Jan 20 21:28:43 108 PA - Snowball Fight and a Busted Leg
From Chronicles
Jan 20 21:28:43 108 PA.
PLAZA PARK
Snow tumbles earthward in wayward flakes, large and thick, to create a fresh blanket upon the ground. Near to the frozen lake is where Monique lays on her back, her left leg propped up on a little mound of snow. The cold helps to keep it less painful, though she finds the walking cast bulky and awkward. Though currently, the walking cast is off her leg and giving her some much wanted freedom, not that she's doing anything with it. Breathing a soft sigh, the small Inuit woman gazes up at the night's sky, the clouds tumbling over one another. A breeze comes up, scattering the snow and making it seem more sparse, though it deposits a flurry of it upon the furry form of Tornaq sitting near to his charge. He whuffles softly and licks his nose, but both of them seem equally comfortable in the snow.
Eight o'clock in the evening in late January isn't normally a time that most Kingsdalians would be out and about, particularly the Plaza Park, and even more particularly when those citizens would be wading through nearly two feet of snow. But it apparently doesn't bother the elder adventurer of this fair city in what used to be the State of Missouri. In fact, he's barely covered more than normal for a summer day, only a small woolen cap, thin white leather gloves, and a very flexible overcoat. Other than that, he wears a broad smile on his face as he chugs through at a good pace. Not a run, jog, or walk, but a simple pace that could probably be kept up for hours on end, sacrificing speed for distance. What is he particularly doing in the Plaza Park at this hour? Only he and God could really know. As he's not expecting to see anyone, even anyone he knows, he only manages to spot Monique's tiny form because of the equally non-tiny bear. Oh yes, it should also be noted that he seems to be talking to himself. Or... someone next to him, perhaps.
The parka worn in deeper cold is not only undone, but she's retreated her arms from it, letting it be a blanket beneath her, so to speak. Even then, the cold still seeps through. Not that she seems to mind. The great white bear lowers his head to lightly touch his nose to Monique's shoulder at hearing the approaching footsteps, breathing a rumble before lifting his head to watch the man. The small shaman shifts her position slightly, but still keeps her leg upon the snow ramp that she'd built for it. Propping herself up, with bare hands in the snow, she raises an eyebrow slightly, curiosity getting the better of her. Tornaq moves as well, rising to his paws and settling into a protective stance over her. He's not about to let her be hurt again, even though the last time was just an accident. The ice of the lake makes noise, cracking and snapping with the cold as it shifts, the water remaining frozen. You have just received a vote.
With a fatherly smile on his face, Gabriel approaches the young woman, even younger apparently than most of the other strange ones in the town. "Why, hello there, little one. Another beautiful night under the stars?" He gazes upward through the splotchy clouds and into the stark clarity that a winter night brings. "I like my winters better," comes the comment. "Is this what you expected when you came down from the Great White North? To end up on your back in the middle of a city park, broken leg on a pile of snow? Young ladies deserve warmth, comfort, love.." his tone becomes quieter and quieter, trailing off into the realm where only the unnaturally enhanced would be able to hear.
A smile touches at the corners of her lips as she looks up at him from her almost seated position. "Is good night. Like snow," Monique says, quirking a smile. She gives a light laugh to his question, and then she softly shakes his head. "Never expect break bone. Not first time. Unlikely be last time," she muses, her tone holding a thoughtful cast to it. She breathes a soft sigh, then lifts one of her shoulders in a little shrug. "Life have more than comfort, love, warmth. Life have many things," she says softly, her tone gentle as she watches him. Tornaq is quiet, sitting near to Monique to be able to protect her, though he's at least not on edge.
While Leonard may be safe from the prospect of being hit by vehicle, his stiff and slow gait may provide too enticing a target to pass up by a mischievous Sage. A snowball is gathered and tossed at the man with a chuckle. She doesn't stop to gather another since she suspects her intended victim likely wont suddenly spring to playful aggression himself.
In another soft voice - but one that carries over the whistling wind - Gabriel says, "Jestesî daleko od domu, mlody," while smiling at the young Eskimo woman. Tornaq receives another glance, but nothing more. "So your leg's doing better? It was the chocolate, right?" He grins widely. "I have more!" With that, he starts to rummage in the small pouch at his side. Of course, even being rather distant, a snowball flying through the air can't exactly be missed.
Leonard is busy thinking warm and charlie horse-free thoughts as he walks. Until he catches a handful of snow with his face, that is. He startles and sputters, hands up to wipe away snow and make some sort of defensive posture while he hurriedly looks around.
The small Eskimo woman tilts her head slightly to one side at the unusual words he speaks, her brow furrowing a little. "I not know tongue you speak -- what mean?" she asks softly, curiosity sounding in her voice. Tornaq remains settled and calm, apparently having deduced that Gabriel will cause his small charge no harm. Monique gives a little nod to the question asked. "Yes. Leg better. Have hard thing so walk not make break worse," she says, a smile touching her lips. Her dark eyes show a sparkle to them at the mention of chocolate, and she giggles softly. "Like chocolate, is good, always make better," she adds, giving another little nod. At the startled sputtering from Leonard, the small woman turns her attention to him for a moment, one of her eyebrows quirking up a bit before she brings her attention back to Gabriel. "How you?" she asks softly.
The snowball seems to splatter unexpected vigor causing Sage to be caught between being apologetic and laughing herself silly at the spectacle. She manages to contain most of the laughter... for the most part as she makes her way over towards Leonard. "I'm sorry, Leonard... I didn't think it'd get all over you like that." She comments, not able to keep all of her amusement out of the tone.
Gabriel's eyes perk up as the snowball smacks into a man he knows, a man who has just recently come into enough light to be recognized. As for the voice and source of the projectile? That has to be one of his other friends. However, as Monique is the immediate conversation piece, he manages to retrieve another official government-issue chocolate bar from his pouch, and tosses it to the young girl. It means, "You're a long way from home, young one." Of course, it has a unique twang of Kentucky to both the English an the other language, but apparently that's what it means. "Enjoy the chocolate, Monique. Don't suppose your teddy bear would like one?"
"What in the twenty-six hells-" Leonard's griping stops when he spots Sage and her expression and hears her mirth. It's contagious, since he returns some of it in a chuckle. "I think I'm much more awake, now, at least. It's alright..." He waves away her apology in good humor, with an excess of hand movement. Leonard is a good sport, after all. The double-handful of snow that lifts from the ground behind Sage is proof of that.
As the chocolate bar is brought out and tossed to her, Monique lifts her left hand to catch it, a smile lighting her features. "Thank you!" she says brightly, her dark eyes showing a sparkle to them. Shifting her position a little bit, she starts the minor fight against the wrapper of the chocolate in an effort to break it free. And much like the first time, she resorts to using her teeth to do so, tearing it open that way before taking a nibble of a bite, intending to savour it. "Tornaq not eat chocolate. Did eat fish, from lake, before you come," she says. A light shiver chases down her spine as the wet nose of the great white bear touches at the nape of her neck.
When the man shows some humour after his outburst, Sage can't help but grin as the man responds. "Good, you shouldn't be falling asleep just yet... I'm sure Vixen would approve of you being awake." She muses, seemingly oblivious to the snow that lifts from the ground. "Could always offer a hug as reparation too." She offers as she gets closer with each step.
Well, that gets Gabriel's amused attention. Leonard's outburst just can't be ignored. He calls out in a thoroughly thick nighttime drawl, "Twenty-six hells? Where did the new twenty-five come from?" An ironic joke. He then waves at the other woman as Sage comes into view. Then some rapid-fire comments, questions, and statements. "Leonard, do you have permission to be out?" "Miss Sage, is that a mean streak? Something that you try to hide behind the veil of an upscale spa?" "Miss Monique, I'm glad that you're enjoying the chocolate, even if it is US government issue. It's still Hershey's chocolate. But if my girls were here? Particularly Sabiene and Adelaide, you would really be in a fight for it!" After a quieter time as he blinks at snowflakes settling on his eyelashes... he seems content to wait and see where the center of gravity lies in the Park at the moment.
Leonard can't help but grin more. "A hug is always welcome." Not that he expects one after the snow catches up, matches pace overhead, then drops in a concentrated cascade. Leonard is innocent, of course. He's even turning to look at Gabriel when it happens. "Permission? I'm allowed to come and go as I please. Mostly." That last is added after a moment's pause, and a larger, louder chuckle. "What will you do when you run out of chocolate?" His glance now moves between Gabriel and Monique.
Monique lifts a hand to give a little wave to both Leonard and Sage. Tornaq shifts his attention to them, round ears swiveling as he studies them, and he remains settled on his rump. Comfortable, it would seem. Nibbling more on the chocolate, Monique seems quite content with the treat. "Like chocolate. Not eat often, but like much. What Hershey?" she says, a smile lighting her features. She seems in good spirits, at least, despite a broken leg. With a bit of chocolate melted on one of her fingers, she lifts that hand to lick her finger, getting the chocolatey goodness off. She giggles softly, looking between Leonard and Gabriel at the question. "Find more? Tornaq know smell, he lead for find more," she says, giving a nod, her dark eyes showing a sparkle to them. She doesn't usually eat sweets, unless you count fruit.
The falling cascade of snow catches Sage by surprise as she acks and tries to keep as much of it as she can from penetrating her furry barrier of warm. It takes a couple moments of motions before she seems to settle. She considers the circumstances before directing a mild glare towards Leonard before mischief takes its place. She gets another snowball going, but this time, she controls the snowball with her mind to roll about on its own to gain more and more snow.
The older man addresses Leonard's humorous question with deadly seriousness: "When I run out, I'm going to travel back in time, to my time, and I'm going to raid the Hershey factory in Pennsylvania, dig a hole in the ground west of here, fill it with chocolate bars... then come back the same way that I got here, and make a killing selling bootlegged chocolate." The only thing non-humorous about it is a surreptitious wink. Then, "Unless Tornaq's going to be raiding pantries, I don't think you're going to be roaming around finding chocolate, Miss Monique. Vy hoteli by pashka. You can probably get some down at Yakov's Deli." Gabriel can't help but notice the battle of wills and brains and forces of nature or whatever the hell this stuff is. Why can't people just throw snowballs?
Uh oh. Leonard may quickly be falling in over his head. He realizes this possibility and holds his hands up defensively. "Now, now... Aren't we even, now? We wouldn't want to get completely soaked and frozen, would we?" 'We' will probably mean 'he,' but he's still slightly optimistic, somewhere.
The small Inuit woman giggles softly, and she nibbles more of the chocolate before sitting it down, being sure the wrapper it between it and the parka. She licks her fingers, making sure there's no chocolate on them, and then she reaches out to the delightfully packy snow, creating a number of snowballs that aren't very large. Bare hands work well for that, really. She does this until she has a pile, though she doesn't throw any of them. Ammunition as a just in case measure? Absolutely! "Pantry? Is what, pantry? You able go back time?" she asks, tilting her head slightly to one side as she looks up at Gabriel. "Not need call Miss. Can just use Monique," she offers, a smile lighting her features anew. "If run out, will look Deli first," she affirms, giving a small nod. The great white bear rumbles with his own amusement, giving himself a shake before settling anew.
As her little attempt to build up a snow ball quietly seems to draw too much notice, Sage gives Leonard a bit of a grin. "Who's to say I wasn't planning on making a snowman?" She asks with a little mischief as the snowball begins to roll its way towards Leonard but doesn't seem to rise from the ground to become an aerial threat. She pauses to consider those around her before she frowns faintly as she notices the cast on woman. "What happened?" She asks simply as she begins to approach the woman with the cast, "And is it recent?" She gestures towards the cast. The snowball seems to become indecisive about where its going for the time being.
The older man smiles down. "Be sure to ask for the pashka. That's a kind of dessert, not a chocolate bar; and no, I can't travel through time, except to move forward with it as we all do." Gabriel smiles at the young girl. "A pantry. A closet where you store food. And... unless you find it insulting, I will continue to call you Miss. Just as I do with Miss Sage. Raised with a certain unique respect and view of young, un-married women. In my heart, it would be improper to call you otherwise. But if it's insulting to you, I'll try not to say it." He seems to be extremely honest and open on the subject. Then, perhaps to emphasize his point, he states, "The break seems to be fairly new, Miss Sage. I healed her with chocolate." His face breaks into a broad smile, but then he turns over to Leonard. "We should talk." A glance around, "Maybe more than just us." So, perhaps the jovial evening in the Park is coming to an end.
"Who's to say you were?" Leonard smirks, still wary, but still with humor, also. When the focus turns to Monique, he spares her most of his attention. "Several days have passed since she ...fell, I believe." He was only the wingman, and isn't entirely sure he recalls all of the past conversation correctly. A brow then arches at Gabriel. "Oh? On what topic?" Not that there is a lack of things they might discuss. Quite the opposite.
Monique raises an eyebrow slightly as she looks to Sage as the other woman approaches. She lightly places the snowball she was finishing upon the pile of others, then reaches to her chocolate, breaking a piece off and happily munching on it. "It not old. I fall through snow crust, get leg caught. Fall. Bones break," she says softly, her tone holding a thoughtful cast. Looking up at Gabriel, her dark eyes show curiosity to them. "Pashka?" she asks, unfamiliar with the term. So many things to learn. She smiles and then lightly shakes her head. "I not mind be call Miss. It not insult. It just different," she says, giving a small nod. It's different than what she's used to, from up North. She looks between the two men for a moment, though her attention shifts back to Sage, who had asked after her injury. The cast is a walking cast, to prevent her from unsetting the set bones. Not that Tornaq is really letting her walk all that much.
With the giant snowball content to remain where it is for now as Sage pays her attention to Monique, she pauses near the woman to consider the cast. "Ah..." She replies, "There may be a better way to recover than that." She pauses, "You said your name was Monique? I don't think we've ever been properly introduced. I'm Sage." She offers, before she glances over towards Gabriel, "And, I'm not sure I'd call chocolate a cure... or accuse me of having a mean streak."
The older man clarifies to Monique. "A Russian desert. Pashka. Cream cheese, sweet butter, sour cream, sugar.. candy... mixed up into a thick pudding. But yes, Miss Sage does have a mean streak, and chocolate is a cure for everything." He winks at both woman good-naturedly, even tipping a hat - a real hat - at Sage in greeting. But after that, Gabriel shakes his head slowly as he looks at Leonard. "Not that little thing that we need to clean up. New problem. You been watching the news? It's all over the place."
Leonard knows that Monique would be well tended in Sage's care, or even her passing concern. "I'd consider her streaks more ...mischievous," he offers, "not mean." He approaches the three, now, and has to smirk at Gabriel. "There are many things all over the place and on the news. Refugees seem to be missing, strange activities in Whykin, and I continue to receive unexpected packages at my door."
"What cream cheese?" she asks, raising an eyebrow slightly as she looks up at Gabriel, a little puzzled. She's not all that familiar with things used for baking. She just knows if she likes or doesn't like what baked treat she might happen to try, when she tries them. Her attention turns to Sage, and she tilts her head a little to one side. "I Monique. Nice to meet, Sage," she says, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "You fix?" she asks, curiosity in her voice. She takes a moment to look to the men as the news is mentioned, but her attention returns to Sage.
"I could probably make that... if I knew the preparation steps." Sage comments idly before bringing the giant snowball to bump lightly against the older gentleman's leg at her being told that she has a mean streak. It doesn't suddenly burst or try to make a mess. But, a little snow is likely left behind. Then she nods to Leonard with a faintly amused look before she glances towards Monique, "Nice to meet you too." She replies before pursing her lips and nodding faintly to the question. "I can fix it... but it may be better to do it in a... better place than this." She comments, "Perhaps we can work out a place."
The older man says, "No, no. I don't know about packages, but those other things aren't problems right now." Gabriel seems rather surprised as he holds his hands out to his sides. "Haven't you noticed the warning posters? Remind you of anyone?" His eyes are wide, as if his question and statement should be fairly obvious. He shoots a humorous glare sideways as Frosty's ass hits him in the calf. "Shouldn't you be focusing a big warm picture of a splint or a Band-Aid in your head or something, Miss Sage?" At that moment, another blast of wind, unusually strong, whips past, ripping Gabriel's overcoat sideways with a loud snap. He returns to the other man, once more serious. "You've seen 'em, right?"
"Ah, those." Leonard nods, then shrugs his shoulders with mostly nonchalance. "Should I be concerned? Someone is always upset or chasing after someone else, for some reason. Considering what I remember of the source, it was probably a client that didn't pay their bill for a polish or adjustment." He interrupts the topic to motion between Sage and Monique with a chuckle, "I did mention that Sage could help you."
Monique raises an eyebrow slightly as she looks up at Sage. She can cook, but baking... well, other than bannock and a couple of other typical staples of her upbringing, she really doesn't know baking. Reaching out, she breaks off a piece of the chocolate, munching it. "Better place? Where want do?" she asks, tilting her head slightly to one side. She sounds willing to figure something out, or so it seems. She looks to Leonard at his comment, then blushes a little, ducking her chin and giving a little nod. "Yes. Did say," she says softly, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
Sage glances towards the older man with a raised brow, "I think you'll find the answer to that question harder than you imagine, but perhaps more surprising if you were to watch." She comments before offering a shrug. She turns her attention back to Monique. "Some place warmer, drier... my place would have a suitable place. But, I suppose anywhere you can lay down may do." She offers, and gives the woman a small smile.
The older man does his best to make it clear to Sage, "I'm only teasing you." Other than that, Gabriel's speech is brief, and directed at Leonard. "Wanted posters. 'A client that didn't pay their bill for a polish or adjustment.' Honestly, I'm not entirely sure that we're talking about the same thing, though I don't know how we couldn't be. But I'll drop it, as long as you don't happen to be worried about anyone in particular."
Leonard shakes his head to Gabriel. "I'm not worried about anyone in particular. Well, no more than is usual, I suppose." Another shrug and a chuckle. "Speaking of those we might need to worry over..." Now he returns his attention to Sage and Monique. "Do either of you need any help to go wherever it is you plan to go?"
Monique seems to consider the words spoken, and then she gives a small nod. The great white bear rumbles softly, nosing at her shoulder almost as though there is some manner of unspoken communication passing from one to the other. "Sound better, from what say, go your place," she says softly, her tone holding a thoughtful cast to it. She retrieves the last bit of chocolate from the wrapper, nibbling on it until it's gone. Sigh. Chocolate could always do to last longer. She looks from Leonard to Sage, and then lifts one of her shoulders. "I not know," she says softly, leaving it for Sage to answer better.
Sage purses her lips as she glances between Leonard and Monique. "Well, I know Leonard can get us there quickly. It might save us a lot of hobbling along since I'm not sure any of us have a vehicle nearby." She comments, before raising her brow at Leonard. Then she glances towards Gabriel. "And, perhaps we can help Monique along." She comments, moving to one side of Monique in case the trip would be easier with a human crutch.
Gabriel shrugs and his face is suddenly awash with peace again. "Okay. Well, Miss Monique, looks like we're all in agreement that we should get you over to Miss Sage's place. Fix you up right, maybe give you a massage and pump s'more chocolate into ya. C'mon, young lady, let me get you under the arm, okay? I promise your bear than I'm not going to hurt you." If she'll accept his assistance, he'll give it. If not, he'll follow - and protect, because Kingsdale isn't a safe place to be at night in the middle of winter in the middle of a moderate snow-storm.
"I've been known to shorten a journey, now and then." Leonard is as eager to escape the snowfall as anyone else, as well. He will do his best to make the trip brief and comfortable, whether that involves tearing and reconstituting reality to bring them to Sage's in a step, or simply trying for relaxing conversation to pass the time and helping guide them around snowdrifts. The first choice might be better.
Monique shifts her weight slightly, reaching to reclaim her parka from the ground, shrugging lightly into it. "More chocolate good!" she comments, quirking a smile. Tornaq rumbles softly, nosing at her shoulder and getting to his feet, no doubt readying to help her as well. The great white bear looks to those who are intent to help his charge, and he stays out of their way to be able to let them help. "Tornaq know you not cause hurt. He trust, I trust. Accept help, yes," she affirms, giving a small nod and smiling at him. The small Inuit woman doesn't really want to leave the snowy park, but she accepts it as necessary.
