(1912) Winter Solstice

[Anatole]

"Heh! To be expected. Good. Uh... Lets to it, then?"

Anatole laid down his plate, licked his fingers, then produced a handkerchief which he used to wipe his mouth and hands.

"I have no fear, Dread King. This is an opportunity and I want a place to stay for a while. Good to know exactly where I stand."

Freedom was a privilege. It was also banal and... infuriating. Since his Durance, Anatole had craved the certainties that pledges could bring - another element of distant Arcadia that he could never wipe away.

I'll open a side thread for us

[Seraphina]

Looking back to Titania, she spies the pout, then the tapping of her foot. The Nix had to wonder what was up with her fellow Spring.

“You are welcome to stay as long as you like Bugul. This is a Coronation after all, and if you wish to stay until the doors close, then please, feel welcome.” She had nothing against those who were Courtless. Sometimes it wasn’t an easy choice for someone to join a Court. Some may see a bit of themselves in each one, or none at all.

There was a snort as she laughed, “And here I thought that was just a regular thing.” She says with a smirk. Sapphires look to Rhodes, “Well, I can’t argue with you there.” A secret smile shared with him.

“Not your best pun Circe, but, the night is still young, I’m sure you’ll come up with a great one!” she encourages.

With the kiss of her hand, she felt a chill, not from his Mantle, go up her back. Blushing slightly, the wink was returned.

Then it seemed to be on to business. The Freeholds safety being the most important thing.
So she excuses herself and heads over to Titania .

Offering a small smile to the Spring, “You ok?” her angelic voice soft, “Seem a little off.” The concern was evident in both her voice and her eyes.

[Circe]

"Thanks Sera, A U are probably right the puns will come from the Fairest of sources," Circe just did with a mix of chemistry thrown in. Circe looks around to the see how things seem to be dividing up.

Quick assessment and sure turns to Sonnie, "So? Meet and greet, help gold align the stars so they're right, food or," she looks up to and around to spot something in the Hollow, "Shenanigans? Could try messin' around inside the maze."

[Sonnie Wu]

Sonnie started to speak to Circe, then paused a moment. After thinking a beat, she raised an index finger as she posed a question. "Now, hold up. Didn't we get in trouble for shenanigans at last year's Winter Coronation? I vaguely recall Queen Sasha not being entirely happy with us."

She thought on the incident for another moment, tapping the index finger on her chin. "Or was that someone else? Yeah, wait, wasn't it Titania who got in trouble for making out with somebody under the mistletoe?"

The simian Beast nodded slowly, "Yeah, the more I think about it, I was an innocent bystander and Tittie was quite the rascal!"

[Bugul]

Bugul wouldn't give the one who had likened his arrival to an actor the satisfaction of returning her gaze.

He felt it, of course, how could he not?

In other circumstances he would have been flattered, this Titania was lovely, but Bugul felt no need to be apologetic given the way things were. Thus, he settled with giving the Fair Woman the cold shoulder and focused his attention on the genial Dread Lord before him.

As Rhodes asked his question, the Goat slowly shook his head, woody vines shifting audibly in the forest that was his mane.

"I was unclear," he admits, noting his own failing as he stepped aside with the two men...

Bugul steps aside with Rhodes and Anatole

[Titania]

"I'm fine... thank you", she replies softly, but her right brow is still twitching, either for the slight of having been insulted or for the burden of ignoring Sonnie's inanity.
"How convenient though", she chides, "that one would get to enjoy the implicit freedom and protection extended by the freehold, but still declare that as an outsider freehold matters are of no concern to me. As if I could choose to waive those laws that don't suit me"

[Seraphina]

Is that what was going on? She truly had an issue with someone being Courtless?

“If he was waiving laws that didn’t suit him, I don’t believe he would be here.” She begins, “As a Courtless, I’m sure he’s experienced Freeholds where his presence was not welcome. I’ve heard of Freeholds where those without a Court are not granted a voice. Perhaps he’s experienced this, or perhaps he simply doesn’t care for Court politics.” Her eyes look over to him, then back, “But as long as I’ve been here, this Freehold has never denied anyone Hospitality. And with the Dread Lord offering a Pledge, and him accepting, I don’t see reason to be concerned.” She wasn’t judging her fellow Spring, but what had her so worked up? “Is it him simply being Courtless, or is something else going on?”

[Rhodes]

Leaves twist lightly as the suited Dread Lord takes Bugul and Anatole aside.

Rhodes moves to the Side Thread.

[Circe]

"Ta be fair Sonnie," Circe proudly puts one hand over her heart as she holds her head up high, "l am very good at inciting rage towards my person. Though I think yer version sounds legit," nods.

As for the talk between the golden lady and the star maiden that got Circe to snort. She had plenty of stories about dickish Courts in bad Freeholds maltreating the unaligned. And everybody else for that matter too. That was depressing. And her stomach growled, "Well that is a clear vote from the anatomy. Imma grab some food, ya in or do I hafta track ya down later?"

Circe awaits a reply before heading to the food, which she will do whether Sonnie Wu says yay or nay.

[Sonnie Wu]

Later? There was no later. There was only the now, for Sonja was already at the buffet table, dishing up!

The various baked good and roasted meats were too much to resist, it seemed. She had lasted... what? Three minutes? A new record, perhaps. Temptation had always been the weakness of Emerald Courtiers.

She turned to look curiously at Circe, over her shoulder.

"Wut? Ah'm ulruddy uttin!" she said, her words garbled by a mouthful of some sort of cake.