Yard Sailing

[Fawkes]

"Um. It used to be. When I wasn't used to things. I had a hard time speaking. Couldn't get a proper vibration or pitch going through whatever my vocal cords are supposed to be," being an Elemental was fucking weird sometimes. "I learned by focusing on those aspects and the physical effect. Got better with my element. I picked it up quicker with music than what you would assume you should do." Voice lessons and speech therapy had no impact, much to the frustration of his peers. "Now I just find it interesting. You can find things reading between the lines, in hidden places. You hear it." Fawkes paused. It was hard to describe or parse to another individual that didn't experience the complete departure from the human experience, and he was being chattier than necessary. It was a question rarely asked—never here—and he had been in Sacramento since January.

As Mr. Moon reaches out to avoid social awkwardness, he could relate to some extent. Though Fawkes rarely felt embarrassment; he simply understood that when one catered to another's perception, they were easier to nudge in a direction that was beneficial. The Contract worked in a similar vein, funny how that worked out. By the third question, Fawkes reflexively held up a hand before frowning, "Sorry. Don't mean to be rude. Can you ask one thing at a time?" his mouth twitched a smile, "I'm not a Lord of the Eternal Echoes."

He parsed out the first bit once Mr. Moon gave him a gap to stream with. "Sacramento is pretty easy. Small population. I've seen grudges evaporate with just some time and an apology. They want things to stay copacetic. You'll learn their temperaments with just some observation. I've barely stepped on any toes and I could be described as abrasive."

He snorted sharply. The Wizened was asking who was kid-gloves? "All of Spring. Except Abraham and Seraphina. Abraham just wants to be taken seriously. Sera wants to be liked and won't voice her opinion loudly. But she's tough. Titania is smarter than she lets on. She's pushy and deals with- Whatever her situation is, by pretending we're all in an Arthurian Court. If she gets all red in the face, you probably just said something that doesn't match with her script. Exegesis...you haven't met them. Amber skin and galaxy eyes. They touch to be friendly. So there's your bubble warning. Sonnie comes off as childish. But she's working with instinct and won't poke a bear." He had almost decked the Gardhava out of reflex; it was one of his own annoying quirks.

Input-output. Put them to the floor.

"Circe is always like that. Like. She just wants friends. But she gets really raunchy if you give her an inch. I've only seen her handsy with women. Um. I think it's a Fairest thing with her. Like. No boundaries in social situations. She won't bother you if you ask her to stop, but honestly you won't hold her interest unless you match her energy." He didn't feel like getting into her thirsty ways. Mr. Moon didn't come off as someone she would dive for: she didn't seek to embarrass, she was just looking for a good time. John Doe was a poor bastard that she threw herself at, but the man was such a beta. He liked the attention at least.

"Are there any land mines that I need to be wary of?"

"Um. The only real issues I've run into is Cole. He's a Metalflesh that's been put in time out. Think- Antisocial Personality Disorder, but his tantrums involve lighting himself on fire. He's fine until you disagree with him. A few of the others didn't really notice that he just kind of...projects his own stuff onto whoever gives him the time. He tries to make friends by offering a gift, but he's got no attention span to finish a project. And really it's only ever in service to his vanity. We've tried. He never actually listens to you. Just locks onto what he finds amusing to add to his image. It would be fine if he wasn't so volatile. From what I gather. People were just kind of...ignoring him because Summer wasn't a presence. The problems started when an ounce of leadership and respect was requested of him. He's dangerous, and Richard is hoping time away for him to sort his shit will lend some leverage. Suggested joining the Tolltakers for a while because all he is asking for is to hurt things with his Wrath."

"Are there overly blunt people that I need to keep in mind aren't really trying to intimidate me?"

"Me. Probably," Fawkes shrugged. "I don't intimidate. If I want to hurt you, I just do it. I make it clear when you're pissing me off. If I'm repeating something back, it's for clarification. I'm not very talented with nuance and can't map to your perspective as easily as you think. It's your opportunity to correct me, not being snide or accusatory. I haven't started an argument with it yet. So. Guess it works just fine." He watches idly if his driver has a reaction to his openness. He wasn't about to pretend to an Autumn that he was anything less than a living weapon.

"Will I offend if I don't want to be physically social with the freehold?"

"No. If you're talking about ghosting gatherings, a letter to the host doesn't hurt. They aren't malicious, they sometimes just get their feelings hurt. Small community," he said. "You're pretty formal already. If you're having an off day just send a card, man."

"There are so many Fairest, do I need to attach myself to one to keep one of them from scooping me up? Or will they respect me if I tell them to fuck off?"

Fawkes actually laughs—a rough bark of a sound. "Rhodes has been Court-of-One for a while. He might have a bit of a complex. He never sought any help. Just moons after Sera. That shit you saw at the pool party was him wanting to feel important. I didn't care. I don't argue with Fairest. If you tell them to fuck off. I'm not sure as I've never done it?" he glanced at Mr. Moon, trying to imagine the stiff creature getting mad. "You're better off distracting them."

Did Fawkes just tell him to wiggle some keys?

[Fawkes]

Huh?

Had he missed something? Fawkes blinked, brow furrowing at the question. "Oh. That was me," he said once he realized what Mr. Moon was getting at. The Elemental paused, shrinking a bit as he turned to look out the window. It was one of the few things that did make him feel self-conscious.

"She was interested in sparring and told me she had experience. I overestimated her ability due to her confidence and rank. I did three separate check-ins, asked if she wanted to call someone beforehand. I didn't know she had any interest in Rhodes. Because you'd think that's who she would have called about a match with a stranger and no Pledge. Um. She asked for it to be as true to life as possible. I can hit pretty hard. Wasn't excited when she didn't get up," he scratched under his eye.

"I checked her into the hospital since I'm not a doctor. She was interested in Mentorship. We've been training weekly. She didn't know how to Pledge. Like I said: weird for her to be with the King of Witchcraft and Fear and not know a damn thing. She's eager to learn though. So I guess he was just mum about his knowledge. Also weird that her Court hadn't healed it. Maybe they kept quiet?" He didn't like the idea that she avoided treatment for his sake.

[Fawkes]

The Elemental has clearly shifted in his demeanor. The address is flat, but it sounds like he has repeated the story several times at this juncture. He doesn't appear to be hiding anything in regards to his participation, and is discouraged, guilty, and confused. He clearly favours Seraphina in his iteration and is wrestling with facts versus idealization. He is deflecting the blame onto someone else to spare her own negligence. Rhodes is an easy target because he is in a position of authority, but it doesn't appear to be targeted malicious intent, and more lashing out from a long boiled frustration.