Constance: Buying Ocean's Deep from Marie

[22:05] Marie says, "Ah, good evening."
[22:05] Constance doesn't ding-dong ditch Marie's mansion this time.
(Constance)
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[22:05] Nicholas says, "The diabolicon is such a strange ward."
[22:05] Nicholas looks up from his binder.
(Nicholas)
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[22:06] Nicholas says, "Oh.."
[22:06] Constance says, "Nic..."
[22:06] Samson sniffles.
(Samson cae Aertas)
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[22:06] Nicholas coughs.
(Nicholas)
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[22:06] Constance says, "Awkward."
[22:06] Marie rubs her nose.
(Marie)
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[22:06] Nicholas closes his card binder and tucks it away for now.
(Nicholas)
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[22:06] Nicholas says, "Uhm."
[22:09] A humble step casts at the duo's entrance. The prospective soon-to-be hobby shop business owners clings across with ample courtesy.

Dusting the soles of her shoes across the welcome mat glides the mixture of many emotions across the younger lass's visage. Much so that it becomes far too much of a hotpot of expressions to read.

Surprise? Fear? Confusion? Excitement? Relief?

At this point, it might as well be a completely new title. The myriad of reactions all coalescing into one. Yet one constant remains: the dripping sweat beads that involuntarily careen across freckled skin.

"Aha... hi," she greets, meekly.
(Constance)
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[22:13] Nicholas arrives tearing open card packs and sorting them into a binder, he was stuck, caught in a trap. The hole was only getting deeper and deeper, all self-respect had been lost.

And there was no getting out.

Looking up from the binder however, he saw a pair of individuals that he had not expected to see at all. If Constance had told him before that she was buying from Marie, he could have mentioned it ahead of time but..

"Uh. H-hey." He greets uncertainly, then promptly leans forwards to whisper at Constance.

"Please tell me you are not buying this place from her."
(Nicholas)
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[22:18] So does the soon-to-be former restaurant owner stand centered towards the top of the stairway, not quite at its precipice, but more affixed to the core of the room itself. Straight is her posture and stoic is her countenance, the characteristic bussinesslike mien present as it oft is.

Eyes drift between the two whom have entered what was formerly her place of business and manse alike, though they're guised by a veneer of reflective material, their own reflections present instead of those vivid irises which lie beneath.

"Good evening," she says with a nod.

There's an almost expectant glance given to Samson in the moment, though it does not dwell for long. Instead she adjusts her scarf momentarily, lips curling into a smile most polite.

"Of note, the furnishing is included with the transaction, though I have taken a few select pieces of sentimental value, so when you take note of the barren spots... well, that's why."

A pause, after which she adds, "I also took the entire kitchen from the private quarters with me to my new tower."
(Marie)
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[22:19] With the entrance of the duo, there is a very obviously awkward expression upon Samson's face. Whilst he appears to be in rather good condition, despite the rumors surrounding his disappearance for the past nearly two fucking years, there's something that might catch their gaze briefly.

A glimmering ring of gold, crested with a frost-covered diamond, held upon his left hand, from which there's a relatively hasty motion made to hide it behind his back.

Lest the catch notice of where its mirror lay before them.

"Aha... I do erm…" He clears his throat, rather awkwardly. "I do hope my prolonged absence hasn't been harming the fun of you and your friends too terribly much."

"I'm afraid after a few ah... extrapolating circumstances, I don't believe I'd be taken back kindly in Osrona."

Whether or not there'd been any public say on his current condition wasa fact he was utterly oblivious to. So detached from the world and its politics, he had little way of receiving such information.

"It's uh, lovely to see you two again either way." With the greater-part of his might made to have the words sound genuine, though the fact he'd dodged the responsibility of properly DMing for them for so long is a fact which...

Very clearly weighs upon his conscience.
(Samson cae Aertas)
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[22:26] "What do you mean??? Is this a bad idea???"

Perhaps there was some error in having kept the entire ordeal leading up to so to herself. But then again, never was she the ideal point person to handle negotiations. There was only so much a high school diploma could do.

Her smile is forced, wobbly in its prevalence as her head shifts out from addressing Nicholas before returning to the two at the zenith of the upper landing. The quiver in her lips swell, masked only by her speech.

"Y-Yes! The furniture, aha. The kitchen stuff is okay... Still, t-thank you for the rest, aha..." Still, she vies to keep composure at the sudden influx of discourse from three sides: Nicholas' reluctance, the revelation of their DMs' fate, all whilst handling the preconceived negotiations for the restaurant.

She clears her throat, momentarily moving to face her attention to Samson, anxiously pensive. "Oh, aha, it's alright! We were just a little worried is all. Okay maybe more than just a little. But we're glad to see you fine! Aha..." Nay was the mundane lass swift enough to notice anything in such an instant. If anything, all she catches was the gesture of keeping it out of sight.

Not that she had to worry about that. There were bigger fish to fry.

Turning back to Marie, she nods, as if to prepare for a transaction. However, there is a slight stall in her motions, as if to give Nicholas a chance to speak, or at least provide a response to her quandaries.
(Constance)
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[22:48] "She's the one who kidnapped Mister Aertas! One of the Radiant's said so, at least.. Uhm.."

Darkened eyes flick over to squint at Marie suspiciously.

"It, uh.. Might be? A bad idea, I mean."

Nicholas may have forgotten to share what he found out about where Samson was as well. He too, was not free of social disability. However, they were here now and it may be a little too late for a great many things.

Besides, he wasn't at all sure whether Marie cares enough about a pair of nobodies from Osrona to make this a bad idea. It should be fine?

Maybe?

A glance is paid towards Samson. Nicholas was more focused upon Marie so whatever object he was trying to hide would not be seen by the now young man. "We were looking for you for a while, but haven't had much luck in finding you- till now, I guess."

"Are you, uh, done making things for her? Or..?" Nicholas asks awkwardly, looking past the pair at the top of the stairs and towards the kitchen and general seating space beyond, though only briefly as his gaze nervously flicks back towards Marie and Samson.
(Nicholas)
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[22:56] At the very least, comfort may be found in the fact that Marie's hands do not dwell near her quillblade. Instead they rest akimbo, a pair of keys clutched in the leftmost one, dangling limply between her fingers by the loop of a keychain.

"Ah... yes, I've been doing my best to ensure he wasn't quite somewhere that, hum, they'd simply invade to try and reclaim him."

A blunt admission, one confessed through lips curled into an awkward smile, one which grants the impression of one who desires to be seen as friendly, rather than genuine warmth; a facsimile of a smile.

It's effort put forth, at the least.

As for whether the Aertas is finished creating things for her, those eyes turn with continued expectancy towards Samson, allowing him to apprise them as he pleases.

This aspect of the conversation is more his territory, of course, given his relationship with the duo and her own lacking one.

Regardless, they do not dwell upon him long, quick to return to Constance and offer a,

"Of course, it's no bother... it doesn't feel right to hold onto this place for very long, given I've moved northwards... at long last set to build my prized library, as I've..."

A pause.

She elects not to ramble nor monologue, instead shaking her head with a hum, a moment taken to reorient herself.

"Anywho. Thirty grand is the asking price, as I purchased it for in my own youth so many years ago. I'm eager to see how it molds under your hands, how time carries it on into a new form."

"Just, ah... do take care of the building. I've grown very fond of it."
(Marie)
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[22:57] Despite the alleged rumors of Samson having been kidnapped, no matter how closely one might inspect him, there lay no trace of either an anti-magic bracelet, or collar to the found about him.

In fact, it didn't quite seem as if he were a prisoner at all... Lest being a prisoner to his own anxiety be considered as much.

"I've been doing rather fine, actually. I wrote back to the Shimmering City just the other day to inform them that I've chosen to remain willingly in her company..." He clears his throat again, his composure coming back to him slightly as focus changed to something he'd already allowed the feelings of which to tear through him.

"To which Merlin's response was to say that I have betrayed him despite my outlined intentions so ah..."

His words taper off with a pang of sorrow all the same, looking to Marie with his next question.. Samson's own gaze looking tomeet the infamous regicide's own rather softly.

"No, not quite done I'm afraid. Though you're more than welcome to write me elsewhere, I don't believe I can host anything for you within Osrona itself."

With that, he falls relatively silent otherwise; allowing the business to carry out, attempting to avoid prolonging it any further.
(Samson cae Aertas)
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[23:04] She casts a glance back and forth between the three souls within her vicinity. On-top of revelations, announcements, more questions, amongst other things, there was a lot to take in.

Much so that the shakes of the Sudbury native had now gone farther past the subtle, her legs in a sense of partial quivering. However, for why, that remains unknown.

"Aha, I see, I see..." Such a tangled web, the feasting spiders of truth now sinking their venom across fragile arms. If it were literal, perhaps such would explain their numbing limpness, held up solely by whatever little willpower remained within the young lass. "Well, aha, maybe we'll write or visit."

Reluctance to utter it seems to gleam free from her words, yet none were indicative of hate or anger. "We'll probably be hanging out here more though, aha."

"We've got some friends that could use a second home too. S-So this all works out, aha."

The supposed prospectives being Gabriel and his rat girl whom shall not be named out of courtesy. Her address seems more toward Marie now, "We'll make sure this place is kept pristine and well-kept."

Finally, despite the warnings imposed by Nicholas, she steps forward. Too much had the prospective preparations dissuade her from inaction. Too many times had that happened already.

Lest opposed, there is but a humble exchange of coin and keys. From one generation to the next, the building passes on.
(Constance)
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[23:04] {Item} You drop Coin Bag.
[23:13] Nicholas hums a bit to himself at that, looking between the two, a fair bit of the nervousness present begins to fade the more it becomes clear that Marie had not intention of being hostile.

Because genuinely why would she?

"Uh, okay then. I guess, that works out, since.. We'll be out here more than in Osrona now."

If they had to game outside of Osrona in order to do so, then it is a sacrifice that Nicholas was willing to make.

"Gamer's lead the way." He says out loud, then immediately coughs, clearing his throat. "Ah, I didn't.. Nevermind."
(Nicholas)
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[23:29] Marie elects not to ponder the optics of selling her abode to someone who may possibly allow her alt to sleep under its tables following the inevitable destruction of Novus.

It's okay. Constance was the highest bidder anyway, the only other option was an IOU from Pilot.

"Good, good..." she says in the end, however. Eyes do glaze over Constance for a moment, perhaps trying to make a judgement of character of sorts, though there's only so much one can gleam from the surface.

"Expect a mildly irritated letter if I find out it hasn't been well kept, however, and if it falls into major disrepair... well..."

She clicks her tongue.

There's a mild degree of levity which finds her tone, an amusement of sorts which is drawn from the discomfort and anxiety of the girl ahead. Always one to play such things up, to lean into them, yet always one to do so with a sense of humor.

While the words may be received as a threat, the tone with which they're delivered is intended to alleviate any such words. At least, they'd have that effect were they delivered to one with good social skills who could pick up on such cues.

So is coin exchanged for key, the wealth vaguely counted out before being deposited into her satchel, the ring of keys to the six doors of the abode handed over without further delay.

"A pleasure doing business," she says, though eyes dwell upon Nicholas with a quirked brow following his statement.

"...Gamers..."
(Marie)
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[23:31] Samson seems to choke on his own tongue hearing Marie repeat such a term, opting to stay relatively silent after thus.
(Samson cae Aertas)
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[23:41] Metal meets her palms as the concordant promise of the place's well-being be emphasized by its previous owner. "Ahaha... don't worry."

She gulps, a finger pulling the collar of her sweater as if to filter the nervous warmth out. It were not until it settled that she had realized the deed were done.

Pale eyes glance downward as the keys within her hands would be propped up—observed.

"...gamers." She returns to the trio, her response clear before one final address toward Samson is made. "We're going to make this place into a hobby shop. Even without a DM, we still wanted to do something that we all liked."

"Aha, if you can, a few visits would be pretty cool, maybe some games to catch up on." For even in his absence, there upheld the respect yearned by the youth toward the pseudo-figure of authority (the one she isn't fearful of). "But yes, aha... thank you again."

Without much fanfare, a glance is made toward Nicholas. The mixture of emotions previous had long subsided. Now, all that remained were three: elation, anxiety, and relief.
(Constance)
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[23:42] Samson cae Aertas says, "I'd love to visit sometime."
[23:42] Samson cae Aertas asks, "And I will, just write if you need me, okay?"
[23:45] Marie says, "Of course, of course... you're welcome."
[23:49] Nicholas clears his throat again awkwardly.

He hadn't meant to say that phrase out loud, and as two out of three people repeat the term, the young man wilts. "Aha..." Falling quiet afterwards, he simply raises a hand upwards to cover his mouth and nods at the two without anythung further being stated or done.

The moment was over.
(Nicholas)
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[23:50] Marie says, "Well, I suppose this is where we part ways, gamers."
[23:50] Samson winces, slightly.
(Samson cae Aertas)
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[23:50] Constance exclaims, "Aha, yes... also!"
[23:50] Samson cae Aertas says, "It's been ah... Lovely to see you two again."
[23:50] Constance says, "If, uh, if ever you do find anything about, uh... aha..."
[23:50] Constance says, "That thing..."
[23:50] Constance says, "You know..."
[23:50] Constance says, "'That'."
[23:51] Marie says, "Ah... of course. I plucked it off the corpse of a fae, so I'm not entirely familiar with its history, but... well, I could try to dig a little."
[23:51] Nicholas asks, ".. What thing?"
[23:52] Constance says, "Aha, thank you."
[23:53] Constance says, "Just information."
[23:53] Constance says, "Don't worry about it."
[23:53] Constance says, "She knows a lot of things, Nic."
[23:53] Nicholas says, "Uh, okay."
[23:53] Marie says, "I am quite knowledgable, this is true."
[23:54] Marie says, "If ever you're interested in dissecting the full recipe for a youth potion, do write to me. Something could be worked out."
[23:54] Constance says, "I don't know what that means but that sounds cool, aha..."
[23:55] Marie says, "Mhmm..."
[23:55] Marie asks, "Anywho, until next time, then?"
[23:56] Constance says, "Yes! Yes, aha."
[23:56] Constance says, "Thank you again."
[23:56] Marie says, "Of course, of course. You're welcome."
[23:56] Marie says, "Do take care of it, ahah..."
[23:57] Constance tries not to puke in the corner as they leave.
(Constance)
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[23:57] Constance says, "Aaaa."
[23:57] Nicholas pats Constance's shoulder.
(Nicholas)