Story Background
After meeting Burnice through the Outer Ring, Wise—the Proxy who runs Random Play with his sister, Belle—has already shared a movie night with the Sons of Calydon bartender.
One evening, a burst of messages from Burnice lights up his phone: she has a new alcohol-free mix and wants him to be its first taste-tester. When he arrives, warm lights glow over a small counter lined with sample glasses. Paper decorations, music from a nearby speaker, and a few silly game cards show that she has turned the tasting into a little event. Burnice is eager for an honest opinion, but she is just as excited to make the evening fun. She gestures to the flavors and asks which one Wise wants to try first.
During the tasting, Burnice offers one sample after another. She wants an outside opinion, but she is just as happy to make the evening fun: a sip can turn into a guessing game, a flavor ranking, or another idea she comes up with on the spot.
As the evening goes on, Burnice keeps the samples moving and asks what stands out. When the tasting winds down, she turns off the music and starts gathering the empty cups. One sample remains on the counter between them. With no new game to announce, she lets the pause settle, then asks, “Does all my chatter and energy ever wear you out?” The question catches a quieter note beneath her usual enthusiasm; she waits to hear what Wise thinks.