Apr 08 04:02:31 106 PA
From Chronicles
Apr 08 04:02:31 106 PA. Kingsdale - Graveyard
The cemetery is a long hump of land raised high between two circular crater lakes stretching a good two city blocks. Grass runs the length of it, with the occasional willow weeping sadly over a pair of weathered stones and a keeper's hut with lantern and cross, said to house an extensive collection of stakes, silver ammunition, and a fire hose connected to the nearby lakes. An androgynous angel stands vigil over the far tip of the cemetery, wings outstretched ten feet apart over a small stone mausoleum housing the ashes and desiccated remains of dozens of the privileged dead, extending several stories down with mystic wards and circles etched into the granite to keep away those who would try to raise the departed. Between the rivers a series of gravestones, often flush against the earth for easy maintenance, marks a lineage of the honored dead stretching back two hundred years to the formation of Kingsdale. To the east above Silver Lake stretches a grid of white sandstone, each grave marked with precision and marking a fallen member of the Kingsdale Military. At the center a brass torch forever burns, symbolizing the eternal vigilance of the resting souls over the town and its peoples. To the west, slipping down into the bog at the edge of Emerald Lake lie the rougher graves given travelers, the penniless, the denizens of the Dregs. Kept in one place for supervision more than anything else, the crude wooden cross that marks the occasional rough patch stabs through the heart of some unkind soul as often as not. Just in case they decide to come back.
Late at night, with the fog gone, the park is reclaimed for the people of Kingsdale. One particular person has reclaimed the park, wandering around it in the dark, with torch and a notepad, and some black chalk. Smudges of those decorate her hands, and she is kneeling at the side of one grave, leaning over it, peering at the etching. Over her clothes, a black rain coat finished at the length of the skirt, and a black and white scarf covers her throat. Beside her, an umbrella lies, closed.
The soft glowing ember of a lit cig makes Vixen a bit more obvious than the norm, despite her preference for dark colors. She moves into the graveyard's environs slowly, her head turning slightly from one side to the other. Eyes scaning the fringes before she moves in further. She lifts the brown paper smoke for a light draw, a smooth drag taken as she walks through the area slowly. Seeking.
Atticus is finishing walking around the back part of the graveyard and is speaking with an older woman. "It was lovely. I think she would've enjoyed it," he tells her as he walks, the much much taller elf arm in arm with the old woman. They begin walking towards the gates, the woman looking up at Atticus and giving him a hug. "Thank you again. I'll go back to my room now and get ready to go tomorrow." Atticus starts to say, "Are you sure you don'...." and she gives him one of those trademark old woman glares, "I'll be fine," she says firmly. "You just take care of your business. Good evening, Mister Anwaman," she says, trying to pronounce the name with the right lilt. Atticus smiles and kisses the woman on the cheek, watching her go before he turns back to the graveyard with a quiet expression on his face, his hands settling on his hips over his gear.
Maya frowns, peering closer at the design on the grave, her hair flopping forward before a noise of triumph sounds from her, sitting back, the grin appearing. "Now, I have you." She informs the grave softly, reaching for the paper and the chalk. Then frantic rubbing of chalk, on paper, on top of the grave and she holds up a rubbing of the pattern, including the writing. "There." Satisfaction on her face, she rises, turning, her gaze taking in the pair of them. "Vixen!" She calls, almost bouncing across the graves to offer the other woman a sweeping, enthused hug. "And the elf from the gym!"
While not quite enough noise to wake the dead (one hopes), Leonard enters the vicinity with more noise than most, especially given the early hour. He speaks softly, presumably to himself, as he walks without haste nor immediately apparent destination. Given his rather monochromatic attire, he's not especially conspicuous, otherwise.
Atticus is snapped out of his reverie and smiles at Maya, moving to cross the ground towards her and her companion. "Hey there," he notes, running his fingers through his hair, moving it from flopping over his face. "How are you doing? And you miss?" he asks, looking around. "It's always so quiet and serene here, even after the battle we had here last year."
Vixen spies Atticus before she notices Maya, glancing his way as she walks. Her searching stayed to consider the pair of him and the woman for a few moments before Maya's voice draws her attention. She snaps her attention that way, then lets an easy grin come to her. "There you are.. I was wondering if I was getting bullshitted when someone told me you were over here," she states as Maya comes her way. The hug expected and returned with a casual air. The cig is lowered in the wake of it, left to dangle from her fingers, the other hand resting on her leather clad hip lightly. "A bit early.. what are you doing?" She eyes the paper and chalk for a moment before her attention lifts back to Maya herself.
In one corner, a bit away from the plots looks to be a small funeral. Ten to fifteen people stand in attendance at the procession, surrounding their passed on beloved who is gently cradled on a pyre adorned with fragrant flowers and incense. Tirzah is there, noticeable in her white gown. She waits, looking to a holy man as he says the prayers and offers words of comfort to the family.
Maya glances at the pad as she releases Vixen, turning to greet Atticus. "Maya." She introduces herself as she holds the pad out to Vixen. "Just chalk rubbings of the graves, because they are interesting..." She shrugs, dismissing her work. "I thought it would be quiet too, here, at this time of night. Interesting that it is so busy." Her gaze takes in the whole funeral pyre for a moment before she shakes her head, turning back to the others.
Atticus nods and smiles, "Maya," he notes, "Pleasure to meet you. And you miss," he notes to Vixen, looking around the graveyard, "I just finished a service myself," he says as his thumbs hook into his belt and his gaze slides around the yard, lifting his right hand to wave to Leonard as the other man begins to step into the graveyard proper.
Leonard is pulled from his own musings by Maya's shouted greeting, attention shifting towards the forming trio. His head shakes in bemusement before he surveys the remainder of the final resting plaza. The morning farewell formalities are also noted, to include the white-gowned Tirzah. Setting and time aside, that is a significantly more unusual sight than Maya's hugging or Vixen's weed.
"More like day," Vixen replies, the note of 'interesting' being applied to the graveyard elements only prompting a slight lift of her brows. Odd, but not that odd to her, it seems. She leaves the funeral alone, glancing at Atticus as she's referred to as miss. "Vixen," she corrects, a hand slipping into her coat to produce a card, which she holds out in his direction as her attention returns to Maya. The card has 'Vixen's View', a radio frequency and a PO Box listed on it. "I was thinking to pick your brain a bit.. didn't figure you might be up yet, but inspiration doesn't wait for the best of hours all the time," she says, lips curling in a light grin. "Got some time?"
Atticus smiles at Vixen, "Sure. I have some time. I'm Atticus by the way, but you talk like you know me already," he says as he accepts the card, reaching into his pocket to slot it into a leather-like wallet. He slides out a simple card with a radio frequency and embossed 'Si Sera Investigations' on it, handing it to Vixen with a smile. "One deserves one, I suppose," he adds. His head tilts and he turns to where Tirzah is, his head dipping almost sort of reverently as the flame rises.
"Yes, the rituals surrounding the dead are fascinating." Maya comments softly, giving the funeral in progress a thoughtful stare, as the flames ignite. "Were you looking for me?" Her questions to Vixen is absently spoken, a slightly puzzled look on her face as she watches the flame lick up the pyre. She reaches for her pocket, drawing a notepad from it, scribbling down some notes, her gaze moving between the pyre and the notepad.
Leonard approaches the funeral proceedings, though remains outside of the ceremonies proper. This is initially out of courtesy, but as Tirzah and the pyre come alight, it now seems a practical choice, as well. One hand plucks a small device from his ear and tucks it away within his clothing as he simply observes the immolated individuals, living and not.
Vixen glances at Atticus then and frowns faintly. "Not you.. her.. though I guess if you want to offer some ideas, you can. And I don't know you, man. No offense," Vixen adds, casually taking his card. Considering it briefly before she slips it into her coat. She then starts talking, with her eyes on Maya, "So we got all those people out there, the refugees.. don't remember if I told you what all I'm working on the last time, but I'm looking to get them settled.. eventually. That's long term, but I like planning. What I'm wondering about is what kinda stuff I might need to think about when it comes to health. Since you've had some time to think about it since we last bumped and I'm not really the expert on that stuff."
Those attending the funeral are warmed and soothed by the sweet controlled blaze. A few take comfort in embracing another, many weep openly, but none look truly distraught. Tirzah maintains her embrace, as might be expected, and as such is unable to take notice of any others who draw near before the pyre burns down. Though their respect and notice, will probably be appreciated when it does.
Maya lifts her hand, pointing her finger at herself, questioningly. "Me?" She drags her attention away from the pyre, turning to Vixen. "Step into my office then!" The little goth girl settles herself comfortably, if inelegantly, on one of the stones, putting her drawings to one side. "The refugees, yes, I haven't had a chance to talk to the director about it yet but health..." She frowns, thinking hard apparently, before she begins to scribble a list of basic medical supplies for Vixen.
Atticus is quiet for the ceremony, waiting for it to finish before he smiles, no embarassment there as he gets it wrong with Vixen, "Of course," he notes. He watches the two of them speak, his hands going back to his belt as Leonard is closer. "Nice to see you again," he notes to the other man, rocking back and forth on his feet slightly.
Leonard may be present more out of idle, if respectful, curiosity than mourning, but he still absorbs some of the radiant heat and glow of the moment. The latter reveals a lifted brow of intrigue, the only outward sign of his interest beyond his presence.
"Yeah, you." Vixen's light smirk an amused one. She lifts her cig for another light draw as Maya starts to scribble. Blowing the smoke off to the side before her own response. "Yeah.. like, when it comes to health right now.. probably they'll need to get checked out eventually.. dunno just how to get that going well. And the sick ones will need stuff.. and hygiene stuff. And if my long term plans get rolling, maybe there will be something more permanent needed on all those counts. Or, at least, lasting more than a few weeks or months. I'm not taking any chances on that count.." she pauses as a tone comes from within her coat. "Hold on.." she turns and takes a few steps away, pulling her handheld computer out to key it on and study it.
It only takes a few minutes for the pyre to burn down. The flames enshrouding Tirzah dying down after a minute and she waits, kneeling in the ashes until the pyre is but embers glowing softly in the morning twilight. She smiles warmly, taking a few minutes to make eye contact with all they mourners. "The loved one that passed lives on, in all of you, his energy and warmth absorbed and accepted by your souls. Nurture him, feel his memory with comfort." She advises in closing before she rises from the ashes.
Maya's list is complete, and she offers it to Vixen. "Those are the basics. Immunizations, antibiotics, pain relief, that type of thing." She tightens her lips, frowning, "But water and shelter, those are vital, otherwise you will see some type of disease move in and spread very rapidly." She turns her attention away, as Vixen steps away for a moment, and she spots Leonard. The drawings and note pad are abandoned as she moves to offer the man a hug. Her voice though, she keeps low, respect for the death intrinsic. "Everyone is here!"
"Just about everyone," Atticus notes, his voice quiet and amused, but respectful. "How are you all doing? You were mentioning something about refugees and taking care of people? Is everything alright?" he asks as he settles his gaze on everyone in turn.
As the farewell appears ended, and Tirzah seems to have concluded (she isn't aflame any longer, at least), Leonard offers her a greeting, of sorts. "That was a very... comforting display." He has to search a moment for an appropriate adjective, or to utter it. Tirzah and comfort are not two items that he has come to envision as intertwining. His attention is then pulled from that moment to the approaching Maya and the expected incoming embrace, which is returned. A smile is even offered. "So it seems. Morning, Maya."
Vixen steps back over just in time to take the list that she's given, the handheld slid away smoothly a moment before, freeing her hand to take the paper. She scans it idly as she notes, "I'm working on the basics.. takes time to wrangle agreements.. if they even decide to go along with me." Lightly disgruntled, that tone. But the paper gets folded unevenly before she slides it into her coat as well. Her attention shifts towards Atticus as she casually waves her cig holding hand towards the direction of the gates. "Just take a step outside the city. Got a group of Tolkeenites out there. I'm just fine compared to them." She glances after Maya then and notes Leo. She grins broadly then and turns to step over towards him as well. "Stalking me now?" Casually asked of him as she shifts her eyes to consider the end of the nearby funeral briefly.
Standing up Tirzah manages a warm smile to Leonard as he takes note of another side of her. Though she lingerswith the part she is with so that they masy talk with her and share the burden she takes some steps to get closer to Leonard. "Thank you." She replies simply, looking to him to see what else he might have to say.
"Morning? Yes I suppose it is." Maya steps back, letting Leonard speak with Tirzah, "I'll help if I can, Vixen, but they are already coming into the hospital, and we are treating them." She turns back to the gravestone, gathering up her papers, putting them into her bag. This is done in silence, her face thoughtful.
Leonard swivels his smile to Vixen at her approaching comment, lips curling wry to match his words. "I would be, but you are impossible to keep track of. Maybe I should try and schedule an appointment?" Perhaps a touch too much wit slips into the last before it dissipates. Atticus then receives a not of greeting as Leonard turns the smile back to Tirzah. "You are quite welcome. It was a pleasant, if unexpected sight."
"Yeah.. I guess the short term is fine then, if you can cover them then," Vixen responds to Maya, her free hand slid into her coat to draw out her cig case. She lightly grinds it out against the edge of the case before slipping the remnants inside and the case back into her coat. She then looks back to Leo and her expression softens just a little. "I'm sorry babe, but work takes work," she murmurs, moving up to wrap her arms about his neck and leans in to plant a light kiss on him. "I promise we'll get some time soon. Maybe once I finally pull some of these strings together and get some solid answers."
Tirzah nods and takes a moment to share some words with a few of the mourners and the priest. Ensuring it will be fine for her to carry on with her day before she walks back to Leonard and the others outside the perimeter of the funeral. "Good morning." She greets openly, her eyes drift to Atticus, whom she doesnt recall meeting.
Maya nods slowly, her face thoughtful, as she stares at Vixen. For a moment she is still and then she points at the other woman, "Got it!" She nods, as much enthusiasm in the movement as in the hugs she distributes so liberally, "I'll see you later, I'm going to..." She waves a hand, turning swiftly towards the gates, the skirt flying. She pauses only to take up her umbrella, flying hospital-wards.
Atticus smiles at the others and dips his head to Tirzah, "Good day to you," he tells her politely and laces his hands behind his back. "Atticus," he offers, "That was a very beautiful ceremony. You did well. I suspect their spirits are comforted in their passing."
Leonard is more than welcoming of Vixen's affection, and encircles her waist with his arms. "I know you're busy, Vix." His smile rekindles, minus the wry. "Saving the world's a big job, but if anyone can pull the right strings for it, it's you." Yes, he must slip in his pedestal construction in when he can.
Vixen glances back towards MAya as she goes, though she doesn't let go of Leo, head turned back towards the other woman. "See ya, chick," she offers before looking back to Leo. She snorts faintly in response to his words. "I'm more realistic than that." She breathes out lightly then and glances towards Tirzah. She does seem a bit tired. "Got another job now?" Asked casually as she finally takes more than a peripheral interest in the past funeral.
Tirzah smiles warmly at Atticus. "Thank you sir, that was the intention, people deserve a proper passing." Which brings her to her reply to Vixen, shaking her head. "Charity actually, I do such services for free. I'm honored to safely act as a means to help loved ones pass." She explains.
Atticus dips his head to Tirzah and smiles, "Thank you, instead. Noble work indeed," he says as he hooks his thumbs back into his belt and looks betwee those that are currently speaking.
Leonard now smirks to the snorting women in his arms. "Yes, you just tackle it a piece at a time. For purely selfish reasons, of course." She does have that reputation to protect. His head turns between Tirzah and Atticus, now. "Deserved and noble as it they may, I do hope your services will be needed as little as possible."
Atticus smiles, "I sure hope so," he notes, tilting his head. He frowns as a radio at his hip goes off, and he plugs an earpiece in to listen. "Pardon me, if you would. A case," he notes as he steps away. "Nice to meet you both," he calls to Vixen and Tirzah.
Vixen nods her head once to Tirzah. "I guess it helps some people." Her eyes flicking towards the people in question that might linger before she looks to Leo and grins at him. "No sense in arguing with you, man," she murmurs before looking to adjust her position slightly, arms lowering as she looks to turn without him having to release her. All the better to consider Atticus. That being just before he takes his leave, however. She looks after him for a few moments before she looks back over her shoulder towards Leo. "You know that guy?" She glances towards Tirzah, as if extended the question.
Tirzah shakes her head, indicating the negative. "No, though I think he is the one who runs the investigation service. Not really clear on more than that though. Seems like a straight as a rail sort of guy though." She offers to Vixen before nodding to Leonard. "People die, mostly not tragically, and I'm well enough known now that when they do I can offer to make it easier. At first there was some conflict over whether it would be right to burn them, but that has greatly settled now."
Leonard offers no resistance to Vixen turning as she may, but if the contact lingers, so much the better. "I know him somewhat passingly, from a few brief conversations. A studious 'wizard' of some sort, pulled here through a rift." His shoulders roll slightly before he looks to Tirzah. "It is practical to burn, and certainly more... dramatic. I thought it was very appropriate, although I'm not exactly an expert."
"Huh.. could be useful, but not for what I'm after right now," Vixen murmurs to herself, expression thoughtful as she leans back against Leo lightly. She glances back towards Leo again and wonders, "Mage, huh? That's good to know. Keep an eye on him.. let me know if he seems a bit off or anything. Maybe see if he has those spells you're looking for."
Tirzah raises her eyebrow at Vixen's reply to Leonard. "Spells he's after?" She asks curiously, unknowing or uncaring if she's passed the realm of her business. "And why do you wish to know if he seems a bit off? Many mages are off, to the normal sort." She notes, her interest caught.
"I /can/ decipher them on my own, you know." Leonard smirks to Vixen at her suggestions. "Nearly finished, in fact. As to oddity, aren't we all?" He looks to Tirzah and nods his agreement. "We're all strange."
"If he's trustworthy.. steady." Vixen looks towards Tirzah. "What I'm planning, I dunno what I'll end up needing in the end to get it all done. So knowing what kinda resources are near to hand is important. Of course, given that most of the long term is undefined and most of the short term is personal one on one, not too many personal assignments I can hand out." She shakes her head as she glances back at Leo again. "I know you can.. but anything that can speed it up is good. Plus I know you finger wigglers got limited resources. So having more than one person that can help with things, the better. Unless the spell makes something that lasts.. you never did tell me just what this spell is you're hunting down."
Tirzah considers Vixen carefully, not sure if she wants to step into this or not. Hoping she'll not commit herself with asking more she looks hesitant. "What are you planning?" She asks, curious really. She takes special note of Leonards appraisal of security details.
Leonard ahs. "True, I did not. There are two that I've nearly completed. One is for temporary shelter, a few hours, at most. It was originally an idea spawned from your desire to sunbathe, but it should work on a larger scale." His smirk softens to a grin. "The other is a much more permanent conjuration of building materials. It would save the cost of purchase or donation, and could be used as desired." He glances between the two and nods. "If anyone with the skill or magical reserve wished to lend either, it would speed things considerably. It will be very draining for just myself given the large scale."
"You know about the refugees out there," Vixen assumes. "The city's dragging its feet on them. Good enough time to get something done, isn't it?" She grins at Tirzah. "First order of business is food and shelter. I'm looking to wrangle something.. but it takes time to get the right meetings and such going. After that, well.." She pauses a moment, then asks, "How long do you think the fight up at Tolkeen is going to last?" Her brows lift as she poses the question. She then considers what Leo has to say. "That spell is kinda short.. but the second one, that'll be useful for phase two," she notes.
Tirzah considers that, smiling at how it kind of meshes with her own planning. "Oh, funny you should mention it. I'm going on an expedition next week, to find resources for a similar device through technowizardry. If it works out maybe we should collaborate our efforts." She offers, smiling now that reasoning proves benevolent.
Leonard's attention now lingers upon Tirzah at her comment. "Oh? Similar in what fashion? Collaboration is most welcome in this particular matter, I think." Vixen's waist receives an affectionate squeeze. "Which is what the master coordinator, here, is attempting to do." He glances sidelong to said coordinator. "Right, boss?"
"We'll see," Vixen replies. "I don't got the capital to fund nothing like that. Going more mundane for now.. this place has plenty of food, just a matter of working some of it to the refugees." She lifts a hand back to lightly stroke her fingers along Leo's cheek. "You know magic stuff.. talk with her about it. You can give me the gist." She then eases forward lightly, signaling time has come. She looks to Tirzah. "Let me know how it goes. IF there's another way to feed them folks.. and others, that'd be just fine, cause long term is where the problem crops up."
Tirzah nods, having no issues with that. Seeing as Leonard is the representative of choice she turns her attention fully on him. "Well I'm not the technowizard so the details are a bit sketchy coming from me. We wont really know what we can provide until we see what we can find in the way of resources. We're going looking for gemstones, and what we find if any will determine the nature of the device. The intention is to craft something publicly accessible that could help folks in the dregs, but I don't see why it couldn't be expanded to the refugees as well." She explains to Leonard.
Leonard releases his casual grip upon Vixen without complaint, well aware that it would not last any great length. "I will, once I know." That is given to her although his eyes now remain upon Tirzah as she explains. "Specifics will need to wait, then, I see. Do you know what the possibilities are, at least? I'm no technowizard, either, and worse than most when it comes to even mundane tech. Depending on when you plan to leave, I may be able to help with the search in some fashion."
Vixen turns and grins at Leo. "I'll try and catch you again later. Got more work to do," she murmurs. She'll nod towards Tirzah, then turn, striding on her way out of the graveyard smoothly.
Tirzah shakes her head, looking disappointed in herself. "No i really dont, but i know that when the gems are found spells will be needed for the creation, and Zachary may not have the ones best suited. But He can incorporate the spells others can cast into it. So continue on your part to find spells, maybe the gems we find will be suitable for them. or maybe we'll trade the gems we find for ones suited, who knows. My group is full for the trip though, our vehicles can only hold so many as its a few hundred miles travel." She notes for Leonard.
Leonard watches Vixen's departure for a moment while still listening and nodding. He finally turns his gaze back to Tirzah with a chuckle. "Maybe it is better that I stay if you're riding that far. I've become rather biased against long journeys when I can make them in a step... provided that I am familiar with or well-informed of my destination. The next time I see Zachary, I will remember to speak with him on the topic. If my formulae functions as I hope, and can be automated and duplicated, it would provide a huge impact."
Tirzah nods in agreement. "And if you have the spells to suit the needs, that one less thing to track down. So i be in touch, but i should head out now, the deli will be open soon." She notes, waiting to see if Leonard has anything else before heading off in search of breakfast.
"Maybe I'll stop by at some point, as we are neighbors in a sense." Leonard offers her a smiling nod as she excuses herself. "I don't want to keep you hungry, and this isn't exactly the most appropriate venue for discussion." He motions a hand vaguely about before it gestures to her and her gown, most specifically. "Nor would I want you to catch a chill, not that I expect you would." It is apparent that he is intrigued at witnessing her in a markedly different light, and is more comfortable when she has less fang showing.
Tirzah nods, having no desire to get a chill either. "Feel free to visit if you like, I always have food and drinks about. Or maybe you'd like to join Sage and i for dinner one night. I'm sure she'd like that." She offers warmly. "Until then little lamb." She says in fair well before heading off with the indication that her fangs are never covered by much.
