Apr 12 17:55:50 106 PA
From Chronicles
The current game time is: Tue Apr 12 17:55:50 106 PA.
The early hours of the day, and the light rain is peppering against the glass above the gardens. The gardens are mostly empty, with people heading to work at this hour. Caliopa is settled, near to Sage's patch of flowers, curled up on a bench, her feet tucked beneath her. Her hair is tied back, a clip holding her hair out of her eyes, and she is dressed for work, the ancient coveralls hugging her figure. Her face is set in thoughtful lines, her forehead wrinkled in thought, and the book she holds as an excuse of a distraction is not working.
Having some errands around the museum in the early hours, it isn't until Cali has settled that Sage enters the garden. She turns to head towards her alcove when she sees her friend curled up near it. A smile comes to her lips, "Cali..." She says softly with a fondness in her tone as she walks over towards the woman. As she draws closer, she sets down what she's carrying on a nearby bench before continuing.
Caliopa's distraction takes a moment to realise that someone is speaking to her, but when she does, she looks up, her warm smile lighting up her face. "Sage. Figured I'd catch you before work." She uncurls, dropping her booted feet to the floor, giving Sage a look heavy with thought. "Sage, you know it was valentines the other day..." The words are spoken slowly, processing clearly continuing.
Not minding the delay in the other's response as it gives Sage a chance to get closer. "I'm glad you came." She comments softly, leaning down some to be able to give the other woman a gentle, if slightly awkward, hug. When she pulls back, her gaze consider the other woman's face. "Yes, I remember the day quite well." She says softly, before moving to sit near the other woman. "How was it for you?" She asks, trying to puzzle out the thoughtfulness of the other.
Caliopa returns the hug, warmth in the gesture if not in her response, her mind clearly on the thinking. "Kinda didn't get all the present stuff done on the day, Ali was real sweet, 'n' all." There is definitely something else pending, her cheeks turning a little red, and her gaze skittering off to the side. "Do you have ... I mean, has anyone ever given you underwear for a present?" A hesitation and then a blurting out of words that tumble across each other. "Or a picture of yourself?"
Sage tilts her head a little as she considers her friend and waits for her to reveal what's on her mind. She smiles softly at the other woman's first comments, "My valentine's requested simply for me to enjoy the night instead of worrying about presents." She comments, "I think that Alistair may have happy enough with that too." She tries to sooth that concern away before she pauses at the question. She blushes faintly and looks down at the mention of undergarments being gifted. "Not a gift exactly... but, I suppose the answer would be yes." She comments, before looking back up. "But, not a picture." She adds.
The blush is deepening, and Caliopa's gaze moves across towards a different flower. "He got a drawin' done of me. Took a photo after the first time we'd... I mean the ...when..." She gives Sage a look of agonised embarrassment. "After." She nods slowly, "Got Desmond to draw it into a picture." She is stumbling over the words, trying to explain. "When that thing possessed me, it tried to get Desmond to..." The burning cheeks are a brilliant shade of red as she stumbles through the explanation. "'n' havin' him draw me, well, Ali, he didn't know but..."
Shifting her position to move closer to her friend, Sage offers the comfort of her presence and an arm around the other woman's back. She isn't sure what to say at first, and simply lets her hand rub against Cali's back. She takes a breath and tries to keep a frown from touching her expression with moderate success. "There's no way he could have known that." She comments softly, "But, does he know now?" She asks softly.
"Weren't no way he could have known it." Caliopa agrees softly, giving Sage a half smile to show the appreciation for the comfort. "I told him, he was real upset too." She lifts her hands, rubbing her forehead. "Gave me a corset." She blurts out, her cheeks darkening in colour. "I mean, I ain't against them, figure some folks look real pretty in them." There is something rumbling in her head and she takes a moment before blurting it out. "I wore it, don't look like me."
"Ah..." Sage replies softly trying to keep the feeling of amusement at bay as she realizes some aspects of her friend's relationship with the man. "So... he's trying to please you, but isn't sure how to?" She prompts gently, rubbing her friend's back once more. "Perhaps there are some things about you that aren't readily seen." She lets a little light teasing enter her tone as she tries to feel out how the woman would react to an attempt to lighten the mood a little.
Clearly, getting close to the crux of the matter, the darkening shades of Caliopa's cheeks revealing more about her than the situation. "He done it well. Pleasin' me, I mean." Scarlet doesn't cover it and there is no way she is looking at anyone or meeting any eyes. "Uh, you know you can do that psychic feelin' things?" She barely pauses, "'n' you know Ali and I were workin' on me bein' afraid. We kinda did ... I mean, he was feelin' what I done feelin', 'n' I could feel his."
It is just as well that her friend doesn't look at her as Sage begins to smile in response to the darkening shades of the other woman's cheeks. "I am sensitive to them." She comments simply into the pause, before murmuring a 'yes' to her familiarity with the other woman's discomfort with other psychics. "I didn't know he could share." She comments softly with some thoughtfulness in her tone. She gives a pause before deciding to ask a question that may help the woman speak a little more freely. "Are you trying to tell me something?" She asks, with curiousity but no expectation or negative implications in her tone. Trying to give the other woman permission to speak freely.
Caliopa is struggling to find the words, and Sage's smile is missed entirely. "He can share, 'n' feel mine." She replies, staring hard at a flower, "Sage, do you... I mean, ...it ... is it ..." This is clearly hard to say and there is a long moment of silence as she tries to find the right phrasing. "Do you reckon I'm ... I mean, if someone were to real enjoy that, it ain't wrong or slutty? Is it? I mean..." The stumbling becomes critical and she falls silent.
Over by the alcove, Sage sits with Cali and has one arm wrapped around the other woman. Her friend doesn't even look at her with a noticeably blush that has drawn a smile to Sage's lips. She listens quietly to the other woman's concerns while rubbing her hand comfortingly against Cali's back. When the other woman falls quiet, she leans in to kiss her friend's cheek gently. "Sharing inner thoughts or feelings is what separates couples from friends." She comments softly, "And, Alistair does mean something to you, does he not?"
Leonard emerges from the library, sans tome, plaque, or any other form of data storage from the room he exits. Either he's been cut off, or his venture to the gardens is casual rather than research. A slight, absent smile even curls his lips as he steps towards the fountain and one of the benches nearby. Caliopa nods slowly, biting her lower lip, her face serious. "He really does. I don't want him thinkin' that I'm ...anythin' that... I mean, that I'd be doin' it with..." Stumble stumble and blush and she risks a look at Sage. "I mean, tellin' him about Desmond 'n' then bein' like that with him, that won't make him reckon less of me, will it?" The source of the problem becomes clear and her cheeks are scarlet.
Once her friend looks at her, Sage's other hand lifts to cup the woman's cheek and holds it lightly to be able to look into Cali's eyes. "You will know if he starts to think less of you. He would expect things instead of trying to please you... and at that point, he wouldn't deserve you." She pauses briefly, "And, that would give me one more reason to stay living in your flat instead of moving in with Tirzah... you wouldn't take care of yourself well at all if that happened." Then she tries to draw the other woman into another hug.
Leonard moves to take a seat when at least one familiar voice catches his ear from the vicinity of the garden management cubicle of hellish paperwork. His settling is aborted as he instead wanders towards, slowing as both women are noted. "Good day to you both..." The greeting is offered from a comfortable distance, so that he won't startle or unnecessarily intrude.
Caliopa returns her hug tightly, her forehead wrinkling in deep thought before she questions, distracted from her own man worries by Sage's comment. "You are goin' to move out?" She asks as she pulls away from the hug, brown eyes flying to Sage's face. Leonard's greeting startled her though and she twists to look at him, pushing her fringe from her face. "Uh, mornin'."
Comfortably Sage returns the tight hug in return, wanting to offer any comfort she can. Then she pulls back slightly when the other woman pulls back. A smile is given to the other woman, as her hand lightly raises to cup her cheek. "No." She says simply, before looking to Leonard. "Hey..." She replies, before looking the man over. "Do you need some comfort as well?" She asks with a mildly teasing tone.
Leonard smiles at Sage's question, although it then turns apologetic. "Not as much as others, maybe? I can leave if I'm intruding... or fetch the ice cream?" Apology is joined by concern as he looks to Cali. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you, either."
Caliopa manages a smile, despite the flushed cheeks and she shakes her head. "I was concentratin' on somethin'." A glance she gives Sage suggests her question isn't done, despite the brief answer. "You ain't intrudin', reckon I'm jus' bein' stupid over nothin'." She gives him a thoughtful look, briefly considering something before dismissing it.
Amongst the few who linger in the garden so early is a tall man, sitting on a bench nearby, but not too close to where folk gather. An aged tome with aged leather cover sits open on his lap, wrinkled pages speaking of the weathers of time. Though it looks unwieldy, he handles it well, slender, gloved fingers plying the pages with care. Everything about his garb is a dark, cobalt blue silk from the loose pants and shirt to the long cloak that hangs about his shoulders, hood drawn over his head, hanging low with his focus on the book to veil his features.
And what a time for Alistair to step in. He's talking to a boy somewhere between six and eight years of age about homework - until that boy remark, "Awistair, why are your ears red?" at which Alistair smiles sheepishly and touches an ear, shrugging his shoulders, "Must be something I ate? Anyway, back to your mother young man!" he smiles, and waits for the child to run off before continuing farther in. It doesn't take him long to spot Cali, and he waves to her and Sage as well, and Leo.
"Ah..." Sage comments to Leonard, "But, no need for ice cream just yet. Hopefully it wont be needed at all." She comments, befor enodding to the other woman's assessment of the intrusion. "And, she isn't being silly... just thoughtful." She gives the other woman a smal smile. She turns her attention towards the entrance as another voice penetrates the relatively quiet morning air in the garden.
Leonard nods to the ladies, smile returning to a more normal state before thinning. "Good. I think I've already contributed enough to the silly stupidity level for everyone for the time being." He doesn't immediately notice Alistair's wave, and cloaked figures bent over tomes aren't unusual enough to him to be noted in passing. It's more conspicuous that Leonard is not one of them at the moment.
Caliopa's smile relaxes a little, Leonard's expression distracting. "You alright?" She questions, glancing between the two, even as Alistair's voice is heard and the flush returns in full force. She swallows, the movement oddly nervous and returns his wave. "Uh, somethin' wrong, Leonard?" A glance around the gardens, and her gaze lingers for a moment on the man, her expressive face showing a brief concern about what he might have overheard.
The blue clad man cants his head slightly, then lifts it, his attention lingering on the trio nearby. The hood does give his features some obscuring shadow, but the thinness of his jaw and the swarthy complexion that he bears are obvious enough. His hand shifts again, turning the page despite the orientation of his current attention. For a short while be continues to be a silent, semi-discreet observer.
"He had had some woman troubles recently." Sage comments quietly to avoid her voice from carrying far behind the three of them since its really no one else's business for the time being. She raises a hand to waves back at Alistair, giving the man a thoughtful look. When she notices a little concern on Cali's part, she takes a glance at the other people around to see if there's anyone that may have brought it about instead of Alistair. She ends up settling her gaze back to Alistair. "Hey Alistair, did you just arrive?" She asks, trying to cut any tension there.
Alistair comes closer, smiling, though Cali's behaviour makes him a little curious - he doesn't pry though, greeting them instead, "Hello! This looks like a party!" he jokes, and looks to Sage, "Yes, I was inside not too long ago. I ran into the parents of one student who wanted some clarification on homework" his expression might show that he isn't exactly buying that reason himself, but then, he doesn't look troubled.
"Nothing that I can't make worse, don't worry." Leonard forces his smile a little wider to Cali, passing a somewhat grateful glance to Sage en route as he turns to greet Alistair. "Good morning. Not quite a party, yet, but I'm sure there will be dancing later."
A quick nod to Leonard, filing away his troubles to ask someone later, Caliopa rises, giving Alistair a warm smile, despite the pinkened cheeks. "Jus' passin the mornin'. I'll see you tonight." She offers him a kiss, turning to give Sage a quick smile of thanks, distracted from both her troubles and Leonards by Alistair's arrival, and her realisation of the time. "I have to go, garage gotta open." That brief explanation and she turns away, moving out of the gardens.
The tall man closes the book in his lap with a careful hand, his fingers lingering to lightly glide across it before he shifts it to the side, into the crock of his arm to facilitate a rise to his feet. Once up, he steps towards the four, now three as Cali goes along her way. Without much preamble, he approaches them steadily until he has come into the fringe of their circle without penetrating too deeply just yet. "Good morning," he intones, his voice rich but without a rumble to it. "I wonder if I might as you people a few questions." His hooded head turns, slowly encompassing the lot of them with the intent gaze of his icy hued eyes. Those shaded features are handsome, yet not so extraordinary.
Content that she's done the best she can for her friend and the man sitting nearest her, Sage gives a small smile. She gives Alistair a faintly amused look at the mention of a party before nodding simply to the man's words about his arrival. "Ah." She comments, before she looks towards the man that just approached. She briefly considers him, "Morning." She replies, before she glances to the other two men. "Would either of you have a problem with it?" Figuring she doesn't have any strong inclination one way or the other.
Leonard's attention now shifts to the cobalt-clad man, offering a nod in greeting along with a nonchalant roll of his shoulders. "Morning. I don't see any harm in asking, at least until I've heard the questions. We might even have appropriate answers. What is on your mind, today?" He is polite, but light in tone as he regards the unfamiliar man.
"I am Norwick and I have been exploring this city for the last few days," the blue clad man states. "A curious place, this. With curious people." As he speaks, he casually traces a finger along the spine of the tome. To the magically knowledgeable, it is obviously a book containing such lore, though the title is veiled. "What manner of folk are you who come to a library of this stature? What do you hold dear?" His eyes flit between the three in a slow arc as he waits for a response.
With the man's introduction, Sage nods faintly to the man in acknowledge before she considers the man's words. She purses her lips as the questions are posed. The questions seem a little odd and could pontentially be taken the wrong way. Yet, she thinks up an easy enough answer. "I am a caretaker of this garden." She comments, "And if I could only name one thing, it would likely be nature." She figures that suffices enough for an intial answer. She glances to the other men, wondering how they will react.
Leonard arches a brow at the questions, likely expecting something less... well, less. "Knowledge, for one, which is also what brings me here, more often than not. Why do you ask?" Introduction and courtesy aside, they seem rather odd questions to be asked by a stranger.
Alistair gives Leonard a bit of an odd look, "Dancing?" and then a smile to Caliopa; he kisses her quickly and waves to her as he watches her go. He then asks, "Did something happen?" Finally, when the other man introduces himself he looks from person to person; his brows hike up a little, "Friends, love, and self? The rest isn't very useful if one loses one self, though one might sacrifice for another - still, it is a very loaded question" he observes. "And one that often has too many answers to list everything; it can even change based on one's mood, is that not so?"
The blue clad man listens to each as they speak, his eyes moving from one to the next. "It is an open question. An important one, that reflects the speaker," Norwick replies easily. His attention fixes on Leonard as he adds, "As I said, I am learning of this place.. its people. To learn, one must ask. And in that spirit, what do you think of the Coalition?" His eyes move between the three again as his latest query is posed.
As the blue clad man responds to the suggestion that the questions are loaded, Sage considers the man carefully. "There are other ways to learn as well." She points out but doesn't make an issue of it for the time being. She gives a faint shrug to the man's next question. "I have no love for them, but I'm sure others will be able to give you a fairer assessment than I."
Leonard's casual smile sours past the anything resembling ambivalence before springing back to a smirk. "Other than their predilection for fostering ignorance and fear to have no lack of justifiable violence, they are a wonderful example of humanity." Where his expression leaves opinion to doubt, sarcasm takes over.
Alistair isn't so quick to answer, perhaps the gears in the back of his head are turning now. Finally, he says, "Just a bunch of angry, frightened people doing exactly what a bunch of frightened, angry people have done from the beginnings of time. And where are you from, Sir?" he inquires politely, his countenance pleasasnt as always.
Norwick's attention lingers on Leonard. "Deeply wounded, yes?" Asked without sarcastic lean. More of an impersonal sort of curiosity. Though Alistair's question also draws his interest. "I'm a traveler of sorts.. I have been many places and consider many a goodly place to be home enough. Dewomer, Tolkeen, Lazlo.. some I doubt any of you have heard of." Again, said with an impersonal certainty. "I'm sure you all have heard of the Coalition's new warpath.. what do you think of Tolkeen?"
Quietly she considers the exchange, before Sage gives the man another thoughtful look. "While these questions may speak to someone's character... I am not sure they allow you to learn much about the person themselves." She notes, but nods to the questions about Tolkeen. "I do not know much about Tolkeen... but I suppose the war itself has as much to do with fear and anger as much as anything else."
"I've not visited it, personally," Leonard admits, motioning a hand towards the streets beyond the gardens, "but there are a vast number of people huddling outside the gates that could share a more current opinion. What is it you seek to learn of this place, exactly?" The bite to his words has diminished, but he regards the man dubiously, now.
"It is a pity they've become a bunch of frightened, angry people" says Alistair, tilting his head a little, "Not that those who had nothing to do with it deserve what they are getting" his expression reflects a curiosity, probably along the same lines at Leonard's question as well.
"It depends on what one seeks to know," Norwick replies to Sage before he turns his attention on Alistair. "You refer to the people of Tolkeen in that?" Again, asked with a simple, straightforward sort of curiosity. He then adds, more generally, "The refugees I know about.. a sad thing, but unavoidable. the Coalition's forces are considerable. And when it comes to the front within Tolkeen's borders, the focus must remain in holding them back. Say what you will about the Coalition, but they are formidable."
A nod is given by Sage to the man's explanation to the questions at hand, but gives no real indicuation of what she thinks of his tactic beyond a thoughtful expression. "Anyone can be formidable in their own right." She comments simply, before glancing between the two other men.
Leonard directs an arche brow pointedly in Morwick's direction. "And what is it that you seek to know, Norwick? The conflict is fairly well-known, now, but opinions will vary as they always do. I'd think most here wish an end to the destruction, but there is the problem of how. As you said, they are formidable." "I do" says Alistair, "And yes, the Coalition is foridable" he concurs, and smiles a little uncomfortably - for what reason, who knows. He looks to Sage for a few moments, then to Leonard as well, gauging their reactions as well.
"Formidable.. but in the way of a great horned beast," Norwick notes, looking to Leonard. "To another great power, it is a simple, straight battle. But to the wolf pack, it is vulnerable to the sides, whilst facing the one." A slight smile comes to him. "If only there were wolves with the cunning to nip where the beast is weak." His attention then narrows to Alistair once more. "Interesting.. perhaps a simple question then.. would you support either in this conflict? You seem to have an insight beyond most here, to speak so of the people of Tolkeen."
For the time being, Sage seems mostly curious about where the man's interest truly lies. She isn't sure whether the man would be able to sense an intrusion into his mind, so she keeps to herself for the time being in that respect. As the next question is directly to Alistair, she glances to him, but keeps her peace for the time being.
Leonard ahs softly as Norwick seems to make his intentions more clear, at least to him. "So you're out hunting for wolves, in one fashion or another, then?" He leaves his presumptions at that as the man directs his questions to Alistair.
"What more insight do I need than to see the obvious?" Alistair asks, tilting his head a touch. "Is it not obvious from the teachings of warfare, from knowing how people act and react to certain things, and is it not your gut feeling that what this war will end badly for all concerned and those not - at least in the long run? What is it that you seek to accomplish in such a grand scheme of things, then?" he inquires. "Can these wolves you seek spare those who will be slaughtered?"
Norwick smiles slightly and his words to come are more general than focused on any one person. "War is inescapable. I'm sure you all can understand that.. one does not simply negotiate with the Coalition States. As deplorable as the results to come will be, they are a sad necessity." He pauses for a moment, then continues. "But what we do in the now can, perhaps, speed along the end of this conflict. Which would spare some the hardships. But, as noted, that would require stalwart wolves with the fortitude to take up arms." He lifts a hand slightly. "Now, do not think I look for those who might fight on the front.. no, nothing so deadly. But there are other things that can be done.. smaller acts of defiance to hamstring the Coalition's strength. And here there are many potential wolves. Though I seek, perhaps, a cut above the average wolf. Alpha's amongst the Beta's, I suppose."
Leonard considers Norwick's explanation and nods. "The fight has already begun, whether we wish it or not. If there is a plan behind this pack of yours, I can think of a few who might be interested. The quicker it ends, the better." His lips begin a steady return back towards his initial smile.
Alistair doesn't say anything, his expression looks like he might be doubting what's being said here. He does glance at Leo as well, his brows hiking up just a touch then, and he looks back to Norwick. "Which interest do you represent?" he asks, the question about as pointed as one might see from Alistair - eye narrowed a little and whatnot.
Norwick smiles at Leonard and nods his head once, then looks to Alistair. "My own," the swarthy man replies smoothly. "Though I suppose peripherally those of Tolkeen, as obviously I oppose the advance of the Coalition." His focus becomes more broad as he states, "I am one with resources and the means to make a dent. I cannot say I intend to bring the war machine to a halt.. that is a pipe dream for any who have less than a grand, personal army. But even a few chips in the armor can weaken it."
After noting his two credits worth, Leonard falls silent for the moment. It is easy enough for him to learn more of the blue Norwick simply by listening to his explanations to Alistair, who is potentially asking far more pointed and relevant questions than Leonard did.
Alistair's chin dips a little, his eyes flick around a bit, and he smiles pleasantly again thus leaving the previous to have been the only thing betraying that the gears were turning once more. He doesn't add anything to the conversation now that the rest was said, perhaps having cleared his mind of thoughts pertaining to the matter at hand.
Norwick nods his head once as he glances between the three. "Food for thought, friends. And honest effort for credits. It would hardly be fitting to ask one to risk themselves for free, after all. I feel I can speak freely with you all. I am offering twenty thousand credits for each who will attempt a little testing foray for me. Success is sure to result in more. With so great a beast as the Coalition there is many a place at which to nip. Consider it, friends.. I need three, perhaps four steady shots. Materials provided for a proper ambush, as you might plan." His eyes scan between them. "Would any of you be interested? Or know those who would be interested?"
"I am." Leonard now returns the nod with his own, as further statement of intent. "Perhaps others, as well. It's just a matter of arranging the details, I imagine." Despite knowing the man for all of five minutes, Leonard seems convinced enough.
"I might have to think about it" says Alistair, pleasantly but non-commitally. He doesn't seem terribly enthused about this right now it seems, and he just observes Norwick now, as well as noting Leo's quick conviction and the quiet Sage. His smile starts to fade slowly, giving way to something either sadder or more determined, perhaps both.
Norwick nods once to Leo. "Then seek your allies. Make your plans." He pauses for a few moments to study the man's face intently before he dips his head once. "I will come to find you soon.. to see if you are prepared. Then, perhaps, we can speak of more detail in just what we might do to be a thorn in the great beast's side." He then looks to Alistair. "Think all you wish. There will, no doubt, be plenty of time for that. A sad truth that we must face." He then looks to Sage briefly before he says, "If you all will excuse me, other matters require my attention. May your day be a pleasant one."
"I will strive to be ready, then," Leonard is nothing resembling an imposing figure, but his lips firm into a determined enough line, "for your return. With any luck, you'll find all the aid you seek easily enough. Good day to you, Norwick."
Alistair says nothing, rather, he watches Norwick as the man readies to depart. Alistair just looks to Sage for a few moments, then back - and his gaze finally settles on Leonard, his expression pensive. Norwick nods his head once, then turns without another word. The tome under his arm is brought forward, carried with a distinct gentleness as he bears it across the garden and back into the library proper. He'll soon disappear and leave the three to their own ends.
Leonard watches the man's departure before looking to Alistair. "Well, that was an interesting turn of events. Obviously, Tolkeen's calls for aid, nor Chi-Town's actions, have gone unnoticed."
" ... or perhaps he is from the Federation, trying to prod the Coalition into being even more vicious against Tolkeen - their competitor" says Alistair, shrugging his shoulders a touch. "You just agreed to attack the coalition - to get into a war - with someone who you do not know, and whose motives you do not know. In the end, I suppose if all you wish to do is kill some Coalition people, perhaps that does not matter to you. Or you might have other reasons as well. The reason you should not consider, however, is that you might somehow be able to help end the war better than it might be otherwise" he stops then and smiles sheepishly, "Ah, perhaps I have spoken out of turn."
Leonard rolls his shoulders. "The Coalition is always at war, and people suffer for it. I didn't start it, and I don't expect to end it... but I don't expect to sit idly by, either." A chime sounds from within his cloak and he sighs, some mirth returning to his features. "I can, however, expect to be late for a lunch appointment... It was good to see you again, Alistair, but I should be going."
"Sometimes sitting idly by is the right thing to do" says Alistair, brows hiking up a little, "Have a good time" he smiles, nodding his head at Leonard and waving a hand. He'll watch him leave, and then sigh - then the smile will really fade.
