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Avery
Avery was eating a meal in the Hollow, and was just finishing up. She was looking around, watching what was going on...and possibly for someone too.
He had his knives hidden on his person, but was clearly still on edge, even here. It was just loud enough that it annoyed them.
Roger
The Archer of the Lonely March came walking over the distant buildings where the freehold and the hedge meet. Another patrol done.... they used a combination of their Parkour and contract to move through the Freehold, keeping an eye as they did.
He wore a long brown leather jacket, over a black hoodie and sweat pants with running shoes. Upon smelling food, he pivoted and readjusted his path to come running down towards Avery.
"Good Afternoon, dear Avery..."
They didn't seem to try to 'hide' their approach, as much as quiet their approach.
Avery
Avery still heard him, far before he came into sight. The raven changeling waves as the sasquatch enters eye view.
"Hello Roger. How was the patrol?:
Roger
"I wasn't launched through any trees this time, so much better than last time."
And then he plopped into a sit across from the Raven. The ground seemed as comfortable to them as any other place to sit.
Avery
Avery smiles. "I usually try to go over the trees, not through them. I am glad you were not hurt again." A hand goes to their neck, rubbing it slightly.
"I am unfortunatly out of food, so can't offer any."
Roger
"I am happy to wait. Other than certain occasions, I tend not to eat in the hedge. Memories," he left it at that.
"What were you trying to look for?"
Avery
"As is fair. I am sorry if I brought up memories." Avery put the empty bowl to the side.
"You actually...I want to learn a Contract and I heard you may know it?" Avery looks nervous.
Roger
"You didn't. I did. The place I was had more complicated diets.
"Which is that? I am happy to help."
Avery
Avery nods solemnly to the other Beast, but moves on.
"Boon of the Scuttling Spider. I...found myself in a situation that I was limited by walls and...it was a struggle. Turning into a Raven helps me to get away...but leaves me vulnerable."
Roger
"Oh, yes. Plus then you and I can spin that spider silk as well... Can be useful, if a tad gross."
Avery
Avery looks a bit perturbed. "I- good to know. Perhaps if I need to get away? Contracts can be...strange things."
Roger
"Not quite like that, but... Let's just say if you grab someone, they don't get to move much. I can exhibit if you'll let me?."
Avery
Avery hesitates, then nods. "Yes...if I can be freed after. I hate not being able to move."
Roger
Standing, he grasped Avery in a wristlock. It was as if Avery was covered in webs of glamour.
"Now, imagine if I had someone here that could strike the final blow..."
And then he released it all
Avery
Avery tugs at the hand, not worried, but nods and gently rubs their wrist.
"I see...I am no good in an extended fight...and not strong...but that's a good tool to have if needed."
Avery looks at their wrist. "I still want it to walk on walls more than that...but thank you for telling me."
Roger
"Yes. It is a matter of responsibility for sure. What sort of things do you normally pledge for these bylines?"
Avery
Avery shakes their head. "I would much rather not be bound to the Wyrd right now more than I need to if that is okay? Perhaps I can offer a favor when you need me instead?"
Roger
"We are friends. I was just inquiring. I can certainly teach you what I can teach."
Avery
Avery nods. "Friends, yes...or if you want to learn one of the Contracts I know in return?"
Roger
"Why don't we just say you owe me one and we'll see from there, eh? You're my friend, I'm not that worried."
Avery
Avery nods. "I would like that, yes. We are friends." Avery affirms the notion.
Roger
"So... we can certainly... well, when I use it, all I see are planes. Things are still blocked by cover, but a wall, the floor, and the ceiling are the same thing."
Avery
Avery nods. "That...I see. Does that make things harder or easier to look at?"
Roger
"Nah, it doesn't change cover or distance or anything. Nothing in particular, at least. There's other things for that stuff, buuut it's more like thinking you can walk on anything, because you can.
Avery
"I see, that's good. I am ready to learn when you are ready to teach Roger."
Roger
He rolled up to his feet as if it was nothing, before heading towards the tallest building in the village that is the freehold.
He took off his jacket with flare, the constant Stage Magician, and tossed it into a pile, as he studied the building, and then back to Avery.
Ylva
As he walked up to the building he would notice Ylva curled up on top of it trying to warm up. Tails wrapped around a carving.
Avery
Avery moves to their feet in a most graceful way. They are quite dexterous after all. Avery watches the jacket, a worried look. "Do I need to take off my cloak? I like my cloak."
There was a wave to Ylva as they were able to see her.
Roger
The jacket instead was tucked around Ylva, "Here sweetie, you need this."
Ylva
"Good morning." A big foxy full bodied yawn. Her mane still braided from the night before.
"Hi Roger and Avery." A hint of a blush.
Roger
"No, this is my way of helping teach. So you can see my feet, see my glamour, see everything about me that would affect it to a level," he even took off his shoes and socks. It seems like he shoves his overly large feet into shoes to make the mask and the mien fit the shoes...
The Silent Arrow in the quiver rolled his ankles, thinking about how to do the next part.
"Oh, hey, another Courser... do you know the Scuttling Spider Boon?"
Avery
Avery nods. "I see...does that hurt your feet?"
Avery looks at the braided changeling, a small smile that the braid was still there. It meant they did a good job.
Ylva
There is a tilt of her head. Rubbing the braid in her mane.
"No. I'm." Big yawn. "Im guessing it let's you walk on walls?"
Roger
"Mmm... there's some pain there... but there's some pain in everything. It helps to just ignore it after a while, I suppose."
He studied the wall and then lifted his large footpad, as the glamour warps his feet to add the miniscule hairs of a spider. Non-Lost, if they could see the mien, would have a most difficult time seeing the hairs.
"The glamour pushes them out for me... and then the web can be used if need be."
Avery
Avery nods. "I am glad you still have the braid."
A focus to Roger. "Pain is...not something I enjoy. I see...does this work through shoes or no?"
Roger
"It does. It's magic and all. I just want you to see every minute piece of the glamour, to help learn how to weave it's existence."
Ylva
She watches the hairs extend with a chuckle curling around the jacket like a blanket to warm up.
A gentle blush and her hand moves to the braid again. "Thanks, its really nice and." A deep breath. "Thanks."
Roger
The sasquatch walked up the wall step by step, slowly showing everything they could, even though it looked mainly like walking.
Avery
Avery gives a small smile to Ylva, but doesn't answer. They put their own shoes on the wall, and look closely at Roger. A moment later, a flash of glamour as Avery connects to the Wyrd and Avery's shoes have the same hairs. Avery looks down at the bottom of the shoes, then at the wall.
"Ah...thats what you meant...its a bit weird." As Avery takes the second step, Avery confidently takes their second foot off the ground...and gravity takes hold. They land with a soft 'whoof' as the wind is knocked out of them. The hairs are gone.
Roger
"If you eat a living spider, it helps."
Ylva
She pokes her head over the side of the building curling up under the blanket and chuckling. "I think your meant to go up the wall?"
Avery
Avery looks up at the Courser on the wall. "That...is the loophole?"
Avery rolls over and gets up, sticking a tongue out at Ylva. "Yeah...I thought so too..."
Roger
The Courser looked between the other two Savages, and then back to Avery, "Do I recall correctly... I think Vincent was ... or you did... now aren't the pair of you ethically non-monogamous? Does that mean you're looking for partners, or if someone happens to show up?"
He's standing literally on the diagonal edge between the roof on the wall, looking at the pair from above.
Ylva
Ylva retreats behind the top of the wall out of view with a hint of a snigger.
Avery
Avery sighs and tries again, they go quickly and get to the third step before the magic fades and they land delicately. The shoe goes back on the wall and they think on the Contract.
"It is easier for him as it is sometimes needed so he can Feed. I can't give him enough...if he drinks too much from me...well...I get light headed and I'm easily knocked out. Not good for a Summer, or any of us really."
Avery blushes. "But...if he or I find someone we are interested in...all we need to do is have a talk first. And...we are the first partners...anyone else has to be ok and understand that."
Roger
"Makes sense," he walked along the edge like a tightrope. There was nothing in his nature to show that this caused fear at this point.
"What about someone who likes you? Someone who wants to maybe, I don't know, profess their feelings, but is nervous about it?
Avery
Avery takes a breath, then takes that second step forward. They work to keep their balance for a second, then let out the breath. They don't pick up for a third step, but are successfully standing on the wall.
"Then....we would need to talk...why?" Avery looks at Roger, confused.
Ylva
Ylva leans over the edge of the wall poking a tongue out at Avery.
"Because I like you, but, im allot. Last night was nice but im worried about pushing away what little affection you do feel free to give me."
Roger
He did a cartwheel on the edge of the roof, and then did moves that would make Ezio jealous, while running along the edge and flat of the roof, but in view of the pair, "She blushed when you walked up, and blushed when you mentioned the braid, but she seemed nervous, probably because she didn't wish to offend."
Avery
Avery's energy dies quickly, a frown and a nervous look. "Um...oh...okay." Its not a no but Avery doesn't make eye contact. They seem to be thinking.
Ylva
Ylva hides back over the edge snuggling the jacket, which is going to be covered in fur, sorry Roger.
Before a whispered. "Sorry." That only Avery can hear.
Roger
The jacket was already covered in long ape-like hair anyways from being a Sasquatch. He didn't seem to mind.
The Courser said as Ylva hid, "I wasn't expecting you to just ... put it out there. I'm part of the Silent arrow... gotta get information out."
Avery
Avery shakes their head, carefully and slowly, but assuredly walking up the side of the building. They eventually sit next to Ylva on the ledge. This takes a solid minute or two. "You...don't have to be sorry. I am just...I like you as a friend...not like that. I am sorry."
Avery looks to Roger, a silent thank you mouthed at him.
Ylva
Ylva nods wth a smile as Avery walks up to them. A tail subconciously weaving out to them. A gentle. "I know."
Then she chuckles lightly. "Doesnt mean you dont make me swoon."
Roger
"You make me swoon, if it helps, little one," he said with the teasing name from when they met, "I have no problem saying that. You're attractive so I was happy to run into you again." He flitters back and forth across the rooftops.
Strum
The funny thing about being a sneaky Winter is that sometimes it just appears like you've spontaneously generated out of thin air. This is especially startling when the subject of said sudden appearance is an eight-foot-tall frost giant with curled horns, and a mantle that suddenly feels like all the oxygen in the room has thinned.
Sturm, Winter's Sun Banisher stands a few meters away in her battered denim vest and aviator sunglasses. Wordlessly she follows the exchange with a single brow raised.
"Huh. Cute."
Roger
"Sun Banisher," he stopped fidgeting and while not going to military attention, made his stance a lot more professional, "Do you have need of me?"
Avery
Avery looks away from Ylva. "Um...sorry...I don't mean to. I am happy to just be friends."
Avery's head twitches as footsteps approach, but this was the Freehold Hollow, anyone here should be safe...so they didn't say anything. As Strum appears, Avery also gets to their feet. Avery was former Winter after all, but now part of Summer.
Ylva
Ylva shrinks back as the Giant 'appears'. She was distracted and only just started warming up. "Um, hai."
Then she turns back to Avery.
"Its okay, really. I understand that not everyone wants to deal with a hypersexual freak like me." Her voice is jovial, no malice in it.
Strum
"I... uhh. No-- err. Don't do that," Sturm waves a dismissive hand. Oh no there goes her cool gal entrance. She used to be so good at keeping a straight face. "... I'm not an actual meathead, there's no need to salute."
Roger
"Not saluting, just wanted to make sure this wasn't official. Would you like to be called Sturm? And what are your pronouns, friend?"
Avery
Avery nods to Ylva, similarly no malice. "It is ok...I'm just still learning."
Avery tries to shrink a bit in recognition of the name. The raven changeling tries ever so slightly to hide behind Roger from Strum's point of view.
Strum
"No. No. Not official. If it's official, well. May Neptune have mercy on your soul, yadda yadda." She waves a hand, trying to make it very clear that this is a bit.
"Sturm is fine. That's my name. The only name. She and her. Thank you for asking."
She catches sight of Avery shrinking behind Ylva, and tucks her hands back into her pockets, slumping her shoulders forward as her posture seems to melt.
Ylva
Ylva stands up to her diminutive height of 4"6' and does a wave to Sturm. "Its nice to meet you. You can call me Ylva."
A hand and a tail reaching forward to shake her hand. Somebody make Avery uncomfortable, do an protec.
Roger
"Ylva here... she could use your help, officially, Sturm..." he walked down and still remained 90 degrees from the floor, as he stood on the wall of the structure.
It was not his job to hide the Bird, but he did feel the need to share some sorrow none the less with other Winter.
"But if you're here to hang," his joke was obviously intentional, "maybe that's a topic for another time."
Avery
Avery stays quiet, looking at the frost giant. A flash of guilt in their face as they recognize where they knew Strum from. Avery however, was not going to offer such a connection verbally.
Strum
Sturm just offers a nod in greeting, hands not leaving her pockets. "Nice to meet you, Ylva." The giant cracks her neck, and rolls her jaw. "... okay, help. Happy to listen to what needs doing. That way I can get to work on it right away. Don't like things lingering if they're urgent -- which I assume they are if you need my help with it."
Ylva
Ylva nods, sitting on the edge of the rooftop.
"I assume you have seen the news recently, Mitchell Zimmerman? Just wanting to see where I need to start."
Roger
"She's also been here since the Solstice," he offered, walking back and forth on the wall, Pulling out a deck of card with which to play. Doing it against gravity was an interesting challenge, but he showed an obviously inhuman level of grace and sleight of hand.
Avery
Avery was once again revealed. They let the contract fade. Avery doesn't look at Sturm. Eyes occasionally flick towards her but it appears they are intentionally avoiding Sturm.
Strum
"Iiiiiiii have," Sturm offers very slowly. She takes a deep breath, and barely fails to diaguise a disgruntled noise. "Go on."
Ylva
"From what the news says, he is missing. Last seen near my tattoo shop. He had an appointment."
She grimaces as she speaks a hand twitching to her stomach.
"He made it to the appointment, he just, didnt get to leave. No camera footage, I have his wallet, coat and phone. Staff dont know anything. No evidence aside from the fact that I did in fact eat him."
Roger
"If the Jotun and the Raven wish to discuss as well, it seems there's hidden business afoot," he shuffled hte cards and pulled them seemingly at random.
A few of them got tossed up at Avery with surprising aim. Likely wouldn't hit the nimble child though.
Avery
Avery was just in the process of sneaking off, before a card flicked them in the forehead. A disgruntled noise was made.
"I don't want to talk about it..."
Ylva
Ylva turns her head to look at Avery, reaching out with a gentle tail.
"You okay?"
Strum
Sturm sucks air through her teeth, and pinches the bridge of her nose. "Fuck me, man. Okay. Uhh--" The large woman clears her throat, and tugs awkwardly at the frayed hem of her concert tee. "No. There's not hidden business afoot, just awkward business. Judging by the look of you, you're from the same place as me, and -- while I'm going to do my best to tamp down on the pooling dread in the pit of my stomach on account of the fact that there're like half-a-dozen of us in Philly, now -- there is no need for it to be awkward. I don't have much in the way of memories of that place, so I try very hard not to let it continue to define me. Or my girlfriend. Wherever she might be, and whatever the state of her dread might be."
There's a deep sigh, and Sturm turns back to Ylva. "... okay, so. I'm going to do my best to fix this, but -- and please stop me if you've heard this one before, because I'm not here to lecture you -- we're going to have to have a lengthy conversation about ground rules. This cannot happen again, and while I understand that there are probably extenuating circumstances, there are always extenuating circumstances. As a community, we've been dealt a shit hand and it sucks, but we have to play cards with it anyway. So believe me when I say that if it does happen again, I will cover Shackamaxon's ass, and leave yours to dangle in the breeze, because my days of gleefully covering up bodies are -- knock on motherfucking wood -- over."
Ylva
Ylva lowers her head.
"I know. For what its worth, it was the day I broke out of Arcadia. I didnt know what I was yet. He was just the first thing to cross my path."
She shakes her head. "I know that doesnt excuse me but, just giving you the information. What do you need from me? Ive been told to stay this side and have been doing so. As far as im aware Astrid shouldnt have any information."
Roger
He happily listened, going still as only the favored of Winter can.
Strum
"Cool. Okay. Good. Then you and I are good, and I'll do my best to make sure this doesn't blow back on anyone, because--" Sturm just kinda shrugs her shoulders. "When Sigrun and I met for the first time in a public place, she nearly clobbered me with a baton, and I threw a table clean through a wall because we were trying to kill eachother."
Her hand reappears from the pocket for long enough to hook a thumb over at one of the buildings that still has a visible -- and weirdly mundane looking -- patch job. "... and we weren't even Hedgefresh. So. Believe me, I get it. Sometimes it just fuckin' hits you. Look as it doesn't happen again, you and I are going to be fine. So. I'll get into contact with you later to figure out exactly what happened, and I'll do a bit of leg work to figure out what needs doing in order to make this go away."
Avery
Avery stays quiet for their discussion, before sinking down on the inside of the ledge. Their knees are curled to their chest and they look at the ground.
"Yes...we are from the same place...I remember you. While not...perfect...most of my memories are from There."
Ylva
She keeps her attention on Sturm but a tail wraps around Avery in a 'im here for you' sort of way.
"Talk to Vorpal they have started the leg work and pulled in Klaire one of my partners that knows about this, she is aligned with the Mages."
Strum
"Aye, that's my first thought. Obviously we want to be able to create something that resembles closure so the family doesn't keep digging after the case is closed. Loathe as I am to reach out across community lines... that might be the best option that doesn't also land someone in a coma." Sturm offers a huff. "Ja- Vorpal and I are both in Direct Action, so I'll reach out tonight before bed when I see her."
"I mean, we're also dating. Or something. I don't know this shit is confusing to me. Point is... I have a line on that."
Ylva
She chuckles at that. "Same. So I get it. The dating part not the DA part."
Roger
"Interesting," he leans backwards against the wall now, same position as standing but laying.
Avery
Avery awkwardly holds their knees. "Same as Ylva...shes nice..." Avery leaves it at that, but their face is flushed.
Strum
"Yeah, she's real cool. Not as cool as me, but that's okay, nobody is. I'm literally made out of ice." Sturm, of course, delivers this with a deadpan like she's simply discussing the weather. "Cool, okay so you're that Ylva. There's another Ylva. Having never met you until now, well. I'm not going to lie, I kinda just tossed a coin and committed that to memory. Good to update the old notepad now-and-again."
Ylva
"Theres another Ylva?"
The confused expression on her face as she tilts her head.
Strum
Sturm pauses for a second. "Shit. No, that's an Ulf. Wrong word for wolf. Pay no attention to what I look like, my Viking isn't actually that good. More of a Steelers gal these days."
Roger
"Hey, does anyone know Asbolus well?" he continued to lay against the wall, "ANyone have a lead on who they might like to date? I'm doing my best impression of Spring lately."
Avery
Avery looks over at Roger. "Asbolus is my mentor in Winter. They...tend to need to trust people for a while before wanting to date them. Why are you trying to help him date?"
Roger
"Mmm... the best I can say is Winter things, I think," a shrug, "I don't know if there's some version of a priestly confessional or what, but the sum of it is that they're ready.
Strum
Sturm bites her lower lip, clearly playing back her own joke in her mind. "Don't tell my boyfriend I said that joke-- in fact, don't tell anyone in Philly I said that. I like my truck on wheels instead of cinderblocks."
She pauses. "Nah, I dunno shit about Asbolus's sex life. Sorry, not my department."
Ylva
"So I shouldnt tell people your a Steelers gal?" She says with a poked out tongue.
Avery
Avery is still curled up, but loosens slightly. They look between the other three
Roger
"Got it..." he pulled out an honest to god notepad and pen, writing, "...Sturm is a Steelers fan, yinz."
Strum
"Listen here, I just finished telling you lot about how my previous gig was hiding bodies." The Jotun breaks into a big, dumb grin, and finally cackles.
Ylva
"Yeah but your out of that business. Besides, im stuck Hedge side so im not going to be racing to the DA house to write it on the fridge."
She looks around the group.
"Dang it, and im the only one that could." With a chuckle.
She stands up offering Avery a tail to stand. "Im heading home, do you want to come draw again?"
Roger
"Hey, I gotta get my Puck on somehow.." A chuckle and he pushes himself off the wall, to plop onto the ground.
"All the fun."
Avery
Avery smiles faintly. "Sports are too loud...but I am glad you have a team you like. I don't...know why steelers are bad?"
Avery looks to Ylva, a shake of the head. "I want to go to Vinny's after this. I need hugs...from him." Avery hesitantly puts in that last part.
Strum
"No. Honestly I'm not even a sports person, but I've got to travel to Pittsburgh for work now and again. They're just fuckin' crazy about the Steelers out there, so the bit was right there. Tragically, my team in Houston got traded to Tennessee in, like 96' or something, and I just cannot find it in my heart to give a shit about the DFW. Better to pay no attention to the sport at all."
She tucks her hands back into her pockets. "Anyhow, I gotta go bug V. See a gal about a wizard. Was lovely meeting you all, and--" Sturm turns to nod at Avery. "I dunno what I did, but I hope it wasn't too bad. Hope you can forgive me, because... well it ain't like that now, now is it?"
Ylva
Ylva hops up to the edge of the building. "It was just an offer hun, no pressure."
Then she perks up at then mention of V. "Give her a hug and a kiss from me. Its been a while with, well, everything. It was nice to meet you."
And with that she drops to the ground her form becoming that of a Fox and darting for the exit to the Hollow.
Roger
"Nice to meet you all once more."
Avery
Avery watches Sturm, then shakes their head. "Its not you...I just...maybe later. I'm sorry." That wasn't cryptic at all.
Avery stands up and nods. "Nice to...talk, yes. I'm going to go home." Avery takes a step off the ledge, and turns into a raven that flies off towards the exit, racing Ylva. White feathers have started growing where the wings meet the torso, much like on Avery's mien.
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