Open House of Horrors

[Rhodes]

Crisp leaves created a sense of abandonment outside of Enda's Haunted House... and within. The main door creaked open, spreadign the Autumn chill through the house.

In the main hall, Rhodes sipped coffee while sat at the carved wooden table, louging in the immaculately carved throne at it's head. Images of nature - stags, foxes, fine leaf patterns forming a grand back. The Dread Lord himself was in his usual suit, his Hedgespun coat of thunderclouds staving off the chill.

He had promised Flickerwhisp a meeting, but since it was the Autumn Season he decided to hold an open house - anyone wich Occult questions for the Autumn Court could come and learn from the resident Frehold Director and Leaden King.

This is an open scene for anyone who wants to talk occult or just socialise in an Autumn-y way!

[Seraphina]

Stopping by Edna’s was something she hadn’t done on a whim in a while. Sure, going there for the Coronation was one thing. Dropping by just to say hi and bring her husband something to eat was something else.

Plus, with the colder weather, it was a good excuse to break out a new coat she had found.
Combining it with suede boots and a simple black dress she was out to turn heads. It was something that was growing on her.

A quick knock on the door before she walks in, feels the chill and follows the leaves. A happy smile forms when she spots Rhodes, “I brought you something to eat.” Holding up the bag. If he was working, he tended to forget to eat, and that wasn’t ok.

“How’s everything going? I'm not interrupting am I?”

[Rhodes]

Rhodes breaks into a smile as his wife enters. "Darling! What a wonderful surprise!" He rises from the chair and embraces her, a gentle kiss on her lips. "You're too kind." He takes the bag and set it on the table, turning back to apprasie the latest outfit. "New coat?"

He sighs a little. "Lamentably not. I had hoped for more engagement within the Freehold in the opportunity to learn our Occultism, but....." he gestures a long-fingered hand around the empty room. "I know I put on a lot of Airs as the Dread Lord. Having people face a low-level fear from an ally might be seen as too much off a deterrent... but it is a part of Autumn's Philosophy. A reminder we are in a dangerous life...." he sighs. "It can be tiring - not that anyone else can ever know." He smiles. "But seeing you here... it can put those worries to rest for a while. Thank you for coming."

The Autumn King leads Sera over to a chair and sits next to her. "So. Is this just a call for my wellbeing, or are you looking for a little more in my very particular talents?"

[Seraphina]

The kiss was returned, “Well I wasn’t sure how well stocked you kept this place. Maybe I need to peek in the fridge and make sure you and Anatole have some good food.” She teases, but fully intending to do it. Arms were then held out, “It is! I saw it and had to have it!” doing a little spin, “Super warm too.” Though they both knew it wasn’t a factor in her buying it. It looked good on her and that was her main reason.

A frown, “That’s disappointing, you’re so knowledgeable on it, others should take advantage of any chance to learn a bit from you.” Even before they were dating, she enjoyed his lessons. A more understanding smile spread across her lips, “Being honest with you dear, it might be. I know there are a lot within the Freehold who hold an understandable fear of you. But I don’t think you would be you without it.” It just never really bothered her. “I don’t think the fact that we live a dangerous life is lost on anyone, just some don’t want to be reminded of it all the time. Some want the chance to just, well, live.” Her voice was respectful, and he knew she respected what he did and what his Court stood for. But they all could move Court philosophy aside every now and then. “Of course!” there was no where she would rather be.

Unbutton the jacket she takes it off, lay it over the back of a chair. “A little of both actually!” she declares. “I had actually been thinking of putting in some effort to learn more of your Courts, well, special talents and Contracts. So I wanted your thoughts and opinions on that.”

[Rhodes]

There was a shrug. "Not too well, I'll admit. We don't spend much time here. Perhaps I should spend more time on it."

He smiled lovingly at his wife. She always understood his ways. "No, I wouldn't. I would rather they have that fear than assume everything is fine. The life of a foil is a delicate one, riddled with disappointments that people will rise to meet your challenges. The difference between Spring and Autumn," Rhodes added with a chuckle. He loved his wife more than anything, but the Spring philosophy always had a hit of naivete about it to him. Sera tempered these beliefs with her understanding and intellect - being a Monarch meant upholding the philosophy while accepting it did not mean all to all people. The Courtly balance needed to be upheld, for the protection of all.

Her emphatic nature at being with him made the Flowering's heart flutter, even now after a year of marriage. Rhodes had always enjoyed beauteous things, and had rarely seen one that fit that as the woman that drew his eye. But it was her wit and intellect that enticed him more, her sincerity and caring that drew him in and made him fall in love with her. The first time, since.... well. Since his Keeper kept his heart ever on a string. Not abuse of the body, but of the mind and heart, twisting him into a bitter, manipulative creature... only to be melted by Sera's warmth. Rhodes knew that now. The visions of his past slowly grew more vivid and the heartache that accompanied his memories of Ophelia still sparked rage if he dwelled on them. And so he kept them, deep, under lock and key.

Sera's declaration made his eyebrows raise. "Really? Well. I'm sure we can reach some manner of arrangement. Learning contracts of Another's Court is challenging, usually because one must hold good standing in another court outside their own, which often needs great deeds or continued politicking. Of course, employing your seductive talents on the Monarch might shortcut much of that...." he chuckles. "Actually, I really couldn't say that for certain. With Sacramento being so small, so fluid, we both know it causes some peculiarities with how the Wyrd binds Oaths and contracts. I don't know how magically binding the Wyrd of Autumn would consider the opinions of my court for those outside it learning our Contracts... or vice versa for other Courts. Unless this was a purely academic interest? What we can do, that manner of things? You know most of my Courtly powers, after all."

[Seraphina]

A brief look of being right crosses her face, she knew it. “Even if you guys don’t spend much time here, you should still have some basics. I’ll get it taken care of.” Because of course she would, it was what she did. “Should also check and make sure you have fresh tea and coffee.” Was she ever not looking out for others? Not really.

There was a small smirk at the mention of the difference between Spring and Autumn, “And yet they can work so well together.” But even that took effort at times. “Fear has its place within life, I just see it being a damper, at times, to being social.” And she was the very definition of a social butterfly.

“You know I love a challenge.” And she needed something…different. A look of shock, “Are you saying I don’t already have good standing?” laughing, “Wow. And here I thought it was my wit that could give me a shortcut.” Teasing him before appearing to turn serious, “But I’m willing to discuss great deeds or whatever you deem worthy of gaining such goodwill.” On that part, she was serious.

“I didn’t even really take how particular the Wyrd has been. But I’m willing to put in the time and effort to try.” Nothing to lose by giving it a go. “I would say it’s a healthy bit of both academic and wanting to expand what’s available to me if needed.”

[Vincent Black]

Vincent had heard about this place when he arrived in Sacramento. As he was new to the town he was not a member of any court. Though he had heard that this was the location of the Autumn court. As he walked in he noticed two others. "Hello, hope I am not intruding? The name is Vincent and I am new to the city and thought I would come and introduce myself." Vincent found himself feeling a bit uncomfortable as he uttered the words. He was not one for drawing attention to himself on purpose.

[Rhodes]

For half a second, Rhodes' mouth was open to respond - but it would be pointless to argue. Sera cared for people. He could say it would be fine, but she would do what she thought best anyway. He laughed lightly, watching her with loving eyes.

There was a nod. "Very well. And I understand that. It is simply that as my influence in the Court grows, the less and less I can ignore that path, that responsibility. Autumn and Winter can be seen as the morbid Courts, but what we do is just as important as reminding others to enjoy life."

Another laugh. "I'm saying, my love, that the present Court of the city may have a strong bias in your favour that might not be widely reflected elsewhere." Big pictures were an Autumn Trait. "The fact is - and this isn't for another's ears - I have never issued goodwill, save for the last Autumn Hunt that I offered it as a prize. If it is my will alone? I am sure it would be simple. I just don't know. But it will be fascinating finding out." He shrugs. "The effects tht force us to use the Wyrdstone appear permanent. Whether it is large Oaths that are disrupted or small contracts.... it can be unpredictable, even at the best of times and reading the rules most carefully. It is emotional, fickle, almost as if it has it's own agenda without consciousness or deliberate malice."

There was a thoughtful nod, Emerald eyes watching her carefully. "Well... Fear, naturally, is one of our contractual domains; just as Desire is for Spring. Invoking it and controlling it. We have specialized contracts connected to the season itself - the harvest, the cold - and one I'm particularly fond of, the leaf Avatar I use for the coronation. Dramatic, impressive, and innately clear of the Autumn season." He smirked a little. "Anyone with a little occult knowledge can deduce fear and seasonal - they map with each Court's emotion and season. But lastly, we have a set of contracts connected to magic - finding it, identifying it - this was one of my first skills from joining the Court. I don't reveal the details lightly, but for you..." he sighed. "I would be amazed if you did not carry an amount of Goodwill already and...."

The door creaked as it opened, breaking the sentence, and Rhodes looked to the hall instinctively. He took in the unfamiliar wolf-man and his smile seemed to naturally grow with a slightly malicious intent, his mantle flaring out an icy, spine-chilling wind with haunting whispers just out of earshot that rolled over the new arrival. "Welcome, Mr Vincent. The introduction certainly is appreciated. And just what, might I ask, brings you to my little corner of the city?" Piercing Green eyes, far larger than any human eyes, were watching the Beast intently. "Or, perhaps, you would prefer some manner of agreement before discussing your business? You are alone, in an unfamiliar domain. I would not expect less." The winds bluster around the Dread Lord again, this time spinning colourful autumn leaves into the air.

[Seraphina]

One thing she wasn’t expecting to see? A new face! And a wild looking one at that.

Taking in his appearance, it struck her that he was a Beast, and wouldn’t Sonnie be excited!

A warm smile was offered, “Hi Vincent, welcome to Sacramento,” says the Nix, “I’m Seraphina, but Sera works just fine.” Her angelic voice welcoming and friendly.

To Rhodes, “Oh, I never meant to imply that Autumn is any less important. Each Season is important to life we live and to our survival.” She hoped it hadn’t come across as saying Autumn wasn’t as important. A light, innocent shrug, “I can work with bias.” A smirk touching her lips. “But we can discuss it more later.” In a public setting like Edna’s, and him saying something only for her ears only, it seemed only natural to put the conversation off for now. But she was eager to talk more about it, see if she could actually learn.

As Rhodes does his thing, it was technically still his Season after all, “Would you like some tea or coffee?” ever the hostess, even when not in her own Hollow or coffee shop.

[Vincent Black]

Vincent looked to the man that spoke first, he was unsure about him at first but at the mention of an agreement he felt a bit more comfortable. "An agreement would be most welcome, if nothing to keep all parties on the same page." Vincent noticed the wind pushing the leaves around the gentleman, and he thought "This man is powerful, I should be more cautious."

Vincent then looked to the woman, Sera she said her name was, "Thank you, I will take a coffee, black." Vincent was very well aware of both parties piercing stares. But the womans stare made him more uncomfortable. As if those eyes were hiding something.