Chatper One: One Step Forward

Cold and dark, the crown seemd to be made of twisted onyx and lapis lazuli. Shards of obsidian dot the circlet, which pulses with a shadowy light. It feels glacial despite its dark facade, and if one were to look closely, a tiny blizzard rages between the twisted cords of stone. There are bits of white wothard branches among the obsidian, gray and white birch branches. Despite its beauty something about it is instantly forgetable, making one want to simply look past Phoebe, as if she had vanished.

Edwina looked around at all the crowns appearing on her fellow changelings a sense of awe coming across her.

Her own crown looked like dawn about to break. It was warm like the ending of winter and the coming spring. It was a Celtic knot of emerald and aquamarine and small stars of many colors glittered about it. If one drew close they would see the stars appeared to me small freshly bloomed flowers the largest morning glories. Occasional clouds of mist drifted over parts of the circlet. The whole gave one a sense that darker times were passing and new possibilities were open to one.

A crown that appeared over Magnus was a collection of half-burned candles connected to each other by a rusted circlet intertwined with dead twigs with decaying leafs and flowers. The flames of the candles, however, instead of burning and producing the light were black, cold and seemed as if they were consuming the light around them.

Coleman stumbles through the gateway. He takes a moment to stop and survey his surroundings. Part of him can't believe that he's actually done it and escaped to Earth. In fact, he wouldn't be surprised if this were all an elaborate Gentry illusion, designed to toy with his hopes.

Then he feels... strange; something floats atop his head. He feels the weight of it, though the weight is not so much a physical thing. A crown of entwined ash boughs and blackthorn branchlets; a wreath of dessicated wood decorated in orange and brown leaves that blow in response to an autumn wind that isn't there. It sports a variety of autumn annuals, as well as what appears to be the pale white bones of small animals: birds, squirrels, foxes. It smells and sounds of old rustling leaves, of the death of summer and the coming of All Hallow's Eve.

Putridness. Fetidness. Our world... Tended to smell bad. Despite that, Claire can't help but offerit the smallest and sincerest of grins. The darkling lets a sigh that she didn't know she was holding out, as she subtly rests her back against the wall, clearly tired. She keeps her gaze on the floor, partly still shocked for having actually escaped, and partly, well, afraid of realizing that this is all an illusion. However, when a good instant passes and no one else says anything, the woman slowly raises her head, afraid of something having happened.

And something indeed happened. They're all sporting... Strange, almost alien headwears. She isn't sure why*. And indeed, maybe she doesn't want to know. Ignored by her, the thinnest of circlets also appeared around her head. Contrary to the rest, there's not too much that makes it special. It seems to be made of cheap aluminum. The edges that hide behind Claire's messy bob cut hair, however, are weirdly serrated, comfortably digging into her own skin. It doesn't hurt if it stays like that: In fact, she has yet to realize that she's wearing a crown herself. Yet, It should be a bit painful to take it off.

She stares at her companions for a few moments, and then her eyes go wide at a potential realization. She brings her stare to the floor, gulping down while trying to keep her fear in check, closing her eyes as she breaths that nostalgic smell of rain to come. Having gathered enough courage, she slowly walks to the ticket vendor and doesn't waste too much time. She had to know, after all. "Sir. I just came from a very long trip, and... My memories, they feel a bit jumbled. Could you tell me, please, what is today's, hm, full date? ... Thank you kindly." She looks him dead into the eye, but her stare is not intense nor overbearing. If anything, it feels distant.

How much time had passed since she disappeared?

Coleman takes a deep breath and examines his arms and legs; it’s been a long time... a long time since he’s seen himself look like anything other than a tall, gaunt faceless... thing. He looks for the closest reflective surface: a mirror, pool of still water, shiny floor tile, anything. He examines his reflection, running his fingers down his face and finally seeing a nose and eyes and mouth. Only the newly formed crown disturbs his Mask. Coleman, randomly and disturbingly, starts to laugh out loud. It’s a laugh without any actual joy to it; a laugh halfway between relief and losing one’s mind.

Magnus looks around, somewhat nervously, expecting for the Others to show up as soon as the group relaxes and lowers its guard. At this moment he noticed that each of them, including himself, now have crowns over their heads. That was new. Could it be that his companions had a similar encounter as he did? He decides not to dwell on that thought for too long and walks over to the bum.
"Hey, wake up, mate!" He gives him a nudge.

Coleman’s laughter dies down, and his head snaps to the side as he hears the startled reaction of the bum to which Magnus is speaking. The vagrant is... rattled... afraid, but for only the briefest of moments.

Sweet, sweet ephemeral fear. Such spare change. I need a meal...

He approaches Magnus and quietly listens while studying the changeling’s crown. Two for Autumn...

Coleman glances around and assesses the crowns of the others. Fear and Sorrow are dominant. As it should be...

Siobhan does her best to pick her jaw up off the floor. The lights and smells are overwhelming after the Hedge. She feels so *exposed* here. She casts about furtively. Has none one noticed how... strange she looks? You'd think the flaming wings would stand out.

She takes a deep breath and tries to calm her racing hear. Straightening, she moves towards Claire catching the tail end of the man in the glass booth's reply. 2009. Mary mother of God, how long has it been?

Edwina pets her fey spider.

"Im hungry and tired. Do any of you know how to hunt here ?"

We are in a city...we buy food

"We should find others like us. We may not be the only... escapees in this place..."

"Put that away before you hurt yourself," Magnus points at the knife, "Does the name 'Magnus Kessler' ring any bells?" he looks staright in the bum's eyes.

Coleman glances around the terminal. He feels to exposed... too out in the open.

"We shouldn’t linger here. Something may follow us from the Hedge. Best to relocate."

"Oh yes, time to move on, I agree but My parents must have long since forgotten about me."
Edwina set the spider on her shoulder and looked around sadly.

"Where too, are we sticking together ?"

It is as good a plan as any. Who knows how much things have changed?