(2105) Eternal Seasons

[Saber Sloth]

Funderland

Funderland Amusement Park has been dishing up kid-sized thrills since 1946! It is the only place to take the kids in Sacramento that has nine exciting amusement rides, a concession stand, birthday parties, and more. We are conveniently located in William Land Park next to the Sacramento Zoo and Fairytale Town.


Funderland is a public location, but also the heart of Sacramento's Changeling Freehold.

Some Freeholds hide in plain sight, while others hide so well that new arrivals need an invitation and direction to even catch a hint of just where the Lost's stronghold resides. The Freehold of Sacramento is of the former, and has always been, but with the death of the dragon Fairweather, the Lost of Sacramento have taken control of, and are operating an amusement park. A self contained space, a fortress for the Lost, but one where mortals come spend their money, and offer up something more precious; Glamour. The park is divided along the lines of the Seasonal Courts, each having their own ride or featured building, so the Glamour is spiced in the layers of the four cardinal emotions.


Much like the world - the Hedge - beside the mundane one, there is a private world beneath the park -- prohibition era tunnels, passages and even rooms.


For now, the the Park is closed and admittance is only for the Lost. For those moments before Equinox and Solstice, The Eternal Seasons reign....

The Wyrdstone is available to those who need to get their Acknowledgement!

[Seraphina]

Evening in the park. One of those times where it was quiet, the customers all gone for the day. One where you could walk around lost in your own thoughts and just enjoy the time.

And thus, this was where Sera found herself. Dressed rather casually for her, torn jeans and a black flowing top. Golden skin and scales peeking through the tears in the jeans as she seemed lost in her own world, humming softly to herself. The angelic sound carrying. Long golden and silver hair in a loose braid down her back, touching the ground, wild flowers growing wherever she stepped.

[Sonnie Wu]

A late Spring evening in California! Good weather for shorts and tees! Sonnie was hanging from a tree branch by her bare feet, monkey-like toes strongly gripping. Her loose hair almost touched the grass. Her wardrobe consisted of denim cut-off shorts and a black tee shirt featuring the logo for Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

A shirt she struggled to keep in a decent position, considering her upside-down orientation. Not that she was trying too hard. If her bra showed, she didn't care much. Beasts were rarely much for modesty.

Music was playing on her phone, which she clutched in her long monkey tail. The current tune was Gurenge, by LiSA. Sonnie was singing along and seemed to know the lyrics, even though it was all in Japanese.

Meanwhile, her beloved pet dog, Fugly was running loose in the area around his owner. Off the leash and exploring, the weird-looking mutt caught a familiar scent. He froze, ears perked, sniffing the air. Then he bolted and made a beeline in Seraphina's direction, tail wagging fast!

[Circe]

The lights and noise were dulled for the usual of the park. It was quiet, peaceful. And the Summer walking through knew that'd not last if the noises she'd heard were true.


A dressed down Circe was a rare sight. She often dressed to impress, for battle, or for work. The business suits don't count as impress as there are other priorities with wearing them. Jeans, a red camosile, a loaded belt, and a sneakers. The second was good contrast for the slate blue skin. The bag she had with her ws even red leather to contrast her flesh.


Circe's ears bounced at the sound of a cute Fugly being himself. Even before she saw, she knew Sonja must be here. Good on that. The Groundskeeper had to keep on eye on such cute things. It presaged an end to the peace and quiet of the evening but Circe didn't mind.


"Oh my," she says as she walks towards Seraphina to try to intercept Fugly. She wanted to give him good boy pets, "Do I hear a cute widdle good boy?" Black and red eyes scan about. Sonja was fairly easy to see and Seraphina sparkled. The Springs failed to blend into the background. But someone beat them on the cute. And had Circe's full interest. Pats and belly rubs first, talk with Springs? Second by far. "Yes I do! And who is cutest, wootest one here? Is it Fugly? Yes it is."

[Rhodes]

The door to Edna's is closed and slowly locked. Turning around, the Dread Lord oversaw the edge of his domain, enjoying the last few moments before he sealed his relentless branches behind the fae mask.

He was feeling daring, so decided to make his way as far as the gate. Always letting the Fear in, just a little. The Leaden Mirror was not just about creating Fear, but accepting it, feeling it, as so many misunderstood. The risk of exposure, in the wake of the Huntsman's time in the city... for him, he could count on one hand the greater fears.

However, there was a sound than never failed to reach right through his defenses. The sound of Sera singing didn't need mystic qualities to make him fly. It was the sound of happiness, of contentment - something he always sought for her as much as she did for everyone else. He made his way towards the sound, encountering the blueberry elf between him and his beloved.

"Is that so? My title stolen. I might feel insulted, were I a less assured gentleman," he whispered into Circe's pointed ear, smirking and stepping out form behind her around towards Sera. "Good evening darling. You didn't have to come out here - I thought you were taking stock this evening?" He leans in, giving the Treasured his usual kiss in greeting.

[James Turner]

John was also out and about that evening as well, escaping the harsh rays of the evil day moon that plagued him so. It wasn’t a formal function, so the flashy suit had gotten left behind but he still had work to do later in the evening, so his band t-shirt was traded for a white button up and a skinny black tie. He was walking through the park when he’d caught those couple bars, looking to investigate he’d come across the group, his movements still whether he focused on it or not. “Good evening everyone, how’s it been going?” He said a little louder than usual to try and throw it over the sound of Sonnie’s music, a difficult task for the soft-spoken Darkling. Waving to the entirety of the group to acknowledge them all. Seemed the Summer Queen had found her first target and succeeded in the catch. "Anything, uh, new?"

[Colonel Worm]

In the distance, a Goblin warbles to the tune of Dolly Parton's Jolene: "Tacos! Tacos!! Tacos!!! TACOOOOSSS!!! You taste so fucking good, ta-coooos." 2, 3, 4: "Tacos! Tacos!! Tacos!!! TACOOOOSSS!!! The best food in the world, ta-cooooos." The singing comes closer and closer and, despite the stupidity of the lyrics, it doesn't sound too bad.

Singing, 3 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2021-05-04 11:13:48	Colonel Worm rolls 5 to Pres + Express (10 Again)	1, 10, 10, 6, 2, 10, 4, 7	3 successes

The owner of that voice, which only Circe will recognize as Colonel Worm, finally turns a corner and comes into full view of the gathered Lost. Seeing the assembled Freeholders, he freezes, a half-eaten taco in one hand (clearly the muse of his serenade). He's still in the outfit he'd been wearing at his earlier meeting with Circe: a tank top decorated with a tropical bird, a pair of kickboxing shorts that have clearly seen better days, a long, beige trench coat (also quite broken in), some black socks pulled halfway up his shins under his dirty, white crocs, and (despite the lack of sun) a pair of sunglasses he'd picked up at a gas station that morning.

Upon spotting the Summer Monarch in the crowd, Worm waves frantically, forgetting that he's still got a taco in his hand. It's contents, as one might imagine, go flying: "Hey! Circe! Oh shit! God damn it." For a moment he looks crestfallen at the fate of his half-eaten meal, but quickly recovers. There will always be more tacos.

"Circe, hey! It's me Worm, the Colonel, Mr. Too-Damn-Fine." He pops his sunglasses up, resting them on top of his head, and turns his face in profile as if to say: See? Remember?!? And then starts over, eating what's left of his taco on the way.

"Mmmmph, mmmmph, hey!" chewing, "Hello all," swallowing. "Colonel Worm," indicating himself with a long, red finger, "how's everybody doing? We good? I'm good." Wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. Spots Fugly. "Dog! Everyone else see that dog? Damn, that's a cute dog. If it's real, I mean, if I'm not the only one seeing it, what's it's name?"

The Goblin kneels and beckons to the mutt in a friendly, if wild-eyed, manner, pursing his lips and making kissy noises.

Per Saber Sloth, this scene occurs after Worm's meeting with Circe, so I'm playing it that way.

[Seraphina]

It was hard to miss Sir Fugly, defender of the Freehold. And the Nix lowers herself to her knees to give the dog all the pets and love. “Hey Fugly!” laughing, “I’m glad to see you too!” giggling as she enjoyed petting the dog. The best boi. It was a fact.

Looking around, then up, she spots Sonnie, and raises a hand, waving. “Hey you!” watching her try and keep her shirt from exposing herself was quite entertaining. Though the Treasured wouldn’t blame her for just saying fuck it and letting it fall.

Then, feeling the dry heat, she see’s Circe, and waves, “Are those,” pausing, “jeans?” she wasn’t sure the last time she saw the blue elf in jeans. “And yes! He is the goodest boi, the best boi there is!” continuing to shower love on the dog.

Then came the whispers, which could only mean Rhodes was near. Sapphires look up from Fugly to see him and she laughs. “You hear the Sir Fugly? Someone is after your title!” giggling as she sat on the ground, not worried about her jeans. Long legs stretch in front of herself. Accepting the kiss and returning it, “I didn’t feel like it.” A shrug, “With the weather warming, I find myself enjoying the Spring air more and more. Invigorating in a way. The stock will be there later.” Was she putting an evening out over working?

Sometimes it was hard to notice John. And it wasn’t because she didn’t like the Winter, but he just seemed to blend in at times. But she caught the voice and wave, returning, “Hey!” she greets with a smile, “Doing pretty good, how about you?” he was a good guy, just needed to get him out a bit more. A shrug, “Not that I know of, unless someone has something new.” Cause it would be good to know.

Sapphires turn to the song of the singing. Which, was actually not that bad, considering it was about tacos. But hey, whatever. Seeing the rakish red skinned guy, she watches, as he seems to know Circe. A translucent hand was held up as she waved. Colonel Worm? Ok.

“Hi, I’m Seraphina. Or just Sera.” Greets the angelic voice. “This would be the mighty Sir Fugly, defender of the fine maidens of Funderland!” it was true, he defended her and Sonnie from evil clowns. True story. If Fugly goes over to Worm, Sera will stand to her full height, absently dusting her butt off.

[Sonnie Wu]

Fugly was, indeed, the goodest of bois. Being pampered by both Seraphina and Circe? Yeah, he was in doggie heaven. Lots of happy whining and wiggling going on beneath those petting hands.

Seeing the arrival of several freehold members in short order, Sonnie pocketed her phone, released her foot-grip on the tree, and flipped safely to the ground. She grabbed her bag and made her way over to the growing group. She remained barefoot.

"Hello hello hello! What's up ladies and gents? I see Fugly is in ecstasy," she chuckled, nodding hello to each of the monarchs. All four were here, in fact. The Beast's head tilted curiously to one side. "There some royal meeting happening?"

The unknown Wizened immediately set her on alert, though to Sonnie's credit she played it low-key. She simple sidled over to Sera and interposed herself between the Spring Queen and the Goblin. All while smiling pleasantly. Pro Claviger moves, baby! "Howdy, Colonel Sanders!"

Not hard to tell what was on her mind. As usual.

Give it a moment.

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"Colonel Worm," she finally corrected. Smooth, Sonnie. Nobody noticed. "His name is Fugly. I'm his momma. Isn't he the cutest?" The Monkey beamed proudly of her mutt son. She relaxed a bit towards Worm, as Circe seemed to know him.

The dog in question was immediately curious about the stranger, sniffing in his direction.... though he remained glued to the ministrations of the two highly attractive Fairest women.

[Circe]

"Yes it is. I always wear guns Sera, not always suits," Circe answers Seraphina. Rhodes and many others arrive. And Rhodes. Rhodes should really know better.

"Ta be fair Rhodes," she quips from where she has knelt down to play with Fugly, "Belly rubs makes fer cuter and I can't give you belly rubs." Circe looks to Seraphina, "So, Sera? How does Rhodes' cute rate ta Fugly when ya give him belly rubs?"

In response to John question about new things, Worm arrives. Circe raises one hand to wave at John, "Yo," then the hand points at Worm, "New Summer. He's a fun bouncy one. If he ain't stoned already he will be soon," she waves at Worm next, "Dude?! Of course I remember ya. Ya didn't eat the bar's egg salad? Well, yer here and not praying ta porcellin, so I guess ya didn't."

Then she briefly stops playing with Fugly to tease Colonel Worm, "Dog? What dog? Fugly is a paragon of cuteness. Silly, silly, Worm."