Morning at the Flea Market

[InvertedMonkey]

A morning person, Ramona is not. But, armed with a gigantic cup of coffee and a cruller, she can fake it. Sorta. Flea markets are cool, at least, or they can be. Her last experience with this one hadn't exactly gone to her satisfaction, but there was always hope for next time. "Sure thing," she replies to Ava as they wander, arm-in-arm, through the market. She's not really looking for anything. In Ramona's experience, flea markets have a tendency to reveal to her what they wish, and keep hidden what they wish. Her job is to keep her eyes open. Be available.

These days she's more careful about what she takes home, though. That's how her Keeper got her.

And there's always the weather-eye out for something out of place. Last time it had been a little corner-stall goblin mart. Could find another one of those here. Or maybe something else. Something interesting. Something advantageous. Something dangerous. You'll never know if you don't keep your eyes open. "Oh, here we go," Ramona nods towards a sign proclaiming The Joy of Junque for Collectibles & Antiques. "That looks like a good place for bits and bobs."

[Coco]

"Oh, my, my," a figure in a beige rain cape proclaimed, striding up to Ava and Ramona.

"Nothing quite like foul weather to bring people together, wouldn't you say?" Coco proclaimed, sliding her hood back to reveal her visage in all its grinning glory.

"There room for a third?" she asked, nodding towards the linked arms of the pair. "It's all right if you say no. I'll just have Alice keep me company. Coltrane, to be specific. Can you believe someone would want to get rid of her records? I got World Galaxy for only five dollars! Now I just need a record player and I'll be set!"

From the smile on Coco's face, it was clear she still considered her purchase an excellent deal.

"And what of you two? Found any relics from ancient lands, yet? Or curiosities that captivate?"

[InvertedMonkey]

Ramona simply doesn't know what to do when Coco walks up to her and bombards her with all that unsolicited information. It's like there's no room in the conversation for her while Coco's talking. The Wasp just assumes that everyone is interested, and so volunteers so much... that Ramona finds it difficult to even get a word in edgewise. So she doesn't. She just stares at Coco, trying to be polite and give the Spring her attention while she talks, and sips her coffee.

"Hey Coco," she greets, when she finally gets a chance. "So far, I've been mostly trying to keep Ava from blowing her entire shopping budget on obscure literature," She says with a lightly teasing tone and a smirk, glancing at the Scrivener. "Waiting to see something that inspires me," she more directly answers Coco.

She glances over at the Elemental as he hails them, and raises her paper cup of coffee towards him in greeting as he approaches. "Hey, Hank." Hmm, he used the plural. And there's the reassuring impression of a Freehold Oath about him. "Have you met these two?" She asks, indicating Coco and Ava with small gestures.

[Coco]

"Well of course we've met," Coco interjected, "why wouldn't we have? We were all present at the last soiree. Though why it would be funny to see us again, I couldn't say."

That last was returned with a perfect deadpan, one so sudden that it was impossible miss, particularly not when, a moment later, the Wasp's smile returned in full force.

"Oooh, and if you're looking for something inspiring, come see these," Coco chirped, bouncing towards a display table full of ornamental cigarette cases. Fake pearl set in tin. A landscape stamped in metal. Steel polished to a mirror sheen. A butterfly perched atop ivy knotwork. And more, buried beneath the others.

"Fascinating, no? I think they're indescribably elegant, even if they were intended hold insipid death. I've been trying to think of another use for them, but as of yet my drawing board remains blank."

[InvertedMonkey]

Immediately, Ramona sees herself in the way Hank reacts to Coco jumping on his use of the word 'funny.' She considers mentioning it, but the party is already moving on. Instead, she trails behind them alongside Hank. It's weird, they haven't known each other for very long, but there's a pleasant sensation of solidarity in Hank's company. The fact that they're of the same Court shouldn't be the entire reason, and it isn't, but it's certainly significant. Ramona's been effectively alone in this Court for so long... well, it's nice to have company, and feel another Summer mantle brushing up against her own. Seeing aspects she can relate to in Hank is certainly helping.

"S'what I use mine for," she says, answering Ava's query. Some of the designs here are interesting. Not interesting enough to buy, not when Ramona has practice making her own card holder, but interesting enough to study for a moment, for inspiration. She picks up the stamped landscape case, holding it before her for a moment, then bringing it closer to peer at the details, "... Nice." Could she do stamping that fine in her Hollow workshop? Probably. The wyrd seems to give her any tool she needs in there, so long as it's geared towards shaping metal. She puts the case back down, "I could probably make some of the simpler tools for you, if you need," she tells Hank. "Nothing with power or lots of moving parts, but if you need wrenches or ratchets..."