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Post by Eurydice on Sept 14, 2021 16:15:12 GMT -8
"Why do you think I won't turn around?" she laughed, flushing in delight from the attention.
"If we're going to keep this up, should I be worried about Sorsa?"
It was an innocuous enough question, keeping her tone appropriate to a tease over anything serious.
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Post by Lucas Chevalier on Sept 14, 2021 20:29:15 GMT -8
Lucas looked puzzled at her question. The last time the two of them had been near Riley, Riley had been punching him in the face. The two of them had somewhat made amends since then but there was still plenty of tension between the two of them.
"Worried about Sorsa? I don't see why you would need to be. They are the furthest thing from my mind at the moment and I'm sure I'm the further thing from theirs. "
The last time Lucas had gotten cozy with someone else and Riley was aware of it, they had encourage Lucas to go do his things after giving him a little bit of a hard time.
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Post by Eurydice on Sept 14, 2021 21:25:19 GMT -8
Eurydice snorted in surprise, "Wh- no, I wasn't talking about competition-" a laugh escaped despite her best efforts.
The ego on this one.
"They don't seem to be doing so well," she explained in a sober tone, "Our motley negotiation they were mostly waiting on Hartman to do the talking and blaming the escalation on the fact that we were too scary, and they didn't trust the Courts to side with them. Then Hartman swore off using a Spring Contract, and Riley out of nowhere told me not to abuse you. So I assume they're desperate for the last threads of their connections to be okay...? But then they go make a big statement in front of the Freehold that a secret breaker can demand secrets from their lover, in a joke of a Duel that they couldn't even promise anything to the alternative victor."
The Hedge Duelist sniffs loudly, eyes glowing as she contemplated her professional sport, "I don't think they know how to help themselves. They froze with Hartman's fuckup for almost a year, and then start a whole new scandal that I think flew straight over their heads? I don't know where Sorsa thought presenting themselves as an Oathbreaker in a Summer Rite to beat on a Summer courtier would do anything positive for them. Feels like self destruction. So now I'm asking if they're at a place where they're going to do something stupid with this," she squeezed Lucas' hand, "Just to hurt themselves more. I don't know when and where the Season failed them, and what they're chasing."
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Post by Lucas Chevalier on Sept 14, 2021 22:12:46 GMT -8
"I didn't mean competition. Honestly, I didn't know what you meant by it. I thought you were worried they were gonna--yeah. Maybe do something erratic."
A concerned frown was set on his handsome features as he listened to the Hedge Duelist recant what happened during the meeting of the two motleys. None of then surprised him considering how his conversations with Riley had gone in the past. His mind wandered back to the lock they had installed on their alcohol as well as the state of their apartment. The more he thought about it the deeper the frown on his face became.
The comforting gesture was appreciated and he squeezed her hand in return.
Then he let out a soft sigh.
"I'm worried about Riley, too. They've not been themselves in awhile. I was really surprised and honestly hurt during Litha when they attacked me. They've never been the type to be violent before, at least not with someone they've been romantically involved with. When I found out they were going to duel Dani, I got upset with the both of them. I don't know why Dani went along with it because it seemed like such a terrible idea for so many reasons. "
Even though he was trying to focus on his frustrations his voice gave away his concern for the Bright One.
"I told them that in order to make things good with me, they needed to let go of whatever it was that drives them to be so vengeful. It blinds them and makes them do things they normally wouldn't do. Hartman's been a shit influence on them, they weren't like this before. I mean, Riley is still responsible for their choices, but as we've seen, Hartman is a master of manipulation and abuse."
He shook his head.
"No, I don't think they will do anything in response to this. But I need to have a conversation with them and finally let them tell me why the hell they broke the oath in the first place. I've not been in a mindset to listen to them because it has felt like they've only cared about clearing their name rather than how all of this has impacted me. That being said...they've still shown me some kindness so I know the Riley I know is still in there. They're just...lost." So very lost.
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Post by Eurydice on Sept 14, 2021 22:47:30 GMT -8
As Lucas put the blame on Hartman for the shift in Riley's behaviour, Eurydice offered a non-committal 'uh-uh' and tried not to roll her eyes. Dancing troupes talked. Fawkes might have dug pretty deep with their background after the initial exchange with Afterparty, but the Draconic kept quiet on what she knew about Riley Sorsa.
It was kicking them while they were down, and more importantly it was a piece of blackmail she would hold close to her chest if the Twilight Dancer ever did anything to cross Ricochet again.
"I don't see how someone's wrath 'changes them' when it's a part of them," she admitted, "Sounds like cherry picking personality traits... But you sound more forgiving than I am." Eurydice wasn't looking to argue someone's capacity to forgive; if anything, the trait in others balanced out her own swift cutting.
"So wait. They blow up your phone to the point where you show that to everyone at Litha to make a point about abuse, and now you're gonna cave and give them what they want? What changed?"
She wasn't going to get into Riley's Notoriety with Winter Court—or that's how Fawkes had described the impact. The Season itself seemed pissed and was affecting its vassals deeper than the attention of an Oathbreaker.
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Post by Lucas Chevalier on Sept 14, 2021 23:20:32 GMT -8
"You're not wrong."
Lucas conceded. Despite everything that had happened to them, he still had a soft spot in his heart for the Bright One. He imagined on some level he always would although he was proud of himself for standing his ground during their numerous conflicts as of late. However, his willingness to hear Riley out was bigger than the two of them. In some ways it was bigger than the entire Freehold. Whatever he came across in the Death Like realm was so powerful that there was no way it could be contained to one Freehold.
"It's just that..."
His words trailed off as his mind rewound back in time numerous times. The first stop was in the empty theater room while he held Golden Boy in his arms. They were all covered in blood, barely breathing, but alive all the same. Except in this memory instead of everything being as it was, reality kept blinking in and out of existence. The memory would be in full color and then it was black and white as he watched their bodies crumble away into ash. His mind then hit the rewind button again and he found himself standing in front of Fawkes. Fawkes was grabbing onto his wrist, begging him to agree to their oath. The winds whipped around them, tearing away at the Fairest's skin. He tried calling out to Fawkes but his voice was lost in the wind. The memory train didn't end there. He kept being dragged further and further back in time, past his encounter with Yasmin, all the way to when he was laying on the ground in the hospice room, covered in blood that wasn't his.
Did he disassociate just now?
He wasn't sure. He blinked a couple of times and held onto Eurydice more tightly to help ground himself back in the present. Since they were no longer in the same physical mood as they were moments ago, he rested his chin on the top of her head while he spoke.
"A lot of the problems the Freehold has had as of late have come from a lack of empathy towards one and other. I get it. We're all responsible for our own actions. Our trauma is a reason for our behavior, not a justification. And certainly not something that's meant to be weaponized against others. After what happened with Bonnie's failed Fall rite...we need to do better. We have to start giving more of a damn about each other and the community at large, not just the people in our immediate circle. Otherwise, we're going to continue to spiral out of control. "
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Post by Eurydice on Sept 14, 2021 23:43:31 GMT -8
"You sound like the Bishops."
There was a long pause.
The former Sage and professional dancer and weaver of emotions wasn't a sack of bricks: she felt the shift. Lucas was given whatever time he needed to come back while she quietly messaged his fingers.
"You can't do that by yourself. Nor should anyone expect you to. So who is your backup, Lucas? Hartman's out, by the sound of it, and smashing your fates together until something goes right needs more than just a hope in hell." She did glance back, frowning as her eyes shone, "I take it it's time sensitive? Just please don't try and help them on your own for both your sakes. Danica's too."
She knew it was inappropriate for her to branch anything on her end. She wasn't a fate weaver either.
"...You ever been in a war?" Her tone dropped, thinking deeper. "I haven't. But a lot of the Chevaliers fought against their own Freehold. Those actions against each other haven't completely faded away, and they all remember it, Lucas. They have learned empathy, and choose to forgive every day, but a denial of pain eats away at us all until there is a witness.
Who's been keeping vigil for you?"
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Post by Lucas Chevalier on Sept 19, 2021 15:06:15 GMT -8
"Yeah. I can see that. The overlap with the Bishops. The difference would be I don't see myself as the kerosene that keeps the fire burning. I'm more looking to be a spark to get folks moving in the right direction and then it's on them to see where they end up. "
There was a pause as Eurydice looked over her shoulder at him. He paused, letting her words sink in. Over the past couple of months he had spent a significant amount of time evaluating his own behavior and his interactions with others.
"I learned the hard way that I can't save Riley from themselves. I've tried and that ended in disaster. I mean, I did tell them to make things right they needed to let go of their vengeful streak. It's not for me to decide if they succeed in that area or not. It's up to the Wyrd. They need to make things right with the Wyrd more than anyone or anything else. "
The idea of losing the trust of the Wyrd was enough to cause a flicker of anxiety to spread through him. He shook his head and while he cleared out his anxiety he realized that he didn't answer Eurydice's question from earlier.
"One of the reasons I like my court is that I have a lot of freedom to do things at a speed I'm comfortable with. "
There was a faint sense of de ja vu as he recalled the two of them having a similar conversation back at Litha. When they spoke then, it felt more like she was asking out of curiosity than concern. This time around there was an intensity to it that left him with the impression that as the two spent more time together her investment in his well being was more earnest.
"Or at least I'm not being micromanaged so I don't feel like I'm in a never-ending time crunch. The socializing I do with the other courts is fun but it drains my spoons by the end of the night. I like living by myself because when I get home everything is chill. I don't have to worry about anyone else's routine. One of my favorite things to do late at night is relax out on my balcony, put on my head phones or grab a book,enjoy a cold beverage, and enjoy the warmth. "
The last question required more time to respond to. When he spoke up again his voice was soft and he attempted to make it reassuring.
"I've not been in a war before. I get what you're saying. All of our experiences shape and mold our values. My Kith has lead to unique experiences. The Reverent crisis was next level hell. There's a level of suffering the dead go through that...heh. It's a real downer so I won't to any further with that line of thought. "
Instead he focused the conversation into a more positive direction.
"I'm fortunate to have established a support system here. I have lunch weekly with my landlord, Ms.Garcia. She's been super patient with me in the past when I was running late with my rent.
Yuan from Spring checks-in on me as well. He was one of the first friends I made here. Dani and I have grown close too. Obviously, there are complications there but we instantly clicked as friends.
Kai cares and we have our regular Dunkin runs. And honestly? I love my pets. Luther and Mr.Bubbles have been great self care outlets. "
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Post by Eurydice on Sept 19, 2021 16:31:34 GMT -8
The time sensitivity was referring to Riley's presence in the Freehold being put on a clock, but Eurydice knew now wasn't the time to muse on it. The fact that it was Fall and their Oath hadn't lapsed had her suspect the Moth had till Winter...it was going to be tight. She couldn't really imagine the Queens being so cruel as to cast them out during a Fae invasion, however. Philicia was an odd duck sometimes, including the complete absence of fear towards Saturday and Nohoilpi's wrath.
As Lucas speaks of his experience with the Winter Court she can't help but compare it to her motleymate's, eyebrow cocking as she watched the horizon of the road for the pickup.
"What was required from the Gravewights was insane. I remember Sweeney bitching that it was better to just let the Darkling shifters handle it without the personal context—he didn't like the potential fallout of mobilizing civilians, but- we're all from a disaster?" She shook her head, the ethics getting away from her as she realized she was taking Lucas' painful experience and talking shop like she would with Ricochet or the Chevaliers.
"It was hell. I wish none of you went through that, but we're all thankful." The Fairest turned to kiss him properly as the headlights of the Lyft emerged.
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Post by Lucas Chevalier on Sept 19, 2021 17:32:26 GMT -8
The Fairest's eyes dulled as fragmented memories from his duties during the crisis made their rounds through his mind. It was hard to explain to those who weren't touched by death those experiences were like.
Although if he was completely honest either himself the real challenge was explaining to others what it was like to be detached from living. Before he was taken, he had given up on a life that was full of possibilities. Back then, there was the possibility of getting married. Having children. Traveling the world. Finding a place to call home that didn't require blood being shed to keep it.
If that wasn't enough to keep him attached to living it made the prospect of life as a Lost even more challenging. However, the past few months had shown him there was a fantastical world he could explore if he pushed himself hard enough. The fantastical made him feel alive and that was more addictive than anything he could find on the streets.
He murmured softly in agreement with Eurydice. There was a sense of gratitude to his body language when she stopped commenting on the crisis and instead kissed him. In a world where a happily ever after complete with children, a picket fence, and a retirement plan wasn't possible, feeling a genuine connection in the moment was plenty for this Fairest.
He raised his hands to her face so that he could draw her in for a deep kiss. Every time he was with her the energy she gave off felt like capturing lightening in a bottle. If he could absorb even a fraction of that lightning then he could continue to feel alive rather than disconnected from everything but fear.
Once the kiss ended he lead the way to the Lyft and opened the door for her.
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