(2108)Eternal Seasons

[Seraphina]

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....

This is a great place to gain your Acknowledgement!

[James Turner]

John had been at Funderland late, far later than he'd been expecting actually. He wanted to panic but he was too tired to panic, there was still so much he had to do. Frustration began eating at the fatigue and waking him up. He'd been studying off in a conference room, dressed for work after and had fallen asleep while studying. The drums of panic beginning their steady beat until his own heart was racing. He knows he shouldn't, that caffeine makes his panic attacks worse but he needed to drink something. So he took a seat on a bench in front of the carousel, setting his book bag next to him he pulled out his thermos and took a drink of coffee before sitting back on the bench.


Fingers thumbed through his pockets to begin the ritual. The weight of the pack bringing an associated amount of comfort, the heavier it was the bigger the initial rush. Then the focus and concentration it brought, body and mind busy focused on a singular task and then the rush from the nicotine to top it off. One, two, and then another and the storm subsided. He loosened his black tie which just made him look more disheveled. His white shirt wrinkled from falling asleep studying, but at least his black slacks were still neat. At least the view was nice glad the park wasn't fully lit so he could actually see some of the sky.

[Cassandra Reeding]

Cassandra arrives at Funderland a little earlier than the others, wanting to get herself prepared for another large social occasion. After her conversation with Gerrit she'd been feeling awkward with most of her social interactions, worried she is going to just continue to mess them up, worried she is going to slip the wrong things. It's frustrating because she knows she is much better than that.

Her hair is braided to the side over her shoulder, much like it often is, and as she walks along, her long-sleeved, midnight blue wrap dress flows with the slight breeze. She catches sight of John seated on a bench by the carousel and he looks moderately like hell. "Hey." She says as she walks up to him, sitting down next to him, with a bit of concern in her emerald eyes, "You don't look like you are doing too well there, love," she remarks, noting his clothes and his general disheveled appearance. Normally, he was a bit more put together.

[Seraphina]

There was something special about walking the park after it had closed. The energy still palpable in the air, but the world was quiet. One could get lost in their own thoughts as they walked. Working on plans or even Hedgespin ideas. Her mind was currently on Hedgespinning. With the wedding coming up, she had a lot to do. Maybe it was time to lock herself away in her Hollow and just work.

The sound of a voice catches her attention. Sounded like Cassandra, and she walks over, hands in her pockets. Tonight, she wore loose fitting pants, with a crop top that matched. The pants may be oversized, but they worked perfectly on her body. The crop top highlighting a very toned stomach, golden scales shimmering in the light. Being tall had its advantages. Long hair was down, and her engagement ring on her hand.

Spotting Cassandra and John, she smiles and waves, “Hey you guys.” Her voice upbeat and happy. “Hope I’m not interrupting or anything.” John looked, well, like he hadn’t slept. This could be a Winter thing, and she’d gladly move along if asked. “Everything ok?” the concern evident in her voice.

[Colonel Worm]

Colonel Worm comes strolling along from the general direction of the High Striker. Pleased as punch with this fine summer evening. He smokes a cigarette expansively as he walks.

The Goblin is wearing what, in the context of his wardrobe, passes for a casual outfit: white undershirt, blue athletic pants, a salmon fanny-pack, and some unlaced combat books. He's also sporting the ghost of a black eye, at least a two weeks old. The bruise has faded to a jaundiced yellow, still readily apparent in contrast with his blood-red skin.

He spots Seraphina first, how could he not? And Cassandra's there too. What else do you expect? Can't throw a rock in Sacramento without hitting at least two Fairest. Not that the Colonel is complaining. It's nice when folks are easy on the eyes. Then there's the third, a Darkling looking subtly unkept and morose: John? Jim? Jack? He's not too sure. They've crossed paths a few times, but never really had a word.

Oh well. They can have a word now.

The Goblin pulls up beside the trio, pleasantly fuming smoke: "Fancy meeting y'all here," he greets, all tongue in cheek. "Hope I'm not interrupting." Starts the mental clock on how long it takes for Cassandra to disappear now that he's turned up.

[James Turner]

Cassandra’s presence alone was enough to feel some of that weight lift off his shoulders and not the phantom weight he’d started growing accustomed to from his bookbag. He took a deep drag of his cigarette and shook his head though his eyes darted behind Cassandra and then met her gaze before shifting to the side and smiling over her shoulder as he saw Sera begin her approach. It didn’t take long before there was a small group there and he kept puffing along on his smoke. Leaning forward, hands on his knees as he looked up to those gathered. “Fine, just fell asleep studying in a conference room was all. Figured I could use the space and quiet, think the quiet won that one.” His lips curled up into a playful smirk, but his eyes and body language just remained tired.

“Good to see you Colonel, how’ve you been holding up? Hopefully our fine Freehold has been welcoming.” John didn’t know if it was a nickname or a title so he went the safe route and put the weight of respect and deference behind it as he could. He took another long drag slowly standing so he wasn’t the only one sitting, trying not to be rude. “I don’t think you’re interrupting anything. I’m fine everyone, just, cramming. I thought Summer semester was a good way to cram in more content on a shorter time frame. It is. I just underestimated how much work it would actually be.” Book smarts hadn’t really been his forte and this just showed him that and then some. “How’ve you all been?”

[Cassandra Reeding]

Cassandra feels just a hint of stabbing in her chest as she watches John smile at Sera's approach. She knows he's just polite and likes her platonically, but it doesn't change that panging inside it makes her feel. She turns slightly and also smiles at Sera, though faint. She's not exactly the most rested either. A few of her dreams lately had been less than pleasant. It's been like that since her conversation with Gerrit.

"Your outfit is pretty," she remarks to Sera. A polite enough remark, "And you look good and casual CW." Really she wants to go talk to CW privately, but she can wait till there are others. That envy brewing in her doesn't want to see John left alone to speak with Sera even though it means absolutely nothing. She hates this part of herself.

No. You revel in it. You've always been a cold hearted- Shut up.

She then basically echoes John, "Yes, how are the both of you?"

[Seraphina]

Catching Colonel Worm approaching, she waves with a smile, which quickly falters spotting his eye. Frowning, “You ok? What happened?” now she was worried about him.

“I just got here myself. How’ve you been?” aside from getting a black eye she thinks.

An understanding nod to John, “Ah. Well can I recommend some coffee next time? I can begin to keep some in the conference rooms, in case you need some later. But don’t kill yourself studying, taking a break for sleep and getting outside is a good thing.” She should know. “Take some time for yourself.” Was this the concern Rhodes felt when she overworked herself?

“I can’t complain, just enjoying the warm weather.” Sounding upbeat.

Beaming, “Thank you Cassandra! I love the color of your dress, it’s a great color on you.” Blue was a favorite color of the Nix, but she tried to not wear it too often. Not wanting to seem like she was trying to match her eyes.

“Just busy with a little of this and that. How about you? Any new performances coming up?”

[Colonel Worm]

Sera's concern seems to confuse the Goblin for a moment. Then he realizes: "Oh, this?" Gesturing to the eye. "Just a love tap. You should see the other guy. What's left of him." He flashes the Nix a big grin. He'd made good money that night. "I think it makes me look distinguished," he adds, framing his face with his hands and putting on a smoldering look. "As I'm sure you'll all agree."

Drops the hands, "I've been fantastic, thanks for asking. Catching up on my tan." Not that you can tell given the color of his Goblin-skin. "How about you?" he asks Sera, resisting the urge to shade his eyes when looking upon her radiant beauty.

To John now: "You too, bud." He gives the Darkling a little salute with his cigarette stuck between two fingers. "Freehold's awesome. I like to think I fit right in." Then again, he can make a go of it just about anywhere.

Cramming? Sounds like pure hell to the Colonel. But everyone's got their own thing. "Summer semester, huh? Good on you. What're you studying?" Obviously not Advanced Clothes Ironing.

Cassandra's compliment draws Worm's attention. He gives the fairest a wink: "Oh, just a little something I threw together. Good for putzing around the old High Striker. You, as always, are a vision." She may not like his attention, if the past is any predictor, but that's not gonna stop him from paying the compliment. After all, it's the truth.

[Ram]

The park was clear of mortals now. The air felt warm and comforting in the middle of Summer. Well, somewhat. It felt tense, like the eve of battle. He couldn't stop thinking how soon he'd be facing his fetch. So he'd decided to go on a walk through the safety of the park to try and get his mind off it. At least for a little while.

"Hey Sera," he called out when he saw the group of Changelings gathered close by. He had just been thinking how he needed to ask her about the construction. "Hi Cass," and he needed to talk with the Artist too, just cause. "Colonel, John."

"How's everyone doing this fine summer day?" Wait, did that sound cheesy? Eh, it was fine. He was happy. He was about to kill his fetch.