Monster Wrangler

It had been a long day. Calico had had a devil of a time simply coordinating everything, and it was quite late as she rearranged her hotel room furniture for what promised to be the last time.

She'd also managed to get her hands on some reasonably decent booze, and it occupied a prominent place on the kitchentte countertop.

Here's to new beginnings.

A soft knock came at the door despite the late hour. Mara was more than eager to celebrate with her friend. Blitz and Tinder both snuck after her. Mara knew full well the hotel staff wouldn't look kindly on Tinder being inside.

Blitz held the same shiny shell she had brought when she and Orlok last mated. Mara had money on hand in case the wanted room service, it was their last night in the hotel and she intended to spoil Calico a little.

"Hey stranger, come on in!"

Orlok was holding The Feather and made a beeline for Blitz as she entered, and the egg Calico had won was wrapped in a warm towel on the countertop.

"We might be seeing a couple of others drop by, not entirely sure about these things..."

'Ack!' Mara made a beeline past Calico and re-wrapped the egg, running a finger over it delicately to test temp and rotated it softly. She nodded to herself, pleased with the minor adjustment.

'Sorry about that.'

Mara walked back over to Calico. 'A few others you say? Anyone I know?'

Suddenly Mara gently elbowed Calico in the ribs, placing a finger to her lips and pointed. Blitz was eyeing the egg longingly, before purring and posing at Orlok.

"No, no, you know a hell of a lot more about that sort of thing than I do... the last thing we need is for that poor thing to never hatch! Uh, so far as the guest list... dunno. You met Rayfe or Felix yet?"

And then Mara was directing her attention and...

Oh!

Orlok fluttered closer, then circled around Blitz.

'It's a bit too early for her to be ready for thaa.... oh my. I-I-I guess i-i-its a form of bonding?' Mara turned to Calico blushing furiously.

'I haven't! I'm interested in meeting the men that have so captured your attention.' She winked cheekily at Calico. 'Shall I set some candles out and decorate to set the mood for you, mm?'

'Maybe I can distract the other one for a little if you want some privacy or... perhaps...'

A soft knock on the door came just in time to save Calico from a possibly embarrassing line of questioning if she was looking for an out.

Eeep!

"Er, sounds like that's one of them now..."

Calico (assiduously avoiding looking at Blitz and Orlok) made for the door.

"Felix! Hello! Hi! Uh... come on in?"

Felix ducked slightly entering the room with a smile "Hey there Calico." For once his voice was more hushed as he read the vibe and didn't want to ruin it.

He walked in giving the monster pair a wide berth and nodded to the other woman "You must be the famous Mara I've been hearing so much about. Calico speaks very highly of you."

'Does she now? That would.make you the famous Felix, she speaks so highly of, eh?' Her voice was soft, with a playful tone accenting it.

The monsters had settled down a bit with Blitz shooting the occasional longing look at the egg. The staguar purred and snuggled her mate between glances.

"I only willingly associate with people I speak highly of. One of my rules..."

'Oh, is that so?' A raised eyebrow and the slightest smirk. 'I hope you don't mind but I am going to make a few minor adjustments for the benefit of Orlok and Blitz.' Riiiiiight, for the monsters. Not trying to play wingman for your 'friend,' are you Mara?

Mara began to rearrange the room, ever so slightly, making minor adjustments to pillows, blankets, playing with the lighting... anything she could to improve the mood.

(Effect: This character can spend 1 hour to make
an area romantic. If she does so, for the next four
hours, anyone making either a social Skill Roll of a
romantic nature or a Wrangle (Energy) Skill Roll to
breed monsters in the romantic area rolls +2 dice on
that Skill Roll.)

Felix chuckles a bit "it's a good rule to have I'd say, you even speak highly of your bookie." He says with a grin

He watches Mara flit around the room getting things cozy "Wow yeah you definitely made this space really romantic. I can definitely see why you're such a good breeder."

Ohhhhhhhh noooooooooooo

"Uh, yeah, Mara's got a feel for that sort of thing..."

Calico made a gesture with her hands. What it was trying to express was anyone's guess.

"Anyhow, have a seat, take a load off, I know it's real late, but, well... figure we could celebrate, maybe talk plans, y'know... all of that..."

Mara brought over the bottle of liquor and a few glasses, serving Felix and Calico around her preparations. 'I have a decent bit of experience with it.' She poured a glass for herself and carried it with her.

She raised an eyebrow at Calico as she saw the hand signals and gave a discreet smirk with her back to Felix. She tried to hide it behind her glass. 'To future plans?' Mara went back to her arrangements, doing her best not to laugh.

He found a spot and relaxed into a seat on a couch that was in the room. He accepted the drink from Mara with a smile and nod of thanks.

He raised the glass "To new friends." And took a drink.

At this point, Calico felt like she could use a stiff drink, and took a bit more than a sip.

"So. Uhm. Kinda outlined the basics of the idea with each of you individually, but... maybe hashing it out in a mixed group's a better idea?"

Felix nodded "yeah I mean making sure we're all on the same page is a great idea. I guess what is the actual plan for the business? Monster breeding and training?"

'Starting a ranch for breeding and training. Whether that be for riding, effects production, it depends on the monsters. I seem to be good at attracting birds. If we could have some manner of fireproofing might want to train the Tayirramads for delivery services.'

She finally finished and sat next to Calico, taking a drink of her own. 'I believe Calico was looking to give Milo a home too? Take the kid in, give him a better place to grow?'

"Well, his material needs are covered, but.... he's got some weird stuff going on in his life, and I feel like he's... less supported on that front."

Sip.

"I mean,there's a lot to unpack with looping him in, not least of which, we'd need to make it plain we're not after whatever money his family left him."