Feb 10 16:07:08 106 PA

From Chronicles

Four PM in the afternoon is just before prime time for most nightclubs, thus the place is in a state of readiness, though without a deep presence of patrons. Vixen is relaxing here, however. She's selected a both to the left and set herself up a little station of sorts. A portable computer is opened up front and center on the table, along with her camera and smaller handheld computer, both linked to the larger portable by wires. Another wire runs from the portable to behind her right ear. Vixen herself is stretched out in the booth. Literally, with her back into the corner, her booted feet tossed up on the outside edge of the table. Her left hand toys lightly with a glass half full of a pearlescent violet liquid and her right toys with the keyboard of the portable casually, working without haste or deep focus. A nice, relaxing time.

With the troubles seeming to come to climax the previous night, Sage has decided to duck into the nightingale to escape the protests that have come with the arrival of the Elf. She smoothes her hair out with her hands as she walks in. Her gaze drifting over the place. It has a different feeling than the Alibi scene. She purses her lips, and decides to get herself a drink. She begins to walk for the bar.

Caliopa is a rare sight here, and she doesn't look comfortable. With her coveralls removed, in combats and an ancient t-shirt beneath parts of her armour, she is seeking Sage. She hesitates at the entrance, obviously out of place and uncertain before her gaze finds the other woman. "Sage!" She picks up her pace, heading directly towards the other woman, her face troubled.

Where Sage goes beyond work hours Tirzah is not often far behind. Though she got ahead of her in coming here as she delayed to look at a clothing display with apt fascination she has caught up and moves to follow Sage to the bar. She smiles slightly as Caliopa calls to her, observing as she orders a white russian.

And then there's Alistair. He walks in unarmored, pausing at the door for a few moments to look about. He feels a bit out of place without a tux or something similar, but, taking a breath, he matches on greeting the occasional person in here, a look of surprise crossing his features at seeing so many familiar faces in here.

Vixen notes the arrivals from afar, head cocked slightly at the familiar voice that prompts her awareness. She looks towards them, brows lifted subtly as she considers the lot of them, but seems content to be a listener for now. And as she does so, she skips through video footage on the computer. The recent trials at the city gate her focus. She plays through the footage in snippets, considering each section for useful, emotive moments and those spots where banal or poorly shot pieces make for useless offerings. Marking off where one ends and the other begins with a few taps of the keyboard.

Deciding to go with a pleasant light liquor drink with a fruit-based flavour, Sage glances back at the familiar voice and a smile comes to her lips, "Cali!" She says, "Its good to see you." She says, frowning faintly as she notices the troubled expression. "What's wrong?" She asks softly, stepping towards the other woman as she waits for her drink to be ready.

Caliopa is oblivious to both Sage and Tirzah, her focus complete. "Sage, reckon I need to ask you somethin'. Your friend, Tirzah. She likely to have attacked Al, over some filmin' Vixen did of him?" Her face is creased with worry, a mixture of that and the spark of anger left over. "It ain't alright, that. Ain't at all." She pushes her hands into her pockets, straight to business.

Tirzah blinks, and blinks again. Well in the strictest sense that could be true if Alistair was some normal bloke off the street. But then again if he was she would have had the sense to restrain herself that much. Or at least she hopes she would. Coughing loud enough to draw notice to her presence she shakes her head. "I wouldn't call it attacking him, he was not harmed in any way.."

Alistair has no idea what he's about to walk into - he looks at Vixen first, then to Caliopa. He can't hear the conversation though. He smiles and after a few moments he starts on his way to the bar slowly, watching. His brows hike up a little though when he realizes the two might be having a girl-talk, and he blushes faintly, hesitating and delaying his aproach once more. And now Tirzah seems to be joining in as well.

Vixen glances towards the talkers when a certain incident comes up. She shakes her head slightly and grins as she continues working over the footage bit by bit. A slow process. She notes Alistair as he seems to waffle on matters. Perhaps to provide an out, she will lift her hand towards him and give a casual wave and beckon. Though she won't speak up. Perhaps to not call a great deal of attention to herself for the time being.

As her flatmate begins to explain what has caused the troubled look, Sage raises a brow as she hadn't expected to be asked this. She glances towards the redhead in question before looking back to her flatmate. "Well... Tirzah can be impulsive..." She says with a little caution. "And rash at times..." She adds, "But, she usually doesn't hurt people for no reason." She glances over to the woman in question once more. A quizzical look given.

Caliopa turns at the other woman's voice. "Ain't got to be harmed for it to be an attack." She points out quietly, frowning. "It ain't right to throw yourself at any folks. You ain't got that right." She hesitates, "I ain't bothered by him not wantin' to say my name. Don't want the world 'n' his wife knowin'. Ain't their business." Her cheeks are tinted pink, her frown still in place. "If I were, I can tell him meself."

Tirzah nods to Sage, glad she knows her well enough. Then she nods to Caliopa, acknowledging her point. "Its my fault. He didn't say anything actually wrong. I was just, well .. In a very empathic mood at the time and not right in the head. Usually during my phase I try to emerse mysefl in my link and meditate until it passes. That day I made the error of tuning in to Vixen's broadcast. What Alistair said struck a chord with me in that state as it reminded me of what Sage and I just got past. And before I was thinking right again, the act was done." She confesses openly. "But.. from what Alistair said in return I don't think I was completely unfounded in my impulses."

Alistair frowns faintly and hms softly, might as well not bother Cali too much when she's with her friends, that would be smothering. He'll keep an eye on her though, it's dangerous out there. He heads towards Vixen and smiles, "Hello miss Vixen. About that request" he says, "Oh, I'm sorry. How are you?"

Vixen perks slightly as she listens, glancing towards the other females with a slight frown. And Alistair gets that frown when he comes over, she giving him a critical eye. "I'm good, but whether or not you are depends.. did I just hear Cali say something about 'your wife'?" She keeps her voice down, but her tone isn't soft. She's even left off entirely on her work to give the man a very direct stare to go along with that question.

With the exchange between the other two women not needing her for a brief moment, Sage turns to accept her drink to take a sip from it as she turns her attention back to her friends. She raises a brow at the words her partner speaks. "Your phase?" She asks softly, before she looks back to Cali with a quizzical look now. "Interesting expression... assuming that's all it is." She says that last part with a teasing tone.

Caliopa stares hard at Tirzah, the sunny smile completely absent. "Best try not to be emphatic 'round me nor him." She comments, "Ain't any founding to doin' what you done, 'n' it is between Al 'n' me. Your impulses, they ain't got a place there." That rare temper is there, but simmering, rather than the explosion Sage had previously witnessed. "It ain't alright, not at all. Whatever Al said in return. You ain't got the right of it." The teasing doesn't lighten her mood, the upset obvious enough.

Tirzah cocks her head at Caliopa at that remark. "I don't? Maybe we should ask him directly about the event." She suggests as she slyly smiles and points him out at the booth with Vixen, winking at him. Then leaning over to Sage she sighs and whispers her reply. "When the blood runs."

Alistair isn't looking towards the bar; but he's about to turn red. "What? ... uh - we haven't talked about that, I didn't realize she wanted to ... " he blinks his eyes, flustered and certainly taken by surprise. "It's a little soon ... not like I mind -" he trails off, somehow realizing it might be a good time to stop talking now.

Vixen blinks at Alistair. "What? Wanted to what? I'm talking about you being hitched already.. cause if you are, that's just some sick shit right there. I'll let a lot slide, but when it comes to playing around, I don't bend. So you better tell me that what I heard ain't what I think it is." There's no play in her expression either. She still keeps her voice low, but that firmness lingers.

With her attempt to lighten the mood finding infertile ground, Sage begins to frown as she looks between the two women. "I think I'd like to know just what happened myself now." She says, unsure of whether to be mad at someone or not. She decides to ignore her drink for the time being. << Is this another thing that we may need to talk about? >> She asks softly into Tirzah's mind.

Caliopa glances over at him but turns her attention back to Tirzah. "No. You ain't. Even if he said he was real ashamed of me, 'n' didn't want anyone to know, which it ain't, you ain't got the right." Her voice is steady but the upset in her face is growing, and she shifts her hands, resting them lightly on her hips. "You ain't got the right to push anyone 'round, nor charge in makin' demands of folks. You ain't got a right to stick your nose in my life." She keeps her temper though, turning to Sage, speaking quickly and quietly. "Vixen cornered Al, got him answerin' questions. He said he had to protect me, but weren't wantin' to say my name. Tirzah here, she leaps on him, starts ayellin'."

Tirzah coughs again, interrupting Caliopa. "According to whom? You were not there. No I had no right, I thought I admitted that much already. But its done, the role is played it cant be taken back. You want me to apologize? I am sorry, as I said I wasn't right in the head when I acted." Then she shakes her head. "But this isn't right either, talking about him and what he said without him present." And with that she collects her drink and walks over to the booth with Alistair and Vixen, swallowing some on the way. "Hey Alistair, how are you?" She asks with a sly smile that wouldn't do the courtesy of warning him of the doom that is forthcoming.

Alistair claims innocence - not because he's trying to be stupid about it, but because the idea hasn't even entered his mind. He's a sharp knife, but when cornered, and with that kind of a look it's like flipping the knife over to cut with the dull side. "No!" he protests, "We've only just met!" and now the frustration is starting to show for him as well. He looks over to Tirzah, and he's soflustered even the greeting is missing - "Whuh?"

"You just make sure there ain't no dirty business going on," Vixen warms Alistair just before the others arrive. There's a definite 'or' in there. Though what might come after it is up for debate. 'Or else' perhaps. 'Or I'll end you' another possibility, given the tone. The jab of her finger at him and her form expression will be obvious enough, even if her low words aren't readily audible. And those words are a solid warning, carrying threat of.. something unpleasant. Then she relaxes and her more casual expression rises into being in time to receive Tirzah's approach. And, one might assume, the others that might follow her. For now she keeps her peace on the matter, glancing back to her computer, starting to scan through footage again.

With the disagreement between the two women that have significant meaning to her, Sage seems to resist the urge to take one side or the other. Her fingers absently stroke her glass as she can't tangle a finger within her hair. Her gaze shifting back and forth between the two women. Her expression becoming a neutral mask. Her attention shifts to Cali when the woman begins to explain the situation. "I see..." She replies, before looking to her partner as she decides to bring this to a head. "I suppose its better to get this all aired out..." She says, as she moves to approach the growing scene this argument is about to get.

"Don't have to be there to know I don't want her in my business." Caliopa comments softly, the temper simmering in her face, the cheeks darkening to crimson. "First I met her, she comes stormin' in the garage, askin' questions over you." She shakes her head, "It ain't alright, pushin' into my life." The discomfort sits badly with Caliopa and she shoots Tirzah a dark look before speaking once more to Sage. "My business ain't anyone's for the takin'. This is between Al 'n' me." She turns towards the others, frustration and anger in her face.

Tirzah sighs gesturing to Caliopa as she continues to look to Alistair. Kind of a 'here you go, bon appetite' gesture. Then while she waits for Alistair to catch up she turns back to Caliopa, her patience exceeded. "You don't have to like me Caliopa. But you can drop this wronged farce. I'm sorry I love Sage and take her away some nights. I'm sorry I over reacted and jumped your boyfriend. But I wont be sorry for existing. You don't like others influencing and impacting your life? Go be a hermit, because its going to happen. I understand that before me things were more sedate and controlled, predictable even. I'm here, I'm with Sage, get over it." She says quite firmly, her insight perhaps flawed, perhaps not.

"What business?" Alistair asks a bit louder, looking back to Vixen - things are really confusing now, and the frustration is mounting. He doesn't even notice Tirzah's gesture at this point, though Vixen's ... return to her work, even more frustrating now, he exhales roughly and eyes Tirzah for a moment, then, "You, Miss, need to attend manners one-oh-one, and how-not-to-be-a-jerk one-oh-one. It'll be really useful for you on those off-days. Or is that every day?" something snaps too, and a wave of anger and frustration washes over the entire room - psychics should be particularly receptive to this one. "Do you enjoy tormenting people? There is an arena where you can do so with people who might not consider you a friend. Review your behavior before you start burning down important bridges."

Vixen seems to stick with keeping her lips sealed. Takes some effort, truth be told, but given the amount of words flipping back and forth, the volume doesn't need her. Yet. But she is listening, even as she works over the footage on her computer briefly before taking a break from direct manipulation to lift her glass. She keeps her expression neutrally schooled as she lifts the glass and takes a sip of the violet liqour, eyes flicking between the folks gathered near the booth.

Being empathic, Sage picks up on all the anger and frustration coming from the people involved. It washes over her, obscuring the attempt at remaining neutral. Her fingers still and form a more firm grip on the glass in her hand. "Enough!" She snaps, eyes narrowing slightly as she considers the scene before her. "I understand that you two are just recently coupled and are sensitive to your privacy, but I don't think Tirzah deserves to be chewed up and spat out." Then she rounds on Tirzah, "And you... you will never insult Cali. You pushed this to what it is now... so don't bemoan the fruits you have reaped." And pauses briefly, "You're all being rude at this point." She concludes. She glances to Vixen, but decides there's nothing to be said there.

Caliopa's temper flares in return and she moves forward. "I don't care if you exist or not. Don't care if you 'n' Sage get married, live happily forever. You bein' with Sage don't put you in my life. You meddle, 'n' I don't like bein' meddled with!" Her cheeks are flushed, but she stops at Alistair's sharp words, her eyes widening slightly in shock as the mild mannered man blows up at Tirzah, and then Sage does. Her eyebrows rise and she turns back to Sage, lowering her voice. "I reckon Tirzah deserves to apologise to them she hurts when she attacks them 'n' I dont' see that she done that." She folds her arms, waiting in stony silence.

Tirzah shrinks away from Sage's outburst, having never seen her do that. Then again when has Tirzah ever shrunk away from something? Visibly cowed now she only manages a quiet. "I never insulted her.." Before being quiet for a few moments before she realizes its still her turn. "Um I thought I did apologize to him after.. You just wanted me to do it again in front of you?" She asks meekly.

Whoever happens to be right or wrong, at least Sage seems to have set upon making some order happen. Alistair exhales again, and he manages to get a grip on his own feelings; there's suddenly an absence of that same anger and frustration that was there before. He mutters, "Sorry" quickly, blinking his eyes and then he quickly moves to Caliopa's side, brushing his hand against hers.

"Look, things are pretty simple here," Vixen chimes in. She sets her glass aside, glancing around at the assembled. She fixes on Alistair and tells him, "You're too wishy washy. Though maybe you know that now and you'll fix that." She looks to Cali. "You're getting a bit too worked up now, Cali. Dial it back a step and take a breath, cause you're toeing the line enough to scuff it all up." She then looks to Tirzah. "I'll just say this for you, chick. It ain't always what you do, but how you do it. Good intentions don't excuse bad execution. So next time you feel hot, take a moment, take a breath and consider if maybe what you're about to do will void the impact. I called you psycho that day as a joke. If I weren't so relaxed a person, it might have been meant, but I know a bit better than that." Her voice level throughout her wide address. Sage merely gets a grin for the moment before she picks up her glass again to sip her violet drink.

Whether seeking entertainment, inebriation, or some combination thereof, Leonard enters the establishment. He steps unhurriedly towards seating as he surveys the surroundings as if unfamiliar, although his attire could easily be considered appropriate for the upscale club.

The outburst may have simply been the reflection of the emotions around her as Sage seems to lock onto her target for the time being. She makes her way for Tirzah. She hears the mediation from Vixen, but doesn't seem perturbed by it. She looks into Tirzah's eyes. "Telling someone to go be a hermit isn't particularly nice either.... and if you're going to apologize in my presense, it'd better be sincere." Her senses become keenly focused on the redhead in question. << I will know. >> She says into the other woman's mind. "Or I may make other plans for Valentine's." Keeping her attention on Tirzah for a moment longer, before she breaks her attention away to consider the others around her.

Vixen's comment doesn't get the flare it might from Caliopa, but merely a glance. "Least ways, I ain't crossed it." She replies softly, her arms folding over her chest for a moment before Alistair moves to her side, and her face softens slightly, her fingers entwining with his, the temper fading from her. She leans into the man, letting her flatmate handle it, even as she turns her face up, murmuring words softly, only for him. "Ain't fightin' your fights. Honest."

Tirzah is confused. She didn't tell Caliopa to go be a hermit. Trying to figure things out with this sudden over bearing pressure is difficult for her. Suddenly she felt like a little girl again, being corned for something she couldnt understand. "I am sorry." And she is, but she doenst know for what anymore, everything is too mixed up.

Alistair squeezes Cali's hand, relaxing a little also. He hugs her to him, "I know" he says softly, inclining his head a little. He's shut off to anyone else at this point - people made the cute couple all upset. See? "Wanna go home?" he asks, his brows hiking up a little - whever home might be, "I have some chocolate cake" because chocolate, it fixes everything.

"I might be a bit biased," Vixen tells Cali with a faint smirk. "So maybe you did go over it just a bit." She lays down the glass again, then looks towards TIrzah and Sage. "Why don't you two have a seat and relax. I promise I ain't recording." She grins playfully at that. "Can't be too relaxing standing around like that. And I think enough a scene's been made as it is." She glances outward again, scanning the area as if to gauge the level of disturbance before she notes Leo nearby. Considering him thoughtfully for a few quiet moments.

The journalist, if she could be called that given Leonard's only theoretical knowledge of such things, is noted first. Between fashion and hardware, she could be considered somewhat conspicuous and he steps towards, returning her gaze with a slight smile. Other, somewhat familiar faces are noted amidst the... discussion, but he avoids direct intrusion. "Just now finding that drink, or still working?"

With her partner's confusion over the matter of the apology, Sage isn't sure what to make of the apology. The response the other couple gives doesn't exactly provide much either. Leaving Sage to simply purse her lips over the matter. When the invitation to sit comes, she looks over to Vixen to offer a faint smile. "In a moment." She says, setting her drink down. Then she looks to Tirzah. "Excuse me." She adds, before she begins to move off in search of the ladies' room.

Alistair's hug and soft words soothe the rest of Caliopa's temper and she almost smiles, giving him a wry smile. "Sounds good. Garage'll wait." She returns the hug, glancing at the others before turning to leave them to sort themselves out. Everyone else has faded out of existence for her, even Vixen's words missing their mark.

Tirzah sighs, collapsing into the offered seat most ungracefully. Her drink set down on the table and soon forgotten as she crosses her arms and sets her head down to linger in silent darkness, feeling miserable.

"Third since yesterday," Vixen tells Leo, giving him a casual grin. "And a whole joint. Took a while to relax last night," she adds unashamedly. She glances towards the departing couple idly before she focuses on the screen of her portable. Then she glances at Tirzah. "Let it out, babe. Cause between thinking and talking, talking usually helps more." A casual offer of the age old ear before she looks to Leo, then shifts her posture, moving from stretched out, feet on the outer edge of the table to a more casual sitting posture. Opening up room on her side of the booth. "Go ahead and sit if you want, but you're paying for your own drinks," she tells Leo.

"Of course." Leonard chuckles as he nods and does, indeed, claim a seat in the offered space. "I didn't come to pilfer drinks." Tirzah is then given a nod of acknowledgement. "Evening." His hand lifts briefly in attempt to catch the attention of a scantily-clad server or two.

Tirzah doesn't know what to say so just stays quiet. Why didn't she know these things? Restraint, flair.. she couldn't even grasp the terms. All she knew was how to cause a reaction, and it just wasn't reacting well. Meddling, that's all she knew. Maybe she should go elsewhere, but she could see the problem following her. Leonard's greeting is ignored, she cant meet someone right now.

"If you want a pick up, a Violet Vroom will keep you going easy," Vixen suggests, tipping her head towards her own glass, down to a quarter left. And when she sees a server coming over, she puts in, "Gimme another, babe." Grinning before she glances towards Leo, as if passing the server off to him. She then looks at Tirzah, a slight frown coming about. "So what, you're just going to mope? That's one of your problems, I think. You're either full on or full off most of the time. But before you start getting even more mopey, everyone's got problems. Me, you, Cali, Alistair.. heck, I bet even this guy has his share of problems." A thumb jerked in Leo's direction. In fact, she turns to him and asks him straight out, "What's one of your personality problems, man?" Cause everyone loves dishing to a pair of strangers.

Leonard has a brief discourse with the waitress before settling on something with less 'pick up; a bottle of wine. Judging by the name and the server's blooming smile, it is not standard fare, either. He looks back to Vixen and then to Tirzah, rolling his shoulders beneath his cloak. "I rarely save credits for a rainy day?"

Tirzah appear quite content to mope for now. Though Vixen's words are considered. Full on or full off... Usually full on that was what she found comfortable. Why is that wrong? Why does she have to regulate her personality? Isn't she supposed to be able to be accepted for who she is without restrictions? Wasn't that what made Kingsdale different from the CS? But it was beyond that. This wasn't Kingsdale's flaw it was humanity. Humanity is flawed by personality problems... That's so vague. Sighing she rolls her head to expose a lazy stare directed at Vixen. The observer.

Having taken care of her womanly needs, Sage begins to wander back to the table where she'd left her drink and partner. Her pace is relaxed enough to consider the scene at the table before she truly arrives.

"If you're buying up some pricey grape juice for a casual drink, I'd agree with that," Vixen replies to Leo, giving him a playful grin. Her tone light, jesting. "I bet you got plenty more, but I know people don't like talking about stuff like that." She looks back to Tirzah in time to meet that lazy stare. Which Vixen returns levelly. "Alright, play it your way. But you ain't doing yourself no favors with it." She then looks back to Leo. "You look like new fish, shouldn't you be saving until you get settled? Or are you just passing through?"

"New here, yes. Passing through? Maybe, maybe not." Leonard chuckles. "I haven't had the chance to decide, but it seems pleasant enough here, so far. No reason to deny a wish if I have the means are available, either... or to waste time moping."

Tirzah considers that, wasting time.. What else should she be doing? She sits up so she can fully consider the man, her thoughts still maintaining her silence. She doesnt know him, his type. She sighs, her thoughts giving her no comfort. If she wanted to know him she had to interact, but she didnt know how to interact 'right'. Sighing again she considers her drink.

Noticing the new face at the table, Sage takes a moment to consider the man before the attention from the table drifts to her. "Hey..." She says to the table once she's closer. She considers her partner's state before moving to sit beside her. "Who's the new face?" She asks, as she settles in and grasps her drink before taking a sip from it.

Vixen laughs lightly. "Then I know who to ask about when it comes to ritzing things up. Since you're buying a bottle, I'll take a nip from it if you're offering. I tend to avoid the pricey stuff, but my creds are out for other purposes." She slips her hand into her coat then and draws out a slender case. Opened up, it reveals a dozen nearly ordered brown paper cigarettes. Hand rolled. She slips a new one out, snapping the case closed before she tucks it away and pulls out her lighter. With the cig between her lips, she tilts her head and flicks on the flame. A few soft puffs and she flicks the lighter closed. She takes a soft draw and releases it before removing it from her lips, leaning forward to offer it towards TIrzah. "You need to relax. A hit of this might help, if you're not one of those pure body sorts." She then glances towards Leo and shakes her head. "Introductions then. I'm Vixen," she tells the man, leaving the others to handle their own.

"We did not have the chance to finish them the past night. My name is Leonard, and you are welcome to it." As the waitress returns with the bottle and opens it, he requests several more glasses, for those at the table. He also looks to the other pair, since Vixen has already introduced herself.

Tirzah regards the offered smoke, the smell of the burning bud quite familiar to her. She could even point out quality of the plant by her assessment of the contaminants in the smoke. It was not her high of choice but she could use it right now so she does accept, drawing the smoke into her with a seasoned puff. And slowly exhaling. handing back the smoke she remains quiet for now, had to give it time to work.

"I'm Sage." She offers over to the new face, as it may help her work back into the conversation at the table. She glances to the redhead sitting beside her with a thoughtful look.

It will be good quality and clean. About as 'pure' as you can get around here without growing it yourself. Vixen relinquishes it without a word, though Tirzah's not inexperienced handling of it does drawn a moment of lingering interest before Vix nods nice and looks towards the waitress as she returns. The fresh 'Vroom' she ordered is taken and, with the new one here she's quick to lift the old one and empty it out in a long pull. She slides it aside, then places the new one in the vacated spot next to her set up. "The mopey one is Tirzah. She's usually more 'on'." Said with a casual grin as she looks to her computer's screen again. Leo would be able to see the footage on it has paused on it has paused on a shot of the five at the center of the conflict at the gates, obscured by a bubble of blue energy. She considers it quietly after her spate of talking.

Leonard nods to Sage at her revelation. "Good evening... and a wise name." She receives a smile before he nods again to Tirzah. Perhaps the burning bud will turn her back to 'on.' As he pours himself a glass from the wine bottle, his eyes drop to Vixen's screen. "So you /are/ still working, also." A bemused smirk follows his comment.

Tirzah returns the look Sage gives her. The healer, selflessly shouldering the ails and burdens of those around her. More specifically she was selflessly shouldering Tirzah. Feeling disgusted she looks away. "I don't deserve you." She says softly.

When she hears the man's voice, Sage turns her attention back to him. A faint smile coming, "I guess it does have more than one meaning..." She says softly, before giving a faint shrug. It works for her. Then she looks back to the woman sitting beside her. Concern coming into her features as she reaches out the touch the other woman on her shoulder. She's at a lose for words for a moment. She gives the shoulder a gentle squeeze. << Do you want to speak privately? >> She asks softly into the other woman's mind, before glancing to the other people at the table.

"Video Vixen is always on the job," said young woman states, slanting Leo an amused glance. "Hours of video doesn't just edit itself into coherency and I gotta decide on what's going on my first PDD. Been too long coming already." She glances at Tirzah, eyeing the young woman. "If you're going to keep sinking, maybe you ought to hand that back, cause you don't need no help getting any more mellow," she opines, giving Tirzah a thoughtful look.

"Video Vixen is always on the job," said young woman states, slanting Leo an amused glance. "Hours of video doesn't just edit itself into coherency and I gotta decide on what's going on my first PDD. Been too long coming already." She glances at Tirzah, eyeing the young woman. She'd been handling the returned cig without really thinking about it for the last few moments. She then looks to Sage. "So what do you do when she gets like this? So I know for future reference." Just a hint of vague amusement lingering as she lifts the cig to take a casual draw.

"If she agreed, I doubt she would be sitting next to you..." Leonard offers Tirzah a brief glance with his comment before taking a sip from his glass. His focus returns to Vixen with a wry grin. "At least you are not all work and no play... though I didn't think the bit of excitement lasted for hours." The glass tips towards the computer screen.

Tirzah shakes her head, not knowing what else to say if they were alone. Depressed in company, depressed in private, seemed the same foggy grey. Is this how everyone felt in letting the haze get to them? Like you're not really there, like you cant feel, just numb.. She didn't feel like she was going to sink any lower though, felt like bottom to her. Idly she recalled Katsumi's invite to be with her and Sebastien. Drained, used, taken for granted. That felt more like what she deserved... She looks a Leonard, he had a point. Managing a shrug she shakes it off. "Doesn't make me feel better about being her burden today."

With the woman shaking her head to the offer for a private venue, Sage considers the situation at hand. She glances to the woman across the table at the question. "What if it was something that you couldn't do?" She asks, deciding to distract away from the question itself for the moment. She looks back to Tirzah. She moves her hand from Tirzah's shoulder and guides it down the woman's arm to seek out the hand. "I think you're being too hard on yourself now." She comments, as she tilts her head.

Vixen grins at Leo. "I've got loads of video besides that," she notes. "Me and my little camera have been all over the city, seeing what there is to be seen. Never know where a story might come and I'm always looking for one." The server comes then with the other glasses and Vix isn't shy about helping herself. Though as she does so, she eyeballs Tirzah. "Am I gunna have to make like you and slap you around a bit to wake you up from whatever funk you're locked in? Or maybe you just need a nap." She slides the glass across towards her, then picks up another for herself, pouring a taste in. No sense wasting it. She looks to Sage as she pours and shrugs. "Can't is a word I don't like. Nothing in this world you can't do.. just a matter of having the tools, the know how or the time to get it done."

"Then don't be a burden." Leonard shifts his attention firmly across the table. "If you don't like something, change it. Should you lack the will to alter your own self, why would anyone else bother to?" His words have no venom, but neither are their edges softened. A nod of agreement follows at Vixen's final words. "There is no such thing as can't."

Tirzah does find some warmth and strength when Sage's hand clasps her own. The haze fading she feels her pain and the tears well up as she shakes her head. "I disappointed you. insulted your friend. Sebastien kissed me and I enjoyed it.. No I think I am quite aware that how I feel reflects exactly what I deserve. I'm an unfaithful viper.." She pauses at Leonard's suggestion, glaring at him. "You make it sound so simple.." She notes in a tactless tone.

When the others seem to begin to work towards trying to cheer her partner, Sage gives a gentle squeeze to the other woman's hand. "In that case..." Sage says as she looks over to Vixen, "I haven't had to snap her out of a funk like this before." She admits, giving a faint sigh as she isn't sure how to proceed with the other people here. She hears the man's words, but lets her partner consider them for herself. A brow raises when she hears about the woman confessing about a kiss that she wasn't fully aware of given what was going on at the time. "Should I miss someone else, disappoint you and insult one of your friends then?" She asks, unsure of how to truly approach this matter. << If your heart's desire lies else where... you may choose someone else for Valentine's... >> She offers, without judgement in her mental tone.

Vixen takes her time sampling the wine. She has no formal training at it, though might have a sense for how it should be done. Movies perhaps, but she fakes it well enough. And she finds it acceptable, if not truly appreciating the subtleties of it. "Not much bite, but I guess some people like it that way," she comments idly. She then looks at Tirzah. "If you're lusting after that one, you've got other issues," she opines. "Of course, if you aren't, I dunno what the hell you're so uptight about. Not like people can't get excited about kising more than just one person. Hell, it'd be pretty bad if only one person in the world could ever hope to spark feelings in you, cause hell, if you miss that one person you're pretty much fucked, right?" Her brows lift. "Cali will get over it.. as long as you pay attention to what she says and bend to not poking where she don't want you to. At least, until you get close enough that you've got that kinda clout with her. As to disappointments." She glances at Sage. "She'd answer to that one." A shrug as she lets the video on her computer play a few, eyeballing it carefully until she finds a point where the usable footage ends, slipping back a few moments, marking, moving on. Her cig lifted for another draw.

The revelation that the issue is some sort of (one-sided?) lover's quarrel does not alter Leonard's opinion of its handling. "It may not be simple. Most desires are not, but they are still possible." A smirk curls his lips. "If you prefer simple, visit one of the dear Emperor's fine cities. They are filled with simpletons who don't neet to worry about choice, nor even complaints of their life..." He takes another swallow of wine which has been flavored by the excess dribblings of sarcasm from his lips. It might a be surprise that the glass didn't overflow. A nearly nonchalant shrug follows. "If you don't care enough to make an effort for something , perhaps you don't really care for it at all?" Advice? Insult? It might be quite difficult to tell if Leonard is attempting to calm Tirzah or provoke her.

Tirzah looks at Sage, dumbfounded for a minute. The concept that she would do any of that just to even the score winning her over. Leaning over she embraces Sage for her support while trying to wipe some of her tears away. "I still don't deserve you.. But I like you're accounting. And my heart lies with you Sage, I connected my knee with Sebastien's scarlet thonged groin when he made that unbidden push." She states managing a smirk. She nods in acknowledgment to Vixen, she has a point. To Leonard she just gives an estranged look, kina like looking in a mirror..

The words spoken by the other two at the table are merely listened to by Sage at first. She accepts her partner's embrace when it comes and moves her hands comfortingly along the other woman's back. Her gaze drifts to Vixen, "You going to start up an advise segment to your radio show?" She asks with a hint of a tease, before she looks to the man with a curious look. "You sound like you might have a worldly perspective..." She isn't too sure, "Or at least view on the Coalition." She amends before turning her attention to the woman in her arms. "I suppose that means I can't go kissing some random person then." She says lightly at the other woman's comment about the kneeing. "But, many say they don't deserve something good... just accept that its special."

Vixen gives Leo a sidelong glance, her eyes narrowing subtly. "Relax it back a little man, or you might be the next moper here," she comments idly. She breathes out lowly, looking back to her computer. She leans forward, cig dangling from her lips as she does some more focused work with the keyboard. Snapping through screens at pace, she quickly closes up shop as far as the editing software she had up is concerned, ending with a series of keypresses that quiet down the machine, the screen going dark. Her head cants to the left a little as she lifts her hand and releases the slender cord from where it anchors behind her right ear. She glances at Sage, brows hiked. "I don't do self help. I just speak the truth as the eye sees it." Her hand casually shifting to caress 'the eye', the little hand sized camera that remains linked to her two computers.

His piece given and Tirzah's mood altered (not that the to are related), Leonard chuckles. "I have learned a few things of a few worlds, yes, and far too much of the Coalition." A hand is lifted in a gesture of placation to Vixen. "I was merely making a point... but I suppose my bias did add a little to it."

Tirzah nods and will accept it. Then noticing the wine she tries it with some appraisal, much like she did with the bud. It would seem she is a bit of a connoisseur of such things as she sets the glass down. "That's nice, I do like the choice blush they have here, and the merlot." She notes before giving an admiring look to Sage, remembering all she's set up for tomorrow.

A faintly amused look is given to the woman sitting on the other side of the table by Sage, "I may not have the truth of the 'eye' sees it... but, the truth of an ear might say otherwise." She shrugs faintly, deciding to let it drop. She gives a faint nod to the man when her attention drifts back to him. She takes a sip from her long forgotten drink, before she looks to her partner with a raised brow as the woman speaks about wine with a familiar tone. She just gives a faintly amused look, but doesn't comment. She takes another sip from her drink, as she looks back to the other people at the table.

"Let's not put this to waste," Vixen says, pouring some more of the wine into the fourth glass, which gets slid towards Sage. She even casually tops off Leo. Perhaps with a bit more than is 'proper' when ti comes to wine, but she makes few illusions of proper. Though for herself, she defaults to her 'Violet Vroom' as she referred to it before. "Big difference between talking over one person I have an inkling about and trying to tell some faceless masses how to think," Vixen replies. "Might say some stuff one to one, but when it comes to my business, the goal is to inform, not tell people how to live." A drink taken then from her glass, the cig left to rest between her fingers and smolder.

"The clear ones are very refreshing." Leonard's nod is in agreement with Tirzah's sudden expert opinion, even if his choice of words are rather contradictory and vernacular. "Drink your fill..." He notes to all as he lifts his glass in a slight gesture to Vixen before bringing it to his lips. "It is nice to know the masses will be informed of the truth. I hopw that business is good?"

Tirzah finally finds a smile for Leonard. She was not above bribery after all. "Thank you, but I should go, there are still some things for me to arrange." She notes beofe finishing her drink and wine quite quickly. "I will take you up on that another day." She suggests before giving Sage another grateful look. "I'll catch up with you tomorrow. She promises her smile widening with the anticipation.

Proper wine etiquette is something that's completely lost on Sage. To her, its just another alcholic beverage. With the light fruit-flavoured alcohol beverage out of the way, she sips the wine as any other drink. "Its alright." She comments, before she looks over to her partner with a curious look. She has resisted the urge to delve into the other woman's mind to seek out what might be in store for her. "Okay, take care of yourself until then." She offers to Tirzah.

Vixen considers Tirzah idly as she does her reversal. Amused lightly, but she keeps her peace for the moment. She goes about a slow, casual sort of house closing that doesn't hint towards more than a move to casually square things away. The portable closed up, the wires disconnected and casually wound up and slipped away between light tokes on her cig. "Business is alright so far. But it's not a money thing. If I wanted money, I'd try and get in with the establishment." You have just received a vote.

"Enjoy your evening." The smile is returned as Leonard nods to Tirzah and lifts his glass. He looks briefly to his benchmate's housekeeping, as it were. "Just because it does not make you wealthy doesn't mean that it isn't valuable. Knowledge is power, afterall. Some horde it, some share."

Once her partner leaves, Sage turns her attention back to the other people still left at the booth. She'll sip away at the wine as she would any other drink. "It would be hard not to horde it and remain effective in her role..." She notes simply, with a little amusement. "But, there is likely some value to be had."

"I guess we'll see how valuable things are," Vixen replies simply. "Only just got started, though response has been generally positive so far. No death threats yet, anyway." She smirks faintly at that, the cords all slid back into her satchel while the camera gets slid into the pocket of her coat, the handheld slid into an inner pocket. THough after that she relaxes back and picks up her violet drink again. "Only reason you horde is if you want to sell info. Could do that I suppose, but I don't want to."

A chuckle is loosed at the mention of death threats. "Threats would mean you'd still had an effect... and at least someone was kind enough to warn you, first?" Leonard rolls his shoulders. "I am grateful not everyone keeps knowledge to themselves. I wouldn't be here, otherwise... although I do hoard a little, myself, sometimes."

"To extent... everyone hordes some information." Sage replies, "Whether they realize it or not." She figures its true enough, at any rate. She pushes the glass away from her once she seems to be done with it. She glances to Vixen, "If you end up needing a feel good story, the special event at the Alibi might well be a bright spot in an otherwise gloomy and foreboding mood." She offers, before she slips out from the booth herself. "I think I'll take my leave now, though." She glances to the man, "It was nice to meet you."

"Already got wind of it. I'll be there a bit at least. Another live broadcast. People seem to like live stuff." Vixen smirks a little. "Got some play off cornering Ali. Might have to corner someone else for a little sudden questioning." She glances at Sage, giving her a thoughtful examination for a few moments. Then she glances at Leo and shrugs. "If I start getting threats, it means I'm probably on to something big.. but then stepping on toes is something I'm not trying to do. But it'll probably happen eventually."

"Likewise." Leonard tips his glass to Sage with a smile as she rises. He then turns it to Vixen. "Someone, somewhere will stick their toes out to be stomped on, I'm sure... and have the city know how badly they were crushed, of course... Special event?" Maybe he hasn't yet listened to the frequency noted on the sticker he received the past night.

A faint smile is given to the man, before Sage looks to Vixen. "Take care." She says, before she begins to edge away from the table. When the man asks about the special event, she considers pausing before deciding that the other woman can explain just as well as she can. Soon enough, she slips out to the lobby onto a new destination...

"The Alibi is having a Valentines Day bash tomorrow. Free to go, but you need a reservation. Already picked up my own." She nods towards Sage as the other woman leaves. "Might want to get your own soon if you've a mind to go. Otherwise, you might not be able to get in. Hell, maybe you'll find a reason to stick around." The young woman giving the man a sidelong glance accompanied by a smirk.

"Interesting..." A brow lifts in curosity or surprise preceeding a notable pause as he considers the connotations of both the theme and her words. "Not something I expected, but it is a good excuse for fun." The smirk is now returned with a bemused one of his own. "I will see if the lovestruck or those hoping to be haven't taken them all."

"Won't have no competition from me," Vixen notes. "As you have seen, this sort of stuff is a load od trouble. I'll be there for business. Just have to consider the format I want to use. Not really sure just what, but if nothing else I'll just wing it and see how things are there."

"Maybe I should take back what I said of you not being all work..." Leonard hides the further wry curling of his smirk behind his glass and a drink from it. "If I can make a resevation, I will remember to bump the all-seeing eye out of focus. Just to keep the boredom of your business at bay." He returns the glass to the table and rolls his shoulders. "There is trouble everywhere, for better or worse."

Vixen snorts faintly. "If I was all work, you think I'd be doing my video editing in a Nightclub while high and a bit drunk?" The young woman giving Leo an sidelong glance again. "I'll be drinking and having fun, but I ain't going there looking for no guy." She shakes her head a little. "So what's your word?" The question coming out of the blue, without any lead up.

He was likely teasing her, or prodding, or... Regardless, her snort draws a soft laugh from him, though her sudden question catches him off-guard. Or flies over Leonard's head. "My word?"

Vixen grins idly. "Let's say that you have a chance to tell the whole city one thing. Whatever it might be that you'd say right then, with all ears on you, is your word." She taps her cig against the rim of her empty wine glass, tapping the ashes into it as she wonders, "What's yours? Usually I record it, cause I make a compilation, but I'll let you get off without being immortalized.. this time." She lifts it then and takes a long, slow drag, relaxing as she holds the smoke in for a few count.

"Interesting..." While he is intrigued, Leonard likely uses the comment to again fill the air as he thinks. He should be thankful she has given him the explanation and opportunity off camera. "Have goals, not wishes. If something interests you... pursue it." He offers her a smile and slight nod as he speaks his 'word,' or at least what he retrieves on short notice.

Vixen nods to that and tells him, "Remember it, I might ask for it again, with the camera rolling or the radio broadcasting." She grins at him, then tips back her glass to finish off the violet drink. "For now, scoot your ass out of my way so I can go up to bed," she prompts, grinning in his direction. Since he is on the open end.

"Oh! Of course..." Leonard laughs as he stands to she can. "Sorry."

Vixen snags her satchel and the portable, dragging both to the edge of the table carefully as she slips out. "I'll take your lack of desire to run off as a compliment," she murmurs, idle amusement lingering about her. Though after that she grows silent for a bit as she leaves her cig dangling from her lips as the satchel gets slung over one shoulder, the portable computer grabbed by it's case and hefted without much trouble. Slight s he might seem, but weak she is not. She looks to Leo then and notes, "Watch your ass out there, lotta people freaking out on the streets."

"I will take your concern as a compliment..." Leonard nods in return. "...and also try to keep my ass watched and still attached." A smile returns as he retrieves his glass to lift it in parting and drain it. "Enjoy your evening, Vixen."

"Always do," Vixen replies before she turns and starts on her way out, carting along her portable studio. Taking a sharp t urn towards the elevators once out. Here is where she dwells for now.