REFURBISHED [Morbitia Renovarse]

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Despina sits their waiting, puppetry limbos seemingly tucked away under their sleeves.

Their bird-like mask throws you off, never seen that one before...

Despina: Good, you've made it back...

Savvy: Hey! You changed masks.. you alright?

Despina: The others got a little tired, been a stressful day for them so far. So um..

They look toward you.

Despina: Where's that entity?

Romero: Hanging out with Santana, both of them on some schemer stuff.

Despina: Not surprised..

Savvy: Should we step in or-

Romero: Entity working together like that don't get far honestly. Give them a hour and they'll hook up, get married, and divorce.

Savvy: That's silly-

Despina: Seen it before more than once, it's true.

Savvy: Oh shit...

Despina: I'm glad you're both here though, pondering if we can get a official initiative going.

Romero: Whatcha thinking?

Despina: Take them home with us, you two seem to be good at tapping into a side of them that few can.

Savvy: Back to the library?

Despina: Mmhmm!

Romero: I don't live at the library so-

Despina: Hold them over for a night there and we'll figure out a way to accommodate you both, sound good?

Romero: Mean it? I mean.. in general you should hook him up. Pretty sure the dude is homeless..

Despina: A homeless entity? Don't they usually have a hammerspace-

Romero: This guy looks pretty drained, don't know how much power he's really got at this point.  Being in our world without a ongoing pact or host's a big toll on them too so...

Despina: True.. on a side note.. I

They shoot you both a little look.

Savvy: Are we in trouble or-

Despina: Nothing like that, just... amused by both of you and your particular tastes.

The bird locks their gaze on you.

Despina: I know you've got a thing for being outmatched, the way you look at that fox. well..

Despina: Shame they can't pick up on things, entity like that one could use a good anchor like you. Maybe the can still do with a friend though..

Romero: I mean I'm not really like-

They pull out the mask and hold it out to you.

Your tail swishes a little.

Despina: What were you about to say?

Savvy: Busted, eat shit.

Despina turns over toward the shrimp and tilts their head.

Despina: Don't think you're safe either. So first...

They nudge you with the mask.

Romero: What?

Despina: Take them with you, a ally to protect you tonight in case anything goes wrong. Just keep the mask close and you'll be able to communicate.

You reluctantly take it.

You swear you can hear a faint growing coming from it as you do, ready to throw the thing into hammerspace immediately and-

Despina: Keep it on your person, don't you dare pocket it away.

Romero: Really? Feels kinda heavy-

Despina: You'll get used to it. Like I said, needs a friend and truth be told it knows what you are even if it doesn't get why.

Savvy: Does it like, have gaydar or-

Despina: No? Well.. yes but that's not what I meant there. As for you...

Savvy: Mm?

The bird bows their head.

Savvy: What exactly-

Despina: Take me, if you're going to be around someone as dangerous as Santana you need big guns.

Savvy: I mean I'm not sure she'd do anything dumb-

Despina: Refuse to take the risk, her presence is a insult to our entire culture. If she's a fool she's as dangerous as they come.

Savvy: Guess that's fair..

You take the mask before Despina goes limp, cloak immediately coiling up around them as if it were alive.

Slowly they shift to their side.

Romero: Are they gonna be alright or...

Savvy: They don't like being out without a mask, they'll be fine as soon as they get prepped-

The robes unbind, the smiling mask now placed over their true face.

Savvy: Speaking of-

Despina: No, you were doing a fine job explaining. It's a matter that perhaps I'll get more into detail some other time. I'm trusting you both a lot with those masks..

Savvy: I know..

Romero: Honestly, ya'll should hold onto it-

Despina: You're a holder of the most dangerous entity pacts among us and been nothing but graceful in your time working here.


Romero: Graceful's a hella strong word-

Despina: And it's true. Silly but... we need that in times like these. You're overdue for stable housing anyway...

You pause to think it over before nodding.

Romero: I'll do you proud.

Despina: Go on ahead then, I'll have your friend sent your way. Savvy and I will go tackle on Santana.

Savvy: You really sure you don't need him around? From what I get, he's kinda the whisperer on this-

Despina: Santana won't make a pact while he's got the reek of Styx, it has to be us.

They start walking ahead and gesture at Savvy to follow. The shrimp gives you a little smile and wave.

Savvy: You make it back safe, alright? Soon as you get a room we'll get some pizza and catch up.

Romero: Yeah! See you soon.