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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2021 15:53:26 GMT -8
Summer had come in heavy, and much like the heat of the season it was irritating.
The event itself? May as well have been a disaster on par with that of Beltane, with Riley not being able to control themselves and losing their mind on their ex - even if there had been ill intent in the air...The main events hadn’t done much to bring ease as simple sentences brought out issues that the Chatelain had no interest or desire in pursuing. The one thing that was affirmed though was that summer had no time to make things better, just to try and beat the problem down. Afterall, might made right, didn’t it?
With nobody and nowhere to turn to there were only the fleetings memories of the past to find comfort in. Sometimes nostalgia wasn’t classy but had wing wednesdays. Slipping into a haunt of days long since past, the Chatelaine had found a table at the OYO hotel and casino’s signature Hooters restaurant. With the NBA draft and the Finals having just ended that was what the highlight reels centered on.
The tired Archie, casually watched the game he had already seen while he twirled a mozzarella stick in marinara with half empty Corona beside him. He even dressed semi-casual to fit in with jeans but shouldn’t leave the safety of a blazer. He left his phone face down on the table beside him, his watch doing a fine job of helping him parse messages and notifications he had little interest in dealing with.
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Post by Rudolph Chugunkin on Aug 11, 2021 9:54:18 GMT -8
Like most of the older Freeholders, the mobster would have shown heavier lines if the Wyrd hadn't slowed and extended his life. As his wingtips painted the tacky establishment gold, Rudolph had an entertaining exchange with one of his associate's kids. A few questions about summer and courses, it ended with her red faced and crying with laughter as she snapped her father with the Wizened's offer to help her family with tuition. No one got anywhere without a boost these days, and the manager would probably be nicer for witnessing the association.
The Knight's sharp teeth poked from the edges of his smile as he hovered over Hartman. "Time's wasting. I took it upon myself to take the reigns of fate and would you look at that, everyone's off and Fawkes is up at the same time." He hated surprises, but that didn't mean others would never be subjected to them. "Ricochet's here in fifteen. Catch Riley getting off work and everyone should be on time."
He figured Archie would prefer to arrange the transport for his motleymate over a sudden Uber.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2021 14:06:12 GMT -8
There was a sense of confusion, and wide eyed bewilderment about what was going on. An escape from reality inside a shitty Hooters was now turning into everything but as the Knight he had sworn two was now not only here but giving marching orders. His phone was pulled off the table and his fingers were firing off messages in quick succession, getting a guy he knew who could make the lights to hit up Riley for a lift, and letting the Moth themself know that they were doing the thing Chugunkin had talked about and it was at a Hooters.
"Sir, okay, I mean isn't this a little off the cuff?"
He was two drinks in and half dissociated as he was still trying to rapidly come to terms with the situation.
"Is there an angle here I should know about? Isn't the venue a little...Eclectic?"
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Riley Sorsa
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Aug 13, 2021 17:53:07 GMT -8
Riley could hardly make sense of what Archie was saying was happening. Getting out of their rehearsal, they stepped down into the fit provided for them. They didn't have any time to change, instead of left to a black tank top and athletic leggings.
Hooters?
Should I even be here given my...situation?
The Bright one had doubts on how this would resolve itself. Chuggunkin and Archie could handle this, right? Riley would just make everyone uncomfortable, let alone none of them would even believe them, honest or not.
The Moth chewed on their lower lip as if trying to chew the problem. Then, stepping out of the ride, they entered the hooters and blinked.
They had not been in hooters for a long time.
Seeing their Knight and Archie at a table was perhaps one of the most surreal experiences this year. And they were a faerie.
"Uh.. Sorry traffic," Riley said as they approached.
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Post by Krakenbox on Aug 13, 2021 22:42:46 GMT -8
Rolling smoke and the smell of iron and gasoline spill through the entryway as the Ricochet motley arrive. While Eurydice takes in the venue with open bewilderment, her attention lands on Chugunkin and her laugh is as sharp and fanged as his. She greets him with accented Russian with a handshake and shoulder pat, attention flicking to After Party as the Elementals looked distracted for different reasons. Sweeney was in a dusty black T-shirt and slicked back hair and a tied bandana to keep it out of his face, clearly taken by surprise with the streaks of oil still stuck around the edge of his nose and cheek. He happily chattered with whatever waitresses approached like a cat with a laser pointer, though the point of attention seemed to be purely social over the appeal of the franchise. Despite the flakey demeanor, his hand was quick to catch his friend's subtle stumble. Neither Riley or Archie had seen the serene-looking mannequin in a while, and it there was a moment of jarring alarm with the painted scowl clear on his face as cobalt eyes clicked from the Arrayer to Eurydice. They were unsure if the latticework of cracks across his mien were part of his injuries, which were still very readily apparent from the glaze of painkillers and reluctant movement. Rather than dark circles under his eyes, the area seemed red and irritated from grinding sand. He wore a jacket even in the heat, parting with the cigarette like it was a lifeline and the level of animation to his expression as he muttered to Sweeney was almost alien to see. It was also in that moment, as Fawkes finally brought his attention on the others, that neither had experienced the pressure and tension of his Mantle swirling with Eurydice's. It alleviated as he immediately broke eye contact, almost sulking as the quiet request for his phone was denied. Any raised eyebrows from the rude gesture had the subtle explanation that the Sunbanisher was on forced leave. The Knight of Coin sat at the head of the table as the others were across, waiting for the round to arrive and forcing some small talk and the inevitable condolences about Linden. They weren't going to be total assholes and ignore the fact that the Ogre was absent. Once drinks were in hand, Chugunkin leaned back. "Okay. After Party, you start with the shit you're upset about. Then we'll listen to the shit they're upset about."
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2021 23:26:27 GMT -8
The small talk was cold, and uneventful as Chugunkin maintained a cordial enough situation. Words were taken for what they were from the trio, of little value. It was perhaps the fog of remembering everything all at once, and trying organize the thoughts that really marred any ability to understand where people were standing. The sudden nature of the meeting and the location itself had thrown the Chatelaine off his game as much as anyone here so there was no advantage. Along with eyes normally sharp enough to read a room, maybe the intense memories were erasing a regular sense of decorum.
"Upset, yea, right - I think it can all come down to this incsecient sense of entitlement that makes the three of you think that you need to keep our names in your mouth. Because last I checked any problems you had? You got your fucking pound of flesh already. But again, and again, again, the same three people are at the center of my problems."
He made a motion to the whole of ricochet.
"So I am upset that every time I have to drag myself to anything with our people, I have to worry whatever insecurity or petty drama you three want to cling too will rear its ugly head. I would love to hear what outstanding self righteous reasoning you have come up with, and hopefully its better than jealousy over some Winter Twink."
The Chatelaine was civil but agitated about it, maintaining a degree of animation behind his jovial frustration. He laid out where he drew the lines of debts owed and debts paid could be drawn if they were not extreme measures, and asked for answer to the continued antagonism, even crudely broaching the idea that Eurydice may be petty enough worry about Riley taking her boytoy away.
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Riley Sorsa
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Aug 14, 2021 7:10:38 GMT -8
Riley sat at the table, glancing between Chugunkin, Archie, and Ricochet. This felt like a fever dream that Riley was gonna wake up from passing out at work. But, no amount of pinching would wake them from this.
The Moth took in a breath and provided soft pleasantries as everyone sat down. They usually would do more, try to put on the charm, use their talents. But they were gunshy, since the oathbreaker, any word could be taken the wrong way, twisted into something it wasn't. So it was better not to try.
Instead, Riley focused on Ricochet, watching their reactions and read on the moment. They had been willing to come, hell even Fawkes had shown up, after being put out of commission.
Lucas had revealed what Zhi had been trying to do since Eurydice jumped ship to summer. Given Chugunkin and Eurydice's past, Riley couldn't help but wonder the implications of all of this. had Ricochet been willing to show today in hopes to get Chugunkin off their asses? The wisps mind danced across the political landscape, trying to piece together what was at stake here beyond, two Motleys making peace.
Riley shot Archie a sideways glance as he brought up Lucas. The Chatelaine had made his distaste for Riley Ex well known. Bringing him into this gave the Moth a painful reminder of Litha.
The Moth picked up their drink and took a sip from the straw before noticing a long pause of silence. Then, blinking, Riley glances up, seeing Archie, Chug, and Ricochet's attention had moved to them.
Oh, I am supposed to say something?
The Moth almost choked with a slight cough. What more did they have to add?
"Sorry," they hoarsely whisper. "Arch covered it mostly."
The setting, the oathbreaking, it all took the fire from the Moth. They could complain about Eurydice getting involved and starting shit at Litha, but at this point, it felt petty and like a child whining.
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Post by Krakenbox on Aug 14, 2021 10:33:44 GMT -8
A quick snapshot told the moth that Eurydice wasn't happy to be there, but likely following some Fairest obligation they had seen with Archie and Lucas about taking point in advocacy. She was looking to remove stressors and that motivated her to comply, at least. Chugunkin was the furthest thing from an encouraging mediator for Ricochet, often leaning on the former Sage to tow the line in Spring's economy while she chose to go it alone in Naked City on neutral territory. A lot of Verdant courtiers saw Eurydice as an encouraging symbol of freedom which made the Knight's model difficult. A feud with his vassalage only added to tensions.
Now that Fawkes was sitting, he was having a hard time keeping up. Resting his head against Sweeney's shoulder, the Onyx courtier finally reassured the other he would help him eat the damn wings if he got some. As the Sunbanisher clocked Linden wasn't just absent, there was a flash of light that threaded through his mien as he looked at his motley in disbelief, confusion, and frustration just as Sweeney's eyes widened in realization. Before Archie even had a chance to open his mouth, the Elemental moved to leave, meeting Chugunkin's disapproval with a flat glare before Eurydice jumped from her spot on the end to come around and hiss in his ear. She looked just as flustered and surprisingly apologetic, despite the crack of anger that creeped into her tone.
With the lack of hidden emotion, Riley was able to piece together some basic context: Fawkes had been taken down by a twisted abomination in the mad rush to the group's aid. It appeared his motleymates had opted to leave out the news while he was recovering, and had failed to mitigate the shock of an update in the rush. The Sunbanisher's expression sealed up to the familiar neutrality as he drank from the glass of water. Eurydice tucked a lock of hair behind her ear as she let out a breath, settling back in her seat. Her jaw dropped as Hartman laid out his feelings, shooting daggers at Riley and Chugunkin while the Knight half-lifted his hand to prevent interruption.
Sweeney silently put a finger to his chest, blinking as he was marked as the center of their problems. Fawkes' teeth clicked against the edge of the glass as he kept his gaze on the wooden grain of the soft and tacky varnish of the table.
"Stay on target. Can we not imply. Sexist bullshit with my motleymate causing problems over a boy."
"Fawkes!" Sweeney and Eurydice snapped in unison.
Chugunkin kept a neutral presence that could rival the Winter Court.
"I don't think we're at a place for jokes yet," he said smoothly. "So, After Party thinks you're going to keep kicking them, and need to know you're going to let your shit go so they can go back to being happy Emeralds. What is the problem?"
The Draconic's eyelashes fluttered in disbelief.
"Why did you fry Sweeney's sense of reality and try to get him to fuck with his own motleymate? You could have busted a Pledge!" Her attention snaps to Riley, fury tempted, but follows her own advice. "Don't even get me started on the Ver-" she bit her tongue as Sweeney gently nudged her.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2021 12:07:18 GMT -8
There was a lot to take in. Eyes carefully following what he could. Anticipation and anxiousness was still a fog that hung over the whole situation with his own agitations hiding some of the smaller details. He was most keenly fixated on the words that were being spoking, be it dismissals, admonishments, and then questions.
Looking at Eurydice, Archie gave her a perplexed look, and then looked down at his wrist, tapping the Apple watch on his wrist before raising it to his ear while he looked off into space for a moment, giving a show in the spotlight of his mantle.
“Oh, sorry, this thing must be broken because last I checked, the time for questions was thrown out a long time ago. That was settled.”
He raised his hand to point out the scar tissue left by one of Fawkes’ shots.
“If you want to re-open that page I am happy to entertain it, but it's going to come at a cost so what do you feel like paying? I could always return the original concession, but I’ll warn you my hand’s a little shaky these days.”
In the months since Archie had both been lost in the chaos of the Freehold and taken efforts to reground himself. A common consensus that being shot twice was a traumatic experience for a regular person and having feelings about it was normal and appropriate. Things Archie never thought he would have to pay to hear a therapist say, right?
“So, clearly, you have something else right? Because it has been insistent.”
There was a refusal to let his experience be trivialized talking about it now. There had been a window but he wasn’t going to just give them that without getting something from them.
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Post by Sweeney on Aug 14, 2021 12:50:45 GMT -8
Sweeney's attention lazily drifted to Eurydice, wiping his nose with a loud sniff. The Draconic's nails clicked as fingers flexed against the table, eyes shining as her Mantle flared and After Party felt like she was about to pounce across the table.
It was gone as quick as it came, Eurydice looking at the ceiling as she let out a breath and giving a sharp tick of the head. "Un-fucking-believable..."
"If it helps," Sweeney piped, black teeth flashing with an offered smile, "I think Riley and Archie have helped more than enough, securing Bastille's negotiations with the King Machina. Saved me a trip where I could focus on the local probs."
There was a beat.
"I don't think Fawkes' gonna apologize about that, though. From what I gather, a misunderstanding spooked him a bit, and when I told you folks to slow roll it. I didn't expect a handshake meant in understanding to umm..." The Elemental shrunk a bit, brow pinching as he mulled the emotion. "It was really weird to suddenly be desperate to give you everything you asked for, man. I didn't want nobody to get hurt, and I had my heart telling me I was doing wrong in the worst way, but then I knew like- logically me runnin' my mouth involved all of you nice people in some serious shit and that was bad- but not doing what you wanted was bad- but meddling with my motleymates' Pledges was bad-" he rubbed his temple, frown deepening.
"So that spins up my motleymate, who already thought your team was threatening with him, and he lets his anger get the better of him, and he tells everyone we're going. No big. And then that Darkling pops his claws when I know there's multiple courts wanting this crap buried. I wasn't doing so hot with reality tilting like that. Was he a Ghul? Shit, man."
The coins behind Chugunkin's eyes shined as he gave After Party a levelled stare.
"I get it now, though, that you're weren't a group of gunslinging cowboys that needed some intimidation thrown back for a hard taste of who you were fucking around with. Are we ready to let that go?" His tone remained jovial, moreso than Archie's, and quietly squeezed Eurydice's hand as her jaw clenched on the topic of Spring tenants.
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Riley Sorsa
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Aug 14, 2021 14:54:58 GMT -8
The wisp watched the strange swirl of emotions and people, confined by the absurdity of their location, play out like a bizarre dream. As it began to dawn on Riley of Fawkes' situation and his realization of what happened, they were struck by a drowning sensation of pity. They watched him for a moment, in his weak state and his desperation to leave, brought to heel by his friends.
Why are you here, and not Linden?
It was a selfish thought, and one Riley almost wanted to demand an answer for. Why did he get to be here? Why did he get to live? The Moth’s hand drummed the table idly as the wave of emotions plagued their mind. That's when Eurydice looked ready to leap over the table.
Snapping back to reality the Twilight Dancers eyes landed on Eurydice for a moment taking in the dragon as she tried to calm herself. Riley had not missed the mention of the verdant creed which Sweeny quickly quieted. Eurydice felt like a time bomb about to explode on the table, and Archie was just playing with the trigger.
Hearing sweeny lay out why what happened was now in the past caught Riley a bit off guard. They didn't know him well or at all. Only by face and name recognition, the two hand not really crossed paths before today.On how he laid it out. The message was mixed with his delivery and the Darklings discomfort came forth as a sudden stifle laugh.
Ghoul. Shit that’s good.
“Sorry, shit. Ghoul, that's almost perfect.” `They cover their mouth and shake off the laughter. Between the underhanded jab and the realization of why they had been on the Goblin market expedition, The moth knew Sweeny could take care of himself, it seemed Eurydice however needed a piece of the action still.
They take a moment wondering if a little humor would only add to tensions, but with eyes on them there wasn't time to dissect the ins and outs. If tensions kept rising, this peace talk could easily backfire.
“And if I recall correctly it wasn't much of a cowboy squad. The closest we have to a cowboy is me, and and that's only when it comes to the mechanical bull. ” They say flashing a smile that was a mix of saucy and proud.
Even with the wyrd working against them, Riley had some charm. The laugh, mixed with self aware humor was aimed to ease the tensions on the table on both sides. Riley glanced at Archie for a moment to see if he was going to explain his side of it or not. After all, Eurydice had asked for a reason for his actions.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2021 20:28:42 GMT -8
Archie made sure his body language showed his attentiveness, as he clasped his hands in front of him and put his forearms on the table and leaned on them, letting the Summer Elemental have their floor until they were done. If anything, while the frustration walked a knife's edge he would still give a basic sense of decorum. Even if it seemed like repetition was the course to take.
He let Riley's tone cut the tension. The jokey tone was a slap back down to the bitter reality of what was. This was a stopgap moment, nothing more. A moment to jump ship. That was the wise move anyway.
"So Sweeney, I appreciate the elaboration."
His hands opened before becoming clasped again.
"Are you three ready to let that go? If so then let's swear a good neighbors and everyone can just walk away."
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2021 23:00:22 GMT -8
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Post by Eurydice on Aug 15, 2021 0:03:28 GMT -8
Sweeney offered Riley a thin smile, while Fawkes exhaled a quiet chuckle, actually raising an eyebrow at Archie's proposal as he rubbed his eye in a gesture of stress.
"That's not-"
"Seriously?" Eurydice almost moaned, her frustration finally cracking through any sheen of superior position. Rather, she sounded like she was holding back tears. "You think this is about us feeling stronger than you? Archie—we can kill you in a heartbeat—no Fawkes that WASN'T a threat! Don't look at me like that!" she snapped, holding up a finger with the full fury of her Kith as the mannequin appeared to be just resting his hand on his chin.
"You DON'T deserve any fucking apology when you violate the agency of my m—"
She cut herself off as the Onyx courtier squeezed her arm, now that she was leaning across the table and gesturing, rapidly gathering attention from the mundane staff as her voice cracked and Mantle rolled in waves. Her eyes were wet as she coughed, "—My little brother! And you sit there, thinking I'm looking for a promise that you won't be rude? RUDE? I'm so fucking sick of men thinking this is about dick measuring. I'm sick of YOU-" her finger jabbed at the Knight of Coin, "-thinking you can drag us here to listen to him care more about his reputation than the trust he has violated in his community! This is your reputation Hartman! Why do you think everyone stood there and gawked as Loki broke his foot off in your face!? You think we're sadists!?"
Sweeney, completely unfazed by the volume and emotion, smiled politely at the blanched waitress who held the order of wings and smartly hovered on the periphery, holding up a hand and mouthing 'five minutes'. Fawkes covered his eyes with his hand, as still as the ice.
"I'm sorry I shot you."
"AND I was ready to LET. IT. GO. Because my family thinks I'm too much! God help us if a woman has any Goddamn passion for honour in this cesspit of a community! I just wanted some piece of mind that you weren't going to do it again, and 'oh no, Monique, he made a mistake, he learned his lesson~'" she crooned, before snapping her fingers, "And no! I hear this nonsense that now he has this vendetta against the world because we have to deal with yet another rich Gringo who was never taught how to manage feeling powerless. We all have to hold his hand and teach him basic empathy because feelings are hard! And then my commanding officer WATCHES YOU DO IT AGAIN AT YOUR OWN PARTY! To MITCH! Mitchell! Who feels the need to control Mitchell? Where you had ALL of the power! What do you want, Archie? What do all of us need to do, to make sure your ego is satisfied, so we can actually believe celebrating with you doesn't come with a waiver?"
The Blightbent blinked as the Draconic's fist hit the table.
"...Service is real nice. We should tip well."
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Riley Sorsa
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Aug 15, 2021 7:28:11 GMT -8
Riley leaned back silently and listened as Eurydice let her anger and frustration out upon the table. The Moth shuffled slightly uncomfortably; before their attention drifted to Archie than back to Eurydice. Riley watches as it unfolds.
They wish this had been the answer before, instead of a fist from Loki. But, unfortunately, the violence of Beltane had done the opposite of what Eurydice had hopped; it had put Archie in aggressive defense, it had put After-party there. Since then, It had been anger, distrust, and discontent.
Riley could understand where Eurydice was coming from; those feelings were raw, honest. Ones the Bright One had shared many times before, the frustration in the power dynamics was real and powerful, the need to protect ones own. Riley's eyes tracked to Archie and watched his reaction for a moment.
This is what he told Riley once that he wanted. For someone to show him the respect to speak to him, instead of just throw a fist. This was an opportunity. The wisp was hesitant to talk, either to Richochet or Archie even. The Wyrd loomed over them, threatening to twist their efforts for the worse. This wasn't a moment for vengeance; it was a moment for growth.
The Moth reaches out their lithe hand, delicately placing it on Archie's forearm. Looking at him, aiming to give him eye contact if he would receive it.
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