Filling a Flush, Amidst the Hush

[Nightfall]

Nightfall gave a smile and wave to Charlotte as he crossed over the store.

"It was nice to meet you Charlotte... good luck with... finding your way," he said.

As he approached his Sovereign, he dipped his head ever so slightly and lowered his eyes; a subtle genuflection which wouldn't arouse suspicion if seen from behind. "Hello, Ms. Byeli."

[Katrin Byeli]

Katrin leads Nightfall through to the back of the store, closing the door behind them. With a sigh, she drops onto the couch before addressing the other Treasured in the room.

"I really am no babysitter, Archer."

[Nightfall]

Such statements were perfect openings for jokes about picking friends and family, but that wasn't what Nightfall replied.

"She's family," he protested, the words coming out slightly sharper than he'd intended, surprising himself.

Looking down, he studied his shoes again. This time, it wasn't out of curiosity at what someone else found so interesting, but embarrassment and chagrin at the admonishment --however slight-- to a Sovereign.

He understood. Of all the Seasons, Winter was the least nurturing. For all that Summer boasted, Winter's chill could take a life in moments, with icy remorselessness.

Family was family.

Until they were gone.

Because... no matter what the joke was about picking friends and family... friends could be replaced.

Nightfall waited silently, eschewing an apology to stave off a reprimand, even though irritating Katrin might make his task more difficult.

[Katrin Byeli]

"No, she is the daughter of a friend, but i understand your point." Katrin offers the seat next to her for Nightfall to sit if he so wished. "What may I do for you Archer?"

[Nightfall]

Nighfall blushed, realizing he'd misunderstood or misheard. Nothing quite like looking like a moron, and a holier-than-thou one at that.

"We went to look at the laptop that Mr. Liebowitz, ummm, 'hacked' for us," he began. He took a seat, still finding his shoes awfully interesting. "To make a long story short, we were... wondering... what the Oath was that the Freehold founders swore."

No one had ever accused him of being devious or subtle.

[Katrin Byeli]

The Queen of Winter gives Nightfall a long, icy stare.

"How do you know of such things?"

[Nightfall]

There is a grand liberty in being without deceit, and in doing what one is asked.

"Crunk told us, when you asked us to bring him back, it was... the reason... for everything," Nightfall replied carefully, meeting the Queen's eyes.

[Katrin Byeli]

"Yes. Wasn't it just. Tell me," Katrin begins, "Why are you interested in such things? I never took you to be interested in pledges."

[Nightfall]

"No, I haven't been," Nightfall admitted. "I'm... still not, not really, on a... personal level. The past few months, though, have concerned me, and maybe it's time I learned more about... stuff."

The laissez-faire attitude towards the Freehold hadn't suddenly restored his humanity, and maybe it was time to start learning to live with what he was.

Nightfall looked at the Queen curiously, wondering if she were trying to change the subject.

[Katrin Byeli]

"Well, seeing as the pledge is currently broken, it can do little harm," she begins with an obviously bitter tone. The thought of Crunk was still raw in her feelings. "Yes, the Sovereign's made a pledge of peace and prosperity when we settled here and to keep it from being too one sided, we were approached by one without any chosen Court to word the pledge on out behalf. As you now know, Crunk broke this and was banished."

Before continuing, she stood and moved towards a cupboard nearby, removing two glasses and filling each with a single shot of neat vodka. Moving back, Katrin offers one to Nightfall.