(Loyalty Is,) The Source

[Saber Sloth]

Per talks with Orianna, Seraphina will spend the Glamour.

The Desire laden glamour leaves the Spring Queen's fingers wrapping around the mystical pathways that feed into the Hedge. Leaving Circe's hands free to hold her rifle at the ready.

The Smith, follows directly behind, while the Autumn King takes up the rear.

What they see is not what they expect. The Thorns are larger, brittle chilled and Autumn browned. The Wyrd dense, heavy. To close, and to far.* The path by the 'Gate is still carved, however, and leads away. Deeper into the Hedge. In the distance, westward, they can see smoke.

*

Playing with the themes and consequences, what happened/is happening during the Broken Cycle filters through to every part of the Freehold.

[Rhodes]

Rhodes looks up and around at the distant, yet oppressive environment. "Well, just look at that," he says quietly, almost reverently. "Like I said back at the solstice; consequences. Winter is not properly taking to the Wyrd." Emerald eyes drift over his compatriots. "An issue for after we return, I think, and one we may have put off too long already," the Dread Lord adds to the Queens.

The Flowering eyes the column of smoke, and he feels his own heart being to beat faster. "If we were immensely lucky, I would think the fire from the motel may have followed into the Hedge. Can't say I put much faith in 'luck'." He looks around towards Circe. "Heavily armed ladies first?" he offers with a slightly nervous smile. His eyes drift back to Sera and the smile warms slightly, his eyes twinkling.

[Seraphina]

With the Gate open, Sera was more then happy to let Circe let the way. Guns were a lot more intimidating than she was.

Sapphires take the area in, and how it just wasn’t right. This needed to be fixed.

Looking to the Dread Lord, she nods solemnly, “It’s what I was hoping to talk with you and Circe about. We need to step in. But yes, when we return.” They had to focus on why they were here. Distractions could cost them dearly in the Hedge.

“Luck doesn’t seem to work in the Hedge.” Unless she was wielding it. Her body tenses at the thought of walking further in. But she needed to focus, be alert, take nothing for granted in here.

But the smile from Rhodes was needed, and she relaxed slightly. The smile was returned with a nod of her head.

“Lets do this.” Looking to Circe.

[Circe]

Circe scans the Trod with the rifle before relaxing. Nothing waiting. She then takes it what Rhodes is pointing out but refrains from joking about global warming. "Okay then, so follow the smoke? Maybe they had their crop right next door," she shakes her head, "Doubt we'd have that luck." As it would also mean that zero chance of rescuing anyone too.

As for the King's chivalry jest that gets a smile from the well armed Summer Queen, "Right ya both are. That is gun safety 101 Rhodes," Circe nods to the King.


The elfin Fairest will take the lead, heading relatively towards the smoke if no one redirects her.

[Anatole]

Anatole takes a few moments to orient himself once he has passed the Gate.

Seriously, this Dwarf is admiring the unusual aesthetic of the restive Hedge. A smile - a happy smile filled with wonder! - is forming on his face.

The moment Circe starts moving off, Anatole is all business: his face turns steely and he sets off after the Fairest at a brisk march.

[Saber Sloth]

The closer they get the more they can tell about the smoke, it's grey wafting billow, herald's the scent of cooking meat. Closer still, they hear the hiss and sizzle of flesh over flame, the popping of spice on the grill.

Nestled in a small, recently cleared offshoot, is a large barrel of a man. Skin a ruddy, muddy brown, covered in coarse fur. Large tusks, protruding from his mouth, piercing his lip, and curling dangerously close to his eyes.

The Lost hear a high pitched squealing, whine as the Hog catches sight of the well armed Summer Queen.

"I ain't want no trouble! I just wanted break! Needed food!"

[Circe]

"Don't give me a reason ta misbehave then. And a break from what?" Circe isn't aiming at his center of mass, more the legs right now, as she briefly looks backs towards the others before nodding her head to the Hog, "Ya feel like talking ta him?"


No chewing the fat pun from Circe. She was being serious today.


Circe would let them take the lead on talks. No way was she playing good cop after that first impression. Bad if they failed? Oh certainly.

[Seraphina]

Pausing, she looks around Circe. Not that Circe was big, but she was following behind her. Sapphires take in the Hog and what he was doing.

While not appearing to be a threat, she knew better then to assume that in the Hedge.

She keeps quite until the Summer Queen speaks, then steps off to the side of her, still behind her. But making herself visible.

While Circe has her gun, the Nix holds her hands out, empty.

“I don’t want any trouble either.” She says gently, “And you continue on your break, food is important.” A nod.

“But if it wouldn’t be too much trouble, could we ask you a few questions? I promise we won’t take up a lot of your break time.” A sweet friendly smile appearing on her lips.

[Rhodes]

Rhodes watched the Beast warily. Any changeling in the Hedge could be a Loyalist. Hell, this could even be the mastermind behind the whole affair, albeit in a very.... unbecoming disguise.

His eyes dart around, watching for anyone else nearby.

Roll for perception if needed:

  3 successes

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2020-01-30 04:31:54		Rhodes rolls 5 to Perception Wits+Comp (no clarity pen) (10 Again)		3, 8, 9, 2, 8		3 successes

[Anatole]

  

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2020-01-30 04:49:15		Anatole to study the Beast for motive rolls 6 to Wits + Subterfuge + Spec (10 Again)		10, 2, 7, 4, 2, 9, 2		2 successes

Anatole waited, one hand on his hip (fingers tucked in his belt) while the other held his axe. He had his eyes fixed warily on the Beast as he tried to discern the unknown changeling's motive.

He could be simply camping and passing through...

He could be a Loyalist...

He could be a spy...

Better shut those thoughts down before paranoia turned them into fears...