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votivescholarsWelcome to the world of the Durants...
Guests from the Nexus are met by an Isidor who is still dressed for business when she PINpoints them directly to the venue. She is on a mission and pleasantries are swiftly exchanged so that she can give instructions and explain how the day is going to go. The first thing to hit them is that it's hot, and bright. They are now in France, Isidor tells them, her narrative changes appropriately as she leads them from the small stone building, through immaculate gardens and towards a sprawling palace which she insists is small for what it is. This is the home of Gnonyma Durant, her grandmother. A 17th Century French palace once owned by royalty but was gifted to her family as thanks for 'a service' which Isidor says was so private that even the mage's journal doesn't detail what it was.
The air is dry and still, which makes the cool shade of indoors a pleasant relief. Like the ornate facade, the interior of the building is lined with intricate mouldings; decorated with impressive portraits; painted in bright, colourful shades; and filled with flowers and draping fabric. There is plenty of space, a fact emphasised by tiled floors that amplify each step and word. It looks as though almost every room is being used, from the way all the doors are held open for the steady flow of traffic. They are, however, let through the building and out another door. It's the quickest way to where seats sit lined up to face a gazebo decorated with ribbons and flowers that stands in front of a pond that might as well be a lake. Some people might notice the air above them ripple slightly, which certainly has nothing to do with the perfectly ornate poles at each corner of the seating area.
There are already plenty of people milling about. Servants stride from one place to another, expertly staying out of the way of the guests. There are some men and women who are dressed well for the occasion, but like the servants they stay out of the way and scan the area repeatedly, making no attempts to engage with the guests - security, judging by their earpieces. Members of the Durant family are easy to spot. They move in groups or pairs, often getting headed off by people looking to talk to them. A large majority of them also sport sashes of either red or purple with gold trim and ornate pins that vary from person to person. This, Isidor explains, is how you spot a patron and an accomplished scholar, based on the red or purple respectively. Viatorus is not yet an accomplished scholar, which is why they have no sashes. Members of Runa's family are equally easy to spot for those that know her. They would be the large group of tall, golden haired men and women with the distinctive Swedish accents happily talking to anyone and everyone.
After guiding them to their seats she tells them that the ceremony will be another twenty minutes and takes her leave to go and sort out the other numerous things on her endless list. Nobody bothers them while they wait. Everyone is too busy spotting old friends or making their way to their seats. It's a good time to enjoy the scenery. There is a small collection of musicians with harps, violins and flutes to one side. Even the breeze is smelling sweet with the perfume of the bouquets.
Within fifteen minutes Viatorus appears in a tailored suit of light grey and deep purple. He is closely followed by an older, stocky looking man in a black suit and purple tie, and sporting a red and black sash that is even more ornate than any others. Whatever the man is saying to him Viatorus barely gets more of a wave of recognition in to his friends before he's being guided to the gazebo and kept there. Shortly after he's joined by a young man and two women with tanned skin and black hair dressed in simple, but high quality clothes of purple, draping fabric. They look as serious as the man beside Viatorus. That is about the time Isidor reappears in more appropriate attire. She in turn heralds the appearance of a woman who shares her features, dressed in elegant gold and black, who is accompanied by a man whose black suit and purple tie are considerably more simple than his purple sash. Its intricacy matches that of the red one worn by the man standing next to Viatorus. The mood seems to shift at the appearance of these last two guests, becoming quieter, expectant. The Durants gather together, and Viatorus' fidgeting increases tenfold as they exchange words. The men with the sashes and the woman in gold take their seats, many of the guests follow suit.
The ceremony begins...
The young man in purple walks with his staff to stand at the head of the aisle and asks that everyone takes their seats. Exactly twenty minutes after the Nexus guests were shown their seats, the ceremony begins. The young man introduces himself as the high priest of Despoina and welcomes them to the union of the two families Durant and Nyström. As it is a ceremony to mark the union of two families with two sets of tradition and two sets of gods to honour, this will be a merging of these two cultures. It will be a handfasting ceremony of the Old Ways, he explains. This means that the couple will be as man and wife for a year and a day, and after that time they must choose if they wish to marry or separate. The guests now better informed, the priest stands back under the gazebo where a nervous Viatorus and patient Isidor stand waiting. On cue, the musicians start playing unfamiliar, but pleasant music to introduce the arrival of Ingirun dressed in white and accompanied by a rounded, red cheeked man, and followed by a woman who must certainly be one of her sisters. Once she was beside Viatorus, Ingirun's father sat down and the ceremony began.
The priest talked of uniting the two families, naming the virtues of both, as he got the bride-and-groom-to-be to hold hands which he bound in ribbons. He then took them through their vows before invoking the gods and goddesses to bless the union. The mixture of Greek and Norse deities made for a complicated blessing that might have been compared to seeking the approval of two powerful families. With wishes given, the priest unwrapped their hands and had the betrothed drink from the same cup. All in all it was a short ceremony as ceremonies go. A few more blessings were given and then the couple were prompted to kiss to seal the pact, which a bright red Viatorus did, very timidly. Luckily that only made Runa beam more brightly than she already was.
Dinner was in a large hall with close family at the head of the room and everyone else seated at round tables. Every position was carefully chosen, of course. The inevitable speeches came from the father of the bride (who rambled joyously about how happy he was to see his daughter with such a fine young man) and the mother of the groom (who gently, warmly, welcomed Runa into the family and spoke of how proud she and his father were). Drinks were plentiful, as were the courses. There were six in total with a selection of each: Appetisers, soup, fish, the main course, dessert, and a palate cleanser. No one will be going hungry tonight, that's a certainty.
After dinner it's Isidor who stands to say a few last words. She thanks everyone for coming and instructs them to enjoy the evening and all the festivities which "will go on at least until dawn". With that, guests are bid to go and enjoy the entertainment filling the palace.
And now for the party...
There isn't a single place that isn't being used for the party. The gardens have pleasant music playing in them, chairs and tables laid out with cushions and blankets for people to lounge in. One of the largest halls is set out for dancers and their spectators to enjoy live musicians that will play ballroom music for the first part of the evening and be replaced by a band that plays modern music for the second. There is a small room of bookshelves and leather armchairs where men congregate to sip whiskey. Rooms with couches and chairs have people moving in and out of them joining and starting conversations. The priest tends to three statues of goddesses that stand at the end of one room. Here he collects gifts and offerings for the couple's happy future. A man with a perfect smile enthralls a crowd with stories that are only exciting because of the way he tells them. A demure woman facilitates a conversation between straight backed men with chiseled features and shorter tanned men who look equally as disciplined. Servants are found throughout, bringing drinks and snacks to anyone who asks or so much as looks as if they're considering either.
((Feel free to backtag, threadhop, start threads, look for more NPCs, whatever you like! If you're unsure of something, looking for more details, or want to plot then you know the drill - Send a message my way and we'll chat!
Note about gifts: It will say on your character's invitation that gifts are optional and it is suggested that a gift to the gods/goddesses would be more than suitable instead.))
The Nyströms | Hephaestia | The Archon, Liselotte & Stathis | The Priest | Oraskis - The Seer
Lieselotte or Stathis | Poenia & Sagyne | Harrowheart & Anna | Adia | Felix & Jim | Evening Event | Isidor | Klaus
Guests from the Nexus are met by an Isidor who is still dressed for business when she PINpoints them directly to the venue. She is on a mission and pleasantries are swiftly exchanged so that she can give instructions and explain how the day is going to go. The first thing to hit them is that it's hot, and bright. They are now in France, Isidor tells them, her narrative changes appropriately as she leads them from the small stone building, through immaculate gardens and towards a sprawling palace which she insists is small for what it is. This is the home of Gnonyma Durant, her grandmother. A 17th Century French palace once owned by royalty but was gifted to her family as thanks for 'a service' which Isidor says was so private that even the mage's journal doesn't detail what it was.
The air is dry and still, which makes the cool shade of indoors a pleasant relief. Like the ornate facade, the interior of the building is lined with intricate mouldings; decorated with impressive portraits; painted in bright, colourful shades; and filled with flowers and draping fabric. There is plenty of space, a fact emphasised by tiled floors that amplify each step and word. It looks as though almost every room is being used, from the way all the doors are held open for the steady flow of traffic. They are, however, let through the building and out another door. It's the quickest way to where seats sit lined up to face a gazebo decorated with ribbons and flowers that stands in front of a pond that might as well be a lake. Some people might notice the air above them ripple slightly, which certainly has nothing to do with the perfectly ornate poles at each corner of the seating area.
There are already plenty of people milling about. Servants stride from one place to another, expertly staying out of the way of the guests. There are some men and women who are dressed well for the occasion, but like the servants they stay out of the way and scan the area repeatedly, making no attempts to engage with the guests - security, judging by their earpieces. Members of the Durant family are easy to spot. They move in groups or pairs, often getting headed off by people looking to talk to them. A large majority of them also sport sashes of either red or purple with gold trim and ornate pins that vary from person to person. This, Isidor explains, is how you spot a patron and an accomplished scholar, based on the red or purple respectively. Viatorus is not yet an accomplished scholar, which is why they have no sashes. Members of Runa's family are equally easy to spot for those that know her. They would be the large group of tall, golden haired men and women with the distinctive Swedish accents happily talking to anyone and everyone.
After guiding them to their seats she tells them that the ceremony will be another twenty minutes and takes her leave to go and sort out the other numerous things on her endless list. Nobody bothers them while they wait. Everyone is too busy spotting old friends or making their way to their seats. It's a good time to enjoy the scenery. There is a small collection of musicians with harps, violins and flutes to one side. Even the breeze is smelling sweet with the perfume of the bouquets.
Within fifteen minutes Viatorus appears in a tailored suit of light grey and deep purple. He is closely followed by an older, stocky looking man in a black suit and purple tie, and sporting a red and black sash that is even more ornate than any others. Whatever the man is saying to him Viatorus barely gets more of a wave of recognition in to his friends before he's being guided to the gazebo and kept there. Shortly after he's joined by a young man and two women with tanned skin and black hair dressed in simple, but high quality clothes of purple, draping fabric. They look as serious as the man beside Viatorus. That is about the time Isidor reappears in more appropriate attire. She in turn heralds the appearance of a woman who shares her features, dressed in elegant gold and black, who is accompanied by a man whose black suit and purple tie are considerably more simple than his purple sash. Its intricacy matches that of the red one worn by the man standing next to Viatorus. The mood seems to shift at the appearance of these last two guests, becoming quieter, expectant. The Durants gather together, and Viatorus' fidgeting increases tenfold as they exchange words. The men with the sashes and the woman in gold take their seats, many of the guests follow suit.
The ceremony begins...
The young man in purple walks with his staff to stand at the head of the aisle and asks that everyone takes their seats. Exactly twenty minutes after the Nexus guests were shown their seats, the ceremony begins. The young man introduces himself as the high priest of Despoina and welcomes them to the union of the two families Durant and Nyström. As it is a ceremony to mark the union of two families with two sets of tradition and two sets of gods to honour, this will be a merging of these two cultures. It will be a handfasting ceremony of the Old Ways, he explains. This means that the couple will be as man and wife for a year and a day, and after that time they must choose if they wish to marry or separate. The guests now better informed, the priest stands back under the gazebo where a nervous Viatorus and patient Isidor stand waiting. On cue, the musicians start playing unfamiliar, but pleasant music to introduce the arrival of Ingirun dressed in white and accompanied by a rounded, red cheeked man, and followed by a woman who must certainly be one of her sisters. Once she was beside Viatorus, Ingirun's father sat down and the ceremony began.
The priest talked of uniting the two families, naming the virtues of both, as he got the bride-and-groom-to-be to hold hands which he bound in ribbons. He then took them through their vows before invoking the gods and goddesses to bless the union. The mixture of Greek and Norse deities made for a complicated blessing that might have been compared to seeking the approval of two powerful families. With wishes given, the priest unwrapped their hands and had the betrothed drink from the same cup. All in all it was a short ceremony as ceremonies go. A few more blessings were given and then the couple were prompted to kiss to seal the pact, which a bright red Viatorus did, very timidly. Luckily that only made Runa beam more brightly than she already was.
Dinner was in a large hall with close family at the head of the room and everyone else seated at round tables. Every position was carefully chosen, of course. The inevitable speeches came from the father of the bride (who rambled joyously about how happy he was to see his daughter with such a fine young man) and the mother of the groom (who gently, warmly, welcomed Runa into the family and spoke of how proud she and his father were). Drinks were plentiful, as were the courses. There were six in total with a selection of each: Appetisers, soup, fish, the main course, dessert, and a palate cleanser. No one will be going hungry tonight, that's a certainty.
After dinner it's Isidor who stands to say a few last words. She thanks everyone for coming and instructs them to enjoy the evening and all the festivities which "will go on at least until dawn". With that, guests are bid to go and enjoy the entertainment filling the palace.
And now for the party...
There isn't a single place that isn't being used for the party. The gardens have pleasant music playing in them, chairs and tables laid out with cushions and blankets for people to lounge in. One of the largest halls is set out for dancers and their spectators to enjoy live musicians that will play ballroom music for the first part of the evening and be replaced by a band that plays modern music for the second. There is a small room of bookshelves and leather armchairs where men congregate to sip whiskey. Rooms with couches and chairs have people moving in and out of them joining and starting conversations. The priest tends to three statues of goddesses that stand at the end of one room. Here he collects gifts and offerings for the couple's happy future. A man with a perfect smile enthralls a crowd with stories that are only exciting because of the way he tells them. A demure woman facilitates a conversation between straight backed men with chiseled features and shorter tanned men who look equally as disciplined. Servants are found throughout, bringing drinks and snacks to anyone who asks or so much as looks as if they're considering either.
((Feel free to backtag, threadhop, start threads, look for more NPCs, whatever you like! If you're unsure of something, looking for more details, or want to plot then you know the drill - Send a message my way and we'll chat!
Note about gifts: It will say on your character's invitation that gifts are optional and it is suggested that a gift to the gods/goddesses would be more than suitable instead.))
✣ · ✣ · ✣ · ✣
The Nyströms | Hephaestia | The Archon, Liselotte & Stathis | The Priest | Oraskis - The Seer
Lieselotte or Stathis | Poenia & Sagyne | Harrowheart & Anna | Adia | Felix & Jim | Evening Event | Isidor | Klaus
I think you meant that Oraskis is a BOSS. ;)
Date: 2017-07-04 04:50 pm (UTC)She tenses a little when they enter the building, even more so when she notices the additional attention. She knows that it's directed towards Oraskis and not her, but it still makes her self-conscious. It's why she doesn't say anything when the frazzled blonde approaches, her gaze politely dropping when it becomes obvious that she is not needed or wanted in the conversation.
If you can call it a conversation. Adia finds herself fighting back a frown. This woman is pestering him over dead flowers? Really? He's a powerful seer, not the manager at a garden store. Doesn't she have more important things to concern herself over?
His sudden moaning of a vision startles her out of her thoughts. Worriedly, she holds out an arm for him, but it only takes a few seconds before she catches on to what he's doing. Now it's a smile she's fighting to hide, instead of a frown. When the woman runs off, she manages to ignore the stares, gently patting Oraskis's hand and saying, "That took a lot out of you. Let's find you somewhere comfortable where you can recuperate without being disturbed."
Once they've moved on, she gives him a look of admiration and whispers, "How often are you able to get away with that?"
no subject
Date: 2017-07-05 01:35 pm (UTC)"Adia! And Oraskis!" The mixture of joy and relief comes from a familiar voice. Viatorus beams and hops towards them, having just slipped out of a busy room to the immensely more appealing quiet corridor Adia and Oraskis have found. The door he came from opens again and his young bride-to-be appears, so he stops for her. "Runa! Runa, come and meet Adia."
The flush in Viatorus' cheeks are quite likely a combination of nerves and the clear, flowery scented liquid in his glass, but there's no doubt that Runa's bright smiling comes naturally to her. She eagerly hurries over to offer her hand. "Hello Adia. I'm Ingirun, but you can call me Runa. Everyone calls me Runa." She stops suddenly and then corrects, "Everyone except his father."
"And my grandmother," Viatorus adds helpfully as he comes to stand next to her.
Oraskis rolls his eyes and chuckles. "Typical Gnonyma."
Viatorus' thoughtfulness is broken by a wide smile again. "I'm so glad you two met." A hint of anxiousness resurfaces then. "Was the food all right? Are you being looked after?"
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Date: 2017-07-05 06:13 pm (UTC)She's glad to see Viatorus in good spirits, and even more delighted to meet his fiancée, although her smile is rather shy when she shakes the woman's hand. She's just as pretty up close, and bright like a ray of sunshine. "Hi, Runa. It's nice to finally meet you. I'm so honored to have been invited to your engagement party. It was a beautiful ceremony."
Unsure of what else to say, her friend's question comes as a relief. "The food was amazing. This whole place is amazing. I'm having a great time." Visions of ex-boyfriends nonwithstanding. "Your cousin has been wonderful company."
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Date: 2017-07-14 02:45 pm (UTC)It's clear that Adia's answer's offer Viatorus some reassurance as they ease his fidgeting and widen his smile. "That's good. Great. I wasn't sure how everyone would find it. I know it's... it's probably different to how most of my Nexus friends celebrate. We, um, we don't have as much technology as you or Jim must have. I was worried it might be too... strange."
Runa giggles and smiles kindly at Viatorus. "You met in the Nexus, remember?"
"Oh." A little red appears in his cheeks. "Yes, well... I suppose that's a point."
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Date: 2017-07-14 05:12 pm (UTC)"No, it -- I don't find it strange at all. Well, the technology, anyway. I haven't been to a party like this in a long time." She smiles self-consciously. Aside from a few university banquets, she's never been in the presence of such splendor, but to admit much more would make her sound like some sort of poor temple mouse. "It's lovely."
The exchange between the young couple doesn't go unnoticed. "Nothing is stranger than the Nexus," she agrees. "Have you had a proper tour yet, Runa? It's really something else."
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Date: 2017-07-14 06:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-07-14 07:09 pm (UTC)"Oh, and there's a library, too. It's huge. They must have every book in the multiverse there." She pauses thoughtfully and laughs. "Well, every book on pokémon, at least, because that's what I've been researching lately."
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Date: 2017-07-15 02:19 pm (UTC)Viatorus seems to agree with this sentiment, shrugging and nodding as he sips at his drink.
Then Runa leans forward, tilting her head inquisitively. "What's pokémon? Are they to do with microbiology?"
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Date: 2017-07-15 03:25 pm (UTC)"Oh, no, they're a kind of animal... well, a whole set of species of animal that are from... somewhere else. A bunch of them wandered into the Nexus through a portal and then never left. They're like... magical creatures, but like nothing I've seen in any storybook. Steve has three of them, I'm taking care of them while he..."
She trails off. She hadn't known it when she last spoke with Viatorus, but she learned from Harrowheart that they were close friends. Her expression sobers. "...while he recovers."
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Date: 2017-07-16 08:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-07-16 08:57 pm (UTC)Trying to salvage the conversation, she draws herself determinedly and says with conviction, "But I'm sure we'd find out right away if something happened, so he must be getting better. He just needs time to recuperate."
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Date: 2017-07-17 09:12 pm (UTC)"Speaking of helping," Runa starts. "If you need help taking care of Steve's Pokémon I'd be happy to help how I can." Her own smile is a little nervous. "I haven't seen many magical creatures, and I love animals."
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Date: 2017-07-17 11:31 pm (UTC)Runa's offer for help is much appreciated, and Adia shows it in her smile. "That'd be wonderful. I try to visit them every day, but they could always use more playtime, especially Sarah. She's so full of energy... she's a growlithe, which is kind of like a dog, except she can breathe fire. There's also Ethel, a shieldon. She's kind of like a little dinosaur with steel armor on her head. They're both very, very sweet. Bucky is a rufflet, a kind of bird, but he's wary of strangers, so don't be offended if he doesn't take to you right away."
She speaks of them like a proud parent talking about her children. Too bad she doesn't have any pictures to show her.
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Date: 2017-07-18 09:25 pm (UTC)Very quietly Viatorus asks, "Would... Would I be able to see them too?"
He can't help but feel a little like he's piggy-backing on Runa's request, but...
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Date: 2017-07-18 09:47 pm (UTC)Caught up in her musings on avian taxonomy and magical interaction, she almost misses Viatorus's request. "Hmm? Oh, of course you can." She smiles at him warmly. "Any time you want. You're always welcome. You too," she says, turning towards Oraskis, so he doesn't feel left out.
no subject
Date: 2017-07-20 02:21 pm (UTC)"Gry would find a way," Runa says confidently, full of pride. "She's very smart. They can't be completely different, can they?"
Speaking of magical things... Viatorus bounces on the spot. "Will you be here for long? There will be performers doing magical displays later on." He smiles widely. "And I'm almost certain Isidor will do a fire dance later too."
no subject
Date: 2017-07-20 03:04 pm (UTC)Yes, she has done her research.
Her friend's excitement catches her attention. Truthfully, she had been planning on saying her goodbyes after delivering her well-wishes, but a magical performance sounds awfully tempting. "A fire dance?" She repeats in surprise. "From Isidor?"
no subject
Date: 2017-07-23 11:39 am (UTC)"It's quite a sight," Oraskis chimes in.
"There's a storyteller coming for the children, and an illusionist to put on a show for the band too," Runa adds excitedly.
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Date: 2017-07-23 01:08 pm (UTC)"I'll be sure to stay for that, then." She wonders belatedly if Isidor would get along with Steve's growlithe, but she can ask the woman herself later if she wants to meet a fire type pokémon. "A storyteller? Do they also perform magic?" She grins a little as a thought occurs to her. "I've been to parties where they hire a magician for the kids, but it was obviously never the real deal."
no subject
Date: 2017-07-23 06:53 pm (UTC)Runa and Oraskis both giggle and chuckle respectively at the comment about magicians. As Oraskis puts it, "I think it would be strange to see a proper street magician, knowing what I know."
"The one we'll have today does magic," Runa confirms. "A bit here and there to make it more enchanting. I remember sitting for hours at parties like this watching storytellers when I was a child. I wanted to make sure the children weren't bored while their parents were enjoying themselves."
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Date: 2017-07-24 01:13 am (UTC)Her smile grows when they seem to get the joke. "It's more about wondering how the magician pulled off his trick, although if the kids are young enough, they might think it's real... that was thoughtful of you Runa, I'm sure the children will love it." Maybe she'll try to catch a story as well, so long as she isn't the only adult listening.
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Date: 2017-07-24 08:37 pm (UTC)The joking gets a giggle from Runa, but Viatorus just looks thoughtful. "But we're different. We act as scholars, seeking out the unknown. Most families focus on their talents and building on them rather than looking for something new."
"I have three nieces and a nephew. I couldn't leave them with nothing to do." Runa shrugs sheepishly then. "And, I admit, I couldn't resist. I love stories."
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Date: 2017-07-24 11:44 pm (UTC)"I think I saw them in the garden," she tells Runa with a soft smile. "They're all very cute. Does a storyteller have their own style of magic, or do they pull from whatever field they're best at to put on a show?"
no subject
Date: 2017-07-25 09:21 pm (UTC)Suddenly Viatorus jumps as a thought hits him. "Grandfather used to make potions," he says suddenly. "O-O-Or try to."
"He did," Oraskis confirms, looking as bemused at Runa.
Viatorus, however, grins broadly at Adia, anxiously excited. "Would you like to see his laboratory? It's not that big, and it's not modern, but since you're here..."
no subject
Date: 2017-07-26 01:29 am (UTC)And, oh boy, would she ever like to see a magic laboratory. "Really?" she asks, her face lighting up with excitement. "Um, I mean... if that's okay? I don't want to take you away from your own party..."
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