Apr 04 00:27:50 106 PA
From Chronicles
The current game time is: Mon Apr 04 00:27:50 106 PA.
Monday morning and Vixen is in the Nightengale. It's quiet and they have a nice, big table that she's making good use of. She has a mix of cut out articles for various places spread out on the table before her, which she's moving into small groups and making notes on with the little handheld computer that sits close to hand. Her coat is bundled up beside her and she doesn't so much sit at the booth that she occupied to the left, but kneels on the bench, giving her enough reach to span the table easily.
Quiet is good, even if it has been somewhat of an oddity when compared with the prior atmosphere since Leonard's arrival to the city. He enters the hectic-free establishment, stifling a small yawn with one hand as he moves towards the seating area. Maybe it's been too quiet.
Vixen is absorbed in her article matching game, so Leo's quiet entry won't be noted as she shifts a few more to one pile, then leans one hand into the edge of the table as she enters some brief figures with the other one. "They got enough heft, maybe," she murmurs to herself, peering down at the small screen of the computer before glancing towards the latest pile to be updated. Counting the cut out pieces of paper.
The reverse is not true, however, as few patrons, the covered table, and notable splashes of color make Vixen conspicuous. A smile curls Leonard's lips and, despite his past reading of the warning labels, keeps his approach quiet as he steps for her table.
"Got this one twice," Vix murmurs to herself as she picks out one of the slips of paper, crumpling it casually before she tosses it to the side. It bounces off the wall and lands on her folded coat. She then lifts up a new one, peering at it. The article fragments seem to be portions of advertisements for various places of business. Most notably, the name and address torn out of the rest of the article. A closer look would reveal them to be large supermarkets and food distribution points as well as outdoors shops of decent size and scope.
Leonard spares only a brief glance over Vixen's shoulder at the held article, just on the off chance both eyes become swelled shut in the near future. While she surveys the page, he leans down to an ear and blows. Paybacks are a bitch, and if he's lucky, she won't turn into one. [Public] "Ghost of RPs Past" Tiamat says, "Hehe the program this article used is the Non-numerical Unstructured Data Indexing, Searching and Theory-building... Nudist."
He must be psychic because the moment Vixen feels someone blow into her ear, alerting her to the looming presence of a nearby stranger, she jerks back with the nearest arm, aiming a hard elbow towards the soft, squishable middle places that most people have. No, not quite that low, though only because she's not quite at that level. Which is followed up by a twist of her waist and her other arm coming up, cocked back with a balled fist. That to go with the narrowed eyes and displeased frown that falter, then evaporate once she sees just who she took a cheap shot at. "Leo!?"
Leonard's intial response is a whooshing grunt as much of the air is knocked from him. The edge of the booth is a convenient means of support as he gasps and coughs to regain his breath. He does manage a short, slightly more intelligible reply after a moment. "...Hi..."
"Damn it, Leo.. don't sneak up on me like that," Vixen chides him, slipping from the booth to reach out and draw him to sit down on the other bench. "Had enough creeps try and get sneaky that it's reflex half the time. Especially when I'm distracted like that." She leans down a little to look him in the eye. "You alright?" Yes, after the lecture comes the concern. "Nothing broken, I assume.. I ain't that strong."
Leonard sits somewhat heavily, but gives a grin and nonchalant waving of his hand. The other rubs at his stomach beneath the table. "I'm alright. Nothing permanently lost, but it's probably good that I didn't have a large breakfast. The next time I want to surprise you, I suppose I should try flowers. On a long pole."
Vixen smirks faintly as she leans in to lay a light kiss on his forehead. "Don't need the pole, just say something. If I feel someone behind me that I'm not expecting, I tend to punch first and ask questions later. Like I said, reflex." She considers him a moment then wonders, "Want some water or something?"
Leonard arches a brow and his grin curls further at the corners. "I noticed that, although your nurturing concern does make it worthwhile." He can't help but loose the small, not entirely untrue jibe. She's already hit him, afterall. "Some icewater would be wonderful, thank you. Are you organizing for something large, or aiming to expand into printed media, as well?" Leonard motions to the spread on the table.
And Vix isn't above hitting him again, as he jabs at his shoulder. Hard. "Something like that," she answers his question, giving him a sly little grin before she turns. "I'll be right back." She'll go over to the bar and query the borde bartender. Mornings aren't big for most drinkers. And after a few moments she'll return with a glass of iced water to hand over to Leo.
Leonard takes advantage of her departure to rub at his shoulder and move his arm some with a wince. His smile is back in place well before her return so that he can accept the water. "I'll venture to guess that I shouldn't get used to it. So, what are you up to with all of this?" The glass motions to the table before a drink is taken from it.
"You can expect to get slugged if you point it out again." Vixen replies as she moves back over to her side of the table. Though its said with a casual humor in her tone. She slips up to kneel on the bench again as she starts to organize the papers again. "I'm marking out targets. Got some people to get fed.. and maybe score some better camping gear for 'em. Of course, I don't got the funds to feed 100 people for a while.. and I got sights set higher than just that." She looks up at Leo and points a finger in his direction. "See, that's the key to winning people over. They give you something to do, you do it better than they expect. They get impressed. It's all about impressing the right people."
"Ah." His head dips in a nod as Leonard acknowledges both revelations. "The refugees are straining what little help has surfaced so far, it seems. Even the soup kitchens in the Dregs are asking for assistance, now." He looks to the array of businesses and the like noted on the various clippings. "Hmm. Since they're targets, I'm guessing you're looking to encourage them to lend some aid..." There is a pause as he considers. "While I'm sure that you can charm them with your wit and smile, you might consider sharing the names of the generous in your broadcasts. Unless you've thought of that, already. The donators would be able to impress people, as well."
"Nah, nah.. I got something more subtle in mind," Vixen replies. "Straight up donations are harder to get, but a promotion." She grins at Leo, leaning forward with both hands on the edge of the table. "Get the stores to agree to putting up signs, have a bit of the proceeds from the store going to helping the refugees. Something to drum up business and buy them some good PR. Then the donated proceeds can go to buying some supplies or just drop them the currency and let them decide how to spend it. Already made request for donations on broadcast, though. So I got my bases covered." She points at one smaller pile. "Going to try it with the camping supplies folks. They don't got the best set up out there. Get them some good camping gear and while it won't be so good as a proper house, will be a bit better. Maybe later something more lasting can be looked at, but I'm going for basics right off the bat." She looks up and crosses her arms over her chest, grinning a little. "What'd you think?"
Leonard ohs and chuckles. "Well, it sounds as if you've planned far ahead of my little brainshower. Hmm... I'm sure they do need better shelter. Maybe the suppliers would be inclined to offer some sort of discount for donation purchases? More people might be willing to donate, they would have more customers, and the displaced stay dry. Everyone wins." There is another thoughtful pause before he adds, "I may be able to offer some temporary aid with shelter, myself, if my bit of ...entrepeunerial research bears fruit."
"I'm thinking in the long term, cause you don't think the thing with Tolkeen's going to be over in a week or a month, do you?" Vixen's brows lift. "It'd be nice if it was, but I'm planning for the long haul." She starts finishing up the sorting and data entry as she asks, "So what are you bringing to the table? Considering how much materials cost, making them with magic would be useful, though I dunno how much that would take. But without it, trying to just get some shacks made out there is going to be expensive to fund."
Leonard shakes his head. "I wish it could be, but we've just seen the beginning. It will get much worse, I expect." He exhales a sigh and quaffs another sip of water. "Magic can help, especially if we can get others willing. I'm not sure of the specifics, just yet, but I will look into it more thoroughly." He offers her a smile over his glass. "It was, intially, just a passing project for sunbathing applications, but it could be very practical for shelter."
Vixen nods her head as she keeps working. "Well, look into it, man. If the magic stuff can make this easier.. and cheaper it'd be a damn good thing," she states, brow furrowed. "I really don't know how I'd afford to buy a load of wood for building stuff. Hell, I could get a house built for myself if I had the capital to get the materials." She shakes her head. "Basics for now.. once I get this done, I can start thinking about the next step."
"Yes, dear." Leonard tries to hide his smile behind clear liquid and container. He only has one glass, but maybe that will be enough to stay her from hitting him. "I'll let you know as soon as I have something that I hope will be useful. It shouldn't take terribly long and, like you said, the issue won't likely be leaving anytime soon."
Vixen eyes Leo on that one, as if considering if she might hit him again. But she seems to decide against it for one reason or another. "See if there are any spells to make things too.. I've heard about it, but mostly in stories. Like making things into gold and stuff like that. But I assume if that as possible, every mage would have it." She shrugs her shoulders slightly and seems to finish as he starts gathering up all the articles again. Though without much care for organization as they start to get stuffed willy-nilly into her satchel. "For now, I have to go check on some of these. I got some appointments and gotta talk to some big wigs."
Leonard nods, refraining from pushing his fortunate any further. "I will. Shelter alone isn't much good without supplioes to go with it. Trasmuting has been little more than legend for the most part. Besides, gold is rather heavy to carry around." His smile brightens at the jest, though is short-lived as she gathers herself together. "I doubt you'll ever run out of people to talk to, Vix. It's your talent."
"You only gotta carry it to the bank," Vixen muses as she finishes stuffing the papers into her bag. Slipping from the booth, she takes up her heavy, item laden coat and settles it over her shoulders. "Pretty much, any spells that are good for either feeding people or sheltering people or building shacks.. whatever might be useful. If we can score it, it'll make all those a bit easier." She looks towards him, picking up her handheld. She turns it off and stows it while still grinning at him. "I'll catch you later, Leo." Said as she takes up her bag, ready to depart.
