(1902) Around the Bonfire

[Fawkes]

Fawkes nods, "That makes sense. I thought it was a Yule thing. Winter months are usually associated with more supernatural activity and the Wild Hunt. Festivals often have forms of symbolic sacrifice, with the idea that the fire keeps bad spirits away," he sips his cider, rambling as a rush of memory returns from his time with the Leaden Mirror.

He blinks as he stares at the fire, "Winter might want us to burn things."

[Seraphina]

Sapphires look at the fire again, then back to Fawkes, “Huh, it could be. And I didn’t know that, the idea of fire keeping bad spirits away. That’s really neat. What are good symbolic things to sacrifice?” was that Sasha’s intent with the bonfire? Seems like she would have said something.

A frown, “Well, I didn’t bring anything to burn. Thought Queen Sasha would have mentioned something.” Looking at the fire, “Maybe it’s similar to the salt well, and there’s paper we’re supposed to write something on and throw into the fire.” She thinks out loud.

“So what drew you to Sacramento?”

[Fawkes]

"Money," he pauses,

And figure out what It needs from me.

"I have a limited set of skills, and it means I have to stay mobile. I came recommended for a few jobs." Cider finished, the Elemental unconsciously slips a cigarette between his lips, the gesture imprinted in muscle memory at this point. Click.

"I don't know anything about your Freehold. Means your Silent Arrow is pretty active. The condition of the Iron Spear took me by surprise," as the soothing effects of the nicotine makes him feel light again, he tilts the metal case towards her in an offering.

"You?"

[Seraphina]

A generic answer, which was thankfully followed up by an explanation.

“A limited set of skills? Is that in reference to what you mentioned about Summer? Or outside Freehold business? Sorry if that’s too personal,” she says with an embarrassed smile, “I just enjoy getting to know people.” One of the down falls of being very social.

Nodding, “It’s been a fairly quiet Freehold for some time. There were issues in the past with the Dragon, but with him dead, it’s been quiet.” Which was nice. But she knew that could change in an instant.

Shaking her head, “No thanks, not good for the vocal cords.” Her usual go to excuse.

“Nothing too exciting actually. Was just roaming around from Freehold to Freehold, seeking one that felt comfortable. This was the most welcoming, with others who helped me and took me in. Since then I guess its become home. Well, as close to home as a place can be for us.” A shrug.

[Fawkes]

The Elemental watches the crow introduce himself, answer a call, and then say goodbye. He did not know the man in any sense to make an educated guess as to that that was about. The others mentioning a high level of transience scraped to the surface.

"Skills for a mundane income," Fawkes clarified, understanding the need. He pocketed the case, opening his mouth to say something before locking onto the other comment.

"The Dragon?" That was an oddly simplistic name for the Fae, perhaps a Loyalist.

[Seraphina]

A quick nod, “Those are always good to have, an income even more. It’s always hard when you move from Freehold to Freehold trying to find some type of work. I waited tables until Queen Sasha gave me a job at her jazz club.” She hated waited tables, but, it paid her bills.

“Yeah, the dragon. You didn’t hear about him? Well, I suppose that was a couple years ago now.” She thought everyone would have heard about the overgrown lizard. “He leveled the old Freehold before I got here.”

[Fawkes]

Fawkes casts his eyes around, curious what the population was once upon a time.

"He. So not 'It'. Changeling?" he asks, clarifying.

[Seraphina]

Shaking her head, “Oh no, not a Changeling. Dragon, nasty one too.” Not that she knew everything about it. “But if you wanted more on it, like the history, Queen Sasha would be the one to ask. She’s been here the longest, and was here when he attacked. I believe she lost quite a few friends that day.” Least if she remembered right. “But it made life difficult for us to say the least, always looking over our shoulders, well, more than usual. So when I got here, it was when they were formulating an attack. We were successful, but the scars of what that dragon did are deep for some.” Sasha mainly.

“I would like to see the Freehold with a written history. Something to be able to share among ourselves to learn about events and who came before us.” But there were risks.

[Fawkes]

Fawkes listens, tilting his head towards her while he watches the fire intently. "A dragon. Hedgebeast? Chimera? A manifestation of a Keeper? Hobgoblin?" he was clearly interested, but Sera's indication that she wasn't in the loop eventually sunk in with her confused expression.

"Ah. I won't bother you, I get excited about these things," if that was the right word to use, "I've led war parties and have been offered membership with the Hedge Wardens in the past. Wasn't going to stick around to invest in the chapter, though." He weighs her words, getting a feel on her level of experience of the wider world of Lost culture, without assuming anything.

"You might be interested in the Eternal Echoes. It's an Autumn Entitlement...you have to have an eidetic memory. They tend to stand witness to great works, or testify to war crimes. Censuses would have to be coded, maybe folklore?" That wasn't his department.

[Seraphina]

Shaking her head, “Most of it all went down before I arrived, and I learned things on the fly as it was discussed how best to attack and take him down.”

Smiling, “You’re not bothering me at all! I just don’t have the best memory, and there is only Queen Sasha left who would remember more.” Mhairi would have remembered more. “Oh wow. War parties?” sapphires widen. “I haven’t heard mention of those in years.” Seems there was more to him than she thought.

There was a frown, “Oh, well that kind of puts a damper on my idea.” Then thoughtful, “Maybe I can talk to Autumn about it, see if it’s something they can take on. A history to pass on is important, then facts can’t be lost or twisted.”