The Cereal Box:Log/Session 3
Session 3
The party had the opportunity to explore their new house, 65 23rd St. S, a two-bedroom half of a duplex home with few amenities. There was a basement not especially fit for any particular use (but dry, Strong assured them), and an attic full of what Strong assured them was really itchy insulation. There was a kitchen that was partially separated from the living room, which in turn had a plastic crate and a folding chair as its only furniture. One bedroom had a queen bed, the other a cot and a twin bed. The stove was electric, with one reliable burner. The dishwasher did not work. The microwave "doesn't go at the same time as the oven" and "there's nothing wrong with the fridge, but the water isn't hooked up to it." There was also a broken full size mirror in the hallway with a sign that said "do not repair or replace."
The party decided they needed food for their new apartment, and went to the nearby grocery store, where Ernie and Alana dumpster dived for food while Evie stole an entire pantry's worth through sheer brazen thievery, bringing the entire cart home with her. They began making food when they heard loud music from next door and decided to meet the neighbors.
Sephie, Nikolai and Evie went out to investigate, but were ambushed by a flock of bats that drove them to the side of the house, where they were attacked by a deranged changeling with skin like the white flakes on burnt wood, armed with a nailbat. The changeling ranted about how she was the deputy and would bring them to justice. When Evie tried to retreat back inside to get help, they were ambushed by a pair of vicious hedge-creatures that seemed to be completely silent lizard-dogs. After some struggle, Nikolai shot the woman, who went unconscious, and the party members inside killed the beasts which collapsed into leaves. Nikolai and Sephie went around the house to avoid their neighbor, who went out to see what was happening (with the gunshot and all).
Moments later, they received a knock at the door and their neighbor, Freddie Gibson, was there with the dying changeling. After some debate, they agreed to stabilize her and hold her there. They called Strong, who said he could deal with it in the morning and they just needed to hold on until them. Freddie smoked a lot of weed (with a weird chemical odor) and gave some "normal" joints to the changelings as a housewarming gift. His "heterosexual life partner", the ruggedly beautiful Aaron Mason (dressed in a toga and wielding an oversized plastic wine goblet) likewise came over and christened the event something of a party. The two related what had happened to Billy Goat - how during the war, he lost his one true love Clement Bonte, and one day in court spontaneously declared "this isn't fun anymore! Whoever sits in this throne next is the new Spring King for a year and a day!", an offer which Matthew Kingman took up. Eventually, everyone agreed to settle for bed, taking watches over the changeling they had captured. She begged for water until morning, but was not given any.
Thursday, March 11th, 2010
Strong arrived with two thugs, who rolled the changeling up in a carpet. He told them that he was surprised that Aaron hadn't said anything, because he knew her - an Autumn courtier named Darlene Selfridge. He said that the summer king would doubtless want to talk to them about this. The party all went to their respective jobs, with only Ernie and April staying home. Part way through the day, April declared that even though she liked Ernie, she didn't feel safe and that she wanted to go to Horrocks to be near the other members of the motley. They went downtown to do so.
At Horrocks, the party members were each confronted by Cole, who informed them that the winter queen demanded their presence and they would present themselves, as the domain was still under her rule. He ushered them into the furnished back of a moving truck and drove off with them. Schumaker appeared at Sephie's clinic and, likewise, ushered her off. Yamamoto appeared at Hestia's work and took her as well. All converged on the Floral Lawns Memorial Garden at the grave site of Solomon Bynes, where the Queen of Winter, Lyrissa Diamondheart, explained to them that the Freehold was being subverted and that, as outsiders, they were in a unique position to help her by getting information on the opposition. Since they had been approached by one of the potential usurpers' minions, they would be able to, essentially, spy for her - but that she wouldn't force them to do so. She told them that she could promise them a place in the Freehold if they would agree not to work against the freehold's long-term stability (with the understanding that they might, if they opted to spy on her behalf, work against her immediate interests). The changelings agreed, and Johnny Starlight, the Winter Court's most powerful enforcer, sealed the pledge, acting as the nemesis and warning them that if they broke their word, he would have absolutely no difficulty destroying them.
The changelings returned to work and, after their workdays, returned home, where they found a note on the door only reading:
I know what happened 1023 Avenue A, Springfield, MI 49037 Hedge gate at the arch 9 PM