Tea in the Trees {Marissa}

[CHARLEMAGNE FLETCHER]

Charlemagne Fletcher loved nothing more than having a nice cup of tea in a tree. The woods were so very charming, after all, especially at this time of day -- such a nice setting for a relaxing cup of tea, even if transporting hot tea there did necessitate a thermos and a great deal of care. It didn't particularly matter to him. Nothing was too much when it came to tea -- he was quite fond of it.

Regardless, today, in his bright pink blazer and striped pants, he was reclining in an oak tree along one of the paths into the woods of Central Park, watching normal human beings pass below him, largely unaware of his presence. A few people today had chanced a look up into the trees above and been very surprised to find a man there in a bright pink jacket and mismatched converse holding a purple mug with a cat on it. Charlemagne had found their reactions endlessly humorous. The way their eyes widened, the way they stopped for a minute and stared before hurrying on. It was the funniest thing in the world to him.

But then, perhaps he was just easily amused.

Most days, while he was hanging around in the trees, he would call to these people, ask them riddles or give them advice they needed but did not want. It was one of the most entertaining things he knew of doing, but today, he didn't quite feel like it. Or, rather, he hadn't. But now he had this lovely cup of tea and he was all filled up with its warmth, and oh, he was just feeling game for a good riddle session or something today. Maybe he'd even find a good one who wouldn't just stare at him and then run off. As funny as it was, it got boring after it happened forty times in a row.

But Charlemagne was a persistent character, and even if he didn't find a good riddle partner today, he'd find another way to entertain himself. Maybe he would give the cats a bath.

No, no, no, not fun enough. He hated water more than his babies did, after all, and that was saying something. Perhaps he'd go out for ice cream instead. He did so like ice cream. He could walk about in public and laugh when people stared at his outfit.

Yes, that did sound like a good idea.

Finishing off his tea, he made a sound of content very close to a purr and concluded that yes, this last person would be his gauge for the rest of the day -- if they were dreadfully boring, he'd get down and go get some ice cream. If they proved interesting, well...that was another story entirely.

Holding his empty mug in one hand, he let himself hang partway off the branch and remained that way for a moment. "Ahh, a horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!"[/color]

[MARISSA HARLEY]

Marissa was bored, and that was something one shouldn't be. It wasn't a day for tea parties, no, not at all, though getting a reason why out of her would have resulted in a giggle and some vague off-subject statement that would have made most people drag their kids away rom the crazy colorful lady. But she had carried a teacup and her sketchbook to the park to maybe draw some caricatures. Not for money, though, it wasn't a very good day for moeny, either. Just for fun.

But Marissa would never draw anything without asking first, and so far, most everyone had said no. Hmmmmmmmm. She hated it when people said no because then she couldn't draw and therefore had nothing to do besides wander around aimlessly with her now empty teacup with her sketchbook in her bag and hum a tune that no one, not even she, knew.

Problem? This simply was not the day for that sort of thing!

If only she could find someone interesting to talk to, someone just as mad as her. Then she could have done something and go home to her apartment with one of those feelings. Accomplishment or something. She didn't know, nor did she care. She just wanted it, so she was going to get it. Duh.

Marissa skipped through the woods with her teacup and plate in hand, careful not to spill (even though it was empty), humming and looking for interesting people. When there, she spotted one after having heard something from up above her.

Bright colors, mismatched converse, random statement, in an odd place. Perfect, duh!

What had he said? It didn't matter now. Oh yes! Something about a kingdom for a horse. Marissa had never read Shakespeare in her life, and even if she had, she would have made herself forget all of it. No what did she say to that? Nothing, of couse, just change the subject.

"I like your clothes," she said, and giggled because of course that's what she would notice. No comment on the tree or the thermos or anything else. Just the outfit. A normal(ish) thing sort of. Haha.

[/justify]

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