(2003) Spring Equinox

[Titania]

As the Spring Queen announces her Putsch. A lot of little gears start spinning like clockwork inside the Bright One's head.
The disappearance of Ingrid and Sasha had benefitted a select few, cue in Sir Abe's murder as well. And now the Queen just announced that her King Consort (was that really, or she was misjudging?) would become the new Director. Who had taken part in the vote, wasn't it an elective position?
She doesn't voice her concern, but she observes. She's British, Constitutional Monarchy is more than just a word.

[Circe]

Circe's reply is quiet though her head nod is obvious, "Yup, seen them on a few magazine covers. We have lots of beautiful people here too though. Aaaand," she gets louder, "I'd have a makeup expert help with my disguise, oh ho ho ho ho ho!"

Fortunately for Rhodes' ears Circe goes full noble woman with the laugh, retrieving her arm from him and keeping the open palm facing Rhodes. She then waves bye bye to James, "Have fun with him girl!"

And then gives a surprised look to Sonja for the barb against Titania. Circe just assumed it was because Titania was Titania but was there an issue in Spring. She whispers to Rhodes, "Did I miss some Spring drama or something?"

When Seraphina makes her speech, Circe puffs up her chest as she flashes the Lost a huge smile whilst making a victory V when she is called as Grounds Keeper.

As for her first thought on the issue between the two Springs maidens? "Plus Sera the Groundskeeper is here ta keep the piece. I even have a taser, uh, somewhere. Aaaand I've heard worse speeches. Yers?" Circe drinks as her free hand comes up in a fist. Then turns into a thumbs up, "Ah, Ya did great. No false promises or politician stuff. Plus Rhodes is actually good at paperwork. I'm sure nobody wants me in charge."

Circe leaves unsaid are any objections to Seraphina as Director. Rubies dart across an ocean of black ink, focusing between Sonja and Titania, "Buuut Seraphina two things. First," thumps up is now index finger, "As a Summer I feel obligated ta suggest the girls just duke it out ta settle their differences, followed by a shared drink. Maybe those giant bouncy sumo suits?" Circe shrugs before the middle finger goes up to join the index, "Second," then she drops the arm to hoist up her bag, "Is a Monarch thing. I got the things. Ya ready fer me ta hand 'em out? Just the three now, wait on numba 4. You and Rhodes ready ta accessorize?"

[Bugul]

There it was.

The declaration of the Seasons had come at last. Yet even as one who stood outside that system Bugul knew well he was expected to toe the line. And so he would, as the Thousand had bid him.

"And so the season shifts," Bugul says, his mumbled tone indicating the words were for him alone, "Thank the Thousand for that."

Reaching over to retrieve a little bourbon, Bugul would pour himself a shot before slamming it back. Relaxing in his chair, the Goatman would keep an ear to his surroundings, but his butt remained firmly rooted at the bar.

[Anatole]

Anatole watches silently, cracking a fake grin from his self inflicted position behind the bar.

A commotion draws his attention and he shifts on his feet when the newcomer @Yamiyo Lilich appears at James Turner side. The flurry of movement and the boldness of her actions give the wizened some pause. Following the Romancer as she moves away, he completely misses the importance of Seraphina speech.

[Rhodes]

Rhodes nods as Yamiyo flits off. As Sonnie makes her... brash announcement, he leans in to the Summer Queen. "I have no idea. There certainly seems to be discord, doesn't there?"

"Mmmm?" He looks to John. "Oh. No, sadly. I have had little success tracing Lady Sasha. Once the Winter coronation was paid for... her former club sold..." he shrugs. "It has happened many times before. We seem to be a waystation where few set root for long. But that keeps us small, and relatively inconspicuous." And with the riots and dream over winter, and the increasing number of model-esque individual that were moving around, that would be needed all the more.

Then the Darkling sways off and whispers to Sonnie. Fascinating. Did he imagine himself some Jiminy Cricket, or shoulder demon? Either way, only a fool inserted himself in another's disagreement.

The Dread Lord draws himself up for the Spring Queen's announcement. He knew it was coming, after all. He smiles around at the assembled changelings. As Sera comes over he offers her a loving smile. "It was perfect, darling. Concise and to the point." He gives her a peck on the cheek. "How are your new faces? Miss Lillich seems very respectful. And did I hear the sound of some pledges being made across the room?" he says, approvingly. She was far better at this than she believed.

He gives Circe a smile, then looks to Sera. "I'm ready if you are?"

[Yamiyo Lillich]

Again, she had been ignored again! Hmm, chugging her second energy drink before realizing what she had done, knowing how this caffeine would soon affect her but oh well such was life. Heading over to the bar where James had been sitting, in a move seeming like she was about to slam down her empty can before stopping at the last second and gently putting it down.
Lightly touching her ears as she listens to first the words of Sonnie, clearly there was some drama or history there but one she didn't know anything about and as such she shouldn't interfere with it at least not until she knew more about it.
Taking another of the cans of energy drinks before listening to the words of her Queen, well that was just formal stuff or orders nothing that would really affect her more than finding out that these positions existed and were already filled but it was still good information to have.
Looking to James as he had returned and the Queen seeming to be coming his way, giving him a quick peck on the other cheek this time.
"Come on cutie lets go limbo now, don't just sit there"

Looking over the bar and blowing a kiss to the bearded dwarf, not that he could be much shorter than her if he even was shorter that would say, hard to see when you didn't really focus she would have to look into that sometime.
"You to noble barkeep, one needs to have fun at times like these, kindly join for my sake"

Giving the barkeep a quick glance of trying to look cute and begging him to participate before skipping over to Titania, giving her a light curtsy.
"Fair maiden I believe we haven't officially met my name is Yamiyo Lillich, one of the new arrivals as you undoubtedly knows, I hope you will partake in this limbo game with us and that we will be able to become good friends in the months to come. If there is anything you wan't to talk about, tell me or ask of me never hesitate nor should you ever feel hesitant to ask of my aid."
Standing up on her toes, lightly jumping a bit to give the glamourly masked woman a quick peck on her cheek, a warm smile before skipping over to the monkey girl.

Looking at her excitedly, putting down her energy drink, her tail waving excitedly.
"So where is the line? Need help holding the stick? Come on let's limbo"

Ohh no I've had to much caffeine, well it is a spring event maybe they won't notice or care.

[Sonnie Wu]

"Now, the key to limbo is to stretch first. So please, all contestants make sure you're limbered up and--"

The remote whisper came.

"AHHHHHHH!!" Sonnie jumped in shock and dropped the limbo stick to the floor with a clatter. She spun about, fist raised in self-defense, looking for the source of the voice. "What the crap?? What was-- where did that-- what the hell?" Finding no one anywhere close to her, her eyes scanned all about, even searching the ceiling.

"Did... did anyone else hear a weird voice? Like, it whispered in their ear? Was it... Oh. My. God. Is the Tavern HAUNTED??" Slowly, the Beast bent down and picked up the bamboo stick, while still looking around, presumably for ghosts. "It was so creepy! It said something about doing my laundry? And... I dunno, I didn't catch the rest..." She shook her head. "What kind of ghost is into laundry? Is it because of the sheets?"

It was at that moment that Seraphina came forth to make her pronouncement (royal decree?) and Sonnie quieted down so as not to distract from the Fairest's moment. A new Director and Groundskeeper? That was curious. She wasn't quite sure what to make of this development, but she applauded her Queen just the same.

"You were great, Queen Sera!" She nodded energetically to the Nix. "Very royal!"

Her tail slipped out to lift the edge of a table cloth, and she knelt down to peek underneath. No ghosts there. Hmmmm. She was about to go check the other tables, but Circe's announcement of gifts for the Monarchs caught her flighty attention for the moment. "Oh, presents!"

Seems the limbo contest had been temporarily forgotten.

[James Turner]

John, did you forget something? Yes. To introduce yourself first, this is a new Court you can't rely on old habits.


Though he couldn't help but smirk at Sonnie's reaction. Well, this was going to make for a good bit of fun down the road to be certain. Though that didn't last after Seraphina's response and words to him, his face going slack as bile rose in his throat. Anger was his first response as his mantle pulled in around him, Wyrd attached to words, to oaths taken in sleet and snow.


He let out a long exhale and collected himself looking around the room. He was new, Angel was new, Bugul and Anatole both new. When it came to Changelings with long-standings in this Court it was those three, Sonnie, and the Queen of Shade herself Titania. So the actual numbers of people who could fill these positions were small.


But Rhodes' response, that uncaring response to a court, to HIS people missing is what made him at least say something.


"Summer's role is to keep us secure and safe as is, ss the Grounds Keeper going to, I don't know, be able to "deputize" folks in a crisis for lack of a better analogy? Otherwise it seems redundant. With the disappearance of Winter, Director seems a necessary precaution. I will do my part to fulfill what roles and obligations in the mean time, rest assured you have my support if you seek it."




Please Your Majesty, handled? They were just like cats hissing at each other in the middle of your coronation, handled isn't fixed. If you want to pretend like everything is fine that's on you. I've offered my support twice, there's power in the third phrase so it shall not be offered again.


He shook his head to Yamiyo as she spoke to him


"Sorry, not really in the limbo mood. Don't know how much I feel like partying."

[Angel]

An angel follows the Queen and Titania back towards the throes of the party. Finding a seat at the periphery, they quietly watch and study. Whispers and commotion.

Now is the time to study. Study behaviors and personalities, those can hint at secrets and secrets are power. The power to make a lover stay, the power to chose your future.

Angel is determined not to be taken, used, and disposed of, ever again.

Long, slim legs cross, a long, fingered fist props up a perfect chin, and they are once more, the ice sculpture for the party. A beauty to be admired while getting more punch, and then forgotten as more interesting conversation is pressing.

[Seraphina]

Seemed whatever was going on between Sonnie and Titania was going to have to be addressed. They needed to show a united front, not whatever petty drama they had going.

Smiling to the elf, “Thank you. Though if he really is good at paperwork, I might have him spend some more time at the coffee shop and do that paperwork too.” She teased.

A heavy sigh, “I’m not entirely sure what is going on, so lets not have anyone duke it out. I plan to sit down with them and figure it out though. But thank you for the suggestions, should we need to go a different route, I’ll give you a call.” This was a Spring matter and would be handled as such.,

“Ready.” Unless another new face wanted to walk in.

The kiss was welcomed and needed. A grateful smile offered as she places a kiss on his cheek. “Both seem very respectful, Miss Angel is a Winter, so I look forward to the Season growing again.” And the cycle being whole. “You did. Both are Pledged for the Season.” She was a little proud of herself.

A thankful smile offered to Sonnie, “I’ll be joining you for the limbo contest, and you better bring your A game.” She teases.

Glancing to the other Winter, “If you have any questions or concerns, please, let us know. These are positions we had once before, and each has been a great asset to the Freehold.” Change was hard.

Looking to Circe and Rhodes, she nods.