undergrounds | HAVERING CLAIM

DECEMBER 5-7th; ANYTIME

The lead up to the claim is deceptively quiet. Although he already knows that most of the would-be interested parties will have their eyes on Croydon come the 8th, Finnick still doesn't want to attract any undue attention. He's quiet as he pokes around the borough, identifying places where he and his group might visit and checking for any large gatherings of Daybreak witches or vampires that might resist them. He's unarmed while he does this, knowing that a trident would attract all that undue attention he doesn't want, so he's ready to open a door and flee in the face of trouble.

DECEMBER 8TH; NIGHT

When it's time, Finnick gathers his group and they start in the south of Havering, opening doors for allies to walk in and out of as they start visiting supernatural communities in the borough. They stop in any known meeting places along with anywhere they can sense a significant magical presence - a witch or two in an apartment won't draw them, but a dozen werewolves camped out in some basement brings them knocking. Every time they meet with someone, Finnick gently explains the situation: the fae are claiming this territory and nothing has to change, as long as no one tries to attack any fae.

The trident strapped to Finnick's back is ever present - a quiet threat of what may happen if anyone tries to object. He slips in and out of shadows when there are humans present so as not to draw attention, but in the empty streets he walks freely, towing his group behind him or letting them spread throughout the borough without him. He's mostly here to oversee, after all, and he'll appear at a moment's notice if any of his Seelie fae are attacked.

DECEMBER 9TH; MORNING/MID-DAY

Finnick is a man of his word, and come morning little has changed in the territory. Fae have started moving in (many pre-emptively from Croydon), and a number of doors have been left open for the faery folk to walk freely in and out of the Other Realm. Finnick has found himself a spot near the window of a cafe, still easily found by any fae that may need him, but he's also making sure he's present in case any other factions decide they don't like what's happened. He stays there a few hours, ordering a couple coffees and a sandwich once lunchtime comes around. Waiting for signs of trouble and news of Croydon.

[OOC: As discussed, this is a quiet claim because of the hand-off happening the same night in Croydon, but if you want to make a top-level for yourself go ahead! Alternatively hit me up on plurk or on the plotting post if you want a more specific prompt!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"I know you place other Fae over the value of human life," she answers evenly, her gun steady. Ringer's finger hovers a couple millimeters away from the trigger. To someone familiar with weapons, it's a visible sign of her hesitation, that she has no immediate intention to shoot. Of course, that can all change in a second. "But you already have a Realm. Why do the Unseelie need to conquer the human world too? And why are the Seelie Court supporting them?"

Finnick takes a long look at the gun in her hand, trying to determine just how ready she is to pull the trigger. He's still calm, but clearly cautious since he doesn't move.

"No one said anything about conquering," he tells her. "We just want to be allowed to walk free in this realm, as has been our right for centuries. The witches and the vampires have made it quite clear that this is the only way can continue to do so."

"How? Why?" She asks evenly. Although their desire to walk freely in the mortal Realm makes her wary, his remark about it being done for centuries is vaguely reassuring. It's possible that they are less inclined to disturb the average human life than she's been lead to believe. Perhaps it's the conflicts between entities that cause the trouble, that innocent people are repeatedly caught up in. Like her, like Annie.

Ringer listens, holding perfectly steady as she waits.

"How what?" he shoots back, still staying very still as he glances from the gun to Ringer's face, giving her a bit of a sneer. "Circle Daybreak has gone out of their way to push us out, stopping us from creating doors in their territory, enacting laws against us but preventing representation from either court... it doesn't matter why they do it, just that they are, and we're not going to just take it."

He works his jaw, looking like he wants to spit on the next witch who crosses his path. "And the vampires, of course, they were made to kill - which you very well know - and the Night Council would rather have them in this city than us."

Some part of Ringer's mind wants to scream and break things. Trying to deal with the factions is a little reminiscent of her school days and its respective cliques. She frowns at Finnick, pausing a beat before finally lowering her gun. Her hands remain on the weapon in perfect posture, but the barrel points to the ground instead of at the fae.

"The Night Council is worse than the Unseelie," she says offhandedly, as if it's the most obvious fact in the world. After their last chat, she trusts that he'll understand the sentiment for what it is rather than an insult on his brethren again. In a more conscious and thoughtful tone, she continues. "Will this result in more harm to humans?"

Finnick still doesn't take too kindly to insults about the Unseelie coming from anyone but fae. No one outside the Other Realm could possibly understand court politics, but he lets it rest. He doesn't want that gun pointed at him again for such a stupid reason as defending the Unseelie. He does chance a look away, though as if he's thinking about the question.

"Why should it?" he asks flippantly, shrugging one shoulder. "The fae will continue doing what the fae have done for millennia, and if it's the fight you're worried about... well, we're not the ones who started it."

Ringer stares, resisting the urge to roll her eyes yet again. The old 'he started it' routine is reminiscent of her dealings with young children, not the immortal-type old Fae and allegedly self-aware witches that she's supposed to be dealing with. But it's all about the risk. Leaving the Fae a territory means they're less likely to force their way in via other means, as if she could stop them by herself anyway. On the other hand, it's escalating the existing conflict. Both are potentially dangerous to her species.

"You can end it. You can refuse to participate." She knows even as she says it that it's not entirely a choice. The Fae aren't asking for a territory so much as they seem to want the freedom to roam in general, something being denied to them. She would be fighting too.

With a sigh, she shifts attitudes, clicking her pistol's safety on and sliding it back into its holster. "You know I can't stop you. Try not to kill any humans."

"I haven't yet and I don't plan to do so," he replies with a smug smile, and it's the truth because he can't tell her anything else. Despite that, she'll only trust him if he appears not only honest, but open about his intentions, so naturally he continues on.

"This is meant to be entirely peaceful. No one has claimed this borough so we're just officially making it safe for displaced fae. This," he tilts his head back, toward the trident strapped to his back, "is just for self defense, if I need it."

Ringer tugs her jacket over her gun to hide it as before. It rings strange to her that Finnick hasn't killed anyone and she wonders if it's a lie and how often he lies to her in general. It's only because of Annie's words about him that Ringer gives him any trust at all, not that she's about to admit as much. His choice to elaborate only makes her feel more uneasy and she forces herself to ignore the nagging suspicion for now.

"Don't need it," she says lightly, a suggestion like to grab an umbrella while it rains outdoors. It's all Ringer can do.

"I'll do my best," he says to her, smug and condescending. It's true he intends for this to be entirely peaceful, but only because that's what's easier. He's never wanted to be a killer, but he's plenty good at it now and he does it when he needs to.

Ringer gives him a flat look in response, not goaded by his condescension and only mildly thinking less of him for it. After a beat, she turns and begins walking away. There's no reason to stay and, as much as it pains her, she feels like maybe she just needs to trust Finnick for now and figure out another angle to come at all this nonsense.

HAVERING CLAIM

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