Catching Up

[Terri Nutkins]

It seemed that the market was closing and as L'aire approached, Terri stepped out of the main entrance wearing a bright green dress and little black boots, her outfit was in direct contrast to her hair, which was the point really. Fashion was supposed to stand out, to be recognised. Terri was eager to sell the ideals of her passion whenever she could.

"See you tomorrow" Terri chirped back inside Quicksilver Gate as she left, carrying a small portfolio in one hand and black purse over her shoulder. As she turned and saw L'aire, the Legate couldn't help but grin and hurry over to offer the Dancer a warm hug.

"Sasha! You found it okay?" she asked as they broke from the embrace, still grinning. Her mien was obvious; bushy tail and ear-tufts along with those black feathers running throughout the hair, which she tucked back.

[Terri Nutkins]

Terri laughed, the idea of her Irish dancing quite an interesting idea. She never even considered it when she put the dress on that morning but perhaps she could add some trim to it, turn it into something more...

Her mind wandering once again onto raiment and recipes, Terri refocused on L'aire. "My place? It's just a short cab trip away." As if by magic (or pre-booking in advanced), a cab pulled up and Terri got in, pausing to make sure she didn't squash the portfolio. "McKinley Park, please," she said once they were both in.

[Terri Nutkins]

"It certainly has a view," Terri laughed with a knowing tone as the cab pulled away. Sasha would see it soon enough. "That's why I set up Treetop Fashions next to the park; I simply cherish the view of McKinley. The rose garden especially. It was where Rick and I got married."

That last bit had kinda slipped out. Still, things had happened since then. Times change.

"Thanks! I went through a bit of a mad month of designing nothing but scarves," Terri chuckled. "I met a friend and got some inspiration. Since then, I haven't stopped sketching." The thought of Martha ran through Terri's mind, along with the fact she hadn't heard from her friend in some time.

"How are you getting on, Sasha? Did you ever get that's guy's number from Halloween?" Terri teased, grinning.

[Terri Nutkins]

"Always but I try not to let it get me down," Terri said honestly. "I mean, do I regret the marriage? Definitely not! It was just a shame the way it broke down."

Out of nowhere. Rick leaving for a reason all of his own and their pledge breaking. Terri still needed to find out about that. Or had he told her and she'd forgotten?

The Beast pinched her nose, not noticing that Sasha hadn't answered the question. "Business? Guys?" Terri pulled a face. "I haven't been looking. Got enough on my plate at the moment, truth be told."

As in the only guy she was thinking about was Fairweather and mounting his tongue onto a board....

The cab wove it's way through the Freehold, the driver ignorant of the land he worked within, Terri watched as McKinley Park approached, passing by the restaurant claimed by the Spring Court. The Beast eyed it cautiously, still not bringing herself to go in. When they stopped by the entrance to the park itself, Terri paid and then hopped out, the smile returned once she was in sight of it.

"It's only a short walk from here, through the park itself."

[Terri Nutkins]

Terri led L'aire through the entrance to McKinley, glad to see it wasn't as busy as usual now that the night's were drawing in. Fear of the dark seemed to keep people away from lone places and it was something that Terri found amusing. Only once had she been accosted in this particular park and Terri had managed to flee, given her would-be mugger quite the run around until he had collapsed from exertion. That had been quite amusing.

"No, I mean, I don't think so," Terri replied, glancing towards a certain tree. It always made her smirk. "I think I was so shocked to find Rick actually alive I never thought to ask him. Just one of those things."

She was just glad, deep down, that he was alive. Not eaten by a dragon.

Off the pathway, behind the rose garden itself, was an old shed, surrounded by overgrown grass and weeds. There were no windows and the door had a heavy-looking, rusty bolt securing it. "Here we are," Terri said before stopping and removing some folded paper from her purse. Carefully unwrapping it, she showed L'aire what was inside. It looked like thinly-sliced ham.

"Working in a market has it's bonuses," Terri chuckled before crouching a pushing a slice of the cured meat through the small gap between the bottom of the door and the ground. It seemed to rush in, like it was being snatched and Terri frowned disapprovingly, shaking her head as she stood. "It's worse than an untrained dog," she sighed. However, the bolt suddenly slid open, allowing Terri to pull open the door. She stepped through.

Inside the much bigger Hollow than the illusion from the outside, it would appear that Terri had led L'aire into a cosy, warm treehouse. One large space that held a kitchen-dining area and a round 'nest' that held a couple of couches to sit with a small table for drinks and, it would seem, fashion magazines. A large window that led to a balcony overlooked the Hedge itself and it was clear to see where both Rick and Terri's presence had altered it's nature; bronze leaves, feathers and a strong breeze was clearly visible outside. From the doorway to the treehouse, there were a couple of extra doors leading to other rooms.

"Rick must be out," Terri commented more to herself, closing the door once L'aire had entered, smiling serenely, obviously glad to be home. "Can I get you a drink?" she asked, kicking off her heels next to where she placed her portfolio and skipping to the kitchen.