Winter Formal: The Bar

[Coco]

A teasing grin alighted upon Coco's lips at Juno's enthusiasm.

"You know, you also forgot about Moon Unit and Diva Muffin Zappa. Certainly not your average names, either. But, oh, that's right, you wanted to hear about Queen Leblanc. Oh, did I give it away? Yes, Leblanc still wears a crown upon her brow. But...I'm not sure how interested she is in being the sovereign of our Court," the Wasp added, an venomous look appearing upon her face.

"She, like all the other Monarchs, put some democratically elected puppets in their place and then slunk off to enjoy their Sovereignty without us common folk to nip at their heels. Who knows, maybe they've sequestered themselves away in some arcane ritual to preserve the 'Hold, but, if that were the case, I would say we'd deserve to know, wouldn't you?"

[Lynn Mills]

"Speaking as one of the puppets, I'm sure that they had their reasons." Lynn spoke up from where she leaned against the bar, wry humor clear in her tone as opposed to any irritation. "Just because none of us know it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. In fact, it might be as simple as them setting up a line of decoy targets while they focus on something that they can't interrupt." She took a sip of her drink and contemplated it. "Hmm. Puppet or target? I'm not sure which I prefer."

[Daniel Leto]

But... if the Council were puppets then wouldn't that mean the Monarchs were still actively ruling? Or was Coco simply upset that they didn't appear to be taking an active roll? It was something he supposed he could understand, but in his time in Sacramento he had barely spoken with his Queen even before the change to the political system. Then again, given the changes, it had probably been Katrin's idea. In the end though, Cosima seemed to be lashing out more than anything. He'd almost have thought her a Summer.

"Have you talked with Violet about your concerns?" Daniel asked calmly, gently rolling mist diffusing the smell of damp grass. "Maybe see if Lynn can set up a meeting?"

"They aren't gone after all," he said with a half smile, indicating the regal presence in the room. It could sometimes be easy to forget Queen Byeli was a living person and not a magnificent statue.

[Coco]

"Oh, really? They aren't gone?" Coco echoed, whirling upon the Gravewright. "Is that all that's necessary to be a Sovereign? Not gone? Deigning to make an appearance for three months out of the year and relying upon the hearsay from one Steward and the Freehold's supposed spies for the other nine? Forgive me if that doesn't exactly fill me with confidence that the Monarch of my Oath-Sworn Court actually knows what's happening, nor that she cares."

[Morgan Bellanar]

L'Aire had said no, oh well. Morgan looked down at her empty drink and motioned for another. "Do ye heh-have the red 'Dew? It'll probably look less sludgie in coloration." And it looked like there was no worries on the Cosima and Juno front. Though the mention of Cosima's title had the Beast hum and look around at those gathered at the bar. There were quite a few titled Lost in this little group. Ava, Cosima, Lynn, and herself. That made her chuckle as a thought occured to her, A new arrival going by our mantles would think Spring and Autumn were having a meeting over booze. Ha! Fool them.

Morgan did find her jaw dropping and head tilting at the names Cosima listed. Because wow. She couldn't keep the shock out of her voice, "Those are l-legit names? 'kay. I g-g-guess normans can be stranger then us." And then it got into Freehold politics. Like was the council puppets or decoys. That got a grimace from the Twilit Page as neither sounded pleasant. She decided to voice her thoughts to Lynn, "Both options are distressing Lynn. Do get different advantages. Puppet less danger b-b-but are manipulated. Target be sort'a opposite."

She did find herself agreeing with Daniel that the Sovereigns are still present. She nodded her head rapidly, "Truth ye spake Daniel. Sovereigns are nay gone, I-I see Betony ah-all the time at Edna's or-or the archives-Hollow. I t-t-think they, the sovereigns-that-is, did seem a little, uh...stressed?" she nodded her head, "Yeah t-that tis word, for a while. Probably 'cause so few court offices were filled, heh-heh. Huh, maybe t-t-that tis why the made the council?" She looked around and sipped the bright red drink she'd just received, "I m-mean the minor officers handle 'hold business a'fore sovereigns get it. Bu~ut they ain't around to heh-handle the minor stuff so~o goes to sovereigns. Council takes officers' place? Reduce ah-annoying meetings ah-and such. I proba~ably contributed to t-t-their annoyance, heh. There tis a word-word for it, dele-something." She then hung her head, "Admitted, I l-like that idea cause tis nicer then us bein' ignored, or ye officers," she rapidly points between Lynn and Cosima, "bein' pawns or targets."

[Daniel Leto]

Daniel continued to give his sad smile, though he did hold up his hands to show he had no hostile intent. Coco, it seemed, was very touchy.

"Look, I'm biased. What you just described; that's exactly what I expect from my Queen. She's not obligated to attend other court events and given the Dragon's attack took out multiple sovereigns it's probably a good idea not to. She's not required to check up on me like I'm a kid and even if she did, she'd probably ask Green or L'aire to do it. That's how hierarchy works, through delegation."

It wasn't what Coco wanted to hear obviously. She'd probably turn it around on him in fact. Winter sterotypes and all that. He continued before she could.

"But you seem really passionate about this, so my suggestion is then talk with Violet. If you don't think the monarchs are getting information from the Steward Lynn, or General Ramona, or the Spymaster and all the people under them; or if you think you have a situation that requires special attention and aren't comfortable going through others for whatever reason; go speak with your monarch. You feel like the sovereigns have disappeared but they haven't. Reach out and I'm sure she'll respond. Queen Katrin could even probably tell you what time Violet might next be performing here." It had been a while since the Gravewight had witnessed the Flowering give a suprise performance but he did know she gave them. He kept his tone neutral and as reasonable as he could. What Coco really needed was to strapped down to a stone table and allowed to vent, but in the real world that wasn't an option.

Daniel's phone beeped with an incoming text message. He smiled as if asking for forgiveness before quickly checking what it said. It turned into a little bit of a frown before he finished.

"I'm sorry, it looks like I'll have to cut our conversation. It was good finally meeting you Cosima. And you too Juno. Tally, Lynn, Morgan. Hope to se you around." He gave Morgan a hug and everyone else a wave before heading out. "I hope you get the chance to say what you want to Violet."

Daniel exits to the main thread

[Dusan]

Juno was taken aback by the sudden swerve the conversation had taken. It had been an innocent question, right? Her tail lowered closer to her legs as she thought of something to say.

"Coco, I....think I know how you feel." Juno chose her words carefully as she tried to defuse the Wasp's temper. "At one time I had a terrible series of interactions with a former Sovereign of our Court here. Terrible things were said and it took me a while to sort just how I felt about our Court and my role within it. Let us say that after a series of failed relationships, Queen Alice White decided it was a generous move on her part to name me the Sage Escort." The Manticoress gave her head a wry shake, then, "I saw no honor in that office. And when the time came for a change of Sovereigns, Mrs. Rosemary was very understanding and allowed me to step away from that situation. It would do no harm to approach Violet, she was very tolerant towards me while I was floundering about before I decided it was time to sort myself out."

Juno paused for a moment, trying to bring her own thoughts to the table as to absentee Monarchs. "I knew a Summer once, who stated quite plainly that it was a bad tactic to have one's resources and leadership in one place at one time. Pearl Harbor would be an excellent example of this. The fall of the Four Seasons would be another example; with the loss of Spartan and not a few members of the Iron Spear. Beyond that, I do not know enough of the situation and social structure, having been absent for a good while, to provide a further insight."

[Lynn Mills]

"And on that note…." Lynn muttered into her drink. Obviously it'd been too much to hope for that Coco could go an entire event without causing some sort of scene. Quickly, she tossed back the rest of her drink and sat the glass on the bar.
"Come on Morgan. I think it's time for us to go." Lynn laid her hand gently on her friend's shoulder. while she desperately wanted to get away from the Wasp before she had a chance to sting the both of them, there was no way she was leaving her Motley mate alone.

If nothing else happens, Lynn will exit the scene.

[Coco]

"The trouble," Coco began, a fell look appearing upon her face as she watched Daniel, Lynn, and Morgan retreat, "is that I do not feel much like a flounder. I feel..."

Her eyes narrowed, breath hissing in between her teeth before she turned to meet the Manticore's cerulean gaze.

"I do feel as though I could use some sorting. Though I also feel as though everyone else could, too. I feel it building. Like a cancer whose tumors crush my other feelings out. There's...there's much I could say," she amended after a pause, the monologue caught before it could begin.

"If you'd ever care to chat over a drink, I would be happy to say it. Perhaps get you caught up on the current 'situation' and 'social structure'". Fingers bobbed in quick air quotes, along with her antennae. "If not, I'd understand. The Queen, if no one else, I will make hear it."