(Broken Cycle) Back on the Street

[Rhodes]

Rhodes throws a hand ahead of them. "Into.... the Hollow. Quickly." They weren't out of the woods yet.

He tried to regain his breath. It lloked like Sera was hurt, but that had to wait. They could sort their wounds when they had escaped.

[Saber Sloth]

Quick as can be, the Lost travel the Trod.

From behind them, they can still hear those echoing, desperate howls. Each step, however takes them away from the sounds, from the unkempt hunting ground of those Briar Wolves, and further still from the manicured green with it's giant stag effigy.

Eventually, the Springs see the much familiar sights of those directly outside the Tavern, and then the Tavern itself! Their slice of revelry and their now, bastion of safety.

The door yields to their presence, and they are welcomed by the familiar warm wood, the well detailed chairs, and the stools by the well warn bartop. The kegs in the wall, and their bronze taps.

It seems, for now. They're safe.

[Titania]

She disentangles - rather reluctantly - from the monkey's back, the click of high heels against the floor as slender fingers adjust her dress.
She looks around, taking a breath of relief now that they're truly safe. "We made it", she says looking to the ground. How can she even put her gratitude in words?
She looks at the Queen, studious eyes zoom on the wounds. Perhaps she could help with that.

[Sonnie Wu]

Inside the familiar environs of the Tavern, Sonnie's shoulders sagged with relief. They were all out of danger. For now.

For the first time since the alley, she let go of her favored weapon, setting the staff down on a table, as well as her messenger bag. "Well... that sucked." She began a brief series of cooldown stretches for her tired muscles. "I hope the art exhibit was worth it."

She paused, then shook her head at her own biting sarcasm. "Sorry," she added. Taking in a deep breath, she let it out slowly. "And sorry about... about what happened. I didn't mean to, um, freak out." Fingers pinched the bridge of her nose for a moment. "The whole thing just reminded me of... bad things. Worse things." Her expression was still embarrassed, which is not a normal look for the Monkey. Shame was not an emotion she usually ever dealt with.

Blinking her eyes, the realization that Seraphina was seriously hurt finally registered, "Oh, here!" The Beast turned and dug inside her bag, and a moment later she came up with a small ziploc baggie that held a pair of plump, pink cherries. "Blushberries! Eat one, Sera! It'll help heal your arm!" She started fishing one of the goblin fruit out of the container.

[Seraphina]

She wanted to relax when they entered the Tavern, but she couldn’t. Scent was a thing, and couldn’t wolves track people that way?

Taking her coat off, she takes a look at her arm, and shrugs it off. It was ok, nothing too serious.

Nodding to Titania, “We did, but I worry about us being safe here. Maybe we regroup and leave as soon as possible.” How was the safety of the Tavern? It was something she honestly hadn’t checked lately.

Glancing to Sonnie as she finds a napkin behind the bar and tries to wipe some of the blood off. “Well, I got my year worth of running in.” she tries to joke.

Reaching out and gently squeezing the Beasts shoulder, “It’s ok.” With a reassuring smile.

Looking at the cherries, “Shouldn’t those be saved for when someone gets seriously injured? It’s just a deep scratch.” She wasn’t opposed to it, but surely, they were better used on someone more injured. Thinking of others instead of herself.

“So where to now? I think we need to be careful, but need to figure out if we can get rid of Him.” The Hunter.

[Rhodes]

We made it. "Just.... about..." he agrees breathlessly with Titania. Rhodes is still recovering as the conversation begins. Once he has recovered, he looks around.

"Not to be overly worried, but How strong are the Wards here ladies? I don't want any wolves finding their way in." He keeps looking back to the Hedge entrance warily.

Sera's question does draw his attention. "Well, the next thing we need to do is warn everyone. Every member of the Freehold need to be told. And brought together, so we can make a plan."

Because if we can't, plan B is always employing the better part of valour.

[Saber Sloth]

Feel free to post around me. If I need to chime in with ST things I will

[Titania]

It takes a minute to adjust to their newfound reality. They were preys in their own den, and no amount of wards would ever change that. Besides, the moment they left their hollow they could be tracked.
The scent of blood fills her senses, bringing back memories better left buried. She quickly closes the space separating herself from the Queen, placing a hand over her shoulder and giving a soft squeeze. Sera was right, how could they deny that.
A trickle of glamour gushes from her hands, quickly pouring over the other Fairest. Red flowers bloom in its wake, their roots patching the wound.
It's a miracle of the Wyrd.

3 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2020-05-11 00:11:59	Titania rolls 11 to Wits + Medicine + Mantle (10 Again)	8, 4, 3, 6, 8, 10, 7, 7, 7, 7, 3, 6	3 successes

[Sonnie Wu]

The Nix's reassurance was nice, but it didn't settle the Monkey's feelings much. Her gaze stayed focused on the plastic baggie in her grasp.

I ran away.

I protected myself.

I abandoned my friends.

Law of the jungle.

I suck at this.

I went back.

She paused, blushberry held gently between her fingers, as Sera refused the offer. Sonnie stared blankly at the goblin fruit, then slowly nodded and put it away once more. "If... if you say so." It seemed to not matter, as Titania had taken care of the Queen's injury a moment later.

The Beast went to the door, the one that lead out into the Hedge. She double checked to be certain it was locked. "Wards? Um, the doors are kind of sturdy, and the locks are... okay?" She shook her head as she answered Rhodes, "The Tavern's not really hidden. This place is built for parties, not security."

She looked towards Seraphina, but still wasn't meeting her eyes (or anyone's), "Guess we should install better locks?"

I'm Claviger. I should have been thinking about shit like this.

Like I ever think about anything but food and jokes.

I suck at this.

Sonnie's fist struck the door. There wasn't any energy behind the punch, but it still made an audible thud. She just stood there, knuckles pressing against the wood, and stared at the floor.

[Seraphina]

Sighing, “I’m not completely sure to be honest. And I should have looked into it sooner.” She was Queen now, she needed to keep her Court safe, and she didn’t think to check the Wards.

Sapphires are cast down, both in embarrassment, and anger.

“Then that’s what we do. Did we want to split, some looking into how we can defeat or run this thing off and the others warning the rest of the Freehold?” but where was safe enough to bring the whole Freehold together? Maybe the coffee shop?

Looking to Titania when she squeezed her shoulder, she offered a small smile. But then the other Fairest did something unexpected, she healed the cut. A grateful smile, a hand placed over Titania’s, “Thank you.”

But then Sonnie. Something was wrong.

A nod, “We will. That will be made a priority.” She replies, carefully watching.

When she struck the door, Sera went over to her and wrapped an arm around her, pulling her into a gentle hug, “We got this.” Her voice soft.