Feb 24 15:48:45 106 PA
From Chronicles
Much like the Merchant's Square, the Dregs Bazaar awakens early each and every morning. The only difference is the more modest and grubby theme that pervades the Dregs, which is no different here. And amongst the offerings, one can sometimes find treasures of a sort. Vixen is crouched low beside a broad blanket upon which an older man sits, with a variety of roughly made garments, spray cans and ornaments laid out in a neat order. "Two black, two red, two green," she tells him, laying down some credits as six of those spray cans are delivered to her, drawn from the dozens quickly.
In an area where comings and goings can be stealthily subtle or powerfully blatant, as required, the morning's market receives one more entrant in the latter fashion. A blue-white point forms in one corner, crackling bright and angry at chest height in one curve of the coiled bazaar. The nearby wares and their hawkers are quickly mobile as the point grows to to a span of several feet, then dissipates itself in a sudden, brilliant flash. Remaining in its wake is the cloaked and (perhaps surprisingly) armored Leonard, who drops to all fours and hastily rips a helmet free, panting for breath.
There are quite a few reactions to this sudden event amongst those near enough to get a sense for it. A few people don't ask questions, fleeing the scene as the strange point grows and forms. All the rest who are close to it fall back, a few of them pulling various weapons, many of which get pointed at the light. The rest look on with varied emotions. Vixen is just rising after putting the cans in her satchel when this occurs, near enough that she can see something strange is going on. She approaches, a hand instantly drawing out her camera. Though she hangs back a little, getting a good spot to view things.
When an armored figure comes tumbling out, she arches a brow and several weapons get pointed in Leo's direction. But his state brings about a hesitation. Which Vixen takes advantage of once she sees who it is clearly. "He's harmless," she asserts, her camera dipped back into her pocket as she moves forward, brushing one of the armed men aside. "Give him some room!" With no clear threat come to savage the market, some do put up their weapons, but a few loiter and linger, not yet sure they want to stand down. Vixen drops into a crouch before him and lowers her head, tilted slightly to the side. "You alright, Leo?"
One gloved hand is lifted in lieu of an immediate answer, open and empty. Some combination of of asking for a moment, display of no threat, and perhaps a greeting...? Leonard's face is sheened with perspiration as he takes a few more deep breaths, forcing them to slow. His head lifts first, eyes meeting Vixen's, before he straighens to his knees. "Hello? I'll... be alright. Just a little... winded." A midly wry, if wearied, grin forms.
The other gawkers seem to decide that there's nothing to be had here, so they start to filter away. Vixen smirks faintly at Leo and shakes her head slightly. "You know you're going to have to tell me what just happened here," she notes before she reaches down to try and start hauling him up. Should he be willing, of course. She'll even lend some support if he needs it starting off. Small she is, but stronger than one might assume.
Leonard has no objections to the assistance in standing, although he seems to rise readily enough. "I missed?" His eyes leave her just long enough to get an idea of where he did arrive, returning to Vixen as more strength returns to his grin. "It looks like my aim is improving, at least."
Vixen eyes Leo for a moment before leading him over to a nearby spot. The pile of rubble that is there was once a building, likely. But years ago it fell over and what stone wasn't carted off over the years has settled into a stable little hill, peppered in placed with hardy little plants. A well worn section of it is smoothed from being used as a sitting spot and that's where Vixen will want to lead the man. "Guess that depends where you were trying to go.. wanna start from the top?" Asked casually as she goes about her leading.
"I intended to return to the city, which I did." Leonard notes as they walk. The wry energy in his grin has not fully reached his feet, his pace slow but steady. Once they reach the worn spot, he takes a grateful seat. "Somewhere less populated was preferred, though. I should have waited a bit longer..." He shakes his head in self-beration, lips tightening.
Vixen takes a step back once he's seated, her arms lifted to cross over her chest loosely. "Off gallivanting about, huh? In trouble and had to ditch? Or was the ditch what winded you?" She looks to her side and digs her hand into her satchel. Pulling out a small water bottle that she hands over to Leo with a casual grin.
Leonard has enough breath to chuckle, taking the offered water and a healthy swig before replying. Vixen's familiar stance of grin, crossed arms, and pointed sarcasm softens the edge off his own smile. "I was just doing a little last-minute research. No trouble, other than the return trip." He nods an admission. "Too often, too soon."
"Research, huh? I guess maybe I should do some of my own," Vixen muses. "Like maybe what I'll want to think about wearing for this little date. I have a feeling it might be more than just a day in. Anything I should know? Without spoiling the surprise, of course." She's not being too sarcastic, she even grins at him towards the end.
There is a pause as Leonard runs through a rapid gamut of reactions. Surprise at being 'caught,' mild disappointment at her accurate musing, then open admiration for the same. All of these and perhaps more flicker in his eyes before he responds, settling upon a smile. "A full day, another half at most. Unless you decide you want to stay longer. Bring something light to wear... but we should also be careful, just in case."
Vixen arches a brow. "A whole day?" That does seem to surprise her, as much as the last bit confuses her. "Something light, but be careful how? Don't have light combat armor and something comfy isn't exactly that good for being careful." She grins, stepping forward to lightly pat his cheek with her palm. "Not trying to ruin your surprise, but being in the right mode for it would be better, don't you think?"
"It could be shorter," Leonard sighs, taking her surpise as a sign that he was aiming too high and lowering his gaze. "if I were able to bring us both back again smore quickly. It is warm, and safe in as much as I can tell..." His eyes lift again. "but I don't want... Maybe it was a foolish idea."
Vixen does frown then. "Did I say it was a bad idea?" Vixen grins lightly. "Just not used to a date lasting that long, but that don't mean it can't be done. Not like the world cant' do without me for a while." She considers, then nods her head lightly. "We'll play it by ear. C'mon." She extends out a hand towards him. "I'm done here, so unless you got some reason to hang around, we might as well get going."
Leonard recovers a small smile and takes her hand, irregardless of not needing it to rise to his feet. "I wasn't sure if you would be able to do without the world for that long... and lead away."
"I like to take breaks. This will just be longer than average," Vixen replies airily. She seems quite fine with leading the way, not hesitance in the direction to take out of the bazaar. "You'll definitely want to work on those landings, though. A lot worse places you could have ended up in, even in here. Drop in on the wrong group of people at the wrong time and you might get shot for real." Her head turned to shoot him a glance on that topic.
"I am trying, for just that reason." His shoulders roll, Leonard's stride now recovered as he walks alongside. "That precision isn't easy, though. It's like trying to ...hit a fly with a missile. I can get close enough to do the job. Speaking of ending up somewhere, do you have anywhere in mind?" The question is a casual one, if a shift from his inaccuracy.
"Lets just get outta the Dregs first, then maybe something else," Vixen replies, her steps turning them towards the nearest border of the Dregs. "For now, maybe you can tell me some stuff about you. Like, what do you do besides the magic thing. Me for example.." her hand lifting to motion to herself as she speaks, "I'm an artist. Music, paints, graphics work.. I do a lot. Even did a little street art when I was younger, though I haven't had much chance for it recently. You?" She slants him a sidelong glance.
Leonard lifts a brow at the revelation, belying his surprise and interest. "I'll have to harass you about seeing your work, then. Magic requires alot of study and practice, and I enjoy both. Especially the study." He chuckles. "Once I could read, I couldn't stop, and haven't since. There might be a chair in the library with my name stamped on it before too long. Other than those, you have occupied my time quite wonderfully."
"I just released a PDD, you can see it on there," Vixen notes with a sly grin. "Though there are only 100 copies out there, so if you don't' get an original, you'll have to get it copied from someone." And she listens while he speaks, giving him a thoughtful look. "No arts? No instruments? Sing.. I know you don't dance at least."
"I know. I recorded the broadcast," Leonard admits with a grinning nod before shrugging his shoulders. "I have kept a written journal of what I've seen and done, but I'm not sure that me scribbling would be artistic in any sense... I'm rather boring, aren't I?" Another soft chuckle. "Hobbies weren't really a luxury I had, and when I did find a focus other than survival, it became more a lifestyle, I guess."
Vixen grins faintly at that and gives her shoulders a casual roll. "Not everyone can do stuff like that. Though now that you're here, you might consider picking one up." She pauses suddenly, then shifts to the side, pulling on Leo's hand firmly. "Here.. come over here." She's attempting to draw him towards a nearby alleyway.
Leonard's grin turns wry. "Well, I have to do something to impress the ladies. I plan to, but I have to find one first..." His words trail off as he's tugged and follows, brows lifted in curosity. Normally, he would think a random alley would be no worry compared to stepping into, say, a random world... but with her, who knows?
The alley itself is fairly typical. Dim.. dingy and with a certain.. undesirable smell, though no clear source fort it. What Vixen seems to want to draw Leo to is a colorful, rough piece of sprayed on art on one wall of it. The design roughly resembles a sword or dagger with a snake wrapped around it over a red background. "Why don't you try your hand at it now," she asks, casually pulling a can of black spray paint from her bag. She uncaps and shakes it a few times with a rattle before handing it over to Leo. Standing right before the sprayed on image on the wall, she may mean marking on that particular section, though she doesn't clarify it herself.
The colorful...art is studied a moment. "A tag?" Leonard is uncertain as to its specific significance, even if he can recognize its likley purpose. He seems uncertain of her intent, his own talent, and perhaps the consequences. Poor Leonard and his spontaneity issues. "I'm not going to be shot in the back, am I?"
"You don't see anyone else here do you?" Vixen's response with a sly little grin. Indeed, the alleyway seems empty enough. Vixen moves around behind him and leans in against his back a bit. "Don't think.. just start doing," she murmurs. "Let your instincts talk."
Leonard appears to think, against her advice, hesistating another moment before lifting the can. Then there is another brief pause before he begins applying paint in comparatively small, somewhat precise bursts. Intersecting lines form odd symbols which are most likely 'magical' in nature. After a trio are formed, he hesitates once again in mid spray...
Vixen lets him do what he wants without comment, remaining lightly leaned against his back as she observes the symbols being made. "Not bad.. not too bad at all.." She pauses then, her head cocked. "Uh oh.." Yes, she said it. He can feel her shift slightly against him. "Time to run," she murmurs to him a moment before a voice calls out from deeper in the shadowed alley, "What the fuck do you think you're doing?!" Which is about when something drops to the ground beneath them. A plume of smoke explodes outward in moments, flowing over the two of them in an obscuring mass. "Find you later," she adds before he feels her push off and promptly disappear into the smoke. A good enough cover that Leo should be able to escape as well.
Whatever his change of heart, Leonard does not get the opportunity to display it. The can is refelxively dropped, and he bies his tongue to keep from yelling out to her as he feels her push off. Flinging names around would be a bad idea, even if she is the famous one. Instead, Leonard curses under his breath between coughs and the smoke as he rushes out of the alley.
