Autumn Leaves and Autumn Returns

[Rhodes]

Rhodes nods, and sips his tea. The smile did not go unnoticed, but was not commented upon. Penance, for all her ferocious appearance, was a very self-conscious soul.

Slowly, the Dread Lord reaches into his jacket and pulls out photograph folded in half, opens it out and slides it across to the Ogre. It's a graduation photo of a clealy much younger Rhodes, unadorned by foiliage, the ghostly pale skin a much more natural tan, the eyes a normal size and a natural blue. The banner in the background says "Class of 2014".

"I never graduated. I, like so many, returned home once I fought my way out of the Hedge, and found this. Found it. I still hunt for it - my Fetch still has many years it can do damage to those around it... to my family, who will never accept me again." The Flowering returns the photo back into his pocket."One day, I will find him. One day soon. For now, I search, looking for him."

Rhodes watches the Ogre sternly. "We survived, Penance. Our appearences are our testament to that very survival. You need to stop regretting how you look, my dear. I happen to think you look stunning." The tingle in the Wyrd confirms what he says is true.

[Rhodes]

The Autumn Sovereign gives her a single not. "Oh, I will. I too cannot leave this creature to chance, and fighting is not my style."

The pressure on the Vow causes an eyebrow to raise. "Forgive me. Truly, I meant no insult. If your feelings are more than, well, skin deep about your past, consider this." He sips his tea. "You hate what you were. You suspect it lead to your Durance. Unless you dedicate substantial time and effort to a dangerous venture, you will never know for sure. But now... now I think you seek to be more than what you are. Whether that is a more honourable being or simply to deny your keeper the monster they wanted I cannot say, and do not ask. But hate, anger? These are different paths. Ones that are responses to Fear. All I ask is you be mindful of the motivation. And if you wish for council, you can seek me."

When Penance speaks of her Fetch, the winds die down, and he listens attentively. Only when she has finished does he speak after a long pause. "We diverge greatly, Fetches and and ourselves. I hope this Fear is at rest, and use what you have learned to understand Fear a little more."

[Rhodes]

The Ashern Sovereign shrugs, with a slight smile. "I seem to have that effect on people. I take it as a mark if pride that I encourage thought in others."

He leans back in the tall chair. "True enough, I suppose. Fear will always come back around. There are always new things to Fear."

Rhodes nods. "Dealing with a Fetch requires a lot of thought. But I must say, it is very good to have you back Penance." He gives the Ogre an easy smile. "Oh. While I remember, I'm going to be doing a remedial course on our occult skills - pledges, contracts, that kind of thing. In case you were interested."

[Rhodes]

"Niche," Rhodes clarifies gently. "And yes. But no-one knows everything, and we all start somewhere. A willingness to learn is just as important. And I'm sure you have talents to help people. There are many kinds of Autumn Courtier. If you don't want to be a magically academic one, you can focus on understanding Fear, or shielding others from it. Or, more than that, simply be someone this Freehold can turn to, and show Autumn still stands tall."

The Dread Lord sighs. "I'm afraid we are the Leaden Mirror again, Penance. We had a visitor, Moon, who had to leave, but may be back for our Season. Otherwise, Fall remains one of the smallest in the Freehold."

[Rhodes]

Rhodes spreads his hands, smiling. "Of course you can be both. You have an intrinsic feel for the subtleties of Fear that I consider most encouraging. Follow that path and I am sure your Mantle will grow."

He pauses, thinking. "The first step of that path is learning how to read one's fear, the first clause of the Contracts of Fleeting Autumn. I can teach you it, if you wish. The more you follow, the better you can invoke, and control fear both in yourself and others." The Dread Lord's gaze moves out the window at the clear summer sky.

He looks back, shaking his head, and waves the apology away. "I rarely joke about such things. I understand this case - you had to go, and I would not have any right to stop you." Or means, but that does not matter for now. "However, a little warning next time, perhaps? A Sovereign should be able to keep track of a single subject, after all." A slight edge and steely look enter the Dread Lord's eye - despite the leisurely tone this is not really a request. The icy breeze of his mantle ripples coldly across the room. "Still!" The Flowering rises suddenly, moving out of the chair. "Our thoughts should turn to the Equinox. Come with me. I have something to show you."

He moved briskly out of the room and up the sweeping staircase, leaves spinning excitedly in his wake. Moving down the landing, Rhodes opens the door to the master bedroom and stands by the door to the closet. "I have been working on this for some time. I hope that this coronation will let it be ready, and I could certainly use your help."