By the Pricking of my Thumb

[rules_winter]

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

Comments

[rules_winter]

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.

[warmheartedly]

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.

[rules_winter]

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."

[warmheartedly]

"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."

[rules_winter]

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."

[warmheartedly]

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."

[rules_winter]

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."