Feb 15 03:40:30 108 PA - Grea's Auction Meal with Rubidia
From Chronicles
Feb 15 03:40:30 108 PA.
SILVER FORK
The elevator chimes, signaling its arrival on the first floor with the accompaniment of a blinking light. Outside a few people wait, eager to take their baggage up to their rooms so they can get back down to eat some fine dinner. They will wait a bit longer though as the door slowly opens to reveal the car is occupied. Slowly Rubidia steps out, he gown trailing a bit behind her on the plush carpet as those waiting to go up clear a path for her to continue.
Daryus Grea is waiting near the entry to the Silver Fork with a contented smile on his face, seemingly enjoying the pleasure of people-watching. His cane is leaned, point-on against the floor, hands resting on it. It would appear that he's gone beyond this evening to look good. Not obvious and blatant, but good. A light gray suit with maroon ascot and patten leather shoes. A ring with a small emerald on his right hand, and a small gold chain around his neck. His goatee is in place, hair coiffed, and perhaps, just perhaps... a few bits of eyebrow plucked. His gray pin-striped coat is lain only gently over his shoulders.
It is from the Nightingale that Sage arrives, apparently having decided to enjoy the club there. She even dressed up a little for it as she wears a dress instead of her normal attire. She takes a moment to look around the place. A murmur of people commenting on someone's dress causes Sage to look over towards where Rubidia comes out with her gown trailing on the carpet. "Hey Rubidia..." She calls over, before getting a thoughtful expression.
Rubidia turns as she's called, halting her leisurely advance towards the Silver fork. "Hey Sage, all recovered from the wild night?" She asks with a grin before taking a quick glance around. "Where's you handler?" She asks with a coy smile.
The calls and conversation are just loud enough here in the atrium that Grea will take notice, raising a hand in the air and waving. "Ladies! It's good to see both of you this evening."
When the other woman seems to pause for her, Sage wanders closer to the other woman but keeps a little distance between them. "More or less." She comments, before shrugging faintly to the other woman's question. "Just felt like dressing up, I guess. Not really with anyone." She adds before glancing towards the man as he calls to them. "Good evening." She replies simply, before glancing briefly to Rubidia. "Oh... tonight?" She asks softly before glancing back to the man. Beginning to feel awkward.
"Yeah, didn’t seem much reason to put it off." Rubidia confirms before looking to Grea. She gives a wave and her perfect smile to show her acknowledgment and buy some patience from the man before looking to Sage. "Why, is it a bad time?" She asks, her face staying pleasant and content.
Just knowing that he's been noticed seems to have mollified Mr. Grea. He nods toward the two women, then turns back to the maître de and seems to speak to him a bit, a few hand gestures here and there. But otherwise, no intrusion, just privacy.
That the man doesn't come and whisk his date off after a few friendly words surprises Sage to the point that she takes just a moment before looking back to Rubidia. "Hm? ... oh... well..." She begins, fumbling for what to say before her hand raises to allow a finger to tangle in a lock of her hair. A breath is taken and let out. "I just didn't want to tell someone that I wanted to spend some time with them and get to know them better when they're about to go on a date with..." She glances towards where the man is and partially to hide a little bit of embarrassment on her part. "someone." She finishes.
Rubidia freezes, her complacent smile dissolved by momentary shock as she processes Sage's words. It doesn’t last more than a second or two though before she recovers with a brief giggle. "You minx, you should have asked me ages ago. Might have found away around this.." She cajoles before shaking her head lightly. "Nothing for it now. I'm bought and paid for tonight. But who knows what the stroke of midnight will bring. I will take a raincheck." She says, her complacent smile returning as she looks back to Grea. "Now I better go before he starts suspecting you moving in on his territory."
The maître de and Mr. Grea seem to have come to a happy agreement, one which both seem content with. Daryus continues to wait quietly, chatting with those who come in and out, or simply go past. In fact, the seems to have the maître de himself rather engaged in idle conversation, even going so far as to allow himself to neatly rest an elbow on the man's podium. Anything going on between the two women is for them, and them alone.
A giggle? That's certainly the last thing that she expected to hear and Sage's gaze returns to the other woman. Her reaction a mix of emotions, before a tiny smile begins to take her lips. "I..." She begins, before chuckling and shaking her head. "Yeah, don't mind me if I envy you, though... hm?" She muses, before nodding to the other woman, "Alright, have a good time and take care of yourself." She offers, before looking to the other man.
"Oh I doubt I'll have to." Rubidia replies to Sage with a grin and a wink before moving on to join with Grea. Approaching her demeanor settles to what is was when she left the elevator. The entreated empress, meeting her suitor. Naturally he is a perfect physical specimen and likable. Would be an insult if he was not. Doesn’t mean he will be more than a suitor though. Such is her prerogative.
Grea turns and offers Rubidia a one-armed bow as she approaches, smiling, having just by happenstance turned and caught sight of her walking in his direction. When she's within polite speaking distance, he will do such that - speak. In that upper-class New England accent. Three white roses magically appear in his hand, and are extended. "Good evening, Rubidia. You look magnificent. A glowing light clad in black, indeed. Such visual counterpoint." While the flowers remain extended, he adds on, "You know, I'm only hoping to speak with you on a personal note. I'm not trying to take you home as a romantic date. Just pleasant, friendly curiosity. You can relax, I won't be offended." He winks. Yes, quite engaging, and seems very sincere about it.
Rubidia smirks, accepting the roses and fixing them into her hair. "But of course. I'm quite relaxed actually, this isn’t anywhere near as formal as things get in Japan. But I wanted to be formal, for you. You've paid for it." She explains with a smile. "Surely you know you didn't have to give so much for a causal conversation. You did anyway and I honestly don’t know why. But I know I should show appreciation for your reach with efforts of my own."
Daryus smiles and dips his head again. "Very well, I appreciate and accept your efforts, indeed. Please, just to be clear, call me Daryus. Certainly no need for further formalities." He lifts his cane in his right hand, tucking it between his arm and torso, then extending a hand toward Rubidia, obviously an invitation to escort. "I've arranged for a nice table over there by the fountain. Nice light, and it's pretty, too. Shall we?" His reasons for interest in Rubidia have slid from the immediate conversation at the moment.
"That will be fine Daryus." Rubidia agrees as she takes his hand so he might lead her to the mentioned table. Given the nature of the Silver fork the pair hardly stand out. Merely their good looks that draw gazes. As such Rubidia is quite relaxed and content, smiling back at the trailing eyes.
The neatly kept man will politely pull out a chair for his guest, hoping that she'll sit, and if she does, equally politely push her in to the proper distance. In any case, he does seat himself, laying his overcoat across the arm of a separate chair and leaving his cane in that chair as well. His cloth napkin is neatly fluffed and laid on his lap, as the ascot is currently occupying neck space. "I hope that you like this place, Rubidia. Personally, I think they have good food. Do you like the little fountain?" He gestures to the little waterfall decoration beside their table.
Rubidia certainly won't be standing for the date so she readily accepts the chair that is pulled for her and only slightly adjusts after it is pushed in. Draping her napkin atop her lap she shrugs lightly at the question. "It does have good food, and the fountain does make for nice background sound." She agrees with a polite smile. "It would be my choice location for this as well, all things considered."
"Well then, I'm glad that I bought you here," Grea chuckles, maybe just because, maybe because of the subtle play on 'bought' versus 'brought.' "I don't mean to sound daft, but do you mind if I call you Rubidia? Is there another name that you prefer? I bet that you get 'Ruby' quite a bit, don't you?" Then, with only a slight hesitation, he jumps back a few exchanges. "You referred to Japan. You're well read on the subject of those mysterious isles? Or have you actually been there?" Grea is quite intrigued in his own right.
"I was there last week, checking in with my manager. He loves the new look." Rubidia replies casually as she reaches to peruse the wine list. "I like Rubidia in full. Has a lyrical lilt on it on the tongue." She says to his earlier question before looking up from the list to consider him. "And you? Have you traveled much in your life. Don’t think it a competition."
Grea folds his hands on the table, smiling. "Oh, I've done a fair amount of travel, though never off of the continent. Too dangerous to take to the oceans or skies to get anywhere else, you know. At least, not for one such as me. But for one such as yourself? You'll have to tell me how that works. Pique my interesting and leave my hanging? This must be one of your marketing ploys that you use to get people to attend your concerts." He grins warmly, then releases his fingers and waves a hand. "I've been just about everywhere north of the Rio Grande, save for the deep West and the Dinosaur Swamps. My travels have led me to be very fortunate monetarily, which is why I try to give back wherever I can. Kingsdale seems to be one of the best places to do that, as long as no one comes here to destroy it. But we'll return to the politics later." His head is canted to the side. "How were you in Japan last week?"
"Well you saw me light up on the stage. I can take that even further until I am just light and travel anywhere on the planet. Mainly I visit my parents in Scotland, gypsy friends in Russia, and my label officials in Japan. between those and three performances here each month it keeps me nicely busy." Rubidia calmly explains as she takes a second consideration of the wines. Then looking up at him again she smiles. "What wine do you have planned for us to start with?"
Daryus' expression shows that he is extremely impressed on a personal note, and fascinated on a scholarly level. "So, protons and neutrons somehow convert to photons? I don't know what kind of science that involves... but I guess it involves a lot more magic than science, true? How do you get matter to travel distances, instead of just somehow glowing in a spot. I mean, scientifically speaking, your photons should simply shoot off at the speed of light and you'd, well, I guess - just disappear. Obviously, this is not the case." He shakes his head in awe. "But I'll get back to that in a moment. Your travels? Magnificent! The maître de tipped me off that the steak is going to be fantastic tonight, so wine? If it sounds good to you, I'm thinking a Cabernet sauvignon, probably a nice pinot noir. Red wine with meat, yes?" He smiles and begins to distribute the menus that had been left for them.
Rubidia nods in acceptance to the wine choice looking quite pleased. "Actually the nature of my abilities are mental believe it or not. But certainly beyond the average psychic. In fact my race always returns to Scotland to raise their children to ensure the the mental aptitude required for mastering the power is passed on. That is why my parents are there now, raising my baby brother." Rubidia explains, still calm and casual about the clearly extraordinary features of herself. "How it works is difficult to explain."
The man chuckles and delicately flops his menu against the table. "You know, I can occasionally get a little sense of people. I guess I've a touch of psychic power in me. But so many of us do, no? I'm certainly not special. But, Scotland, you say? Across the vast Atlantic, and I've always wanted to see Britain. The stories of the Millennium Trees are fascinating. But.. your race? What would that be, if I may ask? If I may not, you needn't answer." Grea dips his head to indicate that he truly means it. "I'm sure it's hard to explain if it's a natural thing. I can't really explain well why I breathe, or how I make my arms move. Still - what's special about Scotland?"
"Nothing in particular, just where we originated. People call us children of the earth and stars. There is another type in Scotland whose powers focus on strength and stone as opposed to brightness and light. I am a starchild, human, yet more. I could take any man to mate and we could have a child. If so I would take the child back to Scotland to insure its birthright." Rubidia explains calmly before considering him anew. "I thought there was more to you than charm and good looks. Though you do have those in abundance."
Daryus actually appears a little bashful at Rubidia's compliment. "Thank you, Rubidia. Just lucky genetics and some time every day in front of a mirror. But thank you." His menu is put down for a moment. "A Star Child? Exotic! Here I am, just a boring fellow with dashing good looks." He winks to indicate his own amusement. "So, not to get personal or anything - but if you were to bear a child here, of a human father, but not take the child to Scotland, he or she would not become a Star Child such as yourself? 'Just' a man? There must be something in the water." Grea smiles again.
Rubidia nods slightly. "His chances of gaining the aptitude would be greatly reduced with only me to teach him. Back home its a communal family with all members assisting in the raising and teaching of the children." She explains to clarify the difference. "Some human or even inhuman children get adopted and raised as well. Their chances of gaining the aptitude is slim but it is known to happen."
"Oh, interesting. So it isn't really genetics then. It's at least half-and-half upbringing. Nature and nurture. Very interesting. What is it that brought you here? You have a whole planet to explore, and certainly even a being such as yourself can't see all of it. Civilization isn't a broad thing right now. Of course, I've really only heard stories of other lands, but I can't imagine that they're much different than here in North America. Cities, small kingdoms or empires, self-declared. That kind of thing. Why leave Scotland?" Grea takes a moment to glance at his opened menu.
Rubidia smirks at Daryus with a questioning look. "Why not? I came here looking to expand my musical career to this continent. Though quickly found things are a bit dicey around here to go on tour. So now I'm not entirely sure where to go, if anywhere. I seem to have a good balance going for now." She answers confidently before looking to his eyes. "And why are you here?"
"Me?" Daryus seems surprised that anyone would even be that interested in his own travels. "I travel around, selling my goods, helping out with what I can - usually with nothing more than monetary donations, but you work with what you have, right? Anyway, so as not to be mysterious, I'm down most recently from Lazlo. In case you haven't heard the 'scuttlebutt' as they say, I deal in rare antiquities. Pre-Apocalyptic artifacts, rare pieces, even the random magic artifact if I can get my hands on one." He points a finger at his dinner guest over top of his menu. "Those things are *not* easy to get, believe me. Don't know if I'll stay here or not. It's a pretty nice place, though. Where'd you get the musical talent? You play like an angel - and of course, you look like one when you light up like that. Plus, the repertoire? You certainly pull from an incredibly wide range."
"Well I started young with the gypsies we traveled through Russia with, singing and dancing. In Japan I was mature, well mature enough by their standards, and we took a more professional theme. I took to it with natural talent. At sixteen I was touring solo, my parents having returned to Scotland for my brother's birth. After two more years performing in Japan I decided I wanted to see more and ventured to this continent." She explains before giving a slight shrug. "Not so hard really. I collect and update my libraries from here, Japan, Russia and Britain on a seasonal basis. They are stored on a computer loaded with specialized software. Connect it to my sound system and it will recognize any request made in the audience and tell me what to play."
Grea sits back in his seat gazing over his menu. He then nods, folds the menu, and places it down on the table. "I think I'll take the beef, like they suggested. But, Japan? Russia? Do you speak the languages?"
"Da comrade, what dyo be thinkings of this?" Rubidia replies, easily slipping into a heavy Russian accent. With a grin she takes up the menu to give it some consideration. "How did they say they were preparing it?" She asks, back to her normal accent without a slip.
"Wow!" Exclaims Grea, apparently truly impressed with the words. "But is that simply an accent, or can you say things that will sound like words, which I will have no idea where they are, or not, and are simply noises? The steak? Marinated in a honey sauce with black pepper and chives, cooked to your perfection." He pokes his head and says, "Good memory, I guess. Did you just take to these languages, ah.. magically, somehow, or did you actually learn them the way that everyone does?" He holds out a hand. "Please, I mean no disrespect for the terms that I'm using to describe you and your life."
"None taken. Way things are these days you never know. I learned them normally, through several years of residing in each location." She explains before shaking her head at the description of the beef. "Sweet marinades don’t go so well with beef." She opines, perusing the menu for an alternative momentarily before she puts it down. "I think I'll have the turkey pot pie."
Daryus tilts his head. "Sounds interesting. But you may have to change you wine selection with that," he says with a smile. "If I may, now that I have 'won' you for the evening, so to speak, tell me about the real issue. I'm delighted to be having this conversation, but the refugees truly are the problem. Coming in from all over. Tolkeen mostly, of course. A sad thing."
"Problem? How are they a problem. From what I've seen they are more of a solution." Rubidia notes, her gaze now eyeing Daryus critically to see how he will extract himself from the slip. Though she remains calm enough to let it show she does think it a slip as she nods. "Yeah, I'll have a glass of Rasberry merlot."
Grea looks a little taken aback for a bit, but comes back quite politely with, "Perhaps we're using two different ways of saying the same thing. They are a problem to be solved. The problem is that they're being driven from their own homes. The solution? That is for us to determine and do what we can to help." If there was a slip, it was obviously only that, a slip. It's at that time that the waiter finally comes by, depositing the pinot noir that had been previously requested, and taking the orders for steak, turkey pot pie, and a raspberry Merlot. "A problem to be solved for the good of the people isn't the same as, for instance, Chi-Town saying that they have a D-Bee problem." He extends a hand, palm up. "I hope you understand how I see the refugee crises. They are people who need the assistance of those of us who can provide it."
"Maybe, but do they want it?" Rubidia asks in turn, clearly no dim bulb. "I hear a lot of talk as a performer, even considered doing a show for the refugees. They'd be open to that later down the road, once they feel they've adjusted their facilities enough to make it feasible. Certainly all sorts of people could go and help them out and I understand some do with welcome arms. But I also understand that they don’t want to become dependent on charity for any length of time. They want to stand on their own and a prepared to. or think they are prepared to. nothing wrong with that to me."
"That's very admirable, and I'd never think of shoving assistance down the throat of someone who doesn't want it," Grea allows with a slight wave of his hand. He takes a brief moment to fuss with his ascot. "Obviously, I've not been around them as long as you have. At least, not the ones here in Kingsdale. I help when and where I can, and when and where it's wanted. Surely you can't ask more than that. Don't tempt me too much, Rubidia, I know when I'm being slightly goaded." Grea offers smiling narrowed eyes. "I don't live in the same circles as you. Perhaps we hear different things."
Confusion fills Rubidia's mind at the mention of the goading and she gives Daryus a speculative look. "And how exactly am I goading you?" She asks with clear curiosity. "Pretty sure if I was to lure you into something I'd use something you can't resist and wouldn’t care much about whether you knew it was bait or not." She offers with a coy smile.
Grea narrows another humored eye. "Is that a psychic threat? Like I said before, it would be an unfair fight. I can barely do anything." He smiles and un-narrows his eye, sitting back straight. "Just the way you were wording your phrases, and the questions themselves. Just seemed like you were trying to toy with me. But that's fine, this is your evening too. At least, I hope it is. I'll feel terrible if I come out of this evening with a smile and you leave it rolling your eyes and thanking a higher power that it's over!" His words end on a laughing up-tick.
"What makes you think I need to use my mental abilities for that?" Rubidia asks, her coy smile enduring. "Probably best bait would be myself, judging by your fascination. You're a regular fanboy. Which I don’t mind at all, but it does make you particularly malleable. Of course if every fanboy was gorgeous and had charm beyond reproach there would be know downside to the industry. Alas, not a perfect world."
"Is there such tragedy in finding a rose beautiful? A harp soothing?" Grea smiles.
"Not until you try to pick the rose." Rubidia answers with a smile as the wine arrives. She takes a reserved sip of the tasting offered before nodding in consent to the waiter to fill her glass with the pink nubbly wine. "So you are a dealer of rare antiquities hmm? Anything of particular interest in your inventory?"
Grea nods happily, possibly exited to let a bit more about himself be known. "Admittedly, much of my income comes from volume sales, not necessarily unique and terribly interesting items. Baseball caps, children's toys, old firearms, that kind of thing. But I do get the high-rolling items. A few weeks ago I sold a working, pre-Apocalyptic 'Batman' pinball machine, with a mechanical readout and everything. Beautiful piece. Of course -" he raises his own glass in a salute "- when people want these things, it's easy to jack up the price." The man's head leans slightly to the left. "Is there anything along these lines that you'd be interested in, Rubidia?"
Rubidia shrugs lightly. "I dunno. I imagine anything of musical nature would interest me. But I'd only really want something that had practical value. A large digital music library, or a neat pre-Cataclysm instrument. Not too likely though, got my guitar in Japan, they didn’t experience the Cataclysm in the same manor, preserving much of their technology."
"Interesting. I really know very little about Jap-OOOFF!" A young girl, perhaps only eighteen, flies out of nowhere and lands heavily in Grea's lap, laughing as she does so. Somehow he manages to keep from simply tipping over and landing on the little waterfall fountain. "Daryus, where have you been? You clever dog." The girl turns to Rubidia with a mock-glare, then holds out her hand as if it were to be kissed, but more likely displaying the small diamond ring on her finger. "Is he out romancing you, too? Insufferable!" Just on a quick glance, that's probably the longest word that the girl knows. She could be brilliant, but she just doesn't sound it. Or look it, not that looks are everything. Her clothes are beaming, shiny white cloth, cut so short, and so low, that it's almost surprising that the Silver Fork even allowed her in. Her voice is high and squeaky. "I'm Tiffany, and this is my man. He's coming home with me, right now, aren't you, Daryus?" Grea appears to be genuinely shocked - and totally confused. As if he really doesn't recognize the girl, but is being very kind and playing along. "Um, of course. Tiffany." The man looks at Rubidia as if asking for help, but snaps on a smile instead and puts an arm around the girl who's still only in her late teens. There's more quick "conversation" between them for a while before Grea begins to make enormous apologies. "Rubidia, I'm so, so sorry. I've really enjoyed talking with you. Truly worth the money. Apparently I have to go, but pleas enjoy yourself, it's all paid for."
Rubidia does not look surprised by the spontaneous suffragette. Rather she seems to nod as if she was expecting a catch all along. She did mention as much when they first met after all. With a quaint smile she nods encouragingly to Tiffany. "Oh no problem, he paid for me in advance so if he doesn’t get to make good on the investment due to earlier obligations that’s his problem." She tells the young girl calmly, making the performer look more like a courtesan. When Daryus returns she smiles sublimely at him. "You continue to amaze, and have yet disappoint. To you Daryus." She salutes raising her glass before slamming it back.
Still, Grea is actually blushing a little, and possibly just being polite to someone he doesn't entirely recognize, because there's still a matter of confusion written across his face, though he's obviously doing his best to hide it. "I'm quite sorry to disappoint, Rubidia," he says, his eyes still concerned. He bumps Tiffany up onto her feet, rises himself, and reaches down to gather his coat and cane that had been sitting on the otherwise unused chair for the duration of the meal. After he picks up the cane, someone with a keen eye may notice that he doesn't look confused. Maybe playing along with the girl, maybe not. Maybe he really knows her. But he's not blushing, and the pleasant aristocratic air has returned to his entire countenance. Tiffany is offered a proper elbow, and he straightens his clothing, which was mussed in the little tussle. When he speaks to Rubidia, he is once again with that combination of friendly, and supremely confident. "Again, my apologies, Rubidia, but I need to take my leave. Thank you for allowing me such a fine meal and an evening's companionship. I know that no one will ever need to pay for your attentions, if you were interested. Good evening." At that, he will begin to leave, squeezing Tiffany and whispering what can probably be assumed to be 'sweet nothings' in her ear. The girl's long blond hair has been fitted with silvery strands of ribbon, and her shiny white dress offset by a dark blue sequined purse and blazing red shoes. A tough couple to forget.
Rubidia shrugs at Grea, showing no bother or concern. "I said you didn’t disappoint, and you haven't so don’t worry about that. Maybe I'll call Sage up so we can do your tab justice." She offers, giving a sweet smile.
As Tiffany continues to be playful - at the moment, flicking his goatee with a finger - Grea smiles and bows his head. "Thank you, indeed. Neither did you disappoint. Perhaps if I'm fortunate, we can get together some other day, some other week, and speak again. Yes, Sage, she ran a fine auction. Good night, don't worry about the tab, and someone besides me should enjoy your beauty." He smiles, receives a high-pitched, "Heeeyy!" But someone mollifies the girl as they exit the Silver Fork.
