[Amelia is just setting her hands on the table though and sighing witheringly. The nail tech giggles.]
"Oh, I'm so good at guessing! A new boy-toy who loves violet? Oh, he'll want to hold your hands even more!"
[The nail painting is careful but efficient. Soon, Winter's nails on both hands are coated in the matte raven-black lacquer that has a subtle purple glow under the lamp.]
Amelia, please. We’re just chatting. What’s the harm?
[ Let them be happy for you, girl!
It feels like they’ve barely gotten started when it’s suddenly all done, and Winter lifts his hands to look them over, tilting this way and that to let the polish catch the light. ]
They’re lovely. Thank you so much. And thank you, Amelia, for bringing me here.
[She may or may not have grumbled while her nails were painted. She's done just a minute after Winter's and Amelia looks at her purple nails with an expression that can only be described as: 😐]
This will suffice. I'm choosing next time. And you're welcome, Winter.
[The witch studies his hands; while her shade shimmers and color shifts, Winter's looks like smooth obsidian stones with a touch of violet.]
Hm. I think your whole look is complete now.
[The nail tech waves them off, thanking them for their patronage. Amelia will keep looking at her hands wondering what a certain wizard will think.]
Would you like a whole bottle of that color? Though painting it yourself will take practice.
Mm. I look forward to seeing how your nails will look in the future.
[Though her face doesn't show it, Amelia feels glad that Winter has enjoyed himself and has found something new to have fun with. If she had closed herself off during this vacation, a moment like this would have never happened and they would have both missed out.
... It's nice to have a friend.]
Let's not rush lunch. What would you like to peruse before we eat?
[She'll take a basket too, it's time to be shopping buddies. And as much as she was a grump about Winter being a very mild tease about her new relationship, part of Amelia is a little grateful that he's willing to listen to her about it, or at least the mundane parts.]
I actually might make him something. He gifted me a book for Christmas; Fables and Legends of Faerûn.
[And even before that, he went above and beyond with their dinner date so she really wants to consider her return gift carefully.]
I don't know how much you've talked to him, but he's extremely generous even to someone like me. I'm afraid whatever I'm able to give, might be small in comparison.
[ Oh, girl. He stops walking, which might cause a problem as they're shuffling down the aisle between displays, and whips around, one finger raised almost accusingly. ]
First of all, "even to someone like me"? Don't you dare let me hear you saying that about yourself again. You're his girlfriend. By all accounts, you should be the person at the top of his list.
Second of all— [ He raises another finger. ] —you're his girlfriend. He'll cherish any gift from you, big or small or all else between. If you want to make him something, that only makes it all the more special.
[Winter's reaction is unexpected and it makes Amelia stop when he does. His words do affect her because she had instinctively put herself down without really meaning to. Without Berna to confide in, she doesn't have the much-needed outer voice to call her out on her negativity.]
... Thank you, Winter. I... [She runs a hand through her hair and sighs.]
It's been a while since I've been in a relationship. I think I needed that from you since I get stuck in my head too often.
Don't mention it. And I'd be happy to remind you again, if you ever need it.
[ He has self-confidence in spades. He can certainly spare some for his friends. ]
All that aside, I don't know too much about Gale personally, so I can't be too much help. Wizards must record their spells in a tome, or learn them from scrolls. A satchel or bookbag of some kind might be appreciated.
Or... I have another idea, if you're feeling adventurous.
[ If one stops to think about it, the things Winter can do are actually kind of terrifying. It's a good thing no one here is on his bad side. ]
In the simplest of terms, I would send you into a trance, and if Gale happens to be sleeping at the time, you'd visit his dreams. You could shape the environment however you like, and can choose to leave the trance at any time if you wanted. It wouldn't do any harm unless you choose to give him a nightmare for some reason, though I doubt you would.
[She has the Thinking Face and weighs the pros and cons. It feels invasive but on the other hand, it is a spell that Gale would no doubt be more than familiar with, learned as he is. And knowing how enthusiastic he is about having her constant company...]
I'll give it some thought. I think it's a very good idea actually since we've been spending a lot of our time together in the waking world. He might be more than amenable to the surprise. I'm also very curious about the mechanics of this, so if you have any reading on it, I'd like you to send it to me.
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You don't have to advertise that!
[Amelia is just setting her hands on the table though and sighing witheringly. The nail tech giggles.]
"Oh, I'm so good at guessing! A new boy-toy who loves violet? Oh, he'll want to hold your hands even more!"
[The nail painting is careful but efficient. Soon, Winter's nails on both hands are coated in the matte raven-black lacquer that has a subtle purple glow under the lamp.]
"All done! What do you think?"
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[ Let them be happy for you, girl!
It feels like they’ve barely gotten started when it’s suddenly all done, and Winter lifts his hands to look them over, tilting this way and that to let the polish catch the light. ]
They’re lovely. Thank you so much. And thank you, Amelia, for bringing me here.
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This will suffice. I'm choosing next time. And you're welcome, Winter.
[The witch studies his hands; while her shade shimmers and color shifts, Winter's looks like smooth obsidian stones with a touch of violet.]
Hm. I think your whole look is complete now.
[The nail tech waves them off, thanking them for their patronage. Amelia will keep looking at her hands wondering what a certain wizard will think.]
Would you like a whole bottle of that color? Though painting it yourself will take practice.
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It did rather feel like something was missing, didn't it?
[ He peers at his nails again, marveling at the subtle color in them. ]
I think I'd like to pick up a few different colors. I may make this a regular part of my routine.
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[Though her face doesn't show it, Amelia feels glad that Winter has enjoyed himself and has found something new to have fun with. If she had closed herself off during this vacation, a moment like this would have never happened and they would have both missed out.
... It's nice to have a friend.]
Let's not rush lunch. What would you like to peruse before we eat?
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I would love to peruse. I’m going to come away from this with so much new makeup.
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[Maybe some nice sugar scrubs or lip balms... Maybe something for Mr. Waterdeep...]
... I should get a gift for him too... [mumblemumble]
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That 23 passive perception strikes again, because he perks when he hears her muttering. ]
Him? Gale, you mean? You absolutely should get him a gift. Have you thought about what you’d like to get him?
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I actually might make him something. He gifted me a book for Christmas; Fables and Legends of Faerûn.
[And even before that, he went above and beyond with their dinner date so she really wants to consider her return gift carefully.]
I don't know how much you've talked to him, but he's extremely generous even to someone like me. I'm afraid whatever I'm able to give, might be small in comparison.
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First of all, "even to someone like me"? Don't you dare let me hear you saying that about yourself again. You're his girlfriend. By all accounts, you should be the person at the top of his list.
Second of all— [ He raises another finger. ] —you're his girlfriend. He'll cherish any gift from you, big or small or all else between. If you want to make him something, that only makes it all the more special.
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... Thank you, Winter. I... [She runs a hand through her hair and sighs.]
It's been a while since I've been in a relationship. I think I needed that from you since I get stuck in my head too often.
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[ He has self-confidence in spades. He can certainly spare some for his friends. ]
All that aside, I don't know too much about Gale personally, so I can't be too much help. Wizards must record their spells in a tome, or learn them from scrolls. A satchel or bookbag of some kind might be appreciated.
Or... I have another idea, if you're feeling adventurous.
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Winter's offer of an idea has piqued her interest, so she nods.]
Go on...?
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[It's not out of the question, being a warlock and all, but that's a new fact about him she's just now learning.]
I mean, that sounds like... Huh. [She is Considering.]
How would that work exactly?
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[ If one stops to think about it, the things Winter can do are actually kind of terrifying. It's a good thing no one here is on his bad side. ]
In the simplest of terms, I would send you into a trance, and if Gale happens to be sleeping at the time, you'd visit his dreams. You could shape the environment however you like, and can choose to leave the trance at any time if you wanted. It wouldn't do any harm unless you choose to give him a nightmare for some reason, though I doubt you would.
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[She has the Thinking Face and weighs the pros and cons. It feels invasive but on the other hand, it is a spell that Gale would no doubt be more than familiar with, learned as he is. And knowing how enthusiastic he is about having her constant company...]
I'll give it some thought. I think it's a very good idea actually since we've been spending a lot of our time together in the waking world. He might be more than amenable to the surprise. I'm also very curious about the mechanics of this, so if you have any reading on it, I'd like you to send it to me.
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I'll let you copy the notes from my tome after lunch. How's that?
[ He can't just drop her a link to a wiki page!! ]
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[She'll get to study MORE on vacation! But first...]
Let's get some makeup then, yes? And some nail care products for you too.
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But Winter nods, holding up his little basket. ]
Absolutely. I’m ready to fill this thing to the brim.