undergrounds | 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

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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.

By the Pricking of my Thumb

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