(1909) Autumn Coronation

[Markarth]

Markarth wasn't scared, of course not. Why it would be silly if a member of the court of fear was afraid during their own season's crowning, so what if he was standing closer to Penance that didn't mean anything. So what if his eyes were darting around the room like a pair of ping pong balls at the world championship that was just to be expected. He wasn't afraid, till his feather brushed his neck forced a startled yelp from the on edge man.

"Ahhhhh....ahh..well said!" Markarth tried to cover up his outburst with a round of applause for his courts and indeed the freeholds current King. Yeah no no one is buying that. Markarth envisioned an iron spear putting an end to his embarrassment but alas for no such comfort was forthcoming.

I know I posted not to long ago but I thought this was funny and wanted to get it out.

[Circe]

A long corridor, Circe held back her sarcasm and followed. And it was a swanky mansion front with a, huh, really big tree. Oh that gave her an idea. Her own crimson eyes note those present in the trees. The look on her face upon seeing them was less fright and more the reaction one should have to finding a single pair of kitten eyes in the dark.

"Impressive Rhodes. Leaf it to ya Autumns ta have a grand magical display," despite the effectiveness of the story she manages the quip. But that spooky story that gave her goosebumps. Nice! "Oooooh, ya folks can't see it but goosebumps," she sings out before looking at Seraphina, "But they could. We gonna flash 'em in sync? Or better idea, whomever gets ta the cloak room first."

A very odd way to ask who wanted to ditch their cloak first. As for whom is watching line from Rhodes, that got a giggle from her. Red eyes weren't scaring to the red and black eyed elfin Fairest anymore.

[Seraphina]

Smirking to Sonnie, “Wasn’t me, found an amazing hair stylist!” which she was quite proud of. She loved how her hair looked.

It was hard to miss Titania when she entered. Looks amazing as always, “Titania! I love that dress on you!” she compliments. It wasn’t her place to say if her fellow Spring was late or not, but she didn’t think so.

“I hope we get a chance to talk later Reed.” Replies the Nix with a charming smile. She wondered what his story was. Seeing the offer of the flask, “No thanks.” She says politely.

Truth be told, she didn’t want to share the light when revealing her dress. “I don’t think we need to synchronize, both dresses are going to be stunning.” No need to make a huge show of it.

Smiling to Markarth, “Nice to meet you as well. Oh, well welcome! And if you enjoy coffee, I run a coffee shop and coffee is always free to fellow Freehold members.” She offers.

An eyebrow was raised, about to begin? What did he have planned?

Well, so they were moving to a new place. And her mind begins to go over the floor plan of Edna’s, wondering where they were all going. She follows, gloved hands clasping the cloak closed as she moved.

Wait, a closet? Sapphires watch him step through, and trusting him, she follows, though with a bit more caution. As she steps out of the corridor and into a room. With polished floors and stairs.

She steps in but stops, eyes wide in wonder as she slowly turns in place, taking it all in. It was beautiful, spooky, but beautiful. Perfect for Autumn in every way. And she wonders if this was had him so busy lately.

And that tree? It was breathtaking.

An Autumn Hollow! This was wonderful for Autumn! They had their own place like Spring did.

Then it seemed to be story time, and she watches and listens, the words giving her the chills. It was Autumns story, and it was told with the perfect amount of fear and spooky.

As the air grew more chilled, she hugged the cloak around her. The whispers were heard, their words cutting, but she focuses on Rhodes. And when the crown appears, she couldn’t help but smile. It fit him so well, like he had been destined to wear it.

The Nix remains in her spot, not wanting to take her cloak off just yet. Letting Rhodes have his moment as King. A proud and loving look on her face as she watches him.

Looking to Circe, she smiles, "You can go first." it seemed to mean a lot to the elf, and Sera wasn't powered by ego or pride.

[Reed Mills]

"Yeah, sure thing," the Garden Gnome replies to Sera. Reed returns the flask to his jacket pocket and follows the crowd through the corridor, trailing slightly behind. You know, in case anything truly horrific happens. This is Autumn's night after all.

But the space they enter is, instead, one of wonder. And Rhode's speech is equally entrancing. It should should fill Reed with awe. It should amaze him. Instead, it just makes him sad.

I shouldn't be here. I shouldn't be this. None of us should be. He looks around at his company, in all their finery and fantastical variety.

It's always this way: when other Lost find reason to rejoice or revel in their shared existence, Reed just feels sorrow. Because being Lost means having lost everything.

Guess that's what makes him perfect for Winter. He'll never really escape that sadness.

While the others socialize and joke and flirt, the Wizened drifts off, up the stairs to the right. He stops in front of the hearth, watching the flames.

Without thinking he takes the flask from his pocket. Uncaps it. Sips.

Almost empty.

He does not return it to his pocket. Just stands there, eyes on the fire, thinking about Elsie. The kids. Wondering what they're doing right now. If they're happy.

Another sip.

[Sonnie Wu]

What is this?

Is this a trap?

King Rhodes is showing us through a new door?

Was that door here last time?

Does the Autumn Court have it's own Hollow now?

Apparently, they did indeed. As they came in through the otherworldly portal, Sonnie marveled at the sights of this new safe space in the Hedge. Mouth agape, she stared up at the huge tree in the center of the area.

I wanna climb it!

Biting her lip, the monkey Beast held back on her animalistic urge to start scrambling all over the tree and bookcases.

Courtly manners! Behave yourself!

Duly impressed, she held her jack o' lantern before her as she looked to the King of Fear, "This is totally awesome! Congrats on your new Hollow!"

Spring's Hollow is still better.

I mean, duh. We got a bar and a skybed.

I want that tree, tho. Let's get a giant tree!

With a very quick shake of her head, Sonnie quieted her internal monologue to listen to Rhodes' story about the founding of the Autumn Court. Educational! She curtsied to him again when he finished, "Thanks for having us!"

She held up the jack o' lantern before her face and mimicked it talking, "Yeah thanks! Cool digs, dude!"

Why the hell am I doing a puppet routine with a pumpkin?

I am so weird.

[Titania]

"Thank you, thank you", she reciprocates the compliments with equal poise, flashing a dazzling smile. "No, of course it isn't a real cat. Why would you think that. No animal has been harmed in the production of this bag", she asserts convinced, "Though, I wouldn't mind a monkey fur coat", she grins.
Her ramblings are cut short by the Autumn King ushering them deeper down the rabbit hole. "Ooh", she sounds impressed, at the same time she decides to stick - as much as the narrow alley would allow - to Circe and Sonja, to partake in their warmth, the only respite from the chilly autumn winds.
The hollow was impressive, not as impressive as their own, but it still didn't fall short of the Autumn Court standards. And the books, the last time she had been in a library together with Sonja, Rhodes didn't fare so well, poor poor chap.
"Lady Sonja", she whisper to the monkey, softly nudging her, "do you think he's going to fall in some trap, like the last time?".
At least this time they wouldn't have to bury him in a pair of shorts.

[Reed Mills]

Reed tilts his head in acknowledgement as Abe approaches. Doesn’t look over though, his eyes remain on the flames.

”Just missing some folks,” he replies. “Evenings like this always get me thinking. Dangerous thing, thinking—know what I mean?”

He holds out the flask, swaying just a touch. “Do me a favor, Abe. Finish this. I don’t need anymore.”

Side thread? I’m going to be out of town for a few days, but I’m up for one if you are!

[Circe]

Circe curtsies, with the cloak on, to Seraphina, "Thank ya yer highness. This thing is a lil' too puritan feelin' fer my tastes," and with that the cloak is twirled off her. Circe quickly caught on her right forearm and began trying to fold it. For on her left shoulder is a large red purse, her feet have red high heels hooking onto copper anklets, and she wore a red dress. A risque red dress that left plenty of blue skin visible.

Circe had dressed in red and copper, a bloody theme. The elfin Fairest waves with her left hand towards Seraphina to gleefully declare, "Think I under did the copper but eh. Yer turn!"

And then Sonnie was turning her hand into a pumpkin puppet? What? The ears were in position to emphasis this, "Che Cosa? Aspetta, so come reagire." Clearing her throat she smiles at Sonnie, "Its great yer hand has pumpkin ta talk about, though I imagine yer puppet feels a lil' hollow on the inside. Oh ho ho ho ho!" Circe gauges the response. She does notice her future motley mates have wondered off alone up one set of stairs. Eh? Probabilmente dovresti esaminarlo."

[Rhodes]

Rhodes inclines his head to the compliments. "Please, enjoy yourselves."

The Dread Lord slips off the tree and walks over to Sera and Circe. "So, what do you think? I know I've been quite secretive about it," he asks the Nix, slipping an arm around her.

"Oh, Sonnie, just pop your lantern anywhere. The base of the tree, perhaps." He gives the Beast and her Celectial companion a smile.

"Circe, of all the things I would call you, Puritan is..." And then Circe does her grand reveal. Privately, Rhodes is speechless - the elf looks... sensational. He can't help but stare up the dress - Circe has rarely shown off such skin, and the Flowering can't deny she is very attractive...

He clears his throat, trying to get a hold on his senses. Rhodes looks to Seraphina. "Well. Ahem. I don't suppose you have something like that underneath as well, darling?" he asks, looking his partner up and down.