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The boots? They may be a bit big for you.
[This entire time, she's been quite direct about addressing the puppets' bodies in the condition (and size) they come, treating them normally. But who could say if this is for any specific purpose? Cantarella turns gracefully. If someone bigger had come along, she might have honored their privacy and let them sneak by without taking a peek.
But she does know they mean the book, and she will wave it a little without opening it.]
I can only imagine how long it took you to scrounge this up.
[This entire time, she's been quite direct about addressing the puppets' bodies in the condition (and size) they come, treating them normally. But who could say if this is for any specific purpose? Cantarella turns gracefully. If someone bigger had come along, she might have honored their privacy and let them sneak by without taking a peek.
But she does know they mean the book, and she will wave it a little without opening it.]
I can only imagine how long it took you to scrounge this up.
[Oh, don't give her that. It's only a funny mental picture.]
You did sound rather disparaging about said library during our first meeting. That's why I thought I might find you elsewhere, lest being so cooped up sent you plunging over the cliffs of madness.
[Having spent a bit of very cursed and very haunted time in the library, Cantarella can now say she's not particularly fond of it either...but she has also cohabited with "ghosts" for a very long time.]
Has its wisdom proven useful?
You did sound rather disparaging about said library during our first meeting. That's why I thought I might find you elsewhere, lest being so cooped up sent you plunging over the cliffs of madness.
[Having spent a bit of very cursed and very haunted time in the library, Cantarella can now say she's not particularly fond of it either...but she has also cohabited with "ghosts" for a very long time.]
Has its wisdom proven useful?
You think me so fragile that a disorganized library would deter me?
[ An off the cuff question, one that doesn't seem to be looking for an answer. They complain, but... they'll deal with it. ]
I found it interesting more than useful, at least for our present situation. I may yet see more use from it elsewhere.
[ A pause. ]
Have you interest in its contents?
[ An off the cuff question, one that doesn't seem to be looking for an answer. They complain, but... they'll deal with it. ]
I found it interesting more than useful, at least for our present situation. I may yet see more use from it elsewhere.
[ A pause. ]
Have you interest in its contents?
On the contrary: I think you vastly exceed the space, and it'd likely not challenge you enough for very long.
[Hence the descent into madness, probably.
Cantarella lifts the book to once again examine its cover, thumbing the edges thoughtfully and noting any markers or dogears but not actually opening it.]
I also doubt its applied use, though if you were cursed to take control of that puppet, my tune might change. [Thoughtfully:] Come to think of it, if there's anything on places or objects becoming cursed, I might find some interest in it when you've finished reading.
[Because she supposes Sage would like their book back.]
[Hence the descent into madness, probably.
Cantarella lifts the book to once again examine its cover, thumbing the edges thoughtfully and noting any markers or dogears but not actually opening it.]
I also doubt its applied use, though if you were cursed to take control of that puppet, my tune might change. [Thoughtfully:] Come to think of it, if there's anything on places or objects becoming cursed, I might find some interest in it when you've finished reading.
[Because she supposes Sage would like their book back.]
[ That actually pulls a small laugh out of the puppet. ]
Mayhap you have gathered the correct impression of me after all.
[ There are some pages dogeared, namely ones that are centered around immobilizing an opponent or causing them a bout of dizziness. ]
I would be glad to lend it to you. It will not be long before I’ve finished reading it. I intend to move on to something that might be of more use as soon as possible.
Mayhap you have gathered the correct impression of me after all.
[ There are some pages dogeared, namely ones that are centered around immobilizing an opponent or causing them a bout of dizziness. ]
I would be glad to lend it to you. It will not be long before I’ve finished reading it. I intend to move on to something that might be of more use as soon as possible.
[Mayhap she has. That just earns them a little smile and the tapping of Cantarella's fingertips against her lips.]
I'd appreciate it, especially if it meant I wouldn't have to go on a wild hunt for it. Will you stick with the topic at hand or move onto something else?
[Read, because she does assume Sage is smart enough to play the negotiation language game: Do you think you're dealing with a curse?]
I'd appreciate it, especially if it meant I wouldn't have to go on a wild hunt for it. Will you stick with the topic at hand or move onto something else?
[Read, because she does assume Sage is smart enough to play the negotiation language game: Do you think you're dealing with a curse?]
[ Seems like Sage is, because it tilts its head and settles a little puppet hand against its puppet cheek. ]
I lack any concrete information on the subject at hand. The nature of my studies means that I have learned much on the subject of curses, but it has provided naught to assist me with here.
I lack any concrete information on the subject at hand. The nature of my studies means that I have learned much on the subject of curses, but it has provided naught to assist me with here.
We're all quick to think of problems in terms of what we know, aren't we? I thought of neurotoxins when I first awakened here.
[Foxglove and Rosemary have mentioned illness, albeit in different ways. Sage is studying curses...Is it the blind hope they all have that their own hands will hold all the answers?]
[Foxglove and Rosemary have mentioned illness, albeit in different ways. Sage is studying curses...Is it the blind hope they all have that their own hands will hold all the answers?]
Hence your reason for checking your pulse.
[ Which they already discussed, but. Still. ]
I had originally researched curses for other reasons, though recent happenings led me to revisit the thought. A curse could certainly be responsible for a change in scenery…
[ But a not small part of them hopes that the answer for other problems happens to jump out on a reread. ]
[ Which they already discussed, but. Still. ]
I had originally researched curses for other reasons, though recent happenings led me to revisit the thought. A curse could certainly be responsible for a change in scenery…
[ But a not small part of them hopes that the answer for other problems happens to jump out on a reread. ]
[She nods.] I can think of very few things that would alter my frequency so severely as to seal my Forte... Curses, as they are, are beliefs attached to other phenomena...though who's to say that's the case in every world? The more of us there are, the more a reasonable answer seems out of our grasp.
[Despite the fact that the way the natural world works where she's from has been twisted and destroyed by disaster after disaster and reshaping of the world, many mythical things have their own logical explanations.]
I'd be interested in your findings...and also how you plan to carry this anywhere. Can I deliver it somewhere for you?
[Despite the fact that the way the natural world works where she's from has been twisted and destroyed by disaster after disaster and reshaping of the world, many mythical things have their own logical explanations.]
I'd be interested in your findings...and also how you plan to carry this anywhere. Can I deliver it somewhere for you?
[ Sage hums, filing that tidbit away for a minute or two. They will be coming back to that, trust. ]
I would be a fool to decline your offer. Would you deliver it to the library? I had planned to steal it away in the night while you and yours were deep in slumber.
I would be a fool to decline your offer. Would you deliver it to the library? I had planned to steal it away in the night while you and yours were deep in slumber.
[Cantarella glances back at the store. She supposes they must not be nearby. Though they must have been, at one point, to have carried it in the first place. Hm.]
I was only here to find something more comfortable to sleep in, so these little errands shouldn't take very long. Is the library where I can find you to borrow it again when you've finished? I can bring along some boots, too.
[She WILL continue footwear-related playfulness and I WILL make detouring for Sage the reason she gets stuck in mannequin hell.]
I was only here to find something more comfortable to sleep in, so these little errands shouldn't take very long. Is the library where I can find you to borrow it again when you've finished? I can bring along some boots, too.
[She WILL continue footwear-related playfulness and I WILL make detouring for Sage the reason she gets stuck in mannequin hell.]
Should look for me in the library, I will appear.
[ Cantarella is on their good side well enough that Sage (probably) won't make her work for it!
The puppet tilts its head. ]
Hmm. Bring me boots and I will judge whether or not they're to my taste. You seem up to the task, at the very least, so I shall give you the chance to impress me.
[ There's amusement there in their voice—a jest, but a challenge if Cantarella wants to take it. ]
[ Cantarella is on their good side well enough that Sage (probably) won't make her work for it!
The puppet tilts its head. ]
Hmm. Bring me boots and I will judge whether or not they're to my taste. You seem up to the task, at the very least, so I shall give you the chance to impress me.
[ There's amusement there in their voice—a jest, but a challenge if Cantarella wants to take it. ]
[Now who is indulging in foolishness? Cantarella chuckles, her hand passing in front of her face.]
You're suddenly taking great pleasure in acting like a mischievous spirit now, aren't you. [She leans in the puppet's direction.] Is there a prize for winning your hunt?
[It's impossible for them all to be comfortable at this point. (Unfortunately, comfort will dwindle even more soon.) There's too much unknown between them and too much tension. Paradoxically, that might make it a little easier to maintain this genuine and playful banter with Sage.]
You're suddenly taking great pleasure in acting like a mischievous spirit now, aren't you. [She leans in the puppet's direction.] Is there a prize for winning your hunt?
[It's impossible for them all to be comfortable at this point. (Unfortunately, comfort will dwindle even more soon.) There's too much unknown between them and too much tension. Paradoxically, that might make it a little easier to maintain this genuine and playful banter with Sage.]
[ There's a huff, something soft and light. ]
Mayhap. Though I certainly won't tell.
[ Who can say? Maybe there is a prize! Yet there is something to be said about banter, especially in a place that is so bereft of it. ]
You simply must win to find out.
Mayhap. Though I certainly won't tell.
[ Who can say? Maybe there is a prize! Yet there is something to be said about banter, especially in a place that is so bereft of it. ]
You simply must win to find out.
When it comes to playing games for prizes that don't exist, once is more than enough for me. I do hope you won't reject what I bring you. I shall pluck it from the rack in earnest, like a perfectly ripe fruit.
[She gives the spine of the book a thoughtful stroke, and, because it's Cantarella, it does have a sensual quality to it, though she is only musing.]
I shall get this returned to you. I won't spook you, so there's no need to skitter about, either.
[She gives the spine of the book a thoughtful stroke, and, because it's Cantarella, it does have a sensual quality to it, though she is only musing.]
I shall get this returned to you. I won't spook you, so there's no need to skitter about, either.
[ Amusement settles into Sage's voice, obvious even over the distortion. ]
Should you manage to surprise me... I would be impressed.
[ Maybe that's a dare to try? Who can say. ]
Whether you pass or fail my assessment, I may have a warm cup of tea waiting for you.
Should you manage to surprise me... I would be impressed.
[ Maybe that's a dare to try? Who can say. ]
Whether you pass or fail my assessment, I may have a warm cup of tea waiting for you.
I'd certainly never turn down a cup of tea. [There's some cheer in how she accepts this invitation, even if...she''s never had the opportunity to savor the taste of regular brewed tea.]
I'll look forward to savoring it. It'll be sweeter once all this pretense can be done away with.
[Little do they know the setbacks that are coming, but they can still persevere here.]
I'll look forward to savoring it. It'll be sweeter once all this pretense can be done away with.
[Little do they know the setbacks that are coming, but they can still persevere here.]
You are quite right.
[ Sage sounds a little bit brighter about that, the thought of tearing away all these pretenses something they seem to be looking forward to. ]
I will leave you to your shopping. Call on me, should you have need of me... or once you've found those boots.
[ now this puppet's gotta run out before curfew strikes ]
[ Sage sounds a little bit brighter about that, the thought of tearing away all these pretenses something they seem to be looking forward to. ]
I will leave you to your shopping. Call on me, should you have need of me... or once you've found those boots.
[ now this puppet's gotta run out before curfew strikes ]
[ Cantarella is right about that, and while there's a bit of hesitation on Sage's part to approach her due to her new look...
They do, and eventually there's a puppet standing before her. ]
Shall I lead you towards what you seek?
[ Much like Cantarella, this puppet has some fun, new things going on! Bright white kitty ears and a tail now adorn it. ]
They do, and eventually there's a puppet standing before her. ]
Shall I lead you towards what you seek?
[ Much like Cantarella, this puppet has some fun, new things going on! Bright white kitty ears and a tail now adorn it. ]
[Poor Sage... But who could hate or be afraid of a jellyfish? Cantarella, who knows both the beauty and the deadliness in the little invertebrate things, will defend them to the last.
That she doesn't have a super visible reaction to the ears betrays that she's come to expect the Puppet Changes...Even the cat part is not particularly surprising, given that Sage can be a little aloof and imperious and playful.]
By all means. [She curtsies.] I know when to defer to expertise that far outpaces mine. We all have our strengths.
That she doesn't have a super visible reaction to the ears betrays that she's come to expect the Puppet Changes...Even the cat part is not particularly surprising, given that Sage can be a little aloof and imperious and playful.]
By all means. [She curtsies.] I know when to defer to expertise that far outpaces mine. We all have our strengths.
[ Ah, so she has either seen the puppet changes or she's expected them, given the changes everyone else has undergone... Not surprising, at least.
The puppet turns around and leads Cantarella towards one of the tables that's a little bit more out of the way. On that table sits a little tea set up, kettle still letting off puffs of steam. ]
What are yours, I wonder?
[ They ask, playfully curious. ]
The puppet turns around and leads Cantarella towards one of the tables that's a little bit more out of the way. On that table sits a little tea set up, kettle still letting off puffs of steam. ]
What are yours, I wonder?
[ They ask, playfully curious. ]
[Cantarella takes a seat at the table when invited, though she doesn't yet touch the tea. It would be impolite manners.]
While I'd rather not admit it, those cards delivered to you were accurate enough. However the information happened to get there. Mine does paint a portrait, doesn't it?
[Even if, without context, that portrait may be closer to the public perception of everything written there.]
While I'd rather not admit it, those cards delivered to you were accurate enough. However the information happened to get there. Mine does paint a portrait, doesn't it?
[Even if, without context, that portrait may be closer to the public perception of everything written there.]
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