Autumn Equinox 2025

[Kray]

Turning bulging yellow eyes back to Jack as he speaks up again. "So. What broke that spell and got you out?" Putting the balance back in Jack's favor as far as questions were concerned. But That was the most interesting part how did each lost break their keepers hold, defy their will what kept them going through it all.

Mina's words floating over and catch his attention, one in particular. "Oh. Mina refusing to address the fear is not the same as refusing to live in it." Distractions only serve for so long. "Hm. If one of them finds us and gets it in there head to do so, they could well try to take all we have again." The only serious thing standing between the gentry and the lost was the teeny tiny little freehold banded together for common purpose.

[Jack Violet]

Jack sat close to the fire, one knee drawn up, his arms draped loosely across it. The flames threw amber light across his face, catching in the faint russet gleam of his eyes. When he finally spoke, it wasn’t loud — more like he was talking to the fire itself, or to the memory behind his eyes.

“What broke it?

Wasn’t courage. Wasn’t some clever plan. I didn’t outthink him — I just… stopped obeying.

He used to whistle when he was pleased. Little tune, soft and winding, like the wind through leaves. The whole grove would hush to listen. Every time I heard it, I knew I’d done what he wanted — been good, been quiet, been his.

Then came the revolt. The roots turned on themselves, the forest screaming, everything green and bleeding sap. And through all of it, I heard that song again. Calm. Controlled. Like none of it mattered.

But something in me cracked. I remembered where I’d first heard it — not in Arcadia, but back home. Some kid in the market, couldn’t carry a tune to save his life, whistling the same melody between mouthfuls of stolen fruit. Human. Imperfect. Free.

For a second, I wasn’t his creature anymore. I started whistling back — louder, off-key, wrong in all the ways that mattered. The forest shuddered. The vines froze. Maybe they didn’t know who the master was anymore.

I ran then. Through the smoke, through the thorns, through the places that stopped feeling like dreams and started tasting like blood again.

Guess that’s what freedom sounded like — me, ruining his favorite song.”

Jack fell quiet after that, gaze lingering on the embers until the fire popped and pulled him back to the moment. His tail flicked once, a nervous tic he probably didn’t notice. Then he looked across the fire at Kray, the faintest hint of a wry smile tugging at his mouth.

“Your turn, big guy. How’d you get out?”

[Svelte Sven]

Sven gave a shrug at Mina's surprise. "Looking like this? I've been told that I have a very 'punchable' face, at least according to certain Summers." He said sarcastically, though he regretted it almost immediately. Don't be a spiteful little shit. The Darkling cleared his throat. "But seriously, I just tend to be very forgetful to most people. Which is fine by me."

He smiled a little at her praise for the Turncoat's Tongue, though he didn't say anything else. He figured that adding, 'it also helps me spy for my Court,' wouldn't warrant an a positive response. Besides, for the moment, he was a Court of one. Sven listened with rapt attention as Mina shared her own story of finding purpose after escaping the Hedge, looking as though he were trying to absorb every detail.

"It's not nearly as inspiring a reason as your own, but fair is fair." He said, tenting his fingers as he began his own tale. "I only had the courage to leave because of someone else. We escaped together, and I thought we would... help each other find purpose. No such luck." Sven's expression was neutral, but his tone was wistful. "The Onyx Court gave me shelter and even told me I owed them nothing in return. Despite their sour reputation and lack of cheer, I admired the fact that they took in Lost without asking anything in return. So I decided to work off my nonexistent debt, regardless." He shrugged slightly before looking towards the Autumn King. "All the more reason to keep quiet and stay hidden." He said simply in response to Kray's comments.

[Mina]

Hearing Krays words, eyes flick over to him, “We have different view of how we address fear King Kray. If that’s a topic you want to discuss sometime, I’d be open to it.” Keeping her tone respectful, he was after all, a Monarch, and this was his night. She was quite fearful of her Keeper and the True Fae, but she chose to keep that fear under lock and key.

Another tilt of her head to the Winter, “I wasn’t aware that looks had anything to do with being charming. And what the hell is a ‘punchable face’?!” mismatched eyes widening as she laughs. “I’ve never heard of that before!” maybe because she was usually in the dance studio? “Huh. Well, I think you’re charming for what it’s worth, and not forgettable because I enjoy talking with you.” Shrugging. If that was bad, then, well, whatever.

Eyebrow raises, “Inspiring? Well, that’s a first, but thanks.” It was just how she felt and saw it. Now it was her turn to listen to what he had to say, and she gives his words her attention. “Oh, that must have been a great help, having someone to escape with. But I’m sorry it didn’t work out,” frowning, “that can be a difficult hit emotionally.” Someone you thought was a friend turning out not to be. “That was kind of them; to not expect something in return, you don’t hear of that often. Not to mention it speaks of your own character, to want to give something back without being asked. I’m glad you found a home with Winter.” A small sip of her drink was taken as she listens to his retort to Kray. It wasn’t one she could agree with, staying hidden, as a Spring, she refused to hide. But she could respect how another Court choose to go about things.

[Sonnie Wu]

"Tis true," the Beast laughed, overhearing Mina, "I've seen some very charismatic uggos, and some very boring supermodels." She nodded and took a drink, then added, "That's not including anyone here, by the by." Best not let anyone take that the wrong way, after all.

[Circe]

"Think Karen haircut and cellphone accessory if you need an example of punchable face Mina," she chirps in. "Svelte ain't close to that level though if you ask me. I've had to retire a few aliases from encounter THAT level of punchable. Too many repeats, oh ho ho ho."

When Kray speaks of being taken by Them, Circe has a comment to make, "That is what the Freehold is for. And dynamite might not, well actually, hopefully WILL hurt. Them. A LOT hurt."

"Thank you Sonja," she nods to the Beast, "And I've meant those too cute to pay attention to what they are saying...aaaat least," she rolls her neck as she draws out the vowel, "Until I notice they pick pocketed me. Then less cute, more Summer standard reaction, oh ho ho ho!" Circe never denies what she is.

[Kray]

Jack was certainly forth coming with his memories of Arcadia the handful of fine details, the little bits of interesting information made the game very worthwhile. "Hm. Funny how it works sometimes huh." A discordant note in a melody, it resonated, was there pattern, rhyme and reason, was it coincidence? The Ogre goes quiet as he tries to puzzle it over The shadows of his Crown mixing with the candle light from his mantle. Of course it is well beyond him, such lofty and secret things. "Ah. Me. Same as before you remember better then I do." And that was something that maybe he needed to start delving into. "Hmphf. I said something that got a react from it." Even what that reaction was he could not recall wel lenough to desrbie with any accuracy. "Ah. Got the beating of my life and dumped in a cell deep in the bowels. Best as I can tell it forgot about me." Leaning for ward he bites the air tensing his terrible jaw. "Ha. It wasn't till I got real hungry it dawned on me. The walls were made of flesh." It's amazing what you can miss can when your not looking for it. "Ah. I ate my way free and ran, as far and fast as I could." That was the boring bit, what had he said? Why did it make his keeper react? Those are the questions that drum around his skull whenever these fractured handful of memories creep in.

It's Mina's use of his title that draws the bulbous yellow eyes to the spring courtier. "HA. No. When. If. You want to learn about fear you'll come to me." The court of the leaden mirror alone truly mastered fear, their own and others. That was that.

A branch in the fires cracks and the light dims as it burns low. "Hm. Looks like the nights festivities are about done." And it had not been disappointing.

[Kray]

(Closing post) There is plenty of food to be had and the game goes on for any who wish it but as the fire burns down to embers, the chill creeps in and the night passes into early morning The celebrations of the seasons tune come to a conclusion.

(Thank you for such a wonderful scene everyone! )

[Saber Sloth]

Also! With this and all the Discord ported Scenes, if I've messed something up Formatting, assigning the wrong person as Poster please let me know and I'll fix it!