Adagio for Springs

[Sonnie Wu]

Sonnie fished around in her box of Fruit Loops while the others spoke. Where was the toy surprise? Did someone else already take it? What a rip. She looked up from the cereal and around at her fellow Emeralds. "Doesn't the Wyrd itself have a say in the matter? It's not, like, just holding the crown and waiting for us to vote. Doesn't it sometimes just grant the crown to an unexpected head? Or am I imagining those stories?"

Setting the box down, she turned in her seat to look at Seraphina, "I get it. I wouldn't want the responsibility, either. But don't they say that the best leaders are the ones that don't want the job? Or that those who want the power shouldn't have it? I'm just saying I'd trust you with the crown, Sera." She snapped her fingers as she remembered something from a moment before. "Oh, can you check with Rhodes? He and the other monarchs have been working on a freehold pledge. Surely he's seen Ingrid recently!"

The Steepscrambler looked over to Abraham, her head tilted to one side, "The Courts protect us through the sharing of power. The Gentry can't grasp the idea of sharing anything. The court system confuses and scares them. It keeps them at bay."

She shrugged slightly, "We all get the importance, I think. We need the freehold to function properly with four monarchs. Spring is over now, though, and... hmmm... the season didn't go sideways. I think that's a sign Ingrid is still alive. If something happened to her and we literally didn't have a queen during our season, wouldn't things have gone haywire? Keepers at our doorstep kind of haywire?" Sonnie considered that for a moment. "It's summer now, so things are in King Price's hands. That buys us some time?"

[Freya]

There was a bestial glint to the Mother's features as feathers stood on end. The growing aggression was palpable, but then... fear. Clarity grasped at threads as, finally, Freya saw the core of Abraham's worry. It was more than simple politics. The Vernal Court needed more than a regent to remain relevant. Still, the Stalker was not a rational being and pushed Freya to further agitation. The Den Mother needed to regain control. It wasn't time for She-Who-Stalks to play. It was a time for gentler things.

Thus, Mother Talons closed her eyes and, with some visible effort, pushed the darker thoughts of herself down and out.

4 successes

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2019-06-29 21:25:37		Freya rolls 7 to Calm Yo'self Gurl (Res+Comp+WP) (10 Again, WillPower)		10, 6, 7, 8, 6, 10, 7, 1, 8		4 successes

After a moment she breathed and considered the group again, her expression calm and accepting.

"Hope is what got some of us through to the other side, but... I see your point. Hope can turn to desperation," she said as Abraham spoke, "I didn't put words in your mouth. I simply called it as I saw it, and... maybe I was wrong. If you think that interpretation is wrong because we lack familiarity then here. We can talk another day."

A business card with Freya's details was tossed on the table. Was it the best he was going to get in terms of apology? Probably. For now at least.

A smile was offered to Sonnie as she, again, spoke sense. And again she noted Sonnie's comment of the construction of an Oath and the meetings of the Monarch. She spoke of some of the concerns that Freya shared in a far better way than the Hunterheart could. Sonnie seemed to agree with Abraham to a point.

"Your place on the throne doesn't have to be permanent, Joyeux, but... Abraham is right, even if I disagree with his method of saying it. Until Ingrid's condition is known, we need someone to weather her duties in her place and you are the most qualified," she said, grimacing a bit as she admitted her failings in interpreting Abe's intentions. The Den Mother was a stubborn Beast, but she was willing to admit her emotions got the better of her. Eventually. "Once we know what's going on, we can convene again to discuss it all further."

Glancing her shoulder at the Knight-Errant with whom she had verbally sparred, she'd continue, "I'd prefer it to the alternative, but I'm only speaking for myself."

Looking back to Sera her expression softened.

"I'll abide by whatever consensus is reached, so long as it's genuine," the Beast says, her tone assuring, "For now, I've heard enough. And... it's best for me to separate myself from the issue lest my nature become too aggressive."

And with that, Mother Talons left. She'd have to meet with Abe at some point to see if they could smooth things over, but not tonight. Tonight, the harpy woman would leave him to his path just as she took to hers.

Freya leaves the scene

[Titania]

"Curious, curious", she says aloud. Freya's departure - and what it implicitly discounted - didn't surprise her.
"I apologize Sir. Abraham. Didn't you introduce yourself as a Knight Errant? If so, I find it curious that you'd rather keep the Queen's seat warm and convene a meeting to question us Ladies with your ungenerous sarcasm, than track your Queen, which I assume would be a task that would fall well within the boundaries of your expertise. As I've witnessed firsthand, you can run fast", two could play the game.
"Alas, as you've so egregiously put it. The Wyrd has its rhythms, and the Crown won't manifest for another year. It should provide us with ample opportunity to seek Queen Ingrid or - at the worst - reorganize", she paused for a second, "Mutual support, the peculiar redistribution of power. Those are the essence of the protection bestowed on us by the Courts system. Speaking of the issue of succession without having first assessed our compatriot's well being or before the mourning period, appears to me as a breach of that pledge. So for future reference, please refrain from illegitimately occupying that seat just to elicit a reaction. It's a villainous violation of our consent and a most indelicate performance, given the presumed disappearance of our companion", if there was something she hated it was "mansplaining", the American word for paternalism.
"May I suggest wearing brighter colors and a cap and bells for the next sketch? That would likewise attract our attention, elicit our reactions, prompt a discussion and provide to be a much more entertaining spectacle. Far more respectful, given the circumstances", she finished with a smile.

  5 successes

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2019-06-30 07:40:18		Titania rolls 16 to Persuasion (Pre + Per + Spec + SL4 + Fairest Blessing + Mantle) (10 Again)		9, 1, 4, 3, 5, 8, 5, 7, 7, 7, 10, 8, 7, 3, 4, 1, 8		5 successes

[Seraphina]

Sighing, “There is nothing wrong with someone being reclusive. She was there when we needed her, never questioning it. And with how small our Court and Freehold are, I don’t see the harm.” What was the big deal?

“There is nothing wrong with holding onto Hope. It improves our mental health and helps us stay positive in even the most dire of situations. But it doesn’t blind us to danger, or make us blindly expect the positive. It doesn’t make people naïve or foolish. Our lives are hard, harder than anyone elses, and having hope makes it more manageable.” Hope was invaluable.

She was no leader, never had been. But her Court needed someone, and they had pointed to her. Could she do this until Ingrid was found?

“Fine. If you want to make it all or nothing, which doesn’t sit well with me let me add. I’ll step up, take on the whole responsibility until we can either fine Ingrid, or the Season selects another.” Was this a mistake?

An eyebrow was raised, “Well, if I get to be a detective, I want a cute hat.” Cause of course. “And I would start with her business. I would also ask King Richard, the Dread Lord and the Winter Monarch, they were discussing a Freehold Oath together. Perhaps she said something, or they noticed something. I don’t know where she lived, she never said anything.” And she never asked. “But I do believe going forward, we need to have a system in place or something for checking on each other.”

Looking to Sonnie, “Not always. Generally, the crown manifests on who the Court selects. There have been stories of crowns appearing during the off season in Freeholds with an exceptionally large Court presence.” Least she had heard.

Smiling softly to the Beast, “Thank you.” And she meant it. “I’ll give him a call, ask about the meeting they all had. See if anything happened, or if anything stands out to him.” But seems like he would have said something by now.

“Well, I think we would have seen signs. The Tavern was built by her, with the aide of us, but mostly by her. It still stands. But I would have expected to see some sign.” Though, she could be wrong.

She nods to Freya, her words wise and heard. They could discuss it again once they figured out Ingrid.

“It will always be genuine.” Her voice soft. Though she hated to see her leave. It always felt safer with her near.

Then came the barbs from Titania. Which she never saw coming, but they were good.

“Titania speaks wisely. We should be looking for Ingrid. Once we have answers, we can move forward.”

[Sonnie Wu]

Sonnie waved as Freya departed, the bestial part of her glad that the fearsome predator had backed down. It was getting unnerving.

"Except the Gentry don't care about mortal organizations. We're the ones that interest them. If humans are cattle to them, we're the prize bulls. Or whatever the rancher analogy would be," she said off-handedly, wondering why she bothered when Abraham already had his mind set. Sonnie picked up the cereal box again and ate some.

She sorted through more of the breakfast foods on display, instinctively grabbing a banana. Her mouth was full of Fruit Loops when the Flower Knight gave his line about shitting in cereal, and rolled her eyes at the man.

He did that on purpose!

Shush. This is serious time.

Let's bite him!

No.

But he--

Not the point.

She dropped her ire quickly, however, as the Treasured accepted the Spring Crown, if only in an acting capacity. Smiling, the monkey swallowed her cereal and stood up on her chair, curtsying to Seraphina. "Your Awesome Majesty. Don't worry, once we get into contact with Ingrid, this'll all blow over and you can go back to being Sacramento's Best Barista!"

I hope.

Sonnie glanced at Abraham and Titania sniping at each other and started peeling her banana. Queen Sera could deal with that. Or not.

Hee hee hee! Fight fight fight!

[Seraphina]

A nod to Abraham, some of his words spoke to her. “There is also power in us supporting each other and our Court. Fighting and snipping at each other divides us, which does no one any good. We each have a difficult past, our own baggage we contend with every day. But we can draw support and understanding from each other.”

Then there was that. “When she became Queen, Spring was a Court of three. The Freehold was much smaller as a whole, and she did what the position required. What did you expect of her? To be overbearing? To abuse the position? Maybe it’s because I knew her longer, and have sat down and talked with her privately, but I think she did a fine job as Queen for such a small Court.” What did he want?

“But you are right,” she could admit that, “without someone in the position we are vulnerable, and we don’t need that. No one does.” When he rises from the chair at the head of the table, she doesn’t take it. She remains standing where she was, this wasn’t official, there was no crown on her head, and they had not looked for Ingrid yet.

Sighing, “We start making calls and asking the other Monarchs. They had a meeting with her, about the Freehold Oath, and they might know something. Then her office. There has to be some note, or clue as to where she is and what happened. I don’t believe we can search the Hedge safely without a starting point and a damn good reason.” It was dangerous to wonder around with a goal.

Seriously?

“Do we have to do this?” she says, looking from Titania to Abraham. “We have to focus as a Court to look for Ingrid. Whatever issue you two have, can it be put on hold? Or is this something that needs to be addressed and settled here and now?” she’d rather not. Ingrid was her main concern at the moment.

A smile was offered to Sonnie and the curtsy, “You don’t have to do that.” She says with a shake of her head. It just felt weird. “But thank you.”

[Titania]

She acknowledges the informal passage of power. "Let me assure you Sir Knight that no jokes have been heard. Seen in flesh and bones, perhaps? But for one so quick to extol the virtues of authority, hierarchy and roles. You've without doubt overstepped your prerogatives and broken the ceremonial", she turns to Seraphina, "I will support your accession to the crown to the best of my capabilities. But yes, we have", she glosses over the Knight, "For we're ought to know whether Sir Abe's quickness of wits and predilection for dramatic and vulgar displays are matched by an equally quick amount of shifting loyalty".
"So, what is a Court? An abstract concept independent of its members as long as every role can be fulfilled by an interchangeable actor, or an enclosure of individuals you're bound to?", her wisps suddenly surrounded her,"Now if you'll excuse me, I'll take my leave. This session was rather inelegant."