#kc_necropolis

"Nothing for free, even in this world" Angela mms. "Perhaps especially"

"can't hear you, Angie" Brandy says "Stop Murmuring"

She rankles at the 'Angie' comment, "I am a sluagh, 'Brandi' I cannot stop Murmu-" And she stops, "Murmur. Oh I like that. I'll use that name. Murmur."

"It suits." he compliments "And no, not to protect it. Not in the way we have security now, those who responded to the chimera brought out by your Dream Dances, no."

"Then what are you hoping for from us, Emerson? They're right that it does seem a bit one sided, we're not seelie but we're already indebted somewhat" Daphne says but she looks thoughtfully at Murmur at the self naming "A new name might serve us all"

"I would hope for a friendly relationship. Mutual support and aid." blandly.

"Ah, we do sound ingrateful I'm sure" Daphne adopts an apologetic tone, "Forgive me, Emerson, but we have memories of more than one betrayal- albeit from nobles not you. It may have made us cynical. Of course we'd treasure an alliance and be thankful, but... our politics may get YOU into trouble. See aforementioned dislike of nobles"

"Ah, well, to put your minds at ease allow me to mention Kansas City's unique state...." and he goes on to explain the OTHER Freehold; Firnost.

"HOT DAMN" Ethan grins "Now that's sweet"

"An oasis, really, in the Kingdom of Grass. And we ... Miss CC and I... like it that way."

At this , Daphne nods, "I suppose I'm used to your kith being more firmly on the side of stability and 'order' where as I? Well, If I had a goddess it would be Eris. I mean to bring strife to my foes." A thought "mmm Eryssa .. yes. I think I have a name too"

"Murmur, and Eryssa." he nods to both "I admit, I find stability and order comforting, but I have found one doesn't need nobility to achieve it."

"Now that we can agree with" Eryssa purs, "You're an.. interesting man, Emerson. I'm glad CC introduced us. You can trust us to be discrete about your hold... it would be like throwing away a prime fishing spot to some one who plans to plant their luxury barge over it. "

"Hell, if we're taking 'use names" Ethan grins "Call me 'Big E'" He puffs up

Brandy rolls her eyes "Brandy or Brandi fine with me, I or Y makes no diff. I like the drink"

"You -could- say that, in releasing you, I introduced you to Miss CC... but, as you like. Discretion is excellent. And we will expect to see you, not infrequently. We'll need to meet to continue lessons, until you're able to manage on your own. No doubt, that will happen soon.

CC has been quiet at this, observing the interaction, but she nods "THere are arts you'll need to relearn, as well as how this new world works for you. Now your arrivals directly from the Dreaming instead of the Changeling way makes you possible repositary of old lore. If you do feel indebted, and you shouldn't, sharing those tales is of worth ANYOf us now. it's a resource normally only sidhe have"

"An excellent point, yes. I agree."

"This Changeling way, if we'd have taken it, we might not have been trapped in that fucking urn" Big e grubmbles

"Many still faded forever" CC assures Big E, "We, folks like Emerson and myself? Are the lucky ones. The history you missed was a cold world, the most powerful treasures taken up with the sidhe ... a lot of lore too"

"On the other hand, the common kiths -survived.- Without Sidhe, albeit sometimes still with nobles. Common kiths took titles if they wished. -Some- Sidhe stayed, but not many at all. They had to rely on commoners, instead of the other way around.

"Oh, shoe on the other foot would be FUN" Big E seethes

"Emerson's right. It was commoners who mused centuries of dreamers. Ask the nockers about their contributions, they'll never shut up.. and they have a right to be proud, but sluagh affected literature, Satyrs politics... and Boggans? why boggans affected a little bit of everything. "

Emerson looks down modestly.

"They always did know how to edge mortals" Eyrssa agrees

"Every kith knew better than the sidhe, too aloof, well, the Liam stuck it out, but even the Scathach who also stuck around mostly stuck to their own" CC says "There are centuries of history that was cold, seemingly devoid of magic and yet, yes, the commoners held it together. Then the sidhe return with old magic and use it to beat us to our knees again.. and we call it a 'new spring'" A scoff

"-Some- call it a new spring." he corrects, not without bitterness.

A feline pooka lounges and listens to all this (I'll assume)

"You sound like you're not one of them" Brandi observes

"I have my disagreements with the ruling class." he agrees.

"Then here's to you " Eryssa nods "Both of you. Maybe Da'an is on our side after all, if it leads us to allies like you"

"Another reason I feel we should stick together."

"Strength in numbers" Brandi concurs

Carola observes, and listens, quietly. Her tail swishes softly like a metronome.

"Just so." he stands "You have had quite a day, and must be fatigued. And of course you have the house to explore. Shall we leave you to it?"

"Please," Eryssa says "But come by anytime"

"Ware the jungle cats, their eyes can see though you." A wave as they head out.

"Certainly, we'll be in touch...." and waving good bye and smiling, he walks Callidora back to, and into, the car before coming around to his side to join her.

As they leave, Daphne/Eryssa turns "Those two are our kind of people. Doesn't mean they don't want to use us, but it does mean we need them"

Carola is playing with a sparkly bangle on her wrist. "Do we?"

"you idiot" A hiss from the shadows

Her ears flick back. "Thou hiss't at ME?"

"We need them" Murmur murmurs hotly "And you rob her?"

Eyes wide, innocent. " I wanted it. She can have it back if she wishes. Tis but a bauble." She gives it a gentle flick, and tosses it to fall into the Urn. "Safe-keeping."

It clinks in

"Maybe next time check with the group?" Eyrssa suggests

"Ah, she's just keeping the skills sharp" Big E grins

She gives Big E a purr. "Oh, yes, of course." She reassures Eryssa

Brandi fishes the bangle out of the urn, and looks at it "ooo..."

"It's your birthday present. For the ones we missed. Oh, no one else remembered? Tsk. Rude."