The Wolf Is Awake

Welcome to where the mythical and the magical are reality. They are just hidden from your eyes. And if you consider yourself brave enough to raise the veil, just know... You can't turn back Indie Muti-Muse Roleplay Blog Penned by Kirei

[thewolfisawake]

Aspis noticed something moving on the wind. And while it could be a just a regular butterfly...there was glimmer to it and translucence to it that was unnatural. And he felt like he's seen it before. Its flight seemed to draw closer and the hunter reached out for it to land.

"Young hunter, I do so hope you understand how much effort your request cost me," a pleasing timbre reached his mind. There was playful lilt to it. If playful were what you considered a cat pawing at a mouse, "and how close you came to a debt you would spend over a lifetime to pay. Your fortune is enviable."

From quite a distance, Balmoral crossed a leg as he glanced over one of the windows. A moth of his own serving as a conduit, "I have answers to your inquiries though I do have a warning of if these answers leave from being only your knowledge: Unseelie is my domain and does not answer to your hunters nor the powers that those far afield yield to. And that you tread carefully if you decide to tangle with the affair of any fae."

"So don't cause too much trouble or you'll be forced to act," Aspis translated.

Balmoral laughed, more raucous and less stately. Like he had when they met at Corpsevain, "Clever boy, though I will add the caution for entanglement goes twofold. But returning to the matter at hand."

"Unseelie at this time does not harbor your companion. However some of my informants have told me of a woman from 'far afield' within our main city. Some investigating confirms that this was the huli jing included in your favor. She had met with a...dealer of sorts. Another of my informants say that it may have to do with 'enchanted metal.'"

"Enchanted metal?" Why did that sound familiar? Aspis couldn't place it, "What did she want with it? And who's this dealer? Why did she go to them?"

"Who knows?" Balmoral replied, "My only obligations were to ensure your friend was not in Unseelie and my limited relation elsewhere. And to make you aware if there was a spotting of a huli jing. Both have been fulfilled. I do so hope this favor was worth it to you, young hunter."

"It was," Aspis said immediately. He wasn't sure of why Jianhuren wanted him to inquire as he did but if it brought Minglian one step closer to home, then it was worth it, "...and if I wanted to ask of any thing else about what was going on? Would you take a simple mortal's request?"

"Don't sell yourself short. If this is the lengths for a personal endeavors, I know you would be relentless in a pursuit I choose."

"Is that your price?"

"Is that your what you wish?"

"...." Aspis paused. He knew fae could be about their deals but he had a feeling it was just the king's personality to be so forward about going for another so soon after giving a boon. A taste of what could be done in order to tempt one again. What a devious man. Well, fae.

He couldn't tell if the fae was being generous or playing at some other game. Because nowhere did Balmoral say that he nor the others couldn't investigate about what information that the Unseelie king presented. Only that if they caused too much trouble he would have to step in. A huli jing that approached a fae dealer...who both were, the hunter had no idea. What they were doing in each other's company, he also didn't know.

Still, he found something and maybe with the others they could put things together. But Aspis did want to keep the door open...just in case. Just in case only, he'd done well to avoid deals that he didn't know about since becoming a hunter. He'd like to keep that streak, "...no. I think I'll figure some things out myself but I just would like to know if I could ask you again."

"We have made acquaintance so I don't see why not. If that is all, I'll take my leave now."

The familiar shattered into silver shards that were lost on the winds. Aspis watched them fade before he ran though the information and started his sprint to get back to the others.

-

A sigh was heard from near where Balmoral had been having his conversation as the king released the moth to flit from his grasp.

"Did you not just release yourself from a promise? One you gave on a whim mind you. And one that asked more than you should be giving?" the Vizier's tone was even though it was laced with a scolding and irritation.

"And the boy didnae ask fir mair," Balmoral pointed out, "besides, you dinnae want me tae be involved with matters beyond Unseelie unnecessarily. Yet you want the pursuit of the woman thon deigned tae slight your....companion. As contemptible as he is."

"Balmoral."

"Ristean," Bal replied, "consider this a line because if whomever the hunter's working with cannae deal with thon woman, then perhaps we will. 'Course if you're impatient, ah'm sure you hae ways tae go aboot finding her."

And eye like a lazily swirling cosmo cast with his truesight towards an ever present observer with an amused smirk, "But fir noo, we wait."

[thewolfisawake]

"How interesting...whoever you have your sights on, very elusive and closed in terms of who knows about they and their companions. Shame, I hoped to be able to get a favor in. But I don't leave my jobs with nothing to show. I will say that the answer is 'yes' to identity of your quarry."

-

"Likely because of the nature of the dragons'...acquaintance, the spirits could not figure out where they went. However, they did report me that there was another around that appeared like the two that I originally asked about. I am not certain if you are privy but for your sake I will inform you. That is another Red Eye named Qingshan."

"Oh? You have heard of her? Then I suppose it goes without saying to keep to the safety of the dragons, Aspis. There is a difference between recklessness and bravery."

-

"No luck on my end. Sorry for you, zmey, but at least it isn't the underground causing problems."

-

"Sorry, kiddo, it's not something that our folks are really in. Which is prolly a good thing all things considering. Oren's a bit bummed. Something about tweaking spells or some shit. We'll keep a look out and let me know if there's anything else."

[thewolfisawake]

"A request for me? How rare, so I'll have to take it seriously. Though you also have to understand dependent on what you're looking for, I might have to extend myself and that's its own fee."

-

"Tannim had already asked me for help. He is already fretting with Jianhuren and, of course, Minglian as well. Spirits can be finicky in places not their 'domain' but I will see if I can ascertain anything. Continue your search elsewhere in the mean time."

-

"I take it I should be concerned if you're not contacting about our next row, zmey," he said, "but while I'm not too in with the whole non-human thing, I can check around...less reputable sources for sketchy goings on."

-

"Ah, now it makes sense. You're asking for help for someone else, aren't you, Fusillade?"

"I thought I was entitled to ask for assistance from you big shots as part of babysitting."

"You are. But I just think it's interesting since you never asks the seconds for help, much less any of us 'big shots.' So I figured you're asking for someone else. Well, that and I'm pretty sure I got asked the same thing. Aspis, yeah?"

"...how do you know him?"

"Loooong story, but since you'll be helping me out, we have all the time for that.

-

"Bal, looks like someone left a message asking if you could pretty please keep an eye out for his friend."

"Shouldn't they be concerned fir a friend ending up in Unseelie tae begin wit?" he chuckled, "Quite audacious request though."

"He did put in his message that he knows what it means to ask a favor of a fae, much less a king, but would still ask for this as his boon to at least ensure that Unseelie and whatever pull you have with Hell are not where his friend could be. Any information you might be able to glean would also be appreciated."

Balmoral heartily laughed, "And ah thought Andrei's boy was shameless. Very well," he called to his link to Thistle, "...let Sola ken she has a wee bit of work tae dae."

[thewolfisawake]

previously...

Aspis had to hand it to Minglian, being able to pick up reading things way faster than he was. He had struggled to discern the translations and, admittedly, leaned on her direction. Which only served to halt him a little when she mentioned him being close. He paused to see what to look for so he didn't simply pass it.

Little dots swept across over and over. Over and over. Then it seemed to stop altogether. Hmmm, maybe she was responding elsewhere? But that felt odd. He reread her last indicator and started to look for the signs himself. Yet as he did, Aspis continued to check their chat for Minglian to continue typing.

"Weird..." he remarked, thinking--hoping--he was overthinking it.

Yet when he arrived at the perfect trifecta of landmarks she said, that feeling did not go away. Especially when his friend was not at their meeting place. Minglian said she was already there. And it wouldn't have made much sense to leave to go look for him, lest they both end up in circles. Aspis almost started to call her.

But then a glint caught his eye. It was faint and maybe if he hadn't been in his profession, might've missed it. He crouched to investigate what looked like a bit like......spun gold? It mingled with very dark locks. And it could've just been an oddity. But his gaze and heart froze when he noticed the one other color joined amidst them.

A blue that was like seafoam.

He took the locks into his hand as he surveyed the area. Something wasn't right, "xiao-lian, where are you...?"

The hunter seemed to start to think like a hunter. And his sense was telling him time was of the essence. But as a friend, his worry was compounding. Minglian, even if he was close, didn't just leave him waiting, she wouldn't take off without telling him, and she cared about her hair far too much to have a strand--much less a lock--out of place. And if there were something able to cause that from her...there was no trace of her retaliation anywhere....Something was wrong and it looked like help was going to be needed...

[thewolfisawake]

"I can't help but feel like this is Balmoral getting back at me. Oh, it's so cold," the fae grumbled as buried herself further into her layers. Even shoes because she did not want to die from the snowbound land. Although flowers still manifested, they were enveloped in frost to make icy likeness. It was Winter's dominion after all.

As much of this seemed to be. Eithne had heard places that celebrated solstices but like much of Unseelie, their......vigor? Vigor for it was something else. And there were even visitors from other realms too!

However she was left alone for this particular night. It seemed the long night was a big deal. So she, somewhat relieved and somewhat nervous, was unaccompanied to view the festivities. She nuzzled into her scarf where Enyssal was also huddled and but accepted the affection, "Aren't you supposed to be able to handle the cold?"

She got a thwhip of their serpentine body in response.

[thewolfisawake]

Eithne does have a companion of sorts. It is a little dragon, all of its body curled up takes up all of her palm and then some. They have a serpentine appearance but is very much a dragon. Their coloring is more dull black with a undertone of purple. She loves them and they tend to be hanging out either on her or in her clothes. Sometimes she'll send them out for 'missions' that they either are eager for or have to practically be bribed. Eithne doesn't know their name so mainly calls them her friend but has sometimes called them Enyssal or Nyl. She knows they do not feel strongly about the name and that it is not their actual name but seems to put up with it for her. So Eithne usually can only shrug about it.

[thewolfisawake]

The Unseelie itself could be considered a scary place on its own, there are also its own share of boogeymen too. One of these were the Silverfell. They were the monsters of children's tales and unnerving for even those at the top of command.

Silverfell are a coven of assassins with their name being derived from how their blades spill their silver of their victims' blood. Their founding is unknown although they appear to have been around back in ancient Unseelie times. And anything that's lasted long in the Unseelie is not something to be trifled with.

It is believed that the Silverfell are primarily women, which has lent to the idea that they are seers as most seers are feminine. However the seer part was not necessarily true but it did make it easy for them to live out in the Wastes. And because of the secrecy, no one's quite sure where their base of operations are.

The Silverfell's motivations vary, which lends to the credence that they have shifting leadership, but unless the leader is known...it's never clear what they might do. They have no allegiance to any region, power, or being. So it makes when they strike unpredictable...and frustrating for many factions. However there seems to be a way to get their help as the Silverfell have been utilized all throughout the Unseelie's history for just about every side imaginable.

What makes the Silverfell dangerous besides having magic that makes them nigh undetectable, is that they appear to be fae that they all have one part of their aspect as iron--a fae's fatal weakness. It is unknown how all are able to have it and it has led to speculation of intense breeding or some kind of experimentation. Only the Silverfell know. And it is rumored at least one of them has the aspect of a certain Seelie born plant....how that happened....absolutely no one that isn't them knows or could confirm that.

It was believed that the Silverfell declined if not went extinct with the fall of the Mag na Scathanna and the culling of the seer fae because they seemed to go quiet after this. This...is not true. They have been involved with dozens of incidents since. They just do not make it clear it is them. Both Risteard and Somairle had heard of their handiwork while they were amongst the gentry but never dealt with them personally. Balmoral obviously has heard of them but he admits he's never had the pleasure of meeting their acquaintance in any capacity all throughout his career. He jokes maybe he is that lucky.

[thewolfisawake]

True Name: ???

Name: Eithne

FC: H.irose N.atsuko from Z.enshu

Personality:

Eithne is a very curious and wonder filled person. She likes to watch how the world moves around her. She will look with rapt attention to try to and see how things work around her. But she finds other beings to be the most fascinating of all.

She is spirited but also doesn't always know how to direct her energy. As a result she can seem 'off' or she gets anxious about interaction. Furthermore, she can get defensive towards those that inquire far too much into herself or her home. Then it can be found Eithne is also fussy and 'puffs up' as well.

Background:

Eithne is the fae of spring for the Unseelie. This makes her apart of this cycle of 'seasons,' that consist of four fae with the aspect of their respective season that is the strongest or has the strongest potential. As such she sometimes is simply called Spring. However, Eithne hasn't been to the Unseelie until recently...and even then this was indirectly.

This is because Eithne is also imprisoned in a secret location in another realm. Her physical self remains hidden with the watchful eye of her 'warden' to keep her from running off to other realms. To get around this, Eithne creates 'buds,' extensions of her aspect that work like duplicates that she uses to be able to experience the world from her tower.

Yet despite this, Eithne doesn't seem to have an issue with her lot seemingly content to remain in this arrangement for her life.

Miscellaneous:

She does know magic

Her aspect tends to overflow

She is the youngest of all the season fae, being around Camhlaidh's age.

The amount of realms she has been in is numerous but seemingly not for a long amount of time.

[thewolfisawake]

Have toyed around with new girl kinda ending up like an embodiment of a 'spring fling.' Like someone you meet and have a good time with during that fleeting time. And it'll be a good memory but probably don't see again. Or if you do, it seems to be during the same timing.

Mainly because of her domain of spring, that's where she has the strongest pull to be able to manifest her blooms. And there is a spring in a lot of realms so she could play in various ones. I feel she'd be very drawn to the places that have smaller springs because they're harder to get to explore.

[thewolfisawake]

"Night's embrace if this is another upending menagerie...."

"Ah'm sure it's nae anything like last season," Balmoral said, a tinge of annoyance recalling the mess that his father brought in the Court. However he was confident that this wasn't the case and as such he was not quite so regal on the throne. Risteard knew bothering him about it would be a losing battle and opted to keep his energy for the guest that Bal had been willing to meet.

"Have you met them before? Or is this a matter you foresaw?" Risteard questioned. Both were possible with Bal's penchant for making 'friends.' As well as getting accustomed (and wishing that it was utilized more) the gift of clairvoyance the king apparently had.

"Nae this variant."

This garnered a raise of the eyebrow from his Vizier but found the door opening. And there was a lady. One that had beauty common within the Unseelie. Although strange of her to walk around without shoes. But that fell to wayside as it seemed flowers trailed her step. She gave a curtsy before meeting gaze of the two.

"Forgive me, I didn't know that Winter was the Unseelie King," she said, "but thank you for allowing me to see you...Your Majesty...?"

Her voice carried herself on its own but to Risteard, he could tell that she seemed unsure if not unfamiliar with address. Which was strange in itself. To Risteard, she was a fae. Not a Seelie either. But she appeared to be not quite in tune with Unseelie either. Of course it wasn't impossible since when hands changed often, subjects used to struggle to identify whom they were dealing with. Although...he did notice something else and pondered what it was as she chattered to Balmoral.

"Well, ah have been wanting to meet this cycle's Spring. It has been centuries since having a proper one," the king said, "but nae need tae be so formal with season address, Bal works just as well. Something ah can call you other than Spring?"

"Oh..." she seemed to take in information. So Winter hasn't changed in a while...maybe that fit with the calling of Winter being considered 'old.' Spring also did consider the question, "I suppose you can call me Eithne."

To Balmoral, she seemed like himself. In a way of feeling of belonging here and not. But not to the extent of being an Abyssborn. To him...it was far simpler. She only didn't belong in the sense like she was not just from this realm. It seemed this realm couldn't help mingling elsewhere. Maybe he could ask one of his friends from afar if they recognized where she might be from.

Balmoral chuckled. Really leaning into the thematic slant it seemed. Meanwhile, Risteard decided to speak, "Eithne, what brings you to out from hiding? Or rather, what keeps you from meeting us fully?"

Bal raised a brow to Risteard, whom only gave him a look that was assured on his questioning. Eithne didn't appear perturbed, "Ah, you can see through that, huh? To answer, I simply have not had much chance to slip here before. And the link with seasons made it the easiest I could. As for the latter...well, I am unable to leave my current residence at the moment."

[thewolfisawake]

Ngl, this song screams Eirlys. Like she very much sounds almost cute but undercuts it with some batshit or creepy things.

Playing house, Playing house Look how fun this is, keep on playing Playing house, Playing house See, isn’t it fun? Playing house

Ah, ah, yelp, yelp, the little puppies waltz Hurry and warm me up with that twisted tongue of yours! I’m a snake with a big appetite, I’ll swallow you whole “I love ‘Justice’ or whatever!" I love it when your belief wavers

Hey, hey, hey, hey You’re this weak? No one told me This makes you weak?

I’ll use what’s useful Don’t scowl at me like that How was playing human?

Hey, how was playing human?

I don’t need what I can lose You don’t need what you can lose, right? That’s why you let what you love run free I’ll see you again soon, right? Hey, show me how strong your bonds or whatever are!

[thewolfisawake]

There you are, coward

I've been waiting for this moment For the perfect time to strike When your home's so close And you've reached your coast That's when our paths collide I've got a reputation I've got a name to uphold So I can't go letting you walk or else the world forgets I'm cold

Now get in the water

Get in the water Get in the water Don't mistake my threats for bluff You have lived more than enough Get in the water Get in the water I'll take your son and gouge his eyes That is, unless you choose to die Get in the water

Maybe you could learn to forgive

No

Ruthlessness is Mercy upon Ourselves

DIE

[ruinedcasket]

ah

[onaxart]

A little collection of my hc little Neuvillette and design☔️

[thewolfisawake]

Name: Lùyí (露怡 Usually told as 'To show harmony' but can also be and is meant as 'to betray harmony')

True Name: Jiālù (佳 露 Beautiful Dew)

FC: A.h-D.uo from A.pothecary D.iaries

Personality:

Luyi appears to be like any other shapeshifter, a trickster that messes with others for her own amusement or gain. She seems to prize her cultivation over all and will do anything to further it. She has the confidence of both an old hat and unchecked child. There is a curiosity about things that are foreign to her land as just as she is unfamiliar with them, they are also unfamiliar with her.

Background:

Luyi had started her life as Jialu, a girl that had sought to become a cultivator. While it wasn't impossible to do, there was condescension and disbelief in her ability to do so as she was a woman. One that did not come from any sort of standing and, from first glance, held no talent. Yet she had begged to become a disciple from anyone she was able to trek to.

Rejection after rejection met her. This was until meeting a non-human immortal. They too had taunted her for her pursuit and had even given some knowledge with thought that she would fail. Jialu, however, took what morsels she could get to start. After all, if she was not talented, then she needed all the time she could be afforded to begin training a core.

Progress was slow but Jialu was persistent in pursuing any sort of training, study or even experiences in order to become a successful cultivator. While it was a game to the immortal, Jialu still ended up giving them the respect of referring to them as her master as they did give her the teaching to weave her path. And she did start to go about her way to forming her own golden core.

However, something went awry. What it is, is not clear to most other than whoever was Jialu had had delved into methods that could be considered heretical. But what it is and why it is...is not known. There are several facts about the being that came out as Luyi that cause a slew of things that came out:

Luyi had turned a whole town into her play things. Luyi had lured her master into false security, killed them and ate their core. Luyi had manipulated other creatures. And finally that Luyi's power increased exponentially.

All of it sounds like bad news. All of it sounds like Luyi was a demonic cultivator and one that was going to become a threat where she went. However she was elusive with her powers and has avoided retribution while building a reputation...infamous or not who knows.

[thewolfisawake]

Name: Melisande Devereaux

FC: O.togi K.atsura from Fall in Love You False Angels

Personality:

Melisande is a person that very much knows she's a love it or hate it person. Very much a bull in a china shop. However that has never deterred her from going about things her way and within the Burning Crown it's known to either get on board or get out of her way. Some seek to take advantage of her 'one-track' workings to do what they want and while often times she does go along with it...Melisande is well aware of it being done.

She is actually highly perceptive and inquisitive, to which she is like 'duh, those are requirements for the job.' And she just seems to know a lot of things. And tends to put the dots together often. However she also appears to be playful and smug about her knowing. So she can tend to hold it over others for fun or even forget to inform about some of her findings because she thought others put it together already.

Background:

Melisande's origin was probably her first sign of trouble. She was a child born within a convent. Which would have been fine...if her mother was pregnant prior to joining. This was not the case and her convent was one that practiced abstinence. Her mother claimed that she had never forsaken her vows and insisted to be believed. Because there was no denying Melisande's presence and the supposed proclamation of a miracle is what brought the Faith of the Burning Crown into the picture, as the convent was an affiliate with both the faith that Crown falls under and the Crown's organization.

And this marked the beginning of the end of the convent. The Burning Crown was sent to essentially confirm if this was a miracle. However their investigation instead uncovered shady machinations all throughout the convent and other satellite ones of this region. The revelations shook the faith so strongly that the convent lost following. And learning the truth of the 'miracle' broke Melisande's mother. As such, Melisande was taken into the Burning Crown's custody.

This beginning was not dumped onto her nor did those her age know anything about her background. So she was not bullied because of this. Melisande would argue she was never bullied at all since anyone that spoke ill of her 'were all bark and no bite.' But she was bit by bit informed of her background and she did her own investigation from the bits she was told to piece it together before the worst of it was told to her.

Overall, this did not deter Melisande if not anything brought a fascination and respect to the Faith of the Burning Crown. Which is what led to her being a 'colleague' at the same level and timing as @arcxnumvitae's Celestine. Yet this respect does not blind her to the organization's faults, if not made her more aware of where it falls behind or outright fails. She instead makes notes and makes steps to try to make changes but without faltering from HER faith and disciplines.

At current she is a bit of an every man (although some might consider her a work horse) for the Faith of the Burning Crown. She considers it her compromise in order to not lose sight of herself. However her specialty is considered investigation and her topic of interest usually being assignments to confirm miracles or presence of holy items.

Miscellaneous:

Despite the French origin of her name, she doesn't like dealing with the accent correction and will sometimes just say her name as Millicent, as that is technically the correct name her name comes from.

She has great harmony with certain relics

The circumstances of her birth lend to some of her ability

She considers Celestine one of the few that 'can match her pace.'

[thewolfisawake]

Because of Sluagh Na Marbh starting when it shifts from fall, the Unseelie ruler usually makes the migration to Lùchairt Ghlòrmhor about that time as well. Which is technically in the mortal realm. Which may seem pretty strange to do especially since the Seelie is unlikely to do something like that.

As odd as it sounds though, Unseelie tends to work on a sort of honor system when it comes to winter months and their ruler being on the surface. This is mainly because of how important the collection of the dead is to the Unseelie. They are viewed as the 'unfavorable' fae so they did get associated with the 'unfavorable' part of the cycle. However, like aspects of their negative reputation, there is a sort of pride that Unseelie has in upholding this part of circle of the seasons, the cycle of life and death.

They are still fae and they both respect and adhere to how nature is and revel in all parts of its being. They just so happen to get to celebrate during winter and in honor and 'with' the dead.

Of course that's not to say that there's never been those that attempt to cause trouble during the time. And that rulers past have not worked to deal with it. In the past it has varied greatly. A notable way that has been romanticized in Unseelie literature was a ruler that would leave their spouse in the Citadel while they were on the surface. Because that's whom they trusted most to watch over Unseelie in their stead. It was very star-crossed feeling with the rare meeting on the Winter Solstice and the New Year but otherwise do not see each other during the course of winter.

Balmoral does err to the side of caution. Half because he has control issues and half because he knows he's probably pissed the right kind of people that'd do sacrilege. As a result when he goes to the surface, half the generals are left in the realm. They do switch off, usually only one leaving from the realm up to the surface. Once they arrive one will go from the surface back down. Obviously, the only exception to this change of guard is Mhoirbheinn since his entire job is Balmoral's protection. He goes where Bal goes, essentially.

While the defense and control of the Unseelie is formidable regardless of the lineup of who's where, personally there is a 'golden' arrangement where like no shenanigans could ever go. And that arrangement has Balmoral, Mhoirbheinn, Solanine and Norval on the surface with Risteard, Siubhan, and Morgan down below. Mainly because that arrangement protects what's most important at that time.

On the surface the only real 'target' could be Balmoral as the ruler. Mhoirbheinn obviously does protection at all time and has complete control of the security measures at the Winter Palace. Solanine specializes in covert and 'personal' attacks and thus would be the best person to deal with perceived threat. And Norval more serves as a secondary face to be able to handle the entertaining when Balmoral is either busy with Sluagh na Marbh or when the king needs a break. As self-centered as it sounds Balmoral is priority on the surface.

In the realm, it's the ability to mobilize and defend that's a bit more important. While not all of the militia is present due to their participation in the Sluagh na Marbh and security detail, there are enough for Siubhan to be able to maintain a physical presence to deter those from starting something in Unseelie. Morgan's magic allows for quick deployment of protection if needed as well as communication both between Unseelie and the surface and within Unseelie as a whole. And of course Risteard serves as the best executor of Balmoral's will without him being present.

Of course this arrangement doesn't go for all of winter as stated they do trade off since they'd definitely bitch about only get one or the other. And of course they all are on the surface for the escorting to the Winter Palace, the week of the Winter Solstice and escorting back to the Citadel. For the Winter Solstice, it's not necessarily that they rely on the 'honor' of the denizens of Unseelie but that they've put enough surveillance and contingency to be able to deal with any sort of plot that could take place during that time. (Besides a decent amount of Unseelie are on the surface since this is considered a holiday of sorts).