Leaden Concerns
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25
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Nana was back at Edna’s once the park had fully closed down. She was here for Court business and dressed for it in a reasonably well-fitted black suit, hair pulled back in her usual style, and with the dark leather gloves she was fond of.
She walked up into the shadows of the Haunted House's porch, only dimly lit by the remaining park lights, to wait for Rhodes to arrive.
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Court business. Freehold business. Either way it was important to keep these appointments. This meeting could help sway the Autumn throne fully into Rhodes' favor, and he was all too aware of that fact. That was why he had arrived early, to ensure he could actually get into Edna's after Lucifer had stormed off with the keys.
The door opens behind Nana, with Rhodes dressed in his usual Hedgespun coat of rolling thunderclouds. His mantle breezes across the porch, and a couple of golden leaves spin into form at the edges. "Good evening, Nana. Please, come in." He says, green eyes twinkling as holds the door for her gesturing inside.
The table from the last meeting, throne, chairs and candelabras, stand in the varnished wood. Ignoring them all, Rhodes moves behind one chair of a table set two in the bay window, a pair of glasses at each chair and a jug in the center. He waits for Nana to sit. "Water? Iced tea?"
As the doors opened behind her she couldn’t stop her small gasp, “Oh lord.” Rhodes voice following had the surprise shift to the flash of a scowl from being startled, but ultimately softened into a light smile as she turned to him. “Haunted House indeed. Yes, evening.” She made her way inside.
As she settled herself into a chair she considered the offer. “Iced tea sounds lovely, thank you.” She normally only drank water, but she’d spent so much time refusing the hospitality of others in the Freehold that she didn’t want to gain a reputation over that anyway. The minor caffeine wouldn’t hurt. She gestured to him, particularly the golden leaves that swept about him now. “Your Mantle has strengthened. That is a good omen, congratulations.”
The statement also reaffirmed why she was here. “Have you given anymore thought to the upcoming Coronation?”
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"My apologies. I don't use Fear as brazenly as some, but that doesn't mean I don't know how," the Fairest grins.
"Thank you for noticing," Rhodes inclines his head with a passive smile, taking the jug and pouring the tea gently into the glass. Pouring a glass for himself, he takes the seat opposite his Autumn counterpart. "I too consider it a sign that I am following the right path."
He swallows some of tea, savouring the taste and smiling to himself, before looking at Nana. "Truth be told it is consuming more and more of my mind. Until our internal... disagreements... are fully laid to rest, I think it will stay there - and I think this will only happen once the crown manifests. I will be meeting with Lucifer soon, where I hope she is still willing to cooperate with me. I will defend her against all accusations, even now before any additional pledges from our Courtly gathering are sworn. But this you already know."
He sighs, feeling a lot more like the middle-aged man on the outside than the mid-twenties on the inside. "I have some ideas. Much as I would be quite partial to your idea of a Hunt, I am not sure this Freehold will move to such a tradition. If your own experiences of the freehold are different, I would gladly hear them. I trust you have settled in well to Sacramento?"
Nana took a sip of the tea for herself. She gave a raise of her glass and slight smile in what she understood to be approval. She set it back down and her face quickly shifted back to business. “Hm, yes. Best of luck to you with that. If I may make a suggestion though. Regardless of where the crown lands, I think it would be wise to build a long term trust between us. Your dealings with her are surely helpful, but they’re tinged with desperation. A position freely given is another matter entirely. She may have ruffled feathers, but there is no denying that her voice carried enough weight for the Freehold to take notice and tremble. So long as she doesn’t fly off on her broom without restraint, she has all the trappings of a superb Legate of The Mists. Something to consider at any rate.”
“Speaking on the matter of additional duties.” She continued and met his gaze fully. “If you find yourself crowned, I would like to take on the position of Witch of The Bitter Winds. The reverse will be made true in that event. I am certainly qualified, but having that added weight would be beneficial in dealing with the other Courts, should I need to make an official request of one occult matter or another.”
She flowed then into the idea of a Hunt, a soft sight leaving her lips as she had to agree with him. “Sadly, it does seem that way. For all the talk of concern of Lucifer’s supposed loyalism, they certainly seem content to take their time. Though, as you know, there has been some interest in making an inroad into the Hedge. While it’s not a formal Hunt, perhaps Autumn could pass on its blessing to any such expedition. There will likely be some pest control as a result anyway and a Hunt is, in part, to collect spoils for Autumn to investigate. Something that the Hedge will provide just as well.”
Finally she nodded to the question. “Yes, it is an interesting city. I am much more accustomed to the East Coast, both before and after my Durance. Still, there is a great deal of charm here and my contacts get into as much trouble that needs my medical intervention here as they did there. You? I’m afraid with everything I do only know of your more obscure interests.”
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The Fairest smiles. "I would like that. I also believe we can work very well together. Our meetings, though brief, give me the impression of a reasonable and talented associate, one I would enjoy getting to know better."
Rhodes' brow furrows as he leans forward on the table, locking his fingers and watching Nana intently. A smile twitches at the corner of his mouth. "Uncanny. I had also considered Lucifer would make a fine Legate. It is her volitility and ego that makes her unsuitable for Sovereignty. This Freehold is too small to in-fight and waste engeries earning the ire of every other Court. I would relish that in a vast Freehold, but we cannot afford it here. As for Witch, I would be glad to have an advisor that does not shy from sharp truths. If the situation is reversed, I would provide the same."
There is a pause as he sits up straighter and drinks from his glass. As Nana talks of the Hedge, he nods in agreement. "I was disappointed I could not be in two places at once - the Hedge is so fascinating, but Dream is... a passion. Wherever the crown manifests, a blessing upon venturing forth would be a fine demonstration of our court. Perhaps we could share our experiences - if you focus on the Hedge and I the dream, we cover more ground and consolidate our findings for mutual benefit?"
Rhodes pauses. How much to reveal? The journey of trust requires a first step, and you could make far worse frineds. He looks up. "I was a West Coast boy, borne and raised, so things are not so different for me here. I.... followed the trail of my Fetch here. Seeing the Freehold and it's sole Autumn Courtier made me want to stay."He smiles again. "That is unsurprising - my obscure interests make up the bulk of my life. I have turned Autumn's hunt for knowledge into my vocation. I live simply, study often, and prowl for indirect ways to strike back at our collecting tormentors." A dark shadow passes over his face, and his tone has grown hard. "Autumn is more than a philosophy to me. It has become the end in itself, and I will protect all loyal within it, Crown or not. And in this Freehold, the Courts live and die together. A strong Freehold means a stronger Autumn." He drinks again from the condensing glass, looking away. "Forgive me. It is... very close to my heart."
The Fairest continues in a lighter tone, one slipped into as easily as breathing. "You spoke of interests? Well, I love to socialise and enjoy the cut and thrust of debate - indeed, our court gathering was entertaining for me even though fraught with turbulence. I enjoy fine dining. I recall a centain musical appreciation we both share for classical and jazz performances. I would be delighted in sharing any of them with you."
Rhodes charm was showing. That I happen to agree with you no small part, I’m sure. She thought even though she smiled back and gave a nod. “Likewise.” The synchronicity of ideas brought a genuine chuckle from her. “Great minds. I’m pleased to hear that you were considering these titles and not simply the crown itself.”
“They are cut from the same flesh.” Cloth, dear, her nit-picking brain hissed in reminder to herself. The phrase is cloth. “Dividing and conquering would be sensible. It’s a deal then. I’ll report back after the next expedition. We can trade notes and see if there are any through lines. It would do well for our court to have some sort of records of these matters here in the city. It seems something of an oversight to have to start in the dark each time membership shifts.”
She took another drink from her glass as she listened to Rhodes reveal even a little more about himself. She was a little surprised by the notes of passion surrounding his connection to Autumn. Courts were always a point of pride for their members, but that he’d embraced it so deeply certainly helped explain why his Mantle had bloomed. “No need to apologize. Autumn’s teachings are quite dear to me as well, beyond whatever power we’re known for. If I had been more fearful of strangers bearing too good a deal, we wouldn't be having this conversation – as fine a chat as it is. By hunting for knowledge as vocation, do you mean academia?” She still wasn’t sure what half the Freehold actually did for work, beyond maintain the park. “I’ve recently considered that I should find a way to enroll in some sort of Folklore study around here. See what the mortals know and be sure they aren’t accidentally playing with matches. Perhaps one day when I shore up the papers required to do so.”
“That’s good to know.” She said of his actually enjoying the vamp of interpersonal drama’s strings. “I should leave such things to you and Lucifer then. I don’t regret my conduct at the gathering, but I should work on my temper. I had intended to help settle things, but symptoms seemed only to flare.” She shrugged as she moved on in the way she, more or less, already had. “That’s a kind offer. I should try and get out more. I’m not so blind as to see how I use my work as something of an excuse to avoid the socialization that I’ve always struggled with. Queen Sasha of Winter was much more warm and welcoming than I had expected her to be. An evening with her at The Blue Note, when it next hosts such a performance, would be lovely. That and I made much noise about wanting our Courts to be on good terms, supporting her establishment would be tangible proof of that.”
With all that said, there was still a word Rhodes has used that hooked as a thorn in her mind. Fetch. “I would understand if this is too personal and I won’t push the matter if it is. Still, did the trail that led you here also end here?” She wasn’t sure how much of her fascination with the automatons she should make known, but then she wasn’t entirely sure why she was so interested in a thing that mimicked humanity, but seemingly forfeit of it, herself. “I would be available to help in that hunt, if desired. My own became somewhat untouchable among the community and the chance to further that – research I do think would benefit us all.”
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"Excellent. We still need to find a suitable location to practice our work with Dreams, but if I can encoutrage this communal Hollow propsed at the Mixer, that would be an ideal space. I would provide an open invitation to practice the manipulation of dreams." The Fairest ponders. "Record-keeping is a great tradition in our Court. It would be wise to start somewhere. I heard there was once an archive, but with no Autumn courtiers to support the Hollow it resided, it has returned to the Hedge."
Rhodes sighs a sad sigh. "Unfortunately not - though I would love to persue it. Far more esoteric learning - studing fairy tales with a new eye, mortal occultists such as Crowley and their occassional glimpses of truth, historical chonologies of interaction with faires. Religion and it's magical practices. Wiccan. Runes. Ethics." He chuckles. "I would struggle within formal study, I think. I provide my own structure, study what may be useful, and can disregard that which is not."
There is another smile at Nana's minor self-admonishment. He drinks the last of his tea. "I saw nothing to regret. Rhetotic is enjoyable, but directness it productive. We Fairest are prone to melodrama and tempestuous natures. One learns to embrace it or hide from it. Though I must say, I find your encouragement towards cooperation very reassuring. I have made similar overtures to the Spring Queen - I had sought to guage her following the brash accusations. As you say, the Freehold seems slow to ferret out the truth. As for Queen Sasha, I met her at the Summer coronation. I found her delightful. If you would permit me to join the two of you it would be an excelent chance to meet her and enjoy both your company in a purely social setting."
The mentioning of his Fetch causes Rhodes to tense noticably, even through his enigmatic mask. "That is very generous, Nana. But that is a topic far deeper than I am willing to broach. For the moment, at least." He stands and collects the jug. "More tea?"
“Ah, what a shame,” she said with a small sigh on hearing about the library. “Though perhaps it is for the best when it comes to creating the Hollow. A fresh start for us all to build something together is just as productive as piecing the past back together.”
She gave a small wave of her hand, as if brushing away Rhodes’ concerns over a formal study. “Well, I certainly can sympathize with that. I’m sure that you could create your own group anyway. You certainly do have the force of personality. Besides, I suppose true believers are of more concern than those who’ve already been baptized by modern rationalism.”
“Yes and we are all only just getting to know one another. A few growing pains aren’t all the shocking.” She hummed gently at mention of the Spring Queen. “And how did you find her to be? I’ve yet to make contact myself and think that it’s likely I won’t until the Coronation. I’ll keep a wide berth though if she’s still touchy about the whole affair.” She smiled at the acceptance of an outing. “Excellent. I’ll keep my eye out for a suitable show and am sure something can be arranged.”
Seeing his tension wasn’t of any great note for Nana. Fetches were a deeply cruel trick that reduced every Lost’s prior life into something easily pantomimed by a pile of trash given life. Not being touchy on the subject would have been far stranger. “Fair enough. Do think of me as a resource in the matter if needed though. Discretion and cleanup is essentially my specialty these days.” She looks to her half-full/half-empty glass and nods, “A refresher does sound nice.”
“Now, about the Coronation itself. I admit party planning is out of my league. I also can’t quite tell if this Freehold would prefer a pińata or a waltz. My own little showcase will be short, I assure, but I doubt it will do much to lighten any spirits. Though, again, I’m unsure of tone of the Freehold.” Being in an amusement park didn’t help matters there any.
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Presence
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Rigid Mask
Mantle - Chilling breeze, summoning tiny leaves
The laurel of red flowers around his head shakes slightly as the Flowering nods in agreement. "Quite. I do not know what measures the Freehold has in place to ward off mortals, but the citry is too large and the Frehold too small to manage such a task effectively further beyond a small range around Funderland."
"Queen Ingrid is... hmm." Rhodes ponders. Mysterious. Alluring. "She is... sensitive to criticism, emotionally driven, and has dormant fire - a potent combination when threatened or intimidated. Her accusations stemmed from Lucifer's budding mantle and boasts of weilding great arcane power - leading her to the conclusion of Loyalty. She wanted to pass on Autumn's holding as soon as possible, and of two unknowns she chose the Greatest Mantle, not the grandious Lucifer. This whole affair is a borne of sensitive beings struck in their weaknesses and fears. Puncturing the ego of Lucifer squaring off with one who embodies the emotions and desires of Spring." He sighs, moving around some of the leaves that have settled on the table. "All of that aside, I have found common ground with her on other topics, which made for far more pleasent conversation. She has no desire to influence Autumn - of this I am sure. She wants to wash her hands of the affaiar. Should the crown land on myself, as I plan, the duty of reassuring the freehold will form to me, and I am ready for that."
The Fairest inclines his head regarding her skills. Perhaps arranging a meeting between herself and John would be valuable. He pours more liquid into the glass, first Nana, then himself - Appearences are so important - and returns to his chair, claping his hands together. "Of course!The coronation itself. Indeed, many of the Freehold appear to be far less formal, but this is not completely about what they want. It is about Autumn. Bar one of our Court, I think we would revel in a little more elegance. I propose a masquerade ball. It will be hard for the many Fairest to miss the excuse to dress up. Of the other kiths, I have seen sharp suits on several. I think it would meet approval on both fronts." Rhodes takes a sip of tea. "An introduction by the Sovereign, annoncements by the Freehold leadership, if any. Time for performances, including your own. A dance, perhaps. After that, allow the guests to do as they will. Provide food and music, and socialise until midnight." He shrugs. "Not orginal, perhaps, but I am Fairest. Showmanship and tradition are in our blood. Your thoughts?"
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