Open(Changing of the Seasons)

[Seraphina]

“I find I can provide the most aide by be a distraction. The skills I’ve honed over the years have me in a prime position to make others focus solely on me. Not to mention being able to muddy their thoughts has its benefits.” But she wanted more than to be a pretty face.

“Oh! Yes, smores! Those are a necessity!” she eagerly agreed.

“Thank you. And I don’t sing very often, the last time I sang for the Freehold was at a Winter Coronation.” And she didn’t have good memories of it. “But I’ve been slowly getting myself more comfortable singing in public again.” But his mention of addiction books hit a little too close to home. And she finds herself staring into her cider for a few moments, tense. “I wouldn’t call that dry. It’s a delicate subject, difficult to deal with. I find myself drawn to history and medical books.”

Nodding, “Dreams are fascinating, endless opportunities. I need to practice a little more myself, I’ve been trying to focus on fighting in Dreams a bit more, but I’m no where as good as he is.” He really shined when in the Dreams. “But it’s hard to split the Dreams into working on fighting and healing.” She wanted to do both.

Smiling to Cassandra, “Well it’s a very generous offer.”

Looking to Yami, “Side effects of caffeine? Did I miss something? Or am I just beyond those?” she jokes.

“I’ve been wanting to make it multi-level. But that requires dealing with the structure of the rooms and house. So while I have my ideas sketched out, I might not be able to do it in the current house.” Which sucked.

Eyes widen at Circe, “Hey! I’m not defenseless! I’m just not as good as I used to be.” Why did everyone think she was defenseless? It was quite annoying.

“Digital? Yes, I have a Nook, but nothing beats the feel and smell of real books. I actually do have my own Hollow, but I’ve been using it for Hedgespinning more than anything.” It was full of sketches and fabric.

Shrugging, “It’s just a nice way to relax and unwind. Not for everyone. But of course, there are other things to do around a fire.” A wink to the elf.

[James Turner]

"Agree to disagree. You have it your way, I have it mine, perfect world." A shrug given when they kept discussing the importance of the skiing part of the equation. He didn't need to be convinced just like they couldn't be, sometimes an impasse was just an impasse.


He couldn't help but blink as Circe talked, imagining more and more a Scottish grandmother trying to tell the importance of archery to her wee ones. He didn't know why but the thought amused himself infinitely and he couldn't help but crack a smile, doing his best to keep the giggles away. Only a small laugh escaping as he went to speak next, playing it off as a cough.


"Well you're the expert Circe, maybe you can do a "boot camp" soon, you know you and Sonnie could run through some combat basics, maybe see where the Freeholds strengths lie, where our weaknesses are and then you can identify what people might have talent in or where they might be able to grow more. You know?" Yep, leave it to the Winter to try and break it down systematically. Though he actually really liked the idea, he hoped she'd run with it even as much as he loathed physical activity he'd participate for solidarity and to see what he might be able to learn.


He frowned when he saw Sera's reactions, a small nod of understanding. "Very. It's a constant battle but having someone there helps." Not everyone has that luxury so that's where I step in to assist and connect people. "I wouldn't say defenseless, she handled herself better than most of us in that fight." Exceptions being Circe and Sonnie, still put her firmly in the top half of everyone there.


"The smell and feel of the books is part of the love for pulp fiction. They were seen as trash novels, and admittedly they kind of are, so they were printed on the lowest quality paper possible. More wood pulp in it, hence pulp fiction. But it gives the books such a wonderful smell. Fun fact for the day."

[Cassandra Reeding]

Cassandra blinks a little as Circe calls her Cass and then a rather delighted smile comes to her face. It had been a while since anyone had called her that and she seems to shimmer a little more brightly, "Well, when you put it like that, Circe, it makes it sound all the more enticing," she says with a chuckle.

She doesn't get a good chunk of Circe's references after that point as she talks to Yamiyo. Well, she gets and understands the names and the movies, but... She shrugs a little.

Smiling at Sera, she nods and then takes another sip of her tea. "It's good that you are getting back into it. There was a good two years where I couldn't play my instrument when I came home. Just felt wrong," she shivers a little at the thought of it. "I'd love to hear you perform sometime."

As John discusses the idea of a kind of boot camp, she nods in agreement, "Oh, a boot camp is a brilliant idea. I'd definitely attend if one was set up," Even though I absolutely loath any and all exercise... I still do really need to learn more to be able to defend myself. "It would be good to learn how to get myself into a position that isn't 'being used as bait'." she says with a little bit of a self-deprecating laugh. Then she kind of realizes how off that sounds and then quietly sips on her tea.

[Yamiyo Lillich]

Her body shivering a bit as she hears the word of caffeine bullet time.
"Now that tank is a sight I would love to behold." Drinking a bit from her cider "Wait what's wrong with French guns? And hmm how much of dear 007s odd tech would be possible to really make for someone with your knowledge and skills? Then again some of those movies are so old so that things that seemed like stories at the time can be copied with modern technology."
Ohh damn a reference to another movie she hadn't seen and one to some sci-fi stuff. "That sounds really kind of you dear Circe but I do think I should learn to actually use a normal blade first, so far I haven't really gotten further than to purchase a blunted one for practicing."

Doing her best to try and hide a smile as her Queen speaks more of singing for the freehold, quickly drinking and emptying her cider to not let it be seen.
"Yes it might be partially due to my diet and how rarely I consume it but I have a side effect I really do not enjoy if I get to much caffeine in me." She could handle some and even one energy drink sure but not much more. "Hmm only one solution then, you need to find a castle and recreate the library Beast gives to Belle." Eyes sparkling as she says so, add a bay window and it was literally her own dream.
Raising her eyes a bit as Circe suggests to go digital before nodding to Seraphina as she speaks of how nothing beats a real book. "Far to true, a book you can hold in your hand has life to it one that a digital reader can just never hope to match."

Shrugging a bit towards John.
"We are all different that much is true, then again a truth is that we need to live and enjoy life and bonds not just getting to caught up in books and dreams. How one does that is of course another story and we all need different things there. Now that boot camp idea I really like though especially with all the dangers that have been lurking around lately."

A kind smile to Cassandra.
"I am not good for much more myself, I can escape though which is a good addition."

[Circe]

"Seraphina ain't joking," Circe smiles widely at Seraphina, "Those guards started deckin' each other with a couple of sentences. Nice!"

"Don't ask me," she shrugs, "Like coffee poisoning is possible fer an Italian." Circe laughs, "Of course yer not defenseless, Seraphina but ya ain't a warrior type. Screw fair fights by the way. Yer a, uh," Circe struggles for the word, "Ummm. Singing fast talking type."

"Oh Italian and American are way better made," was Circe explanation on the French. "And with unlimited budget? All of 'em. All the Bond gadgets, though the radios and drones would indeed be off the shelf." As for the martial focus of Yamiyo, "Good on you girl. Glad ta hear yer getting ready ta fight fer what's yers."

And John continues to provide good ideas. She praises his suggestion. Loudly, "Throw in Ram and Rhodes fer all options. That is brilliant John!" She even knows a way to simulate the guns part. "High Striker can work ta simulate gun battles, and less painfully then paintball. Still have the dinky guns fer recoil practice. Oh! I'll hafta get a bunch of tank tops, khakis, and big hats." Circe is getting into it, "Authentic boot camp vibe and all that."

Then Circe hold up a hand to waggle her fingers at everyone, "And fer shame ta ya all fer, save Yammy," who gets a thumbs up before the waggle returns, "Fer forgetting the universal backup planning. Running."

"So many ways. Like field stripping yer guns. Maintenance is vital," she giggles in reply to the siren. "Or fragging noobs. Or hacking inta idiot's accounts. Ya know, the usual."

[Seraphina]

An absent nod. Or getting Taken helped. Though it was a terrifying experience she would not wish on anyone. “That’s why I do the volunteering I do, give people someone to talk to, or just someone to listen.” Though she would never share the true reason with them. “That’s nice of you to say, but I hope to do more if there is a next time.” She’d been training.

“Is that where the smell comes from? Wow! I never knew, that’s so cool!” and she was genuine, “Have anymore interesting fun facts?” eager to hear them if he did.

“I sang some in the past, mainly to survive and make a living. And when I arrived here, I sang at another blues club. She gave me a job, the previous Winter Monarch actually, and I felt safe enough to sing there. Having a gift enhanced by our time there is hard to share without fear.” It was just a fact. “Maybe you will.” But she wasn’t promising anything.

Laughing at Yami, light and musical in sound, “A castle? That might count as a mansion, and be very expensive.” Sipping the cider, “But I have a few ideas in mind, just waiting for the perfect chance.” And sometimes that meant waiting.

Smirking to Circe, “Imagine if I had fully turned on the charm?” a proud smile. “Wonder if they ever found that flower?” a shrug.

“Not sure if you’re going to get Rhodes to attend a boot camp unless it’s concerning Dreams.” He might go for the amusement.

Sapphires dance with mischief, “Seems we have very different ideas on what activities are fun around a fire.” Teases the Nix.

[James Turner]

“Spoken like a true spring.” He smirked in response to Yamiyo as she spoke about enjoying life. “This would be an appropriate time to quote Bladerunner if I could remember it off hand.” A shrug in response, though instead of accepting the praise from around him it caused him to shrink in on himself not really knowing what to do with it.

“Uh, thanks. Glad I could help. I just, uh, have a lot of time to think usually.” The benefit of silence sometimes. He quirked a brow wondering what made her think he’d forgotten about running. “I usually find hiding to be better than running, can’t catch what you can’t find. If you want to do any stealth training I can be your eyes and ears pick out who has any talent there. Or we can save that come Winter.”

Turning his attention back to Seraphina he nodded. “Yea, that’s most of what my work boils down to just being present for people. Especially people who might not have anyone else to turn to. More? Anatole is still with us because of you.” That was more important than the victory, not losing anyone. When the asked for more fun facts he rubbed his chin trying to think of one.

“Uh, upper case and lower case referred to the actual case keys were kept in for the printing press. All your capital letters were kept in the top half as it opened.”

[Cassandra Reeding]

Cassandra nods, "I can more than empathize with enhanced gifts." You don't need to go there. She gazes down at her hands, holding onto her cup, her gaze lingering for a long time on her right pinky finger that is just a little off, perpetually sticking out in a playing position. At the very least, it looks like she's just polite in holding her cup.

Why is it that being around new people like this made her want to get into it? Because people don't know you and you feel like you need to overcompensate. You're used to people not trusting you. Though, they were never wrong to feel that way, were they? She finishes up her cup and continues listening.

She raises her eyebrows at John's fun fact. Huh... "I never would have considered that. Interesting."

Cassandra laughs a bit at Sera's teasing about the fire, "Well, you keep alluding to it. Don't keep us guessing," she says with a little smirk, "I enjoy a good dance around a fire, personally." She doesn't specify any further and chooses to maintain a sweet, innocent expression about it.

[Yamiyo Lillich]

Lightly blushing a bit at the compliment.
"Ohh I still haven't gotten further than to buy a practice blade, a lot more to do before I can actually use it. Sadly enough though my various studies takes most of my time nowadays and when I don't have those so do I have plenty of new sisters and activities there to go through." Thinking through the little 007 knowledge her mind still retained "So if you could have one gadget from the franchise in real life which one of them would you most prefer?" That could give a lot better insight.

"Yes a castle, even if it's a mansion so hey dreams are endless right." Losing herself for a moment, thinking of the many times she had been in that library in her dreams. "I wonder how many books were in that library, if I ever get the chance so would I myself love to replicate it or something close to it." A bay window needed to be added for sure "There really isn't anything more magical this world has ever created than books." Ohh how she loved them.

Smiling towards James.
"Ohh life is for enjoying and I tend to savor every moment of it and experience all it has to offer and a spring I am to the core." She didn't have a chance to comment on the next part before the real compliment from the summer Queen arrived. Blushing a bit more than before, feeling a bit uncomfortable. "Thank you although I just spent a lot of focus to learn how to separate my form from this plane which is mostly what makes me good at escaping." Hard to catch or harm what you cannot touch.

Eyes looking kindly towards the newest arrival amongst them.
"Ohh a summer fire by the beach, someone singing and playing some music, all bellies filled and dancing in the sand whilst laughing to your hearts content that is a marvelous thing."

[Circe]

"Oh ho ho ho ho, I like ta think they are still adventuring fer a flower that never existed," she laughs at Seraphina's joke. As for Rhodes dream combat drill instructor that got the Summer to nod. And her tone became thoughtful, "Oooooh good point. Hafta get him a solid supply of absinthe or a mallet ta help induce sleep in his trainees."

"No reason not ta," was her reply to John's offer, "Can't fight, stay outta the way and all that. And why wait ta do it? Carpe diem." She got it right, given her Italian heritage she really should. Circe didn't have much to contribute on book smells or counseling. "I find releasing the rage ta help most myself but ya know," Circe shrugs with grin, "Summer."

"Castle is better then a palace," she agrees with everyone else, "Better fer defense. Plus they have these little things called murder holes," she giggles, "That's just a fun phrase. Plus with fae shit ya can get some serious monsters in the moat."

"Time and patience to master a skill girl," she praises Yamiyo in a way. As for gadgets? "Oh that's easy Yamiyo," she had one in mind, "The car. Probably the one with all the rockets, nitro, and a remote."

"Hmm," the Summer thought of the beach party. "Doesn't sound loud enough. Oh I know!" She snaps her fingers, "If it's a beach party we should have fireworks! Nothing like gunpowder ta make a real party start, oh ho ho ho ho! It'll be a blast! I mean I won't be able ta drink until the explosions done, but still fun!"