Open House of Horrors

[Seraphina]

There was a blink as she looked a bit confused. Did he think it was that easy to get into a Court? Even her own Court had motions they went through, talks they had, making sure beliefs aligned. Sapphires look to Rhodes, then back, and finally at her cup, taking another sip. Sometimes it was hard to bite her tongue, but she knew her husband had this.

Nodding, “Oh, certainly! Especially for those like us, having to be extra careful, never knowing who is an enemy or who is a friend. That takes travel to a whole new level of dangerous in my opinion. So I’m very happy to hear it was uneventful. Any exciting tales from the travel?” stories were always fun.

The nod this time was sager as Rhodes explained the whole Court thing. But credit to Vincent for wanting to jump right in!

After the explanation of the Wyrdstone, Sera takes a small leather-bound notebook out of her bag, “While you guys do that, I’m going to take a quick inventory of the kitchen. Maybe brew a fresh pot of coffee or tea while you guys are with the stone.” She didn’t need to be there for the Beast to touch the stone. If asked to be there she would go, if not, she’d do as she said, take inventory of the kitchen and cupboards. While a fresh pot of coffee brewed and would be ready when they came back.

[Vincent Black]

"Sorry I did not mean immediately, just meant to ask how I would go about seeing if I am a fit for this court. I apologize if I seemed to eager to join. It is just been a long time that I have been without a court." Vincent had hoped that his explanation was enough to not make him look too much like an amateur in addressing the court. It just had been a long time since he had been in one that when he was asked, the possibility excited him. He was very much aware of the benefits of being a member of a court. Especially when it came to the court of fear, that was his specialty.

[Rhodes]

An eyebrow areched at his wife, but said nothing. She was going to do this, no matter what he thought about trying to dissuade her. She was more caring than anyone he knew.

He offered a small nod to Vincent. If he was so keen, it seemed odd that he wouldn't find a Court before starting his trip. Clearly this Mr Black would merit furthur observation. "Well then. With that misunderstanding aside, please step this way Mr Black. This will only take a moment."

The Dread Lord rose and headed out of the Haunted house, making to a small office block a the center of Funderland. "Consider this a form of contract - a mutual assurance between you and our local partners that you will not be working with our - ah - former assosciates. While not done in the traditional way, we have found this to be most effective."

He opens a side door and heads down a corridor and into an office.

The Wyrdstone is in a box, pulsing slightly. Moving like blood and stone, the red of the moving mass, mesmerizing in contrast to the black-green of the solid rock grit binding it. Rhodes gestures to the artifact, smiling. "Please. Place your hand upon the stone, and infuse it with a portion of your Glamour. It will bind you into the Freehold. And, as you will note with the vow we swore, it will not harm you. There is no Grand Ceremony - we like to keep it simple. And once that's done, we should return. I'm sure Sera will have the coffee kept warm."

[Seraphina]

ragnarokxg , Vincent Black , feel free to post around Sera as she isn't with the other two I'll post her back in when they return.

[Vincent Black]

Vincent follows Rhodes to the Wyrdstone. At his command Vincent places his hand on the stone a infuses with his glamour. Once it is complete he looks to Rhodes, "Shall we return?"

[Saber Sloth]

Vincent can now up his Freehold Status to 1

[Rhodes]

An eyebrow arches, caught a little by his directness. "It is.... unusual for one to take such a thing in their stride. Most people have questions about the stone itself. Have you seen it's likeness before?" Opening the conversation also gave the Dead Lord time to feel the connection between himself and the Wyrdstone, and now it and the beast before him. Mr Black was no Loyalist, that was certain, but his actions seemed a little trusting for one curious about the ways of Fear. Vincent's approaches were already having Rhodes wonder if the Leaden Mirror would be a good fit for the man.

Or perhaps it was a recklessness Autumns had been known to show in pursuit of their goals, of knowledge. It remained to be seen, though likely a conversation for another time.

"As you wish." he gestured to the door for Vincent to leave ahead of him. The Flowering followed with slow, unhurried footsteps.

The Dread Lord was silently thoughtful as they made their way back to Edna's, the haunted house. This time he lead the way in, seating himself at the head of the heavy wooden table in what looked remarkably like a wooden throne. "So, Mr Black. Now we know we are both safe, more than before... Do you have any immediate needs in moving to the city? Work, lodging, that sort of thing?" He hoped his voice would draw his darling wife out from wherever she had been performing her assessment of Edna's meagre facilities.

[Vincent Black]

"To answer the question you asked, we made a pledge not to intentionally hurt one another. If you meant to cause injury or perform some malicious action, you would be breaking our pledge. And I take such pledges seriously." Vincent knew his actions through Rhodes off. He was happy about that, because by keeping them suspecting was always a good thing. If people thought he was too cautious, they would underestimate him or worse consider him weak. That was not the case with him.

After sitting down at the table, he addressed Rhodes other question, "I will require lodging until I am able to find a more permanent home. As for work, as I said I am a bounty hunter and if you or anyone you know may have business that may need being taken care of, I am willing to do it for a price. Thanks."

[Seraphina]

Sure enough, Sera emerges from the kitchen area, small notebook in one hand, and fresh coffee in the other. She had also managed to find some snacks that she had already laid out. Ever the hostess at heart.

Smiling as she walks in, “Welcome back!” feeling the connection of trust with Vincent, a warm smile was offered to him, “And welcome to the Freehold.” Least they knew they could trust him now.

The coffee pot was held up, “Coffee?” looking from Rhodes to Vincent, “Or I can make tea if anyone prefers.” Pouring herself some coffee, and then pouring some for anyone else before sitting down. The notebook tucked into her bag.

At the mention of needing housing, “My coffee shop has a small apartment above it if you wish to stay there. It’s nothing fancy or anything, but it has everything one would need.” It was an offer. She really needed to get on that expansion.

[Rhodes]

The Dread Lord watched Vincent carefully. "Wariness is far more common - and often, wise. Acting purely on the pledge placed a lot of faith solely in the word I had given you. I have spend a great deal of time studying Pledges - I could have arranged any other manner of non-violent curse and kept the core of the vow completely intact." It was tricky, but not impossible. It was difficult to tell whether this was bravado or recklessness. More time was needed. "However, you did not, in fact, answer my question. A reason for your action, certainly, but not an answer. Have you seen something akin to a Wyrdstone before?"

He looked at the arrangement Sera had prepared in their absence. "Thank you darling. Coffee sounds wonderful."

There was a glance back to Vincent. "Perhaps I am ignorant of such a field, Mr Black, but I wasn't aware such a trade was predictable. I was merely attempting to offer some assistance. Though I am sure we can make your services known. There is a noticeboard we can add details to that are relevant - perhaps you would wish to share your details there. Alternatively, the next official meeting will be on the Winter coronation on the evening of the Winter Solstice." The Beast seemed abrasive. Or perhaps it was forthright, when he had become used to more docile or submissive individuals about the Freehold. Or perhaps it was simply the beast's way. Regardless, it would take more than that to rattle the King of Fear. Perhaps it would be entertaining to have someone to verbally spar with again.

The Autumn King looks back to Sera at her offer. "I didn't realised that place was done up." He shrugs. "I was going to offer one of the rooms upstairs... though I'm sure the apartment will be more comfortable. Seraphina has impeccable taste."