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ERIKA'S GARDEN - MORNING
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Tarbin finds himself wandering, though with a certain purpose this morning as he is tracking some lines of the Flow that have caught his eye, though until a few minutes ago, the lizard wasn't entirely sure what was strange about them. As the distinctly wild scent of Erika's garden has grown stronger, though, he's come to the assumption that the entity in the garden is having more influence on Nature than he had anticipated, though... He can't bring himself to say it's necessarily a negative one. He steps close to the alley, looking down the way toward the bustling web of magic in the garden, humming to himself.
Xochi sits outside the garden resting on her coils, head bowed in prayer to the Sun for whatever mercies it may deem fit for them this day. She cracks an eye open at the sound of someone approaching, their humming quickly making their presence known before she tilts her head towards them, "Tarbin. Good morning to you, yes? I am happy to see you."
Tarbin starts slightly at Xochi's words, turning toward her as his tails twitch nervously. "Oh, miss Xochi! I wasn't expecting to find you. I... Wasn't expecting to return here yet, at all." He looks toward the garden again. "...Is she still in there?"
Xochi frowns, turning her head back to the garden, "She is. She knows I am here as well, I imagine, but I have not entered. In the time since our confrontation, the garden seems to have become darker... more wilder. Many insects and noises. It is... somewhat unsettling. I think she is afraid. The Mother offers no words to me, though the Father has offered some reprieve from the rain today." She glances towards the sun.
Tarbin nods slowly, his tails still twitching about as he thinks on this. "There is... Movement. The magic under foot, many parts of the flow are shifting toward this place, I believe as the garden grows." He sighs, shaking his head. "That poor being in there deserves to be calm and free. If this garden keeps growing, what will the city guards do?"
Xochi sighs, "I cannot say... it would be rather nice, would it? But if it were to grow to the point it endangers others...? What choice would they have? But I do agree... regardless of who she is, she deserves peace of mind. I have been praying for this since our last parting."
Tarbin turns to look toward Xochi, bowing his head slightly. "Thank you for remaining here to watch over her. I am working with a... Friend to lift my curse. Hopefully, I will have more insight into who is in this garden then. Perhaps... we should see if we can ask a few more questions. I promise to not upset her this time." He gives Xochi's right arm a sheepish grin.
Xochi chuckles, though it turns into a sigh. "That was not your fault... neither of knew what we were dealing with, nor how she would react. Nesseth said I should approach this with subtlety, but I felt it best to approach with the truth..." She sighs. "Perhaps we can ask permission to enter once again?"
Tarbin nods, turning toward the alley and setting a palm against the wall to guide himself slowly toward the thicket, which is much closer to the street than he remembers. "We can only try, right?" He steps up close to the plants, but gets a strong feeling that he should not try to push his way through, in either sense. "Er... Erika? Are you here, now?"
Narrator: The thicket bristles, then seems allow for a way in as branches and vines shift slightly. "Yes."
Xochi uncoils and slithers alongside Tarbin. "Tarbin and I only wish to talk, if we may enter? We only want to find a way to help."
Narrator: There is a moment of hesitation, before an answer, a quiet: "...Come."
Tarbin watches how the plants are manipulated, turning his head a bit toward Xochi's voice. "I think that was a clear enough invitation..." He steps through the thicket, following the path toward whatever clearing still remains. He brushes against plants on the way in, his scales briefly shifting orange wherever they touch, letting on gentle signals of no ill intent into the Flow.
Xochi nods, "So it would seem..." She folds her hands in front of her as she follows after Tarbin.
Akire steps from behind the big tree, the seemingly only thing that hasn't changed in the garden. "...if you wish to talk, then..." She gestures with her hand, motioning the two to make their case. The elemental has clearly given up any pretense of being Erika, her movements and being both more fluid and colored with green magic. She still looks like her doppelganger but it's all but obvious she isn't.
Tarbin still doesn't see Erika to begin with, of course, catching full view of the magic coursing around the garden's keeper instead as he stops a respectful distance from her, folding his hands over each other in front of himself. He bows his head slightly to Akire. "Good morning."
Xochi looks at the being before then, then glancing at Tarbin, wondering what he 'sees' here in the middle of the garden, finding the rather mundane greeting amusing but... not inappropriate. She smiles, "Good morning, yes."
Akire eyes the two dubiously, crossing her arms on her chest: "Morning, yes. Good, I am not sure yet. Why are you here?"
Tarbin hesitates, looking to Akire with a hum. "We are... Hm. Miss Xochi could explain better, I think."
Xochi sighs, "I... first, I want to apologize. I thought confronting you as we did before would help, and I asked Tarbin to aid me. He is knowledgable of this 'flow', the nature, the power that surrounds us here. But... I was mistaken. I did not understand. Now, it does not matter to me who or what you are, or are not... you deserve a chance. We wish to find a way to help you. Though I do not know the way yet."
Tarbin nods, bowing his head again in silent apology alongside Xochi's words.
Akire considers this, sitting down cross-legged on the ground as she does. "If so... what do you suggest? Whatever I am - or am not - this garden is me." She touches her hand on the tree and smiles, although the smile vanishes very quickly almost as if the tree just said something off-putting to her.
Tarbin relaxes somewhat, looking about at what he can see. "There is no doubt about that. Whoever tended this place before you only started it. You have certainly nurtured this oasis in your own image."
Xochi lifts her hands up, resting palms against each other. She bows her head and smiles. "Of that I am certain. If you and she are different, I cannot say completely, but your love for this place and the tending of it is surely the same."
Akire hums, frowning: "But... two can not exist the same, here. Is the other... t-the... Erika... where is she?"
Tarbin shakes his head, giving a look in Xochi's direction. "I have not heard word of her since we were here last. It is true, though, that she and you may not be able to meet. I hate to say it, this was her home first... So we could find you a new home. Somewhere safe, and quiet."
Xochi glances back at Tarbin and nods in agreement, "They are still looking for her, last I have heard. I cannot say what she would think of you, but she would certainly not wish you harm. Nor do we. But as Tarbin says... perhaps we can find you a way to make a new home somewhere you can live and flourish."
Akire frowns at this as she touches on a flower next to her, causing it to bloom slightly wider: "But... how? This is all I really know... all I am."
Tarbin sighs, kneeling to the soil and looking to the flow around them. "Yes... There is so much more outside of this small garden." He sets his fingers to the soil, scales shifting from deep blue to orange. A few moments later, a few seeds near his touch begin to sprout and grow through the grass. "So much life."
Xochi frowns deeply. "So much like myself... Ahhh... I am so sorry..." She glances at Tarbin, watching his work upon the plants.
Akire looks at Tarbin's hand with mix of confusion and appraisal, then to Xochi and back down. Her voice drops somewhat as she speaks next: "...where would you have me leave?"
Tarbin stops the flower growth as they bud, relaxing on his haunches. "A good question. First we would need to make sure you can freely leave this place... How far from this garden can you travel? Do you feel drawn back here?"
Akire looks about the garden, closing her eyes: "Heavily. If I step outside, I am strongly pulled back."
Xochi tilts her head, considering, "You truly are part of this garden, and it a part of you, just as you have said." She has so many questions, the curiosity within her desiring to probe further, but for now she leaves that be. "If we were to take seeds of the garden elsewhere and grow them as Tarbin has, perhaps it would give you new places to feel at home?"
Tarbin nods slowly, looking between Xochi and Akire. "Possibly..."
Akire shakes her head slowly: "I do not know. And... I'm afraid." She sighs: "What becomes of me now..." She holds the flower next to her in hand, staring at it. "...whatever I even am..."
Xochi moves foward as if to embrace her, only hesitating out of uncertainty of how she would react. She extends a hand to the elemental though. "You are... whatever you wish to be. And what becomes of you now is Your choice. I will help you, so long as you do not seek to harm others. I am sure Tarbin stands with me in this as well, yes?"
Tarbin chuckles dryly, looking at the complex web of magic that he sees in place of Akire. "You are pure potential, only missing a spark of self direction. This..." He gestures to the garden around them. "...This is only that start of what you could do."
Akire looks at Tarbin: "I have had others say so as well..." She then turns to Xochi and hesitantly takes her hand: "...I hope I will not regret this, trusting you two."
Tarbin nods, looking between the two of them. "We will do everything we can to help."
Xochi gently closes her hand around Akire's as she nods to Tarbin's words "I do so swear it. As meager as my help may be. I have no great magic such as you, nor any gift of sight such as Tarbin."
Akire gets up, her hand still in Xochi's: "No great magic...? I do not understand. Everything has magic in it..."
Tarbin nods, smiling at Akire's statement.
Xochi helps Akire stand, "I am... err..." She hestitates, realizing her own dilemma. She glances at Tarbin as well. "...I... trust you. I wish for you to trust me, and I cannot do so with lies, even... even those I craft to protect myself. I am no mere snake, I am not what I appear to be... but what magic I possess is... small. Little potential or power."
Akire looks at Xochi with confusion: "I am not sure I understand what you are saying, but..." She lets go of her hand and finds the smallest of smiles: "...any help, in this... situation, will help." She thinks of a cloaked figure and briefly hesitates. Which way of 'help' is the right one?
Tarbin gives Xochi a curious look, but only shakes his head slightly as he turns back to Akire, standing as he sees her form rise. "I will return when a clearer idea of what to do comes." He gives a short bow to Akire before beginning to turn toward the entrance. "Until then, take care, friend."
Xochi glances at Tarbin and bows, "Be well, Tarbin."
Akire looks at Tarbin go, nodding: "I... well, I will be here..." She frowns slightly, then turns to Xochi: "Which lies were you talking about?"
Tarbin heads out through the garden, heading out for the Bouquet manor to continue the efforts to restore his connection to Nature, with hope that doing so will help that being with her situation.
Xochi sighs as Tarbin leaves, wondering if he has chosen to leave to spare her revealing this to two. She then reaches down into herself and pulls foward the little magic she has to dismiss her illusion spell revealing the wings bound at her side and the feathers upon her head. "This is the real me. I... I ask you not tell others. Giving you this knowledge... puts me in danger. This is the trust I am giving you."
Akire takes a step back in surprise: "Oh. That... that's a secret. I mean I don't understand why this would hurt you, but..." She nods: "Trust... earned. I think."
Xochi nods slowly, glancing away from Akire "Many would wish me harm. Others may wish to use me for what I am. I just... wish to live in peace. To be who I wish to be, not used for what I am." She looks back at the elemental, nodding to her.
Akire nods slowly, smile forming: "...I understand..." She looks about the garden: "...I trust you. I-if you can come up with a solution, I am willing to try it."
Xochi bows. "Thank you. I will do my best. And I know Tarbin will as well."
Akire nods at Xochi, sighing: "I hope you will... not like I have a lot of options, I can not imagine Erika would want me h-here..." She shudders a bit.
Xochi chuckles lightly, "I cannot say. I believe she would thank you for taking care of her garden while she was away. I have not known her long, but seems not the type to wish ill on any."
Akire lifts a hand to her chin: "I... sort of have her memories... or a version of them, or..." She shakes her head: "It's now just more confusing than anything, if I am not her as you say..." She sighs.
Xochi shakes her head, "I cannot say who you are. Part of you is Erika, though." She points to her chest. "Your heart."
Akire hums, looking at her chest: "Maybe... I think I need to think on this..." She shakes her head: "Are answers always this hard to find, Xochi?"
Xochi chuckles, then nods. "...sadly so, yes. I am old, yet still I am seeking many answers to life. It is different for everyone, and many answers must be found for ourselves. I gain some comfort from the stars, and the Moon our Mother."
Akire looks up towards the barely-visible slices of sky between the foliage: "Huh... I guess that is one way." She looks back down: "I guess... I will fight for myself, whatever happens... seek answers if I live."
Xochi smiles. "And we shall help you."
Akire sighs with a small smile: "I imagine that is the best I can hope for."
Xochi: "Sometimes, it is all you have. Hope. But it is a powerful thing unto itself, and can delivery you what you need. That is why I still pray to the stars."
Akire glances up, then shrugs slightly: "Maybe. We will see."
Xochi nods, "I can stay here, if you wish not to be alone. Else... I will be nearby, if needed. I felt that, even if you need room and time to think, you would not wish to be too far from a sympathetic ear."
Akire nods slowly, smiling: "...thank you. I may yet call on you. I don't know, it's a lot to think about..."
Xochi: "It is... yes." She takes a deep breath, focusing upon herself again to draw out her magic and reapply the illusions. "But I have faith."
Akire: "That maybe just makes one of us... but hope, you have given me... some hope, at least."
Xochi smiles, taking a moment to ensure the illusion is completed. "I am glad. I hope I can give you more as well. Take care... Erika."
Akire nods, though pauses at the name. She doesn't comment on it, just is quiet for a second before answering: "Take care. I will seek you out if I need someone to talk to... thank you again."
Xochi bows once more before she uncoils herself to take her leave, giving the Elemental one last look over her shoulder and smiling, and then heads out of the garden to leave her to her thoughts.
Akire sits down on the ground again, her thoughts almost certainly not any lighter, but there is that glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe...
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THE BOUQUET ESTATE - AFTERNOON
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Narrator: Notified of Elizabeth's appointment, Jax the gate guard immediately lets Elizabeth into the estate upon announcing who she was. Teis would normally opt to practice magic in her lab or outside, though in wanting to continue making a good impression on Elizabeth, she opts to meet in the Estate's spacious lounge, usually reserved for entertaining guests. Well, Elizabeth was a guest, so this counts! Right? Additionally, Teis has opted to wear her Alumni's robes that Della had made for her. Primarily made to look fancy as fuck, not be practical. But again, good impressions. Teis is present went Elizabeth is escorted in, standing by the door. Inside, on a table, are the cursed crystals, all safely contained in a hardy glass jar.
Teis: "Ah!" Teis forgets to suppress her mannerisms. "Lady Catherine. Greetings. Welcome to our Estate." Teis smiles, motioning to one of the comfy chairs as she walks with Elizabeth. "Please, take a seat. Do you want something to drink?"
Elizabeth is certainly a bit impressed, having not seen anything like this since her hasty escape many months ago. Somehow this fancy estate feels off in Respite, but maybe that's just her own jealousy talking, wasn't this like what she herself was expecting when she bought her 'manor' after all? She brushes that thought aside as she enters the lounge. She smiles at Teis: "A pleasure, I'm sure. And no thank you, I am fine." As much as she really wanted to have a glass of the Boquet's most expensive wine just for the hell of it, she couldn't exactly say that out loud.
Narrator: With an affirmative nod, Teis takes a seat across the table where she'd motioned Elizabeth to sit. Additionally on the table are both of her mana lenses, both her lab ones and her more regular ones, along with her notes thus far on Tarbin's curse and her efforts. Doesn't hurt to be prepared, despite having touched on the subject briefly with Elizabeth a few days prior.
Teis: "So... Ah. Yeah, the curse. Um. All the notes are there, if you need them. But, as for the crystals... " Teis reaches for the nine crystals in the jar, unscrewing the lid in order to pluck one out. "I've been... Experimenting with them directly, for lack of a better lead."
Elizabeth nods as she steps next to the table, glancing at the notes. She reads for a moment: "Tarbin..." She sighs: "...of course." She reads for a moment more, then looks at the crystals: "So you are effectively trying to siphon the curse out of him, into these?"
Teis: "Well... No. I did that initially because I didn't particularly have much of a choice. And... That isn't going to be an option for removing it from him. As I ah, said the other day. Getting these nine crystals... Look, it just, it wasn't good. Just put it that way." Teis ahems. "But, now that I have them... " Teis gathers herself, focusing her attention on the crystal. With a wave of her free hand and a short incantation, Teis' hand glows purple around the crystal. Short orange arcs crackle from the crystal, the crystal beginning to lose it's glow. Teis herself looks slightly pained during the process, as if dealing with a sudden headache, along with her eyes slightly losing focus on Elizabeth. To Elizabeth, it's clear Teis has absorbed the crystal's energy.
Elizabeth frowns at the process, although more because she's seeing effects she should also be able to sense, but can't. She looks at Teis: "I do not recommend absorbing cursed energy..." She stares at the crystal, really trying to not be bothered by her inability to sense magic anymore beyond the visible spectrum, and almost succeeding too. "So, I guess... what is your plan? Curses have a tendency to not be easily dispelled, it is kind of written in them."
Elizabeth lifts a hand to her forehead, closing her eyes: "I have cursed a lot of folks over the years, but dispelled very few of those. It's hard, takes a lot out of you and even then the curse might just decide to change residence." She lowers her hand and looks at Teis: "...I will help where I can."
Teis: "You've cursed people?" Teis tilts her head, a slight smile creeping across her face. Cursing may be inherently negative, however Teis can only think of the knowledge within. It's exciting. Of course, she could just ask Elizabeth to break the curse... But no. Teis wants to do it herself. With another swish of her hand and incantation, she transfers the energies back into the crystal, causing it to glow orange once more.
Elizabeth looks aside: "Yes. People that... deserved it." She then forces herself to change the subject matter: "If you manage to transfer enough of Tarbin's curse to yourself, what then? Worst case, it'll just make both of you blind."
Teis: "Well... Tarbin's been teaching me his ways of tapping into nature, which should be capable of providing the energy to simply brute force the curse... Once I've learned how to utilize it correctly, anyway." Teis replies. "But... I wouldn't be asking for your expertise if this was my plan A. This is more like... plan M."
Elizabeth shrugs: "Very well. Where do you need my expertise, then?"
Teis: "Well... " Teis hums, thinking briefly on the matter. "... I'd rather break this curse by being smarter, not harder. I'd like to understand curses and hexes in general, not to mention the more I can learn about this specific curse, the better."
Elizabeth sits down, thinking: "Well, you probably know more about the curse in question than I do." She pauses: "Beyond that, curses are rather individual, based on the caster. They are magic that heavily intertwine into the cursed's being. I'm not sure there's so much 'being smarter' than just finding this individual curse's weak point and pulling it apart. Without knowing the caster..." She trails off, feeling a desire to demonstrate on someone or something but also cursing her lack of ability to do so.
Teis: "The caster was very close to Tarbin. His Uncle, if I recall. Does... That make any difference? Like, family proximity I mean. Not like his Uncle is local." Teis ahems. "This curse has been... Fighting back. It... Ah. Aims to debilitate the magical potential of a user, as well as sight. When I absorb it's energy, I can feel both of those aspects... "
Elizabeth considers this, humming: "It... it might. Curses cast on family, they tend to not last quite as well, although there are exceptions." She nods at the explanation: "A fairly typical magical 'sod you', then. Theoretically..." She glances at her hand and sighs again.
Teis takes in a deeper breath quietly, sighing it out in silence as she bites the inside of her upper lip. She'd hoped for a bit more direction. Find the weak point, Teis supposes. "So... This weak point. How... Do they usually manifest themselves? What should I look for? What are typical points to attack?"
Elizabeth nods slowly: "As I said, I have cursed a lot more than I have dispelled. But, sometimes there is a part in the spell's fabric you can find and unravel it from there. It's different each time so sadly I can not be of much more use."
Teis: "Find the weak point... " Teis hums quietly to herself, with a couple of small nods of her own. "Guess I'll have some more hours in the lab with the crystals." Teis ahems. "Could you teach me a curse?" Teis questions. "If I can understand how to make one... It should help me understand how to go about breaking one a bit better."
Elizabeth opens her mouth to agree, but then realizes she has no idea how to teach without showing: "I... damnit." She gets up, shaking her head: "If I still had my magic, I would."
Teis blinks. Her brain slips a gear, stalling momentarily. Do you just casually mishear that sort of thing? "Huh?" She voices, puzzled.
Elizabeth looks away, sighing: "I lost my magic some time ago, due to... an incident. Decades of work and study and practice..." She shudders, definitely not proud admitting this.
Teis blinks again. And another. One more. "Oh. That's... " Teis saddens, ears flattening, a frown dawning on her. "I'm... Sorry to hear that." She mutters.
Elizabeth starts to take her leave: "Sorry... I am sorry I can not be of more use, and for wasting your time."
Teis quickly clambers to her feet to take off after Elizabeth, reaching out for her. Improper? Maybe. "Hey, no-no-no!" Teis rapid-fires. "This hasn't been a waste of my time. And I still want you as my teacher, Lady Catherine." Teis attempts to calm as well as plead, all in one.
Elizabeth turns slowly: "Are you sure? I can not demonstrate anything, only talk."
Teis opens her mouth, about to joke about that being hardly any different from her professors, though thankfully her brain kicks back into gear and she barely manages to think better of it. "Yes. I'm sure. Your mind... It is most valuable to me." Teis assumes. She doesn't actually know that yet, though can't afford to have potential mentors simply walk out on her before she can evaluate them.
Elizabeth stares forward for a moment, then sighs and relents: "...well, let us hope you are right." She turns back towards Teis: "But I am no teacher... I will do my best."
Teis lets out a sigh of relief. "Let's just... Talk?" Teis suggests, trying to usher Elizabeth back to sit.
Elizabeth nods slowly as she turns back to walk inside: "...I could probably use that glass of wine now. Besides curses, what is on your mind?"
Teis: "Wine? Certainly. Red or white?" Teis questions, while beginning to clear the table of her research, setting it to one side for now before sitting down. She'd get a servant to get Elizabeth her drink, before falling into idle conversation with Elizabeth.
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RESPITE MARKETPLACE - EARLY EVENING
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Narrator: So... This is it, apparently. This is what 'dating' is. Or at least what Teis has agreed to do. Teis never thought she'd have a date, let alone earlier than Rondelethia. Man, if Della finds out... Well, best not to think about that for now. For now, Teis supposes, the only thing to do would be to meet at Enver's spot in the marketplace at the agreed upon time.
Teis herself is nicely dressed, but not pompously so. More of a casual take on fancy. Fancy casual!
Enver isn't in his usual spot at the moment, but he walks up from the direction of the gate about a minute after Teis arrives. He's dressed in clothing that at least is less baggy than his usual performance gear. It's not at all fancy, but looks well made and durable. A grey woollen sweater over an unbleached button-down shirt and a pair of dark blue trousers. He's added a couple of pieces of flair, though, with a silky black cravat around his neck and a flat cap that matches his sweater on his head. He also smells like he's bathed since the afternoon, and he's done the best he can to tame down his rogue stiff guard hairs. Upon approaching Teis, he gives her a flourishing bow with cap in hand. "Good evening, Miss Teis."
Teis: Teis' ears flick when she hears Enver approach, turning to face him. She can't help but smirk with a throaty snort of amusement. "Please. None of that, it's just Teis. Shall we?"
Enver giggles a bit as he straightens up. "Of course, sorry. You do look lovely though." He smiles a bit and offers an arm to Teis in the way he's seen some couples do.
Teis: "Heh. Thanks... " Teis accepts the compliment, feeling all warm and fuzzy. It's nice to hear that without having to be covered in seven layers of makeup and fabric for once. "Ah... You look nice too." Teis returns the favour, starting to set off in the direction of the restaurant.
Enver follows along behind the smaller cat. "I guess it'd be rude to ask where we're going?"
Teis: "Eh, who cares?" Teis shrugs. "Place called The Winter Kitchen." A high class restaurant. Well, at least according to the owner, anyway. "Haven't been there before. Just sort of figured to take a chance? Besides, it's nice to eat out."
Enver just nods in agreement. "Yes. I haven't been there before. Actually, other than the Minnow, I haven't eaten at any indoor restaurants here..."
Teis nods understandingly... Living off of the street isn't particularly forgiving.
Enver walks along with Teis quietly for a bit before summoning up a question. "So... you've seen me perform. What is it you do for work?"
Teis: "Guess I didn't really say much the other day, Ah?" Teis questions. "I do like... Magical research and stuff. Really, I just do it for fun... Then Sis figures out how to monetize and sell it."
Enver blinks. "Oh... that's neat. So you like build stuff? I have another friend here who does that, but I haven't seen him in a while..."
Teis: "I... guess?" Teis tilts her head. "But it isn't... Ah... Not really building in the traditional sense. I'm not an engineer, if that's what you mean. I, ah... " Teis hesitates. "Have you ever seen a piece of magitech with a crystal powering it... ?" Teis questions.
Enver nods. "Yeah. Those cows over the corner have those... and my friend showed me some crystal-powered stuff too." He smiles down at Teis. "I think you'd like him, if he ever comes back to town. He said some people were after him, so he must have left..."
Teis nods in response. "Well... Chances are it might've been using one of my crystals. Well, technically my family's... " Teis glosses over the technicality, "But it's less engineering, more like... Old school alchemy on an absurd amount of muffins with a dash of artificing. The engineering aspect only really matters when it comes to scaling up production... Which I don't handle." Teis pauses. "Define, ah, after him?"
Enver shakes his head. "I'm not sure really. Something about them accusing him of stealing designs? Which he didn't. He only builds his own designs." He smiles again. "He probably wouldn't want me talking about him too much, though. But your stuff sounds neat. I'm not magical, though.. or at least I don't think I am?"
Teis: "Well, that sucks. Always utter nonsense having to deal with those types... Ugh." Another thing Teis is thankful her family deals with. Guess sharing the credit with them isn't so bad in hindsight. "Look, I get it. Sis doesn't want me talking about my stuff that much either. You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to." Teis moves on. "I mean... I consider myself lucky in a lot of aspects. Being magically inclined... Well, that's one of them. I obviously would be a different person without it. But... There's no way to know if you don't try, right?"
Enver smiles. "Yeah, I get it. I had whatever the standard test is in Sarn when I was like, 5 or 6? It didn't turn up anything." He keeps walking with Teis, enjoying her company and a nice conversation. "I guess I could always get tested again?"
Teis: "Ugh, muffins to those tests. You know what they said about me?" Teis angrily replies with a hiss. "If Sarn had their way... Look, just... Muffins to it."
Enver laughs a bit. "Muffins. Got it."
Teis sort of huffs, walking in silence for a moment as she clears her head and emotions. Soon, though, the pair find themselves at The Winter Kitchen...
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THE WINTER KITCHEN - EARLY EVENING
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Narrator: The place is certainly nicer than the Minnow. After presenting themselves to the staff, the pair are seated in a nice comfortable booth. Teis deliberates on what she wants to drink and eat for some time, though eventually gets her order together, with some deliberation with Enver of course. With her order out of the way, Teis is free to continue chatting about non-food or drink related things.
Enver mostly takes Teis's suggestions on what to order, having never tried most of the dishes on offer. After that's sorted, he smiles across the table at Teis, blushing a bit. "So... this is a date. Feels kind of weird..."
Teis: "Right? Ugh, I know EXACTLY what you mean." Teis replies. "Honestly, I don't get it. I mean, wining and dining is nice... But I would've much rather just... Laid in the grass looking at the stars. I just wanted to impress you? I guess? I don't even know. I just felt like this was 'the thing' I was expected to do." Teis rambles.
Enver laughs and waves his good hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it. It's still nice. But so is watching stars and stuff. I have a nice view of the stars from my camp."
Teis: "I'm not particularly worried. I just... Don't get it." Teis re-iterates. "Your, ah, camp?" Teis enquires.
Enver nods, taking a sip of water. "Yeah... I have a camp out by the waterfall. It's nice. Becoming more of a home. I have a bit of a fence up, and a tarp to keep the rain off the tent..."
Teis: "Is that... Safe?" Teis questions. Not that she blames Enver for his circumstances. "Like, you're not worried about... Things being stolen?"
Enver shakes his head. "I was at first, but if folks want to steal, there's way better stuff to steal in town. And the guards know I'm out there. They send patrols out that far anyway."
Teis: "Fair enough." Teis nods. Saves on paying for rent, at least. "Do... I want to visit?" Teis tilts her head. "Waterfall sounds kind of nice, actually... To look at, that is. Muffins to getting under it."
Enver laughs. "You're welcome to visit, yeah. The tent's really only big enough for me, though. I pack it up in the mornings and all." He smiles shyly at Teis again. "I won't be there forever, though... saving up so I can rent my own room somewhere in town, but I want somewhere that's not all dirty and stuff."
Teis: "Can one 'save up' for rent? Wouldn't that be an ongoing cost?" Teis muses out loud. "Wait. If you pack it up, does that mean you... Bring it into town every day? And all of your stuff? I have questions. You know what? It doesn't matter. I don't want to seem like I'm being so judge-y and nosy with all these questions." Teis ahems. "So. Ah, tell me more about yourself."
Enver shakes his head. "No, I have a little hidey-hole for the tent and bedding... but uh yeah... Not sure what else you want to know? Ask anything."
Teis: "Hm." Teis thinks for a moment. "I guess I don't really know what to ask. I'm normally more of a doer. I mean, yeah, I get talkative... But that's in regards to said doer-ing." Teis ahems. "Ah... What, ah, made you want to become an entertainer? Where'd you learn to interact with kids that way?"
Enver taps his claws rhythmically on the table as he thinks over the question. "Well, there were a bunch of us kids who just hung around together after school when I was younger and we all just... I dunno... did stuff to make each other laugh, and I just sort of tried it one day and did OK, so I went and watched some buskers and asked questions and started learning. As for the kids, we all looked out for the little ones like that. A lot of families had to have both parents working, so..."
Teis nod-nods along. Fair enough for the learning. "Yeah... I'm vaguely familiar with that notion." Teis sighs. "What about your parents? Wait... No. Is that too touchy to bring up... ? I'm sorry."
Enver reaches a hand across the table to touch Teis's paw. "It's fine. My mom passed on when I was like, four, I think? She got sick when she was carrying me. Some of the doctors think that's why my hand is all wrong. Anyway, it was just me and Dad after that and he was always just... wanting to work or do his own stuff. That's why I spent so much time with those other kids, even after my dad got home. I think I remind him of her too much maybe? Anyway, yeah. He's a pipefitter, which is pretty common for mongooses, I mean, we can crawl through spaces most other folks can't."
Teis takes Enver's hand instead, interlocking her fingers between his. There's some other explanations, though Teis doesn't particularly want to voice them. They're a bit of a downer. "Not sure if it makes you feel any better, but... I understand. I had... A father figure who was... Not the kindest either." Teis sighs.
Enver squeezes Teis's hand warmly. "OK. We can talk more about that... another time? I kind of don't want to get all sad right now. This is supposed to be fun, right?" As if in answer to the question, the waiter arrives with two bowls of soup and a basket of bread, cutting any further discussion short as the two dig into their meal.
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ONE EXCELLENT MEAL LATER
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Enver gives a satisfied little groan as the waiter clears away the dessert plate. Enver hasn't felt this full in a long while, and has certainly never eaten food this nice for. Definitely a meal to remember, not to mention the dinner company. He smiles at Teis, blushing just a bit. "That was so good..."
Teis can't help but smile at Enver. Mission accomplished, after all! Though honestly, she was still feeling the noodle place. She'll not rain on Enver's parade though. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. Certainly a good result from taking a chance, no?"
Enver nods. "Yeah. I mean, they kind of have to be good considering how much they charge, right?"
Teis immediately breaks out into a laugh. "Oh, heavens no. You should've seen the pompous muffins, and in some cases, LITERAL muffins, that they got away with where I used to live... Price isn't always a guarantee of quality."
Enver cocks his head. "Huh... I mean, I know you don't need fancy ingredients to make good food, but I figured that you'd get better food for more coins. I mean, what are you paying for otherwise?"
Teis: "Prestige. Brand. Showing off your wealth in general. Have you heard of tapas? Pretty much the definition of pay out the nose for very little. But oooh, everyone look! Lord Gallct's shrimp is covered in gold leaf... !" Teis mockingly squees, complete with mock excitedly shaking hands under her chin.
Enver laughs. "Oh, okay." He wipes his mouth with a napkin one last time before looking around. "So.. what now? Looking at stars?"
Teis: "Absolute muffin muffins... " Teis mutters under her own breath as she leaves her mocking and instead briefly dips into residual anger. She clears her throat, returning herself to Enver and the moment. "Well. First step is to pay, I suppose. Second step is... I don't know. Figure that out after the first step." Teis stands.
Enver nods a bit. "Right... and you're handling that first step? Because... you know..." He looks down at the table and frowns. "I mean I would if I could..."
Teis: "Yeah, yeah." Teis affirms with a nod. Her tail flares up briefly as she nearly flies off into another tirade about how other ladies she knew would totally do that despite having the means, though barely hangs onto her sanity. Just let the muffins go. The moment, Teis. The moment! "My treat, and all that. Don't worry." Teis smiles.
Enver smiles. "Okay. I've got your next meal at the noodle stand, though." He reaches across the table for her paw again.
Teis: "Heh. Sure." Teis is standing! But takes the paw. And uses it to drag Enver to the counter, pay, and leave! Now they're out in the street. "Uh... So... step two. Uh... Is it wrong to... Offer you a place to sleep? At least for tonight? I just... I don't know. I just don't want to make you feel jealous, or guilty? But I want to spend more time with you? Ugh."
Enver blinks as the little cat practically drags him outside. He laughs at the weirdness of it, but isn't complaining. He's also not letting go of her hand. "Uh, yeah, sure. I mean, I've gotten a room at the minnow a couple of times when bad storms were rolling in. And why would I be jealous or guilty? I do what I do the way I do it because that's the path I chose for myself. I mean, I want something more normal eventually, but like, I'm not raiding trashbins and sleeping in rotten logs anymore, so..."
Teis: A marked improvement, to be sure. "I ah... Don't mean at The Minnow. I kinda just... Want to lay in my bed and talk to you all night." Teis replies. She tactfully avoids discussion about why Enver may or may not feel jealous or guilty at this precise moment in time. Is it a mistake to introduce him to the estate this early? Maybe. It has, after all, only been a few hours total of knowing one another.
Enver blushes a bit. "Oh.. um... sure... yeah. I mean, if you want to. I like you a lot, like I said, so whatever you want to do is good with me." He rubs the back of his head with his other hand. "And I knew you meant your own place, yeah..." He's a bit nervous about this as well, but she's treated him kindly and clearly isn't just taking pity on him, so why not just go with it?
Teis gives an unsure, anxious smile. "The plan is set, then." She leads the way to the estate. "Whatever this... Plan is."
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THE BOUQUET ESTATE - EVENING
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Teis leads Enver through the lamp-lit streets, up to the far wall of the town. There's barely any 'town' left, with only a singular, spacious gated estate left before the pair. This is surely some sort of joke, right?
Enver blinks. "Woah... you live here?" He looks at Teis and smiles. "Must be nice."
Teis nods. "It's... Ah. As I said. I consider myself lucky in a lot of aspects of my life... " Teis replies, trailing her fingers against the rungs of the gate, approaching the gatehouse. Without so much as a look from Teis, the gate guard lets the pair enter and continue up to the doors of the estate proper.
Enver walks a bit slowly as he keeps looking around. "Wow... your house must be as big as the whole market square..."
Teis: "Sis, ah. Sis likes it big, you know? And this was as big as Pa let her get it." Phrasing. "Me? I'm just happy I have my own room and a place to work. Sun's kinda nice on the balcony though... " Teis begins to escort Enver through the foyer and up the stairs.
Enver follows along, still a bit in awe. He could comment on any of a hundred things on the way, but he's pretty sure that Teis gets how he's feeling in this fancy-ass house right now.
Teis: Enver must feel as if he's a kid in a candy shop. But as the candy shop's owner, Teis feels a bit embarrassed. Still, Enver said his place was unsuitable for the both of them and she can hardly justify renting a room for the night when she has her own, perfectly good one. Soon, though, the pair are in Teis' room. Nice and clean, thanks to the house staff's efforts. A few books, knick-knacks and belongings line the room, not to mention the soft as fluff looking double bed in the middle of the room. Overkill for a short lady like Teis? Yes. Comfortable AF? Also yes.
Enver seems to feel a bit more at ease once the pair is in Teis's room. He looks around and blushes a bit at the sight of the bed. "Oh... just one bed then..."
Teis: "I mean. I could... Put you up in a guest room. But then we can't exactly lay and talk. I could... Get a mattress moved in here? I mean, not exactly 'proper' but... I mean, who really cares. Y'know. Besides Sis." Teis shrugs.
Enver shakes his head. "No.. it's okay... I've just never shared a bed with someone I liked before." He blushes again. "I guess it doesn't mean we have to do... stuff... just because we're together in a bed, right?"
Teis nods, with a smile. "Yes, precisely. I'm, uh. Glad we're on the same wavelength on that one. I genuinely do just want to sort of chat the night away, as it were. Maybe gaze at the stars, even. Balcony's nice this time of night?" Teis suggests. "Especially with a nice glass of juice, a good book... "
Enver nods in agreement. "Sure... that'd be nice." He smiles a bit, then looks out the window as a question comes to mind. "You don't mind that I'm like, way bigger than you, right?"
Teis begins leading the way to the balcony, though looks back to Enver briefly to answer his question, "Do you?" She looks back ahead of her, opening the door to the balcony and stepping out.
Enver follows along behind Teis and steps out next to her on the balcony. He takes a deep breath of the fresh air, glad to be out of the sterile air in the manor house. "No, I don't. I mean, you're small but that's part of what makes you cute..."
Teis takes a seat on the balcony. There's another nearby for Enver to use. The word cute in this context sort of vaguely throws Teis for a loop. "I mean... Just don't treat me like I'm a child." Teis states, with a hint of venom and spite, not necessarily aimed at Enver however.
Enver sits in the other seat and looks over at Teis. "Why would I do that? You're not a kid. You're smarter than me and probably older too..."
Teis sighs, partly out of guilt, partly out of relief. "No, no... Sorry. You've been fine so far. Some people treat me like I'm a kid just because I'm small. And I don't like it."
Enver takes Teis's hand in his again. "I get that... I mean, I feel the same about folks pitying me because of my hand or my situation..."
Teis allows Enver to take her hand, though shifts awkwardly at Enver's response. Teis maaaayyyy be a tiny bit guilty of that. "I... Ah. I can imagine."
Enver just keeps looking out at the stars. "I mean, I don't mind a bit of help once in a while, but like, I don't want folks thinking I need everything given to me or need a bunch of advice on how to live my life. I came here to get away from that sort of stuff, to just be my own mongoose..."
Teis nods. "Yeah... Yeah I can... Sort of relate. That's... Well, that's something I wish my Mother did." Teis sighs. "It's... Good. That you're taking control of your life."
Enver turns to face Teis. "Your mother?"
Teis nods. "Ma and Pa are great. But... My real mother. She's... Well... " Teis hesitates, seemingly stuck on her words.
Enver squeezes Teis's paw gently. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I know thinking about the past can hurt sometimes..."
Teis: "No, no. It's fine. She's not dead, if that's what you were thinking." Teis sighs. "She's just... Not even a quarter of the woman I used to look up to anymore. Now she's more of a reminder of... Sort of just how much I need to stay on my own path and not let someone else dictate it. Like what you did and getting away from your Father." Teis explains. Saddened, but matter-of-fact about it.
Enver scoots his chair a bit closer to Teis's. "Oh, okay... what happened, if I can ask?"
Teis: "My... I hesitate to even call him it, but... My Father happened." Teis looks down at her lap, with a deeper, more resentful sigh this time. "He... Is not a good person."
Enver frowns. "I understand... but you found a new family, right? So at least that's good. You found somewhere to be..."
Teis nods, smiling weakly. "For better or for worse, yeah. Like I said... Y'know. About luck. Yadda yadda." Teis lets out an amused huff.
Enver lets go of Teis's paw and just folds his hands on his lap. "Sure... but you can still feel sad about the other stuff... or mad or however you want to feel about it..."
Teis: "Well... I do... Sad for my Mother. Mad at my Father." Teis replies. "But, like... I don't know. I'm still incredibly grateful I'm where I'm at now. Got a wonderful sister, Ma and Pa who took me in, school and college prospects... Certainly not the kinds of things someone in my situation would've ever realistically hoped of achieving. And I recognize and appreciate that luck played a large factor in that. Plenty of wonderful people end up with far worse lots in life... Despite doing everything they can to make progress."
Enver gives a nod of agreement and understanding. "Sure, but then you just need to do what you can to help them do better, right? I mean if folks help each other, things will get better..."
Teis: "Well... That's the plan." Teis replies. "Starts with helping Sis keep her business here in Respite afloat. She's put a lot on the line, helping move us out here... Not that I dislike Ma and Pa, but they're just too much for me sometimes? Pa especially. It's nicer out here. Then there's Tarbin and his curse... I guess that's it. I'm helping two people right now. But, like... I don't know. Those Loremasters... Sharing knowledge and such. I don't know. Sounds noble. Like, if I collect knowledge, then share it freely... But, I'm young. Who knows where my future will take me? I can't exactly speculate about what I'll be doing ten years from now... Just like ten years ago I had no clue I'd be sitting here, talking to you."
Enver nods. "Exactly, of course we didn't know we'd be having this talk as late as this morning..." He laughs a bit, not really sure how to respond to the rest of it, but liking the feel of what she said. "So uh... yeah, the future, who knows? I mean too much can happen that you wouldn't know about, right? Like I had no idea where the ship I got on was going except that it wasn't taking me where my dad wanted me to go... I could have ended up in Vamas or Orela or who knows where..."
Teis reflects on this for a moment, staring at the stars in silence. When she's ready, she glances over to Enver, "Do you consider yourself lucky?"
Enver nods. "Yeah, though at first I didn't, but I figured that it was still better than being a slave... but now, I've made lots of friends and I get to make folks smile and laugh every day... that's really all I wanted."
Teis smiles, nodding positively for the moment, though then she frowns. "... It saddens me that there are people out there in the world like your father and mine. Not to mention those whom he tried to sell you to... " Teis sighs deeply, looking back to the stars again. Internally, she wishes she could do something about them, but what?
Enver sighs a bit. "Me too... I try to do my part to balance out that badness though. I don't have the power to stop the bad, so all I can do is bring good into the world to compensate."
Teis nods, though still keeps her gaze above. "I guess so." Teis agrees. "The... Children in town. Do you know them well by now?"
Enver ponders this for a bit. "I only really see them on Fridays, and then at random through the week. I know their names at least. Not sure that I would say I know them much beyond that, though."
Teis: "That's fair enough." Teis pauses, biting her lower lip as she visibly wants to ask something, though seemingly is struggling to bring herself to do so.
Enver looks at Teis, cocking his head. "Something on your mind?"
Teis meekly nods, still at the stars. "I'd... Like to add more goodness into the world. Is... There something I can do to help you? With the kids? Like, I know it's your thing, and I'm not exactly an entertainer... "
Enver laughs. "Is that all? Of course there is. I can always use more stories... and like, maybe you could build me some fancy things to entertain with, like the ball I have?"
Teis quickly ducks her head, sheepishly looking away with embarrassment, in response to the laughter. It takes her a moment of recovery before she's capable of simply nodding in response, let alone talk,
Enver pauses midlaugh as he sees Teis's reaction. "Oh... I didn't... mean it like that. I just... it's good that you want to help..." He slips off his chair to crouch in front of her and look into her eyes as he takes both of her paws in his hands. "I wasn't laughing at you. I'll never laugh at you, I promise."
Teis: Teis' eyes move to look at Enver's, without her head moving. Logically, she figures that, but in her gut, it still felt... bad. She gives a few shallow nods as she takes in a deep breath, collecting herself. "Yeah... Yeah. Okay." She assures mostly herself. "I, um. I can do that. Make things, potentially... Don't exactly know any stories, or how to write them." She takes another deep breath in, sighing it out, now turning her head properly to Enver.
Enver squeezes Teis's paws tenderly. "We'll figure it out together, OK? And I just figured that a place like this must have some books with stories I don't know maybe?"
Teis: "I mean, maybe Rondelethia has some... I guess I have some as well, but I'm mostly a non-fiction lady." Teis replies. She slightly squeezes back on Enver's hand, trying to process how she feels about everything.
Enver lets go of the paw held in his bad hand and returns to his seat. "Sure, but you could read them out to me. I've been working with the Loremaster, but I'm still not so good at reading yet... not stories anyway..."
Teis: "You... Can't read?" Teis's head and expression quizzically follow Enver. "I mean, not judging. Just... Huh. Um, yeah. Sure. I can do that."
Enver shakes his head. "Not really well, no. Always had trouble with it in school and stuff, and they didn't try too hard to teach us anyway... 'You won't really need this for the kind of work you'll be doing.' That sort of thing, you know? But yeah, maybe you can help me with that too. Mister Aurelius is nice and all, but like, he's busy with everyone else's stuff too, so he can't always coach me too much."
Teis: "Exactly why I hate those muffin tests... " Teis growls lowly for a brief moment, bringing herself back to normality though rather than diving back down that rabbit hole. "I'll do my best. Not... That I'm that good a teacher. But yes. I can try. Ah, but I may not be as... Available as you might want. But, I will attempt to make time." Teis nods.
Enver shakes his head. "I know you're probably busy. I mean, I'm busy too, but we can get together when we have time." He lets go of her paw before standing up and leaning against the railing on the balcony. "There's so much world out there. It's hard to remember that sometimes when I can't see over the town walls."
Teis stands from her chair, joining Enver at the railing, though perhaps in an unorthodox manner. She climbs onto the foot-wide flat stone banister, laying down on it with near perfect balance and stretching out her limbs. "You keen on travelling?" Teis questions.
Enver cocks his head, pondering this. "Not sure. Was never really anywhere but home except for a few trips to Policaster, and then coming here. But maybe it'd be nice? I think I'd need to make more of a name for myself before I could make travelling work..."
Teis: "Fair enough." Teis relaxes, yawning comfortably. "I don't particularly care to travel that much, unless I had to for study or knowledge or something."
Enver nods. "Fair enough. I've heard folks talk about some places around here that I might check out sometime, though." He looks in the direction of one of the nearby mountains and squints a bit. "Maybe in the spring I'll head up that mountain and visit the nice goat lady in the observatory..."
Teis: "I've vaguely heard mention of the observatory. But. . .Sis doesn't want to come, and I don't particularly want to go alone." Teis yawns again. "If you're gonna go, let me know. I'd tag along. Got some astral magic related theory in my schoolwork. . .It'd be nice to ask an expert about the stars."
Enver nods. "Ok. And I'll mention it to her if I see her around, though she usually only comes down once or twice a month from what I've heard." He yawns as well and looks to Teis. "Maybe it's time to go inside before the chill makes us too sleepy?"
Teis: "But the night air is so lovely. . ." Teis replies, very comfortable it seems. How is it that this narrow, stone beam is more comfortable than the soft, spacious bed. . .?
Enver laughs. "Well, you're the host, so I guess we stay out here..." He keeps leaning against the railing and smiles down at Teis. "Isn't that cold?"
Narrator: With sass, Teis responds, "Aren't you?" With a knowing smirk.
Enver feigns injury, as if shot through the heart with an arrow of snark, going so far as to crumple to the deck of the balcony. "Oof. You got me good there. I am slain. Ack."
Teis giggles at first, though then quickly falls silent as that smirk grows even wider. "Oh. Muffins, there's a dead body on my balcony. . .!" She rotates onto her stomach, arching her back up as she stretches herself out and stands back on the railing. "Better do what any respectable citizen would do. . ." Teis' smirk grows into a devilish grin. She clicks her fingers, a small jet of flame appearing at the tip of her now extended claw. ". . .And incinerate the body."
Enver is giggling soundlessly at the beginning and then lets out an audible squeak as the fire appears, scrambling back. "Oh. Oh look, I got better..." He stands up and dusts himself off. "How about that. No need to incinerate me now, right?"
Teis: "Ah! Zombie! Teis, what was the rule, the rule!" Teis frantically voices, though her hand is rock-steady despite the mock panic, careful of where she's pointing the flame at all times. "Right! The rule was burn the zombie!"
Enver blinks. "Zombie? Zombie want braaains..." he moans, moving to shamble toward her. After a couple of steps, he sniffs the air in her direction. "Huh. No brain here. Maybe sister have brain..." He turns around, taking a few shambling steps toward the door.
Teis dismisses the fire, retracting her claw and crossing her arms with a frown, her tail flaring up. "Excuse me! How rude!" Teis sourly voices with a frown.
Enver turns back to face Teis. "No, you're right, I'm sure your sister has no brain either." He gives her a saucy wink and walks back to the railing. "Seriously, though, you're like the smartest person I know... all that magic stuff you were telling me about over dinner... wow."
Teis: "Rude!" Teis objects further! Huff! She relaxes when Enver drops the act, tail slooowly falling, arms uncrossing. "What? All I did was tell you about the crystals." Teis tilts her head. "Besides, doing magic doesn't necessarily make me smart. . ."
Enver giggles one last time. "Yeah, but like, you know all about them... I mean, I couldn't really tell you how my tricks works, just that they do and my body knows how to move to do them... but you understand what you're doing."
Teis: "I mean, most of it's just extensive practice, reading, study. . ." Teis sort of rambles. Seems she won't just take the compliment. "No different from learning and perfecting a routine, really. Just that, ah, instead of the failure condition be landing on your own dagger, it might be. . .Setting yourself and the house on fire?" Teis sheepishly smiles.
Enver smirks. "Yeah.... fire's one thing I won't do... not with my bad hand. Maybe someday if I get something that can move right..." He looks down at his hands on the railing. "But yeah, I guess it's important to know what your doing when working with dangerous stuff like that."
Teis: "Aha, well. . .For most of my life, I sort of just. . .Did magic on my own, with. . .Little knowing what I was doing involved. I didn't start getting proper tutelage until only a few years ago." Teis replies. "So. . .Mostly self taught until recently. Which is why I keep saying that those tests are complete muffins. Like, just try it. Why not, right?" Teis hops off the railing, heading inside.
Enver follows along behind Teis, not having a chance to respond before both are inside. The two spend the next several hours just talking and laughing and being stupid with each other until they both drift off to sleep next to each other on the bed, still holding hands.