Feb 17 18:09:58 106 PA

From Chronicles

With one book tucked under an arm and another opened in both hands, Leonard emerges from the library proper. He steps at an unhurried and distracted pace towards a suitable seat while flipping a page. The natural light from the skylight is best for reading, and the trickle of the fountain tends to force intermittent breaks to prevent muscle cramps.

Coming to the Garden is natural for those wishing to relax after a long day at work. The night is starting to drift down with the snow, and the temperature is colder than it should be, giving it that really chilly feeling. It doesn't help with all the undead supposedly reported maybe making it seem a bit colder than it should be. The daylight starting to fade into night, the room would be growing darker, but the soft lights kick in, letting it seem to be the same brightness. Hamamoto, no armor, his two swords stuck into his obi, has been glancing at the books in the library, and shuddering a little at the tech in the place. He walks into the garden, and gets a bit more of a peaceful look on his face.

With her coat laid out beside her, Vixen is sitting on the ground next to the fountain, back leaned against the side of it. Her braided leather bullwhip has been laid overtop of the coat. She's got a relaxed air about her, though rather than having a book in hand, she has a small video game system in hand. The tiny speakers put out the rich music that goes along with the game, though the sound is a bit localized. The tip of her tongue pokes outward just slightly as she works the controls, various sounds of virtual destruction punctuating the action that is displayed on the small screen. She's fixed, focused on the action of the game.

Leonard's eyes are drawn from his mobile reading at the sound effects, and a smirk curls his lips at the source. His steps continue vaguely toward Vixen's tongue-poking concentration, yet he claims a seat at a nearby bench so as not to immediately interrupt it. Leonard sets the unopened book next to him and puts the other upon his lap, attention shifting downwards to relocate his spot upon the page.

Noticing the other two people in the Garden, Hamamoto pauses for a small interval, watching them, eyes only slightly narrowed, as his expression more shows curiousity rather than suspicion. He then turns back around and begins to minutely examine each plant he comes across. Carefully lifting each one, and instead of pulling it out, he runs his fingertips along the stem, counts leaves, and inhales their scent.

Jaxain, covered in bits of leaves and even some dirt, makes his entrance by dropping quietly out of a nearby tree. He spends a moment looking around, as though making certain that the coast is clear, before making his way towards the familiar figures and floping down next to Vixen. "Hey, nice hand-held! What'cha playing?"

"Not this time, Baron.." Muttered lowly by Vixen as the action seems to intensify. The relaxation fading as she grows more intent, thumbs prodding and rolling the controls rapidly. A dark turn to the music prompts a low, "Shit.. c'mon.." Some rapid sounds are emoted, vaguely reminiscent of combative sounds. Metal on metal and cinematic fisticuffs. It'll be about then that Jax drops down beside her and questions what she's playing. Which distracts her, the young woman enough to glance his way. THe falter in her actions prompts three subtly louder 'blows' to be heard, some manner of dying wail and, as she looks back to the little screen in dismay, a sad turn to the music coming from the machine that fades into silence. "Damn it," she grumps before eyeing Jax again. And jabbing a fist at his shoulder firmly. "Almost had him you ass," she snaps, though it's a lighter sort of annoyance rather than real anger.

First juicers, and now Jaxain is falling out of trees. The sudden flurry of descent pulls Leonard's gaze upwards again. Fortunately, he had not yet even reclaimed his spot. "Still avoiding... juicebags?" His lips bear a fresh smirk of amusement, and a hand motions towards the virtually defeated Vixen. "I think you just killed her..."

Well, Ham's reaction is a bit different. Having seen there was but wo in here with him, and hearing a thirdvoice, his hands whips to his sword's hilt and it unnotches almost automatically, and quite fast for someone not even augmented by anything. Or so it appears. But once the initial reaction is over, and his eye catches the fact this new person is just there to chat the female with the tech thing, he slides it back home in its sheathe, and continues doing what he was doing.

Jaxain winces and rubbs his shoulder where it is punched, "Owww, jesze, sorry babe." He says with an appologetic smile. Looking at the console he squints as he reaches up to remove a few twigs from his hair, "So what is that anyway, the Xen-Gamez console I heard about?" Holding out his hand, "Lemme take a turn?" Looking at Leo he rolls his eyes. "Fucking asshole just can't let go. I mean, he bumped into me, I ain't gonna freaking appologize." Right... cuz logic works on juicers...

Jax's only reaction to the asian man's sudden movement was to glance his way briefly, raising a hand in appologetic greeting. "Hey man, sorry I startled you." Likely, he had been hiding up in the tree for a number of hours, though it is hard to tell.

Vixen glances to the side, noting Leo's presence when he speaks. She gives him a casual grin before looking in Hamamoto's direction with a more neutral consideration. She'll be turning a glare in Jax's direction at his request. "Yeah, that's what it is. And why should I let you get your grubby fingers all over it?" It is a well maintained little device, but then all of her electronics are well cared for. "Look like you've been out there rolling around in the park.. minus the snow." She eyeballs him as if his uncleanliness might be contagious.

Leonard returns the grin in his direction before his eyes follow Vixen's glance, Jazain's apology and the click of metal towards the easily startled Hamamoto. "I'm sure an apology would work wonders, although it would probably be rather painful..." The bit of wisdom is offered as Leonard's attention returns to the pair of gamers.

"It is fine." The somewhat thin looking asian man says, with a thick accent. All of his r's and l's have the same sound. "In my country, those that drop out of trees are all ready throwing something, usually a knife, at your back. It is...not even considered...polite here to do so, is it?" He then looks up at the ceiling, and Hamamoto reaches for another flower to feel it. "Reaction is born of training. Be wary of who you startle. You never know who might have less control than myself."

Jaxain gives Vixen an 'aw shucks' look and sticks out his lower lip as he reaches down and rubs his hands as best he can on his pants. They are still a bit dirty. "Aww, cumon, just a bit?" He gives her a winning smile. Turning to Leo, his face heats up a bit. "Appologize to a fuc#*ng juicer who gets his kicks off bullying people around? Hell no! I'll rip his FU$(ING arm off before I appologize to that freak." To Hamamoto Jax gives a raised eyebrow, "Yeah, sure whatever bub. You do what you gotta do, and if you gotta climb a tree you climb a tree, you know? And I appologized already, geeze, no need to break out the lecture mode." He rolls his eyes, flashing another quick smile revealing that he is more teasing Ham for his formality than actually getting annoyed.

"First," Vixen starts with Jax, "Don't go jerking around juicers. Freaks they are, but deal with one and you'll probably end up with a pack on your ass and no one wants that. Besides, he won't be around to care about in a few years." She then reaches over to her coat, fingers slipping into a pocket to draw out a clean cloth. "Clean your hands right. Then maybe you can try it out." Of course, until such time she keeps a grip on the sleek little portable console. "The game is Ultia Fighter 7, by the way. Not a real easy game, especially if you've never played it before."

"Your country?" Leonard glances again to the thin asian man and makes a few semi-educated guesses. "I had thought much of that part of the world had been ripped elsewhere, or swallowed by the ocean?" He then turns a growing smirk Jaxain, nodding with Vixen's words. "I was trying for sarcasm. She is right, on both counts. Giving him the fight he's probably looking for isn't the greatest idea... and you should wash your hands." A chuckle follows. Jaxain says, "since Ham isn't back yet, posing"

Jaxain nods excitedly, reaching for and using the cloth to very carefully clean his hands (mostly because Vixen is watching so intently). "Yeah, I've tried UF 5, pretty wicked game but I could never beat it. And I know, but I just get so pissed off by those chem-head bullies and they way they think they can act." He grimaces briefly. "I just wanna teach them a lesson, you know? But it's hard. Basically you either loose the fight, or you kill them. Not really much gray area I guess..." He shrugs, not wanting to talk overmuch on the topic unless forced, but he does return Leo's humor with a laugh, "Thanks MOM." He says with a smirk. "You had me going there." He sticks out his hand. "We've never really met proper like, name's Jaxain Mithras. Folks back home call me Snow Man, but you can call me Jax."

"I was not giving you a lecture." Hamamoto states in his accent, eyes and mouth set very firmly. "No true warrior ever has to climb a tree." He then looks over to Leonard and then frowns slightly, as if deeply thinking. "Parts disappeared for a few hundred years, or so I was told, but came back. I am from a part called the New Empire, though. The Emperor, blessed of Amaterasu, is back, and the samurai follow and lead."

Vixen does keep an eye on Jax as he cleans his hands ,making sure it's not a halfass job. Once she's satisfied, she'll turn over the game machine. "Seven is harder," she informs him. "Probably going to be another week before I can get back to where I was before." Giving him another firm glare before she shrugs and states, "Just don't expect no help if you go picking fights with juicers. I know better." With the trade done, she decides to rise up, the young woman bracing against the edge of the fountain as she rises up. Taking a few steps forward before she lifts her arms over her head and stretches lithely. Her eyes flick to the side slightly, just before she murmurs, "Been at that a bit too long."

Jaxain rolls his eyes at the asian warrior. "No true warrior cares if someone climbs a tree or not. So if you have to climb a tree to fight a monkey demon that has abducted a child because you have no ranged weapons, you will just stay on the ground and watch?" He sticks out his toung at Ham and winks before turning back to the game.

"Ah." Leonard nods to Hamamoto at the explanation, though thoughts of further questions are derailed as Vixen stretches. His eyes merrily turn in her direction to watch appreciatively. "How long have you been sitting there, battling away?" The merriment lowers to his lips as he chuckles.

Looking to Jaxain, there is a shake of his head, slightly. "Well, then, I would suggest carrying a ranged weapon. A bow is a good choice. I know I use one. It works wonders." He then watches the other two, returning the nod of the man. The stretching gets barely a glance, as if attracted to the movement alone, but not enough to hold his interest.

"Oh, quit your arguing," Vixen puts in, glancing to Jax, only to find him absorbed in the game. Her eyes flit to Hama then. "Not hardly worth the noise," she opines before turning around fully, hands resting on her hips. She considers Leo then. "A few hours. That game ain't for quick playing.. unless you like starting at the beginning each time you play." She breathes out lowly and glances at Jax again be fore she steps up to her coat, dipping into a low crouch to dig in and find her cig case and lighter.

Leonard shakes his head, still bearing a grin. "Here I thought I was bad for staring at these too long..." He pats the open book on his lap. "but I'd rather read. Most books won't kill you if you get distracted." The mirth transitions to an lifted brow as his eyes return to Hamamoto. "You at least use something empowered or enchanted, I hope?"

"Nothing but my swords and my bow. Thats all I really need." He then pats his swords slightly. "Yes...I agree too." He then looks down at the swords slightly when speaking, then looks back to the two of them. "I was surprised that in such a tech filled place, that there is any written words left. I found it most refreshing." He then looks to the woman and nods once. "I will be guided by that recommendation."

Jaxain is indeed absorbed in the game, and doesn't respond to Hamamoto (at least not right away). "Aww, cumon!" He says to the noise of him dying, after only just starting. The second time he gets a bit further, but he seems to be enjoying himself. He doesn't seem to have any weapons on him, enchanted or otherwise. Nor any armor. After a time he says, "Nice dodge." To Hamamoto with aother snort and mini-eye roll, showing he was paying at least some attention.

"Books don't take skill," Vixen counters Leo as she flips open the case, pulling out one of her brown paper cigs before it gets put away. She tilts her head as she lifts the lighter and fires up the tip. Two soft draws before it gets flicked closed and she slips it into her coat's pocket again. Done, she stands back up, taking a few moments for a slow draw on the cig. Breathing out the smoke amid a contented sigh. Only then does she say more, looking towards Hama. "Seen how many books there are in there?" A casual motion made towards the library entrance. "Would take a few lifetimes to put all of that on electronic media. Would take up a hell of a lot less space though." She glances at Jax as he plays, though only smirks at his progress.

"I think they would lose something in the translation, if just the sense of... history. They won't give blistered thumbs, either. Just the occassional paper cut." Leonard smirks back to Vixen, before arcing a brow to Hamamoto. "If it works, don't change it?"

"I think there is a sense of permenance to books that you can never find in technology. It is that sense of timelessness and permenance that people relish more than some gizmo." He then smiles slightly. He then looks to Jaxain. "Don't know what you mean." Hamamoto then looks down at the flower. "Like flowers."

Vixen makes sure to liberate her game system from Jax before he leaves, leaving the cig dangling between her lips as she makes sure to secret it away in a special case before slipping it into her satchel. Then she e yes the two remaining men in the wake of their words. "Huh.. well, I guess for some people it's all about the nostalgia. Me, I like portable and easy to handle." She shakes her head slightly. "Nothing against books, but they're pretty unwieldy." Her hand lifts, taking up the cig again after a deep draw, her eyes closing as she holds the smoke briefly.

"There are advantages to the new," Leonard admits, potentially straddling the fence between the other two, "but no reason not to keep something of history. Too much of that has already disappeared. I'd scan these for later reading...if they would let me."

Looking a bit confused by the way the two use some of the words, Hamamoto just simply nods. "I will say that this new world offers many more advantages. Some of which are embraced, some of which are forgotten. Some choose to embrace it, even when they shouldn't, and some are shunned when they should be embraced. Its not my place to say which is which, so I leave that to you all."

Vixen shakes her head slightly. "Not the kind of thing I argue. My ways are pretty clear, after all and I don't tell others how to live." She half turns and settles herself on the edge of the fountain itself, a leg crossing the other. She considers Hama then thoughtfully and wonders, "So what's your story? Ain't seen you around before. Kinda old fashioned, I guess?"

Leonard closes the refenced yet unread book and sets it aside, turning his attention fully to the 'old-fashioned' asian man. "Yes, how did you come so far? I would enjoy hearing of your country, as well, since my information is obviously spotty." His curiosity is now more focused when not being distracted elsewhere.

"Old-fashioned?" Hamamoto looks a bit confused, between the two. "Been here for a few years now. looking for a way to return home. This is...how many of us from the New Empire think and act. I am a representative of my lord. I shall always seek to serve his desire, and not shame his face." He then turns fully to them. "I am a Samurai, or servant in Eng...American. It is my duty to carry my lord's will out."

Vixen makes a bit of a face at the description of his ways. "Sounds like a drag to me. And pretty old fashioned. But then I've never been all that good with authority. Small doses I can handle, but you'll never hear nothing like that from me." She then wonders, "What sort of things does this Lord guy have you do?" A casual interest from her as she continues to work on her cig slowly between bouts of talk.

"I am not sure what you mean by 'old-fashioned', its perfectly acceptable, and normal." Hamamoto then looks at her. "Well, mostly I would ride the countryside of my lord's land, protecting it from bandits, rivals, demons, and anything else that would disturb the peace and tranquility. We rarely have wars, except with demons we call Oni. They like to raid our villages for people and food."

"Oh, so you're like the police," Vixen says with a broad grin. "And yeah, old fashioned. At least, when it comes to my view of things. It's all a matter of point of view. Lots of those around here." She pauses and considers a moment before wondering, "So you're still loyal to this guy you were with before? I guess you can't get back to your home easy, otherwise you would have gone. What if you're just stuck here? Would you hook up with someone else?"

"The city would welcome all the defenders and police it could get, I'd think." Leonard nods in agreement. "If you are bound and determined to return home, there are numerous ways for you to return. Just the matter of finding them."

"Hook up with someone else?" Hamamoto looks confused. "Well, in my country, we don't have any police. ALl we had were the samurai. Samurai were like...also...nobility. We are the top of the societal caste." He then nods to her question. "Loyalty is number one of the code of the samurai. No matter the distance, or the time, I will be my lord's man, until I die."

It's late in the evening and the fountain is again a center of some activity. Vixen is sitting on the edge of the fountain, casually smoking, Leo and Hama both nearby, the three speaking generally. Vixen has made herself comfortable, her coat and satchel laid down on the ground nearby, along with the coiled whip settled on top. She considers Hama mutely for a few moments before she shakes her head a little. "I guess that works for you and yours. Not my way, that's for sure. That kind of inflexibility seems like a detriment to me. When I say hook up with someone else, work for the police.. or a merc group to pay the bills. One thing is for sure, if you want to get back to where you came from and it's hard, you'll likely need a fat staack of credits to do it."

Leonard hmms softly. "Mercenary work could earn you quite a sum... and from what I hear there are few better places to find that work." His shoulders roll yet again and he thumbs to Vixen. "When it comes to the city, she would be the one to ask, though. I walked in the gates barely a week ago, and I'm not really the merc sort."

"Another part of my code says that I cannot accept payment for my services. I can not even be rewarded for my efforts. I may keep half of what I claim on the battlefield as spoils of war. Two tenths of that goes to the emperor, and three tenths goes to my lord. Also, its why I have been here for three years instead of leaving in a few months. Samurai do their duty for the honor, not for payment." The asian man with two swords speaks slowly, and carefully.

Vixen stares at Hama for a moment after he speaks, obviously not making a quick connection with that train of thought. Then she shakes her head slightly. "Don't feel bad if I don't come visit you if you do make it back there. The ways of yours don't really mesh well with my outlook. If I'm risking my life for something, I'll be expecting some kind of payout. Creds.. favors.. opportunities. Whatever it might be." She picks up her jacket then, rising as she leaves her cig to dangle from her lips, casually slipping the garment on.

Alistair steps out of the Library with a pocket book, looking into it and noding nod and then. He looks up after a few moments, finding a bunch of people conversing here. "Good evening" he greets, and waves witha hand, taking a moment to see if he isn't intruding.

"That sounds very noble, and... impoverished." Leonard offers, equally unsure of the man's priorities. Still, he must have some sense of honor, as he smirks to Vixen's demands of payment. "Now, Vixen, I know you're not THAT mercenary. You have your broadcasts, afterall."

"Evening." Hamamoto then looks to Vixen and Leonard. "I am not improverished. But I do not desire money. Money is useless to one such as myself. And expecting payout, as you put it, means that you have, in reality, nothing to live for. A life must have purpose. And to 'keep existing' is not a purpose." He then frowns slightly, thinking.

Vixen rolls her shoulders as she settles the heavy coat comfortably over her shoulders. "Opportunities, man. And creds. Maybe not as much as merc work, but enough to live on for now. Maybe enough to upgrade with eventually. I might not be a total mercenary, but I'm no saint." She shows the man a casual grin before she picks up the whip, slipping it under her coat, both hands dipping back to secure it in that discreet location. She glances towards Alistair as he speaks, nodding in his direction with a sly grin. She then considers Hama. "Money is a resource, like everything else in life. It's value is determined by how you put it to use. Me, I'd buy more relays to expand my radio coverage. Forwarding my little personal purpose besides simple survival. MIlitary quality radios don't come cheap."

Alistair makes a face - that all sounds philosophical. He smiles sheepishly at Vixen - is she teasing him again? Or more to the point, when isn't she? He quietly moves over to a bench to continues reading then, apparently having no insights of his own to offer.

Leonard ohs softly. "And I thought you did it only out of the kindness of your heart. I'm crushed." His grin says otherwise, although he should have realized she was bringing in some credits for her work. "Existing well, or better, is purpose enough, isn't it?" This question is drected to Hama,

Entering the garden in a laid back saunter Tirzah takes a look over the people present. Looking mildly curious she nods each in turn and nods in greeting, possibly looking for someone in particular. Then spotting Alistair she walks towards him, he will do for now.

"Not really, for when you die, then your goal is moot. You leave nothing behind. Your name is tarnished, usually, and your family has nothing to show for it. Even if I die, my family can hold their head high, and say I lived, and died, a samurai. We have a saying in the New empire. 'When I was born, I borrowed my name. I hope to return it to them in the same or better condition than I received it.' To us, honor, face, um...Om....is all. Merchants...since they don't produce anything, is lower than farmers and tradesman."

Entering the garden in a laid back saunter Tirzah takes a look over the people present. Looking mildly curious she appraises each in turn and nods in greeting, possibly looking for someone in particular. Then spotting Alistair she walks towards him, he will do for now.

"When you're working on a shoestring budget, you don't have room for charity," Vixen states, unapologetic as she takes up and dons her satchel. She's amused by Alistair's response to her and nods lightly at Tirzah before her attention shifts to Hama. She eyes him as he responds, agreement not coming in expression. "Merchants produce trade. Fat lot of good the farmers and tradesmen would be if they didn't have people to sell their stuff. No offense, man, but your people sound pretty messed up to me so far. But maybe we can talk it over more later." She rolls her shoulders and looks to Leo. "Bedtime for me. Don't miss me too much now." She blows him a casual kiss before turning, taking a light draw on her cig as she starts to walk towards the library entrance.

Alistair waves a hand at Vixen when she seems to be moving away, "Have a Good night Miss Vixen" and then he looks up to Tirzah, "Hello Miss Tirzah" he smiles and stands up, moving aside slightly as he offers the seat - not that there isn't enough room on the bench, it's just good manners.

"I will try not to. Good night. Sleep well." Vixen receives a warm smile in return and a lingering glance of her departure. The admiration makes him aware of Alistair and the arriving Tirzah, both of whom receive a nod. "Evening."

"Merchants do not produce trade, the tradesman do that. For what do the merchants have to sell if the farmers and the tradesman were not there? Nothing. While if the merchants were not there, the farmers and tradesman will still sell their merchandise." Hamamoto then stands up as well. "But, yes, it is getting late, and it is still a good distance to ride back to the farm."

Tirzah smiles and accepts the offered seat, sitting gracefully beside Alistair. Looking to him she smiles warmly. "Well I guess this is more comfortable than jumping. I wanted to tell you, if you haven't been there earlier and already seen, the land is cleared for you." She tells him, her gaze focussed on his reaction.

"Ah ... but ... " Alistair's brows hike up a little, "That was fast, thank you" he smiles and sits down as well. "So now if the materials are delivered to place, I can start erectingt he greenhouse. I'm certain Miss Sage will be pleased" he nods his head. "How are you doing?"

A brow is lifted towards the recently arrived pair on the nearby bench. "A building project?" The departures have left Leonard in a bit of a void, after the previous discussion pulled his attention from the books at his side.

Tirzah shrugs, appearing pretty indifferent in general. "I am fine, was kind of hoping to find Sage here, but oh well. And yourself?" She inquires, still looking mildly disappointed in Sage not being present. "Caliopa cooled off a bit?" She adds, apparently curious. Then looking to Leonard she nods slightly for confirmation, it was no secret after all.

"Oooh... " Alistair hms softly. "I'm doing alright" he smiles, looking pretty happy actually. "Caliopa is a nice person, but you argued with her about something that she is sensitive about. You should apologize. But other than that, it will be okay I think" he replies, stating all that matter-of-factly. Looking to Leonard as well now he smiles, "Hello Sir."

Leonard returns the nod and greeting with his own nod, then tentatively pulls the set aside tome back into his lap as their conversation shifts to topics he is not involved in. He reopens the book and attempts to recover his previous page and position upon it.

Tirzah considers that carefully, finding brief distraction in looking to see what Leonard is reading. "Sorry, I'm still learning some of the finer points of interacting with people on the same level to me. But what should I say I am apologizing for? Disagreeing with her? Seems like a silly thing to hold a grudge over to me."

Alistair turns his attention back to Tirzah when the man turns his attentions to reading. "The injury you caused was not necessarily what you believed in. People believe different things, and they must simply accept this and live with one another instead of fighting about them. Your persistance was what did it: A gesture that indicated you had no intention of respecting her wishes, but rather to push your own beliefs onto her - and me as well, I believe. I already told you on that first day - we're shy."

Leonard's current selection appears to involve beings of supernatural origin. Given the apparent age of the book and artistic drawings, it is likely myth more than fact, written when most believed such things to be constructs of the imagination.

Tirzah nods, looking to be following most of what Alistair is saying. "I thought I apologized for pushing, twice now. How many times is it going to take?" She asks, sounding slightly agitated. "Seems to me there is something else thats holding things back." She notes, her stare getting firm as it searches Alistair for the full truth.

Alistair looks back at Tirzah and shrugs his shoulders a little. "I only recall when you apologized after being shouted at. That is not a good way ... you should do it on your own terms" he explains, his brows hiking up a touch. "But then again, like I said, Caliopa is a nice person and perhaps she has already forgotten. Personally I just like to make certain that things are clear, that's all."

Leonard shakes his head with a bemused chuckle and closes the book. "Some people were very confused..." It could be to himself, though is loud enough to easily carry.

Tirzah nods silently and appears to think that over for a few moments. "Maybe I will, in my own time. To do so from you saying so, would just be the same no?" Shaking her head she laughs lightly. "What a convoluted process. Apologize, but without any prompting. How long should one wait if prompting was genuinely necessary? Or does that just void it entirely. Should just move on, let the past be the past and start fresh, but then maybe you're right and she's done just that. But I better be sure not to slight you unintentionally, I'll never be able to patch it." She note humorusly before giving a casual glance to Leonard. "Most people are very confused, I've come to expect."

"It is true that I have told you should do so, but I'm neither an authority to you, nor are you under some form of duress, here the choice is yours. I would assume that if you were to take me up on my advice, that it would be because you felt it was the right thing to do" Alistair's blush makes a slow comeback now. "You do it whenever you think you are ready, and hope the other person will be receptive" he shrugs his shoulders a little. "Slighting anyone unintentionally tends not to be an issue when you wish to patch things up." There is a pause, then, "You are abrupt - that is just who you are, and while we certainly out to accept you as such, you should consider that we've some needs also. Friendship isn't about changing yourself, just about respecting others" he tries to explain. He looks to Leonard then, confused. Teehee. "Hmm?"

Leonard nods, glancing over to the pair. "Just a few glaringly false assumptions... but understandable, I guess." He rolls his shoulders with a soft chuckle. "Not that much anything can be always measured or predicted." Tirzah looks a Leonard curiously, perhaps she didn't realize he was referring to himself as confused. Looking away she regards the seemingly more sane Alistair. "Um ok.. I do make it a point to try and respect others, so I guess i just need to be more perceptive to catch any slights that may occur from my abruptness."

"Oh ... " Alistair nods to Leonard, but he seems to not have gotten the grasp of the meaning without a reference - still his countenance remains typically pleasant. Looking back to Tirzah, he smiles at the woman, "I doesn't take that much - just know that sometimes, you won't be able to understand others, and they won't be able to understand you. An extreme example is if someone was ... had a phobia, like spiders. You could not understand that irrational fear without having experienced it. Bah, I'm babbling, I apologize."

The curious look is caught, which then makes Leonard confused, himself, for a moment. When realization quickly dawns, he looses a short laugh and pats the book beside him. "Sorry. I was referring to misconceptions in the writings I was skimming. Between... Jaxain dropping out of trees and Vixen's little game battling, I didn't have the chance to really look over them until just now." He hesitates slightly before recalling Jax's name, then quiets his own bit of rambling. "I did not mean to interrupt you both."

Tirzah nods, appearing to understanding that quite well actually. Looking to Leonard she shakes her head. "No interruption really. I'm gonna head out." Shoe notes before gathering herself and rising. then giving Alistair a nod she smiles. "Thanks for that insight." And gives a quick nod before walking off.

Alistair stands up when Tirzah does, inclining his head a little to her, "Have a good night Miss Tirzah, and say hi to Miss Sage for me if you please" he smiles, and waves at her. Looking back to Leonard, he smiles, "Oh, the book - ah ... but myth is rooted in truth" he adds, then, "I am sorry - I must also be going, it is late."

Leonard nods as the man rises. "It is... and I should probably return these before someone or something comes hunting me. Enjoy your evening."