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>>2325843
Erin's leap back away from an expected follow-up isn't fast enough, not winded and reeling as she is; you snatch her wrist with your right hand and pull her into a vicious gut-punch for the second time in under a minute. The Fairest's eyes bulge, spit sprays from her lips, and she drops her weapons. Someone is tapping on your shoulder.

Wait, that's her, tapping out.

You feel the rush of the Feast infuse you with Glamour that tastes of wrath and glory. At the same time, Erin drains, becoming a little paler and dimmer, as the penalty for failure strikes.

You gain 1 glamour

You sheathe Bifrost, Erin still clinging to your shoulder while she finds her air, and heave in steadying breaths.

"Good fight," the ex-pirate croaks. "Next time we do this in training pads though."

"This was your idea," you point out.

"Lies."

The platforms get pushed back into place, and you walk Erin towards the edge of the fighting structure. "She needs a healer, please," you call out to those below.

"You both need healers, idiot," Vickie chides. "You're fuckin' bleeding!"

There is a rumbling cough from the King of Summer. The crowd parts to make way for Arthur, who helps first Erin, then you down. Ramona and Natalia follow close behind. Your monarch gives you a beatific smile before yanking the main gauche from your thigh and slapping your forehead like a Baptist preacher about to give you the Holy Spirit. Your wounds heal in a rush of cherry blossoms and the heady scent of gunpowder.

Natalia's Mantle, normally quite strong, can barely be bothered to get it up for her similar healing of Erin.

"Our first victor!" Arthur announces, holding your hand up. The reporters buzz with questions, only to go silent when Natalia starts humming.

"I'll do that every time you interrupt him," the Princess warns. "King Arthur is still speaking."

"I'd like to thank Dame Eriksdotter and Ms. Peters for their exhibition," Arthur continues smoothly. "Many in the Freehold aspire to such skill and tenacity. We don't normally conduct such...enthusiastic sparring sessions," he admits, glaring first at Erin, then at you, "but as you can see, we can afford to do so safely when it becomes needed or wanted. Both of these women are veterans of Hedge combat, where firearms do not always work and the things you face will be skilled at the blade and spear. Let the Feast continue!"

"You want to deal with the public?" Ramona asks you in a murmur.

"I don't," Erin says simply. She digs out a cigarette, lights it, and starts walking towards the musical stage. "Come see me if you want me."

> Talk to the reporters
> Go see Erin
> Go back to eating
> Just play more games (skip the rest of the Feast)
> Write-in?

>Go see Erin.
Girl's got depths. And we want her on our side, not an enemy. She's good to her friends and tricky enough to be deeply unpleasant to actually fight.

>>2325864
>> Go see Erin

Gonna call this at 9:30 EST or whenever I finish this game, whatever comes first.

Aight let's have this party.

>>2326404
Whoop.

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>>2325864
"I'm not feeling it," you admit. "I want to know what's going on with Erin. And I vaguely feel like I'm being reprimanded for something."

Ramona sighs. "You might have gone a bit far."

"...She lived? We're not injured?"

"We'll have this talk later. Natalia, think you can dazzle the press?"

Ramona nods you towards the music stage while Natalia steps forward with her best 'you don't realize this is a threat' smile on. You take the chance to head towards Erin. Vickie claps you on the back with a huge grin on your way past.

"I'm takin' your friends to do some dodgeball with Little League," Vickie tells you. "Forum's in for it too, that'll be a blast."

"If you get dunked on by the biggest target on the field you'll never live it down," you warn.

"Colors, I'm like five stories tall myself," your Darkling friend points out. "I'll catch up in a bit!"

You circle around behind the stage, out of sight of the cameras, though probably not for long since games are forming all around the stage. Erin is smoking a cigarette, head turned away from you. You catch a snatch of something being sung under her breath: "When you're a professional pirate, you don't have to wear a suit..."

Erin's voice is surprisingly melodious, when it's not a cruel snarl. She startles when you get a little closer, and just like that the song is over; the ex-pirate whips around to face you, the tails of her blindfold flying, shoulders suddenly tense.

"You came," she says.

"...You invited me," you reply, slowly.

"Yeah but I didn't think you'd come. I thought you hated me." Erin puts her cigarette out against the metal support of the stage and tucks it back into her pack; she's standing atop the grass, not even bending it beneath her weight. "Not like it'd be unusual," she mutters.

Not gonna engage on that one. "Where's Sally?"

Erin shrugs. She goes to fold her arms across her chest, then stops. After a moment's hesitation, her hands go to a casual rest at her hips instead, one resting formally on her saber's hilt. "Playing something. She's gotta, she ate. I wanted a moment anyway. With you."

"Are you crushing on me?" you ask. Your cheeks color instantly; it was way less blunt in your head.

Erin laughs, with no cheer in it. "I have no idea," she says at last. "Not what I wanted to talk to you about. I'm planning a trip into the Hedge to perform some high sorcery. I want you along. Just you. Sally'd stay here, if we can talk Arthur or the reigning monarch into it."

You blink, trying to process the request. "What are you intending to do?"

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>>2326929
Erin's smile is unhappy. The lights orbiting her head flare up, becoming hard to look at. "I'm going to go into the deep places where time and fate twist and curdle and rot like milk in the sun, and then I'm going to rip my Kith out of my soul and leave it in a shallow grave like the garbage it is. I'm tired, Colors. I'm tired of being what He made me to be. You started me on this path when you bought my eyes. I want...I -" she stops. When she starts again, you have to strain to hear the ex-pirate. "I need you there. I don't know if I can work up the nerve. I really don't."

"When?" you ask. Erin's shoulders sag, and her head turns away from you. She looks more defeated now than she did when she tapped out up on that stage.

"When works for you?" she asks, almost pleading. "I can pay. Somehow. I'll be good for it."

> Before Summer ends (skip the second round of training this interlude)
> Autumn
> Winter
> Spring
> Refuse

>>2326934
> Autumn
Soon, but still leaves some time to get in more training in case we need it. Who am I kidding, of course we're going to need it.

>>2326934
>> Autumn

>Autumn
>"You're still talking like a Satrap. And I'm pretty sure I bought you out of them for a reason, not just because you were tired of the whole 'having eyes' thing and wanted to change it up a little. I appreciate the offer - I /know/ you'd make good, just like you said -, but I'm not going with you as a mercenary."

>Refuse
>I just swore a motley oath: they are bound to come with me. If it were just me things might be different, but delving this deep into the hedge is a level of danger I'm not sure I can accept. We won't have Rainbow John's walking Hollow to ride back this time.

>>2327512
Supporting. With shades or an option of 'if you wanna try to sell the Motley; I'm not gonna block that.'

Is this actually true? If so
>Refuse conditionally
>I just swore a motley oath: they are bound to come with me. If it were just me things might be different, but delving this deep into the hedge is a level of danger I'm not sure I can accept. We won't have Rainbow John's walking Hollow to ride back this time.
>I'll ask them about it. They give me the go ahead no problems.

If its not true.
>Autumn

>>2327907
It is not. We decided to wait out the current one, which was for a month. That means that it might be true if we were going before the end of Summer, but waiting until sometime in Autumn as is currently the winning vote should be more than long enough.

Hey, just look at the Character page, link in the OP. The first motley oath to track down the Wonderlanders is fulfilled and expired, but we have a full-on Motley pledge to replace it lasting a year and a day, with the same help and defend clause the previous one did.

>>2327512
> they are bound to come with me.

...But are they? Does being part of a Motley mean they need to come with us whenever we do /anything/ not totally mundane?

>>2328149
They can't really refuse if you ask for help (or you them, for that matter) but you don't have to bring them. Unlike the previous oath and its specific requirements to physically defend and protect, this one's more like being family or close friends.

>>2328176
>Autumn
>"You're still talking like a Satrap. And I'm pretty sure I bought you out of them for a reason, not just because you were tired of the whole 'having eyes' thing and wanted to change it up a little. I appreciate the offer - I /know/ you'd make good, just like you said -, but I'm not going with you as a mercenary."
>Ask if she would mind involving your motley. Perhaps Vickie would be interested?

>>2326934
What exactly is her kith and what does she mean by rip it out. Ifl

>>2328261
One's Kith is a further subdivision of Seeming. She's a Bright One Fairest, connected to the beauty and fascination of light. Like being Lost in the first place, and your Seeming, Kiths are the mark of your Durance and your Keeper - something that is forced upon you.

For some other examples, see the sheets for the other New Avalon main characters from previous quests.

>>2328261
As for what she means by rip it out, that's a good question.

>Changelings can change their kith and seeming. Problem is THEY can do it. The hedge can.
>Of course... what the hedge wants in exchange is the stickler isn't it?

Well, can't wait much longer. Called, writing.

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>>2326934
"So did I gouge your eyes out because you were just tired of owning eyeballs or what?" you ask. "I thought I bought you out of the Satrapy."

"You did!" the Fairest snaps. One hand goes to her blindfold; she shakes, at the shoulders. "We were both fuckin' there for it."

"Then why're you still acting like a Satrap?" you ask.

Erin stiffens. "...Sally told me you shouldn't ask your friends to do their jobs for you for free," she answers in a low voice. "Electricians. Techies. I dunno, Knights. She said it's rude."

You soften. "I...she's right..."

"Alright. I'm asking you to do Knight stuff. You need paying for that. You're a professional." Erin flinches back when you take a step towards her. "Don't," she murmurs. "...Don't. Just yes or no, Colors, alright?"

You stay quiet for a long minute, listening to the games all around you. You hear the distinct sequence of rubber-meets-flesh, Vickie yelping, a body hitting the grass, and Forum whooping in sarcastic joy.

"Why?" you ask. "I've heard a lot of reasons to go into the Deep Hedge. Done it myself, sometimes. Why this?"

"I can't be Liz Malloy forever, Colors. Look at me." Erin's Mantle rises, misting the air with a gentle rain that swirls with cherry blossoms. A shift in the wind carries the scent of it to you, heady with the promise of Spring. "Years of existing just for, for greed and anger and cheap thrills gave me this but it hasn't made me happy. Spring seems content with me but I'm still miserable. I want what I was promised. I want my Spring, and I'll get if if I have to bury every last part of who I used to be and salt the grave so nothing can ever grow on it again. I can't make myself human and I can't stop being Fairest but this? This I can fix. I can be what I want me to be, and nobody can stop me." She stops, breathless, her voice harsh from holding something back. "...I'm so tired. I know you're tired too."

"Autumn," you tell her. "I want to finish out the Summer at least. I can ask my Motley -"

"Don't," Erin interrupts. "...Please don't. Reeds hates my guts. Forum doesn't trust me and why the fuck should he. If you ask any of 'em they'll just bring the rest. Don't. Please."

"That doesn't make this sound more reassuring. You were a pirate."

"I was a pirate who specialized in ambushing entire Motleys and regiments of Summer warriors, Colors," Erin says with a certain bitter pride. "...Besides. My life is sworn to the Freehold. You think I hate you enough to die?"

You shake your head.

"Why'd you take the fight, Colors?"

> I'm trying to decide how I feel about you
> I do like to fight you know.
> Wanted a piece of you. You could have been more helpful with John.
> Why would I refuse?
> Write-in?

>>2329582
>Why would I refuse?
I mean it's the summer games and
> I do like to fight you know

>I'm trying to decide how I feel about you.
>Ramona cares enough about your future to take it as a personal favor if I don't use your old title, so she clearly sees something more than just a useful asset in you. And I wouldn't have sworn to her service if I didn't trust her judgement. I won't lie and say that I'm exactly comfortable with your... Employment history... but I'm willing to give you a chance, based on what I've seen of what you're like now.

>>2329582
>> Why would I refuse?

> I do like to fight you know.

https://jacks-unsanctioned-editorials.tumblr.com/

>>2329582
> Why would I refuse?

> You aren't the only one looking for their own Spring, you know. But you're looking for it harder than most . . . and I'm still not sure how to find mine either.

> Running away from everything I was only worked to a point. You asked me earlier where the anger was, the rage. Well that's still there. I tried to smother it with what I thought was love and all it ended up doing was making me forget what that was as well.

> So I guess that by helping you I can learn to kind of help myself? Maybe also pay back some of the harm I did as well. I don't know how much you know about what I did before, but the difference isn't that much. Just because a Court sanctions something doesn't mean it isn't still evil.

> All the same, if I can't put what I learned, what I gained from that time to a good purpose, then it truly was all a waste. I can't tell myself that it was because of my Kith, or because I was part of Summer, or that it wasn't ME who ultimately chose to follow orders that I knew were wrong if I stopped excusing it as not my choice.

> Besides. Saving Damsels in distress is what a Knight does.

Gonna have to work today, will attempt an update after.

>>2329582
>> I do like to fight you know.
> These are the Games, and it seemed like an opportunity to combine fun with getting to know you a little better.

>>2329582
>> Why would I refuse?

>>2329582
>> Write-in?
>Supporting Arthur's Feast by participating.. Also, a Knight does not quickly refuse a fair duel.

>>2326934
>where time and fate twist and curdle and rot like milk in the sun
Beautiful description imho.

>>2329582
> I do like to fight you know.

>>2329708
I'm really liking the frustrated darkling venting.

>>2330182
Excellent, you can expect more to come.

I gotta find dinner and coffee.

>>2331275
> coffee with dinner
...
Vox...
You can't keep doing this to yourself.

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>>2331363
I CAN AND I WILL

>>2331363
's no use, the man has the dark liquid as a blood substitute by now.

>>2331377
Vox, beware of the dark liquid. Easily it flows, quick to join you in a fight. If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny. Consume you, it will.

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>>2331403

>>2331403
I don't think you understand how coffee works. Vox is the one consuming the darkness here.

>>2331501
Whoever consumes coffee should see to it that he does not become consumed in the process. When you gaze long into the coffee, the coffee also gazes into you.

>>2331489
Oh my god. This is amazing. Thank you.

>>2331550
there's another one where yoda is like "lul fuck the ancient jedi knowledge" but I can't find it

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>>2326929
>"When you're a professional pirate, you don't have to wear a suit..."

BOY HOWDY IS THAT A MUPPETS TREASURE ISLAND REFERENCE

I always knew you were in the top tier of gentlemen scholars, Vox.

>>2329582
>Going into the Deep Hedge with only two people.
There are easier suicide options. At least bring Sally if you must.

Called, tallying, writing.

>>2333029
Feel asleep? Hope you feel rested when you wake.

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>>2333730
>Feel asleep
This feel I did not know about

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>>2334018
Here are a few more.

Particularly appropriate to this quest.

>>2333730
Pretty much. Brain hasn't been cooperating with me. Trying to shake off this god damn winter.

Gonna make every effort to update before work in about 40 minutes. Given that timeframe, no promises.

That feel when there's a compatible tie, let's do this.

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>>2329582
You shrug. "Why refuse? It's the Feast of Strength, and I'm a Knight. And you're not the only person getting to know people."

"Heh."

"I also do just like to fight," you add. "...People are allowed to be simple sometimes."

Erin laughs; it's surprisingly sudden and carefree, and her Mantle swirls with it, scattering petals at her feet. "Go on. Have some fun."

You head towards the impromptu dodgeball game to see it splitting up, Unsurprisingly, Little League holds the last ball high in the air, looking flushed with Glamour and the thrill of victory. Her team drinks in the rewards of victory; next to her, Vickie rubs her face with an expression of vague disbelief.

"I fuckin' nailed her," Forum brags when he sees you walking up. "Full in the face!"

"He hit her with a ball too," Fancy teases.

"Hey!" Vickie protests. "You can't - I - I can make my own moneyshot jokes damnit!"

Even the Rook manages to get a laugh up. Fancy pulls you in by the front of your shirt and gives you a kiss that gets the others tittering. She goes to pull away and you draw her back in for one of your own. Vickie wolf-whistles while your friend melts in your arms.

"I think I was supposed to scold you over that fight," Fancy says after you have to stop for air. "But I can't seem to remember why."

"Because it was insane?" William suggests from next to Trista. Everyone's managed to gather into an impromptu huddle now; Fancy laces her fingers into yours. "She stabbed you."

"I'm fine now," you start, only to sense someone behind you. You turn your head to see Little League tapping Fancy on the shoulder. The brunette Fairest smiles, all white teeth and mischief.

"You had some good moves," Little League compliments. "I was thinkin' of some tug o' war if you don't mind pulling with me..."

The strong image that flashes through your mind has less clothes than the reality probably will but Little League's eyes are all flirtation, and it gives you a heavy feeling in your stomach. Fancy looks Little League up and down, eyes bright.

"I dunno," she answers after a moment. "I think Colors was just planning something."

> Join Little League's game with Fancy on your team; enjoy the festival
> Join Little League's game, flirt with Vickie. Fancy'll get jealous, right?
> Tell Fancy to have fun; spend time with someone else (who?)
> "I was thinking of calling it early. Fancy, you coming with?"
> Write-in?

>>2334801
>Join Little League's game with Fancy on your team; enjoy the festival
She ate, she has to play.

>>2334801
I'll back this >>2334902
If there's some way we can slip a threesome "joke" in that acceptance, all the better

>>2334801
> Join Little League's game with Fancy on your team; enjoy the festival
A chance to feel up Fancy is more important than some silly jealousy game. I'm actually totally open to Fancy and Little League getting it on, but I think Colors should try to tap that first. We really should quit beating around the bush heh and have some casual sex already.

And then eventually settle down with Vickie for more tender loving.

>>2334955
>>2334963
Colors is about as capable of making that joke work as a blacksmith is capable of making a launch trajectory calculation in his head. She can think it, but making that joke will fall flat, because she doesn't have the mindset or social skills for it. Her ability to express her sense of humor is lacking because of her nature as an elemental, not because she's incapable of understanding the idea of the joke.

>>2335050
>not wanting to seduce them with our autism
be bold, friend

>>2334801
>> Join Little League's game with Fancy on your team; enjoy the festival

wew that kiss

> Join Little League's game with Fancy on your team; enjoy the festival

>>2335077
We had a discussion about keeping this thread civil. Please don't use that brainless stereotype.

I have slight autism (PDD-NOS_ and flourish at my current job where a sense of humor is a absolute must.

>>2336652
I mean, so do I but autism spectrum disorders aren't a bad comparison for Elementals & Wizened either.

People are complicated.

>>2336652
Is your autism seductive? If so. Please. Lay it on me. Possibly even if it isnt.

>>2336736
Yes. I can lift you up or bridal carry you long distances with my super strength. I can offer you my coat in cold weather or rain because I barely feel cold myself.

>>2336783
>as you wish intensifies

>>2336783
>Oh baby. Jesus. I didnt expect you to be coming in this hot.
>*nervous arousal intensifies*

Hokay, so. Suspicions that I was sick last night have been confirmed. With any luck it's just my seasonal respiratory infections; always come down with bronchitis when the weather shifts, like it has been around these parts. Either way, an update before work is not happening. After work is possible, but not likely. You might see some stuff from the "You Don't Know" Jack tumblr just because I've already been tinkering at it.

That in mind, thread's open for Q&A of various kinds.

>>2337565
>That in mind, thread's open for Q&A of various kinds.
What are the different kinds of changelings and the impications of each? Colors and Elementals and emotional difficulty seems to be being brought up a lot, any other things like that, or expounding upon?

>>2334801
>> Tell Fancy to have fun; spend time with someone else (who?)

Let's try being secure about shit instead of constantly overthinking it.

>>2337694
Changeling types have a lot to do with why you were kidnapped, what you were forced to do by the true fae, and what you had to do to survive in arcadia.

Beasts: Got turned into animals by the true fae and had to live as them for potentially a long time. This creates difficulty fitting back in to human society because you spent years as something like a rabbit running away from all manner of fairy beasts and huntsmen for your keeper's amusement. Instincts kept you alive, but those instincts might be telling you to do all sorts of counter productive stuff once you're back in the mortal world.

Elementals: Like beasts, only they were made into objects a lot of the time. Spending ten years as a rock or a tree or a fountain or a stained glass window isn't very helpful for your people skills. Or your sanity.

Ogres: These people were made to do all sorts of physical stuff, most of it incredibly brutal. The ones who survive are those who were really comfortable with fighting, killing, and in some cases eating other people. Violence comes a lot more easily to them since it's what they got used to doing if they wanted to survive. That makes fitting in with mortal society hard, since it's generally not socially acceptable to murder and eat your neighbor over a disagreement.

Fairest: Kidnapped because the true fae thought they were pretty in some way. The specifics vary, but they have the problem that they were probably in the spotlight for a lot of their stay in Arcadia, and having a true fae paying attention to you really sucks. It means the survivors probably got used to how fae think, which is exactly the sort of thing that doesn't help you fit back in to mortal society where things like empathy (or at least sympathy) are helpful.

Darklings: Survived by hiding and grew to associate being hidden with being in less danger. True in Arcadia, less so in the mortal world. There is the whole problem that human beings have a natural tendency from evolution to associate being alone with being in danger. Darklings have both of those impulses warring against one another, and it often leaves them constantly really tense, nervous, and paranoid.

Wizened: Toyed with by the true fae for their cleverness. The best analogy is that they were rats constantly being put through mazes for the amusement of the fae, but it's usually more varied than just that. They survived by being the cleverest, quickest, and most suspicious of their batch. Of course, seeing the whole world as a maze that you need to beat isn't exactly a healthy outlook when you get back to the mortal world. After all, where's the end of the maze? What is the end of the maze? The only real answer is death, and you probably don't want to be racing to get there the fastest.

That feel when I couldn't post by phone because the entire region has been IP banned somehow.

>>2337694
So >>2338166 is pretty good, and there was an initial explanation in Scarred by Thorns, here: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/904794/#p927699

Can I answer further questions on the topic?

>>2339407
You likened Wizened to autists. How does that work ? The world is a maze that they have to beat (true fo me) , or is there more to it ?

>>2340130
Some wizened see problems to solve instead of people. Equations and calculations replace empathy and sympathy. That works well when you've got a nicely structure problem like whether to turn left or right, but it quickly becomes unworkable when you try to apply it to human interaction. There are just too many variables and too many possible outcomes for the mind to process in any reasonable amount of time if you try to brute force calculate it. Human interaction relies heavily on mental short cuts, rules of thumb, intuition, the ability to put yourself in another person's shoes and think about how they would see things from their own perspective, things like that. It's a world where you're just trying to get something that is close enough instead of a binary right vs wrong answer.

A wizened that is used to navigating limited decisions can easily become overwhelmed trying to brute force process a conversation. It's just not something that can be done by a human mind. Plus a lot of them are not used to "close enough" being acceptable. In the trials they went through you either got it right or you died, no middle ground.

>>2340130
Ehh, this >>2340189 ain't exactly it, though it touches on it.

All reference, this information comes from a combination of Changeling: the Lost and Winter Masques. If you decide to get into playing the RPG (I apologize in advance for how horrible the mechanics are), Winter Masques and Lords of Summer are absolutely invaluable resources.

To tie back to what was said in Scarred by Thorns, the Wizened were generally taken for sheer spite. The vast majority of those who might have otherwise become Wizened never get the opportunity to escape; taken for cruel amusement or to grease the wheels of some strange fae industry with their blood and bones, they die rather than hold out, or are condemned to some 'artistic' fate that leaves them in an eternal waking torment.

The sheer suffering is intense. Wizened are forced to remain awake and alive during elaborate vivisection with no purpose, malicious cosmetic surgery, used as incubators for fey beasts whose screaming young claw their way from the unfortunate mortal's flesh, crucified against metal trees that drain the salt from their blood. It is beyond what humans can bear, which is why their lives are generally sustained with fey enchantments.

If you don't die, and you aren't thrown into some worse, inescapable torment, you are given a job and commanded to be useful. And though fae taskmasters can be cruel, for most Wizened this trade represents salvation both from endless misery and eventually from Arcadia itself. You might not have known anything about woodcarving, blacksmithing, mining, gardening, but in learning not only are you spared the tortures that otherwise would have chased you into your grave, you're given some measure of control over your environment. Unlike the Fairest, who grapple with feelings of insecurity and sorrow about the talents the Fae brought out in them, the Wizened tend to see their trades with significant affection and professional pride. It helps that by definition, the Wizened were not stolen specifically for those skills.

When they get back home, the Wizened struggle with the scars of their torment. To a greater extent than other Lost, the Wizened struggle with physical and emotional intimacy. Speaking up and being noticed is hard for them. Many find eye contact, being physically touched, or crowds too emotionally 'loud' to deal with. A great many Wizened cope with stress by controlling their environment; a Wizened's home is likely to be clean, organized, and kept with significant care. When stressed or forced into uncomfortable situations, they touch their tools, retreat, and knuckle under rather than stand up for themselves most of the time.

It's not a 1:1 comparison, but you can see where the similarities lie, I should think? The Rook's exhibited some of these behaviors as you've gotten to know him, and he's spent more or less his entire career learning to compensate for them.

>Join Little League's game with Fancy on your team; enjoy the festival.

As promised:

https://jacks-unsanctioned-editorials.tumblr.com/post/171310785413/talking-the-talk

>>2343851
> LA freehold
I wonder what hollywood is doing with all this new stuff.

>>2344182
The world of celebrity is still in shock over Chris Evans being a Changeling and neither Depp nor Kubrick being one. In shock enough that Hollywood having its very own Freehold is still second place in that town.

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>>2345386

>>2334801
> Tell Fancy to have fun; spend time with someone else (who?)

Fuck that drama.

Called, tallying, writing. I've only gotten sicker so please forgive the inherent delays in getting this done.

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>>2334801
You share a look with Fancy and then give Little League your attention. "I'm down, but Fancy's on my team. You've already got your whole thing, I'll need all the edge I can get."

Little League scoffs in mock outrage. "Well fine then, point out my unfair advantage. Forum, you with me?"

Forum shrugs. "Sure?"

"How many people are we gonna have anyway?" Vickie asks.

About eight minutes later the answer is 'twenty on each team', plus a bunch of the press. Some bright bulb had the idea to bust out a hose and muddy up the playing field. The landscaping company hired to clean up the arena after this is gonna make a killing.

Having Fancy up against you the whole time is everything you imagined it would be and more.

The Feast goes through natural rhythms, going through cycles of games and brief breaks to eat, drink, and catch one's breath. Though initially annoyed at getting absolutely cockblocked by Natalia it seems as though the press has fallen into a good rhythm with the Emerald Princess; she's practically narrating for them. Though the music stage never quite seems to end up used for its intended purpose, a series of endurance dance-offs happens on it between a great deal of people you had no idea could dance, including Summer's Sheriff, Angel.

You knew his wife could dance, though. Siobhan laughs and hugs Angel when she's done beating him in front of everyone.

With the sun starting to go down and the lights of the arena coming on, you find a bench and sit heavily. An entire Fancy settles herself into your lap, nestling back against you with a contented sigh. You're tired, but the competitions have been invigorating, and the thrum of Glamour certainly helps put a rosy glow on it.

You gain two additional net glamour from the Feast.

"Get a room," Vickie complains, with no real spirit to it. "I...I think I might not be able to eat any more."

Forum looks up from the burger he's about to take a bite of. "Wow. Really?"

Your friend rubs her stomach through her shirt. "I took a big one in that last match. I'll feel it tomorrow."

"Thanks for inviting me," Fancy says. She turns her head to give you a kiss on the cheek. Trista and her husband left two hours ago, with William still giving you weird looks. "Think I can walk you home?"

You blush, but take Fancy's hand in your own. "Long way to walk back to your own house," you murmur. "You'd better stay over."

Your friend gives you her most charming smile and nods towards the exit.

* * * *

September 1st (Next day; Present Day)

You wake from a vague dream, uneasy for reasons you can't name. Fancy sleeps deeply next to you, undisturbed. She murmurs your name when you sit up, making you look back, but the dancer is still in the land of dreams.

>>2348536
Alright we got laid, finally

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>>2348536
You pad through your home slowly, Bifrost in one hand, checking it and keeping your awareness on that uneasy feeling in your chest. It feels familiar somehow, but damn if you know how to place it. The checklist of your nightmares isn't bringing up any familiar hits, and you're not sure how to feel about that. Is it the Giant? Someone else? Someone from Philly?

You check and double-check the locks before going back to the front door. You sit, your back against it, with Bifrost propped up against your shoulder, and bow your head to wait.

Fancy finds you there when she gets up in the morning, brushes the trails of tears from your eyes, and asks if you would like coffee.

"It wasn't you," you tell her, dry eyes welling again.

"I believe you. We don't have to talk about it, if you don't want to."

You nod, and stand up slowly to go have coffee.

* * * *

That uneasy feeling hasn't gone away, but you have to live your life around it or else go insane.

More insane. Go more insane.

Fancy's gotten you tickets to see her and the gals put on Chicago and do a meet-and-greet after. Misery Monroe's lessons in sorcery continue apace. You also...

> Do some catching up on what you missed with Forum and the Rook (Academics [0/3] and Politics [0/1])
> Begin regular sparring with Erin (Melee [0/3])
> Help Vickie get settled into her church (Contacts (Wonderlanders) [0/1])
> Have been considering getting a dog...

>>2348541
>> Have been considering getting a dog...
Ah damn it's all so good, but a dog would be great for Colors, the emotional support alone is astronomical.

>Begin regular sparring with Erin.
If we're going to go out into the Deep Hedge with her at some point in the near future, we really, really, need to both learn how she fights and make sure we both trust each other. This is a good start to that.

>>2348541
> Have been considering getting a dog...

Everyone will be surprised. To bad we cant get a dog trained for Wyrd shit, Animal therapy, and tearing people new assholes. It really does.

>>2348541
>> Have been considering getting a dog...
What happens if we only have 1/3 or 2/3 of a goal completed, do we still get a small bonus ?

>>2348612
You do not. Downtime - generally in interludes - provides the chance to work deliberately on gaining particular advantages and improving skills. The actual plot stuff will provide that as well, depending on what you choose to do and how. Once you fill up, you're ready to roll with that particular thing being active, improved, w/e.

>>2348541
>Help Vickie get settled into her church (Contacts (Wonderlanders) [0/1])

>>2348541
>Do some catching up on what you missed with Forum and the Rook (Academics [0/3] and Politics [0/1])
We really should do more together now that we're a proper motley.

>>2348541
>> Help Vickie get settled into her church (Contacts (Wonderlanders) [0/1])

>>2348541
>> Help Vickie get settled into her church (Contacts (Wonderlanders) [0/1])

>>2348788
In that case I, oDS3C1Dv, change my vote to:
>> Help Vickie get settled into her church (Contacts (Wonderlanders) [0/1])

>>2348541
> Do some catching up on what you missed with Forum and the Rook (Academics [0/3] and Politics [0/1])
It'd be cool to hang out with Forum a bit more.

>>2348541
> Have been considering getting a dog...

>>2348536
> that image
Oh. I hope Vickie isn’t taking Colors sleeping with Fancy too hard. She’s still best girl, and I’m still rooting for her as end game.

>>2348541
And since I apparently forgot to vote
> Help Vickie get settled into her church (Contacts (Wonderlanders) [0/1])

>>2348541
> Have been considering getting a dog...

Can we do this and see Vicky?

Dogs need to be heavily socialized as puppies anyways.

> Have been considering getting a dog...

>>2349072
Is it odd for a Troll to be so proficient in politics and finance as Forum is ?

>>2350669
Ish? Ogres aren't famed as being socially savvy but there's little actually stopping them from being so. Trolls in particular are among the talkiest of Ogres, so if someone was gonna win this prize it might as well be one of them.

>>2350936
We getting a dog then? I wish you hadn't told people there was mechanical advantage/disadvantage to the choice because everyone changed after that.

>>2351830
I left my shift early because rather than improving my condition went to 'I'm seeing 1.5 of everything and my sense of balance is shot'. I'll call the vote when I've got a reasonable ability to write.

>>2351836
Feel better soon bro. Don't surrender to the QM curse.

>>2351830
I'm pretty sure what Vox meant was that progress on those things sticks (and can be continued out of interludes), but you don't get any benefit for it until you reach the goal. Not sure why everyone is going all "meh it's useless to vote for anything we can't finish at once".

>>2352695
>everyone
Exaggeration does not make your argument stronger. I like Vickie and Forum, but know that (at this moment !) a vote for forum will not win.

I also made my vote disregarding any mechanical advantages.

>>2352810
Arguing semantics when you know what they meant doesn't make your response better. =p

>>2351836
I recommend 6 ounces of tequila to combat vertigo. My girl friend swears by it when nothing else worked.

>>2353050
Ounces ? Does he has to ingest it frozen ?

>>2353456
....you do know most liquid can be measured by volume, yes? A cup is 8 ounces.

>>2352810
Dude you straight up changed your vote after the explanation.

Commit to getting doggo.

Dog >>2348542
>>2348570
>>2349088
>>2350474
>>2350535

Vickie
>>2348798
>>2348826
>>2348876
>>2348891
>>2349429

We have a tie, it's late, and my brain is full of fuck. I don't really wanna do a run-off vote with how low this thread's gone so this one time I'm just gonna combine the shit instead of throwing a die.

This decision has been brought to you by Medicine and Disease, fine purveyors of altered mental states since before sapient life.

Writing.

>>2354765
Thanks drugs!

>>2354765
Drugs are our friends!

NEW THREAD

>>2354795
>>2354795
>>2354795
>>2354795