2023.04.17 Dragons and Conversation
| 04.17.23 Dragons and Conversation | |
|---|---|
| Sark and Peri meet over coffee, and Wulfra joins | |
| IC Date | 04.17.23 |
| Players | Peri, Sark, Wulfra |
| Location | The Witches' Brew |
| Spheres | Changeling |
Witches Brew and Occult Shoppe - Main Room
When entering the shop, the door will chime from an old-fashioned little bell set above it. First to assault the senses are the scents within the shop, there are heavy herbal smells along with delicious scents of baked goods. Describing the shop itself, it can be considered broken out into two sections. A front section that is the entirety of the front of the shop houses the cafe portion, and a back section that is split in half with one half devoted to tall bookshelves and a wide-variety of books, while the other half is devoted to a huge herbal and apothecary section that includes needed supplies for the practicing pagan. Separating the front and back sections of the shop is a long, rectangular glass counter for specialty items and checkout. It has a narrow space to enter and exit in order to serve customers and check people out from the cash register that is at this counter. There is a sign that states, 'If you can not find the book you are looking for, please enter your request in the special order book.'
The front of the store has nooks built against the front windows that are comfortable window seats with piles of cushions for the customers to sit and read, chat or snack comfortably. There are also plush, comfortable seats that have high cushioned arms arranged in cozy triangles around little tables for people to relax and chat. Just to the left beyond the cafe seating is a long glass counter that is displaying a plethora of baked goods, all very interesting and all very delicious. Behind the counter is a barista that can also offer a multitude of drinks, from coffee, to tea, to water or any non-alcoholic drink. All drinks are delivered in unique cups, no two cups are alike, and they are all porcelain.
In the far back of the room, behind the bookshelves and shelves of merchandise are two doors that are always closed. One door has a sign on it that says 'Employees Only', the other door says, 'Private'. At the front of the store, there is a set of double-glass doors on the right hand side that lead into an expansive greenhouse, although the glass windows are often misty due to the moisture of the greenhouse beyond.
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Peri enters, a skateboard strapped to her backpack, dressed in typical college-student attire: cropped tee, jeans, Doc Martens, a leather jacket. She spots the tall blond fellow in the window seat and offers a fingerwave. At least, she *hopes* it's the right person. "Sark?"
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As he promised, Sark is indeed occupying the window alcove with a giant mug of what smells like cinnamon citrus tea, and a large chocolate chip muffin in front of him that's partially destroyed. When Peri appears and mentions his name, he perks up and looks, and then pauses, his eyes brightening a bit, "Woah...you're /pretty/." That turns into a pregnant second of two before he clears his throat and smiles a little more, "Yes, I am, and you must be Dame Astra?" He offers her one of the empty places at the window seat and gives her a moment to sit down, before he eyes something on her and murmurs, "I have to ask. If that is enchanted as a wyrmbane blade? If so, please just dont put your hand on it while we're chatting? I get nervous."
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Peri drops her knapsack and extends her hand to him. "I am, but I just go by Peri. It's shorter and easier." A pause, and she murmurs, "And... I need to maintain some secrets from the world." She beams, though, and his praise just makes her giggle. "I guess Deirdre didn't warn you..." She doesn't seem arrogant about it, just sort of... accepting. "Let me grab a coffee and I'll perch. And no, it's not any sort of bane. Promise." She takes a moment to sashay up and secure a latte and a brownie, seemingly heedless of the people who nearly drop their own drinks or have trouble picking up their jaws. She returns in short order, and slides into the seat opposite him. She speaks again, more quietly.
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Peri rolls Perception(2) + Awareness(1) (3 dice) vs 6 for 1 successes.
1 +6 9
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In the nook, Peri says "Well, if you can see me, I am going to assume you're in the know..." She studies him thoughtfully, focusing, and hrms. "Uh... Kinain, but not..." she shakes her head. "You're not a dragon, are you? I mean, that would make sense, with the question. And I assure you, I prefer to negotiate with dragons. I only slay *monsters*, not just random people in varying shapes.""
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In the nook, Sark nods quickly when she talks about the name, murmuring, "Peri it is then. Dame was the only name she gave me, so I was not sure if that was, well..." He smiles a little at that. He does indeed wait for her to go get a snack and beverage, and perhaps on the way back, she'll have watched him long enough that it becomes apparent (at least to her) that the human guise she's presented with that there's a golden image underneath it, a shimmer to his skin that definitely portrays him as Not What He's Presenting Himself As. He waits until she sits and smiles a little more, "You're very observant, though my question does give part of the game away. I am, yes. Sarkesian the Gilded, at your service. Understandably I would probably not be allowed to come in here and enjoy these lovely muffins and teas if I wore my scales, so..."
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In the nook, Peri says "Oh, no, it's fine, it's just... I'm only a Knight among the fae." She grins broadly. "I usually just tell people it's from when I was in the SCA in high school if they ask." She does study him in more depth, not seeming to be ashamed of it at all, not even trying to hide it. "Well, then it makes perfect sense to come wearing the face they will accept," she agrees. "And it's my pleasure to make your acquaintance. I do like this place, so far. Been here a few times. I am so excited though -- you're the first dragon I've seen who wasn't stuck in the Dreaming! Having you out here, thriving... that's one of the best things *yet*... it means people still Dream of dragons! And friendly ones, moreover! Oh, this world has more hope than even I knew!""
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In the nook, Sark smiles a little more, "Well, I am one of the handful that chose to remain here and not flee into the astral or umbral realms...it has gotten very uncomfortable here, as I think you and the others like you, know. I've met some of the ones in the Dreaming and...something has changed with them. I think they are PART of that realm now and can't make it out here...not sure. But either way...I very much enjoy the company of the others like you because we seem to be wanting the same things. I want to help humans shy away from this bleak doom they seem to be lemming their way towards...and show them wonder and how they can be nice to each other without bad things happening." He smiles a little more at that and takes in a deep breath, "DeeDee said you are her other second, and she mentioned that Kee might ask Stella to be hers. If that happens, this might be more amusing than anyone has in mind. Have you met Stella?"
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In the nook, Peri nods slowly. She listens as she sips from her drink, and mmms, both in agreement and from the tastiness of the latte. "Our purpose, our lives, are to be Dreams. For Dragons... I don't know that it's true of all of you, but every one of you is someone's god, someone's myth-made-flesh. So yeah... wanting the same things just makes sense. And I'm more than happy to do what I can to help." She grins brightly, her energy high and youthful, her mien bouncy and warm. "I'm currently in uni studying politics. Which seems weird for one of us, but I was born to lead... my Kith are supposed to lead. But, I am also a firm believer in government by the governed, so my job is to find a way to inspire people to want the things that make the world better, stronger, and kinder. Showing people wonder is something a lot of this world could use." She pauses at his deep breath and takes a nibble of her brownie as he talks. "I have not, though Kee mentioned she's dating her, I think? Or there's *something* there, she didn't get specific."
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In the nook, Sark nods slowly and then offers a shake of his head, "There are so many humans now, I realize if I try to understand individual politics, it is a morass I will never get my wings free of, so I try with small things on the edge of their society...working with homeless shelters, goodwill organizations. Keeping an eye on things from a distance and then discretely stepping in to prevent something catastrophic from happening. That sort of thing." He pauses to tear off a small hunk of muffin and pop it into his mouth to chew and swallow, before nodding at the last, "Stella and Kieran are very much enamored with each other. Stella is also my...handler. The human that handles all of my human-facing paperwork and the like. Sarkesian Goldstein exists because of her work. She manages the horse ranch on the island I live on, and defends me from stupid legal human problems. She's someone I have a bond with...so I haven’t said this to Deirdre, but if they are going to depend on the three of us to agree to conditions and a time and place, then I think we ought to have fun with that. Yes?"
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In the nook, Peri says "There's nothing wrong with that. Also... I think it would be dangerous to be a dragon in politics. Too much temptation to eat the annoying people." She's joking. It's pretty obvious. The explanation of Kee and Stella makes her nod and ohh sagely. "Handler? Oh, yeah, of course. So she's also a friend, from the sound of it. And more. Your *household*. Or 'Seneschal' if you prefer the old terms. Sounds much more dignified than 'handler.' But that's just my opinion." She giggles at his declaration and says, "Oh, absolutely. I mean... surfboards. Or inner tubes. Or hanging from a tree. Or... oh, so many options!""
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In the nook, Sark thinks about that for a moment and smiles, "Seneschal is an excellent suggestion, though I think that might get odd looks from the normals if I use that in public. We'll see." When she seems to approve of his idea, he lightly claps his hands together and grins, "Wonderful! Of course, we have to wait and see if Kee is indeed going to use her for her second...then we can always invite you out to the island for a lunch and let you look around, and have a chat about it. I am sure, between the three of us, we can come up with a wonderful arrangement." He pauses again to take a sip of his tea, then tilts his head, "You are not the new one they mentioned that has just...what is it, woken up? I mean, you are sorta new, but it sounds like you just moved here, instead."
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In the nook, Peri smiles at that, pleased to give whatever help she can, even if it's something small. "I mean, there's always 'Personal Assistant,' but that's so boring." She ooohs and says, "So she wasn't kidding about the private island. New? Oh, no, no, I've been me, as in the me you see before you, for years and years. I came to myself when I was about 8. So it's been over a decade. I just lived somewhere else before this semester, and for the last couple months I've been buried in classes. I have full rights and independence. And even a tiny little smidge of authority as a Knight, though... not enough to make huge waves."
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In the nook, Sark nods slowly at that and smiles a little more, "Ironically enough, the island belonged to a very big, pretty troll girl named Laoise, who actually brought me out of my hibernation about a year and a half ago. When she had to leave, she gifted everything to me since she knew I would take care of it, so I suppose you could say I started back out this time a little fond of all of you, so I like to help whenever I’m allowed. I know the Escheat kinda ties your hands some times, so I don’t push too much." He takes a deep breath and lets it go, "And fairly recently they showed me a rath to use to get into the Dreaming and that realm is wuuuuuunderful. It doesn’t hurt, and I can let my wings out and fly around...I’m a little jealous.."
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In the nook, Peri ohs and smiles warmly at that, and says, "If there was ever someone to trust to look out for you, or the place you love, it's a troll." Her smile never falters; she says, "Well, I suspect a lot of us will feel the same way, too, because... well, to us, it's a wonder to see you here in the Autumn world. Even if it's in a human skin. You look... different, to my eyes, from most humans. I would have guessed you for an odd sort of Kinain had you not tipped me off." She fiddles with her mug as Sark speaks, and nods again, beaming. "Oh, I'm so glad they did. It's... like shucking off a heavy overcoat, isn't it, to feel the breeze? The Autumn world can be so stifling, it feels like every breath is too heavy here."
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In the nook, Sark nods slowly and smiles a little more, "I can take on my form here, but the problem is, if humans discover I exist, they always attack first and ask questions later. They almost killed me once, so I can't let that happen again. So...this..." He holds his hands out and smiles a little more, "Noone gives a teenager that looks like a stoner much credibility, so that's perfectly fine with me. It lets me spend hours here watching them walk around and interact with each other and noone cares much that I am here." He slowly agrees with the Dreaming, "I still have to be a little careful, as I guess my kind kinda has a bad reputation of being angry monsters? So even your type get nervous when they see scales and wings. I have met the prismatic one that guards one of your freeholds, and he seems a very even keeled, if a little cranky, one. And...well...we get cranky when we get older, so that's fair."
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In the nook, Peri says "Yeah. Because people are given to fear, and fear dictates so many of their choices. I always try to challenge people to think beyond fear and think from hope, but..." She holds up her hands helplessly. "I try, at least. And I dunno, you'd attract lots of attention on campus. You'd have girls falling over themselves to get the digits, for real for real." She giggles and notes, "I might even be one of them." Flirt? Seems so! "You seem so thoughtful and careful.. I mean, anyone can be a monster, Sark. Monstrosity is something inside, not outside. I could be the worst monster anyone had ever met, if I weren't who I am." She tilts her head to the side, thinking. "Yeah, I suppose you would intimidate even most of our folks. But... I don't fear anything. Literally. So... to me, you're just incredibly interesting. Oh, you met the big dude at the Duchy? Yeah... he's cranky, from all reports. I was warned to bring a present if I came. I was thinking art books.""
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In the nook, Sark grins a little at her commentary and chuckles under his breath, "It is...refreshing, and a little ego stroking, to see how many people are fascinated when they find out, rather than nervous and scared. It makes me very happy to find so many of the faeries very welcoming. Should you find yourself needing my help, if I can, you have it. Without giving you an itemized list, I am a healer and a protector and information font. I am not a very good fighter, but I can take damage that would turn others into fine red mist, as the humans like to say, so if you have a quest you need to go on that could be dangerous, I can be very good to duck behind. I can also take any form I want, though if you need something specific, like a copy of another person, I need time to study it so I get it right."
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In the nook, Peri oooohs? Then she says, "Well, I'd definitely be happy to do that! There are so many things I'd love to learn. And I'd share, of course. Whether it's modern art, which is something I like, especially Expressionists, or politics, or even melee techniques -- because I'm actually a fencer. If I'd stuck with it as my full time focus, I'd've made the Olympic team, but... well. Being a Knight means I have a lot of responsibilities." She tucks a loose hair behind one ear that is slightly pointed even in the Autumn world. "And I *am* a very good fighter, so if you want someone to carve things to bits while you keep me alive, keep me in mind." She laughs brightly again and pops another bit of the brownie into her mouth. "Oh, man, this could be so awesome. Going on adventures and doing things instead of being buried in books all the time..."
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In the nook, Sark chuckles softly and murmurs, "BECAUSE I am not a good fighter, I tend to avoid them...or accompany people that are, so that would work just fine with me." He winks at that and smiles a little more, "When you have the time for an afternoon, I would be happy to meet you in the dreaming, maybe a little outside the market, or even just a walk around the market. I've worked on a much tinier version of myself so I can attend the market and not accidentally step on anyone...I also heard there is a party coming up soon? I was going to make a point to ask for an audence with the...Duchess? To make sure it was okay that I attended."
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In the nook, Peri says "Oh, don't worry, I'll protect you, fair dragon!" She grins in a madcap way at him, then starts to giggle. "No, seriously, between me and Kieran you have a decent amount of swordpower to call on. She's quick like a snake." This is high praise, it seems. She nods eagerly and says, "I'd love that, I was looking for an excuse to check out the trods, see where things lead. And... huh. If you're allowed into the Market, then I'd think the other freeholds would allow you. But... oh, the Beltaine party? That would be the Baroness of the holding." She rolls her eyes and smiles. "Though I've heard she's quite nice for an Arcadian Sidhe, so it shouldn't be an issue. You could ask through Kee if you wanted, or me. I could just request you as my escort, if you wanted. But if you can get an audience before then, that's the best option. But if you can't, I can do the fancy stationery and livery stuff and send a letter as Dame Astraleigh Peregrine ni Fiona, yadda yadda, Knight of the Dreaming, and see if that helps.""
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Sark laughs softly at something Peri says and bobs his head at her, "I will try to ask personally. If for some reason I cannot get to her, then I would quite happily volunteer as a 'plus one'. I don't want to be too much of an intruder, so I like to make sure I am on my 'good graces'. And those parties always seem to be wonderful evenings with lots and lots of tasty treats." He winks in amusement and pauses again to take another long drink from his mug, sighing a little in pleasure at the warmth.
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Wulfra walks in, sporting her black-and-gold sweater and some cozy black pants to go along with it. Her hair looks like an absolute mess, as if she just got out of bed, and her skin looks a bit dry. Seeing as Sark and Peri are sat by the window, she almost immediately notices them, giving a little wave. "Ahah... Sark... I have not seen you in a bit. And hello again Peri... fighting more food monsters?"
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Peri waves to Wulfra affably and then looks between the two with a curious air. Hrmmmmmm. "Oh, not this time, just nibbling at a brownie. Though I could try and stuff the whole thing in my mouth again like last time if you want!" She beams and shows the remains of the largish brownie. still not as impressive as half a mini-pie, but hey. "That is true," she adds to Sark. "There's a request to bring a blooming plant or a stone of some sort, so you know. And the food, I expect, will be delightful."
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Sark perks up when Wulfra walks in and grins, "Wulfra! Yes, Ive been kinda...well, busy on the island. With Stella being out for a while, I had to help Martin a little more than normal. And you know Peri already...excellent. Want to join us for a little while? I mean, I have to head back in a bit, but not quite just yet."
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Wulfra nods, then goes over and orders her preferred beverage of the day and buys some kind of large flaky pastry to go with it. She goes ahead and sits down with the thing while her beverage is being made... on Peri's side since Sark said he would be going back soon. "...busy, huh? That makes sense. I suppose I have been busy too...."
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Peri beams and says to Wulfra, "So I'm sorry about having to take off the other day... what happened with that guy Rip? He was an odd one, but seemed pretty funny." She explains to Sark, "We both encountered this guy, he was weird, but I don't mind weird, so we all wound up talking a bit. Did he ask more about where you were from?"
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Sark nods slowly and grins at Wulfra, "It happens. But even if you dont see me around, you know where to hunt me down. I am hoping things calm themselves after this week so I can be a little more social again." Peri mentions Rip and he doesn't seem to recognize that name, shaking his head lightly, "I mean, that sounds like a name I would remember, but I dont think I've met him."
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Peri rolls Intelligence(3) (3 dice) vs 6 for 2 successes.
4 +6 +9
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Wulfra places her head in her hand, thinking. "Well... he was quite the interesting one. We saw some things together, you could say. And yes... Rip is short for Riptavian, his name."
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Peri mmms. "Interesting covers a lot of territory. Can I ask what you saw? Should I ask? I mean, he was decent looking in a douchey sort of way? And he was nice in... well, a douchey sort of way. Hard to explain but...," She looks to Sark without guile and shrugs amiably.
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Sark mmms, "Riptavian is DEFINITELY a name I would remember, so yeah...well, if he met you two, Im sure I will meet him eventually. If you two didn’t eat him, then he must be at least a little okay." He winks at Wulfra and pops the rest of his muffin into his mouth to finish it off. Once he swallows, he nods to Peri, "Could just need a little more investigating..."
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Wulfra hmmms for a few moments. "He had quite the... wolfish grin, I think is the term. Big tough guy, wondered why I was not scared of him... and acted a bit strangely around me. Like he was taken aback by something. But we left on good terms."
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Peri oooohs and looks thoughtful. "Damn, I wish I'd stuck around, now I'll have to track him down again to see his side of it." She grins brightly, completely fearless. No, Peri, don't! But it's too late, the young Knight is already set on this course of action. "I wasn't either, but he didn't get much chance to ask. I wasn't scared, that is. I mean, a lot of folks would consider a guy that big to be intimidating..."
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Sark huhs softly at Wulfra's description, then nods slowly, "Sounds like the kinda guy who is used to being vaguely menacing and watching the girls swoon over it?" He grins a little and sighs at his mug, murmuring, "Don’t wanna, but I gotta scoot." He slowly rises to his feet, then leans over and plants a smooch on Wulfra's ear, murmuring, "Happy to see you again. Was hoping you were okay..."
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Wulfra gives Sark a smile. "Yes... I will see you again soon, hopefully." With that, she gets up, going over to grab her drink... then sits down again opposite Peri this time. "I am sure there is much else we could see, you know...."
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Peri beams up and says to Sark, "Call me about that lunch with Stella, let me know when you want to discuss the thing!" She settles back in, taking another (normal) bite of her brownie. "He's so nice. And I like his face. The rest ain't bad either," she adds with waggling brows.
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Wulfra takes a sip of her steaming hot beverage, letting out a satisfied sigh after chugging a great bit. "Yes... he is... and so much more than meets the naked eye..." she trails off, before looking straight to Peri. "Interesting that I find you here again in this same situation so soon. Maybe it means something...."
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Peri chuckles. "Well, it definitely means I like coffee." She raises her own mug and takes a swallow from it, then continues, "Sark was given my number by another friend, Deirdre, so he suggested we meet here."
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Wulfra nods. "Ahhh, the salty one... the boat... er, ship haver. Also... what do you mean by number?"
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Peri ohs and reverts back to explanation mode. She draws out her phone and says, "This is a phone, people can use it to talk over long distances. To contact someone, or 'call' them, you would need their number, which is assigned to each phone. So if someone wants to call me, for example, they need to know the number of this phone, or they can't." Well, there's more to it, of course, but this is the simple explanation.
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Wulfra's eyes widen a bit and she ohs. "Ahah, yes... I know about these! Wonderous devices... and commonplace, yes yes. Contacting someone from anywhere like that... would be useful."
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Peri says, "You should ask Sark to help you out with getting one. I would, but they cost money and I don't have a huge amount of it." She notes, with eagerness, "It also lets you meet up with people more easily, because you can call someone and say 'meet me here at this time,' and there you are.
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Wulfra takes another broad sip of the beverage, chasing it with a *very* large bite of the pastry that could compete with Peri's pie eating. "I will ask, certainly... but it will take some getting used to from my usual technique of showing up out of 'nowhere'." *Clearly* she has gotten that exact complaint from someone based on how she says it.
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Peri chuckles with that and says, "Well, you don't show up out of *nowhere*... well, unless you do? I never saw that. Do you appear from invisibility? Can you pop out of a wall?" She's keeping the tone low enough to make it less likely to be overheard, but it still comes off as joking to the outside.
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Wulfra lets out a long sigh, speaking low as well. "...quite the inquisitive one, aren't you, slayer of mini pies? And, well... I suppose you will just have to see for yourself."
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Peri nods eagerly. "Well, how else can you learn if not by asking a lot of questions?" She shrugs and offers a helpless smile. "Well, I mean, I suppose I could torture it out of people, but that's just not terribly nice to do. Plus, it's messy."
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Wulfra mmms, eating the last of the pastry. "Want to take a little stroll, hm? Go somewhere where we can stretch more? I could certainly use one right now... blegh." She scratches at her arm under her sleeve, then runs her fingers through her messy black hair.
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Peri nods. "Sure, why not?" That seems to be her mantra, really; she takes the last bite of brownie and then drains her coffee, rising to her feet with knapsack and skateboard slung onto her back.
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Wulfra nods, taking a list sip of coffee, standing, and throwing away her trash. "Come then... I do not have one of those wheeled things like you do, but I am not slow."
