Orchard Operations and Warehouse Woes

[Rhodes]

The sign on the front of Garden Grounds said "Closed" but the lights were still on, available to cater to a very specific clientele.

The Dread Lord Reclined in his chair, and supped his coffee.

One of the perks of being married to a highly successful business owner was it allowed for there to be a slightly less formal (and certainly more enjoyable) atmosphere than Funderland's rather dingy offices. The message had gone up a few days in advance to give people time to swing by Funderland and see it. It would also give people a chance to make themselves known as willing pawns in the game of wits the Autumn Monarchs found themselves.

Well, in the Dread Lord of Sacramento's head, anyway.

He was dressed in his regular suit, making the most of the cooler evenings before the upturn in heat would make such refined ware untenable in the California heat. Some of the assorted baked goods were on plates on tables around.

Soon he would see who was willing to partake in their next move - the taking on of Ann's new warehouse site. It was likely to be bloody, but necessary.

An open scene to prepare for the next stage of the "Taking on Ann" plot. People are welcome to come and combine their ideas!

[Colonel Worm]

Wild horses couldn't keep Worm away. He'd been thinking about that warehouse ever since they'd been inside. Pleasant thoughts like: I wonder how long it would take the place to burn to the ground. Bonus points if Ann is inside when it happens.

Anyway, the first thing he'd done upon getting back ironside is write down the address he'd memorized in several different places. No way he's going to lose that piece of information.

Despite his bloody thoughts, the Colonel is in a fine mood when he appears. Breezes into Garden Grounds wearing a typically interesting outfit.

"As I live and breath," he declares in a horrible imitation of a southern belle. "If it isn't Mr. Rhodes. Handsome as always." Saunters up to the Autumn Monarch's table. "How ever have you been?"

[Rhodes]

The impression draws a chuckle from the Autumn Monarch. "Most well, my dear fellow. And yourself?"

"Please, take a seat. I wanted to make sure we maintained momentum and the Freehold were aware actions against Ann were still in the works. It can be so easy for these things to slip through the fingers, after all." Rhodes sipped his coffee, eyeing the goblin's eccentric ensemble. "We have an address and a way into Ann's latest location. We will be favoured by expedient action on both. I will give it a little longer before fully expressing my thoughts - I doubt we are the only two that wish to push action."

[Seraphina]

Did anyone think she would miss this meeting?

Not in a thousand years.

The door to a back room swings open and the Nix walks out, hands full of various flowers she planned on arranging shortly. It was spring, and that meant the coffee shop would be filled with the smell of fresh flowers. It was what she did.

She was rather casual this evening, her long hair left down, her Mantle in full bloom.

Eyes spot Worm and she smiles, “You guys better not be planning without me!” she jokes, placing the flowers on the counter and grabbing a coffee. “Did you want a coffee or something to drink Colonel?” asks the Nix, and if he does, she’ll bring the drink over.

Pulling out a chair, she sits, gently blowing on her coffee, eyes moving from one to the other.

[Colonel Worm]

"Fan-fucking-tastic," Worm replies. Both an endorsement of Rhodes' response and an evaluation of his own state.

"Ready to talk turkey. This hag's gotta go," he drags a thumb across his throat. A comic gesture that still manages to be threatening.

The Goblin gladly takes the seat, kind of draping himself over it rather than simply sitting.

"Agreed on all points. We've got to move fast before she can change things up."

Straightens suddenly in his seat and leans toward the table, closer to Rhodes. Pitches his voice a bit lower, as if confiding a secret: "What I'm wondering is if we can find a way to time our move for when we know she's there. Don't get me wrong, I want to burn that place to the ground either way. But if she's inside, that's the end of the story isn't it? No need to worry she'll poke her head out of another fucking hole." A various points in that little monologue, he jabs the tabletop with his pointer finger for emphasis.

Sits back when Sera walks in, "God damn good to see you, Queenie," he says playfully. A giant grin. "Naw, just some light pleasantries about burning down warehouses."

Perks up at the mention of drinks. "Coffee, please. I'll take cream and sugar too if you don't mind."

Looks to Rhodes: "Your wife is the best." Back to Sera: "Did you hear that? I said you're the best."

[Rhodes]

"Only the overture. Do you really think I would dare, darling?" Rhodes replied to Sera, smiling. Not a chance - this was something they both believed in to help make the Freehold safer.

The Dread Lord sighed, shaking his head. "I doubt it. Ann has always conducted her operations with a degree of separation. Trying to find such a time - if it exists - would mean another reconnaissance into the warehouse which increases the chances of our access being found out. Believe me, there is no-one that wants Ann dealt with more than I.... except perhaps Circe , of course."

He checks his watch. a few stray leaves spinning into existence around him. "No, I think the best option will be to strip this asset from her now. Whatever we may be able to find at the time would be a valuable bonus."

The compliment to Sera draws another smile. "Of that, dear Colonel, I am all too aware." To him, she truly was.

[Gerrit]

Gerrit had been of two minds when they first found the warehouse. On the one hand Queen Anne's operation had to be stopped for good and failing that they needed to hobble her wherever they could. On the other hand this was certain to lead to violence.

But Gerrit had changed - through his time with the Colonel as well as by the fickle hand of the Wyrd - and things were a little clearer now: sometimes violence was the only way and by helping the Freehold he could prevent a whole lot more suffering in the long run. Plus, he also wanted to act out his part of conscience in case there were innocent people in the crosshairs of Rhodes' and CW's wrath. So he made his way to Seraphina's coffee shop dressed in a black hoodie and sensible jeans with cold resolve.

Inside he found the other members of the orchard operation already here - except for Ram, of course, who seemed to have left for good. Figures. His eyes went from Rhodes to Colonel Worm, then to Seraphina where they remained for an awkward long moment. How could he still not be fully used to her stunning appearance?

He snapped out of it. "Hello everyone." He wanted to apologize for being late, but swallowed that down. He was here, after all. "I hope I haven't missed too much." With that he went to their table and sat down. The Ogre's face was not terribly expressive, but there was a shade of gravity in his features today. "How is everyone? Are we expecting anyone else?" He didn't exactly need to just kill time with small-talk, but with Seraphina and CW there probably was no way around it. And ultimately that's kind of the reason why he somehow enjoyed spending time with them.

[Seraphina]

Smiling to the Summer, “Good to see you too! Hope you’ve been keeping out of trouble.” A slight hint of teasing. She nods and grabs a coffee for him, bringing over cream and sugar, placing them in the center of the table.

A smirk, “Of course I am!” laughing, like there was any doubt.

Nodding to Rhodes, she sips her own coffee, listening. There was trust in what Rhodes said, after all, he seemed to know the most about Ann, so she wouldn’t argue. “Have we considered moving on two fronts? The warehouse and Barn?” it was probably risky, but it could also be worth it.

A smirk to Worm, “I always remind him.” Then a wink to Rhodes.

Hearing the door, and spotting Gerrit, a warm smile was offered, “Hi Gerrit! Glad you could make it!” was there something different about him? Something with the scars on his face. “Can I get you a coffee or tea?” offers the Nix. “And I’m doing well, yourself?”

[Colonel Worm]

Rhodes makes a good point. Worm nods gravely. Taps his head with a long, red fingers. "You're always thinking, Rhodes. One of the many things I like about you."

Why can't the world be as simple as the battlefield? Disposition of forces. Confrontation. Somebody loses.

Somebody dies.

It's not, though. The Colonel may not be the brightest, but he knows that much.

"So we take away her toys and her capacity instead. We wreck her shit." Almost gleeful at the prospect. An appreciative look to the Nix: "Great minds! I was also mulling over the old pincer move. Barn side would need to be careful though. Someone else could show up at the crossroads, you know?"

Gerrit appears and Worm gives his bud a welcoming grin. "G! Come on over. We were just chewing the fat. No serious business afoot as of yet."

Accepts the coffee from Sera, "Thanks, Ser. You're a life saver." Plenty of cream and sugar added. Sips. Smacks his lips. "Damn good coffee." Looks back to Gerrit, raising his cup in a little toast, "I'm thinking Circe would want to be here. She's got a very large axe to grind. If she doesn't show soon, I'll text."

[Rhodes]

The Dread Lord smiles as Gerrit arrives. "Not at all, dear fellow. Join us, please." He waves a hand to a chair. "I admit, I had hopes more would interested.... but no matter. We can proceed regardless." The Dread Lord sounds genuine in his disappointment - and indeed he was. He considered this a very real threat to be dealt with.

Emerald eyes glance to Sera. "Two fronts? It has merit, certainly - though we would need more of us. And how we time things would depend on which party took the bigger risk. We should," and his eyes move from Sera to Worm, "look into the address. Have have you had chance you find the mundane location?"

There is a satified sirk on the Fairest's features. "Someone has to. Still. The most wary thing of an assault is the area is still largely unknown. We don't know how many people are there, or how many will fight. I do not want to risk people unduly. My thoughts were to infiltrate and burn out from within. It doesn't allow us to track Ann... but it forces her further away. Plus, the warehouse must have something of use to continue our pursuit. Being spotted from either way in is a risk - one we will just have to make do with."

He nods about gathering Circe. She always wanted to be in on action against Ann.