(1909) Autumn Coronation

[Markarth]

Markarth didn't like arriving late, especially seeing as he more or less lived in Edna's. Still he had tried to put together a somewhat appropriate outfit for the evening. Especially since he was still new to the city and frankly upsetting Rhodes seemed like a bad idea. So it was he entered the room wearing a pair of worn jeans, stained with ink and paint in various autumn colors shades of red, orange, magenta and brown. His top consisted of an open (he assumed leather) vest that he had added various skull and pumpkin pins onto. His spear was strapped to his back a belt. He didn't bother with attempting to strengthen his mask instead letting his mien show to all who could see it. After all it was the season of fear and what instilled more fear then a reminder of the scars their keepers could leave?

"I hope I'm not late," Markarth gave a bow towards the King.

The elemental glanced around the room he recognized some faces from the small get together others were complete strangers.

[Seraphina]

Seeing Sonnie, a wide smile appears, “Sonnie! That dress is great on you!” she compliments, thinking the dress was perfect for the Season.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spots Penance, and offers the Orge a smile, “Good evening Penance, I like your necklace.” Were those skulls….real? If so, then wow. Creepy, but cool.

From somewhere, she couldn’t pinpoint where, came the whisper. Failure. Sapphires dart around for a moment before settling on Rhodes again, accepting his hand. The kiss was welcomed and returned. Smiling at the compliment, “Thank you.” Perfect was what she was always going for.

Moving very shortly? Where? She’d lived in Edna’s a while ago, but doesn’t remember any special ballrooms or anything. What was he up to, she muses with a smirk.

That term still felt weird to her. Queen.

Laughing at what Circe says, “Didn’t think I could make a grand entrance with my dress covered. This changes everything.” She teases the elf.

Smiling with a nod, “I know I’m very eager to see what you’ve got under there.” The wink returned.

Royal couple? Was that what they were? A couple, yes. Royal? She wasn’t sure. Him yes. Her? Eh.

Now Markarth? This guy was new. She didn’t remember him from the Summer Coronation, meaning he arrived after. The ink on him was something she hadn't seen before. The Nix offers him a warm smile, “I don’t think we’ve met,” begins the angelic voice, “I’m Seraphina, or Sera, I answer to both.” She jokes, but a friendly joke.

But seeing the others made her wonder if she had overdressed. And then blew overdressed out of the water by adding Hedgespun to it. She knew the dress was gorgeous, but she was a bit unsure now. Did she go overboard? Was she going to stand out? And not in a good way? Her body stiffened slightly as her mind began to overthink, one hand nervously worrying on the other gloved hand.

[Sonnie Wu]

The mystery of what lay beneath Circe's white cloak had certainly tantalized Sonnie's curiosity. The glimpse of red shoes caused a raised eyebrow. "Hmmm..."

She was then distracted by King Rhodes compliment and thanking her. The Beast smiled and nodded, "Oh, sure, no problem!" She was stronger than she looked, and holding the pumpkin for an extended period didn't bother her.

Seraphina's arrival and greeting caused her to beam proudly, and she did a little spin to show off her dress, holding her jack o' lantern tight so she wouldn't drop it, "Thanks and I... wow how did you do that to your hair? That's amazing!"

"Hi Penny!" she smiled and waved at the Ogress.

Sonnie waved at the arrival of Markarth, remembering him from the riverside. "Hello again!"

The Steepscrambler glanced around, wondering where Blaire was. She'd expected the (other) Autumn Ogre to be here, too.

[Titania]

The Bright One eventually arrives, fashionably late of course, and surprisingly unaccompanied. She pauses for a moment, taking her time to adjust her loosely styled coiff as it has been swept away by the chilling autumn winds and to ponder on the architectural wonder that has to be Edna's, one of Sacramento's many secret marvels.
Tonight her choice of attire falls into the Halloween chic camp. In part to honor the season, the yellow fabric of her brocade jacket and skirt is embroidered with leafy patterns and glassy beads, in part to honor the upcoming All Saints' Eve. The only concessions to her Mantle are a pair of classy pastel green heels and her light rose makeup.
She dives into her plush bag to put her cellphone on mute. The bag... the bag now. It looks like a black cat, the right mix of horrifying, ironic, kitsch and cute. Just right for a scary night at Edna's. She knew she had to have it since she had first spotted it in a vintage retailer downtown. Kitsch enough for a horror night at Edna and at the same item ironic. And it was so fluffy.
Seeing no point in further hesitation, she clears the ante-chamber. "Pip pip, I hope I'm not too late", she gives the king a slight bow.

[Reed Mills]

Charmed? Sure. OK. Reed accepts Rhodes hand, gives it a quick shake. "Well, nice to meet you, Dread Lord." He sounds a little uncomfortable with the title. "And nice digs. The place..." Reed looks around, then back to the Ashen Sovereign. "And the, uh, cape too." He gives the host an awkward smile.

Then, Seraphina arrives and everything else in the room seems to dim.

"Hey, yeah, I remember you alright," Reed replies to Sera. How could he forget? I mean, Jesus God, in a room full of beautiful 'people,' Sera is the Fairest of all. "I'm, uh, Reed." It's almost hard to look at her, she's so fine. The Garden Gnome tries not to squint. "Nice to meet you." He scratches the back of his head. "Again, I mean."

And then the Dread Lord and the Angelic Babe kiss. Reed just stares. What would it be like to kiss a woman like that? It's beyond everything.

Reed realizes he's gawking. Averts his eyes. Extracts the flask from his pocket, unscrews the top. A quick sip. Then he holds it out, a silent but general offer. If no one takes him up on it, the flask will be returned to its former place.

Good thing he's taken that drink too. Because here comes a horrifying vision, clad in skulls with a mouth like a cave full of razors. And she's asking if Circe is...naked? Bloodshot eyes dart between the Ogre and the Elf.

Oh come on, spoil the surprise, the Wizened thinks when Circe answers. He's never liked surprises.

[Circe]

Circe nods as Seraphina compliments Sonnie, "Cute clothes are a good match fer a cute girl. Only way ta make it better? We'd need ta give ya a cute weapon." And smirks as she turns upon Seraphina, "Ooooh ho ho ho ho indeed Sera! A lil' teasing entices them all the more. Should we try ta synchronize our decloaking? Such unity could turn a moment of flare inta flash!" The waggle of ears and eyebrows, yes it is pun time. "Or am I giving some bang to it," she tilts her head with an amused smile, "Which could it beeee," the tone is teasing.

Her cloak cloak moves as Circe turns back upon Sonya Wu, "Oh and Sonnie! Thank ya fer bein' so adorable right now. If ya hadn't I the noise I'd have made when the royal couple kissed probably would'a made my own ears bleed."

Then the walking universe arrives. Titania outfit was. Sparkly. Though her words made Circe look at the newest arrival in confusion, "Quindi è britannica adesso? Titania! Yer gonna shine all over this party! Especially with all those sparkles on yer dress."

[Markarth]

The Elemental gave a short bow to the Fairest who glittered like a gem, Seraphina. Because of course she was a Fairest, Markarth was willing to bet you could count the number of other Kith's present on just your hands. What was it about this place that attracted so many of them? "Markarth, or...Markarth. Nice to meet you, and yes I just moved into town not too long ago."

He returned Sonnie's wave, glad to see a familiar face. He'd spotted Penance and a few others he'd met already. But mostly chose to keep to himself, parties weren't something he'd sought out before he'd been taken and they weren't exactly something he enjoyed afterwards either. But this was for the Autumn Court so he felt honor-bound to show up. Even if prolonged social interaction gave him that itchy nervous feeling under his skin.

[Sonnie Wu]

"Oh my god, Starlight! You look amazing!" Holding her carved pumpkin on top of her head, the Beast danced over to the Telluric with a wide smile, "I love the bag! It's too cute!" She blinked and peered closely at Titania's accessory. "It's not made from a real cat, is it?"

Sonnie grinned and made a little bow towards the Summer Queen, "Thank you and you're welcome! My adorability lives to serve!"

[Rhodes]

"If you could hold off just a moment, gentlemen," Rhodes says to Abraham and Markarth, "we are about to begin."

"Well then!" The Dread Lord's voice booms through the hubbub of assembled Changelings. "Welcome, one and All, to the Autumnal Equinox, the turn of the year. As several of you have deduced, this is not the final locale for tonight's festivities. We have something far more fitting than even a room in a Haunted House, and since the majority of us are here, we should move on. If you would kindly follow me...."

Rhodes sweeps forwards beaming; the icy breeze, leaves and whispers all moving with him and he pressed confidently through the crowd to the entrance hall again. Turning smartly left, he opens the door to an unsuspecting closet, pressing against the entrance of the Hollow with his Wyrd. Beyond is not a hole for coats, but a short corridor not out of place in a Victorian mansion.

He presses through.

The corridor extends for almost thirty feet before opening onto an open-plan polished wooden floor. On the left, a pair of steps lead to a raised area with a wooden banister, and several rows of tall bookshelves. To the right, similar steps lead to another raised area holding an open heath, fire roaring, and a heavy wooden table similar to the one left, heavy with the peculiar and unusual fruits and meats of the Hedge, as well as several bottles of assorted colour and dustiness. On both sides the walls are a deep russet, candles offering the light. The open area between both "rooms" is open , leading to an enormous sycamore whose wide heavy boughs blot out the ceiling above with it's autumn leaves. Above, the leaves seem to rustle and bend without wind, reacting to the gazes of those that stare.

Beyond the tree, the walls fall and crumble away, as does the wooden floor, giving way into a misty glade of dark moss. Old toys and furniture poke eerily from the glade - the oldest of the Changelings may recall the shadows of the former Autumn Hollow. On either side the walls disappear into the bare trees, shattering and whisping into ethereal nothingness.

For those that watch deeply into the trees beyond, red eyes occasionally stare out of the darkness - the mist reaching beyond sight into the trees.

Positively bounding ahead and talking a position up on a large root of the mighty central tree, the Dread Lord looks out over the Gathered crowd. "Welcome, my friends, to the Autumn Hollow. Hard work formed into a place of learning and sanctuary." His voice lowers, but still carries thought the cool air. He raises his left arm to over his head and leans on the vast trunk.

"All the courts have their founders. The very first Leaden Mirror was Clay Alice, a Changeling who's hands were just of her namesake. So soft, so delicate, that she had to handle even soft objects with the greatest care, lest her own hands break clean off."

The Flowering pauses, filling the air with silence.

"No-one knows how Clay Alice came to be the first Queen of Autumn. All is known is that she walked off into the Hedge, alone and unarmed, into the darkness of the Hedge. Searching for the something just as primal, just as preserving, as the Gentry themselves; Fear itself."

An icy breeze ripples through the trees. Those near the front feel the twist of wind and the haunting whispers from the Autumn Sovereign's own Mantle.

"As is plain for all to see, the First Leaden Sovereign succeeded in making a pact with Autumn and Fear itself. Fear of Death. Fear the year may never renew. Fear of return, to that which haunts us. Without sword, not spear, nor army... Fear was bound into the Fall through power and skill unknown.

The costs were great, and Alice paid them. Tonight we remember her, and the lessons she imparted - Fear is always with us, always near. However you ignore it... it is eternal. Always behind you, lurking, in the dark."

  Spooky Storyteller roll!

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2019-10-01 15:50:05		Rhodes rolls 7 to Spooky Story-telling: Pres+Expression+Storytelling Spec+3 (Fairest Bonus) (10 Again)		8, 7, 9, 7, 8, 4, 9		4 successes

In time with the End of the story, Rhodes' mantle flares, the icy wind rippling out and chilling all in the room and the haunting whispers rushing past the ears. Atop the Fairest's head, the same black branches that hold the red flowers at his temples stretch and grow and twist and weave, forming a knotted whole. A myriad of autumnal leaves burst outwards, covering the fine crown in a laurel of acorns and fallen leaves - oak, ash, sycamore, turning green with life then the gold, yellow and red of Autumn, before being transformed as a a dull, leaden grey seeps through the veins, capturing the foliage in a Midas-like transportation from Harvest colour to a tarnished metallic grey.

King Rhodes spreads his arms wide, smiling. "Welcome to Autumn, Freehold of Sacramento. Here, the Old Laws of Hospitality stand. Eat, drink, and make merry... just remember who is watching."

Sorry for the monolith -I hope people enjoy it to set the scene!