Jul 26 12:54:53 109 PA - Looking for a Cook and Escort

From Chronicles

Jul 26 12:54:53 109 PA.

YAKOV'S DELI

Lunchtime! Pavel enters the deli with his girlfriend tucked at his side. They're quite casual, with Anya dressed in an ankle-length skirt and blouse combination that could have come right out of the ancient medieval ages. After their feet take them to the counter and food is delivered, they do their best to make their way to one of the tables by a window, happily conversing in their native Russian the whole time.

Rasputin is of course busy, busy. He is zooming around, making food, delivering plates, talking to customers. Doing everything except, handling the till. That is being handled by a nice young man, who is taking the credits hand over first for the well known Yakov's Deli favorites. Rasputin is of course, also singing some lovely Russian tune.

Pavel seats himself and his girlfriend by squeezing his large frame into a small seat. << Good food. Do you see Rasputin around? I hear him, but I don't see him. >> Anya looks around herself, only to comment, << No, no. I know that you wanted to talk to him, I'm sure he'll be around. Is that the girl that you dated? >> She points to the other Anya, the cute-as-a-button Anya. Pavel pretends to not hear the question.

Rasputin makes his way to the new arrival, not that anyone could miss frame of Pavel. He chuckles, "Da, how are you both doing this afternoon." He smiles, "What can I get for you both?" His words make a nice clear statement over the din of the deli. Of course, in Russian.

"Abzhorka?" Pavel looks up hopefully. "I've never ordered it before, and Anya has made it for me, but I've never tasted it here. How're you doing, Rasputin? You look good! >> Anya then addresses Rasputin, pointing to the waitress. << Is that the girl that he was seeing? >> It's an amused woman's tone that you never know is going to end up good or very, very bad.

Rasputin chuckles and smiles, his eyes wander over towards Anya and then looks back to this Anya, then to Pavel, "Your Abzhorka will be right up for you Pavel my friend." He whispers down to the 'new' Anya, "Well, if it was then they never came here to eat." He chuckles a bit, and smiles, "What would you like my dear?"

<< The same, please, >> Anya replies, then shoots Pavel what looks to thankfully be a mock dirty look. << So, it is her, but you never brought her here? Where were you off gallivanting then, hmm? >> The smith chuckles and shrugs at Rasputin. << What can you do? Business looks good today. Busiest lunchtime I've seen here. >>

Rasputin chuckles and smiles, "It does get this way sometimes. Something for you both to be drinking while you wait?"

<< Something simple, >> Pavel replies. << I think just milk would be fine. But please, sit! Join us. I'll shield you from prying eyes with my back. >>

Rasputin chuckles a bit, and goes to get both of your orders put into the line up. He comes back with a pot of tea, a glass of milk, and pot of honey. There are three cups for the tea. He sits down and smiles, "So how have you been Pavel? Did I tell you I finally finished dhat spell I was working upon?"

<< No, I hadn't heard! >> Pavel exclaims. << Congratulations, which spell was this one? I've gotten lost in the mix. >> Anya is cultured enough to thank their host for the food in Pavel's absence. The smith blushes - but only a little. << Does it have to do with the canes of yours back at my place? >>

Rasputin nods pours out three cups of tea, and puts a little honey into his. Then offers both the honey pot, and a small milk pot to both of you. Should you want tea as well, "Net, the canes is another project I haven't completely figured out how to handle as of yet. This is a small spell which I can use offensively. It launches, well..." He grins, "I can show you some time, when it is less crowded." He tugs his beard and smiles.

Pavel happily accepts both honey and milk, sweetening his tea before passing everything along. << Now I do remember you saying something about that. Launching something big, or hard, or at least dangerous. I'd love to see it! I'm really looking forward to working on the canes, too. I just don't have the funds to do what I need to do right now, and the time. Which actually brings me to a question... oh, and doubly so now that you have your special new spell. You've been to Laramy? >> Anya is busy fixing her own tea and fluffing a napkin into the not-quite-so-cultured smith's lap.

Rasputin thinks a few minutes pulling on his beard a little bit, "Da, once or twice. Been a while dhough. It is west of hear, da?" He thinks, "I may have been that way once at least." He takes a ship of his tea and frowns. He puts a little milk into it, "Why do you ask?"

<< Yes, northwest of here. More west-northwest I think. I ask because I make usual deliveries of tools and other metal supplies to the little town, >> Pavel says as he begins to explain. << I have a stack of tools and such absolutely piling up, because the people who normally come to help with the deliveries have been delayed. I just have do get them up there. A few carts have been hired - good wood, metal and horse-drawn variety. I just need people to watch out for me. Only two days as that speed, and I don't think anything dangerous... but you never know. What do you say? A little adventure? See a little bit of the area? >>

Rasputin nods slowly, "Da, da. I would be willing to go with you, perhaps I can find some game along the way. A few deer, rabbit, or something. I can always use more variety here in da deli." He sips his tea, "I could try out my new spell, should trouble arrive as well, da."

Pavel smiles and says to Anya, << SEE.. I told you. >> Whatever it was, he leaves mysterious, and she simply rolls her eyes and offers a twittering little chuckle. << I'm surprised that you've never been around the area. Although I really have no place to say that of my own even. I've been to Laramy, and to wherever we were to hunt your dinosaurs. Otherwise, just here in the city and the areas right around. I prefer the areas around, >> he adds with a wink.

Rasputin shakes his head, "I tend to go east more towards the Appalachian mountains. As you say, there are more dino's there for my hunting. Otherwise, I tend to only wander in the wilderness within the patrolled areas. Plenty of game, fish and fowl in the area." He tugs his beard a little bit, then sips his tea, "So, 2 days travel you say? That isn't too bad, considering."

<< No, not bad. I like the horse-drawn wagons. They're quiet and simple, >> Pavel explains. << What are the Appalachian mountains? Are they tall like the Urals? That's where the dinosaurs live? >> He thinks, then shrugs. << I guess I really didn't know where we were. But yes, two days, which means one overnight somewhere along the way. >>

Rasputin shakes his head, "Net, net. They are more worn over, kind of rolling mountains with cliffs. But I only hang on the west side of them, anyway." He smiles and nods, "Good, good. I have much more camping supplies this time. I can really make great food this time while we are on the trail." He chuckles a bit, "Or will there be space for all of that?"

Pavel thinks for a moment. << I hadn't really thought about camping supplies beyond the necessities. It's just four wagons, maybe a fifth one if it keeps piling up. Not many people to feed, and this time of the year the weather should be good. Living off a few snares and berries. But!? I'd love to have your cooking along, and I'm sure that others would as well. >> Anya makes noise about coming along, but Pavel puts a lid on that quickly. The feminist movement hasn't returned to full strength following the Cataclysm in some places.

Rasputin nods slowly, "Da, da. Well tell me how much I can bring along, and I'll make preparations to match, da?" He smiles a bit, "How will be getting back?"

<< Same wagons, >> Pavel answers. << Deliver the tools to Laramy, pick up some of their own merchandise to take to the agricultural village nearby my forge. It should be very simple, they are decent roads, people travel them regularly. But it's good to be cautious. >> He offers a grinning, << If you're feeling ambitious, I could hire another wagon just for you and cooking gear. >>

Rasputin nods slowly, "Da, da. So 2 days round trip, or 4?"

Pavel slurps up some of the meat. << Round trip? Four days. >>

Rasputin nods slowly, "Da, da. I can still be doing that easy enough." He looks around, "It will be a nice break from the Deli for four days. Then, once I get back in the saddle again, I can plan my next trip to go hunt dino's. I want to try and get something with more meat this time, but we will see how it goes." He smiles, "So, do you know when you will be going on this little trip yet?"

After pausing for another mouthful of meat, Pavel answers only what he can, << As soon as possible. It's not an urgent rush yet, but I would like to make the regular delivery. Particularly as things have to come back this way, as well. But, I've only spoken to one other person about it yet, and he has agreed to help out. I'm trying to ask Sage, but she has been difficult to find. >> Anya pipes up with an amusing, << Rasputin, maybe you can get Pavel to force his friend to teach him how to read American letters. I don't have the time to keep translating for him. >>

Rasputin smiles with a sheepish grin, "Well my dear," He tugs his beard, "I can't read American myself, though I can cheat with magik. But I can read and write, several other languages." He takes another sip of his tea, "Though, if he finds someone to teach him, I myself would like to learn how to read and write American."

<< Fizzlesnoot is going to help me out. In return for working his muscles and bones to the point of failure. It's a strange exchange, knowledge for slave labor, >> Pavel says with a wink. << It will be a long process for me. I might be good at what I do, but? I'm only of average brightness at best, when it comes to thinking power. Perhaps we could learn together though, if he would be up to it. >> Pausing to sip some tea - and being reminded to use the napkin - he asks, << Would you like me to see if he's willing? >>

Rasputin ponders a bit, "I'm not sure, I've never worked with Fizzlesnoot before. Does he work hard?" Rasputin tugs his beard, "Da, da. I would, dhat would be nice to finally learn that darn language."

Pavel starts to wipe up his food with an eager fork and a piece of a wheat roll. << He does work, very hard when he needs to. But most of the time he sits behind the scenes at the club in the 'Dregs, not doing much exercise. So I'm making him exercise, and getting a good stone wall out of it! >> He smiles, << I'll talk to him, and see if he would be interested. I bet he would be, but it's always best to ask, yes? >> Anya is now poking his shoulder. << We need to get to the village, and if we don't leave soon, you'll have to throw me over your shoulder and run. >>

Rasputin nods and smiles, "Da, da. Takink care, da?"

Pavel grabs Anya and almost tosses her over his shoulder, laughing - both of them laughing - as he does so. << Thank you again for another great meal, Rasputin. I'll speak to Fizzlesnoot. Don't let your staff work you around too much, they work for you, not the other way around! >> Now that the meals are gone his sturdy legs start a stately march toward the exit.