[PQ] the rest will follow

I keep stars in my pockets
wear daisies in my hair

The start of the man's response is met with a deep pout that tugs at Nova's features hard enough to hang her head in disappointment. More is more, and if she can't have more, then she doesn't know if she can be happy (at least that's her logic). It's exactly that reasoning that makes her brighten at Caly's incredible mind once more. 

"Ooh. I like the idea of two more! That'll look even better! And then after those are done, we could get tiny ones to hang in the hallways!" Which would all serve as plenty of business for the merchant, enough to keep him employed for the next few months - maybe even years. More business than anyone in Halo could possibly offer. 

Regaining her determination, Nova leans forward on her toes to look over the bundle of fabrics at him. "Like Caly said, no mageglass, but I'm really good with designing! I could make you some one-of-a-kind lamp shades for your work! Or maybe a few fancy metal engravings?!" She bounces with uncontained enthusiasm, excited at the prospect of spreading her brilliant art throughout Caido like glitter that people couldn't escape. The pleading look in her ocean blue eyes just about pulses with her vision, promising magic and wonder that he can't even begin to fathom, all with the guarantee that his work will shine. 

---

Nova agrees with Caly's suggestion of commissioning two more chandeliers for later and offers her artistic talents as a trade!

Nova

but I tuck you tenderly in the folds of my heart
and take you everywhere

The merchant’s gaze flicks between the sisters like he’s watching a well-rehearsed stage act—one that’s equal parts chaos and charisma. Caly's sweet smile, Nova’s bouncing excitement, their combined vision of glittering hallways and bespoke lampshades—it’s enough to make his soot-smeared fingers twitch against the clipboard.

He sighs again, but this time it sounds more resigned than resistant.

"Well...you ain’t wrong about the business," he mutters, adjusting his glasses and peering up at the chandelier like it might offer divine guidance. "Two more like this, eh? Spread through the building? That’s gonna keep me busy for a while."

A thoughtful pause.

"I could modify this one for you. Add extra arms as I finish the new stars. Won’t be cheap—but it’ll look expensive, and that’s half the battle." His eyes flick to Nova, to Caly, then back to the clipboard. "No mageglass, but... lampshades, huh?" Another gruff exhale, but there’s the ghost of a grin this time. "Alright. I’ll bite. You sketch me somethin’ good, I’ll shave off a chunk of the labour costs. Long as I get to show ‘em in the window now and then."

As for the drink...The merchant chuckles low in his chest. "And if the Hanged Man’s got a seat waitin’ for me at the end of a long day, well—maybe I’ll call that even. But only if the drinks’re cold and the company don’t bite."

He reaches for a fresh scrap of paper to start scribbling measurements. "Deal?"

---

Good job! Come back and tell Vesper what you've got lined up!

I'm pedal to the metal make no mistake, this is my pity party, pity party
& I'm living out of time, eternal heatstroke

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

suddenly i'm spinning like a ceiling fan, around and 'round we go

She waits with bated breath like a child, wide eyed and curious to see if their offers would work and claim the prize they seek. She’s one step away from standing on her tiptoes toward the merchant, nodding as he double checks that they would like two more like it.

And phew, he makes it a perfect bargain, leaving Caly’s sunshine grin to bloom once again, a light little nudge to her sister for the addition she’d offered of the lampshade sketches, positive that her sister would do a phenomenal job. “’Course, yeah, we can definitely make that work.” She chimes, growing a touch more resigned now that their combo puppy dog eyes have worked.

“Deal.” She says easily, stepping forward with agility and grace to shake his hand before they’re departing the store to head back to the Hanged Man. She can’t hide the golden glee that vibrates through her as they slip through the doors, searching for their brother as they swan in and lay down the items they’d retrieved.

“V! We’ve got everythin’ all sorted. Starry chandeliers t’go through the buildin’ and there’s this perfect fabric we can use for the seats to give it the perfect vibe.” Draping across the bar comfortably, Caly imagines the way the Hanged Man might look with all the adjustments in order. “We just gotta make sure we keep a seat nice ’n open for the lightin’ guy. VIP treatment, y’know.” Looking over to her sister, she's sure she can fill in all the rest of the blanks with the perfect imaginative explanations she often gave, and she's content to listen.

Calypso

suddenly i will never be alone

I keep stars in my pockets
wear daisies in my hair

The thoughtful pause has Nova biting her lip, leaning forward in anticipation. Then he's agreeing to their every term, adding that her designs would be in the windows and she absolutely adores that idea. She hops in her delight, trying very hard not to squeal. "I'd love that! I'll send you some sketches tomorrow!" It shouldn't be too hard since she won't be able to sleep with all the excitement. 

She lets Caly sign on the dotted line with a handshake then twirls out of the shop with a flurry of sparkles and a giggle. Her steps are light and her thoughts running on an adrenaline high that doesn't abate even as they make their way inside. The pile of different fabrics plops on a table, aesthetically pleasing in the low dusk lighting of the bar. 

Almost like she's been given a cue, Nova steps up next to Caly, all glittering energy and spastic excitement as she bounces. "Don't forget to tell him how good you did!" Looking to Vesper, she beams and gushes with pride. "Caly was amazing! The fabric lady had already promised this one to another guy, but Caly convinced her that it was better - what was it? 'Advertising'? - I don't know, but she got her to give it to us instead of him!" Laughing, she leans farther on the bar, her feet lifting from the ground as she kicks them out. "And then the lighting guy didn't want to make more star gems, but Caly flashed him a sunny smile and he was agreeing to upgrading the one he had and adding two more! Now the whole place is going to be covered in starlight!" Nova throws her arm out as she pictures the thousands of little stars that will scatter the room, a hint of illusion magic making it flicker with her thoughts before she's turning back to Vesper. "Isn't she the best?! She can convince anyone to do anything!" Her eyes find Caly, sparkling and completely convinced that her sister is secretly a demigod. 

Then, as if she's only just remembering in the midst of her sister's amazingness, Nova adds, "Oh! And I get to draw lampshades that he'll put in the windows!" She lets out another loud giggle, designs and ideas already flowing through her head, obnoxiously bright and beautifully complex.

Nova

but I tuck you tenderly in the folds of my heart
and take you everywhere

By the time the front doors swing open, Vesper’s reappearing from the hallway with his sleeves rolled up and his silver rings dusted with a fine layer of grit. The supply closet—no longer a supply closet—is finished, or near enough. Reinforced shelving lines the walls, sturdy enough to hold far more than linen or lemons now, and the mirrored panel mounted across from the bench makes the small room look larger…and far more depraved. He’s just finished smoothing the last bolt flush to the frame when he hears the swish of skirts and the bounce of voices, and his shadows slip along the floor in welcome.

"Sounds like the stars came out early," he drawls, stepping into the bar proper just as Caly drapes herself along the counter and Nova starts radiant-rattling like she’s a shaken bottle of champagne. His mouth curls at the twin tumble of stories, and he leans a hip against the bar to listen with his arms crossed, his constellation freckles pulsing softly in the dusk light.

"VIP seat for the lighting guy, huh?" he muses, eyes flicking from one glittering sister to the other. "I’ll even let him skip the line for drinks. Y’real charmers, both of you." And he means it—not just for their bargaining, but for the way they brighten every room they enter like a pair of shooting stars. With a satisfied hum, Vesper steps behind the bar, fingers flicking through bottles and tinctures with familiar ease.

"For the artist," he says, setting a vibrant purple drink before Nova in a frosted glass dusted with edible glitter, "and for the diplomat," he adds, passing a golden cocktail to Caly, garnished with a twist of citrus and a hint of spice. "On the house."

He lifts a drink of his own, cool and dark like shadowed velvet. "To our little constellation," he toasts softly, voice touched with affection. "The Hanged Man’s never looked brighter."

~FIN

I'm pedal to the metal make no mistake, this is my pity party, pity party
& I'm living out of time, eternal heatstroke

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!