Diverging Futures at Ednas

[Anatole]

Anatole leaned forward, genuinely interested in Seraphina's achievements. He inclined his head at a few choice points.

"That is wonderful. I haven't delved too deeply myself yet. I have been interested in lore more than Contracts. Oh I have interests in them - but my main focus is Goblin Contracts. I was a legal person in my life before, so the twists and turns of those things are... much appreciated by me."

A sharp smile ghosted across the burned dwarf's face.

"Don't have too many Goblin Contracts yet; but I do hold a few powerful Secrets. In reserve. Hope I never have to use them."

Turning the subject.

"My plans? Well... If this Mhairi returned Edna's to being a boarding house; and Rhodes bought the building here... My stamp would be to mkae of Edna's a proper 'haunted house'. My intention is to let the building lie, and become overgrown. I'll let the children plaster her in rude glyphs. For a time I will tolerate the drug addled to hide under her roof - but only so far. By then I'll have full wrapped the Court Hollow around the old building's walls. And my Court will make the mortal's remeber fear. I want Edna's to be that house that no one goes near. Whose shadow they avoid. And only those who want to be tested come to. My Court will rest in the Hollow, behind the walls."

A pause.

"Tea? I believe the pot has seeped enough."

"Oh Harvest King! I rather enjoy putting on a spread. I don't think I can compete with Rhode's mastery of Fear."

[Seraphina]

An absent nod, “I suppose I threw myself into them to keep my mind busy and to not dwell on self-pity. Maybe I threw myself into them a bit too much.” She jokes with a laugh. But her face shifts to one of interest, “You were? Really? Wow! Do you ever miss it?” who would have thought Anatole a legal person?! “Fascinating!” clearly, she was enjoying learning about the dwarf. “I have to be honest; I’ve never touched the Goblin Contracts. Not sure why, maybe I just don’t like the price that comes with some of them.” Who knows.

The nod was one of understanding, “It’s important to have powerful secrets.” The nod was now solemn, “We all need something to fall back on if push comes to shove. I have my own, ones I never want to use against another.” But she wasn’t someone who enjoyed violence.

“It was Mhairi that brought it here. I think Rhodes just tried to make it work in its current environment.” But it wasn’t him that had it moved. Then a sly smile, “I like that idea. Edna’s already has such a rich history already, with the massacre that happened here, unsolved according to the local authorities. And I think those events, and the documentation of them, give the place an air of fear, though it has been lost over the years.” Truth be told. “Sounds like you are going to bring fear back to the walls, and it’s wonderful.” It truly was.

“Oh, yes please.” What goes better with bread then tea!

A relieved smile, “That’s great to hear. Not that you don’t think you could compete with Rhodes, but that you want to be called Harvest King.” She had been worried no one asked and he just went along with it. “And I think if you wanted that mastery of Fear, you could have it. But I also know Fear means something different to everyone and each wields it in their own way. At least, each Monarch I’ve known has a different take on it.” Though none had wielded it as Rhodes had.

[Anatole]

"Ah yes. The price. I can understand that. Goblin Contracts are as dangerous as land mines. Even learning about them comes at a cost - perhaps I enjoy that knife edge between wisdom and folly a little too much for my own good."

Anatole prepared two cup of tea - using her own blend - and handed one over to the Nix.

"Miss being involved in the law? Or miss my old life? My old knife not so much; that said I have an anger that must be served. One day. Not yet. As for the law. I... loved it. I guess that is why I was first drawn to Goblin Contracts... But when I lived my first life, I was no better than an instrument for the Gentry - only it was mine own family, instead. I have lived two lives a servant and don't wish to return to it."

The sharp smile flashed once again.

When Seraphina voiced her support for his plan, the burned dwarf sighed slightly.

"Thank you. I had been concerned that you might see my move as disrupting the Freehold. I am glad you understand that it is not meant to be so. Yes... I want to let Edna's be... feared... again. A little self indulgent perhaps, but people - mundane and magical, need to be reminded now and then."

He sipped his tea, emoted a surprised face as the delicate tea demonstrated its quality.

"You've mentioned this Mhairi before. What was she like?"