Ticket to Flavortown?

[alittlehinky]

Cricket's efforts at making and selling his moonshine have been spectacularly successful, by his own standards. He's got three different stills running, he's getting better all the time, and he's starting to add other equipment, like an apple press for cider. He works hard, and he's feeding most of his profits back into the business. It's starting to get a little tricky to keep up with demand.

The holiday season is only cranking things up a notch, but he's really enjoying himself. Today he has a table set up in the Plaza with several jars, a clipboard with some order forms, and some additional jugs and crates behind him. He's wearing a bright red and green hoodie featuring Santa riding a unicorn while the eight tiny reindeer look on with grief and envy. Additionally, there's a candy-cane striped scarf around his neck and shoulders.

Also on his shoulder is a magpie, with a matching tiny hoodie and scarf. How did they arrange matching outfits? Look, it's the Nexus. These things happen.

"I'm takin' orders," he says a little shyly to passersby. "And offering samples. I got eggnog in three flavors--chocolate, strawberry, and traditional. And it's all got liquor in it, but I also have apple and strawberry cider, and that's alcohol-free. Plus the regular moonshine I usually carry."

"But I got questions too. What's your favorite flavor? I mean, there's no accounting for taste, but I been looking at recipes for coffee-flavor and bacon-flavor moonshine and I'm not sure anybody would go for that. I reckon I wouldn't enjoy drinkin' bacon."

"Also," he reaches up to ruffle the neck feathers on his magpie companion through the scarf. "What d'you get a bird for Christmas?"

((For those unaware, the magpie is Loki, currently stuck in bird form. Tags and threadhopping may come from Loki's player as well as myself.))

Comments

[alittlehinky]

He stares at her for a moment, brows knit and eyes narrowed. She doesn't seem quite like the woman he thought he knew right now. Maybe that's because of her own internal conflict, but he has no way of knowing that yet, only that she seems both worried about him and strangely cold about the potential end results of this. It's not a normal-human kind of reaction. Actually, it's a little unsettling.

"Marie?" He speaks quietly, gently, "Ain't no reason to be like that. I mean, if one of us comes back carryin' the Thing, it ain't gonna be us comin' back. So you shouldn't hesitate, and I reckon we all know that. Actually, it's not a bad thing, knowing someone here'll keep an eye out in case this gets out of hand."

He folds his hands in his lap. "Listen, you probably ain't gonna like this, but let me explain. The worst thing that ever happened to me wasn't gettin' killed. It was when I was in my own house at gunpoint, listenin' to my best friend get beat half to death outside my front door. Crying for mercy, and I couldn't do a goddamn thing. And then when they'd had enough blood, I had to get up and get out and go see if he was dead, and put him back together and listen to him refuse to go to the hospital, an' then walk him a mile and half back to Blackwater Station, and come back home in the dark alone."

"Ain't gonna happen again. I'm never gonna sit by and let a friend face danger without me if I get the choice. And I've got the choice. And that's all there is to it. Ain't tryin' to be a hero. I just made a decision where I gotta take a stand, is all."

[to_the_wolves]

There's definitely a different aura around her, changing from friendly to a cold, heartless woman. Who or what shaped her into this is completely unknown, but Cricket's assessment may be onto something. There's an attitude about her that screams non human, whether it's herself or the experiences she's been through.

And then Cricket drops the ball on her, causing Marie's stern expression to falter for a moment. She listens intently, feeling sympathy and admiration towards the boy's perils. However, the circumstance is relatable and Marie knows that she's been okay with letting people die if it meant she could live. Survival. "You care so much about other people, even at the expense of your own life. I used to be like that as well, but different events shape us and change the course of destiny. Regardless, I won't try to talk you down anymore from the task at hand."

She pauses, thinking about his other statement. What if the Thing comes back with them? There's no other choice in her mind that she'd kill the party in an instant. "Our paths diverge here, Cricket. Good luck with your goals." Her voice isn't brimming with confidence, but rather intrigue and mystery. She wants to see what will happen, how the event will change them, instead of genuinely wishing for their success. There's a turn in her step, planning to leave very shortly.

[alittlehinky]

"Where I come from, we didn't have much of anything but other people," he explains. It kind of feels like she's complimenting him, except then she says she used to be the same, and he wonders what changed that made her different.

Maybe someone hurt her, or took advantage of her kindness. These things happen, in every world that exists, as far as Cricket can tell. He watches her sadly, and it says something that now his concern is directed as much at her as anywhere else.

Even if she's not what she seems. Even if there's something not-quite-human in her eyes. He's seen a lot of not-human in the Nexus so far. There's literally a godling perched on his shoulder. That doesn't mean bad, just different.

"Well, if I come back alive, I'll say 'I told you so' and buy you a drink," he tells her. Because he's not ready to lose a friend to a disagreement, either. "And you can chew me out for bein' reckless anyway if you want. You take care of yourself, a'ight?"

[to_the_wolves]

"And where I came from, everyone died without me getting a say in the matter, so we're on different ends of the spectrum." Alas, that's the reality she's accepted, but seeing Cricket standing there unwavered by her words, gives Marie faith in the future. More people could stands to be like him, herself included. For now, she stops her departure, turning to face him with a smile, but it's clear that there's a lot of sadness behind that mask. She wants him to come back alive.

"When you come back, I'll buy you dinner and a drink. That'll give you time to tell me everything about Antarctica." With a friendly nod, she'll extend one hand to him in silent defeat. "Take care, Cricket."

[alittlehinky]

Okay. That answer makes him feel a lot better, and he returns her smile. She doesn't have to agree with what he does to be friends, that's for damn sure. How many times did he tell Jack off for being an idiot? And they were always real close anyway.

He grasps her hand briefly, shaking gently. "I'll be back, then. You be good to yourself, Marie. See you soon."