|
Fifteen minutes before the appointed time, Ari kindly sends a reminder text, and then steps into the elevator at The Attic, where they volunteer. It makes for a perfect cover when they step into the elevator on the first floor and then the elevator goes to the empty third floor, opens, and has no one in it, after all.
They step into the Spring Hollow, power down their phone, and go to putter around outside the Crown's cottage, checking for signs that someone's been messing with the composition of the Hollow, and generally tending to the place. Roof in good repair? Door solid?
Chelle arrives a few minutes early--about five--and smiles genially at Ari. "Hey," she says, politely but familiarly. After all, they know each other, being in the same court. "How are you doing?" she asks them, her eyes warm and golden in the light filtering into the Hollow.
Michael runs up, not late but desperately worried he is, clothes a little rumpled and his usual gloves missing. "Hi!" He utters, smiling widely as he adjusts himself and waves keenly. "How are you both?" Chelle's offered a light kiss in greeting.
"Hey," Ari answers back, turning away from their work. A genial smile rides rampant across their face, splitting the green marble with sharp white teeth. "I am well, and yourself?" They hold open the door to the Crown's cabin, a gesture of welcome and invitation. "Can I offer you some water?"
Chelle accepts Michael's kiss before stepping into the Crown's cabin. "Yes, please, Ari." She finds a place to sit where Michael can sit next to her. "What is going on with you in general lately?"
"Very well too." The fox nods keenly, settling down next to Chelle. "And I'd love water too, thank you kindly." He smiles at the Sovereign, nodding in agreement with Chelle's question.
There's a jug full of water in the icebox -- the Hollow's Luxury means, in this specific case, that there's some small bits of food here and there, but Ari brings Real Food and Real Water as a ballast for people's sanity when they want to stay in the Hollow for whatever reason -- and Ari fetches a cup for each of them, and themself, pouring water before moving to settle down in the armchair sized for them in the tidy little living room. "Good. I'm glad to hear it." And they seem quite genuine, there. The Vernal Sovereign (or will be, in a few days) gestures with one hand. "What can I do for you both?"
Chelle glances to Michael before saying, "Where are you planning on having the Spring welcoming party, Ari? I'd like to offer Stardust; I've taken the opportunity to reserve the club, if you'd like--and if not, I have someone I can pass that off to for a birthday party." An NPC friend of hers. She bites her lip.
Michael nods quietly in agreement, sipping his water. "We've kinda been tagteaming each other on Joyeux stuff. We flow together pretty well." A warm smile. "And we had the thought of making Stardust ground zero for the Spring party if possible, yes."
The cup looks almost ridiculously small in their hands; it's sized for Normal People, nor Ari-sized people. "I had planned on simply holding it in the Freehold Hollow, barring a better option." That smile returns, and they sit back. "However, if you two have an idea, I'd much rather allow some fresh blood to reinvigorate us rather than continue with whatever's 'traditional.'" Their head tips to one side. "It does make sense. The two of you have been talking about a motley, yes?" A tiny wave of one hand. "Marjorie mentioned." Which begs how Marjorie knows, but... does it, really?
Winters, how do they work?
Chelle chuckles a bit at the mention of Marjorie. "A bit, yes. We have. But--yes. I figured there's a kitchen at Stardust, and if Anneliese would provide drinks if my bartenders can't...." Hers. She's talking like she owns the place today. She stops, rolls her eyes. "I'm getting ahead of myself. But yes. I think we could do that. If you'd like." She looks at Michael, breathless with excitement and a touch of fear.
"We have." Michael confirms, blinking at that reveal. But, Winter is as Winter does. "So far though, it's the two of us. Which, I do not mind one whit." A wry grin. "But, a motley needs more numbers." He turns attention to Chelle, leaning over to kiss her forehead lightly. "We can. Mm. Food and venue from Stardust, drinks from Anneliese if she's able and willing. We do this right Ari, and we'll blow the roof off, not literally, but, everyone would have a total blast."
"I would like. Let me know how I can support you in this endeavor. It would be delightful and appropriate for you to involve Anneliese, of course -- and important for Joyeux such as yourselves to direct and organize the Pages." So it's just that simple, then: when you do the thing, you get the shiny hat. The gentle giant takes another sip of their water. "Hopefully you'll find a third, so the Wyrd will recognize you as a motley. A personal Oath could hold you for the meantime, if you preferred."
Chelle glances at Michael, blushing. "We'll discuss that. Thank you, Ari." Then back to business: "That sounds good. Michael, do you want to contact Anneliese, or shall I?"
Michael smiles from ear to ear, pleased as could be by the approval. "We;ll sort that then, mm, I think she'd enjoy the chance." He hums, glancing at the blushing Chelle. "That'd be a thing to discuss, mm.." He agrees. "Aside from the ones to Freehold and Court, I've not dabbled in any major pledges before." He nods, leaning back a touch. "I'm good either way. Did you want to catch up with her? I'm just as happy to nab some time with her." A smile, a sip of water.
The Spring Regent settles back in their chair, their dark eyes glinting as their attention shifts from one to the other, watching their interplay. They have nothing to add at this point, and seem content to let the pair figure that all out.
Chelle smiles at Michael. "Sure." She tilts her head and looks at him before looking back at the Spring Regent. "Is there anything in particular you'd like at the party?"
The fox nods contently, settling back. He's thoughtful, maybe for the party, maybe for a personal oath, but he's also keen to see Ari's answer to that last question.
They consider that for a moment, taking a swallow of their water, and press their lips together into a thoughtful marble line. "I would, I think, very much like some sort of -- activity, thought or intention which brings different groups of people together, and shuffles people around a little. People tend to cluster together in their motleys and family groups -- which is delightful, I'm so glad that people have families! -- but cross-pollination is important for a healthy Freehold, don't you think?"
Chelle nods. "There's some stupid icebreaker games I know of. We can work on those." She shrugs. "Otherwise I don't know."
Michael hums in quiet thought on that. "I do have a thought, but, I don't now how solid it is. Motleys, family groups, they'll tend to find their own goals, right? And will generally be damned good at it. But you and the other Sovereigns will often come across work you'll be looking for people to focus on. Let's say there's something that needs doing, and you ask a few people from different motleys to make a go at it? I don't know how good an idea that might be though, not until enough cross pollination happens that people are generally good at working together." A look to Chelle. "That team building and icebreaking would be perfect in that regard."
"So, that often happens, yes, we will call people from different motleys to work on a project. Perhaps in the process of developing the party itself, or something of that like." Ari sets their empty cup down, and spreads their hands. "What's most important is celebrating coming to this season as whole as we possibly can. In Winter we mourn what we have lost, and in Spring we begin our new planting. I am certain that whatever you come up with will be delightful."
Chelle smiles and finishes her water, silently thoughtful for a moment afterward. "Ari," she suddenly asks of them. "What's your favorite color? So I can incorporate it a bit in a banner or something. Instead of just the greens and flowers."
He nods. "I think the Hold is pretty healthy now. So, I am hoping the party will give ground for new bonds to form and people to circulate. I'll try some nudging on that score myself." Smiling happily, he tilts his head back in thought, looking between Chelle and Ari.
"Purple." There's not any hesitation there; the giant knows what they like. "You are correct, I think. And if anyone can make that so, it is our newest Joyeux." They rise to their feet, then, laying their expectations down gently as they bring the meeting itself to a close.
|