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Post by Krakenbox on Nov 12, 2020 15:55:29 GMT -8
Thus far, the pool was largely untapped, but that would likely be corrected as the liquor flowed. If one listened hard enough, a few of the Lost were beginning to challenge one another in dares of bravery. What lay at the bottom remained unseen, cloaked in darkness beyond the posted depths requesting people not dive off the ledge. Despite the ripples, it was as if the surface beneath reflected a night sky that was impossible in the city’s light pollution. Lights rippled in moving shapes, too dim to settle on a detail. Some attendants dipped their feet. All things said and done, the feature was still pretty, after all, likely appearing as elaborate pool lighting for those without the Sight.  |
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Linden
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Presence (3) Steady
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Post by Linden on Nov 13, 2020 15:41:46 GMT -8
(coming from here) Linden's end of the handshake was warm and firm; perhaps uncomfortably firm to some, but it wasn't deliberately so. As Kai Rose brought up a chair, the Ogre pulled a foot out of the pool and propped it on the rim, casually draping their elbow over it. The lowering of Kai's voice drew them in, mirroring her lean. "Not officially, no. You were in the thick of it though, yeah?""What can you tell me?" Linden's voice never quite reached the level of soft that the Wizened's could, but it was an attempt. Hoping they were about to get quite the story, they retrieved their drink. It was a pleasant feeling, having someone offer to fill them in- especially a fellow Summer. Their own status in their Court was negligible at best, but the sense of camaraderie was welcome. And if there were something they should know about this evening, the sooner the better. |
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Post by Kai Rose on Nov 14, 2020 15:37:58 GMT -8
"Time bullshit," she muttered matter-of-factly in reply as she glanced around to see if they'd drawn any attention. Really, in a room full of Spring hotties, Court nobility and glowing guests, it was probably an unnecessary gesture. "So I'm up there, chatting with the Sunset Prince, Autumn's Magistrate and his squire. They had a tiger. Super cool, right?"
The cat was the best.
"Anyway. One of the guys from Fall comes into the room, counting down for something. He's got a gun out, and so I get ready, and then..." She made a popping noise with her lips. "Suddenly, a bullet fired by a guy suspended in time hits Buck in the chest. The dude pops back into the timestream. Someone knew where Buck was going to be and set up an assassination attempt." The look on her face could be roughly translated as 'can you believe that shit?'
"Anyway. I rolled time back. Warned him, and he got out of the way. The shot went off, but the shooter got taken down instead. Someone blew Bedlam and ran us off after that, but it seems like something that bears some looking into, doesn't it?"
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Linden
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Presence (3) Steady
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Post by Linden on Nov 14, 2020 16:25:12 GMT -8
Linden listened to the entire story with rapt attention, letting the rest of the party fade from their attention. The look on their face was incredulous, not at the veracity of Kai's story, but at the scope of what had happened. "Sick," was their final pronouncement, a heartfelt response. "I mean, obviously, time-travelling gunman assassination? Bad. Totally bad. But... thwarting that assassination?" Their gauntlet of a hand came up for a first bump, though they wouldn't be put out if Kai declined.
"He was lucky you were there. Also, counting down is so dramatic. Folks shouldn't do that if they actually want to kill people." The observation was tossed out with a comfortable blandness, just a fact as far as Linden saw it. Of course, without time travel it would've worked anyway, but the point still stood.
"And yeah, definitely should be looked into. Kinda surprised we'd have another event before squaring that away, I guess Autumn must've taken some extra precautions." They glanced around at that, eyes skimming the glowing figures with renewed interest until something else occurred to them and they looked back to Kai. "What about the guy who was counting down? What's his deal?"
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Post by Kai Rose on Nov 16, 2020 14:15:40 GMT -8
Kai accepted the fist bump. Of course she did. Time Bullshit was some of the best bullshit, and her particular specialty of time bullshit had come in particularly handy. Spring definitely owed her one, as far as she was concerned. "Well, the guy who was counting down was one of the Autumn courtiers. I got the sense he was predicting the attack, and once I wound time back, my countdown was right with him. He just didn't know what exactly was going to happen, I don't think?" She shrugged. "As for events, we kind of have to. Rituals, right? Keep the Wyrd happy, I guess." She laughed, a comfortable thing. Some of the Freehold's rituals were pretty weird, but if it kept them safe and sound from the Gentry, that was worth it as far as she was concerned.
"Okay. I'm gonna pull together a crew and go look back in time at what went down. Probably a multi-Court thing, given the target. You're in, then?"
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Post by Rowan on Nov 16, 2020 15:16:41 GMT -8
Rowan creeps up on the Summer Courtiers by force of habit more than intent. He had almost reached them when he realized it, and cleared his throat to make his presence known. He looked at the spirit and reminded them that "No Names."
"Evening guys! Nice party, huh?"
He gave them enough time to acknowledge his presence. His hands were on his sides and not in his pockets. He wanted them to understand that he meant no harm. Especially when he was butting in and startling people. It wasn't his usual style, but he was keeping Felicity's advice in mind. He didn't have a driving ambition to climb up in the Court, more of an understanding that he didn't want to be the last pick of dodge ball all the time.
"I couldn't help but overhear you conversation. So sorry about that." He didn't sound sorry. Just his usual blank and chilly self. "And yeah, some of Autumn's oracles are wicked precise."
Was he stalling? Not really. He was making conversation to indulge the Sentry. After all, they were here to experience the festivities. Plus, Rowan had been told that small talk was expected at these sorts of event. He attempted a smile that came out like a crack across a mirror.
He looked at them blankly, not engaging any further. He barely knew Kai, and the other Lost was fully unknown to him. He couldn't be throwing important information willy-nilly like that. He was waiting for their reactions, to see if he would be welcomed to socialize at all. Sp far, he had done everything the Page had taught him, so he liked his chances.
He cast a nervous glance at the pool and took a sip from his glass of apple juice.
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Linden
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Presence (3) Steady
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Post by Linden on Nov 16, 2020 23:04:07 GMT -8
"Oh, okay, I thought he was in on it," Linden said, nodding as Kai explained the Autumn courtier's role in things. "Not knowing exactly what you're counting down toward sounds rough, talk about stressful." As soon as the nameless man was absolved of any potential wrongdoing, the Ogre's tone turned to one of nonchalant sympathy. It was just that simple, apparently. At the mention of gathering a crew, a jolt of excitement straightened Linden's spine. "Yeah I'm in, just tell me what you need." There were only so many skills the Ogre could supply, but they were happy to contribute any and all.
A tingle touched the back of Linden's neck. One foot still in the water, they turned their torso to look at whoever had just spoken. He wasn't familiar, but he would be soon. Lifting their half-drunk glass in a brief salute, the Ogre flashed a grin. "Hey, man. Very atmospheric," they agreed, and it certainly sounded like a compliment. Linden's eyes moved to the figure that accompanied him and gave them a nod, unsure of how else to respond.
"Being an oracle sounds like a tough gig, but I bet it feels good when you're right on the money." The other Lost's general demeanor left Linden with the impression that he wanted, or was waiting for, something. Maybe there was a hint they were supposed to be getting about talking business at a party. Their own body language remained loose and easy, though they rubbed the metal fingertips of their empty hand together thoughtfully. "Would you and your guest like to join us?"
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Post by Kai Rose on Nov 17, 2020 15:28:45 GMT -8
"Yeah, honestly, I can't imagine seeing the future is easy," Kai replied with a note of sympathy. She already had enough perceptions and feelings flowing off of others into her mind. It was a lot to begin with. She could not imagine having future problems pouring in at random on top of all that. The Polychromatic shot a thumbs up to the Ogre when they volunteered. "Cool. Well, to start with, I'll want to get the assignment formally - but we're probably looking at the usual. I'll look back in time, see who popped the dude back, we can go ask some questions of that person and see if they actually did it." People could shape-shift. It wasn't unheard of. "If not, then we'll get to digging more. See who might want to frame the person, if there was a frame-job done. Tough to say now, but we'll find out."
Rowan's arrival was met with a nod of greeting. "Rowan. What's going on? You met Linden?"
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Post by Rowan on Nov 17, 2020 17:11:11 GMT -8
"I have now," he replied curtly. "Everyone, meet one of the Sentries that protect our Freehold. Please, remember the rules." The statement was addressed to the two Lost, as Rowan felt he had impressed it enough on the spirit.
"Well, forewarned is forearmed, as I'm sure Kai has explained already." The Ogre seemed nice enough, but a little too drunk for the Darkling's taste. He wasn't in a mood to repeat himself, and so he decided to share his information primarily with the Polychromatic. He listened to Kai's explanation of the particular plan she had intended to implement. He nodded at appropriate places and waited for his chance to interject.
"Well, I'm not saying I'm volunteering for whatever cool kids club you're building, but I can at least share some thoughts I've had on the subject."
Keep it vague, he thought to himself. You never know who might be listening. He took a sip.
"I don't know much about time stuff, but I've heard this rumor that the Sun Banisher was wounded during Mabon. Nasty wound, enough to dislocate his shoulder. His motley didn't seem to happy about it. Curious timing too, considering your story."
He took another sip. Now to see if these muscle heads could put two and two together.
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Linden
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Presence (3) Steady
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Post by Linden on Nov 19, 2020 20:28:02 GMT -8
Kai's plan was met with a deep nod of understanding and acceptance; what she described was a solid place to start, and it was fantastic that they had someone around with her specialties. How would the 'Hold go about investigating this, let alone having stopped it in the first place, without their own time travelling badass.
Linden's introduction to Rowan was accompanied by a sunny smile, the edges of which momentarily widened with amusement as he plowed forward. Clearly whatever he was there for had to do with Kai, not exactly a surprise. "Damn, wish I had four arms," they murmured on the heels of the Darkling's quip, muffled by their glass as they took another sip.
"It's not that hard to dislocate someone's shoulder," Linden offered helpfully. "But sounds like important folks to check in with." Of course someone's motley mate wouldn't be pleased they'd been injured, though, that didn't seem like much of a clue to the Ogre. Linden looked to Kai, knowing they had little to no power in the course the investigation would take, and not especially minding.
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Post by Krakenbox on Nov 22, 2020 16:10:40 GMT -8
The glowing being's eyes were wide as Linden welcomed and Rowan introduced them, as if the group held some sort of celebrity status. They extended a hand to no one in particular, clearly getting a kick out of their own bravery as attention dances between them.
"Hello!" they chirped, late to the topic and clearly not following the thread. "If there was an assault, I can help. No one in the Freehold should be getting hurt. I can assure the destruction of your attacker." The childish glee was clear, like a game of hide and seek.
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Post by Kai Rose on Nov 22, 2020 22:42:54 GMT -8
The Sentry got a dull nod of greeting to begin with.
"The Sun Banisher...?" Blink. That was strange, and Kai's colors went muted, little yellows crawling up her forehead over a dull purple as she pondered it. "Yeah, that is some strange timing. We'd just been chatting with him before the singers got started. Did you see anything? Who was he with at the time?" Maybe it was connected. Maybe not. In any event, it was something to pass up the chain. "The Magistrate was present for the attempt on Buck's life, but if nobody has told Autumn security about the Sun Banisher's issue, that might be a worthwhile thing to put to him or whoever does Fall event safety stuff. I... well, I know it was Buck's house, but Dame She-Wolf made it pretty bloody clear whose party it was in the end."
Putting two and two together, Kai thought that maybe Buck had overstepped. Whether that was because Icarus positioned him for a fall or because he was just So Cool was anybody's guess.
"Linden, I'm gonna have my hands full tonight... you want to maybe ask around? Fawkes is a glass-looking fellow, real flat affect. One of our sergeants, Sweeney, is in his motley, and a bunch of people were around."
Blink. The Sentry was really spooky. She gave the glowing creature a shake. "You don't need to worry about that, my friend. There's a justice system within our Freehold. We just appreciate your service against what tries to come from outside, and hopefully you have an amazing night."
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Post by Rowan on Nov 23, 2020 15:55:05 GMT -8
Rowan kept an eye on the Sentry. Close enough to intercede if the being overstepped, but not close enough to keep the other party goers comfortable. If the thing made people nervous without him having to do anything, that was a win in his book. At least Kai seemed to take him seriously. He nodded to the Polychromatic.
"I got to the party late, so I'm not in on the inner workings of Fall security." Which technically wasn't lie. Rowan was new to the Freehold and pretty low on the food chain, so his access to info was limited. At the same time, he was the snoopy sort, and often stuck his nose where it didn't belong. But the Summers didn't need to know that.
"Fawkes was with Sweeney, now that you mention it. And Eurydice. They both ran towards the Banisher when he showed up all wounded. They were always a weird sort, that Motley."
When Linden was tasked with finding them, the Snowskin offered a simple "Tell Sweeney I said hi" before returning to his apple juice.
"Now, I've said my piece," he explained to the Sentry. "Do you want to go see some other people?"
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Post by Krakenbox on Nov 23, 2020 20:02:59 GMT -8
"We just got here," the Sentry said to Rowan, sounding surprised. Wide eyes swapped back to the swirling colours of Kai's form and Linden's metal frame. "It's like a tapestry," they muttered, hands flexing.
A small commotion broke out from the canopy, a group getting louder as laughter and goading rattled the table with thumping hands. "Do it then!" someone shouted, followed by a few murmurs and pleas to be reasonable.
"Fuck you!" the Fireheart snapped, though his teeth were white with a large grin as he walked backwards from the gathering, spreading his arms in a dare to stop him. The burn of solar radiation accompanying the Summer courtier in a pulse that flared along the boardwalk. A lithe individual followed after, sultry smile paired with pointed ears and glowing cat-like eyes. He gave the group a wave before continuing to goad his muscular friend, both bragging to each other in Spanish while shirts were thrown off at the sparkling void was eyed up.
Some caution showed in their tight smiles and glares, through all the peacocking.
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Post by Kai Rose on Nov 24, 2020 19:51:21 GMT -8
"Fair enough," Kai replied to the comment about not being in on the details of Autumn's defense plan. To be fair, a party at Buck's probably wasn't the best example of an Fall festival defended by Fall goons. In any event, the Darkling didn't have much more to say on the matter. "Thanks for the details, man. If you hear anything else, feel free to pass it on." The Polychromatic was far too pleasant to hand him a detective's card and ask him to call if he remembered anything. That honestly sounded more like a Solomon thing.
The Sentry earned a smile as she moved her arms in a little raver's dance, the colors flowing beneath her skin fun and entrancing. The sudden interruption of the pair going toward the water was met with a cheer. Dudes had balls, diving into a Fall pool, but hey. The Season was about learning about their relationship with Fear, wasn't it?
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