undergrounds | By the Pricking of my Thumb

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By the Pricking of my Thumb

1.(This is backdated to the claim between the 5th and the 12th) for anyone who still wants to play anything out) Mab's footsteps echoed through the evening air in Lewisham, her eyes scanning for any signs of trouble. For the most part there had been little resistance. Many of the creatures here were already just scraping by to survive, though she'd had a few run in's that had been … trying. Heiji had made a convenient list of possible problems and timelines for the commerce and traffic flows, as well as criminals and such. She was currently on her way toward one of these. A small gang of outcast fae who could cause problems for her.

2. There is a large gate open in Lewisham on the outskirts of Forest Hills. Mab enlisted another fae to put a 'don't look here' spell on the entrance to keep regular humans from just wandering in but those who had been involved in the territory claim earlier that month both fae and non-fae could easily pass between the two trees marked with what seemed to be a snowflake symbol glistening on the trunks. If a few humans made it in they'd probably survive. On the Other Side, stepping just out of the trees there is a small hill on which stands a manor that glistens in the evening sunlight, and even while it's still light, the colors of the aurora borealis drift across the frozen surface of the building. A short walk up the hill will bring you to a door that doesn't <i>appear</i> to be guarded though if anyone comes armed for bear, a yeti will show up to take care of the issue. The door is merely an opening in the side of the manor and inside reveals a large entry hall and double staircases that wind up to a second floor balcony with doors and hallways. Off to the right is the ballroom and the sound of a small ensemble rings out through the door and flashes of cool colors add to the festive feel as the glow of the house continues inside.

To the left is a sitting room with drinks and finger foods and walking through the sitting room will bring you to a formal dining room which has full meals available if need be. Servants move all along the bottom floor between the rooms with drinks and hors d'oeuvres.

3. Anything I've missed

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Mab entered the coffee shop, ordered herself some tea and then went to sit in the corner, a little out of the way. It was easiest to put up a veil here where there weren't as many directions to veil from. Her hands settled on the table next to her drink for a moment before she moved to pull her gloves off and carefully set them to the side. The humans still relied too much on metal but at least some things had given way to plastic. She lifted her plastic spoon to stir the tea in the porcelain cup and finally set it aside to take a sip.

She'd arrived a little early but she wasn't sure how accurate a ghost's internal clock was. Sometimes they could lose time just staring at something if they weren't careful so she'd give Clara a little extra time as well to be safe. The ghost was doing a service for her and it never hurt to accommodate those doing a service. Some required a more delicate touch than others.

Considering that she was simply outside, lingering in the playground a little bit to make sure the children will be fine in the late afternoon, it isn't too much of a surprise that she manages to get to the table on time.

Upon seeing the familiar face, she gives a respectful nod in greeting before settling herself in the chair. No gloves today, meaning she has to use her own energy to pull the chair back a bit to 'sit' down proper. It's getting easier to do little actions like these at least thanks to how often she's pushing herself to her limits, traveling further and further from her familiar areas to investigate, to probe.

She hopes what she's found during those time will be considered worthy. "It's good to see you again, Ms. Sommerset! I hope I didn't make you wait too long for me. I was making sure some of the kids outside wouldn't run off during a game of hide and seek."

Mab looks up as Clara pauses to work on pulling the chair out. She does it without nearly as much effort as Mab expected which is very interesting. And the effort isn't costing her much, she's more solid looking than Mab remembers as well.

"Clara, you are looking very well today." She touches the handle of her teacup for a moment and smiles. "You are right on time." Her eyes drift to the door but as though looking at the children for a moment before returning to Clara. She wondered idly, how Clara would stop a child from running off. Though children did tend to see ghosts more often than their adult counterparts.

"Oh. Um, thank you!" She looks flattered by the compliment, surprised someone thought she looked well. The month had been nothing but short of exhausting. Poor Magra looked a bit tuckered out herself these days. Everyone seemed to be with what had been happening. Meeting the doctor as he was digging around corpses. The vampires. The werewolves. Of course poor Ellis comes to mind...

Except for Mab here. She seemed quite well, the ghost observed from her chair. "I didn't want to keep you. We have a lot to talk about. London has had a lot of busy little bees for the past few weeks. For good and for worse."

Her head dipped a little acknowledging the thank you. "I would have met with you sooner but it has been... rather busy as of late. I am glad you could make the time now."

Her hands settled into an interested clasp just beyond her teacup and she leaned forward. "Ahh yes, I look forward to hearing what you observed. I have found myself busy enough with just the areas I am focusing on at the moment."

"Well--" Where to start? There's been happening so much lately! She wasn't kidding there were a lot of busy people doing a lot of things this month.

She supposes she could begin with some of the easier things she's picked up from the last week or so. More recent will probably be more of help to Mab too. She takes a deep breath to both calm her nerves and ready herself for a long speech before she remembers wait. She has no lungs.

Right. "I suppose the obvious: There are a lot more vampires than usual over at Southwark. They've been patrolling the area much more often compared to last month and they do it in pairs also. Like a buddy system of some sorts. It could just be them keeping an eye out for any rogues like that Stephan Alkaev fellow or the vampire from the Barnet involved with a shady clinic.

"Compared to the vampires, the werewolves and werecreatures seem very scattered. There hasn't been a lot of activity from them besides keeping an eye on their areas. Though I do suspect they've been eyeing Havering for themselves. Some people there complained about more 'stray dogs' as of late."

In term of events... There's a lot to talk about in her opinion. "Well-- You already know Dr. Faust, of course, but I should let you know that if you're interested in seeing him again or running into him, I can tell you that you can keep an eye on cemeteries at night. He seems to be looking for rare ingredients."

Clara seemed to gather herself and no wonder. She had a lot of information. Mab listened intently as Clara began outlining the events she'd experienced. She was quickly rewarded for her decision to consider Clara an asset as she described an increase in vampire activity. Right next to Lewisham. That was important. She had seen a few recently which was more she generally saw. Perhaps they were concerned about the fae. Or perhaps they had plans of their own.

It was also good to know there were some rogue vampires out there. She wasn't concerned for herself so much as unruly vampires could be a real headache. There were several shady clinics around she tried to remember who worked at the one in Barnet.

The werewolves, she knew more about. It was true, the Alpha had been less involved lately and the rest seemed to ... move about on their own. She was concerned that the alliance might fail if they didn't keep up connections. "The wolves have a large swath of territory to cover." She agreed.

She puffed out a breath as Clara told her to find Faust at night in the cemetery. Yes, he specialized in necromancy so that wasn't particularly a surprise. "He is a unique man." She replied, diplomatically "I also have the address and phone to his clinic."

Her eyes didn't leave Clara, waiting to see what else she had found, clearly very interested still.

Well, it never hurt to be too careful. Clara liked to think she did her best when it came to giving all the information she could. So those were out of the way. What else?

Maybe the big plans... "I supposed I should also let you know that the school is planning to, um, try and expand. Claim another territory in the name of the Redbright Institute.."

That's the keyword. Planing to try. The school had just claimed an area some months back after all. The faculty and student council didn't want to appear greedy to the other factions, aware of the tension among others. At the same time Clara likes to think they've been given good cause. "We're only speaking about it, seeing if we can start scouting in September after we get approval from other higher ups. I-It's to make sure there are more safe zone for people, meta humans. Others.

"Better to be safe than sorry, they think. Have more places people can go to for guaranteed protection or, at the very least, guaranteed defence. They've been all on edge since--" Funny. All of the sudden she finds herself at a loss of words, no idea of how to properly put the death of a poor scared boy into a clean report of facts and observations. Her mouth twists in displeasure and the area around her becomes a touch cooler from her emotions before she pulls herself together, noticing her temperament and not wanting it to get the best of her.

Should she tell her everything about what happened? There are some things she won't ever tell Mab despite their arrangement but this maybe something she needs to know and prepare for. Only fair, right? "... The fae may also be in a bit of trouble with the Council in the future. I think that's something you should know. Over Ellis Harvey. You know him, don't you?"

Mab's lips thinned a little. The school meant closing gates. Which wasn't particularly going to go along with her own plans. But Clara clearly aligned with the School she had a daughter there after all so Mab said nothing. Clara was more use to her as a spy than it was worth to try to convince her to go against her daughter's best interest. Which also means she can't actively oppose Clara's school's claim either if she wants to keep her spy happy.

Clara hedges around explaining what instigated the desire for more territory. Mab doesn't push, her brows draw together though. Had she been so focused on cleaning up Lewisham that she had missed, entirely, something big? She needs more eyes around apparently, it's fortunate she was able to talk Clara into doing this for her.

"Who is Ellis Harvey?" She asked with a frown. No she doesn't know some strange human's name.

The school had little interest in starting fights since they were a place of education first, always, but they could tell themselves for this time that they were justified in what they were planning to do. Clara certainly believes in the cause. Seeing she had a fatal hand in it.

She looks down, biting her lower lip and needing a moment to compose herself. Only Mab can see her distress or sorrow but she'll feel self-conscious all the same so better be safe than sorry when recounting this.

"He ... He was a meta human who had the ability to produce fire," she starts off. "If you heard any news about a boy burning down three buildings -- That's him."

… was him. "Some others and I were trying to help him get to safety. He had little control over his powers! We wanted to help but someone else, a fae by the name of Akane, had other plans..."

Clara shudders as she remembers what she had seen when she gotten to the warehouse despite the barriers, what she was told. "I like to think he didn't suffer too much but the fact it happened-- They won't be happy with this. A lot of people have been gossiping, whispering, why there's been a sudden spike of activity with the fae. If they find out about this they won't be happy. Especially since it occurred in Richmond."

She thought she had taken him to Redbright territory, a safe zone so he had the shield of that for more. She's only learned now that it's actually an official Daybreak location which may make the tensions a little bit worse and she's kicking herself for it. One thoughtless point of a direction and look what happened to the boy.

She'd heard murmurs but it hadn't been near the areas she was concerned with so she didn't spend any time trying to dig deeper. Then found herself occupied with her own business so the it was interesting to hear that a fae had taken matters into her own hands. It was unfortunate the fae had chosen to be so blatant about her work. It was highly unlikely she was trying to help anyone, the only fae she'd met who did that kind of thing was Heiji but Akane was a foreign name so perhaps there were others like him. "He could not control his powers and was hurting other humans?" She asked to clarify.

She waved a hand. "The fae are as many and varied as humans. You do not blame all humans for violence only one of them did, do you?" Certainly it was no more in fae nature to be aggressive than it was in human nature. The fae just chose not to hide this side of themselves as often. There were murders every week in London. It was a very large city. Only a small portion of the violence there could be attributed to the supernatural.

"It is regrettable that your charge was lost." She frowned a little. "How badly was he injured?" She asked more because at least there was something she could offer should it occur again in the future. So it was important to find out if he was immediately dead or if there had been a chance someone like her could have been called to save him.

She needs to think for a second, trying to recall the reports and the messages she and others have been pouring through as they try to make a proper report of the incident of Ellis Harvey.

"From my knowledge -- He was just in trouble since he burned down buildings with his powers, exposing his identity to the public." She didn't know if people were hurt but yes. Most likely or not, some were injured. "We. We wanted to help him. Smooth things out and show him he wasn't alone."

In a way he wasn't alone when he died. Poor Ekko and Maera were there when it happened. "He... He was killed right there. The others tried to fight but there wasn't much they could do. Akane used fire, I think. There wasn't much anyone could do since it was so quick. He didn't suffer long, at least?"

There's that morbid silver lining. She tries her best to not feel angry or to feel a kneejerk reaction to blame the fae as a whole. Mab pointed it out that not all humans were the same, the same can be applied to the rest. Clara had thought as much when discussing things with Heiji back at the beach, seemingly so long ago. The fae are all different. They all have their own rules and whims, they're all so out there and scattered and it makes her worried.

There are a lot of fae, a lot of others -- Who do they go to when demanding justice for the boy? Just the fae? The Queen or the King? The more she tries to understand, the more she feels rather out of her element.

In the long run, one child is hardly a concern to the powers that be among the fae. They have concerns so far out of that realm that trying to chase their tails over a single person here or there that was causing problems already for his own kind was not likely to garner any sympathy. "I am sure your kindness was a balm to such a troubled child." She responded carefully.

"I do not have the ability to raise the dead, if it had been something only close to death I might have had the ability to assist." She frowned a little, "My healing magic comes with a high price tag though. I cannot accomplish much without a life given in return, usually in service. We have rules we must follow and our magic is directly impacted by this. My own heavily favors balance in all things." She shrugged a little. "I could not have helped revive him if it was an immediate death." Not that she couldn't have been of great assistance in such a battle but Mab was much like the highest fae. She had more pressing matters than children that she did not know and were of little use to her. She didn't think Clara was quite ready for that much reality though.

"I regret you had to experience this, Clara." She sighed a little, a picked up affectation. "The world can be a difficult place. Especially for the young."

"He was a good person, I'm sure. Just confused." She sighs, trying her best to stop being such a downer but something about his demise sparked something in Clara. Sorrow and loss and something more though she can't identify it yet. "I wish we could have had a chance to shown that to the Council..."

Clara's almost watery smile at the memory of the poor boy and the condolences warps into surprise as the Mab's comment of being able to help people in a special way finally registers in her grief-heavy head.

Truth to be told, she couldn't imaging the fae having such nurturing skills but, in hindsight, it make sense. Fae were quiet powerful in many respects if her conversations in the past and the things she's learning now were anything to indicate. Of course they could hold power over someone's life itself if the cards were right for them. That'll be a big 'trade' for them after all.

"You can--" She stops herself, remembering what she's been told about questions and the fae. Not wanting to force the woman into a corner and possibly resent it, Clara does her best to keep herself in check and make her questions into maybe statements. "I didn't know you can do that. That's quite an ability but you're right... I can only imagine what type of debt that must be traded if others asked for your help."

Mab wasn't sure confused was the proper word. Out of control sounded better. "I would think the institute would have a way of managing people who have suddenly come into their powers." It was what they were there for, right? What good were they if they couldn't handle the hard cases? She doesn't continue on though because Clara seemes to show surprise at the mention of her healing skills.

"It takes a little of me with it, to keep them alive long enough to heal and then power on top of that to knit things back together." She agrees. "But for some circumstances it is worthwhile." She puffed out a breath and lifted her tea to break up her thoughts on the matter. She had kept one person alive for almost six months before they recovered but by the time she was finished she was quite weak and could never pass for human. She did not like to cut it quite so close. "It is not pleasant for either the person I heal nor for myself but I have never withdrawn from unpleasantness when it was necessary."

She sips the tea and sets it down. "But that is neither here nor there, you know of it now if there is an emergency, let us hear more about your discoveries."

She keeps what Mab said in mind. Maybe it'll come in useful. Maybe it won't. Clara likes to think it'll be more of the former since the possibilities are, frankly, endless if one plays their cards right.

And while Clara isn't much of a gambler, she likes to think she's learning more and more about the world by the day since she's found her new leash on (un)life.

Now to get back to topic and report what she's found. She's covered the vampires, the werewolves, the Courts... Oh!

"The Circles. Well, in terms of the witches themselves..." She tilts her head, trying to find a way to word her findings in an interesting and still useful way. "They seem to not be doing much for this month.

"Daybreak is focusing more on a festival coming up on September or something and are mostly converse in Wandsworth since it's closest to the Night Council territories, to collaborate I suppose, and near Richmond after the... incident. I suppose they feel angry something like that happened under their noises." Daybreak has become quite lax, truth be told. Back when she was still new to being a spirit, she couldn't help but feel there were more witches wandering around. Times sure have changed. "Midnight is the same? They've been quiet. I have noticed the sudden number of witches now making their homes at Enfield these days since an official coven came out for them."

The witches had been quiet from what Mab had seen as well but it was good to hear it from someone who spent more time in Witch territory. She certainly wasn't able to be in that many places at once.

It was interesting though. She had honestly expected a little more pushback from the witches when they'd started staking claims. The Midnight witches had every reason to allow the fae to start moving but she'd expected a little more... something, from Daybreak.

"I wonder if they are planning for something else as well." She murmured. "Witches do tend toward secrecy." Like she should talk. It was good though, that the midnight witches weren't being thrown out on their ear. Mab preferred balance and after some encroachment by fae the whole of London felt a little more balanced though perhaps the metahumans should have some more space of their own. Fortunately for them, Redbright was friendly to both the young and the old.

She dipped her head a little. "It's true that I expected something more from Daybreak."

Faust sat in the cafe with a cup of tea in front of him, seemingly serene. Seemingly, because if recent events were indication, he could snap into a volatile state at the drop of a hat.

"I believe I owe you some thanks for your part in reconnecting me with my wife," he said softly.

Mab paused on her way out and looked down at Faust. She'd been thinking about other things and hadn't been paying much attention to her surroundings which wasn't very common for her but this was worth it.

"Ah yes." And with a glance at the clock on the wall she pulled out a chair and sat across from him, considering his serene expression. "So you do, Doctor." Her hands settled on the table, fingers interlocking as she waited to see how far the unstable man would follow that through. A debt owed is a debt owed.

He curled his fingers around the warmth of the cup.

"I won't bother you with false modesty, then. I'm a powerful spellcaster, as human sorcerers go. I've had to give up a lot to achieve that... which has made it even more clear that it is important to repay those who have helped me along. If there's something in particular that you want, tell me. I'll see what I can do to make it happen."

One should always appreciate honesty. And she appreciated someone who knew they owed a favor and was willing to repay it immediately. She looked at him trying to determine if meeting with his wife had made him more stable or if this was just a lull in his insanity.

"What a nice change of pace." She murmured more to herself than to him. Not having to drag the favor out of someone kicking and screaming was pleasing. They didn't always struggle and sometimes the struggle was fun but this was a nice change of pace as of late. She considered the offer for a time and finally made a decision.

"There is something that I am working on I could use a witch to manage." She replied. "You are familiar with our doors, yes?"

"Doors to the Other Realm? Of course." Not that he'd ever had occasion to go through one of them. He took risks, but Faery had never really interested him as a tourist destination.

He steepled his fingers, tapping the first two fingertips together.

Faery held very little in the way of finding his sweetheart so it wasn't surprising he hadn't focused on ways.

"I am working on devising a way to create a door that only those we choose to allow through, to pass through. It could be keyed to fae of a certain level of power, and perhaps others would be given an amulet or talisman of some sort to pass through. I have not yet worked out the full mechanics though I have some texts I've been going over."

"Sounds like a long-term research project. Do you have many problems with unexpected visitors?"

Likely this would require him to spend a fair amount of time examining at least one door -- which, while doable, might be a little dangerous. After all, he couldn't expect all fae to be friendly to him.

"We have an alliance with the wolves and would like to open doors but the Alpha has conditions." He was concerned about the safety of his pack should they stumble into the ways or something with less control than a high sidhe happened to stumble out and decide to take on an unsuspecting wolf. And it would not be a bad thing to be able to figure out, especially if she wanted a way open near her own stronghold. She did not want a flow of visitors.

"I can provide what research I have already discovered to assist."

"I see. That does sound like a bit of a sticking point." He could imagine for himself why Derek Hale might want to screen potential entrants into the Other Realm. Or perhaps prevent some from getting out into his own territories.

"Anything you can provide would be helpful. In addition, I would like to study a door in person. Texts are well and good, but firsthand research is usually the best source of ideas."

She smiled a little at that, though it was more for show than anything else. Derek Hale was useful and interesting. She would like to keep that alliance going if she could though Derek had recently left town. She would need to meet up with others in the pack soon.

"Would you like to visit my library as well?" She could get him copies of the books but she didn't want to loan anything of such value to someone who she still considered dangerously unstable. It certainly made him interesting though.

"Certainly, if it's safe. I'm getting on in years, you know." Was that true? It was hard to tell how old Faust was because of the wild hair and the poor care he took of itself when it came to things like eating and sleeping.

"Oh, but I assume this library is in the Other Realm? Do you know, I've never been."

He really didn't look old enough even for a human, to be talking about getting on in years. "You would be escorted and treated as a guest." After all, he would only be allowed to look at the books she was offering. No sense giving away the bank. "Yes it is." He'd been focused on necromancy so it wasn't particularly surprising he hadn't stumbled into the other realm. Other than the fae itself it held very little he would be interested in or know to be interested in. "In Arctis Minora, my home."

He could talk about being old as much as he wanted, look how decrepit he was. "Arctis Minora? What a charming name. But yes, I'd be happy to examine your texts for you. Research is one of my specialties, even if doors to the Other Realm or not."

And besides, it might be good to take the air once in a while. "When would be most convenient for you, then?"

"Excellent." She replied. The spell itself would take a witch anyway. She felt she was about halfway there already.

The air did tend to be better in the Other Realm mostly because the humans weren't around to totally screw it up. But the effects of the human world and the oddities of the Other Realm did mean occasionally if you weren't careful you might end up in a place filled with Methane or something equally unpleasant. "I have time at the end of this month or toward the middle of next." She replied. "I have some commitments closer to the beginning but I would like to make this a priority.

"I see. As for myself, a doctor is always busy. However, I usually reserve my weekends and evenings for... personal research."

What sort of mischief would a fae need to clear their schedule for, he wondered. "I've given you my card already, haven't I?"

It was so difficult for him to remember sometimes...

"Yes." She replied, "I have saved your information on my cellular phone." And she had given hers to him. "I will call you closer to an available time and escort you through a way."

Her fingers brushed the table once, she was pleased he was going to assist with this without complaint. This would be very useful for the future. "Was there anything else?"

He shook his head. "No, that's all. Good afternoon, Ms. Sommerset."

And with that he'd leave her to her devices, however terrible they might be. Scruples, what were those?

Esmeralda was stood, waiting, when Mab approached. Word had spread quickly throughout Lewisham: the outcast fae might band together, but they weren't above talking to the other gangs there. So Esmeralda was waiting calmly, at the entrance to the park where they had set up camp, for Mab to arrive.

Was she happy that the fae had taken over Lewisham? No, not at all. But it wasn't in Esmeralda's nature to turn to violence either, and though the other outcasts were reluctant, they had agreed to at least try her way first.

So, when Esmeralda saw Mab approach, she called out, "Do you plan to leave us with nowhere to go then, my Lady?"

There was what appeared to be a single fae standing at the entrance to the park, long flowing clothes and dark skin were all that Mab could make out at a distance but as she approached, it was obvious others were skulking behind the spokeswoman. If she was concerned about meeting this many fae one on ten it didn't appear on her face.

She continued walking as Esmeralda called out, no intentions of raising her voice to be heard, the other fae could wait for her to get there. So her heels clicked on the sidewalk at a steady pace until she stopped in front of the other woman, no current expression on her face, just a blank look for the moment.

Finally her voice rose, smooth and confident. "I think that depends entirely upon you and your... friends." The word seemed wrong to her mostly because she did not consider fae having friends. She had acquaintances, fae she got along with but not really friends. It was a foreign concept to her.

She turned to go into the park as though she very well expected Esmeralda to follow. It was easy enough to veil them during the conversation but why add the unnecessary step of trying to avoid people walking into them while they stood at the entrance?

Esmeralda can see the sense in hiding themselves away a little, so she follows Mab quite willingly into the park. She glances back at the other outcasts, gesturing for them to remain a way away, for them not to get involved and escalate the situation.

"My friends aren't looking for trouble, my Lady," she retorts. "None of us are."

As they venture further away from the caravans, and the outcasts watching, Esmeralda's strides match Mab's

"We just want a place to live. These people have made this place their home when they have been left with nowhere else. Where are they supposed to go if you take control of Lewisham?"

It wasn't really done to consider the outcasts plight but Mab had more important things to do than rain terror down on people who could be useful to her own plans. Mab has excellent control over her power so there is no frost in her wake but the air is still cool near her.

As they come to a stop next to a park bench, Mab glances back at Esmeralda's cohorts then looks the young lady in the eyes, "So long as they can abide by my rules I do not care where they live." She replied. It wasn't really a decision the Queen would approve of but the queen could get her own hands dirty if she wanted Mab not to take advantage of the people who were already in the territories claimed for the fae.

"If you cannot abide by my rules we will have a problem." She spread a hand out as though it was the simplest thing in the world. She tilted her head a little. She did not know this outcast fae. And she would not risk losing her own standing by asking her name. This was less negotiation and more declaration. "Would you hear my terms?"

"Yes." Esmeraldaa replied simply. There was precious little else she could do, after all. And hearing terms didn't mean she had to agree with them. Then again, she couldn't imagine how Mab thought that this would work. Were these people not outcast for refusing to comply with their respective courts? How did Mab suppose she would make them comply now?

"I will listen, but that is all. I am making no promises for now. All we want is our freedom and equality for everyone, far, magic or human. But you may speak your terms and then I will put it to my people and they will decide."

Promises or no, Mab would deal swiftly with anyone who disobeyed. So she shifted her shoulders so she fully faced Esmeralda and spoke with authority. "You will treat all fae as hosts and fae allies as guests. This means you will not bring harm to them unless they initiate violence in which case they have forfeited guest rights and you are free to defend yourself. You will clean up any messes you and yours cause in my territory and avoid drawing attention to yourselves, which means you dispose of bodies outside the territory that might result from your own actions when possible." This first part was requirement regardless.

The second part could potentially benefit them so she continued on with the option for mutual support. "If you wish for me or mine to come to your aid should you be in need you will enforce guesting law. If a fae or ally of the fae requires help or defense and you know this, you must lend your aid. If you cannot assist, you or yours must contact myself or one of my colleagues. If you can abide by these rules you will have my support, I or one of my colleagues will come to your aid if you are attacked within the territory if you request aid. You may petition for challenge if another group infringes on your home and I will personally enforce a duel or wereguild."

Generally speaking it was keep on like you are but don't challenge the fae or cause them problems. And if you help them you'll be defended like a guest would be.

"Wait a minute." Esmeralda's brow creased. "You're offering... you're offering to just let us continue?" Well, that was unexpected - but definitely a good thing. "And you're willing to help us?"

If she didn't know that Fae were bound by the truth, she'd think she was hearing things, or that Mab was lying.
"And all the other Fae - the ones who dismissed us from our courts - they're okay with this as well?"

Esmeralda realised that Mab, of course, didn't have a clue who she was, or perhaps didn't know of Lord Frollo and his search for her, and that was fine by Esmeralda.

Let's be honest. Mab doesn't care what they do if it doesn't cause her problems. So she's not going to chase outcasts out of areas of the human world. She's not precisely inviting them over to her house for dinner but she can observe general guesting laws. It's skirting the fae laws but guesting is also fae law. If someone abides as a guest in her own mortal territories she is obligated to treat them as such. She can't invite them back into the fold, only the King or Queen could do that but she can do this much.

"I am willing to treat you as guests in my territory so long as you behave as guests." She replied. She made a soft, derisive noise about the fae who dismissed them. "It is my territory." As though that answered it all. They would abide by her decisions in her own territory or they would deal with her directly. The fae could be ... a little scattered. Trying to get them to agree on things was a lesson in futility. Unless the King or Queen decided that they wanted things otherwise Mab would keep on as she had been.

Guests. Esmeralda's mouth cracked into a wry smile. Not accepted then... but it is indeed better than being chased out. For now.

She knew though, that she could not do as Mab wanted: there were reasons she and her friends were outcasts, and much of it was for refusing to abide by the Fae's rules. But for now, Esmeralda would agree. It would buy her companions time to find a new safe place to live free of rules. It would save a fight and allow them to move on, if that's what the group chose to do.

So she nodded.

"I will tell my people, my Lady. We are not looking for a fight. But we will judge each request ourselves, and act as we see fit. Those will be our terms."

Guests has a very different connotation for creatures like Mab than it does for humans. It means there are certain protections in place if you comport yourself well. But perhaps Esmeralda comes from a different kind of court than Mab does.

Mab frowned at the woman. It really wasn't a negotiation. They either behaved in what Mab considered minimal requirements to continue living there or she would have to take matters into her own hands. "I do not believe my terms are unreasonable or even very difficult to follow." She replied, "You and your people may decide if this is where you wish to continue to make your homes or you may chose to leave." The added bonus of assisting if needed for protection of their own, although a little mob-like, could be extremely beneficial to outcasts. Mab lifted a shoulder. She pulled out a card with a telephone number and offered it to the woman. "You may give me your decision within a week." The outcast did not get her true name yet because she couldn't trust them to keep it to themselves. She didn't know them and the did not follow court rules.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

By the Pricking of my Thumb

3. Meeting with Clara

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I'm assuming they're meeting on the 24th if that's cool with yo. :|a

That's fine with me :)

Yay! \ o /

\o/

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3. A bit later on?

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