(2109) Autumn Equinox

[James Turner]

James was eyeing the room running over who he needed to talk to and when an opportune time might be. He saw Ashley surrounded by the warm welcomes of the Freehold, returning Sera's wave with one of his own. as he decided to put his own introduction off for now. It would add to his mystique right? At least that's the lie he told himself to salve the wound. These large gatherings always had the Winter King on edge, too many people gathered together in one place. If anything happened...and that thought always made him shudder, palms growing clammy as he he wiped them on each other, ringing his hands.


Plus he was starting to feel underdressed again. Envious the easy and elegant way the Fairest's magic made it seem. It was then he noticed Cassandra and he couldn't help but have his breath taken away, the trembling in his hands quickly subsiding. His mask tugged aching to be lifted, wanting to break but he took a breath and the the feeling passed. The chill that rushed over after was a nice Autumn reminder, awareness for every moment. Rhodes' appearance was majestic, eye-catching and there was something else there.


But John couldn't figure it out right away before the pronouncement began. He couldn't help but be happy for his friend getting the recognition he so deserved. He raised his hands up, happily applauding the burned dwarf as he accepted his new title, new responsibility within the Court. Will he shape it or will it shape him?


The surprises didn't stop after that, the next bit had him fully hooked. He couldn't help but hear a familiar melody play at the back of his mind. The black orbs sinking deeper and deeper down as the echoes of the memory played in his mind. The slow draw of the crystals refracted light being eaten by shadow as the party laid out before him and the questions came to him unbidden. Do you team up or spread out, which is more beneficial?


When he blinked it was gone but the thought remained drifting away at the back of his mind. Everyone had broken up into groups, seeing them smile and enjoy each others company always made John happy. That's why he did this after all, why the Winter King trailed his sorrows. Trail they did as he took the first steps toward the Dread Lord. There was no point in hesitating.


"Dread Lord." He addressed the Autumn Sovereign formally, a small bow at the shoulders and a soft smile that only grew wider when he turned toward Anatole. "Congratulations and well deserved, Paladin." Being in the Dread Lord's direct presence now kept him in the moment, the weight, the gravity that seemed to pull to him made sure of that. " I'd be remiss if I didn't seek to assist the Autumn Court in their hunt. I'd love to hear the details."

[Rhodes]

Rhodes incline his head at Anatole's acceptance. Worth recognised Worth, after all. There was assorted applause, people seeming taken this season. The freehold had changed a lot in this year - but in ways that made it feel stronger.

Certain figures were notable by their absence, by slight or by inconvenience. Still, the hunt had caused a Stir, exactly as he had hoped.

His piece said, the stone bound, and the formation of leaden spikes that mad this year's crown fully manifest, the Dread Lord of Autumn made his way across the room - a bee-line for his darling wife, always full of surprises. "So this is the dress that has kept me out of your office all week. You look sensational, Lady Spring." His Hedgespun wedding ring glowed in the flickering lights as he leaned in to kiss her.

As John approached, he inclined his head at the greeting. "Onyx King," he greeted respectfully in kind. Ah yes. James or John? The memory of the visit to Liam's Hollow cropped up again. We should discuss this, one day. But not today.

John's acceptance brought a big smile to the Dread Lord's lips. "Excellent. Excellent! If you'd like to step this way, any who wish to join will then have the opportunity to do so. Pledgesmith I may be, but not a man of unlimited magical potential. One Oath and done, the same for all, naturally." He gestures over towards the front shelves of the Archive - still clear of people but a thematic backdrop to the event all the same. "If you would excuse me, darling?" he added, flashing Sera a smile.

[ctl] Setting up a Side thread for Hunt Signups here. [/ct]

[Cassandra Reeding]

An Autumn chill carries over the wind in a familiar way, reminiscent of Rhodes' arrival from last year. It is still as stylish today as it was then and she can't help but smile a little. Perhaps last year she found it a little over the top, but then, it is a coronation. What is a coronation without a bit of theater?


She watches as Anatole is called forward and her smile can't help but widen. Paladin of Shadows, huh? Seems like a fitting title for the Dwarf, especially given all he has done for the Freehold and the name of Autumn. Although... she still has some reservations based on some of his actions while they were in the Hedge just a short month ago. Still, this is good for him.


The Dread Lord continues. An Ashen Hunt. She's silent as he goes through the lot of it and it is quite the lengthy speech. Is it something she would want to participate in? Perhaps something to show off some of her newfound skills?


John moves forward to approach Rhodes and she is left feeling slightly ignored. Perhaps he isn't concerned that Gerrit isn't here or perhaps he's upset with her? No. He couldn't be upset with her. John isn't the ignoring type. Maybe he just didn't hear. It's no matter, she looks around and contemplates leaving the hollow to call Gerrit, worried about her Motley mate's lack of appearance. Maybe he told John he would be late or something. It doesn't stop the worry though.


She tries to relax that anxiety by approaching Anatole and Sonnie, "Congratulations, Anatole. Paladin of Shadows is quite the title." It had been a bit too long since they'd last spoke. Same for Sonnie. It would be nice to catch up a little. She can approach Rhodes to offer her respects a little later. The Polychromatic offers a sweet smile, the prismatic hues refracting from her skin brighter than usual given their being in the Hedge.

[Ashley Green]

After the Leaden King Rhodes grand and grandiloquent entrance, most of the greetings have been said to her and the gathered Lings moved on to people they better knew and liked. Almost a relief, really. There's much more sampling of the odd assortment of Hedge edibles or simply discussion among friends. She considers following up on Anatole and quizzing him on how he earned his new title, simply out of curiosity. She knew him as well as anybody else, but she appreciated the number of similarities between them. However, she decided to leave that be. The announcement of a hunt had a really caught her attention and she wished to declare her intent to join.

Ashley slinks off to join this thread.

[Gerrit]

Gerrit knew he was really late and he kept beating himself up for it the whole way. This wasn't some private party, where attendance was welcome and a mere nice gesture - this was official Freehold business and the Coronation of the one Monarch who seemed to care the most about those things no less.
After smoothing down his new dark grey suit he entered the Hollow quickly and without making a big fuss. He completely disregarded the decorations or the other Lost present - the Stonebones needed to explain himself to the Dread Lord first. There would be time for forced socializing later on.

After taking a moment to find Rhodes the Onyx Courtier beelined through the room straight to where the King of Fear stood.

Continued in (2109) At the Archive - Hunt details...

[Rlyeh]

R'lyeh and Roshon move from where they had been grabbing food and awkwardly hugging, to amble over to wards Rhodes and those gathering there.

Going from Party Animals, to At the Archive - Hunt Details.

[Seraphina]

Sera had dipped into a low curtsy, Rhodes may be her husband, but he was also the Dread Lord to Sacramento. Respect would be paid.

The kiss was returned and she nodded as he excused himself. She couldn’t blame him, he had offered an exciting hunt for the Freehold! It was only natural people would be flocking to him, and she looked on with a look of pride.

All the attention him, where it should be. The Nix wasn’t a Fairest who craved and needed attention. She had enough of that at the wedding to last her a lifetime.

So she was happy to make her way over to a table with some familiar faces.

Sera makes her way over to Friends at the Table

[Anatole]

The burned dwarf huff and a smile ghosts across his face as the congratulations come riding in. Running one hand through his hair and another through the bubbling curls of his beard, he makes a few (non-commital) noises.

At the summons to hunt, the new Paladin of Shadows simply gives a wan smile and shakes his head slightly.

"Huh? Bodyguard. Warrior of the Ash. That sort of thing. Now...! The Ash Run is old, old magic. Called by the Autumn Court but its a thing for the Freehold to do as a whole. Kind of like a call to do some cleansing, you know. So thats... Thats for you lot to do. Enjoy!"

He bared teeth and carefully shot Rhodes a glance. Some Sovereign's might look ill on a newly elevated Courtier not jumping at the chance to prove themselves. Right now, Anatole was still recovering from the Iron Meg Blood Suckle. It was Blood Suckle, wasn't it? Or maybe the near asassination of Oliver (no! Ram had started that one! Or so Anatole thought).

Fortunately Cassandra Reeding provided more cover:

"Yep. Just one of the many Mysteries in my Court. It is one way to study and express Fear. I guess I've been heading toward this moment for some time now."

Iron Meg. Those teeth. Anatole took a steadying breath.

"Will you be joining the Run? I won't be... Odd, I know. Yet I think this is an opportunity for others. Not for myself. I do not think it would look good if I joined the Hunt and did terribly well out of it: not when my Dread Lord has offered gifts. People might get the wrong idea."

He was leaning heavily on his walking stick again.

[James Turner]

Too much. Too much was the mantra going on in his head. Sights, sounds, noises, he was good at filtering those things out but it was everything else. Duties meeting with obligations, bonds with friends, with family, with Winter, the ties that bind everyone and everything. He used to take comfort in it, watching the lives of people and how those knots of connections wove the tapestry that would become their lives. And that itch, that oil-slick shadow twitch at the base of his skull that told him to weave. It got louder and louder everyday as he felt pieces of himself slipping away.


There was no comfort in those connections right now. They were strings and he was a puppet Each bond, each tie pulling him at their own strength. But each of them were felt and each burden, each duty was added to his own. He had to push forward and carry on, what else could he do? You could probably go get help. Yea, you know another Changeling therapist now? The sarcasm dripping venom in his mind.


He offered Anatole a warm smile and dip of his head as he walked bye, looking over his shoulder at Cassandra giving her a soft frown before they turned and saw Gerrit rush in; a knot of anxiety loosened as another thread was added to the tapestry now. Slowly stalking to the back of the other group because he had a duty to fulfill.

Continued in (2109) At the Archive - Hunt details...

[Sonnie Wu]

Sonnie looked around the celebration, watching as the freeholders went this way and that, splitting off into little groups for chatting and eating and plotting. She fiddled with the hood of her skeleton onesie, adjusting it slightly rest a little higher on her head.

For lack of anything better to do, she wandered over to the hunt thingamabob.

Continued in (2109) At the Archive - Hunt details...