(Private)Home for the Holidays?

[Seraphina]

It was that time of year, when the festive cheer takes hold and the world lights up.

While Sera had not been as festive as she once had been, she didn’t much care for all the happiness she once thrived in, she still loved the decorations.

And as such, Garden Grounds was once again, the place to be for Christmas cheer and décor! She always went all out and her customers always flocked to her shop to see her creative prowess each year. They had never been let down, and she would rather die than let anyone down.

So once again, she had worked tirelessly to go beyond her customers, and her own, expectations, turning Garden Grounds into a winter wonderland! The wisteria had been carefully removed and replaced with fresh cedar, it created a similar hanging effect, but more in line with the holiday and smelled divine. The fairy lights were still mixed in, giving off a soft, warm glow. Every piece of decoration was done tastefully and elegantly, any flower or live plant was locally sourced with a note indicating where she purchased it. But the designs were her own.

Overall, the coffee shop had a very warm and welcoming atmosphere to it, the décor was not overwhelming at all.

Near the counter there was a fresh tree that was a giving tree, with paper angels where people could pick one off the tree and buy something for someone less fortunate. Those who knew Garden Grounds and the owner knew she regularly donated to local women’s shelters, and this was where the gifts would go, to those women, and the children some of them had.

Most of the lights had been muted, and the sign said closed, but she had advised Svelte that the door would be unlocked for him. The Nix was at the counter sipping from a tea cup.
Svelte Sven DamoclesImpaled

[Svelte Sven]

When was I last this nervous? The Darkling mused to himself as he stared at his reflection in a storefront window. For perhaps the first time since he had made it his regular choice of attire, he critically appraising his usual suit and bowtie combo. Is it really 'slightly idiosyncratic, but still dapper' or is just 'weird'? Sven very lightly slapped his own cheeks to draw his attention back to reality.

Rounding the corner, he found the address that the Spring Queen had given him. The thin man took a breath to steel himself before gently pushing the door open, as if he wasn't entirely sure it would actually be unlocked. He stuffed his hands into his pockets as soon as he stepped over the threshold, not entirely sure why but feeling committed to it all the same.

"Hi there." He said simply to Sera. The Whisperwisp glanced around the coffee shop, surprise and wonder in his eyes even as his expression remained the same. "Nice place you have here. Lovely, I mean." His gaze fixed on a chair for a moment but he seemed to settle on remaining standing. "I appreciate you holding out the offer as long as you have... I haven't exactly been diligent about following up with you."

[Seraphina]

Hearing the door, she turns, expecting the Winter, but knowing that most Lost know she remains open late for them. Smiling, “Hi! Great to see you! Come in! And thank you! I love decorating for the holidays.” Sort of a hobby of hers.

“I have coffee, fresh of course, and hot water for tea. I have pretty much every flavor you can think of, some of it I grow fresh, but not all. Growing things is a challenge I’m still overcoming.” She jokes. “I also set aside some muffins, cookies and pastries in case you wanted something.” Gesturing to the case.

“Not a problem, I know arriving in a new Freehold can be a bit overwhelming, so don’t worry about it at all. The apartment is actually located above the coffee shop. It’s nothing fancy, but it has everything in it, and I’ve made sure it has fresh sheets, towels and all that in it. Full furnished.” she had tried to make it homey and comfortable.

"But how have you been?"

[Svelte Sven]

Sven stared at the pastries for a few heartbeats before speaking. "Coffee sounds wonderful. Black is fine, please." A second glance at a muffin. "It's tempting, but I'll have to pass on the baked good. I'm watching my figure." His expression didn't make it entirely clear if this was a joke or not, though his tone was light.

He seemed genuinely taken aback at the effort Sera was going through to make the apartment inviting. "That's all very... kind. Sorry, I was going to say that it's 'a lot' but my standards for living space have been a bit skewed. I've basically been living in a broom closet." The thin man seemed to be rolling a thought around in his head before deciding there was no real harm in sitting and taking the closest chair for himself.

"I'd kind of guessed you as the 'green thumb' type, but I probably shouldn't assume." He said while admiring some of the flowers that made the cafe their home, hands still firmly in pockets. "And it's been... fine so far. Moving in, I mean. I wasn't necessarily expecting hostility, but the Freehold has been a lot more inviting than I would have expected. It's surprising." Something about the way he said 'surprising' suggested it wasn't his first choice in describing the Freehold, but it was what he settled for.

[Seraphina]

Smiling, “Sure!” tea cup placed down as she moved behind the counter and begins the process of pour him a black coffee. Placing the mug in front of him, and hearing the joke, her aquamarines sparkle as she laughs, “It certainly is hard to pass on all the baked goods this time of year! So good on you for the willpower!” joining in on the joke. Walking back around and picking up her cup, “I know I personally spend a lot of time in the gym this time of year.” No joke there, it was true.

“Thank you for that. I take pride in being able to help when I can, and I know a lot of us arrive in Freeholds without much. So if I can offer a comfortable living space, I want to. When I first arrived, the Monarch of Autumn ran a boarding house and she made it very inviting and offered me a place to stay until I got on my feet. And I always wanted to be able to do that, play it forward. But the only thing it doesn’t have is a washer and dryer, sorry. Been meaning to looking into getting one hooked up.” But she either forgets, or things get busy.

Another laugh, “The assumption would make sense, being a Spring and all. But I’ve just never took the time to really learn. It was never really my thing, we’ve had some phenomenal gardeners, and Sonnie is a bit of a green thumb, but it’s just never stuck with me. But I’ve been trying.” Clearly not offended by the assumption. “Most of what you see in here is bought from local gardeners from the farmers market, I try and by local to help the local businesses.” The process of growing her own tea had been…interesting, but rewarding. The cup raised to her lips as she took a sip, listening, smiling warmly when he says the Freehold has been welcoming, “Always love to hear that the Freehold has been inviting. It’s something that surprised me as well, but I think it has to do with how small we are, we’re like a family. Though I think it can be off putting to some. It’s been that way since I arrived and it hasn’t changed, you always know you can count on everyone within to be there for you.”

[Svelte Sven]

Sven's tapered ears twitched briefly as he chuckled at Sera's reply, finding himself swept up in the mood. His joy died down after a moment as he gratefully took the cup of coffee and had a sip. "I wouldn't call it willpower as much as bad habits." He replied obliquely. "And, don't get me wrong, I'm very happy for it, but I honestly didn't expect to be accepted so quickly. I mean, I doubt that the whole Freehold sees me as trustworthy, but I had assumed that a Winter like me would attract more... suspicious looks."

There was a pause before another sip of the coffee as the Darkling appears to mull over another thought. "Apologies. I tend to assume the worst of people. It has served me well at times, but I fear that I come off as ungrateful. Your generosity towards the community is inspiring, really." He managed a wan smile. "I'll try to teach myself to treat the Freehold with a bit more trust. Though, I sincerely hope that doesn't make my duties to my Court more difficulty."

"You mentioned Ms. Wu. Admittedly we didn't have much time to interact, but I wouldn't have figured her for a gardener." Sven reached for another topic, hoping not to dwell overmuch on his inherent suspicion of others. "And she's your Claviger. You must have known her for a little while, what's she like? Not that I'm trying to avoid talking to her," His expression grew mirthful for a moment, "I'm just curious to hear your opinion as a fellow Spring."

[Seraphina]

A brief nod of understanding, “I suppose you get that quite a bit as a Winter. But I like to think the Freehold, with our small numbers, have come to see past the stereotypes of Courts other then our own. At least, I hope others do. But Winters are known to keep their secrets, which I respect, everyone is welcome to keep their secrets and have their reasons. There was a Winter Queen, Sasha, who was simply wonderful, very kind and generous, and it made me see Winter in a different light and that the stereotypes are not something that should be applied to all.” Taking a sip of her tea. “On the other hand, being married to an Autumn, I learned to be cautious and not trust everyone, but I think everyone deserves a chance to be trusted.” It was where her and Rhodes differed.

Shaking her head, “Nothing to apologize for, like you said, expecting the worst from people keeps you alive. I’ve been there. It can be hard to accept help without thinking someone has ulterior motives, it goes hand in hand with where we came from. You wouldn’t be the first to suspect that I have some sinister reason for wanting to help others, and it’s ok.” She’s been doing it for years without any sinister plan. “Oh, thank you, that’s really kind of you to day. And you treat the Freehold with as much trust as feels right to you. I’ve been here for quite a few years, so do it as your own pace. Your Court is rebuilding, and putting your focus there isn’t a bad thing. You do what feels right to you, the rest will come in time.” Splitting your time came, well, with time.

Smiling, “It’s the whole thing that you can’t judge a book by it’s cover. She has a few things she plants and grows, mostly in the Hedge. But she is quite good at it! I should probably get some tips from her.” Laughing a bit. Another nod, “Yes, quite a few years actually. Uh, let see. She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met. She’s hilarious, can always make you smile, always has a joke, always up for just about anything, is a teacher in a dojo, has a kind heart and the sweetest little dog. But she is also fierce in a fight and will give it everything she has to protect those around her. Last fight we were in, I almost lost an arm, and I have never seen her throw down like she did, that guy or thing never stood a chance against her.” It was obvious, she thought quite highly of Sonnie. “You should talk with her, she’s great, a real good friend. I was her friend before I was Queen, and it has not changed.”

[Svelte Sven]

The Darkling's expression seemed to freeze for a moment. It almost looked as though he were staring at something in the far distance while he processed the new information. "Everything I've heard about the former Queen Sasha paints a very... interesting picture. I wish I had met her." There were lingering thoughts about how effectiveness as a Winter Monarch seemed inversely proportionate to sincerity, but Sven decided against sharing them. Besides, something else had arrested his attention. "I didn't know you were married." He stated simply, a little thankful that the ambiguity of 'were' was giving him a bit of cover without outright asking an uncomfortable question.

"I can understand someone fresh from the Hedge viewing any looming debts as a bit sinister. I don't think there's anything necessarily wicked about holding others in debt, depending on the terms, I just don't like owing favors when I can avoid it." He tried to smile a little wider before continuing, his success could be measured in fractions of degrees. "That is, I try to be pragmatic about it. Your generosity is appreciated, and I won't hassle you with attempts to 'even the score' or wipe away an imagined debt. I'll take the kindness at face value. Sometimes things are exactly what they seem to be." Even if I probably won't be able to shake off the nagging sensation that I owe her. I just won't say anything about it.

"She has a lot more to her than I realized. Not that I assumed she was an uncomplicated person, just that I didn't really know anything about her. You're right, I should talk to her at some point." Sven maintained a pleasant expression even though he wasn't planning to rush out and arrange a meeting. "I'm just a little concerned we may not... mesh? I hope I'm wrong, but I fear we might be polar opposites. And I'd really hate to get on the bad side of someone you hold in such regard." He took a long sip of coffee at that, taking a moment to appreciate the aroma before putting the mug back down. "But then, I've had a lot of incorrect assumptions about life in the Freehold. I'm probably just overthinking things."

[Seraphina]

A quick nod, “She was a very interesting woman, owned her own business, the Blue Cue. I learned much of the history of the Freehold from her, and some wisdom, Winter, and Sacramento were lucky to have her.” She often wondered how Sasha was doing. “I was, to the previous Dread Lord.” It was amazing that she could say that now without a lot of the pain, but it was still there. The wounds would never completely heal, not without answers.

Shaking her head, “Nothing wrong with expecting something in return, so long as it’s appropriate of course. I’ve view offering a safe place to rest and establish yourself as something basic, something not requiring a debt. If it’s something that doesn’t put you out, and will help another why not offer it?” it was simple to her. But as she was told many times, she had a heart that could be too kind. Then a laugh, “Well, thank you. Because if you did, I would simply ask you to return the favor to someone else in need someday.” Will someone ever do that? Maybe, maybe not.

“I think you’ll find her fun to talk to.” And then a look of confusion as she listened. “Polar opposites? In what regard?” then a smirk, “I have yet to see someone really get on her bad side who wasn’t an enemy of the Freehold. I think everyone can find common ground about something. And if it is true, that you don’t mesh and are opposites?” a shrug, “So be it, it’s not the end of the world, so long as everyone is civil, there shouldn’t be any problems at all. But I don’t think it’ll be as bad as you think, give her a chance.” A sip of tea was taken, “Assumptions and overthinking can be difficult, but you strike me as a very intelligent guy, someone willing to give others a chance to prove assumptions wrong.” Putting her cup down, “What is one assumption you dislike others making about Winter?” she asks, curious.

[Svelte Sven]

I can only imagine how the phrase, 'Yes, my spouse is the Dread Lord', must have sounded at parties. Sven let the thought stay in his mind and merely nodded before taking another sip of coffee. He was certainly curious about any lingering sorrow or regrets the Queen of Spring might have about Changelings no longer in the Freehold, but this didn't seem to be the best opportunity to delve into it. And using a relevant Contract would be a bit gauche.

"Well, I don't want to speak out of turn or above my station, but providing shelter for others may not be out of the question." The Whisperwisp started to steer the conversation away from the potentially gloomy subject, at least temporarily. "I dare say that one of the more 'positive' parts of Winter is our tendency to offer shelter. Not always 'no questions asked', but usually very few. Apparently it's common for those fresh from the Hedge to join up with the Silent Arrow mainly for free room and board before moving on to other Courts." He shrugged. "And yet, most senior Courtiers I've asked about it seemed unbothered. If someone needs a temporary safehouse, so be it."

"I don't mean it in a bad way, trust me." Sven couldn't help but chuckle a little. "For instance, she seems very... lively. And I'd describe myself as 'reserved'. Nothing wrong with either of those traits, but they're more or less opposed. That doesn't mean energetic, lively people and quiet, reserved people cannot get along. It just might be a little harder than usual." His smile widened slightly before he drained the last of his coffee. "And you flatter me. Believe me, I don't want the worst outcome in any given situation, I've just felt that you don't end up quite so disappointed when you're prepared for it. But there's no use dwelling on the negative, at least not right now. And, somewhat related, I dislike it when people assume Winter to be about apathy or selfishness." He tented his fingers at that and wore a contemplative expression.

"To be fair, there are some Courtiers who don't do us any favors. But for every weepy vagrant who simply bounces between Freeholds, there's a stoic knight who sacrifices their own emotional health to guard the rest of the Lost from unseen threats." A bemused look crosses his face. "Of course, it's also against our ethos to advertise those efforts, with the exception of at least one pirate radio station.