Feb 24 17:51:26 106 PA

From Chronicles

A some hours later, Vixen will be at her place. Her coat will he tossed over the back of the couch Her catsuit will be laying on the floor just outside of the short hall to bedroom/bathroom. And she'll be in the bathroom, eyeing herself in the mirror. Her lip is split, but has been cleaned up. There will be a bruise on her back as well, but the light tank top she wears, a simple, modest panty below. She frowns faintly, glancing down to turn on the water, cleaning her hands, a few specs of blood from her hands from that cleaning, the tissues already in the wastebasket. Tiger sits just outside of the bathroom, watching her with casual aplomb.

While the sensible thing might be to have awaited Vixen's likely return, Leonard is not such in his search for her. After making rounds of the city, he returns to knock upon the door for the umpteenth time in the last few hours. "Vixen? Are you home?" He calls through the door, just in case his rather blatant pounding goes unnoticed.

Vixen looks up and to the side a bit when there is a knock. She grins when she hears who it is. Tiger leads the way as she emerges from the bathroom, though he leaps up onto the couch rather than follow her to the door. She cracks it open, leaned to peek through without showing off anything below the neck. "Hey there, Leo. Looks like you got away alright," she murmurs, letting her amusement show. "Not that I doubted you, what with that magc stuff you got."

"Are you alright?" Leonard was also wearing substantial armor, not that his thoughts are on himself at the moment. Obvious relief colors his face and words, though his lips tighten as he notices the lip. "I'm sorry..."

"I'm fine. One of the fucks caught up to me, but I gave him better than I got," Vixen assumes him. "Just got back, actually. Was luck of the draw that a few of them latched on to me. Not like I gave you much choice anyway." Indeed, she doesn't seem to show any upset. She cants her head a little. "Wanna come in? You can make me feel better anyway, if you want."

That brings a wide smile to his face. "I'd love to. Do both, that is." Just because Leonard knows she's spitfire and leather, doesn't mean he isn't concerned.

"Shut the door behind you," Vixen prompts before she steps back and turns, walking back into the main room again. If she has any sort of modesty about her state, she doesn't show it. Not that her garb is meant to impress. Both articles are common and comfortable. She goes to pick up her coat, lifting and shaking it out carefully. "Now you know another little piece of my arsenal. A few smoke grenades and flash bags make for an easy get away when you need to do so. I have have a few explosive grenades squirreled away for a rainy day."

Leonard attempts to make up for her modesty, or lack thereof after closing the door. He doesn't entirely succeed in keeping his gaze entirely polite, regardless of their relationship. At least the tank hides the bruises, and her comment draws his eyes and brows upwards. "That was your smoke? I will try and be prepared next time, if there is one. I didn't know what to think at the time."

Vixen laughs lightly, turning back around with the coat in hand. "If one of them tossed it out at us, doesn't make much sense giving us the cover to get away under." She gives him a sly little smile as she moves past him, putting the coat into the little closet by the door. "Go ahead and make yourself at home. Didn't really have no plans for the evening. The whole thing before sort of broke into the schedule."

"True... unless they wanted to confuse us. Which would have worked, unfortunately, at least partly." Leonard doffs his cloak and adds it to the closet, his armor long since removed. He then takes advantage of Vixen's proximity to put a hand softly on her shoulder. "Seems you're very good at making me worry on top of everything else."

Vixen glances back towards Leo, then turns and gives him a playful little grin. "Don't worry, man. Remember, I lived in that place. I can handle myself. But thanks for the thought. It counts." She will step into him to offer up a nice, firm hug. Not too much that's soft in her at times. She adds a low, "I guess if I ever got laid up at the KEC, you'd come to visit me a lot, huh?"

Leonard gladly takes up the offer and wraps both arms about her. "Yes," he nods, "but if you can avoid getting laid up, I'd be very, very thankful. Not sure that I could just not worry, even if you can take care of yourself." He adds a soft smile to the mix. "You are also very welcome.

"Oh, but it might be worth it for all the gifts and flowers that come with the deal," Vixen notes with a lingering of that playful smile. "How about a stiff one? I was just considering breaking open a bottle for a little relax. I like to keep my own private stock for when I just don't care to go out. Got a little bit of everything if you've got something you'd favor."

"A little to relax would be fine," Leonard chuckles softly, "but in moderation. You don't want the lightweight becoming a blathering idiot before passing out on your floor, do you?" Of course, after asking in jest, he realizes she might very well give a playfully coy answer.

"As long as you're not the sort of drunk to try crawling into a lady's bed," Vixen counters with a sly little curl to her lips. She leans into him a moment before ducking to slip under his grip and around, walking into the kitchenette with just a little more pronounced sway of her hips. "No preferences? Cause if not, you can have what I'm having." Glasses will be secured before she dips to peek into the bottom of her fridge, where she keeps her collection.

"No, I'm not. I will only try to crawl in while sober." A chuckle follows her along with Leonard's eyes and the sway is certainly not missed. He steps to the couch as she secures glasses, taking a seat and giving a passing pet to the orange ball of fluff. "What you have is more than good enough for me."

"Always so agreeable.. I wonder what I have to do to get into an argument with you," Vixen muses aloud as she snags a bottle and pours two half tumblers of whiskey. The bottle goes back into the fridge and soon enough she's coming out with the glasses. Coming to stand right in front of him as she offers up both, letting him have his pick.

Leonard looks up as she stops before him and smiles. "I'm still learning, remember? Give it time, and I expect you'll find something." Eyes then lower to the offered glasses and he starts to reach for one, then pauses. His gaze lifts back to hers along with an inquiring brow. "I don't suppose I'm allowed to choose the one in the middle, am I?"

Vixen chuckles lightly and gives Leo a playful look. "Just too much sometimes, Leo." Though if that's a bad thing it doesn't reflect in her expression. "Why don't you lean back a little and get comfy, then I can join you and we can relax some more," she offers. keeping the drinks in hand for the moment. "Just be careful of my back. One of the punks got in a good hit, though the coat helped soften it up. Still, going to be tender for a little while."

"As you wish." The smile flickers slightly, but Leonard does just that, shifting back and getting comfortable. "I will try not to hold you too tightly, then." His hands then rise in offer to take the drinks or otherwise help her to sit.

Vixen turns and will sit back right next to Leo, a little forward lean just before giving another moment of pleasant view before she settles onto the couch. A perfect position to be arm wrapped, she holding on to the drinks as she settles. Not hard to keep from spilling the half full tumblers, the one in her left hand offered up once she's settled. "Nothing wrong with some cozy. I kinda like having a guy around from time to time."

Leonard is only human, and male, and therefore peeks. Once she sits, he takes the offered drink, passing it to his far hand. "I like that you like it. If I overstay my welcome, though, I understand. Not that I think you wouldn't tell me if I did." In mild contrast to his words, his arm does proceed to wrap about her.

Vixen shifts subtly, leaning into Leo's side. "You know be well in that, cause I wouldn't go soft if that moment ever comes. I don't believe in being 'soft' when it comes to things like that. It only makes things more complicated when a simple, direct message is best." She looks to him then and grins. "But don't worry, you're not there. You do a pretty good job of not getting there. We just have to get your initiative up some more."

"Well, I do try not to go there..." The wrapping arm gives a gentle squeeze. "I'm used to looking before I leap, which is, I guess, the problem as well. Taking too much initiative hasn't brought me much success before."

"Yeah, but I'm not like a jump into another world, Leo," Vixen tells him, lifting her glass to take a sip of the strong drink before looking to him again. "A little mess up with me won't hurt you much. Maybe I'll get upset, but unless you do something boneheadedly stupid and don't own up to it, there's always a way back. You just gotta trust me on that, alright? You have room to try and fail."

Leonard also takes a small swallow in lieu of immediate reply, since Vixen so deftly smacked the mail upon the head. "No, you're not. You are much more exhilirating... and blunt." A thin smile forms. "It's not you I doubt, and I'm very thankful that you're so tolerant... but not soft."

Vixen chuckles lowly and murmurs, "Like I said, I don't beat around the bush on things like this. And you can doubt yourself all you want, won't change the fact that you're 'safe' to experiment. And you'll know it you get out of line cause I won't hesitate to swat if you do." She grins lightly, then wonders, "So, if you could ask one thing about we females, what would it be? What is the foremost mystery on your mind?"

"Only one? I should have kept a list ready..." Leonard's smile curls a bit. "Not sure that I have the best questions, since I'm so ignorant on the subject, but... Why is it that women are so able to make others do the most nonsensical things around them or for them...?" His brows furrow. "Or is that a better question for the other side?"

"Maybe you can earn another question later," Vixen murmurs, taking a drink as she listens to the question offered up. It brings about a sly little grin as she looks towards him "Well, for most guys that's pretty easy. All those lovely pleasures that women can give are why. Pleasing to look at.. to touch and other things." Her brows rise subtly. "Though yeah.. I think that's not so much a secret, so I'll let you ask another one if you got one that comes to mind. Maybe something a little less easy than that one."

Leonard rolls his shoulders and takes another sip. "I had hoped we were not quite so shallow, but you're probably right. Less easy... Hmmm... Why is it that 'women' seem to do so delight in catching 'us' off-guard? Teasing and taunting and such? I thought it was our duty to be big, strong, infallible..." Not that he has proven to be any of those things, of course. His eyes pointedly seek hers with some of the key nouns, suggesting it might be a more focused question.

Vixen chuckles lowly and notes, "Didn't say you.. said most guys. You.. maybe not so much, but I know you like to look." Again, no negative note given to that notation of awareness. THe question he follows up with does leave her to consider for a few moments, sipping on her tumbler lightly. "Well.. not all women do. But those that do.." She glances towards him. "..I guess we like having some power. The tease is a bit like that. Also feels nice to know a guy is interested enough to get caught in the tease. Also adds a little something with that certain guy who gets to do more than just look. Gives him some hunger.. and that feels real good." The voice of experience, this one. Odd, perhaps, coming from a woman who looks fresh to the realm of adulthood.

"Well..." Leonard's cheeks color, connotation of her awareneess aside, and he gives a guilty nod. "I do... I am, and yes, it does." He might as well confirm all of her key points since he is already caught. "Do women have a manual hidden somewhere? Or are men just naturally outclassed? If I am to struggle at all of this, I could not have asked for a better teacher."

"The manual is called experience," Vixen points out, mirth edging her voice. "But I'll let you in on a little secret.." She leans her head a little towards him and murmurs secretively, "It'll feel really good for you too. Anticipation is nice like that. So its all for the best." The mirth lingers as she lifts her glass for another brief sip. Feeling her relaxing little buzz settle in, making it all the easier to relax with Leo. "You're lucky you ran into me, Leo. Once I'm done with you, whatever little lady you decide to settle down with will likely have an easier time of things."

"Once you're done with me..." Leo repeats the words with a touch of mirth. "It sounds as if you leave a trail of very experienced or broken men wherever you go... and I'm not really surprised." There is no real negative to his statement either, and he washes it down with another conservative swallow of whiskey. "I do feel lucky that I ran into you, Vix." If she chops of syllables, he might as well, too.

Vixen shrugs her shoulders slightly. "I've had some fun in my time. Never was real big on guys.. you know, always having an eye out for the next one. Just there's some people you fall in with and it's natural." She gives him a grin and adds, "You've been one. I suppose it doesn't hurt that you never fail to have a compliment ready. But I'm not the settling sort.. and I'm not so vain to think you'd follow around after me forever. So it's a matter of time. But that doesn't mean we can't enjoy what we've got until then."

Leonard is momentarily quiet, once more. Perhaps she's struck another nail. "I'm beginning to like blunt, I think. Too much, too little..." He chuckles softly, but his eyes remain unmasked by the mirth. "When I wasn't second-guessing myself, I was wondering about you, where I stood. Thank you."

Vixen slants Leo a thoughtful glance at the silent moment. "Well, I'm not going to jerk you around none, Leo. Though sometimes it seems you might think so, I'm not the dream girl and I ain't going to pretend I am. Wouldn't be fair to you." She turns her head and leans in, kissing him lightly on the cheek. "You know where we are now and we can move from there. But just cause I ain't the dream girl, doesn't mean I won't take care of you, ok?"

Leonard smiles, this time quite earnestly, with just a dash of wry. "You are determined to keep that pedestal small, aren't you? Maybe it is the right thing to do, though. Not that it will stop me from adding a few bricks now and again." A large portion of his tumbler is then drained, but by choice rather than for delay or comfort. "Where would the experienced woman have us move on from here?"

"I think we'll just have your surprise, then see what happens after that." Vixen glances up at him and lets a slyness play about her grin. "Maybe I'll have a surprise for you as well. We'll just have to see, won't we?" Ever with the future uncertainty. "After that, we may still just see what happens. I don't like planning when I don't have to, cause surprises are a lovely thing. Don't you agree?" She chuckles lowly and lifts the glass to drain the rest of her own smoothly. A sigh breathed out with an edge of roughness.

"If you had asked me a week ago about surprises," Leonard chuckles as she receives a squeeze, "we would have had something to argue about. Now, I tend to agree." He lifts his tumbler before her and offers a belated toast. "To waiting to see what surprises await?" Vixen clinks her empty glass against his anyway, her grin broadening. "Just remember.. I like 'em, so feel free to surprise me any time, Leo. I like a guy that's not too contrary, but I also like a guy that takes initiative. That's the main thing I want to turn you on to cause that's good no matter what kinda lady you got with you cause I doubt any ladies would be upset with having a guy with that."

Leonard empties the remainder of his tumbler and nods, setting it aside. He turns to more fully face her before noting, "Consider me turned on." As proof, he leans in and pulls her to him for a kiss. Not too harshly as he recalls her warning, although her drink might suffer for it. The glass is empty, so when he turns towards her and looks to kiss her, she lets it drop to the couch without much care. A moment before the kiss lands, she's got her arms lifted, wrapping around his neck as he kisses her. She welcomes it and responds firmly, pressing against him as she gives wholeheartedly. She might not be the dream girl as she says, but she doesn't hold back.

Considering that she is the only one, she is close enough for him at the moment. There is much arm-wrapping, her lack of hesitation spurring him to leap and look later. Unfortunately, after the initial fierce moments, he becomes a bit lost. Bold initiative quickly peters out into something more tentative and exploratory. Hopefully it is not a bad thing. He can feel Vixen smile against his lips as he seems to run into a wall, to to speak. She easing back just a touch to break lip contact and look him in the eye. "You're just too cute," she murmurs lowly. "You ever tongue kissed before?" Until now, she's been going easy on him. Not pushing the envelope too much. "That's something I can teach you right now.. I think you might like it."

Leonard shakes his head slightly, not enough to break eye contact. "Not in any way that was lasting or memorable." Perhaps there were some minor stolen affections in a corner at some point, and likely with him as victim rather than thief. "I think I will... wait." A finger is lifted to rest across her lips as a thought comes after his agreement. "If you want the unexpected, does that mean I'll need to stop kissing you if it becomes expected?" Yes, he actually asks this with genuine curiosity. Mostly.

Vixen blinks when he places his finger over her lips, just a bit surprised at the rejection of a lesson in the now. Though she seems intrigued. Then a flicker of wicked amusement comes to her as she tips her bad back a bit, then gently nips at the tip of that finger, with a brief flick of her tongue against the very tip. "Nope, you'll just have to try keeping it fresh," she murmurs to him then. "That's what relationships are about.. keeping things fresh and alive. Unless you're with someone who likes simple and predictable.. some people like that exist I guess."

"...Good. Now that that worry is gone," The nip draws a twitch of surprise, and then the finger is drawn away, yet the two are not directly related. "Teach away." He leans back in, not quite making contact. She is the lead, afterall.

Vixen smirks faintly and lifts her hands, sliding her fingers through his hair. "C'mere.." And she'll teach by showing him without a hint of hesitance. Her lips open when they touch his this time, her adventuresome tongue happy to show him how to open his as needed. Like any lesson, it takes a proper amount of time and focus and she'll spend it, freely instructing him in the 'finer points of the kiss' as it were. From her perspective, anyway. Perhaps a most cruel tease in the end, for before too long he'll be departing her place once more. The time still not right, it seems.

Leonard may not have any real experience under his belt, or in his lips in this case, he does have his aptitudes. He is a most eager student, both in learning and in gaining her approval. If nothing else, he might acquire an 'A' for effort.