Silver Appeals to Lord Grey II

Characters in this scene: Silver, Lord Grey II, Glory.

Immediately before: Silver and Glory Collect Erectus

Glory coughed and nearly sputtered into the dirt. She used the baseball bat in her hand to keep herself on her feet. Presentation mattered here, at this moment. She glared up, making sure that her opponent was still down. Nibbles, her second-strongest goblin, and a rather big one at that, was sprawled onto the ground in front of her. Some of her other goblins as well were also recovering from their battle with her.

"I fucking win, you fucking bastards," she spit out. From afar, Silver watched Glory's fight ready to pounce into her silver-bladed wolf-form should it look like Glory was in too much trouble.

Glory and Silver were now just outside of New York City, and preparing to enter back into it. It was early morning, but Glory decided it was a good time now to have her fight with her goblins now. For the last few hours, Glory was engaged in a no-break one-on-one gauntlet of goblins, forced to fight and bind them all once again like when she first caught them all. Taking a Faerie Practitioner as her Familiar left a number of them rather disgruntled, so Glory had to remind them again of why she was in charge. And she had just finished with her match against one of the physically-strongest of all the bunch. The rebels were now put down, and the rest knew not to step out of line. She won, if just barely. She turned around, and walked over to the concerned-looking Silver. As she did, she took out her phone, and crossed out another part of their checklist:

**Glory & Silver's Checklist**

- ~~Stella is hunting down Brian.~~

- ~~Stella is attacking Landis.~~

- Officer Ted and New York Police are still looking for them.

- ~~Glory & Silver sell drinks in Indianapolis!~~

- ~~Opening gray's scroll.~~

- ~~Glory's match with her goblins.~~

- Silver's battle in the Warrens with Glory's goblins.

- ~~Deal with Silver's cousin's "gift" for them.~~

- Erectus is bound for them in New York.

- Silver has to pick up some stuff.

- Check over to Isi’s town to save him from his echoes.

- Clear Seamus’s criminal record.

- Fight with Seamus for leadership of the Alliance.

- Deal with Lord Grey’s wrath.

They had a lot still on their list. A whole-fucking hell lot.

Silver shifted and fidgeted, torn between fussing over Glory and the possible risk of downplaying everything she'd done. "You alright?" she asked.

"Yeah, I'm alright. How about you?" Glory takes a bottle of water and takes a quick swig from it.

"Anxious. A lot of anxiety." Silver shifted, and metal gleamed - she caught herself before accidentally shifting. "Not sure how to be otherwise."

"Yeah, I can't say it's not the same for me," Glory says, heading back into the van. "Let's just focus on what's in front of us. Erectus, and then Isi, then Grey."

She then looked back at Silver, with a sympathetic look in her eye. "I just saw the post about your family. How're you feeling?"

"Don't know how to feel about it. I didn't think..." Silver pauses, then follows in Glory's tracks. "Fair consequence of trying to have your cake and eat it too. But, fuck. I need to... if they're pulling out then it's actually bad." Silver's calm wasn't fake, but it was mostly born of how much anxiety she'd yanked out recently. "If I don't head this off... can I head this off? Fucking fuck."

"Well, on the bright side, that means they absolutely won't bother us anymore, right?" Glory tried to give her a weak smile.

"If they're disowning me, then they don't want anything from me anymore." Silver didn't smile. "She never disowned Brian. Possibly consider what that means."

Silver's twisting with pain, inside. She wanted freedom, so very much. But she didn't seem to know how to handle rejection on this level.

Glory suddenly then stepped toward, and hugged Silver tightly. She didn't say anything. Just tightly wrapped her arms around her.

Silver hugged back, fiercely, shivering. She leaned her forehead on Glory's shoulder, and didn't let go.

They stayed like that for a long while. Not saying anything, not moving just in each others arms for what felt like forever. "It'll be alright. I'm here. We'll figure this out, together," she whispers in Silver's ear.

"We'd better," Silver murmurs back. "I want a lot more than a few days with you."

"Has it really only that long?" Glory laughs weakly. "It's felt we've been together for years already."

"Someone once said that it's not the years that you should count, but the life in your years." Silver tried to hug closer. "I rather think we've gotten in a lot of life, don't you?" Silver tilted her head, not trying to pull away but still trying to look at her.

"If I'm really remembering the months, it's been only about two months since we first talked with each on OMO." She turned her head, looking Silver in the eyes. "We've done a whole-fucking hell lot since then, don't you think?"

Silver laughs softly. "Stories and stories - I wonder what I could buy with our stories." Silver poked Glory's nose with hers affectionately. "You're quite something, love."

Glory tilted her head, with a confused smile. "Love? Thought you made clear before how our relationship should be."

Silver reached up and swatted the back of Glory's head. "I can love you without wanting to fuck you, seriously Glory?"

Glory just laughed, her usual, signature laugh. She hugged Silver more tightly in her arms. "We should get ready. Our kid is still waiting for us in Central Park."

"Ugh." Silver buried her face in Glory's shoulder again. "Curses. Dragging a kid into all this shit."

"Yeah, well, I guess that's what happens when you have a shotgun marriage, am I right?" Glory still hugged her tightly. She didn't let go, but she did try to scoot them over closer to the driver's couch while Silver was still in her arms.

"Who knocked who up in this metaphor?" Silver laughed a bit at the awkwardness, and assisted in the endeavour of not interrupting the affection for the trivial task of walking, shifting the demesne under their feet just a bit.

Soon, the both of them were right beside their couch. Glory glanced over to it, and hugged Silver even more tightly, and threw them both onto the couch. They landed with a slight thud. "Ready to go?" She asks her, with a smile still on her face.

Silver grins at her, and nuzzles her hair. "Lets get moving. Wasting time isn't going to help us, is it?"

Glory nodded, and they both sat themselves upright on the couch. Glory picked up the steering wheel, and soon they were back on the road, driving down the streets of New York City. "So, how bad is our situation with Grey, really?"

"A Marquis of Bright Spring pissed with us? It depends on how pissed he is with us. If Mother's disowning me over it..." Silver swallowed, curling into Glory's side. "I don't know. I just don't know. Nobility on this level - I didn't think he was this big when I first talked to him. He's the kind of thing that I'm pretty sure my family would have suggested avoiding - and that's my family, recklessness is a family trait."

"So really bad. Got it." Glory made a turn around the street. "How much do you think we have until we are definitively going to be killed by him?"

Silver shrugs. "Weeks at a minimum, I expect. Could be years or decades. Or... what do you mean by definitively?"

"When he's done playing around with us, and decides that it's time to finally off us once and for all. Basically, taking the kiddy gloves off for us."

"Then that statement stands. The time until us being done is inevitable?" Silver shrugs. She feels cold. "Could already be passed. I hope not."

"Okay." Glory then takes a deep breath, in and out. "So, what are our options?"

"Run. Beg. Bargain. Pray for a miracle."

**Grey-Cloaked Eminence (DM):** Did somebody say a bargain?

Silver... paused. "Is she - "

**SilverWolf (DM):** How the fuck are you listening in?

Glory seemed to be too busy focused on dodging around the New York traffic. "We can call in allies. I know some people, and a certain someone, if they can be convinced, can bring in the big guns. Though, that's more of the fuck-and-nuke everything, we not longer what the consequences are button."

**Grey-Cloaked Eminence (DM):** I did admit that there were tricks to those three gifts. Shall I explain them? Additionally, do you require some assistance?

"Marquis of Bright Spring, Glory. Even if we did somehow 'nuke' the Grove... do you know what'd be after us at that point? Do you have the slightest conception?" Silver huffed, tapping at her phone. "It'd just make everything worse, somehow."

**SilverWolf (DM):** ... Yes. Grey's... upset with us. Last of my Faerie allies stopped by to let me know that their obligations to me have been dissolved on those grounds earlier today.

"Okay, so fighting is out of the running. What about running away? We got a few options there. Sanctuary is opening up soon, right?"

"Marquis of Bright Spring." Silver's tone was very flat. "I imagine Stirge would offer us Sanctuary, even with this on our tail. But it wouldn't be for that long. Faerie are patient, sometimes."

**Grey-Cloaked Eminence (DM):** Understood. As I currently understand it, while it may be risky for me to enter your "home" in any capacity, there is no such clause for neutral ground, or places you otherwise don't consider home. Even with Fool's death, I have an abundance of contacts, information, and items. Free of charge, because Fool's will instructs you to be considered an "A-list priority." Might I explain the system?

Glory made another rough turn. "Okay, what about the Warrens? I got some connections in there, and the residents there definitely won't appreciate a Fae Lord continually trying to invade it."

“How long can we really stay down there? Whenever we left...” Silver frowned down at her phone.

**SilverWolf (DM):** Do you mind if I get back to you on that?

“Maybe... I think I need to talk to him. People like me, rather foolishly. I don’t think he wants the consequences of me calling him out for targeting me. There’ll be  prices. But he’s not all powerful in this Realm...”

**Grey-Cloaked Eminence (DM):** Very well. Just know that I can provide my services.

"It wouldn't be too bad down there. Sally is what she calls a Resident, right, of the Fae Realm? And she seems quite alright. We can start a little business down there. I found that goblins really like using the internet, but suck at maintenance aside from a certain handful of gremlins." Glory kept on driving, staring down the road.

"It wouldn't be too bad," she said quietly. "It would take some time getting used to, definitely. But... maybe it's time for us to retire somewhere. To finally take a break from it all."

Silver glanced at Glory. “A peaceful life in the Warrens, huh?” Silver murmured. “Not a life I’ve ever pictured.”

"What kind of life did you picture?" Glory asks her. "I doubt you envisioned yourself ever becoming a Familiar either, right?"

Silver laughs. “You saw my message to Seamus, didn’t you? I never really pictured a life. I spent some time wandering how I’d end, I suppose, but I never expected to last.”

"Honestly, I'm kinda surprised I lasted this long myself!" Glory laughs along with her.

“Such a pair, aren’t we.” Silver turns her phone over in her hands. “Shall I try and talk to him? See if there’s some way out?”

"You can try. But I think in the end, it's going to come down to me, and how well I can apologize to him. It started with me and him, and will probably only end with me and him."

“He doesn’t care for you in the least.” Silver sighs, shutting her eyes. She’d never been religious, but at times like these? *Please, please. Mercy on a pair of poor fools.*

**SilverWolf:** Marquis of the Grove Under Nameless Stars, Lord Grey the Second of Bright Spring. For the sake of the affection you once showed me, in memory of a time once passed when we could both speak of our deepest desires, please; I beg an audience.

**lordgreyii:** More circumspect than usual, Familiar. comes the reply minutes later. Why do you request my attention?

**SilverWolf:** I had allies among Fae, once. Their final kindness before they cut our Connections were a warning. Please, Lord Grey. There are better endings for this story, more that we can give you, than an ignoble crumbling over foolish mistakes.

**lordgreyii:** Warnings were offered. Repeated warnings were offered, and ignored. Gestures of kindness and repayment scorned.

**lordgreyii:** Insult has been given, and I will not take that lightly.

**SilverWolf:** I know. You are a Marquis. But we didn’t... I am sorry. We are young and foolish and we didn’t understand how far your tolerance stretched or the price of pushing too far. We are willing to pay the prices for our mistakes, Lord Grey. You know who we are - you know the influence I seek to weave, that Glory is a technomancer. Were we to turn our efforts on your behalf, publicly apologise, reinforce your power - would that not be a better path?

Silver swallowed. “Maybe don’t drive too fast. I don’t want any of this to catch you by surprise.”

Glory nodded, and slowed the van down a bit.

**lordgreyii:** Willing or not, you both shall pay the prices for your mistakes. It is regrettable that you tied yourself so permanently to so foolish a Practitioner. Otherwise, you would need not share the same fates.

**SilverWolf:** Please Lord Grey. We can swear to apologies, we can swear to service. It needn't turn to this - please, think of other consequences. Turning on us, ruining me - they're all distrustful of Faerie already, uncertain to deal and bargain. For you to do this to us, when we're so willing to apologise and make all amends, to pay you appropriate recompense - when this is me, who was once so dear to you? I can help you, Lord Grey, incline people to work with you, help with your influence, but to ruin me will make others afraid. They mightn't offer you insult, but nor will they be willing to assist you, bargain with you, play with you. The story will grow duller, lesser without us.

**lordgreyii:** I am gladdened by your willingness to apologise. I also remember the hidden venom in the words of advice for dealing with fae, and I wonder how much fear they have is due to it. Or if it were not enough, for one to be so brazen with their insults nonetheless.

**lordgreyii:** I do not imagine this will change many attitudes. It shall rightfully remind people to be cautious and polite. Those afraid will remain so. Those who were not should be warned.

**lordgreyii:** Make no mistake, Familiar, this is deserved. Willingness to apologize over it is tantamount to admittance of that.

**SilverWolf:** This is the price of insulting Nobility. I understand that. I can do no less than accept that, for I lack your influence and power, and am merely mortal. This is not a fair fight, in any way. This is not a game. This has stopped even being a story, now. This is not a satisfying ending.

**SilverWolf:** You can ruin us. I do not even think you will find it hard. But where is the satisfaction in this, Lord Grey? Where is the joy? We were trying to grow, we were trying to learn, trying - for the first time in both our lives - to really truly properly grow a life. And for childish foolishness, you will metaphorically salt our ground.

Silver is shaking. Her hands are steady, but she is shaking.

Glory placed one of her hands over Silver's. "Is he taking?"

"Not yet. Please, please..."

**lordgreyii:** Mine is not the province of endings. Mine is the province of beginnings. Sometimes, the story begun is a tragedy. A parable of yore, to be passed down as a warning to the next generation.

**lordgreyii:** This cannot go unanswered. Honor demands that I make an example of this, or I would lose respect in the eyes of my Court. Perhaps if you offered atonement by Foreswearing yourselves, I could withdraw my fae.

**lordgreyii:** You are correct: this is not a fair fight. This is not a fight at all. Nor is it a game. This is righting a wrong.

**lordgreyii:** Attempting to climb a cliff does not mean one always gets to reach the summit. That one realizes the seriousness and deadliness of trying after falling does not make one approach the ground any slower.

Silver paused. Her voice was blank. "He wants no less than our foreswearing."

Glory didn't say anything. She merely kept on driving.

"Do you. Do you have another option?" Silver's voice cracked, and she shuddered. "We might be able to beg shelter after that. Maybe."

"I could apologize. It was me that started it." Glory's voice was calm.

"He doesn't want that. I offered that. He's... he's bound by his role, here." Silver shook her head. "Fucking Fae, fucking fucking Fae. Damn it. Damn it."

"What is his role here?"

"Lord of the Grove. Marquis. He is Nobility. He couldn't suffer this... damn it, damn it why did he have to be cryptic? Why did he have to let me think that he could let all this slide?" Silver snarls, low in her throat. "He doesn't dare lose the respect of his court. He doesn't dare fall lower in their eyes. Politics, politics, fucking politics."

"Yeah, politics suck." Glory's brow then furrowed. "You know, I've been meaning to ask you, what is the Grove of Nameless Stars? Why are the stars nameless? All stars should have name, in my opinion. I used to do it all the time, back in my hometown."

"I don't know. I don't know." Silver buried her face in her hands. "He Named a star, recently."

Glory raised an eyebrow. "In his own Grove? So much for the Grove of Nameless Stars."

"The Star left, from what I understand." Silver curled against Glory, shaking.

"Can anyone Name a star? Like, just look up at the sky, and Name them?" Glory asks. She then looked over to Silver, and placed an arm around her, patting her back. "I'd like to do that one day with you. I used to do it with others, but it's been a long time since then."

"To really Name a star I think you need some claim on them." Silver just curled herself close, putting her phone aside. "But calling them something... I think anyone can do that."

"Ah. Maybe one day, I'll take you to my hometown, and we can do just that." The van parked. They were right in front of Central Park. Glory then turned off the van, and hugged Silver tightly in her arms.

Silver hugged her back. "I do love you, you know," she whispered. "I do. You gave me a life to live, when I didn't think I could have one."

"I think I should be saying that," Glory says, holding her tight in her arms. "I love you too. You saved me."

"I don't... there's a lot of things to regret, eventually. But not knowing you. I don't regret knowing you."

"Neither do I. You were the best thing that's happened to me in years. These were the greatest two months of my life."

"Two months." Silver laughed, a bit choked. "Damn it. I haven't even had my twentieth birthday yet."

"I think my birthday is coming up pretty soon." Glory then takes a deep breath. "C'mon, let's go see our kid."

Silver breathed. It took physical effort - perhaps it even hurt her Self - but she managed to step back. "Yeah. Let's go see how they are."