Apr 22 13:15:56 106 PA

From Chronicles

Apr 22 13:15:56 106 PA Kingsdale - The Alibi

The middle of the afternoon is a perfect time to be settling down with a book, or running chores, or perhaps sitting at a bar, your cheek resting against your hand, your eyes closed. Obviously, Maya is doing the latter, her other hand resting lightly next to a glass of her favourite purple liquid. A massive yawn is covered by that hand, and she straightens, blinking in the light, turning her hand to draw the glass into it, to take a slurp. The music here is calm, and not helping.

Leonard's arrival isn't likely to do much anything to enliven anyone's day. In fact, he looks like he could use some sleep, himself. After clearing the door, he makes a prompt move for the bar with purposeful strides. Once there, and without the wait of more hectic times, orders a double scotch, sans rocks. Ice just dilutes and/or consumes volume that could be filled with alcohol, anyhow.

Maya's grin bursts out at the sight of someone to talk with and she hops from her stool, taking the couple of steps that bring her to his side. The scotch raises her eyebrows and the grin fades. "Oh uh..." She comments softly from beside him, nudging him lightly with an elbow. "Woman problems or did someone die?" Blunt speaking but tact may not be her strong point and she hops onto the stool beside him, waiting for the explanation.

"Evening, Maya. No hugs, tonight?" Leonard glances towards her with a smirk that isn't mirthful, but heavy on the unpleasant side of wry. His order is taken, and a hefty draught therefrom, before he nods to her question. "Both, potentially, although I've not died. Yet."

Maya's face fills with sympathy and the man does get the hug he asked after, a tight one that is less about theories and more about comforting a friend. "I was joking, man, what happened?" She releases him but keeps one hand lightly against his shoulder, if allowed. "Vixen found out about your new playmate, huh? Who told her?" The assumption that someone else told on him is obvious, since noone could be that stupid.

Leonard is full of surprises, however. Not the least of which might be his own unexpected participation that started the recent predicament. He simply nods in response, then makes short work of the scotch, returning the empty to the bar and pushing it towards the 'tender to request a replacement. Shoulders roll beneath Maya's hand as he looks to her again. "I did." Now that he's more fully speaking in her direction and at closer proximity, it is fairly obvious the emptied drink is not his first this afternoon.

Maya's expression is a picture, the widened eyes, the parted lips, the look of sheer astonishment. "You ...you told her? Why would you do that?" She props an elbow on the bar, frowning at her friend, a serious look rarely seen on her face. "You told Vixen yourself that you fucked another girl?" She repeats, almost to double check. "How many have you had?" A nod towards the glass, a frown on her forehead.

Leonard's no stranger to profanity, but winces visibly as that lovely phrase, true or not, is heard for the second time this afternoon. "Yes. I'm not good at keeping secrets from her... and I don't know that I even wanted to try." He eyes the filling glass, possibly performing some mental calculations. "A few. Is it really that easy to bounce along, from one to the next, Maya? I guess I understand the attraction, now, a little, but..."

Maya rests her chin against her folded fist, giving him a steady look with hazel eyes. "It depends. I like sex. I enjoy it." She shrugs, dismissing that, "But if you want something that keeps you warm at night, touches your heart, makes you feel loved..." Another shrug, and her lips tighten, the hazel eyes dropping to her glass. "It isn't that." Then her grin returns, a tad forced perhaps but still there. "You aren't the type, Leonard, the world would eat you up. You need to find a nice girl, the settling down type. Why the hell did you do that?"

"I haven't the slightest clue." Leonard meets Maya's gaze this time as he turns towards. This also allows him to grasp the endless glass of 'easy answers to difficult questions you didn't want to think about in the first place.' "I know it wasn't, and I don't know what I want, Maya. Maybe that's the problem. Then, Vix ain' exactly the settling type, neither."

She returns the look steadily, her grin in place. "Then maybe you should work out what you want, before either you get hurt or you hurt someone else." She twists in her seat, leaning her back against the bar, lifting her glass easily, steadily with her mind. "She doesn't strike me as the type that takes cheating well." Bluntness, but her grin is softened to a smile. "So, do you want her back?"

Leonard sighs and nods. "A little late for that, I think." More transfer of scotch commences before he adds, "She isn't, so I don't think that matters much, anymore..."

"It depends. You don't stand a chance if you don't at least try." She points out softly, giving the scotch a dirty look. "Lay off that, Leonard, it won't help any." She leans forward, giving him a thoughtful look. "So you are giving up without a fight?"

Leonard lowers the glass and sighs. "It was worth a shot. Or seven." A chuckle follows at his own poor pun. "Without a fight? Hardly. I doubt I'll avoid the fighting. She was very clear on staying the hell away from her, though. She even mentioned firing through the door, I think."

Maya narrows her eyes at him, her face thoughtful. A brief devious look crosses her face before she leans forward, murmuring softly in his ear, her lips curving mischiviously. "Oh well then, we might as well fuck." She leans back then, waiting to see the reaction, eyes widened, a look of mock innocence on her face as she uses her mind to float her glass to her hand.

This draws a more genuine chuckle from Leonard, as well as a smirk. "If you're trying to make me feel better, thanks. I think. I doubt you'd be satisfied with my performance at the moment, though."

Maya's grin returns and she leans back against the bar, rolling her eyes. "I doubt you could do it, the amount of that stuff inside you. Stop pickling yourself because I am not carrying you home." She watches him closely, obviously thinking things over. "So what happens now?"

Leonard rolls his shoulders, since he's so full of answers. "Dunno. I stopped lookin' ahead at the pickles. Maybe I'm better that way."

Maya gives him a long look before she rolls her eyes, the glass dropping down to the bar, as if a hand had slammed it. "God, you are being wet. Where is your fire? Your fight? One fuck and you are out?" The words are snapped out, the woman sitting up and staring at him. "You are going to roll over and die, just because you messed up."

"No, I'm not!" Maya seems to have gained a rise out of him, at least, as Leonard turns to glare at her. "What would you have me do?! /I'm/ the one that pushed her into all of this in the first place, /I'm/ the one that fucked it all up... Sounds to me that it's better for everyone if I just left her the hell alone. Better yet, if you're still wantin' to cheer me up, let's go..." He motions with his drink for the door. "Maybe I should've been aiming just for fun, anyhow."

Maya's mouth twitches slightly at the rise she finally gets from the man and she slides from the stool, giving him a look that dares him to follow up on that promise... threat? The movement brings her closer to him and she deliberately presses against him, tilting her head back. "Go on then." She dares softly, "If you can." A quick glance downwards indicates her meaning, one eyebrow arches.

Desmond emerges from the back office, along with one of the armored security personnel, still sharing quiet words with him. To which the big feline nods slightly, his eyes turned towards where Leo and Maya are. He leaves the bouncer's side then and steps towards the two directly, his expression lingering within that quiet neutrality. Casually dressed, he still makes something of an eye catcher as he's taken something of a back seat to the day to day security work, even though he still keeps an eye on things personally from time to time.

Leonard smirks and leans right back into the normally bouncing bouncing one. Personal angst and alcohol aside, there is something to be said for the rush of confident aggression, even if said confidence is mostly in liquid form. His arm wraps about her waist as smirk turns to smile and his face moves close to hers. "Go on and what?" Despite the question, his one-armed huggin hand lowers to check on the presence of the pointed tail that the two of them once discussed.

Maya doesn't dodge at all, returning the stare with one eyebrow arching upwards. "You said let's go." She speaks softly, easily leaning her body into his, letting that hand seek the pointed tail that strangely isn't there. There is a curvaceous rear instead, and she lifts her arms, resting them on his shoulders, a light touch that he could easily walk away from. "We could fuck, or we could dance..." She murmurs. The security is unnoticed for that moment, hazel eyes resting on his face.

Amber walks into the Alibi, a smile on her face, and a light skip to her step. She is dressed very uncharacteristicly in a dress and small strapy shoes, no weapons to check as she looks to try to find her some lunch. Her eyes scan the fairly empty bar and easily spy Leo and Maya, their current position causing an eyebrow to arch as she approaches them slowly, curiosity preventing her from calling out or making her presense known, quite yet.

"Before either is done, I will say something to you both," Desmond rumbles a few moments after Maya's words are given to Leo. His tone is low, discreet as he looms near to the two. His calm eyes flit between the two without a flicker from their stony lack of emotion. "I have been told that you.." His eyes fix on Maya. "..caused a minor disturbance not long ago. And there were some raised voices here. I have decided to give a soft warning to both of you. Disturbance of the order and relative peace will not be tolerated here. Whatever prompted them. All parties who participate will be removed." His eyes flick to Leo as he adds, "No action is to be taken now, but I see it as prudent to see that two such regular customers are fully aware of this. There is no right or wrong here. Only the order. Is this clear?"

"We could do both." Leonard offers as a sort of compromise as he starts to lower his lips to Maya's ear. Then, he starts in the other direction, as Desmond's rumble is now enough for him to notice. Leonard turns, hand remaining on the tail of Maya's that IS present, and blinks before grinning. "Don't worry. Our disturbances will be made elsewhere." For one as suddenly optimistic as he, the feline's comment is actually an assist.

Amber's arrival goes unnoticed by Maya, whose attention flies from Leonard to Desmond. "I apologised for that, and I haven't raised my voice." She speaks quietly, "No disturbance here." She grins at the feline, leaning her head back to let Leonard's mouth nibble at her ear. "I'll take romeo here home, put him to bed with some painkillers." She moves back, offering Leonard a hand, and a teasing smile.

Despite this being a place he does not frequent, Alistair appears! Yep, once more at the Alibi, perhaps to see what's happening. Sometimes one meets intersting people here. Bouncy people too, but who knows - mostly it can be fun to watch now and then.

The look on Amber's face is hard to explain, various features almost seeming to twitch as she watches the scene unfold, her eyebrows are arched high, mouth open just a bit as she stares, and she looks both lost and confused, her head tilted. Her mouth closes as Maya's head leans back, and her expression changes once more, not quite sad, but a close approximation, and she turns quickly, dress swishing about her legs as she does, and runs straight into Alistair. Eyes wide again, her face pensive, she manages a quick, soft, "Hi" before heading towards the door.

"As I said, there is no trouble now. But a warning suffices. You are now aware, there will be no excuse for any future disturbances," Desmond adds. He seems to hold no opinion of the suggestive behavior of the two. It isn't uncommon for there to be match ups here and he takes a step back then, half turning as he casts his eyes across the club in a slow sweep. Habit as he gauges the mood of the room. He catches upon Amber's departure, though only after she's started to pass Alistair, the sudden movement of it catching his eye.

Leonard takes the offered hand, grinning in the appropriate combination of anticpation and inebriation. "I've enough painkillers, but the rest soundss ssplendid." He gestures vaguely towards the door. "Shall we?" Amber is not yet noticed, but given his wandering eyes, there is always hope?

Maya turns towards the doors, giving Desmond a broad grin and a wink, with an eye towards Leonard's balance. "Let's." She murmurs, amusement in her eyes. The turn is too late, missing Amber's abrupt departure, but Alistair is seen and she wiggles her fingers towards him in greeting, but doesn't pause, intent on getting the drunk man home, and into bed.

Alistair is looking in the right direction. What happens next, is probably some sort of rapid two plus two equals five action - Ali is good at that. He turns around, "Miss Ambrielle -" he looks back to the other couple, blinks at Maya, waves at her, and then runs out also. "MIss Ambrielle what's wrong?" he calls out. Loudly, chasing after her.

Vargus steps to the side of the door as there appears to be a mass exodus that he is interrupting. Eyes wide, moves off to the side, his hands up to get them out of the way. After a moment he shakes his head, gives the place a once-over type of look about, and then makes his way into the room and up to the bar.

Ambrielle stops dead in her tracks, her shoulders rising a bit as she feels her sneaky departure thwarted by Alistair, she turns slowly, a weak smile on her lips as she tries to force a smile, "Hey, Nothing's wrong." she says, her eyes drawn to the scene further into the bar, though she tries to stay focused on Ali, "I just remembered I forgot something at home," she says weekly, her eyes almost pleading for you to belive her.

Desmond keys to the raised voice and his eyes flit slightly in Alistair's direction. A subtle frown comes into being and he turns, starting to approach him with that look of displeasure at the potential for disturbance. Though for now only a few eyes have turned towards the shouted voice. He allows things, for the moment, to play out without his involvement, though mostly because it will take a few moments to arrive on scene, as it were.

Leonard follows Maya the lion-tamer for the door, led by the hand like the good little drunk that he is. His balance is better than it could be, for now, and her grip helps alleviate some of his swaying. The remainder is her doing as much as his, since he's only trying to follow the swaying view before him as they move.

Alistair's call draws attention and Maya's glance takes in Amber and her distress, a silent curse mouthed as she realises. But the hesitation is brief, and she tugs Leonard past, out of the door, keeping them moving as much as possible. The look she gives Amber promises explanation, but later, as she vanishes out of the door with Leonard.

"Oh, is that so ... well, if you need someone to walk you back" Alistair smiles, "I mean, the dregs are dangerous and -" he eyes the pair leaving for a moment, and then he looks back to Amrbielle. "I was only coming here to see who is around, anyway."

Vargus gives Desmond a nod-of-greeting, since the other does tend to stand out in a crowd and settles onto a stool at the bar. He idly drums his fingers on the countertop as he looks around, both at the bar and behind it. He takes a deep breath and exhales slowly, just absorbing the area and the vibe of the place.

Amber tries to shrink as Maya and Leo pass, unable to keep her eyes on Ali as they pass, she frowns briefly, shivering ever so slightly once the two pass her, "Maybe in a minute." she says softly, hoping she's out of ear shot of the two, "I'm..." she seems to hold herself, "No, i'll be fine, I just need some... I think i'm just a quick walk away." her voice is a bit shacky, her eyes wet, and she is barely making sense. She turns to look at the door, seeming to wish she was elsewhere.

The nod Desmond is given is returned in an abstract manner, but he seems to have business. "Excuse me," he rumbles firmly as he comes upon Amber and Alistair. His eyes flick between the two. "I would like to remind the both of you that disturbances are not tolerated here," he notes, his eyes moving between the two as he rumbles at them. "I know this is not a minor one, but as I am here and have done this once before, I would see that you both know that in a conflict, both parties will be ejected from the Alibi for the evening, no excuses. This is a soft warning, with a wish that you both continue to enjoy our services, to see that you know the rules clearly and can then follow them." Though he pauses then and considers Amber, then Alistair. "Someone here has caused you difficulty, Amber?" [ Flare comes into the Alibi and lets her eyes adjust for a moment, not that it takes too long. Her crimson hair swishes back and forth as she glances about. The elf moves a bit more into the room.

Alistair watches Ambrielle's reaction with some display, then, surprised, he looks up at Desmond, blinking his eyes. "But there's no conflict -" he says, a little perplexed. He blushes, as customary, and then he tries, "But I apologize - if you would excuse me though it seems that-" he blinks at Desmond's attention moves to Amber now, and he looks to her as well. "I really should walk you home" he says and offers his arm. "Cali would kill me if I didn't, and you don't want me to die right? ... " he pauses for a moment, "I hope."

Vargus's eyebrows quirk up and he rotates on his barsool around to watch Desmond, and the pair that he's confronting. He looks around the room again, notes not much of a current disturbance and then back to Desmond and the others. He shifts a little in the chair, then shakes his head and rotates back toward the bar proper and tries to get the bartender's attention.

Amber runs some of this through her head, and decides the path of least resistance is to accept the offer, which she does with a nod, her hands sliding into her pockets as she stands near the door, moving as more and more people seem to enter, the lunch rush, no doubt. "I guess not.." she manages weakly, you hope in reguards to not wanting you to die, "After you?" she says, motioning for the door.

Flare moves out of the way since people seem to be moving for the door and tries to make her way to the bar.

"I know this, but it was prudent to remind you both of the rules. Consider it a courtesy," Desmond rumbles, the big feline letting the matter drop then as he considers the two before him. There is no current disturbance, per se. Of course, Desmond is speaking with them discreetly and he remains, by and large, at rest and calm. Seeming content with the two of them, he turns away, allowing them to depart.

Walking in Tirzah catches the tail end of something unfun. Or at least that's how she classifies most things involving the stoic Desmond. Seeing the stern look of the lecture she has been the brunt of a few times she steps closer. Looking to him with a curiosity. "What happened?" She asks openly keeping her demeaner smooth.

Vargus places an order at the bar and starts pulling some things out of his pockets. A small hand computer, a few energy clips, a double-handful of metal lugnuts, a few small leather bags, and finally uncovers a small supply of mid-denomination currency units. "Ahhhhhh..." he declares, and starts to return the rest of the stuff to various pockets and pounces on his person.

Flare reaches the bar at this point and smiles a bit, and takes a few moments before she orders something. She pays for it with some credits that she pulls from her pocket. While she waits, she turns and glances around the place again and smiles a bit. She eyes the one pulling all sorts of things out of his pockets and dips her head a little, but doesn't exactly say anything yet.

Desmond pauses when Tirzah speaks to him, his head turning, followed by the rest of him. "A minor disturbance. Nothing requiring more than a simple warning," he offers to her. "One I will share with you, if only to be thorough in my duties here. That there is but one thing of importance here. The order that is kept. Sides are not taken in disturbances, all parties involved will be ejected for the day. Free to return the following day, should they do so peacefully. Again, I say this not for an overt reason besides seeing that this is known and none by claim ignorance to the rules as they are dictated. if you have any questions on this policy, you may ask them, of course."

Tirzah looks a bit taken aback as her curiosity gets her a warning too. Shrugging it off a sly smirk comes to her face as she slowly nods to Desmond. "Ah yes strict order and policy. Just what people come to a club for, in your face rules and dictatorship.." She pauses for effect though her tone is very sarcastic. "I'm exaggerating of course, but what would you expect from me? I walk in seeing a friend and a lovely lady getting a lecture and show some interest and I get a warning? What kind of atmosphere are you trying to create in this place anyway?" She asks more seriously, giving him an accusatory look.

Vargus turns back around to the conversing pair, picking up the gist of the conversation. "...he answered the question you were asking, and gave more information. Desmond, from what I've observed, is rather efficient. So he used the opertunity as an open-ended object lesson. You'd think that a posted sign would be enough to dissuade people from beind stupid in here, but, apparnetly not if he's had to take some action. People like to know the place that they come to relax is going to be safe. There's a bunch of juicer bars around for people that just like to get crazy. It was kinda hard to find a place to just go to hang out and enjoy an evening."

Flare turns to glance at the others, Desmond and Tirzah mainly as her drink arrives and she is able to take a small drink. She raises a brow but doesn't know any of them yet, so keeps her tongue for the moment.

"If you took that as an actual warning, you are mistaken," Desmond tells Tirzah. He pauses as Vargus weighs in, then nods his head once, looking back to Tirzah. "You wished information and I offered it. Perhaps more than you asked for, but offered still in good faith. You have not cause issue here and that is something I am thankful for, as I am thankful for all who come and enjoy themselves." He motions towards the rest of the club, his head turning, eyes darting here, there. "There are several rival gang members amid our patrons at the moment." He looks back to Tirzah. Whether this is true or not is debatable. He either assumes, or has an eye for the regulars. "Sometimes violent people. But all are welcome here, so long as the peace is maintained. It is the atmosphere we want, for the Alibi is a place where all can come and expect to find no troubles. And part of that neutrality is that there are no sides taken on disputes. All are warned if it is deemed necessary and, if the peace, such as it is for a place such as this, is disturbed, all are removed by what force is needed. Fortunately, those who have left were on their way to their own ends. They are valued regulars and I would not wish to have to have any of them removed. Just as I would not for you, nor anyone else who favors our establishment."

Tirzah blinks, taking all that in as her expression goes as bland as Desmond's dialogue. "Do you lecture everyone you talk to in every conversation?" She then asks suddenly. "Is lecture your only mode of conversation? I mean if not I seem to be being punished for showing concern for a friend. I asked what happened. "Minor disturbance" does not really tell me anything I don't already know. Clearly its a disturbance or nothing would have happened. But what's wrong with 'She drank too much, Ali's taking her home'? I mean honestly every time a talk to you here you seem to ruin my mood by imposing your order on my cherished chaos. Just tell it like it is and let the rest figure itself out. Don't punish me with a string of words I am well aware of on my own regard. Or do you mean to also insult me in saying I'm too ignorant to see the knit of this very unique place?" She retorts, clearly flustered by the disposition she's been met with.

"Look at them," comes a deep rumble somewhere near Flare. At first it may make little sense as language, a bass so low it rattles the bones. Clad in an impeccable grey pinstripe suit, the originator of the speech is crafted of living night, skin so black the fine details are hard to pick out. Those one can are delicate, fine. More pretty than handsome. "The woman needs only walk away to be unmolested. The cat creature asserts its dominance in an unnecessary dominance ritual related to exogenous mating. This is language that has nothing to do with what they say." That dark being seats himself next to flare, a pad of paper and pencil in hand. Jotting something down in an alien script, he wonders, "is it that you have been watching the scenario from the beginning, human?"

Vargus blinks, as well, watching Tirzah start to get all worked up. "Tirzah.. you asked, and he answered. He wasn't addressing the 'lecture' to you, just using your question to voice the rest of it. It's rare that Desmond says anything at all, little own a big dissertation such as that. Why get all worked up over it, it wasn't directed at you." He blinks a little, and looks down the bar on the other side of Flare. Flare cocks her head to the side, "If you say so, but you are more than likely mistaken in your assumption after all you think that I am human." she says and returns to having a sip of her drink, "Just sounds like an arguement." The elven lass shakes her head a bit, and does chuckle slightly.

Desmond arches a brow subtly at Tirzah. "You questioned my method and my execution of my duties. I merely explained them to you. If you chose to see that as a lecture, that is yours to do so. Nor am I inclined to gossip about matters that I do not have an acceptable grasp of with someone I barely know." He dips his head toward Tirzah then and says, "Enjoy your time at the Alibi, I will not disturb it further." With that the big male will turn and start to stride past the bar, hands lightly clasped behind his back. If he's heard other words save those of Vargus or Tirzah, he gives no notice, the steadiness of his neutral expression remaining.

With Desmond making a timely retreat Vargus get's Tirzah's full attention as she has no desire to pursue him despite what Vargus just revealed. "He's normally short on words you say?" She asks, approaching closer. "Then he must have it out for me because every time I see him he lectures or criticises something about me." She says giving him a considering look. "And that's why I get all worked up over it, it ruins my mood."

Ahriman narrows his eyes at the woman beside him, frowning faintly at the red-clad curves and features. "Elf," he speaks, the label noted tersely. Ahriman hasn't ordered anything, his back to the tender as he watches the goings-on out front. "The rat-catchers run this place. It is their temple to idleness. A giant sun-beam for Men and his ilk. Occasionally a band will make an hour or two worthwhile."

Vargus shrugs his shoulders expressivly, holding them there for a few moments as Tirzah approaches. "Usually it's quick question-and-answer from him. If he has something to say, there's usually a reason for it. He wasn't talking AT you, he was using your question to give a general warning to the patrons of the establishment. Maybe you've just got bad timing, showing up when he's in a mood to pontificate.. or, maybe he thinks you look like trouble." He gives her a big smile and flutters his eyelashes, then motions to the stool next to him. "C'mon, I'll buy you one..."

Flare purses her lips a bit and turns back and raises a brow, "Rat catchers?" she asks and then shakes her head a bit and isn't entirely sure if she is catching the drift or not.

For his part, Desmond continues past the bar without giving a great deal of attention to anyone, though he does look Flare and Ahriman as he passes them by. Their discussion is left to its own, though his eyes linger on Ahriman for several long moments before he passes. To the wall past the bar he will go, his head turning, eyes scanning over the rest of the gathered people this evening. His ears perk and swivel, flitting here and there to hone in on sounds, but again there is no action taken.

"Cats," Ahriman speaks simply, "predators of small game. One of the few species that will hunt simply to torment, torture, and entertain itself." Ahriman pauses then, quirking an eyebrow. "Other than men, of course. Whatever force made that one so large had a strange sense of humor."

Tirzah nods and takes the offered stool, considering rebuilding her mood with the offered drink. "Alright, I've have a double hot cider with fine rum." She challenges, smirking lightly at Vargus. Settling in she looks to the other side to note the elfin and deliberately not note Ahriman who sends a subconscious shiver through her.

Vargus follows Tirzah's gaze, over toward Ahriman. He gives the being a glance, and then shrugs his shoulder and turns back toward the bartender. "One of whatever the lady just said... sounds kinda fruity." And then back to Tirzah. "Anything going on at the office? I should probably spend more time there, instead of wandering around waiting for them to call. Maybe I could help convince someone 'just stopping by' to actually put some money up on the counter."

Flare nods, "Ah, well everyone does their own thing now and again." she says softly, "Everyone has something that sets them apart." she is looking around a bit and notice a glance and gives a smiles towards Vargus and Tirzah and then takes a nother sip of her drink. "There are more species that do that than you realize and men as you call them are one of the smaller and more insignificant."

Desmond continues along his patrol and, as he comes past the stage and near the doors to the back office and meeting rooms, he pauses near an armored bouncer who stands sentinel there. He leans his head towards the man and speaks to him quietly for a few moments. He receives a nod, the man's head turned towards the bar slightly. Desmond gives him a pat on the shoulder before he moves into the back office.

The dark being stands then, eyes down. Black orbs, the color of storm clouds, touched by silver. "Do not grow complacent, Elf," Ahriman rumbles. "Your kind had a head start. In ten thousand years you've gone nowhere, and these humans now can stand their own against a small raiding of the Splugorth, or perhaps even the Empire. Imagine where they might be in another ten, if left unchecked?" Slipping away, that dark creature passes through the crowd. Always in a small pocket of empty space, he makes good time in the crowded bar. Getting apprehensive looks and setting nerves on edge as he goes.

Moments later a sugar rimmed murky yellow drink smelling sweetly of apples sits before Tirzah steaming nicely with the cinnamon stick soaking inside. Smiling she takes it in hand and spends a moment to take in the right aroma it holds as she answers Vargus. "Wouldn't know actually. I just got back from a personal trip yesterday. I'll be in tomorrow for reception and then there's a trip for me i think." She recalls, not entirely sure. "You should hang around more, though i'm not sure about convincing the walk ins, you could convince the registered clients who pay a visit looking for something special." She notes with a slight smirk.

"Baah..." Vargus says and waves a hand in the air. "Eh, whichever, whomever, whatever... I just want to /go/ someplace. I guess I'm starting to get the wanderlust again. I usually jump through random rifts when I start feeling like this..." He closes his right eye and tilts his head to the side. "...none of those in range at the moment, though. Meh." He sees the motion and gives toward Flare, giving her a greeting and a grin. His eyes drift toward Ahriman, "...hey, they're all recent-arrivals, or re-arivals. Humans were here alone for quite a while before the Cataclysm hit and blew reality apart. They're all just coming here, or just coming back here, depending on which stories you believe."

Flare shakes her head, "Wasn't talking about my people." she murmurs a bit, "If they are even mine." she turns and glances towards Vargus and Tirzah more now that the other one is leaving, reaching up to brush a stray lock from her cheek.

As the conversation shifts to history Tirzah shrugs to show her disinterest and takes a long swallow of her hot drink. Looking back to Vargus a moment later she considers his 'wanderlust'. "Well being there is the best way to get noticed and sell yourself. Showing clients you have applicable skills for their adventure gets them to ask for you by name. Thats what I do. I look to see who drops the small fortune we charge regularly and I demonstrate how fire is the oldest and best weapon of defense."

Vargus watches Ahriman get up and leave, in the middle of what he thought was a conversation. "Ohhhhhhh-kay." He looks down at Flare. "You know that strange dude? He seems.. huh... strange." He looks back to Tirzah, "Yeah, that's true. I guess I just need to get a handle on my wandering and stick in place. But, we're not so merc anymore.. we work for Jelani. So not a whole lot of self-selling needed, huh? Just have to promote the business, yeah?"

Flare shakes her head, "nope, never met the person, don't really know anyone where, just got here." she does watch Tirzah a bit at the mention of Fire, her eyes brightening a bit, "Sounds like you are talking about work?"

Tirzah nods at the comment about Ahriman. "Weird does not begin to describe Ahriman. My advice with him, dont let him take an interest in you if at all avoidable." Then at the elfs question she brightens with a smile. "Yep, we're guides for an adventure company."

Vargus starts to swivel back and forth between the other two as they talk, or are addressed. A small smirk plays over his lips because of this. "Don't let him take an interest? Why... is he going to suck all of the experiences out of my brain? Or is he just odd and annoying?" Then back to Flare. "Jelani's.. over on the west side of town. I'm Blake." He extends his hand to Flare. "New in town you said?"

Flare nods, "Guides, done that a little." she says and takes the offered hand, "I am Flare." she says and smiles a bit, "Sounds like good work." she shrugs and then nods, "Yes, I am new in town."

Tirzah smirks as she considers which to be more true about Ahriman. "Well I cant confirm the former, the latter fits. All I know is he has an interest in me and its down right creepy. he even moved in next door to me." She explains losing herself in the complaint for a moment.

Vargus's face crinkles up some and he sticks his tongue out a little. "Huhh, yeah, that's not creepy at all. Well, if he starts to stalk or if you find things missing from your apartment and you need some backup, let me know." he looks to Flare, "Nice to meet you, and welcome to Kingsdale... yeah, it's pretty good work. I'm a dimensional wanderer to begin with, so, if I can get paid to go explore places I haven't been before, it works great for me."

Flare cocks her head to the side and nods a little, "I like new places and I really haven't been in many places. Limited I guess, the burbs and then some wandering, never really staying in one place long, hopefully I can change that." she smiles a bit.

Tirzah takes a moment to get away from the thoughts on Ahriman with a nods to Vargus taking a few sips of her drink she leans back and turns to Flare listening intently with the mention of the burbs. "The burbs? Never met anyone from Chi Town before." She notes, curiosity growing in her tone.

Vargus's eyebrows quirk up, "Ohhhh, THOSE Burbs. Didn't hear the capitol Bee there." he turns toward Flare. "Isn't that a little rough for a non-human?" he pauses a moment, "er... I just meant that the Coalition doesn't much care for anything that's not-them."

Flare nods, "Yes, but that is where I was born, where my mother died giving my birth I should say." she shakes her head a bit and absently rubs the back of her neck, looking closely one might notice some scar tissue there. She nods, "Yes, it is rough, Though if you are going to be in Chi-Town, the burbs would be the place to be if you aren't human, of course I had other things set against me too."

Tirzah raises her brow as she takes a demure sip from her drink. "Other things? What could be worse the the threat of a cs death squad?" She asks, truely intrigued now with her attention devoted to Flare.

Vargus wrinkles his nose. "They don't much care for my kind there too... mages, I mean. But.." he shrugs." I've really got no desire or reason to ever go anywhere near there. If I ended up there randomly, I think I'd just shift myself home and save the trouble."

Flare shakes her head, "Didn't mean that, oh the coalition wants me dead alright." she shakes her head a bit, "Was referring to the fact that I am also a psychic." she shakes her head a bit, "But yes," she says to him, "Mages aren't really well liked either."

Tirzah nods at the revelation of Flares talent smiling a bit. "More and more people with these powerful minds these days. Kinda makes me jealous. Sage sometimes puts her voice in my head like it belongs there. Not that I mind, I find the extra personal talks extra special. But I cant communicate back like she can." She strays from the topic, drinking her cider thoughtfully.

Vargus smiles at Tirzah, "Well... she can't talk to elementals or throw rocks and fire around, can she? We've all got an ability. Whether it's to poke in someone's brain, or rip holes in reality, or to juggle. Some can be learned, some can't..." he pauses a moment, "...I've always wanted to learn how to juggle. Or play the guitar." He seems to be musing out loud at this point.

Tirzah smirks at the mention of fencing. "Oh you spare with blades? I'm a sword woman myself. Got a special practice even. Perhaps we can spar one day." She proposes, looking forward to the opportunity. "I'd be you'd be better sport than Sebastien, silly knight knows nothing of restrain I think." She notes with a smirk.

Vargus laughs. "Sebastian is an odd one... I've seen him throw himself at twenty-foot-tall robots, screaming and snarling what he thought were funny whitticizms." He shakes his head. "The guy is creazy..." and he trails off, then looks between the pair. "Do either of you teach? I can handle a knife, but, not very good with a longer blade. Knife fights, nobody wins those. It's mainly just for utility."

Flare nods, "I wouldn't mind a spar, if you don't mind the heat, um...sometimes gets hot around me." she says, "Haven't sparred in a while so not sure what would happen." she looks at him, "Maybe, not sure, never tried." she raises a brow, "Sebastian?"

Tirzah smirks holding out her hand for a moment. Focusing in her link she draws forth some power and sheathes in in magical blue flame. "Psychics aren't the only ones who can touch fire." She teases before letting the flames evaporate as she severs the link. "I'm a warlock, my focuses are fire and air." She then explains in a more casual tone before taking another swallow from her drink.

Vargus looks back and forth between the pair and folds his arms across his chest. He chuckles, "No fire here... well... I can shoot fireballs, but, not really an in-door kinda thing." He looks at Flare. "So when you work out, or something, you get all hot and burn things?"

Flare smiles a little, "Burster, basically psychic version of a fire elemental." she chuckles and shakes her head a bit, "No, stress." she says softly, "I have always had problems with control, but I have gotten much better, spent the last couple years really working on my control."

Tirzah nods looking at Vargus. "I use to be the same way. Still am partly. I feel the flames licking in side me, and the pressures of air urging for release. I still tend to steam more than sweat when my work out gets truly intense. When i first came here though, I was so green. All the young guys looked really appealing, but the appeal made the flames much worse. I feared burning them should things get intimate." She admits with a small giggle.

Vargus's eyebrow quirks up again and he looks to Tirzah, "Used to be overwhelmed by emotions, too?" he looks back and forth between the two woman. "Hummm... I wonder if that's a trait of being born with an ability rather then learning it along the way." He chuckles and smirks at Tirzah, "Well. If anyone feels up to a little weapons training, I can be immune to fire for the duration... or whatever else comes up," and he winks at Tirzah.

Flare looks between the two and then a flush comes to her cheeks and a distant look in her eyes at Tirzah's words almost as if she has personal experience with something she said. She shrugs a bit, "maybe, up, am always up for something, means I get to keep in shape, and gives me a break from looking for work."

Tirzah nods, considering Vargus' proposal. "And what might you offer in return then Blake?" She asks, curious. Her eyes flicker at Flare's blush but she makes no other indication of noticing it, not wanting to embarrass the girl.

Vargus tracks the blush as well, doesn't say anything, but he does smirk. He shrugs at Tirzah's question. He sits between Tirzah and Flare at the bar, Tirzah in a seat on his left, and Flare a few seats away. "Not sure, Tirzah... I'd offer to trade spells, but, you don't do it that way. I guess I could try and teach you something in return. Anything out there you're just bursting at the seams to know about?"

Flare smiles and looks over between the two, "All depends on what is available for trade." she says softly and then finishes off her drink, hiding in the cup at the moment. The elf brushes that stray lock of hair from her face again.

Tirzah shrugs, looking unsure as she takes the last swallow from her drink and sets it back down on the bar. But then something occurs to her. "Actually yes, you might be able to lend me spells, and energies. I've been working with a technowizard to see if its feasible to craft a device to make food or shelter or anything else that might help someone down on their luck. You have a spell to summon food perhaps, or something similar?" She enquires, turning to Vargus with interest.

Vargus thinks, and then shakes his head. "Nope... it's a good one to have, too, for someone out wandering. Hummmm... I'll have to look around and see if there's something I can purchase and learn." He blinks. "Oh!" he looks to Flare, "Sebastian... he's a what do you call it... cyber-knight." he waves his hands around. "Makes those glowing brain-blades, has a big-ass horse. I've only really associated with him in combat situations, so I don't look a whole lot about him."

Flare nods and shrugs, "Can't help you with spells myself." she says and then nods to Vargus. She smiles a little, but then she quiets a little as the conversation turned more to magic.

Tirzah raises her brow, apparently missing where Sebastien came into focus. "Well it has been interesting you two. Thank you for the drink Vargus, you restored my outing. But I should head home for now. I'll see you at work Vargus. And possibly see you at the gym sometime Flare." She promises before rising from the stool to make her way out.

Vargus smiles to Tirzah and bows his head. "Glad I could help... have a good evening, or a better one since it was already good." He straightens in his chair and pantomimes adjusting a tie around his neck.

Celaeno enters the Alibi, checking her mace and a sword at the entrance with a smile. Looking considerably more subdued than she perhaps has in the past, she's dressed in a simple if formfitting pair of jeans, and black halter top. Despite the bar - which she beelines for - she briefly produces a flask, taking a small gulp as she goes. Upon sitting just a few seats down from Flare, Vargus, and the exiting Tirzah - the last of which she'll eye for a moment, giving the slightest wave as she orders a drink.