Lost Behind The 8 Ball

[Seraphina]

Giggling, the Nix picks up a napkin and hands it to Sonnie, “Here you go.” Then motions to her cheek. Cause friends don’t let friends play pool with cheese on their cheek.

A nod, “Oh, of course! Then yes, I am very observant!” she agrees, “And yes, sometimes I can be on the ball.” A wink.

Then a cheer for the monkey! “Good job!”

Glancing to Yamiyo and Coco, “Are you two going to be able to play? Or are we going to have to take a rain check?” a sly smile tugging at her lips.

But John’s words made her pause, her body going ridged for a moment. Looking over to Coco, and she wondered how she missed it. Had it just been that long since she had been high? Or was she just blind to it now? A distance in her eyes as she spaces out for a moment. Caught in memories perhaps? Or something else?

Drug deals? In the pool hall? They were adults, but they didn’t need the attention. Never one to stop someone from doing what they wanted, she wasn’t sure what to say. “Seems you guys have business to attend to. Did you want us to pause the game and wait for you? Or play the game and you guys get the winners? And maybe a drink or two, if you’re good.” A wink and a playful smile. No judgement here.

It was hard to miss Circe. Between her Mantle and her blue skin, the beauty stood out. An excited wave, “Hey Smurfette! Great to see you!” greeted the Nix. “Well, I can’t take credit for it, Miss Sonnie here found it. And so far, is winning the pool game with that great first shot.” She rests her golden and silver head on Rhodes shoulder.

A playful look to Rhodes, “Maybe you do,” a shrug, “we’ll see.” She says casually, watching him.

And he misses. That was a surprise, “Hmm.” Was all she said, slowly walking around the table, maybe picking out a shot, maybe simply enjoying walking in the skirt. Hard to tell with her. Carefully, she leans over and takes a shot, watching it sink before slowly leaning back.

  1 success

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2020-04-18 14:35:02		Seraphina rolls 5 to Play Pool?(Int+Dex) (10 Again)		4, 4, 5, 9, 3		1 success

[Sonnie Wu]

What was that John was mouthing at Rhodes? The Monkey narrowed her eyes as she attempted to read the Darkling's lips. Which she quickly proved to be lousy at doing. "iPhones... his... thigh?" That made no sense. What was he talking about? John was so silly! "She already hit on Yamiyo, John. What, are you jealous?" Sonnie gave him a sly look, completely misunderstanding the situation. Or maybe she was trolling. Who knew?

"I love Italian!" she exclaimed to Coco, "Who doesn't love a great plate of spaghetti? Little garlic toast with it?" She looked to Seraphina, "Oh, we should totally go for Italian!" This, despite the plate of nachos she still had. The Nix's offer of a napkin confused her at first, until she followed directions and found the cheese on her face. "Oh! Ha ha! Thanks!"

"Hey... you!" The Beast waved enthusiastically at the arriving Larcenist, despite the pause in her voice. She couldn't remember what Circe called herself in public. Something with an M, maybe? "Yes, I found this cool place. I'm a pool sharp, after all." Shark, Sonnie, pool shark. "Anyway, join us!" She counted, finding seven Changelings now present. "Huh, we might need to rent a second table..."

"Thank you, Sera. At least someone around her appreciates a good pun in these sad times." She nodded gravely. Classic humor was an important cultural heritage, dammit!

The Monkey smiled innocently as she watched Rhodes blow his shot. "Hm, must have been beginner's luck for me... and for Sera!" She cheered as the Emerald Queen scored a pocket. The simian Beast further celebrated by having some more nachos, and this time she managed not to get any cheese on herself.

[Yamiyo Lillich]

Lost in the moment, the embrace of this strange woman were all that mattered to her, gently guiding her tongue and lips into a warm passionate kiss, unable to deny that there were feelings running high inside of her. Slowly slipping out, making the kiss warmer and more love felt, to get a blessing such as this were more than she had expected and dared to dream of from this night.
True this woman was a stranger, she was odd and she would probably not have thought much about her more than her being a fascinating other Lost at first but now she was her world, their kiss the dance she had waited all her life for.
Gently moving her hands over her body, feeling her clothes, touching every piece of bare skin she can reach with light touches, her left hand constantly reminding on Coco's left cheek gently caressing it or sliding back over her hair and neck. Loving the gentle boops from her antennas, this was all simply magical, afraid that she would wake up any moment now to realize this was nothing more than a very vivid dream.


Taking a deep breath as the kiss ended, immediately trying to get it back but in vain.
It took her a couple of seconds to realize what had been said, quickly grabbing her water in a panic.
"Here sweetie drink some water" Pushing the bottle into Coco's free hand "Please drink it pretty please, I beg you pretty please"
She was no master of drugs, she mainly did weed and poppers both of them rarely as well and if she had done others so were they things she couldn't remember but then again she had more than a few nights and a few weekends as well where she could barely remember anything that had happened. However she did know that water was often a good thing to get into your system no matter what you had taken.


Enjoying the hand on her neck, it might seem controlling or possessive to others, it might even have been meant as such but for little Yamiyo it felt like a way this new wonderful stranger tried to keep her close to her and that made the young Succubus far to happy, still afraid of where this would go she had to do her all to make it go the way she wanted, she had to.


Gently and slowly moving in closer towards the wasp, placing her tiny 4'11 99lbs body against her chest and relaxing it there, placing her ear over Coco's heart in an attempt to be near her, her right arm going around her body, her left hand caressing her cheek sensually and softly before letting her arm just hang free at her side, she was close, she could smell Coco and she could feel beats of her body that was all Yamiyo wanted for now.


A soft and low voice spoken.
"Mmmm, I love your warmth and your scent, I don't want to leave this embrace. Please let me stay love."
Looking up and gently kissing her neck, standing on her toes for a second to kiss her cheek once before going back to just snuggling up to her chest. A warm gentle smile on her lips, her eyes closed, looking relaxed and happy.
The drug thing hadn't truly bothered her at all, she was more afraid to be thrown away when the effect wore of from Coco and that she would be just last nights score but for now Yamiyo would get as much she could from this dream and hopefully not make it into a short one.
She did miss those lovely antennas booping her head though, that had been a new cute experience she was eager to relive.


The arrival on the summer Queen totally lost on her, normally she would have been courteous and welcomed her but for now her attention was very hard to get.
Nor did the question from the spring Queen, pool was far from her mind, the rest of the company just barely making it to stay alive in her mind, to actually hear them or take them in was beyond her though, Coco had struck her with her grandest weakness and she was helpless to resist it.

[James Turner]

He gave both Rhodes and Seraphina incredulous looks, a tight knot forming in his stomach as he shook his head in disappointment. He was a little disgusted by this clear lack of response and absolutely sickened with Yamiyo right now. Though he caught the freezing of the Spring Monarch...interesting.


Well looks like you have to be the adult in the room John.


He sighed and rose, pool cue still in his hand, in and instant the intensity, that vibrancy to his voice disappeared. Demeanor shifting in the blink of an eye. He softened, his eyes growing sad and sympathetic as he shook his head to Coco a frown gracing those lips.


"No, but do you want to talk about what's going on, about what brought you to this point?"


Was he the only one who could see this was a problem? Casual drug use was one thing, but getting blitzed on cocaine, walking into a random bar and nearly breaching the Freeholds secrecy and then sucking face with someone within a minute of meeting them? No one else saw issues in this behavior?


No. It's just you that gets the cold reception John. Only Winter is mistrusted and scrutinized.


He motioned to a booth for Coco to sit down if she'd like, he held out no hope for a positive reaction though, he knew how these things went. He was most likely about to be accosted for this, he'd have to take it.


"Yami, I just revealed that she was high as a kite and you're still pushing...she is in an altered state. You now are aware of this and yet you're still pushing. There's a word for that you know."


His face twisted in disgust and a bit of rage tinged his otherwise placid tone. Coco could not consent right now and if Yami kept pushing he would step in and he'd step in hard. He looked to Seraphina and then Circe. You worked with the tools at your disposal and how he held a lot of these people in his mind was about to change.


"So Miss Chanel, shall we sit and talk about it? You and I can take a seat in that booth right there, in plain view and talk about it. What do you say?"


A glare shot to Yamiyo, anything she'd built had just been toppled with one act.

[Coco]

Why did she need water? She'd had a beer, hadn't she? Where had that gone? Was it the one sitting on the pool table, or was that the monkey's? Did monkeys drink beer?

The others were chattering, and the water bottle was being pressed into her hand, and the beautiful, gilded creature with the regal crown of antlers was asking them if they should pause the game.

What game?

Then there was that delicious warmth pressing against her, those gorgeous eyes like trapped nebulas, those lips that seemed to glow and shimmer with every word as the intoxicating Yami pressed back against her.

But...Smurfette?

There was a smurf? No. Not a smurf.

Black and red eyes.

Heat.

...high as a kite...

Summertime fun. Summertime fun.

...she is in an altered state...

Summertime fun.

Heat.

You and I can take a seat in that booth right there, in plain view...

Those dark, empty voids narrowed in anger towards her new love.

"No!" Coco exclaimed, the hand that had been so possessively holding the back of Yami's neck slid across the front of her body as the Wasp wrapped her in a tight, one armed hug, and pulled her close. The water bottle fell to the ground as the Wasp grasped her cane again. It had been tucked under her arm, but it was held firmly in her hand now.

"I'm not leaving Yami! You and your blueberry aren't going to take her away!" she snarled, dragging Yami backwards as Coco began to back away, brandishing the cane, the end pointed at John, then Circe.

She'd seen the look in the Summer's eyes, and the specter's eyes! And why else would the Summer appear so suddenly? They'd called her here, that's why! Clearly, the one with the yawning, black voids for eyes had called her here so he could separate them! Interrogate her! Trap her? It wasn't happening!

Coco's faceted eyes were wild, her antennae practically vibrating atop her head as they spastically felt for disturbances in the air. If they were going to come for them, she would be ready!

I'm happy to keep it in narrative and move into a new scene, or whatever, but I'll leave it up to y'all if you wanna dice.

[Circe]

"Thanks man," she gives Rhodes a salute. Then laughs at Seraphina's admission of whom is responsible. "Well she's like that PSA that says winners don't lose. Are we betting on this game?"

Circe also heard one thing Sonja shouted on her way over. "Of course the Italian will come ta ya Sonja," Circe laughs, "Again. We'll take turns and bets. Wager the dinner ticket or something."

And wow were Yamiyo and the new bug girl getting handsy with each other. That a low chuckle from Circe and a thumbs up to Coco, since Yamiyo seemed to be way to into it. And wait, the bug was stoned? "Wait, yer high?" She points at Coco.

Then Coco's outburst. "Snerk, ha ha who told her my weak nickname?" Circe then turns to Coco, "Now now now, I just got here and am totally in favor of free love flower child shit. Plus," she gives her a big smile and a thumbs up, "Yer a cute couple. Buuut have ya had dinner together yet?"

There were certain ways to talk to junkies. Circe didn't want to but she done it before. Aggressive tended to not work well when they were armed. Well, bug girl had a stick. Circe checked her pockets. Yup, she could zap the bug if needed.

For now, Circe would attempt the logic of the impaired, the shitty kind of logic. Circe frowns before sighing as she shakes her head, "Dating steps, right? The two of ya are supposed ta have dinner together, step 1. Serious petting step 2. Smex step 3. Ya shouldn't skip a step," blue hand leaves the pocket to show a wallet, "Come one, dinner on me, wait." She shakes her head in the negative, "Not like the sushi thing, I'm Italian and if ANYONE suggests trying that with lasagna I will be irked," she looks around at the others before returning to the odd pair, "Remember, follow the steps. Also look again, my tone isn't blueberry it is more aquamarine. Wait! Pool contest of couples. If ya win the loser pays fer yer dinner, eh? Eeeeh?"

She then looks back to the others gathered, "Aaaand how the fanculo did this start anyway?" Then whispers to Sonja, "Should I use riddle-kith ta fuck with the stoned bug? Who the fanculo is she anyway?"

I am fine with dice gods deciding to fight off drunk dating.

[Rhodes]

Rhodes rests his head on Sera's. She was just taller enough that it was easy to do so, as long as he was careful not to tangle the branches at his temple into the gold-spun hair.

Eyes flick to the ceiling as Sonnie seems to want to join an italian meal. "So much for a private meal together..." he quips to Sera. Gaze returning so the monkey. "Pot luck, it would seem. Of course, it could just be my plan. A gentleman would never seek to embarrass a lady worthy of the name, after all."

Covering one's ass....

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2020-04-20 09:05:40		Rhodes rolls 9 to Cover up the failure.... Manip+Subterfuge+spec (10 Again)		4, 8, 2, 2, 9, 3, 5, 4, 7		2 successes

The Dread Lord meets John's look with a withering one of his own. What did he want, anyway? The King of Fear couldn't magically cure some fool being high of her tits. He had averted the loose tongues of the inebriated. If she died of exuberance? Well. That was just the sinister side of Desire the foolish could succumb to.

The side that kept me prisoner for years. Well. Never again.

Still, it was interesting the Darkling seemed to be a man of many faces. Well. Until he aggravated the wasp-lady and she wrapped her arms around Yamiyo like a human shield. Time for cooler heads to intervene.

"Enough." The Dread Lord's voice cuts clear and sharp through the air, the icy breath of his mantle rippling angrily through the area. "Let's all just calm down, shall we? Miss Chanel, John here was only concerned for your wellbeing," god only knows why... "And as enamoured with you our little Yamiyo is, we don't like the idea of just taking people. I'm sure you can understand why. No-one deserves to be Taken. So," he sets the cue down against a table, "How about you stop brandishing that rather fine cane and we can discuss this like civilised people, hm? May I?" One hand extends a little, requesting the cane.

5 successes

Sorry to be the one jumping into rolls for things. The grabbing is where he gets motivated enough to intervene....

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2020-04-20 09:52:00		Rhodes rolls 10 to Diffuse the situation: Manip+Persuade+Speeches spec (9-again from Flowering Blessing) (9 Again, WillPower)		9, 2, 9, 3, 6, 2, 10, 10, 3, 5, 9, 4, 1, 5, 7		5 successes

[Seraphina]

Laughing, “We can go for Italian sometime.” So long as she got to go with only Rhodes first.

Those two were either going to have to get a room, or a hose was going to be needed. Yami seemed fine with the whole thing. Though she might have clouded judgement, with how obsessed she seemed to be with love and being wanted.

But was it really Yami being wanted, or whatever Coco saw? Poor Yami.

Now the look from John? Not cool, and he gets one back from the Nix. “Have a problem John?” because if so, speak up.

If anyone knew the ins and outs of drugs and being high, it was her. At least, what she could remember. “I understand what you are getting at John, but they’re here, with us. The high may wear off before anyone leaves.” There were factors for that, how long ago had Coco taken it, her tolerance, a whole list of things.

And this was what she was worried about. Tempers were going to flare.

So, it was time to smooth things over, and she uses her *Voice.

Her angelic voice grew soft, a hand held up, “No one is taking anyone away.” Not with her here. Not with Yami being a member of her Court. “If you want to sit down, with Yami of course, we can talk about things. Or, we can keep playing pool.” A smile, “Or maybe something to eat! Are you hungry? The nachos look really good here.”

Looking to Circe, “Betting hasn’t be established yet. But what are you offering?” might make things a little more interesting.

A shrug to Circe, “No clue. She came in and things just took off.” A shrug. “But I think messing with anyone is only going to make this spiral out of control even more. Worse comes to worse, we move the party to a more private and safe location.” That was her plan anyways.

Again with the Mantle. “See, pants would have been good.” She half jokes.

  2 successes

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2020-04-20 10:28:11		Seraphina rolls 9 to Better Idea?(Manip+Per+SL+DV) (10 Again)		10, 7, 7, 2, 6, 8, 1, 4, 5, 3		2 successes

*Sera is using

Consumptive Voice: by expending one Glamour, the Nix’s voice will muddy the thoughts of any who listen to her speak. They don’t notice that her voice has changed, but it causes a slowing, almost narcotic effect. For the remainder of the scene, any who hear her voice in casual conversation find their Social rolls hampered by a penalty equal to half the Nix’s Wyrd score (round down). This ability can be used only once per day.

[Sonnie Wu]

The sequence of events was so odd. Here they were, playing pool, eating nachos and having a good time... and now they were in a hostage situation? How did they get here? Let's examine the events step by step.

"She's high?" she asked in a surprised tone. This was the first step. Sonnie looked more closely at the Wasp. The sweating, the manic behavior, the dilated pupils. Huh, maybe she was wasted. Maybe she should have seen it, but Sonnie actually had surprisingly little experience in dealing with this sort of thing. The Beast herself was usually just high on life. And tacos. It was also worth pointing out that it could be hard to tell the difference between a drug-addled Changeling and a normal one. "Ohhhh... should we call 911 and put her in a cold shower?"

Next step, (sort of) conspiring with Circe, "Mmmmm, that might be funny, but I get the feeling it wouldn't go over well with the others. Maybe when she's not holding Yami by the neck?" Because that was a problem.

Third step, gauging the distance. The Claviger figured she could bum rush the Dancer and tackle her before she could hurt the newest member of the Spring Court. For the moment, all she did was shift to the side a couple feet, to stay out of Coco's direct line of sight, which had to be focused on the talking Fairest. The Unicorns knew how to be really distracting.

Fourth step... fourth, um... fifth? No, fourth. Wait, what was she thinking about? Seraphina started talking with that super-mellow voice of hers and now... what was going on? Sonnie blinked her eyes and shook her head. Her thoughts felt... fuzzy.

"Where... where's my nachos?" No wait, nachos weren't the priority. A but not the. Wasn't she going to... tickle someone? Was that right?

"Hey, what's going on with Miss Chanel?" The sequence of events was so odd. Here they were, playing pool, eating nachos and having a good time...

[Yamiyo Lillich]

James words stung a bit but she was far to happy to really care about a boring winter right now, he would not steal her chance of happiness away, people had stolen her happiness all her life she deserved warmth and happiness why did people always wanna steal it. She had been in an altered state more times than she could count this was nothing different or to dark yet.

Then the arm came she was being used as a shield to keep the rest of the Lost away, but she was also held, Coco wanted her there it was to warm to give up. Leaning into the hold, cuddling up against her warm body, it was not exactly how she had imagined being the damsel but in a twisted way Coco did try to defend her chance to be with her, she was ready to fight for her, it was not the female knight on a white stallion she had imagined but it was still another woman who was willing to fight for her.
Her heart skipping a beat, if she could blush anymore she probably would have but her cheeks had been full of blood for a while now and her heart beating far to fast to begin with.

The summer Queens words slowly entering her mind as she tries to keep an eye on the situation, struggling to not get to lost in her own fantasies, imagining the exotic beauty being used as the plate to eat dinner from, the sushi thing she had done herself before but lasagna now that sounded to messy, it was a good image to try and keep a semblance of reality though.

Starting to get lost again, her hand gently caressing the cheek of the woman that had claimed her and that made her heart beat so strongly it nearly hurt and then the cold of the dread lord arrived snapping her back into reality once more.
Damn he sends out a lot of that cold.

She wasn't afraid to get taken away though, as long as she remained on this side of the hedge she wasn't in danger no one could hold her captive here against her will, people had tried of course but no chains, no handcuffs, no doors and nothing she had encountered would hold her against her will, she was a master at escaping should she need to which always helped her keep a bit of calm.

Trying to caress Coco's cheek and get her to look at her.
"Love I promise you they're not gonna take me away, they just want things calm, I don't want to leave your hold I promise."
A warm smile.
"Listen if you want we can sit down together either alone or just talk with some of the people here or I can walk you home or to a good motel and take care of you, then we can eat breakfast together tomorrow and go out to dinner or just cuddle in the bed or on the couch all day whichever you want."
Her eyes sparkling, her voice soft and gentle.
"If you wanna hold me you can both now and whenever you so desire dear, relax and kiss me instead of this please. I am not leaving you before you toss me away willingly."

It was horrible to try and diffuse the situation had it not been for the calming effect of her Queen so would she probably not even have been able to fight this situation but luckily it was there and it felt good.

"We can go immediately if you like or we can stay here calmly for a while and I will follow you when the night draws to a close whichever you prefer, I don't wanna leave your hold though but I do wanna care for you."

Standing up on her toes, leaning her head backwards, trying to reach Coco's lips for a kiss sadly Coco is just slightly to tall for her to reach up to her lips unless she agrees to meet her.