[Right, the Romans. Their statues were also very hot but they copied the Greeks or something, didn't they? That was deeper into Earth history than she cared to read at that point—which means she also loses track of this train of thought, not wanting to digress into an arena of ignorance when she's so very excited about her totem concept.
Her cheeks puff in an exaggerated pout.] I know that, Mister Scientific. That's the point! Because—
[The hand bearing the ring balls into a fist to hold the jewelry steady as she begins to quickly rub the warm pad of her thumb over the crystal. When she removes her thumb, the color has unified and warmed near to orange. She shows it off proudly.] —the results will be consistent! And they have been. I've studied how this changes color in response to handling under various conditions, so I'll know what color it's supposed to be after, say, ten seconds of vigorous rubbing. Or an hour of wear in chilly weather. Or when I lick it!
[This is science.
She's beaming as she barrels through her explanation, and gives the gem another tap with her claw.] But it will just be a magical mood crystal in a dream.
[ Kalmiya lobs the name mister scientific at him in her faux-annoyance and he can't help but laugh, mouth pressed into an amused line. She recovers from her insults to show off the way the ring changes color after she rubs the pad of her thumb over it vigorously, pride shining through her tone.
And truthfully, he is impressed by the methodical approach she's taken to her totem. Because she's right—if there's one thing "magic" about the temperature reading on the ring, it's that it will be consistent. While all humans had the same body temperature (with extremely slight variation), some ran surface-level colder than others. Which meant the way the ring reacted would be different enough to remain unique.
Look, I'm not besmirching your scientific methods or anything, but– [ The utter bafflement is shifting now, the twist of a wry grin taking its place, which he angles down towards her. ] –did you at least wash it beforehand? You could get tetanus or something.
[ No telling what was in the coating of dust that's settled over much of the sleeping city. With the living inhabiting it again, that fine coating has been kicked up or wiped away, bit by bit. However, their numbers could hardly hold a candle to the full population of New York City in its prime. There were still so many corners and empty storefronts that they wouldn't get to, not until more people showed up.
Those thoughts get set aside for now, as he makes a face at her declaration about people not wanting to touch something that someone licked. Perhaps he's indulged her too much, though, since his reactive disgust is betrayed by the barely held back quirk of his mouth, amusement shining through. ] Juvenile.
[She snorts, her tails flicking in mock irritation.] I didn't make a snack of the layer of grime and spores I wiped off of it, if that's what you're asking.
[Whether it was cleaned to Arthur's standards is up in the air; she's an adventurer who has eaten many, many dirty things. Beggars can't be choosers. But she's not exactly keen to ingest anything she's found in the city, much less the dirt off a novelty ring for children.
She shifts her weight, propping herself up on her elbows to lean up closer to the poorly-hidden amusement in his face. The quirk of her eyebrow and curve of her smile is one of blatant self-satisfaction.] I can't believe you're giving me shit about this. You gave me an assignment and I took it very seriously! No one else is supposed to touch it, so I thought of things that would make people less likely to touch it!
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no subject
Date: 2025-11-28 07:10 am (UTC)Her cheeks puff in an exaggerated pout.] I know that, Mister Scientific. That's the point! Because—
[The hand bearing the ring balls into a fist to hold the jewelry steady as she begins to quickly rub the warm pad of her thumb over the crystal. When she removes her thumb, the color has unified and warmed near to orange. She shows it off proudly.] —the results will be consistent! And they have been. I've studied how this changes color in response to handling under various conditions, so I'll know what color it's supposed to be after, say, ten seconds of vigorous rubbing. Or an hour of wear in chilly weather. Or when I lick it!
[This is science.
She's beaming as she barrels through her explanation, and gives the gem another tap with her claw.] But it will just be a magical mood crystal in a dream.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-30 12:42 am (UTC)And truthfully, he is impressed by the methodical approach she's taken to her totem. Because she's right—if there's one thing "magic" about the temperature reading on the ring, it's that it will be consistent. While all humans had the same body temperature (with extremely slight variation), some ran surface-level colder than others. Which meant the way the ring reacted would be different enough to remain unique.
Of course—] Wait, lick it?
[ WHY. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-11-30 03:17 am (UTC)She lets her hands fall to rest on her stomach, her proud grin taking on some smugness.] I needed to be thorough in my testing!
Plus, most people aren't going to want to touch something someone else has been licking.
no subject
Date: 2025-12-11 04:48 am (UTC)[ No telling what was in the coating of dust that's settled over much of the sleeping city. With the living inhabiting it again, that fine coating has been kicked up or wiped away, bit by bit. However, their numbers could hardly hold a candle to the full population of New York City in its prime. There were still so many corners and empty storefronts that they wouldn't get to, not until more people showed up.
Those thoughts get set aside for now, as he makes a face at her declaration about people not wanting to touch something that someone licked. Perhaps he's indulged her too much, though, since his reactive disgust is betrayed by the barely held back quirk of his mouth, amusement shining through. ] Juvenile.
no subject
Date: 2025-12-11 05:16 am (UTC)[Whether it was cleaned to Arthur's standards is up in the air; she's an adventurer who has eaten many, many dirty things. Beggars can't be choosers. But she's not exactly keen to ingest anything she's found in the city, much less the dirt off a novelty ring for children.
She shifts her weight, propping herself up on her elbows to lean up closer to the poorly-hidden amusement in his face. The quirk of her eyebrow and curve of her smile is one of blatant self-satisfaction.] I can't believe you're giving me shit about this. You gave me an assignment and I took it very seriously! No one else is supposed to touch it, so I thought of things that would make people less likely to touch it!