=========-< << Fort Brunsett - Riverside Markets >> >-==========
Serving the needs of three districts, the riverside markets are a two-mile tangle of brightly coloured buildings, eclectic and bold, which follow the gently curving eastern bank of the lazy Tam. Umbrellas and awnings advertising names and wares form a rippling canopy above street vendors' stalls. A number of popular ethnic restaurants make their home here, tucked among boutiques, salons and curiosities.
During the growing season, a stretch of grassy common land along the river is rented every weekday by a farmers' market, selling fresh produce from local growers and, when Autumn comes around, dried corn stalks and decorative gourds.
The brilliant white paint of the Riverside Hospital gleams from its sprawling lot on the Tam's other bank, the public park a splash of living colour and less frenetic energy down at its feet. Bridges can be glimpsed around the bend to north and south.
It's a good location. It's out in the open and public, but they can sit at a park bench with a good distance to eavesdroppers - and they can't sneak up on them. Unless they're invisible, but that could happen anywhere. Goblin lies on the ground, leashed. Fairy? She sits in a tree further down the walkway. And Jack, he's leaning back on the bench, studying people curiously. He has no idea whose coming, really - a short conversation of where and when doesn't give away much. He's eating an icecream, just plain vanilla in a waffle.
Ashe had called to make sure Jack was alright with meeting her. She also wanted him to be in a place he was comfortable. Mainly because Changeling’s that were unknown were sometimes fucking scary. Ashe is out of her usual Witch King of Angmar attire and in jeans, black t-shirt and old beat up converse. Her red hair is down and she’s wearing a pair of sunglasses. She spots Jack on the bench and heads that way, “Jack?” she asks as she stops at a conversational distance. And yes, that's a permanent smile that's been cut and stitched into her face.
"Yeah," the ranger confirms. He's not dressed in uniform however, but in jeans and a blue T-shirt, very simple. He squints at Ashe and stands up politely, gesturing for her to sit next to him. "Woulda bought you an icecream but wasn't sure it'd melt before you came. I can go get you one though?" he offers - there's a little icecream kiosk right nearby. He offers a hand to shake, too; "Nice to meet you. Glad you called so quickly."
Ashe gives a nod of her head, “It’s alright, thank you for the thought though.” she tells him as she sits down on the bench. “It's good to meet you as well, Jack. I’m Ashe Whelan. Kip as you known sent me. He said that you have information pertaining to Cerise.” she states as looks to him.
Jack sits back down - he gives the rest of the icecream to Goblin, who's regarded Ashe curiously but not done anything to greet her until she sat down, at which point he wagged his tail and sniffed her leg quickly. But, icecream takes precedence, he gulps it down with a happy chuffing sound. "Miss Whelan," the ranger politely says. "It's more that I have a question. How will you get her back?" He stares frankly at Ashe, but he is guarded; perhaps he's a bit intimidated or suspicious of her.
Ashe gives a smile to Goblin and she puts her hand out to let him sniff her, “Hey there.” she states in a friendly tone. Then Jack asks how they are going to get Cerise back, “Well, Jack, that’s the harder thing to answer. Kip wants to march into the trenches by himself. And I can’t allow him to do it.” she tells him. “So I don’t know how much you know of our...community. But I’m someone that specializes in the things that take us. If she’s not yet been taken all the way in...there’s a chance we can get a group in and reclaim her. I just need some idea of where to start looking.” she tells him.
"I don't know where she is," Jack admits. "I thought you all knew." He knows some stuff, knows less about others and nothing about some. "Some asshole took her and put a copy in her place. If I said we know of a way to get through to her... and we might figure out where she is - would that help? If we knew where she is and who took her?"
Ashe just laughs, "I'm pretty sure I know where she is. But, Kip was about to fight me and Logan and everyone else for saying that the thing that is currently masquerading as Cerise is not Cerise. So it's just...weird." she admits. "Do you mean Dreams?" she looks to him. "If you can contact her through dreams...that would be interesting. Not to mention invaluable information." she admits.
Jack's eyebrows go up, at this. Like he fully expected to be shut down immediately. "Yes, dreams," he says. "I didn't think you'd approve. Everyone else I've talked to has basically told me I can do nothing." He smirks. "They don't know me very well if they think that's going to work. There's always /something/ you can do." He crosses his arms over his chest, gazing about again; he looks up to the whiskey jack in the tree nearby. But the bird is quiet and calm, nothing particular to report from up there. "I'm not alone, of course. But they need me to be able to reach Cerise, since I know her. Kip said he can't talk about this - but I hope he can give me any important information on Cerise that I can use in a dream. Personal things. It was suggested, that the more I know about her, the more chances are we can reach through."
Ashe gives a sigh, "People tend to tell mortals they can't do things. I'm not an elitist prick." she states. "As long as you aren't marching into...that place or trying to do it without help. There's no reason to discourage you." she states. "Kip is under a pledge to not speak to Copy Cerise for a week. For pain of going blind. Otherwise he can speak to you. If he doesn't give you information, tell him Ashe said to help you. He'll give you what you need." she nods to this. "I do have a question for you." she looks to him. "You're not a member of the community. How is it you...know so much? Are you under a pledge? Ensorcelled to someone? It's very dangerous for you to be out here and know so much." she admits.
"Huh." Jack is truly surprised and pleasantly so. "Thanks. I was starting to wonder if you were all condescending pricks." He grins to take the edge off it, eyes glittering in good humor. "Glad to be proven wrong." He takes out a beaten up old cigarette pack, offers one to her if she wants one too, lights it up. "You people don't play around, do ya? Going blind. Harsh. But good - I'll give him a call today and pump him for info. He said he was leaving town for a few days." He puffs on the cigarette and doesn't truly seem to be too worried about that. Her last questions has him glancing her way thoughtfully, considering his answer carefully. "I've made promises to someone, yes." Vague enough. "I've known about you all since I was a kid. I just didn't get involved much until lately - I was away for 15 years."
Ashe gives a smile to him, "I have a number of mortals and psychics that I work with in the group I run for the Freehold. I actually encourage you guys to work with us. But so many of our kind turn out to be...I don't know how to word it, holier than thou? I don't get it. We were taken, ripped apart in some cases and made into monsters. How can I be like that to someone who is whole?" she asks in a quiet tone. "Either way, no, I'd never tell you that you can't unless it's absolutely suicidal." she muses. The cigarette is declined with a soft smile and a shake of her head. "And yes, he's going away for a few days with Mina." she confirms. Then she gives a look over to him, listening, "As long as you are being looked after. Should you need anything, don't hesitate to reach out to me if Kip is being stubborn and I'll help. He's...very upset about this. And if a Keeper is involved, I can stand between you guys and them. It's my job." she smiles.
"You're not monsters." Jack says this with adamant conviction, taking a near angry drag off that cigarette. "It's not entirely safe, either. But suicidal? No. I got support. Either or, I'm willing to take the risk - you all don't have to. If you want to help..." He considers this, scratching his stubble as he regards her. "As I said, our plan is to get a message through to her. That's all we can do. None of us plan on trying to go after her - we don't even know where to begin. But maybe, with what we learn, you all can help get her out."
“That’s very kind of you to say, but, you don’t see what’s under the pretty mask. Maybe someday you will. It’s...well...we all look different. So it’s always an experience.” Ashe admits. “And some of us are indeed monsters, Jack. There’s some that would rather walk over a mortal rather than talk to them. When they get to that point, I’ll put a bullet in them.” she nods to this. Then she smiles, “Sorry, bit of a broody moment.” she chuckles. “Would you be adverse to speaking to a Watcher or one of us that specializes in Dreams if Kip and I were with you when it happened? I want you to feel comfortable and not...like you’re being forced or like people are going to snatch you.” she tells him.
"You and me both, then. That's what I mean. A monster is a state of mind, not an appearance," Jack notes seriously, studying her closely. He can't see her mien, that much is obvious. Maybe he'd react differentl if he did - but probably not. He is a man of principles and knows better than to judge a book by its cover. Her request has him considering carefully, again. "I wouldn't mind that. If you can assure me the information gets to someone who will do something useful with it."
Ashe’s lips curl up at the corners, “Thank you, Jack.” she tells him. “And no, I’m far from that mentally. Contrary to popular belief. My clarity is pretty high.” she muses. Then she looks to him, her sunglasses cover her eyes, but her eyebrows are expressive enough and she nods to him, “I assure you it will. I’ve told my people that finding Cerise is our priority at the moment. If we have an active Keeper in the area at the moment then we need to know. And to recover her as quickly as possible.” she admits. “Thank you for meeting with me. I know it’s not always easy trusting people.” she tells him.
“Yes, thanks!” a bat hisses from under her hair, at the nape of her neck.
Soaking up what she says and filing it all away, Jack nods and looks more relaxed. And more trusting. Not that his guard is entirely down, and that's smart of him. He startles at that voice - Goblin and Fairy both react too, the latter ruffling he feathers in some alarm, the former tilting his head and looking at Ashe in surprise. "I... yes, thank you too. For being willing to see me, to hear me out and to NOT tell me I can't do stuff. Cause if you had, I would've left," he says, grinning. He does try to peek at what's in her hair.
“You just had to get a word in.” Ashe looks amused. “This is Uvall. He’s my companion. And yes, he talks. He doesn’t like the light. True to most vampire bats. But he’s friendly.” she tells them. “Sorry for the startle. My hair is long enough he tends to just hang out there while I’m out.” she gives a bit of an apologetic look. “Free will is a big thing most forget we got stripped away during our abductions. I’m not going to tell you that you can’t. Just be safe, Jack.” she smiles. “So we’ll be in touch with things. I’ll contact the dream specialists and see if they can aid us.” she states.
Jack makes an 'aha' sound at that. Like maybe, possibly, he knows about those talking companions. "Handy. Nice to meet you, Uvall," he says, trying his best not to let this weird him out. "Alright, I best get going - I got a few days off work and have a lot to prepare. I'll be in touch, definitely."
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