"So what happened then?" asked Longarms.
"Story for another time," said Mercia, getting to her feet. "We should check out that building that just caught fire."

Quote Originally Posted by Anarion View Post
No parties. At least none found easily. Vague feelings of how ridiculous this one-horse town was stirred in Aelas' memory. She'd felt that way before she left. Maybe Abbey still did, but she'd stayed and went to school here anyway. Maybe it was because Daddy made things so nice. Lucky he hadn't been home though, that would have been like, super duper hard to explain.

Aelas decided that she'd have to get her friends and all go drinking tonight and they'd just have their own fun! Yeah! Well, at any rate, that was eventually the plan. The market would come after, when she wasn't so starving, and when she found something good to trade. Like, maybe she could find the end of a rainbow, or a the last shard of an exploding sun that had made its way to earth. Or some cookies, she bet cookies would trade really well at the market, especially chocolate chip.

But right now, she needed to find those friends first. Isaac had told her to find Lily, and she figured that everyone was still all gathered together. And since they were all grouped up and doing formal stuff, it was probably pretty safe. So, when she called herself a car (Butterfly was now taking the night off unless there was a capital E Emergency), she had it take her right to the big meeting hall, got out in front and walked right in. Then she looked around for Lily and walked over to her and waved hi!
For a moment there is a total hush, and then a terrified reorganization as the band of the Summer Court rustles into position behind the King. The King of Summer's face twists and rolls and boils like he is trying to chew through his own teeth. The scream builds inside him. He clenches his whole body forwards, and then with a great ripping motion he roars.

The ground heaves. Windows shatter. Great gusts of smoke erupt into the air.

The building catches fire, igniting all about on chairs and walls and carpet. The most skittish leave instantly - most of the Spring Court, but fewer than might be thought from Autumn, as they cluster closer together for protection. Music begins to howl, drums begin to beat, stomping feet begin to keep the time, and like an avalanche the King of Summer walks towards Aelas.