ghostmagnet | Log w/ warmage

[ ooc: ok'ed w/ mun and mod from psl dressing room game - copy/pasted as comm is locked. ]

Cassie wasn't really sure why she'd stuck around, both before and after the forming of this city. No, that's a lie. She knew exactly why she'd stuck around after it actually opened. There was an added level of security to be in a city that was so diverse. One where she could blend in without having to change too much about herself. Tony was always a looming threat, but after three years she'd gotten a little lax. Sure, she was still constantly paranoid and looking over her shoulders... But she'd started to make friends. Lasting connections that really were starting to mean a lot to her. Even had a few safety nets in place just in case.

Maybe it was the people in her life that had driven her down to the streets rather than hanging out in her small studio apartment like the hermit she really is or maybe it's just a hint of curiosity, either way she's out and about taking in everything she can. This was a rare opportunity to be able to move through the city almost undetected, blending in with the crowds... It'd be foolish to pass it up. She moves through the city, making a point to try and avoid the Vampire Quarter as best as she can just to be safe. Blending really only went so far when she was still fairly recognizable to anyone from Tony's court. Still blonde, still short, still technically on the run.

One of the wisps zips around her head, earning a laugh as she gently brushes at it - attention quickly shifting to one of the vendors. Most of the trinkets he was peddling were pretty cheesy, but there were a few gems of absolute tackiness that seemed to scream her name. Including a snow globe she was pretty sure was actually enchanted because the snow definitely shouldn't be changing color depending which section of the city it was landing on. Cassie eventually relaxes enough to have fun, a drink somehow finding its way to her hand as she returns to her casual wandering to take in the sights and spectacles everyone had to offer.

She does eventually move on, trying not to stay in one spot too long, still constantly keeping an eye out over her shoulder... Although she attempts to be subtle about it. Key word: attempts. And that's when she realizes she'd turned herself around somewhere, the look of concentration melting into something resembling a whole lot of confusion. While she knew the Human District like the back of her hand, there were some gaps in her knowledge everywhere else. Apparently maps and memorizing street names weren't enough around here. Figures the one times she could use wearing heels instead of tennis shoes would be the one time she didn't.

He's not here to party. In fact, Pritkin is very determined to not to be partying and somehow still find his way through the crows to the Mage Tower where he has Very important Work to be doing.

Except the streets are full and someone dropped a hot pink party hat on his head that he can't for the life of him seem to lose. (Fae shit, he's betting. Their magic is always the most annoying). he's looking very aggravated about everything, his hair expressing this by being particularly unruly today and sticking up in various direction as he narrowly avoids being stepped on by.... shit, that was totally a centaur, he's lucky to still have a foot.

And then he promptly backs into Cassie so hard he almost knocks them both over, a curse muttered quite vehemently under his breath as he reaches out to catch himself.

Cassie's very quick to go basically ass over tea kettle at the collision, considering the size of her frame against his. She gives a squeak before connecting solidly with the ground, groaning pretty loudly with the impact. If only that was it. She barely has enough time to brace for a second impact of a very solid form landing on top of her.

It really only took spending a few minutes with him to recognize that voice, the curse slipping out. She pries a hand out from under him, hitting whatever she can find. "Oh my god Pritkin, get off of me. I can't breathe."

He's taken off-guard enough by the sudden tangle of unexpected limbs that he's landing on top her before he even realizes what's happening. When her familiar voice protests from beneath him, he merely groans and struggles to extricate himself.

Because of course it's her. Disaster seems to swirl around her wherever she goes. Which made this totally not his fault.

"I'm working on it. Would you... Miss Palmer. Please stop that. Punching me there is certainly not going to get me to move any faster."

This wasn't how she pictured getting close to a guy. Not even if she squinted. While she wasn't the prime example of beauty and grace, she liked to think she faked it pretty well every now and then. Apparently, today wasn't going to be one of those days. There's an immediate regret when she blindly swings and hits something a lot lower than her chest. Her cheeks flush and the need to get out from under him ASAP comes screeching into the forefront of her mind.

"Oh my god, did I just -- I totally just. Holy shit. I --" What are coherent sentences after an accidental crotch shot? She doesn't know.

"You did," he informs her succinctly, reaching out to catch a flailing wrist in a calloused grasp, thumb rubbing lightly over her pulse point in an absent gesture as he attempts to shift enough to roll off her. he lands beside her instead, but at least they've fallen outside of the press of the crowd and into a relatively secluded spot behind one of the vendor stands.

He eyes her suspiciously. "Are you hurt?"

That thumb brushing over her wrist does nothing to help her catch her breath. If anything, it just makes it worse because that struck a whole different set of nerves. The blush in her cheeks deepens a little as she puts a little distance between them once he's off of her, busying herself by brushing off her jeans and checking the ties on her tennis shoes.

"Yeah, I mean no -- no I'm good. I'm spiffy. Don't worry about me." Super smooth save, Palmer. The smoothest. There's a little bit of a loose gesture towards him, praying her cheeks had calmed down enough to not make her look like a complete idiot. "How are your-- you? You good?" And give her a sec because guess what she just spotted. There's a soft snort before she swallows it down, a smirk playing on her lips. "Nice hat."

He gives her a withering glance. "A fae's idea of a bit of fun, apparently. It won't come off."

He sounds so annoyed about it too.

"Looks good on you, although I wish it had a little more glitter or something to bring out your eyes a little more..." Yup her voice did just trail right off because nope. She's not going there. Time for a smooth recovery. "I mean, smiling would probably also do that but I know you're allergic to expressions that don't revolve around frowning or scowling."

Yes, still got it.

He scowls at her, because that seemed the most appropriate response at the moment.

"It's already plenty annoying, it doesn't need glitter. This entire thing is ridiculous," he grumbles, waving his hand at the crowded streets.

It's almost like it's the only expression he knows, one that's met with an eye-roll. The scowl doesn't even phase her. "Of course you would find a party celebrating a year of peace ridiculous."

It's more muttered than anything as she moves towards him, brushing a hand through her hair before looking up at him. "Let me help you with that, at least. If you're gonna be a party pooper, you should look the part... Or more the part than you normally do."

Instead of complying, he eyes her suspiciously and just barely resists the urge to step back away from her, because Cassie "helping" wasn't something he was sure would actually help with his predicament.

"I'm not here for the party. I was just trying to get to the Tower."

Cassie's help was exactly what he needed because it was the best help. He should've learned that by now. "Duh, doesn't take a genius to figure that one out. Party doesn't fit anywhere in your daily routine." And she fakes a pensive look to sell it, counting on her fingers as she speaks. "Wake up, drink sludge you call coffee, brood some in a dark room making magic bombs or whatever you do, and then eventually go outside to brood some more and yell at people to get off your lawn."

Lips quirk into a smirk, trying not to laugh as she curls a finger to get him down to her level. "Help me out here, was I close?"

Debatable. Very very debatable.

Also his scowling just intensified by about +10.

"It's not sludge."

Because that had been the most relevant point of her argument, right?

"It's not sludge, Miss Palmer. I don't scowl. I'm not here for the party." Yup, she sure is attempting to sound exactly like him, but with a bit more hoity-toityness. Mocking the war mage was definitely in her top five favorite things to do in a day, grateful she was able to get her fix. Even if it wasn't the best idea, it was still fun.

Arms cross as she pops a hip, giving him a little lift of her eyebrows. "Why don't you stay out a little bit longer, come see the city with me. This is the first time I've actually had the balls to venture outside of the Human District. Now it's your turn to grow a pair and have fun." Bluntness, thy name is Cassandra. She's just gonna leave out the whole getting lost in the Vamp District part.