheese, and Italian sausage cuts with her too. Snacks!


Popcorn was probably already there anyway.


So she enters with a whistle at the sights, checking the door open with her left hip. The right was occupied with a decorated Colt long-revolver. Functional and formal one could say. It wasn't like that was ALL she had on her for violence. Or the only thing in her jacket. She had a little something in case of oaths too. She could even pass things out if needed!


And spots Jack. "Hey Jack! I brought along a snack!" she rhymes holding up the tray, "Where ya been?"


Curious and with nobody else here, she was wondering why he'd missed the Tequila shots coronation. Probably he hadn't, it got a little blurry after the 9th shot.

[Jack Violet]

Jack knew he had missed her coronation but he had what he had hoped would be a valid excuse. But before answering he motions to the table where there were already a few large bowls with various treats, "Put them there I am just finishing setting up the treats." As he finishes he pulls out two large yellow bags of popcorn. "I bought these at the local movie theater so we would have authentic movie theater popcorn. I also have some of the butter flavoring here somewhere" Jack says as he looks around for one of the bags he used to bring down everything.

"Ah yes its in that bag on top of the cooler. There should also be some string a craft stuff if people want to make popcorn garlands. Also there is some homemade egg nog in the cooler, just have to add some alcohol to it"

Jack then stops for a moment, "And about the Summer court, sorry for missing that. I went up to Oregon for some work and to visit a gun show. And well I got stuck up there for a bit longer than I would have liked. Unfortunately it also meant missing out on your crowning and the activities. As he finishes he faces her and takes a quick bow. "Please accept my apology for missing it, and takes this as a way for me to start to make amends. I also have a gift for you under the tree there that I am sure you may like as well.

[Circe]

The Summer Queen follows the direction of the Summer Courtier, no griping of rank from her. Then chuckles as Jack reveals the popcorn. Competence, as she expected of Jack.


"Great work Jack," she praises him. After putting down the tray, she reveals the backpacks contents, "And just in case folks really want to emphasize the Christmas part. Not wool, but can't expect them to be cool as a Summer," or maybe that was just her using the contracts.


"Oooooh," she cues out. "THAT is a perfectly acceptable excuse. Don't even need an apology. Coronation got pretty blurry after the 9th shot of Tequila, which might've been the fourth batting." She'd lost track of it quickly, "You shan't regret missing the hangover. So...Did you find any favorite gun styles? Did you see anybody pull-off the swivel reload for a lever-action?"


Disrespect your monarch according to many a previous crown holder? Nope, gun bunny don't care, tell me about guns! And that Arnold style shotgun reloads were not easy to do, so she was interested. Waitaminute.


Her ears perk up: "You got me a present? Wow," then droop down, "Channeling Sonja there for a minute," Circe shakes her head. Deduction had been quick given where Jack had been and her own proclivities as to what it would likely be. Sadly it was too small to be a minigun. Or gatling gun. Sure, logistics would be hard, but rotary barrel fun times.


"Is there a time for present opening or should I just tear into it now Jack?"

[Jack Violet]

Jack chuckles at the uncharacteristic excitement of his queen. "I did get a chance to find some other styles of guns I found interesting. I am still fond of the lever action, and still really want a Mares Leg rifle."

Jack goes and grabs the gift and hands it to Circe, "Feel free to open it now, there is no set time. I saw a merchant showing it off to another person and immediately thought about you and your interest in high power weaponry. So, I thought a hand cannon would fit your style."​

[Circe]

"Eh, heh," she rubs the back of her head, "The tube-mag proved much more difficult to repair than expected with the one I found. 44-magnum has to be custom made for it, but it should be viable soon. We shall call it a late July X Mass present next week or so."


Though there was something she needed to clarify on it. "You aren't looking to do Arnold style spin-cocking are you? That shit is hard, even with the spin guard."


Her response to the package ensures that if her Mantle or Mein HAD sparkles, they'd likely look like fireworks right now. "Ooooh, that is quite the fuck you backup," she is excited at the prospect as she examines the hunting revolver.


"Right, I am DEFINETELY working on that 44 upgrade to the Mare's Leg for you as soon as I get home," she assures him. "Unless you want fullt-auto. Hell, I could get you that anyway as a backup," is an honest offer from her. She'd gotten two Soviet machine pistols. Mostly because run, empty, ditch is a viable tactic to her.

Site hiatus derailed plans with that, sorry. I think the math had worked out to 3 with 9 again, short range 50, capacity 7 plus chamber, strength required 2, and size 2N. Spin cocking does have RAW, requirements are Firearms 2 and a specialty in Lever-action. I will be posting the purchase today on character sheet for a gift

[Jack Violet]

"Hey no rush on the gun, I am a patient man." Jack chuckled at the thought of shooting like the terminator. "Nah I am more looking for something mid-sized that would allow me to easily carry it around on a back holster. Especially for those times we are patrolling The Hedge."

Jacks smile grew bigger at Circes reaction "The dealer called it the Governor and said that you could use .410 shells as well as .45 ACP and .45 Colt ammo. He said that it packed one hell of a punch. I would have tried it out, but I wanted to leave the christening of it to you."

[Circe]

"Ah, well shotguns are a staple for close combat options," she offers as another option. "Come in lever-action too. Winchester '87 would give you five blasts, shorten down will kill the range but make it easier to shoulder holster like some action hero."


It was an option.


Circe does math quite quickly, or ballistics at any rate. She is decent at such calculations. She examines the gun and opens the chamber. "Shotgun revolver, small gauge," she overestimated the punch based on the barrel size. It was less hunt and more burglar blaster. "Slug, bird, buck most common munitions. Rock salt and flechettes viable. No pyro shells," Circe lists off the munition options for the revolver. "Long Colt easy enough to make, already make my own 45s," she closes the empty chamber, spins the gun.


Lighter than expected. Decent balance. "Good backup for swarms, certainly load with flechette," she nods at this. "Excellent gift Jack," she assures him with gratitude. "I WILL get to work on the rifle. You want any armor? Leather jacket? Brigandine duster? Kind of like chain mail, but subtle."


She'd experience in making the latter. Cumbersome, but as good against claws or asphalt as the heavy duty riding leathers. And it was always good when a guy used protection. Oh, that'd be a sales pitch right there.

ooc: Found the calculated out stats we did on Discord...waiting for moderator approval of the values. The Mare's Leg will, sadly, be at pistol ranges as a heads up, 25 to 30-ish short range at most. I mention the Lever-action shotgun example because it is similar and RAW exist for it if a the moderators say the Mare has a lame leg.