Welcome to Funderland 2020

[Rhodes]

There is a spine-chilling breeze and the Dread Lord swans back to the assembled Changelings. "There. All done," the Autumn King says brisquely with a smile. "I hope we didn't miss anything.... interesting?" He asks Seraphina and looking over to Circe, noting the slight change in the Summer's demeanour as if something sore had arising in conversation. His eyebrow arches slightly. Provoking Circe in the wrong way, he knew, was rarely a wise move. Beneath her chirpy exterious she simmered like any summer.

[Sonnie Wu]

"They are!" Sonnie nodded rapidly in agreement with Seraphina, "Those girls drive me into bankruptcy every time they show up at my door!" Who could truly resist those cookies? "Tagalongs are my favorite!"

She started in on her second burger. While munching on the delicious combination of meat and bun, she raised an eyebrow, "Wait, did I miss something? We're actually going on a Hedge expedition?"

Seeing Circe's mantle flare up, the simian Beast blinked her eyes and then tried to wave off the Summer Queen's building fury, "Oh, it's okay! Like I said, I got him evicted last summer, so he's long gone! Fugly's safe!"

Sonnie's eyes turned to the thankful intervention of Rhodes, "The pledge master strikes again, eh?"

[Circe]

Circe's face may soften at the distraction but the eyes are cold rubies in a sea of oil when they turn to meet the curious sapphires, "It is fun. Some good practice but thick clothes are a must fer it. Those pellets can sting a LOT. Not easy ta wash out either," the Fairest is only half paying attention as she awaits Sonja's answer.


Sonja's answer gets the Mantle to be pulled back. And a nod from Circe, "Good job Sonja. If he ever does try, I'll help ya stop him," she kneels down to pet Fuggly, "Yer momma knows I'll crack his skull if he tries, because you are such a cute wuggly Fuggly good boy," smiling as her dulled eyes regain that friendly sparkle as she engages the dog in baby talk.


As for Sonja's other question she gets a flat, "Girl?" she looks to the monkey while still playing with Fuggly, "Me and magic coffee. Nuff said. Plus I've wanted ta experiment with driving somebodies car in the Hedge," she giggles at the idea of such mayhem. She was certain the test vehicle was going to get ruined. Though she does freeze up as a thought occurs to her. "Though, uh, anybody know how ta make a Hedgegate temporary? Not sure something big enough ta fit a car through is one we want shit coming out of. Well," she looks down at Fuggly, "Some assembly required works too. I mean if college kids can do it as a prank, can't be that hard."

[Bugul]

Bugul visibly frowns when John attempts to negotiate the terms of Rhodes' Oath.

He himself had done the same, but only because he felt Rhodes had not asked enough from him. From where Bugul was sitting it seemed John was attempting to discuss the need of the Oath to begin with.

Still, he said nothing, letting the Oath come and go unharassed as it went.

Bugul remained as he always did: A Silent Watcher. However, he was not hidden, merely unengaged.

[James Turner]

“I mean, it’s not, I just really got into Game of Thrones…”

He said to Rhodes as they re-joined the group, the Oath having been sworn. His hands moved to toss away the paper plate having ate his fill of food for now. A placid look on his face as he watched Circe intently, keeping his eyes close to her as he could feel the bubbling threat of violence in the air.

His lips pursed slightly, this had been what he’d been referencing. If Circe exploded what would happen? Who could even really hope to stop her especially in terms of raw strength, acting Summer Monarch or no they were still Summer.

Then the tension dissolved and a note was added to his mental codex of topics to avoid around the queen of rage. Rhodes was right not to trust him, that knife cut both ways though, it had taken a long time doing this dance to acclimate in Seattle but duty was duty and he’d been called to service.

“Do you routinely take vehicles into the hedge? I’d think they’d attract more attention than you’d want, that’s coming from me so take that as you will but I’d think It’s not exactly low profile. I don’t think I can make one pop out of nowhere but I can usually find an exit or entrance as needed.

“Though my concern is less with magical coffee, we’d just take a road trip up to Seattle the mundane way for that, and more on figuring out our borders…”

[Seraphina]

Sera shakes her head as she enjoys her cotton candy, “Not really.” Obviously not concerned with Circe. She’s seen the Summer act like this before, and it usually didn’t lead to anything dangerous.

Giggling, “I’m a sucker for the mint ones. Oh! And the lemon ones!” she adds, “Have you tried the mint ones after they’ve been in the freezer for a couple hours?! And mixing them into ice cream!” cause they were soo good!

A shrug, “I don’t see why not. If we have enough people, and are careful, it might be beneficial.” Get to know the area a bit.

Was she trying to distract Circe? A bit. “Know any good local place? I’ve always wanted to try it and would rather try it with people I know.” And the Summer seemed like the perfect paint ball partner.

“Driving a car?” she asks, “Thankfully, I haven’t bought one yet, but even if I did, I would not be lending it for that.” No way.

“Though I was told about this really fun idea of a hand-glider once. Still sold on it and think it would be a blast!” a sly smirk offered to Rhodes.

[Rhodes]

The Dread Lord gives Sonnie a smile. "I certainly like to think so. Though until one can work out why the Freehold Pledge unravelled, there are still questins to consider of the art of the Pledgesmith. It really is a quite fascinating topic, arcanely speaking."

A polite not is given to Bugul. The Dread Lord sees the watchers as fear comes to all. Those that say nothing often hear the most.

Our borders? Not yet, John. You are a visitor, not yet a member. Oh, how people love to slide their way in with language. Such fun.


It was hard to forget that Sera's sweet tooth could rival the monkey's between the treats laying around at home and the hours she spend working out to stop them hanging around. The Dread Lord permits himself an amused smile as she gushes oves her sweet treats.

He arches an eyebrow at the Spring Queen. "Handgliding? Have you found a way of forcing more hours in the day after all?"

[Sonnie Wu]

Fugly yapped happily in response to Circe, simply feeding off her returning positive energy. He was a happy little wigglebutt.

Sonnie, for her part, had climbed atop one of the stalls and sat on the roof, her feet dangling off the side. Burger in hand, she pondered the idea of cars driving in the Hedge, "I mean... it might work... if you pushed one downhill, right?" Mortal technology was notoriously unreliable in the realms of the fae. "If the doorway was big enough, I don't see why not? Just turn a garage door into a hedge gate. Boom! Done!"

John being officially locked into a pledge put her at ease for now. The Claviger no longer interposed herself between him and the Spring Queen. Instead, she simply kept one eye on his movements. She wasn't terribly blatant about it, but neither was she highly subtle. "Borders? I thought they went out of business. I think Barnes & Noble is still around, though."

She threw a look towards Seraphina, "In... ice cream? How do you come up with these amazing ideas? And why didn't I think of that?"

[Circe]

Circe looks at John, though still playing with Fuggly, with a shrug, "If yer takin' a vehicle then yer not caring about low profile. Most things dive outta the way of a large fast moving hunk of metal," an evil laugh follows, "Or just add a ram plate ta the front works great. And the engine do work fer a lil' while Sonja," what made him think it was going to be subtle? And why did Sonja think it wouldn't work? Sure it wouldn't work for long because Hedge but you can get a trip and back out of a good truck.

Oh, John meant just buying the coffee beans from the local Freehold. Circe stares at him after he explains this. The, slightly blushing, elf pops out, "Oh, ha ha, that kind of road trip."


Circe looks between the monkey and the dragon, wondering which one consumed more sugar daily given their topic. "Girls ya can put EVERYTHING in ice cream." And sends a concerned look to Rhodes that the Freehold Oath is on the fritz? When had that happened? She needed to pay more attention to the juju crap.


Well that was a little awkward. Oh hey Seraphina was talking about paint ball, lets go to that. "One or two around here. I'd be happy ta give ya a new paint job any day," wink. Then back tot he cars. "Um, I'd probably recommend taking a truck the nobody will miss, a beater or something like that fer a road trip ta the Hedge. Long term vehicle would need a lot of custom work and all that, waaait, hang-glider? Like cloth and sticks with big drop ta the ground?" That caused her to pause her hands in adoring Fuggly. Did she mean in the Hedge or just mundane wise. Was their even an above the Thorns for that to work? And how do you even land those things? Her only experience with hang gliders was the various Hasbro ish toys.

[Bugul]

Bugul's gaze on John remained wary. An Oath given did not gift trust, the Oath itself was an exercise to see if he could be trusted. Perhaps he was feeling combative, but Bugul's distrust prompted a response as John again mentioned his ability as assets to be had on the coming expedition.

"My offer remains, Circe," he says, "John seems concerned with hobs. Many see me as kin... I do not share his fear."

The Goatman had made his personal view on the importance of Oaths clear and he was under no illusion that being under one made him a member of the Freehold.

A huff pressed its way from the Beast's snout as his ears twitched.

"You presume much," he said, his usual slow tone now weighed with a sense of seriousness, "These borders are not yours, just as they are not mine. We are visitors here. You should not mistake the kindness of the Monarchs as acceptance."

Blunt? Yes. Rude? Slightly. However, the vine-laden Broadback felt all of it to be necessary. It seemed John needed a reminder of his reality and, if none of the sovereigns were going to do it, Bugul would do so.

"A home is earned, you and I know this. Prove yourself a figure of worth and trust. Then you will gain the place you crave," he said, "By the Thousand's will, I remain apart from your assembled Courts, but it seems fair to say an absent Court grants you no leniency, dear Winter. Nor should it."

Seeing Rhodes' nod, the Goatman returns it, briefly granting the Ashen King his attention before returning his gaze to the greater group.

"Yet I forget myself and I have darkened the mood," Bugul offers, dipping his head in apology, "You have my apologies, but I will not stay silent when another assumes their privilege. Not when I abide by my own Oath to your community."