(Sweet Dreams)

[Thomas Land]

After recovering his footing, The Mole-Man gapes about himself for a long moment. Utterly fascinated by the sheer volume of occult vibrations he's picking up in the space. All of them unfamiliar, which is even more tantalizing. Where to start? he wonders in an awe-struck way.

But then his eyes arrive at the Two-Headed Parrot, Cixi. Suddenly, bold as anything, his curiosity getting the better of him once again, Thomas scampers forward to stand beside Ingrid at the counter. "What a, um, fascinating creature! And quite intelligent," He exclaims once Ingrid is done speaking. "Where ever did you, well, acquire it?" He's not exactly on topic. But perhaps expressing his interest in Mr. Cheng's pet(?) will earn some goodwill. Though, admittedly, such strategic concerns are only an afterthought for Thomas at the moment.

He eyes the bird closely, wracking his brain for anything approaching it in his previous occult studies.

  3 successes

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2017-09-14 08:11:26		Thomas Land rolls 7 to Intelligence4 + Occult3		1, 9, 4, 9, 10, 7, 3		3 successes

[Seraphina]

She heard Ingrid and Lev, but was still more interested in the bird. It had two heads! How was that not interesting?!

“Cixi? A beautiful name and a stunning bird.” she compliments with a smile. She thought hers was better, but the bird still had a good one.

But when Ingrid moves towards the man and his two headed parrot, the Nix follows. Not too close, but enough to be able to jump into the convo if she wanted to. Sounded like her Queen had this down, so she simply listens.

Ah, yes! The dream catchers! They had been listening to her!

[Ingrid]

Ingrid's lips jerked into a smile. She glanced back at her comrades and then forward to the mysterious owner of the shop.

"Well. I was going to simply buy the information... But if you want to use a different currency I'll play! I cannot say the same for my companions. That would be their choice. I am game, though. So? When do we begin?"

She stood opposite the shopkeeper and laid her basket to one side. Her hands she placed before her, waiting for a response. While she did, she stretched out with her senses in a Kenning. This was a struggle for the Darkling as it was an ability she rarely used. Fortunately for her the effort was not too onerous and she hid it all behind a pleasant smile.

  

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2017-09-21 04:07:09		Ingrid puts her game face on rolls 5 to Manipulation + Subterfuge (10 Again)		10, 2, 8, 1, 5, 10, 2		3 successes

  

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2017-09-21 04:03:28		Ingrid to Kenning rolls 7 to Clarity (10 Again)		4, 4, 8, 4, 9, 2, 8		3 successes

Ingrid reckoned she had asked three questions thus far: had Mark been to the shop; who had been there with; and whether the shop sold Dream Catchers (Hey! It was still a question!). But she was waiting for the shopkeeper to confirm that.

[Thomas Land]

The Mole-Man looks closely at the bizarre bird for another moment. It is clearly sentient, this creature. Not simply repeating words it's been taught, but responding to the conversation and the situation. Murder, death, stupid boy. It was speaking of Mark. As if commenting on Ingrid's questions.

Fascinating...

Thomas's attention turns back to their host, who has just corrected him. Is there a difference, in the end? "Well, at times, yes..." The Mole-Man answers, looking sly, perhaps conspiratorial. Such occult word games are always a delight: "That which comes doesn't always leave in the same way or by the same path. And two who seek the same thing may do so for very different reasons, and to very different ends. All things being equal, forces that should cancel each other out rarely, in fact, do..." He's now squinting at the shop owner, as he had at the bird. Something about the man is both charming and alarming. Thomas would love to spend time picking his brain.

"Hm-hmmmm. The terms seem fair," he offers, more to let Ingrid know that he consents to the deal than anything else.

And now to play the game.

[Seraphina]

This guy was weird, she thinks listening and watching.

She wasn't so sure about answering his questions, but her fellow Lost seemed to be on board, so she shrugs.

"Sure, why not." she'd traded tales for answers once, answering questions couldn't be that bad. And she wasn't sure what questions she would have, figuring this was Ingrid field and would be following her lead.

[Ingrid]

Ingrid almost purred.

"Very good. I have one question to start with. Two more will flow from it."

She paused for thought.

"Can you confirm that this guy, Mark, bought items from this shop." Ingrid provided the description of the Man again.

Assuming she gets a positive answer, she will continue:

"Was he with anyone else?"

And:

"What can you tell me about them?"

[Thomas Land]

Mr. Cheng's response is...disappointingly colored by hubris.

Thomas shrugs, "We are all, hm, written, Mr. Cheng. Even those who seemingly guide history are scripted by larger forces, other hands. The only source of weakness is to believe that we are not." Let the man chew on that.

The Mole-Man falls silent, letting Ingrid take the lead on the questions. Attending closely to their host's answers.