Apr 29 08:55:31 106 PA

From Chronicles

Apr 29 08:55:31 106 PA Kingsdale - The Alibi

Zachary enters the Alibi, as usual, with a slow, cautious step. He's rare here and still not acclimated to the noise and the motion. It shows, though he has that stiff upper lip and after turning over his weapons he moves onto the main floor. He's looking for something as he starts to mix into the people. His height gives him an advantage in this, though it's still a formidable task to find one something in the mix of colorful people.

Maya is one of the colourful people, at the bar, her hands curling around a large glass of purple liquid mixed with ice. Her face is thoughtful, as she watches the dancers, clearly some serious thinking going on there. For once, the bunches are plaited, keeping her hair tidier than normal. But still, despite the thinking, her toe is tapping.

Tirzah is dancing, kinda. Well by her bemused expression she considers the flicker undulations she makes in rough rythum to the beat dancing. And others are ok with it. Some stop to take notice of the muscular girl and her difference in style.

Zachary frowns faintly as he nears the bar itself, his careful searches turning up no hits by the set of his expression. Though as he pauses near to that source of liquid refreshment he picks Tirzah out on the dancefloor. His subtly tensed expression gains a new frown and after a moment of eyeing her he turns to move closer to the bar. Which brings him near to Maya. But for that moment he doesn't quite see it, expression troubled.

Tall. Colorful. Dancing. Leonard is, of course, none of these things as he enters the club. He's in no hurry as he moves towards the bar, eyes casually glancing over the evening's patronage on the way.

Maya does see him though, and she puts her glass down, heading towards the man with a broad grin, the thinking put to one side for the moment. Her steps are almost jumps, bouncing in the heavy boots. "Zachary, right?" She checks she has the name right before offering one of her enthusiastic hugs, the man getting a moment's warning. Leonard's arrival, and the dancing Tirzah go unnoticed for the moment.

'Yes, do I.." Zach turning to find Maya next to him, starts to ask before recognition sparks. Though only a moment before the hug comes, leaving him open and easy prey. And just like the last time the tall elf stiffens slightly in surprise when he's hugged with no small amount of uncertainty in his expression.

The song ends and Tirzah relaxes, exiting her dance and release. Walking to the bar she takes notice of those present and smiles lightly. "Zachary, Maya." She greets with a nod as she takes a vacant stool and goes about flagging down a tender.

Leonard arrives at the bar in the aftermath of the hugging assault, although his ensuing chuckle might be lost to the music. "Evening. It seems the party is already in full swing?" All three of the familiar faces are given a smile along with his greeting.

Leonard's greeting saves Zachary more discomfort as the hug is apparently transferable. "Not much of a party tonight. It might cheer up." She hugs the man tightly before releasing him and stepping away, holding out her hand for her drink, which floats to it easily. "Leonard, do you know Sebastien?" The question is an oddly serious one, Maya's grin fading slightly before she takes a sip of the drink.

When Tirzah nears, Zachary glances her way, his frown returning somewhat. "Good evening," he responds to her with a stiff sort of formality. His response to Leo more relaxed, a simple nod given as he's released. Moving a bit away from where Tirzah is, leaving her to her own. Not all that discreet about it, however. Free of hugs now, with Leo and Maya talking, he looks outward again, quietly searching the people.

Leonard is prepared for the hug, and returns it rather warmly. "Sebastien?" His brow lifts slightly as he considers the name a moment. "A somewhat familiar name, but I can't put much of a face to it, so I expect you know him far better than I. Should I?"

Maya's thinking expression has returned in force and she hops up onto a bar stool, giving Leonard a serious gaze. "Dances here, wears silver a lot." An unconscious movement of her fingers to her throat, and a flicker of a frown crosses her forehead. "Oh! Did you and Vixen get sorted out? I was worried about it, you both seemed so unhappy, ..." She trails off.

Zachary can't help but eavesdrop a little on what's being said near to him, though he doesn't seem to have much to offer and keeps his peace. With his search turning up naught, he turns a bit more attention towards the two. Attempting to be discreet, but not being very good at it.

"Ah. I do remember you dancing with him. I think?" Leonard grins, mirthful in contrast to her somber gaze. "But I could be wrong, since you do seem to attract so many... Is something wrong?" His countenance now shifts to match hers. "Vixen and I have, yes. I still owe you greatly for helping with that, too."

Maya's grin appears briefly at the news that they are together, and then fades as she contemplates the men she mentioned. As she speaks, she fidgets on the stool, then sliding from it and pacing a little, her hands moving as she speaks, to emphasis the words, "He asked me for a date, well, not precisely asked me, more demanded, because I didn't want him to tell someone something, but he said he won't, if we go on a date, and I do a particular thing, which I suppose isn't a demand, more a blackmail, or should that just be blackmail, because it isn't a singular or plural thing..." She stops dead, giving Leonard a stare, her lips tightened.

Zachary frowns faintly as he hears this and he turns towards the two. Propriety nudged aside as he says, "Blackmail? I don't like the sound of this.. if someone would use such trickery to.. get a date from someone. I don't think you should encourage such rude behavior." His views obvious enough on such a topic. "It's disrespectful."

Leonard blinks at Maya's explanation, made all the more conerning by her uncharacteristic change in demeanor. His frown is anything but faint. "Now I'm glad that I /don't/ know him. He sounds like an ass, Maya, or worse. You shouldn't give in to anything." Zachary receives a nod made curt by this shift in mood, but still in hearfelt agreement.

Maya's stillness fails after they speak and she paces again, her hands a little higher, gesturing in front of her face. "Well, I didn't want him to tell the ...person that thing, and I did dance with him a lot, so perhaps I did ...and I do sleep with people sometimes so I can see how..." Very few thoughts are completed aloud, but in her head, that rambling all seems to make sense, because she turns to them both, palms up, "See?" Her eyebrows lift, her lips pursing.

"No," Zachary replies simply. "No man should force his attentions upon a lady. Never." a firm statement that provides absolutely no wiggle room in his view. "It doesn't matter what you do, if you don't want to date with him, you should not. If he would embarrass you to force you, then he is wrong. He should have simply asked you and accepted your response." Though her talk of other things does cause a soft crease to form upon his brow. but he lets those details slide.

"Never." He and Zachary seem to see eye to eye on the matter, and Leonard steps to Maya, reaching for her gesturing hands. "It's your choice what you do, not his. You don't let others stop you from doing what you want, don't let them keep you from avoiding what you don't."

Maya stares at Zachary, her forehead wrinkling a little deeper, her eyebrows twisting. "You have a very black and white view of the world, don't you?" She comments, barely a hair's breadth between that and the running on commentary. "Yes, he isn't right but he didn't ask me so much, as demand it and I didn't really want him to go to the d... person." She stumbles again, her avoidance of explanation of the cause of this unsubtle, stopped in her tracks by Leonard's grasp of her hands. She listens to his comments, her face serious. Then, as if a lightbulb went on inside her head, her grin returns and she launches an enthused, tight hug at Leonard, "You are so right! I don't know why I didn't think of it before! If I go to the d... person and tell them, then he can't do anything!" She release Leonard long enough to give Zachary a hug, and in a whirl of skirts, is gone.

Zachary blinks a few times in the wake of Maya's departure, his brows lifted, then lowering in a thoughtful furrow. "She is very.. energetic." Said before he actually looks towards Leo again. There is a faint recognition for him. It's been some time since he last ran into the man. "I feel I should know you, I'm sorry. My thoughts are a bit scattered right now. My name is Zachary." When in doubt, start over. He offers a hand with the introduction, some of his bemusement fading, but not leaving entirely.

Leonard watches Maya's sudden departure, then nods to Zachary. "She is." A smile nearly forms at that, finally emerging as the elf offers introductions and the hand is taken. "Leonard, and we've met on a few occassions, most via Amber, I think."

Zachary has a light and brief handshake. "Yes, Ambrielle.." Reminded, it seems, he turns his head to look outward, scanning the place briefly before he looks to Leo again. "You have not seen her this evening, have you? Sometimes when I cannot find her, she is here." There is some concern in his voice. Worried.

Leonard shakes his head. "Not recently, no. Last I saw her, she and Vixen were off to shop." He can't help but chuckle. "I'm not sure whether that should bring relief or more worry, but... would you like a drink? I know you're concerned about her, but too much worry is unhealthy. Is everything alright?"

"No, I'm not thirsty at the moment," Zach replies with a gracious nod. "I'm just.. she seems to come here at times and drink more than is proper. I had hoped I might prevent that, but she's not here either." His brow furrows and he shakes his head slightly. "I worry about her. She does some things that are far too self destructive. I don't want her to be hurt, but I don't wish to anger her either. I know how it feels when someone else tells you how to live your life and.. I don't wish to drive her away."

"She has her troubles and vices, like the rest of us." Leonard notes. "Not that they're any excuse..." He pauses to order himself a drink in the form of wine before turning back. His prior courteous smile softens a portion. "I'm presuming you've told her of your concerns, since she seems to be making attempts to change. Your opinion matters a great deal to her."

"Yes.. but she suggested I.. inebriate myself in response," Zach explains. He shakes his head slightly and considers Leo's wine for a moment before he goes on. "I just.. I shouldn't do such a thing, should I? To cloud the mind with drink seems irresponsible. It isn't that I have never drank either. At some social functions, where it was a part of the meal, but that's just courtesy." A bit disjointed, his thoughts, but they tumble out nonetheless.

Leonard nods as he listens, smile remaining. "Well, in excess it can cause great acts of stupidity. Unfortunately, I can say that I'm far too aware of that fact. In moderation, though, it can be relaxing." He chuckles as he takes his arriving wine and a sip therefrom. "If Vixen has taught me anything, it's that a bit of recklessness can be a good thing. Amber is very reserved most times, and you seem very ...proper and polite. She might just want you both to relax, in each other's company."

"Recklessness good?" The concept seems foreign to Zachary. "Necessary at times, perhaps, but I would not call such a thing good. I.. this is m ore neglect. Alcohol is bad for the body in any but careful moderation. She could be come addicted to it. I'm only just starting to show her how to eat properly for her health. I wouldn't want to encourage another poor habit." He pauses, his frown lingering as he adds a slow. "But.. I do wish to please her." Honest enough, that. It's thursday evening and Zachary is speaking with Leo at the bar. The human with his wine and Zach drinkless.

Flare slips into the bar and glances around a bit. She has been here of late, as she keeps missing the owner of the place she is really wanting to go. She glances around from the doorway, her eyes wary.

"The drink is just an... aid, Zachary." Leonard finds himself in a wholly unexpected position of potential advisor, of women, even. A long moment of consideration passes before he nods. "You're concerned for her and her happiness, and there's nothing wrong with helping her. I've done what I can to help her sleep more easily, myself. I think she's looking for less formal signs of your concern, though. Amber is a very lovely woman, and I doubt you've missed that fact. She might want to be reminded of it. Most everyone likes to know that they're desired or wanted."

"Aid?" Zachary oblivious to Leo's meaning in that. Though he does listen, seeming to at least give Leo a chance to sway him. Or perhaps reveal some insight. "I do not see how she could think she is not wanted. I invite her over often to share meals. We.. dated." A thing of significance, by the tone of his words. "To the movies and I made her a proper meal again, then. And we've.." He pauses, glancing about. A bit uncomfortable, perhaps, with speaking of such intimate issues in this setting. "We've spent much time together. I don't see how she could question my want and desire to be near her."

Flare heads towards the bar to order herself a drink and dip her head towards the two men there. She smiles a bit and then pays for the drink and waits for it to be delivered.

Leonard takes another swallow from his glass before setting it aside for the moment. The nearby Flare receives a nod as his smile broadens, then is turned to Zachary. His head tilts in thought before he continues, posing a hypothetical, "If I may, let me ask you this... Were you to meet her later, and have just that one opportunity to convey her importance to you, express yourself, what would you do? She makes an ultimatum and gives you only a moment to quell her doubts."

Zachary nods his head to Flare as she comes near. "Good evening, Flare," he offers lightly to her with a smile. Though Leo's hypothetical snags at his attention again. The situation prompting bemusement. "I.. I would tell her how important she is to me. She knows I would never lie to her," he says. Though he sounds uncertain. "Why would she do such a thing?" he wonders. "I don't see why she would, she seems happy when we are together."

Flare smiles, "Good evening." she says softly and tries not to pry into what the two are talking about as she gets her drink and leans against the bar a bit.

"I don't know that she would," Leonard admits, "but anything is possible. I didn't even start attempting to decipher women until recently, but I've learned enough to doubt I'll ever succeed. I'm no expert, but I suggest that you go beyond words." The wine is retrieved now in a pause for thought, or emphasis. "Talk is cheap, so to speak, so don't tell her, just... show her. It isn't always the easiest thing to do, but it's the right thing."

"Show her how?" The question comes from Zach with a great deal of uncertainty. "We've already.." He pauses again, glancing slightly towards Flare, then others who could be in earshot. Hard to gauge with the noise of the club. He then looks towards Leo. Considering him for a moment, as if to make a decision. Which is made a moment after. He leans in a little towards the man and murmurs, "We've kissed." Low and meant for him alone. Leaning back, Zach's brows lift slightly as he keeps his eyes on Leo. Oh, he's gone beyond words. Yes.

Flare looks over at the two and then shrugs a bit and sighs, looking bored. She glances around and takes another sip of her drink.

Leonard follows Zach's glance to Flare, offering her another smile, this one somewhat apologetic. His eyes remain in her direction as he nods with the revelation given him in confidence. "Are you embarassed that you've kissed Ambrielle? Or embarassed of her? I wouldn't be." His reply is meant only for the elven man's ears, and those of anyone within a dozen feet, judging by his volume.

Zachary frowns faintly at the volume of Leo's voice. "It's not something that is proper to just speak of like that," he prompts. "I'm not embarrassed of her. Or that I.. did it. I don't want her to know I've been speaking of our private moments. I don't think she'd like it." He glances towards Flare again, gauging her for a moment before he gives Leo another firm look. "I would impress upon you how such information is to be kept discreet."

Flare is just a bit too far away to really hear anything unless one speaks up. She does glance at the two who are speaking in hushed tones like two old biddies gossiping. She takes another drink and looks like she might be getting ready to depart.

"Somehow, I doubt that she'd mind." Leonard shakes his head in bemusment. "She went shopping. With Vixen. Trust me, anything we discuss will be infinitely more discreet than Vix. I've no idea what she might be telling Amber, but I'll offer you this: Make it a public moment. When you do see her, give her that next kiss when you say 'Hello.' If she's more important to you than whoever might happen to be around." He motions a hand to Flare as he looks to her. "You would prefer have a man embrace you in front of crowd, and put you on a pedestal before them all, wouldn't you?"

Zachary meets Leo's suggestion with a furrowed brow. "I couldn't.. it wouldn't be.." He pauses, in thought when Leo extends the question towards Flare. He looks towards her, a bit of consternation showing as she's drawn in. He looks between them and murmurs, "I don't think such a public display would be proper."

Leonard nods sagely to the consternated elf. "It might not be, but that is the point. Would you be offended if she embraced you? That you meant enough to her that a bit of impropriety wouldn't stop her from showing it?"

Flare cocks her head, "Depends, never had it happen." she says softly, "Only person who ever cared for me like that, I set on fire." she shrugs and looks down at her cup.

Zachary shakes his head slightly at Leo. "I would not.. but she said that we are to go slowly. Such obvious public.. I don't think that she would find that to be slow," he responds, his brow furrowed. Though when Flare answers Leo's question, he turns towards her, shocked. "You.. oh, I'm dreadfully sorry. I could not imagine that such an accident would ever drift far from my mind," he offers to her, his soft voice heartfelt.

"Then maybe a more private greeting would be better..." Leonard's words trail off as his question of Flare had everything but positive result. He winces at her casual mention of past events. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..." Now, a sigh.

Flare shakes her head, "it is alright, I have worked hard since to work on not losing my control, when I make out, but...no pratical training, only time will tell."

Zachary nods his head slightly towards Flare. "That is good then. One should always attempt to strengthen their gifts." He pauses then and offers, "Though perhaps you might find some means to test that.. without the need of someone to be near to you. Just in case." He offering the words carefully, as if treading some slender line he perceives. He then glances to Leo and considers the man quietly for a few moments. "To be honest, I am not sure what to do.. Thus I am letting her show me. It is not an easy thing, however. She is very.. attractive." Breathing out lowly as he says as much. "Even so, part of me dreads when we might.. become closer."

Leonard indulges in several swallows from his glass before upturning it for emptying. "Not an enviable position, but I'm sure you'll have success, Flare." A smile of reassurance is offered before he turns it to Zachary. His hand lifts to pat the elf briefly on the shoulder. "Don't put too much pressure on her, in letting her lead. She might think she's dragging you unwillingly, and that's obviously not the truth. You can't both wait for the other, you know, and there's nothing wrong with a little boldness. Besides," Leonard adds, as he returns his glass to the bar, "she /is/ attractive. If you wait too long, someone else might take interest."

Flare nods and cocks her head to the side, "She is quite pretty." she says softly and then shrugs a bit, "I don't think there is a way, maybe I can find someone else immune to flame."

As Zach is puzzling over Leo's words, he looks to Flare and offers an offhand, "I know a spell that makes one immune to fire. I'm sure it's a common enough spell. So such a thing isn't so hard to set up." And with that said, he considers Leo again, his expression troubled. "I.. I really do like her a great deal, but if she were to choose someone else.. I couldn't go against her wishes.. could I?" The thought that such a thing might happen weighing heavily on him.

"True, but maybe it was a poor point to make..." Leonard waves Zach's rhetorical question gently away with a hand. He does nod to Flare in his agreement with the rest, however. "There is always a means to get what you desire, but it doesn't always come without effort, or action." His gaze returns pointedly to Zach.

Flare nods, and smiles, "That said, might look into that, and either of you know who owns the Ivory Lady?"

"Ivory Lady?" Zach asks Flare this, his head shaking slightly. "I'm sorry, I cannot aid in that." And he honestly is, that one. Considering Leo, he seems to at least get the gist of what the man has to say. "I want to make an effort for Ambrielle. I'm just.. I've never done this for real before. I.. I mean, I've never done it before. Had an actual.. relationship."

Leonard shakes his head to Flare. "I don't know, either, since I didn't realize it was there until you mentioned it the other night." His attention returns to Zach's open honesty with a genuine smile. "Neither had I, until Vix, and I had alot of help along the way, since she is blunt, and anything but timid. Just be yourself, and honest. Just... don't be too fearful to try. Are you going to make mistakes? Probably, but you both will. I happen to be quite talented at making them, but I'm better for it, we are better for it."

Flare nods and cocks her head to the side as she looks at the two of them and finishes off her drink.

Zachary seems no closer to epiphany at the moment, though he is thoughtful. Perhaps too much so. Suddenly he says, "She is not here.. perhaps I will see if she is at her home again. And if not.." His brows furrow and he shakes his head slightly. "I have much to think about, I suppose." He nods to Leo and says, "Thank you for your words. I.. will try to heed them." He then looks to Flare. "I wish you luck with what you seek. I suppose all are seeking something." He will then step away from the bar in preparation to depart.

Flare waves and seems to be trying to decide if she is going to have another drink.

"You are welcome." Leonard nods to Zach as he excuses himself, along with a grinning wave. "I just hope that I aided with the confusion instead of contributing to it." Most of his attention now shifts to Flare. "Are you having an especially dour night?"

"I'm not sure.." Zach's final words before he wanders off. Making a slow path the to door, then onward after collecting his deadly collection.