REFURBISHED [Morbitia Renovarse]

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

You enter the building without much problem, Roost trailing behind you.

You can hear the echoing of a mic and piano from behind the entrance...

What is going on?

Despina stands outside.

It's clearly taking everything for them to maintain their fake smile.

Despina: You got here fast, good.

Romero: Best I could. Is Savvy in here?

Despina: Mm..

They take a moment to pause and look at Roost.

Despina: I can feel you radiating off of him, you two didn't-

Romero: Just a kiss..

Roost: Not without dinner.

Despina: It's been a couple of hours, really should've been named Romeo.

Romero: Doesn't Romeo die-

Roost: I won't hurt him I assure you, already too fond I think.

Despina: That really makes me trust you less but... you seem pretty weak, starved even.

Roost: You can tell all that at a glance? You people really all are something.. but Ferrymen tend to be. Rare to have two in the same room so casually.. I can see why he likes you.

Despina: What-

Roost: Though maybe not the you I'm seeing as much. You have a interesting set of collaborators..

He taps on the side of his temple.

Despina: Romero-

Romero: Back off a bit, yeah?

Roost: I just wanted to know if I have a rival but.. I'll be nice for your sake.

He pokes his tongue out at the masked sorceress.

Roost: So...

Despina fidgets with their glasses.

Despina: I just need you to get Savvy away from the rabbit for a bit, I want to talk to them but...

Romero: Santana not giving any break for it?

Despina: You can handle that, yeah?

Romero: Easy. Straight inside?

Despina: Go right in.

You step inside, proper theater with seating set up inside what's normally a large lab with a big desk by the window.

How the rabbit manages to get this done so quickly you'll never know..

You give her a little wave to catch her attention.

Santana head shifts toward you and your new friend.

She gestures to a faceless stagehand before the music cuts off.

Santana: If you wanted in, you should've shown up earlier. Now you're just interrupting the show.

Romero: I just wanted to talk a bit, you know how it is-

Santana: You always want to talk, why don't you act? Come on stage with me.

Romero: I mean-

Santana: And your new friend there, who's that?

Roost gives a little wave back.

Santana: Another entity...?

Roost: Mmhmm! See he's got experience-

Santana: You've... replaced me?

Romero: Nah, it's nothing like that-

The flooring under the two of you sparks alive, dragging you both closer to the stage.

Roost clings tight to you, using you for grounding.

Santana: No, something more..

Roost: We're going on a date later if that's what-

Santana: How come you've never asked me out?

Romero: ...Wait did you like, want that-

Santana: No, I'd only want you for your body at most.

Roost: In what way-

Santana: The entity way.

Roost: You and I know that doesn't pin it down.

Santana: As a vessel! You disgusting-

Roost: For completely business reasons?

Santana: Well no... I may actually negotiate a rental depending on how today goes-

Romero: Yeah I dunno-

Roost: What kind of terms because I have follow up with him-

Santana: He can borrow the rabbit, a mutual trade.

Roost: Hmm, what do you think, Romero? She's pretty, right? You can navigate being a rabbit for a day-

Romero: W-wait, you're not really-

Roost: I'm just saying you could rock a look like that....

Romero: I mean it's lovely, cape is especially standout today-

Santana: This old thing? It's just this host's old skin-

Romero: Wait what-

Santana: Used to be a beatfox, we made a deal and both came out happy. I just.. modified as needed and nobody would ever know.

Romero:..You killed a dog?

Santana: A fox, there's a difference. And no, I'd never.

You turn your head toward the mostly empty theater spots, filled only by the shrimp and a few interns.

Romero: Savvy, you wanna speak up or-

Savvy: I'm gonna be honest I kinda wanna see where this whole thing goes.

Romero: Okay you really aren't down for this though right-

Savvy: You and Sana really go far back?

They're ignoring the question...

Romero: You gave her a nickname?

Savvy: Yeah, it's cute right?

Romero: Little bit, yeah...

Savvy: You uh.. should go back to paying attention though.

Romero: What do you-

You turn around, a table setup and group of lawyers has formed as the two have negotiations going.

Roost: So I want photosets if any-

Romero: Hey so uh...  I'm kinda not feeling up for this.

Santana: Ah...

Roost: Oh! Okay that's a big issue. In general?

Romero: Today at least.

Roost: Then we can shelve this contract.. I apologize..

Santana: Including the charity drive?

Roost: It was a business incentive, so we'd need to come up with a new reason.

Santana: You did mention-

Roost: Oh true, Romero?

Romero: Mm?

Roost: We have considered working together toward selling a brand of tarot themed lingerie, would you care to model-

Romero: If they're cute sure, you mind if I go handle something while you two are in the middle of this.

Roost: Mmhmm! But don't take long..

Santana: Now for the marketing, I think with the approach of using the imagery around aural-

You make your way toward the exit, waving at Savvy.

Romero: Sav, quick talk? Spina's got something to say I think.

Savvy: Hmm? Yeah of course. Sorry just.. are all entities weird like that? I mean its cute but...  

Romero: Lot of them are, seeing enough of the world makes you just a tad eccentric. Mine's a bit different but he has his quirks.

Savvy: Yeah? Any chance I'll meet him too?

Romero: Eventually, yeah.. think there's a limit for how many entity most can meet in a day though.

Savvy: I kinda wanna meet more but Despina would kill me.

Romero: Yeah....