Jun 07 15:48:13 105 PA
From Chronicles
The current game time is: Sun Jun 07 15:48:13 105 PA.
The garage area of Advanced Idea Mechanics is an extremely large single room, with a chemically treated (MDC) concrete floor. The walls, unlike those of the office are completely undecorated, giving the place a spartan, industrial feel. Which is fitting, considering the bustling of activity that is being undergone in this place. Most often, a suit of power armor or two is being worked on and occasionally a giant robot can be seen encased in scaffolding along one wall. At one time or another, just about any kind of job is visible being done. From weapon reloading, to repairs to outright radical modification. And it isn't just confined to robots and power armor, either. The occasionally light armored vehicle and even main battle tank are seen here on occasion. To help with the work itself the ceiling is fitted with huge cranes that move on mobile tracks, allowing them to lift into place things like weapons and giant robot limbs. For working on the latter as well, a massive support construct has been built into one wall complete with a crane of it's own, providing means to lift and secure for repair a robot that is missing both legs if required. Other equipment, from spot welders to laser torches to electronic toolkits can be found on benches and the like all through the area. As you watch, men in exoskeletons, sometimes assited by a vehicle or a crane carry things from two rooms visible down a short yet wide hallway, slipping under large blast doors. These doors close automatically behind whomever leaves, indicating perhaps that volatile materials are stored within.
A bit after noon on Sunday, Desmond has come to AIM with a purpose in mind that is apart from that of most people. While he hasn't chosen a spot to roost that is right next to where Caliopa tends to go, it is within an easy line of sight. Currently the big feline is leaning against a large cargo truck that has been parked for long term storage. He has a small sketchpad in hand and is awkwardly trying to sketch on the latest clean page, though his posture doesn't make it an easy thing to do. When not focused on the book of paper, his eyes are lifted to a nearby powered armor that has a few sections of plating missing, opening its guts to be worked on. Though whoever was working on it seems to have taken his or their lunchtime break.
She is late, her cheeks flushed as she rushes towards her workstation, fielding a few jokes from the other workers. Most of those are ignored, one or two replied to. She tosses a bag by her truck, crouching to grab her work things from it. Her plait falls over her shoulder as she does so. Immediately, she moves to a bike, one not in pieces but looking better than it has for some time.
"Okay, so I didn't think you'd be that late," Atticus notes as he follows Cali in, smiling. He has a knapsack over his shoulder and a bag of food, following along with her. "You should have some of these breakfast tacos. Get your energy up and all that. What do you have to work on today?" he asks cheerily, following the woman into the shop with a smile.
Desmond doesn't notice Cali's arrival for a short while, his eyes fixed on his pad as he ever so carefully plies his pencil with the utmost focus. Ears flicking upward slightly as the general din of work and casual talk ripples with the arrival of Cali and Atticus. But to ears trained to listen for conflict, this doesn't throw up flags enough to distract him. He pauses after a few moments, considering the mangled rendering briefly before he flips the pad closed with a deep, quiet huff. Lifting his gaze afterward, considering the place beyond the stripped down PA and his pad. Noticing Caliopa and Atticus have arrived, he considers the two of them quietly for a few moments, lingering by the nearby truck before he elects to approach. Still with the pad and pencil in alternate hands.
"You got some food fetish, you know that..." The reply to Atticus is teasing, the look affectionate. "I'd have energy if you hadn't..." She trails off, cheeks blushing red. She points at the bike, "That's the guy who bought it in battered, and I got carried away, done a bit more than he asked for." She runs a light hand over the bike, gently stroking it.
"Well, I'm sure he'll like it. And you'd have energy if you eat," he teases. Atticus makes room on the top of a nearby tool cart, spreading out napkins and putting wrapped breakfast tacos, neat containers of sour cream, salsa, cheese, onions. Wrapped burritos, fruit juice and water. "Oh hey Desmond," he calls.
Desmond approaches the two openly, ears flicked forward alertly as he considers what he sees. And hears. But as he nears he keeps it simple. "Atticus. Caliopa." Each name spoken with a welcoming tone of greeting, accompanied by a lingering of his eyes on each. He's direct as well, "Atticus, I believe Katsumi and I have located where the vampires have hidden themselves. Several of them and perhaps the humans they have taken control of." Considering for a moment before he lifts up the sketchpad and starts to flip through it. Two dozen or so pages filled with scrawl so far, though he keeps flipping past his endeavors into art until he comes to a blank page, starting to write out an address.
She laughs up at Atticus, shaking her head, cheeks pink. "I'd have energy if you..." She stops abruptly, as Desmond greets them. "Uh, hi Desmond." The colour deepens into red, and she leans over the food, tipping a finger into the sour cream and sucking it off. "Um. I'm gonna get fat." She gives Desmond a curious look, "You draw?" She questions, the inevitable curiousity rising.
Atticus nods, looking excited as he reaches for his pocket, pulling out his notebook and beginning to make notes. "Good, good. Can you tell me how many you think you sensed? Humans and vampires I mean. You sensed all eight?" he asks. He puts down his notebook, fixing some breakfast tacos for Cali - marinated beef, onions, peppers, salsa and cheese on a small flour tortilla. A fond smile for Cali.
Desmond rips the page from the sketchpad and steps closer to Atticus to hand it over. "No.. I think there were only four, but it is hard to be sure." The paper has the address of the place written in neat, blocky letters. "I believe there were two humans in particular that were coming and going. If there were eight, they may have split up. We did not linger too long, nor try to gain entry, so as to not give away our finding them." He pauses then and looks to Cali, nodding to her question. "I am learning to draw slowly. It is a challenging hobby, in a way apart from combat."
Atticus nods, "Hrm. Ok. We'll need to try to track down those over four. I'll take a look at this place, see what my senses can find out," he says with a grin. He tilts his head, taking the paper with a bow. "Thank you, Desmond. Thank you very much. This is very helpful," he says as he tucks it away.
She ignores the vampire talk, her gaze shifting away, her expressive face showing her discomfort. "Uh, why are you doing it? Does your job require it?" Her forehead wrinkles, making sense of the feline doing art. "Um. I ain't going on the vampire thing." She slants a look at Atticus, lines of discomfort in her body language.
Desmond nods his head once to Atticus. "It was.. intriguing to track them through the streets. I'm used to other such tracking, thus it was a pleasant challenge." He then looks to Cali and considers her words. Responding to those on his art. "It isn't a requirement, no. It is something that I have decided I wish to pursue. Something more than what I was trained to do." Which she already knows about. "Something that creates and expresses. It has been a worthy challenge, but I think I am improving steadily."
"A hobby?" She classifies it, the click of things fitting in place for her obvious on her face. "Desmond, have you seen Kalvin?" The question is abrupt, her forehead wrinkling, as she takes the food Atticus made for her, using her fingers to gather it up. "I can't find him. Not anywhere." Methodical, she lists the places, his home, his work, the museum.
Desmond nods his head once to her echo of his own description. Though any added response is stifled by the sudden question. He furrows his brow slightly as he considers. "I.. I think I know who you refer to, though I have only briefly seen the man long ago. I have not seen him for a time, no." A pause as he considers her. "You believe him missing." A statement of perceived fact.
Atticus hands the food over to Cali and takes his own, taking a few bites from it. "I should check his office, make some inquiries and see if we can figure out where he's going," he notes as he begins to dig into the taco, adding more salso to itt after a moment's bite or so.
"Wasn't there when I went. Hadn't booked leave neither as far as the nurse I spoke with knew." She observes, picking the food apart to eat each type separately. "You look at it, Atti?" The look she gives him speaks volumes of her feelings for him, the love shining in her face and eyes, unmistakably.
"I wish I could offer help, but I did not know the man. However, if I happen to hear anything I will let you know," Desmond rumbles to Cali. Then there is a pause for a moment before he asks, "Perhaps I could ask a request of you. This art.. sketching. I have found that I prefer to draw figures.. people. But few are those who would be still long enough for me to do so. I think you would be a fitting subject, Cali. Perhaps at a future date you might let me draw you?"
Atticus nods to Cali, "Sure I can do that. After this weekend, is that okay? I need to finish this vampire thing first. Get them gone and done and then I can focus my attention on where Doc Kalvin is, I promise. Ok?" he says. he devours another taco, dabbing at his mouth and lifting his drink.
Caliopa's mouth opens and she gives Desmond a look of utter blank confusion. "Uh, draw me? Why? I mean, I ain't something of interest to folks or..." She glances, appealingly, at Atticus, the confusion written on her features obvious. "I guess, I mean, what is it needful for me to do? For you to do it?"
Desmond considers Cali's response with a light air of curiosity and a faint edge of bemusement. "You are fitting to my eye," he states simply. And answers her question without pause. "Only some quiet time where you might sit still for me, allowing me to try and replicate your appearance on paper. Perhaps some time in the next few days. I must depart soon, there are matters I need attend to."
Atticus nods, "I think he just wants to draw you, cause he likes how you look." he tells Cali with a smile. "All you'd have to do is just sit still, I bet," he adds as he takes another bite from his taco, finishing it off.
The perplexion on her face shows her lack of understanding of that desire but she shrugs, finishing her food, the methodological order of her eating completed. "I guess so. I ain't so good at sitting still and doin' nothing but sure..." She shrugs, giving both men confused eyes but trusting.
Desmond nods his head once and seems to accept that. "We shall see what becomes of it, yes?" Indeed, satisfied he looks between the two. "I will be waiting for your word on further operations against the vampires," he tells Atticus. Then to Cali. "I will contact you soon on the matter of drawing." Then more generally, "Farewell." A simple set of parting words, but friendly in tone before he turns to head off on whatever his mysterious business might be.
"Thank you Desmond," Atticus says with a smile, tilting his head. "take care of yourself. I'll be in touch later tonight probably. I want to go this weekend," he adds, dabbing his mouth and sliding his arm around Cali and hugging her against him.
Caliopa leans into the touch, touching Atticus with obvious affection, relaxed with him as she is rarely with people. "I guess so..." She replies to Desmond, the mention of the vampire thing causing her to tighten her fingers around Atticus' forearm, anxiety adding to her face.Tags:atticus, caliopa, desmond
