Green at the Blue

[Rhodes]

The Dread Lord strode proudly through the fall weather. It had turned decidedly cold with a chill wind in the air... It was taking more effort to see when that was happening, he noticed, as his own Mantle whipped lazily around him making the ends of his thundercloud coat dance dramatically in the breeze, red ash leaves occassionally spinning into existance.

He followed the Winter Queen's instructions, arriving at the Side entrance of the Blue Note, and let himself into the building. He opened the door to the Green Room, rapping clearly on the door. An easy smile spread across the Flowering's face as he saw his fellow Fairest. Rhides was dressed in different tones of black, his Hedgespun coat offsetting the darkness only slightly.

"Lady Sasha," Rhodes greeted her. "I assumed you wouldn't mind me letting myself in." The smile that accompanies the introduction has just a hint of sinister hunger. He enters, the bite of the breeze of his mantle lost in the already in the Winter Queen's icy aura. Taking the time, his eyes scan the gentle waves of colour swirling around.

"I've never been in a Green Room before. They seem to be quuite poorly named." He gestures one arm around the walls.

[Rhodes]

Rhodes moves slowly around and pours a cup off coffee, gesturing down in askance. "Would you care for a cup as well?"

He waits for Sasha to sit, before removing his coat and taking one of the high-backed chairs, looking remarkably at ease as if such furniture were familiar to him. "Fascinating. Do you have an interest in history? I suppose a lot of that knowledge - the English histories, at least - were lost during Cromwell's time as the Lord Protector. His Puritan beliefs quashed much of the artistic creativity in the 1600s," he replies thoughtfully. "Still, strange as it sounds, I'm glad it isn't green. I find too much.... uncomfortable. I suppose I must have had my fill of greenery." There is a small shrug, and he sips his coffee. "Ah... an interesting blend. One of Seraphina's, I hazard a guess?" He smiles, as if recalling a pleasant memory.

"Lady Sasha, I suppose I should explain why I was so keen to meet," Rhodes says calmly. "Aside from our introduction in the summer, I have had many callings on my time, ensuring the Leaden Mirror is as... stable as it can be, given it's tempestous members." He chuckles. "Now that I have achieved that goal, it is important that we work with the other Courts, something most of my courtiers share. And as one of the more long-standing members of the Freehold - the Notary, no less - I thought we should get to know one another a little better. I am sorry it has take so long for me to make the time - you are the last Queen I seem to have chance to talk to - but I do hope you will not hold it against me." The Fairest offers a asmall smile.

[Rhodes]

The Flowering pours the Winter Queen her coffee and hands it to her before sitting back.

Rhodes nods, musing equally thoughtfully. "If I recall correctly, the Puritan movement believed in the strictest temperences and acts of endurance in this life so as to better the soul for the next. Art, music, literature.... all were sins in their eyes, wasteful past times distracting from a religious life. It was not a good time for the arts. Fortunately such a time was short-lived." He raises his cup. "Can't say I've seen it, but you've piqued my curiousity."

Rhodes chuckles. "Yes, I can't quite see the point of the glitter myself, but Sera can be very persuasive as to it's presence on her menu."

The Fairest blinks, then sips his coffee. "That is... most kind of you to say. I too am obviously pleased with the outcome. We - that is, the Autumn Courtiers, pledges to close ranks until our seasonal monarch was established. It meant focusing on constructing a more stable group. But it also meant I had little time to meet and discuss with those outside of Autumn."

Rhodes cocks his head slightly. "I think you misunderstand me, Lady Sasha. Some of my court - Nana, for one, who I understand you have already met with - are interested in what we can learn of the other Courts. Magically, and philosophically. But a direct question deserves a direct answer. Lucifer has little interest in that kind of cooperation, but is focused on subjects within our Court's domain - magics and Fear." He sips his coffee. "She wields Fear like a club - and I spar her with the knife. I am keeping a close eye on her, I assure you, but as long as we have each other to verbally spar with, I think things will settle for everyone else." He smiles, a little sinister. "Frankly, I rather enjoy it, having my mettle tested regularly. A little Fear is good for the soul. Of course, that is only one point of view."

[Rhodes]

The Dread Lord rubs his chin thougtfully. "Now that would be a curiousity. An adamant believer in God, already certain of fthe pain of the flesh for the strength of the spirit, fallen so far into Arcadia as to be like one of Gentry themselves..." He shakes his head. "There would be no coming back for such a soul, no shred of humanity left. We need to hold onto that which keeps us human." Nomatter how tempting that power might be.

Rhodes smiles. "Forgive me Lady Sasha, but I was merely suggesting to use Seraphina's business as a supplier, or contact her own. A full station, as you say, would probably be more than you require, and competing would nelp neither of you."

A small nod is made to her understanding. "I thought you might. The Winter Court does tend towards the insular in my experience, and I have very rarely met someone that is such an embodiment of it as yourself. Turning inward to resolve one's issues must seem very sensible to you - and it worked for us as well." He inclines his head slightly. "It made sense. Pledges are direct and magically binding - Autumn favour them for resolving our disputes for just this reason. However, in this case the words that bound us were... strict. It meant we had to take care discussing our politics around others. It was easier just to avoid the topic." He smiles to himself. "Look at me, telling a Notary the subtleties of pledges. I'm sure your experience with them is similar to my own." His eyes twinkle.

Rhodes takes a deep breath and sips his coffee, noticably relaxing. "Penance is learning our ways well. I inducted her myself. She is a natural to the Court of Fear, but I could have seen her in Summer, or even Winter. Her reasons for finally choosing with the Leaden Mirror are her own, for now. Personnally, I think she seeks to master her Fears within," he says with a thoughtful tone. I should guide her a little in that regard, perhaps. "Nana, of course, is a wonderfully direct. If she sees problems, she will tell me, even if it is myself. I value that. I have enjoyed talking with John, too, as it happens. I notice you two are quite close."

Rhodes smile vanishes, his expression turning cold and hard, one hand gripping the chair arm tightly. His Mantle sends breeze through the icy air surrounding the Winter Queen, golden ash leaves twirling into existance. "Ye-es." He draws out the word in a low voice. "Such concerns were also my own, and it shocks me how flippant some people can be over such a serious issue." He pauses, reigning in the strained anger in his voice. "Fortunately, it was dealt with. There are no Loyalists in the Autumn Court. And were I to find one, that wretch would know the true meaning of Fear." Rhodes closes his eyes and takes a slow breath, releasing his grip, though his jaw remains set and the winds continue to whip bitingly around the Dread Lord.

No worries! I had plenty of scenes to carry on with

[Rhodes]

Rhodes nods slowly, and the winds die down. "Yes.... There are several cautionary tale for Autumns. Looking into Faerie Magic we have to be ever vigilant that we do not lose ourselves in it's potency. Our power over many things is affected by how much we give over to our Faerie natures. But once it's given, it is not easily claimed back."

"She has a great deal of respect for you. I know she is interested in singing again, if you have a space for her - but I had better let her talk to you about it herself," Rhodes says, smiling blissfully to himself. She really is quite enchanting...

The Fairest nods. "Queen Mhari. I've heard many interesting things - from Lady Ingrid, Sera and now you - it seems she was held in high esteem. I have large shoes to fill." He smiles. "I will walk my own path, and it will not be hers, but I hope I can help hold things together in my own distinguishable way. My Court means an awful lot to me."

He nods. "I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of enacting a Pledge with some Winter Courtiers that are new to the city. Detective Franco and Lydia Gehring. Bumped into them completely by accident, and found they didn't realise there was a Freehold here at all. Simple line of defense, my own twist on the Dignitary's vow, protecting from potential Loyalists. Just as a matter of Course. Franco said he'd already arranged to meet with you." He sips his coffee and then flexes his wrists, before undoing his cuff buttons and letting fronds of greenery spread forth from beneath the sleeve.

The Dread Lord grins. "Yes, marvelous isn't she? We had planned to visit here for some Jazz later on, she seemed very happy to have discussed several things with you."

He nods. "She was no Loyalist but she personified some of the most aggravating traits of the Fairest - our Temper, our Pride, our Vanity... I cannot deny she had a fine command of Fear, just... not the kind I prefer. Sadly, she seems to have disappeared since the Coronation. I actually enjoyed our verbal sparring. It kept my mind sharp, my wits about me. One can never rest if a rival is waiting in the wings, and I do so revel in challenges." He sighs, lightly, and drains his cup. "Oh well. I can always find contest elsewhere."