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oh well I saw you at the doctor's, waiting for a test
Who: Aranea Highwind, ???
Where: various
When: May
What: A catch-all
Warnings: none – will update if needed
[Open]
[ Early in the month, her time is taken up by finally setting up the... surprising stock that was delivered to Britches and Hose. She makes an effort to keep things tasteful, at least; shuffling of shelves and the addition of a folding screen to section off the collection of sex toys from the rest of the merchandise, so that people who are just there for pajamas or a sports bra don't suddenly get an eyeful of more than they bargained for. It's a display area more than anything else; one of everything on the shelves, all numbered so people can make a discreet request at the counter and have it brought to them if they're feeling shy. Further into the month the class factor is probably lowered at least a little by the proprietor's black eye, the angry purple-red of it shading through blue and green to a sickly yellow as it heals, like the world's crappiest mood ring.
After the Mayor's little announcement, the accompanying memories, and one very busy day for those trying to keep the network clean of subversion, she leaves the store to her staff more frequently. On those days she's in the bookstore, with an increasing look of frustration as she searches through books and publication dates, with occasional glances to a plasticky card she keeps mostly tucked into shoulder bag. Looking for something and clearly not finding it. Or very occasionally just at home, where anyone who comes calling might catch a glimpse of the cb radio she hauls out occasionally to flick through the channels and find – so far – nothing of importance. But on the days she's in the store, a small sign appears in suggestive proximity to the Official Notices:
Questions? We're happy to talk.
The rest of her time is given to checking in with people she knows. Social calls, except that the most likely topic of conversation is that something in this town is rotten and the stink is starting to be unavoidable. ]
Where: various
When: May
What: A catch-all
Warnings: none – will update if needed
[Open]
[ Early in the month, her time is taken up by finally setting up the... surprising stock that was delivered to Britches and Hose. She makes an effort to keep things tasteful, at least; shuffling of shelves and the addition of a folding screen to section off the collection of sex toys from the rest of the merchandise, so that people who are just there for pajamas or a sports bra don't suddenly get an eyeful of more than they bargained for. It's a display area more than anything else; one of everything on the shelves, all numbered so people can make a discreet request at the counter and have it brought to them if they're feeling shy. Further into the month the class factor is probably lowered at least a little by the proprietor's black eye, the angry purple-red of it shading through blue and green to a sickly yellow as it heals, like the world's crappiest mood ring.
After the Mayor's little announcement, the accompanying memories, and one very busy day for those trying to keep the network clean of subversion, she leaves the store to her staff more frequently. On those days she's in the bookstore, with an increasing look of frustration as she searches through books and publication dates, with occasional glances to a plasticky card she keeps mostly tucked into shoulder bag. Looking for something and clearly not finding it. Or very occasionally just at home, where anyone who comes calling might catch a glimpse of the cb radio she hauls out occasionally to flick through the channels and find – so far – nothing of importance. But on the days she's in the store, a small sign appears in suggestive proximity to the Official Notices:
Questions? We're happy to talk.
The rest of her time is given to checking in with people she knows. Social calls, except that the most likely topic of conversation is that something in this town is rotten and the stink is starting to be unavoidable. ]
good thing there's no starbucks
Hey.
Nyx would have walked in with two of the most ridiculous fraps
[Nyx holds out the bag as a peace offering, a bottle of booze tucked inside wrapped in paper.] I couldn't remember what your favourite was. Figured I'd just get something expensive and hope for the best. [After all, how much of "Ara" was based on who Aranea really was?]
no subject
Aw, you did remember my favourite.
Free.
[ And she holds one finger up to him in a signal to wait just a moment, disappears into the stockroom and comes back with two water glasses, each of which gets a healthy measure sloshed into it. She pushes one towards him, and raises her own. ]
We good?
no subject
I'm sorry.
[Away from the situation, the anger, and the memories, Nyx can say that sincerely. It took him, like, three weeks, but hopefully this means she forgives him.]
no subject
Me too. For whatever that's worth.
[ Not a king, that's for fucking sure. Not cities, not somebody's whole life. But something. ]
no subject
It used to be worth a lot to the Glaive.
no subject
It's gonna take a lot of turning around, but when we figure out how to get back I'm picking up right where I left off.
[ Although that does raise... other questions. ]
So before I saw the error of my ways [ and there's sarcasm just dripping off that, thick and tinged with anger - at the empire, at the Chancellor, at the whole damn mess - ] I used to get dossiers on people to watch out for. Seems like someone with your skill should have been in them.
no subject
Most anyone on that side would have known is what my armor looked like, if my name didn't ring any bells. I was the asshole with the purple cloth. After everything? You could say I was no longer a threat.
no subject
Well, fuck.
[ It's a huge stretch, but not as much as it might have been if she hadn't seen Ignis with his sight, or heard Prompto talk about Noctis in a way that suggests he's unaware of the kid-king's disappearance. It's still enough to prompt her to drain her glass in kind. ]
So... a very permanent honorable discharge?
no subject
There are only two ways to retire from that way and I had the misfortune to encounter both.
[Neither side had any moral high ground, to be honest.]
no subject
She tops off both glasses, business hours be damned. ]
And now you're here. That's gonna be a story to tell the grandkids. Any idea how it goes?
no subject
Not a damn clue. I haven't seen so much as a potion since I woke up, much less a phoenix down, and I know my magic's not capable of it. I'll have to make something up to tell those grandkids, else they'll get bored halfway into the story.
[Grandkids. There's a possibility he never entertained before. Is it bad that a part of him doesn't even want to know what the powers that be are hiding? It's a small part, the part that wanted a family and a peaceful life, but it didn't die with his home all those years ago.]
no subject
The more I learn about this place, the less I know. I don't like it. But at least it's not all bad.
You hear of anyone else in the same position?
no subject
A few others. There's been questions left unanswered for many of my friends. A lot of us shouldn't just be walking around.