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One of the cabins in the little 'village' that forms the center of the Freehold's sprawling all-member Hollow has a silvery, shimmering snowflake hanging on the door. It's the perfect setting for a comfortable meeting--a chill lingering in the air just outside the door, but one finds the inside of the cottage larger than the outside. It's warm, inviting, and homey. The sort of place you love to curl up in on a cold dreary day.
The smell of fresh jasmine tea lingers in the air, the source obvious once Mel steps inside the cottage: a table has been set up with a steaming kettle, with two mismatched mugs already set out. The tiny Winter Queen sits in a chair, waiting calmly, hidden underneath a long hooded robe.
It's a little unnerving, having a formal meeting with one of the Monarchs. And not even 'their' monarch. But Mel wants information, and if that means putting up with a little bit of unnerving-ness, well, it's a small, small price to pay in the scheme of things. So they enter the cabin at the appointed time, the scent of decaying leaves and nutmeg wafting in around them. "Ah, hello," Mel says, trying to keep any nervousness from their voice. I was told you might be able to help me with some information?"
The Queen is small, but her presence fills up the room in a not unpleasant way. There's that shiver of frost, but she also exudes that ineffable sense of hygge that's found in communion with family and dear friends in the deepest hearts of winter. Even with her face shrouded by the hood, it's clear she's looking at Mel and giving them all of her attention, her posture polite and welcoming.
"Good afternoon, Mel," Marjorie replies, lifting a hand to the chair opposite her. "Indeed. I'll do my best to help you... But first, let me pour you a cup of tea. Do you like jasmine?"
"Jasmine's fine," Mel says, as they take the offered chair. In all honesty they were never a tea drinker before, and after returning they still haven't really settled into any beverage habits. But that doesn't mean they can't be polite. They absently preen through the feathers on their arm with the fingers of the opposite hand, regretting - not for the first time - that they weren't more polished with courtly skills or whatever. They should say something, shouldn't they? Some sort of polite chit chat? Gah, this was so much easier with normal people. "Are you... having a good day?" They manage to ask finally.
"I am, thank you. Even more so to have the opportunity to get to know you better," Marjorie replies with warm sincereity rather than casting aside the question or mocking it's awkwardness. She picks up the glass tea pot and pours into each of their mugs, filling the space with more of the fragrant smell.
Only once Mel has been handed over the mug of tea and tried a sip does she continue. "What is troubling you?"
The scent of jasmine is really nice, Mel has to admit. They take the mug and sip it carefully - not the easiest thing with a beak, but they've learned, mostly. They only spill a little bit, right at first. Then they set the mug back down, turning it one way and then the other as they debate the best way to answer the Winter Queen's question. "I was told you knew things about... about vampires." They'd had no trouble talking about this with Gallowglass, why was it hard now?
Her own mug is lifted and sipped from the shadows of the hood as she waits, patiently, for Mel to gather their thoughts and courage. Allowing them to speak at their own pace.
Her head lifts a little at the mention of vampires, before dipping into a slight nod. "You are correct. I do, indeed." Now she sounds concerned. "Have you come upon some trouble with them?"
"Not... directly" Mel says. Then they take another sip of the tea which is indeed very good. "I have a sister. And when I got... back, I was able to reconnect with her. But she's messed up with vampires somehow. She isn't a vampire, but I know she's hanging out with them and I am pretty sure that's not healthy and they've probably done something to mess with her mind or..."
They force themselves to stop, and let out a hoot of breath. "I want to get her away from them."
Marjorie listens and falls quiet for a moment after, her mug cupped delicately between her china doll hands.
When she speaks again, it's with almost maternal concern. "It's possible. What has she said to you, to make you fear for her well-being? How does she speak of them?"
If Mel could still chew their bottom lip, they would be right now. Instead they have to satisfy themselves with lightly clacking their beak and fiddling with their mug. "Nothing directly," they admit. "She won't talk about her new 'friends' almost at all. It's kinda like the stereotype of someone who's gotten wrapped up in drugs if that makes sense?"
They pause for a long moment, and then look up at the Winter Queen. "I... followed her, a couple times. Because I was worried, which is how I found out they were vampires."
Another soft nod. The mug of tea is set down so her hands can fold together on her lap. "I understand why you are worried, Mel. Family is important, and it must be very startling to return to find your sister in such an uncertain situation. And if she is being mistreated... that will not be tollerated."
"However, I want to caution you against jumping to conclusions too quickly. The Kindred, as they call themselves, in this city are far less tollerant of cruelty to humans--especially when it involves binding someone with their blood."
"The Freehold also has a diplomatic relationship with them. Which gives us some opportunities here to hopefully resolve this peacefully."
Mel nods slowly. Very slowly, and just once. "That's what some of the others said. Which is part of why I wanted to talk to you. I don't want to make trouble for the Freehold. And I know that there's a lot I don't know. But..." Their words trail off as they clench and unclench their hands on the edge of the table. Another hooting exhalation of breath. "I need to know what's going on. There's a lot of ways to mistreat someone that doesn't look like mistreatment."
"I agree. Rest assured that I take the threat of family members very seriously," she says softly, then exhakes her own breath, making the edges of the hood ruffle slightly.
"I can set you up with a meeting with the Sakima--their leader. Her name is Saagochque. I'm sure she will be willing to listen to your concerns and help you find who your sister has become entangled with."
Mel feels the feathers on the back of their neck start to raise in reaction to the idea of meeting face to face with an actual bloodsucker. But then they force themself to take a deep breath, to think rather than just react. "And they are... reasonable? Trustworthy?"
"Reasonable, yes. Trustworthy enough, in a case such as this. We have been... you could say 'co-workers' for quite some time now." Her face is still shrouded, but Mel can hear a trace of a smile in her voice. Then she continues, her voice more serious, "Saagochque has her own reasons for loathing slavery, in all forms. I am confident she will listen to your concerns and do what she can to help."
"Fair" Mel says with a single hoot of a humorless laugh. "Trustworthy is a strong word anyway. Can't say I like the idea, but if this Saagochque can help..." They shake their head very slightly. "Helping my sister is the important part." The corners of their eyes crinkle just a very little bit, in amusement. "I suppose it'd have to be a meeting at night."
She laughs lightly. "Yes, at night. You are welcome to bring someone along with you, if you would feel safer?"
"I can take care of myself," they say quickly, obviously defensive. But then they pause, obviously thinking. "But it might not be a bad idea to have someone... more physically imposing. Are they... can they see our real forms?"
The Queen reaches for her mug again, sipping. Not seeming offended by Mel's moment of defense. "I have heard that some of them are capable of seeing past our Masks," she replies. "But it's a rare ability. Saagochque will not be able to." (Pretty sure, anyway. >.>)
"Bring someone physically capable if it will make you more comfortable... But do try not to be rude." There's a hint of soft motherly chiding there in her voice.
Mel nods again, but nothing else of their body moves. "I will be on my best behavior, I promise." While they might not like even the idea of vampires, they knew better than to antagonize someone in a position of authority. Authority usually meant power and, well, until they had a better idea of exactly what a vampire could do, no way were they going to do something stupid.
"May I assume you have a way to contact this... vampire leader?"
"Good." The warmth returns to her voice. "You assume correctly. I'll take care of setting it up, and let you know when and where Saagochque will be meeting you. And please... If you do discover that she is indeed in trouble, feel free to reach out again to me."
"Thank you," Mel says, with genuine gratitude. They took a last sip of their tea, and set the mug down carefully. "I'll do what ever I have to to make sure my sister is safe, but... well, I can't say I wouldn't rather to do it peacefully." At least, to begin with.
"That is the hope," Marjorie replies, at least sounding optimistic and cheery, also setting her own mug down. "And you are welcome. Is there anything else I can do for you, Mel?"
It seemed like it would be a waste to have had an audience with a Season Monarch only to get information to set up a different meeting with a different... monarch type person. But Mel isn't exactly the quickest of thinkers. They shook their head. "I don't think so ma'am. I wouldn't want to presume on your time, especially since I know my next steps."
"Then I wish you the best of luck and well wishes for you and your family," she replies gently.
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