Back to School - Band Candy (LOL Alert!)

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

A table has been set up in the forum, hung with banners and piled with boxes. A slim, well-dressed man fusses over it, straightening signs and smoothing the tablecloth. The signs and banners are for a high school pep and marching band. When the table and the wrapped bars of chocolate on it are arranged to the man's satisfaction, he steps behind it and raises his voice to call attention.

"Friends! It's the season in many places for the resumption of studies. Children are going back to school, and those schools are woefully unfunded! Tragic, I know, but it's become customary for the funding of activities like sports, art, even music, to be supplied by the sale of treats--such as these!" A sweep of his hand indicates the confections on display.

"The town of Sunnydale always has a particularly difficult time, in that area, I'm sorry to say, and now more than ever. Their school band is hard beset, what with consistently leading the division in fatalities, but now? The majority of their town has been devoured by a sinkhole!" He removes his hat, holding it over his heart as he shakes his head with an expression of sorrow.

It passes. "But! The spirits of those children remain indefatigable, and all they need are instruments, uniforms, and other such trifles, to carry on. So, in the name of lending a hand to those in need, I come to you, good denizens of the Nexus, with the chance to show your support. Reclaim a little taste of youth, and help youths hard beset, all for the flimsiest of payments. I take all forms of currency, and arrangements can be made for deferred billing or other alternatives."

"So: will you think of the children?"

((LOL Alert! This is indeed the candy from an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Eating it reverts a character's emotional maturity to adolescence, when hormones run high, judgment runs low, and leading priorities include having fun and impressing the interesting sex(es). The effects are temporary, but seem to be consistent with the quantity consumed, and come on fairly quickly. Have fun with it!))

Comments

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

Schön doesn't quarrel with Verity's disinterest. Her question gets a thoughtful look, and he asks, "are you inclined to interfere with sales?"

[brave_heart_verity]

"Depends on who's buying." She's not going to lie about that. "Loki doesn't need this stuff. Everyone else... well, if they don't ask me." A shrug. "Some of them even if they do."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Then I have no reason to object," he replies, lips spreading in a slow smile. "You continue to surprise me, Ms. Willis, and the novelty is refreshing."

[brave_heart_verity]

"My best friend is Loki, the god of lies. You seriously thought I was too grown-up for this kind of thing?" She's disappointed in you, Schön.

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Mostly, I was anticipating some driving need to interfere 'for their own good.' But your presence may actually be a boon, if you don't mind my saying so."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Mm. I guess you'll owe me then won't you?" She may be teasing. She's definitely pulling up a chair for herself.

"So what kinds of potions are you getting for this anyway?"

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

That wins a chuckle. "Yes, I'll be quite happy to sit by and not interfere with your business, sometime." He, too, may possibly be teasing.

"Mostly the usual sorts; some to heal, some to protect, some to enhance. I'm laying in a few more for the allaying of fear than usual, I think those might be popular. Why, is there something you might be interested in?"

[brave_heart_verity]

"Now there's a promise to take to the bank." She'll remember this. Fortunately, she's pretty boring so he wouldn't be missing out on much.

"No, not really. I'm just nosy." Maybe she'll need to get a few emergency healing potions, but not from him. She only has so much hair.

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"If you like. I do offer some very competitive financial packages, to interested parties, and discreet safe storage." The game isn't fun if you don't play, and not interfering doesn't mean not being aware.

"You'd not like to be stronger, or swifter, or cleverer, for a little while, when you need it?"

[brave_heart_verity]

"Oh? You're the Nexus bank now too?" Just wait until Naugus hears about this.

"I'm sure everyone would. But I've got to be careful about... interactions, right?"

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Well, perhaps not the bank, but a bank, certainly." Let the wretched thing-man be jealous.

"Possibly, possibly not," he admits. "These potions come from a place where savvy sorts layer magic upon magic upon magic, until they practically--or literally--glow with it. They might sit comfortably with your extant magic. I could examine your enchantment, if you like, to be certain... but I don't imagine you're eager for such scrutiny."

[brave_heart_verity]

"That's not my favorite way to spend an afternoon," she admits. "What would it take? What would you do exactly?"

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"It would take time, Ms. Willis," he answers, "and a small measure of your trust."

He considers for a moment how best to phrase it. "I would, in a sense, touch your magic with mine. Gently. Carefully. I have no wish to harm you. By feeling the weave and the shape of the power within you, I can understand to some extent how it might play with others."

[brave_heart_verity]

That's going to take some consideration, and she won't rush herself. This guy could give Loki a run for his money when it comes to verbal gymnastics, and unlike with Loki she's not sure he has her best interests at heart. But he means it when he says he doesn't want to hurt her, which is something of a reassurance.

"And that's all you'd do?"

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"I give you my word, I would do not more, nor less, nor other, than I have described," he assures her. He trusts her sense for the truth to make any magically-binding promises unnecessary.

[brave_heart_verity]

She gives a slow nod. "Okay. But. Then I want to be able to ask you a question with the promise of an honest answer." She knows he's not doing this out of the goodness of what passes for his heart, and he wouldn't respect her if she gave too much away for free.

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Just one?" His tone is arch, possibly teasing. But then he settles into the actual negotiation. "Will this be a question about my findings, or on some other subject?"

[brave_heart_verity]

"Something else. Something you might find personal. I expect you'll tell me what you learn too. At least as much as I'm likely to understand." But if he's going to be fondling her spell, well. There's something she really wants to know.

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"A personal matter. I see." He considers for a moment. "May I rely upon your discretion, in this matter? That whatever I divulge to you, in answer to your question, goes no further?"

[brave_heart_verity]

She nods. "Of course."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Then we are agreed. One personal question, one honest answer to said question, and total discretion."

[brave_heart_verity]

She nods. "Okay. Do I need to do anything?"

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Only be present, Ms. Willis, and relaxed." He pauses, then adds, "perhaps at a time and place more discreet than this?"

[brave_heart_verity]

"Okay. When you're done here?"

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Agreed."