DEDICATED HENRATURRA POST;

[vecna]

(( when the sun sets, we're both the same ))

Comments

[vecna]

[The mushroom continues its woeful expression but seems to get the idea that it can't argue the point when Sprezzatura is very stern on the matter. So it just lowers its arms and shuffles from foot to foot, pouting a little.]

Maybe the people who gave it to me didn't know what they were parting with. Or... [His cynicism comes into play-] They were hoping to stir up a little trouble.

Either way, we don't have to decide what to do with them now. [He steps forward, offering to take them away from her.] I didn't mean to give you something that'd just stress you out.

[velluminous]

[ oh, no, you don't. the reaction is instant: Sprezzatura flicks her wrist as he steps forward, and the entire deck just—wisps away. vanished. ]

It is as you said. How could you know?

[ "hoping to stir up trouble"...

ah, it's sickening how her entire stomach clenches at the thought. is it them? ]

[vecna]

[Ma’am? Where’d it go? Does she not trust them to not get in trouble with it? Or is she getting it far away from curious little mushrooms.]

I could’ve been more curious about it. Asked more questions.

Where’d you send it?

[velluminous]

[ she can't discount anything. it could have been family... or those hired by family. ]

Somewhere curious mushrooms and men cannot reach.

[vecna]

I understand them, [little mushrooms making 🥺 faces continue] but me?

[velluminous]

Even you.

[vecna]

You don't trust me to behave.

[velluminous]

I don't trust it not to call out to you!

[vecna]

[She knows him too well.]

I wouldn’t risk the safety of either you or our mushrooms.

[velluminous]

[ how to feel ungrateful in one simple step!

she's denied him his fun and now his gift. it turns her more irritable. ]

They are yours, not ours.

[vecna]

[Don’t say such things in front of the sons!!]

And you’d be upset if something did happen to them, all the same.

[velluminous]

All thanks to you!

[vecna]

So you admit it.

[Ha. Despite her skrunkly attitude, that seems to please him.]

In which case, “ours” works just as well.

[velluminous]

[ a glance their way; their pleading faces, their stubby legs. she places her palm on the head of one, feeling its sponginess ]

Do you have names yet?

[vecna]

[The little mushroom she touches looks up at her with that same pleading face, though it softens somewhat with contentment at the attention, and eventually turns into a tiny grin.]

Not yet. I thought I’d ask you for suggestions, if you had any.

[velluminous]

[ in a moment of tenderness, she leaves her hand there. ]

Hmph. Well, I am needing time to consider, then.

[vecna]

[This is yet one more instance of Sprezzatura acting cute, offering proof to what he said before. Except he's not going to ruin the moment by pointing it out.]

That one there has a wide, round head. Maybe "Porto."

[get it]

[velluminous]

[ AGHAST, SHE DOES. ]

You are going to make joke? Naming is very personal thing! It is all your hope for your future!

[ of course a tiefling would feel this way. ]

[vecna]

[...Right. Of course.]

I think it's kind of cute. But I'll defer to you.

[He won't rain on her parade by sticking with joke names.]

[velluminous]

Well, are they pets or are they children?

[vecna]

[Simply:] Children.

[Because then that will earn them the most thoughtful names from her.]

[velluminous]

...I am being very difficult with you today, aren't I.

[vecna]

[A little.]

Well. I've surprised you with a few things.

[velluminous]

[ so, "yes", sugarcoated.

after a lengthy silence, she sighs. scrapes her nails up and down her arms. perhaps it would have been easier to give in, back there under the storefront. ]

Come here, lapochka.

[vecna]

[But Henry would argue a situation like that shouldn't be given into just because it's "easier."

When that long moment finally passes between them, he steps forward. Closer. The little mushrooms begin to fidget with knickknacks on her desk, curious. (She was right to whisk the magic deck away.)]