Embers at Winters End

[Richard Price]

Events always had to end, but when it came to Winter events they were usually more somber - this meant that there tended to be less confetti. As promised, Richard Price stuck around following the departure of most of the other Lost and helped the Queen of Winter with what packing and cleaning their needed to be done. This included making sure the cups - disposable or otherwise - were gathered and either sent off for cleaning or recycled appropriately. Tables would be flipped and folded so they could go back to storage, after being loaded onto the trolleys that had been brought out. Then there was the matter of the bonfire, it was doing a good job of burning itself out, but Rich had made sure to break it down enough they wouldn’t be here all night, though what would happen to them out here? Vampires?


What the Summer Ogre had done was make sure there was a smaller, much more manageable fire stoked with a couple of seats beside it. A place where those who stuck behind could remain comfortable. Comfort was also the one thing rich wished he had right now. He could feel joints creak, and fingers ache, with a hot pulse running up his back. While everything still felt light enough, the motions were what was eating him up. They were mostly done for now however.

”See, I love outdoor events as much as the next guy, but when you are cleaning up in the dark it does make me miss the exorbitant fees that come with renting something with its own clean up crew.”

He chuckled and groaned almost simultaneously as he place the last of the larger tables that had been set out onto the trolley and began to tighten the fastening belt that was holding them in place.

”But, where is the fun if you aren’t testing your own physical limits and missing your nine o’clock bedtime.”

He moved towards the smaller fire, where nearby two large plastic cups borrowed from the Funderland concessions had been borrowed and filled near to the top with the rest of the pineapple punch. The ogre sat down with a loud umph and leaned back with a sigh as his body shouted in protest while it rested, making him feel like a piece of bubble wrap. This was the point where Rich produced a small flash and begun to unscrew it.


”Now, I don’t have to worry about security hauling me off now do I? I even promise to share.”

Vodka to a Winter event, it was like prom all over again.

I promised I would help clean! Sasha Selena

[Richard Price]

”See everyone judges me, but the first Harry Potter was the best one if you ask me. The big reveal with the turban blew my mind. I was reading it with some of the kids at the outreach program at the time, a few years after it had gotten popular, but it was my first time. They got through the chess game, and all those other traps and puzzles. Made me feel like a kid again, myself.”

He gave a chuckle as he recalled his experience with the book, comparing their own experience to that wonderful and magical world that J.K. Rowling had brought to everyone. Too bad it was very different when it came to the Lost, and while one could find day to day parlor tricks that took their minds off of things it was far from a fantastic reality, it was a hard trip for even the strongest of people as they were completely broken down during their time beyond reality.

He took the moment of rest to spike the pineapple punch just a touch before sliding the container back into his pocket under the raiment he wore to the event. Leaning back, and polishing off a good amount of the sour yet sweet punch with that extra edge now added, he listened to the stunning Queen of Sorrow offer her thanks. It caused the ogre to raise a hand, in a brushing it off motion.

”Please, please, it is the least that I can to help out. I figure as the new comer I have to pitch in somewhere. Where I spent most of my time there was an emphasis on community, but with such a population difference that community usually didn’t encompass the entire Freehold.”

And then she was kind enough to ask about his questions, which he did have. Leaning back he let the thoughts come back to him as his body yelled in protest at the lifting and turning he had done. His stony face hid that, and by resting his drink on his leg it hid the shaking of his hand.

”Ah yes, and I know it may be a bit much, especially regarding a new comer but I want to make sure I understand the city a little more and those who have weathered the storm so to speak. Mostly I wanted to know about the title of Freehold, and if there is an Oath that lends power to the wards of the city and its inhabitants. I have heard some mixed opinions on the subject from some of the residents. And some of those who spoke tonight have had some bad luck when it came where they settled.”

“Regardless of how people feel though, we are creatures of oaths and promises. Our powers are agreements, and our fates were part of raw deals. As much as they hurt us, the strength of promises can protect us. I am sorry if it sounds like a lecture but I figured I may as well as the reigning Queen what the status of this all was before I assume anything.”

He had heard good, he had heard bad. He wanted to know what was.

[Richard Price]

Rich sat and listened, tipping his drink back as he let the Onyx Sovereign explain the situation that it was before. She offered a glimpse at a time that lent itself to security, but he could also see what trouble people may have with it. He was accustomed to a highly complicated oath fine tuned after decades of use. He was never one for the finer details of it but he knew it worked. He was confident that they would be able to get something functional up and running here. It would dispel worry, strengthen their resolve, and allow them to truly build a community.

”I am sure you will get just that, Your Majesty.”

The ogre offered a smile,

”People may have had their own bad experiences elsewhere but this is all our home now, and I can’t think of anybody who wouldn’t want piece of mind at the end of the day. Know that I am on the same page with you, and if you need anything to help achieve that goal do not hesitate to call. I will offer what I can to this new city in the efforts to create a true Freehold.”

He nipped at his drink again before setting it down beside his feet, and musing for a moment.

”Realistically there are ways to word an Oath and appease the Wyrd. Create a Freehold where the institution supersedes the Seasons individually for example, while the reigning monarch may be the most important at the moment it allows the individual sovereigns to protect their courtiers from the intrusions of another so long as they continue to serve the Freehold as a whole? This is just me rambling, though.”

He chuckled and shook his head as he spitballed ideas with the Winter Queen.

[color=#ffc0cb]”Anything that doesn’t make sense, I blame the cider.”[color]

He makes sure to add that part.

”But, back to reality is there anything you can think of for the moment? I have a rainy day fund that can help in more mortal situations. I am not much of a fighter anymore, but I have some experience. I am hoping to rouse Summer’s spirit when we meet and hopefully the Court will be in line with both our views on the matter. Wish I was more use on the other side, but a bad run a few years back left me with a raw deal and I am not eager to run back.”

He was smiling, speaking softly so she could hear clearly but not blaring out all this talk of magical oaths and the like. He wanted to help, and she had a goal he could get behind.

[Richard Price]

”It is like giving medicine to a cat, it may not want it but it needs it. And there is always that fight within ourselves about what we want and what is needed.

He leaned forward, elbows on his knees with his hands clasped together, looking into the fire as the heat and smoke stung his eyes, and the smoke filled his lungs making him almost need to cough to try and free them. He ran his tongue across his upper lip in a moment of thought, taking in what the sovereign had to say. He smiled and shared a laugh with her.

”Nah, I don’t think I was getting at too much. I was just wanting to know what I could do to help. I came here for rest, relaxation, maybe a few trips up and down the river. Yet, here I am, trying to help get things together. Probably because I like an honest vision when I see one. Protecting people is earnest, and not an easy thing to fake. A commons sounds like a great idea, I remember there were a number of them back in LA. A hotel? Now that is an idea, was that what was in place here before?”

It was difficult for Rich as he hadn’t seemed to put much thought into this himself.

”I guess part of me was curious, being a little older is no excuse to learn new things when you find a new home. Plus I was genuine, if you need help I am more than willing to pull my wait - as much as a past his prime Iron Spear can.”

Another chuckle, as he reached into his pocket pulling out a business card. It was a simple black piece of cardstock with gold lettering, his name, and a number.

”My contact information, do not hesitate to contact me if you think there is something I can help with. We should probably get the last bits rolled into storage though, at this point we may as well be racing the sun.”

Would you like to continue this, or save pretty much the same talk for the sovereign thread? Don't want to have the same thing happening in two places!

[Richard Price]

A Hotel for the Lost, he had seen them, and it was a wonderful idea, and great in concept. It was shame that it didn’t seem to stand anymore as it would be a great rallying point. She brought up the bed and breakfast and the lack of interest, which made him visibly frown a touch. This was a place that seemed to be rife with inaction or lacking of interest in the infrastructure. Everyone seemed to simply get by and be happy. It was nice that they could feel that way, and feel safe however it did nothing to prepare for the future or the unforeseen. There were roads that needed building.

”You see, I am an international man of mystery and if I told anyone what I do...well...I would probably bore them, because it hasn’t been much in the last few years. My galavanting is well behind me. Despite that, if there is anything I can do to shed some light for you feel free to ask away, hopefully you won’t be bored to tears.”

“And if you need it, I can put you in contact with my card guy. You get to pick colors, font, and everything. I suggest indented text, makes you feel like a big deal versus keeping it flat.

He fastened the tables down and listened, letting her come up with some real fun questions, and pausing himself to think about them when they came - if they did. He took advantage of the moment to groan and push the carts off to the side, leaving them in position to be done with the heavy lifting. The staff were going to get the stuff to the storage sheds in the morning, so now it was only light lifting duties for the two of them.