Jun 10 23:16:53 109 PA - Unexpected Meeting at Dregtown's Bazaar

From Chronicles

Jun 10 23:16:53 109 PA.

DREGTOWN MARKET

A large mound of metal armor and various large weapons - mainly two swords and a huge hammer - enters the market. It does so with amazing silence, as despite the gear, it makes no more noise than any man walking in. Pavel looks around the bazaar, his eyes hunting, and begins strolling slowly around the outskirts.

Sithik is already here roaming the market, a string of rabbits over one shoulder. His pet following along in sniffing mode not too far behind, being curious of the activities going on around it. The hunter keeps it in check so the reptilian doesn't roam off too far.

As Pavel makes his way around the perimeter, one might catch his voice on the air asking, "Trohbyel veesz rehfoogees? Trohbyel veesz rehfooges?" Of course, it's not exactly an easy thing to understand. Still, he's very patiently polling people as he goes.

It's not Sithik that spots the large smith, but the reptilian companion the catches the scent of him. Coming up from around some rubble, or some sort of random debris, to slink out of nowhere at Pavel's feet to get a good sniff. The hunter seems attentive elsewhere at the moment.

Pavel looks down at the lizard, recognizing it. "Allo, leezahrd. Seeszeek heer? Vhaht ees leezahrd do aht bahzaahr? Vahnt trheeht?" He looks over at a nearby table selling giblets of some sort, paying a credit or two for a piece and holding it out for the lizard's inspection. "Ahr laheeke dohg, da? Byehst fhrehnd?"

The reptile gives the piece of food a sniff or two before quickly nipping it out of the big man's hand. Sithik tosses a rabbit to a young group kids running by which allows him to spot Pavel feeding his pet. So he makes his way over with a quick bark of something in Dragonese that gets the animal's attention. "Hello Pavel," he greets with a slight bow of his head.

"Allo, Seeszeek! Vhaht ees fohr heer? Geeve food?" Pavel nods in approval. "Ahr kaheend mahn, noh? Dehs een veeldehrness, naheetes een ceety. Seeszeek noht sleep?" He glances at the odd little lizard, lips curving in an amused smile.

Sithik gives a nod to the question of the apparent string of rabbits over his shoulder. "Yes, just a small catch today. I set traps each morning and check later in the day so by dark I can get down here to share."

Pavel is standing near Sithik, clad in armor with hammer and swords at his side. "Vyehry good, Seeszeek do szees. Seh good szeeng fohr Seezeek chehrahctahr. Has hehrd vyehr mehrcenehrees ahr? Vahns vho noht laheeke rhehfooges?"

Late night finds Valeriya prowling the Market and the scum that populates it at such an hour. Her eyes and wit look sharp, showing she is quite alert. A good practice considering the neighborhood. Her pursuits take her along the stalls, glancing them over from a comfortable distance.

A perfect night for slumming? Leonard walks into the market dressed in his usual attire, which makes him appear far more affluent than the usual denizens. Far more conspicuous, also, but he seems to arrive with all of his extremities, organs, and wallet in their proper places.

Sithik shakes his head to the question, "No, I have not. I have not paid much attention to the refugee issue, other things have taken priority. Should I know where they are?" Again, the small reptilian slowly creeps off, not too far, to sniff the nearby scents of the market, only the creature would know why.

Pavel bobs his head to Sithik. "Da, eef seh vhant fohr hyelp peepohl need hyehlp. Ees noht peepohl tohtahly good... boot fehceeng vyehry bahd. Ahr frohm Tohlkeen, leeve een plece ovehr szehr." He waves his free hand west toward the refugee compound. "Mahny peepohl heer een 'Drehgs ahr gyeht peh fohr hoohrt. Pavel szeenk ees bahd."

What Valeriya is on the prowl for may become apparent as her hunt inevitably leads her past the big smith. His person and equipment glowing like a beacon to her magic sight, almost as much as her own. "Hello," she offers in greeting. "See anything interesting in the market tonight?"

Leonard notes a few conspicuous individuals in the otherwise shabby retail location. One is very large, another wears graffiti, and the third prefers footwear that makes impossibly long legs appear even longer. Whichever of the trio draws his interest, Leonard approaches the gathering. "Is there a sale I wasn't informed of?"

Sithik offers the woman a bow of his head in return to her greeting, "Pavel was just telling me of the refugee situation." Another bow of his head is given to Leonard as he approaches, "No sale, but I have been searching for you to talk of Arcadia among other things."

Pavel nods to Valeriya, eyeing her enough to keep her in plain view, but obviously trying to be polite about it. Leonard receives his own greeting, one said in Russian. He opens his mouth to say something... but then it closes and he remains silent, as the others are in more of a discussion among themselves than he is.

Valeriya can only take the silence as a no. "Shame, though a good coincidence to meet up with you Pavel. Last we spoke you made it clear you are too skilled a craftsman to make trinkets. Would you feel less slighted to take part in making life?" She asks boldly. Though she gives glances to acknowledge Leonard and Sithik, the smith is the center of her attention right now.

"What of Arcadia?" Leonard responds to Sithik's reminder with a direct question. Valeriya and Pavel both receive a greeting, then, and a polite inquiry. Or a portion thereof. "Evening. What brings you out-" His words stop in a cough as Valeriya makes her ...business(?) proposition to the smith. After clearing his throat, he can't not ask, "What?"

Sithik's attention is grabbed curiously for a moment by the question of creating life, quite the interesting question to ask a smith. Leonard's question left unanswered for now, but not forgotten as it is the reason he had hoped to find him.

Pavel looks a little confused, having thought the initial question being no more than a passing greeting. "Mehke laheefe? Vahlehreeya vhahnt behbee, ohnly nohn veel do? Cohm fohr ask Pavel?" He smirks at the little jab. "Pavel hahs Anya, she noht szeenk good Pavel veesz Vahlehreeya. Boot, vahs noht slaheetehd. Vas cehrfool. Beeg deefehrence." He eases the hammer across his right shoulder, keeping a firm grip on it.

Valeriya shakes her head to quickly dispel everyone's confusion. "No no, not a baby. God no. Rather, I have an associate who could give life to a sculpture if properly crafted of clay, stone or iron. The only worker of any of those three materials I know is you Pavel. Thus me asking if you would take part in making life." She explains before turning to smirk at Leonard. "Gotcha."

"Ah," is the first sound Leonard makes as he recovers. A smirk soon follows, directed to Valeriya in return. "For a moment, there, I was concerned. The details make all the difference, do they not?" Rather than risk becoming 'got' by her choice of words again so soon, he turns his attention to Sithik. "Now, what were your concerns on Arcadia?"

Sithik is interested in the topic between the smith and the woman, but does not want to squander his opportunity to talk about Arcadia, "Have you seen the video Tek found while there? Between that and what I found during my scouting of the area, it would seem the soldiers that went to help the town, actually set the whole attack up. I was wanting to know if you could get in contact with that counsel member again and if you could identify the creatures in the video that are herding the others."

"Vhaht ees kaheend ohf scoolptjoor? Pavel has noht seen laheefe to stahtjoo do good." He nods solemnly, "Boot hahs seen fohr do bahd. Vhy ees eempohrtahnt to Valehreeya? Vhaht vould do veesz eempohrtahnt scoolptjoor?" Leonard and Sithik are left to their own discussion. The chain mail continues to hang neatly off of his frame as he awaits a few answers.

"Details make it fun." Valeriya replies, but does not disclose whether that supports Leonard's question before turning her attention back to Pavel. "I do not want a monster to attack others. And I certainly wouldn’t need to pay an artist to craft one. No this will be a tireless servant that can handle many mundane tasks to improve life about my school. Occasionally it might double as a guard. The sculpture must be humanoid and it must have pure iron heart crafted around a half carrot diamond. Beyond that the appearance is up to the artist. Though for my tasks I would like it to be equally capable of quadrupedal movement."

Leonard blinks at Sithik. Twice. "What video? That was precisely my concern, before, and what I left the inn to investigate." Now his eyes narrow over muttering. "All that time spent studying and attempted to track the creatures' movements... and some idiot left the truth simply laying around for someone to find?!" His rising voice puts him somewhere between incredulous and annoyed to most hells. Even the discussion nearby of magical constructs is ignored for the moment.

Sithik tilts his head at the man's annoyance, adding to his story, "I found where I think the creatures are coming from. There is a compound manned by these Coalition soldiers that contain pens that house these creatures. I hear that there are scientists doing research there as well. I plan to make another trip that way, towards the Devil's Gate compound to get a closer look around and maybe capture one of these herders."

Pavel's eyes narrow slightly. "Has noht hehrd of school, ohr school fohr Valehreeya need laheefe mehde byettehr. Vhaht ees? Cheeldrhehn? Vhaht vould be moondehne tahks?" He can't help but to shift his weight and ask very directly - as much as he can in slaughtered American - "Mehbe taheerles sehrvahnt to ahlso ahlvehs prohtehct Valehreeya... ees saheede-effehct?"

Valeriya looks insulted. "At what point did I start being portrayed as a defenseless maiden in need of protection?" She asks, her tone holding the affronted impression. "As for my school, it is in the north dregs. It is a school for mages."

"I would like to see this for myself," Leonard notes with a calming breath. "If you plan to return, I will accompany you. I would not travel too close to The Devil's Gate, however. Traveling to the heart of Chi-Town would be less difficult with as many forces as the Coalition stations there, and they heavily patrol hundreds of miles outward."

Sithik nods in agreement, "When I return, I will not be soaring in at full speed. I will be more discreet." He pulls his fur knapsack from his back to rummage through to pull out a disc and offering it to Leonard. "I had Tek make a copy, just in case," slinging the pack back.

The big smith's head rocks back and then forward slowly, a contented look on his face. "Noht meen to hoort. Noht deefehnclyess. Boot noht bee noht deefehnclyess ahlso noht meen vould noht mehke mohr prohtect. Boot ees noht eempohrt," Pavel says, waving it off with a brief motion of his hand. "Ahm flahtteyhred vould ahsk fohr szees. Boot pohlaheetely seh deelaheene. Mehgehs ahr beeg ahdoolts. Cannoht szeengk ees mahny szeengs cahnnoht be dohn seempohl, ahnd seempohl byettehr. Szees een hahl neer Lyeettehl Roosia, nohrsz 'Drehgs? Noht has heer mahny peepohl goh fohr school szehr. Hehrd..." he considers, "... Behrnahrd, Leonahrd, Rahspooteen and joo."

Valeriya nods, accepting the mild acquiescence. "It is a small group yes. Most mages prefer to vainly try and gain the favor of the Magic Guild. We are much less exclusive for membership. But also have fewer resources. Like manpower to maintain the hall and keep it presentable. A constant endeavor in the dregs." She explains with a shrug.

Leonard takes the disc and carefully secures it in a pocket. "Thank you. I'll review it. Regardless, I remain interested in your return trip. Please, keep me informed." Now he can spare some attention to the other conversation. "Pavel is very peculiar and exclusive with his crafts, Valeriya. You may be wasting your breath." Leonard turns fully towards her and lifts a brow. "Though I'm very curious as to your source for such enchantments."

Sithik nods to Leonard, "I will let you know when I will go." Falling silent to listen to the remainder of the rest of the other conversation regarding living statues and such. The small reptilian comes back around, nose to the ground, only to disappear behind some other bit of rubbish and rubble.

Pavel asks amicably, "Vhaht ees necessehry fohr mehntehn hahl? Cleen? Peepohl in Lyeetahl Rossia hahppy fohr lyettehl mohney, do good. Fohr feex booyldeeng? Seh to Pavel vhaht need. Mehbe cahn cohm to hahl vahnce eech veek, do smahl feex fohr Valehreeya ahnd oszehrs veesout need fohr leeveeng eeyron." The smith holds up a hand, attempting to hold sway for the conversation slightly longer. "Sohmszeeng Svarog seh. Becahse cahn doo, noht meet should ahlvehs do. Eenfahct? Svaarog geeve Pavel geeft, vyehry spehceeyahl. Boot ees noht fohr be joos, ohnless rheahl need, or ees fohr deerehct mehke hahppy byettehr fohr noht povehrfool peepohl. Does mehke sence fohr Valehreeya?" Leonard's comment elicits a frown. "Pavel hahs sehd sehm to Seeszeek as sehd to Leonahrd."

"I am not asking for that gift your god gave you. I am asking for the skill that made you worthy of that gift. And yes, there may be simpler ways to accomplish this. But none of those ways also present my school with a symbol of great accomplishment. This creation is a pinnacle of magical knowledge. To show that we possess it is to show we are a worthy rival of the guild. I could have it made with any sculpture of clay, no real talent needed. But again, that would degrade the symbol I desire," Valeriya explains patiently to Pavel. The pride in her tone for this request is clear before she looks to Leonard with a raised brow. "Of course he is. If he was not, he would not be one I would consider for the task. But holding a high standard of who to work for should not make my breath wasted. If that is a standard, and not a discrimination, I should be able to rise to it." Valeriya notes to Leonard, her tone concise.

"Indeed, you should," Leonard must concede, now with a soft chuckle, "And I expect you fully able to. I stand corrected." Some of his humor may be from the fact that his weren't the only concerns that she deftly circumvented.

Pavel's brow quirks. "Oh, ees praheed? Noht ees need fohr hyehlp vees mehntehn school?" He looks over to Leonard before addressing Valeriya again. "Seence Pavel mehke beeg meestehke, vahn need leeve veesz, has noht mehde any reqvehsts. Mahny mohr rheesohn nov Pavel seh need, beefohr mehke. Ees noht seh Valehreeya bahd. Ohr Leonahrd. Be good veesz scoolpt ees pahrt of vhaht vas geevehn to Pavel. Valehreeya noht hoorhy? Be pehtehnt? Alohv Pavel fohr cohm bahee, steh sohm taheeme een school vhaheel hyehlp feex booldeeng, as vahs fohrst seh? Byettehr tell Pavel vhaht do. Mehde beeg prohblehm fohr peepohl, deed szeeng fohr mahn vho deed noht need. Ahm be mahny mohr cehrfool on hov ahct now. Szees sound accehptahble?"

Valeriya's smile is clear in its acceptance, and may even hint of victory. "I am in no hurry. A master of craft should not be rushed. You wish to spend time among me and mine. To learn what the symbol you craft will represent. I insist you do just that. I will freely show you all we have accomplished. And gladly explain all we hope to. Nothing should be excluded when considering how to design the construct that will represent everything we strive for. So nothing shall be held from you. Agreed Leonard?" Valeriya states, turning to her partner for confirmation at the end. Leonard's nod of confirmation is forthcoming with only a moment's delay. "Agreed. It only seems appropriate, for the best of all involved. Perhaps you may find something of other interest, as well." He directs this to Pavel. "It is a place of information and for study, no matter how one obtained their gifts."

The smith shakes his head, trying to be perfectly clear. "Pavel seh szees fohr trahee. Noht prohmees, fohr ahnyszeeng. Mehbe need steh lohng, ohr shohrt... Pavel cahn do as szeenk need. Seh jes, ohr Pavel seh no. Szees cleer. Noht mohr fohr ahrgyoo, da? Vould be dohn, vahn veh, ohr oszehr. Ahlso, vhahnt meet pehrsohn fohr 'geeve laheefe.' Tehke spell to Rahspooeen, fohr see. Does noht vahnt to eensoolt, boot mohr troost heem seh troosz."

Valeriya doesn’t express any issue with any of that. "Pavel, if I thought the things you will see of our school would cause you to say no, I wouldn’t have asked. That would be wasting my breath. No, I believe the things you see their will compel you to craft this for us. So let our endeavors and merits speak for themselves. Let the elemental intelligence that will give life to your sculpture speak for itself. And of course Rasputin would be an excellent neutral point reference." Valeriya implores, not daunted in the slightest.

"I can speak to Rasputin," is all that Leonard adds to the discourse. Valeriya and Pavel are the primaries involved, at any rate. His immediate attention shifts from them to a nearby stall, followed by the rest of him with a step or two. At least one ear still monitors the business to some degree.

"Spaseeba, Valehreeya. Veel stahrt cohm bahee sohmtaheems. Pavel does *vyehry* hohp szaht ees good fohr mehke. Laheeke mehke fohr peepohl. Boot, vahs prohblehm, nov ees vyehry cehrfool." He looks to Leonard, adding, "Has sehd szees to Leonahrd befohr. Boot, szeenk taheeme to go to ceety. Cehme look fohr peepohl hoort refoogees, noht faheed. Boot, noht sohldyehr. Mehbe do noht knov vyehr to look!" His words end on a happy tone, and he obviously prepares for departure. "Valehreeya, Leonahrd be sehf heer."

Valeriya is all nods till Pavel's departing words give her some pause. "Um, would you mind some advice for that? It's a little sneaky.." she offers, a bit hesitant

Pavel is caught up with his own pause. "Vhaht? Valehreeya need ahdvaheece fohr... gyeht hohm? Shohp heer?" He obviously looks confused. "Valehreeya vyehry strohg, da? Noht vohrry abouvt syelf?"

Valeriya shakes her head. "No no, advice for you, on finding people who would hurt refugees," she clarifies before deciding to continue. "People who want others to hurt refugees advertise. They offer money and invite such people to meet. If you want meet such people you could do the same, and then do whatever it is you intend to do with such people.."

Pavel's mouth opens into a silent yet wide 'O' as Valeriya explains herself. He listens, but then shakes his head politely. "Oh, spasseba. Feezlesnoot seh sehm to Pavel. Fahmly geev mohny, peepohl trahee fohr peh." A sausage finger taps his chest. "Vould nehvehr eentehnd go fohr hoort. Ohnly fohr tahlk. Trahee oszehr rheesohn mehke mohny, noht hoort rehyoogees. Prohbahbly noht vohrk... boot need trahee, da? Valehreeya oondehrsthand, I szeenk."

Valeriya nods. "Yeah, you never no until you try. Alright I’ll see you later at the hall," she bids, and then takes off to fly north as if it were completely natural.

The big smith makes a circuit of the bazaar, lighting a few fires where needed, and is then off as well. Silent armor? Yup.