REFURBISHED [Morbitia Renovarse]

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Without much warning, everyone in the room feels a sudden chill.

The level of presence spikes up as a certain masked witch makes their way in.

Despina: Got a call from a nearby safehouse, going to have to relocate it seems.

You freeze up, oh shit.

Your friend chimes in.

Romero: Hey, we de-escalated it. For now? Rather let it play out at the moment..

Despina: I can see that.

The sorceress takes a good luck up and down Santana, her proxy starting to crackle and shift on sight.

Santana: What are you doing here?

Despina: Checking in on a friend. Savvy?

You give them a little nod. Relax.

Despina: You two seem awfully close right now.

Savvy: We're... on a date? Like..

Despina: Really? Interesting..

Santana: You got a problem with that?

Despina: No, but I am a little worried bout the fact that you broke into one of our spots..

Santana: Just some business that's settled, don't you got some too?

Despina: Just wrapped up actually..

Despina looks over at Romero.

Despina: You got your package taken care of?

Romero: Mmhmm, Savvy and I bumped into each other. Guess you two are close?

Despina: I consider them a trusted friend and ally, much as I can.

The rabbit makes a upset noise.

Despina: Now do *you* have an issue?

Santana: No. Just... interesting to see how many of their friends are tall, and pretty... and tall.

Romero: I mean I just met them-

Santana: You I'm not worried about. This one though.

Her proxy approaches Despina, morphing further. The sorceress tilts their head.

Despina: Form scales to the strongest target in the room. Embodiment of insecurity..

Santana: You walked in wearing a mask right? You're really going to talk to me about-

Despina: This is my face, just not the one I started with.. same as you, right?

Santana: Well no-

Despina: Then I don't see a problem. Now if you could get your guy to back off-

The proxy continues to shift, Santana starts to shiver in distress.

Despina: Seems the jump is a but much for your proxy to swallow.

They look over at Romero.

Despina: Was it scaling to you.

Romero: Usually does, she sees me as the biggest threat most days-

Despina: Now that's interesting, your entity is on the weaker end if I recall..

Romero: Pound for pound but.. you know.

Despina: Mm.. Right hands make a difference. Now then..

With a hand, Despina shoos off the proxy to get closer, giving it a little look as it backs away.

Santana: What even are you?! You've got the ferryman's mark, your entity history is distressing, so many flubbed contracts, your levels of poisoning-

Despina: Every mistake a witch can make... I'd like to not grow the list if I can help it however..

Romero: Hey you can drop the act now, think you're overdoing it a bit.

Despina: I'm just

You immediately grab Santana's hand.

Despina's head shifts toward the point of contact, then back at the table, and then making eye contract with you.

Despina: Brunch?

Savvy: Yep, kind of winging it but-

You had something you had to do.

Savvy: Your pickup, need to still do that-

Despina: I'm having Justicia handle that, more important to make sure everyone is okay which..

They start reaching into their pockets.

Despina: How much was your order? I can cover-

Santana: I'm perfectly fine handling it myself, don't bother.

Despina: You really don't-

Santana: I do! If it's my invitation I'm committing fully to this, you can back off right now.

Despina: I see... in that case I think my work here is done.

Santana: Wait, what-

Despina gives you a little nod.

Savvy: Really?

Despina: I approve, she's cute and I think you'd do her some good..

Santana's ears perk up at that.

Santana: Cute..

Despina: ..Yes? I don't know what else you want me to say?

Santana: Let me hear it again-

Romero nudges the rabbit on the shoulder.

Santana: What now?

Romero: You know there's someone you might wanna hear it from more-

Santana: I mean I do... but I don't mind being appreciated from a distance.

Savvy: Maybe you'd prefer it up close?

You give her hand a squeeze.

Santana: I-Is this the first step? Is this how mortals do this?

Savvy: What, hand holding-

Santana: I think I get it.. do it more..

Savvy: I'm... already doing it?

Santana: I have two hands..

You look over at Romero for help.

Just as he's about to step in-

Despina: Don't start anything yet, need to talk to you.

Romero: What's up?

Despina: Still need you to go over to the other major archive after this, your delivery-

Romero: It's handled, all I gotta do is take it back to my guy and-

Despina: It's not soul bound though is it?

Romero: Well no but-

Despina: We want to examine the phenomenon a little better, it's a tool tied to you through entity contract meaning-

Romero: ..Someone can cut things off with no consequence..

Despina: Aye... after this I want you to meet me outside and I'll escort you safely.

Romero: Fair enough...

The fish tries to give them a goofy grin.

Despina: ...What?

Romero: You know I'm kinda digging today's look not gonna lie-

Despina: Not feeling up for this today.

Romero: Ah, sorry....

Despina: You're fine... Savvy?

They look over at you one last time, in the middle of holding the rabbit up high.

Savvy: Y-yeah?

Despina: I'd like to talk to you briefly too when you're done. Nothing too big.

Savvy: Of course!

Despina: All of you have fun then..

Despina steps out, the air immediately relaxing the moment the door closes behind them.

Amazing that people like that just exist...