Terri Nutkins Glimpses

[Terri Nutkins]

Terri was so glad she spent those early few days getting a lay of the land, jogging up and down the hilly streets of San Francisco. Sure, it had been a challenge but it sure was paying dividends now. Heck, even a brisk walk around the city would have been a challenge for those of lesser fitness than her.


Those first few days Terri had been jogging for fun, out of routine. Now, she was going hell for leather for her life as three denizens of this fucked freehold were giving chase to her little bushy butt.


It really was a shame. The Page had tried to be as subtle as possible during her enquiries just as HAL had instructed. Unfortunately, she now understood her weak area. Fortunately, the hands ties the bastards had used slipped of without any trouble thanks in turn to the Contract she had entered into with a pair of scissors.


And so she had ran after getting from the building they had overpowered her in. She had to get to her pack and her slingshot. Obviously, they had given chase. One was an Ogre for sure big and dumb, the second a tiny Wizened. But it was the third, a dirty bastard with the mien of a rat that gave her the creeps. He had looked at her with hunger and in that moment, Terri knew she needed to find other possible survivors.


If HAL's info was correct.


Hearing the Rat's shouts, Terri increased her speed, darting a corner into and alleyway.


Dead end? Not a problem.


With a jump, Terri takes the drainpipe with hands and feet, climbing rapidly. What she didn't expect was the Ogre that suddenly appeared below and tore it from its bindings, sending the steepscrambler
falling to the floor. Luckily, Terri had the good grace to call on the clause of treading lightly, landing with a breakfall roll.


Now however, she found herself surrounded.


“We're gonna have some fun, little lady,” Ratty drooled.


Terri didn't reply. She had no way of protecting herself and could only think of Rick.


“Bring her to me,” Ratty said and the Ogre and Wizened moved at his command as Terri tried to back away. They didn't get far. A ghost appeared from nowhere, suddenly amongst them with clawed hands and feet flashing. Terri could only watch as he dealt with her attackers, leaving them bleeding heavily.


“She is under the White Tiger's protection. Go back to the Moon or I shall rend the flesh from your bones!”


Terri could tell her saviour was a Fairest of some description with subtle Chinese features and a pair of antlers that held a bright pearl that radiated power. The three dragged themselves away and he turned to address Terri.


“We have much to discuss. The Court of the West welcomes you cousin.”


Finally, Terri thought looking at the man's Mantle as it is covered in the stripes of a tiger, Some answers.

[Terri Nutkins]

At least her mysterious saviour had given Terri the courtesy of returning to her hotel room to shower and change before meeting with the remnants of the freehold. It was a small mercy and she quietly thanked him for it as he stood vigil in the hallway while she went in, locking the door as she did.


Scrubbing herself clean in the shower, Terri cried silently at how close she had come to being abused again, thoughts of the Wyrm slipping his coils around her petite body breaking through her dreams. Swiftly regaining her composure as she turned the water off and dried her body, Terri pushed those thoughts away. Taking out the clothing she thought would go well, Terri checks herself out in the room's mirror. Stark was the only word. A black leather coat, white blouse, black skinny jeans and the white Uggs Rick gave her at Christmas. She loved them but knowing how much Rick despised them she loved him even more for purchasing them for her. They were cosy and delicate and Terri would always cherish them. The steepscrambler completed the outfit with a black clutch handbag that hid the slingshot within and she pocket a handful of stone bullets.


However, the plain contrast of tones was the general point. The first thing she had noticed about the Fairest was his black and white striped Mantle, and the words 'White Tiger Court' gave something away also. Terri was adamant to make a good first impression. With one final once-over, Terri leaves the room and meets up with the Fairest hero.


And HAL said I couldn't be subtle.

[Forn Clakes]

Terri had put San Francisco an hour behind her put still the words resonated in her ear-tufts.


“The seasons are gone from this freehold, child. So should you be.”


The Ogre-Oni was both big and scary, and even though it wasn't exactly a threat, it had taken a lot of guts for the steepscrambler not to bolt there and then. Only after looking at the Fairest she had learned to answered to the name Sonny had Terri felt strangely bolstered.


He had reminded her of the Wyrm....whereas Rick was the Light.


“I only require information, Powerful King,” Terri had started, focusing on the Ogre's obvious forceful personality, trying to get on his right side. She really did not wish to push his wrong side.


“Then speak fast.”


Terri had nodded, respectfully. “We in Sacramento have been beset by several issues, one of which includes a blightbent called Emma. Do you recognize this girl? Did she cause the problems that have befallen this fine freehold?”


The Japanese Ogre glared at Terri for what seemed like an eternity before answering. When he did, it was akin to a thunderstorm.


“No, this is not the cause of San Francisco's...problems.”

Sonny seemed to flinch, ready to interject himself somehow. Then, the King laughed, wiping a tear from his eye.


“Sonny, you like this girl? You are growing weak.” He looks back to Terri. “I've answered your question, Child of Autumn, now you must go.”


And with that, the meeting was over. Technically, Terri had found out the information HAL wanted; Emma was innocent. She had given Sonny one last look before fleeing back to her hotel to quickly pack and leave the freehold before any other surprises popped up.


One already had. In her car was a note from Sonny, apologizing for the White Tiger King and hoping to meet with Terri again. She had screwed it up and thrown it out of the window, almost hitting a passer-by.


Someone she had recognized, double-taking.


And so, Terri drove back to Sacramento not alone. Instead, she had a fellow Autumn Courtier with her from the city where the Seasons were no longer welcome, a thin Wizened with dark eyes, pale skin, and long white hair.


Simon had gone to San Francisco, his hometown, looking for something that he just hadn't found. It had been a bad trip, and each day he passed there filled him more and more with the desire to leave. He had been happy to accept Terri's offer for a ride back to Sacramento.


He didn't have much to say, and they spent most of the drive in silence. Terri wished that wasn't the case but alas, she couldn't have it all her own way.

[Terri Nutkins]

This is soooo childish, Terri thought as she hid in the tree's lower branches and waited for her quarry to pass below. Wearing black combats and a navy blue hoody covering her distinct Mask-hair she held the slingshot lightly in her right hand with a special pellet all ready and waiting as the petite Beast's heart rate began to rapidly increase as the moment grew closer.


Then, at exactly 8:17 in the evening the runner rounded the corner at a leisurely pace wearing all-white sporting attire and looking rather smug.


Ooooh, poor choice.


With a graceful fall, Terri lands a couple of strides before her target making him stop suddenly as his eyes go wide in shock, providing a small condiment which the fae sups with relish. The elastic pouch of her slingshot was pulled taut.

SPLAT!

The paintball exploded against his chest leaving a bright orange mass of paint on his once-clean runner's tee. It slowly dribbled down as gravity took hold of the remains of the shattered pellet, causing the stain to spread.


“OOOWW! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?” he shouts through the fear and pain.

SPLAT!

“FUCK! STOP IT!” the runner shouted at her, stumbling back as his stomach blossoms with another orange stain. Terri couldn't help but giggle out loud causing the situation to turn instantly ugly as the man's fear turned to anger and he tried to grab her. With a sidestep and roll, Terri avoided him with ease and shoots him straight on the ass, which he clutches with a yelp, rubbing it furiously.


Finally, fully satisfied, Terri turns bushy-tailed and runs, heading for the door to the hollow, quite happy with the night's childish behaviour.

[Terri Nutkins]

And in this night, and in this tree,
you cannot breathe, you cannot see.
For if you fall, do not dispair,
The Wyrm will rise, to tend your wares.


He is just, and He is glad,
To have your paws upon His back,
And will watch through the break of dawn,
Until such time you cannot go on.


To the Roots! He will cry,
And keep you spirit burning bright,
Your body with rot to naught but bone,
But just think of your Home.


Terri sat up in bed, shivering. That damned rhyme kept playing over in her mind, the chant of the Devourer. She knew the meaning of true fear and was its personal messenger, a fact Terri had come to grips with years before.


She only hoped it wouldn't endanger her mind in the process.

[Terri Nutkins]

Terri collapsed on the couch of her apartment with a loud, satisfied sigh and looks around her at the masses of new clothes she had recently been buying with relish. Shopping bags littered the floor like a weird jigsaw of brand names and garish colours that melted with the differing fabrics that were strewn over the table and couch next to her. She couldn't help but smile. Just as she had left the freehold on Ashen Court business elsewhere, Terri had indulged in a little 'economic gambling' thanks to a chat with HAL, burying small amounts of money in various nests.


Returning back and with HAL watching over her profits, she had made some very lush gains in the meanwhile and had decided to indulge in some retail therapy in an effort to make herself less....sporty and more trend-setter.


Judging by the looks she'd been getting recently, the steepscrambler reckoned it had been working. Now, she had to find that sexy yellow lingerie set while tidying away the rest of the mess before Rick got in. Some indulgences were best left hidden, after all.

[Forn Clakes]

He sat in limbo, an empty space between everything. Even the Wyrd couldn't touch him here and if he wished it to, it would infuriate him. Instead, he sat in quiet contemplation of his current place and if he even had the intention or consideration for jealousy or paranoia, he would be asking himself one thing: Why have they stopped calling me?

Admittedly, from the world's point of view, this is a good thing. Although, from where the narrator currently was, this was essentially very, very bad.

How can I escape if no-one calls?

[Terri Nutkins]

Terri was more than a little pissed. She had left Derek's with the intention of going straight to the address on Colonial Way and as they were both leaving, he got a phone call from work, someone called Adrienne, something about an emergency at the Wagner.


In the end, it was just her. Oh, Derek tried to talk her out of going but, truth be told, Terri needed to prove that she didn't need some guy to help her on freehold business. Which is why she drove listening to the bittersweet tone of Hayley Williams all the way, cranked to the max. As she got closer, Terri was surprised to see that it appeared to be one of those little second-hand bookshops where people donated or sold various novels and the like. Judging from the window, it looked as if it was a pretty new set up too but still held an air of musty creepiness that only these sort of places could possibly possess.


Parking the car, Terri quickly ensured her slingshot was stashed away in an easy accessible pocket rather than having to wade through purse, breath mints, cell and tampons if she got into trouble. In another pocket, she dropped a handful of stone bullets. With a steadying breath, Terri headed from the car and walked towards the shop to investigate about this Tim guy. With a quick glance through the window, she could see several shelves stacked with books and a wooden counter. There wasn't any signs of movement from within.


Here goes nothing.


Ding, ding. The little bell above the door announces her arrival much to her chagrin and Terri cursed it internally. Almost instantly, a man enters from a rear door. Late-middle aged with thinning hair and a neat beard appeared behind the counter with some books in hand. A polite smile creeped onto his face behind the fuzz.


“Hello there, may I help at all?” he asked with a clipped tone. Judging from his looks, Terri couldn't tell anything fae about him whatsoever.


“Hi, I was, er, just passing by when I remembered a, erm, friend told me about this shop where he picked up a great old book and so I, well, I thought I'd pop in.” Nice one, Terri, you stammering idiot.


The shopkeeper seemed to listen politely as she spoke, eyebrow raising ever so slightly. “Well, please feel free to browse. If you need any assistance just give me a call.” He then moves out of her eye line and leaves Terri alone to peruse the shelves, which she does.


Kind of. Actually, she looks at various books while trying to get a glimpse at the owner. Maybe Tim had been wrong about this address, she thought. Terri was all about to open up her sense beyond the normal when the owner seemed to materialize next to her out of nowhere, and making her jump.


“Find anything...interesting?” he asked. Was it Terri or had his features taken on a more sharper appearance, his cheek bones and chin looked definitely more...angled. Even his words seemed to cut Terri to the core, his tone even more clipped.


“To be honest, I haven't had a chance,” she replies, one hand going into her pocket to grip the slingshot while the other takes a bullet between finger and thumb. “You caught me by surprise.”


“This.....friend...of yours? What was his.....Name?”


Terri blinked and tried to think of a convincing lie but really wasn't any good at it. Instead, she went for the truth. “Tim, actually.”

Luckily, she spotted it. A slither of metal, a glint of the light off the blade and threw herself backwards just as the knife came towards her face. She didn't have time to think, only react instinctively as the second and third strike came in and she managed to dodge those also thanks to her natural athleticism. By this point, Terri was backed against the wall and as the psychotic owner went to plunge the knife into her gut, her body exploded in a spray of bronzed leaves and fluttered through several shelves across the shop, where the little Beast re-formed to see her assailant making a break for it through the back door. Pulling out her slingshot, she fired a bullet after him but hit nothing but wooden door frame and thinking of nothing but letting this freak fuck go, she gave chase.


BOOM!


The shotgun blast almost took her face off. Without warning she felt the door splinter and bits of wood stitch her cheek. Cursing, Terri ducked behind the counter and primed another stone bullet, her hand quivering. With a quick glance, she saw the back exit of the shop bouncing closed again and she swore to give chase, this time with more care. Hugging the walls, she glanced round to the back of the shop only to witness Mr. Psycho-Bookshop-Owner driving away in a dark van, the license plate obscured from her view.


“Fuck!” she cries to the fleeing van before heading back to the shop. Unsure whether to investigate or not, Terri decides to contact the only person she trusts right now....and the one that decided to stroke her tail in passing.

[Forn Clakes]

This is a Ghost Mood for Sdog's Al-Adin. Enjoy

The room, as ever, was dark and quiet. It was times like these when he would prefer to reflect away from the madness that afflicted him. Obviously, he knew the truth (how could he not?) and yet he still played the game while acting the dutiful vizier.

He had to. The moment he ceased, Al-Adin would surely hurt himself in more ways than simply physically. The world was far scarier than anything the Prince could handle on his own.

Movement caught his attention and his quick eyes darted to the room's corner. The Boy sat huddled, shaking, as a pitiful sound emanated from his being. Ja'far frowned and nodded, seeking out what caused such distress to his ward. When he found it, he would defeat it with the power of his intellect. If not, well, there were other ways to skin a cat.

[Terri Nutkins]

She sat near the top of the very same tree where she and Rick had their very first connection and even in this place, Terri still felt cold from her meeting. Cold and aching both mentally and physically as HAL tested her in all manner of fields to see where her weakness lays, his Paladin helping in certain aspects.


Bastard, she thought, rubbing furiously at one of the bruises that was starting to bloom on her left forearm. Still, HAL had been right. Terri realized that she wasn't exactly the model Autumn Courtier and the way he had shown her her own faults left the Beast shaken.


Her bushy tail coiled around her waist to rest upon her lap as she perched upon the tree and stared up towards the sun but even its noon gaze could not banish the chill that attacked her bones and as a bird flew over, Terri flinched and looked back down towards the tree's base, imagining how deep the roots went.


It was down there, in the dark and dirt where her story began, where the Wyrm grew strong.


That was where Terri's weakness dwelt and what she must overcome. Perfection called for it.