Log:Custodian Elect Office Hours: May 25 2018

Custodian Elect Office Hours: May 25 2018
"There's no exam?"
Participants Haruki, Ben, Toby, Ashe	2018.05.25 Ashe hosts office hours for the Custodians and Custodian Elect and welcomes some new recruits as well as talks some Autumn business.
Location The Whelan Chronicle
Custodian Elect Office Hours were at the Whelan Chronicle per the usual. This wasn't out of the ordinary. Ashe was in the conference room and there were snacks and drinks set out on the conference table for people that wanted them. She was hoping people showed up! Ashe herself is seated at the head of the table with a laptop open and going over emails. She's not dressed in her full Witch King gear today, but her cowled dress leaves her face unseen. And on top of her head, Uvall, her vampire bat is doing his best impression of a bat bow. How stylish. There a knocking on the door before it opens just halfway as Ben tucks his head inside."May I coming in?" He asks before fully opening the door and heading inside, leaving the door open in case there are others to attend the meeting. Upon seeing he's the first, he hesitates."Am I too early, ma'am?" He asks as he puts both hands into his pockets and waits for clarifications. Toby arrives at the door around the same time as Ben. He's wearing a black shirt today, and his usual jeans. Also sneakers. And tho he shows up a bit after Ben, Toby seems to keep a fair distance away from the big dude who looks like he could chew him up. It's a defensive sorta stance, with an ear close to his head, and the other carefully trained towards the door. Ashe looks up when there's a knock on the open door and there's a wave, "Come on in. No one is early or late. Just people getting here when they get here." the Shadowsoul states. While her face can't be seen, there's a warmth to her tone. "And ma'am isn't necessary. I'm Ashe." she tells them as she stands. Then there's a look towards Toby behind him and there's a nod, "Welcome to the Whelan Chronicle. One of the homes of the Custodians. Come on in you two and have a seat and something to eat if you'd like." she offers. "As you wish." Ben says as he nods just once and heads straight to the table where he takes a seat. The buffet is ignored. At least, for now. When he's properly placed on a chair, he looks at the third Lost in the room. His wicked gaze measures the small man from top to botton before offering a menacing grin. Toby shuffles in, and meets Ben's gaze as he's looked over, and rubs an ear idly. Deciding that staring at the ogre isn't the best use of his time, Toby grabs some snacks and settles down into a chair of his own. "So, uh, hello!" Toby smiles, perking his ears up. "I'm Toby." "Now don't go scaring people, Mister Utridge." Ashe chuckles when Ben grins wickedly. It's not a real reprimand. Just more amused. Then Uvall the bat unbows himself and skitters down her arm to her hand. His red eyes looking at her computer as he hits a key. She scoots the laptop out of the way, "He wants to play fruit ninja." she whispers to them. Then there's a smile to Toby, "It's nice to meet you, Toby. I'm Ashe Whelan." she offers in greeting. "So what can I do for you gentlemen today?" she asks with a friendly tone to her voice. Upon hearing his name coming from the Custodian Elect, Ben turns to pay full attention at her. The comments about the bat wanting to play fruit ninja renders a twist in the far corner of the ogre's lips but nothing else. And when they real meeting apparently starts, the ogre straights himself on his seat and cleans his throat."I recently rejoined the Freehold and heard the Custodians are hiring. I'd like to offer my services." He says. His voice is rigid and precise. Toby oooohs a little towards the bat, and he giggles as it goes and does. "Sorta in the same boat as him." he points an ear towards Ben. "I kinda wanna know more about the Custodians and what they do and stuff, and or how to join." Ashe gives a look to Uvall as he goes to the screen and starts to tap the glass, but then she focuses on the potential new recruits and there's a smile to them, "I'm glad to hear that you're recently returned and interested in joining." she tells Ben. Then there's a look to Toby, "Let me give a bit of an explanation first." she states as she settles back in her chair. "In the end, we are the keepers of secret knowledge. This goes above what we as Autumn Courtiers collect." she states. "And it's easy to see why Autumns would be interested in the subgroup of the freehold. It gives them a chance to work with extra knowledge. Which I encourage." she tells them. "We aren't gossip-mongers. Wewant the meat, and the occult. If a True Fae visits the area, we want to know why, and how, and who, so we can plot out correlations later and prepare. We are the people who will tease and pry out every detail that others can bear to retell to us, for the protection of the Freehold." she explains. She quiets to let them get that down first. Ben doesn't look to have trouble assimilating the bit of information giving, as if it was not a new thing at all. But despite that, he nods discretly to let the speecher know he's following. The bat, for now, is ignored. Toby points an ear towards the bat as he quietly listens and nods along to Ashe. "I see. That sounds pretty neat. It sounds like what Autumn does except somehow both more and less creepy." "Well, it's less creepy until you see the Library and realize we've got dead bodies in there for research." Ashe muses. "Basically there's no tests or gauntlets we make you run for joining. You express interest. We take you as a recruit for a month and make sure you are mentored over that month by one of the mentors within the group, make sure that you have been shown the Library and how to document things within there. At the end of that month we evaluate you and then bring you on fully as Custodians." she tells them. "Fair enough." Ben murmurs to Ashe as he keeps paying attention to her talking. The comment about how creepy the job is doesn't seen to phase him at all. Toby grins, "Like I said, more /and/ less creepy." He giggles, "So, I'm definitely interested in joining." He stretches a little in his chair, keeping one ear still trained on the bat and the other ear trained on Ashe. Ashe's head moves, looking to each of them and there's a nod to this, "If both of you are interested in joining, then we'll go ahead and start your recruitment time for as of today. Since you came out and saw me. It shows initiative." she tells them in a friendly tone. "Also, since you are both Autumn, is there anything you need from me there given I'm also your Magister of Nightmares?" she asks them. Ben listen and that last offering makes his eyes narrow slightly."If it is the proper time to discuss other matters, I'd like to make an official offering to the court and to the Freehold. I'm a Magus of the Gilded Thorn. If anyone within our court, or outside of it, needs a Hedge guide, I can do it." He hesitates for a second."Secondly. I'm a pledgesmith of decent capabilities. I assume that can be offered to the court and to the Freehold too." He says. Toby looks towards Ben, and then purses his lips for a moment, as if deciding something. And then he says, "I myself was taught the art of Token Making relatively recently. Although irony has it that learning that secret took all of my Tokens. I'm not a part of any noble order tho. Aside from that? I don't think I have anything to add or ask. Except, maybe, what's the deal with that bat." He points an ear at the vampire bat. Haruki's heard somehow, through the grapevine that the key to the secret hidden books lies here, with Ashe. And there's a meeting. And here Haruki is because, well... only he's a bit late, and a bit flustered, and does he knock or let himself in? Well knock first. Is he even allowed to be here? He's uncertain about that. Ashe gives a look to Ben and there's a soft 'hmm', "Pledgesmithing is a very good thing indeed. And currently our Ashen Notary position is open for the Court to the Freehold. So that might be something that you look into." she tells him. Then there's a look to Toby, "I'm the Autumn Councilor for the Freehold. So should you need anything, please reach out. I had some time that I was down after my divorce, but I'm back now." she admits. Then she smiles as Uvall toddles over towards Toby, "May I present his eminence, Archduke Uvall. He's my hedge beast companion. Little brother to Archduke Apollyon. Who is my fae mount."she tells him. Then Ashe sees Haruki and she waves, "Haruki! Come on in. Would you like a drink or a snack?" she asks him. Apparently she knows him. "How're you doing?" Uvall chitters at Toby. Haruki beams at Ashe, happy, bright. "It's so good to see you! I'd, um actually I'm okay." And SQUEEE!!! He catches site of both the Archduke Uvall and Toby and SQUEE ADORABLE!!! And he tries his best not to actually voice that because goodness knows how annoying it is but BATS! "How'd you get a fae mount?" he asks curiously. Ben arches a brow as the mention of an open position within the Freehold."That position is of my interest, Ashe. I'd like to discuss it further when you have time for that." He answers her and turns to look at the one by the door. The asian man doesn't receive a smile or a greeting. Instead, Ben glance shifts and lands on the bat that receives a twist on his thin lips. "Hello Uvall! I'm doing alright. How're you?" Toby smiles, offering light scritches. And one of Toby's ears swivels around and faces towards Haruki. A moment or two later Toby looks over towards Haruki, and gives a little ear wave. "Hey there." Toby isn't exactly too sure how to react to the nonverbal squees, so, he doesn't. Not at this point anyway. "We'll discuss it at the next court meeting if you like? I've been trying to get positions filled and well, if someone is qualified I'd just like the rest of them to be able to give their backing as well. It would also give them a visual of you." Ashe nods to that. "And I can let people know you're interested as well. So we'll get working on it." she adds. Then there's a look to Haruki, and even if he can't see her face he can probably sense there's a smile on it, "I went into the hedge with a lasso." she tells him. "Not really and don't try that. Apollyon was injured and I helped him. He's now one of the best things ever." she grins. Uvall, for the most part enjoys the scritches, "I'm fine. Fruit ninja isn't letting me win today. And she wasn't helping me play." he looks accusingly at Ashe. "Hi. I'm Haruki. Are you new? We've not met before." Haruki's words babble out. He's sort of ignoring Ben's very presence because Ben scares him. He keeps away. He beams at Ashe's story. "That's awesome. And was kind of you to help him. I was thinking maybe I could find one? Then I'd maybe one day actually get to see the castle and its meetings. Is it a castle?" "I'm Toby, only joined the freehold a little while ago. Nice to meet you." Toby keeps one hand scritching Uvall while extending one to Haruki. And Toby gives a curious eye to Uvall, "Fruit ninja? How'd she end up with that nickname?" Toby grins just a little. Ben narrows his eyes as suddenly the meeting is trailed off but doesn't say anything regarding that besides giving Ashe a nod of ackownlegdement as he stares at Haruki with his wicked yellow eyes. "Fruit Ninja is a game that I have on the laptop that he likes to play. He's upset because I'm not helping with it right now." Ashe tells Toby. Then there's a look to Haruki, "We can get you out to Stoneheart sometime, yes. Might be easier if you had your own Fae Mount, but still a bit dangerous without escort." she admits. "So what can the Custodians do for you, Haruki?" she asks with a warm tone. Haruki shifts uncomfortably as he's stared at. "I wanted to join. Well Itsy, he really wanted to join, only he's not here. And I am. He was meant to be here. He's the better one at books and reading and knowing things. I'm not sure, can I even join? What does it involve?" Toby ahs towards Ashe, and nods. "I should probably get going for now. I promised I'd only be gone a little while." Toby giggles and pats Uvall. "But before I go, what do I do next as far as joining the custodians goes? Kinda similar to his question." Toby gestures at Haruki Ben leans against the back of his seat and crosses an leg over the other. His hands, folded together, lands over his lap. He's an intimidating and arrogant looking troll, but a classy troll. His gaze leaves Haruki and now is cast on the whole picture. Uvall, Toby and Haruki. Toby's question, though, make the Troll to turn and look at Ashe as he too is interested in the answer. "Well, your recruitment period starts today." Ashe states to all three of them. "If you are joining. We don't have any secret handshakes or anything. I'll get a mentor assigned to you all and get things started for things." she tells them. "Haruki, occult knowledge and general academics are the big things. We're knowledge keepers and recorders. And sometimes we have to retrieve knowledge. I can catch you up." she tells him. "Toby, thank you for coming out and welcome to the Custodians." she states with a warm tone to her voice. Toby gives a little bow, "Thank you for having me. I appreciate it!" Toby smiles, and then he turns, "You guys take care!" And out the door he goes. "Can I have Logan?" Haruki asks. "He's a Custodian? So there's no questions or test or anything? You just say we can and we do? How do we get kicked out? There's got to be rules?" He doesn't seem to believe things are quite so easy. "Or an exam." Ben nods discreetly to the answer given by the Autumn Councilor and when Toby does his farewells, he too stands up."If you excuse me, ma'am, I need to go too. Have a nice evening." He says and offers Ashe a nod. To Haruki, there is only one more intimidating glance before the Troll turns around and heads outside. Ashe gives a nod to Ben, "Be safe in you travels, Ben. And welcome to the Custodians." she tells him. "We'll be seeing you soon." she adds. Then there's a look to Haruki and a chuckle, "Have a seat and let me explain things like I explained them for Ben and Toby." she states to him. "In the end, we are the keepers of secret knowledge." she states. "We aren't gossip-mongers. We want the meat, and the occult. If a True Fae visits the area, we want to know why, and how, and who, so we can plot out correlations later and prepare. We are the people who will tease and pry out every detail that others can bear to retell to us, for the protection of the Freehold." she explains. She quiets to let them get that down first. Ben opens the door and heads back into the main office. Haruki shivers as he's given yet another scary glance by Ben. He keeps pretending Ben's not there though. He takes a seat and nods. He listens. "I'm Vegan." He says of the meat. "So not just all reading books? There's a big part of investigating too? Or do some gather the data and others analyse it?" "Meat is more a meaning that...we want the fill of the topic. Not the bare bones. We want all of it." Ashe chuckles. "But I get what you mean." she muses. "And no, not just all reading books. There's a good amount of investigation and leg work. So it's a mix. A lot of the subgroups come to us if they need knowledge and we provide it to them." she tells him. "And I will ask Logan if he will mentor you, yes." she adds. "I know," Haruki smiles. "I was joking." He beams as she says that. "I know I'd learn most from you, but you must be so busy, and Logan already offered to see about books and things. And he's so perfect." Wait did he say that bit out loud? "I'm getting to join!" And there's joy and excitement. "And I can learn lots of things and help others too! And be useful." "I can help mentor you as well, but, yes, Logan or Garrett would probably be better mentoring you as they have the time that is needed. I wish I had more to devote to mentoring admittedly." Ashe states. "I'm just so happy you're joining. I wish Max was still about. I'm sure she'd love to have others in that were not Changelings as well." she admits. "We really need to let people know that you guys are just as awesome as we are." she points out. "So you are alright with all of this? Feeling alright with a month as a recruit?" she asks. "I don't know Garrett," Haruki admits. "I'm sure we'll meet though. I miss Max. I hope she's ok." He beams. "Thanks. We're not though, not really. No special magical powers and able to be perfect at everything. We're more like the extras than the main stars. But that's ok, not everyone can be heroes, we can still help though." He nods. "I am! It'll be great. Do I need to do anything in the month? Is it a contest to see which of us is best? I can totally beat that scary guy. I will learn the most!" "Garrett used to be my Librarian. He was my right hand. Right now he stepped down to one of our mentors. He's an Autumn and he's...spooky." Ashe admits. "But he's great. Really." she adds. Then there's a look to Haruki and there's a moment she takes to reach up and pull the cowl back from her head, so he can see her face, "Haruki, so many times Changelings try to treat our Ensorcelled, Enchanted, Fae-Touched or Pledge Bound as second class. I just want you to know that it's not like that from me. I want you guys involved with the groups and things." she admits. Then there's a delighted laugh, "No, there's no contest, but if you want to try to beat that scary guy, be my guest." she muses. "Just be attentive to your mentor and I'll check in with them on things. I'm sure you're going to do fantastic." she grins at him. "Thank you," Haruki says. "We're different though. We've not got your skills. It's dangerous being in the hedge. Like what happened to Cerise. Or well any of us who go in. It's wrong to treat us all as the same. But, there's a difference between not being gifted and being second class, I guess." He smiles and nods. "I will beat him! I'll find something awesome that he doesn't find and be useful. Even though I don't have real magic. Do you think the fires were set by magic? They seemed odd and off, it had been raining, it's all wet out, or was, and then these fires took hold. It didn't seem normal or right. Not in Vermont where we're a super long wet winter." "I know we are." Ashe tells him. "But it doesn't mean we are better than you." she chuckles. "And it's why being in the Custodians is sometimes a good thing. While the Library is in the hedge, meetings are mainly held here and when we go to the Library for meetings one of us will escort you." she tells him. Then there's a thoughtful look, "I'm not sure if they were or not really. I guess it bares further investigating though." she admits. "If you want to look into that. That would be fine by me." she adds. "I'm not good in the hedge," Haruki admits. "It does things to my brain. Like, being drunk. I do want to see the library though." He nods. "I'll see what I can find out. Hopefully there won't be anymore fires." And then he asks. "Are you ok?" Ashe gives him a nod, "It's funny on mortals. So we'll try to see if we can find something to overcome the effects. Some hedgefruit or something." she tells him. "We'll get you out to the library soon. It's where our next meeting is. I'll even take you for a ride on Apollyon." she states. Then she offers a smile, "I'm doing better than I have been. Just...Winter was rough. Spring brings new life and new beginnings. So focusing on the new and not the old." she admits. Haruki's eyes light up at the mention of hedgefruit. "I love hedgefruit!" And then there's an even better offer. "I'd love that so much! What does he like? I'll need to bring him gifts. What does he eat? Should I get Uvall something too so he doesn't get jealous?" He nods at Ashe. "If, well if you ever want to drop by and just chill out and watch movies, me and my brother are staying out on Nathania's land and you're always welcome to." "Apollyon eats..dead meat. So...probably won't be something you're going to be comfortable with. Uvall likes anything really. As long as it's not fish." Ashe chuckles. "You don't have to get the boys anything but attention really. They love that. But, Apollyon is pretty large and a bit terrifying. So he's a bit to get used to, but a gentle guy unless you're trying to stab me." she admits. Then there's a smile, "Thank you, it's appreciated. I've actually got a date for dinner so I should pack up here in a few and get going." she tells him with a laugh. "Oh, enjoy your date," Haruki says. "And thanks. For well everything."