Hedge your bets [D3, LM]

[Samantha Hayne]

Samantha was... not yet... in the hedge. But she *was* on her way to the downtown trod that would gain her access. The one she'd found that day when dealing with Rebecca's ghost. She carried an old backpack with her, and seemed to be walking with purpose. She was relatively easy to spot; she was not making any effort to hide her presence right now... which if she'd realize it, would seem to be an oversight.

[Jonathan Whitford]

He was holding a bag and a cup of coffee as he arrived in the area. Entering the leaving the Hedge felt akin to coming and returning home, if home was a place he didn't really want to be in. Still, he closed most of his shop today so he could do this task...which ended up being done a lot faster than he anticipated. Which also did leave time to offer his payment for the apple...although he was still decided what form that would take.

And right on cue, the first of his tasks was before him. The little doll had scurried up from her hidey hole and back onto the streets. Without further delay, he had made his way over to her and nodded his head. "Bonjour, Samantha."

He think he said that right."Ca va?" Maybe not that. That sounded a bit off on the accent.

[Samantha Hayne]

She had seen him coming, of course. A momentary implantation of paranoia came attached with the observation. After all, what if he was one of *them*? A question every changeling probably asked themselves more than once a day. But he was Autumn. He could be trusted. To an extent.

"Oui," she answered him, "ça va."

A pause.

"Though... well, never mind. I have little time for talk, de king has me sent on an errand."

[Jonathan Whitford]

He's been getting a lot of of those. Apparently may have one to do himself in a time. Just as well. "Assuming nothing too difficult. I saw him just last morning, actually. He gave me the approval for the idea and some leads to follow, when you have the chance. Speaking of which..." He motions to the bag. "Your gift, as promised. I spent the earlier part of the morning making it for you. It's nothing...our court would think is all that great, but I figured you could at least appreciate it.

Inside contained the 'flowers' he had made earlier. "Don't suppose you need the help on your errand? I've taken the day off to...settle some things. I can always spare time for one in the court, though."

[Samantha Hayne]

"I shall assume it is a most worthy gift," she said, looking toward the bag. "Perhaps I shall receive it after the errand. I must speak with one of de goblins and retrieve a ting. You may come, if you wish it so."

[Jonathan Whitford]

If he were one to boast about his craft, he would have gone on about its details and design, its radiance and colors, but he always let his work speak for itself. "Indeed, it sounds as if you have other things to do. I'll just bring this along for now so we don't lose it."

He nodded as she mentioned the goblins. "You're in luck, then. I happen to have a pretty decent relationship with the hobs. May be able to be of some use for you, depending on what happens."

[Samantha Hayne]

"Ca c'est bon," she said. "Den come along. I found a trod, de other day. Mayhap it should suffice for de journey."

And with that, she would head on over to the trod she had discovered the other day, not far from the place she'd been staying at... before it burned down...

"'Ere it is den."

[Dapper Dog]

Traveling into the hedge moved into a misty bayou even with very little signs of civilization, the buildings that were there looked more like mounds covered in thick spiny vines. A misty fog clung to the ground and they felt water lap at their ankles, the bayou held sway over all here and over head were dark clouds of crimson and vermillion blotting out what passed for the Sun…

[Jonathan Whitford]

"Well, for what it is...it's not bad." The outer layer of the mask was no longer relevant, his pale skin showed on him with words etched on his arms more apparent than before.

His eyes flashed over to a dance one night. Had a few drinks, gotten to swing for a little bit. Girls from the plant had been there, they could often be wild outside of it. Nothing too frisky, but it was a nice evening out. War went on, but beyond the rationing, you could barely feel it.

His eyes regained focus on the world around him; never wise to not be in the moment in this place. Couldn't let that happen again.

With a small breath, he allowed himself to once again lose the physical form he held and altered the reality around him, becoming intengable once more.

And there he was, barely here but still very much there. Still holding the bag he came in with, he placed it on his back and strapped it in. "I'll follow your lead."

((Whispers of Morning activated, Loophole conditions met))

[Samantha Hayne]

She nodded, and tried to make her way to the goblin that the King of Autumn had sent her to parlay with. Truth told, she hadn't been in the hedge proper; like this; since her escape. Part avoidance of memories, part lack of confidence in her ability to navigate. Of course, until now, she didn't have an actual *reason* to go back. Now that she did? Well, she *mostly* managed to set aside all the worries.

Not that she was expecting this to be easy.

((anything to roll to navigate?))