(1206) Katrin, Harvey, & Nightfall

[Nightfall]

"Un a mol oyf ale tsvek unter himl," Nightfall completed the expression, revealing his other heritage.

If anyone could sprawl gracefully, it would be a Fairest, and he did so. There was a momentary look at Harvey; and he wondered if his staying meant that Nightfall himself was no longer trustworthy. Then again, he wasn't entirely sure Harvey staying wasn't a bad idea.

"Is it? You're a flatterer," he answered with a sly grin, one Treasured to another.

"I figured the crazy you know is better than the crazy you don't," Nightfall continued, long fingers gesturing at the rest of the Freehold. "Although, a little crazier than I remembered. So many new faces. Is the Freehold stronger for it?"

[Katrin Byeli]

Katrin's perfect lips curved into a smile for a brief moment. "Am I?" she asked, teasing him a little. "There is certainly a comfort to be found in that which one finds familiar, no?" Her words, a comment on his own. "I see little argument against such a notion."

The Winter Queen glanced around the room for a moment, noticing quite a few new faces amongst the crowd. "Is the Freehold stronger for it? It is hard to say, yes?" she said, returning her attention to Nightfall. "We have certainly grown in numbers. And while some find strength in numbers, whether we are stronger for it or not remains to be seen, no?"

[Nightfall]

"Yes."

His attention stayed on the rest of the room, watching -- how many were talking, the groupings, the body language.

"It feels like it is," he offered. Sure, he knew fuck-all about 99% of the people he was looking at, but sometimes new perspectives were worth something. He saw people talking -- not groups convening. No single Courts stamping around as if they owned the place. His eyes moved again, landing on each of the other Sovereigns.

"Maybe the days of insane, angry, and... absentee... Sovereigns are gone."

Crunk hadn't been any of those -- just forsworn.

"A place where everyone belongs."

He turned, smoothly swiveling his head to look at Katrin at the last. His features were innocent and guile-less, but the turning his head had been deliberate. It said what his expression did not.

[Katrin Byeli]

Katrin observed as the other Treasured's eyes glanced around the room, quietly admiring Nightfall's own good looks. She listened to his words, keeping any opinions to herself until he turned his attention back towards her. "One can only hope that is the case, yes?" said the Winter Queen, her eyes meeting the Polychromatic's. "Let Every Court Know Its Function."

She paused for a moment, letting her words hang in the air. "I hope you have not forgotten, no?" said Katrin, giving her former Archer a little smirk. "While we may all have our differences of opinion, we all have our own place within the Freehold, yes?" Another pause. "This is our home, regardless of Seeming or Court," she said, giving him a quick wink.

[Nightfall]

"Oh, I haven't forgotten, no," Nightfall agreed, arching an eyebrow at the wink.

It was... now. Once, it seemed that Summer would absorb the entire Freehold, or drive the others into hiding. In a sense, it was eventually the reason he stood with the Gloaming.

"Speaking of Courts... has anyone seen or heard from Barkley?"

He figured if anyone would know, it would be Winter.

[Katrin Byeli]

The Winter Queen remained silent for a moment as Nightfall asked about the former Summer King. "He has not attended any formal functions in months, yes?" she finally said in response. "Word on the street is that he's been keeping busy at Harry's; but to be perfectly honest, I have not spoken to him since your departure, no?" Whether Katrin had any more information regarding the Dusk Courtier or not, remained a mystery, well hidden in the Fairest's neutral expression.

[Nightfall]

"Hmmmmm."

If he wasn't surprised, he might have been a little disappointed. He'd at least have expected some fatalist bullshit from the little shrub about him and Alice. Then again, it was entirely possible Sam hadn't noticed. What he was up to, Nightfall had no idea. Maybe he was simply doing him the favor of not rubbing salt in the wound.

Nightfall leaned forward, placing his hands on his knees as if to stand.

"Well... I appreciate that," he said, speaking more of her honesty than the actual information.

"I'm going to go pay my respects to S... Summer. If you need anything, please know that I will always be a friend of Winter."

He'd almost said 'Spartan', and then almost said 'a friend', but he didn't want to muddy the waters.

[Katrin Byeli]

"Of course, it is Summer's day to revel in their glory after all, no?" said Katrin, giving the other Treasured a slight nod. "I will keep that in mind." After a brief pause, the Winter Queen added, "and don't forget that the relationship is mutual, yes?" She gave him a little smile, which disappeared just as quickly as it manifested on her flawless lips.

"If you are ever in need of help, you know where to find me," said Katrin in her usual neutral tone. As the Polychromatic got ready to take his leave from her, the Fairest added, "It was a pleasure speaking with you. What's the expression...don't be a stranger, no?"

[Nightfall]

The Polychromatic kept his features perfectly neutral, unsure if the double entendre was intentional.

"Yes, Yes, Yes, No," he replied with a sudden smile, teasing her slightly about her speech idioms as he agreed. Had they been alone, he would have had the entire conversation in Russian, but didn't want to exclude Harvey or give the other man the impression that secrets were to be had.

He rose, and flourished a bow and a nod to Harvey before stepping away, refraining from whistling the song the Queen of Tears always brought to his mind.