Scene #9604: Sarra Attempts Giving a Tour Again...

Owner	Pose
Sarracenia	The princess of the might Sundew Kingdom...is incredibly nervous. It is quite a burden actually caring what other people think and how she and her kingdom are regarded by other worlds. There was a time she cared very little about such things. The last time she had visitors, it was Petra and Audrey. They decided that they had a terrible time and that every aspect of their visit had been somewhere between lackluster and just downright bad. It had all started because they had had to make their own way into the kingdom from the closest warpgate, which is at a crossroads a mile or so away from the Sundew Kingdom's border. A signpost holds a few planks describing what kingdom is where. <- Mushroom Kingdom ^ Sarasaland -> Koopa Kingdom V Sundew Kingdom The roads leading through here are not paved, they are just well worn and packed dirt roads. The style of wooden sign and roads suggests that automotives are either not present or are not widely used. A short distance down the road to the Sundew Kingdom the dirt road leads to a proper cobblestone-paved roadway. That cobblestone road then leads into a forest. A forest with trees the size of skyscrapers, some of which are actually mushrooms and not trees. The canopy is thick enough that very little light reaches down to the forest floor. From the crossroads, it is impossible to see what is past the treeline. The roadway seems to just disappear into the jungle. But, unlike with her last guests, Sarracenia is waiting here with her personal transport, the Dyna. It is a wooden aircraft about the size of a private jet. Instead of one rotor like a helicopter or wings and engines like a plan, it has two sets of wings with each wing tipped by a large wooden propeller. It may be wooden, but it is not crude by any means. The wood is polished and lacquered to a reflective shine with the Sundew crest on the sides and wings: a gold circle containing a silver hammer sticking up from a golden shield with white wings and a curling green plant on it, presumably a Sundew plant. Sarra is wearing an intricate red royal gown with puffy shoulders and gold embroidery. It is tight-fitting over her body which displays that she is quite toned, as do the short sleeves and arm-length black gloves she wears. The skirt is billowing, reaching almost all the way to the ground. Her feet are covered by pointed, black, heeled leather shoes. When here guests arrive the princess raises a hand in greeting. "Hello!" she calls out, then curtseys politely. Her shining copper hair spills around her shoulders like a waterfall, and while her right eye is covered by a broad black ribbon of material serving as an eyepatch, her other eye is a dazzling blue. Her makeup, if she is wearing any, is subtle and just enough to bring out the red of her lips and the rosiness of her cheeks. "I am Princess Sarracenia Sundew, Crown Princess of the Sundew Kingdom! I will be your personal guide today on a tour of my lovely kingdom!" She motions to the wooden VTOL, which already has its side door open and a few steps leading up into it. Accomodations inside are pretty lavish...if one ignores the plethora of cannons sticking off the walls just behind the seating area. The cockpit can hold two more besides herself if her guests did want to ride up front, though. Whether sitting in the back in the chairs arranged around a table or in the front, the seats are all covered in red velvet. Sarra herself moves to the pilot seat. "I would suggest buckling in! I do enjoy flying, you see~"
Holly Asturias	It isn't Holly's first visit out, but it isn't as though she's been to a great many places either. The Grand Dorado had set the standards quite high, not to mention resonated with Revenant aesthetics quite a bit, but she rather expects that it's an isolated case. Still... to say she doesn't have high hopes for a royal visit would be a lie too, and so by the time she emerges, she's quite giddy with anticipation. Which might contrast her appearance just a bit. Unusually tall, slender, and dressed in black, purple and gold from head-to-toe, there could be no mistake Holly is a vampire when her wide, happy smile reveals her stereotypically long and sharp fangs, and if that were somehow not enough, her deep blood red eyes might complete the look. Her outfit could pass as a princess', if the front of the dress were not cut to reveal the tight leather pants and boots she wears, and if the top were just a bit more modest. The golden ribcage supporting her breasts and her neck are an odd contrast to the frilly and poofy sleeves, and then there's that headdress. Is it coming right out of her head, like a hatless rim made of gold? It's got little stars and chains hanging off it! The first sight that catches her attention is the massive trees and mushrooms. Oh to wander off and spend hours looking at those! What makes them grow so tall? Are they as usable as normal mushrooms and trees for crafts and cooking? A single one of those would be weeks' worth of food or firewood! "Hello!" But her attention drifts quite quickly to the princess and her transport. Is that a wooden plane? There's so few aircrafts left, and all of them are kept by the Bureau. No, nevermind that for now, there's a princess here. "Hello! Oh it's wonderful to put a face to a voice, finally!" She mustn't have met much of anyone yet. She clasps her hands together, approaches Sarracenia, and then, without warning, tightly grabs hold of her and squeezes her into a restrictive hug. Clearly, she's happy and expressive about the fact. "How I've looked forward to this! You know, I've never ridden in any kind of plane or helicopter before, and the only castle I've seen was converted into an administrative center for the Bureau. This will be wonderful!" At least someone is optimistic!
Lissandra	Lissandra arrives through the warpgate in a long black pleated skirt and white shirt, with a light brown jacket to make her bulky gardening(?) belt look a little less out of place where it's slung around her hips without belt-loops to thread through. Really, it's a little less like she came for a tour than for work, but most things feel like work to Lissandra anyway... Taking note of the signage and looking at the visible paths when she arrives, despite Sarracenia's obviously awaiting ride, Lissandra ends up musing aloud "So close together that one road sign could lead to any of them? I suppose the kingdoms here must be less ravenous to grow..." The feeling of this being a place that an inspired child could have written a story about in full earnestness continues to sit at the forefront of Lissandra's thoughts, and will doubtlessly continue to do so as she learns more. She can't linger in the woods forever though, with the princess waiting to pick her up for their trip. A princess who, by all visible measures, is putting a lot of her pride on making a good impression. Maybe Lissandra's acclimated to the idea of things like planes recently, but seeing a brand new kind of flying machine is still novel enough to prompt a small whimsical laugh as she looks it over from end to end, and finally settles that gaze on Sarracenia. While stepping closer at the wave, Lissandra remarks "I would quip about feeling underdressed, but perhaps I underestimated your enthusiasm, Princess. Pleasure to meet you; Red Witch, Lissandra, for as much as the title is worth." She doesn't curtsy, but does at least bother with a hand laid over her heart and a small bow. She does seem a bit out of her element with royalty, but fully plans on getting through the day on raw charm and sociability. Sarracenia didn't seem like a dreadfully stuffy sort of princess at first glance, anyway. That only gets confirmed further when Lissandra steps inside and sees Sarracenia moving for the pilot seat. "A hobbyist then? I suppose I don't blame you for taking the opportunity while you can. Strangely heavily armed for a cruising vehicle, though... You don't experience regular raids or boardings, I hope?" Meeting Holly now as well, Lissandra realizes with a start that she's not just the shortest woman here, but the only one even a little close to average height. Hmm. It doesn't really agree with her to be looking up at people this much, but what can you do? She tries not to let the slight slant in her lips at the thought linger to long. "Doctor Asturias then? No, you said Holly was fine, I remember. It's nice to see your spirits high. Any hopes for the afternoon?" Lissandra will buckle in, of course. She's not enough of a daredevil to want to know what happens when they hit turbulence in a craft like this with her still on her feet.
Holly Asturias	"Red Witch, Lissandra," ! Unfortunately for Lissandra, Holly's aggro is auditory-based. She frees Sarracenia from her grip, making a quick turn towards her follow practitioner. There's a brief moment where it seems as though she struggles to decide if she wants to also go in for the hug or if professional courtesy dictates otherwise, eventually settling on something in the middle: She grabs one of Lissandra's hands, with both of hers, tightly bringing it up and then shaking it up and down a bit as she bounces enthusiastically. "That's right! Would it be quite fine to call you Lissandra, Doctor? I suppose neither of us are here on business, or at least not strictly so. Curiosity could hardly be said to count." The woods and their siren call... When she finally lets go, it's to tap a finger on her chin thoughtfully. "Hopes, hopes... my I wouldn't know where to begin. A whole different world to sample, there's simply so much on my mind! I'll be quite happy to leave having seen new things, but perhaps their research on medicinal mushrooms is a particular interest point of mine?"
Lissandra	Lissandra is maybe a little more baffled than she should be when Holly turns toward her and grabs her hand; eyes that normally trend toward 'stern' or 'smug' look a little funny when they widen instead, even just for a moment before Lissandra realizes Holly is just being more enthusiastic than she would've guessed. Figuring that out comes with a small sigh of relief. "O-oh. Yes, Just the name is fine." She gets her answer, too, and nods understandingly. "Well of course. The potential for medicine in these logic-bending worlds always stands out, it only makes sense to have an interest. I think for now my own interest lies with the locals themselves, but had I endless time?" She shrugs, like the followup is obvious. After her hand is done being... Handled, she curls and stretches the fingers and individually works them against her thumb. It's nothing but pure habit, which she seems to think nothing of at all; just making sure everything is still working and in its place.
Sarracenia	Holly: 'Hello! Oh it's wonderful to put a face to a voice, finally!' Sarra is greeted warmly, and even hugged! The princess is surprised at first and hesitates a moment before returning the hug almost eagerly and thankfully. People do not touch her, much less hug her. Sarra ends up a bit teary-eyed after. Holly seems so nice! And isn't telling Sarra how awful she is! Sarra pulls back from the hug after a few moments and wipes her eyes on a handkerchief she pulls out of her purse. "Forgive me...I recently lost my most butler and most trusted friend, Gregory. I suppose I am...not used to such warm greetings from others." she says with a warm smile. But then, the pressure is put on a bit more by Holly's high energy and expectations. The princess is really not confident that it will go well overall and her smile wavers to a more nervous one. "Y-yes. It will surely be wonderful!" she says, then her smile returns. "I hope you do not mind me saying, but you are quite lovely! Red is a favorite color of mine, and your eyes..." she says, then tilts her head slightly at the headdress. "Is that...attached?" she asks, motioning to it. She then takes in Holly's outfit. "I see what you mean about your outfit making people think you are rich. It is quite a bit of gold, and purple is also often a royal color. Though...you might consider a color palette change. Purple and black are often the colors of villains. And you seem are too kind to be a villain." Lissandra: 'So close together that one road sign could lead to any of them? I suppose the kingdoms here must be less ravenous to grow...' Sarra looks over at Lissandra, then considers. "Hmm...I suppose. My kingdom has not expanded much since the kingdom was founded. Though, I suspect our situation is a bit unique. You will see once we arrive." 'I would quip about feeling underdressed, but perhaps I underestimated your enthusiasm, Princess. Pleasure to meet you; Red Witch, Lissandra, for as much as the title is worth.' Sarra is pleased greatly by Lissandra's appreciation of the Dyna. Sarra is very fond of the vehicle, and so appreciating it scores quite a few points with the princess. "Red Witch Lissandra. It is good to meet you in person." Sarra says with a smile. "Given our previous interactions on the radio, I was not certain you would wish to visit me and my kingdom. I am pleased to see I was wrong." Once the doors are all closed and everyone is buckled, Sarra takes the controls and eases them up into the sky. Whether in back or in front, there are large windows to appreciate the aerial view. There does not seem to be a flight crew other than Sarracenia, though. "Hobbyist? I suppose so. But, it is not merely a transport. This is my personal aircraft. It is actually primarily a combat vehicle. Observe!" Sarra hits a button, and the wall panels with the cannons mounted to them lower to be in line with the wings. This of course lets plenty of wind into the cabin, fluttering hair and clothes as the Dyna hovers in the air, slowly rising. Sarra hits the button again after a moment, and the wall panels retract again to seal up the cabin once more. The four rotors move into forward flight position. "Are you both buckled?" the princess asks with a bit of a grin as the Dyna accelerates, soon reaching speeds reserved for fighter planes. They have to rise several hundred feet to clear the trees. And Sarra is obviously not a cautious pilot given how fast she flies upward and then adds in a slow roll before bringing it level again. Once over the trees, the canopy seems to stretch of forever. Green from the crossroads to the opposite horizon.
Sarracenia	"I am glad to see you both getting along as well!" Sarra says as they fly, the cabin quiet enough that only slightly raised voices are needed. "One never knows if guests will enjoy each other's company, and it can be quite a time managing it if there is a conflict." The leaves rush by beneath them, and Sarra rolls ever so slightly to give her passengers a good view of them. The green is fairly often broken by a giant mushroom cap, colors varying between red with white dots, yellow with red dots, and green with white dots. Despite there being a road, it is only barely visible from above. It is only a few minutes before a clearing can be seen coming up, and it turns out to be the Sundew Kingdom. It is bounded on all sides by water. It looks like the city was built within a lake. The city seems to be made mostly of alabaster stone, from the thick walls that only reach about half way up even the shortest of the forest's trees to the buildings and the castle. The cith stretches maybe a mile across, with a large gate where the only road enters the city. The castle is at the far end of the city from the gate, and is a bit unusual in its design. The main keep is at the end of the main road, and a spiral wall rises up starting behind the keep and moving around a number of towers that rise in height until circling back around behind again, where the tallest tower overlooks a grand garden contained within the majority of the open area within the walls. A flowing rainbow of flowers is seen there, with plenty of fruit trees along the edges and a large fountain in the middle. In front of the keep is a large statue sitting in the middle of the main plaza that upon first glance might look like Sarra. A tall woman with long flowing hair holding a hammer as tall as she is, the head pointed out over the main road. Sarra naturally makes a slow circle around the city to give her guests a chance to ask questions. "What do you think? It is quite a sight from above, is it not?" Sarra says as they pass the airport, a spiraling structure rising up into the sky near the front gate. Platforms stretch out from it like stairsteps, each holding wooden airships of various designs. At the top sits an airship of some 200 feet long that is designed much like an old Spanish galleon from Earth. It has three masts, each with a propeller that is large enough to stretch across the deck. At the front of it is a golden figure of Sarracenia in much the same style as the statue in the plaza.
Holly Asturias	"Forgive me...I recently lost my most butler and most trusted friend," Holly blinks, a little taken aback at the princess' reaction. This hasn't happened before! Is hugging... disrespectful, here? Taboo? A deeper action than she meant? Wait-- oh, no, it's... "Oh, poor thing! I'm so sorry to learn. Loss is never easy, especially for those so long-lived as us," she replies, clearly lumping Sarracenia into her age group (past it, actually!) after what was said. "Is that...attached?" "This?" Holly points a finger up at the golden rim. It liquefies in part, a golden fluid with hints of red that swirls around her hand before she directs it to retake its shape. "It's blood. It's quite frequent that Revenants will add small touches to their bodies and clothes using their own blood. I model this after my mother's," she responds, a smile that's maybe just a bit sad behind the chipperness. "As for my eyes, most Revenants end up with this precise red shade, though in rare circumstances humans who are turned might not." She glances down at her dress, at the implication she might be wearing villainous clothing. She laughs in response. "Worry not, it's quite illegal for us to feed on a human without consent. I just like these colors!" The potential for medicine in these logic-bending worlds always stands out, it only makes sense to have an interest. "Isn't it just so?" Holly gives with a nodnod, before, finally, making her way inside the transport alongside the two and finding a seat. She doesn't occupy this seat too long, seeing as how she just can't help but peek out the windows the entire time. Turbulence doesn't seem to bother her too much; she's sturdy on her feet, and displays great balance. "Are you both buckled?" A reminder won't hurt, and Holly (finally) complies with air safety regulations for at least a few minutes, before the sight of the Sundew Kingdom inevitably makes her want to rise and fidget by one of the windows. "Such a colorful world! The forest around the Sanatorium could use a bit of this vibrancy. Nature has been through so many ills that I worry even if we make it through, it might not." Though the reverse is just as likely, she muses. "What do you think? It is quite a sight from above, is it not?" "Quite! Are the weapons... hm, how could I ask this question. Do you have a lot of enemies, Sarracenia?" Weapons, she figures, are quite normal where she's from. That they're riding an armed transport to visit a kingdom that the princess had previously described as 'on guard'... you can't judge this world by its whimsy, clearly. "I get the impression peace isn't always a guarantee here," she muses out loud, turning her red gaze firmly towards the princess. "But I also get the impression peace doesn't come to you easily either." She wonders about the large golden statues, but she can ask about those once they land and disembark, to not overload the poor princess. She turns her head, to look at Lissandra too. "Ah, what about you, Lissandra? What type of world do you come from?"
Lissandra	Sarracenia bringing up their past conversations brings a look to Lissandra's face somewhere adjacent to sympathy, albeit not exactly remorse. "It isn't as if we must agree on every little thing, is it? You made an invitation and set aside your time, and I thought it would be time well spent, and time I would have eventually spent regardless." She does seem to linger strangely when she hears Sarra mention her recent loss of Gregory again, strangely thoughtful before dismissing whatever came to mind with a small exhale. But, by the time for takeoff and with Sarracenia showing off more about the Dyna, Lissandra does end up pouting a little when Sarracenia isn't looking, while she tries to hold down and wrangle her hair against the wind; by the time another minute has passed, she's fully changed her hairstyle from 'loose over her shoulders' to a tight ponytail folded back on itself around a copper pin. "Yes, yes, all buckled in. I'm not quite looking to learn to fly 'freestyle' today." she confirms, already familiar with some rather long falls from her broom-flying practice. She has nothing more to complain about once the Dyna is level and sailing over the trees smoothly, and settles into the seat with her head canted to get a good view outside while she continues to speak. "I think it would be rather hard not to at least get along with someone that shares interests and is so openly enthusiastic, don't you?" she muses, briefly glancing at Holly and quirking the corner of her mouth up as if she's teasing more than she actually is. "By the way, there's a 'Mushroom Kingdom'. But I see you have some absurd mycological growth here as well; is it a matter of near borders, or is their land named for something besides the-... No, you did mention 'mushroom people' before. I suppose those mushroom 'trees' are fairly ubiquitous then?" Maybe it's mostly filler conversation, but context is important! Ecosystems matter when understanding the resources and lifestyles of people, and Lissandra needs every little scrap she can get to wrap her head around a place like this. The Sundew Kingdom itself prompts other questions though, and while her interest sounds mild, Lissandra does have her cheek pressed to the glass. "Ooh. So the kingdom is something of a city-state? Or is this merely your capitol? I doubt every home and place of business associated with your land would dwell within the same walled city..." The garden that she sees from on-high stands out too, though she can't begin to make any reasonable assumptions about the flowers from this high, save for how deliberately they were planted for visual appeal. Recalling a bit of information from before, she wonders aloud, "You said something about ice flowers, before? So there's a variety of elementally imbued plantlife, besides the mushrooms? Do you have to take any particular precautions planting them or harvesting them?" She doesn't seem to run out of questions easily, when prompted for them, because she carries right on into, "So aircraft are a regular feature of your kingdom, and not just a personal interest. The designs are strange compared to those I've seen, are they trading vessels?"
Lissandra	Lissandra does throw in some input Holly's way too though, laughing softly when Sarracenia seems surprised by Holly's golden 'accessories'. "It's actually quite common among humanoid creatures to incorporate meaningful aesthetics into their own body. Tattoos, piercings, scarification, various skeletal modifications through binding... It makes sense for what I've overheard of Holly's people. It is quite flashy though. Less gaudy than gold teeth, though? It's an interesting expression." Lissandra does wince a little at Holly falling back on 'It's illegal' like it's proof, again, but she holds her tongue for the sake of the day's mood. She trusts her read of Holly's demeanor, a little more than she does the law of all things. "I understand the need for a bit of color, though. Moving into Earth's idea of a single-person home showed me just how dead self-expression can become." As for that last question, Lissandra leads with a shrug like she's not an expert on her own home, but after a few moments of hemming and hawing eventually gives the reluctant answer, "... A dreary one. From what I've learned so far, the potential for magical application there outstrips many other worlds, but the dearth of education and the grip that certain powers hold over the populace have left it badly stifled. Other than magical potential, it seems that it compares somewhat to the period of time following what Earth might often call the 'dark ages'... Though I don't involve myself in the wars that typify that comparison, and I don't typically associate with nobility either. My colleagues are sometimes less fortunate."
Sarracenia	Holly: 'Quite! Are the weapons... hm, how could I ask this question. Do you have a lot of enemies, Sarracenia?' Sarra lets out a sigh, and her smile turns to a slight frown. "...yes, apparently I do. The kingdom less so, but there is a large kingdom not so far away that is known for conquest and kidnapping of princesses. Though, the tyrant there only ever kidnaps one particular princess, and that princess is not me." Does she almost sound...disappointed about that? "The attack that claimed my butler was not one that could be countered with such weapons as those I carry here. The Dyna carries these weapons in case the kingdom is attacked, but also for when I go out to try and improve the Multiverse. I aspire to be a heroic and hopeful influence. Though...that seems to have rarely been the case." Lissandra: 'By the way, there's a 'Mushroom Kingdom'. But I see you have some absurd mycological growth here as well; is it a matter of near borders...' Sarra shrugs lightly. "They have less overgrowth, but more of these large mushrooms. And it could also be because the royal family's last name is Toadstool. The Toads, the mushroom people, are their primary population, so that could also be the reason. I suppose I could ask Princess Peach next time we meet." She smiles gratefully at Lissandra saying it was worth the time to come here. As they fly over the city, Sarra looks out at the garden as well. "Actually, this is the extent of our kingdom. The native people who were here before us agreed we could stay, but only if we kept our activities confined to the city and the one road that we are allowed to maintain. We turned to airships because that meant we could expand upward instead of outward without difficulty, though we have had no reason to build massive buildings as of yet. The airships serve as both trading vessels and warships. That one there..." She points to the 200 foot ship atop the airport tower. "...is the Sundew Sovereign. The flagship of our fleet. Do not let its sleek appearance deceive you. It carries dozens of cannons and a Banzai Bill launcher, which fires some of those living shells I told you about. Except instead of person-sized they are the size of a large...what are they? 'Pick-up truck' I believe is the moniker. But, I do so love flying. It brings a freedom that cannot be enjoyed any other way as far as I have found." When Holly demonstrates the use of her blood and recalls the gold aspect, Sarra seems...slightly put off, though she tries to hide it. "I...see. Wearing one's blood as an accessory..." She obviously doesn't know what to make of that, but Lissandra helps a bit with the references to tattoos and the like. She smiles though as the topic of color in fashion is brought back up. "I was not implying that you go around feeding on humans. But, impression is a tricky thing. I just wanted you to be aware of it in case anyone else comments on it." she says. Hearing of Lissandra's world earns a sympathetic frown from the princess. "Another reason I try to inspire hope and heroism. People of such worlds need heroes they can look up to, and hope that thinks can improve. Without the light of hope, everything withers and darkness prevails."
Sarracenia	Once she has completed her circle around the city, Sarra brings the Dyna down to land in the large garden. She smiles as she hops up from her seat, then goes to open the door. She blinks in surprise at Lissandra's change in hairstyle. "Oh! How did you do that so quickly? When I style my hair it takes my servants the better part of an hour!" she says as the side door opens and the stairs are lowered. Those doing the lowering...are plant people. Barely 5 foot at the tallest, they have tulip or bulb-like heads with large lips and mouths full of triangular shark-like teeth. They seem to lack eyes, yet apparently can see just fine considering how they move and work. Sarra thanks them as she disembarks, then turns to her guests. "So! What should we do first? I can show you the sights of the city, or we can browse the research materials and start distributing the survey first." she says, then looks to Lissandra. "We do indeed have many other types of power-ups. I mentioned the Leaf, I think. There are also Fire Flowers, Power Wings...really far too many to try and summarize. Perhaps I can give you a demonstration later." she says as she steps out into the field of flowers. None of these seem to be the magical type. They are typical daisies, tulips, panseys, and other colorful flowers. The fruit trees too seem to be normal fruit trees of various types. Oranges, apples, cherries, and star fruit. "And if you are feeling peckish, please feel free to take a fruit!" Sarra walks toward the main gate from the garden into the castle, and a piranha plant maid meets her with a collection of freshly cut fruits from the garden. She takes a star fruit piece before the plate is offered to the others, then heads into the castle.
Holly Asturias	"I think it would be rather hard not to at least get along with someone that shares interests and is so openly enthusiastic, don't you?" Holly shoots a bright smile back at the other doctor, clearly in agreement. "I can scarcely imagine being passionate about something and not expressing enthusiasm. What's the point in having a passion if you don't look the part? Aren't there enough secrets in life without shrouding our hearts, too?" ... it's something else, too. Something sadder, that she chooses not to relay. Resentful, too. Ugly, and so, in the bottle it goes. "So there's a variety of elementally imbued plantlife," But this, she can keep being a little bit hype about. "I'm still so stunned by the way this world's flora seems to have evolved! Surely it wasn't blind luck and some brilliant soul had a hand to play in that, I can't see what else would push flowers to want to be picked as a 'power-up' like that. Does it play a part in how they reproduce? Perhaps when using those powers you inadvertently spread pollen or seeds? That could explain such a strange evolutionary trait, like peppers ensuring most animals but birds leave them be." "It is quite flashy though." "Is it?" Holly asks, genuinely, head angled and expecting a full explanation from Lissandra. "It's so normal, 'home'. It's quite as you say though! Tattoos, scars, simple streaks and symbols on the skin, there's quite a variety of ways to do it. I rather dislike the idea of scarring or changing my body, and so this method suits me well." It's... scarred enough as it is. "... A dreary one." "Oh..." Holly doesn't quite pout, but she takes the subject matter visibly seriously. "I understand that well. A Revenant's education is handled primarily by their family. This leaves many gaps in knowledge that, unless one is curious, aren't likely to be filled. My father thought I was wasting time studying floriculture from old tomes rather than focus strictly on medical applications. I can't imagine humans fare much better. Worse, surely." After a brief pause, she raises her glance (and smile) back up. "Do you have designs to fix this? To set a better example, yourself?" "and I don't typically associate with nobility either." "Oh no!" Holly exaggerates, grinning. "Please, rest assured that your secret association with a princess and a member of the cardinal Luxuria bloodline will remain a closely guarded secret, then."
Holly Asturias	"Though, the tyrant there only ever kidnaps one particular princess, and that princess is not me." "Would you like to be kidnapped?" Holly asks, like it's the most normal question in the world. As a curiosity, and not an offer; why the thought of holding someone hostage fills her with a dread that on its own exposes how soft she is. Lissandra's quite right to roll her eyes at 'illegal'! Holly's optimism is frequently misplaced. "I think I understand, though. 'Improving the Multiverse' sounds like no easy feat, and not one achievable by words alone. That's quite admirable." A hero is a hero, however selfish their hidden motives might be. "We turned to airships because that meant we could expand upward instead of outward without difficulty, though we have had no reason to build massive buildings as of yet." "Have you built on clouds?" Holly then asks, recalling something about clouds you can stand on. She's momentarily looking at the Sundew Sovereign, but is then reminded of the... sapient munitions. No, that one, she's not sure she'll ever understand! And they want to be used this way? Nightmarish. But, impression is a tricky thing. "Is it?" The Revenant reaches for Sarracenia's face with one hand, slowly; the tip of her long, pointed nails glides across her skin, in a way that might almost be uncomfortable if she put but a little bit more pressure into it. "To judge others on their appearance... do you think cats evil for their claws? Isn't it more important that I'm not cutting your skin open, than to theorize about whether I might? Hm..." She pulls her hand away, to look at it briefly, before shaking her head and smiling. "I'm not worried. I certainly won't change how I look to appease others. I think that would be worse than anything they might say." Disembarking, plant people. Back to the cheerful vampire doctor it is. "You weren't kidding! Sapient, walking plants! Oh this is... oh where would I even begin? To have a chance to study them! Their behaviors, their history, how they came to be!" Dare she ask for a corpse, while she's at it? No, no, not yet. But she wants to. "I must know, has your world always been so? Humans, plants and more, coexisting? How rich of a history it must be if so!" When offered food, she immediately selects a star fruit as well. "How unusual! I've seen one of these in a book, but I'm afraid the strain must be quite extinct in the Frontier, or perhaps it never grew there at all."
Lissandra	Lissandra reaches for a wide pouch on her belt and slides out a small notepad, scribbling a few abbreviated notes for later while Sarracenia talks about things like her kingdom's trade, or the names of the Toads, or the distribution of the giant mushrooms. She's a brisk writer, though. "If their royal family is named after the people, or vice-versa, then it makes a bit of sense. Perhaps they too arrived in their current land and integrated with the Toads in their own way, not unlike what you've described here with your own kingdom." It's enough to wonder about, and to get a working idea of what the social and economic castes might look like. "It's good that you have a decent relationship with at least one of your neighbors though, especially if another of them is bold enough to kidnap royalty... On a regular basis? I suppose it's only appropriate to be grateful that she was not harmed during such an incident." Though, it does make it all the more confusing... Even if Sarracenia insists on it being a kingdom Lissandra is going to think of it more like a city-state after all. Not disparagingly- if anything it's somewhat of a relief to see a place where society is kept at a reasonably sustainable size. Overly large kingdoms tend to grow vile leaders like a fallen log does moss. That's an inside thought though! It's just better when one has a genuine chance of knowing most of their fellow citizens, rather than being a stranger to one's own neighbors. Talk of heroes alongside sympathizing over her world's state prompts a strange, bemused little smirk that belies how tired the idea makes her feel; Lissandra shares like it's just a fun fact, "Well, we did have one. A 'hero'. Some temple-sponsored knight. But apparently, some mongrel mage turned the tables on him and stole his holy sword, and it's a whole mess. The Violet hasn't shut up about it for over a week now in his letters, I think he's trying to catch my interest for something..." She trails off, and looks like she's tempted to laugh about something or other, but she's effortfully holding it in. "Don't mind me." She gets up after they've landed and shuffles her feet to check her footing before she follows Sarracenia to the door, acknowledging her hair with a little nudge of the back of her hand. "Oh, I've just had practice. And I keep it at a fairly manageable length; the only way I can get away with it this long at all is that I can have it tied up in a heartbeat, else I'd need to trim it for my work." What she doesn't say is the number of times she's had to cut corners by outright freezing part of her hair in place with magic, which is never very good for the hair itself... But that's a passing topic anyway. As for Holly's answers (and new questions), Lissandra begins with the ones she can address more quickly, without having to share her feelings yet. "Of course it is flashy. It demonstrates a unique ability and proclivity, it reflects light, it expands your silhouette into a shape that would not immediately be recognizable as 'human' in the most reduced sensory conditions, and it takes the place of a simpler form of adornment such as a hat, while remaining unimitable. Unless you share that exact design among your kin, it obviously is a form of art worn upon the body, isn't it?" She says it all so sterile that it kind of feels like she's trying to land it as a perfectly neutral observation on purpose, taking both praise and criticism out of her tone. Because, admittedly, evaluating something that is technically a part of someone else's body just feels... Tasteless, otherwise?
Lissandra	Still, she'd rather do that than get deeply into the situation of her homeland right on the spot, and sticks to what she thinks are the barest minimum details. "... Ultimately, Witches only exist because they can only obtain knowledge and power for their goals outside of society. Likewise, I have no intention of 'fixing' society. I just want to advance medicine until everyone can access it. The other Witches have their own fixations too; we help each other now and then, tip each other off to trouble, and trust one-another to handle our own goals. That's how it has always been, even when a Witch dies, or a new Witch emerges." Lissandra is more interested in the people bringing the stairs down, trotting down and trying to get a better look at one of them while she keeps talking (and keeping her hands to herself still; they are people after all!). "Oh, thank you for the help everyone, that's very sweet." is said to the air-dock help with an uptilted tone that's very slightly more like how one might speak to a child, before she resumes with Sarracenia. "Let's see... While I am not averse to more traditional research, I believe for today I am most interested in seeing your people, and how they live. I'm sure it won't be wholly authentic simply because we will inevitably stand out, but," she says, gesturing to Holly, the incredibly tall gold-accented vampire and Sarracenia, the literal princess of the kingdom, "It isn't good to leap into the more rigorous subjects without having a grounded understanding of the people. I don't often have the chance to collect insight about this many cohabitative species, let alone mycelioid or vegetal people." "So, where would you say is a reasonable place to speak with the people? Ideally without disrupting their day too terribly much."
Lissandra	She follows along behind Sarracenia into the castle regardless of the question though, since it doesn't need to be an immediate trip out into town; they have all afternoon to get to things like that! When invited to take fruit, she simply opts for a small bunch of cherries plucked down and de-stemmed with a quick draw-and-flick of her wand, before holstering it again and carrying them in her palm while slowly nibbling one. She's not dreadfully hungry, but sugar is sugar after all.
Sarracenia	Lissandra: 'I think it would be rather hard not to at least get along with someone that shares interests and is so openly enthusiastic, don't you?' Holly: 'I can scarcely imagine being passionate about something and not expressing enthusiasm. What's the point in having a passion if you don't look the part? Aren't there enough secrets in life without shrouding our hearts, too?' Sarra smiles lightly as the two doctors converse. Not many relate to the things she is enthusastic about, so it is nice in that slightly jealous sort of way to hear them talking. She nods in agreement with them. "It must be even nicer to find someone with whom one's interests align." she says. Lissandra: 'and I don't typically associate with nobility either.' Holly: 'Please, rest assured that your secret association with a princess and a member of the cardinal Luxuria bloodline will remain a closely guarded secret, then.' Sarra is less jovial about this jest. She has had far too many (or at least a few very loud) people truly act revolted about being associated with her or seeing someone associated with her. "...yes...a secret..." she murmurs. 'Would you like to be kidnapped?' 'I think I understand, though. 'Improving the Multiverse' sounds like no easy feat, and not one achievable by words alone. That's quite admirable. Sarra blinks in surprise at the rather casual asking of the question. She looks a bit bewildered for a moment, but huffs softly in frustration a moment later. "Not because I enjoy being kidnapped, mind you. The two most well-known princesses of this world gained their fame...and thus their heroes...by being kidnapped. I want to find my hero or heroine, the person that is willing to go through a dungeon full of monsters just for me." she says. She smiles appreciateively at the comment about her efforts being admirable. "Thank you. I just hope I can do more and do it better in the future." Holly: 'Have you built on clouds?' Sarra shakes her head, as if this is a normal question to ask. "Not as of yet. Finding enough clouds of the appropriate type that will support a building is quite the endeavor. There are a few naturally occurring skylands of such clouds, but until the kingdom starts growing to the point that such things might be needed it is not something we will be spending resources on." Holly: 'the tip of her long, pointed nails glides across her skin, in a way that might almost be uncomfortable if she put but a little bit more pressure into it.' Sarra tenses lightly at the feel of that nail on her skin, and turns her head enough that her good eye can see Holly. Once she hears what Holly has to say though, she is quiet a moment. It looks like she might say something to oppose it, but finally she smirks ever so slightly. "Well, you have a good energy about you. I am sure that resolve will serve you better than it has me." Holly: Takes a star fruit and gushes about plant people Sarra finds herself giggling a bit. The enthusiasm is infectious! "As far as I am aware it has always been so. But, history is not my strong suit. We would need a proper scholar to answer that question. Which...are quite rare now that I think about it. I do not know a historian of this world, myself." she says before nibbling her own star fruit again.
Sarracenia	Lissandra: 'It's good that you have a decent relationship with at least one of your neighbors though, especially if another of them is bold enough to kidnap royalty... On a regular basis? I suppose it's only appropriate to be grateful that she was not harmed during such an incident.' Sarra huffs again. "King Bowser would never harm Princess Peach. He intends to marry her one day. It is why he only kidnaps her instead of actually conquering her kingdom, in my opinion. He wants it to be her choice, but seems to think kidnapping her and showing her his power is the route to her heart. He is apparently blind to the fact that she instead prefers the company of a short plumber from some place called 'New York City' because he shows her care and heroism." she says. Lissandra: 'Well, we did have one. A 'hero'. Some temple-sponsored knight. But apparently, some mongrel mage turned the tables on him and stole his holy sword, and it's a whole mess. The Violet hasn't shut up about it for over a week now in his letters, I think he's trying to catch my interest for something...Don't mind me.' Sarra raises an eyebrow in curiousity. "The Violet. So, your world names their notable people with colors like Miss Angela's City?" she wonders, then frowns. "A mongrel mage stole the hero's sword. How dreadful. I am sorry to hear that. Perhaps I should organize a raid to reclaim it." she says. Lissandra: Option selected - Talk to People Sarra considers Lissandra's request, then leads them on through the castle. The gate from the garden opens into the castle's main dining hall. A rather large room with a table that must seat a couple dozen. Through there is the throne room. There are two thrones, though the king and queen seem to be occupied elsewhere at the moment. Past that is the main entry hall leading back to the main road. The castle is made of the same white alabaster stone as the city, and tapestries hang everywhere in various patterns of green and yellow and brown. Most seem to be purely decorative, but a few depict someone that looks passingly similar to Sarracenia, perhaps a past princess, holding the same giant hammer seen in the two statues. From there, they exit the castle and take a set of grandiose stairs to the main road. A hundred feet or so beyond that is the main plaza with a rather large fountain and that statue they saw from the air. The statue and fountain are both made of white marble, and a plaque at the front of it describes it. Sarra stops in front of it, then turns to the others. "This is my ancestor, Queen Dionaea Sundew. She braved this land over 100 years ago, overcoming the dangers and tribulations of this land to create the magnificent Sundew Kingdom. She is the one that earned us a place here by fighting the most powerful warriors the mantids had to offer in honorable duels. Thus, she earned their begrudging respect and a place within their jungle. It is out of respect for her and for the mantids who call this forest home that we remain with the bounds of the lake. I like to think I take after her. She had an adventurous spirit, a willingness to fight, and the fortitude to overcome adversity." Sarra says, looking up at the statue with hands on hips and a bit of a proud smile. She looks out over the bustling crowd. "If you wish to speak with people, this is the best place. Everyone in the kingdom passes through here on the way to their homes or businesses." Indeed, people of all kinds are passing by. Humans, Toads, Piranha Plants, Koopa Troopa (human-sized turtles walking upright), Goombas (walking brown furry mushrooms with big eyes and bigger teeth), and even a few matids (Mantis people that are basically just giant mantises even bigger than a typical person). Of course, the non-human species seem to have soft, almost cartoonish proportions and appearances (other than the mantises) making them more approachable overall.
Sarracenia	"All of them live here in harmony." Sarra says proudly. "We are one of the few kingdoms to have such a diverse population. It is something I am quite proud of. Those that are often thought of as 'evil monsters' have a place here so long as they do not harm people. It has led to some friction in other worlds when I treat those they consider monsters like they might be people. But, it has also led to good. We were able to save some people from a place call The City who had been afflicted with a monsterification curse because I entreated Miss Rita. If you have not met her yet, she is an amazing person. Queen of her world now, if I am not mistaken."'
Holly Asturias	"Of course it is flashy." To have the veil of normalcy pulled from the simple act of wearing her blood makes Holly give it a good thought. A brief moment of silence, as she strokes her chin and thinks, and chews, and wonders. "Ah, no, not my kin. Though there are certain iconographies that are passed down bloodlines, like my earrings," she says, indicating the dangling gold from her ears in the shape of two Xs atop one another, "The design of my... hat, is inspired from my mother's and no further. And the rest," she motions for the stars, the clasp on her hair, even the ribcage-like support under her chest, "Is... how do you say... a vibe? 'I felt like it'. I thought it looked good." Then she makes a noise, something between a 'mhm' and an approving little 'ah!'. "I'd never really given it much thought, I admit. It's quite the same as styling my hair, such a mindless little automatism that everyone is used to. I suppose I'll have to mind that more! What is normal to me..." Nobody tell her about metal detectors and security checkpoints. "Likewise, I have no intention of 'fixing' society." "No?" Holly blinks. "To 'make medicine accessible'... wouldn't that be something akin to fixing society? I think about this, sometimes. Seeing as how my goal is to cure the transformation into Horrors... I have no delusions that the process won't hinge entirely on me, at first. But if I could make it so that anyone can do it... so that it's just another Forma to be passed around and used, by humans and Revenants alike... I'd like that. And while my goal might not be to 'fix society', achieving my goal would surely be a step towards it." Though, after what Petra and Angela said... It's gotten a bit more complicated, hasn't it?
Holly Asturias	"Not because I enjoy being kidnapped, mind you." "Hmmmmm..." It's unusual, as changes in demeanor go. Holly's eyes size Sarracenia up, lingering on her longer than before. After a few moments, the weight of her gaze evaporates suddenly, she claps her hands together, and exclaims proudly: "I see! So it's like a rite of passage." No wait surely that's not the correct conclusion. "Oh, here I thought you might simply be jealous!" That one was probably more correct! "I hope you'll find the right villain to kidnap you one day, your highness!" She's saying that so loudly! Everyone will hear! "Well, you have a good energy about you." A nod, an energetic little 'mhm!', and Holly places her hands on her hips. "My, thank you. It's nice to be appreciated, isn't it?" That... feels a little bit more pointed than if she were just saying so. "I do not know a historian of this world, myself." "A shame! But I could do with a history book then. That way I won't inconvenience you for hours as you recount something I can read about in my spare time. Ah, but I had also asked you for research papers on the floral of your world, and the mushrooms, and..." Holly laughs. "I should slow down. You're already being very gracious to host us so." "This is my ancestor, Queen Dionaea Sundew." "You seem to share some of her appearance," she notes simply. "Has that created undue pressure on you? To be born royalty so similar to your legendary ancestor? A hundred years, that would make her... your great grandmother?" Wait... a hundred? "Pardon, did you mis-speak? I was under the impression you were... what was it, three hundred?" "I believe for today I am most interested in seeing your people, and how they live." "Oh I agree! Research and papers and books and a thesis or three can all wait until I'm home. This is a chance to meet countless unique peoples and learn about them, first-hand!" And what a crowd, too. Turtles, plants, mantis-people, mushrooms (not to be conflated with plants!!) and even some regular humans in the mix. "But I wonder why you call them 'evil monsters'. Could it be that the reputations of these species have been impacted by their past? Are they predisposed to not be this peaceful, normally?" She looks at the princess for her thoughts. Now, what is it that she wants to know most... She's quite eager to disappear into that crowd and ask them a million questions. Some questions are a lot easier to answer. Dietary needs. Immediate cultures and perceptions. Their 'role' in the ecosystem, if they have such a concept at all, or if they've moved completely past it and gained true freedom to choose. But then some questions, like if they know where their people came from, or what they evolved from, might be a bit more technical for a random person to get quizzed about and successful answer.
Lissandra	"It... Is nice, yes. I haven't had very many confidants or peers to speak openly with in my time. Although it comes with certain obligations... It has been a nice change of pace." Lissandra admits with some amount of halting hesitance, as if her gut were telling her this might be something to keep secret. She's had time to get comfortable with the idea of having work friends and social contacts by now, though, so she's past the worst of those hesitations. She can sense tone, though; she can tell Sarracenia's wilting a bit over what she said about nobility. It still takes her a few seconds to spool up words for it, but after finishing one of the cherries she does note, "Princess, you are already very, very different from the sort of nobility I speak of. It is only a matter of keeping our affairs and goals away from the control and demands of others. We are of different lands, so... It is simpler to behave like fellow professionals, is it not?" Maybe she doesn't feel all that closely with Sarracenia, but neither one of them is particularly obligated to the other. No reason to make the princess overthink things, especially if it might complicate things later. She refrains from further commentary on the kidnapping thing for right now; she gave Sarra an earful about that once before already, and it didn't exactly go anywhere productive. Moving on, she observes "Ah, a jilted king surrounded by princesses, convinced he can peacock-strut his way to acceptance if only he is persistent and ever more overbearing. How very storybook. New... York, though..? No, nevermind, I'm sure it is something different here." It's getting kind of distressing just how many worlds seem to be 'Earth, with a twist' at this point, and Lissandra is hopeful that this bizarre fantasy-world doesn't also fall under that umbrella. The notion of a raid to get back the holy sword, meanwhile, makes Lissandra try very hard to play off a small snort as a well-meaning scoff behind one hand. "No, no, apologies... I wouldn't want to mislead you. That version, including the 'mongrel' remark, is how the Temple puts it. That sword only functions for a single person, and would refuse the hand of anyone else after it has chosen. To steal it, that would mean..." She pauses a moment like she's waiting to let the others play the guessing game to see where she's going with that, but she's still smiling like she's trying not to laugh. Admittedly, anything that embarrasses the temple officials that badly would probably make her overjoyed, but she's trying to hold it in while she moves on to the City Colors comparison. "In any case, it's not a title for one's power. Witches take on a color to represent their goals, so that they can build a reputation that will outlive them and be passed on to anyone that succeeds them. I inherited 'the Red Witch' from the previous, too. She wasn't a very enthusiastic teacher." Lissandra has some passing interest in the architecture within the castle, but only in the sense that sightseeing in such a place is inherently a somewhat privileged opportunity; she almost asks about the statues along the way, but Sarracenia goes into that bit of history of her own volition first as they cross through the plaza. "Hmm, so she was a warrior-royal..? It does seem as though you've modelled some of yourself after her. I can imagine you heard a great deal about her growing up, if your kingdom sprung up as recently as that." She's not exactly enthusiastic about 'winning land through combat' regardless of the conduct or context, but... Given the kingdom has seemingly found ways to pursue its goals without expanding into the immediate surroundings, it still puts them a step above similar forces at home in Lissandra's mind.
Lissandra	"That reminds me," she suddenly starts, "You wanted a look over the survey, correct? I didn't come prepared for a full day of it this time, out of concern for your time, but I do have a few copies here. Fairly simple things, really." She unfolds a stack of maybe ten sheets of paper from the same pouch as her notebook was in before, offering one to Sarracenia. The front side is for volunteers to fill out, and mostly asks about things like their primary and secondary occupations, species, age, degree of education, the size of their family unit at home, and various categories for 'level of comfort' based on factors like food and water, healthcare, community social-spaces, access to information, and so on. Then at the bottom, a space for any extra comments about things like recent troubles, positive experiences, or things they're worried about for the future. "I thought it best to keep the questions relatively informal, and simply take the opportunity to pinpoint any unaddressed pain-points or underacknowledged benefits of life here. That way, if it's something I have a stake in, I would know where to begin. If not, then perhaps you might have a use for it in your own endeavors; few better ways to be heroic than to see directly to what others are lacking, yes? I can come by another time with some help to distribute these more properly, but I thought it best to show them to you today." She says it all so matter-of-factly, like her mind isn't even on the survey itself... Though Sarracenia does get her to jolt slightly back to focus by saying Rita's name. "Oh, I have met her actually. She had a darling little mouse she wanted looked at, so I saw her recently. She does seem... Very empathetic. Goodness, maybe I've undersold it, but- She is a queen as well?" Lissandra goes silent, looks up in the air, rests her knuckles on her hips, and comes to her own conclusion. "... Ah. Ahhhh... So the glances at- no, I think I understand now."
Lissandra	It'd be a little rude to start gossiping too much about something Rita wasn't forthright about, though, especially unconfirmed. So, she swerves to Holly again. "There's nothing wrong with it, mind you. Just, it helps to be aware of how others will see it. I doubt a vampiress has much to fear from a mugger, at least. If nothing else, you're privileged with enough height to just-" She puts her knuckles against her own forehead, and just... Lightly pushes. Maybe in leiu of a palm? "Do this, to most of them." Like they're a rowdy little sibling..? Talking about her goals still makes her sound and feel a bit drained, but after consideration she doesn't seem to plan on simply clamming up either. She can talk, a little bit. "... In the best case scenario, if medicine, prosthetics, surgical care, proper nutrition, and all the necessary resources were available to everyone... It would make a meaningful dent in the power that evil people hold over the unfortunate. People would be freer to educate themselves, better themselves, better the world around themselves, and... And that would likely create conflict, in itself. But I simply have to concern myself with pushing my work as far as it can go in my lifetime. That is what a 'Witch' is. To work quietly, forever, and hope to eventually change the world. But it will always be someone else's responsibility to handle the consequences, not mine. I cannot develop treatment and simultaneously mitigate all of the symptoms of a sick society. I'm only suited for the former, regardless. But, that is why I have colleagues." She wraps up on a 'that's that' kind of firm tone, takes a breath, and... Reaches out to bap Holly on the top of the head with her stack of survey papers, stretching over on tip-toes to do it quick and light. "By all accounts she's still quite human; even I haven't broken 50 yet. You'll make someone angry you know?"
Sarracenia	Holly: Veil of normalcy pulled Sarra gives Holly another look over after listening to the inspirations for her accessories. "Hmm...well, while it is not my style and I may never understand golden blood accessories, I cannot fault someone for wearing the accessories that they like." she says with a smile. Holly: 'I see! So it's like a rite of passage. Oh, here I thought you might simply be jealous! I hope you'll find the right villain to kidnap you one day, your highness! Sarra has a few mixed feelings, but overall that is a positive response. She is struck by the unusualness of someone treating that like a typical goal and it brings a smile to her face. "Well, I appreciate it! But, the right hero is more important than the right villain." Holly: 'My, thank you. It's nice to be appreciated, isn't it?' Sarra's smile fades ever so slightly, and there is a long pause where she looks off toward the distance. "...it is..." she says. The request for a history book brings her gaze back eventually. "Ah...I will see if I can track one down for you." Holly: 'You seem to share some of her appearance. Has that created undue pressure on you? To be born royalty so similar to your legendary ancestor? A hundred years, that would make her... your great grandmother? Pardon, did you mis-speak? I was under the impression you were... what was it, three hundred?' Sarra looks like she has been stabbed for just a moment. "Th-three hundred?!" she exclaims, then mmmphs and her fists clench. "...Angela..." she growls softly. "No. I am not three hundred, though I do hope to make it to that and beyond one day. I am 30. Though that seems to be nearly the same to my adversaries." She takes a deep breath and lets it out, then looks up at the statue again. "It has brought quite a lot of pressure, but more because I wanted to be like her than not. My parents would have been much happier if I were like Princess Peach. Staying in my castle all day, princess waving to the populace and only leaving when attending a sporting event or when kidnapped." Holly: 'But I wonder why you call them 'evil monsters'. Could it be that the reputations of these species have been impacted by their past? Are they predisposed to not be this peaceful, normally?' Sarra nods lightly. "Unfortunately, many of the creatures you see here...the majority of their population is employed by King Bowser. Or at least, the most well known of their population. I call them 'evil monsters' to distinguish them from 'good monsters'. Those creatures who most would call monsters merely because of their appearance but are actually just people like everyone else. Like my Gregory, for instance. He was a piranha plant, yet he was as civil, kind, and hard-working an individual as any person I have met. Like Rita, who is queen of the leviathans of her world and yet is one of the most caring and big-hearted people I have known. Like Miss Kukuru, who likewise is loving and compassionate despite being...actually I am not quite sure what she is. Perhaps some sort of demon." Sarra smiles to Holly. "And...no offense intended...but like you, Miss Holly. A Revenant, yet quite cheerful and peaceful with a wonderful curiosity."
Sarracenia	Lissandra: 'Princess, you are already very, very different from the sort of nobility I speak of. It is only a matter of keeping our affairs and goals away from the control and demands of others. We are of different lands, so... It is simpler to behave like fellow professionals, is it not?' Sarra blinks in surprise at being told she is different from other nobility. Of course, she knows that already, but it is rarely framed as a good thing. After a moment to process that, she hmphs softly. "Simpler perhaps, but I have never cared for that sort of distanced relationship. One of the many reasons I started venturing into the Multiverse was to make friends. And is it not more productive to have a good rapport with one's allies? Not to mention if we ever ended up supporting each other in battle, is it not helpful to know that one can trust the other without fear of reprisal or misunderstanding?" She offers a small smile afterword. "I personally much prefer the complicated over the simple over the...well, I am not a doctor of any sort, and am very much the romantic sort, so I suppose I cannot really appreciate a clinical approach to anything, much less relationships. And...thank you for saying I am different from this nobility you seem to dislike." Lissandra: 'No, no, apologies... I wouldn't want to mislead you...to steal it, that would mean...' Sarra's eyes narrow for a moment as she considers, then...she gasps in shock. "He...was not a true hero?!" she exclaims, seeming to be offended by this more than anything. "Uff!! I am so tired of hearing about false heroes taking up the mantle and sullying the name of hero! Why even do such a thing?!" Of course she knows reasons why, but it is a rhetorical question. And she already shoulders a bit of distaste toward churches. "Churches...the last one I encountered was enslaving young girls to fight monsters until they either died or became of age, at which point their memories were erased!" Righteous indignation fills her and she ponders if this church needs to have a party formed to destroy it. She lets that pass for now as the concept of colors for Lissandra's world is explained. "Ah...well, I suppose that is better. The colors of Angela's world are...troublesome." Lissandra: 'Hmm, so she was a warrior-royal..? It does seem as though you've modelled some of yourself after her. I can imagine you heard a great deal about her growing up, if your kingdom sprung up as recently as that.' Sarra nods. "I have. Stories of her exploits inspired me greatly. In fact, the hammer you see in these statues and tapestries was a family heirloom. It passed to me when Queen Dionaea disappeared. Her hammer was found one day on the shores of the lake, but she has not been seen since. That was some 50 years ago." Is that time enough to call something an heirloom? "Unfortunately...the hammer was destroyed in a battle against a powerful foe while trying to save the City." Lissandra: The Survey Sarra blinks, then takes a copy to look over. "Ah! Thank you, Miss Lissandra. I will give it a good look over then let you know. I am sure we could make use of the local periodical stands and newsletters to distribute it." she says. "I am glad it will be voluntary. I would not be inclined to order such a thing. It would feel...odd. An abuse of power, I think." she says, then after a moment. "...and perhaps a threat to security?" She sounds unsure of that, like security is not something she usually considers.
Sarracenia	Sarra seems pleased to hear that Rita has already made a favorable impression on Lissandra. "I am quite fond of her, though...I fear that she harbors a hatred for me that she is too kind to express. We ended up on opposite sides of that conflict I mentioned. The one where my hammer was destroyed. She seems as though she has forgiven me, at least to an extent, but...it pains me to think one with such a kind heart may never consider me heroic again." As Holly wades into the crowd to ask questions, most of the citizens give her quick answers on their way to whatever they are doing. Dietary needs seem to be mostly the same as humans regardless of species, with some showing preference toward what might make sense if they were their non-anthropomorphized cousins. The subject of medicine comes up again, and Sarra gasps. "Oh! I almost forgot!" She pulls her phone out of her purse and makes a quick call, and a few minutes later a piranha plant maid comes scuttling down from the castle. "The documents on my world's medicines and mushrooms. It is also not my strong suit, but such information is well-documented." Once curiosity and questions have been at least somewhat satisfied, Sarra continues with her new friends down the road. Their next stop...an ice cream parlor! Sarra looks a bit nervous for some reason. "...perhaps it is childish of me, but one of my favorite things to do with visitors and potential new friends is share some of my likes with them." She gestures to a table outside of the shop. "Please, have a seat. I will be but a moment." She then enters, and a few moments later exits with three bowls of a very colorful ice cream. "This is my favorite treat in the entire Multiverse. Rainbow Bob-omb! It is a vanilla ice cream with stripes of different colors flavored with different tangy fruits, all swirled up with popping candy!" She seems very excited to share it. She hands each of the others a bowl, then joins them at the table and happily digs in very much as a child might. Despite being thirty, the princess is definitely a child at heart.
Holly Asturias	I doubt a vampiress has much to fear from a mugger, at least. "Well... one can never be too careful. People who survive long enough to be 'muggers', whether human or Revenant, rarely survive on luck alone. But I suppose if you mean all worlds confounded, you might be right! Ah, would that I could resolve every conflict by gently pushing the other party away." She cuts poor Lissandra some slack about 'changing society'. It's quite a heavy topic, and the Witch seems done with it. Maybe another time. "...it is..." Holly smiles, not blind in the slightest to the discomfort she provoked. She reaches up, and places her hand atop Sarracenia's head, and then ruffles her hair gently. "I don't know what the relationship between you and the others is. I'm quite new, but it was evident even to me that there's a certain under, and perhaps over, current of hostility. You seem nice, deep down. I can't say much more than that. I appreciate your willingness to receive us as guests on such short notice, and your eagerness to share your kingdom with others." She looks about, briefly. "You mentioned saving others from Angela's city. That takes a certain something that not everyone has. You should worry more about letting that something shine through, than trying to have the last word. Acts of heroism leave a bigger mark on history than the bold words spoken around them. Perhaps especially so when those words are... unsavory." A shot in the dark. Lissandra gently thwaps Holly. "Ahaha... I suppose I might have taken Angela a bit too much at her word that our dear host was so old. Well, for transparency's sake, I just celebrated my eighty-sixth birthday recently. I'm quite young, by most of my kind's standards." In half of Holly's defense, Angela had said 600. Which is worse! "I am 30." "Consider me corrected then," Holly smiles earnestly, before pondering what follows for a good ten seconds. "And do you still want to be like her? Ah, you don't need to answer now. I fear I've burdened you with enough of these questions already, yes?" "the majority of their population is employed by King Bowser." "How terrible. I'm glad someone is giving them a place to be different, then. That's invaluable in my world, and I can only guess, in yours too." "Rita, who is queen of the leviathans" "Like the sea creatures? That sounds really cool!" "Like Miss Kukuru," "I've heard quite a lot about her already. I'm looking forward to meeting her more and more!" "A Revenant, yet quite cheerful" Holly beams her best smile. "I'm quite relieved you think so! I've been told I can be a little bit scary and intense, sometimes, but I've always tried to present the best of myself. It's reassuring for my patients, and it makes establishing relationships with the humans much easier." This leads into formalities; receiving answers from the crowd, and even peeking over Lissandra's shoulders at the completed surveys, with nary a worry for boundaries. She even receives the papers she asked for! Truly, it's been a productive and wonderful day. ICE CREAM. And it's not over! "Ice cream... when was the last time I had some?" She has to rattle her brain. "Ah, no, no, shaved ice most certainly does not count. So a while, it seems!" She may not be able to get much sustenance from food, but it's still enjoyable to eat! "Well, if it's your favorite, then I see no reason to try any other one. Thank you for this opportunity, Sarracenia!"
Lissandra	Lissandra has a sort of 'oh, you' smile on for a moment. "We do work for different organizations, ultimately. But if you prefer the familiar over the distant, I can understand that. As long as we have things to offer one-another, there's no reason to be cold." Maybe she's convincing herself of that more than Sarracenia by saying it, but she's still figuring out what that actually looks like. Following up on Sarracenia's shocked reaction to the matter of the hero's sword, Lissandra can't help but notice just how sharply Sarracenia's sentiment swerves on a dime, reflexively gesturing 'settle down' with her open hands. "Now now, that's only one possibility. As far as I could guess, there are two more; perhaps the so-called hero was adequate, but the blade sensed something greater about their opponent. I did hear that it was not until after the battle that the sword abandoned them. Or, perhaps the new wielder simply has an ability granting them authority over magic items, unlikely as that is. There are some clues one way or another, but it is only a distant piece of gossip as of now. It's more the Violet's interest than mine, and I wouldn't want to rile you up for no good reason." More like 'I wouldn't want to give you a reason to make the manhunt any more complicated that might come down on me later', but the sentiment is close enough, maybe? "My condolences about the loss of her hammer, though. It's always hard to lose something with sentimental value, but it can help to remember the good use it was put to, before it was lost. I... Admittedly have a hard time getting sentimental about most of my belongings, but I've had to console myself over a few such belongings. I can imagine it's difficult, for something that was with your family for so long." ... She can guess, at least. She didn't have much like that left of her family. Still, she's not unempathetic. "Better the hammer than you, though." As for Rita, Lissandra once again visibly recontextualizes her understanding of the girl she's only met once, tapping her cheek with a fingertip. "Leviathan? Some sort of seaborne creature? If she is native to a place with a 'monsterization' disease, then... I wonder if it manifested like a form of vampirism, leaving her body augmented but mostly unaltered, or... I suppose that would support..?" She has to deliberately stop herself from trying to work through it right there on the spot, shaking her head with a light sigh. "Apologies. Regardless of her current physical nature, it sounds as though her people have found some way to cope with the... Disease? On their own. I might try to tactfully ask for information at a later time, but I would rather not be so blunt and rude to her as to ask now. She was very sweet." In any case, Sarracenia calls for a maid to deliver documents, and Lissandra blinks pleasantly. "Well I'll be. I appreciate your consideration, Princess; this will spare me plenty of time doing my own cataloguing. I might impose upon you in the future for a few seeds and samples, but I'll try to make it worth your while by then." Given the documents were requested directly by Holly though, Lissandra simply shamelessly slides in and gets her phone out to start taking pictures as Holly peruses them. Lissandra wasn't above making her own pain rating scale by hand, so she's sure as heck not above cultivating some silly-looking plants when they have obvious value, nor going elbow to elbow with someone she just met for some juicy information! By the time they get to the ice-cream parlour, Lissandra's preliminary goals are more or less each met, and she already has the roadmap planned out in her head for how to set up a proper survey with a proper team.
Lissandra	So, when a sweet treat comes up, Lissandra is satisfied enough with her day to acquiesce with a bemused look on her face. What she isn't quite prepared for is the very concept of popping candy, which startles her at first into wondering if she's discovered a hidden allergy of hers all of a sudden; past that first moment of shock which passes relatively quickly when she confirms her throat and tongue haven't swollen up, she relaxes at a lazy slump into her seat and tries very, very hard not to let it be obvious how badly the brainfreeze is getting to her. Her ambient temperature is higher than most people's, so it's difficult to ignore, but... Well, a little pain-numbing magic for just a little while can't hurt. It's not every day she allows herself this much sugar in one sitting, but the princess seems too happy about it to justify doing otherwise. Oh well.