(Hedge Storm) Breaking Point

[skarecrow36]

Bert keeps to himself as others enter the room, giving polite nods to Al and Terry, gets somewhat better when he sees Doctor Jack. Ever since the business with the bunyip, Bert had devoted his time to dealing with dreams himself in hopes of being able to be more useful in the dream world. He had found a partner in that mess and feels some comfort in seeing him again during dark times.

"Everyone's still just arriving." he whispers to Jack "Some of them are trying to keep their minds on the bright side of things, while others, myself included, are too occupied by the shit that's gone on recently. You been welll?"

[Sam Barkley]

A grim smile splits Barkley's wooden face as the Circle is completed. Whether today was the New Day or Doomsday, they'd face it together. And what of the warriors that gathered around them? Which did they come to acknowledge?

Sam nods sympathetically at Marcus. "Aye, so I do." Then he nods amiably at those around him, his gaze lingering long enough to affix each face of those he fought beside in his memory, then sweeping out and over every Lost soul in the War Room, in case he didn't see them again tomorrow.

He looks at Rustmane, the Summer King, sympathetically. There was nothing Rusty could have done to stop this. Nothing HAL could have done, nothing Karin could have done, Hell, nothing Harry could have done to keep the Storm at bay.

Smiling as though he were eye-to-eye with the Reaper himself (though Sam might need a stepstool for that), he tells those nearby what he told them every morning:

"Told you so."

After a well-earned moment of mad cackling, Sam suggests, "Coffee? Might be yer last chance." The Wizened goes to prepare himself a cuppa as they wait for the morning briefing.

[Nightfall]

Nightfall's eyes lingered on those that were there when the white Queen was sacrificed, then onto Bert. As he contemplated the shattered Onyx Court, others arrived, and he gave Terri a wave that ended in a subtle tugging motion as he grinned.

Almost two years old, it was a tired joke, but it was the only currency he had to purchase a smile with. It was hard not to look at the scars; even harder to ignore how the excitable redhead had become jittery and skittish.

Not that he blamed her... at least, regarding Al-Adin. Something had changed within his once best friend.

The long fingers and outstretched hand that had greeted Terri captured Alice's, spinning her slowly in time to the music back to his side.

A joke about last cups and the tar-like swill Sam brewed every morning half-formed on his lips, but, like so many other words, simply never came out. A respectful bow was given to the Dread Lord, and he waited to see what was on the morning's agenda.

[Terri Nutkins]

Terri glanced up at Nightfall, the small smile appearing for a little longer through her messy hair, a single lock of which she tries to pull straight with no luck.

Just like the Fairest's own mop.

With a sigh, she lets it go and takes a seat quietly, adjusting the vine whip that hung like a belt around her dress, the slingshot tucked neatly inside, strapped to her thigh. She would never be without it again. Leaning her head on Rick's shoulder, Terri does her best to forget what it felt like to burn while composed of Autumn's leaves.

*****

A door opens slowly to the side of the room as Gianna finally makes her appearance. Leaning upon a gnarled cane and with a long robe wrapped around her body, it had been a long time since she had left the Hollow itself, instead spending most of her time pouring over the many, many games she had set-up, each one a vital battle for the freehold.

Once upon a time, she would only ever be seen with her Mask strengthened. Now, she could afford no such luxury, even if her being was slightly disturbing to look upon.

"Good morning, my dears. I'm glad to see we have had no more losses." The voice appears to come from a constellation of stars at the bottom of her face as one single eye brightly glows on the left hand side of her face; her right eye taken early in the war.

Yet another sacrifice in along the path of victory.

Gianna, Wizened, Gamesplayer/Telluric

[Donan]

Sara looks up as Gianna enters, an uneasy frown appearing on her face, the Darkling was still not the best at concealing her emotions. It was unfair, really, Gianna had done as much to keep the Freehold safe as anyone, but her Mien still unnerved sara, it was just too much a reminder of the Others in its otherworldy form.

She shook her head and tore her gaze away, smiling at Al'adin and stepping over to the Prince of Joy to greet him. "Greetings to you Al'adin, how are people for feeling good today? How are you for it?" The little Beast had fought to keep spirits high for months, and the Freehold needed that more and more, or their enemies would win without any further actions.

If he burnt out or couldn't keep going.. well, that couldn't be allowed.

[Lesingnon]

Rick kept his expression neutral as Terri leaned against him. Though beneath the table arm did once more wrap itself around her waist, comforting her in a way that others couldn't see. Seeing her like this...hurt. Seeing her so haunted by a specter of the past, weighed down so heavily by the burdens she'd been forced to shoulder. And most of all...seeing one he loved so dearly hurting so badly cut him deeper than any knife.

Perhaps the worst part was being unable to show it. Fair or not...Changelings didn't tend to expect much in the way of emotion from an Autumn King. A Spring King was expected to be desirous, a Summer King angry, a Winter King sorrowful. They were expected to understand the emotions keenly; to embody, feel, and express them. But the Autumn King, above all else, was expected to be frightening, unnerving. They expected Dread Lords not to show fear of their own, or sorrow, grief. Perhaps in another place, another time, it was a perception he'd have simply broken people of. But to see someone exhibit those emotions who wasn't expected to, in this time and this place, would surely be another blow to morale that could be ill-afforded.

And so he didn't. His own troubles were kept to himself, and within the Hollow he shared with Terri. He dealt with his problems on his own because he was King, and would not thrust them upon those who looked to him for leadership.

Leaders weren't just looked to for leadership, they were looked to for reassurance. And that was where their greatest burden lay.

"That is indeed a relief." He looked at Gianna briefly, then the rest of the room. One hand rose to indicate the chairs set around the table. "We should begin our meeting. Hopefully we'll be able to ensure that it stays that way."

[Rust Mane]

Rust shacks some guilt and glances at Nightfall. Hope.

"Agreed" Is all the Metal King adds.

[Al-Adin]

Al-Adin glowers at Gianna. The only person who he actively disliked was her, and even as his friends had strayed from him, his anger at her had not dissipated.
It could almost be said to be the only constant in the Beast's shattered life.

[DrDog]

blindness

sorry i didn't catch the post donan, here is the response.

Al-Adin looks away from the bad lady and to Sara.
He cocks his head, earily simmilar to a dog, then break out in a huge grin.
"Today is gonna rock! I think today we are going to get Candy!"
His stomach grumbled rather loudly.
Should have eaten yesterday.

[Forn Clakes]

"Agreed," Gianna said, slowly pulling out a chair and settling into it. Even when the stars shone on her features, she was careful not move too fast. Her bones were really beginning to ache these days.

"Some of you may be aware, some may not, that Harvey, the freehold's Sun Banisher, is currently deep within the enemy camp, using his mastery of Mirrors to gather intelligence. Today is the allocated time for him to drop what he has found. A group is required to recover the drop."

Her lone, glittery eye revolves around the table, waiting for voices, or silence.