wizardmanor | floor 5, room 5

[ When he sees Lazuli, and without his hat at that, he beams. ] Morning!

[ He steps in, tray laden with drip coffee still brewing and two empty cups in his hands, and goes to set it down on the nearest surface. Is he allowed to put things there? Too bad! ]

Well? [ He turns to look at him, as chipper as ever. ] What do you think?

[He gets no respect around here.]

Don't spill coffee on anything.

[Said more out of habit than anything else.

He assumes Tatara's question is about their new "chosen", and the thought of them makes him grimace.]

I think we have our work cut out for us.

[ He's right! omg they really are like brothers... ]

Yeah... Not everyone seems on board.

[ As the coffee finishes dripping, Tatara fills the two cups. ]

But some seem really enthusiastic! Did you talk to any of the new Central wizards? They're so cool.

[ Once full, he turns to hand Lazuli a cup. He knows you don't need it, but take it anyway. ]

It's not surprising, is it?

[Because who would just be okay with this?

He takes the cup, sipping on it. At least it's black coffee...]

I've only spoken with a couple of them so far. I don't know that "cool" is what I'd call them.

[it's a shame he doesn't know how to use the word "cringe"... sad...]

[ True. Not everyone is as weirdly easygoing as Tatara is, and he forgives them for that. ]

Really? Who'd you talk to?

[ He picks a spot, any spot, and settles down with his coffee. Is he supposed to be sitting there? It doesn't matter. His room now. ]

The plant guy? Or the inquisitor lady? Or the mafia kid?

[He doesn't even know what the mafia is.]

The overgrown Aranara and the inquisitor - and the man in the suit.

[He asked absolutely none of them for their names, of course.]

The Aranara at least seems to have some idea of what magic is.

[Syrlya is decidedly not an Aranara, but it's the best he has for a plant-like species beyond dendro slimes and fungi...]

[ Sip... He stares at Lazuli. ]

What's an Aranara?

A lifeform from my home.

[He gestures, one of the nearby books transforming into a statuette of a little guy.]

They're known as keepers of the Dream, and you could say they have a similar specialty in illusions.

Ohhh... [ Tatara stares in awe for a second before it clicks. ] Oh, you mean the plant guy! I get it, I get it.

[ He pats his knee several times as nods. A very old man gesture. ]

Yeah, he had a lot of intelligent questions for me, too. He kept asking about "our organization." Maybe he's a government official, or some kind of military guy where he's from, too.

[ Talking plants that led armies... Imagine. ]

I think most people think this is a more organized effort than it actually is.

[At least that's the vibe he's getting? A lot of people who think there must be people in charge, or rules, or some sort of... establishment behind all of this.

If there was, he wouldn't have to be here.]

He's apparently got some skill with magic, but how he takes to this magic remains to be seen.

[Talking plants are probably better military leaders than most...]

I'm not sure if there's enough time for them.

[Not that he's worried, per se, but after seeing and talking to quite a few of them, he's... less than confident in their abilities to pull this off.]

[ Tatara smiles into the rim of his cup. There isn't, is there? Even though the Calamity is still a good number of months away, and assuming they're still stuck here by the time it comes, that's not nearly enough time for completely new wizards to gain enough power to fight it off. Is it?

And yet, he remains optimistic. ]

I think it'll be fine. I have a feeling they're going to be a lot more capable than we think.

[ It'll work out. ]

[Lazuli looks over at Tatara, disbelief plain on his face, but it's gone with a shake of his head. He's not sure if he finds Tatara's optimism irritating or... something else. It's hard for him to believe in things going well so willingly, but perhaps it's too early to assume the worst.

He turns back to his tea, as if it might hold the answers for him.]

If they aren't, it's on your head.

[He says, like he isn't perhaps even more responsible for how things go with their new wizards. He has no idea how he's going to teach everyone something that comes to him so...

Naturally.]

[ He chuckles at that. ]

I'll take that.

[ But when has he been wrong about this sort of thing? Never.

He takes a sip of his coffee, lets his thoughts churn. ]

How are you doing, then? In general?

How I'm doing?

[Why on earth would he ask a question like that? Is there any reason for him to assume this is anything out of the norm—is he doubting him?]

What do you mean "in general". Nothing has changed even with these fools showing up.

[ Hehe. Of course. Tatara looks at the expression on Lazuli's face and seems to take a delight in it. ]

You're not tired, or anything? [ Like, emotionally. He knows Laz doesn't sleep. ] Frustrated, satisfied, despairing, anything? Nothing's changed with their arrival? Really?

[ He prods because he cares!!! ]

[Why would anyone care about him? Weird. This guy's got problems.]

Of course I'm frustrated. Half of them are obnoxious little brats.

[He rolls his eyes, downing the last of his tea and setting the cup aside.]

But I was expecting that, so nothing has changed.

[ Tatara's delight turns into a little laugh. ]

They're probably just frustrated because of the suddenness of it all. I think you'll get along with them as they settle in.

[ He sips... ]

Then has anyone surprised you yet? Any prospective star pupils?

I have no interest in getting along with them.

[Not that he could, anyways. He's not like the rest of them.

But...]

I think some of them might have potential, if they can get around their prior conceptions of magic.

[ Ohoho... There's give, so Tatara decides to prod. He leans forward a little bit, trying to get a better look at Laz's face. ]

Like who?

[ You know...so he can watch their progress from afar. ]

[Since this is probably before the Great Kitchen Disaster...]

Solomon, potentially. He seems knowledgeable.

[Thinking...]

Kazuma doesn't seem familiar, but he might have a decent work ethic to pull things off. That overgrown aranara, possibly, and the kid with the glasses.

[Ahito. He means Ahito.]

[ Yes, all of them! Tatara quickly takes stock of everyone in his mind, and checks them off. Note to self to check in on them all later. ]

Mm... Yeah. I talked to them. I can see it.

[ Another sip... ]

Anyone you're worried about?

The rest of them.

[smh...]

Most of them don't inspire any confidence, and I'm not looking forward to seeing if they can pull this off.

[ Sorry lil laz, something about that whole answer tickles Tatara. He giggles, and points lazily at him. ]

Really? All of them?

[ You can't be worried about ALL of them!

Unless... ]

You're such a nice person, Laz.

[Tatara gets an absolutely disgusted look for his troubles.]

You know that's not what I meant, you moron.

[He Is Not Nice.]

[ That giggle evolves into full fledged laugh at that. He'll take "moron" as a title of affection, thanks. ]

It's not?

[ He reaches and pokes Lazuli's cheek (are they in reaching distance? now they are). ]

You've given up on them already, then?

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