Tavern Talk

[Titania]

Down, down, down, right through the earth below Funderland's playing grounds is a Wishing Well, past its delightful veil of Glamour lies a rabbit hole; a rabbit hole so deep that it not the earth that its tunnels part, but the manyfolds of reality itself, into a maze of thorns.

The tavern looks like something a woodcraftsman would have carved from the inside of a pineapple, its strong shell guarding from the dangers without as its yellow flesh provides comfort to those within. From the round glass windows, yellow rays reach inside the lounge, shining over the mismatched furniture and the decorations of the wooden panels lining the walls.

Titania, dressed in white, is sitting at a small table, her delicate fingers play with the folded down corners of a page of the book resting in her lap, moondust pools at her feet before dissolving into nothingness. All around, blobs of light jovially float around, behaving like children in a playground. A single midnight rose springs from her head, releasing its perfume in the air.

She's here to meet her Queen, and parlay with the rest of her Court.

Freya Stray Seraphina Orianna Ingrid Yumyumcrow

[Ingrid]

Ingrid was already at the bar, reading a paper, with a big foaming stein within reach. The Vernal Sovereign was in her customary jeans and shirt, scarf wrapped around her neck and peaked cap perched precariously on her head. The beer was quite mundane - a disappointment perhaps. The drinks behind the bar, too, looked quite ordinary: at least now after many months of work, the Spring Tavern had a wide selection to choose from.

Angus, the Queen's ensorcelled mortal, was cleaning the windows that looked out into the Hedge.

[Freya]

The problem with being a predator is that one often gets used to being alone. Great osprey soar above lakes in majestic solitude, ever-silent cougars stalk through a solitary existence in deep mountain passes, and even the lumbering grizzly rarely stands the presence of their own species, save a mother and her children. Yet, despite her experiences in the Durance and her altered mind trying to convince her otherwise, Freya needed to remind herself that she was not such a Beast. And so Freya has come, intent on finally making deeper connections with her court.

With the Den Mother firmly in control, the Hunterheart entered the Tavern with a gentle grace, her face decorated in a warm expression and a contented smile. Surely, the civility in her motions may have been slightly strange given the savage nature of her Mien. Her attire was relatively casual, simple, and did little to restrict her motion. The feathers of the bird-thing ruffled lightly as she relaxed within the yellowed confines of the hollow, releasing light whiffs of her apricot scent in the air. Looking first to Ingrid, Freya would dip her head in reverence, "It's good to see you, your Majesty," she offered, "I apologize for my recent distance."

Then came the gorgeous White Lady who sat alone, "I don't think we've met... I'm Freya."

[Seraphina]

A Spring meeting! Which had Sera fluttering about her closet looking for the best outfit to wear. One that looked amazing on her, without saying she tried too hard.

Finally she decided upon a rich burgundy suede wrap skirt with a fitted long sleeved black shirt. Knee high black suede boots went on her feet and her Hedge Spun jacket and necklace completed the look. Her long silver and gold spun mane was left down and in soft waves, her make up was minimal, she didn’t need it.

Breezing into the room, the scent of flowers and honey flowed off her as she entered the Tavern. The Cherry Blossom’s blooming from her hair. The necklace seems to come to life around her neck, dancing with a rainbow of colors. The jackets silken lace of spider silk appears with delicate beads of dew clinging to them.

Her best smile appeared as she spots Ingrid first, her Queen, a bow of her head, “Queen Ingrid, great to see you!” comes the angelic voice.

She then turns to the new faces, “Hello! I’m Seraphina, but Sera works. Welcome to Sacramento!” sapphires move from one Spring to another, "It's so great to have more of us here!"

[Ingrid]

The Court had assembled.

Ingrid looked up from her paper, folded it and placed it to one side. Casually, she hefted her stein, let her eyes slide across to her ensorcelled Angus, before she quaffed her drink. Placing the stein down she adjusted her seat so she could more easily view the gathered Changelings of her Court.

"Its so good to see you all."

The Vernal Sovereign beamed. Her mantle bloomed in an aromatic plum cloud that teased the Court's nostrils.

"I thought we should meet. Check in on each other. I bet the other Courts have been doing the same, and given that the Autumnal coronation is so near, I thought it would be appropriate. So... How is everyone going? Before I go on, does any of you have anything to share or discuss?"

[Titania]

The Bright One shut her book and closed her eyes; a deep breath and the scent of plums, apricots and honey soon filled her nostrils.
It was then that she rose from her seat, rewarding the plumed lady with a several thousands watts smile.

"Greetings, I'm Titania. It's a pleasure", she said extending a hand. She stuck there for a moment, analyzing Freya's intricate plumage. But her wisps wouldn't let her have any, for as soon as another gorgeous fairest stepped in, they rushed to take a better view, even a lonely rose sprung for her mane, trying to catch a glimpse of newly arrived visitor.


"Thank you", she replied to the stranger with the beautiful voice, Sera. Sparkling moondust and roses, she was resonating with the stranger. How embarassing.

Then the Queen spoke, and she felt it again, the lure of the shadows

[Freya]

The Den Mother hesitated as her great hawklike eyes looked to the bright lady's extended gesture. Her face, however, was not one of meeknesss, but rather a cautious concern. It was quite likely to be understood as the bird-thing raised on of her hands to reciprocate the motion. It was a wicked thing. Scaly like a crow's foot with that rough skin extending far up her forearms. Further, the she-creature's strong, slightly knobby fingers further were tipped with vicious talons. Thus, Freya's grasp on Titania's own digits was a gentle one as the Hunterheart took care not to squeeze to harshly, lest she ravage the newcomer's skin.

Then a breath of relief as the motion seemed to go according to plan. After releasing the hand, Freyas eyes would return to the young girls face, a soft smile on her lips, "The pleasure is ours Titania, welcome to Sacramento."

Noting the diverging interests of the woman's wispy companions, Freya would shift to the side, allowing them and their master an unimpeded view of Seraphina. Mother Talons would dip her head in acknowledgement of the Joyeux as she introduced herself. Ingrid had spoken of her before during Freya's own meeting of acknowledgment with the Vernal Sovereign.

Amber eyes would meet Seraphina's sapphires as she glanced in Freya's direction, "It's good to meet you, Joyeux," she offered kindly.

Then Ingrid's question, "I am settling, Queen Ingrid. All is well and the house is well enough in order that I can finally leave here and there."

[Seraphina]

Nodding, “I don’t really have anything big and exciting going on. Just been working on decorating the coffee shop for fall and Halloween.” A shrug, the joys of owning a business. “I have been working on some new Contracts.” Wow, she didn’t sound very exciting at all! The bigger Mantle was fun, its changes still new to her, but wasn’t news worthy.

She then looks to the gorgeous Titania, “Pleased to meet you Titania!” she accepts the extend hand, giving it a shake.

Then the other new Spring used her Spring title, which was new, and she wasn’t sure how to respond.

“And you as well.” Her angelic voice upbeat and friendly.

Looking back to Ingrid, “I know it’s early, we haven’t had Winter yet, but I would like to bounce ideas around for Spring. Lets face it, we need to keep raising the bar each year to show our dominance for Coronations. But that’s of course, after more important things are discussed and we all get to know each other better.”

[Ingrid]

A coy smile spread across Ingrid's face as her Joyeux spoke.

"Heh! I don't mind talking about the Coronation if you do. Its not like we have much else to discuss. I've been simply holding down the fort - and occasionally making forays into Dreams. Seems like the troubles from San Francisco may have reached us. Thats about it. Freehold is ... stable."

She looked across the room at her Court.

"So. Coronation. This year we held our Coronation here, in the Tavern. Fare was pretty simple. While we have a Hollow, we don't have the resources to put up a meal like the Ashen, nor do we have the resources to pull the stuff that Winter can. Now that might change - we have Garden Grounds now. And with a bit of work we can get Hedge Bounty for the tavern."

She let the words hang, seeing who next take the bait.

[Titania]

Titania was quiet, almost pensive. Her right thumb fiddled with her hair, while her left hand ran capriciously over the pages of a Moleskine, furiously scribbling something. Dreams?

All of a sudden, she raised and waved her hand in the air like an overly eager student. "My Queen, if I may! I might provide my services in tending and harvesting such a bounty", she sounded... resolute?