Director Discussions

[Kray]

The Giant ashen Ogre potters about the old creaky Kitchen of Edna's, the harvest king had been right, he could hear the building grumbling in its sleep, caged in the trappings of compliance and conformity. A great grey hand strokes the bream of the door frame. "Uh. I know. I know. Soon enough. Not much longer now." In truth the work took as long as it took but piece by piece he was slotting the necessary elements into place.

Bu for tonight the door might be closed against the cold but the light and the stove were on, keeping the room toasty. Edna's was to host the monarchs of the freehold as they met to discuss matters of leadership, to answer the call of the monsoon and decide who would rise to the position. And so Hot water was on the boil to provide tea, coffee or hot chocolate. A plate of biscuits and cakes had been laid out should they be wanted. For his part the Ashen king had been blindsided by the development at first to say the least. Although was far from displeased once the pieces had puzzled together in his head for what it must mean.

Saber Sloth


Origins Circe
Sonnie Wu Abyssalstar
Withers Stray

[Circe]

Circe's arrival is timely and of course dressed formally as is her usual. Laptop tote with some extras just in case they are needed for the discussion. Some might think she had long johns or something to deal with the bitter cold, but no. She'd contracts for that. Son of the Hearth was bullshit in weather. She could wear a skimpy evil sorceress bikini-dress right now and be fine.

6 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-01-23 21:25:19	Circe rolls 6 to Son of the Hearth (10 Again)	10, 8, 7, 10, 9, 10, 3, 6, 10, 3	6 successes

Circe is quite comfortable, as is anyone within a good 10 feet of her. Walking here messed with a few mortals going from this is fine to why is it cold! It was surprisingly amusing too!

The tote also presented the results of her own research into the Under Tunnels journal. Just in case it came up. Machine translation was terrible, but legible to a degree. And Edna's was looking spooky as expected. She opens the door if it is unlocked, knocking if it is not. "Hey Kray! You here?!"


Be subtle? Why bother?

[Withers]

Once more, the scraping of the cane announces the coming of Winter's King before he is even seen, but soon enough his hunched, frail form has found its way to Edna's.

Withers was dressed for the season, wearing an old peacoat, underneath which he wore a knitted sweater, as well as slacks and loafers. His blackened fingertips remained free and, with his head now bearing the crown of pewter and bone, Withers did not wear a hat.

"I trust we are expected?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, as he closed the space with Circe. Checking his watch, the Darkling would nod affirmatively to seemingly none but himself, "We are not early."

[Sonnie Wu]

Sonnie was the last to arrive. Rather unlike her. She quietly walked in, golden eyes darting about to take in the room and everyone within. Dressed in her usual casual manner, with faded blue jeans, a green zip-up hoodie over a black t-shirt, and her Hedgespun boots. Her messenger bag was hanging over her left shoulder.

"Your Majesties," she greeted the three as she walked to a chair. She took her bag and set it on the floor next to her chosen seat, but she didn't sit yet. Instead, the Beast turned and looked at the gathered Monarchs.

"As you're all aware, Queen Seraphina has... left Sacramento." There was a brief pause before she continued, "She got a lead on the whereabouts of her missing husband, Rhodes. The former Autumn King." Eyes went to Kray for a moment. "Uh, the one before Anatole," she added.

"Given she sold her home, and I presume her coffee shop, I don't think she's coming back any time soon." Another pause, hesitant. That last part was difficult for her to say aloud.

Moving on, Sonnie sat down, "Okay, so... I'm here to represent Spring until we can get a new monarch, since I'm the highest ranking Courtier. If you consider royal bodyguard a high rank, anyway. But it's more than Jasper has, so here I am." She sat with her legs curled beneath her, and drummed her fingers on her knees. "So... yeah."

[Kray]

The door was only closed not locked thus as each lost arrived they would be able to enter without difficulty. At it's first opening the king of Autumn of Autumn turns. "Oh. Hey Circe." Talk about stating the obvious but still he greets the queen of summer with a doff of his hedgespun hat. "Uh. Come in grab a seat there's hot drinks and snacks if you'd like." Let no one say he did not make at least some effort with hosting.

The next arrival the newly crowned king of Winter. "Uh. No your not early Withers, not late either." It was around the time the invitation had called for the meeting. The reigning sovereign gets a full hat to chest movement of respect, it was the darkling's season after all. "Make yourself comfortable." As comfortable as the old kitchen got.

And then the answer he had been most curious about the arrival of the spring beast confirmed his suspicions. "Uh. Hey Sonnie." Returning the greeting she gets a dip of the hat not a removal, respect for showing up but not as much as the he gave the monarchs. Otherwise he listens to the break down not with any particular glee, but he might sleep a little more soundly tonight for the news. "Hm. Well Uh. Thank you for coming." His was not a comforting presence nor was he trying to be, but he wasn't trying to rub salt in the spring courtier wounds either. "Uh. Is Jasper alright? Didn't see him at Winter coronation." The fellow giant had been rather conspicuous by his absence.

With everyone gathered it was kind of awkward for the giant. It was Withers season, Circe had the longest tenancy, but he had called them all here. So who starts us off? Well no time like the present "So. I invited you all here to see if we can reach a decision on who should take the directors chair. Thoughts?" He had his own on the matter of course but those could wait.

[Circe]

Circe holds the door for the old man, "Should be King Withers," as for the timing, "I've no idea, but I'm loud enough to make our presence known."


When Kray comes in she greets him back, 'Thank you Kray." As for the answer to Withers question by Kray, she is tempted to say something else. "I would say something quoting Ian McKellen and Tolkien, but nah," she shrugs it off instead.


And then Sonja comes in. Not sure if she wanted to be called Queen yet or just steward or something. "Sonnie," she greets her as a friend for now then. Circe nods as she too had gotten a letter. "Glad she told you too. Though I'd wished she'd asked for provisions before departure," it'd have been a sad and dramatic affair. But Circe would have liked to have given Seraphina some new protective equipment, some money, and some trade goods for the Hedge at the least. On the plus side, Seraphina was aware of how valuable spices were in the Hedge.


Though Circe WAS a little pissed she'd not gotten any coffee reserve left for her. She has her addictions.


"Understood, Sonja. Warden of Spring," she tells Sonja Wu with a salute. If she didn't want to own up to the title quite yet. Circe had been there. A few times actually come to think of it, as she tilts her head in thought and then frowns. Circe thinks she had issue with taking the crown. Right? She doesn't remember really. Kray asks after Jasper, so Circe doesn't.


Then there was the retrieval of victuals. Hot coffee and finger snacks. Always a solution to calm Circe down. Then joins the rest at the table as Kray brings up a point of order. Directorship was to deal with the seasons lacking. Currently they are not, but that can change. "Not it," she declares to everyone present. "I have at least three GOOD reasons. First," she nibbles her rice snack. Sips her coffee. "I patrol. Hedge, online, I do security screening as Groundskeeper. I've the armor and firepower for the former. The skill, tech, and bullshit for the latter. No offense to any of you," she puts down the mug and waves her hands in the negative, "But I don't see anyone else having the hacking skills I do to take over that."


"Second. I am Summer!" She reminds them, "Gun bunny! Lunatic. If director, I WOULD abuse the position to enforce mandatory gun classes and firearms distribution." She looks over at Kray, "I KNOW others would object to that and leave. But I am ME. I got almost a dozen guns, do if you include those broken ones. So, I need someone whacking me on the head with a newspaper saying DON'T. Or maybe just a sign with that written on it. You know, oversight."


Circe was self aware of her own failings. Violence and its encouragement was one of them. A Director, in theory, was restraining her. She could push it easily, but psychologically? It was a break on her own actions.

[Withers]

At Kray's direction, the old Darkling would ease himself into a chair, a relieved sigh leaving his lips as he listened to the attendees of the meeting.

At Circe's comment of Tolkien, the Antiquarian chuckled lightly. If she wouldn't than he would. The Winter was not against the rare show of bemusement and given the sullen nature of the affair, he felt they could all use the levity.

"A Winter is never late, nor is he early," he began, amused as he makes a play on the words of the Istari, his gaze alight with a brief, rare air of mischief, "He arrives precisely when he means to..."

The Winter King nodded solemnly at Sonnie's explanation of Seraphina's absence.

"Each of our paths are long and storied. It is not our way to fault the coming in goings of our fellow Lost," he said, "And leaving for love? I can think of few purposes bearing more worth. Still, I will admit I am saddened to hear she has left. We scarcely spoke."

Resting his blackened fingers on his cane as he positions it in front of the chair, Withers would listen attentively as Kray brought the meeting to order and Circe spoke of her own misgivings of taking on the mantle of Director.

"I commend you for your candor, Circe," he offered, "It is wise to consider our predilections."

Thinking a moment, one of the Darkling's hands traveled idly up, adjusting his glasses as he gathers his thoughts.

"Caution is a core tenet of Winter, but I, too, bear hesitance in taking on the role," he offered, "I am Known to the patron season of my Court, as evidenced by the crown upon my brow, but to the rest of you I am a relative unknown. A recent stranger bearing no more trust with the community than the security of our pledge can provide. I lack the tenure and the longstanding good will that I feel would be necessary for someone to excel in the position."

THen, black eyes look to the Beast in their midst, bushy eyebrows raising.

"Someone like you, Ms. Wu," he concluded.

[Sonnie Wu]

"Sure, no problem," she answered Kray. Her head tilted to one side as he asked after Jasper, "He's about." That was really all she could offer. She didn't pry much into her fellow Beast's business.

Sonnie turned her attention to Circe, then, listening to the blue elf with subdued energy. "Didn't know Groundskeeper had so much going on. I know you organize the tunnel digs and all, but how much cyber security can there be for an amusement park? Is someone trying to hack the Merry-Go-Round?"

The Claviger quietly listened to Withers, seemingly fine with what he was saying.

Until the end.

"Someone like you, Ms. Wu," he concluded.

It started with a snort, which turned into a giggle, which then became a full torrent of laughter!

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! !!!"

She rolled in her chair, having to catch herself from falling out of it while also clutching at her sides! This went on for a couple minutes before Sonnie finally go a hold of herself and calmed down enough to catch her breath. Wiping tears from her eyes, she finally spoke between pants for air.

"Oh... oh, that was good! Thanks... King Withers... I haven't... laughed that much... since before Sera left. I needed that..."

Finally, she relaxed back in her seat and ran a hand through her hair, "Woo! No idea you were that funny, dude!"

[Kray]

As Withers make the joke the ogre has a response. "Hm. Unless he is delayed." Now Krays knowledge of movie is reportedly poor so given the line is movie only the question of has he actually seen the films or just pointing out a flaw in logic is left to personal guess.

Sonnie then confirms Jasper is still around about. "Uh. That's good then." With not a lot more to go on then that he falls quiet not wanting to push.

Instead lapsing into silence to Listen first to Circe. There goes my choice. Then bulbous yellow eyes turn to Withers with whom he agrees but waits for the gales of laughter that erupt from Sonnie to subside before voicing such. "Now. I agree with Withers that it should go to someone who commands the respect of the freehold so one of you to." Looking first at Summer then at Spring. "Uh. I would personally choose Circe, gun lessons and all." Willing to suffer the minor inconvenience for what he saw as a best choice. She had not said he would have to carry one around at all times after all. "But. We can't force it." That they could not, but they did not need to reach a decision.

So Circe doesn't want it and Sonnie doesn't consider herself an option. Well to stop this dead locking the giant poses a question to the pair. "So. We've heard your thoughts on yourselves as possibilities,. But. Who would you two choose to fill the position?" Having ruled himself out much on the same grounds as Winter he did not carry the weight of time and respect Spring and Summer did. And I am quite content with what I have carved out already.

[Circe]

"Late? Choose to use Rustabell Rabbits then instead of a pony next time," she adds her own joke to the Tolkien talk. "Though we may have Tolkien enough on this tangent."


Circe nods in approval as Withers doesn't condemn Sera's departure. As reasons go, it was better than cowardice or revenge. Less troublesome then the feds have swat teams chasing me. Something that Circe could cause, in theory, if in charge.


She looks to Sonja, "Less the park, though those mundy monster hunters did poke around," she points out, "More hide any evidence of, well, us being not mundies." Circe thought that'd be obvious as she sips her coffee. "The rides are mostly analog. Hackers could cut power, but that's it."


Other Lost online seemed to be doing it remotely, but loyal to local meant less slipping through the cracks. Not that there was much lately. "Not much to hide lately though. So, uh, yay us being subtle," she admits to that. It also pokes a hole in her not it argument.


Withers didn't want the role, because he felt he was too new? Made sense. It could engender ire to say the least. The position was meant to keep the Freehold going when the courts were not numbered 4. Whilst not a problem, respect was a requirement. And wait? Sonja as Director? Circe can't see Sonja doing paperwork, organizing meetings, and stuff like that. She smiles as Sonja break out in laughter. Seems the Beast agreed.


Though in hindsight, it was possible. "Nothing is impossible Sonja," she assures the Spring. "I am, ugh, responsible sort now. Crown, Groundskeeper, covert, I take it all seriously as opposed to the me that arrived who'd have gleefully lit up into a crowd of mundies if it let me kill Iron Meg or Ann." Not happy about that, but growth wasn't easily stopped.


"Thank you Kray," she says at his vote of confidence. Though she was curious exactly what the Hell the mundane aspects of th job were. "What work are we talking about here for director? Mundane side at least. Our side," she sips her coffee, "Is the Wydrstone and keeping the seasons turning when we are short one. Theoritically hold court, make rules, banishment, ordering me to do some skull kicking, yadda yadda. But Iron Side?" Yes, that she had some concerns with. Primarily, with her identity for Iron Side. "I am a criminal. Good, no, a successful one I'd say and whilst I keep it on the DL, try not to get too much attention, but if I DO get fingered? And I happen to be working at Funderland as an exec? With all the guns I'd have brought into the freehold likely getting dots pointing at the park?" Circe shakes her head in the negative, "That'd result in feds raiding the park. I've no issue with the Thorn Side duties of Directorship. It is Iron Side that worries me. If those include official duties in Funderland, I am a liability."


She points at Sonja, "She'd be way better if there are Iron Side duties. The kids would love her and much less chance of a federal raid. Sonja is a people monkey," she looks to Sonja, "Second to none in that regard you are."


Mostly due to lacking malice in Circe's opinion. Though she'd a thought. "Uh, did Seraphina actually have a job title at Funderland at all?"