video;

[whatsupcroc]

So Vanadi's hosting the big Masquerade Ball later this month, and that got me to thinking...

( Collette starts ticking things off on her fingers. )

There's no age limit, everyone's going to be wearing a mask and in costume, there's no supervision, and one of the most common questions out of new people showing up here is "where's the nearest bar," so it'll also have alcohol. Lots of it.

( Collette leans forward, chin resting on her interlaced hands, elbows on the table. She grins. )

This is so much better than Prom would ever be.

Comments

[foolish_seal]

Eh, They were distant family, at best. But the school was a normal high school; the dorm was a separate building elsewhere funded by the group that funded the school.

[He has to stop every so often to remember which measurements to take and where, but other than that it won't take too long.]

Hm. Yeah, I could probably get along with him. Sounds like a great guy.

[whatsupcroc]

That sucks.

( It really does, in her opinion. )

Family's one of the greatest things you can have at your back. That, or really good friends. Have you got those?

( She winks. This measurement business is mildy amusing. )

I can always lend you James if he shows up around here.

[foolish_seal]

Friends? Yeah, I got those, at least.

[He can't help but smile. Boy, did he have friends.]

So I guess I can't complain.

[He's about finished with the measurements now; he's writing down the last of them.]

...Wait, Lend me him? I thought he was the leader-type.

[whatsupcroc]

( She grins. )

Hey, you can complain all you want, that's anyone's right, but you can't go around feeling truly alone. That's a pretty cool thing, in my opinion.

( Friends are the best. Maybe even because most of the time, you got to pick them, not just be foisted off on them by a twist of fate. Phil didn't think of me like that, you're just being silly. And she was, but the thought stayed like a small stone, rolling around in the pit of her stomach. )

He is! Doesn't mean he can't get a few more friends along the way. Besides, I bet you both would get along well. You're sensible, and he's sensible, and you're both capable of who even knows what, and he likes music, and... do you like music?

[foolish_seal]

Music? Yeah, I listen to music from time to time.

[Read: pretty much constantly when not talking to people.]

Be sure to tell me if he shows up, then.

[He puts away the measuring tape and tablet.]

That should be it. I should have it done sometime before that party.

[whatsupcroc]

I will! And that's great, but did you figure out how much I'm going to owe you?

( Leaning back on her hands, firmly planted on the bed behind her. )

[foolish_seal]

Well, since I figure that I'm not going to be able to get things like silk and fancy cloth here, I figure not all that much. If you want, just give me how much you want to spend and I'll give back whatever I don't use.

[whatsupcroc]

Hmm, are you going in the next day or two?

[foolish_seal]

Probably, I dunno. Depends on how busy I am.

[Though, given this place, there's not much to be busy with at the moment.]

[whatsupcroc]

If you don't think you'll be too busy, I can just give you my card.

( Wise decisions with strangers? Or limits on how much can be withdrawn at once? )

The coins are a bother to lug around everywhere, but you'll need them if you wander outside the main Hold marketplace or the proper stores close to here. The small, out of the way places are all marques only or barter for goods.

[foolish_seal]

[He's touched that she'd allow him to use that, but he still has to ask.]

You'd actually trust me with your card?

[whatsupcroc]

Of course! For one, you don't strike me as the kind of guy who'd be a total jerk like that. For another? It's just money. Not having to pay rent on this place means it's for the luxuries and stuff anyway when I've already got a full pantry.

( Of rice and pasta.

Shut up it's a fool-proof plan. )

What's the worst you can do?

( It's not like she knows two prosecuting attorneys or several officers of various sorts of laws or anything... )

[foolish_seal]

Yeah, you're right about me. I couldn't betray someone if I tried.

[Especially to a lady. No way in hell would he ever wrong a lady.]

[whatsupcroc]

With a guy who can talk like that, where's the need to worry?

( She winks, even while she knows statements like that can be plenty worrisome if one were inclined to be distrustful. )

[foolish_seal]

[Minato nods in response. He won't be a dick with it.]

I'll get it back to you as soon as I can.