Mr. Bates' Office (Terri & newcomers)

[Changeling ST]

The office itself wasn't fancy, but it was very well-organized. Everything appeared to be where it belonged, and not a speck of dust was visible anywhere in the room. The decorations were rather simple, and the thing that stuck out the most was an old bookcase that stood behind the Wizened's desk. One could venture to say that it was perhaps an antique of some sort.

Mr. Bates was sitting down in front of his desk, reading over some papers and making some notes on them with an ornate fountain pen. As Terri and Green stepped inside, the hotel's manager looked up at them and stopped what he was doing. He stood up and gave the redheaded Steepescrambler a respectful bow. "Queen Nutkins-Pereg, a pleasure to see you," he said to her in a polite tone before turning his attention to the newcomer. "Good evening."

The Chatelaine gestured to the pair of chairs across from his desk. "Please, make yourselves comfortable," he said to them, waiting until they were seated before sitting down in his own chair.

[Terri Nutkins]

Once upon a time, which is a really weird thing to think about when it came the Lost, Terri would've had nothing to do with Mr. Bates. That was before she got over herself and let bygones be bygones. Now, she realises that the day-to-day running of the Freehold was perhaps down to one individual, and for that alone, Terri respected Mr. Bates.

"Likewise, Mr. Bates, always a pleasure," she said, noting the way he had attached Rick's surname still. That was something she would have to remedy at somepoint. "This is Green, a newcomer who has just arrived and wanted to get acquainted with the Freehold. I thought it would be prudent to discuss such matters somewhere away from the bar," she added with a chuckle before looking to the Elemental. "Green, I'd like to introduce Mr. Bates, the manager of the Four Seasons, and the Keeper of the Hollows within our Freehold."

[Yumyumcrow]

Green attempts to follow. It takes him three tries to navigate the door; a comical scene if one did not get the sudden impression that Green does not have any sense of spatial awareness. He practically has to fight to get through the door and when he hears that the Beast kith is a... Queen!!? he almost jams himself. Ian McKellan's Gandalf could navigate through Underhill better than this!

"Uh... hi there, sir! I guess... umm... Keeper and err... Your Majesty" The words tumble around him as he closes the door with exaggerated care. "I take it we can talk here, right? Yeah, I'm Green So, like, whats the go with the Freehold laws and such?" With even more care he raises his head to caress the ceiling and tries not to... loom.

[Changeling ST]

Mr. Bates smiled at Terri and gave her a nod, turning his attention to the newcomer with a polite demeanor. "Mr. Bates is just fine," he said to the Elemental. "It is a pleasure to meet you Mr. Green. Allow me to welcome you to the Sacramento Freehold." The Chatelaine gave the newcomer a polite nod before continuing.

"You are free to speak openly in my office," he added with a slight gesture of his right hand. "As far as our laws go, I'm sure the Dread Queen could explain this to you. They are fairly simple really, and its mostly centered around the swearing of the Freehold's Oath." With those words, he raised his right index finger before turning his attention to his desk for a moment.

The Wizened fetched a small rolled up scroll from one of his drawers, stretching out and placing it in front of the gigantic Changeling. "Here's the exact wording of said pledge," he said to Green, gesturing to the paper he had placed in front of him. "If you are looking to make Sacramento your home, it would be prudent to make yourself familiar with it, and ask the Ashen Queen," Mr. Bates paused, nodding in Terri's direction as he spoke of her. "To witness your swearing of said pledge."

The Oath

The Sacramento Freehold Oath

“As the four Seasons come and go, and one ruler changes for another, as is the natural way of things, we shall watch over the Freehold and shape it from the predations of the Others. In return, we ask that you shall follow the rules laid down and never bring danger our society, and in doing so, you shall find your mind stays whole and focused. Break this oath however, and you shall be banished from the land forever.”

[Terri Nutkins]

Terri couldn't help but smile. Even though the mountain seemed on edge, there was a naivete with him that she found endearing. It reminded her of someone. As Mr. Bates placed the scroll before Green, Terri found the Wizened's professionalism remarkable, even on such sudden meetings. "Its a natural part of any Freehold. We simply want our society to feel like they are protected within its boundaries, and that as such, the laws are upheld."

[Yumyumcrow]

Green reads the scroll with a sudden attention, which is completely lost in bewilderment when the Chatelain's words sink in. "You're the Dread Queen?" he asks of Terri with his eyes widening and his mouth opening in surprise. With a shake of his head, Green turns his attention back to the oath.

It takes him a while to focus: an image has sprung forth in his mind - of Terri dressed in gothic splendour piling dark and spooky goblin fruits into a cauldron while chanting "Double, double, toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble!" He can't help himself: he looks over at the petite Beast... and actually pales slightly. Dread Queen!

Eventually he hands the scroll back. "Sounds good to me," he says extending his hand. "Can we do this here?"

[Terri Nutkins]

At Green's reaction, Terri couldn't help but chuckle, glancing to Mr. Bates. When her blue eyes returned to Green, she nodded, almost apologetically. "Trust me, it was a surprise to me also. But yes, we can do this here. Just recite the words, focus entirely on bonding yourself to the Oath, and for a year and a day, you will be under the protection and sanctuary of this Freehold, a recognised member through all four Seasons."

[Yumyumcrow]

Green reluctantly withdraws his hand. Instead he brings his hands to his sides and clenches his fits as he concentrates. For a brief moment before he begins to intone the Oath his mantle flares and he is surrounded by the crisp, frigid, air found at the top of the highest mountains; it leeches the heat from the room and amplifies the sound of his rumbling voice.

"As the four Seasons come and go, and one ruler changes for another, as is the natural way of things, we shall watch over the Freehold and shape it from the predations of the Others. In return, we ask that you shall follow the rules laid down and never bring danger our society, and in doing so, you shall find your mind stays whole and focused. Break this oath however, and you shall be banished from the land forever.

To this I swear"

He bows his head, whether from reverence or to take the added load of the Wyrd is anyone's guess. The moment stretches, drags. Green opens one of his screwed up eyes tentatively.

"It worked, right?" he asks.

-1 WP to seal the Oath

[Changeling ST]

Mr. Bates nodded slightly as Terri glanced at him, remaining quiet while his Queen spoke to the newcomer. The Wizened observed as the large Elemental repeated the words of the Freehold's Oath, obviously pleased that Green was so willing to cooperate and become a member of the community without giving them any trouble. "There's no reason it shouldn't have," replied the Ashen Notary, giving the newest member of the Freehold a polite nod. "Congratulations in becoming a member of our Freehold Mr. Green. If you are in need of lodging while you are still getting settled, I will be happy to work out some sort of arrangement with you."

[Terri Nutkins]

Terri felt Green's solemn vow as he swore the Freehold oath and grinned. "Indeed it has. Welcome to the Freehold, Green," she said, giving the large man a wink, and waited to see if he was interested in Mr. Bates' offer of lodgings.