Apr 30 22:08:30 106 PA

From Chronicles

The current game time is: Sat Apr 30 22:08:30 106 PA.

It is an early day at the library's garden and Desmond has come to spend some quiet time amongst the hushed environs. He is armored, as he has ever been, but his helmet is laid aside, along with his gauntlets. With both hands free of such restraints he quietly sketches in a smallish sketch pad. He has it balanced on one knee, his legs crossed beneath him. Laid against his thigh is a packet of colored pencils which he mutely applies to the paper, a dark brown implement being his current color of choice. His expression is a touch tense, though it doesn't seem to effect the smooth sweep of the pencil.

Tirzah calmly slinks into the garden, feeling energized, yet content. Things were different some how, or soon to be something was on the horizon in front of her, she had a good feeling about it. Her expression bright and cheerful she notices Desmond and his art. She pauses there a moment considering the paths before her.

Desmond goes on about his careful sketching without seeming to note Tirzah's presence. His head dipping slightly as he goes about some careful bit of detail work, the broader sweeps of the pencil tightening for a few careful scratches. He pauses after, considering the results before he straightens his posture again and slips the brown pencil into the pack. His eyes dip, moving at once towards Tirzah. "Good day," he rumbles, fingers slipping out a black pencil. "You look well." Added in as he flips the pencil about with his fingers, sliding it into a proper sketching position. Though he pauses there, not yet returning attention to his work.

Tirzah nods tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "Yeah ,I feel really good today.. Fancy meeting you here too, I was beginning to think fate wanted me forever shadowed around you. Apparently that was a hasty conclusion." She says, greeting in reply slipping her mind.

Desmond doesn't seem to mind that, his steady mood lingering on. "What one thinks is fate, could merely be coincidence. But I am not one to speak for such things. My beliefs are more grounded than most," he replies. His eyes dip again to his sketch, which is not hidden or intentionally obstructed, though detail would come with nearness. "What brings you to this place?" The curiosity a casual thing, though the question is accompanied by a brief lift of his eyes and pause of his pencil.

Tirzah shrugs, not really considering her motives particularly important here. "I come to read, relax, meditate, practice, whatever suits my mood really." She explains before putting a finger to her lip and pausing. "This time, I'm not sure.. I think I got ahead of myself this time, swept along by my euphoria."

"Meditate.. good," Desmond rumbles as he carefully goes about another series of careful sweeps of his pencil. "A proper means of seeking the balance and quiet within." There is a moment of quiet before he seems content with his latest adjustment to the image. His eyes lift again. "Practice? Do you have a grasp of an art form as well?" A notable interest in this query.

Tirzah shakes her head with a small frown to indicate thats not what she meant. "No, I practice my link to fire and air here sometimes exercises of subtle control and specific instruction with my aide." She clarifies as she walks forward, taking a seat before the feline as lingering behind feels childish. Which suits her mood, but served enough.

"You should consider such a thing," Desmond replies with a simple earnestness to the suggestion. He returns his eyes to his sketch, carefully adding to it as he speaks. "Art.. cooking.. even singing.. all are favorable means to express. Different from the release of training the body. Challenging in a way apart from such exertions. Useful as well, when there is something that must be expressed when no other means of voice will do." He pauses again then and considers the sketch. Carefully so before he lifts it from his knee, turned to display the results to Tirzah. It's a sketch of himself.. but not himself. The face on the paper is considerably older. In the weathered, graying state of face and fur as much as the age suggested by the eyes.. well eye as one is a mechanical, red pupiled creation of science. There is no indication what the big cat expects from her, confronted with this image.

Tirzah raises a brow at cooking, smiling slightly. "I'm a fairly good cook actually, just hadnt looked at it as an art form.. Perhaps I'm just not an artist of cooking." She surmises, resting her cin on his fists thoughtfully.

Tirzah raises a brow at cooking, smiling slightly. "I'm a fairly good cook actually, just hadn't looked at it as an art form.. Perhaps I'm just not an artist of cooking." She surmises, resting her chin on his fists thoughtfully. Thus she is somewhat prepared when the picture is presented, to consider it with some depth. "Your parent perhaps?" She asks as she thinks more. "Or a personal view of yourself, your calm approach, your stoicism. Like you've been weathered by years of endurance and observation, but still stand firm."

"A vision of what may be.. though in the now I wonder if this is truly what I could become," Desmond rumbles as he flips the pad back around and lays it out against his knee. "I have no fully captured it.. the darkness of what I saw. But I grow closer.. and perhaps when I have perfected the image, I will find some insight to avoid such an end, even should the worse come to be." He then shakes his head slightly. "But such is hardly a topic for such light surroundings. I see cooking as an art, yes. A means of expression and exploration. I have not explored it so deep as some, as I have just touched the surface of art, but I see it as no different, one to another. All that differs is the medium."

Tirzah nods, fleetingly curious about the darkness he foresees. "I have seen cooking that is art, and cooking that looked like art. The former was better on my pallet. And though my cooking is not art, simply not pursued as such I understand the appeal of molding, directing, something's creation start to finish. It is sort of a gesture of power. Sort of. Myself. I'm more of a gatherer. More eager to collect, maintain, and rebuild than create. There is one field though now that I think about it brewing is a fine art to me. Though to date, too time consuming for the city."

Desmond nods his head once. "Creation is new to me and compelling. Gathering as well, I suppose, as my collection of books has grown much. But foremost is creating. Before I came to be here, creation was not something I knew. Only destruction." Which he admits without a flicker from that steadiness of emotion. "I had not considered rebuilding.. what is it you rebuild? Or have rebuilt?"

Tirzah shrugs idly. "Simple tools and components really. I'm no mechanic.. But I can take something that through neglect and damage seems to have lost all value. I can take such a thing and restore its image perhaps even its basic workings, depending on the nature of the object." She explains as she lifts her head and leans back to prop against her arms. Back in the village I'd go out to explore ruins and wrecks, return with all sorts of junk, and make something appealing to the eye."

Desmond nods his head once to that. "Such a thing escapes me," he admits, his eyes dipping. He flips the current page in his sketch pad and, after another upward glance towards Tirzah, starts to apply the black pencil to paper. "Devices have never made much sense to me, but I was never trained in such things. Much of the art I now know is only recently honed. Still rudimentary in a way. I've only just begun to paint. Only just begun to read and write with ease, where before such things didn't seem important."

Tirzah nods silently as she casually reaches up to unclasp her gown ant let the air get to the camisole. The garden wasn't hot, rather the cool dampness outside left her feeling saturated. So comfortable here she lets the shell that the gown is in her mind open and let some fresh air get to her skin with a sigh of relief.

Desmond doesn't seem to mind Tirzah's seeking of comfort, continuing to work on this new piece quietly for a few moments after. Another upward glance, the big feline studying Tirzah for a few ticks before he asks, "What trade do you partake in here, in the now?" His eyes return to his pad and his voice continues to sound as he scratches at the paper a bit slower. "You have mentioned you are far from your home and thus from what was done then."

Tirzah shakes her head with a sly smile. "I'm not yet applying any trade here. Still taking things in a bit longer. I've found a place I'd like to work I think, just need a little more experience to life in Kingsdale to be confident in it." She explains lightly.

Desmond nods his head slightly. "I have been here for nearly a year and a half. If there is anything I might offer to this, you may ask," he rumbles, continuing to work at the sketchpad. His eyes flicker upward briefly, but the glance isn't lingering. "I do not know all things, but I have seen and experienced much."

Tirzah considers that for a few minutes before shaking her head. "Though I imagine you would make a great reference. I don't think I've yet gained the rapport with you to ask that. Which is justified. Things were much simpler in the village, I find I'm still over compensating here from time to time. Trying to hold my own, perhaps to hard. I'm stubborn like that." She replies, cocking her head slightly to consider what he's drawing now.

"I did not think one needed rapport to give or consider advice, but I shall bow to your wishes," Desmond replies as he pauses to consider what he's done thus far. Another face is being formed, this one with a decidedly feminine silhouette, though he has yet to give the rough sketch personality. His eyes lift and he goes on, "Stubborn.. perhaps. I might also suggest hot headed. A trait that can be.. counterproductive." As ever, his words are given without a strong touch of emotion, thus there is no negative connotation to color his words.

Tirzah nods, conceding that to the feline. "It's kinda my nature.." She trails off momentarily. "But I suppose excuses don't hold much weight here, they didn't in the village. Play with the cards dealt and all. And do what you think is right. which I do without a doubt, but there are more varialbes here than I'm used to. What looks justified at the moment comes off as harsh given some insight. My retort at Katsumi for example."

"I understand," Desmond states as he works on the image again. "I have been prone to rages.. to intense bouts of anger that would cover all in a tint of red. Not the same as for you, I admit, but one would think it easier for hot headedness to be tempered with thoughtful balance." He pauses again and considers the image. "Perhaps it might help were you to consider, before speaking, how the words you would offer to others might feel were they directed at you. A moment of such introspection could do much for tempering a hurtful word into one without bite."

Tirzah frowns wondering where she was misunderstood. "To date, as far as I know, any words that held spite were quite deliberate. Perhaps to bold, I'm aware, but don't think me ignorant of their capability. Instead remember my waifish frame and the furious power it holds. I think some sharp words are a better reaction than my other options."

Desmond lifts his eyes, giving Tirzah a once over for a few moments. At the tail end of said examinations, he states, "Power you have.. I can smell it in the air. But perhaps you place too much confidence in it." He lays the pencil down on the pad and leans forward slightly towards Tirzah. Both are sitting in the garden, Desmond with a sketchpad and colored pencils, his helmet and gauntlets laid beside him. "Come closer.. touch here." He turns his head to the side, showing Tirzah the left side of his head. His fingers indicate a spot just slightly above his left temple. Should she touch said spot, a noticeable divot would be tangible beneath the fur.

Tirzah is well aware she's too reliant on her links to the elements so she takes his comment with a curt nod as she follows his instructions. "Too confident or too wary?" She asks. "Perhaps you can smell some of the fear that plagues me. Fear that things wont go quite right, I'll over react, turn to the power I am quite comfortable relying on. And then things get very out of control. To adapt to this here, I turned to the words, better they lash out than the power. Not perfect, not by far. But its better than fire. And advise from folks like yourself can help more, provided that have perspective."

The Japanese stalker enters into the garden, glancing around. She decides to stay at the entrance when she perceives the two in a conversation. The woman crosses her arms around her chest and leans back to the wall. "The sniper was good, isn't it?" she comments in a louder voice to be hearable. "I remember that night Neko-chan." She smiles sadly and keeps her smoldering gray eyes on the woman, instead of the huge cat.

Desmond rights his head and then shakes it. "Perhaps it is better to lash out with words, rather than killing force, but it is no excuse." He pauses then, as Katsumi speaks. He nods once to her. "It was a humbling moment. None can be on guard at all times, thus it is better one promote no more conflit than is required of a moment." He then looks to Tirzah and states, "Caution can do you well in guarding others from your power and preventing a poorly chosen few words from prompting negative feelings or even pushing those of a combative nature to test your powers. I do understand, however. There was a time I was.. not so in control of my strength. Even now I must take care that I do no harm accidentally. The fear that you might hurt those you care for is a strong one."

Tirzah nods giving a small smile. "I'm glad you understand me, and we can move forward." She says before looking up to regard Katsumi with a careful glance. Her posture doesnt budge in the acknowledgement, she strains to remain neutral. "Hello." she says flatly as their eyes meet, leaving the first move to Katsumi.

"Konnichi wa mahou-neesan!" Katsumi greets the woman, seeking her strange red eyes. "I am glad to you fiery-girl. And Neko-chan is a great company, bringing patience to a troubled soul like us my dear." She sighs and walks closer to the two, keeping her arms crossed. "How is Caliopa Neko-chan? I haven't heard of her from long time."

"She is well," Desmond tells Kat. "Much has happened.. you would do well to speak with her to know in full for yourself." The big feline not speaking to Kat's assessment of his prowess as a companion to the troubled. "Come if you like," he adds, inviting her to 'join' as it were. "I trust you have been well. You and I have not spoken in some time." In this moment, his attention will be intent on Katsumi, though as ever the firm mask of his calm veils any 'tells' as to his own thoughts beyond that.

Tirzah looks to Desmond to see if he recognizes what the stalker just said to her before looking back at those smoldering eyes "Coni-what?" She asks, completely at a loss. "Like us?" She continues, wondering just What Katsumi is getting at.

"That's a good news." Katsumi nods with acknowledgement before she glances up. "I heard that the problem with the robots has been resolved. It's a shame that I wasn't here at the time, but I had to go away to answer for a personal call. I need to seek for something, but I had no luck." She shrugs and sits at the closest place to the two others, putting her hand into the pockets of her jacket. "I am not so troubled now, if you not count my taste." Her eyes search for Tirzah now, offering her a wink if she is responding.

"The word is a greeting.. though what came after I do not understand," Desmond says to Tirzah. He then looks to Katsumi and nods once. "If I can be of assistance, you know that you need only ask. Though seeking that which is outside of this city.. I would have little knowledge to offer." For the moment he doesn't seem inclined to put in any guesses on what Kat might have meant. "You are here to stay, or will you go off seeking once more?"

Tirzah gives a curt nod of acknowledgement. "Yeah I figured you see yourself as troubled, but where do I come in?" She asks pointedly. The forward outgoing brightness of the woman unnerves her. Over done to her, or maybe she's too paranoid of Katsumi to be more open at this point. Despite her red eyes, her looks is like ice.

The Japanese stalker seems o be ignoring Tizrah's question. "I am not sure Neko-chan. I just found out that the place where I was born is dead and abandoned. There are no more of my tribe there. None are left, except those who served in the army." She mutters, staring faithfully to the ground. "I am still thinking to make another expedition just to be sure we are no more." The Asian looks up and turns to Tizrah. "You know Desmond, it will be always hard to my kind to be close with you. It's like an endless temptation." She sighs. "This girl is lovely, isn't she?" she adds playfully at the end.

Desmond turns his attention to Tirzah towards the end. "She is," he agrees, though it is said with that same steady tone of voice. "And even if she does not realize it, she too is troubled. Though it should ne obvious enough when she speaks of the fear in her life. But who can truly say they live a life without trouble and trials?" As much speaking to Tirzah as he is to Katsumi. He then directs his attention to Kat and tells her, "I understand your urges.. all of them. In that, I still welcome you as a friend. I know not what I might do to.. ease said temptation, but you should know that I would listen to any suggestion you have to give."

Tirzah frowns at that and the direction the topic takes in regards to her. "Troubles may be universal, context is not. I'm big enough to admit I'm not comfortable being compared to her yet. Introductions give me shivers, she eyes me like a tender treat. And not being mutual, that's rather unnerving. So until something changes.." She pauses wondering what then herself, and realizing she has no idea.

"Actually I like that feeling of yours." Katsumi grins as Tirzah explains herself. "I don't want you to be fond of me, it's enough if I feel the attraction of your fiery personality." She winks and glances up to the morning sky. "Neko-chan. I wonder how would a conversation help with the hunger and the temptation. I want to know how my people treated the needs of us. I want to learn the ways." She tells in her husky voice. "But everyone of us has her own troubles, isn't it? But tell me, have you heard of a young boy, who uses his telepathy to communicate? I've met him one."

Tirzah smirks incredulously. "Granted." She replies simply before looking around as if things are too right in the world. She considers a victory lap around Desmond's lecture but abstains, his comments held some weight for other encounters perhaps. Instead she leans back again, content with her picture of the world.

Desmond looks to Tirzah. "You will find that Katsumi is not like most you might meet. Perhaps it would do you well to know her better, even at an arms length or more. However.." His eyes shift towards Katsumi. "I will remind that you are to tell me if she does anything.. improper." No, he does not flinch from making sure Kat knows where his fingers dip. Continuing with a response to Kat he rumbles, "I know not just how to aid you, but I have considered such things. I had hoped Sebastien would aid in this, but it seems that hope was for naught. Perhaps another.. though if one cannot rely on others, nor find the ways of their own kin, there is but the self and one's own will to rely upon." He pauses then, thinking back a bit before he adds, "I have not seen him for some time.. the boy."

"Sebastien?" Katsumi smiles sadly. "It's only makes more difficult to involve sexual attraction with the hunger, not to talk about love at all. That makes the things only worst. Neko-chan… have you ever had any pets? If you would have one, would you like to eat from it? Or would you eat from Aimee?" she tells, keeping her head up to watch the clouds. "It would be much easier to be with those who are the same, where I wouldn't be seem like some criminal or one that always need to be watched because of it's strange behaviors. I am sick of this already."

Tirzah grins slightly. "She's kinda like a vampire then. I understand some of them can show restraint as well. Perhaps you can ask the pack rumored to prowl the dregs for advice. She offers with an outgoing tone. "Maybe the closest relation, unless theres another stalker in town."

Desmond considers Kat's words quietly for a few moments before he rumbles, "I would say Aimee feeds me in many ways, but I understand that it is not quite the same, what you mean." His head nodding slowly. "And though I will not apologize for watching after you, as I feel I do it as a friend to aid you, I do understand what you express.. to fit in. As much as I have heard, Psi-Stalkers in the wold tend to be.. less controlled when it comes to sating their hungers. But as with all word of mouth, it must be taken with a grain of salt. Even so, I would think it better that you find your own way of things, seeing that your people are not at hand to mingle with." He glances towards Tirzah then and frowns faintly. "Such a comparison is not helpful. Nor would I be quick to ask of those who dwell in the Dregs." He looks to Kat and rumbles. "It is an option, but I would take care in the sort of person who you seek answers from.. those who know control being first on that list."

Tirzah smirks slyly at Desmond as he chides her. Not helpful, but not wrong either. She thinks while looking the woman over again. Silently she amends to do some talking and get to know more about her kind. Knowledge is power, they say. In which she may be at a sore disadvantage.

Katsumi laughs at Tizrah's comment and shakes her head, keeping her eyes on the changing shape of the clouds. She listens Desmond thoughtfully. "Is this a natural phenomenon as my teacher told me? Could we a natural answer of the Earth of the invading magical creatures?" she sighs again. "I think I could keep a control. I haven't been attacked anyone yet, even when it's tempting. I haven't hunted those who are so tasteful and tempting. But I truly miss my kind. I've only met one in Kingsdale but he was too civilized to my taste."

Desmond flicks his eyes towards Tirzah and seems.. displeased with the look the young human gives. "Perhaps you should consider amending your intentional abrasiveness. It does not do you justice," he opines before turning his attention to Katsumi. "I know not if such is true.. I have heard that opinion.. that psi-stalkers are a means of defense for this world against the return of magic. It would be a convenient truth, but I don't place much stock in it. A convenient answer is rarely the right one. Though I am glad to hear of your control. I don't wish to.. 'loom over you' as it were, when it comes to such things."

Tirzah raises an eyebrow at that, wondering how the other would compare in her perspective. Perhaps she knows him already, just unaware due to his civility. She runs some faces through her mind to inquire about later. In the now she looks back to desmond and the art he's been neglecting.

Tirzah nods, feeling a wince at another lecture. "She seems to be quite capable of weathering it to me. I think we'll have to interact with more varied company to give you a true grasp of me Desmond. Better that than putting on a ruse to hide my discomfort." She pauses, looking over the picture and the differences. "Honesty is the best policy, no?"

Katsumi shakes her shoulder. "I don't mind being hunted what I am. If the time comes to that end, that would be my faith. I can't neglect my needs Neko-chan and I don't restrain myself if I feel so. I am a hunter and I should be one. I don't know that we are a defenders or not, but maybe we are truly a natural reaction, a mutation of the human race. It's strange that we are so close to them, but we are also so different." She glances at Tirzah once more. "It's also different from the magic you uses Mahou-neesan. You seem to have ability to control the magic and the fire, but your needs are those of the humans."

"You have told me your words are intentional in a way. Unless you were not being truthful in saying so, I wonder what of that I have already seen is in question?" A simple response to Tirzah, again given without negative connotation. He always gives it straight and simple. He looks to Katsumi and shakes his head slightly. "Such an end would not suit you.. there is always a way to find moderation and balance, even if it is not always so easy a path to walk." He glances down at his notepad and applies the black pencil for a few moments before he slips it away and casyually tears the page loose. "The more different images I seek to render, the broader my skills become." Said as he hands the sketch to Tirzah. It is a sketch of her. Rudimentary and imperfect, but the resemblance is clear. "In the now, I am thinking it is time for me to begin my daily tasks."

Tirzah snickers. "Of course they are. I AM human." She looks at Katsumi again new perspective dawning on her. "You see us on a whole different level dont you? Kinda like cattle, but in some ways more intelligent. Of course most humans are maybe less than even that? Not even a snack are they worth notice at all?. And then there's me, the prize of the town fair, buy one get one free?"

Katsumi grins widely. "Are you sure you want to leave me with this lovely fiery lady alone? Maybe I will eat her alive as a lunch you know." The clouds however seem more interesting now then Desmond or Tirzah. "It's up to you what you think about me and my thoughts my lovely fiery-girl. Except if you would be so curious to probe my thoughts, which would be a lovely challenge. Yes, you are a human, and I am not. That's a fact." She falls into a silence, just staring at the sky.

"Nor am I human, but that matters little to me when it comes to how I interact with others. If it effects how they react to me, that is their own to reconcile," Desmond points out as the sketchpad goes away and he starts to put on his gauntlets. "And I trust you, Kat. Even if I do watch over you. In the end, our friendship will remain. Just know that."

Tirzah pouts, the words are touching, causing a ping of jealousy inside her. Suddenly she misses her home again, like here first weeks here seemingly so long ago now. Hating her psyche for dragging her into reverie she sighs in frustration.

"I know that Neko-chan." Katsumi smiles warmly, glancing the feline with helf-closed almond-shaped eyes. "Thank you for this. And you know me, I won't hurt anyone, even that the fiery-girl has right in a way. I see the sparkly ones both as intelligent beings and a possible source to easy my hunger. But I am keen to control myself, especially when the city is so plentiful with supernatural foods. I misses those vampires… they were so tasty." She sighs once more and leans back to check the recent change of the white clouds.

"There will ever be another menace to face," Desmond tells Katsumi, snagging his helmet as he rises from his sit. "Seeing them as they are is not a fault, for we all must exist as we are made. What you need are those you have built a trust with who would offer what is needed should other sources not be available." Though even as he starts to gather his hair in prepration to don it, he notes Tir's quietness and expression. "Something is wrong?"

Tirzah shrugs the depression disolving as quickly as it set in. "Just your words before. Reminded me of Raicho, and I miss him still. So a small bout of homesickness." She explains before turning back to Katsumi as she considers something. "How much do you need, to satiate yourself?" She asks in a clam serious tone.

"Well, it's depends on the days." Katsumi smiles and crosses her legs. "Sebastien wasn't enough for a week and he wasn't so tasted, as he isn't using pure magical energy. But our first date was memorable, when I stolen his energy. It was a pleasurable meal, even that he tried to chase me a long time after it." There is some hint of sarcasm in her tone or it could be a sad playfulness. "If I would kill you, which would be a foolish exploitation of renewing resources, I could go without feeding for more than a week, perhaps two."

Desmond nods his head once to Tirzah, seeming to have no desire to say more on the subject. With his hair softly bound at the back of his neck, he fits on the helmet, drawn down to be sealed with a few deft touches. He is deeply familiar with this armor, preparing it for his departure in moments. And while he obviously hears what is spoken of before him, he doesn't seem to draw alarm at it. Though as Kat speaks, the helmet does much to veil his expression. Though once he has finished, he states, "Farewell.. I expect to see you both whole at a later date." With the general focus of his helmeted head, the comment goes to both without prejudice, is followed by a dip of his head and the start of his departure.

Tirzah considers that carefully for a few moments, not entirely sure if she likes this path. She nods to Desmond politely as he departs. A welcome if short diversion. "So you could easily subsist for a week on three quarters of my reserves?" She asks, carefully and cautious, she wasnt sure where to go with this yet.

Katsumi nods to Tirzah and watches Desmond's depart. "Take care Neko-chan." She says and turns back to the red-haired woman. "Well, that's the case. Once I had a boyfriend who offered me his energies. It was hard after a while; because I wasn't sure why love him. It was hard to decide I am staying at his side because he is tasty and it's so easy to keep your food in yourself, or because I loved him as a man. It's much easier to hunt your own food down. I think." Tags: desmond, katsumi, tirzah