Apr 18 01:15:22 106 PA
From Chronicles
Apr 18 01:15:22 106 PA
Kingsdale - Refuges Retreat
First thing in the afternoon and the clinic has been frantic, over run by people needing treatment, seeking advice, prevention of disease. Maya is there, her clothes covered with a practical white coat, her professional coat at odds with the gothesque clothes beneath. A black pair of jeans rest on her hips, her stomach bare as the black t-shirt she wears does not reach that far. Her hair is up in bunches that have been twisted into little buns on the side of her head, tied with what appears to be tiny silver barbed wire, and her throat is circled with a necklace of a similar design. At that moment she is intent on her task, speaking softly to a mother with a child, in whose arm Maya is sticking a needle. "This needs to be repeated next week, but once that is done, her immunity should be full."
Leonard wanders into the camp, appearing somewhat uncertain as to the layout as he moves unsteadily around. His wobbling steps are compounded by his burden: a large, handled canister in one hand, and several heavily laden shopping bags in the other. The comparative mass of people about the clinic draws his attention, and then his route as he alters course to close.
The child does cry, despite the soothings of her mother, and Maya swiftly administers the immunization, turning to dispose of the needle before she offers the crying child a sweet. Instantly, the pain is relieved by this and the pair wander off, the mother promising to return the following week to get the booster. Maya scribbles the name and some notes down, before turning to regard her queue. It seems to have finally dissipated and she rises from the seat, stretching with a look of relief on her face. A moment later and she sees Leonard, springing into action, a hug heading his way with her usual enthusiasm, despite his inability to defend himself.
There is a sudden realization that an ambushing hug might be preferable to awareness of the incoming Maya and the inability to do anything about it. "I don't think that OOF... AH!" Not only his he unable to lift his laden hands to return the hug, but the burden and mud already has his legs unsteady. The energetic impact is more than enough to wobble, than tip the man backwards onto the ground. This could be a new take on 'muddying things.'
Maya reaches out, trying to balance him but the combined weights, plus momentum, dooms them to a muddy fate and she is taken with him, her weight not being enough to counteract the whole disaster. She does put out a hand to prevent her entire weight landing on top of him the but the slippery surface gives little traction and it just ends with her hand outstretched to the side of his head, her body on top of his, her startled eyes rising to his face as she lifts her head from his chest, where impact had finally completed.
"Hi." Leonard finally greets, chuckling despite the unexpected tumble. All in all, nothing was broken, at least that he's aware of. "How is your day going?" After her greeting, his casual conversation seems rather bland by comparison.
Maya stares at him for a moment before she dissolves into giggles, resting her chin on his chest. "Busy." She replies softly, her grin returning with full force, all the temper of the day before vanished overnight. "I'm sorry." A sudden realisation of their position is bought to her by the children of the camp giggling at them, and she scrambles off him, offering him a muddy hand to help him up. Her position doesn't look very well balances down, and her legs from the knees down are plastered with mud, as are her arms.
Leonard only now releases his packages and sits up. Fortunately for him, he now has one more reason to extort the virtues of cloaks, as his absorbed the vast majority of the soiling. "It's quite alright. I can think of worse ways to be knocked down." The various giggling around him causes a grin rather than a blush and he takes the muddied, offered hand. He rises to his feet while attempting to not make excessive use of her aid, however.
Maya pulls the best she can with her feet sliding a little in the mud, her grin widening at the giggling. "I should be more careful." Almost contrite, but the grin doesn't help the image. "What are you doing here?" The question is blunt, and clearly came out more bluntly than intended because she adds, "Not that it isn't lovely to see you, and it really isn't my business, not like the camp is mine, I'm just doing a little work here." Out of breath, he gets a chance to get a word in.
"I came to help, in as much as I can." Leonard's gaze leaves Maya to glance around the surroundings. "Do you know if there are enough tents for everyone, or that all are staying warm?" He then reaches down to retrieve his parcels. "I have also brought some building supplies, for whatever could be constructed that is needed." Heavy supplies, too, which he lugs out of the middle of the trafficway to set down again.
Maya glances around, her grin fading a little. "I think they need better shelter, food, clean water. I can only do so much with medical supplies but without the basics, I worry. We only need one communicative disease and ..." She becomes aware of the ears listening in and shuts her mouth, closing it against further comments. "There was someone in charge, of sorts..." She turns, looking around, her forehead wrinkling.
Leonard nods with her explanation. "Oh? That would be the logical place to start." He looks to those gathered, voice lifting for their benefit. "Are there any in need of fire wood, or with the talents to make anything else useful out of it?" Leonard glances to Maya with that thought. "Is there any simple furniture you could use in the clinic? I have brought some tools, and can provide planks for construction or burning, but the only thing I tend to hit with a hammer is myself."
Maya's forehead wrinkles and finally she nods quickly. "I could use another table, and a screen to hide from the view. I put up a sheet but it blows and it isn't much use." She nods firmly, turning her steps back towards her tent, talking all the time. "They could probably use cots, so that they can sleep well, because sleep is important too but we can't set too much fixed, because if they are lucky, we can get them somewhere to settle down."
Leonard hrms, lips and brow pursing and furrowing, respectively. "Permanent materials are a bit premature... maybe I'm going about this the wrong way. I should have researched into food and water, first, I think. Or more portable items, at least." A sigh follows.
Maya settles on the seat in her tent, looking up at Leonard, her grin returning. "Food, water, shelter, medicine. We are doing this the wrong way around but ..." She shrugs, beginning to pack up her clinic into the lockable boxes she carries down here daily.
"Well, with all the wind and rain we've had," Leonard rolls his shoulders, "I can see how a roof over the head might jump up on the priority list, if temporarily. Then again, I'm adept at doing things backwards, too. Would you like a hand?" Now that his own are empty and she's packing, he offers his assistance.
Maya nods, pointing at the delicate vials of precious fluid and the nearby box that holds a serious amount of padding. "If you do those, I'll get all the ..." She trails off, waving a hand at the bottles, needles, and the like on the side next to her. "They have tents and blankets, for the moment..." She offers softly, giving him a half grin, crooked.
Leonard chuckles and nods. "I think I can manage. My hands are a touch more coordinated than my feet." He moves to the padded case and proceeds to carefully fill it with the delicate supplies. "It is a good thing you have so much energy. I'm surprised you find time to sleep, between the hospital, here, and the dancing."
Maya gives him a full grin this time, her eyes dancing. "Sleep is for the weak, man." She comments, rising, her task done. "I need to get a little trolley I think, if I'm bringing these down each day. I can see why we shouldn't leave them here though." She brushes over her energy levels, ducking her head to fold her white coat into another bag, reaching for her rain coat.
Leonard closes the case gingerly once full, and latches it. "I must admit my weakness, then, since I rather enjoy a nap or two." He turns the object on its side and hefts it from where it rests. "Where's this going? You wouldn't want any of it wasted, or worse, misused. Maybe you need to borrow one of your dancing partners, and make him carry everything down here for you?" His brow arches over his grin.
Maya's grin is undented but she shakes her head, "I don't let them into my work." Almost abrupt, as she lifts her bags onto her shoulders, turning towards the city. "Back to the hospital." Her umbrella, a usual piece of equipment, is missing, and she steps out, her pace quick. "Dancing is dancing, work is work." She shrugs, slanting a look at him. "I'm sorry for my temper last night."
Leonard shakes his head. "No need to apologize. It wasn't aimed at me, and I'm grateful for that. That made it more a treat than anything else, considering this past week." One hand occupied, the other reaches into his cloak to produce a compact umbrella. He does try to be prepared, even if it couldn't help him on the trip here. "Ah. I can see how mixing work and fun could make things less fun."
A faint flush on her cheeks at the thought of the last night fades quickly in the cool air and a couple of stomps into puddles, splashing, despite the heavy bags, cool her temper. "He was creepy." She comments, shaking her head, "But I shouldn't have lost my temper. Spilling that glass was childish." She shakes her head, stomping through the mud towards the gates. "I don't let anyone in my lab." Flat, definitive.
"I'll just have to toss this through the doorway, then." Leonard hoists the case of fragile items with a wry smirk and moves along with her. "What is it you do, exactly? If you don't mind the question. I remember you mentioning dead people once, but that was about all, I think."
Maya's grin broadens and she turns to talk to him, her face lighting up with an enthusiasm, more than her passion for dancing. "I'm a pathologist and a forensic doctor. The living are nice enough but mostly, I work with the dead, and samples of things, seeking the cause of the problem. All this," A wave of her hand dismisses the camp they have just left. "This is just holding back the water, but if we can find the source, the cause, we can stem it there, prevent it..." She trails off, giving him a wry smile.
Leonard chuckles. "Forgive me that I hope that we don't meet on a professional level." His following nod is much more somber. "Unfortunately, the cause will not be stopping anytime soon, most likely. If I'm fortunate, I might be able to help in hastening and end, if just temporarily."
"You have to ..." Maya's words stop abruptly and she turns to Leonard, her forehead wrinkling. "I don't think we're talking about the same thing." She comments, shifting the bags to the other shoulder, "I'm talking about disease and degeneration at a cellular level. What are you talking about?"
Leonard now remembers to pop open his umbrella and hold it aloft, favoring her the large portion. "The Coalition. A degenerative disease on a larger level, but no less indiscriminate. They will also continue to spread if not checked."
Leonard nods, his return smile rather thin. "That is a very accurate description. Hopefully, we'll be able to slow the spread, at least from Tolkeen. I don't doubt they'll try again elsewhere, even if driven back, but..." He rolls his shoulders.
Maya gives him a steady stare, as if he might be a specimen under her microscope. "Are you planning something, Leonard? Who is we?" Their footsteps take them closer to the hospital, the bags seemingly heavier the further they go and Maya swaps shoulders once more, settling them in position for comfort.
"The planning isn't mine, exactly. Not yet, anyway." Leonard shifts the case slightly in his grasp. "There will be a venture north sometime soon, to aid Tolkeen by going after the source. Not directly, of course, but to potentially distract. A concerned individual is organizing this, and apparently offering up a sizable amount of credits, for the more mercenary. Do you know of anyone who might be interested in participating?"
Maya pauses as they near the hospital, turning to give Leonard a serious look. "Mercenarys? I know very few people here, apart from work, and hospital people tend not to be fighters..." She drops the bags on the steps beside her, with due care to the fragile contents, turning back to him, her frown deepening. "Be careful, Leonard. Cancers have a way of weaseling into the soul and darkening it."
Leonard simply nods, countenance comparatively flat, but firm. "Yes, they do..." His smile then makes a reappearance. "but I will be careful. Like I said, I don't have any burning desire to be one of your patients. Dancing would be infinitely more lively."
For a long moment, she is silent, her gaze on his face, her forehead wrinkling as she thinks hard. "I'd hate to see you on my slab. The dance floor is much better." Maya comments, before launching herself at him, a hug that is less enthused but is tight, her face buried in his neck.
Finally, fate favors Leonard for the moment, as he followed Maya's lead and set the case on the steps. Not only can he keep his balance this time, but can actually return the embrace. "I'm not about to miss out on the dancing... or the hugs." His tone is soft and light, despite the somber topic. "I think your experiment is working, but there's no need to stop testing."
She is not letting go for a few minutes, keeping her face buried in his shoulder. There may be a sniff but it is well hidden when she lifts her head, releasing him and stepping back. "Good. I explained it to that elf, the rude one at the gym, Atticus, and he approved too." She brushes off her emotional moment with a forced grin, turning to pick up her bags.
Vixen moves into the Refugee Camp slowly, keeping to a discreet profile, as one can in a place where strangers stand out. She's just grinding out one of her cigs on the corner of her case before slipping the remains back in for future burning. Her eyes dipped to that task as she comes into view. Her expression is a relaxed one, lingering down in the mists of ambiguity, but she doesn't seem bothered or down in a negative way.
Leonard is mildly surprised at the lingering embrace, but fails to find any justification for complaint. In fact, his grin grows at Maya's statement. "Somehow, I expect most people to approve. If they don't, I'm sure that you'd convince them given time. Anything else that I can help you with, since I'm the extra pair of hands at the moment?" He doesn't reach for the formerly carried case as she was already firm on lab admittance.
Maya shakes her head, the brusque manner covering well the emotion that brief emotional outburst. Outside the hospital now, on the steps, the light drizzle coming down on the pair. She turns to the bags lifting them onto her shoulder, turning back to take the ones from him. "I've got to get this lot put away in the lab before they reach a certain temperature." She comments, all business now. "Has Vixen heard about the donation?" She hesitates, that thought striking her as she intended to leave.
Kingsdale - Somewhere in Dregtown
Maya shakes her head, the brusque manner covering well the emotion that brief emotional outburst. Outside the hospital now, on the steps, the light drizzle coming down on the pair. She turns to the bags lifting them onto her shoulder, turning back to take the ones from him. "I've got to get this lot put away in the lab before they reach a certain temperature." She comments, all business now. "Has Vixen heard about the donation?" She hesitates, that thought striking her as she intended to leave.
Vixen walks through the Dregs slowly, keeping her passage discreet. A small hood has been unrolled from under the collar of her coat, keeping the light misting out of her hair. She's just grinding out one of her cigs on the corner of her case before slipping the remains back in for future burning. Her eyes dipped to that task as she comes into view. Her expression is a relaxed one, lingering down in the mists of ambiguity, but she doesn't seem bothered or down in a negative way.
"Of the tools?" Leonard asks, though continues with that assumption as he answers, his umbrella still held overhead. "I think that I mentioned the idea, but not that I brought anything by. I went to ask about what tools or supplies might be required, and the staff was helpful enough that I decided to just purchase some and deliver them."
"No, not the tools. That elf, Atticus, he is giving the Director some money to keep our clinic going." Maya's grin has returned, her equalabrium rebalanced. "But yours is kind too." She finally breaks away, offering him a quick hug, before turning to bound up the hospital steps, vanishing through the doors, taking her own brand of chaos back inside.
Vixen slips the dull silver case back into her coat as she nears the hospital, her attention rising up to note the two who stand outside of the building. In particular, she considers Leo for a few long moments before she wonders aloud, "You been rollin gin the mud, Leo?" Her eyes tracking Maya's move inward before returning to the guy himself.
Leonard watches Maya bound inside, smile already present as he turns it towards the arriving Vixen. "Not exactly. I carried some supplies down to the refugees, and someone decided to deliver her standard dose of therapeutic hugs. I wasn't exactly balanced well." Yes, that should explain things easily enough. Enough so that he attempts to alter the subject, at least. "How are you, Vix? Enjoying the fine weather?" He now steps towards her, leading with the raised umbrella."
"A little rain never hurt anyone," Vixen replies, seeming comfortable enough under hood and with that coat buttoned up. Even so, when Leo and she meet, she'll move next to him. Though she pauses and cranes her neck back a bit to consider the dirt. "HOpe you don't mind that I don't snag ya, like to keep clean when I can." She grins wryly at him and leans over to press her lips against his cheek. "Where'd you get supplies to be taking over there?" she wonders.
Leonard chuckles, the umbrella mysteriously finding it's way over Vixen's head, regardless. "I understand. The supplies I picked up, myself. A few tools and the like, to compliment the lumber I intended to provide. Of course, it looks like they could use food or furniture more than wood, with the possible exception of fuel to stay warm." His shoulders roll. "Not as useful as I had hoped."
"Yeah, that's taking longer than I thought it would," Vixen replies, a bit of peevish emotion coming to her. "But I'm not out yet." She looks to him and cants her head a little. "So I guess you've done what you're doing here.. had any plans where you were headed now? I was just coming from the Bazaar, taking a little short cut of sorts."
Amber comes walking down the street, umbrella-less, her and clothes well on there way to being soaked. Her hands are in her pockets, and her holster on her leg makes a soft clicking sound as she walks, the snap used to seucre the pistol undone and bouncing against its housing. She seems to brighten up a bit when she spots Leo and Vix, and she starts to angle herself in their direction, offering a wave as she nears.
"A little rest for the weary?" A brow arches as Vixen seems to imply free time and Leonard is not about to dampen that implication. "My schedule is free, and I'm open to suggestions... and don't worry. I'm sure they'll come around. Have you tried your fist, yet?" The suggestion is a grinning one, and as he awaits her suggestions, the sodden Amber and her wave is spotted. Leonard returns it with his free hand. "Lovely day, isn't it?"
Vixen snorts faintly and shakes her head. "If only it were that easy.." Then she glances towards the wave and notes Amber inbound. "Long time no see," she offers casually, then glances upward slightly. "You know, I think you might be better standing here for the moment than me," she says to the other woman, motioning for her to come closer, to where Leo's umbrella covers things. She shifting over to the man's other side, one arm extending to hook his free one after the move.
"Thanks, I'm not sure how much it really matters now..." she trails off, accepting the shelter as she flashes Leo a smile, "I hope you don't mind me sorta trackin you down, but the door guy at the alibi said he saw you walk by not too long ago" she looks over at Vixen, shrugging, "What are you two up too, I'm not intruding, am i?" she asks, ever cautious.
Leonard maneuvers the umbrella over to Amber with one arm, and welcomes Vixen's arm with the other. His brow arches to the more drenched of the two. "Tracking me down? Should I just give you the umbrella and run away? I hope that I haven't manage to get myself in trouble, again, somehow." It is a mirthful jest... mostly? His brow swivels to Vixen. "I don't think you're intruding..."
"Guess it depends what you're after, chick," Vixen replies to Amber with a sly little grin. She glances at Leo, then back to Amber and shakes her head slightly. "Not intruding. We were just considering what to do with this little day we have laid out here before us. For the moment I don't got much of anything to do. A bit later, yeah, but for now I'm free to do whatever."
Amber grins up at Leo, "Sorry to burst you're bubble, big guy," she lets out a brief chuckle, looking again over at Vixen, "But I actually came looking for Vix." she takes her hands out of her pockets and uses them to wring a little bit of the water out of her hair. "I was actually hoping, I could talk to you about an offer you once made." she reaches up to remove her glasses, and she dries the lenses with a cloth produced from one of her many pockets, her turning to look up at Leo a second, "About uuh." her eyes flicker up to Leo once more, and she sighs softly, resolved to just say it, "About helping me look more, you know, like a girl?" she almost sputters the last bit.
Leonard chuckles and lowers his head in poorly feinted shame. Probably due to the grin. "It's alright. I'm used to her getting all the attention..." He then blinks as Amber explains her purpose and looks to Vixen. "She's much more an expert at that than I, also. Not that I have any complaints or doubts of your femininity..." Well, that didn't exactly come out quite right, and his smile and eyes shift between the two a few times.
Vixen arches a brow slightly as Amber reveals what she's after. "Oh, yeah I did offer that didn't I?" She grins idly. "I guess I can give you some assist.. though I suppose that depends just what you're after. There are a few levels when it comes to looking like a girl." She leans over to Leo again and gives him a peck on the cheek. "You might as well hang around. NEver hurts to have a guy on hand for that point of view." She grins at him playfully before she unwinds her arm from his and steps up to Amber. "So.. dish. What are you looking to get dressed up for?"
Amber "hmmmms" for a moment, her eyes on Leo as she considers her response, her attention back to Vixen as she speaks, "It doesn't have to be now or anything, I know its kind of a ugly day to be out and about." She uses her cloth to wipe at her face, starting to feel a little better she smiles, "I guess I just need going out to the bar clothes, or maybe something I could wear on date? You know, something not t-shirts and jeans or work clothes." she lets her eyes wander over vixen's outfit, "You seem to know what you're doing, and I didn't know who else to ask.'
Leonard sticks with a smile as the ladies discuss fashion, its purpose somewhere between encouraging Amber and keeping his mouth closed. He looks her over, considering suggestions despite his minimal experience on the subject. "Do you like leather?" Of all the mirthful comments he can think to utter, this one seems the least akward and/or potentially lethal.
Vixen chuckles lowly and glances at Leo. "Date clothes. Not too shabby, eh?" She looks back to Amber and moves to her side, to casually hook an arm with her, if allowed. "No sense not talking about it now. Give you some advice and you can raid a good shop and get what you need." She pauses, considering idly. "Though where.. the Alibi'd not be so bad.. still a few hours before it gets loud and it isn't too far away." She glances at Leo with a casual grin. "I think she'd better stick with the basics before she starts getting into the advanced subjects." She grins at Amber then. "It can get tight. I figure if you're looking for the casual date sort of thing, you'll want something comfortable. Comfort lends to confidence."
"Yeah, I like to sound of comfortable, but I want to look," her eyes look away briefly, "nice? I'm willing to be a little less comfortable for a little bit more head turning, i think, not a lot, but a little? Does that make any sense?" she shrugs, smiling at vixen, "Really, I have no idea what I should try, but I think Vix is right about the leather," she grins up at Leonard, a little teeth showing.
Leonard chuckles and relents on his one, passing nomination. "Alright, no leather... A skirt, then? Your running to tire yourself out has had alternate benefits for your legs..." He glances sidelong to Amber with a smile that is then forced a little wider as he looks to the Vixen attaches to his arm. "Just a suggestion from the male perspective. Are you sure that my opinion is a good idea?"
"The denim will suit you better than leather." Vixen considers a moment, then asks, "What sort of date is this? Formal? Informal? And the guy.. I guess you wanna show off at him a bit, right?" She nods at Leo. "A skirt.. though if the weather is bad, that could backfire on you. Skirts don't work too well out of doors, unless its nice or you're not going to be out too long. A long coat can help with that. If you're going casual, a nice pair of fitted jeans will be showy and keep you a bit warmer if its cool. Black or dark blue to go with almost any sort of top. Or some other color if you want to be experimental." She's linked with Amber at the moment, though she does motion for Leo to stay near as she starts to steer Amber towards the Alibi casually. "Clothes can be pretty general, but details are important too. You wanna give the right impression.. not too flirty if you're not wanting him to start thinking that way. Or flirt it up if you do."
Amber is easily steared as she thinks things over, "I don't know if I can be flirty myself, so I might need some help with the clothes for that. I think i like the idea of a casual dress or skirt? I sorta wanna be as far away from me as possible, and pants are pretty neutral." she blushes a bit, her eyes moving from Leo to Vixen, "You think I could pull something like that off, or would it just be weird on me?"
"I'm of the opinion that 'flirty' is a natural thing to most women," Leonard notes, "even when they're not trying. Not that it is an expert obersvation, though." He can't help but grin. "Between the both of you, I have no doubt whatsoever of spectacular results." Hah! Complimentary without the potential for great bodily harm!
Vixen grins lightly as she pats Amber's shoulder with her other hand. "Maybe you don't want to try and flirt it up too much at first," she suggests. "There's a lot of aspects to it. How you walk, how you interact with people, how you sit.. pretty much how you handle yourself physically weighs in on that." She considers. "What kind of top do you think? Maybe something light, with buttons. What's you favorite color?" She then eyes Leo. "Some do it naturally.. some have to learn it. Results are about the same when you get a knock for it." She grins at Amber. "Also, keep in mind he's free with the compliments. If he were a player, you might have reason to worry, but he's not."
Amber looks up at Leo, an eye brow arching as she she grins, shaking her head, "I'm fairly sure it is not something i've really developed yet, actual flirting ability. That'll come next." a smirk as she looks back vixens way, "I'm growing more accustom to them, compliments, and i'm finding I like them. As for colours, Green, I guess? No, I'd say white, does that count as a color? I've always loved white, but I tend to ruin everything I touch, so I usually stay away from it," a quick breath pauses her run on sentence," Green's a bit easier, I guess. And I have no idea on tops either, small sweater? Tight shirts seem ...popular?" her ton questioning, "I want something I could dance in, that'll me breath too, though I guess, maybe i should get more than one outfit, huh?"
Leonard holds up a hand in his defense. "Now, now... I only give compliments to those deserving of them. You should know that, Vix." He eyes her pointedly above his grin. "I guess you both could be right about the flirtation, and it might just be me. Compared to my poot attempts, everyone is a master at it." His eyes shift to Amber, now, and he pauses a moment before shrugging. "Color suggestions are out of my league, also." As if his own attire isn't proof enough.
"Never can have too many clothes.. I have to dig out some of mine now that I'm more or less settled here, but been too busy to start doing that recently." she grins at Amber, then gives Leo a sidelong glance. "One way you learn is through doing. Someone could tell you the basics, but you don't really get an instinct for it until you get practice." She looks to Amber than and details, "That's the thing, what works for some guys won't for others. Most aren't too hard. Show them some hip, give them a little wiggle and they'll get neck strain following you around. Not others, takes something special." She then suggests, as they walk, "Green and white.. white isn't a problem for things you wear for special occasions. A good blouse would be airy and with buttons you can up the flirtation factor by how many of the top buttons you leave undone." She grins lightly. "Very versatile. Mix that with a dark skirt and you'd have the good base for an outfit." Her eyes dip and she lowers her free hand, down to touch the side of Amber's thigh lightly at about the mid point. "That's about how low you want your average flirty skirt. Keeps you modest but suggestive and but shows off some leg. Longer for formal events, shorter if you're looking to ramp it up."
Amber laughs, almost a giggle, "Sounds to me like variables, I wonder how hard it would be to right up an equation that could suggest attire for events based on a desired effect." she looks down and to the right, thinking a moment, "Wow, thats probably pretty dorky." she says blushing a bit but still grinning, "I guess Its about time I developed a wardrobe, and I think I've got a good starting point." she grins up at vixen, "I think formal is a ways away, I'm more looking for going out fun wear, and maybe something a little cuter for walking around town. It'll be hard to find that good balance, so its nice to know where the limits are." She grins up at Leo, shaking her head.
Leonard glances over at Vixen's suggestive measurements of things. "Now I have even more reason to wish the weather to improve." He nudges Vixen slightly so that she better catches his comment. "You're going to get too hot before long. Or moreso, rather. Other than fashion, what did you two have in mind for today?"
Vixen smirks at Leo and murmurs, "Yes, eventually I'll be wearing something a bit less insulating." Leaving it at that as she considers Amber. "Well, I was thinking we'd walk to the Alibit to talk over this thing, but if you're feeling like you got a good enough lead, maybe I should set you free to go explore." Her brows lift. "How are you feeling on that note, chick? Confident? Or something close to that?"
Amber considers that a second, "I think optimistic is what I am now, not sure if thats the same thing?" she shrugs, "If it wasn't too much of an Imposition, I was thinking about going to change into some dryer clothes, and come out more prepared for the weather this time." she looks over to Leo, and attempts to nudge him with her elbow, "you'd think you wizards would find some magical way to take of this rain" she shakes her head, smiling before looking over at Vixen "You've been super helpful, and I'm practically a stranger, so I'd hate to interrupt the two of you on top of that, free time must be harder and harder to come by"
Leonard is enlivened by Vixen's comment, already considering possibilities. Amber's nudge just provokes a wider grin. "Well, I have started to look into that, actually. I could try, if you wish, but your clothes might disappear along with the water..." He then pauses once more in thought. "Although, I can see the utility of pursuing either effect... You're welcome to change and rejoin us, if you wish? I'd like to steal Vix for myself for a bit, while I have the opportunity."
"Can be, but a little time to set someone on the right track for their look is worth the trade." Vixen grins at Amber and shifts her hips, bumping Amber's lightly with her own. "Optimistic is good, so go get 'em," she says before releasing her. "And get a good umbrella while you're out there. Never a bad idea to be prepared." She then steps up to Leo and eyes him. "You can very much not start making spells that make clothes disappear. I don't think you're mature enough for something like that," she tells him before casually reaching out to hook his arm again.
Amber nods her agreement, grinning, "Yes, I think i'll stick with the Umbrella idea for now, though maybe after you've had a bit of practice..." she winks vixen's way, "Thanks anyway." she looks around her self, still sheltered by the umbrella as she plans her route. She looks down at herself and shrugs, "I guess it doesn't matter how wet I get on the way, huh" She starts to head out into the rain, leaving the protective awning, turning once and offering you two a wave when she's barely 2 steps out, "Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it!" her eyes move to Leo, "Sorry to interrupt your Vixen time!" she shrugs apologetically as she offers one more smile and a wave before she turns and heads off into the dregs.
"I'm mature enough not to use it. Much." Leonard replies as he rehooks arms with Vix. The other manages a limited wave to Amber, wobbling the umbrella in the process. "It's alright. Try not to catch cold, and I'll see you later." He chuckles softly and looks back to Vixen. "It should be interesting to see what she decides on. You're a powerful influence, I think."
Vixen lifts her free hand to wave casually to Amber. "Just remember.. comfort is confidence. Make sure you like what you got on, otherwise it won't help." She grins a bit, then turns her attention to Leo. "Much, huh? Yeah, I'm pretty sure how much you'd probably use it." She grins impishly. "But enough about things that will never exist.. what do you feel like? Quiet? Loud? Busy? Not so busy? I'm feeling real.. open, I guess. Maybe for something new."
Leonard motions towards the looming Alibi. "Well, it isn't exactly new, but it shouldn't be too loud, or busy, yet." He shrugs slightly. "If we change our minds, we just need wait awhile, and that will change, too. To be honest, a chance to sit and talk would be all I'd like. The where isn't so important, really."
"Oh? Got some things you wanna discuss? Or, as you might say, is it all about basking in my presence?" A light tease given with those words. She considers the Alibi, then shakes her head a little. "Lets walk a bit. Head north, out of the Dregs. Maybe we can curve over to the park. I always liked that gazebo. Should spend a little more time there, I think."
Leonard nods, although his grin is not quite as wide as it could be. "Both, actually, and the gazebo it is, then. I may even be able to walk and talk simultaneously, without tripping too often. Not over my feet, at least."
Vixen nods and starts walking with Leo to the north again. "Well, what's on your mind? You can tell me anything, even the bad things. That's kinda how it works when you get close to someone, ain't it?" She grins, a softer one. She leans against his side a little as they go along, making it easier to keep the umbrella over them both.
"Yes. Even moreso in this case, I think." Leonard leans into the contact, regardless of the umbrella, rain, or much else. "Ironically, happens to be related to what the three of us were just discussing. To a point." A nice vague preface before he continues. "I just wanted you to know that, along with all my other crazy assertiveness, I did have some of that practice in flirtation... Far too much, really, and I did horribly, but you deserve to know."
Vixen arches a brow slightly, giving Leo a sidelong look and a few moments of silence. "C'mon, Leo. Spit it out, cause this dancing around the fringe is just making me wonder. And when I do that my mind wanders and I start assuming. That's not usually good for what I come up with. Lay it out straight. You know me and truth."
Leonard rolls his shoulders. "Actually, that is the truth of it. Nothing came of it, Vix... except making more a fool of myself and embarassing Amber." His smile is unsteady, uncomfortable, but his return glance is firm. "I didn't want you to hear others' wondering or presumptions, first."
"Hitting on her, huh?" Vixen keeps that sidelong glance on him. "I'd assume you're not the guy she's dating, though." Then, just as quickly, she shrugs and relaxes somewhat, her attention shifting forward. "Well.. that's fine, as long as you're not doing it now. We were kinda broken up then. So it wasn't cheating." She grins idly and turns a more amused look on him. "So you going to dish details or was it just too painful for that?"
Leonard's smile gains notably more strength behind it, and he switches the umbrella to his far hand so that he can wrap the near arm around her waist. "No, I'm quite certain that I'm not the one she's trying to entice. She realized that I wasn't acting very... sane at the time. Plus, there's another whom I think has his eye on her." He looses a sigh. "One of the other reasons that I regained my senses and apologized to her. Not much to tell. Along with my penchant for compliments, I was simply very blunt about my interest, at the time."
Vixen grins a little as she gives Leo another sidelong glance. "So what, breaking up with me drove you insane? That's a bit hard to believe," she murmurs, turning her attention fully from the path ahead then to eye him. "I suppose I can forgive you. She's pretty good looking. Even more so than me." Of course, even as she says that last, she's got a close eye on Leo.
"I'm not like that, Vix." Leonard's steps slow as he meets her eyes. "Not insane, I suppose, but I wasn't exactly in the most stable of moods. I was angry. At you, at myself, and my own ... hiding. So, I was a little overzealous in trying to NOT be the lamb. It felt good to be aggressive, or at least bold, for a change, but... it was a bit much."
"Every guy is like that, Leo. Just depends on the degree," Vixen replies, a hand lifting in an airy dismissal of that aspect of the discussion. "I'm glad you like being aggressive. You should be more often. Especially with me, cause I like that in a guy." She grins at him idly and adds, "Dunno where you got this lamb thing from, but you are kinda passive at times. Letting things happen. I know well, sometimes you have to reach out and grab them cause they won't just drop into your lap all the time. Plus its fun."
Leonard smirks. "So now I'm just like every other guy? I thought that was a bad thing? Lamb is a term that Tirzah coined, and is fond of taunting me with." The smirk softens into a more relaxed smile. "It was fun, yes... but not the best choice, in this particular case."
"Trizah, huh?" Vixen smirks faintly. "Not surprised. And yeah.. every guy is like the others in some ways. Just like every girl is like every other and every human is like every other." She looks towards him. "Maybe not in a big way, but there are some things that are common. Guys like looking at pretty girls. It's hardwired, so I forgive it. As long as you don't act on those impulses."
"So what is it you mischevious girls like, anyhow?" Leonard lifts a brow, both curious and playfully tossing the ball back into her court, so to speak. "Other than tormenting the boys, of course. That much I /do/ know about." He then shakes his head. "I don't have any intentions of that, Vix. That's one thing I don't want to have in common with 'other guys.'"
"We like what we like," Vixen opines. "Whatever that thing is we like, we like it a lot and we like our guys to provide it." Her grin returns with a sly edge to it. "Of course, telling you what it is would be too easy, don't you think? At least, telling you outright. I think it's better to figure it out.. give a little challenge. A little mystery and excitement."
Leonard's arm about her tightens in a squeeze as he laughs. "I should have known, but it was worth a try... and you're right, as usual. You do give hints, though, I hope? Assuming I haven't missed any already..."
Vixen chuckles lowly and murmurs, " Now now, Leo.. I'm not giving you any clues. You'll just have to figure out my likes on your own.. though I suppose you already k now a few. Though mostly the small ones. You can work your way up from there, I think." She leans easily into him, letting her head lay against his shoulder. "And I won't hold it against you when you miss."
"I'll try not to miss too often, all the same." He sighs, although this one is decidely pleasant. Leonard even echoes her chuckle. "So, all I need is figure out what you want, AND what I want. Here I thought life was going to be a challenge. Any ideas on what that perfect house of yours is going to look like? Other than rooftop sunning lounge and, I would hope, an actual tub for the bathroom?"
"House?" Vixen smirks a little. "Man, I'm not even thinking in that area. I mean, seriously, you know how much that takes in creds? Renting is what I'll be doing cause that's the best way to go for now. Maybe if I get to that point, I'll consider it. But really, why bother when I got other stuff to think about?"
Leonard rolls his shoulders, but maintains a smile. "I recall you mentioning it, vaguely, once or twice, so I thought I'd ask. Afterall, I wouldn't want all this research into conjuration of building materials to go to waste once the refugees have found their way. That, and it has absolutely nothing to do with all that other stuff you're always thinking about."
Vixen shifts her shoulders in a slight roll in response. "Maybe I mentioned it in passing, but I'm not the sort that has designs on that sort of stuff." She tilts her head to gaze at him. "Fancies are nice for dreaming, but reality is what we have to work with. Maybe in the future, but right now I'm fixed on the real." She grins at him. "But thanks for thinking about that. And remembering. I like k nowing that someone is actually listening to all that crap I spout."
"I try and take notes, too." Leonard gladly admits. "Why do you think I needed to upgrade my hardware? The old one couldn't keep up and was running out of memory." His almost entirely truthful admission hangs for a moment, before he adds, "That and this one will actually work with my camera. With any luck, I'll have some very good footage for you when I get back."
Vixen is quiet for a few moments before she murmurs, "Going out for that whatever you mentioned before.. to Tolkeen?" Her tone treading that line between ever so carefully. "Probably dangerous.. you're not getting into anything over your head are you?" She looks towards him with a firm expression. "You gotta be careful with a camera. If you're actually fighting, getting distracted trying to get a shot is bad news. Me, I don't fight when I'm filming.. cause dividing my attention between them ain't smart."
Leonard nods firmly enough, though his words are quiet. "I still intend to go, assuming that there are others willing, enough to make the trip... worthwhile." Her pointed look is returned with a smile. "I'm not going as a cameraman, but it doesn't mean that I can't record things when I can. Besides, it has a little fiberoptic doodad, that I can just clip to my shirt and whatnot, then just let it run."
Vixen nods her head a little at that, then lets it relax again. Grown silent for a few moments before she murmurs, "Just be careful. Don't want you dying on me." The statement simple and lowly said, the young woman growing quiet afterward.
"Trust me, Vix." Leonard states, along with a squeeze. "I have more incentive, now, to make it back in one piece than I've ever had. That's one hint I'm not going to miss on."
Vixen twists to come around in front of Leo and pause them briefly. At the upper edge of the North Dregs, she feels more comfortable about leaning in to lay a firm kiss on him, a hand placed against his chest. "For before you go.. cause I dunno when you might.. and it might be when we can't talk. Don't want you leaving without that," she tells him.
Leonard gives anything but resistance to that, other than very fleeting surprise when she first halts them. Afterwards, he is quiet a long moment, until he smiles. "I'll do my best to warn or borrow you beforehand." He then leans back in with every intent of returning equal vigor, but suddenly pulls up short. After the rather light peck, his smile returns, wider than before. "I'm going to save the rest of that for you, for the moment I return."
Vixen grins at the light peck and the reason, lifting a hand to lightly pat her palm against his cheek. "You'd better. I don't forget debts. C'mon, lets go find that gazebo." She'll step back a bit, though one hand dips to find his. The walking pace of before brought up to a jog to carry the two of them towards the park.
Kingsdale - Plaza Park
Leonard moves along with her hurried stride, enjoying the brisk move. Just not as much as holding her hand. As they enter the park, he notes, "If you wanted to wind me, Vix, that dancing would've worked, too, you know..." After the mild tease, his mirth returns to casual pleasantness. "Why is it that you are so fond of the park, and the gazebo? Not exactly the first spot I'd think of for a wiley, streetsmart girl from the Dregs." There is no accusation or presumption, but merely curiousity.
"We can't always be who other people think we are," Vixen replies, the jog drawn down to a lighter walking pace once the park is reached. Sadly, the rain is only getting worse, but salvation is not too far away. And with the downpour, the park is almost deserted. Slowed down now, she moves in close to Leo again for the umbrella. "I dunno why.. its one of those things you just don't question."
"Then I won't. Just curious." Leonard rolls over on that easily enough, for the most part. He glance up at the umbrella as the downpout commences. "Maybe we'll see some more of the lightning today? If not, it looks to be quiet, at least."
"Maybe.. that'd be nice," Vixen replies, looking towards the sky from just under the umbrella's protective radius. "Well, for watching.. not so much if someone gets struck." The prospect of that an abstract concept to her at the moment. "What about you? There something that you like.. just because? Something that doesn't really have a reason?"
Leonard considers a moment. "Well, other than the obvious answer accompanying me... there are many things I find interesting, that some might not. I'm not sure if that is really what you're asking, though."
"Nah, I'm asking about things you like that don't really make sense.. or don't really have a reason. Like the gazebo. If I knew why I liked it, I'd tell you.. but I just do. It's nice.. and that's about all I can say about it." She grins at him. "There have to be reasons you stick around me, so that doesn't count. Things you can define. But what about things that aren't rational.. that you can't really say, 'I like this because'." And as Vixen speaks, said gazebo starts to show through the trees.
"Honestly, I'm not sure." Leonard admits this as they move. "Nothing I enjoy so much or often that I can instantly think of it. I've always had reasons for the things I've done, even if they're vague or I can't describe them well. Maybe I'm just boring?" He chuckles softly. "I did mention that I needed more hobbies."
"What kinda hobbies?" Vixen's next question coming out almost at once. "I mean, kinda hard to really suggest one.. I could name off random ones until something stuck, I guess. But you have leanings.. magic and books are two of them, I suppose. Got any more? Things you've glanced at or seen that you thought were cool?"
Leonard nods. "Those are the easy ones to guess, but I do enjoy them as a hobby as much as any productive 'work.' There is also studying all the variety of creatures that abound here and elsewhere. Mostly elsewhere, really. It has practical uses, obviously, but much of it is just curiosity. Sure, many of them have sharp teeth and might want to eat us, but they can also be more intelligent than we are, so they're not just ravenous beasts."
"But that's not really something you can do to relax after a hard day of whatever," Vixen notes as they approach the gazebo. She breaks away once she can slip under the cover of the small building, moving into the center of the spot before she turns to face Leo again. "You're at your place, its ten at night and you don't feel like going out to do anything. What's there for you to do then? Or what do you want to do then?" She lifts her arms and crosses them over her chest. "Reading.. board games, crosswords?"
The direct context seens easier for Leonard to respond to. "I'd read, or enjoy a glass of wine, or both." He smiles smoothly. "Or, if I were fortunate enough to not be alone, conversation would be nice. Or just lounging with company."
Vixen shakes her head slightly. "You might want to consider diversifying that a little," she suggests. "Not that I plan leaving you alone all the time, but still.. never hurts to have broad interests. I've got plenty of my own." She motions for him to come to once side of the gazebo with her. "Over here, the seats are dryer."
Leonard smiles. "I wouldn't expect you to put up with me all the time, and I should get more interests." He steps over to take a seat on the dry side, adding. "Of course, I do enjoy conversation with others, too... just not in my apartment in the middle of the night."
Vixen settles down with Leo, then reaches out to take over his umbrella. "Let me show you something.." She shifts it so that it braces the handle against the seat, leaned against the back of the seat, just high enough that the edge of the canopy protects the two of them from any blow rain. "Its still just the right size," she murmurs, a pleased little smile worn. With the umbrella braced behind them, she leans in against his side again. "I guess that's good enough.. for now. Maybe I'll just have to think up some things for you."
Leonard lifts a brow, smile growing at that little use. "I'll remember that trick." His arm drapes about her comfortable as she leans. "Thanks. Hopefully I'll find some on my own, but I'm not going to turn down your help. Or the surprises you're full of."
Vixen leans her head on Leo's shoulder and is quiet for a few moments. Thinking for a space before she wonders, "What about some kinda art? Gotta be good with your hands for magic, right? Ever try painting, or drawing? Or playing some instruments? Guitars need some fancy finger work. Never got much into those."
"I think I'll give drawing a try or three. You did suggest it before, when we were out here." Not that Leonard could forget that walk in the park. He lifts his free hand to wiggle his fingers. "Hopefully I can do more than circles and straight lines. A stick figure wouldn't do you justice."
Vixen laughs lightly at that and shakes her head. "One step at a time. You gotta do the basics first.. stick figures and all. Maybe those little flowers with the two leaves on the stems and boxy houses with the curly smoke for the chimney." Her grin a broad, warm one as she paints the picture, so to speak.
Leonard grins, himself, as her's is also contagious, and nods. "Rainbows when I get courageous. I'd still like to see some of yours, sometime. Then I can see just how much I have to learn. Is that how you started? Just doodling away?"
"Probably how everyone who draws starts.. you just make little pictures, then better pictures.. then eventually you find someone who can show you the ropes.. or read some books. Some people have natural talent. I had some friends that clued me in to how to make some lines into a picture. I'm not the best at it, but I can make some nice looking images. Mostly drawing and spray paint, but I have done a little normal painting too. Nothing too major, however." Vixen shrugs a little. "I'd have to dig out one of my sketchbooks. Things like that, you try and keep 'em. Its like a record of the past. Something to hold on to and look back at how it used to be."
Leonard nods, suddenly silent for several heartbeats after her last words. "I don't have anything of the sort. Books have always been my link to the past, but they are a very general one. I think I'd like to have something more personal."
Vixen lifts her head to turn look at him. "Maybe you should keep a journal. Write things down.. draw images, just put your thoughts into one place and then you can start building something like that. I knew some friends who did stuff like that. Never real seriously, but I heard of a guy once that had a bookshelf full of journals. Dunno if you have that kind of dedication to it, but it might work. If you're good with a computer, that might be better than a bookshelf of books, though." She grins idly.
"I wouldn't say 'good,'" Leonard grins, "but I'm getting better. Not nearly as much banging. That isn't a bad idea, either. I already have piles of notes and observations, though I don't think they're chronological. More for research and study, but it is something I already know how to do." He then shakes his head with a wry snort. "I can see it now. The first entry will be 'Vix is helping me find hobbies. Am I hopeless, or what?' Maybe the next time I get annoyed about something I haven't had the chance to tell you, I can reread it, myself, and realize how idiotic it is before I make it worse."
Vixen grins. "Well, that's sort of why you make a journal.. besides having a record. To get your thoughts out there, where you can examine them. Maybe understand them better or yeah, figure out if something you've got in mind is totally off base." Her head shifts, cheek rubbing against his shoulder lightly. "Audio is ok, but text you can search and it takes up less space. Get a little handheld to enter it into and you can keep a journal in your pocket if you had the desire to."
Leonard nods. "Now I've an easy one, and one to work on. I think that's enough to occupy me for a little while." His draping hand lifts to absently toy with a dangling red lock or two. "You know, definable reasons or not, sitting here with you is still nice... just because it's nice." He smiles, even if she might not be able to see it.
"It is," Vixen agrees. "Would be better if it wasn't raining on one hand.. but then it would be less reason to get huddled this close." She grins idly, her eyes lifting towards him. She can still sidelong glance him.. somewhat, but not so much. "The air smells nice, though.. not sure how to describe it, but it usually does after it rains."
"I used to dread the rain." Leonard glances up to the gazebo's top overhead, then down to her. "When it was hard and heavy, the racket was deafening on a sheet metal roof. It was also wet, since the roof leaked, so rain and I were rarely friends, unless it was during a hot day."
"Well you don't got no metal roof now," Vixen murmurs, her head lifting again to look him in the eye. "I know what you mean.. not personally, but I knew some people.." She glances outward. "Now, its just fine. You don't have to be upset with the rain no more." She grins lightly and looks back to Leo. "What'd you have to say about it now?"
Leonard tilts his head towards hers. "I think it's rather soothing, now that I can stay dry. It was more my home and the rain that didn't mix, I suppose. Standing out in it is refreshing when not freezing, too."
"And when not in leather." Vixen chuckles lightly and leans in a bit to brush his lips gently. "How about we just listen to it for a little while.. and then we can just go from there? Not sure how I'm feeling tonight, but right now I kinda like this." She smiles and will lay her head down once more after saying as much, relaxing.
Leonard's lips curl into a soft smile after that, to match his words. "I'd like that." Of all the interspersed moments they've had together, he's always been rather fond of that lounging embrace. This time might even be more pleasant, without the undead zombie fog.
