Alex joins the food and booze table.
Coco exits the scene and the hold
"We-ah-we sure can..." Mhairi whispered. Worry, anxiety, Fear all knotted within her stomach. The Equinox was nearly over, and Rick...was too busy arguing to realize that!
"Whatever aid you-ah-you can give us..." Mhairi trails off because then he asked about Summer. Mhairi opened and closed her mouth, it was suddenly dry. A quick sip of her drink saw to fix that. "Yeah...the-err Iron Queen...might have been-ah called away." that sounded better then the Ogress disappearing into thin air. "And-ah-other then her, and uh you. There's Alex. Sooo umm...there isn't really anyone else for you to-ah-to meet. I mean in Summer. Our-ah 'hold's a small one."
And that should merit a tight-knit community feel, not arguing with new arrivals, and calling them out for Hedge Duels!
Across the room the argument falls silent in the wake of Bronson's voice, the Cobalt Adonis wondering his way over to their cluster of 'lings. "No one...ever really calls me a-ah Page." Mhairi admits, everyone said it was a good thing that she was the Twilit Page, and that there was 'good things' in her future, but other then that it wasn't really ever referenced.
His proclamation cemented the fact that Coco was gone. Mhairi could only hope that she liked the cookies, however (slightly) brunt they were. Fell-flames dart to Scampy. Would he every say something in the wake of another newcomer claiming the crown, or would he bow to the stronger mantle, the scent of night blooming flowers that surrounded the Fairest?
His breathtakingly handsome face turns towards her and gives a name to the anxiety and Fear choking her. Because that's all she's been thinking about since it seemed that Rick was more focused on arguing with Bronson then making sure Autumn and the 'hold stayed strong.
A bitten lip gives way to a small, hesitant voice.
"As the year begins to die, Fear's shadow grows long, I, Cassiopeia James, known as Mhairi Ankaa swear to embody Autumn and protect the Freehold of Sacramento to the best of my ability. For a year and a day, if I knowingly aid our enemies, or if my actions bring ruin to the Freehold, or to the Ashen Court, let the Wyrd turn upon me, and scour my name and mantle, wiping clean of my involvement with the Court I'm swearing to protect and guide."
Mhairi takes one shuttering breath, as her will presses outward she feels the Wyrd take notice...
Would the mystical presence present in every changeling's life accept her and her paltry mantle in the presence of Rick's far stronger storm winds?
Or was it the matter of who's intentions...who's heart was most worthy?
Please note, side threads are for private convos, the main thread is for public announcements and other behavior that should be brought to everyone's attention.
L'are too, had moved away from the prior area they'd gathered. She did with a purpose, to find Morgan to see how she was. Origins
The winds began to stir, and leaves began to breeze by, flitting around those assembled for the coronation, and even inside Edna's, though no one might have been present to notice it. A sibilant hiss likewise rose, a chorus of whispers breathing ancient secrets, fragments of knowledge that faded upon the swirling autumn leaves, and then upon Mhairi's brow appeared a crown...
All hail the Queen! Mhairi Ankaa is now the Dread Queen Ascendant! She may take pledges, and write said pledges, as the liege of the freedhold! This will cost 1 willpower dot to satisfy the cost of ALL such fealty pledges. Also, Saber Sloth , describe your Crown!!!
Meanwhile, seeing this happen, Rick Pereg's expression grew furious and dark, and he stormed out of the Coronation and the Freehold...
And Rick exits.
The winds stir, dancing with her own mantle, the rustling of the leaves blowing through the Boarding House could only mean one thing...
Mhairi ears try to catch all that the sibilant hisses, and whispers breathed but her ears where too weak, were she a Beast...perhaps they might have taken in more of the ancient lore of Autumn itself...
Everything faded the moment Mhairi felt a weight to fall upon her head...
A diadem of carved ash wood appears, the slim branches delicately encircle her head, spider-spun threads loop and twist from one branch to the next. Hanging from these threads are wilting leaves of lead, forever suspended in the moment of their fall. Curling into themselves, the wilting edges are tarnished, but their center is polished mirror bright. Whenever they find someone's refection, they reflect not the image presented to them, but the observers deepest fears, though thankfully only visible to them. Dancing betwixt it all, are motes of Mhairi's own fell-fire, flickering into forgotten runes and ancient sigils whenever the wisp's windblown mantle rustles her hair, or the threads themselves.
Mhairi takes in one long shuttering breath, for she is now The Dread Queen of Autumn...fell-flames dance between the faces of the Lost present, most familiar, a few new faces, Mhairi nods. And steps away from her spot to do what she'd been terrified wouldn't be achieved before she made her oath...
Mhairi is available here so that the others can finally make their pledges.