(Memory Lane) Fresh Start

[Yumyumcrow]

Another day.

Another scheme.

There is a P.I. running around the city. Officially, he is helping an amnesiac - but his investigation, his methods, and his actions are getting way too close to the Freehold for comfort.

Queen Circe is trying to do something about that. That is why she is hosting interested Changelings of the Freehold in the Spring Court Tavern. It is a safe place in which to lay out what is known and discuss a course of action.

RECAP

So far, it is known that: -

*The P.I. is called Emmanuel Pico. He is from San Francisco and appear to have a soft spot for some of the more 'strange' cases of abduction and general weirdness. He is active on a number of occult themed message boards ranging from conspiracy theories to sightings of cryptids and other strange beings.

*There is a local message board for Sacramento and the surrounding counties. It would appear that Pico has been visiting this particular board quite recently and has been in discussions about "strange amnesia cases" and "the Old Sacramento tunnels" and "underground workings from the Prohibition era".

*The amnesiac is called Beverly Winter. She is an oval faced woman who has been spotted with Pico several times now. She is one of about four amnesiac's discovered roaming the city alone and confused in recent years. Beverly was found in Old Sacramento, as was one other, as yet unknown person. Another was found in the parklands north of the Freehold; and the last was found in the flood mitigation works near North Sacramento. All of the places where the amnesiac's were first found could very well be Hedge Gates.

*Beverly and Pico have been seen loitering around Funderland. They found a set of old graffiti that Director once used to indicate the Freehold's presence to passing Lost.

*Beverly and Pico are known to using a rental car and staying at a cheap hotel. Previous investigations have found the hotel and the car's license plate.

Xadun Rhodes Vincent Titania Whisper Blink Circe Origins what do you do?

[Titania]

For somebody who could name every single star and split the second down to a trillionth of a fraction, she sure had lost her way and time among the thrilling attractions of Funderland. It reminded her of when she was but a small child and her maids brought her to Blackpool to enjoy the summer. Those were the days.

"But it is so fun!", she said, seemingly to the floating balls of white shine surrounding her. Because wisps had rights too and certainly couldn't enjoy the fanciful rides, and the autumn breeze brushing over her sleeveless dress, and the warm day, from behind her mask.
For a second, her large sapphire eyes grew larger. Realization, she was amid a large crowd, and these people would likely whisper behind her back, about the crazy lady with the pink parasol, the girl who's talking and smiling to herself like some sort of weirdo. Look at that fool!

A whiff of cotton candy almost threatened to fall from her glossy pink lips and unto her blue summer dress, the menace, however, was averted in corner. Adjusting her black azure and white polka dotted fascinator to the side of her head, just above her right brow, she decided to compose herself. She was here for a reason, still, it was a day to cherish with another whiff of candy.

Now, if only somebody of greater station within the community would come, she'd join his escort and definitely not appear like a rude small-folk who arrives uninvited and unannounced.

[Circe]

Circe exited the rest room in Spring's precious tavern, having donned one of her usual suits just to distract any normans from the details. They always just focused on the suit or the ponytail, not the details. Plus inner pockets for the win.

Circe had ordered some appetizers and a water already. Now she just needed someone to show up. Lo and behold there was a humanoid solar system present. Circe decided to just take the woman. To the table. So she walked up to Titania as the blue lips parted for a smile even as the heat from her Mantle warned Titania of Circe's approach, "Ya are the first then? Good. This way. We can wait at the table fer anybody else the shows up. Come on," she turns to lead the way to the table, "Follow Circe ta yer free food. What's yer name star child?"

[Titania]

Never follow a stranger into her own dwelling!
Don't take food from strangers!


Those were the rules every british child was accustomed to, but rules - writ large - were written to be broken. Perhaps it was the air of authority the blue elf(?) was emanating, perhaps it was her mantle, reminding her of the warm summers of her childhood. No, it was the suit, most likely the suit, it was such an elegant piece.
Truth be told, she had been caught unaware.

"E-eek", she whimpered softly, trying her best to follow the elfette; the high heels she was sporting weren't helping. A blazing procession of bright wisps and moondust followed suit.

"Eleanor or Titania, Ma'am?", she answered tentatively.

Knight? Summer Sovereign? Had she stumbled upon the Summer court?

"Queen?", her eyes shone over the Knights own before moving back to the Elf. To be fair, dressed as she were, she didn't fit the mould. Alas, modern Kings rarely were customary. "I apologize", she offered with a courtly bow. Her wisps too, happy to oblige. "I'm Titania, a late addition to the Court of Spring", she flashed a bright smile, "incensed to make your acquaintance".

[Rhodes]

One of the best things about Autumn coming in turn, Rhodes mused to himself, is the fact that one's mantle is considered just another part of the weather.
The Dread Lord of Autumn strolled through Funderland, thundercloud coat flapping majestically and his mantle briskly heralding his arrival with icy whips of wind and spinning leaves. His work with the Autumn Court had borne it's fruit - the dull leaden crown of leaves and acorns resting upon his head and behind his ever-present red flowers and dark green leaves. Now, to set down roots and secure his prize. Clearing out snooping investigators seemed like a good start.

It was a short walk to the Wishing well that lead to the Spring Court's tavern. The hardest part was slipping in unnoticed, but there was always a way. Crossing the Threshold, the icy breeze rustles around the room, announcing the arrival of the Autumn Monarch, who looks around at the gathered ladies.

"Titania!" he says, smiling broadly at the gorgeous celestial lady. Still stunning. "Blink. And Lady Circe! I hear you are in need of a keen investigative mind. What's this I hear about a P.I. wandering around the Park?"

[Circe]

"Welcome aboard. I'm guessin' ya only shorten Eleanor and not Titania fer a nickname, right?" The waggle of her eyebrows and ears was something more expected from a Spring then a Summer. Circe just tended to stay on the offensive. Even verbally.

"Heya Blink, what did ya expect from a power suit," Circe's grin is horribly wide, "Oh ho ho ho ho!" Circe tapped the side of her hed, "No crown, did ya think I was just a summer time clown? That could make a frown, but I am in charge of my fellow angry folks in this town."

"Rhodes! Great ta see ya. I adore the garlic bread and more waiting at the table," her joined turned to a frown, "And yer about spot on with that. Save he is workin' with some pretty dame, maybe wantin' ta prove ta her he ain't lame? We can talk more clearly at the private booth this a way," Circe will take a seat at said private booth.

Once the others are seated she recounts what is happening with Pico and Winter. Circe is also worried that something is memory wiping mundies and dropping them out of the Hedge near Funderland. So she straight up asks, "Any of ya have a built in GPS fer findin' a the shortcuts through the Thorns?"

[Titania]

"Just Ellie will be fine, Queen", she says half hesitantly, Circe's joviality had a confident streak. Non-conventional, she decreed.

The procession of lights saw the group deeper into the tunnel. In amazement the Fairest beckoned to what was a full-fledged hollow. A canteen, no a Lounge! To be fair, it didn't sport any of the luxuries her youth had accustomed her to, still it was a testament to the amazing powers of her court, if that was indeed the hollow Queen Ingrid had talked her about.

"Amazing", some of her wisps took the chance to go off and explore.

"Sir Rhodes", she chirped with perhaps too much enthusiasm, "Delighted to meet you again", was she gushing? Hopefully not, even though Scuti made a (jealous?) point of stopping in its tracks to charge at the Flowering. Don't. She pleaded.

"A detective? I can help, but I'm afraid it won't amount to much", she said still standing. At this point the fascinator had come off in her hands. Would the cavalier Rhodes, pull out a chair for her? She was afraid that Americans didn't really play by the rules.

[Rhodes]

"Well. I'm sure any 'pretty dame' he has pales in comparison to my company this afternoon," Rhodes replies without missing a beat, smiling open handed at the gathered ladies.

The Flowering deftly sidesteps the glowing orb, and watches it curiously, turning towards Titania. The way her smile widened and her cheery speech did not go unnoticed, and is returned with a sparkle in the Fairest's eye as he offers to take the Celestial's hand. "I assure you, my dear, the pleasure is all mine." If she accepts, his lips brush her fingers, before returning her hand and pointing over his shoulder towards Scuti. "I'm not sure he likes me... Was it something I said? And might I offer any of you a drink?"

Rhodes heads to the booth. He cannot pull out a chair, but he does offer Titania a palm to assist sliding into the booth, before taking a seat next to her once everyone is seated and supplied with drinks. He himself has tea. "I'm sure we can find some fitting role for you, Titania, if you are willing to help our little Freehold here." The Flowering gives her a slightly more roguish smile.

The Flowing listens thoughtfully to Circe's recounting, and shakes his head slightly at the question. "As a matter of fact, I do," he says nonchalantely. "I can find the doors, but it can become very... draining unless I harvest emotion between. At least then we will know where the local Hedge gates are, if addled mortals are being left on our doorstep, as it were."

The Dread Lord ponders for a moment. "Of course, we have his name, occupation, and obsession. This means if we make it enticing enough we can hire him and point him where we need. It sounds like the easiest thing to do is keep Pico on the trail he's already found. All the signs lead to Funderland. We lay the same trail of breadcrumbs back out, and point him in two towns over. Or simply push his obsession to the point where he incriminates himself trying to prove 'Fairies are real'." He chuckles lightly.

[Circe]

Circe doesn't bother with manners when she sits beyond not kicking her feet on the table. "Yeah, garlic bread is really amazing," Circe cheerfully replied to Titania's awestruck response, "And this place is great too, oh ho ho ho!" Circe actually held back her head and slightly blocked her mouth with her hand to complete the image, "Of course we are Rhodes. Our company is stellar enough ta not make ya never be blue, because that's MY color I tell ya true, oh ho ho ho ho!"

"Good ta hear Rhodes. It's one thing ta cut off the dick from causin' us trouble but if crap keeps gettin' dropped on our doorstep that's something we need ta sew that shut too," Circe gives a firm nod of her head. As for Glamour, that was something she could assist with. "We can try ta setup somethin' fer ya ta get Glamour before hand Rhodes."

Circe retrieves and takes a bite out of a garlic bread. She looks to Rhodes once her mouth is clear, "My thoughts exactly Rhodes. Fanculo, we could even use 'im as a decoy fer whatever is mind wipin' mundies. Problem I had is approachin' him. I've been in town and Funderland so he probably got pics of me. And of ya too Rhodes," she leans forward over the table towards Rhodes, "We need new faces ta speak with him," the Summer Queen leaned back into her seat and brought both her hands up. She did a spinning finger flip with both hands to point at Titania, "And 'ere one is! Ellie my new friend, how are ya at the fine art of bullshit?"

Circe is looking at Titania now, with an expectant smile across her face.