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RESPITE MARKETPLACE - NOONISH
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Emmeline is working on getting the newly set up market stall nicely appointed, arranging a few potted plants as well as setting up some curtains and other decorative bits inside to make it look less bland and utilitarian. The lunchtime lull, at least in this corner of the market, is a good opportunity for this kind of work as it otherwise attracts too many gawkers or people asking questions about what will be sold and when and could they offer this sort of thing maybe?
Annika is humming idly to herself as she peruses the marketplace. The fox is dressing a little more 'nicely' that she had before, with a flowing skirt, and a matching blouse, tied off with a silken scarf. Its nothing particularly daring or anything, but its a step above her utilitarian attire she had before. Still with two tails wiggling behind her, she approaches the pots, seeing if anything would be suitable for her flat.
Emmeline finishes setting up the drapes along the sidewalls of the stall and bends down to pour herself a cup of water, the light work still causing her to sweat a bit in the midday desert heat. Her utilitarian blue cotton dress is airy enough, but still not quite designed for this climate. She looks up as she drinks down her second mugful of water and waves her free hand in greeting at Annika. Setting down the mug she looks at the fox and smiles. "The plants aren't for sale, I'm afraid. They're just for atmosphere..."
Annika: "Oh.." She sighs "That's a shame. So..um, if this isn't a strange question. What is it that you do sell?"
Emmeline casts an eye over the mostly empty display shelves of the stall. "Nothing yet. Just setting up still. But in a few days, you can come here for the finest in lucky charms and personal aids. Little bits of magic to keep around the house and make your day a bit better." She takes another sip of water. "We don't really have a theme to them, as my partner's talents don't like to be hemmed in, as it were."
Annika: "Oh! You do magic? If that's the case, would you be maybe able to help with a magical..um.." She pokes her fingers together awkwardly "issue?"
Emmeline cocks her head a bit and looks Annika over. "Well, it's my partner that has that talent. I just make what she makes look better. But I'm sure she'd be happy to help you if she's able..."
Annika: "Okay! It's..with..uh.." She holds out her paw, showing the gem that's embedded in the back of it "Its with this..its kinda..stuck.." She pokes it "And..uh..I grew an extra tail"
Emmeline reaches out to take Annika's paw and poke at the gem with her hard-tipped fingers. She cocks her head curiously. "Oh my. Well, like I said, I don't know much about the magic side of things. That's more Jennica's focus and she's not had any formal training in it." She lets go of the paw and frowns. "At least they both look rather nice? I mean, much better than having something unsightly stuck to you..."
Annika: "Yeah..but..I'm still kinda worried. What if I start growing more tails? That could get really bad!"
Emmeline frowns a bit. "I suppose that is a worry, yes... I can barely keep one tail in check some days..." Her short, tufted tail flicks against her hip as if in reply. "But like I said, Jennica would maybe be able to help you. All I can do is maybe offer advice on how to accent that gem."
Annika puts her hand over it "Well..I don't really want to show it off, but..um..I would like it if your friend could help out!" She nods "I want it out of my paw, rather than making it look better"
Emmeline shakes her head. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make light of your predicament... Can I do anything to make it up to you? Would you like a cookie?" She reaches down and takes out a box of assorted cookies from one of the bakeries near the market.
Annika: "Oh! I'm not offended, but.." She giggles "I won't say no to cookies!" She leans towards them eagerly
Emmeline holds out the box. "Take your pick. I'm Emmeline, by the way... sorry for not introducing myself..."
Annika takes a cookie with one paw, and puts out her other paw to be shaken "Annika! Nice to meet you Emmeline!"
Emmeline puts aside the box of cookies before shaking Annika's hand. "You too, Annika. How'd you get that thing in you anyway?"
Annika: "Oh, it was an accident at work" She sighs a little "I wasn't careful enough" She eats the cookie, to take her mind off her silliness in that case.
Emmeline takes one of the cookies for herself and bites into it so that the subject can fade away without more questions that the fox doesn't seem to want to answer.
Annika finishes off her cookie "Don't worry about it! I'm sure that there's an easy enough solution to it"
Emmeline smiles. "Let's hope so... but in the interim, you could get youself some nice gloves to hide it maybe? I know the weather here isn't the best for them, but maybe something lacy?" She looks the fox over more. "I think it'd suit you."
Annika: "Maybe?" She looks at it "I want to get rid of it..but..I..I dunno..I feel weird about covering it up as well" She seems conflicted, like there's a bunch of competing forces for what she wants to do with the gem.
Emmeline shrugs. "Ah, well, just a suggestion. But I'll definitely mention you to Jennica. I'm sure she'll be happy to take a look at it."
Annika: "That's great!" She nods, smiling again "I'd like that!"
Emmeline smiles. "Excellent. We'll be open by the end of the week. Come by any time during the day then."
Annika: "I will!" She nods "Thanks for the help!"
Annika would turn away, to get some lunch for the evening.
Emmeline smiles at Annika. "Of course. Nice meeting you." She turns back and continues her work of decorating and arranging the booth, wanting to finish the last few touches before the post-lunch crowd descends on the marketplace.