Jun 24 20:33:02 109 PA - Confrontation at the Meeting Hall
From Chronicles
Jun 24 20:33:02 109 PA.
NORTH 'DREGS
The meeting hall door opens and Valeriya steps out. Her armor shifting to try and match the background as she moves too quickly through it. Of course this movement stops when she notices Pavel waiting outside. "Hello, small town isn’t it." She notes with a slight snicker. A winged reptile is perched on her shoulder.
Pavel might not be right outside, but close enough to the meeting hall, and watching the door that he is soon near Valeriya. He's packed light today, with his outsized hammer and only a few other goods. "Allo, Vahlehreeya. Tovn, noht so smahl, no. Boot cahn me mehde smahl vhehn vahnt to, jess? Toonaheete good naheete fohr Vahlehreeya? Rheelahx?" He pulls up close enough for pleasant conversation, more intent on the mage warrior woman to address anything else for the moment. "Eentehrehsteeng.. behrd?"
Reptiles are not Valeriya's only possible companions at present, as Leonard exits the hall shortly after the woman. He, too, possesses a passenger, though the raven upon his shoulder may well soon take flight now that they've cleared the entryway. Once he notes the large Pavel and relates him to her comment, Leonard chuckles. "So it seems to be. Good evening, Pavel."
"Wasn’t really planning on relaxing. Got things to do after all." Valeriya notes with a nod. "Charon is an interesting bird indeed. But let's get to the point yes? I was actually considering a message to send you. I met up with Rasputin after I got your declination. We felt another meeting between Rasputin, you and I might make things completely clear.."
"Allo, Leonahrd," Pavel says politely, looking to Valeriya with slight trepidation. "Vahs noht 'dehcelhration.' Vahs deceesion, as sehd vould mehke, as ahgree vould hohnohr, jess? Hav tahlk to Rasputin ahftehr joo, noht knov ohn poorpohse, boot deed. Hav offehr, boot noht vhaht ahsked ees troo. Hov vould mehke szeengs cohmpleetehly cleer?"
Leonard's lips twitch and brows tighten at the heavily accented (some might say butchered) American. As is oft the case when dealing with the meaty Russian, Leonard removes the frustrations of ambiguity and additional straining. Both for himself and, with a touch upon her shoulder, Valeriya. "Now you can speak more freely, and we can certainly listen more easily."
Valeriya pauses to remove her helmet, hanging it on her hip. Its absence reveals a mildly frustrated expression. "You didn’t? Because that’s exactly what your letter says. That you decline. I have it in the hall if you want.." She notes holding for Pavel's explanation of this.
Pavel smiles and shakes his head. << I'm sorry, yes I did decline the offer to make your living statue. I know the letter, I wrote it. Like we agreed at the bazaar, it would be my decision to accept or decline, and it wasn't to be argued further. >> An eyebrow perks, hoping to spark a memory. << I understand though, that you want to make your school look impressive. To be seen. I would happily carve a statue for you - a grand statue, if you wanted - in my own way, to make a beautiful statue to catch the eye of everyone in the city. Perhaps even consider it a demonstration of what might happen in the future, because I have declined it now. I have not declined forever. >>
"Perhaps your powers of persuasion are waning and he needs more convincing?" Leonard smirks as much to Valeriya as Pavel. "There are other alternatives, of course. Pavel already made it clear to myself that his business is whimsical and fickle."
Pavel's words don’t seem to ease Valeriya's frustration in the slightest. "Oh, so it not forever. That’s good. I was worried that I spent half an hour explaining I didn’t want an immediate decision for nothing. Because that was what was in the letter. No I thought I was quite clear in stating I didn’t think I'd be up to your high standards right off the bat and asking for your input on how to change that. Your reply put all of that into doubt. And now you seem to be resolving that.." She summarizes audibly to make sure all are on the same page. "Alright, so now you do want to craft me a statue?"
The smith gives Leonard a look. Just a little, possibly amused one. << Whimsical and fickle? Perhaps mages simply aren't patient enough when asking for items that can't be purchased at the Market. As for making your case for how to change, Valeriya, how to make me feel more comfortable to make something for you in the future? >> Pavel shrugs lightly. << It might simply start with not questioning me with anger, or showing that you have a level head to keep such a 'living' creature in check. But if you prefer that I leave you alone rather than maddening you, I could leave you to a nice evening. Otherwise, yes. I am offering to make a statue for you. A symbol for your school. >>
Leonard eyes the smith. "We are patient, but there are expectations. If one advertises craftsmanship for purchase, it's assumed that one actually allows purchase of their crafts. You make it obvious that your talents are a hobby and not a profession."
Valeriya raises her brow. "Am I coming off as angry already? Consternation and frustration are all I’m feeling so far. It must be my intimidating stature that makes it seem more aggressive than it is." Valeriya notes lightly before shrugging it off. "So you are willing to make my symbol. What will stop me from giving it life after the fact?"
Pavel sighs. << My profession is providing the things that the 'common' folk need to live their lives. It's not making powerful things for the few. Valeriya, if I have been informed correctly, there must be a proper recipe of magic and material during the construction of such a creature. But. >> He can only close his eyes for a moment and shake his head. << Anger, consternation, frustration... whatever term you choose to use. You're being combative. I'm going to take my leave, thank you. I'm sorry that I couldn't help your school right now. >> That said, his head dips, and he slowly turns to leave.
"There is nothing powerful about a statue or a piece of jewelry," Leonard corrects him with a mild shrug. He offers no encouragement for the smith to remain as Pavel excuses himself.
Valeriya vanishes to instantly appear in Pavel's path. "No. You don’t get to run away. You have your convictions. Be a man and stand for them. You accuse me of thievery, you accuse me of aggression. Holding no grounds on either. You will either reconnect your expectations with reality. Or I will connect reality to your expectations." She states firmly to the smith.
Pavel grunts. << I accused you, right now at this instant of being combative about a decision that I made, that you didn't like. My expectation that we agreed to in reality, is that my decision be honored when it was made. Now, I will be leaving. If you stop be, you stop me, I doubt that I have any control over that fate beyond giving in to *your* expectations of what *I* see as a bent reality. >> He begins to march forward again, Leonard's minor comment going completely by the wayside.
That Valeriya suddenly moves is less surprising than the fact that it was not entirely expected. "Is he truly worth the hassle?" Leonard asks her with a touch of curiosity. "Somehow, I doubt that containing him will change his mind."
Valeriya shakes her head to Leonard. "Changing his mind is not the point. He's changed it three times already with minimal input from me. No my point is I am tired of being judged guilty of crimes I have yet to (and may never) commit. So I just want to be very clear now. The next accusation Pavel makes against me, will immediately come true." She says clearly to the continuing smith.
Pavel keeps trudging back to Little Russia, not bothering to look back. << I accuse you of having peace in your heart to give back kindly to the community in a way that all would appreciate, and I hope that it becomes immediately true. >> March, march, march...
That draws a laugh from Leonard and breaks whatever tension might have been increasing at the situation. He remains where he stands, curious as to the response it brings, immediate or otherwise.
"So it is. Though I can't please everyone.." Valeriya agrees and looks to Leonard. "So then we have your peace envoy to prepare for yes?"
