exsilium | ａｕｄｉｏ + ａｃｔｉｏｎ.

[ she begins without preamble, speaking clearly and surely. ]

I have things to trade in the cafeteria. There's hams and cheeses, doughnuts, and juices. Socks too, and wet wipes, toys and jewelry. I've got books too for those who want them and markers in lots of colors. There's a lot more too. I'll be here all day or until it's all gone.

[ she took over a section of the cafeteria for her use. her direwolf lies beside her, guarding both her and the cart.

her wheeled cart ( commandeered from the clinic ) is full of items: the top has a tray of finger food from the promised cold hams and cheeses to oysters and shrimp packed in ice with sauces alongside, even cooked mini pizzas. below are assorted vending machine goods in their wrappers, sacks of ground coffee and hot chocolate, and a dozen fresh doughnuts. she has a pitcher of lemonade and a half-gallon of fruit punch.

in the drawers are assorted items such as wipes, hand sanitizers, socks and scarves, toys including a stuffed bear that moves and talks when you press its stomach, a few books and papers and markers.

hidden inside a bag at the girl's feet are a few cartons of cigarettes and small bottles of whiskey and wine for those who can pay a little extra. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ she has a sarcastic response ready, but she bites it back. ]

Trading. Coin doesn't have much value up here.

Oh. I see. [ Sarcasm would fly over Sophie's head. She ponders a moment. Most of Sophie's missions haven't been much of success, but she might have some things to trade still. ]

...

[ Still browsing the cart with her eyes....... ] What would you trade the bear for?

[ OF ALL THE USEFUL THINGS SHE COULD GET..... she's eyeing the teddy bear. It looks cute, okay. ]

[ easy prey. her smile turns saccharinely sweet. ]

He isn't cheap. He sings and dances too. What do you have to offer?

Sing and dance? That's amazing... can you show me?

[ Very easy prey. But she probably doesn't have much to offer. Her flower seeds and gauntlets are off limits. So is her stuffed animal, Tiger Festival II. She shoves her hands in her pockets to see what she currently has on her: a medal that looks like it's made by a child... and a broken brooch with some fake flowers. Sentimental items are off limits too...

She shakes her head. The most she can offer are the winter clothes she had on her Alaska mission. Thanks to Asbel, he made sure she wore multiple layers of clothes during the trip. ]

...I have some winter attire back in my room. They're really warm.

[ though the winter gear interests her, she makes a sympathetic moue. ]

I don't think it will be enough... He's every valuable, you see.

[ Every valuable? She pauses, looking down in thought, pondering if she has anything else worth offering for a talking, dancing teddy bear. She can be gullible most of the time, but she's also not willing enough to give up so much for a talking doll, despite how cute it is... ]

...

[ She shakes her head. ]

I guess I can't get him then. Sorry.

[ unbothered, she shrugs. rummaging in the cart, she comes up with a plastic top. she winds it up and sets it on the floor next to her. nymeria starts at the spinning motion. she smiles at sophie. ]

How is this then? For the winter clothes? I'll throw in a doughnut too because I like you and I feel bad about the bear.

Wow...! That's amazing! [ She crouches down with a big smile on her face, watching the top spin, almost like it's the most amazing thing ever! It's like the first time she has ever seen a toy like that...

It is. ]

...But what's a doughnut?

Those things. [ but she doesn't point out which of the things on the cart is a doughnut. bending down, she retrieves the top and winds the string back around it. ] Do we have a deal?

[ Not yet. She's standing again, tilting her head at the cart. There's too many things on there... ] Which things?

[ pointing to the doughnuts. the shiny glazed doughnuts. ]

Ohhh... [ Staaaare. Never had those before. They look good... ~~not as good as crablettes though.~~ and shiny! They look kind of small though. A little spinning top and one doughnut... ] Just one doughnut?

I have to sell the rest so I can feed her.

[ nymeria is a big wolf. ]

...Her? [ She glances over at the wolf. ] What does she eat? She can't eat doughnuts?

[ her patience only lasts so long. ]

No. Two doughnuts and that's my final offer.

[ Sophie is a person of a billion questions. She glances at the spinning top, doughnuts... the talking bear.

After some thought, she shakes her head. OK THE SPINNING TOP IS FASCINATING AND ALL... but... ]

Sorry. I'll bring better things next time.

[ No deal... ]

[ with that, the girl looks away for other customers. it's a dismissal. ]

...?

[ From the way Sophie's still standing there, staring at the girl, she doesn't quite understand it's a silent dismissal. ]

[ pointedly ignoring sophie, the girl organizes everything back in the cart. the direwolf lifts her head and she swipes a few more shrimp to treat the animal. ]

...

[ She just stares at her a little longer, then finally speaks up. ] I should head back to my room now. [ Dismissing herself and still not knowing she was already dismissed. ]

I hope you find someone with a much better offer.

[ no answer. ]

[ KEEPS TALKING. She just waves. ] Bye bye. [ And she turns around to walk off now. ]

ａｕｄｉｏ + ａｃｔｉｏｎ.

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