Feb 15 23:00:33 106 PA

From Chronicles

What is one more bustling body amidst all those bartering, bantering, or just trying to get through the mid-morning traffic? Leonard could be one answer, though it looks as if he's already completed most of his bartering, given the bulging satchel tucked under his arm.

Vixen is still shopping it seems, the young woman at the edge of a canopied little temporary stall that appears to sell bolts of cloth, accessories and jewelry. Mostly junk by the looks, one such tub of mismatched plastic and rhinestone baubles being sorted through casually with light sweeps of her fingers. There's a soft little curve to her lips, her eyes shifting from one little piece to another.

Necessities dutifully acquired first, and his list mentally checked off, Leonard now begins to browse. He is in no hurry now, stepping slowly while glancing over the smaller stalls. Bootfalls take him towards the woman perusing plastic pieces, though he does not seem to have noticed her just yet. The bits and pieces hawked alongside his path may be short on quality or utility, but they are colorful, at least.

Vixen digs out a little golden dangly sort of earring, pausing her stirring to untangle the multiple parts of it that have become twisted. Her slight smile fading as she messes with it. She tosses it back down into the tub after a few moments, grunting faintly. "Pain in the ass," she murmurs to no one in particular before she starts digging again, leaning forward slightly as she scoops some of the various baubles out of the way to get at some of the ones towards the bottom.

Her words are prophetic, as her leaning takes her out of Leonard's peropheral vision. The young man collides with Vixen, though not at anything more than a casual walking speed. The unexpected bump is still enough to cause Leonard to drop his satchel. "Oh!"

Vixen lurches forward somewhat against the sturdy table that is holding the tub of costume jewelry. She catches herself before she might cause more havoc, however, only nudging the display before she straightens up and turns, frowning. "Hey, watch where.." She pauses, eyeing Leo. "What'd I tell you about trying to feel me up, man?" She even manages to pull it off with a deadpan delivery and suspicious little narrow eyed glare.

"I am sorry, I..." He reflexively begins an apology as he crouches to retrieve his bag. Leonard finally looks up to his accuser, blinking in recognition and surprise at the accusation. "It wasn't that... I... would have asked, first?" Caught off guard (yet again), he looks to be taking her at her word.

Vixen holds the serious look for a few moments more before she laughs and the serious facade fades. "Cause I don't now the difference between being nudged and someone groping my ass," she says, open with her amusement at his expense. Of course, with him down going after his satchel, she has a perfect angle from which to reach out and try patting the top of his head lightly. "You're forgiven."

Leonard shakes his patted head, head and eyes dropping long enough to peer into the bag to quickly check that nothing was damaged in the short fall. Possibly to hide his self-annoyance at both his misread of her jest and his bumbling reply. "Your mercy knows no limits..." There is wry sarcasm in his words, now, as he attempts to redeem himself. Leonard rises back to his feet with his purchases, eyes returning to hers as he does so. "If you wish, I could demonstrate the difference. To repay your forgiveness, of course."

Vixen takes a subtle step back as he rises, bumping the table a bit as she was close to it to begin with. His offer drawing a light snort from her. "You think you've earned that?" A slight shake of her head suggests her view on the matter. "I used to know a few ladies that would feed you some knuckles for even that much. I'm not so uptight as all that."

Leonard might have over-corrected with his boldness, and attempts to chuckle away the denial. "I didn't know until I tried, even if I can't say there was no harm in asking..."

"Who says you always have to ask?" If Vixen knows she's being contradictory, she doesn't show it, the words given with that same light amusement. "Remember what I said before." Of course, she doesn't actually give any indication of just what that certain thing is. That said, she turns to examine the tub of costume jewelry again. "Doesn't look like there are any good items to be found amongst the crap today." Leaning forward just slightly as she starts to rake through them again.

She has said many things, most of which Leonard has filed away somewhere. It is just a matter of guessing to which she might be referring to at any particular moment. After a waiting a heartbeat or two to take advantage of the view, he steps up beside and follows her gaze, though isn't really focusing on the bauble. "I disagree. At least one jewel comes to mind." His arm comes to rest casually across her back as he stands adjacent, hand giving the previous offered example of grope over bump, if just enough to make her easily aware of it. Unable to decide which reference she was making, it looks like Leonard tries several at once.

Either not too easy to startle or expecting the move, Vixen doesn't react for a moment, save to turn her head and slant Leo a sidelong glance. "Some jewels don't need that extra polish," she notes, just before her near arm jerks, prodding her elbow at his side firmly, just enough to sting should she get a solid hit in. After she takes a step to the side and turns, dislodging that wandering hand. Though she doesn't seem angry, even still has that amused smirk.

Leonard takes the hint, and hit, with an exagerrated 'Oof,' chuckling. "True..." The wandering hand returns to his side without a fight. "I take it you didn't find anything you liked?"

Vixen glances over Leo idly in the wake of his question, thoughtful for a moment before she says, "Not today." Her eyes lifted to meet his, a casually amused curve resting on her lips. "But you know what they say. Try, try again and all that. Just comes down to patience and fortitude."

Leonard. "Persistence and dilligence are hallmarks of any good weaver of magic, afterall..." A brow lifts in mild curiosity, "Do you have any other browsing to do?"

"Some think they're also pretty crazy overall too," Vixen notes, her brows rising. Keeping the statement balanced enough to keep her own views on the matter less than certain. "I got a few things I was meaning to check out, but I suppose whether I do it now or later depends if you've got a better offer for me."

Leonard looses a soft laugh. "Aren't we all a little crazy, in one way or another?" He pauses a moment in consideration of offerings before adding, "Even the crazy need to eat. Would an early lunch interest you? A local favorite, or elsewhere is your choice." The stachel is patted. "I do just happen to have a few supplies if you'd want to venture."

Vixen's brows rise subtly at that, considering the satchel for a moment before she lifts her arms to cross lightly over her chest. Her eyes returning to his. "You're offering to cook for me? Do mages use magic when they cook?" Asked with a light air of unfocused amusement.

Leonard's lingering smile widens slightly at her interest, then hesitates momentarily at her questions. "Yes... and no. I will gladly cook you everything I've brought, and will not require any magic." He then rolls his shoulders in somewhat sheepish admission. "Of course, none of it requires any preparation. I would offer to cook, but it might be dangerous for the both of us."

"Tell you what.." She undoes the top buttons of her coat, enough that she can draw out her handheld computer. "You tell me where you live and I'll come see what you've got for me.. after I do a few things that really can't wait." She activates the little machine and says, as it powers on, "Didn't figure you can cook. Most guys can't." Said with a simple, matter of fact sort of tone.

Leonard says, "The Golden Carafe. Room 2." He readily offers the requested information with a nod. "Take your time, if you need to. Maybe I can find a cookbook in the library in the meantime... or a bit of spell to do it for me.""

"I bet magic would make things taste creepy," Vixen comments idly as she does a brie type into the little machine, then turns it off. Her eyes flick up towards Leo then. "Maybe we'll see." She grins and slips the machine back into her coat. "A few hours at most. I doubt anything will come up, but if it does, well.. you'll find out, likely. Keep it tuned to my frequency, you'll know if I fall into a sudden story." She secures her coat again and turns. "'til then, man."

Leonard nods. "Enjoy your shopping. Until then." He observes her departure a moment before turning towards the library.