hey, kid

"It is so wonderful to meet an arcane-adept fellow such as you!" They took Peri's hand in both of their own, shaking it excitedly. "Volothamp Geddarm, the realms' most trusted scribe, wizard, and celebrity! I not only study every creature-- I go through great effort to study everything I can!" There was that infectious grin again, as the shaking didn't cease. "I'm a well-renowned author, where I'm from. It's not only my job. It is also a great passion!"

Enough of that, though --- he's now found himself rather interested in this book they'd mentioned. "Well, Volothamp--- Volo? I'm gonna call you Volo. Your impressive accolades have put me to shame!" Judging by his voice, though, he doesn't actually mind --- but he's still going to amend his comparatively lackluster introduction. "I am, in fact, the most powerful fairy there is... well, aside from my dad." A wave of his hand. "But I'm also a bit of a celebrity where I'm from, for even more than that reason alone. What a coincidence, huh?"

Welcome back!

You'll be staying in HOUSE 112!

You'll retain everything from your previous stay!

Enjoy!

"All right, I'll take that," Peri says with a chuckle. "Good to meet you, Oliver --- roommate." Having a child for a roommate is close enough to what his job called for, yeah? At least there's some degree of familiarity there (and, frankly, he can only hope it'll be less chaotic than living with Dev).

confidence flows through her like the warmth of a fire. her heart beat quickens. she reaches up to cup her cheek and the red from her hand transfers, reminiscent of a blush.

"Does it? Feel like progress, I mean."

she could say the same, she supposed. already did she feel like she could get away with anything, do anything her little heart desired. and oh, how it desired.

"Is the goal to get as many emotions as possible, I wonder? Tell me, how does my color feel to you? Really think about it. I'm dying to know."

"That would be my guess." Regardless, the idea of collecting and sharing so many shades that the surrounding world manages to right itself (or meets the necessary conditions for someone else to do so) doesn't feel far-fetched to him. He's heard of, if not already borne witness to, much stranger things happening.

This, though --- this is something a little more novel. Thinking about it is one thing. Making sense of it is another. "And it's, uh..."

It's conflicting in a way he struggles to define. His eyes squint a bit, wondering if what he feels is supposed to be the same as her. "It's like..." Shouldn't you already know?, he doesn't say. "...Wanting to think something terrible's going to happen."

anyways hi i am not immune to peri's sexyman propaganda

"I beg your fucking pardon?"

"Due to personal reasons, I'm evil now."

"Actually all of my systems are nervous."

"You used to be shy, now you're a whore."

"I'm attracted to men but at what cost?"

"My wife can stab me a little bit I don't care."

"Babygirl there is something obviously wrong with your brain."

"I'm going to defeat you with the power of friendship, and this gun I found."

"Debates are stupid because why would I want to sit down and argue with someone blatantly dumber than me."

"Due to personal reasons, I will be going completely off the fucking rails."

"I'm a nice person but I'm about to start throwing rocks at people."

"Those are bold words for someone in stabbing range."

"Sorry I called you a fucking idiot, I was trying to flirt."

"I may seem like an angry person on the surface, but deep inside I'm actually angrier.

"Sorry, I couldn't hear you over my internal monologue."

"Sure I'm a little stupid, but that's like 80% of my charm!"

"Fuck therapy I'm becoming a knight."

"Hey, girl. Plagued by terrifying visions?"

"There's something deeply and fundamentally wrong with you. Can we kiss?"

"I may not be beautiful, but at least I know a lot of useless information."

"Conversations are a lot like teeth, you can only have so many."

"I hate when people ask me to explain my thought process. Like hell if I know."

"Well, well, well, if this isn't the feelings I've been trying to avoid."

"With all due respect, which is none."

"You call it a near-death experience, I call it a vibe check from God."

"Who knows. Guess we're both out of luck there --- if I had all my magic, I could have them tell you exactly what they're thinking." For once, though, he isn't feeling bothered by what he lacks. "Oh, and..."