Ford turned his eyes back up towards the ceiling as he considered Dodonus' response. He didn't think everyone would agree, because sometimes art — in all its various forms, including literature and poetry and illusion magic and even ornate hedge trimmings — was preferred over nature, at least by certain people and for certain purposes. There was an industriousness behind anything like that, though, that was lacking in the natural version. It took effort and careful construction and planning to create something. There was a merit to that, and Ford could appreciate it — but when something occurred naturally, there was a serendipitous element that did make it more beautiful than the constructed version.

"Let's eat dinner up here," he suggested. It was unconventional, because this wasn't an area that was set up for dining, but he didn't think Dodonus would object. His dining room also wasn't exactly set up for dining, with the big arm chairs and everything, and he wasn't dressed for a formal dinner. Why not set up camp under the fake stars and the northern lights?

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Set by Lady!

Tycho positively beamed in response to the other mans idea. "Brilliant idea. We could make an entire picnic of it." He kind of wished that he had thought of it himself. Taking out his wand, he conjured some blankets and cushions for them to sit on. "I'll be right back." Apparating downstairs, he used a couple of spells to get their dinner and silverware floating up into the attic to land on the blankets. He hoped that nothing would spill.

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Dodonus was as amenable to the idea as Ford had suspected he would be, and before he had time to get his bearings Ford was surrounded by magically conjured accoutrements. He carefully selected what appeared to be one of the more comfortable cushions and took a seat, smiling widely. By the time the food floated up to greet them he was openly laughing at how ridiculous and wonderful this evening had suddenly become. "I needed this," he commented, too unguarded at the moment to think to worry that Dodonus would ask him why. "This is excellent."

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Set by Lady!

Tycho uncovered their dishes and smiled over at Ford. He went ahead and made himself comfy sitting among the cushions. The man had a delightful sort of laugh and his words caught at Tycho's attention. "If the world gets you down, come escape at Tycho Dodonus's Illusion Emporium," he said teasingly, not wanting to press his new found friend too hard on the details of why he 'needed' this.

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Ford laughed again. This fellow was like a caricature of a person from a magazine, but in the best possible way. He recalled how Dodonus had proclaimed that they'd become friends the last time they met, and now he felt certain it was true, because how could Ford not have considered him a friend when he was so intriguing and delightful to spend time with? He may have been uncomfortable with some of the oddities of this place initially, but under the enchanted sky that all faded away.

"I'll do that," he grinned. "So long as your gnomes spare my ankles."

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Set by Lady!

"I'm sure I can convince them to," Tycho said, sparing the mans ankles a glance. They were very shapely ankles from what he could see of them. It would be a shame for their beauty to be marred by gnome bites. There was a curious sort of feeling twisting within him as he watched Ford under the manufactured night sky. Yes, he rather enjoyed this mans company, he thought. First live one in a long while that he had been around that didn't seem put off by him. Oddly, Tycho seemed to get along with spirits best. He shook the thoughts off with a grin as he turned over two wine glasses. "Are you a wine man? I have champagne if you would prefer it."

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