Fear from the East

[Key]

Jack looked to the others when the sound rumbled the conversation to an end. A wave of anxiety washed over the Hare as she looked around the room. Her foot tapped against the ground instinctively as she looked to the others. Unsure if they knew what had just happened or not. Her eyes landed on Xian who had looked down, before swiftly moving to the Window.

Peering through the glass the winter courtier let out a gasp as her eyes caught the first sighting of what was happening at the Four Seasons Hotel.

What...the...hell

"Guys..." was the only thing the Beast could put to words.


Spook swiveled about to look out the door of the shop while rubbing the back of his head. He had bumped his noggin with the initial thunderclap and was now face to face with…the open/close sign blocking his view. He slapped it out of his way and pressed his face up against glass.

For the first time that day his false façade cracked…then broke…then melted away entirely. It was replaced by an expression of shear shock and terror. He pulled open the door and took a few slow and unsteady steps outside without blinking. This is a nightmare…it has to be.


Ava's mouth had only just shut after her question when the thunder cracked. She jumped, unprepared for the noise, and looked around as well, briefly meeting Jack's bewildered gaze. As Spook opened the door she slipped out after him.

Stepping out onto the sidewalk, she stood transfixed, watching in a mixture of fascination and horror as she tried to figure out what exactly she was seeing. "I don't... what's happening?" Her tone was faint and distracted, the question mostly directed to herself.

She hardly knew anyone in this city, there was no one to call, no one to check on. Well, no one she knew intimately; there were plenty of Lost to be concerned about. Mind slowly grinding on despite her shock, she began to feel for her car keys in her bag.


As the rumbling began, Llewelyn's face paled. Another earthquake? He turned with everyone else to the window to see the horror unfolding as the 4 Seasons burst into flames. Too shocked for works, the best Llewelyn seemed to be able to manage was a gasp of horror. 'Big' Lou ran out onto the street, paying no mind to the deal that was in the process of being organized. This is Orleans all over again... "Any of you got a car? We need to haul ass an' get over there." He shouted to the group members anxiously.

Those at Xan He’s shop stumble outside the bright flash and smoke of the burning Four Seasons fils the sky. In that moment those gathered witness the death of a King, then something like screaming and something like laughter follows what could be moving shadows along the street.

Please roll me a [WIT+COM]
if any of you have Hedge Gate Sense you may roll [WIT + Wyrd]

[Key]

Jack, Big Lou, Spook

@%1; Jack Tarra Spook

The shadows are obviously not shadows, but they look something like a mix between a cat and a fox, they seem to be running scared. They also seem to screeching in fear.

Jack Tarra

There is the feel of a tear, a pulsing wound in reality just a bit further down the road, from where the cat-foxes are coming from.

Spook

You can see the hedgebeasts so much clearer, they are truly forms of smoke, or at least they move like it, and they are occasionally see through in places. They also have what looks to be human eyes full of fear. Behind them runs something that is giving off the laughter of a hunt - small creatures, not the size of an oak leaf and bright in color moving about with the skill of a golden snitch.

The Nix, on the other hand, returns with her car only to have the pedestrians give her the exact look she was giving the car at the moment. But at least it hadn’t fallen apart at her touch.

[Dusan]

JUSTIN KINCAID

Whatever it was that had happened, it had left Justin feeling really off his game and more than a little bit confused. One moment, he was making his way across a stinking creek in the Hedge and the next he had been forcibly ejected with the rest of the party back through the Trod in the park. The Manikin couldn't claim sufficient knowledge as to whether or not it was a normal thing and something suggested that perhaps it was not. Taking his leave of the others, he decided to make his way back to the shop where his truck was still parked. Following that, he intended to make his way over to the Forge and report in to Spartan, though he was pretty sure that Duncan had already beat him to it. Jesus. What a shitshow. And if we got booted out of the Hedge, then where did Jezebel land?

He wasn't looking forward to that meeting.

Something made him look up, and he saw it. For an insane moment he wondered if it was some sort of movie effect, and damn but it looks real, then the hard truth of what passed for reality amongst the Lost hit home, and hit home hard enough to make him stand stock still in shock when he saw where it was headed.

The Four Seasons.

The dragon, for that's what it was in all defiance of logic hurled itself at the Four Seasons and attacked.

He was Summer. Oh how easy it would have been at that moment to dive into a shop or find some other available cover in the hopes of avoiding it's regard, but he was made of dedication and this is what it's about, really. We stand and defend against any threat towards the Freehold, we defend those who cannot or will not stand up for themselves, and this is what I chose for myself resolve and the blooding he had experienced amongst his peers in the Crimson Brotherhood and for that he would not fail, nor run, nor abandon his charge willingly. If the Summer Court had mustered to protect the Freehold, then it would stand to reason they would be right where that thing is heading Oh God. Ignoring the people who were standing and pointing towards the black billows of smoke which was rising from the familiar landmark he took off running in the direction of the fire. His place was there.

Common sense dictated that it wasn't a good idea to run towards trouble because it could be a lure for something even worse. Justin quickly learned that where the Lost were concerned there was always the potential for an occurance which would transcend any known definition of worse.

As Justin reached the edge of the crowd that was watching the fire burn out of control can't anyone else see what I'm seeing? IT'S A FUCKING DRAGON! It's killing our home!" he saw something that for a brief moment created an unfamiliar surge of....hope...and horror....and a sense of it will be all right as he saw a tiny figure making its way across one of the tiered rooflines and heading directly towards the raging monster.

Who is that?

His own nascent Summer Mantle burgeoned then with pride, because while he could not make out the figure's more distinct traits he recognized that gleam which was reflected from shield and spear. His fists clenched as he prayed and encouraged his Sovereign, his role model, and in some ways a father figure would succeed in striking down this illogical breach into the world of what is real.

What happened next told a terrible story of a warrior's last stand and that there would be no happy endings on this day.

The wind shifted, bringing black soot and ashes towards the crowd who were probably oblivious to the fact that a King had died and all that remained to speak of his final act was a brief bright puff of light and a streak of glowing dust.

"No." One word was all that the Manikin could manage in his tightening throat.

He couldn't cry, because the Talent Scout had removed that capacity for him. He resented the fact that he could only mimic a normal eye blink reflex with effort. He wanted to scream at the gawking masses that You just watched the death of a King, he's died so we can live, but we can't even tell you that fucking much because YOU CAN'T POSSIBLY UNDERSTAND what you aren't allowed to see! JESUS FUCKING CHRIST YOU ARE SO BLIND!

His hands trembled as he brought them up to the sides of his head. He wanted to start screaming and never stop. His knees felt like they had turned to water. He had to regain his composure. He was of no use to anyone and especially himself if he lost it. Looking up at the sky he could think of one thing he could do to honor the fallen King before he had to move on with Summer's call to duty and search for anyone who needed his help. He was hurting inside, badly, but if people survived, he survived, then he could fall apart later and mourn. Spartan would understand.

Clenching his right fist, he held it against his chest in an approximation of a Greek salute as he lifted his chin with pride.