A Winters Night

[Rlyeh]

"...hopefully." she murmurs to Anatole as Talia comes all-loud-vigor-Summer

"Hi-hello!" glad-not-glad for the interruption-distraction shifting in her seat, and finally grabbing the marshmallows-chocolate-graham-crackers. Sugar will help. And - grabbing her drink. This will help too.

"So. How are you?" she asks, after Anatole-friend did the reasoning-and-s'mores-and-drinks, not really knowing what else to say.

[Talia]

Talia followed Anatole's finger as it pointed at the food "Ohhhhhh... don't mind if I do" You didn't have to tell her twice about free food and drink. "Its a lot quieter at night, and creepier for sure. Well when its closed." She responded as she started to jab marshmallows onto a stick. "I am good. I just thought I would do some exploring. Hopefully catch some trespassers... you know the drill."

[Anatole]

Anatole at last collects a drink for himself.

"Exploring? Exploring! Good a time as any - and as you say... a chance to hopefully catch any tresspassers."

The Autumn Courtier leered for a moment.

"I guess it is fortunate that these Freehold commons have largely been free of such dangers. Not so good if you are actively looking for trouble. But please do not take my words as discouragement. I think it is wise that some of us keep watch over the commons here at Funderland. It would be all too easy to fall into neglect and that would opening the door to... trouble."

He took a moment to drink

"I am alright. Mostly. A little depressed. What with Gerritt."

Anatole turned to Ry'leh and then back at Talia.

"Have you settled into the Crimson Court. Has our gun bunny smurf... forgive me - has Queen Circe been treating you well. Have you gained any insights from her example?"

He kept the question open, hanging it between the two Summer Courtiers.

[Rlyeh]

Should she be patrolling the grounds after-before-during hours too? Probably. And maybe-hopefully it will be like now-her-instead-of-Talia finding friend(lies) and getting their social interaction for the day.

The forced cheer stalls for a moment, Gerrit, before she gives herself a mental shake, and shoves a marshmallow in her mouth. Gnashing through it, to speak when Anatole directness the conversation back towards her.

"..mm, Oh I uh. Yes. Circe-Queen's been good-nice. I have a new suit. it is very-nice-good-tailored!" she nods, drip-drip-drop, "...and. Weren't we speaking-talking-thinking about a sparing practice day...was that just us or...?" she asks, trailing off. Should she have mentioned it? Was it a secret, or a Secret?

[Talia]

"Queen Circe is amazing, she is so kind, friendly, generous and understanding. I couldn't ask for a better queen" Talia hovered her stick filled with marshmallows over the fire. The reflection of the fire danced in her eyes as she stared at it and the marshmallows turning the stick slowly.

She turned to Rlyeh, "I think so, if Circe doesn't have a plan why don't you offer to help arrange it?" Her statement was a little pushy, although she was an elemental and often did not realise when she was doing... well that.

She turned back to Anatole "What has happened with Gerrit?" she was out of the loop, the freehold really needed a newspaper or a radio station or something.

[Anatole]

"Gerritt... has been laid low by a malady of some kind. There is an infection along one of the main trods in the Freehold and it is spreading. If you are ever in the Hedge and you start to see signs of a 'rust' spreading on the Thorns... Get out!"

Anatole shrugged.

"I'm still looking into it. Have some ideas but nothing solid yet. Just theories."

[Rlyeh]

R'lyeh nods, drip-drip-drops lost in the rain. "I can do that. I think. It wouldn't be bad to do?" she asks all at once, not noticing Talia's pushiness, or at least not being bothered by it. "I do need to learn-better-more." she continues thoughtfully.

Then the question. And the answer. Her ears and tails droop. She takes another drink. Sad-happy-bitter-and-sweet. Gerrit didn't leave but...


but...

Sorry for the hold up! and With 0 days left, we should get to wrapping

[Talia]

Talia considered what Anatole had just told her. Is this some ploy by one of the Gentry? Or some sort of rust monster perhaps? a small frown appeared "Sounds... Ominous." She had never heard of a Rust spreading through the hedge, but in her opinion the hedge was best avoided if at all possible and often avoiding it was not possible. "This is not my area of expertise I am afraid, I have never heard of a Rust before but I hope that you find out what's causing it and stop it. I would be more of a hinderance than a help when it comes to this voodoo bullshit."

[Anatole]

Anatole nods along with the two Summer Courtiers. He settles into position and stares off into the fire, enjoying the warmth and the quiet intimacy.

Times is up so I'll wrap the scene