Jun 04 00:44:24 108 PA - Drinking with an Attractive Woman
From Chronicles
Jun 04 00:44:24 108 PA.
THE ALIBI
Erica is sitting at the bar this late evening. Her legs are crossed and she has her back to the bar while she watches the band on stage as well as the dance floor in front of the stage. One of her hands is folded around a mixed drink that has a straw coming out of it. Her fingers tap against the side of the glass in time to the music.
The large Pavel bursts boisterously through the door and past the guards, his hammers and such apparently not being deemed a major threat. In English so broken that it's probably unlikely that anyone understands it, he chats up people on his way to the bar - particularly the feminine people. Looks like it's raining outside, as his hair is matted against his head and neck, a few droplets hanging onto his fuzzy leather jacket. Still, he's in quite the good mood, and ends up crashing against the bar near Erica, giving her a pseudo-suggestive wink before standing and saying in Euro, << Erica, right? You can understand me? >>
Erica looks up at Pavel as he smiles at her. She raises the straw to her lips and takes a sip from her drink while her painted lips curl into a little smile. She swallows and lets go of the straw. Looking up at Pavel she nods her head before replying in English. "Yes I can understand you. It is Pavel correct?" She asks with that little smile.
"Da, da. Pavel Nikolayevich." Then he calls to the barkeep, "Vodka!" holding up four thick fingers to indicate how many he wants, probably unable to adequately communicate the number in American. He seats himself - which pretty much means bending his legs a little to get to the stool. << You're ravishing, Erica, >> he states in Russian. << You and I, maybe buy you a drink, find a nice warm place...? >> His eyebrows wiggle, then he breaks into laughter again. << How do you occupy your time? >> Then as if an afterthought, << Mind if I sit here? >>
One eyebrow of Erica's raises at Pavel's compliments and questions. She laughs softly and shakes her head slightly. "I am sorry Pavel, but I am not that easy. Takes a bit more to sweep me off my feet." Her smile grows a little wider and she takes a moment to take a quick sip from her mixed drink. "Well when I am not at the bar or the clubs I am a merc."
<< Oh, a violent and temperamental woman who is also beautiful! Such is the challenge of the chase! Here, my native drink. >> Pavel shoves one shot glass across the counter - with a friendly nod, not a suggestive one. << You've been here long, I suppose? Years fighting for money in a city that loves money and fighting? >>
Erica takes the offered shot glass and downs it in one quick motion. The liquor makes her pale skin flush a little bit as she drinks it. "I have been here for a few years. Not that long. I am still a young woman." She says with a chuckle as she takes a little sip from her mixed drink to chase the shot she just took.
Pavel wiggles his eyebrows. << Yes, obviously a very young woman. Young and nubile, if a little short. Good body, muscles, yes, you have the total package. >> He downs a glass himself, then says, "Oovahs krahseeviyeh glahzah, volahsi, golahs, vkoos, eedyot etah preechyoskah, leetsoo eta bloozkah!" Then ending with, "Vahs krahseet oolibkah." If a mechanical translator could keep up with the rapid-fire words, it would have a long, long string pointing out the woman's finer qualities, from smile to clothing to makeup and yes, physical specimen. He abruptly changes course. << I really don't know much about mercenaries. My life has been sheltered in simplicity. >>
Erica laughs again as she shakes her head, but her lips continue to smile. She listens to Pavel list her qualities and she chuckles again while she looks at the large man. "Well what is it you do Pavel? I mostly kill for a living. Usually killing bad people to protect those that can't protect themselves."
Hmm, comes a rumble from deep within Pavel's throat at Erica's disclaimer of her job. Still, he continues in Russian, << Bad people need to be dealt with, this is true. I... I help people with metalwork. Plows, shovels, I make very nice silverware with gold and silver inlay... armor. I do... very unusual and special things with metal that most blacksmiths can't do. >> He grins largely and toothily, and adds, << Of course, sometimes I go out and whack bad people over the head myself sometimes. >>
"So is that where you got all those muscles?" Erica asks with a little bemused smile. "So where do you work? You have your own forge?" She asks before taking another sip from her cocktail. "I am not good enough with my hands except to do field repair work. I am a pretty good shot though." She shrugs her shoulders making the corset stain slightly as she stirs her straw around in her drink.
Pavel downs the remaining two shots, slamming each one down against the counter in sequence. With a nod, he goes on, << I'm building a place outside the walls. I've never been a city person. Krasny Kut, only perhaps five thousand people at a given time. Some of the cities I passed were larger, but I like simplicity. >> He then flexes his muscles with obvious humor. << Lifting heavy things over and over builds muscle. I saw a... >> "gym" comes out in English << out on the street. I've never heard of such a thing. If people want to exercise, there's a whole outdoors to exercise. Metal machines? Very strange. But is that where you earned your curvy shape? >>
Erica stops stirring her drink and takes a long sip from it, finishing it off. She turns on her stool, flashing a little bit of leg as she turns. Placing her empty glass on the counter she gestures to the bartender for a new drink. "Well I keep in shape at the gym when I'm not on a job. But boot camp kicked my ass into shape pretty quickly. I go running every day."
Pavel quirks his head. "Boot. Cahmp." He does his best to pronounce the words. << I don't know this term. What does it mean... and you have fantastic legs. You could be a dancer, you know. Very famous, lots of money, men and women fawning all over you. Quite the good life for that, if you like richness, royalty, and pampering. >>
Erica laughs as she shakes her head. She smiles at the bartender as she gets a new glass full of her cocktail of choice. Picking up the glass she stirs it with her straw before taking a sip. "It is a place where military recruits are trained." She looks down at her legs then back up at Pavel her pale skin turning a little pink as she blushes. "Thank you. They are ok, but not long enough. I am shorter then most around here."
Pavel nods deeply. << Oh. Like Warlord Romanov's forces. They are very machined... >> he sounds out 'tyechnohlohgy.' << Large guns, armor that makes them immune to most of us. Only demons and other warlord armies can stand up to them. >> He orders an entire bottle of vodka, sips... no, drinks... and continues with what is obviously respect. << Sonya Romanov, she is a wise leader. Yes, she has her army, but she uses it in defense against the others. She took good care of all of us, and I assume that she still does. If a new, unified Russia is ever to emerge, it will be because of her. The only female warlord, and a very wise woman. >> He taps his temple with a giant hand.
Erica nods her head slightly as she listens to Pavel. "Yah there are armies like that here. Lots of cyborgs in Quebec. Lots of big armor and big guns about." She says with a little bit of a bemused smile. "It is nice when a good leader arises. It seems like there are too few good and kind leaders out there. I am glad she helped your people."
<< Are there good leaders here? I really only know what the Federation of Magic had to say. I moved because I decided that they were like a biased news organization named after a small and often red or gray woodland predator. Propaganda can be found everywhere, large and small. I haven't heard that this city has good leaders. >> Pavel swigs from his bottle, one hand wrapped around its neck. << I guess I don't actually know if it has leaders at all, or if it's just a controlled anarchy. What is a.. >> he then sounds out what is apparently a completely unfamiliar word. "Cybohrg?" The 'r' is rolled exceptionally; probably just second nature.
"There are some good leaders about. Some in Lazlo and New Lazlo. There are a few in Kingsdale as well. A lot of leaders are just people though." Erica says while her smile falters for a few moments. She takes a moment to take a long sip from her cocktail. "I am sure you know what a cyborg is. That is what Russia is supposed to do best. Make lots of cyborgs."
<< Russia makes many things, but many things are not everywhere. As I said, I lived simply. Most of us live very simply. Someone used the word - medieval, though I'm not sure what it means. If a cyborg is a technology, then it is with the military forces, and I.. am not a military force. I just work with metal and sell my wares. >> Pavel smiles. << Lazlo... north, right? Like Chi-Town and the Emperor? New Lazlo? I didn't know that there were an old one and a new one. So Kingsdale doesn't have a leader, it *is* controlled anarchy? >> He tilts his head sideways. << I don't suppose you're in the market for fine silverware? >>
"Yes New Lazlo is a city that was founded by Lazlo. It is an independent kingdom though." Erica says before taking a quick sip from her drink. "Kingsdale has a council that makes laws and what not." At Pavel's question she chuckles and shakes her head. "I don't really do a lot of formal dining. I just make quick dinners for myself."
Pavel nods. << I need to find somewhere that will sell the nicer, finer things that I make. Plows, shovels and trowels are easy, and the people generally just come by to pick them up. But things with detail, things that cost more... I need a store, usually, unless I just happen to be passing through. >> He takes a swig, and asks, << Why no formal dining? You're gorgeous in a dress! What else might you look good in? Or... out of? >> His eyebrows wiggle again.
Erica chuckles again before taking a long drink from her cocktail. "I just have a small apartment. I don't have room for a big dinner. I just like to dress up when I go out. Maybe you could sell to some of the restaurants like the one in the Happy Days Inn. That is a pretty nice place. I know there are lots of farmers and masons about. I am sure you could make money selling to people like that." She shrugs her shoulders again which makes her corset move in an interesting manner. Turning back to the bar she gestures to the bartender and orders herself a lemon drop shooter.
Pavel nods again. << Yes, some better than others, if they get to know me. >> His tone - if you were to hear it in Russian - might be slightly mysterious. << I'm living at Happy Days right now. It's a nice place, and while I usually sleep simple, I certainly won't turn my back on a bed made to pamper rich people. >> How he can afford to stay at a place that caters to rich people may be somewhat questionable.
Erica takes a long drink from her mixed drink as she nods her head. "Well I have lived there before I got my apartment. It is a pretty nice little place. I am sure you'll find a place of your own soon enough." She smiles briefly at Pavel. "So at least do you like Kingsdale better then the Federation of magic?"
Pavel looks around the club, waving a hand to gesture at its occupants. << I haven't been here long enough to decide! Not even a week yet. Well, maybe a little over. Maybe you're the only nice person in town. Maybe.. you're not actually a nice person, just a very, very pretty one. I have five years of memories about the Federation of Magic. That's a lot of weight to compare against. >> He smiles and nods his chin toward Erica's drink. << What is that? Seems much more complicated than drinking out of a bottle or a barrel. >>
Erica chuckles again as she wags a finger at Pavel. "You pay me too many compliments. You are much too nice to me." She shakes her head before looking down at her drink. "Oh it is just raspberry vodka and some soda. It is one of my favorite drinks at the clubs."
<< Raspberry? I wouldn't mix such flavors with vodka. We make sweet drinks out of them, brews. Very tasty. >> Pavel smacks his lips to indicate that he really means it. << You deserve such compliments! Though... there are a few other ladies out there who are also very attractive. I wonder if they like drinks, too? >> He smirks at himself, thinking.
"Well this isn't Russia. Raspberry vodka is my favorite." Erica says with a smile before taking another sip of her drink. She nods at the bartender as she gets her lemon drop shooter. She downs the shooter quickly enough and then takes another sip of her drink. "I am sure that most of the women here at the club like drinks."
"Da." << I'll need to buy them some, perhaps we can all show each other a very good time... >> Pavel quirks his head. << Why aren't you already with some fine man who lavishes things on you like jewelry and delicate dresses? I can see men looking at you ->> he points to a group of young men who are in fact looking at least in her direction. << Women have the ability to get what they want from men, if they're of the right mindset. Not all of us... but many. >> He's clearly amused himself with the last comment.
Erica rolls her eyes slightly as she laughs softly. She shakes her head a little bit. "I don't need a man to give me things. I am fine taking care of myself. But no man has asked me out in some time. Just because they are staring means little." She chuckles again and takes a little sip from her drink.
<< Ah! Take yourself out there, make friends. But I speak out of turn. >> Pavel swivels his thick shoulders and orders another bottle of vodka, his first one having been drained some time along the way. << Your mechanical translator. I met a woman who could read my mind... telepathically? Translated for a second woman who could hear her thoughts, too. Does everyone here understand and speak speak every language but me? >>
Erica shrugs her shoulders again. "Some of them do. Some don't. A translator is a pretty handy thing to have when people come from all over. I am sure most people understand little but the language they grew up with." She pauses to take a sip from her drink. "I don't know what a lot of people are capable of though."
The large Russian drinks from his new bottle, a smile on his face. But he then inspects it with a careful eye. << It is better back home. They call it the 'Old Country' but I don't know why. New enough to me! >> Another one of his deep rolling laughs issues forth. << The Federation of Magic, they didn't have people who read minds, at least, not normally. But they cast spells that made the person understand.. >> Pavel pauses, shrugs, and continues << .. everything, I guess. I have heard what is called Spanish, but only a very, very small amount. It comes up from the south? The Federation is a very closed place. I have heard the words that the mages speak, that they call 'Dragonese,' but I don't understand any of it. There have been many conversations spoken behind good Pavel's back. >> The man winks at the use of the third-person.
"Well with people all over it is hard to communicate sometimes. Magic is one way to do it I guess. I have technology to help me out. Spanish is pretty common further to the west of here and also to the south." Erica takes a long sip from her drink before she looks up and smiles at Pavel. "I am sure your English will quickly become better with time."
He smiles. << I don't know, I've had five years of practice, and you've heard how far I've come. I think that it's a block in my mind of some sort. Yes, that must be it. I'm not stupid, it's biology. >> Pavel grins widely. << Um.. what do the ladies around here like? No, never mind. I'll find out for myself. Much more fun that way. Sure, you might get yourself slapped sometimes, but in the end, it's worth it. >> Another laugh, though quieter - but just as rolling. << You speak English originally? I heard, a few times, that they speak - French? Up north. Where the two Lazlos might be? >>
"That is further to the north east. In Lazlo they speak mostly American." Erica says with a slight smile. "As for what ladies like? I am sure they like humor and a friendly person. I am sure you will do very well with the ladies Pavel. It shouldn't take long for you to get a few girlfriends I am sure."
<< Yes, a few! Two, three? Four! Ha! Yes, when I am settled. When I have more money than just my savings, and when I have a nice place.. to go back to. >> Pavel nods knowingly, for once holding back his words a bit. << There's a monument in a very pretty area of the city, over there, I think.. >> he points in what is generally the direction of the Park. << What is it? It's technology, so I don't know what it is, but it looks different from anything I've seen; much bigger and stranger than even the few large transports that passed through on their way to Dunscon. >>
Erica chuckles as she smiles. "It sounds like you have pretty big plans. I am sure girls will appreciate that." She says while giving Pavel a quick little wink. She takes a little sip from her drink and then looks back up at Pavel. "Yes the park is lovely. I think you are talking about the Colossus Monument. I don't know where it came from. I haven't been in the city that long. Only about three years."
<< Three years? That is a good amount of time, but it's a large city, too. Strange place. Seems like so many different beings living together, but all of them right on the edge of the cliff before they start throwing punches. Or.. magic. Whatever. It barely even seems to qualify as an uneasy peace. There's a part of the city that seems dedicated to technology, a part of it dedicated to the kind of magic that I don't understand. There's probably one for psychics that I just haven't found yet. >> Pavel then seems rather disappointed in general. << These Dregs. Where I am from - Russia, not the Federation - we all take care of our own. >>
"Yes it is a pretty big place. There are a few big cities around in North America. And who knows what is out there through some of the rifts. You hear some pretty crazy stories." Erica says after a moment. "Well people get along sometimes. All the people where you from might be pretty much the same. People here are pretty different from each other."
"Da." << Very different. Krasny Kut was a nice place to grow up. Where are the big cities? Kingsdale is one of them, right? I know that Chi-Town is north. The Federation of Magic, the mages there... some of them very evil people. All of them talked of Chi-Town, and the Coalition. Little word of people coming up from the south, I suppose. Lone Star. >> Pavel hoists his quarter-empty bottle. << Apparently there is a Lazlo and a New Lazlo that sound like they're also big cities? >> He tweaks the bottom of a passing serving girl, who pleasantly jumps rather than slaps. With a grin, he continues. << Do people fight with this city? >>
"Tolkeen, Iron Heart, Tolkeen, Lazlo, New Lazlo, Free Quebec, Kingsdale, and Merctown are the big ones." Erica says with a brief shrug of her shoulders. She grins as she shakes her head at Pavel as he pinches the bottom of the serving girl. "Watch out." She warns. "Lots of people fight for Kingsdale. It isn't as bad as a lot of people make it out to be."
He tilts his head to the side. << Why to they think it's bad here? Other than the obvious? I came here because I thought it would be peaceful, or at least more peaceful. Is the Council at war with one of those places? >> Pavel winks at the girl who's hurrying off.. who winks back at him, making him grin.
"No Kingsdale isn't at war with anyone. They try very hard not to piss anyone off." Erica says with another shrug. "I think you'll find it fairly peaceful." She says with a nod of her head and a smile. "Please excuse me. I have to go use the little girl's room." She says as she gets down from her chair and makes her way to the bathroom. Every step she takes makes her sway in her tall heels.
Pavel waves, and says, << And I need to go get that little girl... >> His large body moves off in the direction of the cute little waitress.
