Food Court (Day 1, Late Afternoon)

[Chandra Ellison]

"It's not a bad idea," she agrees. "Just make sure you know what you're getting into before you tame one. There are some monsters, like these two -" she motions towards Diva and Arsenio "- who are fine, but there are others that are just... well, let's be charitable and call them 'experienced' monsters. Like, I can't imagine anyone willingly wanting to train a Carnoid. And if you have something like a Panchin, you can poison yourself just by brushing up against them the wrong way."

[Milo Whitewood]

"Hmm. I was thinking about a Staguar or a Nappen. I'd like to read more about looking after them so I know more about what I could be getting into." Milo shares his thoughts. "I don't think I'd ever want a Carnoid. They really freak me out. Um... how did you meet and bond with Arsenio?"

[Chandra Ellison]

"Nappen are pretty nice monsters, usually. We used one as a nanny for my little sister, actually." She smiles at the memory. "Worked out really well. I'm a bit jealous, honestly."

At the question, she glances down at Arsenio. "Sort of by accident, honestly. We have a compost pile out back of the house, and some discarded pepper seeds took root, and one morning my dad work up to this little sprout barbequing a squirrel and our TV dish. He was pretty upset, but I decided to keep him. That was... oh, maybe six months ago now."

[Milo Whitewood]

The story easily elicits a chuckle from Milo. "Unlucky for your dad and the squirrel, but lucky for you. He's really attached to you huh? Um, no pun intended."

Milo pulled his tray closer so he could begin to eat. "Sorry, I'm asking you lots of questions. Too excited." His food was a little cold now, but it was worth it to hear more about the local monsters and to get to know someone from the area. Chandra seemed nice.

[Chandra Ellison]

"You're fine, don't worry about it!" She flashes him a friendly smile. "Yeah, it worked out alright. Arsenio is pretty easy to get along with, so long as you keep an eye on him and make sure all the fire alarms have fresh batteries. He's not allowed in the house, but he seems to like backyard pretty well." She smirks. "We definitely have less squirrels now."

[Milo Whitewood]

Milo felt a little bad for the squirrels, but he was old enough to understand that nature could be cruel. Food chains were important.

"Better safe than sorry with the fire alarms, yeah." He gives Chandra a thumbs up as he noshes on his meal. His gaze moves to Arsenio. He hadn't ever seen a Scovine with his own eyes so he was naturally curious about it.

[Chandra Ellison]

The Scovine had gone back to the decorative plastic plant, which it had wrapped its vine around. It seemed to be trying to uproot the other plant, but its ultimate purpose remained vague and undecipherable.

[Milo Whitewood]

After a few moments observing the Scovine, and more mouthfuls of food, Milo slipped his own paperwork closer to start looking it over. "Are there any big rules or, um, terms we should bear in mind?"

[Chandra Ellison]

Chandra considered the question and glanced down at her rules packet. "Hmm.. the big one seems to be avoid leaving the arena. There are a few more restrictions for flying monsters... oh, and don't leave your Wrangler Area. You can use medicine sprays if your monster gets close, but you can't rush into the field without conceding."

The Scovine manages to fully uproot the plastic plant, which it starts to slowly scurry away with.

"Hey!"

It pauses as Chandra shouts at it.

"Put it back."

Arsenio remains still for a moment, then slowly moves back to the planter and carefully lays the plastic plant down atop the decorative rocks it had been planted in.

[Milo Whitewood]

Milo was pretty fascinated by this. "Do all Scovine try to magpie stuff or is it just Arsenio?" The poor fake plant now looked forlorn. It sat helpless atop the decorative plants it had once been neatly nestled in. It was a little sad.

Not as much as the barbeque squirrels though.

[Chandra Ellison]

"I'm not entirely sure," she admits. "He's the only one I've met, and they're not all that common around here."

[Milo Whitewood]

Finishing off more of his meal, Milo nods understandingly. "Thanks for letting me ask you so many questions."

[Chandra Ellison]

"No problem!" She flashes him another smile. "Good luck in the tournament tomorrow. I hope that your construct has a good fight."

[Milo Whitewood]

"Me too! I'm trying not to get nervous, but it'll be a good experience... I think!" He laughed and brushed his nose. "We'll see. Good luck too."

Milo switches focus a bit to his paperwork. "I better start reading."

[Chandra Ellison]

Chandra checks her watch, stands up, says her goodbyes, and starts herding Arsenio out of the mall.

/scene

[Milo Whitewood]

Milo prepares as best he can for the tournament after saying goodbyes. He'd have to get Chandra some cookies or something as a thank you.

/Scene (thank you!)