Jack balked at the phrase 'swear to me', he remembered from his dreams of Arcadia that his keeper, on the one encounter they'd had, had used the same phrase. 'Swear to me that you will be a tyrant, that you will by defined by equal parts malice and caprice.' Jack remembered something bad happening as a result of that promise, but couldn't remember what. He watched the strange man make his pitch, and replied with, "I make no promises, none, but I'll tell you what I know." He suspected the others would understand his reluctance to make any kind of pledge.
"What the others have said is true, I had a similar dream, but didn't think much of it until I started seeing numbers. Hell, I've had more dreams where I saw. . .him, than times I actually did see him.
Jef smirks. "So you hold the cards at the moment, or so it seems. I was back with my Keeper as well. Never did learn that witch's name...I don't remember most of what happened, but she touched my hand.."
He pauses to take his right hand out of his pocket, showing off the number on the back of his hand.
"And when I woke up, it was here as well. And it's now showing on the hands of many."
"Sounds like my experience as well." Terrence briefly shows his marked hand before falling silent again. "There. I've done my part. Now let's see what he's got to say."
Morris snickered at his sudden loss of cool and then thought for a second. "Honestly you don't sound like you got much now. I will corroborate that what they are saying is true. Same thing basically happened to myself. Cat's out of the bag. I guess I'll have to go with what you said to figure out the benefactor by myself. My guess is some winter or autumn court higher up. And I'm guessing Kindred is the name of a terrible metal band, but I could be wrong. Now tell us these 'happenings' which are probably only tenuously connected to this predicament and we'll see how it goes." he said with a glazed look in his sockets.
He stands up and looks back at Jusef. "Yep, one useless go nowhere piece of information from one party that don't know what to do with it to another I guess. Now out with it, while we're young. I want that drink already."
Amy opened her eyes, coming back to the present. Nothing yet... Oh well. Seems like everyone has had the same dream. We're all interconnected... I should at least try to be helpful... even though I have failed thus far. She tilts her head straight and begins to ponder. I can do my best to facilitate your needs, but I will not promise. You should knpw that to be a sore spot with us changelings. Your objectivity is truly selfishness in disguise. Everyone has their own agenda. As I said before, I had a similar dream. Not much information from this end, though I have tried. She looks around at everyone. I'd like to get back to my books, they have more information that could be potentially helpful. And Morris should really get to his drink.
The similarity between Jeremiah and his friend had occurred to Leon, but he'd been tactful enough not the bring it up given Morris' attitude. "Hey, if it helps think of him as being courtless too." Leon suggests with a smile.
"Right. We've shared our half of the information, so you tell us what you know. I'll agree to come back here--in two or three days, whatever--and share what I've been able to find out." Leon offers. He like the others had no wish to make an actual pledge, but he was happy to make a verbal agreement. Unless Jeremiah or his benefactor--whoever that might be--was behind this somehow he saw no reason not to cooperate.
"It doesn't because he isn't." 'Jack' adds at the door. "Those rules don't apply to him. The only fire that will burn him doesn't come from there. He is no more a pawn of 'story' than any other man, woman, or child."
Turning around, he faces 'Lord Jeremiah', taking care not to look directly into his eyes. "I'll add my bit, on two conditions. You tell me exactly what words you & your 'Patron' used to seal the deal. What words, what actions & what was passed between the two of you. Nothing more, nothing less. If names were named, feel free to use 'Mr. Smith' & 'Mr. Black' instead."
"The second is that you tell me exactly what you see when you look at each of us."
Lord Jeremiah gifted those forthcoming with information with a smile.
"I don't do promises like you guys do. If stuff happens then so be it, but it's easier for us to work together, trust me."
Turning back to 'Jack', he coughs, scratching the back of his head. Clearly a sore spot had been touched upon. "I, uh, can't remember the exact wording. It's not exactly my area of expertise, and I prefer to keep to the intent anyway. Let's see now, we spilled a drop of blood each, shook hands, and I swore on my name to not reveal the identity of my client in any way, nor give information that would strongly indicate who they were, or who they align themselves with."
Jeremiah bit his pale lip, thinking. "I gather telling you they are a changeling does not strongly indicate who they were, as only you lot use pledges like that. But this one only lasts for a week formally."
Standing up, Jeremiah brushed a fingertip over his eyelids, closing them slowly. "I don't do this often, so no promises on results." he nearly whispers, all traces of humour gone now.
When he opens his eyes, they flash briefly. He looks from each other person in the room slowly, looking at their shadows, and their shape. He speaks about each one, describing their mask as best he can, as well as some sort of 'aura' that hangs on each of you. He claims that some of you are easier to read than others- but amongst your auras he sees a great deal of silver, light green, dark blue and some gray. Sadness, suspicion, distrust. At the very least he identifies your court's primary emotion, assigning it a colour.
Interestingly, he doesn't quite describe everyone's mask. When he comes to Leon and then Terrance, he describes their Mien, rather than their mask. He does so in a matter-of-fact voice.
At the end he sits down, and pushes his folder across the table for anyone who wants it. "Satisfied? I can do more tricks if want. Backflips, maybe?" he asks sarcastically.
"Well, that would be quite amusing actually. I would enjoy seeing a backflip or two." The Autumn seems quite amused.
"After all, you seem amused at making us squirm, at pulling information from us. Good to know they are a similar sort as us, but it is bad that you are unable to really tell much."
"Quite pissing & moaning. We're here because we're here, of us, even him." 'Jack' snaps irritably. "He's not one of them & he's way too interesting for them not to want to keep him if they met him..."
Scratching behind his ear, 'Jack' is obviously psyching himself up to talk about what he promised. Looking about at the other Lost, he continues. "The good news is, none of you were found by your 'Keepers'. that was, they weren't one of them..." Moving back to an unoccupied chair, 'Jack' sits down. "There is no other good news, unless you count whatever it is being potentially surmountable to be good news...
cause the news is, whatever this is that's coming..." 'Jack's expression twists into an almost hateful, self-depreciating sneer, "we're the 'volunteers' who get to stop it."
Jef shrugs slightly, settling into the chair. "But that is our place in the world, you see? We get taken and we come back with phenomenal cosmic power! Itty bitty living space."
His grin widens as he continues his thoughts. "But in all seriousness, we're not too tied into politics, so we really are about the best options there are to deal with this situation."
Amy tilts her head, running her hand through her dark hair again. She pauses for a second, then stands and thoughtfully looks at each of her compatriots. Listen, I can tell that you all have made first impressions about me, and yes, they are partially accurate. My melancholy disposition is how I deal with my trauma. I am, however, very good at what I do. I am not always such a Debby-Downer.
Her eyes flicker with intense passion. Im certain we were all chosen for a reason, and I am coming to believe that cooperating with Lord Jeremiah would be a decent way to obtain information. She sets her eyes on Jeremiah, passion still burning like a flame in her eyes. The room seems colder, even if ever so slightly, and beautiful snowflakes can be seen. If we work together, we can find a solution. But if we spend our time bickering, our time will run out.
Sitting back down she sighs and puts her head in her hands. Slowly, black tears fall silently onto the table. Keep it together, Amy girl, there is important work to be done. This mystery involves more than just you...
"She's right," Marshall said. "We might do well for ourselves by listing off what each of us can do. I'm not bad at finding out what people are up to,so maybe I can look into whose behind this. Maybe I'll get a name before the eve of the apocalypse, when we can ask this guy." He turned to the stranger, well, the one who wasn't Lost, and added, " And I suppose you can start saying something helpful at any time."
Leon struggles to keep up with the conversation, complicated by everyone's individual motivations. Why exactly was Jeremiah telling them what they looked like, and why was it only him and the Ninja wannabe that he saw properly? As the others continue to talk he simply leans forward and grabs the proffered folder, settling back into his seat and holding the folder so that Morris can look over his shoulder as he begins to read.
Lord Jeremiah has identified four problem areas. Firstly, the goblins in the market have more than doubled their prices when dealing with those inside the freehold. Secondly, a bunch of mass murders have occured on the north side of town, where the victim's heart has been fairly brutally removed while they were still alive. Curiously, the date these started matches up to when your number appeared. Thirdly, a relatively unknown noble entitlement is coming to town in two days. Lastly, Summer has been stirring once again, with their lords once more openly voicing their disconent.
Amy sits there as she obsorbs the information, blank faced. Mass murders, mass appearence of numbers... Could the numbers be connected to the murders? It only takes two or more murders on one day to count as a mass murder and there are three times that just in this room...
She sighs and looks up, black tears down her face. She sniffles and looks around to see the others reaction as she smears her tears off her face. Hopefully these people I am is fated to work with arent total morons, though some dont look too promising... Her eyes linger on Terrence. But everyone has strong suits.
Well, that is some interesting information...And I agree with Jack, as far as saying what we can do best. For me, I know a good bit about everything, and if I dont know, I can find it. Im horrible with people, as you all can tell, but Im a wiz with books, and I do not stop until I get the information I want. A flash of pride crosses her face.
"I am like many beasts, thinking more of the here and now, but I am also a real smart individual when it comes to riddles or strange circumstances. I'm fairly decent with people and hobs, but I have a few tricks up my sleeves that keep them from attacking me."
He grins, cracking his knuckles momentarily, as he visibly ponders things. "Sounds like there's been a number of things happening all at once. And there were those murders at the same time as we got these."
Amy nods. One possible answer is that we will also be attacked and possibly killed when our time runs out. I will look into wether or not the people who were attacked had numbers as well. She looks at Jerimiah. Where these peole who were murdered apart of the Lost or just mundane? Ill need to know for my research and if you can give me the info that would be greatly appriciated.
She pauses. Of course, I will look for more than just one hypothesis. It is important to eliminate all illogical hypotheses, and what ever remains, no matter how improbable, is the truth. As for the Summers sturring, we will need someone who has some ability to poke around in the Summer Court. Anyone have ties to them? And for the other two problems, I have nothing. How about you guys? She looks around at each one of the faces, hoping to see some support.
"It sounds to me like something far grander than a mass murder in store. Everyone I've seen has a number, except this joker. I think it's loyalists. Maybe they found a way to sell out the whole town, or a significant part of it, anyway. Something like a wild hunt on an unbelievable scale. The thing I want to know is what makes you so special? Why is it that an entire dimension of eldritch horrors aren't interested in you. If that's what it is, anyway."
"Hmmm... I dunno. Goblins raising their prices... maybe they know about something? The timing on the murders is strange but still seems a little... small compared to what we've seen. Jeremiah's the only one I've seen who doesn't have a number, that sound about right?" he asks, trying to get a consensus "We're talking city wide..."
"Can you tell us anything more about who these nobles are, and who in Summer is getting uppity? Unless they're planning to blow up the city though I'm having trouble seeing how any of this is going to end up with some indeterminate doom."
He finishes voicing his thoughts, flicking through the information again for good measure. "Here. Maybe something'll stick out to you." he says, tossing the folder onto the table so it slides in front of Amy. "As to my talents... well I'm good with people, learning about em, getting em to do what I want... I'm Spring ya know." he gives a vague shrug. "I know some people who might be able to tell me about the murders, but no guarantees on that..."
Terrence speaks up quietly from his shadowy corner. "I apologize if my seeming aloofness is offensive to you. I don't do well with groups of people. As for the hiding back here thing - well - the majority of my work is done at night, and I work hard to avoid the light. Old habits die hard, and current habits die harder still. Nontheless, I may be of use in preventing whatever catastrophe may be coming."
He pauses - as if to muster up courage - and then steps completely out of the shadows as he continues speaking. "My trade - if you'd like to name it as such - is in asset trading. Among those in the know, I have a reputation for locating and delivering valuable items. Art, jewelry, rare books, that sort of thing." He gives a slight grin at this last one. "In addition, the Courts occasionally ask me to 'watch and wake when others be asleep - to pry into the secrets of the state.' You know how they love their intrigues. While information brokering isn't much my thing," he glances at Amy and Jeremiah, "I do have access to some - shall we say - back channels. Mainly, though, I serve as a retrieval specialist. If we uncover any damning items, or the guilty party - whoever he might be - has left any evidence, I'm perfectly capable of slipping in unseen and recovering it."
Amy grabs the file and begins to shift through it, pushing her glasses up and tying her hair up out of her face so only a strand remains hanging. I'll see what I can get from this... She dives into the file, flipping through the pages quickly and crisply.
Looking up without lifting her head she looks Terrence in the eyes. The morons a theif of books.... and other unimportant things... I wonder why he doesnt just come out and say it. Should have seen it, he is shady... And a moron...Why is he convinced its a man? You got a reason to believe its a single man? Not a group? Not a woman? Something this big is probably organized by many people... Moron...
I think I might have found something...
Jef walks over, seeing her flip through the folder. Once she's had her look, he takes a look as well, listening to her explanations of what she's found. "What've you found?"
1 suxx
2 suxx
"If he is what I think he is...
I'm pretty sure I know why he has no number." 'Jack', nodding toward Jeramiah, responds to Jack's suspicions. "Not here & not now." he adds. "As Amy said, we need to stop whinging."
"I...
know a guy." He admits when the subject of talking with Summer Courtiers comes up. "Personally, I'm a bit more curious as to who this new/old entitlement is coming in to town?" As he turns once more to Jeremiah, his eyebrows arched inquiringly.
Amy and Jef's combined efforts quickly discover that the murders cannot have been the work of a single being. In theory, one could get between the murder sites in the times listed, but in practise that would require absolutely no traffic on the roads at all. In peak hour traffic times, no less. No Hedge entrances close to those areas either. Your conclusions suggest it is much more likely to be a group. The alternative is a single supernatural creature, but the spread of the murders makes it seem unlikely.
Jeremiah folded his hands together, pulling his knee up to the chair.
"I think I know why I have no number either. I could call a friend in to test that theory later, perhaps."
"The entitlement, I think... knights of some sort. I'm not familiar with them, I don't think there were any like them in the city prior." He scowled. "Besides, finding out information about your entitlements is like drawing water from a stone, except slightly harder."
"As for Summer, from what I've heard most of the lords are getting uppity. It was one of them who told me about these knights arriving, so perhaps the two are linked? Most of those within the freehold aren't pushing the issue too much, but they know better than to voice it. Those outside are looking for an advantage over Winter, methinks. Could be they've found one."
'Jack's' expression becomes more withdrawn as he ruminates on the information gathered so far. Finally, he stands up. "Are we doing more than 'spit-balling' here? Unless somebody is still spinning their wheels looking for something to do, we should be doing it." Making his way to the door, he turns. "I'll go talk with some people I know, rattle a few cages, see what happens."
Jeff contemplates the knowledge he has gathered in life.
Jack couldn't help but scoff at this new information. "Four of every five entitlements I've heard of call themselves knights of something. Or champions, or wardens. So that's not overly helpful. The summer court thing makes me wonder if they might be involved. If they are the fighten'est fighters of us all, maybe they are trying to engineer something. You know, cause some big disaster and make it look like the Gentry and then swoop in as the big damn heroes."
Amy stands up and puts her hands on the table. If the Summer Court is behind this, or at least using it to their advantage, we need proof. They might be the fighten'est fighters, but Winters and Autumns, and even courtles, have their strengths... All the more reason to work together. However, the Summers can be connected in a different way. We need to see why exactly theyre coming to town... They might have numbers too, we dont know if its just THIS town and we shouldnt assume otherwise. They could be looking for answers too, and then they will have become a huge asset for the same reason they are such viable enemies.
She looks at Terrence.. Hey, mor-er, Parker. Since you like the shadows so much, why dont you shadow the Summers when they arrive? Whoops.. Slipped up a bit there. But he is pretty good at remaining unseen... So he can have his use...
She walks to the end of the room near the doors. We should pick a time to return here. She tears off a bit of "paper" from her arm and begins to write something on it. Here's my number and email. Call or text, it doesnt matter. Ill be in my house for the time being, if you find anything you need to have decrypted or deciphered, shoot me a text or an email and Ill find the information you need. Im pretty decent at computers, if you catch my drift. She winks and throws the paper into the air. It settles on the table. Hope that wasnt too nasty...
Morris nodded his head at the previous statements, except for Amy's, which he scowls at. "Hell, I don't know what you want from me, I'm just a cashier." he said with a vaguely shifty look in his eyes. "But if you can, relay to this 'client' that we got a right to know who's employing us. Last thing I need is to play PI for some shadowy prick with a hidden agenda."
Parker nods at Amy. "Sure, I can follow them. Snoop around their place once they arrive, too. Anyone got any Court contacts to find out these guys' itinerary? I don't play politics, so it'll take me some time to do it alone." He stops and thinks for a second. "Assuming we find out anything, how're we relaying it to everyone else? People like me can't afford to go around giving their contact information to just anyone. No offense intended, it's just not safe. I can set something up, but not until I get back to my pad. Or do we just want to meet somewhere in a couple days?"
Amy sighs, pushing up her glasses and looking at Morris apathetically.. Im sorry. I just assumed you were useful. Thanks for enlightening me. You go do your useless job while we big kids do the real work.
Then she looks at Parker. If you're good with computers we can team up. Come with me and we can set up a cloud network that eveyone can access. I figure if we create that site we can post electronically and securely what we have found and arrange meetings if necessary... Two heads are better than one... Even if one head contains a moronic brain. You all have my number and email, contact me so I can get you all on this cloud. Hopefully we can get it set up tonight... Parker, Ill be waiting outside. You have five minutes. With that, she turns on her heels and leaves.
Jack thought about offering his hollow as a meeting place, but decided against it, something about the way he seemed to always be hiding made him seem somewhat untrustworthy, and anyone that was given access to Marshall's residence or hollow would have to be beyond question as far as trust was concerned.
"You can't just tell us how to get ahold of you? Get a burner phone, leave it somewhere out of the way. Check it once a day, talk on it while you move. Or tell us where you'll leave whatever information you find? If you can't extend that little bit of trust now, I don't know why you're still here." He said to Terrence
As Amy makes her way out the door, 'Jack' rests his hand on her shoulder briefly. "To clarify, you are giving us permission to get in contact with you?"
As Jack complains about Terrence's 'excessive caution', 'Jack' snickers.
Parker grins at the fed. "Burn phone? Now you're speaking my language. What do you think's at my safe house? I just need to head back and set it up. That's why I don't have a number I can give you yet." He stops and thinks for a second when Amy gives her parting suggestion. "Actually, an encrypted dropbox isn't a bad idea. Until that's set up, how am I sharing my findings with the rest of you?"
She opens the door and pauses at "Jack"'s question. Turning around enough to look only him in the eyes, she says Of course. Anytime you need me. She lingers on his eyes for just a bit longer, a small, Mona Lisa smile appearing for a slit second. She flicks herself around sending ink flying in an arch from her ponytail. With the grace only a slightly miffed woman can achieve, she slips through the door.
Leon is once again left behind with talks of entitlements, court politics, and suspicion upon paranoia, upon distrust. Seriously, these people just needed to chill out a little. He was about to voice his concern as people started making for the door about getting in contact with each other, when Amy made her suggestions. He collects the scrap of paper, entering Amy's info into his phone--he may not be any good with computers, or know what this cloud thing Amy was talking about, but he knew his way around a phone at least--dropping it back on the table for the others to copy as he quickly tapped out a message to Amy so she'd have his phone number as well.
As the others disburse he turns to Morris, dropping his voice for a more discrete conversation. "So, it sounds like they're all planning to look into Summer and these knights, unless I completely misread that conversation. Whatta ya think about investigating some murders?" he offers his friend with a smile.
Jef strokes his chin, seeming to be entirely lost on which direction to go, and settles on just going to the bar to get himself a drink, before getting back in touch with folks later.
Morris took out his own beat up looking burner and looked at it, though he was pretty unresponsive when it came to the exchange of contact info "Finally those winters leave. Think this place just got like 10 degrees warmer." He glances over at Jack. "Um, no offense." then grudgingly muttered "Sorry for the insults"
"Yeah sure. I think I'll get a drink and then maybe we'll figure something about them murders. Hit the streets running and get to the bottom of this incredibly rare and strange event. A murder in Detroit. Who woulda thunk." He said as he got up and headed out the door.
He sure was surprised he didn't have to fight anyone here physically. Though he might have come close there at the start.
@Jack The Tolltaker Knighthood is one Summer entitlement you can think of. They're mercenaries and thugs, but tend to target only those against who violence is 'justified', though this justification may be quite loose.
@Jef (and Morris) You can't recall occasions with numbers appearing before, but groups all belonging to one Entitlement riding together are common enough. You can't quite narrow down between two particular entitlements with what little information you have: They're either the Tolltaker Knighthood of summer, or the Knighthood of the Dragonslayer, interrogators and internal police within the changeling freeholds. The other knighthoods do not seem likely to announce their arrival.
@Morris Rumours on the street say that Summer is close to working out a deal with Spring that would see the two unite in an attempt to reclaim positions that should by all rights be theirs. Summer courtiers in the freehold are becoming even more militant than normal, should such a thing be possible.
As for the killings, you've heard tell that it could be the work of a cult. Regular murders are common enough, but collecting hearts can only be for some dark purpose. Another one of your friends suggested it might be something to trade, for the Goblin Markets or something similar.
@Marshall You remember that not only is summer is a season, but also a court!
Likely identities: You suspect that the more likely clients are those with an interest in maintaining power in the city. Winter or Autumn lords and ladies seem most likely.
Lord Jeremiah tilted his head back to an unnatural angle, stretching out with several cracks that would make anyone wince to hear them. "Well, that sounded vaguely like a deal. At least you're on the right path for now."
He stands, and pulls from his pocket a handful of business cards, a number scrawled on the back. "If you need to tell me something, text or call this number. I'll get in touch immediately." With a wide grin he steps over to Leon, pulling open his pocket and dropping the dozen or so cards in for him.
"Before the rest of you go, I have a personal trade for just one of you. If you freely offer me some... sustenance, then I will make it worth your while." he scratched his head again, suddenly appearing a great deal more weary.
"Either way, thank you for your cooperation. I look forward to hearing... he yawned loudly, showing far too many teeth, "...to your findings.
As she is waiting for Parker to show, she hears a blip in her pocket. She pulls her phone out, expecting "Jack" and seeing instead Jef. Oh good, someonene else noticed. Its nice to feel liked and needed for once, after all those years in Arcadia where no one cared... Even if he is just being nice as a manipulation tactic to get the information, Ill ride it while it lasts. It will make it a bit easier not to slip so far into the sorrow again...
She sent a quick text back to Jef, telling him she recieved his number and would be in touch if she found anything and when the site was up and running, then went back to her wait. Parker had about 3 minutes left, and she was keeping track.
To those of you who turn on the radio in the next hour or so...
"Snowflakes, what is the news my main man?"
"Well Frosty, we've had some weird stuff going on in the city at the moment. Our Tyrannical Lord Overlord has called for a meeting of all cold hearted bastards tomorrow evening, at 10pm sharpish! Man I would hate to be there, the atmosphere would be chilly to say the least!"
"But Snowflakes, aren't we some of those cold hearted bastards?"
"Right you are, but we weren't invited!"
"Well, with great power comes greater satire, right? Anyway, bluebloods, the meeting tomorrow is in spot number 7..."
"7? Bah, that's the worst one."
"What the hell do you know, you never attend?"
"Right. Did you mention, Frosty, that the day after that will be a general meeting of the liberated grip?"
"You can just call it the freehold, Snowflakes. Most of our listeners aren't good with synonyms."
"Most of our listeners aren't good with social interactions, either. Anyway, we don't know the location for this one yet, but it'll be announced tomorrow, we think. Which means we'll tell you about ten minutes after the meeting ends."
"Thank god for leaks, eh?"
"I'd agree, but you haven't fixed our roof from leaking either."
"But Snowflakes, you said we had to accept all leaks no matter the source!"
"...and we'll wrap up with that poor attempt at humour. We'll bring you more news as it happens."
'Jack' watches as Amy quickly turns about & almost sashays out the door.
She thinks I'm flirting...
a dangerous assumption to make.
For matter, flirting isn't a good enough reason to let your guard down like that, when you are Winter...
Eyes narrowing at Lord Jeremiah's 'offer', 'Jack' replies. "By this point I'm fairly certain you should have figured out we get a bit...
leery about that open-ended a deal. In the interests of not starting another round of 'let's circle around what we really mean for the sake of CYA'..."
"'Essence'... Corporeal or non-corporeal, replenishable or non?
'Worth-our-while'... Concrete, Personal, Transferable, Transformative...
or Social?"
"You lot are so boring. Can't you just stick by the intent, just for once?" Jeremiah frowned, considering how to phrase it.
"Corporeal, physical essence. Replenishable. Would be lethal is removed in large amounts. I will not remove anywhere near that amount. Slight dizziness, and very short term light headedness is the worst you could experience. In return I will offer you information, which I expect will be of great use to you. It may aid you in developing your skills, or elsewhere. Personal benefit only, I'm afaid.
What little warmth there is in 'Jack's' eyes dies with 'Lord Jeremiah's' complaint. "I've done you the courtesy of not making derogatory comments about your personal & 'cultural' foibles when I know this side of nothing about them save the inconvenience they place upon me, I would strongly recommend you do the same before I show you exactly why we hew so...
pedantically,
to making certain what we say & what we mean match excruciatingly closely."
Inhaling deeply through his nostrils, he continues. "However, I will accept. Do you wish to do this privately, given that the act is likely to be something of a give-away?"
"Yeah, none taken, jackass. Marshall said to Morris in response to the talk of the Winters.
Before the group broke up, Jack offered up a phone number that could be used to get ahold of him.
When he headed out, he set off for the most obvious place to find knowledgeable winter court changelings.
"Don't be so thin skinned. All our individual cultures enjoy nothing more than poking fun at the others. If you want to insult me, you a free to try..." Again with that sly smile. "Still... I will owe you for this offering. In private, I think might be best.
Once the others have stepped out, Jeremiah sits 'Jack' down, and stands behind him, breathing in deeply. "Changelings taste quite wonderful, I assure you. Freely offered gives it a fruity scent as well, one to savour and enjoy... and you might have guessed by now that staying up this late is more than a little taxing on me. Hmmhmm, yes, I will enjoy this."
He catches Jack's eye and coughs guiltily. "But within the bounds of moderation, of course. Are you ready?"
Leon takes down Jack's number as well, shooting him a text same as Amy. There that hadn't been so hard had it? Now he could contact at least half of this lot... at least he assumed Greg had some way to contact Jusef.
He gives Jeremiah an inquisitive look as the dude drops him a bunch of his business cards, but adds the number to his phone, not bothering to text him in return. As he makes his offer and Jusef responds he lingers, curious as to what they were talking about. He was intrigued but the two were vague enough that he didn't learn much. He'd have to ask Jusef about it later, since he volunteered for it.
"Alright, let's go get that drink." he agrees happily, glad to be in more familiar territory.