(1809) Monarch Sidethread

[Rhodes]

The stone steps up to Edna's are draped in Autumn leaves. Following the assembled Queens, the newest Sovereign allows the queens to choose when to halt, Either on the steps or all the way up to the House before speaking, his expression almost sombre.

"My Sovereigns. Just before we begin, might I say what a delight it is to join you. I know I have not been here all that long, but I already feel very much at home." He looks at Ingrid, Circe, and Sasha in turn. "I know my Court has had a somewhat... turbulent resurgence through the Summer months, but I think we have come to an arrangement that suites us all." The Flowering smiles, that charming grin resurfacing. "And hopefully, one that you all find satisfactory as well."

"Now. To business, I suppose. Lady Sasha. You had questions, I believe, regarding the Hollow?"

Sasha Ingrid Circe

[Circe]

Circe leaned back at the waist with her left hand on her hip as she gave a smarmy grin, "Ya are welcome aboard Rhodes," while shooting him a right handed salute. "Ain't like mine was any better," the annoyance in her tone wasn't directed at anyone. "One question though. The stuff we've been eatin'? It ain't gonna make me see shit that ain't there or otherwise make it a bad idea fer me ta hold a gun, is it?"

Her head darts back and forth between the other two Queens, "And its a good question. All of ya know I'm constantly armed."

[Ingrid]

Ingrid moved over to join them.

"There are some prohibition era tunnels beneath Funderland. I believe the idea which has been spoken of is to utilise the tunnels as a base for a Hollow. A big one. A proper Freehold Hollow. I know for a fact that there is at least one Hedge Gate down there we can use. Some of our people driven off some privateers who had set up in the Hedge next to the Gate."

She paused, glancing across at the others.

"From what I keep hearing, there is some hope we can clean out a portion of the tunnels as a safe house and then expand through the Hedge Gate. You know, tame the Hedge and build a mighty Hollow worthy of a Freehold. A proper Freehold - not one holding out in a little fun park with barely a dime to its name and no idea what is really going on. Out There. So to speak."

"Once we get the base space worked out we can start linking in other sites, such as the Spring Tavern. Once we get multiple Gates operating, we won't even need to rock up here any more. Which would mean much better security, right? For everyone."

[Rhodes]

Rhodes listens to the Queens, but replies to Circe first. "I can't guarantee that. I've had some pretty interesting visions myself from the wine. Might be best to leave the gun to one side."

The concern Sasha has is valid. The newest Sovereign waves a hand to Ingrid. "I can see you have concerns, Lady Sasha. I'm not too fond of the tunnels myself, but the pros outweigh the cons. It builds on where we are already, here in Funderland. The entrance on this side is well hidden. Once the Hallow is set up, the doors will allow us to access it from anywhere just as Lady Ingrid says. The we can ignore the tunnels entirely. Avoid a central gathering on the material side."

[Circe]

"Yeeeeah," Circe didn't like the flora around the Green side of the tunnels, "Well done there'd need some patchin' and a sump pump at least. Ain't much point in usin' the tunnels if ya need a scuba tank ta get back and forth. Unless yer bein' REALLY serious about security. Maybe some gates and sewage warnin' signs just in case any mundies sneak in. Aaaand the Thorns have one other thing ta consider."

"We killed some of the cannibals that is true," Circe nodded, "but they harvested victims of a Hedge vine. Ya know how some plants eat people?" The elf grimaced, "Accordin' ta what I learned from the cannibals the vines strangled people and then let the rottin' corpse fed 'em," she let that image sink in for the others. "Reminds me of stories about brain eatin' drop bears. Ain't the Hedge grand? If we're gonna make the Commons down there, it'll need one of two things. Lots of elbow grease ta keep the vines back is option one," she holds up her left hand with the index finger up. Circe takes a sip of her water.

A blue middle finger then goes up, "Option two is ta use some cocktails on the veggies. Ya ever heard of the Molotov recipe? Call me lazy but I think that'd beat tryin' ta kill all the vines by hand," Circe perks up, "We can even bring marshmallows, oh ho ho ho ho!"

[Ingrid]

Ingrid's head bobbed.

"I believe there was some talk of making the Freehold Commons out of a series of interconnected Hollows as well. So we could cut things off with Gates and so forth if things started getting out of hand."

Her eyes were straying back to the table of mysterious delights.

[Rhodes]

"You'd be amazed how ameinable the Hedge can be to a firm hand," Rhodes says wryly to Circe. "We can forge the throrns back as we expand the space, with walls, or anything we choose. It's a very flexible place. But I wouldn't want to spoil your fun, so if you want to clear the space with your own special recipie, please, go right ahead."

He watches Sasha, trying to measure her reactions. "Something is clearly bothering you , Lady Sasha. I can understand some reluctance, not wanting anyone in the Freehold to be put at risk of being caught in one location. This is not some thrown-together ideal, I assure you. I myself want to ensure firm wards are in place, the moment sucha place begins to form." There was no point hammering that point home. They all knew what was implied. "The more people offer assistance to build, the more options, including escape tunnels, we have the option to create. Plus, it allows us a safe space, where events like this," he gestures around to feast behind him, "to take place without the risk of scruitiny."

The Flowering man smiles gently to the Winter Soveriegn. "Please. If you have concerns, they should be addressed."

[Circe]

"So Sasha, yer worried about it bein' like a fire trap? And I'm worried about swimmin' through sewage," Circe nodded before she laughed, "What cheerful concerns we have. Just ta make sure its clear, are ya worryin' about the mundane side tunnels? Or are ya talkin' about escape routes inta the Hedge? Cause I am serious about not havin' ta go through brackish water every time we hold a meetin'." That and having water damage the structures beneath Funderland was a accident waiting to happen.

"Nothin' says we can't do both Ingrid."

As for Rhodes' reassurances that got a shrug from the elf, "Juju side o' things ain't my specialty Rhodes. I always preferred more mundane solutions. 'sats why I suggested Mr Molotov's favorite cocktail ta kill the weeds," she takes a drink of water. Eyes darted off to the side, "Left messin' with the Thorns ta others," her eyes move back and she forces on a cheerful smile, "So my objection is the old tunnels ain't sound yet."