One Cup at a Time: A Starbucks DnD Campaign

Session 13.5 - Twisting Tongues and Playing Doctor

Note: These events mostly occured before entering the Boros dungeon, but always keep in mind that time is wibbly wobbly.

~Tinstreet~

  "Only because I made you, and I can break you just as easily." Says a cool voice from behind them. Auntie Vannifar, accompanied by two Simic guardian project soldiers, approaches from down the street. "I was just headed to New Prav to sign some patents when I saw the two of you." She looks the two of them up and down, cucumber cool as usual, and then turns to Dolion. "Girl trouble?"

  Dolion's face turns a deep shade of olive green. "Uh... Well, um... Y-You know... I don't know." A slight anger begins building within Dolion at Vanifar for appearing at the worst possible moment.

  Kai seems incredibly unbothered by the vague threat and visibly brightens as he sees Vannifar. He beams. "It's so lovely to see you all this afternoon! And it's okay. I know I'd be adapted into something better if I were to break somehow. You always have a knack for picking just the right enhancements. I hope your trip there is going okay! Are the patents for anything exciting?" Kai looks over at Dolion and back to Vannifar "Would any of you like to stop at the Pearl for some coffee with us?"

  "No thank you, Kai." says Vanifar. "I don't think it would be appropriate for me to visit before Zegana's official visit..." Siarl, the shark-like guard at her right seems visibly bummed about missing out on this cool new coffee. Vanifar turns back to Dolion "...and don't worry about it too much Dolion. Guardians are projected to be sterile as sexual reproduction is not a high priority project goal." Her face moves in what might be generously considered a reassuring smile. "...though actual virility is rarely an impediment in the attraction of recreational partners. If you have a fulfilling sex life, be sure to let me know so I can put it in the recruitment pamphlet. Have a good rest of your day." And with that, she continues towards New Prav. Siarl winces with a co-embarrassed grimace and gives Dolion a friendly shoulder punch before jogging to catch up.

  "Okay, well I'll be right back. I just have to jump off the highest building in the near vicinity real quick," says Dolion.

  Kai waves at them as they leave and then slings an arm around Dolion's shoulders, walking both of them closer to the Pearl "Listen. I won't tell you that's not the most embarrassing thing I've ever seen. But from Vannifar... that's probably meant to be encouraging. She cares under all of that... I think. And also." Kai whispers "You don't actually have to tell anyone about that kinda stuff. So don't worry. But no building jumping for you. You're going to have a nice, relaxing cup of coffee while I get some hospital notes."

~Tinstreet~

  "Lucius?! Anyone named Lucius here?" Dolion is mesmerized by the twisty interior designs and the over-the-topness of the shop. It gives him a similar feeling to being a kid in a candy store. A candy store modeled after a lucid dream, perhaps. But nonetheless. He has a good feeling about this place. He wanted to be sure to drop by here first before heading to the Pearl.

  Dolion, finding the shop to be empty and no one responding, suddenly notices a bell on the front desk. Walking closer, he sees lying on top of the desk is a book with a bookmark about 3/4ths of the way through. The cover reads The Mage in the Iron Mask. Another beside it says A Guide to Monsters by Volothamp Geddarm. The latter of which is bound in leather and showing signs of great age. Dolion balls his hand into a fist and slams it onto the bell. "Hello?!"

  Dolion sees the door behind the desk give off a faint shimmer, then open. A red Tiefling with silver and blue robes emerges. He looks a bit disheveled, and more than a little annoyed. Behind him, Dolion catches a faint image of the space beyond. He must have a mirror in there, because it looks like the same desk and shop reflected. He places his hand over the bell to stop the room-shaking bell tone. "Yes, hello sir! How may I help you?"