(AC 2015) Rick and Terri

[Lesingnon]

Rick had noted Sasha's wave as the giant knot of Changelings eventually broke up. And he was about to head over there. But...he was ever observant.

He caught the flash of reddish fur from the corner of his eye. He noticed the scent of baking bread, one he'd never be able to forget.

He turned to face her as she rushed towards him, caught her as she threw herself against him, and held her in a tight embrace. One that was every bit as desperate as the one she gave him. It just felt right to have her in his arms again, to feel her against him. Just like that, a void was filled. Just like that...the Freehold suddenly felt so much more like home than it had just a short time ago.

And no sooner do the words leave her lips than his own press to them. The kiss is urgent, relieved...and in that moment he just doesn't seem to give a damn who might see it. Though eventually, after what seems like far too short a time he pulls back slightly. Though he certainly maintains the embrace. "I'm just glad you're back...I've missed you."

[Terri Nutkins]

The embrace of his arms around her petite form was all the assurance Terri needed to know that everything would be alright, even after she had told him where she had been for a whole Season. The kiss that followed certainly was surprising but definitely welcome and she kissed his back, falling into the warmth of his lips.

"You have absolutely no idea how good it is to hear you say that, Rick," she grins, looking up into his eyes. No matter the problem, whatever issue came her way, he would always be there, standing by her side.

However, a quick explanation was necessary and the grin faded slightly as her fingers stroked his back. "Lois has gone," Terri said, her heartbeat increasing as she told him, which he would no doubt be able to feel through their hug.

[Lesingnon]

"Oh, I think I might have some idea." He certainly remembered the relief he'd felt, after all, back when she'd forgiven him for his disappearance.

And then her next words caught him completely, utterly, by surprise. "Gone?" He leaned back slightly, maintaining the hug all the while. His eyes watching her, her expression, wondering how she was handling it. And, for that matter, wondering what had happened. She'd never really interest in entangling herself with her fetch.

But this...this wasn't the time nor place to ask about that.

"Are you okay?" Because there was one thing he knew for sure. Whatever had happened, with a fetch involved...it couldn't have been an easy thing to handle.

[Terri Nutkins]

Terri gave a little nod, offering a small smile to add punctuation to the gesture. In truth, she wasn't too sure how she felt about it. The whole event had been as surreal as anything Terri had been through, a heart-to-heart with a soulless creature once meant to have replaced her. If Terri had tried to fight Lois, she would have been falling to her own fears and that was the one part of her that she could never succumb to.

"So," Terri grinned, releasing the embrace but keeping a tight hold of Rick's left arm, her right hand naturally entwining with his, her left hand resting on his forearm. "What have I missed over Summer?" she asked, keeping her tone light and breezy, "it's good to see some new faces in town."

As well as some familiar ones, including a sister she could never forget. Taking her left hand away from Rick's arm, Terri signalled out L'aire with a wave and a wink, her tail bobbing slightly in contentment.

[Terri Nutkins]

Terri beamed as the Dancer made her way over, letting her arm slip from Rick's in preparation of what was coming. When the hug came, the Steepscrambler returned the sisterly embrace, despite the cold that emanated from her good friend. Terri ignored the way her skin wanted to goose and simply wrapped her arms around L'aire completely.

"I missed you too, Sasha," she replied, voice rising in excitement, matching L'aire's. As they parted, catching the glow and the emotion coming from her friend, Terri kept one arm around the waist of the Fairest.

"Earlier today, actually," she said, looking towards Rick and then back to L'aire. "I stopped by the treehouse before heading out and seeing it was coronation day, which was a stroke of luck"

Speaking of luck, Terri's eye caught the entrance of Betony Rue, and the Beast knew that she would need to re-swear her allegiance to the Freehold once again. A year had passed since her last swearing, and she was a stickler for ensuring the safety and trust required to uphold the Freehold's basic security was maintained.

"So, what's been going on this Summer? Nothing too major, I hope?"

[Lesingnon]

There was almost certainly more to the story. But it wasn't something he was about to press her about, especially not here. The important thing was that she seemed to be handling it well. That was never a sure thing, for anybody. Not where fetches were involved.

There's a slight chuckle as he sees L'aire heading over. It wasn't hard to guess what was coming, and...there was the hug. He wouldn't be even slightly surprised if Terri wound up entangled in a few more of those before the day was done.

"Well...the Monarchs have stepped back a bit, governance-wise. They gave more authority to the rest of the Freeholders, through elections. Sasha's the Emissary, I'm the Magistrate." He shrugs, slightly, "It'll probably take a bit to get everything set up and running smoothly...but yeah, it certainly came as a surprise."

[Milo Chernobog]

After one of the more delusional conversations Milo had had since his arrival to the Freehold, he decided it was time for a less frustrating conversation partner. The fact that two members of the Council Milo knew and trusted happened to be among the gathering was not exactly a coincidence.

"Welcome back Terri." The Shadow said, offering as sincere a smile as he could with Coco still on his mind. "I hope this evening finds you well."

Eyes quickly flicked to L'aire, who he saw notice the spectacle as well. Hopefully they could find a moment for a quick chat, if only to inform the Council of the particulars of this link in the chain that was Cosima Tascioni.

[Terri Nutkins]

As Rick and L'aire explained the major change to the way the Freehold was governed outside the Monarchs, Terri couldn't help but nod in agreement. In her mind, it made perfect sense and having the posts decided democratically was a step in the right direction. It gave the Freehold some better structure outside of individual Courts and strengthened ties between individuals.

Hope. It always made her smile.

Milo coming to join them and welcoming her back was nice and she offered the Shadowsoul a grateful smile. "Thank you, Milo. It's good to be home again."

The Beast was quite empathic when it came to others, a good attribute for a Bishop, and judging by the glances from L'aire, something wasn't right.