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Post by Krakenbox on Sept 7, 2021 15:33:05 GMT -8
It didn't take much snooping for Riley to realize Worm was in Family Law. One of the Lost being an arbiter of custody challenges felt like it walked the line of asking for disaster, or probably one of the most committed lawyers you would ever meet. It was also one of those rare cases where the office space wasn't bathed in Spring contributions, located in the heart of Paradise with warm palettes and lots of varnished wood. The secretary didn't ask more questions than a simple confirmation of their appointment, offering coffee or tea to wait in a lounge where a child busied himself with a city-print carpet and a racecar while the father glanced briefly from his phone to offer them a slight smile. Riley wasn't waiting long before the Autumn greeted them in a gentle English accent.  His Mask was sealed, which was probably for the best given the presence of littles. The Brightone had seen or maybe even spoken to Worm at the occasional Freehold gathering, and the tarnished mask quality to his shrunken, childlike statue might have been a little alarming. His voice warbled less as well, sounding more confident and professional without the Autumn Mantle influencing his presentation. In fact, he was so professional and welcoming, that it was easy for the Oathbreaker to almost miss the little things: the lack of a handshake or skin to skin contact, enough social distance to step back and away if required, and no personal offers of sympathy to their situation beyond a platitude. General introductions done and settled in to a private space, the comparison to how Archie did business was almost a foil. The leather chairs were almost adjacent to one another with a small end table to separate rather than a large desk. There was a lack of technology and all Worm seemed interested in signaling he was professional was a few tucked legal books that he didn't want to run to the office library for. The fireplace was electronic, erring to Vegas' unforgiving temperatures but keeping to an aesthetic the lawyer preferred for his own space. He poured a small personal teal pot from DavidsTea. Rather than pulling out a laptop, he simply had a nice-looking notepad. "Now that that's out of the way, lets discuss your current predicament. How can I help you, dear?" |
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Riley Sorsa
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Presence (3) Captivating | SL(1) Stylish Mantle (2)Spring | Status(1) Entertainment
Posts: 913
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Sept 7, 2021 15:57:53 GMT -8
The moth had sealed their own mask; it was common practice these days when out in public until they got all this sorted.
Their eyes scan the office for a moment before falling back to Worm. Taking in the strange man in. He was professional, and Riley appreciated that, even if some of his actions spoke silently about Riley's current predicament. They were used to it at this point.
The term, dear, Rubbed them the wrong way and gave them a moment's pause before answering.
" I'd like to get a sense of the next steps to fix this...Thang." The darling gesture to themselves with a sigh.
"Lucas...has set a term for fixin' the oath I broke, and I wanted to understand, what that means, and if it even applies."
Riley takes a seat before pressing the bridge of their nose.
"Sorry, I might be jumpin' ahead. How much do you need to know?"
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Post by Krakenbox on Sept 7, 2021 16:23:37 GMT -8
"What did you promise to him, and how was it broken. Lets start with that," Worm prompted, either not noticing the discomfort or choosing to not bring attention to it.
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Riley Sorsa
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Presence (3) Captivating | SL(1) Stylish Mantle (2)Spring | Status(1) Entertainment
Posts: 913
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Sept 7, 2021 17:11:12 GMT -8
The darkling nods taking a breath but seems hesitant to speak. They broke this oath before, talking about it gave them hesitation. What if the wyrd would punish them again. They give a nervous laugh at the thought.
"It wont get me in trouble will it?" Unless Worm gave them a reason to doubt telling the story they would tell their story.
"I made a promise to Lucas, to get him into a club, and setup a meetin' with someone I will remain unnamed. I wasn't suppose to speak of his involvement with this to anyone or of the meetin'. Lucas however went on to setup and achieve the meetin' with out my aid. After the events of Beltane, he wanted me to meet his contact, in hopes to settle the situation"
Riley shuffled uncomfortable. "When I had a meetin' with my Knight, Sir Chugnunkin, he asked what I had hoped to do to fix the situation. Dutifully I made the mistake of informin' him of the meetin' Lucas wished to setup. Which I had not realized kept the same agreements as the meetin' first agree upon us. My oath broke. Recently Lucas has said to make amends I must ' make an honest effort to change whatever drives my vengeful tendencies and find a healthier cooping mechanism or some such"
Riley hands tensed and they tooka breath. They felt trapped.
"Am I bound by Lucuas sense of morality in this? How do I fulfill that? Whats an honest attempt?"
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Post by Krakenbox on Sept 7, 2021 17:50:20 GMT -8
Worm listened tentatively, making notes with a trained, neutral expression as he focused on what he was writing.
"First, to understand the nature of the Pledge, I would ask what Lucas was promising you in exchange for your efforts? The initial agreement. We shall break it down, piece by piece," he explained, allowing a soft smile.
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Riley Sorsa
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Presence (3) Captivating | SL(1) Stylish Mantle (2)Spring | Status(1) Entertainment
Posts: 913
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Sept 7, 2021 18:05:29 GMT -8
"In return, I asked for him to do research. I wanted to know about an object I had seen."
They fidget.
"It was that which broke my second oath. The object was something I had seen at Imbolc. I did not inform him where or how I had seen this object.
I assume when he went asking about it, it broke my word. It's what I get for thinking I was clever."
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Post by Krakenbox on Sept 7, 2021 18:32:54 GMT -8
Worm actually looked sympathetic.
This was what happened when people weren't professionals.
"Seems quite straight forward, actually... Has he completed the research you've requested? And, secondly, how was your end of the bargain adjusted when he did not release you from the task?"
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Riley Sorsa
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Presence (3) Captivating | SL(1) Stylish Mantle (2)Spring | Status(1) Entertainment
Posts: 913
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Sept 7, 2021 18:46:47 GMT -8
"It hadn't? At least not explicitly. Which is what caught me up. When he didnt need me for the oath, he suggested I meet his contact in hopes it would handle my problem, a peace talk of such. I think he was worried i would start more shit instead of fixing thangs. I didn't expect it to do much, and agreed to the meetin'. I didn't realize it had replaced the original meetin' and held the same secrecy as before. I should of guessed given the Oath didn't fulfill. As for his side? Yeah he did the askin'"
It was clear that the sudden confusion around how the oath had changed sat wrong with the Moth, and how it had transpired.
"He asked around. Which is what broke my oath for imbolc. Which fuffiled what I asked, I only asked for an attempt, results weren't needed. " Riley frowned. " didnt want to lock him into any thing unfair " they chuckle.
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Post by Krakenbox on Sept 7, 2021 18:57:15 GMT -8
"So the root of the violation is simply a disrespect of secrecy. Do you understand the danger you have placed him in, or the need for silence for his involvement the first place?" His head tilted, "I am not sure where you changing 'what drives your vengeful tendencies' comes into making amends. Does he believe you broke your silence out of vengeance?"
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Riley Sorsa
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Presence (3) Captivating | SL(1) Stylish Mantle (2)Spring | Status(1) Entertainment
Posts: 913
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Sept 7, 2021 19:01:44 GMT -8
"Possibly? We didnt have a good history, ex's...I handled the breakup with some petty shit" Riley admits with a shrug. "He may have thought I tried to fuck him over. Never gave me a chance to explain otherwise honestly."
"I understood the original meeting was around sensitive political issues. Which I never disclosed to anyone, still haven't. But the wyrd seems not to care about those details. So...if its breech of secrecy. where does that put me?"
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Post by Krakenbox on Sept 7, 2021 19:36:36 GMT -8
"There seems to be a misunderstanding of how Oaths work and how one is to feel. I assume the other party is not strong in the Wyrd himself?"
He paused, waiting for clarification.
"As far as the Wyrd would be concerned, you entered a trade of labour, with an added clause that Lucas' need to meet with an individual be kept secret.
I am to assume the duration was until these tasks were completed. If you did not state as much, we shall rectify that."
Hartman had paid several fees in advance.
"He completed the task set out for you without your intervention. This would mean, normally, he would no longer need to do research on your behalf as you agree the contract between both of you is nullified."
The Autumn cleared his throat, taking a drink of tea. "But, rather, you still wished for the research to be done, and thus Lucas then required you to go to a meeting and make amends with this third party. The clause of secrecy was not adjusted, which seems silly on a logical level, but the clause would still remain 'Lucas' [initial] attempts to meet with the third party will remain secret.' I see now, where you would have lapsed."
He checked his notes, "And at some point, thinking you had moved on, violated that remaining clause. Lucas has now required you to stop acting vengeful. These two demands do not coalesce on paper, so sorting out his feelings would help. For the Wyrd to forgive, you would need to respect the demands of the initial terms, which was to understand his need to remain politically protected. You would need to balance the scales, so to speak, by 'taking the fall' as it were, and protect Lucas from a scandal by taking on the blame."
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Riley Sorsa
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Presence (3) Captivating | SL(1) Stylish Mantle (2)Spring | Status(1) Entertainment
Posts: 913
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Sept 7, 2021 19:59:20 GMT -8
Riley Leaned into their hands as they listened.
They should have, during the second conversation, pushed for this oath to be done. They hadn't even asked for Lucas to continue his side of the bargain when their own had been settled by Lucas. Assumptions.
Never make assumptions again.
Riley nods, listening to Worm, and frowned as the information continued to come. The Moth let out a dry, dismal chuckle.
"If I didn't know better, this would seem intentional. " They growl to themself
"Of course, I suffer a scandal and then need to take another for him."
They lean back with a soft sigh. They look weary.
"Ah'rite than...well that might take a while. Might as well make me the offical scandal of the freehold right?"
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Post by Krakenbox on Sept 8, 2021 18:13:09 GMT -8
Worm blinked, "We've seen worse," he chuckled, "but you haven't been around that long, have you? We've got kingslayers and warlocks for sovereigns, gangsters for knights, and burnout murderers for our most trusted officers. You deserve the same peace for a human mistake, like everyone else."
His tone was that of one resigned to seeing a hundred falls before Riley, rather than dismissing their current feelings on the matter. "If you want a referral to a therapist for the whole ordeal, I have recommendations. It doesn't weigh well on our minds when we're ostracized by an insular community of trauma victims."
A smile was offered as the Autumn Pledgesmith sat back, "I shall reach out to Lucas, of course. The goal is to understand his version of the Pledge and see where the mind of a mortal is muddling the will of the Wyrd. Hopefully, both of you will walk away satisfied with the results..." Oathbreaking was a complicated business, as humanity tended to be more emotionally layered than the rigid chaos of the Fae. "But either way, the end proceedings is for you to be free of this albatross. If something new is discovered to the broken clause, I will keep you informed with any and all updates."
Worm took a longer sip of the tea, "And now for the breaking of the Winter Rite. You revealed a moment between participants at Imbolc without consent from the other party?
"Who was involved?"
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Riley Sorsa
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Presence (3) Captivating | SL(1) Stylish Mantle (2)Spring | Status(1) Entertainment
Posts: 913
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Sept 9, 2021 17:36:15 GMT -8
The Twilight dancer lingers on the thoughts provided by Worm. They hadn't taken the time to consider sovereigns or others and how they had found a place. Riley had been so caught up feeling like their world was falling apart, the idea of it being fixed ever felt impossible.
Their shoulders relax at the thought, and they nod slightly.
"I guess your right; funny to think about that. Therapist? I had one for a while, not since all this happened, hard to talk to a mortal about it, right?"
They laughed but understood what Worm had ment.
"You might be right for me to look into that again. But, be careful when you reach out to Lucas...he's touchy about this."
Riley, for a moment, wanted to complain how he had waved it around as a social mace back at the summer event but knew better.
Don't be spiteful; he has enough shit.
The topic then moved to the Rites of Imbolc, and Riley stiffened up. They glance at the door then back to Worm, eyeing him for a moment. A cold sensation runs down their spine as they remember the void and the suffering shared by Golden.
"I didn't try to reveal it. I am not an occultist, and what i saw had me worried; I wanted to understand;. Not that it matters."
The events of the revenant crisis and at the boarding house at Solstice had put the moth on edge. The dead and ghosts lingered in their minds like rot. The events of Imbolc with Golden had set their mind on high alert.
Riley wanted to explain; no one had ever asked why. No one cared why. Why had never mattered, not before the keepers, not now.
"I still haven't said who was involved...to any one." They look to the floor of the office. Would it make it worse?
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Post by Krakenbox on Sept 9, 2021 18:05:46 GMT -8
"You must have in some way, for the Rite to break. That's the whole function of it, literally," the Pledgemsith said, before slowing. He wasn't looking to gaslight the Darkling, someone could have messed with their memory for all he knew.
"If Lucas was researching an object, and that triggered a break, this object was tied to a secret. I do not know enough to say more... the object was involved with Imbolc, and it must have involved people using or holding it? The owner? A gift?" he cocked an eyebrow. "Clearly researching it was off the table."
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