Welcome to Funderland 2020

[Circe]

Circe had chosen well for the gathering spot, at least in her opinion. Near the Ferris Wheel there was a small eating area. A couple outdoor round tables and a hot food stand. Circe was horridly dressed in the janitor staff jumpsuit to help maintain her cover of working at Funderland. It even had grease stains from her actually maintaining the Ferris Wheel. At least her hands were now just blue after a wash instead of black and blue.

She was behind the food stand twirling a large key chain with one hand while the other hand was working. Circe was ensuring that the pizza, burgers, and vegetarian patties were still hot. She'd also brought a couple bags of cotton candy, a cooler for sodas, and a salad from somewhere outside the park.

Black and red eyes look around the park.

If nobody showed up she'd be rather put out at the excess of leftovers.

[Sonnie Wu]

Like leftovers would ever be a problem when Sonnie Wu is around. The Beast with the voracious appetite was never one to miss a party... or any social function, really. Here she came, dressed in faded blue jeans, an unzipped green hoodie over a Planet of the Apes tee shirt, and a red beanie on her head. She was, interestingly, barefoot. Her monkey feet were on full display.

Accompanying her was her faithful canine companion, Fugly! The unsightly mongrel was on a leash and harness, and just looked happy to be here! Tail shaking excitedly, he immediately scented the hot food and started straining in that direction. His mistress was also sniffing the air, though she held the dog back, for the moment.

"Circe! What's this poppycock about not turning on the rides? This is an injustice!" she grinned at the blue elf, waving hello. "Fugly demands roller coaster time!"

[Seraphina]

If Circe was doing an open night of sorts at the park, Sera had to be there. Not only was it a social gathering, but in case any new faces showed up.

She walks up wearing a white dress with a cut out in the front and ribbon detail up the back. High heels of course and her long silver and gold hair hung down around her shoulders tracing the ground as she walked. As she approached Circe and Sonnie, vibrant wild flowers grew in her wake and spread around.

Waving, “Hey you guys!” then she spots Fugly, “Fugly!” and immediately bends down to give him a good scratch behind his ears. Golden scales shimmering under the lights.

“Looks great Circe. Are you expecting a lot of people?”

[James Turner]

To the other gathered Changelings there James was a new face, he wasn't wearing anything fanciful in the slightest. He wore a gray ghostbusters t-shirt that had that machine faded look to it and a black slacks that were worn at the knees from use. Starring back at them was a pale white face with skin that was stretched back pulled too tight across the frame. Eyes and mouth a deep, endless void, the perceptive ones would notice that the shadow would step and the body would follow.

His hands tucked into his pockets as the black chuck's he wore barely made a sound as each step was slow and deliberate, standing there for a second to take in the scene; One Beast, Two fairest, or at least two exceptionally good looking individuals. Those black eyes starred forward taking in everyone and everything before a hand moved up to wave a quick hello.

"Sorry if I'm intruding. Signs didn't lie, this definitely seemed to be the place I was needed. Hello. I'm, uh, John."

He hesitated for a second, a bit of an awkward pause, as he let his eyes drift over everyone there, reading their body language as he moved closer to the group, his Mantle a chill breeze that carried on it forgotten memories.

"Is this for all of us? I don't want to break decorum, if I'd known I'd have brought wine."

He said while thumbing at the food.

[Bugul]

The Goatman had seen the graffiti and had come at his own pace. Slow, steady and comfortable, the vine laden Beast could be seen on the periphery.

Waiting.

[Circe]

"Lil Monkey with the cute Fugly wugly whose cute is as a caterpup," she sings out at Sonnie's arrival before her expression and tone goes flat, "2 reasons. It'd take half an hour running across the park ta get a good one started. And," cheery again as she raised her hand with a smile, "I got vetoed already. Now, does cutey Fugly want a sausage, wait no, burger?" Then Circe makes a show of throwing a bag of cotton candy at Sonnie Wu, "And pretty sure YOU will want this."

And then Seraphina arrives. Getting a wave from Circe before the blue Fairest freezes up, crimson and black eyes widen at the sight of that white dress. Circe looks down at her jump suit. Then Seraphina. Down. Up. Down. Up. "Fanculo Sera, I feel way over dressed now," her shoulders sag. "Um, honestly Sera? Nope."

Then somebody new arrives as she grins at Seraphina before waving a hand at the new guy, "But I could be wrong," then turns to Mr Campbell, "Sup new John?!" Another friendly wave. Which was then redirected to the figure off in the dark, "And hiya B!" Before spinning on her heel to look at Campbell again, "Excellent merch by the way," she gives him a thumbs up of approval. And hey the guy had black eyes too, well that is nice. "Oh yeah its fer folks, I'm just makin' sure it don't burn, um," she looks down at the hot food stand, "Can this actually burn shit?"

"Eh don't matter John. Welcome welcome ta our fair city!" arms spread wide revealing to emphasize the words, "Hopefully even more show up fer the fun. More friends the better right? Course I'm right. And nobody wait on eating, I don't intend ta leave this stuff for rats. Not even disco Hedge rats." She said that part very quickly before coughing to the side, "But ya boys mighta missed I won't turn on the big rides. The rope ladder game or ball toss ya can try though. Or pet the puppy! I want ta pet the puppy," Circe looks to Sonja Wu, "Imma pet the puppy, self serve food!"

And with that the stained jumpsuit wearing Fairest goes good on her word, coming around to kneel before Fugly to pet the pug and treat him to incoherent you are a good dog blubbering.

[Sonnie Wu]

"A... caterpillar?" Sonnie asked, confused by Circe's reference. "Yeah, sure, he's as cute as a caterpillar!" She nodded in agreement, as she let Fugly off his leash. It wasn't as if he was going to run off. The dog tended to stick close to the monkey.

She did blow a raspberry at the lack of active rides, though. Still, she was mollified by the bag of cotton candy thrown her way! "Woot! Thanks! And yes, Fugs would love a burger! Wouldn't you, boy?"

The mongrel barked in a positive manner. Then he seemed unable to decide between greeting the Summer Queen or the Spring Queen, when the latter of which arrived. Fugly excitedly ran back and forth between both Fairest.

"Hi Sera!" The Steepscrambler smiled at the Nix as she ripped open the plastic bag to get at the spun sugar inside. She paused after stuffing a fistful in her mouth when the mysterious Darkling arrived.

Golden eyes shifted between the new arrival and Circe. Did she know this guy? She shifted closer to Seraphina, protectively.

Thankfully cotton candy melted in your mouth, she was able to speak again quite quickly. "Hey there... John?" Was that a Winter mantle she detected? Seemed cold enough, though the Autumn King had quite a chilly mantle, too. "I'm Sonnie, how you doing?"

As she studied James Turner, she noted Bugul's lurking at the edges of the party area, and she waved him closer.

Fugly, meanwhile, was in doggo heaven as Circe paid him so much attention!

[Seraphina]

Well, he was new.

Sapphires take in the guy, noting the chill in the breeze from him. Autumn? Winter? She wasn’t sure.

Either way, her smile was warm, as was her angelic voice, “Hi! Welcome John.” She greets with a small wave of a translucent hand, “I’m Seraphina, or Sera, I’ll answer to both.” A slender shoulder shrugs, “That would be for our hostess to decide, but I think it is.” She says with a wink.

The Courtless one was spotted and she waves and smiles. Hoping he’ll decide to come be social. If not? Well, that was on him.

Pouting to Circe, “I don’t get a cotton candy?” she asks, sounding disappointed, but really just messing with the Summer. Though she did like cotton candy. So much in fact, “Guess I have to eat the stuff I have at the coffee shop then.” Yeah, she had cotton candy at her coffee shop. But what for?

At the look, she puts a hand on her hip, posing, “You like?” of course she liked, Sera looked amazing in this dress. It was why she picked it. “Overdressed?” she looks the elf over, “Simple! Take it off!” a hint of mischief in her eyes. “Either way, it’s good to get out and all hangout. Plus, food!” food was always a bonus. “Sorry I didn’t reply to the text, but I figured you would know I was with Rhodes anyways, so,” another shrug, “yah.” Why send two texts?

Giggling, “Yes, yes it can. So lets try and not burn the food. Cause that’s just a waste of good food!” though it probably took a bit longer to burn food. But she wasn’t sure.

“Petting Fugly is always a good choice.” A sage nod. Always pet Fugly.

Laughing at Fugly going back and forth, “Silly puppy!” she said, still laughing. “I bought you an awesome bed! Clearly I’m the best choice.” Points out the Nix with a smile.

“Hey Sonnie, how’s it going?” grinning as she tore into the bag, “Did you know they sell cotton candy machines meant for your house?” was telling the Beast that a bad idea? Probably? Did she regret it? Not one bit!

[James Turner]

He knew he couldn't help it, he was the new guy after all, but the last place he wanted to be was the center of any attention. The sheer energy levels of the three of them would have had him guess they were all spring, it dug into and beneath his skin threatening to overwhelm him. His face was a stony mask only breaking when he cast a sympathetic gaze to the goatman and nodded.

That's exactly where I'd prefer to be, right on the edges a good vantage point to observe but appearances must be maintained. You aren't totally bereft of social graces after all. He went and took a post against the hot food stand, leaning against it as he wouldn't be the first to eat. Not that he didn't trust them, but he didn't trust them. Not yet at least, trust was a bridge that had to be built and it worked both ways. Which is why the Winter courtier was even here, some work has to be done in the open, best to keep everyone honest.

He blinked a few times as the words rolled over him like a wave, his face placid and tone even as he replied.

"Thanks, just kind of something I threw on. I appreciate the warm welcome..."

He paused leaving Circe an opening to introduce herself, he'd caught her name of course

"...perhaps someone can give me the rundown on your fair city, being new here and all. Is this a formal gathering?"

His voice raised on octave on that last note but it took him concentrating on it to remember that'd be normal in most speech patterns. His smile seemed to warm as Sonnie introduced herself, he didn't offer a hand but gave a slight nod of the head to acknowledge her introduction.

"It's a pleasure, I have to say I enjoy the humour..."

Nodding to the t-shirt, the mask cracking as his lips stayed in that amused smile. It wasn't that he was emotionless, it just took a lot to move the needle was all. He understood emotion, he understood how it could betray you too. Not that he'd been prone to emotional swings even before he'd been taken, he'd always been rather even keeled.

"I take that's Fugly?"

His amusement growing as he looked to the dog shaking his head. He was better with people than animals, something about the sharp claws and teeth had always put him off. He watched as the conversations shifted, listened to the different tones they addressed each other in paid attention to where people's attention were drawn all from his perch against the stand before acknowledging Sera.

"Thank you for the welcome Sera, can't say I will forget that one. What coffee shop might that be?"

The goal of any dance, of any conversation was to put out as little information about yourself that wasn't directly asked while getting as much as you could. This might contribute to his Courts reputation and why they didn't always get the warmest reception but there was a certain beauty to it. Maybe that was just him.He clearly couldn't help but observe as she modeled the dress for Circe, he was lucky he hadn't been drinking anything or he'd have choked on her next words. Genuine surprise shot across his face, a hand running through his hair as he took a second to recompose himself having been thrown off guard.

He shook his head turning to the one the called B giving a slight nod and then looking at the stand, a non verbal cue that he was welcome to join if he wished.The fringes are where you have to watch. Those on the outside can step in either direction, it's where our defenses are weakest. So, this is where I have to watch.

[Bugul]

The waves and nods were noted, but what prompted the Goatman to move forward was the scent of food. Bugul was dressed in usual attire: well-worn jeans and a black coat over a grey hoodie, though the hood itself was down. His eyes remained locked on the table until his person found itself next to the newest figure: John.

At that point, Bugul stopped beside the Darkling and turned his head to observe him, the woody vines in his mane shifting audibly with the motion. The Goat stared at the Whisperwisp's visage, enduring the chilly breeze of his mantle. Bugul's gaze was distant, almost as if looking through the Darkling, and it remained for several long seconds. Then... the Beast continued along his way, looking back to the table and proceeding onwards.

A glance is offered to Circe.

"Hello," he said, his voice a low grumble as he finally responded to Circe's greeting. A slight smile hit his face.

As he passed his protective fellow Beast, a hand patted Sonnie's shoulder. Grabbing a burger, the strange Beast made himself a burger, deftly putting on toppings, mayonnaise, and ketchup before returning to a space next to the Steepscrambler and her Monarch.

Bugul spared a glance as Sera modeled her dress, of course. Who didn't? In short order, the Goatman's focus returned to the newcomer though. He looked to John as he spoke and began to eat.