'Backyard' Camping Prep

[Daniel Leto]

Daniel's previous preparation had been fairly haphazard. Part of it was any trip he made into the Hedge was supposed to be a short one and part of it was he normally had someone who was much more experienced along so he had always sort of trusted they'd help the group get through if things went wrong. However, with his appointment that was going to have to change since he was going to be the 'experienced one' eventually. It probably was something he should have changed anyway but the part of him that was reluctant to go into the Thorns kept convincing him he could procrastinate. Yet this was going to be his job and even if it weren't going into the 'backyard' was a reality of being a Changeling.

That was why he'd been doing research. But knowledge only got you so far. Things became a lot easier if you had gear. He'd come up with a list of things to get. Wandering through the aisles of Sacramento's REI store now he was starting to feel overwhelmed. There was just so much stuff and the temptation to buy the coolest, most expensive product was strong. He did his best to resist. Of course there was always the excuse that he could buy stuff to stock up Winter's stores.

He was tempted to ask a store associate for help but didn't. Asking about the advantages or disadvantages of a Lifestraw versus a filter, while also trying to talk around whether it could purify possibly magical spring water in a way that would keep you from transforming into a frog... he didn't see that conversation taking place. Plus, with the recent changes to his mein he'd found it harder to flag down staff like sales people and waiters. Even with the Mask, he was somehow less there and easier to see through.

Looking over clothing, he took a couple reinforced jackets off their hangers to try on. As far as armor went it was better than nothing. Maybe he'd check out the sports equipment. Walking through the Hedge in hockey pads may look silly (especially on Daniel's frame) but it'd offer more protection. Though maybe it would slow him down too much. Weight was a factor too.

He put the jackets in his cart anyway as 'maybe' items and moved on for now.

[Daniel Leto]

“Probably with the hockey stuff around… Oh,” he finished with understated surprise when he turned and saw who the hauntingly beautiful voice belonged to.

“Sorry. Daniel Leto,” he introduced himself more properly “I was looking for hockey or football pads but all they seem to have is climbing and biking gear. I haven’t seen any fencing stuff.”

The fog from his mantle floated and mixed curiously with her misty counterpart. Where the Gravewight’s drifted, it obscured her features slightly.

“But,” he added with a friendly smile as he calmly pulled out his phone and began typing “I know someone who fences. We’re in the same club together. She might know where you can get equipment.” The Darkling finished expertly typing and sent off the text before looking back up with an unruffled expression.

“You new in town?” he asked casually. They were outside Freehold borders. It was possible she lived here.

[Coco]

It was almost disturbing how the Wyrd would sometimes flow, guiding the Lost together like the convergence of streams, or whether it was more akin to the attraction of magnets. Or, perhaps it utterly defied such simplistic metaphors. Perhaps it was a metaphysical force which demanded its own vocabulary, entirely. Or, perhaps it was merely a part of their psyches. An attunement to all those seemingly insignificant patterns which emerged all around them, from the angle of a falling leaf, or the cant of a shadow, to a snatch of conversation overheard when passing strangers on the sidewalk. Perhaps they understood such seemingly esoteric signs far, far better than they imagined, and thus that was why Coco found herself only a short, block long dash away from the REI Daniel had indicated.

Truthfully, that was what Coco suspected. After all, she knew that such readings of the environment could be stretched. That amalgamations of all sorts of extraneous details could be susses together and read as omens of what was to come, or what could be.

She would have to delve deeper into that practice, but for now Coco had a new adventure before her, that of discovering a new companion, and discovering more about a companion already met.

Popping in through the front door, dressed in yoga pants, a windbreaker, and with her gym bag over her shoulder, Coco began to prowl down the aisles, eyes keen and antennae perked up for the other fae...

Starfyre , please also check out this post: http://nwod.org/forum/showthread.php...427#post439427 and using that code to help immersion when you post

[Daniel Leto]

"Oh, well, kinda…” he couldn’t really come out and say he’d been appointed a Ranger here but he’d give it a go “I got asked to join a team that plays in the Park. It kind of seemed more like something for people with anger management issues but it got explained that they could use a sneaky, creepy guy like me, so eventually I said yes. But it’s still a high impact sport, so… looking for pads.” He gave a sheepish half smile and shrug. “Sorry, I know I’m not explaining it too well.” Doublespeak only got you so far.

“Applications for the team, you’d have to talk with Ramona. If there’s a head of anger management, that’s her. She can be slow to warn up to people, though. She’d probably want to know you better before giving you a position.” Again a shrug and smile that whispered of sadness.

“The club on the other hand is always looking for new members. If you’d like I can – Coco!” Daniel interrupted his own train of thought as he saw the Wasp elegantly stalking the shelves nearby. He waved a friendly, pale, see-through hand; hoping she’d notice.

He both relaxed and tensed that she’d arrived. On the one hand it was good to have another Freeholder around in case things went south. On the other… she was Coco.

"This is the friend I was talking about. Coco, this is Emily Grimm. Emily, this is Cosima Tascioni, best fencer in the club."

[Lesingnon]

Daniel may have found himself a bit overwhelmed shopping here, Rick did not. It was fairly obvious at a glance that he knew exactly what he was looking for on his little resupply run, and exactly where it was in the store. Apparently he'd been here before. Something that probably wouldn't be much of a surprise to any Freeholders that knew him even passingly well.

In no time at all he'd acquired a nice little cache of supplies. And then the telltale glimmer of mantles caught his eye. Coco, Daniel...and someone who he didn't recognize, wrapped in a dusting of Winter's favor.

So he decided to say hello, and caught the tail end of the conversation as he approached. "He's absolutely right, I haven't seen them turn a new face away in all the time I've been here." Which was...quite a while by now, he supposed. With the absence of Katrin and Betony now, that left Terri as the only Freeholder who'd arrived in Sacramento before him. That was the part about the departure of the previous Sovereigns that still felt strange to him.

"I'm Rick, by the way."

[Coco]

"Daniel!" Coco cried cheerfully, trotting up now that she had found her friend amidst the forest of shelves and racks.

"Oh my, look at you," she added when she came closer, realizing that, no, his mantle hadn't been playing a trick on her. He really was partially transparent, like fogged glass.

"Well that is certainly a change, though you look well, besides. And hello, Rick," Coco added, turning to the confident autumn courtier and giving a cheery wave.

"You're part of the welcoming committee, I see. Well good! I'm glad we're all here to meet you, Miss Grimm," the wasp cheerfully continued, turning and extending a hand to the metallic beauty.

"A pleasure, truly. And you fence? My my, I'll have to be sure to test your mettle, sometime."

The Wasp's smile curled outward, irrepressible and impish as she awaited the newcomers response.

[Daniel Leto]

“Hey Rick,” Daniel greeted the Windwing as he approached self-assuredly. “Getting ready for a trip to the Park too?” he asked, already pretty sure of the answer. The Autumn might not be a Freehold Ranger but he was still the Ranger to his court.

“And yeah,” he added to Coco comment “Just sort of woke up one day and decided to change my look. Just a spontaneous thing. Not sure why.” His paleness made it hard to tell but he might be blushing. Either that or he was uncomfortable with the fact the he was suddenly not entirely there any more. He shrugged and moved on.

Daniel sensed Emily might be feeling a little uncomfortable now that it was three against one. He took a casual step back, almost unconsciously, yet still deliberate.

“No, just coincidence.” Though he had texted Coco with hopes that she’d come. Though the speed of her arrival was certainly unusual. The Wyrd would have its way. “The next time I know applications will definitely be accepted will be next month at a Club called the Forge. It’s a rowdy place that likes to play angry music but it’s still alright.”