Feb 22 00:09:04 106 PA
From Chronicles
Picking up her order from the counter, Sage smiles and murmurs a soft 'thanks' to the person behind it before turning to consider the rest of the Deli. There had been a small line up from the last of the arena crowd passes through. She spots a table that's just recently been vacated and makes her way over towards it.
In lieu of attempts at cooking or dining out, Leonard enters the deli in search of a suitable compromise between the two. At least the lingering line will allow him the chance to look about and perhaps decide upon his order.
Once she sets her tray down on the table, Sage opts to take the chair where she can see the other people that come in. She didn't notice anyone she knew while waiting on line and often times someone she knows shows up when she's at the Deli. She begins on the sandwich that been named after her by the owner of the establishment. Eventually, her gaze comes across one of the men waiting in line. "Leonard." She calls over to him with a small wave. Her gaze drifts briefly to see if Vixen is nearby but she doesn't spot the woman readily.
The address turns Leonard's head and attention from the back of the man in front of him and towards the voice. Once she is spotted, he returns the wave, hesitates a moment, then steps from the line to move Sagewards. "The wise Sage," he offers with a smile, "How are you?" The line will likely last awhile, anyhow.
Sage gives the man a small smile as he wanders towards her despite losing his spot in line. "Sometimes." She says modestly to the title, before pausing briefly. "I'm doing well enough, and yourself?" She asks, "You can have a seat if you feel like waiting out the line." She mentions, gesturing to the spot across from her.
"Quite well at the moment, and thank you." Leonard chuckles as he pulls out the indicated seat. "Sitting and conversing sound much more comfortable and entertaining than standing while staring at someone's back."
A soft chuckle greets the man's second comment, "Depends on what's on that person's back, I suppose." She says with a little bemusement, "The food is pretty good here." She mentions after a brief pause, "But, Cali prefers my cooking and I don't blame her." She says, with a smile. She pauses briefly once more, "I guess we haven't really gotten a chance to talk much... were you among those in the mess that happened at the gate?"
Leonard nods across the table at Sage's question. "Yes. I had barely walked into the city, myself. I never expected a welcome, and certainly nothing like that." A brow then lifts in belated reaction of her prior statement on food and preparation. "If your cooking is that popular, I should ask for a pointer or twelve."
Into the deli comes Vixen, one hand pushing open the door, the other up to start pulling at the first button of her coat. The forward momentum keeps right along after, the coat undone to soak in the warmth inside, her steady stride carrying her directly towards the counter. "Ham and rye, extra tomato," she states, giving the person across the counter a broad grin. Spending a few moments to casually dig into her pocket for a little velvet drawstring pouch.
Musing on the use of the word 'welcome', Sage can't help but give an amused look. "Yes, they decided to go all out, it seems. I suppose the numerous friendly greeters might seem a bit much. But, this is Kingsdale..." Her light tone is laced with a little sarcasm as she needs a little release, before she lets the more somber aspect of it settle in. "I've never really known a 'normal' Kingsdale since the fog seemed to be here before I got here." She gives a shrug before giving a grin to the man. "Well, I'm probably good enough to cook at any restaurant in the city if I wanted to." She says with a tone of confidence, "And, I don't mind giving some pointers."
"I didn't know of the fog or threat until stumbling into it," Leonard does not yet notice the tomato-favoring Vixen's arrival, back to the entrance and ears tuned to the casual conversation. "but the city seems comfortable enough. Would 'normal' be better or worse?"
Vixen casually picks a few credit chits from within, counting out the right amount before her sandwich gets made and settled before her. With the proper number stacked on the counter, she snags the sandwich and turns, the pouch stuffed back into the pocket from whence it came. She looks up and to the side a little, then spys the two over a bit. A sly little grin comes to her and she considers for a moment, the sandwich slid into her coat, dipped into one of her larger inner pockets.
Sage nods simply to the man's comment about not knowing about the threat, "Usually it only happened at night." She mentions, giving a faint shrug to that. She gives a soft chuckle to the question, "I suppose that would depend on who you ask..." She isn't quite sure what she knows enough to comment on it herself. She takes a bit from her venison sandwich. She's in a position to see who has come in and thus the line to some extent. "Looks like the line is easier to get through now." She mentions.
Leonard nods. "Most dealings with undead seem to happen at night... Oh?" He turns to glance back towards the counter, smile growing at more than the lack of line. "So it does... I should get something before another rush. Excuse me." Leonard stands and steps towards the counter and, conveniently, Vixen.
Vixen is about to approach the two before Sage seems to indicate the diminishment of the line and Leo starts to rise. Her lips purse, mild disappointment coming to her. But not to be perturbed, she switches gears and walks right towards Leo. She gives him a casual grin and, as they draw near, shifts to walk by him. Though not without a pause and a turn of her head to put a brief peck on his cheek. "Hey there." Her eyes lingering towards his for a moment - must see the expression - before she continues past and heads to Sage's table. "How you doing?" Her expression mischievous as she approaches.
Nodding faintly in return to the man's comment about the undead, Sage seems content to take another bite of her sandwich at this point. "Okay." She says simply when the man decides to strike while he has a window of opportunity. She watches him as he moves off to see the woman with the artificial red hair approach him. Her attention shifting more towards the woman as she approaches. "Doing alright..." She replies, "You planning something?" She asks when she picks up on the expression the woman wears.
It takes little detour on Vixen's part, and intentionally so. The mild foiling of whatever mischief she had in mind puts mirth in Leonard's eyes, and the brief peck even moreso as his smile curls further "Hey, yourself..." It is only after she passes that he recalls the counter and proceeds there to make a hasty order.
Vixen chuckles lowly as she flips one of the chairs around idly, settling astride it. She pauses to pick her sandwich out of her coat, but once she's got it out and starts unwrapping. "Always got plans and that sort of thing," she murmurs, lightly amused still. She leans in a bit and adds in a soft murmur, "Next time, if you see me lurking, don't tip him off," she adds, winking before she lifts the sandwich to take a bite.
"Ah..." Sage replies, not quite knowing what the other woman had in mind originally. She sits at one of the tables with Vixen joining her and Leonard having left the table to go take advantage of the diminished line at the counter. She gives an apologetic smile. "Sorry." She murmurs, "I guess I should have realized..." She adds before turning her attention back to her own food.
Leonard begins his return from the counter after laying claim to a sandwich, eyes on the table and the pair of ladies as he closes. He can't make out the low murmurs, or even much of the normal conversation, but can imagine any number of possibilities. "Should I even ask what I missed?" Leonard pulls out a seat alongside Vixen and settles onto it.
"Just try and remember." Vixen's murmurs after the bite is swallowed, most certainly before Leo has returned within earshot. When he does, she looks towards him with an expression of angelic purity. "Nothing at all. Why, you think your ears are burning?" Her brows lifting for a moment before she takes another bite of her sandwich.
Tirzah steps in, pausing with the door still open. Scanning the deli she does eventually step away to let the door close as her eyes rest on Sage. Some hesitated steps forward as her gaze gets firm and she walks up to intercept Sage. She looks for a second to be about to say something. Then her expression gets convoluted as all her aspects fight for what to say. "I.. I'm sorry.. I" Is all she manages with a sigh as she turns away. She doesn't walk away yet, still conflicted.
A faint nod is given to the other woman, but Sage is in the middle of a mouthful that makes her unable to speak at the time. She smiles faintly when the man returns, and she looks over to him. She seems about to say something but its only replaced with a faintly amused look as the other woman speaks first. The approach of Tirzah isn't noticed at first, until she seems to sense someone else near the table. She blinks at the other woman as she seems to stumble over an apology. A frown forming as the other woman turns away from her. "Excuse me." She murmurs to those at the table as she sets her food aside and rises to her feet to step towards Tirzah and reach out to touch the other woman's shoulder. << I... know. >>
Angelic, Vixen. Angelic... nah. Leonard looks less than convinced, but thoroughly amused. "With that look, I'm surprised I didn't burst into flames. I..." His grinning jab trails off as Tirzah arrives rather suddenly, acts somewhat strangely, then leaves quite abruptly. He glances between she and Sage, then looks back to Vixen. "Apparently I /did/ miss something..."
Vixen glances towards Tirzah when she comes up to the table, a brow rising slightly. Deep into her sandwich, she ends up responding to Sage's words with a nod, though a thoughtful expression lingers as she finishes her lated bite. She looks towards Leo and grins faintly. "Me too, though I suspect I know what happened.. vaguely," she murmurs in a discreet tone. "Past experience." Not that she seems inclined to elaborate, slanting a careful glance towards the other two women.
Tirzah turns back to Sage, tearing up again as she tries to sort things out. "Why do I always feel like I'm fighting. I saw that conversation as a battle, before I knew it my volleys were away. And then came the casualties. I.." She pauses, thinking some more. "I cant seem to help it. I see something that doesn't fit or work I try to make it, before I even comprehend it. As Caliopa astutely pointed out I meddle, but its all I know, and no one's receptive. They're all separate and individual. I'm beginning to think that I don't think like a normal person." She spews out agitatedly, her expressions still warring.
When her partner left the last confrontation, Sage was the one to receive the comfort for the perceived failing. Now it seems to be her turn to return the favour. She gathers the woman up in her arms for a hug, resting her chin on the other woman's shoulder. "You are flame... and sometimes you burn others that you don't mean to burn." She moves her hands against the other woman's back. << And, you're not normal... accept it. >>
"I see..." Not that Leonard really does, though he glances back towards the pair. He takes the stance of neutral spectator for the moment, taking a tentative bite of roast beef. It is not his discussion to comment on, nor does he have anything resembling an informed opinion. Not to mention that the woman adjacent might well have more than enough opinion for the both of them.
Vixen listens discreetly to the two, but seems inclined to hold whatever opinions she might have for the moment. Instead, she takes some time to diminish her sandwich considerably before she turns some attention on Leo. "So what are you going to do next?" Giving him a casual grin. "You being the guy and all. Or maybe you want to keep that stuff secret for now?" Her eating paused for now, her eyes on the guy next to her, ears a bit divided.
Tirzah looks to Sage, her expression finally setting on a searching gaze. "You're not mad at me? When you stepped away it.. it felt like I had crossed a line. Like you wouldn't help me. So I left. I still don't understand Alistair calling me blind instead of pointing out what I couldn't see. Though what Caliopa said was comforting. The elf, well I'm still a bit disappointed.. I'm not the sort for subtle results."
"I..." Sage begins before realizing that there are two people nearby that likely can hear whatever they are saying despite their own side conversation. She runs a couple fingers through the other woman's hair, << I felt like I failed in helping you to find balance... it hurt... but they comforted me after you left. >> She speaks into the other woman's mind before she gets a sad expression on her features when the woman admits that she still can't see what was being hinted at. "Not everything must be boldly announced to everyone for it to be happening." She comments, "People can prepare themselves without you knowing it. And, it is a bit early to judge the Elf... not everything needs to be as dramatic as his entrance."
Leonard's attention is rather easily drawn from women afar to woman at hand. He gestures to Vixen's sandwich with his own, and a grin. "Well, the plan /was/ to buy you dinner... Now I'll need to research something entirely new and inventive. I could also try to guess what you'd like best... or I could simply ask. What would you like to do next? Since you're the girl... and your opinion matters."
Vixen seems amused by what she does hear, a light hint of it showing in her expression. But she doesn't deny Leo. "What if I say I want to see what you come up with?" She slants him a sly little grin. "I think maybe I'll have some things we can do later, but first I wanna see what you got in you. Don't have to stress it too much.. you know I wont' go crazy on you for things.. or you should anyway. So just sorta let your imagination run free."
Tirzah nods slowly warming a bit at Sage's reassuring rubs. "I'm sorry I caused you discomfort like that. But I've interrupted your conversation here. Please rejoin them. I'll get some food while I consider the point I was really trying to make." She requests Sage with a small smile.
A soft smile is the only reply to the apology as Sage listens to the other woman. She leans in to give her partner a light peck on the lips. "Okay." She says simply, before she slowly lets the other woman go and turn back to go reclaim her seat at the table. She glances between the two people at the table as she tries to figure out what the conversation is about now.
After a conspicuously short pause for thought, Leonard arches a brow with an inquiring offer. "Are you free for a ...little evening stroll?" The smile following is also suspect, though his query to Vixen does not prevent him from noting Sage's return. While awaiting a response to one question, he asks another, this one of Sage, "Everything alright?"
"Tonight, no, but catch me another night and sure. Though I dunno if foggy is all that romantic a setting. Though maybe we can walk arounf the garden or something.. unless you got another idea in mind." Vixen's brows lift slightly, then she glances towards Sage. She considers the other woman a moment before she asks, "Again?" Casual curiosity in that.
Tirzah smiles widely, feeling largely rejuvenated at the peck she's given. walking over to the counter she takes a look at the selection. "I'll have that sliced beef on foccacia if I can get some thin rare slices." She requests, getting a simple mute nod in return as the meal is prepared. Grabbing a bottle of cold red tea she pays for the hearty sandwich and carries it back to the table.
Settling in, Sage looks to the man first. "Yeah..." She comments simply, before looking over to the woman at the table. "Something different." She interjects, before she gives them a small smile. "Looking for something romantic to do?" She asks softly, as she shifts the attention back to the pair at the table.
Leonard's smile widens to Vixen. "I will, and I do. The fog won't be a worry, but we could go during daylight if you wish." With that potentially set, his eyes shift to Sage, mostly, along with a wry grin. "Yes, and hopefully I'll find enough to ensure I'm worthwhile."
Vixen just nods to Sage, letting the subject change. "He is," she notes, tilting her head towards Leo. The sandwich gets finished off then, the young woman breathing out a low sigh as it is. "Needed that," she murmurs idly. She leans back a little where she's settled and casually draws out her cig case. "I'm about to get going, so feel free to give him pointers. He's new to the game and can use all the help he can get." She smirks as she gives him a sidelong glance.
Tirzah smiles to the group as she returns, sitting beside Sage. "You sure you want us to give him advice?" She asks with a clear smirk. Nope she's not normal, but if Sage doesn't need her to be she wont worry about it so much.
Sage ahs softly to the confirmation that the man is trying to come up with something romantic. "Perhaps I could..." She comments, "...but, I'm not sure what the results would be." She muses in a teasing fashion with a smile, before she turns her attention to the sandwich she had to abandon when Tirzah first arrived. Her gaze shifting to the man with a thoughtful look.
"I'm doomed, aren't I?" The sidelong glance is returned as Leonard suddenly finds himself the target of not one, but three smirking and/or teasing women. "At least I might have someone else to blame the next time I'm scolded..." He then turns fully to Vixen and his smirk softens to a smile. "...but maybe I'll manage to surprise you for a change."
"Yeah, could teach him a few things," Vixen murmurs, rising up off her chair, flipping it back around to slide under the table again. "And might help teach you a little restraint, since I'll know who whispered whatever into his ear if he ends up doing something undesirable." Her eyes lingering on Tirzah with some casual warning in her gaze. She extracts a cig to slip between her lips during that. She then looks to Leo with a light grin. "You just follow your instincts. They seem pretty good to me. She reaches out to ruffle his hair briefly before she says, "Gotta go." She glances towards the other two ladies and adds, "See ya." Turning, she fishes into her pocket for her lighter, even as her case is put away by the other hand.
Tirzah snickers at the idea of teaching Leonard some things. She doesn't know about restraint though, shrugging as she sees no relevance. Mischievous, she turns to Sage. "Would you like to go first?" She asks, figuring she may follow Sage's lead.
"Take care." Sage says before turning her gaze back to Leonard with an amused look on her features, but her gaze shifts briefly to Tirzah as the other woman asks her a question. She gives a slight shrug, "I think we may need to learn a little more about our 'patient' first..." She says softly, with a little humour in near the end. She looks back to the man, "So... aside from drinking, is there anything else you do well?" If the first bit is a little teasing, its only to play off his comments as Vixen was leaving.
The patient's eyes leave the table with Vixen, trailing her to the door before returning. Doomed or no, Leonard looses a brave chuckle. "I can do several things well, but deciphering her is not one of them... yet. Nor is drinking, really."
Tirzah smirks, wondering if girls are things to 'decipher'. "Well then I wouldn't recommend much attention to either of those at first. " She suggests before taking a bite of her sandwich. Chewing she considers how she does things before she gets ready to speak again with a swallow of the tea. "Do you cook?" She asks, aiming to start simple.
"Perhaps you've noticed things that she has liked, though..." Sage offers, figuring to steer clear of the deciphering angle or drinking for the time being. She ponders things over. "I'm not sure that either of know Vixen overly well either." She adds, shrugging faintly before deciding to wait for the answer to Tirzah's questions. She turns her attention to the food as she waits.
"I have once, for her, even." Leonard rolls his shoulders slightly to Tirzah. "I'm not certain if that qualifies, though she seemed pleased enough." That draws a smile, if fleeting. "The only thing I've come to expect of her is the unexpected."
Tirzah considers that, wondering if Leonard likes that aspect. "Well if she likes surprising you a place with ample opportunity could be ideal. I would suggest an amusement part if we had one. Or maybe it would be worth going somewhere that does." She suggests in review. Also such places are a two way street, given you ample chance to surprise her as well."
As Sage finishes off the last bit of her meal, she purses her lips as she considers the comments the man offers. "Well, I suppose she runs into all kinds of different stories while she's out and about..." She glances to her partner with a quizzical look as she hasn't really heard of an amusement park before. "Well, perhaps he can start off simple..." She comments, looking back to the man. "If she likes the unexpected, figure out some things that the two of you can do together... don't tell her what's going to happen... and just go with it when she makes little unexpected changes." She suggests.
Leonard listens as he takes a bite, nodding at the comments while chewing. "I have something in mind, perhaps unusual enough to surprise or interesting enough to pique her curiosity. It fits the advice of you both, I think." He chuckles softly. "As she might say, I won't know for sure until I try."
Tirzah smirks, liking the reply from Leonard. "Sounds good. Got your instincts, advice, insight. Go for it." She suggests encouragingly before taking another bite of her sandwich. Looking to Sage as she chews she considers revisiting the library. But shaking her head to herself she lets it slide as she takes another swallow of her tea.
A mischievous look passes across Sage's features, but she seems to shake it off after a moment. "Sounds like you might be on the right path." She offers simply, "Not that I know what you have in mind." She doesn't seem to be inclined to pry as she looks over to the redhead.
"I will, and I hope so." Leonard looks to Tirzah and Sage, in turn, as he nods with their respective comments. "To be honest, I don't know whether she suggested the help because I require it so badly... or just to catch me completely off guard." His smile twists to a smirk as he adds, "Or both."
Tirzah grins as she looks back to Leonard. "Considering Vixen, I'd say she definitely wanted to catch you off guard." She confirms before looking outside to gauge the time. Sighing she shakes her head. "I better run, got a trip to prepare for."
Sage's gaze drifts back to the man with a small smile and an amused look to her eyes. "Well, I guess you'll find out soon enough." She says with a brief chuckle before she looks to the redhead. "I guess I might see you after, then." She says simply, before she pauses herself. "Is there anything else you'd like to ask about, Leonard?"
"Don't let me keep you." Leonard offers as Tirzah mentions other pressing needs. "Either of you. I do thank you both for the aid, and may very well need it in the future. I do wish Vixen would be so open to simple questions and answers, but she is much less forthcoming when she's on the other end of an interview."
Tirzah nods to Sage , wrapping up her sandwich and capping her tea. "You bet hun. See you." She confirms before leaning over to peck Sage on the cheek before making her move.
