|
Arthur Franklin:
"They do like their little cottages here, don't they..." Arthur remarked to himself with a small chuckle as he looked around one said domicile in the Autumn Hollow, yet to be claimed by a member of the Mirror. The Wizened was dressed in black slacks and a sky-blue dress shirt with the sleeves neatly rolled to the elbows, a transparent mask depicting a middle-aged woman's face shaped into a permanent scowl. "Very quaint."
Edward:
Ed was currently just roaming around, not really sure what to do today. Wearing a simple black t-shirt and worn out jeans, the white haired elf was bored out of his mind and looking for something, somebody, anything to alleviate said boredom.
Arthur Franklin:
At the sounds of another's movement Arthur turned his attention towards Edward, the bright grin on his own face sharply contrasting the mask he 'wore'. "Good evening!"
Edward:
Ed turned to the direction of the welcome and nodded with a smile, "Evening," he replied, just with his words one could tell he was British, "Don't think I've seen ya around, name's Ed." he said, extending a hand
Arthur Franklin:
On the other hand Arthur's accent was pure New York, the smile staying in place as he took Ed's hand and gave it a well-practiced and firm shake in return. "Arthur, a pleasure. Got in a month or so and have been getting settled Ironside for the most part."
Edward:
"Welcome back," he said, smile a bit brighter, "and welcome to the Mirror, as far as I'm concerned, that makes me you a brother to me." he chuckled, "So, how's things compared to how ya left it, if ya don't mind me asking?"
Arthur Franklin:
"Thank you. It's been very welcoming so far." He smiled, a wry chuckle slipping out as Ed continues. "It's taking some getting used to, won't lie. Close to fifty years is a hell of a jump."
Edward:
"Thirty one years for me," he shrugged, "I missed the grunge era of the nineties, damn I would have thrived." he joked, "But hey, at least I got to experience shit like it's brand new, still need to see Revenge of the Sith."
Arthur Franklin:
"True enough. Was a bit of an early adaptor back in the day tech-wise, and seeing how things have developed there has been fascinating."
Edward:
"Did not expect the internet," he chuckled, "Now it seem Terminator was right on the money, and phones, ugh, took me a year to get used to having a mini-computer on me at all times."
Arthur Franklin:
"No kidding. Saw one of those mechanical cops not too long after I got here and thought it was a Robocop reject." He shook his head. "Heard that's a whole mess in itself, though."
Edward:
"Those, those are new and not something ya see outside Philly, did hear they steal souls, don't know what that's all about." he shrugged, "I'm more worried on Slavers, still haven't put that to rest and it's wartime."
Arthur Franklin:
"...huh. Didn't hear that." A mental note was made to stay even farther away from those things than he already was planning, nodding as Ed continued. "Yeah, was informed about that when I came into town. What all's happening there, if you know?"
Edward:
"From what I heard, the first one to get harassed was a Summer, I was out shopping when I ran into Ylva, a Mirror Courtier, she was targeted to, don't know much on how the investigations are going, but I can't wait to get my hands on one." he punched his knuckles together
Arthur Franklin:
"That was Avery, yeah? Heard something about privateers when we first talked." He smirked a touch at the show of aggression. "Not much of a frontline man myself, but I'm willing to help where I'm able."
Edward:
"Just fucking hate," he takes a breath, "Like, we where all victimized, the idea anyone would send someone their just to save their own skin, just really fucking gets to me." he sighed, "But, no point getting worked up about it, I'm sure we'll get this all behind us soon."
Arthur Franklin:
"Oh I understand, trust me." He replied, an odd hum forming in the air around him at the words. "We'll give them hell, no question of that."
Edward:
"So, enough of that, what's your favorite modern thing?"
Arthur Franklin:
"Hmm...good question." He leaned against the nearby cottage wall, pondering for a moment. As he did so the mask flickered out of sight, replaced with an androgynous but pretty face with a black rose tattooed onto its cheek. "Cell phones are definitely up there. Having that much information in the palm of your hand is magnficent."
Edward:
"I would have to say the fact I can click a button wherever I am and just listen to music, miss collecting cassettes though."
Arthur Franklin:
"Vinyl's still a thing last I heard, at least." He smirked. "You a musician yourself, I'm guessing?"
Edward:
"Nothing professional, but I am a self styled bard," he snickered, "Street performer would be the more apt word, my own pieces along with some covers mostly."
Arthur Franklin:
"Ah hah...sounds interesting. I'm in the business of acquisitions myself these days, making sure people get what they need or point them to the people who can get it for them."
Edward:
"Now when we say acquisitions, do we mean normal shipping or is that a euphemism for shady shit." he joked
Arthur Franklin:
"Column A, Column B..." He replied with a wide grin. "Whatever is needed for the product to be delivered promptly."
Edward:
"Ok, so semi-shady," he said, not truly expecting that result, "Hope business is good, probably meet alot of interesting people."
Arthur Franklin:
"So far so good. Been getting the groundwork laid out since I arrived in town and we're pretty much up and running at this point."
Edward:
"It's always good to make some kind of anchor, gives something to do as well as builds resources."
Arthur Franklin:
"Mmhmm. I was talking with a few folks yesterday about the possibility of carving out something on this side as well now that I'm properly settled." He motioned around them briefly. "Probably not something this grandiose, but a little portable bolt hole wouldn't be a bad thing to have in your pocket."
Edward:
"I've got a place like that," he nodded, "Proper manor estate too, it's good to have a place that's yours, especially to hide in hard times."
Arthur Franklin:
"Agreed. Hopefully won't need it to stash myself, but you never know." He knocked on a nearby wooden fixture on the cottage for good measure. "What was the process for that, out of curiosity? Just forcing the Thorns to behave for the most part?"
Edward:
"Something like that, it's still the Hedge, so it's like making yourself a stationary raft in the middle of the ocean, that make sense?"
Arthur Franklin:
"That it does. May look into it at some point down the road."
Edward:
"I would advise it, personal Hollow's are an added layer of security."
Arthur Franklin:
"Indeed. Especially with privateers running around." He shook his head firmly, the air taking on that odd hum again. "I only just got out, like hell I'm going back in there again."
Edward:
"Amen to that," he nodded, "Live free or die, that's my motto, no way They're getting their hands on me again, my music is my own."
Arthur Franklin:
"Amen to that." He nodded, glancing around briefly before looking back to Edward. "Is there anyone else in the Court I should focus on meeting with outside of the higher ups? Got the general run down when I was sworn in."
Edward:
He thinks, "I see the Court as a family, so my opinion is to get to know your fellow courtiers, other than the higher ups, Ylva does community work, runs a center, also a pretty good tattoo artist from what I've heard, their's also a pretty prominent Motley, Direct Action, they got three members in the Mirror, Vorpal, Laura and Sam, pretty close knit group and from what I've heard, good to have in your corner." he chuckled, "We've also got a Fae-Touched member I scared shitless one night, fuck I need to apologize for that."
Arthur Franklin:
Arthur nodded along as Ed spoke, making notes of the names given. "Think I ran into him yesterday. British guy by the name of Micah?"
Edward:
"Yup, that would be the one," he said a tad sheepish, "Kinda put the fear of god in him, he thought I was one of Them and I just went ham, even called my Steed for show, should have known he was unique when he registerd a horse instead of a motor cycle."
Arthur Franklin:
"That must've been a sight." He chuckled, giving a little nod. "He was in the freehold hollow yesterday. Thought it was a little odd since he didn't have...this going on" he motioned around himself briefly "but he was also oddly coy about saying what he was outright."
Edward:
"Eh, you meet people like that now and then. . .I don't really like the idea of normal folks hanging around the be honest, only because I really don't think it's safe for them Hedge side, ya know, even in a Hollow."
Arthur Franklin:
"Fair enough. A hollow is safer, at least."
Edward:
"I joined the Mirror to keep people away from the Hedge, but if they can handle themselves, who am I to make them unwelcomed, just cautious."
Arthur Franklin:
"Indeed." He smirked a touch. "I joined to get into the nitty gritty of how They work, I'll admit. I'm not a scholar by any stretch of the imagination, but I thrive on knowing how people tick and I could never do that with Them. The more information I can get on that front the better."
Edward:
"I like the whole magic idea too, learned a fair bit of witchcraft I'll admit," he shrugged, "Also fun to scare the shit out of people in the woods."
Arthur Franklin:
"Picked up some interesting tricks while I was over There and a few more since." He nodded, chuckling softly. "I haven't pinned down my preferred methods on that front, I'll admit."
Edward:
"I'm sure you'll find your preffered method."
Arthur Franklin:
"Soon enough, yeah. I've been able to stay topped up, mind you, so I'm not hurting on that front." He eyed Edward for a moment. "How'd you come to decide on that particular method?"
Edward:
"Well, I usually harvested from the emotions I stirred by my music, then after I got more in tuned with Autumn, fear just felt all that more invigorating."
Arthur Franklin:
"True enough. Meant more the 'scare people in the woods' aspect in this case."
Edward:
"Well, way I figured woods is a good Hedge waypoint so best to scare people away."
Arthur Franklin:
"Fair point." He nodded with a small smirk. "Whatever works for ya."
Edward:
"What do you think works for you?"
Arthur Franklin:
"At the moment I grab a little bit of everything as needed. Picking it up from someone that's spooked by a horror movie or whatnot is one thing, but actually invoking it hasn't really been my style as of yet."
Edward:
"I hear that." he nodded, "Spring is coming, wonder what kind of party they'll throw."
Arthur Franklin:
"One must wonder. Heard that's kind of their thing."
Edward:
"I got to get going, it's getting late and I need to start the forest rounds, it was nice meeting you."
Arthur Franklin:
"Good meeting you as well." With a quick flick of his wrist a business card appeared seemingly out of nowhere which he offered to Edward with a smile. "If you ever need to get a hold of me."
|