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Harry Dresden     Welcome to Chicago, where the Crossroads of America have become the crossroads of the magical world. It's not unusual really. The Windy City is home to two of the country's busiest airports, if you leave out Atlanta which you should because it's awful. And it's also the home of the Country's only openly practicing Wizard, Harry Dresden. Harry, for his part, is standing in Millennium Park near the Lakeshore, looking a little anxious as he waits for people to arrive.

    Nearby, in our world, you'd find the Cloud Gate. Sadly, that was blown up several years ago by the Union and Dresden to stop an Outsider from slinking into the Real World. In its place is a statue of a tall proud woman, with strikingly beautiful features, pointing at Lake Michigan and beyond. Dresden taps his foot several times, and grumbles quietly. "Think he'll show? I'm not sure how keen Parvus is on fae nonsense." The wizard's Grey Cloak is in a gym bag next to him on the ground. He's going into this one light today. Just the staff for now, and no sign of Official Warden Gear at all.

    Those travelling to the area by Warp Gate will find taxi or bus service easily, and have been advised that flying and other nonsense are Not Advised if they can help it.
Inga Freyjasdottir Inga is seated on a bench nearby Harry, dressed in her usual garb and looking entirely out of place in a modern city like Chicago while also appearing not at all to care about it. She's in her full witch-y glory, talismans of bones and beads and carved things abound, her walking stick/magical staff resting against her knee.

Toying with a string of amber beads strung between the two brooches that keep her hangerok overdress together, Inga smiles. "And pass up our excellent company? I'm sure he'll come."
Kotone Shiomi Kotone doesn't know quite what to expect, so she's wearing her casual winter clothes, with a hockey stick bag on her back and what appears to be a firearm sticking out of a holster on her hip. Yes, she's not a legal adult, but this is the USA and... well, the USA has a certain stereotype, and Kotone is a teenager. She buys into that kind of thing. She approaches Dresden with a smile and a wave, having looked up his picture in the database before leaving. "Hello!"
Staren     Staren approaches the bench. Iianor's illusion spell still works, so he looks human, and he's had the labcoat take the shape of a simple jacket so he doesn't look like... someone who would wear a labcoat in public. Dresden and Inga get a friendly nod and a smile -- it's always heartwarming to see people he knows in a good relationship! "Hey. How're things?"

    It's important that the League, and for that matter the Daedalus Initiative and Staren in particular, learn more about fae so they can better act towards unknown types they encounter. Not all are friendly and not all need to be shot on sight either, after all.
Dorian Pavus     It's always a difficult prospect. While Dorian's world doesn't have these 'fae', he's not completely unaware what he's getting into. He's researched this quite a bit, and the fae seem a bit like the spirits of the Fade. With both, one has to be very careful how one deals with them, else one may find oneself in serious trouble.

    Then what's difficult about it? Knowing what to wear, of course. If Dorian goes with formal attire from HIS world, he'll look like a LARPer that's escaped his troupe. Formal attire from Harry's world might be seen as not good enough. It's so frustrating!

    Ultimately Dorian decides on modern formal wear, with a bit of a twist. It's that white business suit he always wears, with a silver-colored scarf draped around the back of his neck. It's been left unwrapped, and the scarf trails down either side of his front, nearly to his waist. And he's got a cane with the grip worked as a silver dragon head. No 'cold iron'; the metal is silver, and its eyes are tiny slivers of magical crystal from Thedas.

    He heads over to where Harry, Inga, and now Staren are located, not seeming worried in the slightest. He's a good actor. "Afternoon," he offers to the assembled group.
Harry Dresden     Harry snorts a bit at Inga, and leans down to kiss her forehead as people start to arrive.

    Staren gets a bit of a wave. "Heya, catman. Nice of you to show up. Your fancy eggheads buddies put you up to this?" Harry snorts and grins, but doesn't seem actually mean about the joke. He's a big nerd too, after all.

    Kotone gets a wave and a sigh. More kids in the Paladins. Well, it's not like Thea isn't doing her best to keep them all out of trouble and get them trained up. Besides, what can go wrong? "Heya shorty. Welcome to Chicago. I'm Harry, this is Inga. We're partners." Though it's more than likely Capital-P Partners.

    Dorian gets a cheery wave, and a grin. "Hey there. Ramirez is all tied up at the moment, so I figured I'd call on the second most fabulous man I know to help. Besides. Inga makes him blush."
Inga Freyjasdottir Inga doesn't give Kotone any strange looks for being a teenager. In Inga's time, there was really no such thing. You were a child or you were an adult. She's clearly not a child, therefor she is an adult. "Hello," she greets with a nod.

Then she greets Staren with a familiar smile. "Staren, you'll be joining us?" she asks. That ought to be interesting. Staren is a good type to have around if things go south, so long as he isn't the cause of travel in such direction >.>

And there's Dorian. Inga looks to Harry, flashing him a quick smile of 'I told you' before greeting the fellow mage-type. Always impeccably dressed. Couldn't be more of Harry's polar opposite!

Inga snags Harry's hand, a signal to help her to her feet. "Tch...silly man. I've done nothing at all to warrant such a reaction," she relies to the comment about Ramirez.
Kotone Shiomi "Kotone Shiomo. Field Commander of the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad." Kotone introduces herself with a smile that's not nearly as confident seeming as she seems to think it is. There's no hiding that she's nervous, but she isn't complaining about any of this. "If it seems at any point like I'm about to blow my brains out, please don't be alarmed, I'm not." Which is an odd thing to say, for sure.
Staren     Staren uhhs, "I figured it's better to learn more about fey among safe company."
Dorian Pavus     Dorian chuckles at Harry's greeting. "Only the second? I'm offended," he says. Though he's clearly teasing, as there's still a smile on his face. More seriously, he asks, "I hope you're both doing well, at least?"

    Kotone's very odd request gets a raise of one brow. "That's... rather an oddly specific warning to give," he observes. "But I'll... definitely keep that in mind." Hard not to!
Bahamut      The gate to Chicago glows once more, and a rather tall, metallic dragon steps through. He stands on two legs like a man, but his bulky form is obviously draconian. He spreads his vibrantly colored wings before a rather normal-looking woman steps out of the portal behind him. "...Lord Bahamut...we were asked not to fly if at all possible." she says. To which Bahamut snorts in annoyance before lowering his wings. "And I suppose me riding atop one of these busses will cause less of a stir?" he says, a slight smirk on his face. Still, when the next bus comes by, he climbs on top and the woman pays the fare if needed.

     The city gets to see the sight of a bus with what looks like a very intricate mechanical dragon atop it driving through town as Bahamut is ferried to the meeting spot. He dismounts carefully, leaving only a few dents and some claw marks in the bus before he approaches the others. The woman, a priestess judging by her long robes colored the same as the dragon, follows after. Bahamut bows respectfully to them, then rumbles. "How may the great Bahamut, Aeon of Bevelle and King of Spiran Dragons, be of service today?" he asks. He isn't full of himself at all. Nope.
Harry Dresden     BAHAMUT... well, that does get more than a few stares. And calls to police. And screams as the great beast lumbers into the Park and over to the gathering crowd. The later explanation by police will be that someone was doing a Public Art Demonstration and that Of Course A Giant Dragon Wasn't In Chicago That's Silly.
    Harry, for his part, manages not to flinch as Bahamut ambles on up. Well, he'd been warned that this guy was Somethign Special, but- "Wasn't expecting a damn Dragon. Well, that's going to shuffle things up a bit." A grin, an honest grin, as Harry actually bows in return. "Harry Dresden, Warden of the White Council, Emissary to the Winter Court of Faeries."
    Harry's eyes wander a bit up at the statue though. A grumble, and then he shifts a bit to grab at his Hockey Stick/Wizard's Staff. Kotone's in good company there, at least. "Well, thanks for the warning kid. Now, rules here. We're going to be stepping into a pocket of Chicago that's not technically under the purview of the cops. Or the Wardens. The Winter Court is in charge and you're going to be playing by their rules. My rules? Don't accept /anything/ from a fae. That means food, mostly. The fae deal in favors and contracts and nothing is free. Rule two: A fae can't lie to you but they can withhold the truth. Be careful what you say and pay attention. Rule three: don't be intimidated here, they're going to put on a show of force or... well, it's Maeve so it's going to be something." He's vague on that one.
    He grunts a bit, brandishes the Staff, and then slashes it into the air. There's an awful /rending/ sensation as reality bends and warps a bit, a shimmering veil of energy just waiting there to be entered. A Way. "Alright, everyone in. Follow close." And in Harry goes.
Inga Freyjasdottir Inga tilts her head slightly in response to Kotone's strange declaration. "Alright...I'll take that under advisement..." she answers. Not that she couldn't add a few peculiar warnings as to her own quirks if she so desired.

Inga nods to Dorian. "Quite well thank you. This should be an interesting experience," she says. She sounds a bit...excited? This is the sort of thing she is prepared for. The sort of thing she knows. Rituals are important, and she is quite intrigued to see how the fae handle the changing of the seasons. Naturally, she observes this phenomenon as well.

Then a dragon arrives, riding a bus.

Because the multiverse just can't stand it if she's feeling comfortable. Have to fix that right quick!

Inga facepalms.

"Indeed, listen closely to Harry's rules and we should not have a problem," she says with a bit of a stern look. Inga takes Harry's arm before he steps into the Way, walking stick in her other hand.

She wonders what Maeve will pull out this time, and approximately how angry it will make her.
Staren     Staren listens attentively as Harry lays down the rules. You don't mess around with fey! At the warp in reality, he pulls out something like a flipphone, waves it around a bit and goes 'Hmm.', then walks through.
Kotone Shiomi The Dragon gets an eyebrow raise, but at this point Kotone is in the mental state of 'it's the Multiverse, everything is strange.' Once through the Way, a somewhat unsettling but at the same time not entirely unfamiliar experience, Kotone takes a deep breath and a good look around. "So no accepting things, no trust, no fun, nothing. Got it." She puts on a stern face, and kind of half-hides behind the nearest responsible-seeming person, which would be Inga.
Dorian Pavus     A metal dragon is arriving. Of COURSE Dorian is going to react to that. "''Fasta vass...!''" he mutters, taking a step back. Yeah he's... not quite sure what to make of this. But, well. It doesn't seem that Bahamut, as the metal dragon introduces himself, is particularly menacing. So, well... yeah. Harry's got introductions going, so he follows suit. He too offers a bow, with a flourish only a medieval noble seems capable of, and offers, "Dorian of House Pavus, Altus mage of Tevinter." No, he knows most people here aren't going to know what he's talking about.

    Dorian listens to Harry's explanation, giving a firm nod. So they are much like the spirits of the Fade, it seems. "Sounds easy enough," he notes. Though there's that tone that indicates he knows it's not going to be. The rending of reality prompts an odd look from Dorian -- almost as if he's suddenly got a toothache? But when everyone starts going through, Dorian follows suit, heading through as well.
Bahamut      After the bow is returned, Bahamut stands at his full height and crosses his arms over his chest while standing slightly askew in a typical proud hero pose. He returns Harry's grin as Harry introduces himself. "My title seems a bit inadequate in this world." he comments with a chuckle. He nods at the safety lecture from the Emissary while he looks around at the others. It is always amusing to him to see others' reactions to him. He chuckles lightly when Inga facepalms and offers a respectful nod to Dorian when he introduces himself as well. "Do not worry, m'lady. I am well versed in the ways of following directions." he says to Inga.

     When it seems they are no longer going to be in the public eye, Bahamut dismisses his priestess. It will be safer for her to return to the temple. The big dragon waits for the others to step through before he goes through himself. He does not want to risk his bulk harming anyone in transit.
Harry Dresden     It is not a long trip. One second they'll be in the Park, and the next second they'll be in... a cavern of some sort. It looks less like a cavern, actually and instead like someone's hollowed out more than a few subway platforms, carved their way down into an underground warehouse of some sort.
    Also it sounds like there's a rave of some sort going on. Actually, yes it's very much like a rave. There's still light outside so the music isn't thumping just yet, but there's club music playing in the background, likely not a live band yet.

    At the door stand a pair of Capital T Trolls. Big, burly awful looking creatures wielding massive clubs of wood and thorns and gross looking, like they've been recently used to cave someone's head in. The pair of jerks stand resolute in their place, looking at the group like they're all lesser beings. Yes, even the dragon.
    The one on the left blurts. "Wizard, you're late. And who are these lot. Maeve wanted to see just one of yer friends, not the whole bloody filth brigade."
    The one on the right grins though, an awful thing full or raggedy goat-eating fangs and chompers. "'Less you're the party favors. Huh Huh Heh." Charming.

    Harry rubs at his face, clearly having gone through this before. "Guys, I really don't have time, you know that, just... let us through. Please." The last comes through gritted teeth.
Staren     Dragon! They have a dragon with them. That happened.

    Staren looks around. "We are not party favors." he replies. Trolls would be more intimidating if he hadn't... you know, been doing Multiverse stuff for the past ten years.
Inga Freyjasdottir Inga looks back toward Kotone, letting out a small laugh. "Essentially," she replies. "Be on your guard, but /always/ be polite when dealing with the fae," she adds.

Bahamut is polite, and for that she gives him a brief smile as well. His presence might give Maeve a hiccup, which she would enjoy seeing. "I believe we've met before, but it has been some time. Inga Freyjasdottir, wisewoman," she introduces. Dresden introduced her earlier, but that was before Bahamut arrived.

First things first...trolls. The bouncers. "Good day gentlemen. I believe we are expected inside," she says, apparently not one to be intimidated by very large, very smelly brutes. "I'm sure you would not want to anger Maeve by delaying us," she says with a smile.
Dorian Pavus     Well, this is not exactly what Dorian expected. Then again, there's that whole 'adapt or fade away' addage. And who wouldn't incorporate a few of the more fun concepts from human civilization? Parties are fun!

    Suddenly Trolls! Though that's actually more what he expected. Inga's words of being polite draw his attention, though, and so Dorian remains quiet. There is also the old addage about not saying anything if one has nothing polite to say. He does however look remarkably at ease, with a carefully neutral smile on his face.
Bahamut      The metal dragon looks like he is trying to remember, but fails. "I meet so many, I am afraid I have difficulty remembering individuals." he says apologetically. Once they are through the portal, Bahamut looks around in curiousity. He was not expecting this. Perhaps a wide open meadow or a snow-frosted landscape, but not an underground nightclub.

     Bahamut gives an annoyed snort at the Trolls, but leaves the talking to Harry. The dragon just tries to look intimidating. Of course, Trolls are not known for their intelligence. A tall dragon standig with his arms crossed as he glares down at them probably won't have much effect.
Kotone Shiomi Kotone frowns when she's described as part of the 'filth' brigade, but otherwise doesn't really respond to the trolls. She's sure others can handle these unpleasant fellows just fine, without her needing to get involved. The whole rave thing seems to put her at ease a little, but then the girl has a paid of big earphones dangling out of her sweater, so she presumably likes music a fair bit.
Harry Dresden     Lefty snorts again. "Hu hu huuh. The seer has more manners than you, Dresden. Ain't that a laugh. Hu hu hurr."
    Righty grunts. "Maybe this time Maeve will put you out of yer misery. Poor little wizard, all Obligated."

    Harry sighs, taps his staff against the ground. "The Winter Emissary is demanding passage, let me through or take it up with Mab." The namedrop isn't lost on the pair, who glare daggers at Harry and the rest, and then Lefty spits as the pair steps aside. The glob of spittle freezes against the marred concrete. "...youllgetyourswizard."

    The way inside is blessedly clear now, and the group can pass on through... to what appears to a bender that hasn't yet hit Full Blown Rager. Someone has converted this old building into a rave, a proper rave, with lights and speakers and music and places to get beer and other substances. From the smell of the place, there's plenty of chemical inducement going around in one form or another. Sidhe and fey of all sorts lounge around in various stages of excess and debauchery, making the place lightly crowded, but not enough that there's not a Court to be had in front of a place of prominence near the stage.

    And up on that dias in a rather fancy arm chair is Maeve, The Winter Lady. Someone has taken the pages of an American Apparel album, mushed all the models inside into something even more striking and beautiful, and then dumped high grade LSD on her. She's wearing an extremely tight t-shirt with 'I Hold The Fucking Leash' plastered on the front in violent pink and neon blue, a more than scandalous amount of midriff showing, and and a pair of pants that had to have been sewn on, or maybe they just grew out of her fully formed and fitted. Who knows.

    She's also grinning from ear to ear as The Party wanders in. Even more so as the Dragon shows up too.
    This isn't good.
Inga Freyjasdottir Inga winces at the music and the crowd. Crowds are not great for her. She does not like them. Her grip on Harry's arm may tighten slightly. Trolls, sure, crowds? No thanks. The more people in an area, the more likely she is to have debilitating visions. Would the wyrd of the fae pull her in? That might be a tide she might never pull herself out of.

Inga narrows her focus in on Maeve, seated like a goddess of lust and aggression upon the dias, grinning unnervingly. Unnervingly is likely the only way the winter lady /can/ grin. And yet...she used to be human, didn't she? So far back now she may not remember.

Inga does not like Maeve. Not in the least. But she shows respect to Maeve because she isn't an idiot.

Or Dresden.

When they approach, Inga bows.

The rest of the party likely does not need to look of warning she gives them. Maeve's presence radiates 'predator'.
Staren     The fey are running a very... well, Staren's not sure exactly what's 'modern' here but it sure isn't 'natural' surroundings or even a medieval party. So much for processed materials being bad for fey... Then Inga explains it's fake. That makes sense.

    And that seems to be the lady in charge. Showing off what she's got... but bodies aren't what interests him, anyway. On his guard, Staren looks between her and Harry and Inga.
Kotone Shiomi Kotone also bows when she enters, smiling a little nervously as she instinctively moves to the beat of the music. This offworld girl is clearly into music, and though she doesn't seem to be too on her guard anymore, the music helps her relax, she's still got one hand on her holster, and is keeping her eyes open. This place reminds her too much of the dark hour to be entirely comfortable.
Dorian Pavus     Despite that he had said nothing earlier, as the Trolls finally move aside, Dorian bows respectfully. "You have my thanks," he offers. Which is indeed him being respectful. Even if it could totally be an insult, because... what care do these Trolls have for the thanks of a human, mage or not? It wasn't MEANT that way, but still. Nonetheless he moves past with confidence, following the others to where the woman sits upon the fancy armchair.

    Is bowing needed? Taking a knee? Something like that. Dorian's going to take his cues from Harry, but not completely follow blindly. Harry is the Emissary here, and he's the one beholden to this woman. If Dorian is to act as if he too has some obligations to Maeve, he might actually offend her. So he offers a respectful bow, though he doesn't speak up just yet.
Bahamut      Bahamut does not wander, though he does give a smug grin to the Trolls as they pass and 'accidentally' flicks Lefty with the tip of his heavy tail as he makes his way into the warehouse rave. And might draw some attention from the lights bouncing off his metallic hide or the black lights reacting with his wing colors. When they reach Maeve he smirks lightly but bows respectfully and fully spreads his wings to project his own sense of majesty and power. "Lady Maeve, I presume?" he says in his deep, rumbling voice. Predator vs predator, but Bahamut respects that he is in Maeve's domain and makes no move to try and be more showy that she. Although he makes no effort to downplay his appearance or attitude either. He does at least try to keep his eyes from roaming the lady's form, partially out of respect and partially because he suspects that is what she wants.

     Crowds do not worry Bahamut much. He is big enough that he can make way through most any normal crowd, and careful enough not to injure anyone in the process. And of course does not sway to the beat as Kotone does. He might accidentally tail-sweep an entire group of people.
Harry Dresden     Lefty staggers but just grunts as the Dragon goes past, not quite falling over. This was their Domain and it was bolstering them more than a little, to be honest.

    Oh this place SCREAMS the Dark Hour, Kotone. It's weird and the aura is icky and if these guys weren't Fae they'd certainly be Shadows. Harry also squeezes the girl's shoulder and whispers. "Steady. We'll be fine."

    The crowd starts to go a little quiet as the Party makes their way in front of Maeve, more so as the lights start to flash and shimmer off of Bahamut. A Dragon in the Hallow. That's new. Maeve stands up, and screams at the crowd in general. "Look, everyone! Guests! Say hi to the cops!" There's some light booing from the more inebriated sidhe, but Maeve waves it off, the place going slightly more muted as she sits again. "Dresden, seems like you can still follow orders. How nice."
    Harry comes straight to attention, and tries to get into the patter of being in the court and everything... But Maeve swans down and gets up on her tippytoes, sliding up and against Harry. Straight to the grinding against the wizard. "Hey. Still thought about my offer, big shot? Mom's never gonna let you go but ~I might~" She looks to Inga as well, that same predatory grin on her face. "You could even bring Little Miss Viking with you, I wouldn't mind seeing her out of those frumpy robes~"
    There's a ripple of anticipation in the air as Maeve gets Her Groove On, and a few of the hangers-on start to approach, sizing up the rest of the group like prey or partners, one of the two.

    Well, except for Bahamut, people are staying well clear of him.
Staren     Staren belatedly bows when the others do, then grunts a "Hmh." when Maeve calls him a cop. He quirks an eyebrow when Maeve mentions some offer to Harry... but then, other fey are here. Staren glares at them warily.
Harry Dresden     There's also a very real sensation that people are getting, that they should hang out a little while and Party before Business. Like, find a partner and party. Maybe two.
Bahamut      Bahamut lets out a slight snicker when Maeve starts rubbing up against Harry, but doesn't say anything. Instead he watches the room. Being called a cop gives Bahamut pause, but after a moment he shrugs. He is a guardian, so that is pretty close to cop. But, as long as no one is harming anyone else he is content to let the fae have their fun.

     As the magical influence starts to soak into him Bahamut's head starts to bob lightly to the beat. But, he does not start seeking out fae for fun things. Part of his powers as Aeon of Bevelle is the ability to maintain a level head in just about any situation. Still, would partying for a little while be so bad? Of course, it helps that people are naturally staying away from him. "How did you end up as a fae queen's errand boy anyway, Harry?" he asks.
Inga Freyjasdottir Inga narrows her eyes as Maeve moves up and gets /far/ too close to Harry. "We must decline your generous offer my lady," Inga says, polite still but obviously not pleased with Maeve's behavior. She does this pretty much every time, so it isn't unexpected, but that doesn't make it any more pleasant.

There it is. Maeve is casting her magic over the group, it's purpose quite clear to Inga. She feels the pull of Maeve's influence, but Inga, like any witch worth her salt has come prepared with talismans to fight off the influence of fae magic. "How about a drink, then we can get to the business at hand?" Inga says, pulling a flask from the pouch at her belt and offering it to Maeve. It's mead. Good, strong mead. "A gift," Inga says.

Perhaps satisfy her want for excess without, well, sending them all over the cliff.
Dorian Pavus     Dorian can't help but snicker at Maeve's display of... affection towards Harry. And he's not unaware that he's being eyed; the fae are beginning to circle, much like sharks. For now they don't seem aware that Dorian is not a tiny fish... he has teeth as well! Though he hasn't shown them. Not here and now.

    Sadly for Harry, Dorian doesn't immediately go rescue the wizard from Maeve. That's Inga's prerogative, given her relationship with aforementioned wizard. And Bahamut might notice that Dorian's suddenly edging a little closer to him. It most certainly hasn't escaped his notice that most of the fae are consciously avoiding the very large dragon-man.

    Still. Being magically inclined, at least in Thedas, tends to leave one a little more 'open' to magic in general. So, well... Harry might notice Dorian's a bit distracted suddenly. Not just the music, but at least one or two of these fae are bound to be... we'll say 'interesting'...
Kotone Shiomi "Yeah, I know." Kotone doesn't notice anything odd about being more comfortable and in for a party. She is, after all, both naive and a teenager. Sure, she may be fairly responsible, but a party is a party and she just blames it on the music if she gives it any thought at all. So, she looks around for someone to dance with. Still, it doesn't get her to move her hand away from her holster.
Harry Dresden     It's exactly like sharks circling the place. A few of the Sidhe get close enough to sidle up on Kotone and Dorian, looking the two over a few times...

    Harry's been here before. He's had Maeve hanging all over him. She always does this. But lately it just Doesn't Work for some damn reason. Oh right. The reason being that he belongs to Inga now.
    The offer of A Gift from a mortal hitches Maeve out of her stride, her attention pulled away from Harry for long enough to interrupt a little bit of that magical affectation on the group, the urge to Get Partying easing back. Maeve grumps a bit, and looks at Inga like she's a fool or a bug or a foolish bug. "No I am not having your gift, Norse. I'm not stupid."
    Harry completes the effort by calling up his will, and stamping his staff into the ground with a magical, resounding THUD. "Maeve, your Mother is infinitely more frightening than you, and the answer is still no. Now let's just get this over with, please, so you can go back to your damn Roman."

    Maeve pouts at Harry, looking briefly furious before she's stomping back up to her Lay-Z-Boy throne, and grouching at the group. "Fine. Business. You prick." She sits forward, and looks at the group. "The Winter Court of Fae is formally petitioning the Paladins of the Multiverse for their Protection in the coming days, as the Balance of Power swings towards Summer and the Equinox comes forward." She's smiling now, something... fierce in her eyes. There's a look between Harry and Bahamut and Kotone. She's done her homework. They're the proper cops here now, aren't they?

    Harry blinks and then bluhs. "W-what?"
Kotone Shiomi The attention is enough to make Kotone back down a little, not because she's scared really, it's because she's a little shy and out of her element. Still, she doesn't want to be rude, so she gives them a smile and almost seems like she might be up for a dance when Maeve decides it's time to get to business and she offers a quick apology, "I'm sorry, I need to help with this." She glances towards Harry to get a clue about what may be going on.
Staren     What.

    Staren looks at Harry. "What would that even mean? If the paladins interfere in the balance between summer and winter... will it stay winter here forever?"
Inga Freyjasdottir Inga shrugs. "It is an offer in good faith. Excellent mead," she says. She puts it away, however. Tch...to turn down a gift was terribly rude to Inga. Maeve is either ignorant to her ways or doesn't give a fuck.

Probably the second one.

Inga is pleased to see that Maeve rubbing all over him doesn't effect Harry nearly as much as Maeve would like. She can't repress a sly smile of triumph. Frumpy robes or not, he's hers.

Then Maeve gets down to why she called them here. Inga can't speak for the Paladins, so she stays quiet, tucking this information away until it might come in useful. She merely raises a brow.

Inga looks back to Dorian, who seems to be having a bit of trouble with Maeve's whammy.

SO, she reaches over and pinches his arm, hard. She's pretty sure he'd regret getting into party mode with the fae.
Bahamut      Bahamut doesn't even seem to realize he was under the effects of any spell. His head stops bobbing, but other than that...

     Maeve shrinking back from the gift is to be expected, considering what Harry said about the fae. And he chuckles lightly as she pouts at Harry. Just before he raises an eyebrow at the request. "With all due respect, m'lady, the Paladins protect the lawful and innocent. We will not dismiss your request of course, but we cannot be seen protecting shady or illicit institutions or persons. Not that you are representative of either, of course. But, the fae have a reputation that could easily sully our good name. If we were to extend our protection, we would need your garauntee that you and your court would do nothing that might bring the Paladins under scrutiny for the...questionable activities of their charges."

     The dragon speaks calmly and with a respectful tone. Staren brings up a good point, and Bahamut rumbles. "We would also be unable to upset the natural balance of your world if the two courts have made some sort of agreement about it. If they have, we may be able to protect your people from attacks, but we would not be able to attack the other court."
Dorian Pavus     Dorian is suddenly QUITE distracted, yes. Tevinter's big on hedonism. And well... to paraphrase the old expression 'you can take the boy out of Tevinter, but you can't take the Tevinter out of the boy'. And when he's joined by a quite willing to party fae...

    It's just a good thing Inga's offering of a gift startled Maeve out of her magical mind-compulsion, or Dorian might have ended up wandering off. That and Inga's hard pinch to his arm helps too. "Ouch!" He turns in Inga's direction, rubbing the offended area and pouting. Yes, pouting. He's not above that. But the pout becomes a chuckle soon; yes, he's kidding. "Thank you."

    All this as it is, between the pinch and Maeve easing up a bit, he politely apologizes to the party fae who's seemed to have taken an interest in him, noting in a pleasant tone, "Do please forgive me. Not that I wouldn't enjoy your company, but I'm afraid I've a task before me. Ah, the woes of responsibility."

    That said, though, he shuts up! Because Bahamut is actually a member of the Paladins. Dorian isn't. So he doesn't have the authority to negotiate. Not here and now.
Harry Dresden     The Sidhe guy that was sidling up to Dorian pouts looks to Maeve, and then mouths 'call me' at Dorian. How he'll do that, is anyone's guess. Alas.

    There's a Completely Innocent look at Bahamut from Maeve as she listens to his explanation and statement, and then leans in. "The Unseelie Courts are far from shady and illicit, Dragon Bahamut. But that aside, is it not the duty of the Paladins to protect those who are weaker from those who are stronger? You cannot deny that will be the case when the Equinox comes and the power of the World shifts in favor of Summer. We Winter few will be... out in the cold, as it were~" Oh she's laying it on thick today.

    Harry pats Kotone on the shoulder, and then quietly moves so that she's between himself and Inga, and away from any version of the Edge of the group. No sense in letting someone spirit her off. Harry clears his throat, and then speaks up for her behalf. "Some of our number /do/ realize the very real and non-metaphysical relationship between the two Courts, Maeve. Summer and Winter, always in cycle, the seasons coming and going. Does the Winter Court really need such assistance? Can it not fight for itse-"

    Something dangerous enters the air, as Harry finds himself unable to complete that sentence. Maeve's look is vicious and harrowing, as she clicks her teeth. "Shut the fuck up, Harry, and don't take that tone with me." Harry works his mouth, but nothing comes out.
Inga Freyjasdottir The wisewoman folds her hands atop her staff. She nods to Dorian's thank you, then looks back to Maeve and Harry. Smart, he's keeping an eye one Kotone. Inga has been as well. Can't risk the young woman being spirited away.

Inga focuses on Maeve now. Everything has very good questions. Something is being left unsaid. Something that has put Maeve on edge. The fae are proud, and the winter court would not approach the paladins for help unless it was important. So, the real question is, 'what has changed?'.

So, Inga asks. "So it has been since the earth was made, ja? What has changed? They are clearly prepared to hear your request my lady, but I do not think they will lend aid unless given a good reason to believe their interferance would help rather than hinder the balance of this world."
Bahamut      Bahamut listens to Harry, then blinks when Maeve seems to magically seal his speech. Bahamut snorts in annoyance. "Lady Maeve, you are not making a good impression." he says, motioning to Harry. "The Paladins do strive to protect those who cannot protect themselves, but above that we cannot go against the laws of the land. If you believe the other court has violated the cycle somehow, then perhaps we can help. And I am willing to volunteer my personal protection if you believe there is a real threat to your people. But, if this is a threat they have faced time and time again, as Inga says, we cannot help. It may cause more harm than good. I understand if you are worried about your people, but the rule of law is supreme to the Paladins."

     Bahamut notices Kotone being moved by Harry, then rumbles. Would the fae really make off with someone? That doesn't seem very Paladin-worthy either. "If you have a legitimate concern that the Summer Court is planning some sort of takeover, then we can negotiate. Otherwise, I am afraid the Paladins will be unlikely to assist."
Dorian Pavus     Dorian's not unaware of the more or less near-impossiblity of calling the fae in question. But nonetheless, he offers a wink in the departing Fae's direction.

    And not too soon does he get his mind back on things, because what the actual hell is going on? Particularly when it looks like Harry's suddenly having trouble speaking. Things are starting to unravel, and if Harry can't talk, he can't diffuse them.

    Then Dorian he finally addresses Maeve directly. Though respectfully. "Might I ask why you would feel that your Court would be weaker?" His tone is kept calm here. And he adds, with a bow, "My apologies if that seems an odd question... I'm not from this world. If there are other forces at work, or something else about the arrangement, I'm unaware of it."
Staren     Staren looks between Bahamut and the fey. "I don't think the Paladins are beholden to any such thing. That sounds like a horrible philosophy! Would they take to the world outside and protect the diseases humanity is curing? Crush cities to rubble because mankind has subjugated the Earth? Heroes say they protect the weak, but that's not what they /mean/. The unspoken bit is 'the weak who I think deserve to be protected due to my values or moral code'. And the paladins' chief obligation is to follow the laws they've set for themselves, or that others have set and they have agreed to."

    Staren glances at Inga. "Same thing goes for 'upholding the balance'." Not like... mad or anything, he just feels that maybe words need to be chosen very carefully here in fey land. "As a general rule, I mean. The balance, specifically, between summer and winter is another matter."
Kotone Shiomi Kotone doesn't fail to notice that she's being protected by the old guy. It's kind of insulting, but she's not quite feeling comfortable so she doesn't bring it up either. She's still new at heroing, and this is way out of line with what she'd encounter in the Dark Hour, though the area's ambience really is rather similar. So when Dresden's mouth is sealed she squints her eyes.

"Now I can't claim to be an expert on diplomacy, ma'am, but in my experience when you want people to help you, I don't think it's wise to forcibly shut up their local expert when they issue some concerns." She points out in a voice that sounds far more nervous and uncertain than the words ought to be delivered with.
Harry Dresden     he questions keep coming in that maddeningly reasonable set of terms and tones and Maeve seems to get increasingly agitated by all of it. She's not in control here and she can't just harm the outsiders, now can she? Hospitality and all that, even more so when the Warden was here, no matter what sort of hold the Winter Courts have over him.
    There's a chink in that oh-so-glamorous exterior, and Maeve's features turn dark and dangerous, straight up predatory for the briefest of seconds. Then they're right back there, and she's sitting there, looking huffy and grumpy. "That's because, dear friends, that the Balance /has/ shifted. Something is going on in Summer. Something that's weakening Winter in the long run. I don't have to explain to you people what a world with less winter, that's too warm, what that will do. There's forces in play here that need to be balanced, and it's not getting done and we are turning to you to... help." A look. "You can talk again Harry."

    Harry coughs and sputters and spits. "You want us to solve Global Warming? Is that it? Hells bells, Maeve."
Staren     "Hhhhuh." Staren looks to Harry. "So does that mean we have to /actually/ solve global warming and it'll have some effect on the fey in turn, or does it mean we need to stop the summer court and that will end global warming?"
Inga Freyjasdottir Inga blinks. Global warming? She looks to Harry. He'll have to explain later.

That something has shifted in the Summer court, that she understands. The balance (which is very real and tangible in this instance!) has been upset. That she can understand.

Inga's eyes widen suddenly. "Oh...that explains it," she says quietly, mostly to herself, evidentally suddenly grasping something about the situation.

Well, she can't speak for Harry's organization, but she'll obviously be involved regardless. Perhaps the Watch might have an input? And she's sure as well that Staren will bring this up with his fellows in the League.
Bahamut      Bahamut looks down at Harry when he starts coughing and sputtering, then back to Maeve. The chink in the glamour is not lost on him, but he just lets out a light draconic snort. "There, m'lady. That was not so difficult, was it? Being forthcoming with what is happening makes things much easier." he says calmly. But, global warming? That is a new one on Bahamut. He looks to Harry and Staren. "Is this phenomenon something that is well known to most worlds? If it is nature's way I am not sure what we can do. But, I suppose if you suspect the Summer fairies are actually doing something to upset the balance of the seasons then we can offer limited support until we can determine for sure who is causing the damage."

     He then smiles to Maeve. "Fear not, Lady Maeve. If there is something we can do within the bounds of the law to protect you and your people, the Paladins will not turn you away. It shows great strength of character that you have asked us for help. Trust me, I know the difficulty that the proud face in admitting they cannot handle a problem themselves." He bows respectfully again. "Do you have any idea where Summer might be getting this added strength from?"
Staren     Staren shrugs to Bahamut. "I am vaguely aware that some worlds are having a warming issue? On my world... I dunno, maybe the Golden Age just developed better air conditioning or something, but once the apocalypse happened any global warming there was kind of stopped mattering anymore compared to all the magic and demons and stuff."
Kotone Shiomi "Global warming is supposed to be the result of people using burning too many buried fuels, but it's the kind of thing everyone has to pitch in and that'd be so inconvenient and cost so much money, and so a lot of people and places don't want to. At least, that's what I was taught at school." She explains the basic idea, filtered through a high schooler's perspective. "I don't know what we can do about that, but I guess we'll look into it?"
Dorian Pavus     'Global warming'. That's a term that Dorian has heard before. In some of these modern worlds, the amount of people's meddling about has caused enough damage that it's hurting their world wholesale. He hasn't quite grasped the whole 'planets' thing yet -- world floating in the Void sounds impossible to him; ironically he understands gates to other worlds much easier.

    But he does have to ask, "Is this an issue with the people of this world, or with the Summer Court?"
Harry Dresden     Maeve looks exasperated at Bahamut and the others, and waves a hand. "If mortals are muddying up the process, it still benefits Summer, and Summer benefitting is still a change in the Balance. Even if the Paladins are not going to accept the request, Harry Dresden will be looking into the matter. Won't you, Harry?" She smiles sweetly at Harry.

    Harry growls.
Inga Freyjasdottir "It wouldn't be a bad idea to talk to Summer," Inga suggests to Harry. They could most certainly look into it.

Harry sort of has to, she assumes.
Staren     "'Tragedy of the commons.'" Staren adds to Kotone's explanation. "You know, I bet /that's/ what my world did, we stopped burning fossil fuels and switched to nuclear. The golden age /loved/ it. A lot of other worlds are scared of it but..." he shrugs. "I dunno, /something/ must have persuaded people."
Dorian Pavus     It isn't really much information, but Dorian can tell that Maeve is getting upset, and once she's properly upset, they're not going to get any more information out of her anyway. And then they're also liable to get hurt! Definitely something to avoid. Thus Dorian offers a respectfuly bow to Maeve. "I'll do what I can to help restore the balance," he offers. Which is true. But he's putting 'convincing billions of people to stop doing things they've been doing for a couple centuries' as something that is outside his capabilities. Hence the promise to do 'what he could'.