Feb 20 13:36:50 106 PA

From Chronicles

This evening, Vixen is in. Mellow rock plays loud enough to fill the apartment and leak a bit out into the hallway and the smell of a light floral incense fills the air. The young woman herself is sitting on her couch, wearing a light pair of black shorts and a solid violet tshirt, both items a little oversized for her petite frame. She's got her legs curled up and a book in her hand, with a contentedly purring orange cat curled up on her lap. Her free hand strokes his fur casually as she reads. It's a nice, relaxed night.

The music is relaxing to other listeners, as well. The sounds draw Leonard's attention, and aid in the selection of his third attempt at knocking in the last few minutes. He could have researched the matter more thoroughly, but there is something to be said for spur of the moment. With this enouragement, and the need to overcome the music, the knock is firm and loud.

Vixen looks up from her book when the knocking comes, a brow raised subtly. "Hold on!" Called out before she closes up the book and gives the orange cat a nudge. He moves, though slowly, and once clear of her he stretches himself out lithely. She grins and gives his head a light pat before she gets up to approach the door. Peering out the peephole a moment before she unlocks it and opens it enough to poke her head out. "What're you doing here, Leo?" A bit surprised, but not too deeply so.

"Hi! I..." The smile that had formed when she opened the door wavers at the question. Yes, showing up unannounced would require some explanation. "...was just in the area and... I missed you?" Part of it may be rather truthful, if unimpressive. He clears his throat and makes something of a recovery. "Am I intruding?"

Vixen seems lightly amused at the reason why. Perhaps the edge of question in it. Perhaps something else. She cants her head slightly, then eases back, opening the door. "You can come in," she decides. "Not really expecting no guests, though. You got something on your mind or something?" She'll consider him carefully as he comes in, though the scrutinizing aspect of that gaze will be discreet.

Leonard is not dressed for any special occassion or intent, although there is the lingering air upon him of the cocktail she introduced. His words and walk are straight enough, however. "Yes... and no. I did not exactly plan this visit any more than you did, but your company is a powerful lure, and conversation seemed much more enjoyable than drinking or attempting to dance."

"Smells like you still tied one on," Vixen comments with a casual amusement in her tone, the door closed and locked. Force of habit makes it an automatic thing. The orange cat hops up into the arm of the couch to turn his appraising stare on Leo and Vixen turns to move over to the small PDD player and speakers that she has set up on a stand. No big entertainment center here. THe volume of the music diminishes to background noise before she turns back towards him and wonders, "Soda? I'd offer something harder, but you seem to have had a nip enough already."

"Soda would be wonderful, thank you." Leonard glances about the room briefly as he follows her further in, offering a hand towards the cat. "I did, and should proabbly try to blame the drink for my arrival here." His grin is tentative, but at least it is there.

The orange cat ducks back from the hand for a moment, instead sniffing daintily at it for a moment. He then decides that petting is allowed, rubbing his head up against the hand. "You don't get a choice though. Rootbeer is about all I'll drink because the rest of that stuff all tastes the same to me." Said as Vixen goes into the little kitchenette, securing a pair of bottles from the fridge. As she emerges, spying cat and man, she smirks faintly. "Tiger likes you fine enough it seems. But then, he likes everyone." She offers up one of the bottles, capped with a normal twist cap rather than a true bottle cap.

Leonard takes the cat's approval as a good sign, and gives Tiger a thorough petting. "I don't think I get much choice when you are involved..." He chuckles as she deftly nullifies whatever points the feline's finicky fancy might have earned him. His recovery or expectation of the unexpected must be improving. "Shame. I thought Tiger not clawing me to bloody shreds might have aided me." He takes the bottle as he turns from cat to fox. "I'm sure I could use all the help I can find."

"You always got choices.. they just get limited. Can't have none of that cola crap cause I don't have it here. Of course, if you don't like rootbeer, you don't have to drink it." Vixen points her bottle at him before twisting off the cap. Though as she pitches it into a nearby wastebasket, she postpones drinking to casually snag the cat with her free hand and, dropping onto the couch again, settle him on her lap. "Don't let the name fool you, he's a big softy," she notes, stroking His side as he willingly lazes where put for now.

"That's not exactly what I meant, but rootbeer is just fine." He smirks, but doesn't extrapolate on what was meant. Leonard opens his bottle and detours close enough to the waste can to trust his aim before taking a sip en route back to her, couch, and cat. "A big softy, hmm? I would have guessed you'd keep something a little more... feisty."

Vixen shakes her head as she pats Tiger lightly before another bout of stroking. "Nah, I don't think pets should be a challenge. Plenty enough of that dealing with people. When I get home, I want to cool down and settle." She lifts the bottle for a drink of the contents, then grins idly at Leo. "So what did you mean if I didn't quite catch on to it?"

Leonard delays with a pull from his rootbeer as he considers his reply. He eventually shrugs his shoulders and points the bottle in her direction. "I meant more that you can be quite the influence. With a larger transmitter, you might be able to run the world. You have a talent for winning the hearts and minds of the people, if I am any example. Or..." He takes another swallow. "...I am just a babbling idiot."

Vixen eyes Leo speculatively. "Not too sure just what you are yet," she replies, eyeing him. "Don't got no want to run the world even if I could. Way too much responsibility and stress. But I do think maybe you like to talk sideways a lot. Seems liek you got things to say, but you talk to the side of what you might want to say, instead of just saying what's on your mind."

"Habit, I think, from dealing with other who are very good at speaking sideways..." Leonard does not seem entirely sure where he stands, either. It is with some effort that he places the bottle in his lap, removing that small obstruction between them. "I enjoy your company, your views, the little smirks that leave me wondering what your thoughts might be... and I would like to learn more of them. Of you."

Vixen considers Leo for a few quiet moments that are filled with the light stroke of Tiger and a healthy swallow from her bottle. One of those moments of quiet that can be a bit nerve tensing. Especially when the one you're waiting on is looking at you with the sort of look that doesn't really betray anything solid. "Pretty obvious you're coming on to me," she points out. "Though you're sounding kind of heavy there." Her shoulders roll and she states, "You can still ask me questions about stuff if you're curious. I don't mind it, but reserve the right to tell you to fuck off if you ask something I don't want to talk about." She grins wryly.

Leonard handles those moments as anyone in his position might: his fingers fidget nervously at his bottle and he sweats. After she finally does respond, the drink is retrieved to replenish all the fluids he just lost in addition to the bit of comforting shielding. "I am attempting to, just not very well." He manages a smirk, though it is directed inward. "I'm sorry. I suppose I should expect a 'fuck off' and a shove."

Vixen smirks faintly and shakes her head. "You can expect one when you get it," she replies casually, lightly amused with him. "But I guess if you're coming on to me, I'd best set you straight on a few things first off. Not sure just what you're looking for, but I'm not looking to settle down with no one right now. Some day, maybe, but not right now. Wouldn't be much of a truth teller if I didn't make sure we were on the same page there."

He actually appears to relax, now, though to what in her reaction or words is unknown. Not being thrown out might be a likely candidate, of course. Leonard's smirk softens to a smile. "I was not planning to drag you up on the stage in the Nightingale... but I didn't want you to think I was just trying to get you out of the leather, either. Even if it does take alot for you to use your knuckles."

Vixen smirks faintly at that and shakes her head. "I choose who I take a roll with. No one 'gets me out' of my gear. I decide." And she's firm on this, though her mood relaxes afterward and she lifts her bottle for another swallow. After she shifts her other hand ot lightly scratch the top of Tiger's head. Which prompts a spell of narrow eyed bliss. "So what now that we got that little detail out in the open?" She considers him idly. "OR maybe a more direct sort of question is what you imagine when it comes to being around me."

"I haven't the slightest idea," Leonard chuckles as he rolls his shoulders, "as I am still shocked that I said what I did, and that I'm still here." He takes one last sip before setting the bottle down again.

Vixen chuckles lowly and shakes her head. "Not sure what you're on about. I'm not some big prize. Though I guess if you want to take me out to eat and pay for my dinner and shower me with gifts I'll find the strength to not stand in your way." Her tone lightly amused and obviously jesting. "Just consider us dating and go from there," she offers with a light roll of her shoulders.

"You are very kind. I will try not to strain your tolerance for spoiling or my clumsiness too much." A bit of wry curl emerges in Leonard's smile, then mellows again. "I don't think you're a prize to be owned. You are undoubtedly your own."

"If you did, I'd have to kick you out. But that's not what I meant," Vixen replies. "But it don't matter." She grins and lifts her bottle to swallow down the rest of the contents before she nudges a reluctant Tiger off her lap, rising up to take her bottle into the kitchenette, where she has her main trash can. "So what'd you think now, Leo? What's number one on your mind?" Asked as she lingers in there.

Leonard hmms as he considers the question, eyes following her as she moves. "Exploring, I think. Other than books or running around alleways, I really don't know much of the world as it really is, or those living in it. I even picked up a small camera in case I found anything worth recording. Who knows? Maybe I'll see something you might find worthwhile or interesting."

Vixen laughs lightly from within the kitchenette before she emerges again. She walks up to the side of the couch and leans forward, hands settled on the arm. "So you're gunna be my little extra set of eyes too?" A gentle, jabbing jest. "I'll say one thing, though. Didn't think getting outta here would be what you had top on your list of current thoughts."

"Oh! I thought you were asking about the broader picture..." Leonard swivels to regard her as she emerges and stops, a grin growing. "Leaving the here and now is at the bottom of my list, though I'm fairly sure I will get the boot at some point." He motions to Tiger. "Might not be room on the couch for the both of us."

Vixen shakes her head slightly and straightens, moving around to the front of the couch at a casual pace. "Then you got your first lesson in keeping your mind on the moment," she states before doing like she did once before, casually moving astride his lap, settled down to face him eye to eye, her arms resting on his shoulders. And with that close, eye to eye contact she states, "If you're with a girl and she asks you what you got on her mind, unless you're talking about the world, she wants to know your mind is on her. Hell, even if you are talking about the world, it never hurts."

If this is her manner of correction, screwing up might not be so bad. Leonard gives a very slight nod, so that he doesn't break that eye contact. "That was my first thought, but I was afraid it was too..." His hand lifts to rotate in an absent gesture as he fishes for a word, then comes to rest briefly on her cheek. "...much?"

Vixen smirks faintly at that. "Not even close, man. You do too little. You're just lucky I'm an easy going lady, otherwise I might have kicked you out already, rather than give you pointers." She then leans back a little, head cocked to the side just a bit. "So, now that we got that little misunderstanding out of the way, what do you think now?" "Well, I did come here rather blindly, somewhat against common sense and possibly the advice of a rather large feline, then knocked upon two doors before entering, only to prove that I have very little idea of what I'm doing..." Leonard runs out of breath before potentially continuing his rambling sentence. His arms move to her waist somewhat boldly if not entirely confidently as he takes a breath and grins. "I think that I am very thrilled at where I am, and where you are. Top of the list being one of them."

"Yeah, I bet you are," Vixen replies with an amused lilt to her voice. The light embrace doesn't seem to bother her in the least, she even leans forward, though keeps enough distance that she can keep her eyes on his. "Though about the couch.. Tiger always sleeps with me, so there would be plenty of room for you out here." That soft edge of amusement lingering, seeming to be pervasive when they speak like this. "Though I dunno why you'd want to camp out on my couch. Not the most comfortable place to sleep."

There is only a slight pause as Leonard does try to discern the workings behind those mischevious eyes. Maybe their nearness will help. A brow lifts. "Should I ask if there is room for three? Or try to toss you over my shoulder and attempt to race the cat for the most comfortable spot?" His grin grows with more than a little mirth, and perhaps more cinfidence.

Vixen chuckles lowly as she eyes Leo. "Already flipping hard to the other side, huh? I don't think we're there yet, but the effort is appreciated." And to show her appreciation, she leans in closer to press a light kiss on him. One that's short, but sweet. "Though don't get gloomy on me over it. That ain't a no. Just a 'not yet'."

Leonard is learning, or developing his reflexes, as he manages to return the brief affection before it's gone. He thenrolls his shoulders slightly, and hardly seems gloomy as he's still smiling. "I had no expectations, but I wouldn't know until I tried, right? With enough wobbling, I might find that acceptable middle somewhere."

Vixen grins and lifts a hand from his shoulder to poke the tip of his nose with the tip of her finger. "That's the right attitude to have." She grins, seeming pleased enough. "But you don't gotta leave yet. Nothing saying we can't spend a little close time, you and me. A little music. Maybe not so much talking, but I don't suppose you'd be too upset in the end."

Leonard goes momentarily cross-eyed as he attempts to follow the finger, then looses a brief laugh. "I am your guest, and at your disposal. Somehow, I doubt I will have any complaints, but if you intend dancing along with the music, you might want to watch your toes..."

"I don't dance," Vixen replies before she eases herself up again, grinning at him before she turns to go to her PDD player. She bends forward a little, inspecting the display as she adjusts it to a certain few tracks on a playlist. The volume gets adjusted a little higher before she straightens and returns at a casual pace. Some soft rock comes through the speakers, enjoyable, but not jarring. "Been a while since I just relaxed with a guy. Don't think I forgot how to do it, though."

"That's convenient, since I don't think that I can," Much of Leonard's chuckle is lost with the rising volume of the music. "I also hope you haven't forgotten, since I never have. In case you hadn't noticed, I'm making this up as I go."

Vixen's brows hike slightly at that, a mischievous expression coming to her. Though first thing, she resumes her place, casually settling astride Leo's lap once more. And, eye to eye, she wonders, "Do you mean you never.. been with a girl before, Leo?" Such a thing might be given a taunting or teasing edge, but she seems honestly curious on that little point.

The reddening of his cheeks likely answers that question before Leonard replies. "Well... if you can believe it, when I was younger, I was even worse when it came to girls. The only ones interested in me were the ones that were larger and stronger, and just to prove that they were larger and stronger. Not much different than the boys I knew, really. Just more cute when I was running away or being beaten..."

Vixen leans in and lightly kisses Leo's forehead. "Aww, that's too bad. Thug girls are always a pain n the ass.. bunch of butch freaks, the ones I've known before," she replies. "Not that uncommon in the Dregs. Guess some figure they gotta play like the boys to survive." Her shoulders shrug at the psychology of matters. Though in the next moment she's giving Leo a rather wicked little grin. "I guess maybe I'll be the one to show you how its done.. unless some other pretty little thing beats me to it."

"Pretty little thing would be a step down for you, I think," He smirks, the light in his eyes possibly anticipation, fear, or a combination of the two, "but I will try my best to keep all of my adoring admirers at bay..."

Vixen laughs lightly and leans in for another light peck, a more playful one than those before. "You're getting better," she murmurs. "But we'll worry about that later. Right now, I think we have some cuddling to do, don't you?" She smiles and lays against him, her head coming to rest on his shoulder. It's not a bad way to be, with sedate, but catchy music and a warm someone close to hand, the dire fog locked outside.

Leonard adjusts his arms as she moves, finding something firm enough that she knows she is appreciated yet comfortable. "I try..." His words trail off as he simply enjoys the closeness and warmth. "With all the chaos outside, it can still be a lonely place, can't it?"

"LIfe is always like that," Vixen murmurs lowly. "Always someone that's got no one, even when it's all peaceful." Her arms draw a bit closer about his shoulders as she relaxes. "You had that lonely feeling before or something?" A casual curiosity in those words.

"Even when it seemed all of my little world was against me, I had my mother as a rock, whether I appreciated it at the time or not." His reply is soft and wistful, and not just due to the quiet mood. "Later, there was Darius, my mentor, who very well saved my life and changed it for the better. Then I lost both of them, and everything else I knew."

Vixen goes silent as Leo speaks, a silence that lasts past his words. He'll feel her toy with his shoulder, but otherwise she'll be still. But after that period of quiet she murmurs, "I understand that stuff," she murmurs. "Ain't worth looking back, though." She lifts her head to look at him. "Too much coming up ahead tot stress over what's done, you know?"

Leonard turns his head to meet her gaze and nods, offering a slim smile. "It is still fresh, but you're right... How do you do it so easily?" A vague question, though he did not miss her silence or hint at her own loss.

"Cause that stuff was another life, Leo," Vixen tells him. "A closed chapter that don't matter no more. Just look at it that way. You got a life to make here now. Ain't no reason you shouldn't focus on that and let the past stay back where it belongs." She lifts a hand from his shoulder, lightly passing her fingertips along his cheek. "Think you can do that?"

"I don't think I have much choice." Leonard leans into the touch, a bit of wry curl coming to his smile. "Telling you 'no' doesn't seem right, and I can't think of a better reason to keep my eyes on the now."

Vixen grins lightly and leans in to press another soft kiss onto Leo. "The now is what you gotta focus on, otherwise you might miss out on something good." She grins lightly and leans in against him again, laying her head down on his shoulder once more. "Like a lazy evening with someone close and nice music."

Leonard chuckles softly. "Consider me very focused." A hand comes up so that fingers can run through some of the red locks. "I am curious as to why Tiger was the only one purring, before I so rudely interrupted your evening. If anyone would be surrounded by adoring fans, I assumed it would be you." The question waxes a little sideways, but the curiosity is evident enough.

"Put me on too high a pedestal, I'm gunna take a big fall, man," Vixen murmurs softly amused. Her shoulders shift slightly as she adds, "Maybe I got some fans, but I ain't out looking for it. Radio is just a voice and when it comes to the camera, I'm always behind it. Ain't a place for someone looking to be noticed that way."

"I'm still learning," Leonard replies with audible mirth, "but isn't lifting you onto a pedestal part of the job? I was just surprised that such a lovely and talented woman as you was not already entertaining her choice of guests... and, no, that is not a complaint."

Vixen gives her shoulders another casual roll. "Not like I've been looking," she counters. "Been too busy. Too much to do. Only been relaxing myself a bit more recently, after getting everything squared away." A faint smirk curls her lips as she adds, "And I ain't that loose or easy either way. I think some guys are intimidated by strong women too."

Leonard's hand shifts to her shoulder. "Fortunately, I'm used to strong woman..." The jesting then softens and the shoulder receives a soft squeeze before the hand lifts to her chin. "I didn't mean to imply anything. Maybe I should stop flapping my lips..." It is now his turn to lean in as the attempted initiator of a kiss, turning her chin gently towards him with the fingers there. Nothing is sought longer or more greedy than anything previous.

"Mmhmm.." Softly breathed by Vixen before the kiss, she deciding to add a little to it, one of her hands lifting behind his head as she presses on a little more for this soft lock of lips. Drawing off after she's satisfied the point is driven home. "Yeah, I think its time you shut the hell up," she murmurs, tone soft and jesting. She'll kiss him again before she lays her head on his shoulder again. Content with this. Closeness. The occasional kiss and music.

He doesn't need to be told twice, even without the kisses... but much better with. The closess and contentment is shared. And to think his other option for the evening would have likely had him staggering home about now, if he could still walk.