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>>4103218
"What can I do for you, Lord Arthur?" you ask. You nestle up against Forum so that you can stay firmly under the umbrella; the lanky Troll puts his free arm around your shoulders.

Arthur's tone is pleasant as he explains: "There's some updates on the job front for you. First, Queen Morris has agreed to contribute to an armory for the use of the Freehold, though we'll need a site for it. Trick Martin floated your church -"

"Absolutely God damn not," you interrupt. "I have kids in there, there's gonna be zero guns under that roof."

"Which is what I told him," Arthur soothes. "We're still negotiating, but odds are good it will end up in Summer custody just...by default."

You make a little hrm noise. "Ask Doctor Jesse if he minds squatting on it. Winter's trustworthy, and he and Moira have a solid rep."

Now it's Arthur's turn to hrm. "Space is still an issue there. Unless you're suggesting we cram it into Sally's clinic, which will get us both slapped into next week."

"Point," you concede. "But I still think Winter's the play. Even if the politics can fuck off about it, Winter's got the couriers to actually distribute weapons in case of emergency."

You hear the scratching of a pencil against paper. "It's sound reasoning, Arrayer Reeds. I'll have Knuckles make some overtures. Which brings me to the second thing I wanted to talk to you about. Lady Rabbit has a proposal for you. She believes an assistant from outside the Iron Spear might help with the administrative load of your duties, as well as exemplify the...cooperative nature of your new role. Such a person would be appointed to the title of Raincatcher, as your subordinate."

Mm. "She got someone in mind?"

"Shipmate Sally."

> I am not taking any friend of that pirate WHORE into my fucking service!

> No, next.

> ...I'm gonna need to hear a real interesting reason that an Elemental is getting this pick, Arthur.

>>4103246
>> ...I'm gonna need to hear a real interesting reason that an Elemental is getting this pick, Arthur.

We're racist, not RUDE. To Arthur, I mean. Vickie doesn't care about Sally's feelings, but her liege warrants at least hearing out.

> ...I'm gonna need to hear a real interesting reason that an Elemental is getting this pick, Arthur.

What the person above me said. Hear him out at least. The we can still say no.

>>4103246
>> ...I'm gonna need to hear a real interesting reason that an Elemental is getting this pick, Arthur.

In prison, sometimes emotional bonds form between wardens and inmates after long contact. Mabe this is the same, even tho Sally knows what Erin did.

>>4103246
>> ...I'm gonna need to hear a real interesting reason that an Elemental is getting this pick, Arthur.

I mean, we may be /thinking/ the first one, but we do have an /ounce/ of self-preservation when talking to King fucking Arthur.

>>4103246
>> ...I'm gonna need to hear a real interesting reason that an Elemental is getting this pick, Arthur.

Alright, gonna update after midnight tonight.

Aight! Called, writing.

Also sudden bronchitis. Fucking end me.

>>4107253

Just mention Rachel Reeds in front of the Rook. He'll do it for you.

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>>4103246
You take in a deep breath to steady the spike of gut-fucking rage that's trying to get control of your mouth; you can't quite keep the shake out of it, but Arthur does you the courtesy of not interrupting.

"So. I know who I'm saying this to," you begin, in the slow tones of The Vickie Who Knows Why Arthur's About To Be Mad, "but I'm gonna need to hear some real interesting logic backing up putting a gun-shy Elemental into this role. Shipmate Sally's essentially mute for all intents and purposes."

Arthur clearing his throat is like rumbling stone. "If that's the objection you want to make -"

"I made it, didn't I?" you snap before you remember yourself with a hasty, "my lord."

"Very well. Then precisely because she is, as you point out, an Elemental. Shipmate Sally can help you with those members of our Freehold who may have difficulty understanding you, and who fail to trust you because of that lack of understanding. You didn't hear this from me, but her intervention with Hemlock is the reason Hemlock has chosen to stay on with your lessons."

Your cheeks color hotly. "...Fuck it up that badly, did I?"

You can almost hear Arthur shaking his head. "Your approach would have been good for another student. Hemlock just needed some...perspective. And you could use some too."

You turn that one over in your head. It tastes bitter, but he's probably not wrong; Hemlock'd been crying for fuckssakes, and while you'd been as gentle as you could...

"I do have Colors," you point out.

Arthur snorts. "Has Colors managed to realize she's the de facto leader of a burgeoning political faction yet?"

"You know she won't."

"Then you don't have Colors and you know it."

He's not wrong there either. You scowl at the raindrops pounding into the sidewalk near your feet and bump Forum gently with your hip so he'll stop walking; the two of you take shelter in the doorway of a small gym. Some guy is on the rowing machine just on the other side of the glass.

"Ramona thinks it will be good for Sally," Arthur continues, in milder tones. "...She's been at something of a loss for how to handle the odder fits in her Court, and after that falling-out with Natalia she's got some peace to make. You'd be doing her a favor."

Mm. "Then why aren't I hearing this off of her lips and not yours?"

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>>4108449
"Because you know I could just order you and understand what it means that I'm not choosing to do so," the Lord of July answers. You chew your bottom lip and put your free hand in your pocket; the knife handle there is a comfort, and you run your thumb along its grip.

"...She's still gonna be Peters' jailer. I don't want her around." You feel a hollow scrape of shame in your chest, right next to the rage, competing with it for control of your voice. "I don't like the pirate, Arthur. You know that."

Arthur's silent for a long while. "Peters may not need a jailer for much longer. Are you willing to accept Sally in that event?"

"How -"

"Don't waste your breath asking, Arrayer Reeds. That's all the information you're getting on the situation until it develops further."

Jesus, Mary, and fucking Joseph. "You gonna let me appoint my own assistants if I can drum them up or is this still part of my sentence? If we're gonna drag Spring into it I might as well tap Winter too. Gotta prove I can network or whatever."

That stony silence again. And then: "You make a good case. Three Raincatchers, with the understanding that Spring is formally putting forward Shipmate Sally."

"Fine, whatever. After she's no longer the pirate's leash. Look, I gotta go, Lord Arthur. Email me or something."

"Keep well, Arrayer."

You glare at Forum when you hang up the phone. He shrugs impassively. "Need some introductions?"

You scowl.

You scowl further.

"...Yes."

"I'll get on it when I get the chance," the Troll tells you, and then the two of you set off again.

All of you have to get ready to go to Court here soon; there's preparations to be made, but you oughta have the chance to cook something, maybe have a chat...

> Colors should know about that whole 'politics' thing. The Rook should have told her already, the prick.

> Actually why hasn't the Rook told her? Make him explain himself to you.

> Just cook (pass the time)

>>4108477
>> Actually why hasn't the Rook told her? Make him explain himself to you.

You *suppose* you should see if he's got a plan. A scheme. A *game*. It would be just as like him as it would be irritating.

>>4108477
>> Actually why hasn't the Rook told her? Make him explain himself to you.

Time to take our frustrations out on someone who can totally murder us for it! Wooo!

>> Actually why hasn't the Rook told her? Make him explain himself to you

>>4108477
>> Actually why hasn't the Rook told her? Make him explain himself to you.

> Actually why hasn't the Rook told her? Make him explain himself to you.

>>4108477
>> Actually why hasn't the Rook told her? Make him explain himself to you.

Arthur snorts. "Has Colors managed to realize she's the de facto leader of a burgeoning political faction yet?"

Can someone recap/explain that? I r not grok.

Called, writing Soon(tm)

>>4112996
I'll explain further if you need me to, but before I do, consider: who are Colors' closest friends & how do they relate to the rest of the Freehold?

>>4113488
Man I really cannot write on time.

I'm going to write this update before work tomorrow no matter who has to die. Work tonight was...interesting.

Boop

>>4131368
Yeah this is embarrassing on my end. In my defense the world is sorta fucking imploding ATM.

Lemme archive, new thread tonight or tomorrow, assuming I can find whatever hole my mind poured itself into.