A Gathering at Edna's

[Milo Chernobog]

Some time had passed since Milo and L'aire left the park with Tommy. Nothing long, but just long enough to send word out. Milo Chernobog and L'aire were in need of assistance, and those who were willing were to head to Edna's to speak directly with the pair should do so this night.

Milo himself waited in front of the boarding house, sitting on the front steps up to the door and watching the street for passers by. He didn't want to have to man the door all night, or especially try to ask a Sovereign to do so, so he waited for his fellow changelings to assemble in front. The Fairest by no means dressed up, wearing only a worn pair of boots, jeans, and a button down his Mien shifted to all black. It wasn't the nicest, but it's what blended with the surrounding illumination, and that was really the only priority for the Fairest.

[Forn Clakes]

Tommy Cook | Fairest | Minstrel/Muse | Presence 3 (Gaunt) | Distinct Voice 2 (Gaelic Lilt) | Mantle (Winter) 1

Standing not too far from Milo is the drug addict that started this mess; Tommy Cook. However, in the short amount of time spent since Discovery Park and tonight, he has had a good shower and cut his hair. He still appears as gaunt as before but there is a little colour back in his cheeks. For the first time, his Mask was also absent and the weak Winter Mantle clung to him like a cold room. Sorrow filled his eyes. He had battled and come through the withdrawal stage, certainly, but Tommy had a long way to go until true salvation was his. Wearing a pair of dark slacks and grey coat that hung loose from his frame, he sucked on a cigarette, his addictive nature showing true.

At least it wasn't anything stronger.

The Fairest pinched his nose, elongated fingers that looked scarred from some previous time. Pointed ears showed through his fresh haircut. For now, he avoided Milo. Not surprising as the man had grown into his gaoler.

Tommy Cook

[InvertedMonkey]

She'd heard the call, seen the signs. It's weird sometimes, being in a secret society. Which is what a Freehold is, when you get right down to it. It's like being in a spy movie. There's trade-craft. Signs. Marks. Dead-drops. Safe houses. Meets. Intelligence swapping. Things that are meaningless to everyone passing them by take on an intense and immediate significance if you know what to look for and have a touch of wyrd. Today's intense and immediate significance was 'Milo and L'aire in need of assistance.' Milo was an unknown, but she'd gotten a glimpse or two at L'aire at Freehold events. It'd be different if it was a trip into the hedge to raid for booty, or someone looking for a place to stay for a night, or wanting help with some contract or other. What this said was 'need assistance.' That's bad. Freeholders watch out for each other, so Ramona had gone home to pack a few things and then headed straight for Edna's. Hopefully this time, there'd be no ghosts involved.

Her off-white Ford Ranger pulls into the parking lot. It looks a little beat-up and mud-stained, and several long years old, but functional. A practical vehicle, with utterly zero flash. There's a moment's pause, before the door pops open and Ramona climbs out of the vehicle. Thick, black, Doc Marten boots, worn leather chaps over jeans, and a slightly-less-worn leather jacket over a T-shirt proclaiming her allegiance to our lady and savior Joan Jett. A big-ass knife is hanging out on a sheathe on her black belt with a simple steel buckle, a similar buckle holding a choker around her throat, and silver piercings crawl up both ears. She closes the door of the truck behind her, and looks first to Tommy, then to Milo. Two Fairest sitting outside the door, and neither looking particularly happy about that. "Hey," she greets, reserved.

[Morgan Bellanar]

The Sacramento Freehold had a wondrous messaging system, Morgan should know, she'd been a part of the system for a year under Harvey. And still did some work posting messages or leaving packages. So it hadn't been hard to spot the message. She knew the two calling for aid and she visited Edna's constantly to be helpful. To the raccoon going to there to help under a request made perfect sense to her.

Her entrance was less impressive, and probably less noticed, then Ramona's arrival. Dashing down alleys and hopping fences was not nearly as impressive. Plus she didn't arrive via the front, but rather the back. It was a habit if she wasn't dropping off supplies but studying in the Archives she'd come in over the rear fences. She almost went for the Autumn Commons on autopilot before turning back towards the Boarding House.

Morgan's well worn black sneakers made little sound as she rounded the side of the Boarding House, drinking from a water bottle, and saw everyone gathering at the front porch. The dark brown cargo khaki's blended in well with the darkness, as did the navy blue tank top that was visible thanks to her favorite jacket being open. The brown riding jacket had plenty of scuff marks but was holding up well. Her old black backpack had another outfit option in it if this help called for more stealth. She was also covered in sweat and breathing heavily from the run.

A fire pendant she wore as sometimes flashed brightly as it was caught by light. She'd opted to wear the new from Ramona tonight.

She recognized Milo on the porch and Ramona approaching from a truck, "Sah-salutations folks, heh," she waved with her free hand to Ramona and then to Milo. Panting from the run she took another swig of water. She sent a curious look at Tommy, wondering who the new guy is. "Um, zzzzzo, heh...what tis up?"

[Mykel]

Finn was the next to arrive and, much like Morgan, on foot. But unlike the raccoon, the Irish Fairest had arrived by means of public transit and a brisk walk to the meeting place. He was thankful the weather had finally begun to mellow, the Springtime night relatively warm; especially in comparison to the Winter chill that had proceeded it. Which meant he could get away with a pair of well-worn jeans, sneakers, t-shirt, and a light jacket.

He wasn't sure what was going on; only that the call had been sent out that other members of the Freehold needed help. He had met Milo a time or two, at different Freehold festivities; and the man seemed nice enough that Finn didn't have any qualms in offering his assistance if he could. It beat another night singing for his supper or alone in the small house the Fairest called home. And he had promised to help the Freehold in any way he could...

He also wasn't sure where exactly he was going. Finn had never visited the specified meeting place, and it's only the presence of Milo and three other Changelings that he didn't recognize that tipped Finn off that he was in the right place. Making his way over to the small gathering, the Spring Courtier offered a polite nod of the head.

"Evening Milo. Ladies..." Finn let he words trail off as he glanced over to nervous looking fellow hiding in a coat a few sizes too large for him, then back to Milo. Dropping his tone to just above a whisper, Finn nodded his head to the side and in the direction of Tommy. "Is he with you?"

[Milo Chernobog]

When L'aire had left The Fairest simply took his seat near Tommy. It was awkward, like lying and threatening someone before taking him to be tortured and killed created tension between the two. That was why the sight of the Ogress caught Milo's attention and brought a wide smile to his face. As more people filed in and the seeds of a conversation were sewn Milo finally rose from the stoop to address the gathering.

"Greetings everyone. I'm Milo and if you'll follow me we can have this conversation more privately." He wasn't a fool. Well, he was a Fool, but not a lower case one. The stern glare he earned from his Sovereign the preceding Autumn taught him better then to have these private conversations on the doorstep. So inside the boarding house he lead the group to what was clearly a living room.

"For those of you that do not know each other this is the time for introductions." He took a seat in one chair as his eyes fell on Ramona, the only member of the group he didn't at least have a name for. "My name is Milo Chernobog, and you are currently in the meeting ground of the Leaden Mirror. My court."

He let that hang in the air, as the smile grew ever so slightly. To some that was not as intimidating, as personal experience showed there was little to be legitimately afraid of, but to those who didn't know? Nothing like getting to know a beast from inside it's belly now was there?

[Forn Clakes]

Tommy Cook | Fairest | Minstrel/Muse | Presence 3 (Gaunt) | Distinct Voice 2 (Gaelic Lilt) | Mantle (Winter) 1

When more and more people arrived, Tommy looked up, cigarette hanging loosely in his mouth. A small shake developed in his hands as they pressed into the room, smothering him with their Mantles and their bearings. His foot tapped out a rhythm on the floor, a calming technique that controlled his nerves.

For now, the Fairest sat quietly, silently watching them speak.

At least, he wanted to. But then Milo called for introductions and the handsome fuck still frightened him.

"Tommy."

Tommy Cook

[Morgan Bellanar]

Morgan followed Milo and the others inside. It seemed like they had a big group, how much help could L'aire and Milo need? Especially if someone looking like this Tommy had been considered viable reinforcements. The next thought she had was: What kind of help? Fighting, sneaking, research, people-talk-thing? Really hope it ain't fighting.

Ah, yes introductions. She moved off towards the kitchen before turning back to the group, the leaves of her Autumn Mantle poofing a trail behind her. The raccoon gave a wave hello to everyone, "Heh-hello fffolks. Imma Morgan, Twilit-Page-Autumn, though heh-have met oro-know ye folks a'fore tonight. Uh, save for thee," she points at Finn. She gives the man a small wave with a awkward grin, "Heh-hello new-to-me-person, wel-welcome to town, heh. Oh, a-also I, uh, occa-regularly restock-kah the Boarding House, heh, on supplies. Sssso if fffolks wanna ask for tea, in-the-kitchen-there," she angles her right hand around her body to point behind her towards the kitchen door, "Oro-or something else, I d-d-do know where to find ano-and make it. Um, t-t-that is nada sssay none of ye can make it, no-no-no," she waved both hands in front of her, "Sssure ye can. B-b-b-but I know where it is stored ano-and where kettle tis, heh..."

Morgan lowered her arms down to her waist, resting them in front of her, twidling with her claws nervously. Talked too much again, didn't I? Yes but par the course.

[InvertedMonkey]

Seeing Morgan come in through the back was a bit of a surprise. Though it really shouldn't have been. Courier. Traceur. Racoon. Just makes sense. One corner of her lips curls upward in a little smile as she sees the pendant flash from Morgan's neck. Always nice to see things you created being put to use. And it was nice to have a familiar face around on a night like this. It might take patience to let Morgan get her words out, and to interpret them, but the Beast was still managing to slip into the 'friend' category of Ramona's social hierarchy. And she looks cute tonight. That never hurts. Down, Ramona, we're here for business.

Milo smiles when he sees her. Important data point? Maybe. As far as she's aware, they haven't met. She glances at the other Lost as they arrive. Finn, glimpsed maybe once or twice at a Freehold event, but otherwise still a stranger. L'aire, in the same boat. Four Fairest, in total. Plus a Beast, and an Ogre. For lifting heavy things, I bet, comes a somewhat bitter thought. It's a stereotype, but there's a reason it exists.

"Ramona," she replies as the introductions make the rounds. Are there out-of-towners here? Who doesn't know that Edna's is an Autumn hangout?