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Post by Krakenbox on Sept 25, 2021 21:27:17 GMT -8
Riley Sorsa could tell Golden Boy did not want to be here.
Not out of keen reads on aggressive body language, or the pinch of mistrust in one's eyes and mouth, but the simple fact that the Fairest stated it for all to hear. Sedna looked at Worm with an apologetic, patient smile before turning back to the Hunterheart parked square in the doorframe, red faced and glaring at the other Winter. She bent forward slightly to say something too quiet to hear, maintaining her pleasant demeanor as the red in Golden Boy's features drained to pale.
Almost like he was her own son, she nudged him to take a seat, letting the gravity of her hand do the work before informing the three that she would be outside with a gentle click of the door.
Worm didn't force the dour thief to stew on whatever problem was the source of his theatrics, instead offering him some of the tea and making basic introductions with a rundown of the agenda. This included a general overview of Riley's actions in terms of breaking the Oath, and the nature of Imbolc's promise of secrecy, Golden Boy's requirements, Riley's own offer for penance, and Golden Boy's feelings on the matter. He had clearly opted not to bring his own legal counsel, nor was asking the selkie to represent him in his stead, and was either deferring to Worm's recommendation or more confident in his raw read of the situation. Or, the worst case scenario, is that he wasn't looking to offer Riley any out at all.
Eyes narrowed to slits as the shadow of the cup came away from his face, making a point to not look at the captivating Brightone as he listened to an arguably well-spoken summary that leaned into the humanity of the situation, with Riley's own fears getting the better of their respect for his privacy and his Court's traditions, and their deep regret. Surely, the Fairest would understand the battle everyone had with the curse of Arcadia, and the necessity of a second chance? He was tight lipped about describing the events leading up to his exchange with Nohoilpi, until Worm started asking specific questions.
"Have you been granted permission to speak of the item you and the King exchanged on the night of Imbolc?"
"Yes."
"...Can you describe the item?"
"Yes."
"...Please, describe the item?"
"It's for çàka-çqadsàç," Golden sighed, scratching at his nose. Worm blinked, processing the word,
"I don't know what language that is." Golden Boy's mouth twitched in what might have been a smirk,
"Thirteen chips. You guess the number that's tossed."
"...You're playing a game with the Winter King?"
"Yes." Worm seemed to measure his next words, sorting his duty to his client over his raw curiosity. Adjusting his glasses, the Pledgesmith starts finally taking some notes,
"What are the stakes of the game...?"
"If I lose, I don't exist."
"What happens if you win?"
Golden Boy seemed to weigh his answer, thoughtful.
"I don't," he chuckled, pointed teeth flashing with genuine, bitter mirth. The pen went briefly to Worm's wax-like lips, the shining black within the sockets scanning for something as he started to read the Fairest's odd mannerisms, and where he was clearly adhering to an Oath of permitted communication around his monarch's motives.
"From my understanding, you had an exchange with the King of Winter, which resulted in him giving you this...gambling chip...as a challenge. Mx. Sorsa witnessed this exchange, and contracted someone to look into what the chip was, not knowing what they saw-"
"Lucas Chevalier." Worm cocked an eyebrow, as Golden finally glanced at Riley for the first time, "He called me to ask about it."
"Ah, and then that would have been when the Oath was broken? If you were allowed to speak on the chip, however..."
"The oathsworn didn't ask permission," the dragon answered, like the rules were crystal clear. "Winter's promise of secrecy was forgotten, so..." he chewed on his thumbnail, tapering off as he chewed on something else. Worm waited, until Golden Boy shifted, clearly uncomfortable. "I don't want anything from you," he mumbled.
"You're saying you wish to leave it up to the Wyrd, or-"
"If you can come up with something, sure," he said, looking back towards the door.
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Riley Sorsa
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Sept 26, 2021 8:46:37 GMT -8
Riley watched the conversation with a muted interest. Letting Worm and Seldna run the exchange.
Golden Boy felt more like a child than usual, as Seldna seemed to have to mother him to being a part of the conversation. Like a teenager not wanting to leave their room when visitors were around. Relatable.
The game that Golden Boy found himself in made Riley's stomach turn. They didn't have a complete picture, but Coin connected Golden Boy to that...entity of suffering in the void. Then Nohoilpi was indeed one hell of a royal bastard.
When Lucas's name came up, Riley couldn't help but let out a gallow laugh, leaning back in their chair.
"Of course he did.."
Of the worst luck in the world, Lucas had to go directly to Golden Boy to ask about the chip. Of all the winter court. Seemed about right; the realization felt...fitting at to the cruel fate of all this.
Golden Boy's privacy had been violated; of course, he wanted nothing to do with Riley. But the Darkling wasn't going to let that slide so easily. They listened closely to his words, was he being honest? Or perhaps there was something he wanted but refused to say?
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Post by Golden Boy on Sept 26, 2021 9:11:04 GMT -8
The Fairest didn't appear to be misdirecting or putting up a smokescreen over his true intentions with moody behaviour.
Rather, he was under a heavy amount of stress that didn't seem to have much to do about Riley. Something in his mind was holding his attention, like being on the edge of a discovery that he didn't really want to know. Deflection and fleeing was preferred.
He's puzzling something out that he knows won't bring him peace.
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Riley Sorsa
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Sept 26, 2021 16:59:04 GMT -8
“Everyone wants somethang.”
Riley commented to Golden Boy as he blew off the want or need of something from the Darkling. The Spring courtier glances at Sedna and Worm. Leaving this up to the Wyrd was not ideal. Riley didn't have the time or the energy to try and navigate the mess that would be. No they needed something attainable, real, actionable.
“Throwin your desire to the Wyrd seems a waste. Look given you situation, any tool or asset in your favor is better than nothing. I Know you have no reason to trust me. But I think you can trust i am gonna try and save my ass, which means fixin’ this.”
They lean back and take a breath collecting their thoughts.
“Golden I have lots of skills, I can collect info, and I can go undetected. Or I can be the light of the room” They glow in response as if to make their point.
“Hell if you need some heat off your back, I can be a walking target. What i am sayin’ is there is something you need, and you got me in a no questions asked bind here. I might not be able to help with your ...game, but I am sure there is plenty of weight on those shoulders to be lifted.”
Riley raises an eyebrow , watching the dragon in hopes to see if any of the suggestions hit a nerve.
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Post by Golden Boy on Sept 26, 2021 17:42:11 GMT -8
The suggestion did indeed hit a nerve.
At first, Riley wasn't sure if Golden Boy was even listening in his fidgeting, until a cold sweat broke around his temple and his motion stilled like the Hunterheart had locked onto something. His serpentine gazed roved back to them, wide eyed and showing the whites. Worm opened his mouth to speak, unsure where the extreme reaction was coming from, as Riley sounded almost too willing to endanger themselves for the Fairest for his tastes—he was supposed to be their advocate.
Words tumbled from Riley, and he tracked them like they were combustible, blinking with every sentence. The mark felt cold until it burned, like someone was holding the Darkling's hand, and as Worm asked if Golden Boy was all right, his hand darted to his mouth, retching as the tea and whatever other contents were left in his stomach forced its way past his pinched fingers. The Pledgesmith glanced at the brew, as if it might have somehow been his fault, before he scrambled to slide Golden a trash can, exclaiming he didn't know he was sick loud enough to clearly let Sedna hear context through the door.
The room faded out like a flash grenade had gone off, a loud crackling sounding off from Golden Boy's Mantle as his scales drained of colour until they were silver. The Fairest appeared to be past his anxiety attack, flipping to anger as he booted his chair across the room and flung the door open to advance on Sedna.
"You KNEW!" he shouted to the other Onyx, on the edge of hysterics. Worm was already on the phone, communicating with his secretary to close off the floor and make sure no one had hung around or used the bathroom—they were set up and trained for these sort of blow ups, though usually between family members. He signaled to Riley to stand closer to him, likely confident on whatever Contracts he had to make sure they were safe.
Sedna stayed where she sat, offering a painted, sympathetic frown rather than escalating the Fairest with a placid expression. In fact, as she recognized that the other's relationship with the Season had spiked, she failed to school a satisfied sigh, shoulders relaxing despite being the target of his anger. Golden Boy rounded on the Moth, pointing as he gritted his teeth as his voice broke.
"This is a-absolutely fucked! I'm not participating in this and pr- pretending this is fair!"
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Riley Sorsa
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Sept 28, 2021 7:01:57 GMT -8
Riley flinches at the sudden outburst from Golden Boy. A wave of guilt sunk in their gut as they felt they had pushed the kid too far, but his anger was on Sedna. The darkling blinked, their focus turning to Sedna; curiosity and distrust churned inside.
Riley couldn't get a read on Sedna before stepping back as Worm instructed. They lacked contexts and only could operate off what they knew
The darkling glanced to the pledgesmith, confused or a moment. It was clear Sedna had some plans here or understood something Riley didnt. But what did that have to do with what Riley said?
The moth looked from Worm to Sedna than Golden Boy as he roudned on them.
"Fair? When was the last time anythang was fair!" They mutter to themself more than anything before speaking out loud.
"Yeah, you got a shit end of a stick, and so did I. It's not Fair. But maybe we can do somethang about it. Look all i am tryin', all i want, is to fix this- I just- I "
The darkling sighed.
"I am tired. I want this shit to be done. Dont you?"
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Post by Sedna on Sept 28, 2021 14:37:21 GMT -8
Sedna offered nothing, riding out Golden Boy's temper tantrum and clearly saving her opinions for her Courtmate in private. She had escorted him here, and would make sure he participated in the conversation with the Pledgesmith, and that was it. The fact that she was being looked to and coaxed back into the meeting with meaningful looks by others prompted her to clear her throat.
"I believe section 2a and 4b(i) asks that I remain outside this mediation, as I'm not here in his place nor representing Golden Boy?"
Her smile was soft, dark liquid honey flashing as she glanced from the now white gold Fairest to the door, nodding for him to go back to business before mouthing 'go'. As the Dragon stiffly forced himself back over the threshold and into the office proper, she gestured and a sharp gust of wind shut the door almost on his nose.
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Post by Golden Boy on Sept 28, 2021 16:39:02 GMT -8
The Fairest's hand wandered to his chest as he took a moment to collect and respond properly to Riley. At some point he had had to learn that being loud, physical, and emotional while being adult and male was not only intimidating, but also threatening.
"Please don't," Worm piped, watching a familiar Onyx Contract being woven, "I can't continue this meeting in good faith if you're going to freeze your heart." Golden blinked, flexing his fingers as if dusting off the collecting glamour. "...You're not trapped-"
A sharp chuckle escaped before Golden composed himself. It was a bit jarring how his mien and Mantle had altered his features since the start of the year, the fae androgyny now paired with the loss of warmth making most of his movements and expression almost cruel.
"-in this mediation. You can leave any time, Golden Boy. But I would prefer it if you regulated yourself to a standard where my client and staff are comfortable."
Golden Boy made a little show of waving his hands, free of claws and hidden knives as he tracked back to Riley and no apology awarded to the Autumn. Sitting back down in front of Riley, the mirthful sarcasm evaporated. He tried a response more than once, between a halted gasp or silent loss of a word to start with, while the slits of his eyes contracted painfully. The gambit of emotions was shuffled through just as the intimidating nature of his Kith was starting to set in from all the direct staring.
"A- don't-...." He broke eye contact to swallow.
"If you could have anything in the world, what would it be?"
The lack of direct address to Riley's question may have been vexing, but Worm held comment. He had warned them that trying to pry a mediation out of Golden Boy was going to be a frustrating and contrived process.
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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 28, 2021 16:58:23 GMT -8
If you could have anything in the world, what would it be?
The question was like a crack in a dam. Riley hadn't thought about it in so long; they had been lost in survival mode. Using their desires to cope instead of thriving.
"I-"
The words caught in the darkling's throat.
To be famous and adored.
Sex and intimacy.
Power and security.
Money and wealth.
Talent and admiration.
To shine, to be beautiful, to be wanted.
The thoughts cascaded through their mind, words, ideas, and images of a life they could have, they wish they had. The desires swam around them in a sea of possibilities, old and new. If they could have anything in the world.
The taste of whiskey burned their throat, the smell of leather and the metal swirled in their senses. The feeling of velvet and flesh. Laughter, words are forgotten, but their feelings linger like old memories. An oath they hadn't broken, that had been their guiding star.
The Moth's hands fidgeted. What did they want?
"I guess...If it could be anythang. I'd want the family I was makin' back. To be able to do what I had setout to do with them"
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Post by Golden Boy on Sept 29, 2021 9:15:55 GMT -8
"...Do you want to help Linden?"
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Riley Sorsa
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Sept 29, 2021 18:07:20 GMT -8
The moth was silent, considering the weight of what was just asked of them. Their knuckles turning pale as they gripped in fists in their lap.
"yes"
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Post by Golden Boy on Sept 30, 2021 15:21:28 GMT -8
Golden Boy's jaw grit, considering something as he glanced past everyone and somewhere beyond. He was still clearly agitated, but also playing the part that was being demanded of him.
The Fairest finally gestured to his palm, waiting for Riley to produce the mark that had been sealed from the Maelstrom.
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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 30, 2021 17:03:25 GMT -8
The Darkling looked to the open hand, They paused observing Goldens hand before looking down at the burn scars upon their own.
Before handing it over the Moth gave Golden Boy a glance. What about all this made him so hesitant, was he nervous of Riley? Was her feeling guilt? Or was he annoyed? All this ment more to him in a way Riley had not figured yet. There was clearly alot at stake, but what was his views on Rileys role in this?
Taking a breath the spring courtier held out their hand and the scar.
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Post by Golden Boy on Oct 2, 2021 9:37:55 GMT -8
With context from his earlier meltdown, they could at least tell he was upset enough about the situation that he had accumulated Sorrow's favour, to the point where he didn't seem to have a hang-up about yelling at the woman that was nicknamed the Winter Princess in Spring circles. The Dragon had snuffed earlier bursts of emotion, which Riley could at least understand as Golden's blatant attempt to serious up. Compartmentalizing made his opinion on Riley difficult to read as the Silent Arrow went through the mysterious motions. He appeared to be examining his nails, but was dragging his own ring finger across his palm, claw splitting the mark As Riley offered their hand, he leaned forward, gaze flicking over their shoulder as he started speaking in a language the Moth was unfamiliar with. The words were hallowed, igniting with power as a second voice echoed silently with his own. The mark mottled, as if bruising as it slowly turned dark, and Riley felt Winter bleed ambition and strength from their heart, only leaving calculated survival and the weight of ice on their eyes. The world felt heavy, where if they chose to stand, they weren't sure they would be able to before their knees buckled. Golden's lips were still moving, the room heaving been deafened, the claw flicked, droplets of black blood striking the area of Riley's presented hand. It was only five seconds, and the power passed as if nothing had happened. |
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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 Oct 2, 2021 12:00:43 GMT -8
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