A Knight of Shreds and Patches Transcript
Season 3 Episode 7: An Angel Who’s Never Done Anything Wrong
Transcript by Cameron Robertson
Intro:
[hurdy gurdy music begins]
Nick: Welcome, listeners, to A Knight of Shreds and Patches. An immersive actual play podcast. This episode features the talents of –
Penn: Penn Van Batavia as Marathon Messenger and Gwendolyn Rozenthall.
Kit: Kit Adames as Birdie Foundling and Vaus Foundling.
Cameron: Cameron Robertson as Emma Blackwood.
Sydney: Sydney Whittington as Cassidy Shard and Winifred Foundling.
Nick: Nick Robertson as GM and Narrator.
Sydney: Hello listeners, this is your editor, Sydney, with today’s messages:
Editor Sydney says… go hug something or someone soft. You deserve a moment of comfort in your life, whether that comes from a stuffed animal, a fuzzy pet, a nearby loved one, or a very surprised but consenting coworker. Even if they’re not a listener, they deserve a moment of comfort too.
And then if you’re satisfied with the comfort and are ready for your pick from the feelings buffet, consider backing our Patreon, which gives you access to bonus episodes, campfire conversations, and other fun rewards.
And with that, we wrap up today’s announcements and head into Season 3, Episode 7: An Angel Who’s Never Done Anything Wrong. And so…
“Join us, for now our tale to yours attaches
To carry hope: a Knight of Shreds and Patches.”
[hurdy gurdy music ends]
[electronic beeping][robotic powerup noise begins]
Distorted Robotic Voice: Power restored. Systems online. Reconfiguring audio connection.[robotic powerup noise fades to radio frequency static]
[over radio]
Cameron (as Emma): Last time on a Knight of Shreds and Patches, we talked to Winifred about the help I needed with the Knight’s software making sure that the Bad Guy AI doesn’t take over again. Good news is she seemed interested and confident that she could help which is a relief. She did say that it was going to be a complicated process to clear out all the bad code without impacting any of the original code we want to keep, but honestly I’m kinda relieved that even she thinks it’s complicated cause it means I was 100% right to not try to take care of this myself. She’s going to get back to us with what we need to do to get the ball rolling on the fix and beyond that I think the plan is to keep the Foundling Reunion tour going.[radio static]
Episode Start:
Nick: The Patina has spent a fairly lazy morning around the shipping container that the Foundlings called home for so long. You all are waiting to hear from Winifred about exactly what your next steps need to be to get the Knight fixed and you get an answer. Emma, you get a voice message on your comm from Winifred giving you directions on where to go next.
Sydney (as Winifred): [sci fi voicemail] Hey Emma. Attached is Janus' address. The device that we're going to need to debug your problem is in the estate of Councilor Opal. There is a event coming up that Janus has access to tickets for. There's also something else I'll need her for at that event. If you can get her to acquiesce to doing another job with me, then we can get everyone in, you can have access to the higher political circles of the city and Janus can help me get physical access. We'll need to make some friends. I'll tell you more once we've gotten to the next step. Have fun. [end voicemail]
Cameron (as Emma): All right. I have Janus' address and instructions for us to go forth and talk to her about tickets to a big upcoming society event where fancy people will be so that we can talk to fancy political people.
Kit (as Birdie): Oh.
Cameron (as Emma): And Winifred also needs her for some other job.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Okay.
Kit (as Birdie): Okay.
Cameron (as Emma): We'll find out more later, she said. [laugh]
Sydney (as Cassidy): [is that sarcasm I detect?] Good.
Kit (as Birdie): Uh huh.
Penn (as Marathon): Sounds good to me.
Sydney (as Cassidy): So we get to go convince Janus to what? Take the job? To help us out?
Cameron (as Emma): I think to get us - apparently she can get us tickets to the event. And then also, I guess convince her to help Winifred with a job at said event. I don't know how easy that's going to be to do since I don't know any details of the job besides it's more physical.
Penn (as Marathon): We got an ace in the hole. We got Birdie.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah, get us sign on.
Kit (as Birdie): [concerned laugh]
Sydney (as Cassidy): Birdie you said Janus is the sneaky one?
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah. Janus is the one that taught me how to be sneaky.
Cameron (as Emma): So it's probably a sneaky thing, right?
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah.
Kit (as Birdie): Probably.
Sydney (as Cassidy): I don't - none of us are super sneaky, so that makes sense.
Penn (as Marathon): I can be pretty sneaky.
Cameron (as Emma): Can you Marathon?
Sydney (as Cassidy): Marathon you're so big! Not in a bad way, but
Penn (as Marathon): [grumpy I'm sneaky vibes]
Cameron (as Emma): You, you kind of stand out.
Penn (as Marathon): Have your doubts. Have your doubts.
Cameron (as Emma): You kind of stand out. I mean this in the best way possible, like it is a good thing, but like you do stand apart from a crowd and like, you're not going to go unnoticed.
Penn (as Marathon): You haven't seen me hunch yet.
Cameron (as Emma): O-kay?
Kit (as Birdie): [sad] I mean, I'm sneaky.
Penn (as Marathon): [laugh] Okay.
Cameron (as Emma): Yeah I think I'm gonna go with Birdie here.
Penn (as Marathon): [laughing] Have your doubts.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah. I do.
Kit (as Birdie): It's okay, Marathon.
Penn (as Marathon): It's okay. Yeah, thank you. Let's go. Let's go!
Sydney (as Cassidy): Well, let me let me get changed first. I bought some clothes after we met with Winifred yesterday and -
Cameron (as Emma): Oooh!
Penn (as Marathon): Totally.
Sydney (as Cassidy): - everyone else is all fancy now. So
Cameron (as Emma): Fashion show!
Kit (as Birdie): Ooh~.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Well. You get one outfit. We've got things to do.
Cameron (as Emma): Okay, then make it count. [laughing] Do the walk.
Penn (as Marathon): Yeah, yeah. We'll be waitin'.
Sydney: Cassidy disappears into the back room and there's a couple of rustles of bags and clothes and she strolls out wearing short, light wash denim shorts. A looser linen top with black lace peeking out from underneath it as accents and strappy sandals instead of combat boots.
Kit (as Birdie): Wow~.
Penn (as Marathon): Miss Cassidy! Your legs.
Cameron (as Emma): Do a spin. Do a spin. Do a spin.
Sydney: Cassidy does a spin and the looser top does a little bit of the skirt twirl around her midsection.
Penn (as Marathon): Whoo.
Cameron: Emma does a golf clap.
Penn (as Marathon): That's a great look, Miss Cassidy.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah, I'm embracing the summer style before it starts getting too cold. And we're not fighting.
Kit (as Birdie): Marathon, you look like really red. Are you okay?
Penn (as Marathon): No I- Yeah. [flustered laughter]
Cameron (as Emma): She's just warm from how hot Cassidy looks.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah.
Kit (as Birdie): Uh huh.
Penn (as Marathon): You know what it's true.
Sydney: Cassidy tugs down the shoulder of her top and goes
Sydney (as Cassidy): You mean you haven't seen me not wearing a sports bra?
Penn (as Marathon): Okay Cassidy. Um.
[Birdie & Emma dying in background]
Sydney (as Cassidy): All right, we got places to be! Let’s go!
Cameron (as Emma): [laughing]
Kit (as Birdie): [giggling]
Penn: Marathon freezes for a second while the rest of the Patina begins to leave.
Nick: So the Patina leaves and heads back yet again to Merchants Alley. The address provided by Winifred takes you to a little bit quieter section of this commercial district, where the foot traffic is a little more sedate, a little less crowded. You see some of the ever present foods stands, kids running happily with small toys, and some of the more obviously rich citizens of Sasnak Traveling taking a late morning stroll before you come to the address provided by Winifred. The building that you find yourselves in front of has a green wooden facade, large bay windows showing books on display and Birdie, you can tell that the bookstore is expanded since your last time here. The shop next door appears to have been bought and become a part of the bookstore as well. It is much bigger and shares a paint job. The sign above the door declares the name of this store to be Reed's Books and as you open the door, there's a cheerful chime of a bell above the entryway. And what does the inside of this bookstore look like?
Cameron: So the door that you enter into is the same door you remember coming in here multiple times with Janus. Immediately in front of you there is the old wooden counter with the cash register with a very bored looking goth teen who gives you slight flashbacks to a teenage Janus standing there. And what was the original store looks pretty much the same as you remember it, but when you look to the side towards where they've obviously purchased the shop next door as well, you can see additional bookshelves, as well as looks like a large room has been added in the back that has a big poster on the wall that is announcing a lady's book club. And in big letters it saying their current book 'from the best selling author of the Crown of Ice and Poison series, A Symphony of Gold and Fire' as their current book. And there appears to also be a small cafe towards the front of that section of the store that has several tables around it, including a lower one, like in a kid's section with toys and stuff around it and kids books, where there are two children sitting.
Kit (as Birdie): You know, I kind of always expected Janus to end up with the Reed Books kid. This makes sense.
Penn (as Marathon): It's really called Reed's Books?
Kit (as Birdie): No yeah, Harvey Reed is the guy that owns the place and she was always - I don't know, she was always hanging around his nephew and stuff. So I figured they now they run this place now I guess.
Sydney: Cassidy is looking at the book on the intro table as they come in just scanning titles.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Are you sure they're not like, I don't know, in the upstairs apartment just coincidentally?
Kit (as Birdie): Well, the address said here, so I'm assuming that they live here?
Cameron (as Emma): Or work here.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Or hang out here.
Kit (as Birdie): Mmm.
Cameron (as Emma): Obviously she's here often enough for Winifred to give us the -
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah.
Cameron (as Emma): - the location, so
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah.
Penn (as Marathon): I guess this is where we're meeting. Yeah.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah. I think it would be a little silly for Winifred to just give us like a casual place of Janus'. I think - it's my theory, I remember when Janus was in the dating talking stage,
Sydney (as Cassidy): Ah~.
Kit (as Birdie): - with the Reed kid. And yeah, yeah, no, I think I think she [laughs] lives here.
Penn (as Marathon): Should we talk to this disinterested goth teen behind the counter?
Sydney (as Cassidy): Seems reasonable.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah.
Cameron (as Emma): Do you want one of us to?
Kit (as Birdie): Um, no, it's okay. [uncomfortable laugh]
Kit: Birdie will scratch at the back of her neck and walk up to the counter.
Kit (as Birdie): Uh, hi! Is Janus around?
Nick: She looks up from what you can see is a book tucked under the counter and rubs at her nails and clicks her tongue and rolls her eyes and says
Nick (as goth teen): Uh Janus is busy right now doing her lady's book club thing.
Kit (as Birdie): How much longer is that?
Nick: She pointedly looks at a clock hanging on the wall behind you and then on a sandwich board towards the back that says lady's Book Club today: 10 to 11, and the clock says that it's 11:05 and then she pointedly looks back down at the book that is still tucked under the counter, dismissing you.
Kit (as Birdie): Can you go get her?
Nick (as goth teen): Oh, sorry. I can't leave the register. It's policy.
Kit (as Birdie): Oh okay, well, where can I find her?
Kit: Birdie's getting a little annoyed so she's mocking this teenager. She sees a younger version of Janus exactly.
Nick (as goth teen): Well, she's probably in the book club room, but we ask that non-members refrain from interrupting. They're probably wrapping up. Why don't you wait in the cafe? They should be done in just a minute.
Kit (as Birdie): Great. Thank you.
Penn (as Marathon): Thank you, ma'am.
Kit (as Birdie): Really appreciate it.
Nick (as goth teen): You're welcome.
Nick: And she does the most half hearted customer service smile you've seen in a long time.
Penn: Marathon gives two thumbs up to this person behind the counter.
Kit (as Birdie): Okay, let's go to the stupid cafe.
Nick: She gives two sarcastic thumbs up and does the like tight smile squinting eyes face of 'Yeah, it's great to be here' at Marathon and then rolls her eyes and goes back to reading her book.
Penn (as Marathon): Snotty kids are so funny.
Cameron (as Emma): She obviously loves working here. Like legitimately - I'm not being sarcastic like [laugh]
Kit (as Birdie): You think so?
Cameron (as Emma): Oh, yeah.
Sydney: Cassidy rejoins the group as they're walking away from the register, not having been close enough to participate cause she probably would have gotten mad - madder than Birdie.
Nick: Oh, Cassidy on the intro table there was a well made hardcover book that talks about adventures in cartography and appears to be a well published but still pulpy style novel of a heroine who goes around mapping the continent and getting out of scrapes and finding wild tech artifacts that are brought back to cities where they can be protected. Are you able to resist grabbing that book?
Sydney: Cassidy walks back to join the group holding a book from the intro table.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Well, let's go sit in the cafe and we'll wait for Janus.
Kit (as Birdie): [grumpy noise]
Sydney (as Cassidy): I'm gonna claim a spot at that table there.
Cameron (as Emma): Okay.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah okay. I'm gonna walk around.
Kit: Birdie's kind of fidgety again, but she's visibly less nervous than when she was about to see Winifred again for the first time. She's more just impatient.
Nick: Birdie, as you are fidgeting and walking around and the Patina is getting settled, you take a closer look at the two young children that are in the cafe coloring and you are struck by the fact that they are twins, they are both blond, and the one facing you looks exactly like a baby Juno.
Kit: Birdie pauses in her tracks, and will stealthily make her way over so that she can catch a glimpse of the other twin that she didn't just get a good look at so that she can confirm in her brain that she's not seeing things and Janus has kids. [laugh]
Nick: As you nonchalantly walk around so you can get a look at her face, you see that the other twin looks like baby Janus, complete with the same round glasses you remember Janus wearing. And you catch a glimpse of what they are drawing. And they're at that really cute stage where kids are just learning to write their names and you can see the boy has written 'Zan Cannon' on this piece of paper and is busy scribbling over it like it's an explosion very enthusiastically. There are several broken crayons on the table next to him. And the girl has written the name 'Lark Perdita', but immediately after 'Lark' realized she was going to run out of space and 'Perdita' is curling up the side of the page in dark purple crayon.
Kit: Birdie surprises herself and lets out a loud singular laugh upon seeing the name 'Zan Cannon', and Birdie will approach the table and squat down on her haunches so that she can be at the level of the table and glance over one of their books and say,
Kit (as Birdie): You've got really nice handwriting. Can I color with you?
Nick: Zan Cannon squints suspiciously at you.
Nick (as Zan Cannon): Haven't you ever heard of stranger danger?
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah, but I'm pretty good friends with your mom. Which, you know, you shouldn't trust me even more for saying that, but I'm kind of your aunt, so it's okay. God, this is not going well. Hi, Zan. My name is Birdie. [laugh]
Nick (as Zan Cannon): Oh, you're Birdie?
Kit (as Birdie): Yup.
Nick (as Zan Cannon): You're dead.
Kit (as Birdie): [ghost noises] Yeah, I'm a ghost. It's okay.
Nick: His eyes widen real big and he sinks down in his chair a little bit.
Sydney: Cassidy lets out a snort from a couple of tables over but she's just looking at the book that she's now 10 pages into, so maybe she's only laughing at the book.
Kit (as Lark Perdita): Zan, there's no way that this is Birdie. She's dead, remember?
Nick (as Zan Cannon): She's yeah, ghosts aren't real. Ghosts ghosts aren't real. You're - you're not real.
Kit (as Birdie): Mhmm. Well, I am and I'm not a ghost. So unfortunately, I kind of have you in a little, little crossroads here.
Nick (as Zan Cannon): If I share the red crayon, will you not be scary?
Kit (as Birdie): Do you think I'm scary? I'm not scary.
Nick (as Zan Cannon): You're, you're a ghost.
Kit: Lark will roll her big, big green eyes and offer her blue crayon out to Birdie and say,
Kit (as Lark Perdita): What's your real name?
Kit (as Birdie): It's Birdie. But you have one of them.
Nick (as Zan Cannon): It's probably Butt. [little cackle]
Kit (as Lark Perdita): [kid giggle]
Kit: Birdie will laugh at this interaction and will check towards the door to see if anyone's coming out yet from the book club while starting to doodle little flowers on Lark's page.
Nick: And it's around this point that it appears that the book club is coming to an end. You see a stream of very high society looking ladies dressed to the nines, fancy hats and all, walking out in groups of two and three, discussing apparently the book of the month.
Nick (as book club member): Truly, the Symphony was both Golden and Fiery.
Penn (as book club member): I really enjoyed how it prompted me to consider my place in society and such.
Kit (as book club member): I enjoyed the imagery of the uh, of all the intimate scenes.
Nick (as book club member): I'm not convinced that anyone could be biologically that large.
Nick (as other book club member): No, no, no. That symbolizes man's inhumanity to man.
Penn (as book club member): Your minds are all viscerally filthy.
Cameron (as book club member): You're reading the same book.
Nick (as other book club member): Up yours Tabitha.
Cameron (as book club member): Oh if only dear.
Sydney (as book club member): Ronald, if you don't believe that they come that big, we can go grab a drink.
Penn (as book club member): Oh my!
Nick (as other book club member): Oh my!
Sydney (as yet other book club member): Oh my!
Nick: The whole gaggle on the declaration of oh my leaves the bookstore in a wave of sequins and feathers and linen. And it looks like the book club room is now deserted and you haven't yet seen Janus.
Kit: Birdie will crane her neck and then glance at the rest of the members of the Patina before setting Lark's blue crayon down again and saying
Kit (as Birdie): I'm gonna go ask your mom something but I might come back in color with you guys because you guys are really good drawers, okay?
Penn: Marathon, who is sitting on the side of the table adjacent to Cassidy and has just been people watching and taking some breaths, sees Birdie beginning to exit from the kids radius.
Penn (as Marathon): You want us to come with you? Or is this solo 'I'm not dead, hi' kind of situation?
Kit (as Birdie): Um, you guys can come if you want, but I mean, it's a pretty cozy little cafe. You can hang out for a bit.
Penn (as Marathon): Do you want us there? Would that be more comfortable or more awkward?
Kit (as Birdie): I don't think it'll take as long as it did with Winifred, because Janus kinda - it's hard to surprise Janus with anything, I think, so
Sydney (as Cassidy): Do you want us there or do you want us to stay here?
Cameron: And I think Janus is coming out of the room right now.
Kit (as Birdie): [so high] Oh! Janus!
Penn: Marathon straightens up in her seat.
Sydney: Cassidy looks up from her book.
Nick: Janus has walked out of the doorway - looks like she was tidying up behind the group. And what does she look like?
Cameron: You see someone who initially reads as about Cassidy's height, until she leans against the doorframe of the book club room and you notice the incredibly tall heeled ankle boots that she's currently unzipping and stepping out of. And then now that she's back on ground level, you can see that she's actually even shorter than Birdie, maybe just slightly over five feet tall. Their skin is fairly pale as if she spends a lot of her time indoors, and she has her blond hair swept back in a perfected messy bun on the back of her head. Perched on her face is a pair of large gold, round glasses and she has a pair of medium gold hoops along with a few other stud earrings climbing her ears. She's wearing a dark purple a-line skirt with a lace overlay of the same color that hits just above her knees and a black turtleneck blouse that has long drapey shear puff sleeves that cuff at her wrists. And due to everyone's recent interest in nails, everyone also notices that she has medium almond, matte black nails and Marathon, they are nowhere near as long as your teammates and they still read as normal nails that a human could grow rather than scary. But she finishes stepping out of both boots and sets them to the side and looks up and meets Birdie's gaze and just starts beaming, and run-skips over to her and throws her arms around her.
Cameron (as Janus): [excited sing-song] You're here! You're here! You're here! You're here! You're here!
Kit: Birdie is a little caught in the momentum of Janus hugging her whilst a little bit in motion so they spin around a little bit while hugging.
Kit (as Birdie): I'm here! I'm here! I'm here! Sorry it took me so long. [small laugh]
Cameron (as Janus): [emotional sigh] No, no, no problem at all. [sniff and deep breath] Vaus said, Vaus said that, [hitching breath] that you were okay. So.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah.
Cameron (as Janus): I've
Kit (as Birdie): I'm glad -
Cameron (as Janus): [voice a bit wobbly] I was hoping - I was hoping you would come to visit.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah. Um. I was - I'm glad that Vaus told you. Didn't tell Winifred, but told you at least so um
Cameron (as Janus): [slightly snippy] Well, maybe Winifred should make more of an effort and she can learn information like this.
Kit: Birdie goes a little wide eyed but shakes her head.
Kit (as Birdie): It's okay. I was in Eagle Hill when I sent that correspondence, so it took me a little bit. And I made some friends that helped me get here. So
Cameron (as Janus): Hi Birdie's friends.
Kit (as Birdie): Yes these -
Cameron (as Janus): I'm assuming. [laugh]
Kit (as Birdie): These are my friends. These three are mine.
Kit: And she'll gesture to Emma, Marathon, and Cassidy.
Penn: Marathon is still sitting very straight at this table and gives a sheepish wave.
Penn (as Marathon): Hello, ma'am. We've been doing - we've been taking care of Birdie, ma'am.
Cameron (as Janus): Well, thank you. What - [laugh] What is your name?
Penn (as Marathon): My name is Marathon, ma'am.
Sydney: Cassidy is holding back a smile at this excessive politeness.
Kit (as Birdie): [giggle]
Cameron: Emma gives a small wave.
Cameron (as Emma): Hello Janus. My name is Emma.
Cameron (as Janus): Hello Emma.
Sydney: Cassidy has one hand stuck in the book to mark her place and waves with the other one.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Hey, I'm Cassidy.
Cameron (as Janus): Hello, Cassidy. Found a book did you?
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah, it was on the eye grabber shelf and it grabbed my eyes.
Cameron (as Janus): Successful then.
Kit (as Birdie): [laugh]
Cameron: Janus gestures the three other non-Birdie Patina members.
Cameron (as Janus): So these are yours. Um. Those are mine.
Cameron: And she gestures towards where the kids are sitting.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah. They - they're like your your clones.
Cameron (as Janus): Yep. [small laugh]
Kit (as Birdie): It was a little crazy to see. Um. Also,
Kit: Birdie's getting a little bit misty eyed, but is trying to keep it together.
Kit (as Birdie): [sounds moist] You didn't have to name one of them after me. Because you know, I'm not really dead, but
Cameron (as Janus): I - I didn't know at the time. [voice going high at the end]
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah.
Cameron (as Janus): And I I - [centering exhale] I had two of them. So
Kit (as Birdie): [overlapping] Zan Cannon?
Cameron (as Janus): [overlapping] It it was perfect. [end overlap] [start new overlap] That's what they always wanted their name to be.
Kit (as Birdie): [overlap] That's what Zan would have wanted. [laugh that might very well be a sob][end overlap] [sniff] That is what Zan would have wanted.
Cameron (as Janus): I I I dropped the Riff bit because it just kind of felt funny?
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah.
Cameron (as Janus): Felt like too many names, but I thought the Zan - the Cannon part was really what was important.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah, yeah, no, it's it's that's true. And uh, so you went with anything but Birdie.
Cameron (as Janus): Mhm. [shaky laugh]
Kit (as Birdie): I get it. It's great to reuse Perdita. I'm not using it.
Cameron (as Janus): [tears could occur at literally any moment] Yep I - [sigh] I don't I don't know. I think since we had more closure with Zan since we found them.
Kit (as Birdie): [tears also imminent] Yeah.
Cameron (as Janus): Um. So I could use their name, but using Birdie felt - I don't know. It didn't -
Kit (as Birdie): No. I like it.
Cameron (as Janus): [yeah she's crying] It didn't feel right. I wanted, I wanted to name her after you in as much spirit as I could.
Kit: Birdie will hug Janus again.
Kit (as Birdie): I - no, I I like it. I really do. Um, I was surprised that you remember. We pretty much just cut - would jump straight to Birdie when I was younger so yeah. Um. They're really sweet. And uh they know stranger danger rules. [laugh]
Cameron (as Janus): [soft laugh] Yeah, well. Zan does at least.
Kit (as Birdie): [laugh] Yeah Lark can hold her own though. She gave me a little trouble.
Cameron (as Janus): Yep, that's that's my daughter. [gentle laugh]
Kit (as Birdie): [giggle]
Cameron (as Janus): Unfortunate - it's um, it's unfortunate to see oneself so much in ones children.
Kit (as Birdie): I think it's very fortunate.
Cameron (as Janus): It's - it'll it'll serve her well in the future. Right now, -
Kit (as Birdie): Oh yes.
Cameron (as Janus): [laughing] - my five year old could deal with being a little bit self assured.
Kit (as Birdie): [laugh]
Cameron (as Janus): Just for my my peace of mind.
Kit (as Birdie): Oh, yeah. And uh, the counter one?
Kit: And she's gonna hook her thumb towards the goth kid at the cashier.
Cameron (as Janus): Mhm. Jenny? Yes.
Kit (as Birdie): Jenny?
Cameron (as Janus): Mhm.
Kit (as Birdie): You needed, you needed another waif to take in?
Cameron (as Janus): I mean,
Kit (as Birdie): No, it's - no, it's cool.
Cameron (as Janus): [laughing] I always wanted to work here. So if I, if I can find another younger, small troubled child that -
Kit (as Birdie): [surprised high laugh]
Cameron (as Janus): - I can I can I can steer in the right direction a little bit, that's -
Kit (as Birdie): It's nice. It's good. Because she definitely reminds me of you when you were that age.
Cameron (as Janus): You know, I think I'm insulted. [giggle]
Kit (as Birdie): [giggle] I got the worst of it. It's okay. It's okay. We got we got - your family gets the worst of it. You weren't like that to everyone.
Cameron (as Janus): Okay.
Kit (as Birdie): So you um - anyways, we have a thing to talk to you about?
Cameron (as Janus): Okay.
Kit (as Birdie): Kind of important.
Cameron (as Janus): Okay.
Kit (as Birdie): Uh.
Cameron (as Janus): Would y'all like some coffee or tea?
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah. Yes?
Kit: She's gonna turn to face the Patina.
Kit (as Birdie): Yes?
Sydney (as Cassidy): Sure.
Cameron (as Emma): Yeah, that'd be great.
Kit (as Birdie): Okay.
Penn (as Marathon): Of course, ma'am.
Kit (as Birdie): Discussion, discussion drinks. Yes.
Cameron (as Janus): Yeah. All right. Well uh, let me just check on the kids real quick and then, in the meantime, the menu is on the counter there, so see what you would like and I will come make it in a moment.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah. Um. Okay.
Kit: Birdie will go over to the menu and will mumble under her breath.
Kit (as Birdie): That went a lot better than it did with Winifred. That was so much better. [relieved laugh]
Cameron: Janus walks over and squats down at the kids table and begins talking with them quietly.
Kit (as Lark Perdita): Mom, I thought you said she was dead. I wanted a ghost aunt.
Nick (as Zan Cannon): Yeah, she said that she wasn't a ghost.
Cameron (as Janus): Well, that's because she's not a ghost. We thought she was dead because she got hurt very badly and we lost her for a little while.
Nick (as Zan Cannon): [dramatic child gasp]
Cameron (as Janus): I know. I know. It was very sad.
Nick (as Zan Cannon): Is she a zombie?
Cameron (as Janus): No she is not a zombie, Zan.
Kit (as Lark Perdita): Oh my gosh Zan.
Cameron (as Janus): She's very much alive.
Nick (as Zan Cannon): Are you sure?
Cameron (as Janus): I'm sure sweetie.
Kit (as Lark Perdita): I can't believe you still believe in zombies.
Cameron (as Janus): Do you want to show me your drawing?
Nick (as Zan Cannon): I drew my name. I'm the best.
Cameron (as Janus): Good job. I like the fire.
Nick (as Zan Cannon): It goes like this. [makes explosion noises]
Nick: And he crumbles up a crayon and throws it across the room.
Cameron (as Janus): Please remember no throwing in the bookstore.
Kit (as Lark Perdita): Oh my gosh Zan.
Cameron (as Janus): Okay?
Kit (as Lark Perdita): Yeah we don't throw in the bookstore.
Cameron (as Janus): Could you go pick that up for me, please?
Nick (as Zan Cannon): No, I lost it.
Cameron (as Janus): Zan. Please go pick up the crayon.
Nick (as Zan Cannon): Okay.
Cameron (as Janus): Thank you.
Nick: Zan gets up to go get the crayon and then gets distracted by some wrappers on the ground and just starts kind of wandering out of the cafe.
Cameron (as Janus): [long tired sigh]
Cameron: Janus watches Zan wander away from the crayon task and shakes her head at how much like Juno he is, [laugh] and looks over to where Jenny is at at the cash register and calls over.
Cameron (as Janus): Jenny. Could you do me a favor and call Nate down?
Nick (as goth teen): Yeah. I'll call him.
Cameron (as Janus): Thank you. And can [laughing] you make sure, or at least try to make sure Zan doesn't leave the store, please?
Nick (as goth teen): Okay, yeah. I'll -
Cameron (as Janus): Thank you.
Nick (as goth teen): Well, do you want me to go get Nate or do you want me to guard the front door?
Cameron (as Janus): Go go get Nate first, please.
Nick (as goth teen): Okay.
Cameron (as Janus): Thank you.
Nick: And you notice she does not roll her eyes it Janus. She appears to be trying to be as helpful as possible.
Cameron: Janus sighs and turns back to continue talking to Lark about her drawing and pan back over to the Patina where they're now huddled around Birdie at the counter.
Sydney (as Cassidy): So she knew you weren't dead. That's good.
Cameron (as Emma): Yeah, that that probably made this easier.
Kit (as Birdie): [sigh] Significant improvement. And she knew when Vaus found out. I'm sure that happened pretty quickly, so she's had time to process more than Winifred.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah more than appearing in her living room.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah, I know. I know. I know.
Cameron (as Emma): There really wasn't another -
Sydney (as Cassidy): No I think -
Cameron (as Emma): - way that you have done that Birdie. Like that.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah I think that was inevitable.
Cameron (as Emma): I think it was awkward, but in no way on you.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah.
Penn (as Marathon): You did good.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah, yeah.
Penn (as Marathon): For the circumstances.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah. And Janus makes like the best tea and stuff. She has like her own blends that she has, so everything's good on the menu.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Cool.
Cameron (as Emma): Did she name her kid after you?
Penn (as Marathon): Yeah, what what's what's that about?
Kit (as Birdie): Oh, yeah, um, so I guess like Lark is a more of a nod, but uh her middle names Perdita, which is my name.
Penn (as Marathon): [laugh] Your name's Birdie.
Kit (as Birdie): Yup~. [laugh]
Penn: And Marathon has got a goofy grin, and then it clicks on in her face.
Penn (as Marathon): Oh~. Oh.
Cameron (as Emma): How did how do how does Birdie end up being a nickname for Perdita?
Penn (as Marathon): Yeah, um,
Kit (as Birdie): Well when you're -
Cameron (as Emma): Was it Perdie and then Birdie?
Penn (as Marathon): Scratching my head on this one.
Kit (as Birdie): It was more like -
Sydney (as Cassidy): You can just change names too.
Kit (as Birdie): You can.
Penn (as Marathon): That's true.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah you can also just do that.
Cameron (as Emma): Mhm.
Penn (as Marathon): Huh. Done that.
Kit (as Birdie): But like when you come across a kid who is mumbling their name at you and Perdita does sound like you could just say like it sounded like Birdie, like 'Birdie duh.' Like like 'my name is Birdie duh'.
Cameron (as Emma): Oh~.
Penn (as Marathon): Ah.
Kit (as Birdie): Or does something like that. It was more like if you said it fast it kind of just turned into Birdie until it kind of caught on and also like I did explain to you guys at some point that like they used to call me bird names and stuff?
Cameron (as Emma): Uh huh.
Kit (as Birdie): Mhm because yeah. Anyways point being that yeah um, Perdita's the full one. Birdie's still good though.
Cameron (as Emma): That's really sweet.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Well congrats.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah, it's um - I mean, you know I'm actually really pleased that Lark is the one with my name because Zan - it was, that's a that's a, setting your your kid up to fill some big shoes of complete chaos and disarray. So I think that the mean one. I like that. I like that for me. I'm proud of that.
Penn (as Marathon): [chuckle] The mean one.
Kit (as Birdie): [laughing] She's kind of mean for like being five. What is she - five? I don't know.
Penn (as Marathon): That's just kids.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah, they just learn everything and then figure out what they actually want later.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah. Um. Yeah. [laugh]
Penn (as Marathon): But that's really cute that,
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah I know.
Penn (as Marathon): - and thank you for that tidbit. I -
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah. Birdie lore.
Kit (as Birdie): Birdie lore~.
Penn (as Marathon): Birdie lore~.
Cameron (as Emma): We're learning so much good Birdie lore.
Kit (as Birdie): Oh, gosh. I know. It's good for everyone but me. Anyways, I'm
Cameron (as Emma): It's helping us understand you better Birdie.
Penn (as Marathon): You're listening to Birdie lore.
Cameron (as Emma): [laugh]
Kit (as Birdie): Oh...
Sydney (as Cassidy): Next we're gonna go talk to Juno and he's gonna tell us like some crazy thing that you did growing up.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah.
Penn (as Marathon): Mhm.
Cameron (as Emma): I mean I bet Janus can tell us that too.
Sydney (as Cassidy): That's true.
Penn (as Marathon): I'm just excited to collect stories.
Sydney (as Cassidy): We'll have to, we'll have to get the story. Yeah.
Kit (as Birdie): People remember different things about me when I was a kid, I guess.
Penn (as Marathon): It's so fun getting to meet your family.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah. [almost sounds like she's glad it's happening] Mhm. [almost] I'm really happy to be around them again, but I'm kind of glad that we're doing it one by one. It makes it a lot easier on me.
Cameron (as Emma): It does seem -
Sydney (as Cassidy): You could have everyone hug you all at once and then squeeze you until you pop.
Kit (as Birdie): Uh huh. Yup.
Cameron (as Emma): It does seem like the energy would be a lot, [laugh],
Kit (as Birdie): Mhm.
Cameron (as Emma): - if they were all together.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah.
Cameron (as Emma): And we haven't met Juno yet either, so I don't know what energy they're bringing.
Kit (as Birdie): Oh, a lot.
Cameron (as Emma): But I'm assuming like wild scientist. So
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah, pretty much.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah. What was it like living with all of these people in that small place?
Kit: Birdie's face falls and she sort of gets a 1000 yard stare.
Kit (as Birdie): Uh~, loud? And a little crowded for everyone's taste, but never a dull moment. Never a dull moment. And Zan snored so bad.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Oh...
Kit (as Birdie): Oh my god, they snored so bad. We kind of used to make fun of them because of the whole X bike thing because they sounded like an X bike when they snored.
Penn (as Marathon): [laugh]
Sydney: Cassidy taps on the menu that's on the counter.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Well, I know what I want.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah.
Penn (as Marathon): Oh we're ordering ordering.
Kit (as Birdie): I'm getting the peppermint rui, rui, rui-boo. That's the - rowi, rowi, row- rubis?
Sydney (as Cassidy): I think that's rooibos? Yeah.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah, there we go.
Penn (as Marathon): There's too many options. Oh my god.
Kit (as Birdie): What do you -
Penn (as Marathon): Is she coming?
Sydney (as Cassidy): You could always ask for help.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah.
Penn (as Marathon): Yeah.
Cameron: When you ask 'is she coming' and turn around to look Marathon, you see Janus has stood up from where Lark was sitting and has walked over and is standing next to a fairly tall man who's pretty tan and has black hair and dark blue eyes and five o'clock shadow and kind of looks like he came off the cover of a romance novel. And she's talking to him and pointing towards the Patina and then pointing at the twins who are now on completely different sides of the room.
Penn (as Marathon): That's a guy.
Kit (as Birdie): [incredulous] That's the nephew?
Penn (as Marathon): That's Reed?
Kit (as Birdie): [shock] Oh my god. [laugh]
Penn (as Marathon): Nephew Reed? Nate Reed?
Kit (as Birdie): I just always called him Reed.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Janus is doing pretty well for herself.
Cameron: Then I think we see the guy kiss Janus on the top of the head and he walks to go follow Zan and she starts heading towards the counter.
Kit (as Birdie): [whispering] He was like scrawny when I left.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Well it has been a bit.
Penn (as Marathon): Maybe he beefed up to try and impress Janus?
Sydney (as Cassidy): Beefed up to carry the kids?
Penn (as Marathon): Bee- [overlapping] yeah there we go.
Kit (as Birdie): [overlapping] [quietly] Maybe.
Cameron (as Janus): All right, do y'all know what you want?
Penn (as Marathon): Oh! Oh -
Penn: Marathon is suddenly paralyzed.
Kit (as Birdie): Um, I'm gonna get the peppermint rooi-
Cameron (as Janus): Got it. Yep. Okay.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah. Thank you.
Cameron: Janus goes - behind the counter is a large wall of canisters and she starts picking up canisters and using little scoops to scoop out loose leaf tea.
Kit (as Birdie): Oh, and can I have honey with it, please?
Cameron (as Janus): Of course.
Sydney (as Cassidy): I'll take a chai.
Kit (as Birdie): Ohh~. [that sounds good too]
Cameron (as Emma): Same for me, please.
Cameron (as Janus): All right two Chai.
Penn (as Marathon): I'll have the - I'll have the tea ma'am.
Cameron (as Janus): [confused] The same one as Birdie?
Sydney (as Cassidy): Marathon -
Penn (as Marathon): Yes.
Sydney (as Cassidy): - would like an expert opinion.
Cameron (as Janus): There's a lot of tea.
Kit (as Birdie): [giggle]
Penn (as Marathon): Um.
Cameron (as Janus): Would you like me to just pick one for you?
Penn (as Marathon): That would be very convenient. Thank you.
Cameron (as Janus): Okay.
Penn: As Janus takes the order Marathon sinks into her seat a little bit.
Cameron (as Janus): Y'all had something to talk about? Besides just being back.
Kit (as Birdie): Oh, yeah. Um, Cassidy, do you want to explain?
Sydney (as Cassidy): Um -
Kit (as Birdie): I sound like Marathon when I said that.
Sydney (as Cassidy): [laugh]
Kit (as Birdie): [mimicking Marathon] Miss Cassidy. Anyways.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Sure. Um.
Kit (as Birdie): [giggle]
Sydney (as Cassidy): I don't need to know all the technical details, but uh Winifred has a job and she thinks that we can't do it without you.
Cameron (as Janus): I see.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Um there's a some kind of formal function coming up with -
Cameron (as Janus): The Masquerade?
Sydney (as Cassidy): I suppose. Councillor Opal?
Kit (as Birdie): [gasp full of childlike wonder] The Masquerade one?
Cameron (as Janus): [to Cassidy] Yes she'll be there. [to Birdie] Yeah, the masquerade ball is the next big function coming up.
Kit (as Birdie): [whisper excited] You have tickets to the masquerade ball?
Cameron (as Janus): Yeah.
Kit (as Birdie): That's crazy.
Cameron (as Janus): Why do you think I host a high society ladies book club, Birdie?
Kit (as Birdie): Oh, you're so smart.
Cameron (as Janus): It's so that I can get tickets to things. The actual fun book club for our regulars is later and it's not called 'the ladies book club'. It's just called 'the book club'.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah, I can't blame you for that one. That's really smart. Anyways, sorry, continue.
Sydney (as Cassidy): So we're still - I'm not sure if Winifred's not telling us or if she's doesn't have anything to tell yet.
Cameron (as Janus): Okay.
Sydney (as Cassidy): But I guess it's important that us we need to go to that party. And then I guess maybe at the same time, Winifred has something that she needs you to do?
Cameron (as Janus): Of course she does. Okay. Are there any more details [laugh], than that?
Sydney (as Cassidy): Um. I kind of figured she'll have more once you say yes.
Cameron (as Emma): She said it was something physical, more physical for you to do.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Emma, what is the what did the thing say?
Cameron (as Emma): That that's what it said. It said, a more physical job.
Kit (as Birdie): She's totally going to have you steal shit.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Okay, so physical. Yeah.
Cameron (as Janus): Yup. Okay. So y'all get to go to a party. And I get to go steal stuff for Winifred.
Kit (as Birdie): Well, you didn't have to be in the party to steal stuff, I thought.
Cameron (as Janus): I mean, it depends on what she wants. It's probably not something where I get to dress up fun. Never is. [laugh]
Penn (as Marathon): We appreciate your help no matter what it is, ma'am.
Cameron (as Janus): [sigh]
Sydney (as Cassidy): Do you normally - are you running jobs with Winifred often or is this unusual?
Cameron (as Janus): Um not, not - Not recently. This...
Sydney (as Cassidy): It sounded like you maybe weren't in as regular contact.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah. What happened?
Cameron (as Janus): Well, the - the hm.
Cameron: Janus sets down a tea cup with a metal tea strainer in it in front of Birdie.
Kit (as Birdie): Thank you.
Cameron: And starts pouring hot chai into two mugs and then sets them before Emma and Cassidy.
Cameron (as Janus): The-the easy answer would be to just say that we grew up. That, it's highly over simplified answer too.
Kit (as Birdie): [sympathetic] Yeah.
Cameron: And it seems like to give herself a moment, Janus turns and starts searching the wall of canisters to pick a tea for Marathon.
Cameron (as Janus): [sigh] The better answer, -
Cameron: She says she's pulling down a jar.
Cameron (as Janus): - probably that everyone deals with losing people differently. And for some people, that means letting go of everyone else so that they don't have a chance to feel that pain again and for some other people it means holding on tighter. And Winifred is one of the former.
Sydney: Cassidy throws a glance towards the kids named after departed family members.
Kit: Birdie has deflated upon hearing Janus' explanation and nods.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah, that tracks with Winifred and everything. Um.
Cameron (as Janus): I'm incredibly glad that she's had Maria for this, because I don't - I don't know what would have happened to her if she didn't have Maria there to kind of force her to hold it together. [fond laugh] Maria basically refused to let Winifred cut her out of her life, so... and I've been - I've been trying, but it is - she's a hard lady to get a hold of sometimes. Um. So I think I talk to Maria and Larry more frequently than I talk to Winifred. Did you meet Larry?
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah. Yeah, he's he's great.
Cameron (as Janus): And Nurse Bliss again? Did you see the baby?
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah, I did. Very chubby.
Cameron (as Janus): Isn't she adorable? She's so chunky.
Kit (as Birdie): She's she's a little menace.
Sydney (as Cassidy): She's got -
Cameron (as Janus): She's gonna be.
Sydney (as Cassidy): - a pretty good grabber.
Kit (as Birdie): Yep.
Penn (as Marathon): Yeah, very, very good at grabbing hair, ma'am.
Cameron (as Janus): Well, you've got a lot of it and it's down and that's dangerous around children. So,
Kit (as Birdie): [laughing]
Penn: Marathon gives a flat blinking face off towards no one in specific.
Cameron: Janus sets down a teacup in front of Marathon that has another strainer in it.
Cameron (as Janus): Give that a minute or two.
Penn (as Marathon): Thank you, ma'am.
Cameron (as Janus): Birdie yours is probably ready.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Do you want us to drag a chair over and we can sit down? I don't know if you're working still.
Cameron (as Janus): I mean, y'all - y'all are who's here. So and Nate and Jenny can take care of anybody else who comes in.
Nick: As Janus mentions Nate and Jenny, you hear the bell above the front door ring. And the five year old Zan is halfway out the door with Jenny grabbing the back of his shirt to keep him from escaping and you hear from a distance,
Nick (as Zan Cannon): Aw man~.
Kit (as Birdie): [laugh] Yeah.
Cameron (as Janus): Yep give me one sec. I'm gonna make myself a drink too. [laugh]
Kit (as Birdie): That's, that's that's good idea.
Cameron: Janus starts pouring herself a cup of very black coffee.
Kit (as Birdie): Um. Yeah we um. We came here to, well simultaneously to ask for help from Winifred with software stuff, but also it was to see you guys and I'm glad that you can be involved. You know, kinda like it used to be. [wistful]
Cameron (as Janus): You know, the jobs I'm taking nowadays are not quite as fun without all of my buddies there with me.
Cameron: And Janus gestures towards towards one of the larger tables in the cafe area and walks around the counter to join the Patina.
Cameron (as Janus): [on a sigh] So. You need Winifred for software, Winifred needs you to go to a masquerade ball to I'm assuming to talk to important people - Opal? You said Councilor Opal.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah, Opal has access to some specific piece of hardware that -
Cameron (as Janus): A new toy for Winifred?
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah.
Cameron (as Janus): Yeah. Okay. All right. [sigh] I mean, I can I can get you all the tickets. That's no problem.
Sydney (as Cassidy): How long until the ball?
Cameron (as Janus): Uh it's two weeks from tomorrow? What day is it? Yes, tomorrow. Two weeks from tomorrow. So that's just barely enough time to get outfits, which is obviously the most important step.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Of course.
Penn (as Marathon): Tailors.
Kit (as Birdie): [laugh]
Cameron (as Janus): And to figure out exactly what Winifred needs me to do~.
Kit (as Birdie): I think that we should get the two of you in one place with us so that we can all talk.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Probably.
Kit (as Birdie): I mean, at this point, we might as well get Juno in on it. [small laugh]
Penn (as Marathon): Do you know where we can find him, ma'am?
Cameron (as Janus): [trying not to laugh] Yeah. Mhm.
Kit (as Birdie): Oh gosh.
Cameron (as Janus): [laughing]
Sydney (as Cassidy): Do we - okay do you think we need Juno involved? Because if that's going to be a mess and not a gain to anything -
Kit (as Birdie): [laughing]
Cameron (as Janus): I don't think - hmm. I don't think that you need Juno involved for attending a masquerade ball.
Kit (as Birdie): [laugh]
Cameron (as Janus): I think that would introduce some level of chaos - [laughing]
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah, but I still should -
Cameron (as Janus): - that maybe is not ideal.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah, go go say hi.
Kit (as Birdie): I still should go say hi.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Then walk away.
Cameron (as Janus): You should definitely go say hi. I can tell you where to find them. Y'all are all also welcome to come over for family dinner and Juno normally shows up to those.
Kit (as Birdie): Aw. That's good.
Cameron (as Janus): Vaus does too.
Kit (as Birdie): That's good.
Cameron (as Janus): So where are y'all staying, while you're here?
Penn (as Marathon): With Vaus, ma'am.
Kit (as Birdie): The old place.
Cameron (as Janus): Oh okay. In the container?
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah.
Cameron (as Janus): That's good. I'm glad - I'm glad that's getting some use.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah. Yeah, it's been it's been nice to be there again. Forget how loud it is.
Cameron (as Janus): Mhm. Have you seen Nona yet?
Kit (as Birdie): Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Vaus went and got her for me.
Cameron (as Janus): [stirring stuff up buddies] I love Vaus.
Kit (as Birdie): So that Nona could nearly beat me with a rolling pin and then crush my ribcage and my spine.
Sydney (as Cassidy): It was it didn't look that bad. She gave us cookies.
Kit (as Birdie): She gave you cookies.
Cameron (as Emma): She crushed your spine with love though, Birdie.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah, she did.
Cameron (as Emma): And she was she was very, very happy to see you.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah, I know.
Cameron (as Emma): She had a lot of emotions.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah, she always got after Zan, but I'm sure everyone had a hard time. But it was it was good - it was good to see her again. She didn't look any different, which is kind of impressive at this point.
Cameron (as Janus): Yeah, I know.
Kit (as Birdie): I'm a little worried at this point.
Cameron (as Janus): It's kind of odd.
Kit (as Birdie): Mhm.
Cameron (as Janus): Uh I don't remember really ever not knowing Nona, and I don't remember her ever not being very very old.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah. Have you taken the kids to see her?
Cameron (as Janus): Oh, yeah.
Kit (as Birdie): Okay, that's good.
Cameron (as Janus): Mhm. She would, she would hurt me if I -
[both laughing]
Cameron (as Janus): I have self-preservation skills, Birdie. Yes.
Kit (as Birdie): Just making sure. I'm just making sure you're not robbing her of her grandchildren.
Cameron (as Janus): No. [sigh] I am not.
Kit (as Birdie): [giggle]
Sydney: Cassidy takes a very careful sip of her tea now that it's finally cooled down enough.
Cameron: Emma has been drinking the tea the whole time.
Sydney (as Cassidy): This is really good. Birdie said you made these tea blends yourself?
Cameron (as Janus): Mhm. It's one of my calming meditation therapy type, mind centering activities. It's it's relaxing. I like it.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Goes good with the books.
Sydney: And Cassidy gestures with the book that's in her hand that she has an open since Janus showed a back up.
Cameron (as Janus): Mhm. It does. And the really handy thing about it is that I always had the issue, Birdie can probably tell you, that I had so much tea.
Kit (as Birdie): Mhm.
Cameron (as Janus): So much. Because I was often stressed and needing to [laugh] make tea blends,
Kit (as Birdie): Really good tea blends!
Cameron (as Janus): - and it was faster than we could drink them. But so now we set up the cafe over here so it's a handy way to get rid of some of my stash. [laugh]
Kit (as Birdie): [laugh] I'm sure it only keeps growing because people probably bring you tea as gifts a lot.
Cameron (as Janus): Oh, yes.
Kit (as Birdie): Mhm.
Cameron (as Janus): Mhm.
Kit (as Birdie): [giggle]
Sydney (as Cassidy): Well I'm happy to partake.
Cameron (as Janus): [overlapping] Yeah lots of-
Penn (as Marathon): [overlapping] Yeah what's this blend you got me here, ma'am? Is that a little spice in here?
Cameron (as Janus): Yeah, it's a spiced black tea with bergamot and other deliciousness. It's a it's a solid one for someone who doesn't have an exact type of tea that they want to drink. It's normally a safe bet.
Penn (as Marathon): It's great. I appreciate all the seasons, ma'am.
Cameron (as Janus): Mhm...
Kit (as Birdie): [giggle]
Cameron: Janus looks slightly confused.
Cameron (as Janus): No problem.
Kit (as Birdie): Thank you for agreeing to help us, sort of? Hesitantly? Maybe?
Kit: Birdie's smiling a little hopefully at Janus.
Cameron (as Janus): I want to be clear - I am not hesitating at helping you, Birdie.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah.
Cameron (as Janus): I'm hesitating at doing whatever Winifred wants me to do.
Sydney (as Cassidy): And I suppose that's probably why Winifred told us to ask you instead of coming to you directly.
Cameron (as Janus): Very likely.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah.
Cameron (as Janus): Winifred knows me well, and knows that it is very unlikely that I would say no to Birdie based on past lived experiences.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah.
Cameron (as Janus): Because Birdie is my favorite. So
Kit (as Birdie): Aww. You're my favorite.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Birdie were you ever asking for irresponsible things?
Kit (as Birdie): What~? What? Never.
Cameron (as Janus): No, Birdie is a little angel.
Kit (as Birdie): I'm literally the most law-abiding citizen in Sasnak Traveling.
Cameron (as Janus): [laughing]
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah that doesn't line up with what you said you got up to with Janus.
Kit (as Birdie): What~? No, Janus is also an angel who's never done anything wrong.
Sydney: Cassidy is sipping her tea.
Penn (as Marathon): You can be an angel and a criminal.
Kit (as Birdie): What~?
Cameron (as Janus): Look, according to my record, I was only ever caught like twice. And one of those times Winifred was able to convince Amelia to let me go, so
Kit (as Birdie): [giggle] I remember that.
Cameron (as Janus): [sigh] So that one didn't - I don't think that actually ever got added. And the second time I that that was that was when I um actually got in trouble and Harvey stepped in and convinced them to let me work at the bookstore to pay off my time, per se.
Kit (as Birdie): [surprised giggle] Is that what happened?
Cameron (as Janus): Mhm.
Kit (as Birdie): Oh~.
Cameron (as Janus): That was just before you mm, left? Left.
Kit (as Birdie): Left.
Cameron (as Janus): Yeah. But yeah, that's that's - that is why I was spending so much time at the bookstore. [laugh]
Kit (as Birdie): Well, you got a good deal out of it.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah, you're reformed.
Cameron (as Janus): Mhm. Sure. [oh yeah totally reformed]
Penn (as Marathon): And that Nate fellow looks very handsome, ma'am.
Cameron (as Janus): Thank you.
Kit (as Birdie): [giggle]
Cameron (as Janus): I'm rather fond of him.
Kit (as Birdie): Aww.
Sydney (as Cassidy): How did you guys meet?
Cameron (as Janus): Well, so -
Sydney (as Cassidy): Just working at the bookstore? Because
Cameron (as Janus): Yes. He's Harvey's nephew and growing up, he was occasionally here, and we never really got on. [fond laugh] But then, when I was in my uh, community service time we'll say, Nate was also staying with Harvey. So seeing him every day and it was fairly antagonistic um,
Kit (as Birdie): [laugh]
Cameron (as Janus): - but then, then, then the accident happened and Nate kind of helped hold me together.
Kit (as Birdie): Mhm. That's good.
Cameron (as Janus): Mhm.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah.
Kit (as Birdie): That's good.
Cameron (as Janus): Yep. And then plus, he was really lanky and nerdy when we were growing up, but like,
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah! I was gonna say.
Cameron (as Janus): He had he had glowed up a little bit, um -
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah.
Cameron (as Janus): - by that point so like, antagonistic but like still definitely interested against my will. [laughing]
Sydney (as Cassidy): Oh we've we've read a lot of romance novels. We know.
Penn (as Marathon): Mhm.
Cameron (as Janus): Mm. Yup. That - you you probably wouldn't be surprised actually how often that comment gets made. [laugh]
Kit (as Birdie): [laugh] Well, if it makes you proud of us, we have become quite the romance novel connoisseurs on our trips.
Cameron (as Janus): [so fancy] Oh-ho-ho.
Kit (as Birdie): Mhm. Mhm.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Have you ever thought about doing a book club series on wet chests?
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah.
Penn (as Marathon): A study of the motif, if you would, ma'am.
Cameron (as Janus): On that specifically?
Sydney (as Cassidy): It just feels like every time we open a new book, we can never make it through without some scene where chests are wet in some way and it it's kind of a recurring motif and I'm not sure if it's the authors that we picked up or our collection originated from, or if that's like all romance novels ever keep doing it.
Cameron (as Janus): Hmm.
Cameron: Janus is looking across the store at one of the bookshelves and her eyes are panning as if she's looking through the shelves.
Cameron (as Janus): Okay, I, I could see - yeah, that could come up fairly often. And in my experience having the clothing get wet is often a very easy way to get characters out of clothes,
Kit (as Birdie): Mhm.
Cameron (as Janus): which tends to work well for romance novels.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Makes sense?
Cameron (as Janus): Think of the number of times people are caught in the rain, or a rogue wave comes and goes whoosh and suddenly, even though they were super far up the beach, they're magically all soaking wet.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Well and they're wearing, you know, a light linen top or whatever like this.
Cameron (as Janus): Mhm.
Kit (as Birdie): Oh yeah the sheer stuff.
Sydney (as Cassidy): And suddenly goes super see through.
Cameron (as Janus): Preferably in very light colors or white. Even better. Yeah, you know, we haven't done that specific of a themed book club, but - [voice goes real high]
Kit (as Birdie): Mhm.
Penn (as Marathon): A case study, ma'am.
Kit (as Birdie): An independent study.
Cameron (as Janus): It would still be called a book club.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Well, if we're going to get into this party as members of your ladies book club, maybe we do need to do a special series - introduce us to the group. Or maybe not, I don't know if it's better or worse.
Cameron (as Janus): You know, honestly couldn't tell you.
Kit (as Birdie): Maybe they shouldn't see our faces before the Masquerade. We'll be in masks, but that doesn't mean that they won't recognize voices.
Cameron (as Janus): Yeah. I would - I would - if you if you want to read the book that we're reading so that you can bring it up at the Masquerade -
Kit (as Birdie): Oh.
Penn (as Marathon): God. [please no assigned reading]
Cameron (as Janus): - as if you are a member of the book club y'all are welcome to.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah.
Cameron (as Janus): We have a lot of copies of it.
Kit (as Birdie): We have two weeks until the Masquerade, so we can definitely read it.
Penn (as Marathon): All together right?
Kit (as Birdie): Mhm. Yeah. All together.
Penn (as Marathon): So that - perfect. Cool.
Kit (as Birdie): Do you have a problem with reading another romance novel with us?
Penn (as Marathon): No, I, I just I'm a really slow reader is all.
Kit (as Birdie): No we're - we'll read it out loud to each other just like we do in the in the truck.
Penn (as Marathon): Cool. Perfect. Okay, yeah.
Cameron (as Janus): That is a fantastic driving activity.
Kit (as Birdie): Oh, yeah. It's real great. It makes the time go by very fast. We'll have to invite Vaus too - they like romance novels.
Cameron (as Janus): Oh, yeah. They may have a copy of this one already.
Kit (as Birdie): You know, that makes sense.
Cameron (as Janus): I think they took one home when they were here -
Kit (as Birdie): Oh.
Cameron (as Janus): - for dinner last week. I may have given them the book slightly before it was published.
Kit (as Birdie): [laugh]
Sydney (as Cassidy): Perks of being friends at the bookshop owner?
Cameron (as Janus): I have gone rather mad with power.
Kit (as Birdie): Oh, yes. I'm sure.
Cameron (as Janus): And I use it for great evil of reading books early.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Such temptation.
Cameron (as Janus): Mhm. Yep. [sigh] Okay, so we need four masquerade tickets.
Kit (as Birdie): Mhm.
Cameron (as Janus): Y'all will need outfits. I can recommend tailors, potentially call in some favors, if, depending on how full they're booked up, because those are - [small laugh] the masquerade garments are not necessarily things that are quickly put together unless they have one that someone started and then didn't finish. But in general, you're going to need most of the time we've got left.
Penn (as Marathon): Just do you have any tips as to what we should wear or where we should get it? Or is there like a theme to this party or anything, ma'am?
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah?
Cameron (as Janus): Yeah so the theme, I think officially is like woodland creatures or something, but it's basically animals. Outfits inspired by a any animal really. The theme normally is more for the decor and then for attire it's normally a much broader stroke because otherwise you end up with like 20 people all dressed as deer and then that's just tacky, so you have to
Sydney (as Cassidy): Oh deer, one might say.
Cameron (as Janus): Indeed. So
Penn (as Marathon): [huffed laugh] Classic.
Kit (as Birdie): [gosh my friends are embarrassing] God.
Sydney (as Cassidy): So yeah, more just be creative, I guess?
Cameron (as Janus): Mhm. Creative animal inspired.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah. Well, I'm glad you have tailors because that's yeah, not something we can casually stroll up and
Cameron (as Janus): [laugh] No, that's a specific skill set. Formal wear -
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah.
Cameron (as Janus): - from scratch.
Kit (as Birdie): Uh huh.
Cameron (as Janus): Mhm.
Sydney (as Cassidy): We've got formal wear - access to it, but not not that kind.
Penn (as Marathon): Two weeks. That's kind of crunch time, huh?
Cameron (as Janus): Mhm. Y'all are gonna be spending a lot of time in fittings, but we can find the place that can get you in. It can it'll work, y'all, y'all will be totally fine. [sigh] And then, and then we'll need to get with Winifred to figure out what exactly she needs my skill set for.
Penn (as Marathon): But what is - just so I'm clear - what is our goal again, going to this masquerade ball? Us specifically - us four.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Winifred's gonna tell us I guess.
Penn (as Marathon): Okay.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Making connections, making political ripples to free her up to do something else.
Cameron (as Emma): I think it it basically just said to meet with people. So I don't - we're politicking.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah, the equipment and stuff.
Penn (as Marathon): The equipment? Oh, cause -
Kit (as Birdie): For the Knight.
Penn (as Marathon): Janus and Winifred are lifting - to use a thief term - lifting the equipment, right?
Kit (as Birdie): [giggle]
Cameron (as Janus): Very nice. Smooth. Yes. Mhm.
Penn (as Marathon): Thank you, ma'am.
Cameron (as Janus): Excellent terminology.
Penn: Marathon gives a charmed head nod.
Cameron: Janus winks at Birdie.
Kit (as Birdie): [haunted] No, not again.
Cameron (as Janus): [laughing] What do you mean 'not again'?
Kit (as Birdie): Did - we just went to Winifred. Doesn't -
Cameron (as Janus): Oh! Oh no!
Kit (as Birdie): - Isn't that self explanatory?
Cameron (as Janus): Oh no. I am so sorry. [overlapping] No, I am not flirting with your friends.
Kit (as Birdie): [overlapping] [having a bit of a meltdown] No it's fine. I'm fine. No it's okay.
Cameron (as Janus): I am not flirting with your friends, Birdie.
Kit (as Birdie): [traumatized] It's okay.
Cameron (as Janus): I promise.
Kit (as Birdie): [emotional sigh]
Cameron (as Janus): I'm very happily married. I'm good.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Winifred wasn't that bad.
Penn (as Marathon): Yeah Winifred - it was, it was very moderate.
Sydney (as Cassidy): I mean she -
Kit (as Birdie): It was more the inside joke part of it. It was it was the part that you guys wouldn't - It's fine. I'm fine.
Kit: And Birdie will lean back and sip her tea.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Like Winifred, I I - I can see why she's so successful. She's kinda like lesbian catnip, but
Cameron (as Emma): [snort]
Kit (as Birdie): Don't -
Penn (as Marathon): Wow~
Kit (as Birdie): Please.
Penn (as Marathon): Cassidy~.
Cameron (as Janus): I don't -
Kit (as Birdie): Ever.
Cameron (as Janus): [laughing] I will tell her that description. That is fantastic.
Kit (as Birdie): [barf noises]
Cameron (as Janus): I'll say it.
Kit (as Birdie): Mmnm.
Cameron (as Janus): Cassidy, if you are interested in Winifred, you could say that. If you're not, I would recommend not saying that in her presence. [laughing]
Kit (as Birdie): [long suffering sigh]
Sydney (as Cassidy): Noted.
Cameron (as Janus): And I can assure you, I'm sure you have heard things from Birdie, but I will - let me backup anything she has said by if you thought that Winifred was not super flirty when you interacted, it was likely just that she had just found out that Birdie was alive and her brain was mostly focused on that rather than flirting all of the attractive women around her.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Oh so you think it would get worse?
Cameron (as Janus): It will get worse next time you see her. 100%.
Penn (as Marathon): Worse - now you say the word worse, ma'am, but in -
Cameron (as Janus): More intense.
Penn (as Marathon): - some case that might be better.
Cameron (as Janus): More obviously flirty, gonna happen. She also does tend to tone it down a bit around Maria and Larry. I think it's because of Larry. Larry makes weird comments and it's a little odd.
Kit (as Birdie): He means well. It's okay.
Cameron (as Janus): He tries to bond with her and it's -
Penn (as Marathon): Oh this Larry.
Cameron (as Janus): - it just kind of makes it awkward.
Kit (as Birdie): Oh.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah. No, Larry seems like he's a good guy, but
Cameron (as Janus): Oh, yeah, he's he's super sweet and he's great. But he and Winifred are incredibly different people. [laughing]
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah. I'm glad they both have Maria.
Cameron (as Janus): Yes. I think each of them are slightly confused how they are both with Maria.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Maybe Maria is the real attractive force.
Cameron (as Janus): I mean, she is. They'd both tell you that, but her - it's just two wildly different people that she has found herself happy with and I think it confuses them. [laugh] Winifred of course has never told me that. That involved in talking to me, but
Sydney (as Cassidy): Well I suppose this is your chance.
Cameron (as Janus): Mhm. Because she has to talk to me now. [laugh] She needs me to do something that is going to involve talking~.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Cassidy please tell Janus that I said that she needs to- [breaks off into laughter]
Cameron (as Janus): [mom voice] No. [laugh]
Kit (as Birdie): We'll - we're gonna have to get you guys in the same room anyways so it'll happen whether or not Winifred likes it or prefers it.
Cameron (as Janus): I don't I don't think it's so much that she doesn't like it. I think it's that memories are hard sometimes. I don't think it is at all personal to me and I try not to take offense.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Well and yeah. Running away is is an option. Even if it's just running away to the - away from the memories.
Cameron (as Janus): Yup because we are on Sasnak and you do have limited running room.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah.
Cameron (as Janus): But
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah, anyways.
Cameron (as Janus): I think that you being back will help Birdie, as awkward as that might be for you. [sad laugh] I think this is going to help.
Kit (as Birdie): It's a good mediator thing.
Cameron (as Janus): Mhm. And I know that's your favorite role to have. So,
Penn: Marathon sits down her now empty cup of tea back on the little tea plate with a soft clink.
Penn (as Marathon): Oh, well, thank you so much for hosting us, ma'am. We appreciate all the help that you're offering. Is there anything you recommend we do in the next two weeks besides get tailored?
Cameron (as Janus): Um. [sigh back into business mode] I mean, until I have more information from Winifred that's that's really what I got. So since we don't have any of that other information from Winifred yet and all of the tailors are probably about to be closing for lunch, um - Cassidy you've already found a book, but Marathon, Emma if y'all want to wander around, peruse our collection, check out any - if you need to restock on romance novels.
Kit (as Birdie): Ooh~.
Cameron (as Janus): If you see any that you would recommend for the new 'wet chest book club' that apparently I'm going to be starting, put them in a pile for me. [laugh] Because I'd like to catch up with Birdie a bit, if y'all don't have anywhere else that you need to be.
Penn (as Marathon): Course. Thank you, ma'am, for accommodating us so much.
Cameron (as Emma): I am more than happy to go look at books.
Cameron (as Janus): Alright, well, if you find anything and you need any help with anything, Nate's over there somewhere. You could ask Jenny. I don't know if she'll help you, but you could ask. Nate will help though, as long as one of the twins isn't on fire.
Sydney (as Cassidy): [surprised laugh] Does that happen often?
Cameron (as Janus): Um, the twins themselves being on fire, no. Zan doing something that caused destruction, yes.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Sounds like that's uh, comes along with the name.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah.
Cameron (as Janus): I kind of - I kind of did this to myself.
Kit (as Birdie): I was saying, yeah, he's got some pretty big shoes to fill.
Cameron (as Janus): Well, it doesn't help that it is, it is incredibly obvious that they're related to me and Juno, and I think combining that energy with the Zan energy was just - it was it was a lot.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Pure Foundling.
Kit (as Birdie): Yep.
Cameron (as Janus): Mhm. Mhm.
Sydney: Cassidy starts standing up to move to a smaller table to leave them some space.
Cameron: Emma stands up.
Cameron (as Emma): Thank you for the chai, Janus. That was excellent. I think I'm going to - where are the copies of the A Symphony of Gold and Fire at? I think I'm going to go - I at least need to read the back of it. [laugh] I heard the ladies say things that I'm curious and I need to know.
Cameron (as Janus): Um, so those are, if you go into the book club room just around the corner, there's a stack in there of extra ones for if people didn't bring their book with them, so you can grab one of those. It's probably the least hunting.
Cameron (as Emma): All right. Thank you very much.
Cameron: Emma walks towards the book club room.
Penn: Marathon scoops up the rest of the empty tea dishes.
Penn (as Marathon): I can just take these for us. Thanks again, ma'am.
Cameron (as Janus): Oh, you don't have to do that, Marathon. That's fine.
Penn (as Marathon): Nah I'm happy to. Thank you.
Cameron (as Janus): Oh, okay. Thank you.
Penn: As Marathon follows Emma back into the main cafe area, she finds a place to set down the dishes where it seems like they're usually used to being set down and then begins to walk over back to one of the tables near to where Cassidy is sitting and reading before a thudding comes down the stairs. And Marathon almost trips as Zan bolts right past her feet and headed straight for the door. As Nate comes careening behind this little mini Zan trying to keep him from escaping.
Cameron: Emma steps into the way of Zan and catches him before he makes it out as she has lots of young cousin experience.
Nick (as Zan Cannon): [yelling] Freedom! Freedom!
Cameron (as Emma): I don't think so kiddo.
Nick (as Zan Cannon): You can't keep an X bike in the garage, dad.
Cameron (as Emma): [laugh] I think this is your X bike, sir.
Cameron: [laughing] Emma hands Zan back to Nate.
Nick: Zan is just making contented motorcycle noises now.
Penn: And Marathon has made her way back over near Cassidy and leans on the table with one hand and looking back as Nate starts to carry the vrooming kiddo back up the stairs, turns back with a smirk.
Penn (as Marathon): You ever thought about having kids, Miss Cassidy?
Sydney: Cassidy closes her eyes from where she was reading on like another 20 pages into this book.
Penn: Marathon can barely keep her teeth covered with her smile right now.
Sydney: And then opens them and looks at Marathon and goes
Sydney (as Cassidy): Why?
Penn (as Marathon): You know, I've just been, we've been seeing a lot of kids. It's been something, you know, it's just on on the front of the mind.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah, you're gonna settle down somewhere?
Penn (as Marathon): You know, I was just wondering your thoughts.
Sydney (as Cassidy): How many kids do you want Marathon? Like eight or nine?
Penn (as Marathon): Oh, yeah, at least 12 Miss Cassidy. [mumbling] Can you handle that? Yeah. How many cousins does Emma have?
Penn: Marathon starts counting on her hand kind of teasley.
Cameron (as Emma): [from across the store] Twenty three~.
Penn (as Marathon): Yeah 23. Doesn't that sound like a good number Cassidy?
Cameron (as Emma): [quietly] God Birdie is gonna be so sad she's missing this conversation.
Sydney (as Cassidy): That sounds 23 more probably than I ever need.
Penn (as Marathon): [warm chuckle] Might have to agree. For now.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah, I don't think you're - you haven't quite bought a bookstore and settled, like [laugh] - gonna have to have a little bit more structure in your life.
Penn (as Marathon): Yeah.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Or they're going to end up like me.
Penn (as Marathon): I don't think that'd be too bad. Do you see a horror section, Miss Mapmaker? Can point me out there?
Sydney (as Cassidy): That's probably under that sign over there that says horror.
Penn (as Marathon): Ah~ there we go. Eagle eyes. Thank you. Appreciate it Miss Cassidy.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Have fun.
Penn (as Marathon): Good talk. 23~.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Don't read the horror books out loud.
Nick: Marathon you find a book about a maple syrup themed serial killer cannibal that you struggle to put down.
Cameron (as Janus): So your friends seem really nice.
Kit (as Birdie): They are. They're really -
Cameron (as Janus): Seems like a good group.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah, it's a really nice little little family we have going on.
Cameron (as Janus): I'm glad. How are you doing Birdie?
Kit (as Birdie): Oh. Um.
Kit: Birdie sighs and has the expression of this is like the third time I've had to do this in the last three days.
Cameron (as Janus): If you don't - if you don't want to give me a full rundown, that's totally fine. But I know that, I know that coming back could not have been easy for you, so I am the most interested at the moment and how you are doing right now.
Kit (as Birdie): Oh, you know, I mean, it's things are new enough around here that it's not so painful.
Cameron (as Janus): Mhm.
Kit (as Birdie): Like having things not be touched from when I was younger, I think would be worse, but people - it's kind of reassuring to not be the Birdie that was like recognized by people kind of everywhere we went because of all the jobs we took and stuff, so that's also convenient for keeping a low profile and I'm - I'm good. It's been a little hard to be back in the container, but home is home.
Cameron (as Janus): Mhm. I'm - I am not surprised that people are not immediately recognizing you.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah.
Cameron (as Janus): You look like you, but you also - you've, you have matured as one would expect since, you know, you're grown up now.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah it was- it's been a fun fun little ride. Managed to visit all the big seven.
Cameron (as Janus): Impressive.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah, yeah. I actually um, I got you something and I have been carrying it around for like four years, but I have it for you now.
Kit: And Birdie will turn around and rummage through her backpack and eventually come back up with a little ring box and will slide it over to Janus.
Cameron (as Janus): Oo~.
Kit (as Birdie): I picked it up in Mellow Tone. I don't know, I wanted to get something nice for you in case I came back and it just - it reminded me of you.
Cameron: Janus picks up the box. She's kind of misty eyed. She's not quite crying, but it looks like it could happen at any moment. She picks up the box and opens it.
Kit: Inside is a dainty gold ring that has two little stones set in place in the center of it adjacent but slightly off kilter from one another. One of them is a tiger's eye stone and the other one is a green sapphire. And the gold itself is a little bit brighter than normal gold, more of a pinkish tinge and Birdie will lean in and point to the stones.
Kit (as Birdie): So they're native to the Mellow Tone area and I - the gold is, it's panned up there. [laugh] They have like all this gold in the rivers and stuff like that. And it reminded me of just like us I guess, I don't know.
Cameron (as Janus): [bit wobbly] Well thank you.
Cameron: Janus definitely has at least one tear falling down their face. But she takes the ring out of the box and finds a finger that it fits on her right hand and slides it on.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah. I missed you.
Cameron (as Janus): Thank you. I missed you too.
Cameron: Janus reaches out and grabs Birdie kind of around the shoulders but also kind of around the neck and pulls her towards her.
Kit: Birdie will not resist and they're over this table slightly still kind of sitting in chairs so it's a little awkward but it's very sweet.
Nick: And with a plan made and an objective on the horizon, the Patina spends a pleasant afternoon in a bookshop.
[hurdy gurdy music swells]
Outro:
Penn (as Marathon): Welcome back folks, you’re tuned to Going the Distance: Traveler’s Guide on road dial 1558. That’s a wrap on today’s log and we’re set to loop after these considerations. Further detail for the following is cataloged in the show notes.
This has been A Knight of Shreds and Patches, an actual play podcast using the Genesys game system from Fantasy Flight Games. The show is edited by Sydney Whittington, and features the talents of:
Kit Adames as Birdie. Kit can be found on Twitter and Instagram @ venusvultures. Kit is also a voice actor for Elevator Pitch Podcast, a queer genre-hopping anthology podcast that can be accessed on Spotify and YouTube.
Penn Van Batavia as Marathon. She can be found on Twitter @ acquiredchaste and in drag as horror king JOHN on Instagram @ john.is.risen. Penn is an indie TTRPG designer whose most recent work includes SLICE IT OUT, a grisly carving RPG about cutting pieces of yourself out to fit in. Check out faer other work at pennharper.itch.io.
Sydney Whittington as Cassidy. Sydney can be found on our Discord server, which is linked in the show notes, and on Twitter @ sydney_whitt. She’s also a contributing editor and occasional guest player for the Orpheus Protocol, a cosmic horror espionage actual play podcast.
Cameron Robertson as Emma. Cameron can be found on Twitter @ midnightmusic13 and on Instagram @ reading_and_dreaming. Cameron is also a player on Tabletop Squadron, a Star Wars Edge of the Empire actual play podcast.
And Nick Robertson as narrator. Nick can be found on Twitter @ alias58. Nick is also the GM for Tabletop Squadron. Nick can also be found as a player on the Orpheus Protocol.
This podcast features the musical talents of Dora Violet and Arne Parrott. You can find Dora at facebook.com/doraviolett. You can find Arne at atptunes.com.
The official artwork for this podcast was created by Rashed AlAkroka, who can be found on Instagram and Artstation @ rashedjrs.
You can follow the Patina on Twitter @ akosap_podcast or visit the website: www.akosap.com. To further support the show, consider joining the Patreon at www.patreon.com/AKoSaP, where we’ll be bringing you weekly content including bonus episodes, campfire conversations, and other fun rewards.
Until you tune back…
…stay bold and stay kind.