[F01 | PP] Dark Roasted

[Nymoria 0]

Nymoria had paused only long enough in her transaction with the clerk to take in what Salem had been saying, a sudden grin spreading across her face as her hands moved in response to the commentary. They appeared to be more rigid, less flexible in their movement as she signed out the words – although she doubted it had any impact on the actual voice that Salem would hear. I. Am. Robot. Exterminate. Exterminate. Exterminate.

She burst into a fit of laughter suddenly – no sound erupting from her as she seemed to shake slightly, grasping at her sides and leaning against the counter as tears formed at the edges of her eyes. Her mouth opened as if sound should have come out, and yet nothing seemed to leave the core of her throat.

Sorry. Sorry. I couldn’t resist. She signed once she had gotten control of herself, at least somewhat. She took stock of their current collection of items, having hidden the book away once more following its purchase and receipt, trying to decide what else could be done to pass the time. We’ve had coffee, seen some books. What other wonders would you like to find in this virtual, not real and yet somehow real world? She decided to place the idea back on Salem, wondering if there was something specific that the player had wanted to encounter, or come across. Nymoria had been here long enough to know the city relatively well, so much so that the average wonders that had once been eye opening and jaw dropping were simply common, daily occurrences. She barely even blinked as a pair of oxen went tumbling by, wagon in tow as it went about its daily business.

[Salem 0]

He scoffed at Nymoria's playful display with some amusement.  "If you'd had said that to me when we first met, I'd be none the wiser." There was something to be admired in her spontaneous, light-hearted banter. The way she found such simple joy in basic interactions, well, it felt fairly foreign to him. Every day in the waking world had felt like an uphill battle with little to be enjoyed. Funny how a setting disposed to combat seemed less dreadful by comparison.

Passing his volumes to the clerk, Salem purchased them both before exiting the store. "This is more than I've done in a day for as long as I can remember.", he answered, "I don't know what else I could want -- what else is even out there." For once, a quiet mind reigned supreme, bringing with it a tranquil appreciation for the present moment. "I think...I'll go back. Read a little, decide where to go next.", a smile flashed across his features, Find out where it is I want to live... Curling the books closer to his chest, he offered a brief bow, "Thank you for help today, and your company." A moment's hesitation ushered in a candid reminder, "The next Scents of the Wild quest -- I'll prepare for it and message you when I'm ready."

With the gleam of assurance in his eyes, Salem said, "I hope to see you then."

[Nymoria 0]

Thread Summary
Word Count: 7,086

Nymoria
EXP: [7,086/10x2x0.7] = 991 EXP

Salem
EXP: [7,086/10x1x0.7] = 495 EXP
Col: 400 col