#odyssey

"Hey, if they insist, you can make something on the spot."

"Though I do have Citrine's ticker, so that's osmethin'?"

"You do."

"That elevator repair guy seemed impressed."

Thistle might not fully realize how dramatically she changed the little Never's nature, but...

"Where is Citrine anyway?" Gwen glances around

but the little one is ... not around

"Is there a candy machine?"

"She was in my hair..."

"I thought I heard an ice cream truck. Maybe she followed the bells."

They do hear an ice cream truck

"Oh, fer (^*%^$...." Muttering.

"See?" He grins. "Let's get her and head out."

The little butterfly-newt is firmly ensconced in a vase of fresh cut flowers, being admired by the receptionist.

And off they go, racing along to see the ice cream truck.

It turns out the truck is easy to catch, a boggan with a fiddler hat/ Cap, while the instrumental version of 'ice ice baby' play is not out to outrace customers after all

On the side of the van is artwork- a Moose walking through a field of ice cream leaving tracks

Art wonders if they take pre-paid VISAs, the colorful ice pops are tempting on a warm day. But yes, music, colors, sugar! It has Citrine all over it

Still, Thistle jogs to catch up. "Hey!"

"Hey, just want I want to see, a paying customer or three" The boggan grins. He's a dark skinned man with round cheeks and bright eyes "you looking for something cold and delicious to savor those last summer moments? I got the sweet treats that are hard to beat. Yes I do"

"Are you customers, or oil paintings?" the ice cream man inquires after a bit

"Have you seen a little..." He glances around, then leans in. "A small clockwork pixie, about one hand tall? Golden-yellow glow."

"Oh, her! Sure did. First I thought it was a never, but never seen a never like that. Glorious , cute too. I got a soft heart, so when she started oggling the orange sherbert, I gave her a little cup on the house. "

"Did we lose her?"

"Well she went around that corner there.." He gestures

"I had to show her off before she made a mess you see" His finger points to the side of the building

(Perception plus kenning OR alertness)

/roll 6

/roll 7

Art is looking wistfully at the colorful ice pops.

Thistle knows Citrine better than any and sees the trailing glow of her flight path going that very way, must be fresh!

"Wasn't two minutes ago. You kids want to buy some ice cream?" He says hopefully

"Sure - you got those rainbow push pops? And, uh - whatever Art and Gwen want."

"Oh!" Delighted. "Do we have time?" He is quick to accept a rocket pop, they are simple, cheap, red white and blue!

"Sure sure..." He says/ Gwen says "Got a drumstick waffle cone thing?" /"Sure do!"

"We can walk and eat!" Fishing out some cash.

WIth boggan speed he hands them out

"I remember - Arty remembers, Mother would sometimes splurge on treats on the 4th of July." Just a moment for reminiscing on something that is clearly a rare and special treat in a house spread thin.

A smile to the Boggan! "Thank you, sir."

She smiles. "That's a nice treat, Art. Your mom tries."

"She doesn't just try, she does!"

A smile, and "Let's find that 'idjit' ."

"You're welcome, sir. Good luck finding your friend"

"Your mom is cool" Gwen says but looks at where Thistle was looking