Dec 04 107 PA - Talking shop with Leo

From Chronicles

Logfile from Rifts.

Ding dong, the witch is... Well, maybe that is entirely inappropriate. In any case, the button at the door is pressed to announce Leonard's arrival. Curiosity of Sage's new home and business is a strong draw, though her friendly company is just as potent. There is also the detail of his renewed employment, of course.

While the response may not be instanteous, Sage does come to the door shortly after the doorbell is rung. She takes a peek through the small window in the door before she opens it. A small smile comes to her lips, "Hey Leonard..." She greets him as she draws the door open far enough for the man to enter. "Please come in." She adds with a gesture into the place.

"Hey..." Leonard returns the smile and steps inside, looking around as he does so. It may be a hallway, but it is a new hallway, at least to him. "I'm impressed, and I've not even seen the rest. Then again, I think the hall is nearly the size of my apartment. I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"

Sage shakes her head, "No, there are some advantages to most of the business being appointment-based." She replies to the man's comment, as she closes the door behind you. "And thank you." She adds with a pleased look coming to her expression. "You may see the private dining room and spa if you like." She comments before she begins to drift down the hall. "I am thinking we may keep the technowizard items upstairs."

Leonard steps after her, mostly because he does not know the layout or where she wished him to go. "Oh, then I apologize for not scheduling one beforehand. A tour would be wonderful, and I agree. Somone might try to take things for themselves, and I doubt it would be good to try and use them in the middle of the spa." He chuckles lightly.

You have left channel Public.

"There is a staff room, but I imagine that may be best left as a relaxation room." Sage comments, "But, there is a sturdy door protecting the upstairs." She comments, before pursing her lips as she considers the respective doorways. "Well, let me show you the dining room first... it may be useful should you wish to treat Vixen to a dinner." She adds before she opens the door and heads into the dining room.

"That is a very tempting idea," Leonard nods, "and I will probably try. Our schedules keep us moving in one direction or the other, and often not in the same." He sighs softly, even if it is as much his fault as anyone else's. "Wait... there is a room for staff to relax after helping others to? I think that you've thought of everything, Sage."

"Well, my cooking skills are at your disposal if the scheduling happens to work out." Sage says softly, before nodding faintly to the man's comment. "I have tried to..." She comments before glancing around the room. "How do you like this room?" She asks softly before looking back to him.

Leonard blinks as he looks over the room around him and can't help but let out an appreciative whistle. "Wow... Are you sure that I can /afford/ to bring her here for dinner? It's quite lavish." This is a good thing, of course, and he is definitely impressed. "If the spa is half as expansive, I think that I might be working here for life just to cover my tab..."

Sage chuckles softly at the man's response, "Well, it is quite possible that there may be advantages to working for me." She musingly replies, "And, I am not sure I would mind having you around for a while." She lets a little amusement linger on her expression before smiling softly, "Shall we go see the spa then?" She asks with a raised brow.

"Please," Leonard waves a hand towards... well, wherever he might think the spa might be, "show me whatever you'd like to. I'm glad that you wouldn't mind my being here, since I certainly wouldn't mind being here. What would you like my help with, aside from the repair bench?"

Sage nods to the man as she begins to make her way towards the door once more to step out into the hall. "I hope that all of my employees with feel that way." She comments, "As for additional help, I imagine it depends on what all you can do." She moves over to the spa door to open it. "I have a feeling if Nemain agrees to work for me that you may be able to work with her on some things. And, perhaps you can tell me how your abilities work... so that we may consider foraging outings." She adds before entering the spa.

Leonard returns to following and enters the spa in her wake. "It looks very... comfortable." He chuckles, somewhat awkwardly. "I feel a little out of place. If you mean transportation, I can bring others with me, but it can be draining. Creating a rift also isn't terribly accurate, at least for the first trip. It's easy enough to return to Kingsdale, but aiming for somewhere I've never seen is risky."

After walking into the spa a little way, Sage turns to consider the man with a faint smile. "Ah, so Rubidia was right about that kind of magic." She comments, "She apparently has a way to get anywhere... on this planet, as long as she knows the directions." She offers a faint shrug, "Perhaps you may let me know where you have been and what may be available there." She adds before pursing her lips, "As for feeling out of place, that is because you have not the chance to enjoy a session?" She suggests with a mildly questioning tone.

"It always helps to know the way," Leonard chuckles, "no matter how you travel. I'm not limited to this world, but it is definitely easier to travel here than to another. I..." He pauses in replying to her question and eventually shrugs, with a light color to his cheeks. "I haven't, and I really don't know what to expect. It sounds delightful, but..." Another pause as he considers how to word the caveat, "...the closest thing to this that I can think of is, well, not what you intend, I'm sure."

Sage nods faintly, "Then, I would like to learn of what may be possible." She comments, "And, I asked about gems as Nemain has expressed difficulty in obtaining them... but I have another idea for that if trips abroad would be inadvisable." She offers with a faint shrug before considering the man's blush. Her certain smile comes before her expression becomes more thoughtful. "And what would that be, Leonard?"

Leonard clears his throat as an excuse for a slight delay. "I'm sure that some might have differing views of 'massage' and the like than others. Oh, yes, the gems. If they are for magical devices, I understand. I had the opportunity to work with a techno-wizard not too terribly long ago." The second topic is much easier to discuss than the other.

Sage ahs softly, "Massages do seem to be one of those potentially uncomfortable subjects for people." She comments, "There are different types... even a kind that I wouldn't really need to even touch you." She purses her lips, "If you are perhaps thinking of the foreplay kind... I think I'll leave that sort to Vixen." She pauses before seeming to become interested, "You have? That is good, I'm glad you told me. So, the repair bench, helping Nemain if she joins... and what else might you be able to do?" She asks, "And, speaking of the repair bench, when might you be available to use it?"

"I didn't think that," Leonard explains, but his blush deepens very reminscent of times past. Maybe it seems an awkward topic for him, or just with her, or maybe that's exactly where his thoughts were? He then nods and gladly shifts back to magical discussion. "I can use it whenever there is need, with a little notice? As for helping Nemain, I'm not very skilled with technology, and not with combining the two, but I could aid her with the enchantments."

"You must have something on your mind." Sage says simply as her gaze considers the blush. She tries to repress her normal smile at blushing as the man might only blush further. She nods faintly, "Then, I want you to make arrangements to repair the light damage on my armor... and there are a couple suits that were left to me that probably should be patched up." She comments, "And, that would be all I'd ask in regards to Nemain. I know people that can help with technology."

Leonard nods several times before his voice catches up. "You are a priority... Well, your armor is, that is, so I can tend to it first. It isn't strenuous, and actually more tedious than anything else. I've also delved into research on a means to store great amounts of magical energy. It's possible that that may allow me to empower the device for use even if I'm not here to use it." He manages to curtail the blush, but he also skips right past the line of conversation that caused it.

Sage purses her lips before nodding fainly, "I may have an item that should could be modified for such use. I had meant it as a gift to Tirzah, but I suspect it will end up serving the same purpose nonetheless." She comments, and seems to be willing to let the discussion regarding the blushing. "At any rate, I could show you where I'm considering keeping the bench and healing bed, if you would like."

"Yes, please. It would help to know where it would be if I'm to use it." His chuckle and grin are in line with the mild joke, and more relaxed and casual than blushes or pauses. "I'd also hate to make a wrong turn and embarass anyone in the spa."

"That is what the privacy blinds and curtains are meant to prevent." Sage comments with amusement before she begins to make her way towards the door and out into the hallway. "Now then, down the hall and to the right is where you'll find the public washrooms and the staff room." She comments, "To the right is the kitchen and you'll get to see the door I mentioned..." She makes gestures in the appropriate directions, "Feel free to walk around when you get the chance." When its all said and done, she's lead him to the MDC door and up to the upstairs.

"Oh, of course..." Leonard might still embarass himself, though. After following her to the upstairs, he feels markedly less lost. "This looks mostly familiar... Is there room here for the bed and bench? I also don't want to intrude if you plan to put them in your living room..."

Once into the apartment, Sage walks a little into the large living room that dominates most of the upstairs. "I was thinking we might keep them within the spare room here." She comments to room near the stairs, "Unless it is used for a second bedroom or something else.." She comments before glancing around the room, "I suppose in that case, we can find a space somewhere out here."

The furniture may be familiar, but the layout isn't. "I continue to be impressed... and I think that I'm getting jealous. I've thought to try and purchase or construct a home, but they are a tad expensive." After running off on that tangent, Leonard thinks to ask, "Is there any sort of a schedule you'd like me to keep if I'm working up here? I don't want to interrupt you any more than customers downstairs."

Sage chuckles before nodding faintly, "It was a bit expensive, but I think this was well-worth the investment." She comments before looking around with a content look on her features. "A fresh start." She adds before looking back to the man. "Well, things may get adjusted as time goes on." She comments, "But, I imagine it may depend on volume and whether Nemain joins." She purses her lips, "Perhaps as a guideline, start around late morning to early afternoon and continue until late afternoon? Unless there are rush jobs or the like."

Leonard nods in acceptance, and understanding of the new beginning. "That is a schedule that I think I can keep. I was afraid you might want me here early in the morning." He grins with the admission that he isn't likely a morning person. "If there are urgent jobs or times when you'd prefer privacy, just inform me. I do feel a bit odd about stepping in and out of your home to work, so I'll try not to be disruptive."

"In the worst case scenario, I can have the bench moved down to the staff room when you need to work." Sage comments before shrugging faintly, then nods to the man's comment. "And, yes, I intend keep you informed about priority jobs and the like." She pauses, "Would you care for a drink?"

"I can work around your schedule, Sage. It's your home and business, afterall." Leonard then nods, "A drink would be fine, if I'm not imposing, and whatever is convenient." He pauses afterwards, helping her create a new trend. "You've done well for yourself, with ...everything. I can't imagine how you handle it all so well. A new home, the new business... it is, well, quite a bit to take on, by themselves."

Sage smiles softly to the man before nodding, "Thank you. I do hope to add some help, but I will try to keep the number of appointments under control until then." She comments before she begins to make her way towards the house. "And, it isn't the first time that I've had to do similar tasks. I used to travel to wilderness communities to help them out with my abilities... in a way I miss that." She comments, "And, what sort of drink would you like?"

Leonard pauses, this time in thought. "Do you have any wine? Or tea, if it is too early for wine? Don't exhaust yourself making others less exhausted." He chuckles softly before his tone trades humor for earnest concern. "You have more right to relaxation and comfort than anyone else who comes here."

A soft chuckle comes as Sage enters the kitchen, "I will try not to work myself as hard as Cali does, in that case... but my friends are welcome to offer distractions from work if it comes to that." She comments before she takes up a bottle of what's left of one of Tirzah's brews to pour into a glass. She turns with the glass to offer over.

"Thank you." Leonard accepts the glass, but doesn't yet drink from it. "You should find at least one other who can offer massage and other treatments well enough to let you rest. That, and it wouldn't be fair if you were the only one who couldn't enjoy all of this as a customer, would it?" Now he takes a sip and adds, "I'd be more than happy to help distract you, but I don't think I'd make a good... spa employee." He isn't even certain of a term. "I'd probably break something."

Sage hms softly before she lets her finger drift up to tangle lightly with one lock of hair. "Yes, it would be nice to have someone that could help with the spa or be able to cook well enough to make snacks for customers that wish a bite to eat... maybe someone to serve as a waitress or waiter for larger dinner parties." She pauses in thought, "Any other thoughts?" Then she considers the man with mild amusement, "No, I imagine you would blush too much for one." She teases lightly.

Leonard tries not to blush at the mention of blushing, and almost succeeds. "Or stare, which would probably be worse." If it would be enough for him to blush, he assumes the urge to oggle might exist, too. He shakes his head. "No other thoughts at the moment. I think we've covered magical duties, and that I shouldn't attempt anything else. Unfortunately, I'm not much of a cook, either."

"You could offer some manner of security in case there are unruly customers, though." Sage comments, "I imagine the possibility of winding up in some desolate place could be quite the discouragement." She muses before offering a shrug, "But, staying with your strength does seem like a good plan." She reaches out to lightly touch the man's cheek, "You do blush well, though." She adds teasingly.

"I don't consider that a strength, though," Leonard is referring to the blush, which traitorously grows on the cheek touched, "and I've tried to conquer that. Boldness seemed the answer... until it went too far." In a small example of that, he grins and returns a taunt of his own, "You are also very talented at provoking it."

"Thank you..." Sage replies teasingly, "And, I'm not even reading your mind.. yet." She adds, waiting to see if the blush will flair once more. "Although, if some boldness on your part makes Vixen happy... she doesn't need to thank me." She offers a wink before chuckling softly.

Leonard's blush returns, possibly incriminating him in some way. "Here I was pre-occupied trying to decipher your thoughts... and forgot that you could simply view mine." He shakes his head, mostly at his own oversight, then exhales a mixed sigh. "It does please her, and she's the one who most encourages it. Well, so long as it doesn't grow to 'asshole' levels." It's definitely Vixen's gauge and term rather than his.

With a smile on her lips, Sage turns to walk back into the kitchen to get herself a glass of water which she mixes a powder into and stirs it about to create an orange-ish tinge to the water. Then she looks back to Leonard as she takes a sip from the drink. "Oh, when you are ready to work on them, the bench and armor is in that room already." She gestures towards the spare room. "Anything else you'd like to discuss?" She asks afterward.

More of the Tirzah Special is consumed, and Leonard has no idea what is in it. He watches Sage walk into the kitchen while he sips, then dips his head when she looks back. He follows her gaze to the room and back. "I can get to work straightaway, ma'am," is replied with mock subservience and more real mirth.

That could make two of them since Sage might not have worked with Tirzah to prepare all of them. "That would be appreciated. The other armors are a bit more beat up and now that I think of it, it may have been things taken a rescue mission we did a little bit ago.... so, as long as you repair the light damage to the Gladiator suit, that would be appreciated. The others are at your leisure."

"I'll tend to yours first, then," Leonard smiles, and without blushing, "as promised. If the others can wait, I could do with some leisure, aftwards." He pauses before asking, "Since you are the expert, and the boss, what would you suggest that I schedule an appointment for?"

Sage nods faintly, "Good. Thank you." She replies before taking a sip before she raises a brow as she walks out of the kitchen with her drink in hand. "Do you mean the spa?" She asks softly.

Leonard nods as he moves to set what remains of his own drink on the counter. "Yes. You mentioned possible fringe benefits for my working here. I assume that you meant the spa? I just have no idea what I should try, or what to try first." His shrug is only a touch sheepish. "My experience in spoiling myself is limited to food and drink."

Sage hms softly as she considers Leonard, "There are the simple things like aromatherapy and meditation." She comments, "I don't imagine you're interested in younger or healthier looking skin, per say." She pauses to take a sip, "Could always go for a hot stone massage which by itself would not need me to use my hands beyond placing the stones." She purses her lips, "There are also specially prepared meals to help one relax as well."

"A relaxed body is good enough," Leonard chuckles as he absorbs the many options. "My skin can grow old if it wants to. I didn't intend anything that could be... awkward, of course." Her details on the stones is noted. He has no desire to be awkwardly pummeled due to misinterperetation, either.

"I don't think any of the options are terribly awkward, but I suppose any kind of massage can be ruled out for now." Sage comments, "Let me know when you may wish to visit the spa. But, I suppose I should leave you to your work for now."