Feb 10 18:36:34 106 PA
From Chronicles
The tables are typical of nightclubs, and there is some seating around the dance floor. There is a section of bar stools near the bar, and a row of booths along the right and left walls. A set of black curtains separate a smaller, private room from the rest of the club. The bar is circular, with about 20 seat all around it. The bar has all the modern conveniences and sports a wide selection of liquor and beer, even a good selection of imports, though the prices are higher than elsewhere in the city, is manned by 3 bartenders at night, 2 during the day. Waitresses wander around the room in skimpy outfits. They march about with their black trays and handle themselves like professionals. Drink orders are punched into a small computer on the try and sent right to the bar. The patrons are mostly the upper class of the city. They sport the latest fashions the cand lub has an affluent atmosphere. No one is in armour or carries weapons that can be seen. Several large men in tuxedos are strategically stationed around the room. A little wire behind their ear proves they are in constant contact, and can hear even over the roar of the DJ.
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.
