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Their brows lift in mild amusement as they smile knowingly at what they perceive as the slightest hint of sulkiness.[break][break]

“No?” they tease before their smile breaks wider across their face. “That is good then, because I would never leave you alone.”[break][break]

Not even for what some might consider a casual little date.[break][break]

Hands slot into theirs and Fern raises one pair to press a soft kiss against Jayden’s knuckles—peering at him over the ridge of them with playful eyes. “Shall you prove it, then?” they ask, head tilting as they inch closer. Sandals still clacking against stone.[break][break]

They do soften, though. After a moment. “I’ve been looking forward to this.”

The reaction of surprise seemed to be a genuine one. Fern couldn’t help but smile slightly at the tinge of color Michaelis’ cheeks. “Then it is settled.” All that remained was to intricately develop this new persona and get to work. But he would prefer to do that in the confines of his shop, rather than out in the open.[break][break]

Leaving payment on the table for both of their drinks, Fern pushed himself up and stood. Book tucked under his arm, he waited for the other and then nodded shortly. “Come along then. It’s not too far.” Without much else of a word, he led them out and navigated the Sootopolis streets with comfortable ease.[break][break]

At some point, he shed his false glasses and tucked them away. By the time they reached his shop, he was itching to remove the last bit of his disguise. Unlocking the back door, he stepped through and waited for Michaelis to follow. In the meantime, though, he tugged off the silvery white wig to shake out dark, chin-length hair. “Much better.”[break][break]

He still had false contacts in, but he would deal with those later. He looked up at the other with a brightened expression. “Now, let’s get started on that new identity, hm?”

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] mint frost // 3-ish? years ago // m: vying for attention[break]


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“Oh? What’s your experience, if I might ask?”[break][break]

Obviously, it’s far more than Fern’s own. But they’re curious to know if he has any specific examples that come to mind as a parallel.[break][break]

Who knows what reaction he might receive if he were to mention jayden cross by name.[break][break]

The point, however, is that they are hopeful that they can make some sort of lasting impact. It seems to be what they’re most concerned about, alongside of just cataclysmically failing in some manner.[break][break]

“I’m not sure. Most of those I associate with already have some sort of niche of their own.” They sip from their glass, measured and slow.

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Fern observes with curiosity. Mildly impressed that Theo is willing to go to the effort of taking notes in the middle of the bar, during a semi-casual meeting.[break][break]

He’s committed to his craft–Fern will give him that. And honestly, that’s saying something. Fern doesn’t often offer his respect. Or his admiration.[break][break]

But he does admire Theo as his superior, which is why he values his opinion in this. And the fact that he offered his support of Fern’s promotion.[break][break]

“I would wager a workshop would be more about production. Mass use of equipment to produce quality results as opposed to the, ah, art of forgery.” He taps a finger against the bar top as he thinks it over.[break][break]

“Yes, I would consider the smaller scale to be more…apprenticeship, I suppose. If that’s even feasible.” He lets out a soft laugh before drinking from his glass.[break][break]

There’s a slow rise and fall of one shoulder. “That would require a more invested interest in the first place.”

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Fern had been perfectly content to rummage in his pockets for his lock picking set, but at her suggestion he steps back with no protest. If anything, it provides an opportunity for Mei to showcase her skills, and Fern is far from disappointed by the display.[break][break]

He watches her pick at the lock with practiced ease, easily impressed by the cohesion with which she works with her frosmoth. Her seemingly offhand remark, though, snares his attention. “Oh? Well, color me curious. What would you like help with?”[break][break]

The trip of the alarm is quick to distract the both of them. He winces slightly at how piercing the noise is, but just as she was with the lock, Mei is swift in dealing with the issue. “You know your craft,” he trills back, amused.[break][break]

He’s still wondering, of course, what it is that he could possibly help her with. Perhaps she needs some paperwork made for a job? Well, that would be easy enough. Though certainly doesn’t account for the air of intrigue that seemed to bubble up around the implication she’d made.[break][break]

For now, though, he focuses on slinking into the building after her, his sableye scuttling ahead–gem-like eyes glinting with FORESIGHT for any additional measures in place aiming to stop them in their tracks.

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With their adminship underway, it quickly became necessary to hire on some additional help at their shop. For as long as Fern had been in Sootopolis, Circinus & Sagitta had been a one man undertaking. But following a conversation with THEO BECKETT , it became rapidly apparent that the assistance would be useful.[break][break]



Both at the front and behind the scenes.[break][break]



And admittedly, it’s a bit nice to be able to concentrate on some of their more meticulous projects without having to rise from their seat to deviate their focus in order to attend to whoever walks through the door. The grunt standing at the counter and occasionally rearranging the display of cards now take care of it for them.[break][break]



Though even this, of course, doesn’t account for…surprise visits.[break][break]



Fern’s glance snaps up from their work at the succinct tone that floats through their shop– crisp and efficient, though no less amiable. Their clerk turns back in their direction, but Fern is already rising from their bench to stride across the floor. “Ms. Fiorelli, to what do I owe the pleasure?” they ask without missing much of a beat.[break][break]



Of course, internally, they’re scrambling a bit. This an impromptu meeting– something they had not accounted for on a quiet day such as this one. Was something the matter? Were they not up to snuff?[break][break]



Well, whatever they cause, they meet her gaze evenly with a welcoming smile, and offer their hand toward hers.[break][break]