Difference between revisions of "Log:Summer Meeting March 2017"

23 March, 2017

The Summer Court gathers to meet each other and talk about the current Soundless issue.

Stoneheart - Summer Court

The cave system that Summer has claimed is large and, while there's plenty of open space further back, the meeting is apparently closer to the entrance where actual furniture is. Someone has brought a cooler of beer, hard cider, water and a couple of bottles of the harder stuff. (No mixers though, sorry!)

Paige is already there, and probably is the owner of that cooler. She's plopped down on a chair, and is sitting cross-legged while she waits for people. Well, waits and happily sips on a beer.

Into the caves comes the large, behorned, bewinged figure of Cobalt, looking for all the world like some heavy metal cover art demon as he strides his way inside, large black sword strapped to his back. He heads straight for a bottle of the harder stuff, claws folding around a bottle -- whiskey, whatever's closest -- and drops down into the biggest chair he can find like it's his own personal throne. After a long swig off the bottle, he sniffs in Paige's direction. "Yo. Cobalt Rasender. Who're you?" His voice is a low, irritated rumble, though he's got naturally good tone the way many singers do.

Hannah isn't much later than Cobalt, precluded by her peculiar icy hot mantle. She lifts her chin in greeting to the others, and she's not too far behind the demon in order to pick up a hard cider. Sure, she likes beer - but if she has a choice? Especially if it's a Powell cider. She doesn't particularly care where she sits. Her awesome is evident when she's off her ass.

There is always a strong attempt to be on time, too early is rude, too late is rude as well. So Tai has made an effort to arrive as close to the meeting time as possible. She's dressed casually, the clothes at odds with the eye-catching nature of her hair and feathers, a quiet zen-like calm clings to her as side enters the main cavern.

The cider doesn't seem to be Powell cider, but a larger chain. Alas. Paige cocks her head at Cobalt, brows lifting a little. "Paige," she says with a quick smile before she takes a drink of her beer. She gives a smile to the other two. "Hi. I'm Paige. Grab a drink, get comfy. I'm hoping some others are gonna show up, but it may just be us."

"Paige." Cobalt raises an eyebrow, like he was expecting more. His eyes trail to the new arrivals -- Tai, who he's seen around but doesn't know, and Hannah, whom he knows very slightly better. "Evening, ladies." He stretches out his long legs, crossing them at the ankles, like he's in his own personal Laz-E-Boy at home and not gathering in a cavern for some Summer business. "Just me, huh? No other guys?" He closes his eyes for a moment, a satisfied, feline smile coming to his face.

Hannah outright snickers at Cobalt in amusement. "I don't think it counts unless you're carrying an axe and we're draped around your legs, Cobalt." Seems she knows him, at least passingly.

"Chen Tai." Tai introduces herself, pausing to offer those gathered a bow before she straightens, glancing around before she finds herself a place to sit. The offer of a drink is greeted with a smile, but she doesn't take anything at the moment.

"For now, yeah," Paige tells Cobalt with a quick grin. "Though that's not always a good thing," she points out. "And nice to meet you, Chen." Yeah, she just goes with the first name given. Probably doesn't know better. "How's everyone doing?"

Hannah says, "How ya doing?" Hannah asks of Chen Tai affably, adding, "I'm Hannah. Cheers." She lifts her bottle up in a salute before taking a swig."

That's Cobalt's cue to slide the long, black sword off his back, grinning at Hannah as he shows it to Hannah, fangs showing. "I got a sword. Feel free to drape around my legs, there's plenty of room." He actually rests the sword in his lap rather than putting it back on his back, raising the bottle at Tai in greeting as he takes another long drink. "I'll be better once this meeting is over. What the hell's this about, anyway?" Another raised eyebrow from the demon. "Shooting the shit?"

"Tai, please." Tai corrects Paige with a bit of a smile, "Chen is my family name." She offers by way of explanation before she crosses her legs, hands folding carefully in her lap. She glances at Cobalt, her head tilting momentarily before she ventures, "I believe it is simply a...ah....social gathering."

"Nice to meetcha, Hannah," Paige offers with another grin to the woman before Tai corrects her. "Oops," she says, smiling sheepishly. "Sorry. Tai then. And mostly social, yeah. I mean, no reason we can't all get to know each other. Easier to work with people if you know 'em. And since we're Summers and prone to, you know, /fighting/..." She trails off and shrugs, the grin returning.

"Likewise." Hannah says, and wrinkles her nose at Cobalt. "I require wining and dining, or at least getting knocked on my ass before I drape myself on some dude like a Bond Girl." She looks to Tai. "Sorry," she says, "What brought you to Vermont?"

"Alright. Fine," Cobalt says to Paige, continuing to drink steadily. Eventually, he finds a cigarette -- armor with pockets is grand! -- and lights that up with a match off his boot. Somehow a drinking, smoking demon with a sword in his lap looks even /more/ like metal cover art. "Then we'll get to know each other." The snarky Hannah produces a snort from the musician. "Hey, babe, it was your suggestion to begin with."

"When I finally escaped, I ended up in this area....and since going home was no longer an option, neither was going back to my studies, I remained in this area." Tai replies with a very slight twitch to her shoulders, "It seems as good as a place as any other to me."

Paige looks amused as she watches Cobalt and Hannah, shifting around a little so her legs can drape over the arm of the chair. "You guys are funny. And this is a good place, Tai. I was born here. Was happy to come back after I got out." She takes another sip of beer before she says, "On the getting to know thing...I've got a bar, Cyclone? Back room's just for us. Not like, Summer us, but Lost us."

"I own FroZone. The ice rink?" In case they can't figure it out from the name. Hannah snorts at Cobalt before continuing, "No Lost only areas, but I'm not beyond scheduling private parties."

Cobalt sits on the biggest chair in here. Totally throning it. He's stretched out, long legs crossed at the ankles, smoking, swigging whiskey, with his black sword splayed across his lap for some reason. "Don't listen to her," he tells Tai. "It's boring as shit around here." Paige mentions the back room at Cyclone, though, and he looks vaguely interested. "What, for meetings or whatever?" Then to Hannah, "We have a party there, we're gonna melt all your fucking ice. I hope you got good insurance." He drinks and shrugs a shoulder. "I don't have a place. I have a fucking band. If I choose to play in this two-bit down, you can all come and reap a shitload of angry Glamour, on me." Mighty generous for the likes of Cobalt, or so he thinks.

"It seems very nice." Tai offers, and while there is some mild hesitation there, she does sound like she truly feels the town is nice. "I work for Hazel, at Crossroads. I wait tables there." She thinks for a moment, "I believe there is a back room there, for Lost, but I'm not certain. You would have to ask her."

In steps AJ! Late, but not without gifts! She got a canvas grocery tote hanging from her shoulder, and it's full. "Hey guys!" she calls, as she enters. "Sorry, had to wait for someone to come in and cover my shift and shit..." she pauses, to check who all is there. AJ's dressed tonight is a baja jacket and tight black jeans. No long board, but she'd look like she should have one! This is totally Vermont-in-March wear, right?

Paige shrugs at Cobalt. "Meetings, or just like, if you want to get together with some other Lost and have a drink or whatever without worrying about humans overhearing." She grins. "And if any of you guys need a job...I'm always looking for people to work there. And I'd love to have a bartender or waitress who's a Lost." She looks over when AJ arrives and she grins. "Hey AJ, you slackass," she calls playfully. "What's in the bag, though?"

Hannah points out to Cobalt, "The ice is chemically maintained, and there's a measure of distance between when you're on skates. It would be fine as long as nobody's outright throwing fireballs." She blinks a bit at Paige, and then replies mildly, "I'm good, thanks."

"Oh, Hazel." Cobalt nods thoughtfully in Tai's direction. "My woman just got a job at Crossroads. Baking. Her name's Ting. You see her, you treat her right, okay? I'll tell her about you." He looks up when AJ arrives and rolls his eyes. "If it isn't Little Miss Foxface. You better've brought more booze." He brought exactly nothing. He is a hypocrite.

"I have met her." Tai replies, her brows furrowing just a moment at Cobalt, studying him for a moment before she glances over at AJ, "Hello, AJ." She offers, then goes back to watching the others, head slightly tilted to the side.

"I have brought..." AJ says, as she walks over. She heads straight for Tai, then leans down and kisses the woman's cheek, with a big 'mwah!'. She straightens. "Extra chewy double chocolate cookies. Chocolate chip muffins. And chocolate with frudge frosting cupcakes," she declares, pulling one bakery box out after the other, and setting it out. "Along with..." And out comes a big bottle. "A growler of I Feel Hoppy Chocolate Porter," she says, and then she turns to look at Paige, and smiles bright. "WHat'd I miss?"

Paige perks up, visibly, when cookies are mentioned. "Chocolate? Gimme!" she says, setting her beer in her lap so she can make grabby hands. "And not much really. We're just sorta getting to know each other right now. And I was shooting for employees, but alas, no bites," she says, grinning.

Hannah eyes the collection of chocolate like they're her worst enemy, but then with a shrug, "Why not. Thanks." She rises from her seat to walk over and take a cupcake, offering AJ a sudden flash of a smile. "Not sure how well we're getting to know each other, but it's better than not trying."

Cobalt's bright green eyes widen in greed at AJ's neverending array of treats. Rather than thanking her, he reaches over to try and spear a cupcake onto one large claw. "This doesn't redeem you," he lets AJ know, and unless something gets in the way, the cake slides nicely onto his claw. He swipes it away, towards his mouth, taking a huge bite. "Maybe we should talk about some fucking business or something. How about that Soundless shit?" Another cigarette is lit off his current one, which he flicks away to the floor because apparently no one ever told him to keep his Court clean.

Tai accepts the kiss on the cheek, offering AJ a bit of a quick smile before she looks at all the chocolate on offer. She doesn't leap up in excitement, but she does track the box with the muffins. "Might I have one?"

Soon is Paige is in striking distance, AJ leans in and puts a big kiss on her cheek. It's followed by a brief whisper, and a grin. She draws back, then looks over to Hannah. "I'm trying to fatten Paige up," she explains. "Because a short round ogre would amuse me," she says, with a bright smile. Then she looks over to Cobalt. "Uh, okay, so, one," she says, and holds up a finger. "I certainly do not need redemption," she says. Then a second finger goes up. "I don't need it from a demon," she says, adding to her list. Then a third finger. "I am very good at lists." She then looks back to Tai. "Go for it, babe! Dig in."

Paige accepts the kiss, but gives a sad look when she's not given something sweet and fattening. "Hey! No fattening me up! I gotta keep my girlish figure!" Another drink of beer is taken. "But yeah, business isn't a bad thing. I know we need to get a little more organized as a court. Kinda wish our counciler had made it, but with the shit with Soundless going on..." She trails off and shrugs before looking to AJ. "Why don't you tell 'em about meeting Marty?"

"Somebody start at the beginning." Hannah says in exasperation, "And when you come to the end, stop."

"Oh, I could redeem you, alright." Cobalt manages to make these fairly ordinary words sound absolutely filthy as he licks chocolate from each claw, regarding AJ with a mischievous side-eye before his gaze slides over to Paige. Then right back to AJ, though less sultry this time. "Yeah. Who the fuck is Marty?"

Tai moves forward to get herself one of the muffins, which she takes exactly half of, leaving the other half in the box for someone else. Then she resumes her seat, letting her attention shift towards AJ, looking curious about the answers to the questions.

"Yeah, okay, sure," AJ says, as she turns the cap to the growler, then turns off to fetch whatever cups are being used for the keg. She turns back around, towards the others, and chooses to sit her rear on a table, rather than a chair. She pours herself a cup of good black stuff. Once she's settled, she looks to Cobalt, and scrunches up her nose. "Gross," she says, and even sticks her tongue out, to sell the gag.

AJ takes a swig of beer, then gestures for no real reason other than to gesture. Her attention sweeps across the gathering, then lands on Hannah. She's be the lucky recipient of the fox's unsettling gaze. AJ tends to stare through people, or at people like she wants to eat them. "So, there's this guy named Marty. He's a Summer, a knight, and he has this woman - I haven't met her - name Samantha with him. The pair of them come from a Freehold called 'The Soundless'. They're in some town twenty miles down the road," she says, with a vague wave. She pauses for another sip. "Now, the two of them show up and basically say... hey. This is our territory. It's been our territory for a long, long time, and you all are invaders and thieves," she says. "And by 'say' I mean, I met this guy. Biiiiiig ogre. Like, probably as tall as Coby but twice as wide?" she says, her eyes going big. "Brown skin. Tusks. Little bit orc-looking, honestly."

AJ pauses once more. "So, this guy first tries to pitch it to us like we're thieves. You are stealing grr grr grr. Called me a thief!" AJ says, then presses fingertips to her chest. "Me! Can you believe that? Racist," she huffs out. "Anyways, then he goes on about how there's something evil here, and we can't be here or else it'll like... wake up and be awful. Which, we knew there was danger here its why we formed a Freehold!" she huffs out. "So, anyways. That's Marty. Trying to say we're thieves and he's protecting us all at once."

Paige arches a brow at hannah, then Cobalt, and just gestures toward AJ, and lets AJ tell her story. One she's apparently heard already, because she watches the trio of less familiar faces while it's told. For a moment anyway. She can't help but slip out of her chair and move over to snag a few cookies, and she bites into one before she makes it back to her seat.

Hannah is quite content to stare right back at AJ. "Right." she says. "If they really wanted us out, they'd bring more Lost to bear to try and push us out. So instead, they're gonna have us be their canaries in the coal mine." She takes a bite of her cupcake, making a happy sound.

Cobalt continues his consumptive activities -- a bite of this, a smoke of that, a swig of this -- as AJ talks, but he's concentrating intently on what she says, dark brow knit over his glowing eyes. He leans forward in his seat (we'll say he put his sword back on his back at some point), putting the bottle down for long enough to intertwine his fingers and claws. A thinking gesture. "How very fucking noble of Marty," he snorts. "So -- what? He called you, us, invaders. They declaring war? Or was this some kind of warning?" His gaze moves over to Hannah and he nods, making a grim expression. "Yeah...you're probably right. Shit. That pisses me off."

Tai's brows furrow just a bit before she shakes her head, "I'm not certain that I would agree that they are having us be...canaries. If that were the case, why would they have made threats, or even warnings? If I were them, and that were my goal, I would simply wait, and watch. Perhaps even send someone to infiltrate the Freehold in some capacity. No...it sounds more like they want something here, and were trying to scare us away."

"Well, honestly?" AJ asks, and lifts up her free hand, palm skyward. "I think he was here to attempt diplomacy. Like, legit. I think he wants to... fix this. I don't think he knows how, but I don't think he came here to declare war. I just..." She huffs. "Who sends a giant ornery summer ogre as a diplomat?" she asks. A frown tugs at her lips. "Unless they are just way fucking militant. Maybe Summer has control? Maybe the voices of violence have all the say? You know, like, military guys think military guys do everything best." Her attention sweeps to Tai. "I don't... know that they want that either. I..." She huffs. "It doesn't make sense," she declares. Then grabs a cookie and takes a big bite.

"The might be here to attempt diplomacy...or they might be here to watch and be scouts," Paige says, shrugging a little. "Either way, I agree with our queen that we should definitely be careful what information we give 'em. And definitely do what we can to figure out what in the hell this big bad is."

"We should go," Cobalt says suddenly. He leans back in his seat, folding his armored arms across his broad chest. "We should fucking go there and see for ourselves. Infiltrate that shit. If they can have scouts, I don't see why we can't." He leans forward again, suddenly grabbing for a cookie like it's done him a personal affront, and takes a savage bite of the thing.

"Could be a combination of all of the above." Hannah notes with a practical air. She looks over at the others. "Byron could probably come up with a plan."

"It could be none of those things." Tai adds, shaking her head a moment, "We lack enough information to truly make a decision on what they might be up to. But I agree that providing them with limited to no information might be the safest course."

"I'm already working on it," AJ says, to Cobalt, with a mouth full of cookie. She swallows, then lifts her beer and swigs some down, to wash down all that cookie mush that is filling her mouth. "And, uh, to be perfectly honest, you are as subtle as a fucking wrecking ball. So, how about not you?" she offers, following it with a sweet smile. "We need sneaks. Preferably not just fucking Winter sneaks. So, obviously, I'm trying to see what I can see. If any of you believe you're honest to god capable of hiding yourself, not getting caught, being able to lie your way out and escape otherwise...?" she looks to the others. Not the demonic chimney. Which, speaking of, "Cobalt, could you please not smoke in here?" <Pose Order> It is your turn to pose.

"I'm sure Byron could, but so can we," Paige points out, before grinning. "We're not exactly dumb. And yeah, it could, and probably is, a mix of all of these above." Another big bite of cookie is taken. "Right now I'd say if any of us see the people from Soundless, just try to talk to them. Get to know them, see if they bring any of this up, and if they share anything new or you learn something that could be important, just poke someone else and share. Us, heads of the different groups, stuff like that."

"We can come up with a plan." Cobalt frowns at Hannah. His frown is a thunderous thing. "What do we need Byron for? Hell, I'll go there myself, I don't give a fuck." He gets like this. One might call it enthusiastic. One could also call it insane. "And fuck you, AJ. You don't know me as well as you think you do. I'm totally capable of being a sneak." The demonic chimney scowls at her, snorting smoke out his nostrils in a billowing cloud. "I don't see a sign. Is it bugging the rest of you?"

Tai shakes her head at AJ, "I'm a terrible liar and sneak." At least she knows her limitations, "You wish to know military tactics based on Chinese history, or tea ceremonies, I can aid there." She glances at Cobalt, then shrugs faintly, "I'm not a fan, but I will survive if others are fine with it."

Hannah just shrugs, and goes back to eating cupcakes.

AJ shoves the rest of her cookie into her big mouth while the others talk. Chew chew, swallow. Swig of beer. Then she glass is set down, and she slips off the table, and starts forward. Directly to Cobalt. "Are you?" she asks the man. "You can hide who you are, you can lie, you can move without leaving tracks, you can turn fucking invisible?" she asks, staring at the man in his big chair, hands on her hips. "And it's bugging everyone. It's 2017, we don't want our clothes smelling like shit and lung cancer is a thing even for us."

"Not everyone's a great liar, and that's not a bad thing," Paige tells Tai with a smile. "And I'd love to see a tea ceremony sometime. Never done that. Not much of a tea person, but I'd give it a go!" she says cheerfully. "But yeah, like I said, why don't we just all keep an eye out for them and learn what we can, share with each other? Making a plan, no matter who makes it, is better served with more information."

Hannah shrugs again. Mmm, chocolate. The back-and-forth between Cobalt and AJ seems entertaining, and she unbashedly watches from over the rim of her cider bottle.

Cobalt takes a pointedly defiant drag this time, growling low, the smoke seeping out from between them. At least he didn't blow it in AJ's face. Then he gets to his feet, the better to tower over her as they stare at each other. "As it so happens, AJ, I'm one of the best liars I know. Besides." An arrogant uptilt of his chin, now. "There's all different ways of hiding yourself. Of being sneaky. You can hide in plain fucking sight. There's an art to that. Ask her." He jerks his head at Tai, who just offered to teach military tactics based on Chinese history. Meanwhile, he hasn't extinguished his cigarette.

"If you would like, I can show you." Tai agrees, nodding slowly to Paige before her attention seems to slide back towards AJ and Cobalt, the discussion between them seems to be catching the majority of her attention for the moment. When Cobalt mentions hiding in plain sight she hesitates a moment before nodding, "It is true...yes, that you can hide in plain sight."

"Are either of you considering joining the Harvestmen?" Hannah asks, and the focus of her query seem to be Tai and Cobalt, considering the other two are on the roster.

"You're a fucking rock star!" AJ says, making a wild gesture up towards the man. "You do not hide fucking anywhere! In plain sight or otherwise!" she says. She is, of course, not intimidated by the man towering over her. Most people tower over her. "You're not being serious right now, are you?" she asks, narrowing her eyes at the man.

"Sun Tzu, hmm?" Cobalt stares knowingly at Tai now, before his gaze falls back on AJ. "He detailed five different types of spies." He starts counting them on his claws. "Local spies. Inward spies. Converted spies. Doomed spies. Surviving spies. If we /really/ want to understand the Soundless, to infiltrate them, it will take more than just sneaking around being invisible. It'll take work. Diplomacy. Knowledge. And iron fucking will." His arms fold across his chest again, cigarette left dangling from his lips, though his eyes move back to Hannah at her question. "I've considered it." But then he's looking at the foxgirl before him again. "Exactly, AJ. I'm a fucking rock star. That means I can dazzle. I can flatter. I can impress. And no one knows where my loyalties lie."

Paige breaks off a piece of cookie as she studies AJ and Cobalt, then she throws that piece at them. It may not hit them, but she's grinning regardless. "Stop arguing. You're both right, and you can both get information." She looks over to Tai and smiles. "That'll be awesome. Thanks!"

"Chapter Thirteen." Tai offers, since, well, she is actually familiar with the text. Then she shakes her head at Hannah, "I had not considered it one way or the other, to be honest." Paige gets a nod, then she holds up a hand, evidently begging for a moment, "Your fame can be seen as a smoke screen, who would suspect someone so famous, a rock star, or doing any sort of infiltration. But it is a dangerous gamble, as well. If they are...suspicious of everyone, they may still not relax around someone that is too obviously non-threatening."

Hannah looks over at Paige. "Don't disrupt the entertainment. Someone may throw a punch!" She sounds a little eager at the prospect, waving her cupcake at the pair. "Go on, hash this out."

"That's... oh... my God!" AJ exclaims. "You just said hiding in plain sight, now you're talking about dazzle?" she asks, her eyes going wide now. She looks back to Paige, then rolls her eyes. "We can't both be right about blending in and infiltrating! Either you can or you cannot, and fucking dazzling them with your fame-" she's back looking at Cobalt. "Is not the fucking same as blending in and infiltrating! I got a fucking feeling people know Cobalt fucking Resender the goooorgeous bassist of Admired or whatever the fuck your bad is called-" Yes, she's pretending she doesn't know "-is living in from Fort Brunsett, Vermont!" she says. "If you want to go there and talk to them, that's fine, but don't call it fucking infiltrating! You don't blend in!" she insists.

"You can. Maybe not the wording, but the meaning behind it, sure," Paige says, shaking her head and watching the pair still. She doesn't get up, and other than half-hearted words and the piece of cookie thrown, she's not really trying to break them up. She cocks her head then, studying them more intently. "I can't decide if you guys are flirting or just really don't like each other," she muses, more to herself than to them.

Cobalt has started to pace a little, in his spot. Back and forth, back and forth. It's quite reminiscent of a large cat kept in a cage. Weirdly, though, he seems to get calmer the more worked up AJ gets. Usually he's the one in a tizzy while other people rile /him/ up. But not always. "AJ," he says, very patiently, "listen to your friend." By which he means Tai. "They can know everything about me. That's the whole damn point. And just because I'm living here doesn't mean I'm a loyal member of this Freehold, does it? How do /you/ know I'm not just a spy for the Soundless?" His eyebrows climb as he finally stops pacing. Paige gets a long stare, a half-smirk, and a beleaguered shake of his head.

Tai glances towards Hannah, her head tilting momentarily before she looks back towards AJ and Cobalt, "Having the knowledge of who he is, in this instance, is the cover. No stories to keep straight, no fear they will discover that his name is not Bob, and he is not truly a ...fisherman or whatever the case may be. It is striking from a position of visibility due to the truth obfuscating the lie. It is a sound tactic....if one is willing to risk the fact they may still see through it."

AJ is definitely getting worked up. But not angry, not exactly. She's baffled. "Oh my fucking God, did you all vote for Trump?!" AJ blurts, looking back over. She fixes a gaze on Paige, then on Tai, then finally back to Cobalt. "Look, I am not saying don't go. Well, I am saying that, yes. But that's not my point. My point is, don't fucking go and pretend you're a sneak, Cobalt!" she huffs out. "You'll end up fucking dead or worse," she says. Then her head goes back, and she stares up at the ceiling, as she holds up a clench fix and shakes it. "OH MY GOD!" she yells. "You fucking took a pledge! You wouldn't be in the Freehold if you didn't! And they know that,' she yells. Okay, maybe angry.

"And I'm not saying he can go in and expect them not to recognize him," Paige says, shaking her head. "But he might get something out of someone we can't /because/ he's well known. And the rest of us can be more...traditionally sneaky. Like I said, you're not wrong," she points out. "But like, even a well known person can be sneaky in conversation. Let things 'accidentally' slip or hold back enough to try to draw information out of someone else. Like that."

"I have a rep," Cobalt says, flicking his cigarette away. Oh, look, he stopped smoking! "I know what it is. Other people might, too. There's nothing to say I might not be willing to risk my life to be a complete and utter bastard." He shrugs, reaching for the other half of the muffin Tai left there before, then talking with his mouthful. Nodding vigorously as he licks his fingers and claws off. "See? Paige gets it. Your friends are smart. Why can't you be?"

"I don't have a legal identity, so I could not vote. But no...why would I have voted for Trump?" Tai actually looks offended by the mere idea that she'd have voted for the man. She then shakes her head, "It is not sneaky...it is deception on a different level than sneaking in." She gets to her feet, setting aside her untouched muffin to reach for AJ, resting her hand on her shoulder, "The fact is...it is not a bad plan. As Sun Tzu tells us, the point is to have all five different styles of spies working in tandem, not simply one over another. It is the key."

"That's gross." That's all Hannah has to say about voting for Trump. She also doesn't seem inclined to offer input to the current conversation. Stealth? She can be good at it if she wanted to be. "Subterfuge and stealth aren't the same thing." Okay, she may be inclined. "Regardless, people are gonna try in all the ways they think will work." Not really committing to her interjection, she's waiting to see if things will escalate.

"Because you're saying dumb things," AJ says, to Tai, squinting at the woman that's now beside her. She looks no less annoyed. She takes a gulp, then turn turns to look at Hannah, and point. "That. Fucking thank you. I asked if any of you were good at hiding," she says. "Yes, Cobalt could march his ass up into Soundless land and yes, maybe he charms the pants off some guy and suddenly he's letting secrets go during pillow talk, but that's a lot different. And that? Is the kinda shit that the Queen's going to want to know about, and coordinate," she says. Finally her attention is focused on Cobalt. "Please do not go there. Not without a much better plan than 'I'm a rockstar'. I really do not want you to die," she says. And she means it! "Pluse I really don't want Summer to look like the fuck ups that prematurely fucked up some big deal situation."

Cobalt snatches up a cookie, then falls back in his chair again with a satisfied smile. "Tai is right again. And if we have all five varieties of spies at work, we will really be in business." An approving nod is given to Hannah, to, for more or less agreeing with him. He'd like to think it's more. Unlike AJ. A huge bite of the cookie is taken as he adds, "Oh, by the way, I voted for Trump." But it must only go so far, because he doesn't praise him or say anything else remotely political. He's just smirking. Then he's listening to AJ, head tilted, expression mild. "Aww, you fucking care. I'm touched. Stop splitting hairs, little fox. My only point was that there's different kinds of hiding, and I wanna do one of them. Because I'm fucking curious about these Soundless." And you know what they say about curiosity and cats.

Tai's brows lift momentarily at AJ, her hand dropping from her shoulder before she takes a step away, brushing invisible crumbs off her jeans. She takes a moment to fuss before pointing out, calmly and quietly, "Stealth and hiding are not one in the same, nor is subterfuge. They are three skills that can be combined, or used alone." She then folds her hands together behind her, turning on her heel to start roaming around the cavern, back to the others.

Paige's lips twitch a little, shaking her head. "Like I said. Wording is all. But I do agree with AJ. Be smart, don't go to Soundless. If someone needs to go there, let it be someone who can blend. Someone who, if seen, people'l scratch their heads and think they've been there for ages. That sorta person."

Okay, that earns Cobalt a cookie being flung at him from the vicinity of Hannah.

"Fine, then you two," AJ says, waving a hand at the departing form of Tai, then to Cobalt. "Can go present your five-fucking-spies shit to the Custodians and the Waykeepers and the Crown and explain to them why you're better at their job than they are. That sounds fun," she huffs that out. "Meanwhile, I will take it that no, none of you are actually good at being stealthy?" she asks, doing a quick sweep around the room once more.

Cobalt hoists himself up to his feet with a big sigh. "Yeah. Maybe I will." He scoops up the bottle from earlier. "Well, it's been real, but I got somewhere more important to be. We'll continue this later." He points at AJ like he's some kind of father not done chiding a daughter. At least he doesn't call her 'young lady' or something. "Don't you all make any important decisions without me. I'll know." And with that, glugging from the bottle, he turns on his heels and exits through the cavern opening.

"Sun Tzu's five spies. Not mine." Tai points out, pausing in her exploration to look back at AJ, "Nor did I ever say that I was better at anything than anyone. I believe I, in fact, said that I was not good at certain things. I did not even bring up the subject of a military book dating back to the 5th century BC, which, I might add, is still currently used for training military personnel across the world. So the validity of the teachings remains."

Paige watches Cobalt walk out before she looks back to the others. "I don't think anyone should go to Soundless right now, to be honest. I just think we should gather information from the members who are here, as discreetly and safely as possible. And make sure that information gets to the right people. The Council. The crown, if it's important enough. People like that."

"Well, I'm not going anywhere. Not my gig." Hannah says bluntly, and then rises to her feet. "AJ, thanks for the cupcake. Even if I'm going to need an extra hour of cardio, it'll be worth it." She looks to the others. "Paige. Tai. Swing by the rink if you're ever inclined. You too, AJ." With that, the chilly Fairest makes her own departure as well.

"Whatever it was, Tai," AJ says, turning to fix her gaze back on the colorful woman. "It encouraged him. And the last thing he needs is encouragement. Now he's going to go in and play like he's willing to leave Fate's Harvest?" she asks, then a slow shake of her head. She then swings her gaze back to Hannah. "Hey, you wanna run some time? Call me!" she says, with a smile. Finally it's back to Paige. "I'm pitching my idea. And I'm going, unless they tell me no," she says. Insistent thing she is!

"I also said we didn't have enough information, which should imply that I believe in preparedness, not...running in." Tai shakes her head at AJ, "I did not encourage him, either. I simply explained. He already knew the book, you know."

"Your idea? To go?" Paige asks, brow furrowing lightly. Then, "Hey! You didn't ask me to run with you!" Another piece of cookie gets thrown. A tiny piece. Almost miniscule. It's a crime to waste cookie, after all. "But yeah, let's gather info. Safely. We may not /need/ to go to Soundless to find out what we need to know."

AJ just turns to look at Tai, and squints, and then huffs. "Guess not. What does the fox know," AJ says, with another huff. Then she turns to look at Paige. "You didn't ask me!" she counters. And then another huff. "Whatever! Do you wanna go now?" she asks. "You know. Run. Or not run. Just wanna get out of here, I'm all fucking worked up now," she grumbles.

"It was nice to meet you." Tai bows to Paige, then she glances momentarily at AJ, studying her for a moment. Then she begins to make her way towards the exit, her hands tucking into her pockets.

"Nice to meet you, too! I'm looking forward to that tea ceremony," Paige calls to the departing Tai, waving. She looks to AJ then, head cocking. "Yeah, let's go for a run. Might help burn some of that anger off. And staying in shape is /always/ good. Especially when you may have to fight monsters," she says, getting to her feet. She moves to the cooler, grabbing a couple of bottles of water, tossing one toward AJ.

"It's because I want to go blaze and drink and not because I don't like you, Tai!" AJ blurts, at the woman's departing figure. "Promise! I'll call you!" she says. Then she turns back to Paige, and catches that bottle of water, just barely. "What! I didn't... eugh. Whatever, fine, we can go for a run! And then fucking smoke."

Paige grins at AJ. "Hey, you said let's run. I'm just accomodating you. Besides, I like going for runs. And yes, we can smoke after. And you'll feel better after a run. your muscles will be all lose and warm, you'll have worked off the anger and you'll be more relaxed. It'll be good." Good god, is she actually one of those people who /likes/ exercise?