[RP] The Inn of Peace - IoP (Open to all)

[Azana Brown]

"She has a house, too," Violet added. "She might be gone a while..." She pulled out the bowls, a little sad to see her go. Victoria was an artist, a really classy one, and worked completely differently from herself or Remy. She thought about what it would be like to work in three dimensions like that...and couldn't really wrap her head around it.

"You know what? Let's visit her store sometime...I bet you could find something nice for, um, what's-his-name." How embarrassing.

The door closed again, this time heralding a slightly disheveled and very tired mad scientist carrying an uncharacteristically colorful bag of baubles. Ever since Stella's portal-happy arrivals, they had reached an unspoken agreement of using the door except in emergencies. It wasn't an emergency, yet.  

[Gren_Eckener]

"Enta?" he supplied kindly. "I think that's a great idea! It'd help her get back on her feet, business-wise, and it'd also show her that we're not just passing ships in the night...I kind of get the feeling that sometimes, the people we help think we might only care when there's trouble...I want to make sure that it's a little more lasting than that."  

[Azana Brown]

"...and that's why you're so sweet," Violet giggled, handing him a bowl. "I didn't even think about the business being an issue...how long was she gone? I hope the bills aren't too bad." She shook her head...business wasn't really her thing, either. Remy was lucky to have that gallery, even though she heard the story behind how he got in. She did some online commissions here and there, but she had always meant to get some help with a website. Maybe Max, or that Tyler guy...though he always seemed to have so much to deal with.

"Hey, Adam...what would you do, huh? If you didn't live here with us."

Tyler took a pit stop at Max's room to drop off her magic marbles before returning to his room. The semi-operational JIM greeted him cheerfully and announced that the message had been received. Zulma had already left, which was a good thing, all in all. There was work to be done; David likely wouldn't be satisfied just knowing he was alive and about. They'd surely meet again, and he had to plot all contingencies, just in case.

I finally got my life together and working...a few years ago, I wouldn't have cared nearly as much. Now, though...David, why couldn't you just leave it alone...?  

[Gren_Eckener]

He filled her bowl, thinking a moment with a small smile. "Well...I think I'd probably be back living in the lab with my creators, helping around there, being monitored if needed...I go back for tests every other week, so it's not as if we're distant."

Passing Violet her bowl, he took his own and began spooning his own serving. "Still...I wouldn't have gotten to experience as much as I have if I didn't come out here. I wouldn't have a sweetheart, I wouldn't have been in a fight, met so many amazing people, or had any friends at all. It's scary, sometimes, to think of all the narrow scrapes I've had while living here...but it's a little scarier to think of who I'd be without them. I think I'd be pretty boring, maybe bored...and worst of all, I'd probably never know the difference."

On Max's bed, there hovered a very colourful spirit, trilling in interest as soon as the door was opened. However, his face fell when he found it wasn't his Mario.

"Where's Mario?"  

[Azana Brown]

"I think a lab could be exciting," Violet spoke gently as she accepted the bowl with a nod of gratitude, "and sometimes...boring isn't so bad. I don't really think about what may have been, and I really don't want to. But, if I left here...I don't know what life would be like, either. I have my art degree, but I don't know anything about getting a job, or an apartment, or finding someone to raise a family with. It makes me feel really stupid, and younger than I should be."

Tyler started, glancing back. He hadn't really paid much attention to Max's bed when he had visited, and so he almost shut the door on the wayward spirit. The talk of "Mario" sparked his memory, and he nodded in greeting...and to avert his eyes from the array of colors.

"Luigi, I presume. Guess I have you to thank...Mario's getting better."  

[Gren_Eckener]

He took a bite of watermelon, contemplating.

"I don't know anything about all of that either, and I'm much older than you." he admitted. "But I don't feel stupid about it. I just never was taught, and wasn't supposed to, on some level. You can't be ashamed of that...but you can be ashamed of not finding out because you feel bad. It's sort of like in the storybook, when the Little Prince met the drunkard. He drank to forget his shame that he drank. I guess I'm trying to say that the difference is in not letting it stop you."

"Is she?" he cheered, bolting up and charging to the door, giddy. "Can I go see her? Did you make the stuff? That was really amazing stuff, you know! I'm glad she used it! I made a friend and got a name!"  

[Azana Brown]

"I guess you're right..." Violet took a bite to hide her own hesitations. Truth be told, she liked it here. They had rescued her, sheltered her...and she even conquered some of her phobia here! A very therapeutic place. "I've been thinking of starting a website and taking commissions...or just selling what I draw there. But I'll need help with all the technical mumbo jumbo."

Tyler stepped back out of instinct, tense at the spirits overly enthusiastic approach. It took him a moment to take in its giddy statements. "Um, yes, yes, I'm aware, I'm not, and I'm surprised you hadn't had one already." Yes, he could see how Max would get along with this one. He was just a bit worried that it was like feeding a stray...give him energy and a name, and he just sorta hangs around.

It couldn't be all bad...he's already been nothing but benevolent. Just...watch out for future possessions. "Luigi, are you waiting her for her...? You know where she is. You helped her get there."  

[Gren_Eckener]

"Oh, really?" he smiled, perking up. "I don't know anything about making a webpage, but I know that Max or Tyler or James certainly could help out. Or you could open an Etsy account or something...at least, I think that's what it's called, the crafty one. "

"I had one. I have one. But it's what I am, not anything special. It's a definition, not a name, not a fun name with no reason besides jokes and sounding nice." he rambled, shifting weight from foot to foot, despite his floating. "The hospital? Why's she still in the hospital? Hospitals are boring. They smell funny. She should come back and play with me again. I won't possess her again, no, cause that was weird, but her heart didn't pop so I won the game."  

[Azana Brown]

"Etsy...that could be nice, too," Violet said between bites, enjoying the fruit even if it was a little cold. "You've got more business ideas than you think."

"The doctors wanted a little extra time to make sure she was stable and to see if they could figure out what was in her system," Tyler explained, flinching at the part where Luigi mentioned her heart not popping. "She'll probably be back tomorrow...she seemed a lot better today. But I do agree with you...hospitals are boring and carry a strange smell." That was comforting...no more possessions. Still, having a kindred spirit could be good for her...you know, for someone who befriended superheroes and dated the most un-vampiric vampire he'd ever seen.

And you've fallen for a psychic superhero and an innkeeper with a wind katana. Pot and kettle. "I'll let her know you're waiting on her. If that doesn't encourage her to come home sooner, I don't know what will."  

[Gren_Eckener]

He looked a bit bemused, but flattered. "Thank you." he smiled, taking another bite. He didn't think he knew much about running a business...but he liked ordering things off of Etsy, and if they could do it, surely so could Violet.

"Oh! Oh! Oh oh oh ohohohohohohoh! I could go! I could go see her! Yeah! But wait. Wait. No. No, I don't like hospitals. Too many things. People. It's depressing. Can't do it. That's another guy's business. Horror. His place."

He vibrated, beaming. "You will? For me? Thank you! Thanks! I'll remember this!"

This was unlikely.  

[Azana Brown]

Tyler was about to turn his phone around to prove his deed to Luigi when he noticed an immediate return message from Max:

Dave is dropping by, whatever that means.

That faint tingle of adrenaline washed over him, the slight panic of that simple message's meaning. How could he have gotten so close so quickly?! Did he go straight for Max? That detective...she was in the picture, too, as was the hospital room. He went there based on that, most likely. And even if she didn't tell (which he had good reason to think she wouldn't), he'd connect the dots soon enough. Or he'd find someone who could.

"Erm, pardon me, Luigi. It seems I have some urgent business to attend to." With that, he shut the door to his room and got to thinking. And pacing. JIM made whirly eyes on his monitor in comment to the dizzying pace.

Violet continued to snack on the fruit and think about how she'd go about making an account, what she'd put on there...it didn't make her much for conversation, and it took her a while to figure out they were staying there in silence. He didn't seem to mind too much, but she felt somewhat obligated to make conversation. But what to talk about...?  

[Gren_Eckener]

"OKAY WARIO, BYE~!"

Adam ate calmly, not a trouble on his mind. He'd been blessed, he supposed, with a very simple life... but given the alternatives, he was grateful for the paths he'd taken.

"Can I commission a picture?"  

[Azana Brown]

Tyler had a momentary hiccup in his racing thoughts. Wario?! Huh...oh, well. He shook his head, pulling out a blank piece of paper and beginning to scramble his thoughts down in barely legible writing. How long would it take David to find the Inn? What would he want with their reunion? Would it be better to lay low for a while or simply confront him first thing?

I hadn't really accounted for this...

Violet coughed, almost choking on a piece of fruit. "W-what...?" She asked in disbelief. "Y-you really want to...?"  

[Gren_Eckener]

He beamed, nodding. "Of course! I've always really liked your work, after all. Would you like to do that, or would that be a bother?"  

[Azana Brown]

"Yes! Yes! Of course!" Violet answered, louder than she had probably spoken in a couple months. "I'll be happy to get started!" She then paused, looked down at the bowl in her hands, and gave a sheepish smile. "After the salad..."