Zen and the Art of Clarity

[Sonnie Wu]

She tossed Rhodes a quizzical look, "What, like she came here in person? Or she was haunting someone's dreams? Either way, that's kind of disturbing. Do the rest of us need to be worried? Should we keep an eye out for her? What does she look like?"

Sonnie paused in the stances and considered the Flowering Fairest for a moment. "So, what's your favorite casino? I like Thunder Valley. They got an awesome buffet! But, it's a bit of a trip outside the city. Sometimes I play blackjack because you don't need to play it cool, but the slots and video poker and fun." Also they had a lot of bright lights and funny noises, but she doesn't mention that part.

[Rhodes]

The Dread Lord holds up a hand to calm the Spring girl. "Easy now. In Dreams - I never saw her myself, and nor did any of the others. They did see a captured changeling that we believed she had imprisoned - again, in a dream." He pauses, thinking. "Remember, all this was over six months ago. Of the ones that got drawn into the Dream, only Ingrid remains. There was a trail of sick children from San Francisco - comas, every one - we pieced the rest together. We had prepared a couple of teams to go in, and then.... gone. She dropped off the map, as did the children. We kept up the watch for a month or so, and after that..." he shrugs. "If you really want to know more, you could ask Circe, but broach it gently. Hearing about Anne is one of the few times I've ever seen why she's in the Iron Spear, and I never forgot that look in her eye. There may be something personal there, but it's one thing that reminds you Circe is Summer, through and through."

Rhodes looks out to the horizon. "I prefer personal games. You can get up to high stakes, you can see the people better... but the Capitol isn't bad. I actually got thrown out of Treasure Island in Vegas once." He looks down, an amuse smile touching his lips, oversized emerald eyes tired but bright. "I hit a bad streak. Lost a fortune, and got thrown out on my ass after I tried betting my suit. Was certain I could win it back. Which I did, a few days later. Cost twice as much as it should to get my watch back, but I made ends meet." The Fairest chuckles.

"Video poker is much like the real thing, except you have to be a lot more thoughtful to beat the opposition. If you like Blackjack, we could get Sera to host an evening. I've been teaching her to play poker, but she would love the practice. I'm always happy to take people's money." There's a low rippling breeze from the Autumn Lord's mantle, sending chills up the spine.

[Sonnie Wu]

Sonnie was quiet for a few minutes, mulling over what Rhodes had said about the dangers of San Francisco and it's Autumn Queen. She continued her tai chi as she thought, and finally nodded. "Okay. Good to know. I think I'll... not bother Circe with that. No point in pissing off a Summer if I don't need to. Still, sad for the kids. I hope they're okay." Her tone of voice suggested she didn't really believe they were. It was unlikely, at least from how the situation sounded from the Fairest, and the passage of time.

A smile returned to her face at the image of Rhodes being tossed out of a casino, "Well, at least you got your suit back. Can't be a pro gambler without a nice suit! Worst I've done in a casino is I had to go without lunch for a week. God... what a nightmare that was." Truly, she had suffered the pangs of hunger. Owners of food trucks saw their profits in decline. It was hell week. "Now I mostly stick to the buffet. At least their I know where my money goes."

"So, Sera likes blackjack?" She gave the Ashen King a curious look. "You mean like a poker night for the freehold or something?"

[Rhodes]

The Dread Lord nods. "Probably for the best. Circe is fun-loving, as well you know, but this.... there's something personal there, and it flares an anger in her like nothing I have ever seen."

Rhodes smiles. "Oh, I have other suits. I just really liked that one. Tailored, you know." Because of course it was. He may live in an old Haunted House and run hustles for a living, but the image of a fine suit was priceless. He watches the Monkey. "Perhaps. But do you make your money back? Where's the risk, to make the reward all the sweeter?" The Flowering knew Springs like Sonnie everywhere he had been - the fast, easy gratification. But maybe she would surprise him.

"She likes to play games." The quip is out before he can cover it up, but somehow Rhodes doesn't think Sonnie will mind. "Like I say, I've been teaching her poker. Blackjack, as you said, is just easier, when you don't want to think as much. She's having a proper card table put in one room, if it's not there already. I'm not sure there's space for the whole Freehold, but she's been eager to hold a night to practice for real. She loves being the hostess, can't you tell?" He smiles, thinking a fond memory of the Nix.

[Sonnie Wu]

Sonja nodded, leaving the topic of Circe and her Wrathful nature to simmer for now. She said nothing more of it.

She smiled as she finished her exercises, though she left the gentle music playing. "A man in a fine looking suit is worth quite a lot, agreed! You can't be Maverick without style!" The Beast winked and went into a series of cooldown stretches. "Money is... money. I don't care too much about it. As long as my needs are met, I can focus on other stuff. I guess greed isn't a Desire I feel strongly. I enjoy risks just fine, but I usually find them in a more..." She paused speaking to search for the right word, "Physical manner? Visceral? Primal? I dunno. I get my thrills from parkour and martial arts. I mean, I don't like hurting anyone, but there's a certain excitement to combat that I enjoy."

Either Rhodes' quip went over Sonnie's head, or the 'Scrambler chose to let it pass. "I noticed! She went all out for our girls night. It's why I think running a coffee house suits her so well. Anyway, I'm up for joining if there's room!"

[Rhodes]

Watching the monkey-girl stretch back out only made Rhodes think of Sera. They had a date planned for tonight.

"Throwing yourself off buildings sounds pretty risky to me. I know there's more to that, obviously, but we all get our thrills in different ways. I enjoy the challenge to get that tangible reward - You enjoy the adrenaline-fueled risk." Rhodes leaves the tree and wanders over and stands by Sonnie. A cool breeze ripples around them.

"I'm sure we can manage that. I'm sure Sera would love to have you over again, she had such fun." Rhodes is smiling, the notion of Sera being happy clearly edges through his normally stoic exterior. "I can't believe the two of you ate that whole cake." The Dread Lord obviously finds that amusing.

He looks around. "So, how are the Springs finding all the new arrivals? I've not had much chance to talk to many of them since the Coronation. I'm sure Summer will bring something new with all of their bolstered numbers."

[Sonnie Wu]

"We don't throw ourselves off buildings. I mean, not usually. Parkour is about getting from A to B as efficiently as possible using the urban environment. It's very physically demanding, great exercise. But, yeah, the rush is the attraction for me." Sonnie was, for whatever reason, doing a handstand. She now spoke to Rhodes while upside down. Thankfully, flipped skirts were not an issue here.

"Yeah, that cake never stood a chance. It's the cake's fault, really. Being all tasty and made of ice cream," she chuckled, and noted Rhodes' pleased expression, "Sera's appetite rivals mine. She really surprised me!"

"New arrivals?" she asked, "Like Exgenesis? Uh, Excel... Egex... X? They're really nice. I haven't gotten to know them yet, though." The Beast smiled, "Summer ought to be interesting, right? You think they're gonna have a Thunderdome at the coronation?"

[Rhodes]

"Do you mind, Sonnie? I'd rather not talk to your feet," Rhodes says dryly.

"You're really going to blame the cake?" he asks skeptically, but there's an amused smile. "You two are as bad as each other. And yes, she has something of a sweet tooth. Seraphina's desires are always still indulged, she just prefers to do so in private."

"Exegesis. Richard. Fawkes. Orion. Simone. Anyone really. And if Circe still wore the hat? Probably. But under Richard? I'm not really sure. I might expect something a little more civilized than the Thunderdome. Some kind of competitions perhaps?" Rhodes rubs his chin thoughtfully. "What about you? What do you think?"

[Sonnie Wu]

"Well, now you've hurt my feet's feelings," the Beast huffed in mock offense, then rolled into a sitting position with a smile. "And yes, that whole thing is indeed on the cake. It was a total tease. We were innocent women seduced by the chocolate! We were the victims here!"

She then shrugged slightly, "I'm not sure what to think of the Iron Spears yet. They were kind of insular at the pool party. Like a high school clique. They even all left together, except for the stony dude." Sonnie tilted her head in thought, "Competitions? Like sporting events? I thought Summer would just be all duels and feats of strength. Maybe a joust or something, like at Medieval Times. But I can get behind foot races or whatever. Arm wrestling matches? Oh! Staring contests!"

[Rhodes]

"What? I was never informed the cake was a tease. In that case, all is forgiven.The tease is always to blame. You can tell Sera I said so." Rhodes chuckles, as if witness to a joke only he knew. "Although innocent would not be what I call either of you."

The Dread lord grins, though it's a cold smile. "Duels are a lot more formal - not what I would imagine being an activity for a Coronation all could take apart in. Might be entertaining to watch, I suppose." Like gladiators fighting for the Emperors of Rome. "Last year, Circe set up the booths at Funderland - rifle shooting that kind of thing.... and it was Circe, so she had Beer Pong and a few other things. I only really showed up to present myself, and ended up in something of an argument with another Autumn Courtier. Quite dramatic, but very entertaining... for me. Maybe I'll ask Richard what he has in mind."