-

He was free!

For a bit, but it still counted!

Cody had spent the morning with his Paw as a part of the volunteers working the ‘parking lot’ by waving cars down his aisle to where an open spot had appeared. It was fun to use the radios that helped the people at the entrance know which numbered lane to send a car to and then Cody got to say a quick greeting to the occupants as they parked and got out. He loved meeting new people and loved the excitement every person of all ages seemed to have for the festival.

Thanks to his hard work that morning and his good behaviour since his grounding started nearly two months ago, Cody had been allowed to spend a few hours roaming the festival before the family would all meet up to head home for dinner. His Popsicle was one of the judges in the apple pie contest and would be busy until late afternoon, Paw went to watch the band currently on stage, and Cody knew his mom and dad had the twins and were taking them around the place. Lyric would be performing soon from a glance at the time as he read her most recent messages. He replied back that he would be there and that he was going to wander around the stalls first and maybe get something to eat.

His first stop was the stand shaped like a giant lemon that sold freshly squeezed lemonade. With his large drink in hand, Cody then ventured into the food section as he debated what he was in the mood for. He was tempted by a beaver tail but figured he should behave and get something that was more closely classified as healthy. Crepes counted, right? If he got it loaded with fruit, but his Popsicle made them sometimes so it wasn’t really a special treat.

He was still gawking at all of the signs and trying to follow his stomach when he ran into someone. His drink sloshed over the edge as he said he didn’t need the lid and straw but his hand took most of the damage from what he could tell before looking at the person he ran into with panic-stricken eyes. “I’m so sorry! That was all me. I was staring at all the delicious food.”

It was a bright, sunny day without a single cloud in the blue, blue sky. "Truly, a dreadful day to be alive." Thought Helen as strolled through the busy streets of the festival. Usually, one wouldn't find the tall woman in her layered black lace dress at this time of the day, she preferring the darker times of the day but Helen had just arrived at the town, settled her tea house and events like these were the perfect time for giving out flyers and making the occasional acquaintance.

Such, the 6'2 lady was walking in a leisured manner through the town, black lace parasol keeping the pesky rays of the sun away from her porcelain skin. Even with the large crowd, it didn't seem like she had any problems getting through as people just split for her like the Red Sea for Noass. That is until one person didn't.

Fortunately for Helen, her reflexes weren't amongst the slow ones and she managed to put her sun guard in front of the boy, saving her dress from the sugary liquid in his cup. He was a young human, in the modern standards between a man and a child, though, she still remembered the times when he would have been prime for marriage if the youngster would have wished so.

As the boy rambled, apologizing as the polite little thing he seemed to be, Helen watched with a fond smile under the shadow of her parasol.
"Don't fret little one, all's fine, though..." With a smooth motion, the woman pulled a black handkerchief, offering it to the young one, "You did make a slight mess on your hand, there. Wouldn't want it to dry and get all sticky, now."

She did take note of the multiple food vendors all about but nothing had really piqued her interest just yet. It had been 50 years since coming back to earth and her taste buds still haven't adjusted to the 'particularities' of human cuisine.
"I guess you are right. Can't say anything had got me interested, though. That reminds me!" She reached in her purse again, pulling out a black flyer with green chromatic text on it. "I just moved here and from tomorrow my tea shop is open to customers. You can enjoy a beverage, try one of our pastries..." Helen then glanced at his more-than-human aura "Or get something more custom."

The pamphlet in the boy's hand wasn't a regular one. To those without magic, it was just a pretty piece of paper, informing of the new tea house. Those special, though, would see the letters rearranging into similar text but with slight changes. Asides from the regular drinks and snacks, it also offered potions for pain, to boost one's healing, blessings for plant growth and such.

Cody grinned brightly as he took the handkerchief and wiped off the cup and then cradled it in the crook of his arm so he could wipe off his hand. He would have been fine using his shirt as he didn't want to ruin the woman's item but it would have been rude to turn it down so he had accepted it. "Thank you. You're really too kind! I hope it's not ruined. I mean, I know it's used for such things but still it would suck since it's a nice fabric."

He quirked his head to the side as the very tall woman mentioned having something else. Cody took that moment to study her as she reached for something, wondering if she was actually that tall or if she wore a glamour to make it seem that way since he heard of people doing things like that to be more intimidating or seem more approachable. He exchanged the handkerchief for the paper, his curiosity rising and forgetting for the moment the study of the woman.

At first the pamphlet seemed normal enough with the usual bits advertising her business—all of which sounded yummy! Then the letters started to shimmer and move and he saw a whole new list of services provided. So she was magical! He could smell something different about her, hence his initial thought of a glamour but he couldn’t freely ask about it given the crowd they were in. “This is so cool!” He gushed instead about her tea house, figuring that was safe enough to do. “I bet my parents would be interested in taking a look and maybe I’ll bring my friend with me sometime. She’s really talented with plants.” That was vague, right? Nice and safe but still pointing out Lyric’s powers leaned toward the earth?

Thinking he was still doing all right and his parents wouldn’t mind him talking with another magical being—especially since the woman wasn’t a vampire or buying him alcohol—Cody introduced himself as he folded up the paper to put in his pocket. “I’m Cody. It’s great to meet ya and sorry again about bouncing into you.”

"No worries! A proper lady always has a couple of these with her just for situations like these," Helen said, brushing off the younglings apology even if she did find it very enjoyable seeing him so polite. Seemed like their parents had done well on this...Shifter? Werewolf? She always had a problem telling them apart from auras alone. Now, if the witch would have his blood...

That thought never got finished as the boy was done with reading the pamphlet given to him, a spark of excitement shining in his eyes as he told that he could bring his friends and family to her special tea house. This was the exact reason why Helen went to festivals, even when they were made in such dreadful weather as this. "Well, I can't wait to see you there, then. And I'm quite sure that if your friend loves plants then she will enjoy my humble tea house."

After the young one, Cody was finished with introductions, as well as, another unneeded apology, Helen didn't even try to keep her fond smile hidden. The boy was, truly, adorable. "It's my pleasure to meet you, Cody. I'm Helen Baneberry and no need to apologize. These kinds of bumps are usually what makes good friends, no?" The last sentence then was followed by a conspiring wink.
"You know what, though? What would you say if I asked you to show me a bit around this festival, maybe suggest something tasty to try, and tell me a bit about this city I just moved to." Her voice then dropped in slight concern. "Of course, if I'm not keeping you from doing something? In that case, my apologies for keeping you here for so long."

“Oh, definitely!” Cody agreed easily, finding he had made a lot of friends by way of simply bumping into them in some way or another. Sometimes it was as innocent as standing in line for something together and he got bored and wanted to talk and sometimes it was like now where he almost spilled something on them. Speaking of that, Cody took a big drink of his lemonade and smiled at the tartness that also helped cool him off. It really was just what he needed! But that was a summer drink and while it was still nice out, he’d have to switch to his favourite autumn drinks soon; like hot apple cider! Maybe he’d get some before they left and he’d definitely have to point Helen to a booth!

“I can do that,” Cody smiled brightly at being asked to show the woman around and tell her about Greenbrooke. He certainly wasn’t an expert in either area but he was born and raised in the city so he felt he still had a good idea of what was important and worth noting. “And my best friend is part of the dance group performing on the stage in a few hours so I can’t miss that but I’m free until then.” He wouldn’t miss Lyric’s performance for anything! Not even a very cool lady that was new to town.

Cody guided Helen down the long row of food vendors and pointed out some of his favourite foods. He tried not to only go with the sugary options but that really only left greasy options so was it any better? He had a feeling someone as sophisticated as Helen wouldn’t really be into any of the foods on display but he finally landed on the large, baked, soft pretzels that could be served traditionally with salt or with cinnamon or other sweet options. It seemed like a good compromise on what was out there and his stomach growled for one as well.

After grabbing his pretzel and taking the first bite that had him humming with pleasure, Cody babbled a bit about the basic facts of Greenbrooke before asking, “is there anything specific you’re curious to know?”

Cody did seem like an energetic, joyful youngling. Adorable, polite, easing through life with a big smile. And seemed like he didn't see it as a problem to accompany a complete stranger. That was sweet and quite reckless at the same time.
"Of course! I wouldn't even think of keeping you from doing that." She steadied her grip on the parasol, smiled fondly at the youngling, motioning him to follow in the direction he just came from. "Let's go! I do wonder what this city calls entertainment?"

The boy, unknowingly, did think right that Helen wouldn't be a big fan of overly sweet or greasy food. The main reason being that there were enough artificial add-ons to them to make the woman sick. She was getting used to human food but her taste buds were still more sensitive than most. At the same time, bread was a safe choice, even if it did taste of oil. Such, she got one for herself (with salt), as well as, paying for the boy's as he was the one showing her around, "No buts! Polite children must be rewarded."

As they continued strolling around, people wise enough to give both ways, Helen pretended to think for a moment regarding Cody's question.
"Just tell me about things you see as important in this city. You have your take and I want to hear it." Another small but kind smile was directed at him before taking a bite from her salty pretzel.

Cody knew he should be careful with strangers since he had been taught that since he was in kindergarten and especially since meeting Karl and where that got him. But it just wasn’t in his nature to be suspicious of everyone or carry a thought of ill intent toward someone or think they might have that toward him. Helen was nice and new to town so he couldn’t blow her off. Besides, they were in a large festival with people everywhere so it wasn’t like she would do anything to him. So he continued to escort her around.

“We have some theatres. And not just the cinema ones that play movies but a couple that put on plays and musicals,” Cody excitedly told Helen after regaling her with some other interesting points around the city. “I hope to one day get a part in one of their productions. I was in the school plays last year and hope to get into the ones this year as well. It’s so much fun pretending to be someone else and tell a good story. And the singing!” he knew he wasn’t the strongest singer yet but lessons would soon be in his future same with taking some more dance classes. His dream role was to make it into Newsies. He didn’t even need to be Jack! The rest of the paper boys were a lot cooler than him anyway.

“I’ll invite you if I get into anything this year,” Cody promised with all the innocence he possessed. It didn’t occur to him that a stranger might not care to see a high school production or anything he was in. It was just a simple act of kindness to someone new in his life.

“So why did you move to Greenbrooke?” Cody asked after he finished the last bite of his pretzel and washed it down with the last of his lemonade. “Is it because of... the air quality?” He was about to mention the ley lines but too many people around had him watching what he said again. Given Helen was aware of his world, he hoped she understood what he meant since those sensitive to magic could sometimes feel it tingling on their skin or, from what some mages told him, made them feel charged and energetic.