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>>2463094
The surprise of it makes you laugh, and immediately you feel guilty about that. The ghost of a smile twitches Fancy's lips up. "But - I -"

"What's a Pledge breaking feel like, Colors?" Fancy asks, looking back at you. Her eyes swim with tears that run down her cheeks. "You tell me that."

"Like heartbreak on the longest day of Summer," you whisper. "Like every bad feeling you've ever had all at once, right here." You touch your chest, just over your heart. "Like you've been hit. There's no feeling quiet like it."

"You promised you'd be honest with me. And as far as I can tell you're keepin' that promise." Fancy takes a deep, shuddering breath. "I've been you before. I've been that girl. I get it, but y'know...that doesn't make it better. I ain't gonna spend tonight yellin', or screamin', or tryin' to make you prove you're sorry. You're sayin' it now and it has to be the truth, don't it. Do you still want her?"

"...I don't know," you manage, miserably.

"Then we'll talk about it when you get back. When I know what I want. Fair enough?" When you give her a wordless nod, Fancy points her thumb at the stairs. "You got an early morning, Colors. You oughta get some sleep. I'll be here on the couch."

"You don't have to -"

"Yeah. I do, darlin'. I really do."

* * * *

You wake up in tears in the middle of the night, surprised at a warm touch on your arm. Your turn your head, sniffling and trying to stop sobbing. "F-Fancy?"

"Go back to sleep," the dancer murmurs. "You still got an early mornin'."

"B-b-but, I -"

"What kinda friend would I be if I just let you cry in here alone? Go back to sleep, Colors."

You break down entirely when the dancer wraps her arms around you. At some point you drift back off, Fancy humming lullabies behind you.

* * * *

You've packed for a long haul. This isn't your first party with long-term wilderness excursions. There's food, a survival knife, cooking supplies, rope, a machete, a sleeping bag, and various bits of miscellania, all on your back when you make it to the condemned Smithson Arms building.

"Make sure you come back home," Fancy had told you. It keeps repeating in your head, over and over again.

You're not entirely surprised to find that Erin is already there waiting for you, earlier than the others. You hadn't been able to stay home, not with everything you're feeling. From the way she fidgets and paces, the ex-pirate's restlessness is back in full force.

"Good, you're here," Erin says by way of greeting. "Want your opinion on something."

"Can we talk about -"

"No, we can't," she says sharply. Erin stops and runs her fingers through her hair; a frustrated sound escapes her throat. "...Sorry. It's early. I can't. I can't think about that right now, Colors. I need to focus. And I need your opinion on something as the person bodyguarding me through this thing."

You rest your hand on Bifrost's hilt and nod. "Okay. What is it?"

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>>2463108
Erin gestures vaguely at the building. "A bright Wyrd like mine projects itself into the Hedge. Makes us easy to spot, and easier to track, but it also frightens away a lot of the little things. Now, the Near Hedge oughta be mostly empty, but the Deep Hedge is another story. 'Frightens away' could be an advantage...but so could stealth. I can provide stealth, at a catch."

You're intrigued despite yourself. "What's the catch?"

Erin's rakes her fingers through the lights around her head in a burst of exasperation and anger. She growls up at them, then looks back down at you. Well. 'Looks'. "I can dampen my Wyrd, by actually weakening my Wyrd, with all that entails. I'd be less notable. I'd also be less powerful. When it all goes down, I'd be even weaker than you're already anticipating. So, what's your thought?"

> Full power
> Throttle it gently?
> Scour your Wyrd down, try to avoid having a fight at all

>>2463108
right in the heart, right in it

>>2463109
> Full power

If it we can't make it to the goal with her at full power, we can just retreat. She sounds pretty sure that she'll need her power after the rite or whatever.

That being said, has she considered asking around for help with concealing her wyrd?

>>2463111
Honestly I hope Fancy leaves.

>>2463109
>> Throttle it gently?
As to avoid drawing any - Big- trouble, while still leaving Erin to walk (or run) out of there after the ritual.
Hopefully.

>>2463171
This is that. Normally the Lost can't do so at all.

But nothing in fae magic is free, hence Colors' question and in turn Erin's answer. It does certainly explain how Liz Malloy managed to operate; normally such a bright Wyrd and powerful Mantle would be a bit of a giveaway, especially when you're trying to be the bait.

>>2463181
Honestly I hope you leave.

Who even says shit like that?

>>2463181
>>2463560
Calmatae, aye?

The response Vox came up with is pretty good and very in character. COlors isn't a social butterfly, so her kind of breaking down makes a lot of sense

>>2463531
Ah, vox i can't remember, is shipmate sally come with Erins into the deep hedge?

>>2463109
>> Full power

>>2463580
She is not coming. Erin & her sought special dispensation for Sally - who is otherwise to be at Erin's side at more or less at all times - to not be on this trip, which in a related story also makes you Erin's handler for this event.

>>2463109
>Full Power
All in.

>>2463585
How is Vicky reacting to hearing about us boning Erin?

>>2463701
What gives you the idea that Vickie knows?

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>>2463560
Fancy a shit. She's just another pixie chaser who doesn't understand what it means to be Lost.

That's why she said she had been us at one time. She doesn't even know much about us, mostly just the surface stuff. Which is fine, we just met, but come on. She's more of a therapist than a girlfriend. But like not a good one, just better than nothing.

All that awaits is future misery bought at the price of always being the one in the wrong.

Here, the pic explains why you got so mad.

>>2463715
I just assume we're terrible at hiding it and that Vickie stalks us like she was a darkling with a crush or something.

>>2463726
Vickie has responsibilities. She's also rather pointedly not coming on this trip.

I'll not be updating before work, which means I'll be back sometime around 11 PM EST or approximately 10 & a half hours from now. I'll be available via phone to answer questions as I can.

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>>2463720

About four and a half hours to call.

>>2464538
>>2463109
>ask Erin what she thinks about the deep hedge, she's more experienced after all

>>2463109
> Full power

We brought backup so it's cool. I'd rather be prepped for a definite fight than unprepared for a probable fight.

It Is Time.

Called, writing. Seems pretty clear-cut.

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>>2463109
You think about it for a moment, but it seems pretty obvious. Your talents don't run towards stealth.

"Keep it running hot, Erin," you tell her. "I'd rather be ready for a fight I know is coming, and with the Hedge so scoured lately even the bigger predators ought to be cautious."

The blind Fairest nods after a moment and throws something at you. You catch it left-handed and take a look. Folded paper, which opens up into -

Oh.

"Clean bill of health from Sally. Got checked after the Willow, when I first realized I was ready to have this party." She turns to face the derelict bar. "She also said you've got standing orders for your own to be released to any ladies that ask."

"...Seemed convenient," you mutter.

"You really are clueless. Your friends are...no, one friend is coming. With the Queen of Bonfires."

You look into the misty street and sure enough there's Zoe's telltale glow at head height, moving through the fog. She's talking.

"- about what I said. I miss him too. Believe me or not, I care about Raven's legacy. I don't want to see the Court he built crumble because his greatest student insisted on getting himself killed."

"My life isn't -" the Rook hacks, coughs; Zoe stops next to him, or at least her head stops moving. "Isn't yours to dispose of," he finishes. "Will you stay out of it or not, Morris? You got what you wanted."

A sigh, from Zoe. "When this thing you're doing now is dead and done, you and your Motley will be invited to come see me. We'll have this out then, with all of them there. Fair enough?"

"...Fair enough. It's rude to stare, Eriksdotter."

You try to look away but it's literally just fog and Erin out here. The Rook approaches, Zoe Morris with him. The new-crowned Queen of Bonfires sizzles and spits in the mist, and looks profoundly uncomfortable. "Colors. Peters. Good luck on your trip. I'd say I'd keep you in my prayers but..."

You blink. "There's no problem with that. If...wait...is that sarcasm?"

"It's not," the Rook and Zoe say at the same time. They share a brief look, and then your Wizened friend points a thumb at his Queen. "She's Catholic. Didn't you know?"

"I really did not." You give Zoe a nod. "I'm honored by your consideration."

"Mm. Got told that the Arrayer isn't coming," Zoe says. "She was pretty clear to me that she'll be here, training all the Autumn Courtiers she can get her hands on and preparing us for emergencies and war, formalizing the state of the armory, all that. Interesting balance, letting her do her job versus keeping our secrets. Your friend plays a surprisingly good politics game when she forgets she's supposed to hate it."

"Quit playing with her and spit out what you want," Erin says in a tired voice. "You know she can't play this game, Zippo. She's an Elemental."

"That's racist," Zoe answers.

"What's this about?" you ask, looking between the two Fairest.

>>2465870
>"What's this about?" you ask, looking between the two Fairest.
pfffhahaha, das cute.

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>>2465870
"Nothing, right now. I'm not here to give you a royal command before your big trip. But you do me a personal favor and keep an eye on the Wonderlanders." Zoe produces her lighter from her pocket and rolls it around her hand; the flame flickers and fades as the lid obeys the laws of momentum. "One fucked up person to several others, Vickie Reeds ain't doin' so hot. Dropped by myself, though, and God damn if I don't wanna believe this is good for her. She's a joy to watch with those damn kids. You're her friend. You're their friend. Try to make sure they don't destroy each other on accident."

"I'll be on hand as well," the Rook rasps.

"Fuck am I, chopped liver?"

Zoe whirls at the sound of Forum's voice; the Troll catches her wrist in one hand and smothers her other hand in a fist, sealing her lighter. After a moment, he lets her go. "Sorry, your Majesty, got used to walking softly."

"Good reflexes," Zoe replies. "You missed the knife boot."

Forum looks down. You look down. There is in fact a knife poking out of the toe of Zoe's boot, which she pushes back in against the asphalt with a practiced ease. The Queen of Bonfires flashes a smile and then tips a wave before leaving the four of you to contemplate the encounter.

"Every time you try to show up Fairest," Forum complains once she's out of earshot.

"I'm right here," Erin answers. "Can we get on with this?"

Forum has the key that opens the place up. The four of you come inside out of the mist, to the dubious protection of the building. Your Troll friend has packed like a Boy Scout; you haven't seen a backpack that needs a metal frame in ages. The Rook has a duffel bag.

Erin seems to have nothing at all.

"You boys should discuss your camp. I've got something to talk to Colors about before we go. And...you still offering blessings?" Erin hesitates on that last question.

"To those who ask or accept in good faith," you answer softly. "Let's talk."

"We'll be here, bein' left out," Forum says."I've got the thing, incidentally. Don't let me forget to give it to you."

You nod. The bar's got more than one room still intact, and Erin leads you into the back of what used to be a kitchen. She paces, hands on the hilts of her blades.

"You were the one who set the time," you say, after awhile.

"I know."

"You said you needed to focus."

"I know!" Erin's halo of lights flares. Your hand goes to Bifrost's hilt, but she stops moving instead of stepping towards you. "Look, Colors. Last night happened, and it was wonderful, but I'm still me, alright? There's nothing to talk about until something about that changes. And that's not - look, tell me about the Aesir."

"Uh...I don't exactly have the Eddas word-perfect..."

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>>2465919
"Not what I meant." Erin turns her head to face you, her lights dimming softly. "You know something? You seem like the only Lost I've ever met who doesn't mumble her faith under her breath to try and excuse what happened to her. I've seen believers and I've seen heroes, I've seen cowards waving crosses or starting stupid cults. Crossed blades with the Thousand-Faced Liar twice, left him uglier for it both times, met Bridge-Burners and mortal cultists and more besides, and none of 'em are like you. Most are more like Zoe or Arthur, more or less just...human. For whatever that means."

"And I'm not?" you ask, confused.

"I don't think Arthur would've pulled me back up onto that platform to keep the fight going. And I don't think you did it to save my dignity either. Did you?" She doesn't wait for an answer. "So tell me about them. You afraid of your gods?"

"No. Obedience from fear is weak."

"They promise you something?"

You shrug. "Wisdom? Glory? But not directly. The gods help those who put in the work. They're guides, not hand-holders or demons. They don't come when they're called."

Erin Peters bites her lip. She turns her head away, then back towards you. You see her mouth open, then close, several times.

"I never really believed in anything," she says at last. "Except maybe Spring. But I sort of have to believe in Spring, don't I? Because the other option is to go mad again and then kill myself before Liz Malloy comes crawling back out of my corpse."

"Erin -"

"Don't interrupt me. Please," she adds. "There a name for what you are? The faith, that is."

"Asatru. True to the gods." You finger the hammer pendant at your neck for a moment. "Are you asking to join? It's not a faith that lusts for converts, Erin. And not something to be done lightly. No faith should be taken up lightly."

"And how do I know if it's light or not? I want to try something. I've spent my whole life kicking out every human association I ever could have had and look where that got me. Obviously these gods have been good to you. I know it's not a transaction, Colors. What's it mean, to be what you are?"

You close your eyes, take a deep breath, and nod to yourself. "The Gods of Asgard have a variety of interests, personalities, preferences. But the heart of their faith is simple. Act with honor. Avenge your kin. Seek peace through justice. Respect your enemies, defend your friends, live and die with valor. They love warriors most of all, which...is not a problem for you."

"I dare fucking say. Honor. I'm not...I'm not sure if I have that. I was Liz for a long time."

> Oathbreaking is a serious matter, but one of the All-Father's many titles is Oathbreaker. Let me tell you about that...
> Are you familiar with the Binding of Fenris?
> Now's not the time, Erin. Why did you bring this up?
> I'm not comfortable guiding you in this. I can get you some contact information for local groups.
> Write-in?

>>2465927
> Oathbreaking is a serious matter, but one of the All-Father's many titles is Oathbreaker. Let me tell you about that...

Also about the time Loki tied his balls to a goats beard and had a tug of war.

But I mean, honour only exists when people make it exist. It doesn't happen without intent.

So hey, it's okay that she hasn't lived with it before because it's always an option. The fact that it IS just an option is what makes it valuable. The only thing keeping people honourable is saying "no" to breaking it, as opposed to oaths.

>>2465927
>>2465964

I could have explained this better, but the point is that the Aesir aren't perfect and they don't demand perfection. But they do expect people to strive for it. Die, as all men and even gods do eventually, but go down swinging.

>>2465927
>> Are you familiar with the Binding of Fenris?
Even if this vote does not win, what do you know about it, Vox ?

>>2466014
Why the binding of Fenris? I mean, it's been a while, but isn't it essentially a story of betrayal? Even if the motivation is understandable-ish, I'm not quite sure how that would be an appropriate message here...

>>2465927
>> Oathbreaking is a serious matter, but one of the All-Father's many titles is Oathbreaker. Let me tell you about that...

>>2465927
> What do you know of Odin

There was also a story where a God broke their oath, one of the Vanir I believe, so Odin cursed him to live as a man who Odin then helped through life at key times so that when the Vanir died as a mortal and returned to being a god they would have reconciled.

So you know. Some similarities to Erin reinventing herself.

>>2466036
It is. But it's also the story of why Tyr is the God of Justice. There's more to unpack there than one might think.

You should also keep in mind that while Colors keeps channels open to her local community (she has Contacts with them), she's a solitary practitioner, by nature somewhat disconnected from the larger body of her faith.

>>2465927
>> Oathbreaking is a serious matter, but one of the All-Father's many titles is Oathbreaker. Let me tell you about that...

>>2465927
>Oathbreaking is a serious matter, but one of the All-Father's many titles is Oathbreaker. Let me tell you about that...

Odin's a jerk.

Approximately five hours to call

>>2466164
>Odin's a jerk.
Pretty much every old god was a jerk.

>>2465927
>> Oathbreaking is a serious matter, but one of the All-Father's many titles is Oathbreaker. Let me tell you about that...
> ...at least in brief.
> As long as you're alive, honour is always something you can strive for. No matter what's come before, you can always choose to be better. Take responsibility for what you do, and if you fall, rise each time a better person.

Called, writing.

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>>2465927
You finger your hammer while you think; the texture of it is nice beneath your thumb and forefinger, and it gives you something to do with your hand. "This might get a little esoteric," you tell her. "This isn't...we don't deal in 'sins'. Not like that. There are right things and wrong things, and oathbreaking is usually wrong. Usually, and seriously wrong. But among Odin's many titles is 'Oathbreaker', and yet he is still King in Asgard. His spear, Gugnir, remains the eminent symbol of law and truth among the Aesir and their allies. On its shaft are the oaths the gods make. Those kept with honor shine bright, and those escaped through deception, or broken, are blackened ash upon it."

"So what, he gets away with it?" Erin asks. The tone doesn't match the words, though; her voice is soft, unsure. She hops up onto a ruined counter and listens to you while you talk.

"No. He...goes into it knowing the consequences. Ragnarok, the Doom of the Gods, is a reckoning. Odin will die there. Many of the gods will die there, to even the scales. In recognition of the evil they have done in their lives, of the oaths broken, of the vengeance taken too far. They, too, make choices about what is needed against what is right. The wisdom they've earned has been at the end of a harsh lash. Erin...am I dishonorable?"

The Fairest snorts. "I have a hard time believing the stories I hear about this person you used to be, Colors. No, I'm pretty sure you and Arthur might be two of the most genuinely honorable people I've ever met. But it sounds a little good to be true, you know. Just act honorable, and don't concern myself with my past treacheries? Really?"

"You say 'just' like it's something easy. Maybe it would be, if everyone did it. Everyone doesn't. But otherwise...yes. The Gods of Asgard don't expect you to be sorry. They expect you to be better. Remorse, contrition, those are things that exist between you and those you've wronged. They aren't the business of the gods."

"Fuck me," Erin swears under her breath. She slides down from the counter. "Let's get the boys and go."

"But -"

"Colors, I was trying to have a different talk with you and I brought up religion so I could pussy out of it. Let's got get the boys and get this show on the road so I can work up my fucking nerve." Erin breezes past you. She stops with her hand on the door. "...I know I'm being confusing. And I'm sorry about that. At least some of this is going to make sense soon."

You follow Erin back out of the kitchen. She goes right past Forum towards the Gate and opens it up. Your Troll friend gives her a look, gives you a look, and then hands you a small, hand-held walkie-talkie.

"You can use it without Glamour if you give it some of your hearing," Forum tells you. "Wouldn't suggest it in the context. It'll run for an hour whenever you turn it on."

You have acquired a HEDGESPUN WALKIE-TALKIE.

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>>2467790
"Let's fucking go," Erin says, gesturing into the Hedge. You step through first, one hand on Bifrost. The leaves of the Thorns are turning orange and red, and the Thorns themselves have begun to dry into withered, but no less sharp, points.

The Rook steps through next, his powerful Wyrd coating the Thorns in cobwebs and filling the shadows with pale blue lights. Forum's entrance doesn't touch the Thorns at all.

Erin's entrance through the gate blots out Autumn in a wave of Spring. Roses in a rainbow of colors erupt along the sides of the path. The plants revitalize, turning green and healthy, and sway in a warm breeze.

"That'll extend for miles," Erin murmurs. Her hand strays to a hunting horn at her belt. "...Can the two of you set up camp while we get this show on the road?"

"We can," the Rook agrees. "Go forth, Erin Peters. Staying here won't help you."

Forum claps you on the shoulder and nods. He unslings his backpack and starts taking things out of it; the Rook drops his duffel bag and likewise gets to work. You step up next to Erin, who has her head bowed gently. When she nods to herself and sets out, you move with her.

The path has more twists and turns than before. You're out of the line of sight of the men in moments.

"Let's do the easy part first," Erin says. "I promised you payment."

"You did," you agree, carefully.

"I had a Motley, Colors. I told you that already. I also told you that they're all dead. That leaves me as the sole owner of everything we earned - everything we stole, everything we took from dead men, every fee paid to kidnap mortals, every slave traded away, it's all there, in the Hoard. I can bring us there. I can undo its traps and wards, and I can dispense of its wealth. And I'm willing to offer you a substantial sum of currency, and your pick of its magical goods, with one exception."

"What exception?" you ask. You don't look at Erin; your eyes are off the path, watching for predators and bandits.

"There's a chess set there, which moves on its own," Erin murmurs. "I made it myself. Its pieces were modeled after our first thirty-two victims, and I am going to burn it." The Fairest tries to take a deep breath; you can hear her breath shake, and what comes out is a choking sob. She stops walking and doubles over, arms wrapped around herself.

"Erin -" you reach a hand towards her shoulder.

"Don't fucking touch me." Lights flare around Erin's head, forcing you to look away. They dim slowly, amidst the sounds of her getting herself under control. "...Do you want it or not? We can deal later if you don't want it, but whatever you don't take, and whatever I don't take, is going to the Freehold."

> Accept the proposal
> Refuse (negotiate payment later)

>>2467805
>> Accept the proposal

>>2467946
>>2467805
> Refuse (negotiate payment later)

She can pay us with something from her new life, and we'll help her with that.

We don't want to be relegated to her "old life" and cast aside as well.

>>2467805
>> Accept the proposal

>>2467956
dispersing the hoard of things she accumulated as a privateer will help though. if she doesn't then there'll always be the souvenirs of her old life hidden away

>>2468263
She can disperse it to do some good. We want a connection with the new Erin.

best girl.

>>2467805
>Refuse (negotiate payment later)
Payment is taken after the deed is done, not before.

>>2468359
I mean, this isn't happening first either way. Among other things your Motley packed for one trip, not two.

>>2468369
Principle of the matter darling, not facts.

>>2467805
>> Accept the proposal
Having options > not having options, and having some loot opens up monetary options.

I may or may not update tonight, I've got some other stuff to take care of this evening. I'll be on deck for questions.

>>2468359
>Payment is taken after the deed is done, not before.
What ? PLenty of nusinesses ask for a deposit or full payment up front so they dont get burned.
What a unlogical argument.

>>2467805
>Refuse

This ain't our weregild, it's the freehome's.

>>2467805
> Accept the proposal

There's a story to every item, and... I would like to learn about some of it. Perhaps try to cleanse it, if that's even possible.

>>2467805
>> Refuse (negotiate payment later)
Feels to much like blood money.
I mean, I like the part about (the rest of) it going to the freehold to maybe make up a bit of it's origin, but it doesn't feel right to take it as payment.

Called, tallying, writing. Thank you for your patience.

Jesus fucking Christ there's a tie.

Okay. I need to go do my taxes. You have roughly four hours to break this tie and keep it broken or I will roll a die.

> Accept the proposal
Look, it ain't the loot's fault it is the wages of slavery and piracy against humanity. It's going to the Freehold anyways, so we might as well take a pick of something, 'cause you damn well know more trouble is on the horizon, and we might as well be prepared for it.

I mean, unless the loot really is responsible for it's terrible providence. This is Changeling, curses and malign inanimate intelligence are a thing.

>>2469616
You're not thinking like a knight. Trust and honor are things that exist.

>>2470550
Thinking like the GOLD knight

>>2467805
> Refuse

>>2467805
>Accept the proposal

>>2470503
>Refuse the proposal

>>2470715
>>2470503
Wait I noticed everyone else linked here >>2467805

Does that have to be done?

>>2470716
Nah. The greentext is the only thing I request/require because it makes votes easier to count.

>>2470738
Awesome thanks.

Wait are we tied again?

Screw it

>ACCEPT

>>2470811
BETRAYAL

Called. ACCEPT is our winner by a narrow margin.

Writing.

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>>2467805
You nod, then remember that you're not sure if Erin actually knows when you nod. "I accept that offer. What about the Rook and Forum?"

"There's a lot of stuff there, but that's between me and them. I'll talk it over with them when we get back." Erin takes a deep breath, lets it out slowly, and then does it again. "Okay. Okay, I'm fine. Let's keep going."

The Hedge is quiet here. You can see the occasional mark of the Hunt - torn scraps of fur, scorch marks from flintlocks and from Contracts, deep scores from blades, even new paths hacked into the Thorns to admit the hunting Lost.

Here and there, the corpse of a hob, left to rot in the elements. Some have flowers or other plants already starting to sprout from them. Others were rather obviously mauled or bitten by the more savage members of your adopted home.

"So how'd it go with your girl," Erin says, breaking more than ten minutes of silence.

Your heart wrings in your chest. "You don't have to rub it in," you say back. "You knew I'd hurt her."

"Well...no, I didn't," Erin says carefully. "Was I pretty sure? Yeah. Most folks don't like to be cheated on. I'm not trying to rub anything in, I'm...look, maybe I can help."

"You're just avoiding that other conversation again."

Erin sighs. Her hand strays to the hilt of her saber, where her thumb rubs the pommel. "Yeah. I am. But I'm still offering to help. The Ardent Rule might apply here but I certainly fucking encouraged you. I can make excuses or I can make amends. Amends sounds better."

"How about we talk about the other thing?" you plead.

The silence you get lasts until the glass flowers start to bloom, and the Thorns give way to twisting trees of concrete and aluminum that bend and arc into bizarre towers and structures. The clearing where Mirror, Mirror was is already starting to sprout a new city; miniature structures poke up at waist height, blooming with glass flowers that chime in the wind and spreading leaves of woven cables that bask in the sunlight.

"I'm still sworn to my Keeper," Erin says, with her hand gently brushing a miniature City Hall that is more of a skeleton of itself than a proper building. "Arthur and Ramona know. Arthur knew when he agreed to spare my life. There's an Oath that holds me to Him, compelling me to do His bidding whenever he so wishes it. I've been slowly cutting off those avenues, one by one. He has no inroad into my dreams and I've ensured it will stay that way. When I had you rip my eyes out I rendered myself immune to His written orders. I also ensured that no voices that claim to speak in His name can prove to me that they work for Him, so He can't send other servants to compel me. But there's always the chance that He just...shows up. And then I have a problem."

"Gods," you whisper. "What are you going to do about it?"

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>>2471475
"What is there to do? I've got to kill Him. All of the other options are implausible, impractical, or unethical. And I know a lot of other methods. If I didn't care who I hurt in getting free I'd be free already."

"Your best plan is to deliberately fight one of the Gentry?" you ask.

"No. My best plan is to have someone else do it, because if I'm anywhere near Him then I'll just be commanded to go back to the Fairest of Lands and everything anyone's ever done for me meant nothing." Erin paces around the growing buildings, hands in her pockets, head bowed. "Arthur and I have been working on it. Raven was...helpful, in some ways. I've got a solution, maybe. If I can find a champion."

"Are you asking -"

"No. Because you can't ask someone that, Colors. You just can't. You can't walk up to a person you're supposed to care about and then say 'will you fight a Fae for me?'." Her head goes up, and turns towards you. "And I won't. I know I'm a bitch. I know I'm selfish and snappish and I got you to do something because I wanted it and that's not gonna be me this time, not with your life on the table. Arthur's promised to take the role if no one else steps up. He gave me permission to tell you, and now you know. Do whatever you want with that information, just not...now."

You take a steadying breath. "Are you ready to do what we came here to do, then?"

"Yeah. You'll have to stand watch. Once I start I'm not all that likely to stop." Erin selects the roof of a thriving apartment building and hops up on top of it. She kneels, resting on her heels, and takes out a small, triangular knife. "Colors? Thanks. For...for everything."

You approach slowly. Erin lets you lay a hand on her shoulder; the thin Fairest shakes in your grip, and her hand goes to yours, clutching desperately for comfort. "Your Spring is coming," you tell her.

Erin Peters, who was Liz Malloy, takes a shivering breath and lets go of your hand. With her small knife she pricks the tip of each of her fingers, first on her left hand, then on her right. You take a step back to give her space to work and watch as she pushes methodically strips down to the waist.

The Hedge, hungry for her fear, swarms with dark clouds that darken the sun and throw shards of light and shadow from the glass flowers.

Erin's ice mail tinkles and chimes when it hits the dirt of the clearing. She runs her bloody fingers up her arms; the streaks of red don't run the way they ought to, but instead pool in her scars and wounds, highlighting her pale skin in crimson marks.

Her fear is going to attract something, but you don't dare interrupt.

"It is said that you only own something if you know it is yours, and you are willing to let it go," Erin whispers, her voice low and fast. "I assert ownership of myself."

A blast of air blows petals off the flowers and nearly knocks you to your ass. The lights around Erin's head whirl in a frenzy, shedding light so brightly they're hard to look at

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>>2471532
Fight the Gentry, you say?

Well, that's pretty much our end goal anyways, and if we keep the relationship as good as it is now then honestly we'd be a little insulted if she didn't ask us to stand for her.

> Chivalry Intensifies

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>>2471532
The ex-pirate rakes her fingertips down her chest and stomach; the blood spreads in blossoming lines, pooling in the scars you grew so familiar with, almost glowing in the light of her halo. Erin chokes back a sob; her frown twitches, showing gritted teeth, before she lets it go too, breathing out instead of growling in fury.

"I assert ownership of myself," she repeats. Erin reaches her bloody hands up and snatches a light from her halo; she pulls it down in front of her face, where it struggles and fights to escape her grip. "Mary Keller," Erin tells it. "You were just a kid. You never believed I'd do what I did, and you never understood. You no longer own me."

The light thrashes, dims, dies, and she lets its ember fall to the ground before grabbing another. Her Mantle rises, filling the air with a warm Spring breeze and the scents of roses and lilies.

"John Thurston," she murmurs to the light in her hands. "My feelings weren't your fault. You were never cruel to me. It wasn't right of me to hate you for being happy, and you no longer own me."

Hariett Jones. Wendy Kirkpatrick. Roger Mills. Missus Worthington. A litany of names, confessions, and forgiveness streams from the trembling Fairest. She hunches over her lights; each faintly gleaming ember she lets go falls to the concrete of her perch with a chime-like sound, only to be replaced when she reaches with shaking hands for the next.

In the distance, you hear howling.

> Prepare to fight (activate ARMOR OF GLASS'S FURY via its Catch. Activate CLOAK OF GLASS via its Catch. Roll Perception against difficulty 7)
> It's her fear drawing them here. Go to Erin, comfort her, encourage her. Desire and joy can cloak you (Persuasion against difficulty 9; your Mantle bonus applies; FAITH)

You have an active VIRTUE bonus and an active VICE bonus available.

Colors' Sheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gq9ZEFrwnYjQpSeuMg1a_7UepedMrQUSEwbrHWntFCo/edit?usp=sharing

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>>2471552
> It's her fear drawing them here. Go to Erin, comfort her, encourage her. Desire and joy can cloak you (Persuasion against difficulty 9; your Mantle bonus applies; FAITH)
>Use VICE bonus

We have pretty decent odds of pulling this off with all of our various bonuses. Lets stay out of fights for as long as we can.

>>2471559
> That pic

Fucking saved

>>2471562
I thought you might appreciate it.

It's her fear drawing them here. Go to Erin, comfort her, encourage her. Desire and joy can cloak you (Persuasion against difficulty 9; your Mantle bonus applies; FAITH)

>spend VIRTUE bonus

We're getting a faith bonus from doing this, so we should use the last one. Basically guarantees the roll.

>>2471552
> It's her fear drawing them here. Go to Erin, comfort her, encourage her. Desire and joy can cloak you (Persuasion against difficulty 9; your Mantle bonus applies; FAITH)

> Use Vice

>>2471605
>>2471552

Supporting this.

>>2471552
> It's her fear drawing them here. Go to Erin, comfort her, encourage her. Desire and joy can cloak you (Persuasion against difficulty 9; your Mantle bonus applies; FAITH)

> Apply Virtue bonus

Let's give Erin all the support she needs

>>2471552
>> It's her fear drawing them here. Go to Erin, comfort her, encourage her. Desire and joy can cloak you (Persuasion against difficulty 9; your Mantle bonus applies; FAITH)
Use Virtue bonus

>>2471552
>> It's her fear drawing them here. Go to Erin, comfort her, encourage her. Desire and joy can cloak you (Persuasion against difficulty 9; your Mantle bonus applies; FAITH)
A bit more dividends for the future after she's done, too.

>>2471552
Test to see if 4chan is still shitting the bed.

>> It's her fear drawing them here. Go to Erin, comfort her, encourage her. Desire and joy can cloak you (Persuasion against difficulty 9; your Mantle bonus applies; FAITH)
Use Virtue bonus

Ugh finally. I was ready to do this at 9 this morning.

Alright, called. With the choice to apply the Virtue bonus you literally can't fail the roll, but give me one anyway - 1d10+8

In the future I'm gonna be increasingly less likely to call out behaviors that might secure your Virtue or Vice. It hasn't come up a lot yet, which is why I did it this time, but at some point I've gotta trust y'all to have an idea of what is and isn't a risk in the context and also what does, or does not, entail putting her Lust first, or affirming her Faith (either in the Aesir or, as in this case, her Court's ideals and methods when she's more practiced and confident with violence instead).

Rolled 4 + 8 (1d10 + 8)

Rolled 3 + 8 (1d10 + 8)

Rolled 3 + 8 (1d10 + 8)

>>2472405

>>2472424
Excellent. Only needed the one roll. Will write Soon(tm), possibly tomorrow morning. Work kicked my ass.

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>>2471552
3 + 8 = 11; Success

It was a long time ago, when you were still new in town, that you approached Ramona before a party, with the servants of the Lady of the Lake still laying siege to the Freehold. It was a fine day in the early Spring, April not yet dead and done, and you had honestly been up your liege's ass all day while she was trying to put on the finishing touches and prepare for her guests - namely any Freehold member who cared to attend.

Finally, you'd broached the question that had you bothered and fingering your blade all day: why are we having a party when the enemy is at the gates?

Ramona had touched your cheek with a light smile on her face and nodded out towards the front room of the Willow, where her guests were gathering. "The question you should be asking is why I have so many guests at my party when the enemy is at the gates. Did you think Spring has survived this long by sheltering behind Summer every time we're confronted?"

"I mean...in Philly..."

She'd kissed your forehead then, your liege lady, and she'd sighed. "We would not have lasted this long if we were as frivolous and useless as that, my brave Knight. They, too often, hunt us by the scent of tears and the sound of breaking hearts. They sift through our trails for the rusty fragments of the chains They leave on us, and follow us to our homes. Fear, hate, sorrow, these things They know. Who wouldn't be afraid of the Gentry? But there is a weakness there, Colors. They don't know what to do if you dare to laugh in Their face. To many of Them, the act is so incomprehensible that they'll abandon your trail, dismissing you as a decoy, or even as someone else entirely."

Here, and now, as you did then, you take your hand off of your blade. If it was just you here, maybe you would stand and fight, because that's who you are, what you genuinely enjoy. But here Erin Peters is reaching, literally, for her Spring, and you can reach with her.

Gently, not wanting to disturb her, you rest a hand on Erin's shoulder. She takes in a sharp breath at the sensation, but doesn't move to stop you.

"The lights want you to be afraid," you murmur to her. "They want to to believe you need them, Erin, because they are afraid of you. Of who you could be without them."

Hounds, in the distant Thorns, bay and howl. Something snaps, miles away, with a thick and wooden sound.

"I'm scared," Erin whispers in a tight voice; the light in her hands flares, scorching her fingertips; she winces and clutches it closer.

"It's okay. Being born is scary. Do you want it?"

"Yes."

"Do you want this?" you repeat, stressing it. Erin's Mantle rises; the glass flowers around her ripple and erupt into delicate reds and whites, reshaping themselves into the petals of roses and lilies. A gentle, misting rain breaks from the gray sky, refreshing and cool. Erin sits up straighter, raising her chin.

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>>2473005
"Mom," she says to the light in her hands. "Mom, I'm sorry. I hated you for so long for leaving me and you never would have if you knew. If I'd ever told you and Dad what was wrong. You no longer own me."

"Spring always believed in you," you encourage. "It never abandoned you, not through all these long years. It's been waiting for this moment."

Erin hitches a sob, but she reaches up, hands steady, and takes one of her few surviving lights. "Dad," she whispers to it. "I'm going to make this right. I have no right to hate you for what I failed to tell you. One day you'll be free to, and on that day you can meet your daughter again, but until then you no longer own me."

The light dims to an ember and is dropped into the pile of the others. Erin seizes a new one in a one-handed snatch.

"Patriarch of Unhallowed Silences, I name you," she says. The skin of her fingers turns red as the light tries to burn its way out. "You turned me into this. I hated you so much, but now all you are is the last thing to bury before I can be planted in the soil of a new life. You no longer own me."

The light burns. It strains against her fingertips, making Erin wince in pain. The streaks of it that shine out of her hands twist into wings that beat and hum in an effort to make the Fairest let it go, but it's not enough.

The light named for Erin's Keeper dies, and is thrown away with the others.

"Just two left," she says in a weak voice. The distant howling becomes barks and snarls, somehow more distant, instead of closer. An indistinct voice swears. "Just two more..."

Her fingers go up and clutch a light. "Liz Malloy," Erin says. "I created you. I built you out of the pieces of me when I was afraid of being hurt again. I made you everything I ever wanted. Beautiful, powerful, untouchable, unstoppable. All I had to give you was everything I was or could be, but I don't need you any more. I'm not afraid to be me any more. You no longer own me."

Erin drops the light. Her last one drifts into her hand of its own accord, sitting gently on the flat of her burnt palm and glimmering in the soothing Spring rain.

What name could possible be left?

"Erin Peters," she murmurs to it. "...I was just a kid too. I didn't know what I was doing. I didn't deserve what happened to me, and it's time...it's time to be done." She sucks in a shuddering breath. "It's time to stop mourning the woman I might have been like it'll bring her back. That future is a lie, and it no longer owns me."

The blood pooled around Erin's scars boils and seethes. She screams and doubles over, clutching herself in agony. You keep your grip on her shoulder, panic shooting through your mind.

The clearing hushes, as if drawing in a breath.

Then it explodes.

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>>2473040
The backblast from Erin's Wyrd blows you off your feet and through the delicate skeleton of the growing City Hall. A wall of rain goes flying into the Thorns, along with hundreds of razor-sharp petals. She screams again, the wind kicking up from her Mantle like the wildling storms of the young Spring that flood the rivers and wash the streets away in the waters of life. It's all you can do to stagger to your feet.

All around the clearing you can see the paths twisting and warping, the Thorns rearranging themselves, as the Hedge undergoes its own rebirth.

And then it is over. The wind cuts out, leaving only the rain, the regrowing City-Hedge, and Erin Peters, swaying in her place. The blood starts to wash off of her changed body. Pointed ears poke out of her hair now, elfin and slender, and her too-thin frame has filled out, showing muscle where before she seemed waifish and helpless. Some, but by no means all, of her scars wash away with her blood.

You catch Erin before she can fall off of her short perch. She's out fucking cold.

> Establish a camp here
> Shake her awake. It's time to fucking leave.

AND

> Contact Forum to update him
> Conserve your Glamour for now

>>2473050
>> Contact Forum to update him
> Shake her awake. It's time to fucking leave.

>>2473050
>Contact Forum to update him
&
>Shake her awake. It's time to fucking leave.

>>2473050
>Shake her awake. It's time to fucking leave.
She needs rest but we really don't want to be here after that commotion
> Contact Forum to update him
We brought allies for a reason make sure they're in the loop.

>Contact Forum to update him.
>If The Rook thinks that we should stay, do that. Otherwise, shake her awake. It's time to leave.

>>2473050
> Shake her awake. It's time to fucking leave.
> Co serve your glamour for now.

>>2473050

>> Contact Forum to update him

AND
>> Wait for word from Forum back about if you should stay or if you should go.

>>2473050
>Shake her awake. It's time to fucking leave.
>Contact Forum to update him

There's no way that didn't get noticed to the Darkness and back.

Called, writing.

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>>2473050
Even Winter, the Court most famous for its stealth, knows when the gig is up. There's no way anything for miles missed that, so now it's time to pack up your Desire and go want something Anywhere But Here.

You check the ground for shards of glass, find none, and lay Erin gently down on it so you can pick up her ice mail (gods it's cold it's so fucking cold) and shake her shoulder with your other hand.

After a moment you drop her armor, wrap it in her shirt, and then pick it back up and keep shaking.

"Erin. Erin wake up we've gotta go. I really need you to be at any percent but zero here. Erin I need you awake."

"Mmmf...you said you need me..." Erin manages a weak laugh at her own joke. "Can't see."

"...You paid me to rip your eyeballs out, remember?"

Erin tries to sit up and manages it when you give her your hand. She holds onto your arm and rests her head against you. "Yeah," she agrees. "Head's full of fuck, help me up."

You help her up. You're both soaked to the bone in the unseasonably warm rain, but she doesn't seem to noticed. Erin tilts her head up, at the clouds, and laughs.

Her voice is lilting and light as air; musical, happy.

"I did it. I did it! I'm free!"

The Fairest lays a fierce kiss on your lips and pulls away laughing. She rakes her hands through the air around her head, where her lights used to be, and jumps for joy.

You can't help but grin, even if you have to wipe the taste of strawberries from your lips. But it's also still time to go.

"We need to leave Erin, you sorta attracted a lot of attention. We can settle down someplace and let you rest once we're safe - and you're falling down again." You catch the Fairest before she can sag to the ground, though thankfully she seems to still be conscious.

"I maybe should have saved my energy," she admits. She accepts your help when you offer her your shoulder to lean on, and together you pick a path The Fuck Out of Here and limp about as fast as you can.

You leave the embers of Erin's lights behind.

>>2473051
>>2473056
>>2473153
>>2473195
>>2473447
>>2473483


> Everything must know what happened after that!

> Quick, call Forum and make sure he knows what happened!

I mean. Kind of redundant.

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>>2473809
She's heavier than she used to be, and you don't get the kind of distance you'd like before the two of you have to stop, an idea admittedly inspired by a fallen log mostly cleared of Thorns. You set Erin down on a safe portion of it, hack away the remaining points with the machete you brought, and take your own seat. The rain is showing no signs of stopping now, and the path has grown muddy and hard to use.

You take out Forum's invention while Erin catches her breath; the Fairest hunches over and focuses on deep, steady breathing. You offer the walkie-talkie a shard of Ramona's pact-bound Glamour and watch the tiny little screen on it flicker to life. Rather than the pixels one might expect, its display scurries with tiny stones that form the information confirming a contact.

You expend 1 glamour

"Forum, Rook, do you read, over," you say formally into it, before you release the button.

The device crackles back with Forum's: "Hot damn, she actually knows to say the word. You two alive, over."

"Definitely alive. The first part of our mission was a success - oh hey Erin wants to say something." You hold the walkie-talkie over to Erin.

"Getting born hurts like a bitch," she says, before she ever-so-gently falls over towards you and lands propped up against your shoulder. She's out like a light in seconds.

"Uh. Over," you finish.

"You want us to come get you, over."

You look around, shake your head, then remember you're on a fucking walkie-talkie. "Negative. I can't guide you to our position. I'm not even sure what our position is, and if we use the hunting horn everything else will get here first, over."

"Makes sense. Keep us posted, over and out."

You put the walkie-talkie away and - the shadows are moving -

"No," Erin says from your shoulder, seemingly without waking up. The shadows halt, like they've hit a wall. "No, I don't want it. I didn't...I didn't...I'm not gonna become Him after finally getting free..."

"Erin?" you ask, in confusion.

"Shine a light..."

Carefully, you draw Bifrost and hold it up to a sunbeam that's managed to penetrate the storm. The rainbow light that filters through it scatters the shadows, which go crawling back into the Thorns. Erin makes a soft noise and moves in closer, cuddled up against your warmth.

"Mine," she murmurs dreamily, and then she is quiet and still.

> You can't stay stopped. Carry Erin and try to navigate (Gain OVERBURDENED. Roll Wyrd against difficulty 10)
> Find a place to hole up and rest. Somewhere to stop isn't the hard part. 'Safe' is the hard part (Occult against difficulty 9; you may expend for Flickering Acumen)
> Wake Erin back up and make her help (Wyrd against difficulty 8; Erin gains DRAINED)
> Stay here and rest (???)

>>2473887
>Occult, flickering acumen

>>2473928
You can spend anywhere between 0-4 Glamour with that at +1 per; might I ask you to include the amount you'd like to spend?

>>2473887
> Find a place to hole up and rest. Somewhere to stop isn't the hard part. 'Safe' is the hard part (Occult against difficulty 9; you may expend for Flickering Acumen)

> Y on Flickering Acumen

We still have the 2 vice rolls bonuses, correct? Or just 1?

>>2473934
Oh right, might as well go for broke c onsidering we're only at occult+1
> 4 glamour

>>2473942
> Flickering Acumen, expend 2

>>2473942
2. You spent Virtue on the last roll.

>>2473817
There is a difference between a lot of noise and making sure your allies know what's happening. Basic tactics.

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>>2473887
>Find a place to hole up and rest. Somewhere to stop isn't the hard part. 'Safe' is the hard part (Occult against difficulty 9; you may expend for Flickering Acumen)

>>2473887
>Erin makes a soft noise and moves in closer, cuddled up against your warmth.
>"Mine," she murmurs dreamily, and then she is quiet and still.

Uh oh.

>>2473887
>> Find a place to hole up and rest. Somewhere to stop isn't the hard part. 'Safe' is the hard part (Occult against difficulty 9; you may expend for Flickering Acumen)

Y flickering Acumen

>>2474017
There's a difference between making sure your allies know what is happening, and whether or not that can make a difference.

We weren't able to call them to do anything, we essentially wasted that glamour.

>>2474321
>We weren't able to call them to do anything, we essentially wasted that glamour.
Except for them knowing that we are, for the moment, alive, and except for having established comms, so that we can quickly call for help if shit goes down.

I mean, I'll admit that it probably wasn't strictly speaking necessary, but it won't hurt - especially since we don't rely on glamour all that much anyways.

>>2474321
You do still have it for the rest of the hour

>>2473817
>Everything must know what happened
You might want to at least check your grammar, forum troll.

>>2473887
>> Find a place to hole up and rest. Somewhere to stop isn't the hard part. 'Safe' is the hard part (Occult against difficulty 9

>Expend for Flickering Acumen.

>>2474900
>>Expend for Flickering Acumen.
1 Glamour.

(I hope ripping out her Bright aspect didnt take all of Erin's Glamour)

>Find somewhere safe, burn Glamour for Flickering Acumen.
>Spend 4.
>Activate Vice bonus.

That puts us at 4 or below as a success, which is to say, slightly better than the coinflip that we have with just four for Flickering Acumen.

>>2475168
Four or above. Thank you, brain, that was so very helpful.

>>2474889
I said every THING and I meant it. This is the Hedge yo, it's not just people here.

Hokay, due to a large number of votes with no actual Glamour callout our technical winner is to go for Four Glamour.

Only got the 1 Vice vote so I'm gonna leave that alone.

God damn I need a better way to handle these conditional bonuses. I was trying to solve this as far back as July at Christmas and I still don't have anything good for it.

So: roll me 1d10+6, TWICE (1, +1 from Adroitness, +4 from Flickering Acumen).

You expend 4 GLAMOUR.

I'm not gonna write tonight, I gotta go to bed, but rolls will be good for the morning when I wake up & update before work.

And as always, questions, comments, discussion, feedback, & criticisms remain welcome and appreciated.

Rolled 2 + 6 (1d10 + 6)

>>2477487
Guide my die.

Rolled 10 + 6 (1d10 + 6)

>>2477487

Rolled 1 + 6 (1d10 + 6)

>>2477487

...I am really glad someone else rolled before me now.

>>2477534
Well that works.

Writing.

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>>2473887
Having to slowly put your sword back in its sheath so you don't stab yourself or others gives you time to bring the black blush down off your cheeks. Erin seems content to lay quietly against you and sleep, so you take a minute to think.

Ultimately, though, the fact of it remains: Erin's in no position to fight right now, to say nothing of the fact that she's still naked from the waist up and thus vulnerable to all manner of weirdness coughed out by the Hedge. So if you can't stay here, and you can't stand and fight, and you can't leave the path to brave the Thorns, the only other option is to find some shelter.

You tuck your walkie-talkie back into its case at your belt, sheath the machete across the small of your back, wonder yet again why it seems like Erin didn't pack anything, and then get to work. She might be heavier than she was before, but Erin Peters is still light compared to most folks you've done this for; you pick her up to carry her, with her head leaning against your chest, before you squat down and grab her bundle of clothes and armor from the ground, and then you set off, sparking shards of Glamour to keep your eyes and mind sharp while you hunt for shelter.

You keep your eyes peeled, and your mind on the first rule of the Hedge: anything that seems to good to be true is. You walk past a cottage hidden off of the path, whose glimmering lights beckon at you to brave the Thorns; who knows what traps stand between you and it.

At a three-way fork in the road, when presented with a broad and straight path, a twisted tunnel through the Thorns, and a narrow switchback, you check the signage. Both the tunnel and the switchback are labeled 'Earth', and you spark Glamour off of your Wyrd, sharpening your mind and your perceptions, and look again.

You blow on the sign that points at the switchback. 'D. Earth' it reads, with a stylized wyrm inside the D. You take the tunnel instead.

You do not wonder out loud what a 'Dragon Earth' might possibly be. The Hedge doesn't need any ideas on ways to enhance your life.

The arching Thorns above provide shelter from the rain, and soon enough your boots are out of the sucking mud of the path and onto something more hard-packed. It goes more or less straight for awhile, twisting to avoid obstacles or bending with the uneven terrain. Soon enough you hear water, and come to a river.

Over the river is a bridge, and beside the bridge is a shack, a small thing made of Thorn wood with no lights in its windows. You get close to it, eyes up and wary, but no one challenges or approaches you. You set Erin down against the front wall of the shack and knock on the door.

"I'm sorry to bother you," you call. "We are travelers from the Iron Lands. My friend is in need of shelter. We beg the honor of your hospitality."

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>>2477986
Silence. You are about to move on when a voice speaks up from the shack: "Clean and wash the place, then, it needs it." There is a thunk from the door as its lock is undone, but it does not open. When you push it open, you see why: a cat is sitting on the sill of the back window, a sleek, gray thing with ears nearly the length of its entire body. "Welcome to my humble abode," it says. "Friend, you claimed. Where is this friend?"

In answer you gently scoot Erin into the doorway. She mumbles something about not driving so fast.

"Mm. You'd best come in."

There is a small cot upon which you set Erin to rest. She makes a noise when you tuck her in, but she clutches the blanket close and curls up to sleep properly. You don't spare any time finding the shack's broom and getting to work, pausing only to set Erin's armor down on the table. The place is dusty, with only paw prints to mark that it's live in at all.

"You have a day and a night," the cat notes. "Leave it clean when you go. I have no food to offer you." It hops down onto the floor and goes, tail twitching as it heads for the bridge and crosses in stately order.

There's something relaxing about cleaning the place down. You were vaguely expecting to have to try and make your own soap but there's a half-used bottle of Ajax just sitting on a shelf, which you use to whip up some suds and wash down the shelves, the counters and windows, the floor. Stiff brushes help you get out the hard stains and make the floor gleam under your care.

The rain you'd escaped comes back, blowing through on the winds of the Hedge, and patters pleasantly against the shack's roof.

You light a fire in the fireplace when it gets dark and take out some of the food you packed to eat. Cold soup isn't the worst thing you've had in your life.

"I gotta still be dreaming," Erin mumbles blearily. "Pretty sure we didn't move into a cottage to be wood witches together."

"We're still in the Hedge," you confirm. "...That really took it out of you, huh?"

"Yeah..." the Fairest props herself up on her hands, shaking loose of the blanket, and stretches her back. The urge to keep looking and the urge to look away have a brief fight and the urge to look at her wins out. "Feels good though. Feels...feels good, overall. Did we leave my clothes behind?"

"They're drying by the fire," you confirm, your cheeks hot. "They got wet. So I didn't. Put you back in them. We, um, your pants..."

"Mmm, trying to get my pants off in the Hedge. Got a thing for risky sex?"

"Erin!"

She laughs and flops back down on the cot, limp and relaxed. After a moment Erin begins wiggling under the blanket, and then you take a pair of pants and her underwear to your face. They're still damp.

She laughs the whole time you prop them up by the fire.

"I think I can walk. Not so sure I can think straight but I can walk." Erin turns her blindfolded face towards you. "There a plan?"

>>2478022
> Set out once everything is dry and you've fed Erin (become TIRED)
> Rest here for the night

AND

> Ask for Erin's advice about Fancy. She promised to help, and she's Fairest, right? This is what Fairest do.
> Bring up the lack of packing
> Y'know, you two have been so focused on just getting Erin free that you never asked what it is she actually wants once she's her own woman again
> Just pass the time
> Write-in?

>>2478022
>Rest here for the night
The cat offered "a day and a night" so assuming deals and hospitality mean as much as I think they do in these parts it should be safeish.
> Just pass the time
As she said she's not yet thinking straight let's let her get some rest.

>>2478032
>> Set out once everything is dry and you've fed Erin
> Bring up the lack of packing

>rest here for the night

>Y'know, you two have been so focused on just getting Erin free that you never asked what it is she actually wants once she's her own woman again

>Rest here for the night.
>Bring up the lack of packing. The rest of it can be handled later, that's the sort of thing that might get you killed before you get out of the Hedge.

>>2478032
> Set out once everything is dry and you've fed Erin (become TIRED)

We only have an hour of communication left.

> Just pass the time

Listen to the rain.

>>2478032
>> Rest here for the night
AND
> Bring up the lack of packing

>>2478639
speaking of, can we let the rest of the motley know where we are and what's going on? give them an update

>Rest here for the night
>Y'know, you two have been so focused on just getting Erin free that you never asked what it is she actually wants once she's her own woman again

Hokay SO:

I'm finally back on closes at work. That means among other things that I need to adjust back to that particular sleep schedule. I will ATTEMPT to update tonight (sometime between 1 AM & 4 AM EST) if at all possible but I don't wanna make you promises. Attempts will be made before work tomorrow morning as well.

In the meantime, votes remain open, & I'm fielding questions and feedback.

>>2480596
Enjoying the quest Colors is a fun character.
On a somewhat unrelated note I'm not terribly familiar with the changeling setting and was wondering on if it was possible to open gates while off planet?
If yes then could one hypothetically open a large gate in the asteroid belt so as to send a chunk of nickle iron the size of a small country into the fairest lands and over 50kps?

>>2481376
Did you not read the scene where the CONSTELLATIONS ATE THE MOON?

>>2481606
Well sure that was in the hedge itself where the constellations and moon are different. I was curious as to what a sudden and violent clash of mundane and otherworldly physics might result in.

>>2481632
Physics engine has broken. Reboot, retry, abort?

>>2481376
Untested, but also unlikely. The nature of the Hedge and the pacts which create, inform, and shape it is not well-known. What is known suggests that it is some manner of barrier separating Earth and Arcadia, but even then there's shards of contradictory evidence.

No one is lining up to volunteer for trying it out either. "We can't close gates once they open" is a compelling reason to blacklist research projects where a likely end result is "unleash an incomprehensible space demon"

>>2478032
> Rest here for the night
> Just pass the time

Snuggle together for warmth and comfort, no sex.

>>2478032
> Set out once everything is dry and you've fed Erin (become TIRED)

I'd like to get Erin's opinion on stay/go though. Personally it's okay to be tired of we GTFO the hedge. God knows if the owner of the shack isn't prepped to sell us out right after their hospitality ends.

> Just pass the time

Rest as much as possible.

>>2481632
>I was curious as to what a sudden and violent clash of mundane and otherworldly physics might result in.
No such thing, as opening a Hedge gate doesnt set off a nuclear explosion or something.

>>2482573
Well, that and the whole thing with the Hedge being "Physics LOL I do what I want."

Gonna commit to updating tonight around 11 PM EST (approximately 11 hours from now).

Also tinkering away at some side works, trying to show off other cities & Freeholds.

Hey vox unrelated question, but do you have a particular method to coming u pwit hchangeling npcs?

It can be a little hard for me in the game I run to give everyone an interesting and unique kind mein or find a way to make a kith more varied for different npcs

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Called, tallying, writing.

>>2483441
I guess to an extent part of it is that I just really like visuals. I'm sure you've noticed I tend to have big visual moments in my writing; John's fight, the ritual you just had, the Hedge journey 'neath the bleeding sky. Changeling as a setting and as a game lends itself quite well to strange and striking visuals and heraldry. Mien is part of it, but so is Mantle, a character's fashion choices, even their mortal life. Vickie Reeds would be a rather different person in a basilisk-hide bodysuit than she is in a too-big military jacket, no?

To a point you've gotta start with the premise that Kith can only get so diverse. There's only so many published Kiths, a great deal of them are flaming ass, and making new ones is hard. Dual Kith does open up options, but those options cost resources, which isn't nothing. There is going to be more than one of various common or broad Kiths and the sooner you accept that the freer you can be with your concepts. At some point, like, many Wizened concepts are just Artists, many Fairest are plausibly Dancers or Playmates or Flowering, a lot of Beasts are gonna be Hunterhearts & Windwings & Swimmerskins. That's just a thing that happens because those Kiths are so applicable, and it's also supported in-setting with the idea that True Fae - who by their nature will produce similar sorts of Changelings in terms of their Durance - tend to haunt specific places to which they return.

In terms of your game or your Freehold, NPCs are there to serve a role. Sometimes that role is just 'colorful filler' (note the nameless Fireheart girl with the sad blue eyes in Scarred By Thorns quest or the equally nameless Venombite seen repeatedly with Misery Monroe here in Cinderella Sanction) in the context of a scene or story arc, but most of the time if you're bothering to detail them they're there for something else. So start there: what are they for? Who do they do it for and why? Are they good at it? Bad at it? Why?

Decisions can flow from there. Say you're creating an Ashen Notary - a recorder of grand Pledges, sworn to Autumn. So here we have someone in an academic pursuit, who needs to know much about Pledgecraft, keep information written in a secure fashion, and be sagacious and available for consultation. Immediately you can say 'well this person is not a Beast, and is unlikely to be an Elemental'; Beasts have strong penalties to the exact kind of work you're looking for, and Elementals have barriers with other people that might complicate the job.

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>>2485271
So who? There's where you build your visuals. You could go straight-up; the person is an Antiquarian with an eidetic memory, a starved thing that looms before his bookshelves like he died in the library. He does not make much sound, except when he writes. There seem to be no eyes behind his reflective glasses. Sometimes his shadow dies gruesome deaths in the corner of your vision. His Mantle, strong and clear, drifts with withered leaves that curl and crack in dry profusion. The halo of candles around his head is probably his Mantle too. Probably. This person is an officer of their Court, a high-ranker you might install for plot hooks or even as a patron of the PCs when they start to show promise.

What about less obvious? A small Wizened gal, an Author with ink-stained fingers that ripple and crawl up her arms in chains of verse that link and stick to texts she passes near. Sometimes she has to stop to pull herself free; she speaks rapidly, words spilling over words, slipping in and out of a dozen languages when her eyes get bright with excitement. A collar scar around her throat bleeds thin chains of riddles that disappear beneath her shirt when she is spoken to harshly. She shrinks, withers, but the Freehold doesn't talk about the last person who hurt one of her books. No one talks about it. What role might she play in your campaign? The contrast of her seeming innocent terror and her strong Autumn Mantle suggests hidden secrets of fear. She might be a front girl for the local Scarecrow Ministry, a secret villain, or perhaps even a quiet ally, willing to relax around her new friends and to open up about how she's turned her passion into her work.

What about even further out? It is an office of great prestige. A Fairest claims it, an elegant Flowering lady with a dryad's look to her and absolutely nothing in her flat, dead eyes. She has higher ambitions in the Court, and her position as the Notary gives her access to the Pledges of others, telling her how they think and move, what is owed and owing. The circle of blackmail grows. Her Mantle leaves behind torn pages more and more lately, even more than the hailstones and cobwebs it once swarmed with, and her Mien darkens like dying oak. She might be an antagonist, a noble to placate for favors, a hidden Privateer, even the figure head for a plot line about revolution.

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>>2485286
An Ogre? Why not; she was a librarian in a Court of flesh-eating demons, a Corpsegrinder fed on the scraps of her masters' tables. She bound the covers of flesh. She wrote the words in blood, and her skin grew red, her jaws like a jackal's, her eyes flashed in the dark, as she did her grim work. And when war came calling in the Athanaeum Nefarious, she supplied the raw material with the broken corpses of those who challenged her there in the heart of her power. All of her Ogrish might didn't help her escape, but the secrets in the books did. She continues to pay quiet respect to those secrets, bowing her head to read in the witch-light of her own Mantle. When not working, she spends time with her fellow Ogres, offering a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen. Too many of them fall back into violence. Here we have a living demonstration that Seeming and Mien can be deceptive, someone who embodies the idea that Courts are something you can aspire to be, maybe even a mentor for an Ogrish Lost PC who is looking to find his way in the new world.

The official artwork is a good place to start for the juxtaposition of magic shit & everyday shit, but, honestly? Go ham. Go fucking ham. Changeling's meant to be visually striking, to be strange, to maybe be trying a bit too hard. Spin an entire character around a single visual idea. Why the fuck not?

Hope that helps, I gotta tally and write now. I'll try to help if you've got follow-up questions or if I went way off-base.

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>>2478022
Is there a plan? Rest sounds like a plan. Rest, then plan more in the morning.

"Sounds good," Erin answers, and you realize you said that out loud. You cough and make a big show of digging out something for her to eat. She takes the can of soup you give her, and then you get out ziplock baggies of dried fruit for the two of you. Erin takes hers and the spoon you pass her, and the two of you eat quietly.

It's been a long day, and now with the chance to sit, the exhaustion and stress and fear and joy have all caught up to you in a slurry that feels more like 'tired' than any actually human emotion.

You dig out the walkie-talkie. "Forum, you read, over?"

"Loud and clear, over. Status?"

You glance at Erin. The Fairest is untying her wet blindfold with hesitant motions. "We're going to hole up for the night. Will these last the night? You said one hour of talking, over."

"Most fae things don't outlast the sun or moon. Likely need to activate it again if the sun sets or rises, over."

"Acknowledged, over and out."

You stow the walkie-talkie, take the blindfold from Erin, and drape it over the back of a chair so that it can dry. She hunches over her food, doing her best not to turn her head in your direction. From what you can see, her sockets are just empty.

"Rest, huh?" she murmurs. "I guess you're gonna be out of it too, after all that. Thanks, for...being here."

"I meant what I said to Zoe, you know," you tell her. "I think maybe one day you'll say the same thing for someone, and mean it too."

Erin snorts, but her lips quirk into a grin. "Maybe. You comin' into this cot or what?"

"I -"

"I won't make a move on you. Not after the way you asked if we could talk about it. I promise."

You don't answer aloud, but when the two of you are done with your meals (and you have scraped out the cans, sealed them in the baggies, and returned them to your pack) you crawl, clothed and armored, into the cot with Erin. She nestles against you.

Maybe an hour later she tells you to go to sleep.

"What if -" you begin to protest, only to stop when she laces her fingers into yours and closes your hand with her own. Your cheeks and neck burn.

"My head might be on straight, but I could kill one-armed in a fever dream, you brave little Knight," Erin murmurs. "Go to sleep."

Slowly, uncertainly you drift off.

* * * *

You wake up with tatters of dreams escaping your conscious memory. There'd been a voice, familiar but unheard in a long time, an angry voice. It had yelled something at you, screamed so loud it hurt...

Your head actually does hurt, from the inside. You wince against the migraine and wish aspirin had been in your kit.

You gain NIGHTMARES (-1 on all rolls)

Erin is still holding your hand, still nestled up against you. She shakes, in small and constant motions, and at first you think she must be cold, before you hear her sob.

"Erin?" you murmur.

"Fuck," she swears. "I'm fine, go back to sleep."

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>>2485382
"You're not fine," you say, sitting up in concern. Erin slips out of your hand and twists around so suddenly that you jerk back in defensive reflex.

"Just let me lie to you," Erin yells, her voice hoarse. "Why can't you just...let me...lie to you, god, fuck. That's what I'm for. That's what Fairest are for. Why can't I just be fine if I say I'm fine?"

You take Erin's hands back; a sob escapes her again, wracking her shoulders. "Erin, I can't help if you don't tell me what's wrong," you tell her, as gently as you can manage.

The blind Fairest hides her face in the pillow and doesn't answer. After a long moment, you gently let go of her hands and get out of the bed. There's no way you're getting back to sleep after this, and in any event you can hear the sounds of chirping birds getting ready to herald the dawn. Erin's clothes and blindfold are dry; you set them aside and start sweeping again, cleaning out the small signs of your prior presence. You'll have to make the bed too.

"I haven't just listened to the rain in ages," Erin whispers from across the shack. "Not since I was human. I used to sit in the window and do my homework, with the rain on the roof and the pane crawling with drops. It felt nice. I haven't felt that safe in a long time, and...fuck. The last time was with you."

You stop sweeping, and say nothing.

"I'm not your problem, Colors," Erin continues, her voice small. "Don't make me your problem. Don't break that girl's heart over me, enough people have gotten hurt over me. Let's just...let's just get you back to your girl and your dog alive. Can I have my blindfold?"

It's not long, to get her dressed, get all of your things, and get out of there. The rest did you both some good, even if you're out of sorts from whatever those dreams were ("How could you?" a voice accuses, horribly familiar but indistinct). Following Erin's instincts, the two of you cross the bridge and continue down the path, with the sun rising over the Thorns, sharing sparing sips of water.

"You didn't bind my oath," Erin says, near noon, after an entire morning of silent navigation. Her strange sorrow earlier is still burned into your mind, mixing with the nightmares. "And I don't think it's because you would've turned me down if I made a move."

"You're...probably not wrong," you admit, slowly. You lower your gaze down to your boots.

"You trust me."

"It seems that way."

Erin raises her left hand to her face and bites her knuckle. She sways from side to side for a moment, taking deep and ragged breaths through her nose, and eventually manages to calm herself or something like it. Her hand bleeds when she lowers it again. "You wanna do something wild?" she asks, turning her head at you; her voice is odd, light and fast and questioning. "Let's go get a present for that girl of yours."

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>>2485388
You look at her, brows furrowed in confusion, and then remember for the millionth time since being the person to take her eyeballs that Erin Peters is fucking blind. "Is that even safe? Or responsible? You don't have supplies."

"Sure I do," Erin disagrees. "And who cares? It's just you and me and whatever time differential there is that we can't change even if we wanted to. Your girl'll love it."

"But why?"

Erin plucks one of the lilies that grows from the Hedge in response to her powerful Wyrd and cradles it in her hands. "Because we're Spring. Because it sounds fun and it'll fulfill a Desire and it's silly and maybe deadly and I wanna. C'mon, what'cha say?"

> Refuse
> What'd you have in mind?
> Something Hedgespun to wear. She'd love something Hedgespun to wear!

>>2485390
> Something Hedgespun to wear. She'd love something Hedgespun to wear!

Because she's a pixie chaser.

>>2485390
>> Refuse
Treasure hunting in the Deep Hedge is suicide, and lets not make Forum and Rook wait, even if thats maybe a liitle relative considering the flow of time.

>>2485390
>> What'd you have in mind?

>>2485390
> Something Hedgespun to wear. She'd love something Hedgespun to wear!
Refusing is the good idea, but this is the spring idea.

>>2485390
>> Something Hedgespun to wear. She'd love something Hedgespun to wear!

>>2485390
On second thought, I'll change my vote >>2485940
to
> Refuse

Rook and Forum are waiting on us, it would be kind of a dick move to go looking for goodies while they're sitting around.

>> Something Hedgespun to wear. She'd love something Hedgespun to wear

>>2485390
>Something Hedgespun to wear. She'd love something Hedgespun to wear!

Because she needs this too. It's her Spring, it would be ridiculous to refuse it. And she's being kind to us, because it's Spring.

>>2486401
>it would be ridiculous to refuse it
Stop disqualifying other votes than your own. Nobody is convinced.

Looks like Hedgespun is our winner. Called, writing.

>>2487132
We should be sure to mention to Fancy that it was Erin's idea. That way they can start to become best of friends!

>>2486747
Stop gatekeeping other people's votes, especially when it's the winning vote.

>>2487308
>especially when it's the winning vote.
Lets tik off the logical fallacies you committed jut now
-tu quoque (falsely, but you still tried to use it.)
-bandwagon fallacy
-projecting

But please, by all means, make sure you keep filling the bingo card of logical fallacies and creating a caustic environment for this quest.

>>2487308
Don't feed the troll.

>>2486747
>>2487492
>Stop disqualifying other votes than your own. Nobody is convinced.
>But please, by all means, make sure you keep filling the bingo card of logical fallacies and creating a caustic environment for this quest.
I'm allowed to voice my reasoning and opinions concerning my vote.

You're not the boss of me._She's in France.

Blech. Ended up passing out last night, will write after I prevent homelessness via rent payment.

>>2487757
>via rent payment.
Is there no alternative, such as a couple of blowjobs ?

Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>2489633
Not really. Finally got my life a little in order.

>>2489725

...would the answer have been different with a different roll?

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>>2485390
The image of Fancy in a dancing dress, all moonlight and stars, goes through your mind and it is too captivating too ignore.

You're Spring, aren't you? Doing things that are wild and crazy sometimes is part of the job.

"She'd love something Hedgespun to wear," you tell Erin. "A dress, I think. Oh, but how would we make it..."

"Who said anything about make?" Erin teases loftily. "We'll find one. Now..." she takes your hand and starts back down the path, tugging you gently along with a distinctly seeking impression. You trail along after her, your vigilance of the bright-blooming Thorns around you warring with a distant sense of wonder at Erin's shift in mood, and the way she almost seems to bounce with every eager step.

"We can go faster," you propose. Erin flashes you a grin and does exactly that, pulling you along after her eager run and laughing like a girl at play. You laugh too, amazed and curious.

The two of you pull into a circular crossroads, with a fire circle in the center - empty of wood, but still blackened with the ash that someone hasn't cleaned out of it. Four other paths branch from it, and Erin lets go of your hand to pace between them with a thoughtful hum.

"Should I describe the paths to you?" you ask, carefully. "Would that help?"

"No. Sing something."

"I - what?" you blink, and Erin gives you that grin again, all mischief.

"Sing something. Something your girl likes, but not something that'll give the Thorns ideas. Or tell me what it is if you don't wanna sing and I'll give it a shot, I've been listening to a lot of music since I started living in the Iron Lands again."

You look around the bright-blooming clearing. You two haven't been attacked yet, but it's that yet word that's getting you. The Hedge isn't safe, and these transitional periods on the paths are just interludes between Things Happening. They might not be horrible things, but they usually are.

"Erin, what are you doing?" you insist, because there's being spontaneous and being stupid.

"Navigating," she answers. "We're lost as fuck."

"What?"

"I'm not sure how many ways you can interpret that answer," Erin teases. She holds up the lily she plucked earlier, which never left her free hand, and then tucks it just behind her ear. "This is a place of Wyrd, Colors. The power of Wyrd is Time and Fate, maybe more importantly the power to connect others. There's no compass that works in the Deep Hedge...you don't know any of this, do you?"

"No," you answer, suddenly embarrassed. "I never learned much about magic. I'm studying Contracts with Misery..."

"Yeah, but that's not the same. You're missing out." She brushes your cheek for a moment and gives you a wistful grin. "Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of horrible shit, but there's a lot that's just...beautiful. Or even nice. And all of that could be yours too."

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>>2489834
Erin turns back to contemplating the paths. "Anyway Colors, to get back to my earlier point, there's a connection between you and the mortal world that's a lot stronger than mine. The Blackbirds have been working on that but like...you have mortal friends. You have a strong and clear mortal faith. You have a mortal lover, even a mortal home that feels like yours. My Wyrd might be a lot stronger, but you have more to come back to in the Iron Lands. So sing a song for me, pretty Knight, and we'll follow it to Fancy's Desire and carry it home to her."

Huh. That makes a kind of sense, doesn't it? Alright.

You're not a trained singer but you've got a half-decent sense of rhythm. Erin nods along when you start to sing: "All I need is a head full of hope and a love and a home and a car and a loan -"

"And I wish I had a pocket full of gold," Erin joins, foot tapping to what you know is the song's beat. She sings the first couple of verses with you before taking the second path from the left and beckoning you after her. You follow along, bobbing your head to the music.

The wind shifts, and the Thorns give you a backing beat made of branches and the chime of glass fruit in the distance.

"You know," you say as the song ends, "the last time I was here the moon was eating the stars and we almost died."

"Coins have two sides," Erin answers with a shrug.

You take the third of three paths at the next crossroads ("This is gonna be the best day of my liiiiife...") and find the path opening up some. It intersects with a wide, broad road cobbled in glass.

There is a coach coming from up ahead, pulled by a pair of vintage motorcycles yoked to it; the Ogre driver skillfully controls their throttles with a complex set of interwoven reins. The carriage itself is a fetching lavender color and clearly a labor of love and craftsmanship, with its elaborate decorations, witch-lanterns, and the large scorpion ballista bolted to its roof.

"What is it?" Erin asks. She nods in recognition when you describe it to her. "That's Ambrosia, a lesser Other that gets around. Calls herself the Lady of Delights."

You nod and prepare to step off the path to let the carriage pass.

"Let's rob her."

Erin puts her hand over your mouth when you start to sputter in shock so that you can't give away your position. When you've calmed down the Fairest pulls her hand away. "What? you whisper.

"She's a fashionista," Erin explains, nodding her head at the slowly-approaching carriage. "Her carriage is bound to be full of Hedgespun. I can adjust the fit of whatever we steal and then you and your girl can both have something nice. Hell, I might even have something nice. I'll distract her and her servant, you raid the carriage and run, and then I'll join you."

"How will you get away?" you ask. "Wouldn't I be a better distraction?"

"She seduces people into being her slaves Colors, you're literally too gay for that job."

>>2489859
> Agree with Erin's plan (Stealth against difficulty 9; you gain an additional +2 from Erin)
> Insist on being the distraction (Persuasion against difficulty 6)
> This is insane, just HIDE

Remember to include votes on spending VIRTUE or VICE if you choose to. You still have both available.

>>2489862
> Agree with Erin's plan (Stealth against difficulty 9; you gain an additional +2 from Erin)

> Spend 1 Vice

I am really, really liking Erin right now. Seeing her feel so free, it's.. refreshing to see the Hedge do something good for someone.

>>2489859
>a lesser Other
So, where exactly does a lesser Other stand? How much reach do they have?
Aka how dumb is it to fuck with one of them?

>>2489862
>> Agree with Erin's plan (Stealth against difficulty 9; you gain an additional +2 from Erin)

>spend 1 vice

>>2489859
> This is insane, just HIDE
Giving our girlfriend a hedgespun dress is one thing. Giving our girlfriend a hedgespun dress stolen from one of the Others sounds like something out of a fairytale with a bad ending.

>>2489862
>Agree with Erin's plan (Stealth against difficulty 9; you gain an additional +2 from Erin)

>Spend 1 Vice, but for Fancy's sake, rather than Erin!

>>2489940
Then again most people here would probably consider Fancy getting taken away by the True Fae a good thing.

>>2489862
> This is insane, just HIDE

>>2489925
>Aka how dumb is it to fuck with one of them?
Thibk about fucking with a fanatically loyal Ogre with a Scorpion ballista, Think about how you already used 4 Glamour.

>>2489862
>> This is insane, just HIDE
Yeah there's a place called Bad Ideas and Erin lives there and we really shouldn't follow her there.
Spring is Spring, but Death is Death.

>>2489862
>This is insane, just HIDE
>...in Ambrosia's coach
The logic is that she'll bound to reach someplace near our destination, and that's when we drop off.

>>2491632
Staying near to Ambrosia's coach would actually be a way to keep Hedge predators away. It's very risky, but maybe doable. Just hope she's going to the Near Hedge.

>>2492267
She's on a broad & fair road. You may recall these as the ones that go to Arcadia.

In any event, gonna call and write at about 3 PM EST, or approximately three and a half hours from now.

>>2492267
>>2491632
!
NO. BAD.

>>2489859
> Agree with Erin's plan (Stealth against difficulty 9; you gain an additional +2 from Erin)

It's what Erin does.

>>2489862
Unless . . . would it be easier to kill her?

>>2492635
When it comes to the Others and dying there's this strong dichotomy between 'the Lost have killed them before and make a tradition of cutting off their hands as trophies' and 'you don't know if it's capable of death until you try to kill it'. If the Others were unkillable Summer would be out of a job, but like...it's definitely something your average Lost wants homework on before they try to do it outside of the heat of the moment.

>>2492648
I was just thinking a sudden surprise alpha strike might be more effective. Smash and grab works a surprising amount of the time if you have enough smash.

>>2492648
>>2492653
And I mean, it seems Erin does know about her.

It occurs to me that Erin forgot that she DOES have friends in the Iron Lands. Well. There's us at least, and maybe Shipmate Sally. And later she will have more friends.

>> Agree with Erin's plan (Stealth against difficulty 9; you gain an additional +2 from Erin)

>spend 1 vice

>>2492658
Arthur is ...well he should be on that list somwehere considering it is to his actions and consent that she is here now.

>>2492635
Unless . . . would it be easier to kill her?
Could well be, but that enthralled Ogre definitely isnt easier to kill.

Called, tallying, writing.

Man that's a narrow victory for AGREE

Roll me 1d10+3 (1 + 2 from Erin + 1 from Vice - 1 from NIGHTMARES) TWICE.

>>2493279

>>2493312
You appear to have missed something there my good friend.

>>2493317
I'm aware.
Suppose I'll take it as a sign and let somebody else roll, though.

Rolled 6 + 3 (1d10 + 3)

>>2493279

Rolled 8 + 3 (1d10 + 3)

>>2493279

>>2493455
Awesome. Writing new thread.

NEW THREAD

>>2495027
>>2495027
>>2495027
>>2495027