5. Bloody mess

[lady_maz]

[Waking up in the clinic is familiar. This time, it's with a neck wound and four or five of those brightly coloured Easter eggs. One of them had been both hindrance and help the evening before when she was bitten in the neck.

She has a vague recollection of being saved by some kids when the elevator didn't work. She's grateful.

She sits up, pushing

Comments

[moleculars]

[ Piper grins. ] I'm not quite sure I'm ready to try these eggs that have been lying around the castle. I found a pool of them in my room yesterday. I'm glad that they're gone. [ So freaking glad. ] Some of them open to have confetti inside of them. [ Piper takes the egg, anyway. She hadn't touched any of the eggs in her room - only opened them to find chocolate or confetti inside - simply because she distrusts everything to do with the castle. Hearing from more experienced residents has her on her guard when it comes to these sorts of stunts. ]

[ She may not eat it right now, but it feels like a token of friendship from Marian. That and Marian's chocolate eggs may not be as dangerous as the ones in her room. Whether they are dangerous at all, Piper doesn't know. Believing the worst in magic is what she does best. ] You're more game than me. I didn't eat any of my eggs; just tried to toss them into the corridor to no avail. [ She smiles, though. She found eggs everywhere yesterday. She's thankful that they're gone. Her pockets feel nice empty. ]

[lady_maz]

[Marian enjoys her turn to observe now. Piper is careful, not exactly mistrusting but more prone to careful scrutiny that Marian. Marian loves to find things out, to spy - but she's more ready to try things she shouldn't try. Guy would gladly point that out to her.

In fact, Piper reminds her a lot about Guy. Like him, she's probably not a person who will give her friendship and trust easily.]

Confetti? A whole pool of eggs? Poor you, what a mess! You know, I wished for one egg to be a heavy weapon so I could hit that vampire in the head. It worked! But we can't wish away the eggs or these things when they happen. Last week, there were acorns and tiny soot creatures everywhere. Yesterday, it was eggs. Oval things seems to be in fashion this spring. It's a bit daunting if the oval objects grow larger every time, though. [Laughing, munching another egg.] I had never tasted chocolate before I came to Paradisa. I fear I might become addicted to it.

[moleculars]

I'm relieved to know that the castle doesn't have selective hearing when it comes to granting those wishes. I'm glad you got away in one piece.

[ She laughs ] I am so glad I missed out on that. Acorns and soot creatures? No thanks.

Oh, you might. It's one of the good things about chocolate. It's a nice addiction.

[lady_maz]

I was lucky, I know. But for once, I didn't seek danger out, it found me.

Chocolate is heaven! Oh, the food here... I'm quite apprahensive about modern cooking and I've only tried a little... Some baking. It didn't turn out so well. Do you like to cook?

[moleculars]

[ Smile ] That tends to be how it is. [ In her life, anyway. ] But at least this castle refuses to let anyone die. That - is something I think the world could do with.

[ She grins and ducks her head, pushing her hair back before looking back at Marian. ] I - yes. I do. The kitchen was like a second home while I was growing up. [ Change 'do' to 'did' and you've got Piper now. Before life interfered. But Piper doesn't want to go down the gloomy road today. ] You probably just need the right teacher. For all we know, I may be sitting beside the best baker in Paradisa.

[lady_maz]

[No scolding? A female friend who treats her like a grown up? Marian could get used to this.] We shouldn't have to go until it's... time. There's something to be said for dying peacefully in your own bed from old age, instead of going down in a blaze of glory.

Me!? Piper, I see through you! The way you talk about cooking - YOU are probably a fantastic baker!

[moleculars]

[ Piper smiles ] I wouldn't say fantastic, but I guess I know my way around the kitchen. I haven't had time to do much in it for a few years. But ... maybe Paradisa might give me that time.

One day you'll have to show me your baking skills. See how good you really are.

[lady_maz]

[Laughing.] Whatever trouble that may come our way, the world must be fed. And the baking skills? It's a deal, Piper. The kitchen will love us!

[moleculars]

Ah, yes. The world relies more on food than oxygen, it seems. [ She grins ] We'll have to set a date. Though, mind you, my teaching skills aren't up to par.

[lady_maz]

We must! You must let me teach you something in exchange... Do you ride? Fight any?

[moleculars]

You don't need to do anything in exchange! [ but to answer your question ] I don't do either. My schedule doesn't allow me to ride and ... I've never felt the desire to learn how to fight. Despite how many times I would've kicked ass if I did.

[lady_maz]

Oh, but I'd be happy to do something for you! There are many things that you can do here, if you're the type... Just sitting around gets boring.

You HAVE 'kicked ass', haven't you? [Giggles, she likes that expression!] That's a fitting way of describing it, I've kicked some ass myself!

But you should know that there are actually places here in Paradisa where magic doesn't work at all! It's out in the Dead Zone, they call it.

[moleculars]

[ Laughs, ducking her head ] Kicking ass seems to be a family gene. And it comes with the job. [ Shyly ] But, yeah - I guess I've kicked some ass.

I've been told of the Dead Zone when I first arrived here. I'm not too sure I want to clear my schedule and take a trip down there. [ Runs a hand through her hair ] Have you been there before?

[lady_maz]

[Marian (and mun!!) has a vision where Piper and Marian goes out together, fighting bad guys. She laughs.]

Just imagine how much ass we could kick together, Piper!

I've been to the Dead Zone, we went to Mineas Well... A strange and eerie place, to say the least. But beautiful. I'd like to explore the forests here a bit more. I'm glad I have my own skills. Even in this case, when I got bitten, my reflexes and strength helped me a lot.

[moleculars]

[ Piper grins ]

Mineas Well. I'll keep that place in mind if I ever decide to go exploring. [ Which won't be any time soon. ] Are the forests dangerous? I'm not too keen on setting foot outside the castle if all I'm going to do is enter one danger zone after another.

[lady_maz]

There are dangers out there... But considering how both our worlds are, they're probably no worse than anything. The worst things are often people, it was the same in Swerwood Forest, where I grew up.

[And feel free to be sceptical, because Marian the Medieval Chick has tried living in a forest.]