Markets and Friends

[Sonnie Wu]

Sonnie nodded happily to Seraphina, sipping some more of her cider before speaking. "It suits me pretty well. I like being out and about all day, and I enjoy exploring new places. I've gotten to know Sacramento pretty well, already! Do you enjoy your coffee shop? Are the customers nice? Do you get anyone that expects you to be just like Starbucks?"

If she noticed the slight change in Titania's expression, she didn't show it, or she didn't care. The Beast just seemed fascinated by the Telluric's circumstances. "Wow, to have missed so much... so how come you're here and not in England? California is pretty far from home."

[Titania]

She couldn't read Sera at all. Was she accepting the veracity of her story or those were just empty platitudes?

"Yes, indeed. A rather appropriate question my simian friend", she reciprocated the ebullient monkey's question with a smile, then clearing her throat, "One would be right to dvelve on the imperativeness, the urgency prompting a high-born maiden to desert the tranquillity of her crèche for the unknown dangers of the once Colonies", she looked at her peers, "I would have preferred myself in the comforts of my own home, even if long devoid of the presence of familiar ties or of egregious guests such as a Prime Minister of Great Britain. Life among the Courts of London can be pleasant. Not to the demerit of the exquisite company I'm finding myself accustomed to, of course. You're all gorgeous", she said, half-embarassed by just how pompous that must have sounded. But again, a Knight of letters was among them, and she wanted to impress.
"Rather, it's that lacking a peerage - as unbecoming and tasteless matters of financial well-being might be - in the pursuit of ill-gotten procedures of reclaiming my estate, I had to be made aware of the whereabouts of my altered self", her shoulders dropped, her gaze rested on the table, "To my regret both the means and the courage to locate and confront her have absconded".

"She lives in the county. I'm just postponing the meeting until I conjure the right words... make it less unpleasant", she added, her chin jutting up.

  failure

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2018-12-28 12:11:36		Titania rolls 4 to Reading Seraphina (Wits + Emp) (10 Again)		4, 3, 3, 6		failure

[Freya]

Freya listened as the surrounding Springs spoke. Sonnie's exuberant nature was gifted a soft smile by the Beast. She would make a fine addition to the family, as would Abe.

Freya dimly recognized the name of CHurchill when it was mentioned, but she could not place it. The Durance of Beasts had a way of pushing out information that was not paramount to survival, Mother Talons was no exception. Since her return, she had spent little time with Academics, but perhaps this was a sign that she should in order to regain what she had forgotten and fully understand all that had come to pass while she had attended the Brood.

A thought for another time. Be present with your Family.

For such a motherly figure, Freya also lacked much in the way of empathy and that resulted in her being unable to read the Joyeux. Sera's secret was safe and, for a moment, Freya felt herself to be alone on an island with her lack of knowledge, save for her fellow Beast Sonnie.

Thus, Freya felt it best to ignore the statements regarding the man in question. At least until the childlike Titania began to speak differently. The warm smile of the Den Mother faded slightly as the captivating once-noble seemed to offer some slight against her fellow Springs for their lack of noble blood. Freya disliked that turn and it showed, but she decided to give Titania the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps the Fairest did not know she was being offensive or perhaps the savagery of the Hunterheart's nature was causing her to be unable to fully comprehend what she was trying to say.

However, at the talk of an altered self, Freya understood what Titania meant. She was looking for her fetch. This was something with which Mother Talons could empathize with, though the desire to seek her fetch out had left long ago. She knew where the fetch was, but the life it led was no longer hers to take. Fifty long years had past and even if Freya's Desire was to have a family again, it could not be that way with her son, as he was already a man with children of his own.

Then a revelation. They were in public.

"I'm sorry to hear you are having difficulty finding your relative," Freya offered, her voice emphasizing the final word as she offered a glance to the greater world around them, "I ran into a similar situation with a relative of my own. She lives in Wisconsin, has a son that grew to be an author. I felt too much time had passed though, so I left her be."

The mention of the son evoked quieter tones from the Hunterheart's throat, her smile fading. The son was hers, of course. The memory prompted the Hunterheart to look to the table for a long moment. Briefly, it appeared she might weep before she cleared her throat and regarded the group yet again. It was a sad memory, but Freya had had a long time to mourn. She was ready to move on. Mostly.

"It was best for all involved," she stated, a sense of finality resting in her words.

[Seraphina]

Grinning, “Well, if you find any new and exciting places, let me know! I love adventures!” she needed to get out and see more of the city. A quick nod of her head, “I love my coffee shop! And most customers are nice, though I’ve had a few that were jerks. But that’s not really common. Um, sometimes, I think. Some people get a certain coffee in their head and refuse or freak out when presented with something different. But we have some really loyal customers already.” She couldn’t complain.

Then Titania was speaking more than she ever heard. The words eloquent. Where was the shy unsure Spring from before?

“I understand how hard that can be, finding your altered self. It can be such an emotional and difficult journey. And personal. But please know, we have your back if you need support.” She knew there were some things one had to do on their own. But knowing people supported you could make all the difference.

Then Freya shared. And things got deep. And uncomfortable. At least for her.

Abraham shared his next. And she nods.

“I did my research into my own. But that was it. I didn’t want that life, it was never who I wanted to be.” And it was true. A trophy wife with a life that went nowhere wasn’t for her. She longed for adventure and happiness. Not a gilded cage anymore.

Coming up on the month mark, did we want to start wrapping?

[Sonnie Wu]

The Steepscrambler was as surprised as anyone else at Titania's sudden explosion of speech. She hadn't known the British Fairest for long, but this was certainly the most she had ever said in the space of a minute. And while a few of the words were slightly over her head, Sonnie still got the gist of the monologue. "Um, yeah, that evil twin stuff is... difficult. Mine is in San Francisco. I dunno what to do about it. I'm maybe a couple decades too late to return to my old life, so..." she shrugged, uncertain what else to say about her own Fetch. Her feelings on the topic were mixed. Sonja shook her head, "Anyway, yeah, we should support each other with this kinda stuff."

With a final nod on that topic, she smiled at Freya, "Yeah, that's kind of where I'm at, I guess. I still worry about my parents, though."

"Oh, you're an actor? Or were?" She tilts her head at Abraham a moment, then she noticed the time on her phone.

"Oh, crap! I should get back to work. Those Christmas presents won't arrive late on their own!" With a giggle, the monkey girl downed the rest of her cider and snatched another cookie.

Yup, sounds good. Let the wrapping begin!

[Titania]

She understood what they meant, but remained unconvinced. She had to move on, but there couldn't be a future without putting the past to rest first. Nevertheless, she was thankful for their kindness, it reminded her that she wasn't alone. They were all fragile creatures, beings detached from the most precious thing, their identity. They were the Lost.

"I appreciate the offer. You may be right, it might be wiser to ignore the issue altogether. But it would feel like running away, a defeat. It's something I need to confront to start anew", she said.

"So, shopping?", she said in a light hearted attempt to improve the mood.

Fine by me. Thanks for the scene everyone

[Freya]

Freya rose as her phone dinged. A taloned hand would reach in her pocket, gingerly retrieving the device.

"Ah, I gotta go too," she offers, "Some of the house members are back from the holidays early and want to meet for dinner."

A faint smile. It would be good to see them again.

Turning her attention to the assembled Lost she gives a nod.

"Have a great night, we should do this again!" Freya says, offering a wave as she departs with her empty growler.

Before I pick them up, I'm filling this boy up! They can wait.

Good to close! Thanks all

[Seraphina]

Sera will be up for shopping with Titania. Was a great scene everyone!! Thank you!