Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2021 21:23:25 GMT -8
Arrogance...It could be channeled into some truly terrifying and oppressive power. However, it also led the arrogant to assume that victory was all but assured. It seemed that (while partially drawing from real emotion, because those cuts were plenty deep) that the sullen demeanor and words had done their part, and let the Dragon believe that there was no longer a purpose. She was quick to take her leave.
Once she was well and gone, if the others had started to shuffle he would give them a gentle hand to wait. And just as quick as she had arrived, she was gone.
“Well...Now that the snarling is done, conversation anyone?”
A smile, he seemed surprisingly chipper.
“Now, to answer your question Riley - yes there was a loose outline of a plan. You see there is unrest in the current establishment. Our newest arrival, Buck? Has earned himself the name of The Sunset Prince, because for him to rise, the sun must fall, and our sun is currently Queen Phylica - smart isn’t it. Anyway, the mere notion that there may be churn in the Crown certainly is upsetting to the established order. Think of the likes of Chugunkin who has survived any and all monarchs he has served under, and that is just one example. Either way the middle nobility will likely all have their own opinion and will be moving to prepare or counter any move that may threaten their position. To be blunt? Soldiers die in wars, not commanders. And if we just doddle along on our own we are likely to get swept up in the madness. Banding together? Even in a loose amalgamation and applying our skills effectively makes us more valuable as a whole and not as easily pushed around, and more importantly an even more valuable resource. A single string? Easily broken, a rope? Less so.”
Shrug of facts.
“I am at as much risk as anyone else here, and weak in areas which I know you two are not. Likewise I have my own specialties I can lend to a cadre of allies. What I can promise is that I don’t get my jollies by talking down to you like children.”
He leaned back and summoned a second drink. A Checkmate Bitch.
“Lastly, this isn’t a one man show so please, I want to hear what the two of you think. If you think this is malarkey, if you want to go alone, if there is something I can do to help you buy in. Following a single flag just leads us in a single file to ruin. This way? At least two sober second thoughts, one and a half in my case at the moment.”
|
|
Riley Sorsa
.
Presence (3) Captivating | SL(1) Stylish Mantle (2)Spring | Status(1) Entertainment
Posts: 913
|
Post by Riley Sorsa on Feb 14, 2021 22:15:28 GMT -8
Riley rose when the Dragon did, taking a step to meet her part way as she was leaving.
“It was good seeing you,'' he says, trying not to sound awkward given the interaction of the evening. Stepping forward he gave the Dragon a hug goodbye whispering in her ear.
“Let's catch up. Call me" the tone was soft and sincere. They hadn't seen each other much since Yule.
Stepping back they gave the Dragon a soft smile and nod of their head allowing them to leave. Turning on their heels they grabbed their drink and looked to Archie who begun after the dragons departure.
It felt a bit wrong to continue with out Ivory but that seemed to have been her choice. Than again the Darkling was not going to just leave when Archie was willing to offer further information.
He nodded quietly listening, pacing a bit as Archie spook. He didn't have the temperament at the moment to sit and listen, not after the recent engagement. They took note of the information provided about Buck. The moth noted they needed to learn more about him. They had not yet had the pleasure of meeting him or seen his impacts in person.
After a moment of silent thought he spoke up.
“Your point is well taken. And I agree on the fundamentals that we are stronger together” They glanced towards Agrippa for a moment than seemed to look down at their feet.
“But I will be the first to say” He gestures to the door where Ivory had just left.
“Of the three you invited, the most valuable ally just left. No offense “ He states to Agrippa with a pleasant smile. Riley counted himself and Agrippa (as far as they could tell) with less capitol in the political game.
“Ivory is a lot of things, and proud is amongst them. But don't make an enemy of her Archie. If you wanted commanders, not soldiers, she is one of them.”
He took a drink slowly before adding his final thought on that matter. “ We all dance to our own tunes, you would be wise to learn the steps to her’s”
I’d feel much safer to count her among us.
He smiled softly saying his peace there. “ But to other matters. I Are you suggesting we find vassalage with the middle nobility? “
|
|
|
|
Post by Agrippa on Feb 15, 2021 7:19:14 GMT -8
Agrippa hadn't gotten up from their seat, and it didn't look like they would have even if all the patrons had left and the lights were shut off for the night. They followed Ivory's departure silently and with eyes alone. Even as she passed out of their periphery their stare lingered, unfocusing far past the venue's walls. Though delayed, Archie's rekindling of the conversation did pull Agrippa's attentions back to him. His change of tone, however, did not apparently inspire the beast's own mood to perform a similar switch. Agrippa shifted forward onto the table as Archie finally elaborated, resting their forearms on the edge and cradling their fingers. It was, at least the body language of interest, even if their expression hadn't become any less dour throughout.
Riley's comments on Ivory's political leverage got little expression in response save the same tired stare of big blue eyes. Somehow a further light managed to dim from them as his unintended dig at their own political status struck true. They waited a good five seconds after the moth had said his part before finally speaking their own.
"I do understand that you want to make an influence block and why you want to have one. You weren't unclear about that. It is what form the influence block takes that I am curious about. Are you wishing to have a group that proclaims its status to the open court as loyal cooperatives, or would you wish rather to have a group that cooperates in a less public manner? Are we agreeing to generally be loyal to each other, or to a specific goal? And if to each other, how close knit are you wishing this to be? Is this mostly a political show for reputation where the appearance is more important than the substance? Or do you wish to have a group who can get things done even to the detriment of reputation or notoriety? Are you wishing the group to be a good counter to other powers of the court, or would you wish for them to useful to them. And if useful, useful to who?"
The tone would have been professional, if such a thing wasn't so disconcertingly and uncomfortably alien on the unicorn's tongue.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2021 11:51:03 GMT -8
Riley’s comments salted the social sounds he had already endured. There was nowhere near the level of the maliciousness as the original lashing, but it wasn’t like it didn’t burn. The mask fell and the smile faded - there was no point in playing jovial. He was shaken, unsure, afraid. He knew there was risk of putting himself out there and you know what...He was simply bad at it? At least that was what was screaming at him in the back of his mind. He would have been better off to check himself at the door and find a corner.
Seen, not heard. Speak when spoken too. Collect the Chalice...No excuses...Much better…
“Riley....”
He began, lips moving, no words though. They were still a struggle to find as he failed to make eye contact.
“I had...nothing but good intentions. But…”
Long breath, he wasn’t sure if he would be able to so easily draw another.
“I offered a seat, no head of the table...I didn’t see some grand machination. But I am scolded, talked down to, chided that this is about control - and then gaslighted when just a moment before the same person is talking about partnerships. I - I - I can’t.”
It was simple.
“The only way that table works is surrendering. Surrendering because it is submission or else. I cannot, will not trust my own fate in someone who was so singular...Like She-Who-Conquers...I wasn’t lying when I said that amalgamation wouldn’t work, but I fully respect and understand that she is vocal enough to a preferential choice of partner...I...wouldn’t blame either of you for walking out now.”
There was no sense of fight, or an attempt to keep them unless they wanted to stay. Archie was a demoralized man trying to fight crushing weight on his shoulder. Every word he spoke was a needle in his own mind. Seen, not heard.
Agrippa. He needed to answer appropriately, questions burned the social wounds. It wasn’t like the influence was gone…
“Less public, no need to advertise otherwise it tips the hand. A general agreement to not impede or aid where possible, but if common ground can be found a goal isn’t out of the question. How close? As close as we feel comfortable or needed. I am sure there will be aloofness at the start as comfort grows. It can be as showy as needed but subtlety is a fine option. I don’t see a reason that effectiveness and station need to rise and fall like a scale personally. This is a counter to pressure which could be placed on any single person, a burden eased with more carrying the weight, and if there is a consensus I see no reason to not extend assistance. To who? I can’t make the decision.”
Boom, boom, boom. The quick concise direct answers worked. They still burned.
|
|
Riley Sorsa
.
Presence (3) Captivating | SL(1) Stylish Mantle (2)Spring | Status(1) Entertainment
Posts: 913
|
Post by Riley Sorsa on Feb 15, 2021 12:22:48 GMT -8
The darkling's void like eyes took in the Fairest mannerisms and movements. Archie was a powerful individual in the world of mortals, but seemed that perhaps he feared that power did not extended to the court and freehold at large. His behavior regarding the incident with Ivory was curious to the Moth, but than they saw a chance in all this. Something they were good at, and it seemed Archie and perhaps Agrippa were not.
To be what others wanted of you without losing yourself. It was the foundation of their work in the sex industry. But deeper than that, it was fundamental to Riley’s survival.
“You don't need to submit” He said with a suggestive smile. “Not in the way you think.”
“Let me handle Ivory. I can offer that much. That and information. Give me time, and back up and I can help with all of that.”
Riley had been so self focused, on Claire, on his career. He had lost track of the movements within the court, the plays and the coming dangers. Archie was a wake up call. Alone Riley was likely to be consumed, but the Darkling new the limitations. Archie had the right idea with this gathering, now Riley needed to keep it together. The darkling drummed their fingers against their hip for a moment before looking to the two companions whose moods had soured.
“But I need help. My resources are limited.”
Perhaps an admittance of vulnerability might reveal what the others could bring to bare.
|
|
|
|
Post by Agrippa on Feb 16, 2021 8:57:32 GMT -8
Trust. The word was like an electric bolt- the moment Archie uttered it, Agrippa perked up. Their eyes brightened and their expression pulled taught into something that might have looked neutral to someone who wasn't able to read beneath it. If the Fairest wanted to be able to trust, then asking trust of him was on the table. Perhaps even, trusting him was on the table. Professional relationships built on mutual desperation and greed and need for power where the types of things that Agrippa could engage in only if dragged along kicking and screaming. But relationships built on trust? On empathy? On compassion? That would take them in hook line and sinker... of course only one of those things had been hinted at, but it was better than nothing, and Agrippa was quite quite frankly desperate to believe their peers weren't as cynically minded as Ivory had made them sound. The quick, concise and direct answers from Archie only helped to improve their mood and posture. They nodded and offered a small thankful smile once he had finished
"I see no issues with what you have laid out... I'm interested."
The smile spread until it threatened to break out into a grin. They made sure to maintain eye contact with the fairest just long enough to ensure it had impact before turning to Riley.
"That would be nice, thank you. Unfortunately my resources are a little scarce as well, if you are speaking of mundane things. But Archie here seems to have that under wraps."
They gestured to the aforementioned Fairest, giving a little pause to allow Archie to comment on the matter
"My potential connections in the freehold are a little less precarious however."
It was a hopeful offer. Agrippa may have been new, but they were a quick learner when it came to these things and they knew they could get in contact with a wide variety of Lost with a little time and flexibility.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2021 9:55:09 GMT -8
The dejectedness was still present even with the shifting tones and moods. While this wasn’t some sort of emotional rescue the Fairest wasn’t about to be the charismatic black hole, even if he had the dagger of social faux pas still twisting in his heart. His earnestness while potentially sympathetic, or pathetic based on ones view had been an attempt to explain the mood, it was likely to be a tone that was drizzled throughout the rest of the evening.
The Chatelaine made sure Riley received a clear nod of understanding when speaking about dealing with Ivory and obliged Agrippa with the same level of attention as the handsome one went about a quest to turn the mood from dour to hopeful. It was encouraging if nothing else, so there was that going for the trio.
“Resources are…”
He began, head bowed for a moment before he took a breath, tapping his index finger on the desk a couple of times before looking up and letting his eyes drift between the two of them as he spoke.
“Are not always what one thinks they are. Mortal wealth and influence? That certainly equates to something, but it isn’t the story of everything. Every Lost bears some residual power of Arcadia whether we like it or not and that in itself is a terrifying power when compared to the mundane.”
“I always use the example of Toni Watson - the Dance Monkey singer, Tones and I. Famous video of her busking with that song, and now?”
He made a soft explosion sound with his lips and motioned the same with his hand.
“She blew right up. All she had was the raw talent, but it all came together. Unlike mortals though, we often have more ability to make the pieces we need to fall into place do just that - whether we acknowledge or enjoy that fact or not. I can sit here right now and guarantee that the two of you can do things that would make my jaw drop.”
Stop, breath, stay collected Arch man.
“If we are talking about pure capital? Largely I can cover that basis. I don’t flaunt it as much as some but in preparation for coming to this meeting I have activated enough assets that I won’t be left wanting. Likewise, if needed I can always hire or sign Lost to employment or contracts to help spread the wealth without it being an erroneous bag of money with a dollar sign on it.”
“Beyond that I have been known to step forward and become a presence in a room, and always seem to have the right tool for the job in my desk drawer if we are talking about dealings with the Wyrd.”
He offered himself up as to what he brought to a triumvirate at the moment, so that it wasn’t simply himself doing the prying.
|
|
Riley Sorsa
.
Presence (3) Captivating | SL(1) Stylish Mantle (2)Spring | Status(1) Entertainment
Posts: 913
|
Post by Riley Sorsa on Feb 16, 2021 12:17:23 GMT -8
The darkling took note of the mental state of their companions. Seeing their hopes were rising again gave the Bright one a boost of confidence in this ordeal. "Those are all good things to know," he remarked to the provided suggestions of aid. He took specific note of Archie's story, he would need to follow up on Archie's offer in the future."what about this Buck? Has either of you had any dealings with him? Or have any of your contacts Agrippa? Given he seems the catalyst of possible change...anything you could share would be welcome" Hopefully, the two had some information to go by. The Darkling needed to start collecting info on this spring paragon and starting from an empty page was going to make that process a challenge, to say the least. |
|
|
|
Post by Agrippa on Feb 17, 2021 5:57:13 GMT -8
"Mm! Yes."
Agrippa's face lit up at the name of the Spring Court Paragon. Enthusiasm suggested they weren't quite as suspicious about him as Archie appeared to be
"I did have the pleasure of meeting him! Not that I can say much... Incredibly charismatic. Very gregarious. Boisterous. Gets your heart pumping."
The mere memory of the Sunset Prince filled the pale beast with such spirit they could not help themselves but square their shoulders and puff up their chest to the tune of his description. It was a cute imitation of the real thing, like a child pretending to be superhero. An errant thought knocked them out of it. They frowned and pursed their lips
"Though admittedly that last part is likely just the mantle. In either case, I can certainly understand from the weight of his presence alone why he would be a significant face in the court. That is regardless of whatever he might've done. Or will do. I would caution to not be so focused on whether correlated events are actually causal-"
They turned to Archie with an expression of vague concern
"I do believe you are correct that the court will scheme one way or another, and that instability is enough to raise guards over. It is however a possibility that Buck really is just in the eye of the storm here, as opposed to being any kind of instigating force. Going forward as if that is the case while keeping eyes and ears out for evidence to the contrary seems to me a far safer route to go than throwing blame out his way, even in conjecture. Far less controversial too."
A hand gestured listlessly out towards the exit
"I suspect that is part of the reason you lost her patience."
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2021 11:50:24 GMT -8
“I will always warn that money doesn’t move if money doesn’t have too. Further more when you are a big deal, you don’t move unless you have too. So when a big deal, with big capital falls into a place relatively unannounced and no obvious reasons? That is a flag. As much as I love them, Vegas residencies don’t start for no reason.”
Industry experience told the Fairest that there was smoke, and he was sure enough expecting fire regardless of what Agrippa warned, but he was readily receptive.
“It is noted though, substantial is always better, right?”
A soft sigh
“Perhaps it is best we take this as an opportunity to adjourn and take some time to muse on this, give everyone a chance to catch a breath, work their magic, or otherwise. I can always arrange another get together once we feel there is some more substance to discuss.”
“Unless there is something pressing?”
“Otherwise, I would suggest we seal this conversation, and agree that the details stay between those who were present this evening. Ms. Cartwright included so not to handicap your efforts, Riley.”
|
|
Riley Sorsa
.
Presence (3) Captivating | SL(1) Stylish Mantle (2)Spring | Status(1) Entertainment
Posts: 913
|
Post by Riley Sorsa on Feb 17, 2021 18:41:01 GMT -8
It seemed this paragon of Spring had left quite the impression upon Agrippa in whatever dealings they had. The darkling nodded silently at the provided information, and the insights provided by the unicorn.
Finishing his drink Riley nodded in agreement to the proposal provided by Archie. Winding down seemed logical at this point, the three of them had little left to offer till more information came to light. With the turning of winter to spring not far off it meant Riley had his hands full.
"My lips are sealed on this meeting," Said the bright one with a smile making a zipper motion across his lips.
"It's going to take me some time, but I should have more to go on, in the next week...maybe two. "
Can't make any promises yet.
Satisfied with the business side Riley offered the two spring courtiers an invitation.
"Y'all should come by work sometime. Working at The Platinum most nights for this month. So if ya wanna swing by and grab a drink or a good burger after my shift, hit me up. Plus no cover charge, so it's chill."
Riley had lost any shame offering people to hang out after he was done taking off clothes for a living. It was part of the life, and if it wasn't their scene always another time. But the offer was genuine and it was always a nice surprise to have someone you know to chat with at the bar.
They collected their coat and things, pausing to give their goodbyes unless either of them stopped them, Riley would head out for the rest of his night.
|
|
|
|
Post by Agrippa on Feb 19, 2021 1:36:22 GMT -8
While Archie's response wasn't complete agreement, it was more than Agrippa had expected. They were more than willing to leave it at that for now- Archie had clearly had his fill of being pushed around for the night, and further nudges wouldn't do anyone any good. Plus Agrippa could take a hint, with the suggestion of there being nothing further to discuss.
"I agree, not a word to a soul!"
They pointed at their smiling lips, following the gesture Riley had done. If nothing else, the non-disclosure agreement between them might dissuade Archie from making further heads turn with their condemnations of the Sunset Prince. At least, they could hope. They nodded at the Moth's invitations, feeling obliged to give their own
"Don't hesitate to call me on anything, either of you! I believe you both have my contacts."
Agrippa stood and started to collect whatever glasses were left on the table into a single spot, so the servers would have an easier time collecting them. They offered a cheery farewell to Riley as they headed out.
|
|
