Season's Greetings

[Ram]

Ram lumbered down the street. He’d spent the day looking for work without much success. He’d been told construction clean-up and demolition might be a good fit but he hadn’t had any luck so far. Having an ID might have helped but right now he was having trouble just finding places, whether they paid below the counter or not. He’d never had to search for a job before, that he could remember, and wasn’t sure how one went about it probably; much less illegally.

He had ended up downtown eventually. Seen a couple help wanted but they always wanted more personnel information than he could give or turned him away at his (admittedly blunt) questions about being paid cash for… reasons.

He was exhausted from the heat and social interactions, so he turned into the nearest bar without realizing how hoity toity it was. The stares of couple patrons and staff almost made him turn around when he saw the group of changelings in a side booth. Maybe this was his lucky day after all.

He approached, accidentally bumping a table and several chairs with people in the them, before arriving at the booth. It garnered some annoyed grumbling but no one complained too loudly around someone that looked like could rip them apart.

“Hey umm,” he wasn’t certain exactly what to say and the spine-tingling breeze and smell of smoke wasn’t helping put him at ease “I’m,” Ram cleared some gravel from his throat “herm, here... I’m looking to join the club.” He felt kinda dumb standing there. “Are you guys a part of it?”

[Rhodes]

"Hmm."

The Autumn King glanced from one to the other. The Ogre was clearly of few words, which always made such things... Slow, in Rhodes' experience. Still. Armand was engaging enough. "I understand how that is. Many of us seek out... family, if we've been away a long time. I wish you luck."

At the unannounced guest, the Director's mantle flared wildly with a blast of fozen wind that no mortal would feel, and his eyes narrowed a fraction. This was not as planned. He could hear the clash of swords and the pepper of weapons fire. His face, however turned back into his charming smile. "Oh really?" He looked to his expected guests. "Friend of yours, perhaps?" A small sigh. "No matter. The plans of men are naught but playthings to the winds of Fate...." He sighed, a little melodramatically. "I may have to do this slightly differently, then. Sit." The offer is more barbed than the previous one.

"Let's start like civilised people, shall we?" The Flowering said, staring pointedly at the newcomer. "Introductions. My name is Rhodes. I am the Director of our local chapter, and..." rule? "...Manage, during the fall season. I suppose it is fortunate that you encountered me here, as these gentlemen are also looking to join."

Would it have troubled you to arrive sixty seconds earlier, blast it all? I am not made of Pledges. I suppose I will have to put my faith in the stone, and that these gentlemen will not accuse me of such double standards.... Still. At least it makes a control group, and it's been a while I have needed the silver tongue....

He looked back to the second Ogre, the unknown one. "And you are?"

[Ram]

You could almost hear the barbed words bounce off as Ram seems almost to dive for the seat with a grin, just happy to have found some Freehold representative after a day long string of failures. There’s an alarming sound of wood creaking and possibly splintering a bit.

“I’m Ram,” he said holding a hand across the table to shake, while managing to knock the shaker off the table, knocking off the top and spilling it on the floor.

[Rhodes]

If one cannot control all, maintain the illusion of control. The Dread Lord took in the shrug, and noted the tense nature of Bortsov.

Testy sort, isn't he. Well, to each their own.

Rhodes took the offered hand and shook it firmly, though made no note of the unsettled shaker. His skin is cool to the touch.

"Well then. Let's coner some basics, shall we? I realise you have all been out of the country for some time. Since getting back, it seems you have all found a raison d'etre of your own, which always makes me more comfortable." He gestures to the pin of a fanciful mirror on his lapelle. "We are a smaller populace than many. We have found we have to work closerly, build foundations of trust, and we cound on this for our mutual protection from those that would do us harm."

"Additionally, history has shown populations within Sacramento fluctuate through the year - people continue to be somewhat transient - despite their intent - making records on a populace difficult. Not only that, We have found a large amout of problems getting a formal contract agreed on a wider scale - however we have a small way around it. In terms of requirements, we ask little - discretion, respect of and adherence to our traditional systems, to stand with us when those that wish us hard make their moves. Nothing... reinforced or formally obligated - simply expectations. If these terms are amenable, then we have an accord." Rhodes reaches down to his side and brings up a fine black leather briefcase, which he lays flat on the table. "Inside here there is a precious artifact of our domain. Simply touch it, and you will be considered a part of us."

He looks around carefully, to make sure they are not observed, and turns the case so it will open facign the walls. Then, he flicks the catches. Embedded within is a perculary item, several inches across, bothe stone and het not, gently moving, twisting, and pulsing. Moving like blood and stone, the red of the moving mass, mesmerizing in contrast to the black-green of the solid rock grit binding it.

The Director smiles, and gestures to the stone, lowering his voice considerably to only just above a whisper. "A Wyrdstone. Very rare, very precious. It identifies those that are enemies, and lets me know who is in our membership. That is all."

He looks expectantly. "Quickly please. I'd rather have this open only a short time."

Once the stone is touched your changelings will be fully acknowledged as memebers of the Freehold!

We can keep the scene going obviously, but this will be the defining point that recognises you as members