[Dead Heading] It's Always Sunny in Whitney

Riley understands from the insider perspective that Cailleagh jumping to Spring would entail that they were losing one hell of a warrior, and would likely trigger the Emeralds to try and flush her to Claviger status faster than not. The Court was massive, and known combatants tended to be pampered a little more as the race was on to who got to add the gun to their purse.

Riley and Oren understands that sometimes, there's major pivots in a Losts' life to completely change their perspective on the world, and their place within. The Mantle becomes weak as one's philosophy no longer is supported by the core of their experience. The Changeling loses the Season's favour. Changelings feeling this weakening protection will often seek a new Oath that they can better pay homage to. It was more spiritual than a simple change of political parties with a sudden bout of Wrath, Sorrow, Fear or Desire; like shifting religion. 

A Spring courtier with a sudden bout of depression would not shift to the Onyx court, nor would a Winter courtier who found a new spark of joy or develop an intense ambition suddenly jump to Spring. An Autumn courtier who suddenly lost an ally to the True Fae would not suddenly drop the Mirror for the Spear in seeking vengeance; all these triggers would need a developed background with the other Season they innately worship.

Court hopping wasn't regarded as the most stable of transitions, and the circumstances reflect on the individual who experiences it. Goodwill will often be forged with a Season first before one would hear a calling.

"Um...for sure! I'd think about what you want to get out of that kind of meeting, though. I'm not sure if the Winter Court would be super stoked about flushing their territory of a glamour source. Even if Cailleagh would probably be down, Mordecai probably tacks on some value to this place, if his name's come up?" He scratched behind a pointed ear, a little pleased that he thought of it before blindly 'helping.'

"Since Sedna's okaying it, I'm not sure if, maybe, this is a sort of political slap where Cailleagh losing favour has anything to do with it. Or, Mordecai's done something that warrants his resources being moved?"

"And just when I thought I was warming up to you, Chatelaine."

It's glare on the windshield. Studio light catching on diamonds. Something to be taken at face value; fool's gold turned pale and replaced with a stronger jaw and lighter hair.  "Did anybody like you for you, or was it only for what you could give them and what they could bear to part with and leave in your little fingers?"

Penrose was genuinely curious. The little weasel didn't inspire much. He'd be loath to find out if he did. "Ivan Penrose. Summer. Carr can flutter as much as he likes. His promotion caught my attention and I wanted to see how he carried it around. I just spent an afternoon doing community service, if I wanted to spend it plotting your demise, you wouldn't be standing here stripping me with your eye."

He took a minute to reacquaint himself with his stature. Flexed his fingers and rotated his shoulders. Settling into an all-too-familiar grimace, now that dainty smiles would do him no good. Archie got an eyebrow.  "Satisfied?"

He asked but didn't care for an answer. "She found Jesus."

Archie disposed of the burrito wrapper, tossing it into his car’s window and onto the passenger side floor.

“Aw shucks, my fee fee’s - coming from a kibitzer though, I don’t think I am going to lose any sleep. Also - not satisfied.”


Ruby/Ivan certainly had a world view, but he was going to assume the little fingers were just supposed to be mean spirited and not a jab at anything more.

“You are just some random summer who wanted to come and watch an ascendant Spring courtier and did this through jumping into a meeting which thankfully led to that outcome? You are either the worlds biggest simp, Ivan, or you are like - most Summers - a grunt. So you can stop worrying your pretty little head about me, and give us the whole story - its the least you can for spooking out guest.”

Archie nodded at Rickley to make sure Mitch was fine.

Things spiraled quickly and caught the darkling unawares. Archie's question while direct had been a fair one to ask. They were dealing with a sensitive situation and knowing where people stood was important. However it had caused Penrose to respond rather aggressively, not to mention shapeshifting nearly in public. The darkling's heart raced as his eyes moved from each person trying to put it all together.


Penrose seemed to have been called out and was reeling from it. Rick figured his intentions were probably political, some sort of relationship building between summer and spring. After what happened during the Revenant Crisis, it made sense. Whatever it was It seemed Penrose was keeping tabs on Mitch for some reason. Mitch’s reaction to the shapeshifting and sudden change gave Rick the feeling that he knew something about why Penrose was here and why Chug had wanted him on this project. What? Rick couldn't say. That was a problem for later.

They had a job to do, and one that could become dangerous if they weren't smart about it. Whatever Ruby-Penroses game was, and Archie's pushy questions it was risking putting everyone here into some hot water if not careful.

“Alright cool it!” Rick said firmly holding up his hands. He gave Mitch a quick glance making sure he wasn't going to make a run for it.

We will have a chat later, Mitch.

“You” He pointed to Penrose. “ Don't chip a nail with the melodrama” Rick had navigated enough backstage catfights in a lifetime. This was not the time or place.

His gaze moved to Archie “Archie, chill, this isn't the place for this.”

Rick eye contact moved between all three one their tone wasn't angry, but focused and no bullshit.

“ Mitch, stop wiggling. We all are on edge, there is a lot going on. Archie's is right to be concerned we been thrown head first in a situation not of our making. We are going to need to give each other a chance to trust. Penrose, your help today has been appreciated, the attitude not so much. Please, let's handle this professionally. Can we all do that?”

They were on winter turf, last thing Rick needed was for them to have an incident between spring and summer. What needed to be done? A pact? 

Mitch was in his head, measuring evidence against his own instincts that something was off.


He blinked a few times as the tone shifted, as if the very air was getting heavy with the argument bubbling between the other Fairest and the shapeshifter. Riley stepped in, trying to shuffle things back in order with the professional air of a stage director. He stilled as they snapped for him to stop moving, feet absently in Fifth Position.

Archie offers some questions to put the suspicion to bed. Frankly, this was a normal argument for Changelings to have. What was his name, Penrose? Penrose was acting like an agitated Summer worried that his gig was getting shot out of the air, for some reason.

"We can just do a business Motley Pledge. Pretty straight forward, set the time it ends or a condition where we gain some benefits with teamwork," he floated, shifting to a stance that would be considered natural for a normal person. "I'm not suspicious of what people's political ambitions are right now? I don't need to grill Penrose? I'm not calling you out either, Archie, I get that the situation's weird. I'm sure he has specific orders about keeping his involvement quiet or he wouldn't have gone through all the trouble." He blinked, "I'd rather everyone walk away with getting what they need. I'm...literally here just to help you guys," he laughed softly.

Crushing the imagined burning and feeling of dread gripping the back of his neck from stepping out of a pattern, he situated himself back with the rest rather than sulking. 

"Lets move away from the food truck- thanks for the food, by the way Archie," he added, gesturing they walk towards a crumbling property so their conversation didn't echo and carry across concrete. He highly doubted these people had quality CCTV cameras, no need to dial a Sun Banisher. "I get that it's a lot sometimes when some of the older Lost put on vague expectations, because they've been doing this for over a decade and pull a lot of strings. None of this shit's going to matter in a month. The fighting, I mean. I think we can all agree that getting this sweep done to make sure these people aren't getting fucked over by fairy machinations is something we can do, whether anyone here cares or not."

He was going to assume they did; it was like agreeing that soup kitchens were a nice idea. 

"We're going to find out which gang has a strangle hold over these people's livelihoods, and see if we can fix that. The charities and the reimbursements are something that will be taken care of in the backend," Mitchell said, gesturing vaguely. "I assume that's a Knight testing people's management skills with resources. I assume you guys are here to flex your people skills with ingratiating yourself with absolute strangers, while keeping an opposing Court happy, while not tipping off the Bad Guys that we're cutting off their money." Swallows started following them, flashing the area with bronze and navy while the filthy grey concrete flashed with bright patterns; like chalk paintings.

He stepped close to Penrose to directly address the last issue that had caused the fight in the first place. "Oaths aren't going to work with the Mask, though. Sorry, we're going to see your Mantle. Do you need a secrecy clause tossed in to keep your boss happy or...?"