(Broken Cycle) Spreading the Word

[Coco]

"Thank you, Lord Rhodes, for returning my most valued piece of property, which you stole from me while I was in an altered state," Coco replied, ire blazing brightly in her eyes as she proffered a mock bow and accepted the cane back.

Finally.

Finally.

She'd felt entirely naked without it. Not helpless, per se, but definitely incomplete and vulnerable. Even if there was a part of her that hated it, she'd bent so much of her life towards the sole purpose of learning to wield an instrument like this, and considering the fact that they were in danger of being attacked at, essentially, any moment, had made the cane's absence all the more deeply felt. So, if anyone expected to make light of the absence of that quite literal defense, they could eat shit and die.

Still, even for a narcissist-adjacent pain in the ass like Coco, she realized this wasn't the time to carry on the protracted theatre of this budding grudge, and so she stepped back to give the floor to others. She gently placed a hand on Yamiyo Lillich 's shoulder as she passed by her, intending to impart a measure of comfort, before she went to stand beside James Turner and listen to the presentation.

So...another one of the Fae had come a-hunting, and it sounded like this one was more active than Fairweather had been.

Well, all the more reason to have her cane again. It sounded as if the Freehold would have need of the blade hidden inside it.

"Will we be calling the banners?" she asked, piping up once again. "Discussing more defensible housing? What's the plan? Let's not make this like the Lizard all over again."

[James Turner]

As soon as the word Gentry left Rhodes' lips he felt time stop, the rest of the words coming out in typical Charlie Brown fashion for adults. He felt all the blood rush to his extremities and his eyes float to the door. His head swimming as his heart slowed, each beat lasting eons. If only the Dread Lord could harvest on his own he'd be getting an all you can eat buffet right now.


Cold sweat began to collect on his brow, betraying that mask of his. His back to the wall inching toward the door as Coco perched up next to him causing him to freeze in place. He didn't smile, didn't offer a greeting he just closed his eyes and took one deep breath, two, and on the third they opened again. Time caught up with him at that moment, heart thundering in his chest and all the words he'd missed came crashing down on him at once.


He was ok. He would be ok. At least that was the lie he told himself, at least this wasn't his Keeper. "Do we have any intel on it? Have we asked around about its name, its purpose? Is it safe to be meeting here like this, Funderland is a known quantity outside the freehold."


He wasn't about to insult them and ask if they had a plan other than look out, not yet at least. Right now he knew what his plan was.

2 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2020-05-29 15:33:28	James Turner rolls 5 to Collect Himself (Resolve + Composure) (10 Again)	1, 9, 4, 8, 6	2 successes

[Rhodes]

Rhodes watches as Sonnie's cartoon presentation tells the story - more or less - of what happened. He nods once at Sera's recollections. "As for appearence.... Several stories high, antler of a deer - think of the true legends of the Master of the Hunt and you can't go far wrong." His voice is low and serious.

At Coco's apology, obviously insincere as it is, the Dread Lord raises an eyebrow and tries to smirk, but it's obvious his heart isn't in it. In fact, it falters, and he sighs heavily. "You threatened us. You hardly have the high ground. But that is the past. If you're staying, we have to work together."

He looks at Coco curiously. "What banners? We're not all fighters, Miss Chanel. The whole point of this was to try and get more ideas."

The Directors gaze turns to John. He was clearly afraid - but to Rhodes, that only meant he was sane and sensible. Fear was the right response."He calls himself the Huntsman. I have researched the legends - the master of the Hunt is a pillar of Fae folklore, and there are sveral varients of the legend. The commonalities are around his hounds - those that fall to the Hunt and become his entorage. As to his wants? He wants to hunt the Gentry's favourite prey, of course. Us, and mortals. But I think we are more interesing, since we have escaped him twice already." There is a pause, and a sigh. "In some stories, the Huntsman never gives up once he has a target. In others, if you survive once, you are safe.... Though I am disinclined to believe the latter. As to safety?" He shrugs. "We can meet, and make a plan here and now, or we could be a collection of individuals each fending for ourselves. The Hollows are warded, and can be used. I want to find a way to keep this Freehold together in the city if we can. Leaving, of course, is always an option we can keep in reserve."

[Sonnie Wu]

Dogs were empathetic creatures. Fugly could sense the tension in the room. The growing fear. His pet Monkey had been particularly cautious lately. So, the mutt did his best to comfort his second favorite person in the world, his Auntie Sera. The full lean-in and nuzzle routine.

Sonnie meanwhile, gave Yamiyo a smile, though it took some effort to be positive right now.

Banners? It took a few moments to glom onto what Coco meant by that. "Yeah... so, our Summer Court is literally a court of one. We got no militia to call on. I don't think Circe can fight a True Fae all by herself." A shame, really. The Iron Spears numbered six last year. Now the blue elf was all that remained. She thought a moment. "I mean, she does have guns. Maybe she has a rocket launcher?" That would be cool. BOOM!

Where was Circe, anyway? One would think the Crimson Queen would be here for this.

"We're gonna improve the Spring Hollow defenses," she chimed in. "Autumn, too, I imagine," she looked at Rhodes questioningly.

"I suggest avoiding the neighborhood the Huntsman has claimed as his turf," Sonnie then named said neighborhood. "The areas around it, too, if you can help it."

"Oh, and see about signing off on the Contracts of Smoke, if you haven't already. Making yourself hard to track is a big advantage!" The Beast was doing this herself.

After searching her scatterbrain for a minute, the Monkey had one final suggestion, "I can, um, I can teach some self-defense, if anyone wants to learn. Cardio training, too, since running is one of your better options."

[Seraphina]

An eyebrow raised, stole? She gave it over willingly. But, this wasn’t the time or the place. There was more pressing and important matter.

“I don’t want this to be the Dragon again. While we were able to finally defeat him, he devastated the Freehold.” She wasn’t there when he attacked, but she heard and saw the destruction. “And we are still rebuilding.” Would their Freehold ever be as large as it once was? Maybe.

Nothing is said to Johns questions, she wants Rhodes to answer that, he had been researching it after all.

“I am curious as to how far his claimed territory extends. Is it just where the graffiti and wooden statue are? Or does it go beyond. We know bringing the fight to him in the Dreams is dangerous, especially with those Hounds. So if the Hedge or outside it is our best option, what is his weakness? I don’t want us to go after him without gathering as much intel on him as we can get. He’s not getting anyone in this Freehold.” Not while she was still breathing.

The lean in and nuzzle brought a weak smile to her lips as she continued to pet him. Scratching behind his ears and just enjoying his presence.

Nodding to Sonnie, “Yes, the defenses of the Spring Hollow will be improved.” It needed to be done. But it should have been months ago.

“Those were Briar Wolves we ran from; I don’t know how quick his Hounds are outside a Dream. But they are nasty in a Dream, I’d take Briar Wolves over them any day.” A small shudder. “But I might take you up on the self-defense. Improve on some things I already know.”

[Yamiyo Lillich]

Ohh it seemed like Coco had her cane back that was nice to see, she had asked about that during their bed sitting, she had felt a bit bad for not thinking to take it from Rhodes as they left at that point in time hope she hadn't had any issues moving without it.
A hand on her shoulder and then walking of, was it a sign of calmness or a warning to stay away? It might have been intended to calm her but all it did was to make her feel even more insecure and worried of how to face her going forward.

Taking in all that happens around her, wondering why Rhodes worded his words in such a manner, if it was said like that did it not mean that he had chased the same prey twice hence proving the legend or those stories false? He might have gone after different ones but the wording that had been used were clearly to vague on that topic here.

It was still sad that the dog was so far away, she would have loved to just shower him with affection to ease her mind even if her fear were not aimed where it should be rather she was to embarrassed and feeling like she had done a fool of herself which haunted her more than the fear they stood in for, that would most likely hit her harder as she left this place though.
Wondering why neither her gentleman barkeep nor the model she were annoyed with was here though.

Lightly smiling back to Sonnie which was hard for her as well but once again for completely different reasons.

Keeping up with just taking in all around her well running and cardio were not things she were bad at so that was not of importance but the self defense classes might be good so far all she could do was to escape true she could walk through walls and reject the entire physical world if she so liked but that was just escape and only for herself.

Still should she add her words she did have a little, well it wouldn't hurt.
Standing up, feeling flushed as she raises her voice, something she rarely did.
"I am sorry if this is not something I should speak of here and now but does the word of Iron Meg mean anything to anyone here? I encountered that name recently and he did warn that we were in trouble or well more like threatened." Had she done a fool of herself? Her cheeks turning red, her heart pounding as she waited for the response.

[Saber Sloth]

Y'all can lightly touch on the Loyalty Is plot line, but this scene is mainly for the Broken Cycle stuff. We'll get to the Loyalty Is Info Dump Scene when Steps Retraced closes out.

[Coco]

We're here to plan. Yes, you dolt, that's why she literally suggested two different plans!

Coco's eyes rolled so hard, her antennae followed suit!

"If you think hiding behind the Crimson court is what I meant by calling the banners, then," you're a fucking idiot, "you must not know much about history."

Breathe, Coco. Breathe. Have patience. Take pity. They haven't gone through this before.

"When the banners were called, or the fyrd was raised, it meant that the common folk were called to arms. Which is what we need to do. It doesn't matter if you don't think of yourself as a warrior, your life and your home is being threatened and you must defend both. Learning to use a shotgun is probably a smarter idea for those who don't know anything at all, and for those of us who do know the art of murder, it's time we come together."

The Wasp hopped up onto a chair, and used it leap onto the table, her cane held up in her fist like a marshal's baton.

"The Fae Lords and Ladies are cowards! They hide behind the thorns, and only come out when they think we are weak! They use servants to hide their fear and their feeble might! Why, as soon as someone managed to find and challenge the last Fae who crossed us, that Fae died! Now, we dance on Fairweather's bones! So let us see to our defense, but hear me! Do not be afraid to strike! The Huntlord might be mighty in dream and hedge, but this is our realm! This is our time! And we shall make him bleed!"

In all other moments, the Wasp might looked like a fool, but in that moment, the cane gripped in her fist, she was a symbol of defiance. Her voice a rallying cry for those gripped by terror. The fire in her faceted eyes, and the strength in her pose, a testament of courage.

5 successes! Exceptional Success!

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2020-06-01 17:45:40	Coco rolls 6 to Oratory (presence + expression) (10 Again)	10, 8, 10, 5, 3, 8, 1, 9	5 successes

[James Turner]

Alright, good, Coco is distracted now just slowly make your way to the door. Let them talk about confronting the Gentry and you can go to ground and wait for this all to be over. You are Winter if it comes to a direct confrontation something went wrong.

It was easy for warriors to talk about taking up arms and how the common folk could help. Let them volunteer to spy, to play courtly intrigue and see how well that goes and see if they volunteer for it. We of little skill aren't rightfully going to volunteer to step into harms way.


He'd made a step toward the door when she started her speech, he couldn't help but stop and listen. Taking a deep breath and pinching the bridge of his nose while turning away from the door, at least for now, before nodding at Rhodes.


"Well said Coco. Though Rhodes is right those of us non-warrior types would only be a liability in a conflict if it came to a direct confrontation. If confrontation is inevitable we need to plan and get information.


"I see a few avenues we could take. I could harden my mask and try and find the borders of its territory in this world. Buddy system of course, map out the edges or at least where the graffiti ends. With that we can likely find the center of its influence.


"We could do the same in the dreaming, find out who its poisoned and slowly erode its influence and power hopefully making a confrontation in the dreaming easier. I don't know if its influence is simultaneous either. If so we could split its attention and attack both at once, divide and conquer yes?


"Or we can feed it another prey. Iron Meg would be a good target, as would any other enemies of the freehold."


He opened his mouth and closed it scratching at the back of his head with a shrug. "All I got right now." I mean I can always hide under the snow like the mouse I am.

[Rhodes]

Sonne and Sera say their piece, and Rhodes nods. "I am working on the wards of the Autumn Hollow. But if Circe isn't here? We may not have her."Self-defence sounded a less good idea than running... And I suppose Sera will finally get me into the gym after all.

Rhodes glances over at Yamiyo. "Iron Meg is a fallen Autumn Ogre some of the Freehold have encountered before. If she is around, we'll hav eto deal with that as she comes."

The rolling of the eyes earns a hard stare, and an angry twist of icy wind. "We called out the banners, as you so eloquently put it. This is who decided to answer." Imbecile.

Then there is the posing. It sounded good, he couldn't deny it. It even drew a smile. It looked like they had another wannabe hero to replace Abraham. And what had we learned, children?

Heroes die.

Rhodes finds himself a chair, and sits, glancing towards the enthusiastic wasp. "Were you there when Fairweather died Miss Canel? Because as far as I know, that would make you the only one within the city for now, and I would be fascinated to know how the Freehold pulled such a thing off. The previous Winter Queen spoke little of it."

He looks to John. "The patch of Arcadian enhanced grafitti was [here]. I'd rather say avoid the whole district than try and poke the metaphorical dragon - but knowing the edges would be useful." There's a sigh as he mentions the dreaming. "That is much harder, in terms of pinpointing a single location. The dreaming is not a simple landscape like a city - the Skein is forever changing as minds drift in and out of consciousness. But..." he adds slowly, "Keeping attention there could distract him from the real world for some kind of action... very Eye of Sauron," very Autumn "but I like it."

The Dread Lord thinks, before adding, "Even better if we could point his attention at someone. I have no idea where Ann or Meg would be right now, but they would make fine targets fro redirection."