❧ A Bite, a Riddle, and a Prize

[luministimods]

Here ye, here ye, all ye residents of Luministi!

[CATs and vidscreens throughout town activate, filling with the image of a sprightly young lady with a dimpled smile. she is grinning fit to burst, with her arms spread wide and looking really rather theatrical. the town square is visible around her with what residents may be able to accurately

Comments

[bit_impossible]

[it doesn't take the Doctor long to reach her as he was headed to the town hall anyway! isn't Verita lucky?]

That was a nice bit of alliteration there! [claps his hands a bit] Have to say I was thoroughly impressed! So the vociferous and valorously valiant Verita, I don't suppose you could--[he pauses, squints, and leans forward a bit as he has a look at her face. she looks familiar and he almost says so, but he notices slight differences about her features; eyes are set slightly farther apart, different shape of her eyebrow, that sort of thing. after a moment, he realises he's staring, so he stands up straight, sniffing, and acting as though nothing just happened] Sorry, you looked like someone I met before.

Anyway! [he suddenly looks serious] What can you tell me about the Mayor? Is he in and does he have a habit of sneaking out the back?

[luministimods]

[grins and takes a mock bow] Thanks! I thought so, too. You have to really draw the audience, you know, if you're gonna be any good at this job.

[but that smile drops to a frown as he stares at her. what an odd man!] Well, that's a funny thing to say because I know I haven't met you!

[shrugs at his questions, suddenly rather less animated than before] Oh, I don't really know much. Have you asked his secretary?

But really... [grins, a twinkle in her eyes again] You wouldn't have come here just to ask me about the Mayor, would you? [shifts her grip on the basket full of slips of paper, holding it out tantalizingly] Or were you looking for one of these, too?

[bit_impossible]

[he's about to point out that, no, he hasn't been to see his secretary since he hasn't even made it into the building yet, but he's distracted by that basket of hers. he arches an eyebrow at her]

Well actually, I wasn't, but you had mentioned a surprise, hadn't you? [he reaches into the basket, snatching up one of the slips of paper]

[luministimods]

Oh, definitely! I'm sure you'll like it. [eagerly leans forward to look at his paper over his shoulder. it reads as follows:]

Feeling out of place or want a new you?
Here there are many different options to view
Once you've seen our selection and talked to the staff on hand
I think you'll agree exactly what makes the man

Hah, I think you've picked a hard one! I hope you have lots of fun searching. [grins cheerfully]

[luministimods]

[stays right where she is, though her smile does slip a bit] I don't go around kidnapping people! I just handle the information, you know? [smiles broadly again, eyes sparkling] You can tell how many people are here on your CAT. It gives you a list of residents if you want to talk one-on-one with them!

And it wasn't spells, chants, incantations, suspicious murmurs whispered under my breath or anything! Scout's honor. [salutes!] Go ahead and take one. See for yourself! [gives the basket a shake]

[luministimods]

Your CAT. See? [pulls out her CAT unit from her pocket, wiggling it] This device. You have one too! CAT stands for--[clears her throat]--"Communications Audiovisual Transmitter", but that's such a mouthful! Imagine yelling all that if you needed it in an emergency. So, it's been shortened to CAT. [grins brightly]

[and sidles up to her, peeking discretely at her clue. it reads:]

Gather round or pass on by
Or stop for a moment to say hi
You'll find I'm really quite versatile and fun
Whether in the rain, snow or sun

[giggles] Ohhh, you picked that one! Have fun!

[ultimateeye]

[Bradley has by now tried all the roads out of town, and, finding that they loop back on each other, is not best pleased. He approaches Verita, stony-faced.]

Pardon me, but I don't have time to play games. I'm an extraordinarily busy man and this is not where I need to be. Show me the way out and we'll say no more about this, eh?

[luministimods]

[pouts, looking a bit disappointed] Oh, well, if that's all you want. If you go that way--[points]--past the housing units, or that way past them--[points again]--you'll find roads out of town. Oh, and there's one behind you, too, if you just go straight for a while. Did that help?

And are you sure you don't want one before you go? [shakes her basket full of slips of paper temptingly]

[ultimateeye]

[Bradley stares at the woman for a few seconds. He takes a deep, calming breath and forces a neutral expression onto his face]

I don't think that's very funny.

[luministimods]

[frowns] It wasn't supposed to be. You wanted to know where the exits are, didn't you? That's where they are! There's one more, too, but it's kinda over there, past the clinic. [gestures diagonally to his right]

[luministimods]

[takes a step back, startled by his anger] Maybe you should try to calm down. I'd have trouble finding my way around if I were that upset, too!

If you're lost, your CAT has a map. But the exits are easy to find! The nearest ones are that way, that way, and that way. [points in sequence to his left, right, and then behind him] See, there's nothing to be upset about!

Oh, and did you want one of these before you go? [shakes her basket full of papers, offering it out to him]

[tearfulyandere]

[He wanders into the townsquare at the sound of a voice, he follows that to the source for the time being, watching her until she's finished, then cautiously approaches]

Umm...E..e..excuse me please Miss...Verita?

[He offers a shy smile, but is rather obviously unnerved by how enthusiastic she is]

W...what sort of restaurants are there here please? I... I'm a little new yes? The man in the window... he umm... he vanished... I... I don't think was me though yes? He just got bored yes? Umm. A...anyway, if is game... I... I would like to play too yes? Might help me find more places here?

[luministimods]

[gives a friendly smile to this new and clearly nervous arrival] Oh, there are all kinds of restaurants! If you go just over there--[points across the square toward the plazas of restaurants on the left and far sides]--you'll find anything you could possibly want!

[frowns] What man in the window? Was there someone at your house?

[grins, glad that at least someone is interested in her offer] Yeah, I'm sure it will! Here you go. [holds out her basket so he can take a slip of paper]

[tearfulyandere]

[He returns the smile still a little wary but definitely calmer. He's trying very hard not to tremble, it usually gets him some very weird looks from people. He follows her pointed finger with his gaze and finally grins, food is something he both knows and loves so...]

Th.. thank you Miss Verita... I wonder if they want any help...

[Her frown though makes him shiver even though he's trying not to. Disapproval is hard to ignore.]

Umm.. well... th.. that is.. y...you see... th..there was a big w..window in the wall...an... and a man was standing outside it and spoke.. really really fast... b..but he ... he left again...

[The grin seems to calm him again though and he giggles a tiny bit. He likes smiles and grins, they mean good things after all.]

Thank you!

[Carefully he reaches out and tries to pull out just one slip of paper.]

[luministimods]

You mean if they're hiring? You could ask Audrey at the pub. She always knows what's going on about the shops. Between you and me, she's the one who mentioned the free meals to me!

[frowns, confused, but then she starts to laugh] Oh, you mean the mayor's message on the vidscreens! He was talking to everybody, not just you. And it's supposed to go off when the message is over. Haven't you seen a vidscreen before? [amused]

[when he reaches for a slip of paper, she smiles brightly] Sure thing! [leans over to read his clue:]

If you've had a long day and want a long night
You can get a better deal than just a meal through my doors
So seize the night and enjoy some warmth and light
We've got food, good company, and more!

Oh, you got a good one, too. I hope you have fun finding it!