Scene #8244: PNL: Jungian Parfaits

Owner	Pose
Stanley Padgett	The place? The bus stop just outside of the Strip Mall. It might be a little troublesome to come back here, following the ambush last month, but Stanley at least has come to terms with the fact that he's a wanted kid now. And more over, that he's got to find good choices for Lampport. Not just for him, but to prove that, well... he's not just some shitty kid. A chill wind blows down the street, as small crowds of people mill around on a Sunday afternoon. It's after church, and the flow of pizza pies out of JIMMY'S GROTTO continues unabated. Stanley has his winter coat on, the one he got from St. Ashes Thrift Store, the big fluffy flannel number. A multicolored scarf wraps around his neck, and his purple hair is fading. He awaits more visitors.
Charlotte Newman	A beat up 1995 Honda swerves through a yellow light, turning a full circle on the icy intersection before the tires grip enough to stop the skid. It then comes to a languid, almost lazy stop in front of Jimmy's Grotto. The occupants have a conversation and then the door opens. A visibly unsteady Charlotte emerges from the Uber driver's car, closing the door and crossing the parking lot with quick steps. By the time she reaches Stanley she's looking less pale and no longer shaking. "Hey, Stanley," is the friendly greeting the girl offers.
Kukuru	Kukuru knows Stanley's a good kid. She knows Charlotte's a good kid. There's few kids she event hinks are genuinely bad, so when she hears about a chance to find out more about... Well, she remembers hearing something earlier about being able to learn some new stuff. She can't quite remember what it is by the time she arrives, and she somehow manages to arrive late despite being able to teleport. It probably has something to do with smelling like a butcher shop and a deep fryer at the same time by the time she does arrive, still wearing her sweater, jeans, and slightly stained apron combo. Spotting the two at Jimmy's Grotto, she wastes little time before getting right over to smooth out their hair and shove little plastic bags at them. There's a water bottle and a wrap with fried breaded meat inside, seasoned with mushroom salt and a healthy heaping of mayonnaise. "He-llo, you two... Ah, you look kinda rough. Did something happen...?" Kukuru yawns immediately after asking that, only remembering to cover her mouth halfway through the noise.
Stanley Padgett	Stanley, as ever, is slightly alarmed at Charlotte's luck at getting rideshares, but he smiles a bit at his compatriot as she gets out of the car, and shuffles his phone out of his pocket. "Hey, I was just about to hail the Bus." Kukuru shows up, and then there's general MOTHERING happening. Stanley huffs and puffs at his hair being messed with, food being shoved into his possession, and he siiiighs. "Hi, Kukuru, always nice to see you." He even offers his friend a hug, before stuffing the leftovers into his duffel bag... and then looking at the two ladies. "...here we go." He presses the call button on his version of The Reversal, and then a different portal than usual opens up. It's not a general rift in time and space, but rather... a blue door, that looks like a bus door, which opens up to the group. ARIA OF THE SOUL ~ Coffee Date Remix https://youtu.be/6lBGJtGYm08 Inside? it's a well-apportioned tour bus, with blue fixtures, blue upholstery, blue trim, and blue lighting. And there are two people inside the bus. A short man, hunched over a table, with an elaborate Golden V embroidered on it... and then a taller girl with long white hair in a single massive braid, wearing a blue flight attendant's uniform, and a cute little pillbox hat. The man smiles, and his rictus grin spreads. "Aaaaaaah... Welcome, to the Velvet Room..."
Charlotte Newman	"You keep calling it a bus-" Charlotte starts right as Kukuru arrives for MOTHERING purposes. She closes her eyes when hair-smoothed -- admittedly her hair was in some amount of disarray and she hadn't straightened herself up that much since arriving. Both eyes close at first, then one opens a second later, "Oh, hi Kukuru." She glances down at the parcel she'd been given, adding, "Thanks again for everything you do." She shakes her head, then, "Just a-- bit of a rough ride, I'm fine." Lifting a hand, she waves it off. The door appears at Stanley's call and Charlotte falls silent, staring at it for a moment. The look on her face is hard to place, somewhere between recognition and confusion. Like she's seen it before, but doesn't know where. Was it in a dream, maybe? Or related to how she described awakening to Galatea? Something about the way she ventures aboard suggests she doesn't think she Belongs Here. Distractedly, she tucks Kukuru's gift into her purse, then greets the offputting-but-inviting man with a dip of her head, "Um, thank you. I'm Charlotte, a friend of Stanley's, nice to meet you."
Kukuru	Stanley gets a hug on one side, Charlotte gets a hug on the other, and Kukuru already looks pretty pleased with herself. "Aw, it's only normal. This is an adult's job, too, you know? Now, you both-" Wait. She came here for reasons other than just shoving food at them. Right. Instead of finishing that thought, she lets Stanley take the lead and open the strange blue door to another place. She stares at it cluelessly for a while, then snaps her fingers with a pleased giggle escaping her a moment later. "Oh! I didn't know your phones could do this, too. Neat..." She comments with a light lilt in her voice, then heads on in to check it out. She's careful not to put her head (and the horns) too close to any of the upholstery, instead shuffling over to take a seat by the table if there is one and just squatting with her chin on the table itself if there isn't. That'll let her get a better look at the two right in front of her. "He-llo there~ Ah, I've got extra. Lemme just..." And then she's alraedy digging around in her apron's big pocket, taking out two more of those bottle + wrap bags out of it to slide across the table. "In case you wanted something fresh. Sooo.. May name's Kukuru. Ku-kuru. And you're...?"
Stanley Padgett	The room is... calming, welcoming. Like people belong here; like there was meant to be people here more often. Pains ease, and soreness fades. The gentle rocking of the bus starts up, as it starts in motion again, on an endless trip through blue mists outside the windows, and Stanley settles into his usual spot, marked by... well, not by anything, but it's a position near the table that just always felt like he was supposed to be sitting here. As Kukuru tries to deliver her foodstuffs to the people here... the white-haired girl smiles and accepts the gifts. "Thank you, Miss Kukuru. I appreciate it." But as the ADULT tries to slide her food to the table to the main sitting behind it... even through her happy-go-lucky nature, the laid-back manner she exudes, this feels like a transgression of some sort, like there's not supposed to be food on the table, nor is anyone meant to touch it. Not that the man behind the table seems to mind, nor actively tries to stop her. "Thank you as well. Miss Kukuru." Charlotte gets a look from the white haired girl, something... well it's hard to place. It's something knowing, but yet examining. Like... what are you doing here? "My name is Igor," continues the man. "This place exists between dream and reality, mind and matter... It is a place only those bound by a Contract may enter..."
Charlotte Newman	The energy Charlotte gets from Igor is welcoming and wise; it's clear from the way she pays attention to him that she likes him pretty much immediately. While he describes the nature of the Velvet Room, she takes a seat roughly opposite of Stanley's, on the other side of the bus with her purse resting in her lap. Something about this feels Correct, but also Wrong. That crosses her face briefly before she tucks it away. In taking in the lavish surroundings, she briefly locks eyes with Delilah. Her response is-- brief. A knot twists in her stomach and she quickly returns her attention to Igor, with Kukuru already getting comfortable as well. "We were hoping you'd be able to tell us a little more about our Personas, mister Igor," she offers to the man, "And-- actually I had a few questions, myself, if you'd be willing to answer them." Something tells her, deep down, that Igor might not be so forthcoming with information, though she's also convinced it isn't out of malice.
Kukuru	If Kukuru was the type of person to be worried about transgressing about anything, she certainly doesn't show it now. It's entirely possible she might not even be thinking about it, as she soon settles back down to look between the visitors she's arrived with and those already in the Velvet ~~Room~~ Bus. After the introductions are given, she listens closely as Igor explains where they are. The first part goes over her head, but the second part has her chiming in with a cheerful tone in her voice. "Oh, that's perfect, then. I signed plenty of those already." She seems quite pleased with herself, but a worried look crosses her face once she looks over at Stanley and Charlotte. "Oh, wait... Do you two need...?" Holding up a finger, Kukuru digs into her apron pocket again to retrieve some papers, then hands them over to Stanley and Charlotte with a sly little wink. They're applications for joining the Concord. Technically not contracts, though, since they're blank. With Charlotte giving her a lead on what they're here for, Kukuru can more easily play along like she actually remembered what they all came here for today. "That'd be super helpful, mhm... Oh. Do you have info on the wishes, too? Or the Reversal..." Kukuru digs her fingers against the sides of her head lightly. "The... Oh! Or those people that were snooping around their school?"
Stanley Padgett	Igor's smile somehow softens at Kukuru's antics with the Contracts, and he chuckles. "No no, Miss Kukuru, these two have already been bound to their duties here in Steelport." The old man uses the old name for the city, then. Hmmm. A hand waves across the table. "And this place is sort of... a transition between this world and what you call The Reversal." A smile. Stanley looks up, and then ohs. "Oh, yeah, neither of these two has properly been in here before." He blinks, as Delilah brings a small trolley cart from... somewhere. And both Kukuru and Charlotte are handed their favorite snacks. Yes, even if they are hard to find. Stanley gets several packets of Tastykakes, and then actually looks over the Concord application. "This room manifests itself, as do I, when things need to be Put Straight," continues Igor. "My duty is to help provide those with a Contract the means and tools they need to resolve the Conflict that is at hand. As you have stated, the Wishes that are upsetting the natural order of your world, and the Reversal." The old man smiles, and then hmmms. "You, Stanley, Detective Caelan and the others you have gathered have put a start to your work, but it is far from complete." Igor looks right at Charlotte, and smiles. "You my dear, may ask all the questions you wish, but be warned, I might not be able to answer them."
Charlotte Newman	Kukuru offers Charlotte a Concord application. She accepts it to be polite, skimming the text for a moment. A wry smile crosses her face and she politely offers the paperwork back, "Thank you, miss Kukuru, but I must turn you down here. I've already got some affiliations." The vaguely uncomfortable sensation she feels radiating off Delilah isn't mitigated by the appearance of some macarons, though she accepts the little plate with a quiet 'thank you' while Igor clarifies things. She gives one of the little puffs a squeeze to test it out. "My first question is about the wishes... We met Mister Speck, whose wish doesn't seem to be breaking the Reversal or hurting people like the others were. In fact, his wish seems to be making things better and helping others." A melancholic look takes over her expression, still focused on the pastry, " We've fought Tyrants before, whose Wishes were harming others either on accident or on purpose... but if this wish is making peoples' lives better, allowing them to be happier and more fulfilled, I would feel terrible if we just undid it." Finally, the girl lifts her gaze to rest her eyes on Igor, "Is it possible to... to 'fix' a wish that is already almost good?"
Kukuru	"They do? Oh, that's okay, too." Kukuru giggles and leans back, although she only takes Charlotte's application back with an understanding smile and nod. "Aw, okay. Still, if you ever change your mind, I'll have it ready~" Steelport being used goes right over her head (mostly), although it does get her to tap her chin briefly even without actually saying anything about it. She takes the little package of crispy shrimp rolls with a gentle smile and pat on Delilah's hand, and she's crunching away while Igor explains more about The Room. "So you're here when stuff needs to be fixed... Go-ot it." Kukuru nods, and then she lets out a 'oh yeah' kind of noise when he mentions the wishes. "Right. Wishes, wishes..." She mulls it over while Charlotte asks some questions first, then follows up on that with a few of her own. "How does someone make those wishes happen here, anyway? Like.. Um. Is it something that just anyone can do and hope it happens, or is there something... Um. Some kind of switch or button for it?"
Stanley Padgett	Delilah accepts the headpats, smiles cheerily, and then sits directly next to Stanley. A large tome comes from... somewhere, and the girl rests it in her lap, sighing quietly and taking a break. She looks nearly natural with that Grimoire there. Stanley seems to be more focused on his Tastykakes for a moment. Igor smiles again. "Mr. Speck is a good man, whom we have gotten to know, although I don't think he knows that." A chuckle. "He is very close to awakening a Persona himself, and may do so in time, if he could ever bring himself to make that last step." A gloved hand spreads across the table. "And you have found one of the cruxes of the matter. A Wish is not something to be taken lightly, nor is it something that comes without a Price. Miss Miller has found herself... close to the correct outcome. But she too has awakened a Tyrant, much like the many, many others who have made Wishes over the last several years. But she too came very close to Awakening herself." So they know about the Wishes, but... several years? John's been Nameless for a while, but how long has this been going on? Igor looks to Kukuru next. "I think you will find that someone has been..." He tilts his head, considering his words. "...forcing Wishes to take place." A beat, and the man shrugs, apologetically. "I would answer more directly than that, but I am beholden to not do so." Igor's eyes widen. "This is an Unjust Game, and the Rules are stacked against you. I am unable to alter the Rules, but I can guide you through them."
Charlotte Newman	"Mmm..." Charlotte lets out that thoughtful noise as she absorbs Igor's response and compares it to what she knows. Her voice comes out low and thoughtful, "In comparing our notes and experiences, it seems to be linked to the game, so that at least seems to support our conclusions..." She pauses, glancing up, "Oh, but you didn't quite answer my question, sir. I appreciate the deeper understanding, but we know that Chastity's wish is still a little broken, even if it's doing some good things." She re-phrases, "Can it be fixed? Can we talk down a tyrant if the wish is good-hearted enough, or is erasure our only option?" Her voice wavers a bit, "Is it worth even the attempt, or would we just be wasting our time?" She has some other things on her mind, but this feels like the most pressing matter on her mind right now.
Kukuru	"So many... Oh, that's nice, then. Maybe they could even help us out once they awaken their Persona... S." Kukuru suggests with a hopeful tone in her voice again, munching on a few more of those shrimp rolls and peering at Delilah's book idly. "It does sound kind of weird for a wish to cost anything, though. I mean... Isn't a wish supposed to be something you get without paying for it? Otherwise, it's just a..." She snaps her finger a few times, then gets it. "... A trade! But if someone's forcing them to happen, that's no good. It's like someone forcing you into buying something you don't want, but... Worse." She wrinkles her nose briefly, then chuckles after a moment and shakes her head at Igor. "It's okay, Iggy. It's not your fault you gotta follow those rules. Whatever you can tell us is still helpful, so..." She pauses again to listen Charlotte as she asks her own questions, and to give herself some more time to think. "Can you tell us who...? No. How we can get our own wishes, then? If someone's forcing people to do it, then maybe we could get them to try and get us to make one." She suggests with a satisfied noise, then furrows her brow moments later. "Oh, but we'd need a good one if that's the case... And to get their attention." And then she finally recalls something. "What happens if the wish maker dies?" She asks with her usual laid back, perhaps even careless tone.
Stanley Padgett	Igor's smile widens at Charlotte, somehow. "Changing a Wish? Well, you'd have to bring the person who made the Wish face to face with the consequences of their wish, don't you think? The mechanism for making that Wish only comes briefly in your world. But be warned, some people may not or cannot make that choice on their own. It comes down to what their convictions are, in their heart." Hmmmmm. Igor's age passes to Kukuru. "As for how the other side is crafting their Wishes, I cannot say. But I can say that they are using nefarious methods to keep the Wishes flowing." A breath. "More than that would be a trangression." Delilah catches Kukuru's other question. "Ah, if someone dies, their Shadow Self, whatever its form, would not be able to function, would it not?" A curious look at the woman, before the Attendant taps her fingers on the Compendium in her lap. "A very direct approach, but one that does not come without costs of its own. Though." Something of a haughty look on her face. "I suspect your views on killing people are not quite those of everyone else's." Stanley blinks. "We're not killing Chastity, Kukuru."
Charlotte Newman	"She has to face it herself, huh..." Charlotte lifts a hand to her chin, tapping her bottom lip in downcast thought, "...I think I understand, thank you sir." She glances towards Stanley and Kukuru, "We'll bring her with us when we face the Tyrant. She already knows we have powers, even before you posted your video. She mentioned your speed and I'm pretty sure she saw me leave the Reversal when Professor Ficsits was . . . Left Unsupervised." The thought Kukuru brought up was suppressed internally. She chalks that up to Kukuru's chain-of-consciosusness sort of thinking, rather than something the woman actually intends to do. She's just too nice to hurt a girl like that, isn't she? Charlotte lets out a little sigh, closing her eyes, "That's the part that I thought was most important out of the way... So I'd like to ask something a bit more personal to me, Mister Igor. I don't...usually like bringing up my own problems, they seem so small compared to everything else, but..." Her eyes open. "Why can't I remember anything from before School started? Is that because of a Wish, too?"
Kukuru	Changing a wish is brought up, and Kukuru hums softly to herself while leaning sideways from her seat. "It'd be easier if we knew what that mecha... What that was, but paying attention that long for that person AND that would be way too much work. And if they don't wanna change it, then we're back at square one." Drooping to the other sid next, Kukuru nods slowly at what answers Igor can give her. "That's still an answer, so it's okay. Maybe it's something like... A pipe. A wish pipe, with wish water coming out of it, but it's dangerous to keep it open that long." She concludes, looking towards Charlotte and Stanley to see their reaction to that prediction. "Hm? Oh, no, I don't wanna kill her. She's nice, right?" Kukuru giggles and shakes her head, reaching over to give Stanley and Charlotte gentle pats of reassurance. "If she was bad or someone else that made a wish was bad, though, then... Yep!" Coming from Kukuru, it sounds as though that's the most natural conclusion to make. That probably answers Delilah's question easily enough, but Kukuru isn't one for subtlety, and she turns to her with a pleased nod. "An Elite can't be that uncertain this kind of thing, you know? If someone's that bad and they refuse to be good, then...~" She makes a vague hand-swatting motion, then eats some more shrimp rolls.
Stanley Padgett	Igor seems to be content at the chain of decisions being made, and then settles into his seat again, looking pleased with himself. Delilah looks at Charlotte as she asks about HER past, and then back to Igor, who smiles again. "Miss Newman, I can safely say that what has happened to you is not as a result of a Wish like the one that happened to Mr. R E D A C T E D." Igor's face glitches out at trying to say John's real name. "As to what happened to you, you will have to discover that on your own. though..." A look to the group at large. "Do you believe in fortune telling?" Stanley FROWNS at the fortune telling, but Delilah jabs him in the ribs with her elbow.
Charlotte Newman	The answer Charlotte gets from this isn't particularly satisyfing-- and yet, somehow is about what she expected. It might be bias rooted in her clear comfort with the man, but she accepts Igor's explanation with a little nod, "Then I'll keep on how I have been for now, thank you." She does shrink a little, having revealed something that she feels vulnerable about in front of two strangers, a casual acquaintence, and perhaps her closest friend all at once. Kukuru's little pat at least calms her down a bit and keeps her from getting into her own head about it. The woman also makes a good point about Elite responsiblity, and Charlotte nods once, "Thank you for the advice." She admittedly felt the same way about the Ripper; that the kid was allowed to live afterward still baffles her a bit, though she also hasn't seen William around since the Halloween incident and isn't sure what actually happened to him. Igor changes the subject. Charlotte straightens her seated posture, "Oh? I read a little about astrology. I'd be willing to give it a try."
Kukuru	Kukuru looks pleased when Delilah gives Charlotte a definite answer, even if there's a moment where it sounds like something didn't quite come out right. She blinks, shakes her head as if trying to clear something out of it, then goes right on back to listening. Noticing Charlotte's discomfort, she slides over a bit to put an arm around her shoulder, then tugs her closer gently to offer a side of comforting! "Fortune telling... Oh, I know some people that did that back home. That's the kind of stuff really smart people get into, right? Like with the astrono... gy, and the palms?" Unlike Stanley, Kukuru sounds like she'd be exactly the person to get suckered into scams on the subject.
Stanley Padgett	An array of three tarot cards appears on the table in front of Igor out of a pack that manifests next to him, and he smiles. "Think hard on the cards, Miss Kukuru." And then one two three, the cards are flipped over. The first card? "Ah, Justice. A major Arcana. You have come through the mists of your past and brought resolution to yourself and others." Card two. "Temperance. You are currently waving a careful path through life, navigating treacherous waters to find common ground." Card three. "Your future? The Four of Wands. Very auspicious. The wands hold aloft the fruits of your labors for all to see." Igor's smile broadens, before he turns to Charlotte. "Are you ready?"
Stanley Padgett	Stanley just continues to fidget as cards are played and laid out for the other two.
Charlotte Newman	Charlotte gets more or less pulled out of her seat by Kukuru's comforting attempts. She lets out an awkward noise, but doesn't really fight it. The horned woman is, after all, just doing her best to be nice. It's not something the girl can really object to. She just lets out a quiet, "Thank you," to the older woman. She hears out Kukuru's fortune as Igor reads it, ruminating on the meanings of the cards with a little, thoughtful frown. She glances at Stanley when he makes his displeasure clear through body language, then back to Igor when her name is spoken, "Yes, I'm ready."
Kukuru	Oh no. They're asking her to think! Kukuru obliges, and it's clear she's straining to do so. The first card comes up, and she stares at it long and hard. "I... Did? 'kaaay." She doesn't sound like she really understands it, but it's certainly something she's done. Whether she's actually helped most of those people or just helped bring a resolution to their lives is another matter entirely. The second card comes up, and she looks slightly less confused. Neutral, even, as though it's something even she considers obvious. "That sounds pretty normal, yeah... I mean, that's just a normal thing to do, right? Elites gotta work together on stuff, especially if it's dangerous." The third card comes up, and that has Kukuru grinning broadly. "Oh, that's awesome~ I've been working super hard, mhm. If everyone realizes it, then maybe they'll even...!" She's not particularly clear about what she means, but she certainly seems pleased about it regardless.
Stanley Padgett	Igor looks at Charlotte, and as he starts to draw the array, the young lady will feel.... something achingly familiar about this. She's done this before, been in this place before, felt the draw of the tarot around her, the bonds of others as- Card one. "Ah, the Two of Pentacles. The infinity symbol of the juggler shows that you have long handled many separate goals." Card 2. "...The Magician. The heart of your Persona, one who has mastered the basics and is taking action to decide their life." Card 3. "...The Hanged Man. Auspicious as well. You may have to let something go in the future, to gain something vital." Igor's eyes are fixed on Charlotte, the look on his face inscrutible.
Charlotte Newman	That knot twists in Charlotte's stomach again, to the degree that she looks visibly uncomfortable as Igor reads out her fortune, red eyes fixating on each card as they're revealed. Her stare unchanging as the meanings are read out to her. One could easily intuit that she's uncomfortable having her fortune read by the look on her face, even though she was on board just a moment ago. Her brow knits in confusion and frustration and she lets out a little, tense sound when the reading is completed. After several quiet moments she snaps back to herself with the realization that she's gripped the edge of the table so hard that her knuckles are turning white. Gingerly, she releases it, glancing down, "Th-thank you, sir. I'm not...sure what came over me, I'm sorry. It's nothing you did. I'll keep your words in mind moving forward."
Kukuru	More cards! Kukuru watches the draws and Charlotte's reactions curiously, eventually joining Igor in staring right at her. The expecting, then concerned look on her face is extremely scrutable in comparison, especially while sitting so close by. "You okay, Charlie? Do you...?" She really doesn't understand what caused that reaction, but that doesn't mean she can't try to help a little with it. Another bottle of water comes out, and Kukuru's other hand goes to rub her back gently to try and ease some of that tension. "Don't worry. We're here for you. Even if you don't remember it now... Just keep doing what you can with what you know now, okay?"
Stanley Padgett	Stanley is also there next to Charlotte, moving from his spot next to Delilah, to give her something or someone to lean on. "...If it makes you feel any better... I only ever get the one reading. It's always the same, so..." He grumps, and just rests there with Charlotte. Igor's smile softens again, as Delilah seems slightly... aloof-er? Maybe? The old man's baritone voice warbles slightly. "That is no fault of your own, Stanley, you know that." A sigh. "And Miss Newman, I understand that this can be a troubling experience, but you already have found the answer you were looking for." A look to Kukuru and Stanley, both there for her. "...You have already formed Bonds, strong as steel, that will carry you and those you care for further and farther than you would be expecting."
Charlotte Newman	Kukuru on one side, Stanley on the other, Charlotte visibly calms down through closeness and contact. She even stops shaking, as subtle as that response was. The queasy knot in her guts twists again, though less severely this time. "It's not the fortune," she murmurs, "Something just feels Wrong. I can't-- tell what it is." mostly for the benefit of the two close to her. She takes in an unsteady breath, straightening her shoulders and letting it out slowly. She fixes her posture to look directly at Igor, dipping her head in a respectful nod, "Thank you again, mister Igor. I'm just sorry I made a bit of a scene out of myself in your..." She pauses, here, before finally finishing, "...Home." She's in the process of composing herself, "You've been nothing but kind and helpful hosts, b-but I think I might need to get some air." She nods once, glancing first to Kukuru, then to Stanley, "If you'll all excuse me for a minute."
Stanley Padgett	Stanley isn't going to stop Charlotte from getting up and leaving the Velvet Room, though he does toss a look to Igor and Delilah. "You two have been REALLY helpful, thanks. We'll.... we'll be around soon, and let you know how things turn out." He shuffles out after Charlotte... Those leaving the Velvet Room will find themselves outside in the cold, inside the bus shelter in front of the Strip Mall. None of the passing bystanders notice them stepping out of thin air, because it's a bus station, and they're getting off a bus. That's entirely natural.
Kukuru	Kukuru's smile softens as Igor shows that he gets it, and as Stanley gives Charlotte support as well. "That's right. If something's wrong, we'll fix it. We'll find out whatever it is, and we'll fix it." She gives Charlotte another light hug from the side, then brings her arm back around to give the girl some space to move whenever she's ready to go. "I guess that's probably a good time for us to go, too, huh? Thanks again for inviting us~" Getting up afterwards, she strolls on over to Delilah and Igor to give them both gentle pats on the head (or the nose) before heading out of the tour bus herself. It's only when she's back outside with the others at the bus stop that she finally realizes she has no idea where she is. "Do you two need help getting home?" Kukuru asks as she faces the wall of the station, as if she's about to walk right into it like it's not there. They can probably already guess what she's going to do. She's done it plenty of times before.
Charlotte Newman	Charlotte dips her head once again respectfully to Igor and Delilah before exiting the bus; and finds herself at the exact same bus stop they had boarded from. She pauses, perplexed for a moment at the surroundings, glancing over her shoulder. Wasn't... wasn't the bus moving the whole time they were on it? She shakes her head, dismissing the thought. Weird psychological spaces are going to be weird, she reasons inwardly. She takes a deep breath of the crisp winter air, eyes closed, and lets it out slowly. The shiver isn't from the cold. She can feel the knot in her guts loosening to the point where she can finally ignore it. "...I'm sorry," she admits, "I liked it in there, but something... I can't tell what was getting to me. Mister Igor seems very nice and wise, I think he genuinely wants to help us, however he can through the rules that bind him." She nods once, mostly to herself. Lifting her gaze, she glances between the horned woman and the sadboy accompanying her, "Thank you both for being there for me." Charlotte puts on a little smile, lifting a hand with one finger extended, "How about I pay you both back with a meal? My treat, of course. Kukuru's always giving us food, so I'd like to give back a bit, anyway."
Stanley Padgett	Stanley's smile in an honest one, as he reaches over to hug Charlotte again. "Yeah, it's fine, they can only do so much, and I think that's got them frustrated. I mean, they keep saying I'm not what I could be, so..." A grump. "Apparently I'm not some Wild Card that they're used to having. Something else I need to work on." An offer of food will never be turned down, however, and the young man looks to Kukuru. "There's some really good restaurants around here."
Kukuru	"Adults have weird rules to follow sometimes. It's a pain." Kukuru admits with a slow nod at Charlotte's assessment of Igor. "I don't really get them myself sometimes, but someone smart like that... Smart people have a lot more to worry about, huh?" She laughs lightly, and then she rubs her neck. "Maybe a wish about getting smarter wouldn't be a good idea, then... But we'll figure out how to get this wish person sooner or later. Maybe we can even..." She pauses, then shakes her head. "No, wishing for the wishes to stop would be... Weird. and if it's not all bad..." Kukuru lets herself get distracted for a few moments, then claps a hand on Charlotte's shoulder gently. And then her eyes light up when Charlotte mentions treating herself and Stanley with food. "Really? Oh, that'd be great! I haven't had a lot of stuff from around here before, so I'll try whatever stuff you wanna bring us in for. I'm sure it'll be good~"