Winter is Coming

[Quick]

Thank goodness for a change in seasons. Fall offers just enough shelter from the exhausting heat of Summer, while still being warm enough to enjoy a brisk run. The day is still young enough for some warm rays of sunshine to shine down through the color-changing leaves. Quick smiles. He switches on the camera app to his phone and takes a selfie. His face - James' face - is no worse for the wear. A little like that one marathon runner who became a meme just by looking great for an impromptu photo at the finish line. Sure, Quick is cheating; he made sure to get a good angle to compliment his features. But who would be able to tell?

He switches off the camera app and checks the time on his home screen. 3:15. He's early. He'd asked Sasha to meet him in a quiet stretch of park that intertwines with what could pass as a hiking trail. For the more faint of heart, anyway. Not really much in the way of hills, but far enough through some well-worn paths through the trees that it feels like a hike. He hopes she won't be far behind. A cold breeze blows by, and Quick pulls the sleeves of his black sweatshirt down past his knuckles. Opting for a spot on a bench at the apex of this particular curved strip of trail, he sits. Going back to his phone, he looks through some earlier photos.

[Quick]

-1 Glamour to Harden Mask

[Quick]

The Levinquick look up from his phone. There she is. An absolute vision, worthy of representing his their Season. Even in modest clothing, she out-shined him. And that's just the Fairest's Mask. He'd be jealous under different circumstances.

"Oh, uh... thank you. For showing." He gestures for the spot next to him on the bench.

"It's almost our turn. For, you know, hosting. I know I made kind of a scene at Mhairi's thing..." He shrugs apologetically. "Maybe not our style? But it was for them - and me. I guess. So what now? How do we pull off our thing? 'Boss'?" He's still relatively new at being a Winter. And while he' sure she's not about to banish him from the Freehold for his inexperience, this would be the first time he's represented a Season. He wants to do it right.

[Quick]

Sasha is offered a brief, satisfied smile as she joins him on the bench.

"Do they?" He asks in honest curiosity. Makes sense, maybe. Something about misery loving company?

Her admission gets his gears turning. He frowns, thoughtful. "You know... the thing that drew me most to the group? The secrecy. The Masks. Yeah, for me, it used to just be about privacy. But it means more for our Club, right? Why not... a masquerade?" He blinks a few times, chewing over his thought. "Masks. It would be fun. And, you know, meaningful." Quick's not the deepest well on the hill, but it just feels right. A worthy homage. And it'd be nice to see the Freehold showing some respect for his chosen Season.

"Maybe... twofold?" He screws his mouth up, one side of his face crinkling up. "We know each other pretty well. In the Group. Why not ask people to wear Masks. Both kinds?" He has no idea if this would seem too bold. Not that he cares at this point. The more he digs into the idea the more he seems to like it. But it's not all up to him. Sasha's been here for a lot longer. She might not approve of such an aggressive, literal approach to the secrecy of Winter. Not when it's imposed on the other Seasons.

He gives her a moment to 'yay or nay' his idea before pressing further. There's so much he's needed to ask her about. "So, um... what were the other members of our Club like. The ones that used to live here?"

[Quick]

"Never understood all that." he says, imagining how many sad-sacks he'd seen growing up. All the older women not pretty enough to get attention naturally. He shakes his head. But then, women aren't really his thing. Maybe straight guys go for that 'trying-too-hard' look.

"So Masquerades have been done before?" The Levinquick practically pouts. So much for being original. "Now I just feel boring."

There were more of them than the Elemental had imagined. Maybe the Freehold used to be bigger in the past? Silent types, intimidating mountain men, and emotionless beauties? It's all so interesting. Quick stops himself just short of asking if this Daniel was cute. Wouldn't matter much now. He settles, instead, for "Glad this Harvey guy cared enough. Honestly don't think I could live up." He rubs the back of his neck abashedly "I mean... most of my time I spend with others. The ones who chose a different path, you know? Only people I've pent less time with than you are Thomas and Mhairi." And for good reason. Just... not one he's comfortable admitting.

"All I mean is I hope I'm not letting you down. This is your thing. I'm just a convert." He smiles a sad smile, self-deprecation oozing through his words.

[Quick]

He does his best to summon a smile. Maybe she's right. Though, really... nobody's ideas are original anymore. It's all in the execution. "Cool. Well, let's go for it then. Be interesting to see what masks our friends bring."

"Still figuring out what 'being me' is. Here, anyway." he says, frowning thoughtfully. "But thanks. Little weight off my shoulders." She's probably right about the rest, too. Maybe he's just too worked up about it. Yeah, that's probably right: he just needs to let things happen.

"I guess." he replies, taking a moment to appreciate her spin. It does have a nice ring to it. You know, the whole 'someone to rely on' thing. And, yeah, he's certainly done a lot of soul-searching and whatnot since he'd arrived in Sacramento. Some of the more profound - if you can ascribe such a thing to a guy like him - revelations of what he really wants and needs. He licks his lips, then tries to meet her suggestion with something personal. Deep. Ish. "Like how my... 'experience' brought me here. This whole wonderful accident that lands me in the middle of a group that accepts me? Actually wants to know me. And how all that's made me want to change. For the better."

He nods. More to himself than her, but his attention is still glued to the Winter Sovereign. He wants things to work. Needs them to. "Maybe that's what we can offer. At our... next get-together. The chance to unload. A time to reflect. Share our Sorrows. And even our joy." He smiles, eyes lighting up a little again. "Nothing says family like sharing real, solid feelings, right? Somewhere where you can escape the cold."