Spring's Pool Party!

[Seraphina]

“That is such a great pool float! You’ll have to tell me where you found it.” It was cute! Sera was all about cute things.

“Thank you! I’m hoping to have more Spring gatherings here, or just girls nights. Would you be interested? Food and movies?” she needed more girls to hangout with.

The Treasured laughed, cutest couple huh? She was ok with that. “Oh! That would be great! I think I’ve seen a shop downtown that makes things with whatever you want on them! This needs to happen!” she nods eagerly.

It dawned on her then that this would be the first time since getting injured that Rhodes and Fawkes were in the same place.

Nodding to Rhodes, “Yes, the kitchen! We’ve kept most of the sweets in there.”

While the kiss was welcome, the passion in it was a bit unexpected, and left her a bit breathless. It took a few seconds for her to realize there was talking go on. “I guess so.” She replies with a smile and shrug, she seemed ok with it.

A free hand was raised, “Hi! Glad you could make it.” Greets the Nix, “We got water, soda and beer, please, help yourself!” maybe she’d get a chance to talk with them more, get to know them.

When Fawkes compliments the place, “Thank you! Still getting settled in.” and who knew how long that would take.

“Uh,” she looks around, “Are you good with a grill?” she asks, “If so, I could use someone watching the burgers and stuff while I bring this inside.” The box was lifted slightly.

And, was that John?! It was! A huge smile spreads across her face, “John! Long time no see stranger!” she wondered what he’d been up to lately.

With the box in hand from Sasha, she moves to bring it inside.

[Sonnie Wu]

"K-Mart! They're going out of business or something so everything was pretty cheap. I also got a new hat and some light bulbs and a garden hoe. I didn't need the hoe for anything, but it sounded funny so I bought one," she rambled, answering Sera's question and then some. Sonnie nodded eagerly and clapped her hands at the suggestion of a girl's night. "Oh yes! That sounds awesome! Let's do that soon! And we can show Titania her first movie with sound! Her generation called them 'talkies.'"

She grinned widely, "Custom aprons sound like a fantastic gift! I think I know what everyone is getting for Christmas this year!"

The Beast titled her head to one side, looking innocently at Rhodes when he spoke to her. A total angel, to be certain. "Admittedly, you two don't have any competition I'm aware of. Unless Abraham and Cole count?"

Smiling at Fawkes, she held her hands out for the beer, "Here, I'll put in the cooler box!"

Her tail, still holding the cookie Sera gave her, waved in the direction of the newly arrived Winter Darkling, "Ninja John! Welcome to the Spring Swim-tastic Spectacular, sponsored by Seraphina and Sonja! Wow, that was a lot of S's... which was totally intentional! Ahem."

[Rhodes]

Rhodes watches the guests enter. With Sera busy as hostess, perhaps this is the time to meet some of the newer freehold members. "I don't think we've properly met yet," He says, offering a hand to Exegesis. "I am King Rhodes, Lord of the Leaden Mirror. I saw your work at the Coronation. Very impressive."

He sips his scotch and nods at Fawkes. "It is, but all the credit goes to Seraphina, of course. All I've done is offer a few design opinions and help add a few, Ah, homely touches." The Air around the Dread Lord is peculiarly still.

The Flowering gives Sera a smile as she heads off to greet people and run her party. Meanwhile, Rhodes continues small talk. It had always come naturally - the Fairest loved to socialise. "John! So good to see you, dear boy. How have things been?"

Sonne gets a raised eyebrow and a smirk. "I wasn't aware they were together. You must know things I don't, Sonnie. You simply must let me know your secret. Then again, do you really think they come close?" His eyes narrow, but a small smile is visible and his Mantle sends a small but chilling flutter through the air.

[Fawkes]

The mannequin's head snapped to the strange Lost in an eerie manner, red sand trickling a bit from the thumb as he dropped his hand to measure up the Goliath sworn to Crimson.

Wordlessly, the Elemental tilts his head back towards the gate in an obvious signal that this exchange would take place away from a crowd of civilians. Cold eyes track the party in a quick sweep to see if anyone was stupid enough to insert themselves in Court business with an Unknown.

This wasn't Winter Coronation.

"Hi Orion," he says as calm as ever, lighting a cigarette as he waits for the Ogre to respect his gesture. The proximity of the combined presence of baited action and the strike of lighting creates fiery nerves on par with the precipice of battle. He offers a handshake out of practiced basic politeness. "Corporal Fawkes of the Iron Spear. Welcome to Sacramento."

A small nod was offered to Seraphina as the host of the reigning Court. "Give us a minute."

[Circe]

Circe had been badly tempted to skip the event. She was having enough trouble with Springs as is and all the other problems. But then she found out John was going to be there. Her elusive bed warmer, uh, roomie! Well that settled things for the elfin Fairest. She did at least notice his work in the kitchen so she mixed up something of her own. Coffee and donuts were a good combination, so why not make aught that was both?

She put on a bathing suit, slipped a sun dress over it, packed a tote, boxed the mini-donuts, and off she went! She hoped the suit would be quite the surprise.

Circe arrived in time to hear Sonnie rather loud declaration of the event's title. Her Summer Mantle blasts in as she notices the new weak Mantle and new guy. Looking between a beloved mirror man and monkey girl then two the new arrivals, Circe sags, "Odio il cazzo è responsabile, oh aspetta che Fawkes ce l'abbia" She does walk over to the two Summers, "Sup Crpl Fawkes? Hi new dood, welcome ta town. I'm Sgt Circe. Gotta check in and drop off," she shows the box of donuts while pointing to the gathering around Sonnie Wu, "but," she looks to Fawkes, "I'll be back, if ya want be ta come sooner just wave."

So she walked about behind John as she registers what Sonnie just said, "Oh oho ho ho ho! Apply added alliterative appeal with aplomb aren't ya you awesome acrobat?" She stands beside John and leans back away from him while looking at him, "Hiya Johnny. I'd have given ya a ride if ya asked. Could'a had ya help me pick out which bikini ta wear too," she shrugged as she teased the Winter. She then holds up the box to show the trio as she song out, "I brought coffee in donuts. No I didn't say it wrooong."

[Exegesis Agarwal]

Laughing, Exegesis looked to be forming a visual. "Abraham and Cole? Hmmm... What do you think it would take to make that happen?" then, after pausing for consideration, added, "Magic. That would take magic."

Mock strategic planning was interrupted by Rhodes' approach. "Ah, thank you Lord." Returning the handshake, "Mx. Exegesis* Agarwal, though I think lately I'm more often being called just X. Easier to say I suppose. I run a costume shop just outside of Funderland. Mostly leather masks. I remember you from the coronation, though we never did get talk. I think Cole mentioned wanting to learn from you about the arcane. That interested me, essentially for the same reason; I lack the occult knowledge for significant hedgespinning, and I wanted to change that."

Momentarily distracted by the newcomer, X found hirself looking to Sonnie for context.

<ROLL>81310</ROLL>

*Soft g, followed by a long e.

[Seraphina]

Sapphires widen, “Really? Well, I feel a shopping trip coming on! I must have all the adorable pool floats!” and yes, she was serious. There was a smirk and laugh, “It does sound funny. Like in all seriousness, who came up with that name?” it was one of those things you accepted, but were curious about. “Then we will!” having a girls night sounded amazing!

The Nix snorted, yes, it happened, “Well, they are cute in their own way. We might have to step it up.” She says with a coy smile to Rhodes, “We have to hold on to that title after all.” She says playfully.

She had to smile watching Rhodes and Fawkes. The anger Rhodes had that day was understandable, but to see him making an effort warmed her heart. His trying meant the world to her at that moment.

“A woman never reveals her secrets!” she protests playfully, “Right Sonnie?” she asks with a wink.

The stranger made her stop in her tracks, and it dawned on her the mistake she made. This was her home, and she had been stupid in giving the address. There was no denying the guy was huge.

As she thinks over the options, and which was best, Fawkes steps in. She felt some relief, and returns the nod with a smile. There was no doubt in her mind that he would handle Orion.

Spotting Circe, the smile returns, “Circe! So glad you came! And coffee and donuts? We might have to have the desert first!”

Realizing she was still holding the box from Sasha, “Uh, could someone watch the grill for me please? I need to get this inside.” And without waiting, she headed through the French doors into the kitchen.