|
Post by Wayland on May 2, 2021 12:48:30 GMT -8
She's heard of Bloody Mary before. Not in so much detail, but word around the court. She's interested, so Wayland pays noticeable attention when Cinder elaborates on the Vizier. She's not going to come out and say anything until she hears about the other two knights, but she's pretty sure Bloody Mary's going to be the best fit for her. She can fight, but she's nothing special. She's no Alecto, a warrior and a predator who can walk between raindrops and not get wet, not even when they're ripping your guts out. And that's fine. The court has warriors. Summer will always draw warriors, soldiers, fighters. Those that want to put the hurt on the Fae. Wayland will stand with them in the shield wall any day, and keep trying to be better. But she can also do more than that. She can give her court the tools they need to carry on the fight. To make sure they survive to fight another day. And it seems like Bloody Mary might understand that. And have plenty to teach her, too. Although, thinking of Alecto, why isn't she here? Wayland takes her eyes off Cinder for a moment to glance left and right, searching for the Beast. Maybe she's already sworn to a knight?
|
|
Linden
.
Presence (3) Steady
Posts: 325
|
Post by Linden on May 2, 2021 13:11:15 GMT -8
Linden flipped a thumbs-up to Kai about the motley news, and settled in to listen.
Bloody Mary sounded hardcore. Her expertise didn't feel like a good fit for Linden, though, unless they wanted to do a hard pivot. With folks like Loki and Solomon as her success stories, the Ogre was a little dubious of what would happen to someone that didn't make the cut. But after all the things they'd seen and experienced in Vegas, it seemed foolish not to at least consider the option. Occult knowledge was important, while they weren't exactly a scholar now, the only way they'd get there was with a real teacher.
Sipping at their beer, they nodded pensively and shot a quick glance at the others.
|
|
|
Post by Cinderella on May 4, 2021 18:31:24 GMT -8
"Sir Solomon's role in the Freehold is...complicated," Cinder continued. "Those outside the Court don't really trust or like him, and I'm not going to ignore that the newer recruits of Summer judge him."
She takes a sip of the beer, thinking, "He was given the moniker of the Knight of Scales, because he's the internal check to lance the wrath that cooks within our borders. As someone who works closely with the mundane side of American policing issues, I'm going to be upfront that it's an uneducated perspective to compare his position to it; despite the temptation. Honestly ignoring him, or avoiding the need for the role is why we have a need for it in the first place."
The Fairest kisses her teeth, Mantle flaring as she muses on the nuanced debate. "The Lost of Vegas benefit from unheard privilege among our kind. We just...live. We have all the time in the world to do with the lot we've been dealt. That means we delve into arcane secrets to better our power — and it is power. There is no such thing as altruism; there is pride in the actions we take to protect what we love. We take our gifts to better ourselves and the world we anchor ourselves in.
"And that creates conflict.
"When we have no war for several years on end, our united front starts to falter under the weight of our needs and opinions. I'd like to say it's because we're human, but we don't get to keep to their standards with the power we wield.
"So we create positions like the Magistrate of Nightmares and Hunter of Longest Day, where we appoint judges that have to measure our moral limits and violations. You might have noticed both of those Knight are isolated, because our society doesn't want to acknowledge the crimes we're capable of, because it's never going to be me or you...right?"
Cinderella's gold eyeshadow sparkles a bit as she nods, making her own conclusions as she articulates something she recognizes as a Necessary Evil, but unable to leave it as someone else's moral quandary to figure out for her. Silence was support. "I'd personally rather not leave singular entities to make those calls by themselves. If your connection with Summer is protecting the Freehold and making sure our people prosper without destroying each other, I would urge you to add your voice to that discussion rather than leave it to be someone else's burden."
|
|
|
Post by Kai Rose on May 5, 2021 12:08:37 GMT -8
It was a fair enough assessment of Solomon's position: a judge on high to mark the border between what was acceptable and what was not in a society where the price of crossing the line could be mass suffering or even death. The Knight of Scales was a prick, but when you got to the core of it, his role was absolutely essential.
Hubris had a price. Making the world good and safe required it to be paid.
"I think Solomon would be the first person who would say that he would love a world where his role was no longer needed. If only, right? But we've seen first hand what happens when Lost stop giving a shit about the consequences of their actions in the name of power. That price was paid in our blood, and the blood of innocents. Those who nearly lost their lives... and those who we will miss dearly."
A gentle hand gestured to the lot as she said it, and a sad smile crossed her face as she let a long moment pass to remember Apollo and all the rest.
"He isn't a nice man. Far from it, but I didn't swear the oath because I was looking for a friend. I swore the oath because when we do our job well, we make a real difference that can be counted in lives saved and misery averted. It's hard, but it's something to think about."
She looked to Linden at that. The Ogre knew. They'd done their duty, and prevented murder.
|
|
|
Post by Wayland on May 5, 2021 13:57:53 GMT -8
Wow. Cinderella’s really going in for the tough sell on Solomon. And it sounds like he needs it. But it’s good that she’s being honest. She’s not trying to sugar-coat anything, or hide how bad things can get, how tough the job can be. It’s reassuring. It makes Wayland think she can be equally honest.
“It sounds like Sir Solomon’s doing important work.” She pauses, thinking over what Cinder’s said. ‘-An uneducated perspective to compare his position to [police]-.’ That’s good because Wayland’s thoughts on law enforcement are clouded with anger and fear and mistrust. But Kai’s comments help drive home how necessary the duty of the Knight of Scales is. “I want him to be supported, I want him to have the resources, the people, he needs. But I have…” Her mind flashes to her childhood, her Da, the churches, the protests, her own crippling guilt, “Some bad personal history when it comes to… judging people.
“I don’t think I would be well-suited for that kind of work. I’d heard of Bloody Mary, and I’ve been kind of hoping to learn under her for a while. But I'm…” She licks her lips, eyes narrowing as she thinks how to phrase this, “I mean, you’ve got a point that somebody needs to have Solomon’s back.” And that somebody can be her, if it’s not going to be anyone else. However uncomfortable that idea might make her.
Another pensive expression crosses her face. Because really, she’s just imagining what working for Solomon would be like. Cinderella offered some metaphors, some allegories, some flowery language. But she didn’t really get specific about what he actually does. “Could you maybe elaborate on what working for him would actually be like? What would be expected from his vassals?”
|
|
Finn
.
Played by Swift
Posts: 139
|
Post by Finn on May 6, 2021 13:20:31 GMT -8
Finn listens and nods, sipping his water as he processes the information. Bloody Mary's knowledge seemed highly useful, but perhaps she was better for him as a contact, resource, and if he could swing it, occasional mentor, rather than the knight he would serve under. Solomon sounded far more up his alley. Not just because of his connections to the police, but the picture Cinder was painting was one he fit into nicely. His mind flashes back to the incident with Sweeney and Fawkes when she mentions internal conflicts.
Still, there were three knights he knew about, and he wasn't about to jump into an initial decision without hearing all options. "And the third? What about Sir Bastille?"
|
|
|
Post by Kai Rose on May 8, 2021 17:05:49 GMT -8
Kai shrugged at the inquiry about the vassal expectations. "It kind of depends on your skill set. Look at Lucky Jack, for example. He manages the mortal police, and makes sure they don't get caught up in Changeling nonsense and get hurt. Linden and I recently investigated an assassination attempt against Buck Chasseur. Oren and I are both sworn to him, and I don't think either of us regret the choice."
She put her hands in her pockets.
"I wouldn't swear to Solomon if you aren't down to work someone whose personality and office requires direct confrontation with other Freehold members on occasion. Like Cinder said. We work for a judge. He isn't always popular -- I think we can all think of a Lost or three who chafe at the idea that their whimsy might be checked. Still. We don't ever want to see another ghost apocalypse again."
|
|
Firebringer
.
Elemental Ifrit, Presence 3 (Intimidating)
Posts: 634
|
Post by Firebringer on May 9, 2021 10:47:14 GMT -8
Fire continues listening. She already knows Solomon isn't the one she wants to swear to. The Valentines day event was enough on that front, making her feel somewhat belittled. That, and calling her Danica in the way he did. Nope. Can't do it. She's glad for Kai that it is a good fit for her.
Kai's words make her almost chuckle though. Some people who are worried about their whimsey being checked? Why does that remind her of Rowan for a bit? Then there is a slight bitterness in her mouth from that. She'll get over it eventually. It's better this way. She just needs to spend more time with others, build more friendships, right? Or maybe she just needs to figure out how to vibe with herself. She doesn't know yet.
And then Finn asks about Bastille, which makes her ears perk up. Yes, that's the one. She could be wrong about fit, but she wants to become a Hedge Warden one day. She wants to know the Hedge, know how to survive there, thrive there, work with and against the Hobs, make sure the Freehold is safe on that end. The desert made her cling onto that. She doesn't really know what has been holding her back...
|
|
|
Post by Cinderella on May 11, 2021 22:14:09 GMT -8
"Yes, then there's Sir Bastille. He's the youngest of the Knights, like, late thirties I think. He's the Knight of Borders because he maintains tabs on the traffic between the planes of reality. He also keeps a general registry of the Freehold's Bargains, which isn't the most private idea, but he's quite experienced with botched duties to mortal protections. He also maintains magic-free blackout areas like the Strip. He also deals with registration for combative items on the mundane side of things."She shrugs, not offering elaboration on how he found out about the ones Changelings didn't come forward with. "His position is largely bureaucratic, with investigations with the Token trade, Icon smuggling, and management of denizen threat levels. Um, like having to bargain with dangerous Hobgoblins. You have to have a sharp head on your shoulders and a diplomatic backbone, and know what kind of sacrifices need to be made to balance the scales."A lot of Ogres signed up, and just as many were rejected: Bastille had no time for reckless martyrs or those easily blinded by emotion, and manipulated by subterfuge.
|
|
|
Post by Kai Rose on May 12, 2021 19:35:44 GMT -8
Kai remained silent about Bastille. His role mattered, but she wasn't in the business of border patrol. Checking the Whimsy on this side was more than enough for her.
|
|
|
Post by Wayland on May 14, 2021 13:18:46 GMT -8
Yeah, it's pretty easy for Wayland to ran the knights in order of preference here. Bloody Mary first, Bastille second, and Solomon if she absolutely has to. Thankfully, that last one shouldn't be a problem, since Kai and Oren are already sworn to the Knight of Scales. That's a relief. She imagines that vassalage to Solomon would've been hard on her. But she'd have done it if she felt obligated. She's wired that way.
She watches the rest of the room, keeping her thoughts to herself for now, so as not to interrupt anyone who might want to ask about Bastille.
|
|
Linden
.
Presence (3) Steady
Posts: 325
|
Post by Linden on May 17, 2021 12:26:25 GMT -8
Tapping their fingers against their glass, Linden did some mental math. They were mostly sold on Bastille, aside from the word 'bureaucratic' and the suggestion that anyone who worked for him had to have a sharp mind. A hard head, the Ogre could do; and they did have experience bargaining with hobs now, though they truly hoped bargains of that scale would be few and far between. It was at least worth a shot.
The other option that appealed was Bloody Mary, though they had more doubts on whether or not she would even take them on. Being called into the investigation with Kai had been great, but let the smarter, more sociable folks do that work- they'd been out of their depth, and felt more like a brick in someone's purse than anything else.
"I'm most interested in Sir Bastille, myself," they offered, looking to the others. "Is there a specific way we're supposed to approach folks about vassalage?"
|
|
Finn
.
Played by Swift
Posts: 139
|
Post by Finn on May 19, 2021 0:18:33 GMT -8
Finn is quiet for a moment, considering. As much as he hemmed and hawed, however, the answer seemed clear. He was surprised to find out it wasn't the answer he expected, coming in to the meeting. "I'd like to be where there is the greatest need. I'm not sure who that is. But, for my skills and my..." he hesitates, waving a hand in the air around his head, "...headspace... I believe I'm best suited to work under Sir Solomon."
|
|
|
Post by Kai Rose on May 19, 2021 18:05:40 GMT -8
The youngster she had brought along with her had been quiet so far. Looking to Aello, Kai asked, "Hey, if you've got any questions about Summer, you're more than welcome to ask. We're all more than happy to answer. Everyone here is super nice. Y'all, this is Aello. She's part of the Dawncatcher Motley. They're a good group to know. Very knowledgeable, and friendly." She gestured to Cinder as an example.
Helping people integrate into groups was about showing the common lines that connected them.
"Aello, have you met everyone? I'm happy to make introductions."
|
|
|
Post by Aello on May 21, 2021 14:04:52 GMT -8
The harpy coloured a bit as attention was cast on her, giving a small wave to the gathered.
"Can everyone explain why they're in Summer, specifically?" she rested her chin in her hand, "Like, I get the general idea is everyone is a solider against the Keepers, but obviously, that's not a thing in this city. So...I want to know what's the point besides being angry and hitting hard. 'I want to protect people' is sort of everyone's job? As far as I'm concerned, you can be like that in any Court, besides access to the special Contracts when you're the angriest."
|
|