U-Pick Amber Oaks

[Chambers]

It was of course a point of concern, the city's reputation for a fluctuating population something in the back of his mind. "Likewise, I do hope we continue to see growth." More then that of course. "And the willingness to engage with the admiration side of things remains, it's far from a thrilling part of things for most, but no less important." But he was willing to bear as much of the brunt of that as possible. "Which is what I have been getting stuck into. What of yourself have you found yourself busy recently?" The mage had been so busy last they sat down to talk he had to leave early so it was simply curiosity if he remained so.

Ah now as for that. It is something he can no doubt do or could very easily learn if he can't, but it would seem he has not had the thought to do. "I know the definition of greed yes." As much as excuse to ponder what he would say next, a few moments to consider. "Finding ways to positively reward yourself for not indulging the worst parts of your personality can be a great stride forward to more effectively mastering it." That had a flip side. "Or perhaps finding reason or cause to practice and reinforce behaviour opposite to the nature you seek to control." That is as much as he is willing to give, especially in a public place. The most vague and generic of self help tips, no guide on how not instructions on the step by step of what to do. If he knows he will understand, if he does not know he will not understand. It was in the enchanters hands now.

Cutting the atmosphere wit ha knife being a classic troupe to imply tension and danger Chambers struggles to see how Philip could have ben implying anything else and expect people to grasp that. Perhaps the fault is with me for playing into stereotypes, but what else could he mean?

[Philip Crosen]

"Yeah, I think we can agree on that."
he nodded, thoughtfully. Chambers` question about his work was a welcome one, though, And a nice change of pace from getting grilled about toasties. Pun entirely intended. he thought, pleased with himself and his own internal joke.
"Well, that seems like quite a task you`ve undertaken. As for myself, I`ve been expanding my knowledge of guns. When I`m not out trying new things in the kitchen, that is. But I keep getting pings from clients at unusual times, which is actually quite annoying at times. But, hey, it is the job."
he said, sighing. Chambers` suggestion, and quite decent deflection of his own question about the nature of greed caused him to lose himself in another train of thought. Eventually, he answered him, still lost in his thoughts.
"Oh? Now that`s an interesting thought. I never considered that. Could be interesting to try. But I`m not sure how to implement that. I`ll have to give that even more thought somewhere else. Not that I`m that much into increasing my mental fortitude. But it would be beneficial, I can`t deny that."
He nodded, pleased Chambers seemed to agree to stop with the silly discussion about the hypothetical atmosphere at new year`s discussion. Did he start it to tease him? Was it because he was referring to the dense smoke from tons of barrages of focused pyrotechnics and he wanted to crack a joke? He was unsure. And yet, he couldn`t help but get a feeling of whiplash as the atmosphere seemed to suddenly change when that discussion was dropped. And he didn`t know what to talk about and the discussion seemed to have hit a standstill for him. So he shot Chambers a questioning look as he continued picking berries, going on his second bucket, which by this point was closing in on half way full as well.

[Chambers]

Well it seems he is still into his guns. At least, that should hopefully provide him and Skye something to talk about. "If it annoys you why not set boundaries? opening hours or something of that nature?" Or just turn your phone off for a few hours. Given the situation seemed to be on the face of things one the enchanter could control the Moros accepted that he might well be bemoaning his working life either because it was the thing to do, or as a cover to seem more mundane. "One of the benefits of self employment, I set my own working hours." And could take the time needed to sort his supernal affairs as the priority he considered them.

Striving to better themselves should in his mind be part of every mages repertoire of goals, ways to buckle the lie that while they were very much aware, still restricted by in many ways. Knowing the truth and exercising the truth are to very different elements. All things are possible but only if the truth is known and you have the ability to make it manifest in this fallen world. "It is less about mental fortitude but that could well be a useful side effect." How to say this. "It is more about setting up a system with yourself that rewards your due diligence and ability to resist your worst impulses." That was as far as he could help the other along. Given its things he almost certainly knows how to do he just needs to realise what I'm saying and apply it.

Unlike Philip the silence was no issue for the necromancer and as the conversation seemed to naturally lull he was comfortable to work methodically in the silence.

[Philip Crosen]

Having only said it annoyed him, because that was something you could say when you didn`t really know what to say, he still gave Chambers a grateful look for the advice.
"I suppose I can try that. But I guess I also just need to accept it`s a fact of life, I guess."
The other advice about how to control his vice was also appreciated. All told, Philip was quite pleased with his friend in that moment. He could be counted on. Well, that time.
"Interesting. Rewarding myself by controlling my impulses, with rewards and punishments. I guess I could give that a go. And if that improves my fortitude too, then I get a side bonus. And I`m always about bonuses."
he said as he continued picking the fruit, soon reaching a point where he didn`t feel like picking any more. With one-three-quarters buckets full. He knew, the next task would be to attempt to haggle the price down. He knew, that technically he was indulging his greed that time, but he didn`t care. Implementing the idea Chambers suggested for controlling his vices would have to wait for another time, as there was a deal to be struck, money to be saved and a big haul of fruit to be taken back home.
"Anyway, I`m gonna see if I can haggle the price down for all of this."
he said, gesturing to his considerable haul of fruit as he made his way over to whoever was responsible for selling the fruit in order to try to get a cheaper deal.

1 success

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2024-09-27 15:11:42	Philip Crosen rolls 1 to make a deal (manip. 2 + pers. 1 -1 no info -4 no bargaining chips) (10 Again, WillPower)	8	1 success

1/2 WP capable of being used this scene spent

[Chambers]

Accepting things as facts of life he had trust was definitely parlance for cover talk, because they both knew facts of life were not usually as factual sound as sleepers would believe. "Only if you let it. What is turning your phone off at night going to do? What can't wait till morning? If your work need you that badly then you might just consider you have the skills for self employment." It's a life style he would keep championing. It makes things dramatically less complicated.

The question became had Philip truly grasped the supernal nature of reward and punishment that chambers had hinted at in the attempt to direct him towards more a often overlooked truth. "It's a little bit of psychology and a little bit of lateral thinking but once you start giving it ago it can make a real difference." Hoping the other did not think he was merely framing the basics of Pavlov but instead referring to something much more binding with far more real benefits.

But it would seem the road to self improvement did not start today because there went the enchanter trying to haggle down a farmer for his own produce. "I think its going to cost you a chunk of change regardless but yeah no worries see you about." He will return to his methodical task the berries in his punnet separated by planned intention for each participation.

I think based on the character sheet questions you are wanting me to do the opposition roll rather then do it yourself? Either way here you go something for you to bounce RP off. The farmer would be the defender in this instance so wins on a tie.

resist cutting a deal1 success

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2024-09-28 07:54:00	farmer rolls 5 to cut a deal resist (10 Again)	2, 8, 3, 4, 7	1 success

[Philip Crosen]

After the discussion about conquering his vice, giving Chambers a curt "See you later, man." and smiling when Chambers suggested he was ready for self-employment if he got urgent work-related messages at night, he went to go over to the farmer to attempt to get a better deal. But, of course, lacking any research on the farmer or preparation of any kind for his spur-of-the-moment decision, let alone any bargaining chips whatsoever as a regular garden variety customer, he failed to get anything. Well, except a stern, frowning rebuke and a wasted hour of attempted, and rebuffed, negotiations. And a sarcastic, almost- threat of specially for him increased prices for his impudence and waste of time instead of his hoped-for discount. He had certainly not made any friends with the farmer that day with his obstinancy. But still, he was optimistic he`d get a better score at some point in the future despite heading home frustratedly with his two buckets of fruit, paid for at a premium. Chambers` ideas on conquering his vice were worth exploring- at some point in the future, but not that day. So, he headed home to prepare to put the fruit in the freezer and make fruit cakes, jam for toasties, or smoothies out of it in the future, when and if he felt like it.

1/2 WP still spent that scene

Was a fun scene, thanks.

[Chambers]

With Philip having departed Chambers will continue to make the most of the day while they still get some reasonable sunlight taking in the last of the harvest until he has enough berries to experiment for a few rounds in his galley. Before paying for his picking without trying to haggle and make his way to the nearest bus stop.

Thank you for the scene its been a few months since they did something it was nice to have them in a scene again!