(Private)Hops, Bubbles and Words

[Aurora]

Laughing, “I don’t know either to be honest. And each place you visit is different then the last somehow.” Each state had its own personality.

“Very complicated. Which is why when I went away to school it was both confusing, but a blessing as well.” To get to sit in a classroom and actually learn was an amazing thing for her at the time. Laughing and shaking her head, “No, I’m afraid nothing as exciting as either of those. I’ve always been a contortionist, that was my specialty. I later added sword swallowing, fire dancing and eating as well as suspension to my act. But I’m mainly known for my contortion ability, I’ve worked in movies and for the Cirque du Soleil, even hold the world record right now.” It wasn’t anything special to her, it was her life.

Putting her beer down, she accepts the glass, “Thanks.” Settling back, she listens, “I think it can be a hobby, why not? It’s something you enjoy.” An eyebrow raises, “Feeding the crows? Can’t say I’ve heard that one before. But hey, you do you! Are crows a favorite bird?” feeding other birds, yes. But crows? Whatever.

“Do you enjoy clubs or bars? Because Sacramento has a wide variety of both.” And this girl has been to most of them.

Raising the glass she takes a sip, expecting the orange flavor, but not the bubblegum. Gray eyes widen, “Wait, is that…bubblegum I taste?!” a bit surprised, “I was not expecting that! But it works! And tastes good!”

[Thirteen]

"A country this big, I shouldn't be surprised so many places in it are so different. I'm only familiar with California, New York and maybe Texas, and only from movies. The rest are a mystery to me." They didn't teach American geography outside the US, after all. Or American history.

Those red eyebrows rose again, "Contortionist? And sword-swallowin'? AND fire-swallowin'? I'd never have guessed such a thing! You got yourself a wild set of skills, lass." And this woman was a Master Mage, to boot! Color Thirteen impressed.

"Aye. I've always liked crows. Very smart birds, and they get a bad rap, bein' considered bad omens and all. I... suppose I feel a certain kinship with them. I go to the park and feed them regularly. They remember who's nice to them, and who isn't."

"Clubs? I suppose. I haven't been to many." Largely due to a lack of friends to go with. "I should find a good British pub, though. I've heard there's a couple here in Sacramento."

The Acanthus smiled and nodded, hefting her own glass of the soda, "That's what most people taste. I'm glad you like it!"

[Aurora]

“I think the movies pretty much nail both Texas and New York, at least, from my experiences there. But I never went off and explored too much when I’ve been to either place. New York is fucking massive though, like, always something going on.” Shows there were always popular.

“Eh, only skills that are useful if I’m performing, not so useful in everyday life. Unless you need someone to squeeze into a very small space or something. But it’s paid the bills and given me some great experiences, so I can’t complain. I’ve been wanting to retire for a couple years now.” It wasn’t as great as people thought.

“I’ve never given them that much thought, seen them around, but not much beyond that. Wait, really? They remember things like that?” a look of her being impressed, “I never would have guessed a bird could remember those things. I mean, sure, a parrot or some other domesticated bird, but not a crow. But I suppose it’s not far off. That’s really cool to know.” Huh, learn something new every day.

“Hmmm, I don’t know any British ones, but that sounds like it could be fun! I would hope they would have authentic beers and food! There is a bar that has a mermaid theme, meaning they hire people to swim dressed as mermaids above the bar that’s pretty cool, some good drink specials too. But if you ever want to hit the club scene, let me know, I can sometimes get VIP treatment if the club does that sort of thing. Plus, I love going out dancing. But if it’s not your thing, no worries.” She went out by herself all the time.

“I would have never paired orange and bubblegum, it’s different and good. I bet they sell out of this fast!”

[Thirteen]

Thirteen nodded slowly, "And California? Do you think Hollywood gets it's own state right? Have I been lied to all these years?"

"Has squeezin' into small spaces come up much, outside of show business?" It did seem like a niche ability, though slightly less so than sword-swallowing or fire-eating. "Why retire?"

The Acanthus smiled and nodded. Crows were a favorite subject for her. "They're said to have the memory and problem-solvin' skills of a seven-year old child. They remember who their friends and enemies are, and can even pass that knowledge on to their offspring. Whole generations of crows will know if you've been kind to them, even if you've never met the younger ones. It's a survival thing, livin' in cities." She laughed, "The ones I've been befriendin' even give me little gifts."

"I'm sure the food and drink are authentic in those places. I should really go check them out." She took a sip from her soda, listening to the Shaman, "A mermaid bar? That's curious. Do they have to hold their breath for long?" The Libertine reached for the chocolate Scottie Dogs and opened that box. "Oh, I'll go clubbin' with you. Thanks for the invite!"

"I don't think the bubblegum taste was intentional. That's just what most folks compare it to. The orange is on purpose, I think." She nodded, pulling a chocolate cookie out of the box, "It's popular back home. Our national soda. I always preferred it over Coke or Pepsi."

[Aurora]

“Hmmm.” Pausing to think and pick up her beer, taking a sip, “I don’t think so. I think Hollywood is made to be more glamorous than it actually is. I mean sure, there are some nice neighborhoods, but the actual Hollywood part is just, gross. I’ve heard people say it’s where dreams go to die. But maybe it’s all in what you’re looking for if you go there. It’s crowded and dirty.” But that was her take on it.

Laughing, “You would be surprised how often it comes up. I’ve had fans come up to me and want me to squeeze into something small because they’ve only seen me online. Sometimes it makes for a fun parlor trick in a bar to win a bet for someone who doesn’t recognize me. Though I tend to go for more of betting them I can sit on my own head or something like that. Depends on my mood.” There really wasn’t a way she couldn’t bend her body. “Because I’ve been doing this my whole life and I’d like to see if there is anything else I can do. I’ve reached my dream, being in the Cirque, and long term wise, it’s going to start to take a toll on my body. Plus, I want to known for doing something else, I’ve reached fame, it’s not that great.” Especially for an Awakened.

“So I now know there are birds with a better memory then I have.” Laughing and shaking her head. “Can you like, give them puzzles to solve then? “And they leave you gifts?! Wow, you’ve made quite an impression then!”” that was just wild to think about, a problem-solving bird.

A thoughtful look, “Uh, I’m not sure it’s that long, but I’ve like, never counted. But they look really cool, with tails and everything. Kind of one of those neat ideas that sets them apart.” Aurora liked the drinks they had. “Great! Always good to get out and have a good time.” She was certainly due for a night on the town, too much studying lately.

“Oh really?” looking at the orange drink, “Well, they certainly made a way for their drink to stand out. Wait, places have national sodas? That’s a thing?” she had never heard of that. “I’ve never been real big into soda, if it’s in a drink, then whatever, but I don’t like go out of my way for it. But this stuff, this stuff I can see myself going out of my way for.” A nod, “Yup.”

[Thirteen]

She'd never been to Los Angeles, so Thirteen had no personal experience to draw upon in forming an opinion on the city. "Hm, well... if I ever go there, maybe I'll just stick to Disneyland."

"Ach, that seems rather rude of them. You shouldn't just come up to someone on the street and expect them to do a trick. You're not a performin' monkey." She huffed. "I see. You want to move on to new horizons, eh? Understandable."

The Acanthus nodded enthusiastically, "They can! There's videos online you can watch, of crows solvin' multi-layered puzzles, with tools. It's amazin' to watch." She smiled, "The gifts are honestly just random trash that caught their attention. Shiny objects and such, but I think it's flatterin' that they'd want to share their precious things with me."

"Sounds a little scary, really, havin' to go underwater for minutes at a time when your legs are all tied up in a costume. Those're some brave women... and men, I suppose. There's mermen, too, right?"

Thirteen chuckled, "It's not an official title. Just somethin' we like to say: Irn-Bru, Scotland's other national drink!" She took a bite of a chocolate Scottie Dog and smirked, "You know, because the first one is Scotch."

[Aurora]

Laughing, “Oh, you need to experience it for yourself. I could just be jaded by my own experiences. Maybe if you go without stars in your eyes and your expectations set too high, it’s not as bad. Plus, there is always the chance to see the walk of fame and other little things. Never been to Disney though, but heard it’s quite popular.” But not really her vibe.

Shrugging, “They want it for a photo. Some have never gotten to see me perform live, only seeing my shows on my website, so I’ve just gotten used to it. It’s kind of died off over the years as sideshow isn’t as mainstream as it once used to be. Hey, if the money is good, I can certainly be a performing monkey.” Everyone needed to make a living. “Exactly. Once my body gives out, I need a way to pay the bills and live my life, and the royalties will only go so far. So figured I’d start while I could still perform if I needed to.” She’d seen contortionist later in life, for some, it wasn’t good. And sure, she had Life magic on her side, but it didn’t seem fair.

“What about you? Anything you ever dreamed of doing? You have your bike and your mechanic skills, ever think of opening your own shop? Bet that would be successful. A good-looking girl who can fix bikes, you’d have none stop business.” True story right there.

“Really?! Now I’m going to have to look them up and watch them! Cause seeing a bird solve those types of puzzles sounds pretty bad ass. Have you considered doing something like that for the ones you, uh, interact with? For lack of better phrasing.” Cause hang out with didn’t sound right either. “Obviously it isn’t trash, there was something about it that the crow saw that made it pause to pick it up and bring it to you. That is just fascinating to know they do. I would have never even known that a crown could be that intelligent! I’m going to look at them differently from now on, with more respect that’s for sure. But you made an impression the crows that is for sure.” Pretty cool.

Frowning, “Oh, well maybe it should be. Like, everyone could get together and make the government pass a bill or something. Make it official.” Smirking before laughing. “Could put the scotch in the soda. Combine both.”

[Thirteen]

"My expectations are never high." She shrugged. "I've been told I idle at jaded." The Acanthus snacked on her cookie, "Disney's more for kids, aye, but I never been. Figure I should experience it at least once, right?"

"We all do what we got to do. I don't blame you." She gave Aurora a curious look. "I wouldn't think you'd have to worry much about your body givin' out. Or did I hear wrong about you bein' a Master Shaman?"

Another shrug, "Like I said, my expectations are never high. Neither are my dreams. A garage might be manageable, I suppose. It's not a grand dream, really. I'd be lyin' if I said I hadn't given it some thought."

She smiled again when the subject of crows came back around, "Nae. The murder I've befriended are wild birds. I'm not gonna lure them into some tests." Crows seemed to be one of the few things she wasn't jaded about. "Still, it's worth notin' that they never shit on my bike. They know it's mine and they leave it be." It had been an unexpected side-benefit.

She laughed abruptly, "Aurora, Irn-Bru and whisky is about as Scottish a drink as you can get! We been combinin' those since we invented the soda. Some ice, a nice helpin' of Ballantine's Finest and top it off with some Irn-Bru." She nodded confidently.

[Aurora]

“I don’t think I would call it jaded, I think you set realistic expectations. If your expectations are always high, you are always disappointed. Always low and you can lack ambition and never have personal growth. Realistic is sweet spot, never too high, never too low.” Least, that was how she saw it. Picking up one of the chocolate cookies for herself, “That’s what I hear. That it’s a place you should experience for yourself at least once in your life.” But not her. She never got the draw or the appeal of it. But she would never fault anyone that did.

A small chuckle, “I am a Master Shaman, but I’ve chosen to not use my magic to enhance my body. It ages as it’s supposed to, and my joints will fail when they’re supposed too as well. I’ve never been big into using any of my magic in my shows to make myself more flexible or anything. Nothing against anyone that does,” a shrug, “just something I’ve personally decided against.” Everything she could do, she could do naturally, and she was proud of it.

“Is that from being told you couldn’t, or just not something you thought could be done?” she asks, “If that’s too personal, I’m sorry, I’m just curious. Cause I think you could do it, and be successful. But, not everyone wants to own their own business, and there is nothing wrong with it. I mean, look at me, I’ve been sitting on that fence for about five years.” She’d just been lazy.

“Huh, so the ones that you see online with the puzzles are pets? Ones people have raised?” looking thoughtful, then nodding, “Cool. And hey, even better if they don’t shit on your bike! But I think it’s really badass and would be curious to hear about the progress you make with them and about what they bring you! What types of treats do you bring them? Never really though about what crows might like. Maybe peanuts?” maybe birdseed?

Smiling, “Well, I don’t think I have whiskey to offer. Not usually something I reach for. But knowing it goes with the Irn-Bru, I might have to pick me up some and keep it on hand.” Cause now she was curious.

[Thirteen]

"There's a fine line between realism and pessimism, or so I hear," the redhead gave another small shrug. "I don't know if I'll ever get around to goin' there. Just sort of a maybe thing for the future." There was always too much to do keeping her closer to home.

Thirteen looked thoughtful as she nodded, "Just lettin' nature take it's course, eh? I can respect that. Not like I can go through life blessin' myself with good luck constantly. Fate will snap back if I abuse it. You got to pick your moments, you know?"

She swirled her glass, watching the beverage inside slosh about. "Life has taught me to not have high expectations. I've suffered from bad luck most of my life. And I mean very bad luck. Before I Awakened, I could never, ever catch a break. Everything always went wrong. Always. I was even known as the Jinx of Inverness. Now I finally have some control over my fate, but it's left me... hesitant to dream big."

"Nae, not pets. It's actually illegal to own crows as pets in this country. Seems too many people trained them to steal for them," the idea made her laugh. "Too clever for their own good, I guess." The Acanthus drew another cookie out of a box, "Aye, the birdies love peanuts. Unsalted. They like them in the shell. I've gotten to givin' them a mix of peanuts, corn and dog kibble, with some diced up apples."

She smirked and nodded, "Bars around here don't keep Irn-Bru on hand, so I got to keep some scotch at home if I want to mix it."