Feb 23 11:00:11 106 PA

From Chronicles

Despite the chill weather and growing hour, Leonard emerges from the comfort of the Carafe, and apparently with some travel in mind. His attire is utilitarian, the most obvious of with is padded plating. A small pack is slung over one shoulder, the other serving as a perch for one black-feathered bird.

Vargus also emerges from the Carafe, bundled up against the chill that still sits in the air. A bird also perches on his shoulder. He stops as he steps out onto the street and emits a slightly-startled "Gaaaaahhh...." the eagle chitters slightly and Vargus shakes his head. "Yes, I know you said it was cold... I'm wearing all the warm stuff. It's just still cold." Another small sound from the bird, "...oh shut up, you're made of metal." He looks around and sees Leonard and the corvid perched on his shoulder. "Hey, look who it is.." he says up to his own avian.

Leonard turns at the voice, and offers a nod to the vaguely familiar pair. His companion speaks first, with a loud and impertinent call. "Good evening." He greets Vargus first, then gives a sidelong glance to the Raven. "You know, he IS bigger than you are..."

Vargus grins at Leonard and his companion, inclining his head to the pair. "Hello there. Was hopeing to run into you guys again." The eagle eyes the others, head tilting slightly to one side, then the other.

"Oh? Quite the interesting friend you have there..." Leonard returns the grin and approaches, glancing aside to give a "Behave" to the perched corvid who continues to eyeball the iron eagle. Vargus grins. "Thanks... really, I was thinking about picking up something in the corvid familiy, myself. I really am a fan of intelligence. But, was out wandering somewhere and found this guy." He motions up to the eagle. "Worked out quite well... not the least of which is he can take military-class weapons fire." He smirks a bit. "Comes in handy."

Leonard eyes his own friend. "Really..." His smirk at the raven lasts long enough that the bird decides to stop starting at the other, and takes flight with an idignant caw. "He tends to show more smart-assed than smart," he notes with a chuckle, "but he has helped me rather well so far."

Vargus quirks an eyebrow. "Really? Huh... I've got an issue with that as well. Really quite the smartass. I wonder what it is about the intelligent birds that gives that level of sarcasm. It's not maliscious.. and rather clever, actually."

Leonard chuckles. "Perhaps it is a rare unaversal constant across worlds?" He is fairly certain the metal avian is not from this one, afterall. He offers a hand. "Leonard. I don't believe we've ever been introduced."

Vargus nods agreement, taking the hand and shaking. "I do beleive you're correct. Blake Vargus." He motions up to the eagle. "This is Steelwind. He's an avian biomech from... well, I'm not really sure where he's from. Never figured out where I was at the time, but, found him at a market. Don't think he was local there, either." he looks back and eyes Leonard. "You a shifter? Or just some finger-wiggler who picked up a friend along the way?"

"A pleasure," Leonard releases the hand and nods to Steelwind, "and a shame. It was an interesting realm, I'm sure." He then nods to Vargus. "I am, although for now I've been content to keep most of my exploring to this world, for now."

Vargus shrugs his shoulders. "Well, not really... it was some random market, on some random planet, in some random system, in some random universe." He grins a bit. "I have a habit of jumping into random rifts. Since we can get back whenever we want to, and get a peek to make sure it's all safe over there... I really can't resist."

Leonard nods, grin growing. "I've already begun to be more and more tempted to peek and step to whever, but I like to know what I'm stepping into, first. The natives can be fascinating... or they can eat you. Or both. There's always that risk."

Vargus chuckles. "That's for damn sure. I found a rift once from Elsewhere that dropped me in South America. I think somewhere toward the north, from what I could gather. I've been a little up and down the eastern seaboard, and then down there.. but not much else on this rock. How about you? Seen anything good?"

"Well, I have not made many visits," The grin grows to a pleasant smile on Leonard's face, "but there is a rather sunny beach that has caught my attention, lately. Australia, I believe, but I'm not certain exactly where. A pleasant diversion from the snow and rain here." After a moment, he adds, "I'd offer to show you, but I'm saving it as a surprise for someone. I'd be thankful if your friend could keep it under his feathers."

Steelwind ruffles his feathers, a sound similar to metal scraping across stone, and chitters a little. "Well... he can't say much, except to me..." he pauses a moment, "and I guess that metal doctor, but he's gone now." He folds his arms across his chest, and shrugs slightly, causing the bird to jostle on its perch. "Hey, doesn't make a difference to me. But, sure, I'd be interested in a trip out there if you can get back there. Might be hard to target without a teleport, though.." He muses.."

Leonard nods. "I'm sure that I can find it again. It is more easily located the more I visit. I was on my way for another reconaissance tonight, in fact... and I should get moving before too long. Should be close to dawn there, if I arrive where I hope to."

Vargus's eyebrow quirks up again. "Wow, really? How do you get there? Rift transportation is unreliable at best."

"As I said, it seems to get much easier the more I go." Leonard chuckles. "Practice makes perfect? There is always the risk, of course."

Vargus nods. "Sure, risk is one thing... but just getting the energy for so many trips so quickly? Damn... If only we could get reliable access to the nexus. That would be fantastic."

Leonard rolls his shoulders. "I expect it is secured against anyone going in as much as anything coming out. It does take some time to recover, though, yes."

Vargus nods agreement. "it's pretty locked down by the militia. Not really sure why, really. I think registered citizens should be able to get some time in there, as long as we're not doing anything dangerous. Get some people to watch and keep an eye on us so we don't do anything stupid..." he trails off, shrugging again. "Ah well."

"So long as it was somebody who actually understood what we are doing," Leonard nods. "If you ever learn how to get clearance, though, let me know. It was good to meet you, but I should get going."

Vargus nods and gives a wave. "Will do... see you around, Leonard."