[Featured characters: Alanis, Barts, Viki (little)] Budehuc Castle: By the Lake This area sits lower than the main castle--So much so, in fact, that the only path up to the front door is up a long, narrow set of stairs. Nowhere does the castle itself look more worn down than here, where the walls are moss-covered and so well worn that defensive walls and pathways have smoothed into one. The buildings that have popped up here, however, are as beautiful and new as anything--Made of brick and white walled, with red-tiled rooves and sturdy wooden beams. Here the pathways have been repaved, as well, making a pleasant stone path that leads around the lake. A well sized outside cafe sits here, with half a dozen white tables set up in the sunlight by the lake. The lake itself is the most stunning thing here--Wide and beautiful, one can see far, far across the lake the silhoette of the mountains that sit north of Vinay del Zexay. Obvious exits: < B >asement Entrance, < T >rade Shop, < L >ake Road, < U >p ===== It was fairly quiet this afternoon at the Lake Restaurant. It wasn't entirely dead, but there wasn't a rush of people coming to eat at that hour- and considering everyone's still outside for the Festival, this was quite an odd occurrence. Amidst the semi-busy goings on at the Lake Restaurant, Little Viki sat on a chair- boosted by several pillows so she could see over the table. Sprawled on said table was a book that detailed terribly complex mathematical concepts and deep philosophy- always a study of interest for the Little Teleportess. It felt good to be out and getting to know someone- but she still needed to do so more, since she could always spontaneously combust at any time. So she decided to study outside- after all, your chances of randomly happening upon people increase by 25% this way. Alanis shuffled into the restaurant area rather absent-mindedly, staff held back against her shoulder. She felt a bit dusty after that lesson with Rody, but food had taken precedence over the prospect of a bath - she had been so excited to finally be able to explore that she'd forgotten to eat. Someone in town had been kind enough to direct her here. But she paused before reaching the counter. Wait... did she have any money? She leaned her staff against the chair behind the black-haired girl and searched her pockets. It would be just her luck today... As he trudged toward the cafe, lugging a crate of vegetables, Barts looked up into the sky, with a smile on his face. A beautiful day and some beautiful vegetables. Couldn't get much better. As he passed by the seats on his way to Mamie's counter, he noticed Little Viki sitting, with some books. He quickly turned away - his last encounter with the smaller teleportress left him rather confused. He did also notice another girl, near Viki's table. He squinted, as he continued to walk, to see if he could recognize her. "Aah well? I'll have to introduce myself! ..after I drop this off! Ha ha ha!" He reached the counter, and plunked the crate down. "Hey, Mamie! Delivery~!" He waved into the opening to get her attention. Little Viki looks up from her book as she hears something behind her. Peering about the area, she notices that strange farmer from before. Now, where could that noise have come from? She leaps down from the chair and looks around further, spotting another girl digging through her pockets behind her. Silently, she walks up to Alanis as she's distracted with her pockets and looks up at her. Nothing is said for a brief moment as Little Viki isn't sure what she should say. She's still new at the 'getting to know people' bit since people here are so...differen't than she's used to at her homeland. "Did you want to sit here?" she suddenly says, looking up at Alanis with that neutral, bland expression. Alanis looks up from her search and finds herself face-to-face with the dark-haired girl. Well. Everyone here seemed to be nice. "Oh - hello. " She extracts her hand from her pocket - which is empty anyway, unluckily - and holds it out to Viki, as is the custom in Zexen. "Thanks, I'd love to! I'm Alanis." She offers a little smile for good measure, and hopes her other pocket still has some change. While Mamie was unloading the produce, Barts leaned on the counter, talking absently. "Mamie, have you ever seen that new girl? What do you think she'd like to eat? Her and Viki, I mean. I'm thinking something fresh and healthy - I already tried candied apples with Viki, and. Er." Mamie just looked at him, shaking her head and tsk-ing, with a grin on her face. "Oh! I know! Strawberries! You've got some whipped cream there, don't you, Mamie?" Barts' face lit up. Strawberries were the perfect thing. Everyone likes strawberries, don't they?" Mamie pushed a large bowl of berries at Barts. "Go, take them. My compliments, Barts." He grinned. "Thanks Mamie, you're the best!" He winked and made his way toward the table. Little Viki's expression doesen't change, even for Alanis' cheery offer for a handshake. Her eyes level on the hand for a couple of minutes, before she reaches out to take it. "You are Alanis? I understand. My name is Viki," she says in that dull monotone. She peers behind her as the strange farmer from before starts hopping over to them with strawberries. "I like strawberries," she says, her gaze leveling back to Alanis. "Barts is coming here with strawberries. Do you like strawberries?" "Viki? Nice to meet you." Alanis gives the girl's hand a dainty shake, and a nod that makes her pigtails sway when she lets go. If the girl's monotone makes her uncomfortable, she doesn't show it - after moving so often and having to be on her best behavior for her father's business guests, she has learned how to hide things like that. But it is a little bit unnerving. "Strawberries sound good to me! I haven't had them for ages." She looks over to the man coming their way, and back to Viki. "Well, we should probably sit down... right?" "Hi there!" Barts said, cheerfully, as he arrived at the table. He placed the bowl of berries and cream on the table. He kept the smile on his face as he greeted Viki - "Hi there, Viki!" - it was very difficult not to be unnerved by her. His smile widened as he looked at the pigtailed girl. "Hello! I'm Barts, the farmer. Just wanted to welcome you to Budehuc! We've been getting people all the time, it's so great!" Just then, he noticed that the two girls were still standing. His smile turned a little awkward, and he absently scratched his chin. "My! Where are my manners?! Please, please, sit down, enjoy the berries!" Little Viki looked at the both of them before walking over to sit back on her bolstered chair. "I really like strawberries," she says, before taking one and nibbling on it. Nope, she's not that big an eater in the least. "What has brought you here? I was studying outside today in the hopes that I might not burn myself out." She looks to Alanis then to Barts once more as she chews on her strawberry, "What do you do when you're about to burn out?" Alanis follows Viki to the take and takes a seat between her and Barts, and bats at her skirt again to make sure there isn't any more dust. She can't be dirty at a time like this! "Thank you so much," she smiles at Barts as she takes a strawberry with her other hand. Hm. This girl seems so serious... studying on a day like this? But Alanis was doing the same thing, really. "Hm." She dips the strawberry in cream and takes a bite. "When I'm feeling like that... I usually just try a change of pace. When we're in Vinay del Zexay, there are a lot of books available, and the docks are a nice place to go, too. Just... rest and do something different." She picks the stem off of the berry and pops the rest of it into her mouth, looking at Viki. He plucked a strawberry from the pile, and examined it, as he thought of Viki's question. Burn out. Hmm. "Well, you know, I never really feel burned out. I mean.. I love farming. I really do! It's great, and it's fun, and I enjoy it, so.. it's like my job, and my hobby, all in one!" He laughed, and popped the berry into his mouth. Swallowing, he started again. "Maybe it sounds weird, but I really love farming. Alot. It's why I came here, you know." He looked up at the sky, and began to wonder if he actually should be getting back to the farm. "Hmm.." Little Viki doesen't understand either of their points. Belle really likes working with machines, but she said she would spontaneously combust too. So, why would Barts not spontaneously combust when working with plants? "I don't understand. I like studying, so why would my temperature decrease if I did something else? This is so confusing," she shakes her head. "...and supposedly if you really like something like you do with your farming, Mr. Barts, then why would you be exempt from your temperature increasing until you spontaneously combusted?" her expression becomes one of confusion as she looks at the both of them. "I don't understand at all." >>> UNFINISHED <<<