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Arthur Franklin:
While he wasn't a total stranger to the main freehold hollow it had been a hot minute since Arthur had been by, getting settled into the city as he was. So on this particular evening the Wizened had decided to change that, slipping in through the hedge gate and idly walking through the little village at its center to see if anyone else might be about.
Micah Bradley:
There was indeed someone different walking about. A young man who... Well, looked normal was standing some steps away from a cart hooked up to a Hedgebeast that was very equine-like in nature. He was dressed simply, t-shirt and jeans with a ball cap hiding most of his hair and he was examining the creature with deep interest using his eyes. His head turned this way and that way slowly. The cart driver was nowhere to be seen and the beast ignored Micah as though he wasn't even there.
Arthur Franklin:
Arthur for his part was dressed in black slacks and a white button-up shirt, a transparent mask sporting the features of a gruff-looking man with a scar running through his right eye hovering in front of his face. Spotting the beast and its admirer a kilowatt grin formed, offering Micah a quick wave. "Good evening! Quite the beast there..."
Micah Bradley:
He looked up at the stranger to called and offered an equally wide grin. "Oh, hello!" he greeted in his strongly British accent and nodding in acknowledgement to the wave. "Yes, very majestic!"
Arthur Franklin:
His accent in comparison was pure New York, still smiling widely as he approached the pair. "They yours or just passing through?"
"Arthur, by the way. Good to meet you..."
Micah Bradley:
"Micah. Pleased to make your acquaintance!" he replied as he stuck out his hand to shake. He continued then, nodding towards the nearest building. "No, not mine. I am admiring her, for she is a beauty. I believe her owner is inside."
Arthur Franklin:
Arthur took the offered hand and shook it firmly, a well-practiced motion by all telling. "Gotcha...will have to compliment them on it when they come back out."
He took a moment to give Micah a proper once-over, mulling something over before finally voicing it. "What brings you to this side of the Hedge? You look a little...untouched to be here, if you don't mind my saying."
Micah Bradley:
The normal looking man turned back to continue admiring the beast as they spoke. He nodded in agreement at giving their compliments to the owner. Then, when Arthur asked his question, Micah simply looked sidelong at the Changeling with a mysterious smirk. "The Hedge calls and I must answer."
Arthur Franklin:
Cue a curious arch of the eyebrow echoed on both the transparent mask and the Wizened's features. "Ah hah...fascinating."
Micah Bradley:
"Oh, I agree. It is as though the Hedge is a Siren, calling to unaware sailors through beautiful, yet haunting song... Except that I am aware and I welcome it." he giggled.
Arthur Franklin:
"I see, I see. Very interesting." Arthur nodded, turning his attention back to the hedge beast once again but sideeyeing Micah now and again. "You work with any of the courts here in particular?"
Micah Bradley:
"Perhaps I do, perhaps I don't. You looking for something in particular?" he hummed in response as he edged closer to the beast carefully.
Arthur Franklin:
"Curiosity, more than anything. I fancy a good look in a Mirror now and again myself."
Micah Bradley:
"Oho, you are a Courtier of Fear then." he winked at Arthur.
Jack Martingale:
it's the evening of the first night of Spring, of course Jack is going to show his face Hedgeside. After work, obviously, his Hedgespun leather jacket worn open, glimmering in the lights around the hollow. He's otherwise in all black, tight jeans worn cuffed over Docs, and a tight black t-shirt.
Arthur gets an upnod, a sort of 'we are different sides of the same coin' on his scribbly, sketchy features, but Micah's...normal-ness gets something of a double-take.
"Evening," he says as he wanders closer, clearly curious about the other two.
Arthur Franklin:
"Last I checked." He chuckled, looking towards Jack as he approached and giving a polite nod in return. The transparent mask hovering in front of his face flickered away as he did so, replaced with a fair female face with bright blue eyes and a charming smile. "Good evening! Arthur, don't think I've had the pleasure."
Micah Bradley:
Micah turned to the new stranger with a friendly grin. "A very good evening indeed!" he echoed Arthur. His British accent immediately gave away where he was from. "And they call me Micah. Pleased to make your acquaintance as well!"
Jack Martingale:
"Jack. Pleasure." As he gets closer, the fresh scent of an oncoming rainstorm drifts through the air, undercut slightly by a metallic tang, and the grass behind his footsteps is lightly darkened by charcoal-sketch flowers that drift away after every step.
"Happy Spring," his smile is warm and welcoming, "nice to meet you both, too. Not gonna lie, I've been falling behind on learning the freehold's faces, it's good to meet some few folks."
Arthur Franklin:
"Got in about a month ago myself, been getting settled in and whatnot and decided to start being more sociable." He said with a wide grin, glancing at those vanishing flowers before turning his attention back to Jack. "Guessing you're with the Verdant, yeah? Running with the Mirror myself."
Micah Bradley:
Micah fell silent, eyes widening as he stared at Jack in surprise. This was the one, most likely. The one his GrandUncle was seeing. The one he heard so much about... He was finally meeting him... Caught off guard, the man was speechless.
Jack Martingale:
"Well, welcome - I hope you've been finding it a comfortable place to be, relatively?" He runs a hair through his slicked back hair, mussing it slightly. The charcoal sketch lines that make up his Mien shift lazily as he shifts to one leg, comfortable and casual. "I eh...spend most of my time Ironside, honestly, so I don't have a lot to say about how welcoming...this side of things can be, but I know Philly can be a trip, if you're not prepared for it..." he chuckles, and glances curiously at Micah.
Arthur Franklin:
"Very much so, yes. Getting things set up and ready to roll has been quite fruitful, and the people have been very welcoming in their own way." He nodded with a smile. "It's changed since the last time I passed through, but still similar enough."
"Cat got your tongue there, friend?" He looked to Micah curiously, giving the Avowed a light nudge with his elbow.
Micah Bradley:
He flinched and snapped out of his trance. "Oh dear! Please forgive me. I seem to have dazed out for a moment there. I uh... I've been around for a few months now, but I find that there is SO much to see, both here and Ironside." he muttered bashfully.
Jack Martingale:
"I was born and raised here - not sure if that's lucky or not." Another chuckle, and Jack shrugs. "Did you pass by the freehold, last time, or just Ironside?" That's to Arthur, before he turns to Micah with a nod. "It's an experience - even coming back after growing up here, it's...it always takes a little time to get reacquainted."
Arthur Franklin:
"Ironside. Was a wedding for a work friend about a year or so before I got picked up." He nodded, a wry smirk gracing his features. "You're telling me. Still catching up on a good bit, but it's going smoothly enough."
Avery Frisk:
Out of nowhere, a raven croaks to let the group know it was there, on a nearby post, before flapping to the ground and unfurling into a raven-like Lost. White feathers growing in on their shoulderblades in both forms.
Avery's beady black eyes are looking at Micah, but they stay just far enough back to not interrupt a conversation, waving slowly at the two they know, and a respectful nod to the one with a very strong Mantle. Their own summer mantle quite subtle, like many winter's are.
Micah Bradley:
A soft sigh of relief escapes the very normal-seeming man as a distraction provided themself from his nervousness of meeting his GrandUncle's love. He grinned at the new arrival, inviting them to join in. "Alright there, Avery?"
Jack Martingale:
Jack full-on flinches in surprise at the sudden appearance of yet another unfamiliar face, bits of charcoal flying away from his form to dissolve into nothingness in his surprise. But his silhouette soon calms down, his casual smile back on his face, as it's clear that, at the very least, someone else here knows them.
"Happy Spring," he calls to them, his Mantle filling the air with the scent of an imminent spring rainstorm.
Arthur Franklin:
Arthur was not a man who spooked easily, but Avery managed to pull it off by appearing out of the aether. A hurried "Jesus-" slipped from the Wizened, the air about him humming strangely as it was uttered before calming down again as the Beast was recognized and the moment of surprised passed. "Hey there. Been a minute."
Avery Frisk:
Avery pauses, shying away for a second at the two other Lost.
"Sorry...I didn't mean to...scare you. Happy Spring."
A nod to Micah.
"I was...looking for him...or rather your grandfather...but... you worked too."
Micah Bradley:
"Aurelio? Ah, he is my GrandUncle. Was there something you needed?" he asked, head tilting to one side curiously.
Jack Martingale:
"No problem - Avery? I'm Jack. 'S nice to meet you. Now -" a scribbly blush crosses Jack's cheeks - "Aurelio is a name I do know."
Arthur Franklin:
"No worries. Pretty handy trick, that." He nodded to Avery, looking between them and Micah before smirking a touch at Jack's sudden blush.
Avery Frisk:
Avery is fluid in the way that those behind human are fluid, and their eyes constantly seem to be flitting around at the smallest details.
"Yes...sorry, granduncle. He works with...glass...right? I was trying to draw like glass and was...struggling, and wanted his advice..."
Avery seems confused by the blush, but doesnt press.
"Yes, I am Avery, a Page of High Noon. You are....Jack Martingale? Yes?"
Avery frowns but nods to Arthur.
"I...forgot Cloak of Night was active. I try to be...discreet when entering the Hollows. So I am not followed..."
Micah Bradley:
"Ahah! I don't work with glass, but I could let him know that you are looking for his advice, if you'd like?" he smiled smoothly. Micah ignored Jack's blush politely.
Jack Martingale:
"That's me," Jack nods, "where've you heard my name, out of curiosity? I get around, but I always like to know." It may or may not be a double entendre, it's hard to tell. "Aurelio does really beautiful stuff."
Arthur Franklin:
"Ah...makes sense." Another nod from the Wizened, looking between the trio but not having much else to add at the moment.
Avery Frisk:
"Yes please...it shouldn't...take much time. I mostly want to watch so I can...draw better."
Avery is very bad at catching double entendre's.
"Um...I hear...too much, so sometimes you are mentioned here. But your name has been said...a few times I think...at Direct Action's home."
Now why would this little bird, who said DA like it was another group, be going there often enough to hear Jack's name? Who knows.
"I think...I saw a few pieces...I just had an idea that...helped me feel like drawing again. Ive been too scared to do it recently...it was nice to do."
Micah Bradley:
Micah nodded. "Very well. I will go find him. I think I know where he might be at this time. I will be right back." he said as he nodded to the other two and extracted himself to walk off in a seemingly random direction.
Jack Martingale:
"Ah - yeah I spend a bit of time there." His cheeks bloom with that scribbly blush again, and his grin gets a little softer. "And depending on when you've been there you might've heard...some other shit, which I feel like I should probably apologize for." His laugh is anything but embarrassed about it.
Micah Bradley:
There was a backward wink thrown to Jack as Micah disappeared round a corner.
Arthur Franklin:
Arthur chuckled, shaking his head with a smirk. "Long as you're having fun, yeah?"
"Don't have a place like that carved out for myself yet. May look into it, though; would be handy for out of the way storage, if anything."
Avery Frisk:
"I didn't mean...okay...thank you Micah."
Avery's head turns in a strangely corvid like way...well maybe not that strange, but it aint human.
"Heard...other thing-OH!"
Now it was Avery's turn to be a blushy mess, as they quickly turn a bit away. The red is VERY obvious on their pale white face.
"I haven't...no...thank you though....who...? Or... nevermind."
QUICKLY changing topics.
"Do you mean...a Hollow?"
Jack Martingale:
Jack can't help but laugh at Avery's flusteredness, and runs a hand through his hair again.
"Teagan," he answers with a shrug. "We've been together for a couple years now."
Arthur Franklin:
Arthur let out another amused chuckle, this time at Avery's full-on blush. The transparent mask flickered away and was replaced once again, this time by an older gentleman with kind eyes and wrinkles aplenty. "I do, yeah. Could be handy for my kind of work if something needs to be kept under tight lock and key."
Avery Frisk:
Avery's flustered face doesn't decrease.
"Oh...he can be nice, yes. I am glad you are happy together."
Avery shifts side to side slightly, not giving an answer in return, a glance to Arthur and a glance away.
"It can be... mine is... set up to appear anywhere I need it to. It is good for hiding."
Micah Bradley:
It didn't take long at all before Micah reappears from around the corner he had disappeared behind just a moment ago, a satisfied smile on his face. He walked up to the group and waited until they were done with their latest topic.
Jack Martingale:
"I will admit I'm too entrenched in Ironside shit to have ever done the work to make a Hollow. I get the appeal, but it's just never been at the top of my to-do list, you know? I know a lotta people who find 'em useful, though."
Arthur Franklin:
Arthur gave Micah a nod as he returned, then looked back to the pair. "Fair enough. Been focused on that side of things myself for the most part since I got back, barring doing the court oaths and whatnot so I'm above board on that front."
Avery Frisk:
Avery waves again to Micah, barely looking up to need to know they were there.
"There were...explosions for new years...3 weeks after my escape...so I hid there. I kept living there until...meeting my partners."
Micah Bradley:
He grinned and waved back to the raven-like Changeling. "I wonder if I could get myself a Hollow..." he hummed in thought, stroking his short beard carefully.
Jack Martingale:
"Welcome back. You find Aurelio?" Jack's eyebrow arches just slightly at the fae-touched.
Micah Bradley:
"Ah! Yes, I did. He says he will get in touch with you soon, Avery!" his grin came back and he nodded cheerfully.
Avery Frisk:
Avery smiles.
"Thank you, Micah. I appreciate it."
Arthur Franklin:
"Makes sense." He nodded to Avery. "I got enough of a run down to know what was what when I popped out in New York, then came down here since there wasn't much left for me there at that point."
"What sort of work do you do Ironside?" He inquired to Jack, an eyebrow arched up curiously.
Jack Martingale:
"Theater tech - kinda a Jack-of-all-trades." Jack grins. "It's why I'm wearing all black, my regular wardrobe is a little more colorful, but I was just coming from work. How about you, how d'you spend your time over there?"
Avery Frisk:
"Have you met Asbolus?"
Avery looks a little excited about the question.
Jack Martingale:
"You could say that," Jack chuckles, "Asbolus and I live together. Along with my partner and another good friend. We've talked about making a motley for ages but our schedules are all so different that we are never in the same place at the same time to actually get to pledging shit..."
Micah Bradley:
Micah listened with bright eyed interest, not having any experiences to add to the conversation, but clearly understanding what they spoke about.
Arthur Franklin:
"Acquisitions expert, one could say." Arthur replied with a small smirk. "I help people get what they need or point them in the right direction."
Avery Frisk:
Avery pauses, thinking back.
"I think... he has said that before."
Avery frowns, unsure, before realizing she should elaborate.
"He was... the one who found me. He has been my mentor in Winter, both before and after I switched to Summer. He is.. a very good friend."
Jack Martingale:
"He's a good man," Jack agrees with a nod, before turning his attention back to Arthur. "I get the feeling I should stop asking questions right about there, yeah?" His tone is lightly teasing, is his smile.
"And in any case, I should get going, I've got an early call tomorrow. Was nice to meet you all, see you around!"
And with that, and a small wave, he turns to leave the hollow.
Micah Bradley:
The Avowed waved as Jack made his excuses. "It was nice finally meeting you, Jack. I hope we will speak again soon!"
Arthur Franklin:
"May not be a bad idea." Arthur chuckled, giving Jack a nod. "Yeah, should be getting home myself. Was a pleasure meeting you all."
Avery Frisk:
A nod to them both.
"Goodbye Jack, goodbye Authur."
A look to Micah.
"Do you need to leave as well? I have...some time before Vincent is home."
Micah Bradley:
"Maybe I will bump into you at the Ashen Hollow sometime, Arthur. It was good meeting you as well." he grinned at the other Autumn courtier before looking to Avery. "I have time as well! So you have begun drawing again?"
Avery Frisk:
Avery nods.
"I'm...trying. In public is hard and makes me scared...so I am trying to do it without reference. But that is making it...hard....even on traditional."
Micah Bradley:
He nodded thoughtfully. "Hmm... Have you tried looking up pictures for reference?"
Avery Frisk:
Avery's head tilts.
"No...I haven't. That... I don't think so."
Avery gestures to a bench to sit.
"I draw to...keep grounded. To know what I've seen that's real. If it was...a dream...it can't be in my sketchbook, so I know its not real."
Micah Bradley:
"Ah! I understand. If you'd like, I could bring you items for references?"
Avery Frisk:
Avery's head tilts.
"I could...I guess? What do you want me to draw?"
Avery loosens whatever bag they were carrying, revealing a sketching set and a drawing pad.
Micah Bradley:
"Oh, it is more an offer to help provide you with things you would like to draw." he smiled gently. "I could also accompany you if you'd like to have someone familiar close by when you feel the need to draw something that I cannot bring to you."
Avery Frisk:
Avery's head tilts in that corvid like way.
"I like...nature. Trees, or plants. But I also like...drawing the city so I know what its like...now."
Avery looks at their feet.
"Can I...share with you...so you understand?"
Micah Bradley:
"Of course you can. I am always looking to understand." he encouraged.
Avery Frisk:
Avery nods.
"I was scared... for the first... year... that He was just waiting. He would take me back. I was His eyes there... maybe it was a trick... but Asbolus... helped me a lot."
Avery closes the bag.
"And at the Winter coronation... just after my year passed...I vowed to myself to let go of Him...I wasn't His...I had friends now.. and it's helped."
Avery holds the bag to their chest.
"But...there are still...bad days. Where I'm afraid I'll be taken again. Especially with the Privateers after me. And so...drawing was what helped me not be scared."
Avery nods slowly.
"If I have my sketches...I know what things are like now... so I know if they'd change... and so I know whats...right. And real."
They frown.
"So its not objects that help..
Its drawing things that help me...remember."
Micah Bradley:
He listened quietly as she explained, his demeanor soft though curious as well. This was not a side of him that many people have seen, besides some of his past clients. When she was done, he nodded and looked off into the distance, thinking hard enough that you could imagine the gears in his head turning.
"I think I get it now. It is experiences that you wish to draw. Your surroundings and environment, to make sure that you recognize any changes out of the ordinary." he confirmed softly.
Avery Frisk:
He nods.
"Mhmm...I like...experiences. And it does...help me see changes that could be...dangerous, and I don't see immedietly."
Avery strokes the bag.
"Because...most immediete threats...I can see without any problem."
Micah Bradley:
"Well, the offer to accompany you stands. I have visited several parks in the past few months, to work out and practice my hobbies. I know of a few quieter spots. However... If you say that there are people hunting for you, then I am unsure if your presence in the Ironside is safe just yet."
Avery Frisk:
"I like the quieter spots...but no, it isn't safe. They are still hunting me...Aubrey...and my familu isn't safe either."
Micah Bradley:
"Then we shall wait for a safer time... Do you like board games?"
Avery Frisk:
Avery nods.
"Yes please."
A pause.
"Board...games. I've done...a few with Asbolus. What...game?"
Micah Bradley:
"Oh, games like Catan or Scrabble, perhaps even Chess?"
Avery Frisk:
Avery thinks.
"Yes...chess, I think I've done that one...with the horse? I like the horse...but the game is hard."
Micah Bradley:
"It can be! Perhaps we could have some games going some time. I can bring the games with me to wherever you feel is safe for you. As well as snacks."
Avery Frisk:
"I like snacks... and can try games..."
A worried look.
"You will... need to teach me."
Micah Bradley:
"I have been told that I am an excellent teacher." he winked.
Avery Frisk:
Avery nods.
"Okay. I could...make a game here if you want?"
Micah Bradley:
"Oh? What sort of game?"
Avery Frisk:
"I don't know...I am... good at Hedgespinning."
Micah Bradley:
"But that is not much of a grounding activity, is it?"
Avery Frisk:
Avery considers.
"No... but it's a game?"
Micah Bradley:
"See, if you are looking to experience the experiences, then you have to go with the full process of getting the game already made, setting it up like those unaware of our part of the world would and playing them without any additional powers." he replied. He paused for a moment, looking Avery over. "And then you could draw that experience. Capture the moment in a drawing. How you feel at that time, what happened with the game and with your friends... Things like that."
Avery Frisk:
Avery pauses.
"Maybe... but I don't draw people. It's a rule."
Avery looks to the entrance.
"Game... another time then."
Micah Bradley:
"Understood. But yes, another time. Do you have a phone number I could contact you with?"
Avery Frisk:
Avery hesitates, a lot, at something that is usually an easy question for people.
"I...could....maybe. If you are...careful."
Micah Bradley:
"I am always careful." he reassured with a smile.
Avery Frisk:
Avery nods slowly, taking out a fairly simple phone.
"I don't...give it out to many. Do not share my number."
Micah Bradley:
"I never share phone numbers without permission. In my line of work, we have to be extremely careful with the knowledge we are asked to acquire."
Avery Frisk:
Avery looks confused, but does go and find their number. They don't have it memorized.
"Where...do you work?"
Micah Bradley:
"I am unemployed at this time. I do hope to get a job soon though! I am a genealogist. I help find people or items of sentimental value. Usually through family connections."
Avery Frisk:
Avery's head tilts.
"I'm...confused."
Micah Bradley:
"Hmm, I cannot go into detail. But say Person A had a half sibling, Person B. Due to circumstances, Person B's parent decides to move away and Person B was forced to go with the parent. This means that Person A and Person B loses contact with each other. Many many years later, when both become adults, they try to find each other again. Person A, or Person B, could ask for a genealogist's help to do so."
Avery Frisk:
Avery nods slowly.
"How... much can you find?"
Micah Bradley:
He shrugged his shoulders. "Sometimes, very very little. Other times, there is a trail as clear as day. It depends on how much papertrail is left behind. Documents could go missing. Memories could be forgotten or remembered differently than what truly happened."
Avery Frisk:
Avery looks amazed, and is oddly quiet.
Like actually oddly quiet. Even when someone sits next to you, they make a little bit of noise. Avery DOESN'T.
Micah Bradley:
"Are you still confused?" he questioned them curiously.
Avery Frisk:
Avery shakes their head.
"I...I... have almost no memories. He took... all of them. I got a...a name... and a few... scattered memories back... but that's it."
A tear falls from Avery's eye, surprising them.
Micah Bradley:
He smiled gently and offered them his hand to hold if they so wished. He paused for a while to let them process their feelings before he spoke again. "You know, I offer my services to the Changelings as well. Even a name will help to find whoever you wish to find."
Avery Frisk:
Avery nods, slightly shaky at this point. Avery looks at the hand, before holding it.
"Avery.... Frisk. My Fetch is... still in the city too.. and their wife.. and kids."
They look a bit guilty.
"I don't...even know who to look for. It...its a lot."
Micah Bradley:
His grip was gentle as he squeezed their hand reassuringly. "I can look into it for you, but only if you wish it."
Avery Frisk:
Avery's stare was a bit distant, but they nod.
"I...guess...yes. I'm not sure...I don't know. I didn't know...it was an option."
Micah Bradley:
"No need to answer now. Think on it for a bit. I am going nowhere."
Avery Frisk:
Avery nods.
"I want to talk to...my partners. Im..."
Avery gives a hug. Its weird cause its SUPERNATURALLY gently. It feels just....off.
"Thank you."
A pause and they quickly let go. Like VERY fast.
"Sorry for touching you."
Micah Bradley:
Micah was surprised, blinking down at the feathered Changeling for a split second before he gently returned the hug. "You are very welcome. And you can hug me whenever you wish, Avery."
Avery Frisk:
Avery nods slowly.
"May I...hug you?"
Micah Bradley:
He opened his arms to invite them in. "Come here."
Avery Frisk:
He leans in for the hug, gentle, and tears on their eyes.
"Thank you....so much."
Micah Bradley:
He wrapped said arms around them with a softness that was very unlike such an athletic man. Avery's own weirdness didn't seem to bother him. "There, there. Everything will work out." he smiled, patting them on the back.
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