(Loyalty Is,) The Source

[Saber Sloth]

The boundaries of Funerland were clear and safe. While those of the Hedge were anything but, where of course the Lost would have to delve to learn of the location of the Jarmyn Fruit. Or more specifically, a consecrated source of what had been made into a lotion, or more apt, a potion used to easily slip mortals into sleep.

Making them just ripe for the taking.

From Funderland's administrative building a secret path is opened. A stairwell, narrow and steep leads down and down and down. The myriad of cobwebs had been cleared, but ever industrious the spider rebuilds. The once shadowless mass of all encompassing darkness, gains shadows as lights are introduced. Strung along the wall leading down into the Prohibition era tunnels that criss-crossed the subterranean map of the Freehold.

As the steep stairs come to an end, the passage abruptly shifts, taking a very sharp turn, running west-east. Rough hewn stone, dried mud, and grey brick run a curve overhead, cables run the length of it, tracking electricity to the once dead bulbs. On the ground is a rusted, unstable tack.

At the end of the corridor, is the Hedge Gate they'll need to use.

Please remember to include your equipment

Seraphina Orianna Rhodes Xadun Circe Origins Anatole Yumyumcrow

[Circe]

Circe is dressed for battle. Aside from a long brown leather trench coat, the Summer queen is sporting combat boots, fingerless gloves, a army surplus pocket vest, and her kevlar under shirt. Along with a fanny pack for extra fun.

Then there is the hip holsters. One for a large knife and the other for a pistol. Most glaring however if the large barreled rifle she is sporting hanging on her back. via shoulder strap The longer barrel is actually a suppressor. She'd not gotten the chance to use it yet and damn it she'd have it if needed. Circe was waiting and checking her phone in the hall way.

The Summer Queen wondered if she should have gotten a gasoline can and a road flare too? Did she have time to go and get some? Did she have time to get more stuff if somebody showed up unarmed? Well yes there was the stuff in her Funderland locker so technically yes.

Circe is very well armed. Thin kevlar vest, leather trench coat for protection. An SKS carbine with 1 extra clip and 20 loose rounds. Colt 45 pistol with 3 extra clips and 20 loose rounds. A survival knife, a pocket knife, a multi-tool, 2 lighters, three sticks of dynamite, and a digital watch based timer for 1 stick of dynamite. The pocketed vest allows her to carry a water bottle, tequila flask, an angle-head flashlight, and the ammo.The SKS is equipped with a suppressor

[Seraphina]

When it came to entering the Hedge, one thing was always important. Being prepared and dressed for it. Hence the Nix was wearing skinny jeans, boots and a black tank top. Over which she had her Hedgespun jacket, and her necklace hung delicately around her neck. Her long hair hung down her back, and traced the ground in a single braid. But hey, at least she still looked damned good.

Slung over her shoulder was a messenger bag with some bottles of water, a bag of trail mix and of course, some pieces of costume jewelry, bright gel pens and sun catchers. Her personal favorite. But you never know if you needed to trade, so always come prepared.

There was no weapons anywhere on her. She had no clue how to use them, and would have to rely on her wits and charm if it came to it. But she could throw some fists if need be.

Spotting Circe, she raised a hand, “Hey.” Greeted the angelic voice, “Looks like you’re ready to storm the castle.”

Sera has her Hedgespun jacket and necklace(both linked in mini sheet)boots, cell phone on silent, bottles of water, bags of trail mix(extra chocolate)costume jewelry(necklace, brooch, ring)two sun catchers and brightly colored gel pens. I can link pics of the jewelry if needed

[Rhodes]

Rhodes follows behind Sera, just a pace behind. For once, it seems he has adjusted from fashion to practicality as he heads knowingly into the Hedge. It seemed that the Dread Lord did, in fact, own jeans, boots, and a simple if fine quality woollen sweater. His Hedgespun Coat of rolling thunderclouds was worn over the top, flashing dully to those that could see.

In his jacket he had a notebook and pencils with his notes from the library about the hedgefruit they were looking for, his wallet, cellphone and a hip flask. He carried a satchel keeping of assorted items for use in the hedge - water, energy bars (he hated the taste but they were compact and practical), a large kitchen knife, a torch, and the bottle itself. There were also some tradable goods - some unfinished writings, a pair of paperback books (Gulliver's Travels and Alice in Wonderland), and a worn deck of cards. You never knew.

The flowering growths on his head looked a little more unkempt than recent times - it was recognisable that the Dread Lord usually kept his floral features regularly pruned, but was letting them grow wilder. The Autumn Sovereign had a look of grim determination on his face. There is no hand-holding or fivolity today. The Hedge was dangerous, and they had to be alert. "Summer is going to war, darling," he offers to Sera. "We don't know what we might find over there, and people with think twice as long as we have Ripley here with us." He looks between the other Fairest. "I asked Anatole along with us. An opportunity to do some work in the Freehold for a new face. Many hands, and all that."

Rhodes has his hedgespun coat (+1 to defense, +1 to Persuade: public speaking), the bottle from the Motel, a knife, a torch, water, energy bars, his notes on the bottle and the Jarmyn fruit, some descriptive writings, 2 books, a deck of cards, a hip flask 7/8ths full, his cellphone and a wallet (containing a photo of himself, and Sera, an Ace of Hearts and $97).

[Circe]

Forgot to include Circe's Goblin Fruits from her Hollow. She has 3 Ertwen goblin fruits from her Hollow.

[Anatole]

Anatole comes marching to war with a brand new fire axe slung across his shoulder.

This dwarf has no armour though. He can't afford it. He has stout shoes, jeans, heavy flannelette shirt. And a worn pair of gloves, cracked and thin, on his hands. Even with the effects of the Freehold Pledge, the axe was the limit of how far Anatole could prepare for this trip.

Not that the scorched dwarfs outwardly shows how anxious his lack of preparations have made him.

"I bought an ax," he stated bluntly as he arrives.

"This the place, huh? Mind filling me in on whats going on?"

There is a note of interest creeping in his voice as he observes the Hedge Gate from afar.

Anatole has an Fire Axe... And thats it apart from the clothes his stands up in. He also possesses Hedge Gate Sense merit - just so Saber Sloth is aware.

[Circe]

Circe looks to Seraphina, "Storming implies direct assault," Circe pats the carbine, "This is quiet. No need ta give 'em a fair fight. And you packed fer, huh? Ah shit I forgot ta grab food." Circe curses at the oversight. Should she break into a vending machine before they leave? Trade wasn't even considered by the Summer.


She laughs at the reference, "I didn't grab a Thompson or a flamethrower Rhodes," making her own Aliens reference, "California is very strict about the second. But I did," then Anatole arrives. With an ax. That gets a nod of approval from the Summer since it looks like Seraphina was unarmed and Rhodes had just a knife. This was the Hedge, everybody in her mind should at least have something to cut at the thorns.


"Good choice Anatole, but if yer inta melee ya want ta borrow the jacket? Ain't much but I don't think we have time ta rob a school's sport locker." No sarcasm, Circe was genuine. Before answering his question she turns to Rhodes and Seraphina, "Oh. I got that boom. Did we want ta grab a tank of petrol in case we want a quiet burn instead?"


As for Anatole's question about events that was something she could answer, "Quick summary Anatole. Privateers are taking folks. Abraham was killed by them, their Iron Side digs got burnt ta the ground. Rhodes," she nods her head towards him, "Investigated some Hedge stuff that was related. No idea what I'm sure he'll explain," but Circe wasn't finished despite that prompt. She'd a little more to say especially since one part was a safety matter, "This is the retaliation. I brought dynamite."

[Seraphina]

It was still a surprise to her that he owned jeans. But, considering how good she thought he looked in them, she might have to add a few more to his closet.

Though the flowers growing more unkempt was new. And while she wanted to ask, now wasn’t the time.

“Oh, I wasn’t complaining, just an observation.” Seemed things were going to be serious. She understood that. But dealing with stress and being nervous meant she needed some humor.

A warm smile was offered to the dwarf when he appeared.

“Hi Anatole, thank you for coming. Well, there’s a lot going on.” But she decides to let someone else explain.

“Did you want some?” she gestures to her bag, “I have enough for everyone.” Offers the Spring.

“Quiet has it’s benefits, but so does letting them know who they’re messing with and that we will not tolerate whatever they're doing.” So no, no quiet.

Nodding, “That is correct. But in talking with my Court, a few things were pointed out. A big one being we don’t know if Abe’s death was in self-defense or was out right murder. Not that I’m excusing it either way, but I think we need to go into this with that in mind. Though I know whoever did it is going to claim self-defense, I just want the chance to talk to them before they’re ended. And if they are stealing humans, and other Lost, then they need to be stopped, regardless.” She wanted justice for Abe, but she wanted the whole story first. Well, as much as she could get.

[Rhodes]

"This bottle," Rhodes says, pulling the offending article from his bag, "contains a juice made of Jarmyn Fruit," the Flowering says to Anatole, adding to Circe's explanation. "They're a hedgefruit brew that can made the mind relax when doing the most tedious of tasks.... or induce a deep, almost supernatural sleep. I suspect it was being used to drug victims like our missing friend and drag them into the hedge. If we can find and destroy the source, we severely damage such an operation."

The Dread ord looks to the Summer Queen. "We don;t even know what we might find there. Anything we bring and don't use still needs bringing back out." He keeps the tone light - pissing Circe off would be a poor move right now.

[Anatole]

Anatole's lazy eye roved and landed heavily on Circe.

"I'll be fine. Your gear is yours, okay? But thanks, all the same."

Anatole did not want to start by owing the Crimson Courtier more than necessary, especially as he might yet have to tap her resources in his search*.

A frown grew, splitting the gentle broil of his effusive beard. The frown turned into a snarl.

"If they're privateers they'll say anything to get a rise out of you. And if they are a regular outfit..? Talking will only let them get the drop on you, I'm sure. Just saying - I don't know who is in charge for this trip."

He glanced between Circe, Rhodes, and Sera.

"Destroying the source of that stuff sounds like a start. I'm guessing this is a small Freehold - so I say its time to teach them Loyalists some Fear. Then they'll leave you alone and pick easier targets elsewhere."

* See A 40 MPH Tour