Flowering Audience

Jan 3rd, 2019 06:00 PM

And so, the designated day and hour arrives, carrying the figure of Abraham Norton to the Dread Lord's door. Wearing his signature dark green coat with brass buttons, brown britches and polished boots, the knight-errant makes his way through the Boarding House's replica. He's unarmed. It is one thing to carry a blade in the streets just because one can, but showing up at a Monarch's doorstep with a weapon? That is just bad form. At last, Abraham stops in front of the office door. But instead of barging in like an unwashed barbarian, he knocks firmly, but politely. Again, it's a question of form.

He waits for an answer.

**Rhodes** · Jan 4th, 2019 06:23 AM

The front door to Edna's freaks open ominously, with no-one behind it. "Come in," a voice calls distractedly from the main room. Small leaves, less than an inch in length, litter the floor, adding a small rustle to movement.

Heading into the main room on the left, a fire crackles in the hearth large open space is dominated by a huge robust oaken table and chairs. At the head sits a huge carved throne, and draped in it is the Ashen Lord himself, embroiled in an old, patchy tome that looks distinctly hedge-like in nature. The same tiny leaves seem to litter and flat surface, clearly left to add to the aesthetic. The Dread Lord looks up over the edge of the book.

"Ah! Sir Norton. Excellent," he says brightly. "Come in, come." He waves the other Flowering in. King Rhodes seems to have dispensed with his jacket and the shirt is rolled up to the elbows, revealing many sprouting leaves along his pale forearms ending in the thick dark leaves and red plumage as his wrists. The leaves and blooms at his head also seem fuller since the coronation. "My apologies for a more leisurely attire, but the foliage needs to breath from time to time. I'm sure you understand." He gestures to a chair and the teapot. "Please, sit. Help yourself to tea." The Fairest sets the book to one side - the pages in front if him are littered with notes, ritual designs and arcane symbols.

Rhodes leans back into the throne, and sips from a cup. "So! What does a Warrior-poet of Spring wish from a scholarly Lord of Ashes?" His smile is easy and relaxed, though the air around him is chilled by a gentle but piercing draught as Norton approaches the King of Autumn.

Jan 4th, 2019 04:28 PM

A door opening under his knock alone? Certainly, the work of someone who enjoys horror movie cliches very much. Small, dry leaves crunch under Abraham's boots, announcing his presence to the Autumn King Those must keep the sneaky visitors at bay he thinks to himself. The grand furniture, the crackling flame, the tome - if not for the modern-looking shirt, Abraham could've sworn he walked into a wizard's tower. Responding to the Dread Lord's invitation, the knight-errant makes his way to sit and pour tea into a teapot.

The taste and smell are distinct, but the Spring is unable to name them. He wouldn't be surprised if the drink originated in the Hedge.

"No need to apologize" Abraham answers sincerely "After all, only one of us is meeting a King today" One Flowering gifts the other with a warm smile.

When Rhodes leans back into the throne, his Mantle shifts with him, making it even more apparent "Well, for a start I'd like to figure out the way you'd like to be addressed, honorable Lord of Ashes. It goes without saying that for me simply 'Abraham' will be enough, but what about you? I suppose during formal occasions it should be 'Lord Rhodes' or 'King Rhodes', do you want me to keep that form in private as well?" if there's any doubt in the Autumn's mind, the question is genuine. Honorifics can be a touchy subject for the Lost, especially Monarchs "Beyond that, I try to meet everyone of our kind here. get to know them better. Hear the tales they have to tell. It seemed appropriate that I make visiting Monarchs a priority, especially if said Monarchs are scholars" He eyes the tome curiously, wondering if Rhodes will take the bait and explain what it is "And if I may say so, my interests reach well beyond verse, extending into other forms of spoken stories as well. Prose. Plays. And yes, jokes"

**Rhodes** · Jan 4th, 2019 08:06 PM

Rhodes smiles in response. "True enough. I prefer my titles both in public and private - the latter at least until I get to know people a little better. Obviously when within mortal earshot they should be discarded for safety."

"You are a fan of literature?" He arches an eyebrow and gestures to the book he was reading. "Ah, 'Peoples and Legends of Arcadia'. I acquired it from a rather pleasant hob merchant in our local area. Most agreeable fellow. Some of the freehold and I are looking into knowing our, ah, wild sides a little better. You may have heard it is not oft traveled around here. If you do venture, stick to the main paths."

The Dread Lord sips his tea and sets the saucer down on the table. "Of myself, I am an occultist. I study our workings and the legends that surround us for hints of truth. My talents center around identifying spun or other magical items, disseminating them, and Oneiromancy. Such talents I have already offered to the Freehold at large - They are somewhat specialised. I also enjoy being something of a canny card player." He looks at the leaves on his arm, before picking and twisting off one that looked much out of place. "And what of you, Abraham? What brings you to our little corner of the world? What arms does a soldier of Spring carry nowadays? I know the Summer Queen, Lady Circe, is very keep to know any member of any court that is willing to take up more...conventional arms compared to those Autumn normally employ."

Jan 5th, 2019 05:54 PM

"Very well, King Rhodes" Even if he'd rather shorten the distance between them in this private situation, Abraham did ask, and got an honest answer. And with what condition the Autumn set for ditching honorifics, he can as well gamify the whole thing, make it a challenge.

"I am a fan of stories" He answers to the Dread Lord's first question. "With a title like that, I suppose the book mostly treats of the Fair Folk, doesn't it?" His eyes come alive with interest as Rhodes alludes to the Hedge "Is that so? I heard from In... Queen Ingrid that the local Thorns are wilder than usual, but I didn't know there are expeditions organized. If possible, I'd like to enlist for the next one - the Hedge is somewhat familiar to me, as much as it can be familiar to anyone"

Abraham tastes tea again, listening to the King of Autumn job description "So in other words, you are an expert on everything made of dreamstuff" He summed up "I suppose our callings are somewhat similar. Except my work is easier - in the tales I collect, there's always a truth. You say you play cards? Rummy, Crazy Eights, Poker? All of the above?"

Abraham takes a deep breath "As for what brings me here, well... all the fair maidens in LA were either already rescued or didn't need rescuing" A grin is flashed on the Dread Lord "The City of Angels is safer than most freeholds, I got to know it well and decided it's time to move on to new tales and new adventures. The rest of the Thousand Blades - my old motley - stayed behind, though. And besides, I elected to give my fetch a little space" He says that last bit very matter-of-factly, as if not touching a topic traumatic to many Lost "In times of war, I took up my sword and went to use it on both sides of the Hedge Gates. Have to say, it allowed me to pick up some occult knowledge myself, even if it's more practical than bookish, if you know what I mean" He paused "In times of peace, I entertain everyone who cares to listen with stories and performances"

**Rhodes** · Jan 6th, 2019 11:20 AM

Rhodes inclines his head with a gentle smile. It was so pleasant to have a new arrival that understood etiquette, after all.

"In part, in so far as any literature can actually provide solid facts on the Gentry," Rhodes muses. "It actually contains fairy stories, descriptions and records on various fae creatures. I'm trying to see if I can match anything in it to what some of us saw in the Hedge, and it it has any other useful insights. I'm more inclined to believe a hob source on such things that than the mass of literature mortals have created, and I have read a lot of it." He sips his tea. "I too am well-read, but much more in line with legends and lore that surrounds our own natures. It's amazing how many kernals of truth are that have seeped through... as well as so much chaff."

He sets down the cup. "'Organised' is probably a little loose a term. Since the Freehold is so small, people interested in similar topics group together around here, and pursue their goals. Several folks have interest in the Hedge, for obvious reasons, but some have left recently. If another expedition is put together, I'll be sure to let you know. Another sword-arm is always useful."

The Flowering chuckles in a sinister way, and the chilling breeze of the Dread Lord's Mantle cuts through the air. "Oh, Abraham.... Not just dreams, but many other fields as well. Dreams always contain a nugget of truth. Often a truth we don't even realise - we just have to find it. I intend to do a class - maybe you should join us."

He nods. "All kinds. A man still needs to live, and I found a knack for reading people and hiding my own motives makes me a natural card shark. In person. Those talents are lost online."

Rhodes strokes his chin thoughtfully. "Interesting. I never thought about giving my Fetch some space. That thing stole my life. But... that is a story for another time."

Jan 7th, 2019 04:51 PM

"And what have you seen in the Hedge, King Rhodes, and who else was in the party?" Abraham inquires, curious as ever about such things "Was it dangerous? Actually, forget it, of course it was dangerous, just like everything amid the Thorns is" And the more innocent it looks, the longer the claws...

The knight-errant doesn't like one bit how the King's Mantle, chuckle and address interplay, only strengthening the impression of a wizard in his tower. But perhaps that's just the Autumn's way "A class on what, exactly? Interpreting dreams, dream riding? Something else entirely?" Any of those sounds like a useful skill to have, especially in Abe's line of work

"Maybe we should play some time? Know any other sharks in town?" Abraham is almost certain he'd lose, but that's beside the point. It would be fun and besides, tongues will inevitably loosen.

"Did it? Or did its Creator, the pitiful bastard?" Abraham retorts to Rhodes when he shares his thoughts on his fetch "I figured it's just as much a victim here as I am. It can have my old life, I got a new one, thank you very much. And I intend to make the best of it"

**Rhodes** · Jan 7th, 2019 05:58 PM

The Dread Lord looks across to the mantlepeice. "Well, there was Sera, Titania, Blink, and myself. With so many ladies around, chivalry can only stretch so far, I'm afraid. But the Summers certainly know how to take care of themselves." He pauses, more for effect than anything else. "We started mapping the more well-worn paths, encountered a travelling hob that sold us all a few things. Apparently there is an old goblin fruit garden further in, and a ruin that is well guarded. But We never went that far."

He watches the Spring courtier. "It will depend on the students. I was intending more along the lines of protection. Basic Oneiromachy. There were threats to dreams recently, but it seems to have abated - I wanted to make sure there are enough of us that can fight there if we need to. Surrounding that, maintaining the dream, and a bit of basic theory. Interpretation and riding take a little longer to understand, so I was starting with the basics."

Rhodes smiles. "I'd like that. I play at a hall, the Lucky eights. You're welcome to join me one evening." He was finding the other Flowering interesting.

Anger flashes over the Dread Lord's face. "They aren't real. They are a pitiful simulacrum of life made of hedge magic, more dangerous to us than many realise, that allowed our disappearances to go unnoticed for years." He sighs. "But I suppose how you deal with your Fetch is your own prerogative."

Jan 9th, 2019 05:51 AM

"A ruin?" The knight-errant is clearly more interested in it than in the garden. To his mind, a patch of land with fruits and a potential stronghold are of clearly different value "I don't suppose this travelling merchant told you anything about it?" He then remembers there was also the first part of the King's statement "I'd like to see these maps some time, if at all possible"

Realization dawns on Abraham "Ah, yes, Queen Ingrid told me of this... Anne person of the Bay" He bit his tongue just in time to not say of Autumn, in an effort not to offend his host "And what she's done. Have you much experience in oneiromachy? It's not a skill picked up easily, is it?" Abraham is certain Rhodes' answer to the first question will be affirmative, but what he's really getting at is that dreams (and, logically, dream combat) equal stories, and stories equal the Spring's prime interest.

"The Lucky Eights..." He says more to himself than to the other Flowering, making a mental note of the name "I shall hunt the place down"

"Are fetches really that dangerous? How so?" He's ready to defer to the Autumn's wisdom in this, as the man clearly is confident in this belief "If they're all straws and pebbles..."

**Xadun** · Jan 9th, 2019 01:15 PM

Rhodes shrugs. "Only that he stayed away from it, and it was guarded. We didn't go there." He shakes his head. "Unfortunately not - none of us are cartographers. We only have what we remember."

He catches the Spring courtier bite down on his words. "Yes, Queen Anne of Autumn." His smile vanishes. "She is dangerous, and has gone further down the path than is safe. It is ever a risk when pursuing magic. But she is hiding carefully, powerful, and crafts fetches for her own sordid entertainment." He sighs. "I have a reasonable skill, yes. Knowing people counts for a lot. Connecting with people and the environment made by them. Some people just have a knack, but like anything, it takes practice to master."

Rhodes nods. "Sticks and stones held together and powered by magic..." He shrugs."They have their own types of magic, and are highly resistant to our own. They can turn up anywhere, and see through our masks. They truly are that dangerous to us."

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