Thread by @friede

Hey Pack of Pixies, I’m keeping up with the reading — er, viewing — this week though a bit under the weather still. I’ll be taking my usual #acourtoffeyandflowers notes right when the episode drops tonight. I reserve the right to be goofy, but what’s new.

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Shirt is ancient Threadless from the previous millennium. I think it actually might count as vintage by now.

Tonight's episode runtime: 2:09. And hey, we get a transformation of the #acourtoffeyandflowers intro, with @SurenaXMarie now officially known by her real name, Binx Choppley!

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Tonight: bravo/a to the @dimension20show hair team, as @quiddie gives more Lady Hamilton than ever before. A monument.

Recap ends with "naked hand touch" AKA "Regency fucking"

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New "epithets" for the maxed out-Reputation characters

Andhera claims: "statued or statuesque"
Capt Hobb: "Formidable"
Rue: "True Rue, or Rue the True"

Next phase: RUMORS. @quiddie recaps the floating rumors & scandals. A reminder that old rumors with no energy fade.

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@quiddie @acofaf @SurenaXMarie spreads a rumor that Squak is courting Apollo. It comes up in a blunt convo with Rue, where Binx is more loud.

@ozzymo starts one that the Viscountess is an unchoosy floozy. Rue is "not about that -- we all saw what we saw"

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Lou notes the exchange about Rue and the Court of Craft, scandalizing the rumor that the Seafoam is being undermined by Wonder. Squak started it, so gets a shiny token from @quiddie for starting shit.

[bird facts about magpies & bower birds ensue]

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@eaxford will assist Lou in this shit-stirring.

@BrennanLM notes that this is 1st rumor phase since Duel -- escalates to Scandal Apollo DID call off marriage to Viscountess because Rue was desperately in love with her. (Hob is trying to deflect shame from Goblins)

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Emily is the audience surrogate in the oh shit on THAT one.

Brennan notes that Hob was NOT involved in the rumor's circulation, he "doesn't need to add more gas to the fire, he started the fire"

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Lou continues to be unable to tear sheets of paper. Bless.

@OmarNajam has Andhera spread some rumors: mistreating Goblin Court will lead to ill, & his mama sent him to speak specifically to the Viscountess, the "true Diamond" of the Bloom.

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@quiddie as DM scandalizes the Squak/Apollo rumor -- the Bloom is watching CLOSELY.

"Oh please I can fall in love in an episode."
"What a BLEAK outlook on love."

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Now the party can kill a rumor with a token.

Hob pulls his sword. At a Goblin Court party, he praises Andhera's skill. They sing songs of the mocked fairy princess trapped on a horse...

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And now Epistolary Phase!

@quiddie is ready to start (!!). A note with a gift is delivered to the Goblin Pagoda by a creature made of wet sand. 2' wide clamshell of ivory, "red of the sky that sailors fear in the morning".

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@quiddie Inside: a story of mortal mother who warns her children not to go out on a thin veil night. They go, encounter a dark pony that carries them out to be drowned.

A warning from Seafoam Court.

A pile of refuse, drafts, note of interest to Hob.

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Hob writes a gracious response, both parts of the correspondence unsigned.

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Squak from now on is writing in Illusory Script -- non-recipients will only see him thanking for a book recommendation.

DAMN.

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Daylight message to the Baroness: "Courtly procedures continue to keep us apart..." but they will be together. She should be assured of his deep love.

Lou continues to kill the epistolary phase.

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He also writes to Theo thanking for the "rough and tumble" hunting lessons each day. "Pleasurably, Squak"

Cringe ripples across the table."so messy"

"I love it and you. Inspiration."

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Hob sends the sneakiest salt goblin to Squak at night. Brennan rivals Lou in his grasp of the most formal registers as he threatens.

"you got humble servant!"

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The Wing cousins then confer. What should they do with Hob? What of Apollo?

Squak cannot tell whether he loves Apollo or the adulation of the Bloom that comes from being matched with him.

"Based on the way you just said that -- the latter."

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Meanwhile Chirp Summons salt goblins, making her letter seem as if it was coming from the Goblin Court.

Illusory Script-cloaked to look like a letter from Hob is instead Chirp asking for a meeting RE: "addendums to our wager"

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Squak writes to Hob in gracious apology & extending offer of support. Chirp signs as well.

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Binx has 2 letters...
(@SurenaXMarie giving us full Richardsonian heroine context of pacing, emotions, etc. in the leadup to the letters. She's in a void space, liminal space jammed like an antique store.)

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She finds a black apple, "finest fruit she owns." On its stem: "thank you for seeing me" & in dead of night she creeps to Andhera (Stealth 12), sets it down, sees A's Grandpa Dog, growling.

Binx submits, crouching down, throws food, flops over.
Animal Handling: 11!

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Grandpa Dog comes over, laying down, looking at her.

Binx wiggles closer to the door.

"You're so cute..."
"Thanks."

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Binx puts the apple down, says "present" to Grandpa Dog, and is allowed to leave.

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Letter 2 is to Hob, asking him to meet in a secret location. "More in common than you know."

Signed as Gwyn, brought as Binx.

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A tense and ridiculous exchange ensues as the letter is delivered.

@quiddie: "I do need you to know that this stoic & curt response is framed by a full-on goblin orgy."

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"Do you know how cool you are?"
("my eyes fill up with tears")

Binx dashes away to the meeting place.

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A buzz at the base of her spine -- a Sending Spell -- the message cut off mid-spell for word count. A Pool is cut off. What is to be done? Scratch sends regards.

"Love, Gwyndolen."

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Binx writes back -- less time than expected. Crystal Heart obtained for Craft. That bodes well.

Scratch needs more experience.

Better news about the Portals soon.

She puts a letter into her moth wing to send it as she runs.

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Rue writes to the Wavemaster. They are curious as to how the Seafoam Court takes the Bloom so far, & if they have any notes. A caucus is proposed. Notes the rumors swirling -- wishes to quash them.

"With love"

"P.S. I would love to see Winessa make an appearance"

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Persuasion 21.

A perfectly round pearl dropped into vinegar produces the voice of the Wavemaster (@quiddie giving Cleopatra baller moves).

A meeting is set for tonight for all those Rue requested.

"Yours under the verdancy"

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Andhera is sneaking to deliver a note as Binx is sneaking to his rooms. His note (which is entirely improv, not written) is a generous offer of his time at her disposal.

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He then realizes he sent the wrong letter for his second... a letter to Chirp: "Do you have a map? Because I often get lost."

"Cousin, I think Pillar Boy thinks he's stringing me along."
"Is that supposed to be some kind of pick up line?"

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"So the kind thing to do is..."
"Um..."
"... let him think I am deeply in love with him..."
"Um..."

Emily riffs a very horny reply.

"The sexiest way to tell somebody 'stay away from me.'"

(sorry, @quiddie, can't transcribe that whole nonsense that fast)

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The Illusory Script that transforms into book recommendations has morphed into book reviews, and all hell breaks loose at table as Emily belatedly uses her unused Rumor to spread the word that there's a movie adaptation coming...

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Aairry Pearry is Squak's pen name, "Author of the Green Hunter"

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One final missive is sent to the Lords of the Wing. In their nest the birds begin to chatter all at once, unable to be quelled...

"All fun and games until fucking Grandpa shows up..."

Chirp crits to hide, Squak 14 as the bird cries become more piercing.

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Within the cacophony: Grandfather:
"I plan on joining you for the climax of the Bloom." He wants to give his blessing to their matches in person.

Word has reached him. "Do not falter in your moment of glory."

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"He says he's coming at the climax..."
"Most people do AHHHH"
"Whatever the opposite of inspiration is, I'm giving it."

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And that's when Chirp discovers Squak is already engaged.

(Surprise! Less Henry Crawford, more Frank Churchill)

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"Cousin you're shopping around?"
"Of COURSE I'm shopping around..."

AND THAT's when we find out Chirp is MARRIED.

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"I will be putting you in danger if I tell you any more"

Squak is making the Fey equivalent of jungle juice/ pirate punch.

ALSO A CHILD...

"Only one but it's really bad..."

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She's... on the Material Plane... she's a mortal manifesting our magic... and Chirp gave away her power of flight.

Their servant Gobble starts running, but Squak & Chirp get off Irresistible Dance & Gift of Gab.

Gobble starts throwing down.

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"What do I have to do to buy your silence"
"Money"

Chirp offers fabricated designer knockoffs.

Fittingly for the setting, Chirp forgot the servant was there.

In a more Downton move, Gobble is The Good Servant.

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Gobble's loyalty is with them.

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Unfortunately, Chirp is indeed in love, and like many birds, is monogamous.

Her plan RE: Rue's Wager is to offer to set two people to fall in love in her stead.

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Hob approaches the Wing's nest, but can only hear shouting & the sounds of the birds providing the Lords cover.

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The cousins can do no wrong in each others' eyes, even the "comparison shopping"

After all, Esme is alive now, but Chirp can see the future of fuckery available...

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Hob arrives & is offered tea...

(Before we move forward, Brennan moves us back to the trash investigation: Wonder scrambling for the Crystal Heart, a "true match" for Apollo now that the "Goblin mess" is behind them)

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How socially adept does Brennan think Hob actually is?

He thinks more than Hob thinks.

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Hob realizes no singular piece of evidence would make its way into the trash. He finds no outright admission that Wonder actively chose to set Goblin up to be dunked. Lot of smoke, no fire.

He sends relevant material to his superiors.

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Back at the nest, "We shall find the limits of reason here."

Clarification needed about "where we stand" -- he wishes for public retraction of falsehoods -- which might be unnecessary if they were given to them by another.

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Nothing can be stricken from memory at this point.

He is, in his roundabout way, looking for the origin of the rumor.

Squak notes that he is not the origin.

Neither cousin is willing to throw anyone else under the bus.

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As Hob then salutes and leaves he runs into Andhera. Before he leaves he asks Andhera to meet with him in 10 minutes. Hob messages Binx as he goes, recommending a second from another Court when they meet.

This message via salt goblin is a HILARIOUS exchange.

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"DUEL DUEL DUEL DUEL"

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The tiny salt goblin demands "Uppies!" as Binx continues to run.

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Binx heads to Wonder, grabbing "disguises" from her wings: scarf, sunglasses, hat, hat for wee salt goblin.

[commentary from the Wing above]

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Binx heads to Rue's room, rapping quickly.

Binx has... the best-worst fake accent since Caleb Widogast's... every attempt at imitation.

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Binx wants Rue to come as her second to the meeting with Hob.

"I think he might be my twin flame, not in a romantic way but in a friend way..."

Salt Gobbo pipes up. "You're Gwyn?"

@eaxford: "We've GOT to start killing people in this campaign."

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Salt Gobbo knows no fear of death... except from Rue's 25 Intimidation.

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As Rue & Salt Gobbo face off, Gwyn casts Sleep on him.

"Somewhere Hob is like 'put him in a mason jar'"

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Binx hypes up Rue (with some digressions into the risks of revelation)

"You have to act on the things you feel. That's what our magic is made of."

Called it: Binx is straight out of the revolutionary 1790s playbook, and in this game she gets to be right.

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Rue's plan: to look sickening.

And that's when we turn back to Andhera at the Wings.

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Zone of Truth time! Comedy GOLD.

As Andhera babbles about he likes Chirp like a babysitter, Chirp carefully interjects: "Andhera, I want the best for you. And that's the truth"

And now we are full cross-talk straight out of the 18C rep:

"Are you in love?"
"Deeply."

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It resolves quickly as Chirp explains it is not Andhera, which relieves him. He does like the cousins, they're so much fun.

Though apparently less fun than prior Blooms: only one duel & no deaths!

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"can I call you auntie and uncle?"
"I dispel Zone of Truth"

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Andhera offers to serve as a beard, which gets spun out into a comically complex explanation.

"we're all pan here."

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Andhera, dismissed, makes his way to where Hob waits for him, in a greatcoat, mottled. The shake formally.

Hob asks Andhera to serve as HIS second for the meeting with Binx.

An adorkable exchange about trust completed, they make their way to the meeting.

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Binx is back in Gwyn Mode nervously in her higher register as now Rue soothes & supports.

We get Rue's origin on the Mortal Plane as a wild Owlbear, raised to be one of the Fey. Rue gives her Bardic Inspo from a song they used to steel themselves as a young one.

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Salt Gobbo is in a party favor windowed bag, which he rattles to announced Andhera & Hob's approach (and to ask for some air holes)

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Meanwhile, Hob & Andhera roll for how hot their walk across the misty moors, shadows lengthening & deepened. (15 + 21, so yeah)

Hob pulls out a purple potion & hands to Andhera: "Better for you to drink that than me" & tells him to tap his shoulder as warning.

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Insight (13) v. Deception (16) means Rue doesn't clock Hob's small gasp. Luckily for him, Rue cannot look directly at Hob.

The Backstreet Boys invocation feels unnecessary but I am no fun.

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Andhera feels Hob's self-reproach & tumult, & the storm above them shifts in reply. He then feels Binx's anxiety & self-talk set to a tune. He senses Rue looking away, "I've never been here before"

(Salt Gobbo is thinking about food)

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Hob greet Gwyn, noting Binx delivered the letter.

She in turn notes that there has been a misunderstanding -- she feels she can trust everyone here, but needs to know Hob's feeling on the Court of Wonder before her disclosure.

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There are those, Hob notes, who contradict the nature of a large Court. That said, he find Wonder vain, etc. -- counter to the values of Goblin's Rumpus.

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Awkward Rue/Hob patter ensue before Hob slices through it as he notes, in tones that start strong and end LOUD

"A fish rots from the head" -- Apollo will pay and pay soon for the insult he has given to the Viscountess.

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With this, Binx drops her Gwyn glamour, to Hob's surprise (& of course no one else's)

"Well, shit."

Hob eats the mocking salt gobbo.

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Binx notes that Fey don't die, they become things in the Material Plane. She thinks Wonder has "done too much & has gotten away with it for two long."

Hob begins to laugh richly, delightedly, then grabs tailor's cloth to begin strategizing.

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Red String Table!

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Hob looks to Rue. To all outward appearances Wonder is their court. He notices that Rue has remained stoic.

"I wish to know the manner of your silence."

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Rue is torn, their conflict reflected in the storm cloud Andhera projects.

"I don't belong... anywhere."

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As Rue talks of being of Wonder, but not truly in it, Hob thinks of all the times he's marched, as far away from the Rumpus.

He knows what it feels that "the only route you have is the one that does not feed you"

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Revelations ensue right and left, most notably:

"The K in KP stands for Nicholas."

Rue's composure shatters. Andhera feels Rue's thought: "I love him."

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With that, the camera pans down to the shimmer of plots, conspiracies, then up to the starry night sky. We see the other factions moving: Seafoam Court, a messenger in gaudy gold armor carrying a reflective gold envelope to the Wing's nest...

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And that's where we end, with a teaser of plotting, investigation, duels?, more cloud-as-mood-ring, Rue/Hob continuing its slow burn, and @quiddie with hair that is the Fey love child of late 18C coiffure à l’enfant and fin de siècle Gibson Girl.

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@quiddie As always, if you haven't seen my read of the first episodes of #acourtoffeyandflowers for Polygon I will shamelessly encourage you to do so! I am as delighted when I'm surprised as when I nail it.

polygon.com/reviews/233188…