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

Thank you!

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"There might be," the thin man admits, "but what would they want? And what would you need to trade away simply to learn of them?" He pauses, then adds, "of course, you could always try to steal the knowledge, but that tends to be rather more fraught. I wouldn't advise it."

You're welcome!

[bestdadinamestris]

The frown is now accompanied by a furrowed brow. "I guess I should stick to the old fashioned methods, then. No need to go up against something I don't understand." There's enough of the crap going on back home to last him a lifetime. Damn alchemists and their science.

After a pause, he nods to Schön. "Either way, thanks for the candy, Mr... Well, I don't believe I ever caught your name."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Many say the old ways are best," he agrees, before extending a thin hand. "Freund. Schön W. Freund, and pleased to meet you, Mr...?"

[bestdadinamestris]

He takes the extended hand and gives it a firm shake. "Lt. Colonel Maes Hughes."

After releasing Schön's hand, Hughes slips the bar of chocolate into one of his pockets. He's tempted, but he's a little too cautious to just eat it right here. No, it's best to wait until he's some place safe. Home, perhaps. He'll figure something out, though.

"Thanks for the candy. Good luck with your fundraising." He doesn't smile, but his honesty is easy enough to pick up on.

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"A pleasure to meet you, Colonel, and may I dare hope many happy returns."

"And thank you, for your well-wishes. I shall be here for some time, if you find yourself in the mood for more. A gift, perhaps."

[bestdadinamestris]

"I'll keep that in mind, thanks." He nods, then slowly backs away from the table.

So many interesting things just happened. Hughes has a lot to process while he contemplates what to do with his chocolate bar.