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Roger Gimlin:
Roger walks through the portal, looking back at the Professor who just left. They felt familiar, odd...
Dressed in a black vest, white undershirt, black tie, and the like, he was definitely in Magician mode. Maybe he had been practicing his street magic on the way.
The Mask and Mien were both cleaned up well, hair slicked back, maybe even a little make-up to accentuate their features. Sitting at the counter, he ordered some of all the meats and some hot chocolate.
Arthur Franklin:
The portal did as portals do, revealing an unfamiliar face to the Courser. Well, two faces, technically, the base features of the Wizened and a transparent mask of a bushy-eyebrowed blacksmith type gent that hovered in front of his face. He looked around the diner curiously, a kilowat grin lighting up the room. "Fascinating."
Roger Gimlin:
The Sasquatch turned to face the Shrewd, "Oh! Hello! How do you do?" he extended his long limbs to stand, and offered an arm in greeting, "First time here? Mage Magic is impressive. A lot like our portaling and yet so very different."
Arthur Franklin:
"It is, yes. Been getting settled in and haven't dropped by until today." The grin remained in place as he took the offered hand and shook it. "Arthur Franklin, pleasure to meet you."
Roger Gimlin:
"Arthur? Nice to meet you. I'm Tony Germer among most, though I am Roger Gimlin around here and the Freehold and the like."
Arthur Franklin:
"Ah hah...noted. Love the outfit, by the way." He added with a smile. "Very dashing."
Roger Gimlin:
"Ah, thank you, thank you. Tony Germer, Magician Extraordinaire! You may have seen the posters and billboards and the like..." a grin and a bow with stage flourish, "You look very dashing as well, in general. "
He turned to sit down again, and offered the seat next to him, "Join me?"
Arthur Franklin:
"I believe I have, yes...and thank you. Always try to make a good impression." He grinned, taking the offered seat beside Roger. As he did so the mask flitted out of sight, replaced with an older woman's worn but caring face. He didn't seem to notice or mind, looking over the menu curiously. "Quite the selection...you said a mage runs this place?"
Roger Gimlin:
"Yes. I have only seen her flitter about here and there, but her name is, obviously, Maddy. She keeps it as safe as possible, and yet remember there could always be Freelancers, Privateers, Loyalists, and even enemies of the other denizens of the night."
Arthur Franklin:
"Of course, of course. Can never be too careful." He nodded, catching the eye of one of the passing servers with a polite lift of the hand and ordering a cup of coffee and a three amigos scramble. "Have you run into many of the other sort here?"
Roger Gimlin:
"I know a few of the Awakened, Kindred, and even a few Bound, which was new for me."
Arthur Franklin:
"Bound, eh? Can't say I've heard of that one. Then again I'm only a few months out of the Thorns, so still quite a bit of catching up to do."
Roger Gimlin:
"Oh, you settling okay? Got a court? Announce yourself to the crown, take the oath, all that?"
Arthur Franklin:
"All of that has been handled, yes. I'm sworn in with the Mirror. Yourself?"
Roger Gimlin:
"The current court, for the next few days at least," a grin.
A deck of cards appears from somewhere, and he starts to shuffle and bridge and the like with it.
"Though I'm known among Autumn as well, should you need assistance at all."
Arthur Franklin:
Arthur smirked as the cards manifested, watching them dance in Roger's hands as he nodded. "Good to know. You from here yourself or are you a fellow transplant?"
Roger Gimlin:
"Originally from the Midwest, and traveled the world for a bit after my own escape. Got my fingers in a lot of pies, acquiring my current wealth and realizing that.... I wnated to help more than take."
Arthur Franklin:
"Ah...how so, out of curiosity?"
Roger Gimlin:
He frowned and leaned back in the chair for a second, using that inhuman grace to balance the stool impossibly well....
"Hrm... I was... I guess you could call it Acquisitions? Otherwise the less polite way was to say I was a corporate spy."
Arthur Franklin:
"I see...I'm in a similar field myself, admittedly. Less on the spying front but making sure my clients get the items they need in a timely manner."
Roger Gimlin:
"Ah!" he smiles broadly, fangs showing, "I'm happy to discuss business. I just... I haven't done it since the other cities... here I'm the Magician and what not."
Vincent Drake:
Vinny came through the portal, texting on his phone and humming a tune, "and all your heads are gonna roll, I've made ya misery my goal," he sang/muttered as he ordered the usual mountain dew, jeans and a black t-shirt with the words, 'don't mind me I'm toothing'
Arthur Franklin:
"It does suit you well, I'll say that." He replied with a smile, looking over Roger's ensemble once again. "I've got the beginnings of the operation set up at this point, mainly just working on a client list."
As Vinny entered Arthur turned to take in the new arrival, offering him a polite smile. To the Daeva the man radiated "customer service mode", his features set in a pleasant placidness. "Good evening!"
Roger Gimlin:
"Ah, Mister Drake!" a smile and a wave. He'd see the well cleaned mask, like he just came from a performance. His hair slicked back, make-up on to enhance his features without being obvious, completely showy.
Currently, he sat by the Wizened and shuffled and bridged his cards, even juggling them from time to time.
"This is Mister Franklin. I think you two should talk, considering your goals in unlife."
Vincent Drake:
Vincent looked over and shrugged, walking over, "Which goal, the one to have my face on the one dollar bill or the goal to gather all infinity stones to be a God, or is this my goal to kill the Avatar before they ruin my plan for the death comit?" He joked as he took a seat, "I have many goals."
Roger Gimlin:
"The mob boss of all mob bosses? Enough to rival your partner's Uncle?"
Vincent Drake:
Vincent gave a 'shut up now' smile
Arthur Franklin:
Arthur's head tilted slightly at the unfamiliar references, that pleasant smile still on his face, before Roger's comment and Vincent's reaction earned a quiet chuckle. "I see..."
Roger Gimlin:
"Ah, so you've wisened up a little bit. I was hoping that after the dance club and the coffee shop and the like that someone would take you aside."
Arthur Franklin:
"Who's the uncle, out of curiosity?" He inquired, nodding to the server when she brought his meal around.
Roger Gimlin:
In Italian , "They are the head of Our Business, or Our Affair, if you get the meaning..." Seeing if the Wizened understood the language.
Vincent Drake:
Vincent nodded, "yes yes, let's not talk about that now, please."
Arthur Franklin:
Judging by the quizzical look Roger got from the Wizened he got his answer, nodding as Vincent chimed in. "No worries. Just curious."
Roger Gimlin:
"Oh, I know..." he pulled out his phone and pulled out the article of the mob boss meeting Trump and shows it to Arthur before going to a different screen.
"SO Arthur here is from my neighborhood. Different street though."
Avery Frisk:
Avery suddenly...appears. No, no that's not quite right, she was there before, just not worth paying attention to. Not...wanting to be paid attention to? The trio may recognie Light-Shy dropping, and a sheepish smile from the Changeling with their Mask strengthened, arms around Vincent.
"I...forgot you cannot hear me like that." Avery squeezed Vincent a bit tighter.
Roger Gimlin:
"Friend Avery," a smile as he stood to offer a hug to the raven, "How goes things for you, my friend?"
Vincent Drake:
Vincent then just put an arm around Avery like it was a reflex, "Well then, welcome home," he nodded to Arthur and congradulated him on escaping, "So, yes, what I'm currently doing is building my own little kingdom in the domain of mood-stablization and matchmaking, hoping to build the foundation for an empire."
Arthur Franklin:
In a rare show of emotion (for Vincent, at least) Arthur's eyebrows shot up to his hairline at seeing the article, the gears visibly turning as he nodded. Avery's sudden appearance earned the Courser a quick once-over and a bright smile. "Good evening! Arthur Franklin, a pleasure."
"I see...best of luck to you. I work primarily in acquisitions myself, so if you have need of assistance do let me know."
Avery Frisk:
Avery accepts the hug from the other Courser, then slinks back to Vinny, clearly calmer while with him. The ever graceful movements barely revealing the airpods in her ears.
"I am...okay. Still worried. Thank you, Roger."
Avery looks over the new Lost.
"Avery....Frisk. I am glad you are free. My mask is strengthened, I am a Page of High Noon, formerly of the Arrow." Spoken so that Arthur was on the same page.
Roger Gimlin:
"It looks nice, by the way. You're cute with your mask on."
Vincent Drake:
Vincent kisses Avery's cheek, "The cutest," he smiled, "So, acquisitions, that's pretty sweet, maybe we can work out some kind of arrangement," then a turn to Avery, "What Arrow, I thought ya did Seasons?"
Roger Gimlin:
"LIke the Invictus versus First Estate," he offered.
Arthur Franklin:
"Certainly." With a similar bit of flourish to Roger's trick with the card deck before a business card manifested in Arthur's hand and was offered to Vincent. "Get a hold of me any time."
"Newly-deemed Twilit Page with the Mirror myself. Been in town for a month or so getting settled and figured it was high time to be social."
Roger Gimlin:
"Oh. Titles. Uh... " he blew out air in a very simian manner, especially to the Lost, "I am still an Archer of the Lonely March."
Avery Frisk:
Avery blushes at the kiss, "Like how you call it the-" and cuts off as Roger explains, nodding, and kissing her boyfriend's cheek back.
"I escaped...two Decembers ago, joined Winter in February with Asbolus...and as I grew and learned more, joined Summer in late June."
Avery nods, hiding half behind Vincent.
"My...hopefully soon to be Motleymate is a Twilit Page. Autumn is...nice."
Vincent Drake:
"I'm sure your two will make a great Motley," he held her close, "So it's a nickname, ok," he nodded, "We got our own. . .courts as it where, if Summer is Wrath, Winter is Sorrow, and Autumn is Fear, then think of mine as Ambition or Power." he explained
Arthur Franklin:
"Got out this past December myself. Had a little business to handle at home then came here to start up fresh."
"They seem like a solid bunch here from what I've seen. Haven't done too much outside of the oath-swearing and whatnot yet, though."
He nodded at Vincent's description, making a few mental notes as he got a few bites of his food in. "Take it you're one of the Kindred, then? Judging by the 'unlife' comment a bit ago."
Avery Frisk:
"We have been...discussing other people too...for the Motley."
Avery clung to Vincent, protective of him, and was making sure Arthur knew that, but let Vinny speak.
Vincent Drake:
"Well, I won't say I am," a flash of fangs, "but I won't say I'm not."
Roger Gimlin:
"You're learning. I'm impressed and proud, if that matters, Mister Drake," he said with honesty in his voice. Avery was one of his, and therefore Vincent got some of the umbrella with it.
Arthur Franklin:
"Noted." He offered with a chuckle, nodding. "That is a question worth asking, admittedly: how much...mingling between groups is encouraged here?"
Avery Frisk:
Avery shakes their head, this silly man, gently poking him in the side and whispering.
"Can I have waffles... please?"
Avery looked to Arthur.
"Vincent and I are dating, there is a Mage that I feel like is dating half the city. Friendships with the others helps us be strong as well...and there are several that were part of one group, and become part of another. So...a lot."
Vincent Drake:
"We're not on constant cold war or anything like that, cooperation in encouraged, how else are we talking at a waffle house." he chuckled, rubbing Avery's arm,"And how else do I date best bird." he smiled, "You may have waffles."
Arthur Franklin:
"Fascinating." He replied with a kilowatt grin, filing away that little tidbit. "You two do make a darling couple, I will say. Rather refreshing to see that sort of thing more widely accepted these days."
Roger Gimlin:
"That mage dating half the city... I think I passed him on the way. Looked familiar for some reason..." a shake shoulders, as if he didn't have a neck to shake his head, "Also, we're pretty much allied states at this point. There are issues between all our Enemies working together at different times, so if the Robocop shit and the VII shit and whatever else is going on that I've heard about, in addition to the Privateers..." a glance to the couple, "Definite reasons to work together."
Avery Frisk:
Avery pouts at Vincent.
"I...want waffles please?"
Avery blushes at Authur's comment.
"Th-thank you. What is...more widely accepted?"
At the mention of privateers, Avery's hand goes to their hip, as if double checking their keys were on them. Vinny would know they were NOT keys.
Vincent Drake:
Vincent orders a thing of waffles for Avery, "Yup, life sucks but at least we have allies of varous powers and skills."
Arthur Franklin:
"Sounds like it." He nodded to Roger, sneaking in another bite of his meal as the transparent mask of his mien flickered to that of a younger man with a long scar running through his right eye. "Saw one of those bots on the street recently, looked like something out of a Terminator movie."
He motioned between Avery and Vincent at the Courser's question, smiling. "You two being able to show affection for each other in public. It happened before I was taken, of course, but there was a lot more stigma around it."
Avery Frisk:
Avery looks incredibly confused at the notion she couldn't show affection for Vincent.
"Because....he is a vampire? No one knows he is a vampire? I like...showing affection?"
They start to look a little distressed, looking to Vinny for an explaination.
Roger Gimlin:
"Because you're ENby, and he's male, and the associations within the far right and religious zealouts," he spoke softly, "Those who hate others love."
Vincent Drake:
Vinny shrugs.
Arthur Franklin:
Arthur nodded to Roger's comment, looking Avery over. "Haven't had to come up against that much, I take it?"
Avery Frisk:
"Why do...they hate love? Are they jealous?"
Avery hugs Vincent close.
"I...am confused. I do not...know?"
Roger Gimlin:
"Humans are full of hate. It's one of the ways that They manipulate us, is it not?"
Arthur Franklin:
"Could be any number of reasons. Religion telling them that it's wrong, personal insecurities, all that." He offered a shrug. "Always been of a mind that you do you, and it's not my place to judge."
Avery Frisk:
Avery nods slowly.
"Yes...I guess so. I... don't see why it is a problem... but... okay..." Avery kisses Vincent's cheek.
"I am happy...so...I do not care for their hate."
Roger Gimlin:
"I've never been with a non-cis woman, to my knowledge, and I consider myself heterosexual and heteroromantic but also possibly demi or grey sexual...." he offered up, because why not, "I guess you could call it bicurious or heteroflexible with some of the terms these days."
Arthur Franklin:
"Straight as an arrow myself." He added, nodding to Avery. "Good way to go about it. It's none of their business, and if they make it yours that's their problem to deal with."
Avery Frisk:
Avery still looks very confused, especially at the terms.
"I...like... my partners...and do not want to do...it...with anyone else? Trust is... hard."
Roger Gimlin:
"Indeed. I played around Before, but since... I still am getting used to trusting and liking people, honestly."
Arthur Franklin:
"People are..." He let the words drift off, sitting back in his seat as he mulled the best way to put it. "They're a mess, to put it plainly. Easy to lead, easy to please, but resilient in their own way. It's always fascinating to see what they'll do when the chips are down."
Avery Frisk:
"I am bad at people..." Avery is practically behind Vinny now.
"My partners are...all good at people."
Roger Gimlin:
"I'm good at manipulating people. Decent at reading them. And I still don't like most. I like to say that I hate people, but I like individuals."
Arthur Franklin:
He raised his coffee cup to Roger in a "here here" sort of gesture. "People are useful or not at the end of the day. I take care of the people I keep close, though."
Avery Frisk:
Avery frowns.
"I am good at...hiding and lying...and...that's it. Talking is hard...it is like...you have to stop for others and I don't like stopping...but...I need to talk."
Roger Gimlin:
"Is there anything thaty ou wish to unburden here? Especially in these last twelve days before Spring?"
Arthur Franklin:
"Not bad things to be good at. Everyone has their skill sets. Mine happen to be in parting people from their money, but to each their own."
Avery Frisk:
Avery's eyes flick to Vinny.
"I am...okay at that...if needed. I don't like it."
Avery looks to Roger.
"My burdens are the ones on my family...but I have doubts they will resolve by Spring...Winter has once again given me a chance to be patient and wait for the right moment."
Roger Gimlin:
"Avery, hon, I trust that should I ever need a fellow set of eyes and ears on a scouting mission, as well as someone who can burn with SUmmer's Fire if it's required... you'll be there.
"You know if you need someone to be the face of a situation, and fast-talk their way out of trouble, I am here for you.
"And if we need to learn scary shit, that's why we have Autumn like Arthur here, or Ylva, or Vorpal."
Arthur Franklin:
"That's the whole point of the freehold, yeah? Keeping everyone in one piece and out of the hands of the bastards that took us."
Avery Frisk:
Avery pauses, and then nods, a thinking look at the other Courser.
"Yes...the Freehold is good...it makes me feel safe. If needed, I can be there to help...but I am much better at being quiet than the...loud parts of Summer...I kept many of my lessons from Winter."
Roger Gimlin:
"All the seasons have good lessons to give. I myself have taken advantage of the willingness to share a contract without trouble..." a smile.
Arthur Franklin:
"Sometimes you need the quiet, too. Can't be in-your-face all the time to get certain things done." He lifted his coffee cup to Avery in a toast before polishing it off. "And those of us who can't throw a punch to save our lives need someone to stand behind."
Avery Frisk:
Avery nods.
"I...have thought of making connections to Spring and Autumn as well...to learn their lessons...but I am unsure if...I should? I am...happy within Summer."
Roger Gimlin:
"Connections aren't the same as saying that you're current choice is wrong. I am Winter. I'm on good terms with Autumn, and I've learned a little of Spring and Summer ."
Arthur Franklin:
"Nothing wrong with diversifying your portfolio." Arthur remarked with an easy smile, the ease at which the phrase rolled off his tongue almost palpable. He seemed to catch it after a moment, chuckling to himself. "Haven't said that in a minute."
Avery Frisk:
Avery nods.
"I...know. But...I want to remain in Summer."
Avery's head tilts.
"Is it...important to you?"
Roger Gimlin:
A nod, by bowing at the waist rather than the neck, "I am trying to build up further relations between Winter and the other communities, as we speak."
Arthur Franklin:
"Nothing you have to change teams, as it were, but making in-roads with other courts can be good for both sides."
Avery Frisk:
Avery nods.
"From my time in Winter...I learned a Contract. The Winter Coat. I...am wary to use it without the trust of the Court."
Roger Gimlin:
"I'd recommend not doing it, for sure. At least until you build back up some of that trust," a fangy smile.
Arthur Franklin:
"Haven't picked up any outside tricks myself, but then again I'm pretty newly minted as a Mirror myself. There's one or two in Spring I wouldn't mind, I'll admit..."
Roger Gimlin:
"Indeed. Some of every court I wouldn't mind. Though of course, if you are interested in one of the Winter contracts, I can either help teach those I know, or point you in the right direction."
Avery Frisk:
Avery nods.
"I will refrain. There are...some in Spring that interest me too."
She looks towards Vincent, pausing her thoughts.
Arthur Franklin:
"Not at the moment, but I may take you up on that at some point. Sorrow's not really my thing."
Roger Gimlin:
"Indeed... " he finishes his meal of various breakfast meats and sighs happily. "I think I'm going to head out for now. Nice to meet you Arthur, and seeing you again Avery, Vincent...."
Standing, he headed out through the portal with a wave. (Head is going blergh)
Avery Frisk:
Avery waves to him as he goes.
"Sorrow is...not all it is. It is much more."
Arthur Franklin:
"Was a pleasure meeting you." Arthur replied with a beaming smile, giving the departing Courser a nod. "See you around, I imagine."
"Oh true, much like how it's not only fear when it comes to the Mirror. Just...not a taste I particularly want in my mouth these days."
Avery Frisk:
Avery nods.
"I do not...often consume Wrath...it is just easier to. I find...curiosity and happiness to be good too..."
Avery sits down.
"What drew you to the Mirror?"
Arthur Franklin:
"Getting down to the why of it all. I'm not a scholar by any stretch of the imagination but I like to read people, see how they tick. I couldn't do that with Him, much as I tried, and finding those cracks in the code became an obsession of mine."
Avery Frisk:
Avery nods.
"I am...not a scholar either. It takes time but...you will find where makes you happy. I...am not good at advice but it is good that you have your reasons."
Arthur Franklin:
"So far so good. If things change down the road so be it. Anything's better than being There, right?"
Avery Frisk:
Avery nods.
"Many people change Courts. Life is not static...neither are we."
Avery pauses.
"Not anything...but many things...yes."
Arthur Franklin:
"Touche." He nodded, the transparent mask flitting to that of a serene young woman with pointed ears. "You from Philadelphia? Came in from New York myself."
Avery Frisk:
Avery blinks, a curious look.
"What...pronouns should I use?"
Avery shrugs.
"My Fetch is here...and I am here...but I do not know."
Arthur Franklin:
"Hmm? Oh, he/him." He chuckled wryly, motioning around his face briefly. "Tends to rotate through the faces I've worn over the years."
"Ah...didn't have much left when you got back, I'm guessing?"
Avery Frisk:
Avery nods.
"He/ him, okay. I use... any. Even when like this..." Avery gestures to her more feminine outfit, "he or they or xe or it is okay. Whatever you feel like."
Avery hesitates... and hesitates.
"He took... all of my memories...only a few have returned to me...but I remember most of There. It...makes it easy to hurt my Clarity."
Arthur Franklin:
"Will keep that in mind." He took a moment to polish off his meal as Avery hesitated, moving the plate off to the side for a server to pick up. "Damn...that's got to be rough."
Avery Frisk:
Avery nods.
"I....yes...it is."
Arthur Franklin:
"Seems like you've got good people backing you up, at least."
Avery Frisk:
Avery nods.
"I...am getting better...at a lot. At this time last year...I only talked to one person unless I needed other things...my mentor...Asbolus. He is an Arrow. I now...have my partners...and many friends...and I am learning."
Arthur Franklin:
"Good on ya." He nodded with a smile. "Still getting my bearings in some ways, but I'm feeling like this'll be a good place to do so."
Avery Frisk:
Avery nods and smiles.
"Everyone here is...nice. At least...the Freehold...and our allies. It is...easier here than other places from what I have been told...I like it here too much to want to leave."
Arthur Franklin:
"Don't really have anything to go back to in New York even if I wanted to." He offered a shrug. "Clean slate's the way to do it, in my opinion."
Avery Frisk:
"I...am sorry to hear that. I hope you find things here."
Avery pauses. "Do you know how long you were gone?"
Arthur Franklin:
"Forty-five years, give or take." The weight of that timespan still sat oddly on his shoulders, although he seemed to carry it well enough. "I came back to a replacement ready to retire on his third wife with twice as many kids. I got what I needed out of him to start fresh and came here."
Avery Frisk:
Avery nods.
"My Fetch is...27...I look older than them...but I don't know...how much. I don't even know how long I was there because...I don't remember when I was Taken. I am...meeting them soon..."
She does not look thrilled.
Arthur Franklin:
"Not sure how long it was while I was in there either. The games always changed and things flowed differently depending."
"You look happy about that fact." Is that a hint of sarcasm? Never. "Good luck with it, though. Running into mine for the first time was something."
Avery Frisk:
"It... time does not go right while There... for any of us... it is hard."
Avery shakes their head.
"But no, I am not happy. I'm very... scared." Avery really wasnt good at people, huh.
Arthur Franklin:
"What are you scared of? Facing it, having to answer why you haven't done so yet, something else?"
Avery Frisk:
Avery frowns.
"It going poorly. I want her to have her life...I don't want her life. And now it feels... impossible."
Arthur Franklin:
"Nothing says you can't both keep doing your own thing once you've talked with them. Mine's still up in New York doing whatever he's doing. However much space you keep between you and them is up to you."
Avery Frisk:
She pauses, blinking several times, and one can almost hear the record scratch.
"Oh..."
Arthur Franklin:
"Didn't cross your mind, huh?" He chuckled, that kilowatt grin back in full force. "You are the master of your destiny, my friend."
Avery Frisk:
Avery takes a second, and nods.
"I could... tell her I don't want her life... and after... leave her alone... okay."
Arthur Franklin:
"There ya go, easy as that."
Avery Frisk:
Avery still looks like their mind was blown.
"Thank you, that helps."
Arthur Franklin:
"You're welcome." He replied with a smile. "Sometimes a little outside perspective can help shake a problem loose."
Avery Frisk:
Avery nods.
"I...should get going...thank you, and I hope to see you around more."
Arthur Franklin:
"Most definitely." He nodded, pulling a business card from seemingly nowhere to offer to the Courser. "Was good talking with you, Avery. Good luck."
Avery Frisk:
Avery slowly takes the card, nodding, and dragging her boyfriend from whatever mess he got distracted with. Because Vinny does that, and she loves him for that.
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