Jun 25 01:23:43 106 PA - Leo and Vix Throw Stones

From Chronicles

Jun 25 01:23:43 106 PA - Leo and Vix Throw Stones

Golden Carafe - Leonard's Room

Vixen starts off Saturday right, by not changing out of her comfortable garb and setting up on the couch with a rough breakfast tossed together. Tiger is curled up against her hip, a plate on her lap with scrambled eggs and bacon all mixed together. And water near to hand for a drink. She's left more than enough for two warming on the stove, waiting for the other occupant of the apartment to get to his own gathering. She's relaxing, leaned back a little as she eats lightly.

Leonard gets to his gathering. He's just a little late and lethargic. Morning and Leonard are not the best of combinations, but the smell of food is a great motivator. He wanders out of the bedroom with a yawn and much blinking.

"Got food for ya, sleepy head," Vixen notes, looking back towards Leo as he emerges. A casual little grin worn. "Plenty there, so take all you want, babe." She'll watch him as she samples her own mess of eggs and bacon lightly. Not much in the way of spice, but its simple and tasty even without that sort of personal touch.

"Morning, and it smells delicious." Leonard smiles warmly enough through the remaining sleep and lays a hand on her shoulder in passing affection en route to food. A plate is accosted with eggs and bacon, with a predictable cup of coffee to wash it down. He carries all back with him to join her in breakfasting, with a sip from the mug his first priority. "You're off to a busy start already. Big plans for the day?"

"A bit later. Right now I'm relaxing. After the big trip, I don't feel like doing too much.. still gotta dig through the stuff we dragged back. Haven't had time to make sure of what we got." Vixen grins a little. "And do the deal for the spoils." She reaches out as he comes to settle in and strokes a hand along his thigh lightly. "How were you, Leo? Not too worried, I hope." Likely it was a relief when she came back with no extra dents in that armor.

Leonard pauses in his first bite to turn a wide smile her way. "I managed to stay sane, but only just. You're back, now, so all that worry is forgotten." He now takes that bite and makes an appreciative and complimentary noise with his nod whilst chewing. After chasing this with some coffee, he notes, "In some ways, it was less worrisome with you not always walking about in heavy armor, at least in my presence. I'm very glad that it appears you didn't even need to." Yes, he did check for extra dents.

Vixen grins a little at that. "What can I say, Leo? I know how to not stand out in front of things. I mean, I wasn't there for my skill at shooting stuff. So I let the others handle most of that. I was there to crack computers open." She lifts her fork and takes another mouthful of egg and bacon, half gone before she wonders, "What've you been up to? Keeping out of trouble?"

"Of course not," Leonard is quick to point out, grin curling, "but I've tried. You weren't there for your shooting skills, Vix, but I was more concerned about the shooting skills from the other direction." He wolfs down a few more bites of his own before continuing. "You'll be happy to know that you can put your armor away for awhile, I can walk easily again, and I even managed to see a smile from Maya."

"Maya will come around. She's too nice to hold a grudge and you're doing a lot better," Vixen replies with a light smile. Though that smile relaxes some as she considers the other thing. "I guess maybe you 'd best explain what's going on. Talked to Ema?"

Leonard nods through another gulp of coffee, then sets the plate and mug aside for the moment. "Yes, and you and I were both overreacting, this time. As I though was likely, her threats in the ring were to upset me, nothing more. An attempt at psychological vengeance, or to see what I might do with all control surrendered." A somber dip in his pleasant morning, but more concern than unhappiness. "She doesn't want anymore conflict, and she's begun some new direction that she is anxious of all the worry or suspicion destroying."

Vixen meets the information quietly at first, eating another forkful before she murmurs, "Well, she'll have a ways to walk before I ain't suspicious of her no more. But I'll let her walk it. I guess you'll be friends with her again, but I ain't gunna be quick to try and get close to that one. Not anytime soon, that's for damn sure."

"I don't know that her and I will be close, even in proximity," Leonard admits, with mixed feelings on the matter, "as she wishes some distance. I'm not going to press that, but I hope she will not be a stranger, either. A civil relationship is a start, if not the full extent." Some of his mirth returns. "No one shooting or hitting each other is a good thing in my opinion."

"At least when its at that point, you can be sure what's going on.. I don't trust her," Vixen reiterates. "She likes to play games.. like with how she did those threats, even if they were fake. And how much she hurt you.." She shakes her head slightly. "Sorry ain't fixing that." She pauses, then glances down. "Sorry, I should just let it be. But.. it makes me angry," she admits before stuffing more food into her mouth.

Leonard nods, watching her chew a moment before speaking. "You don't need to trust her, but you could give her the opportunity she seeks without too much ...bias. As I said, we can all be civil, and continue from there." His hand moves to her chin to lift her gaze towards his smile. "If you were happy that I was bruised and broken, I think I'd be very, very worried."

Vixen purses her lips. "I don't think I can't be biased, Leo. I'm going to examine every little thing she does that I know of cause that's how I am. I'll work on being civil, but it won't be easy.. probably better if I just stay clear of her. She starts screwing around, I bet plenty of people will call her on her crazyness."

"It looks that staying away will be easy enough to do," Leonard retrieves his food and coffee, "since she wants distance to pursue whatever it is that she's pursuing." Another nibble before the eggs get too cold and a shot of caffeine make a haphazard segue. "So, what manner of relaxation did you have in mind for today? Should I begin offering suggestions?"

"I'm always open to suggestions," she murmurs, letting the prior topic drop flat. "Ain't been thinking too far past getting some food in me. Maybe going out to do something casual. Gunna be rough the next few days, I think. With the refugees and looking into that gear. But once I get things all set up, should relax a bit. Wouldn't mind going something interesting today, but nothing too strenuous."

Leonard shakes his head slightly, but firmly. "My first suggestion is to not worry of anything beyond today, for today. Then you might actually be able to relax and be casual." A brief grin before his lips purse in thought, to be followed by musing aloud. "Non-strenuously interesting... I suppose that precludes lounging about the bedroom all day, as that would be very strenuously interesting. A walk in the park, a day out in the town? It's too early, I think, for a visit to the Dregs to be nearly as interesting as it could be."

"We can just go out in a bit and see what we can see. And maybe tonight we can do the bedroom lounging thing." Vixen's expression turning sly at that last bit. "Maybe there will be something interesting in the park, but if not I'm sure we can think of something to do. Maybe I got an idea or two."

"I should make myself a bit more publicly presentable, then, for now. This evening, I'll just ask your expert help to return to proper private attire." Leonard grins as he rises, taking his plate and cup with him. He is more dressed for that bedroom lounging at present, but steps from the couch to correct that. The dishes are handled with a brief detour to the kitchen, but he pauses en route to the bedroom just long enough to add, "Unless you'd like to help with the dressing, also, of course."

Vixen relaxes a bit longer. "I'll help you tonight," she notes with a casual grin. She's still in her sleeping garb as well, though that will be changed once she's done. The young woman working on her healthy dose of morning food before she too rises to go and get into some street clothes. Deciding, after a few moments, to forgo armor. Except for the coat, of course.

Leonard may easily be the first dressed and prepared, considering his headstart. This allows him the simple pleasure of observing her making herself to be presentable, not that he would ever think her otherwise. His assistance in such is limited to retrieving her weighty coat to help her don it before departure.

Vixen has never been all that modest around Leo, since they got closer. Before and now after the troubles. Thus his observation is free to be extensive. A few teasing glances tossed his way during. And once that is done, she slips into her coat with assistance, taking a moment to settle the heavy garment on her shoulders before she turns towards him and smiles broadly. "Lets go, babe. See what's out there today." Her hand extended towards him.

Her hand is taken while Leonard opens the door with the other. "Since I can't offer ladies first, should I just push you out?" The wit in his rhetorical question is obvious, and he gently tugs her out the door rather than pushes, anyhow. Kingsdale - Plaza Park

With that playful beginning, they step out into the world. The day is not particularly friendly. The air is moist, but for now the rains are held at bay and the air is warm and moist. The looming threat of wetness may be what keeps the park population low. But for now Vixen doesn't seem to pay the potential much heed as she wonders, "Maybe you're up for a little challenge today."

Leonard isn't acting bravely enough by leaving the umbrella at home? "Oh? Of course I am. What sort of challenge?" His interest is piqued enough that he readly affirms his preparedness before asking for the details.

"Well, we were talking about teaching stuff before. So I suppose its a good time to train that arm of yours. Just have to find a spot with some good sized stones to start with. Then we can see what you got." Vixen grins a little as she walks with him through the park. "One of the craters might have some. Nothing too big."

"Stones?" It takes a moment and several continued steps for Leonard to rewind, reboot and otherwise make the connections. "Ah. Better to accidentally blow myself up with a rock before I try with the grenades, yes?" He might be able to find a way to do that, too. "I won't be able to blame poor throws on my knee, either..."

"Actually, I'm going to teach you a lot about throwing.. even throwing knives. But I figure its better to start simple. A rock is a pretty good weapon if you can toss it accurately. Beaning someone in the head with one is a good distraction. Or you can distract people with 'em when you wanna sneak around." Vixen grins a little and notes, "I've beaned a few people in the head in my time. Getting better at it. and grenades are good too, of course. Especially if we pick up some good ones, like the plasma. T hose hurt something fierce."

Leonard arches a brow as she expounds upon the practical benefits of throwing things. "Now I have a few more reasons to avoid upsetting you. Apparently, it's not just the sharp objects in your reach that I need worry about." Her hand gets a pleasant squeeze as he mirrors her grin. He has no trouble, whatsoever, in picturing her beaning someone in the head. "I don't suppose that pointing at a rock and sending it flying qualifies as working my arm, does it? It would be more accurate, you know."

Vixen grins a little and shakes her head. "Nope. But I think its better to learn this way. Besides, what if you don't got your magic? That's strong stuff you know, but you should have some stuff to fall back on. Just in case." Her hand squeezes his lightly. "Besides, good to learn to do things without it. Make it feel a little less vital and more like just one more tool."

"Agreed. There is much good to be said of doing things the 'hard way.'" Leonard gives her hand a final return squeeze before releasing it and looking to the ground ahead. He steps quickly forward to pick up a stone somewhere between rock and pebble. "This is big enough, right?" He almost looks serious.

"That one's good," Vixen replies. Casually turning, she moves up to a nearby tree and pulls the knife from inside of her coat. She places a hand against it and carefully carves a little circle about an inch wide don the trunk. Just deep enough to be notable. "So now you got a target.. don't stress if you don't hit it. Its just a goal to help you focus." She turns to approach him.

Leonard hefts the little stone in his fingers, which could well be the strongest and most dextrous parts of his body. "That is one benefit of throwing something that explodes, I suppose. 'Almost' can still be good enough." He'll wait for her to come near and well out of the field of fire before winding up. The toss is moderately successful, in that it hits the tree. Nowhere near her carved target, but the correct tree. "It's a good thing that rocks and trees are plentiful and free." Vixen grins a little at his first toss, giving him a light nudge in the side. "Don't need to wind it up, but pretty good for a first shot," she murmurs. "Lets find some more stones, then you can show me more of what you got." She'll turn to start hunting, seeking about a bit to locate a handful of extra stones. The area here is a bit rocky, a nearby crater providing plenty of crumbled bits of stone. Some smooth, others craggy and uneven.

"I had to make it look impressive somehow..." is Leonard's excuse for the unnecessary wind up. He searches and locates a few more rocks, himself, from the immediate area. This allows him to get in a few more practice throws with a distracted audience. One actually succeeds in hitting the mark, or close enough to count, and the lucky shot is only possible since no one is really looking. Such is his fortune. "You realize that we could find plenty of stones and targets outside the city, also. Some reciprocal training, like we talked of before. I can improve my aim, and you can learn more of the jungle that isn't made out of concrete?"

"Well, you can talk me through some stuff today," Vixen offers as she comes back with a little over a dozen possible projectiles of various sizes and shapes. "But yeah, we can do that." She smile slightly as she glances to wards the tree. "And you don't wind it up cause then people can see it coming. Best case, you just want to snap it at them before they can realize what's happening." She offers up a stone. So find the comfy way for yourself. Everyone throws in a different way."

Leonard turns a grin to her as he takes the offered projectile. "True. If they duck, it does make the rock a little less effective... and I could share some of the more academic points of survival with you." He turns back towards the tree to make a quick snapshot with no forethought, but could only be counted as contacting the tree if the roots qualified. "Much of it is more hands on, though."

"Yeah, I know. Fires and stuff," Vixen replies, watching the toss. "Keep going. Part of it is just getting your hand and eye linked up so you're hitting where you look more often than not. Gets tougher with moving targets, cause you sometimes gotta lead 'em. That's rough. A bit of a snap mental calculation."

"Water and food tend to be a bit more important," Leonard notes as he reloads and eyes the tree a moment, "at least once you run out. I spent several weeks walking here from the middle of nowhere, and wasn't properly packed. Not the most comfortable of journeys." A quick fling and the tree is hit this time, without any leading necessary.

"I guess so," Vixen replies. "Though I always have a few protein bars on me. They taste odd, but ain't too bad for a quick nibble. Though I guess being able to get better is a good idea.. if there is better out there. I'd guess there is, if you know where to get it." She smiles as she watches him toss, for now just letting him go at it.

Leonard attempts to keep his throws more reflexive and instinctive than analytical. The off-topic conversation may help with this, and is more entertaining than watching himself toss rocks with mediocre talent. "I wouldn't say better, but once you get hungry or thirsty enough, standards begin to fall away quite rapidly. Of course, as the first rule of travelling into the unknown is ensuring that it doesn't instantly kill you, there are magical alternatives to foraging." He now spares her his attention and a grin in an intermission. "Although you might consider that cheating."

Vixen snorts faintly and shakes her head. "Magic has too many shortcuts. Sometimes I wish I had some sort of.. I dunno, power or something. Seems like everyone I know has something except for me. Even if its just some mind powers. Me, I just got my skills and my wits." Just a bit disgruntled at that.

"That doesn't make you any less talented, Vix." Rather than reach for more ammunition, Leonard's hand rests on her arm. "In many ways, it means that you are more so. As you said, what if I cannot use my abilities, for whatever reason? Power can be a crutch, and no one can disarm you of your knowledge or wits, babe." His smile is warm and widening as he notes, "Why was it you were specifically chosen to go on the last venture?"

Vixen smiles a little at Leo and murmurs, "I know.. but still. It might be nice to have something that was more.. special. If nothing else so that I don't have to wear armor for casual protection. It really gets old, you know? But I'll live without it. Unless, I guess, there was some way to get it 'easy'. Though I guess not.. you had to train a long time to learn, right?" Her eyes on him as she asks.

Leonard looses a chuckle with his nod. "It might seem easy to you, now, but it is anything but, especially when beginning. Somewhat like throwing many rocks until you can hit the tree." A gesture and momentary focus lifts one of the remaining stones she holds, and sends it hurtling into the mark as his eyes turn to it. "The difference is that you need to ignore your arm, and all the ways you've already learned to use it. Initially, magic is the hard way to do everything."

"Never thought it was easy," Vixen counters, watching the toss. She selects a stone to give a throw, the casual fling sending the stone spinning to squarely hit the tree, though below the mark she made. Another stone lifted towards him. "Probably a lot like learning to work a computer the way I can. Lots of trial and error, lots of memorization and experience to learn improvisation. Still would be nice to be able to do.. something."

"Much of what you do with a keyboard is utter magic to me." Leonard winks as he picks up the stone by hand this time. His own hasty chucking hits air in the vicinity of the tree and keeps going. "The benefits of magic can be shared, to a great degree. I could include you in addition to, or instead of, myself in many effects that I create. There are likely other ways to make it more mutual, and I'll gladly do some research into them." He considers her a moment before noting, "You could also learn as I have, but that is a huge undertaking and a hefty commitment."

"I really don't think I have the patience for that." Vixen admits, shaking her head a little. "But if you ever find a quickie way, let me know. Though I suspect quick and easy won't be clean. Rarely is." She grins and notes, "You can toss underhand if you want to be a bit more accurate and you're not trying to hit something hard.. like with grenades. A good lob."

Leonard nods. "You'll be the first to know of anything I learn. With any luck, my research and study resources will greatly increase in the foreseeable future." One more rock is taken and this one tossed underhand, as suggested. This throw is more accurate, but also telegraphed horribly. He also looks even more awkward and rather silly, not that it prevented the attempt. "Maybe one day soon you can work your data magic with one hand, and toss balls of fire with the other?" His tone is as lightly humorous as his pitching.

Vixen smirks faintly at that. "I'd rather just be able to do some subtle stuff. I've always liked the subtle stuff. LIke.. going invisible or making that armor stuff." She then snaps her fingers and says, "Like this, Leo." She shows her own underhand technique. Still it telegraphs more than usual, but its a smooth sort of snap that sends the stone spinning at the tree for a solid hit. "You wanna work it up nice and smooth."

"I'm currently looking into conjured armor, as a matter of fact..." Leonard's admission trails and pauses as he observes her throw. "A nice toss. Unfortunately, I don't believe the protection would remain long enough to be practical as preventative. A few minutes at most. There are still many times when tromping about in plate would be better."

"I thought all mages knew how to do that sort of thing," Vixen notes, looking towards him. "I guess not.. that's good to know, though I guess it ain't so easy to tell who has it and who don't." She hands him her last stone and says, "I think this has been a good start for things, don't you?"

Leonard rolls his shoulders. "I'm not every mage? Travel and control are more my forte' rather than flash and bang. Not that that isn't still more than enough to get me in trouble, of course." The stone is taken and an overhand throw made that marks the bark closer to the mark than his last. He nods. "It is a good start. Before long, trees will fear my presence."

Vixen smirks a little at that. "Hitting moving things is going to be tougher. Then learning to throw knives. That's hard. But once you can stick it into a surface from fifteen feet, you should be about ready." It's about that time that the wet air decides to let loose, a sprinkle starting from above. "Just in time.. legs find our little spot and we can talk rough living."

Leonard's grin falls some with the raindrops. "Good idea. Sodden and miserable is not the best time to discuss how to avoid being sodden and miserable." Still, he doesn't run, and offers her his hand. His present company does counteract most of the weather.

Vixen runs, once she has Leo in hand. "Hurry!" Testing how healed his knees are now, though if he seems to have any issues, she'll slow down. Either way, they'll get there before the heavy rain starts, only lightly misted thanks to skipping from tree to tree.

Now Leonard moves, and quickly enough to keep pace, even with the laugh that he can't quite contain. The sudden spurt and his venting of humor leaves him a bit short on breath once they reach their semi-personal shelter. "What's wrong, babe? Dodging lightning? Or worried you'll melt?"

"What good is escaping the rain if you can't run to do it?" Vixen's question as she releases his hand upon entry to the gazebo, moving towards the center before she turns to face him, a broad grin shown. "Better to do it in the ran, than running away from some scary critter or some such. So what are you going to tell me about the out of doors?"

"Stay dry?" Leonard looses a last chuckle before he takes a seat on the bench. "What is it you despite the most or know the least? That's a broad topic, so touching on your weakest area seems the best idea." The fact that he has the potential to learn more Vixen trivia is secondary, of course.

"I dunno.. food and stuff, I guess," Vixen replies, her brow furrowed just a little. "I've seen people make fires, so I at least know a little about how its done. Not much, but a little. So far, mostly I've just had travel food when out there. NEver done any hunting or that sort of thing."

Leonard nods somewhat absently as he considers a halfway decent focus for the sharing of his finite wisdom. "Assuming you aren't stranded somewhere naked, which isn't such a terrible thing if I happened to be stranded with you, water is your first priority. Dehydration will get you first, especially if you're trying to walk yourself out of the middle of wherever you're stuck." A hand lifts towards the rain falling around them. "The one good thing about the weather, here, is that you might not go thirsty."

Vixen snorts lightly at the naked part, moving back a bit to settle herself on the bench. The wind hasn't yet decided to blow the rain about, so it isn't too wet a place to be. She glances out at it as Leo indicates it, then nods her head a little. "But what if it ain't raining? And.. I guess if you couldn't find a river or something. Cause that's too easy."

"Easy would be nice, in this case," Leonard's lips curl into a mild smirk, "and a river would mean food, too. We'll assume the worst case, though, and you've no luck at all. No decent vegetation or animals are around, both of which can feed you and quench your thirst. There's still water in the air and the ground that you can get through condensation." His hands splay as he talks with them for effect. "You spread out a poncho, plastic, or something else nonabsorbent, either in the air or tightly over a hole in the dirt, then weight the center with one of the rocks you're not throwing at someone. Place a cup beneath to catch the drips, and you now have a very slow water source." A brow quirks above a half-grin. "Did I mention that magic or a vending machine would be very welcome at this point?"

"That sounds pretty odd," Vixen agrees. "That would sort of mean you have to settle in one place too if its slow. I guess when we go out, we can try setting one of those up. Not real easy to imagine. " She lifts a hand and wonders, "What other ways, when you're not at rock bottom?"

Leonard nods in acquiescence. "That would be used when stationary, which is likely the best idea if you're lost. Wandering off blindly is never a good idea, especially if others might be searching. Friendly others, that is." A mild shrugs follows. "When you know where you're going, keep moving and take what you can find. Plants are easy enough to pick on the way, hold water, and can be chewed on, even if they're not entirely edible. Since I know you're one to prepare, you just ration what you have."

"Yeah, I've never had to ration before. At least, nothing vital," Vixen replies thoughtfully. Even as she does so, she leans against his side, an arm looped lightly around his own. "When I was young, I had to ration my booze sometimes.. when creds were scarce. But that's usually it."

"I hope that you'll never have to, either," Leonard leans into her with a gentle body nudge that he doesn't back away from, afterwards, "and will work to see that you don't... and not just for the booze."

Vixen smiles a little at Leo and breathes out softly as she leans her head against his shoulder after. "I suppose I'll have to read some books about plants.. to tell which are ok for eating and which aren't. Don't want to chew on nothing that's poisonous." There is a pause before she wonders, "You ever hunted before?"

Leonard shakes his head. "Not with any great effort, nor success. I tend to find all the twigs and dry leaves to step on." He smirks bemusedly. "I've never really had the need to for food, either. The line at Happy Burger is the closest to a patient hunter that I've done so far."

"Well, maybe we need to teach you how to move quietly too," Vixen murmurs, giving him a casual grin. "Though it is a bit different out there. a bit anyway, since the Dregs have a lot of trash around, I guess maybe it ain't so different on the whole of things. So we could go practice there and it won't be so dangerous as it might be out there."

"The Dregs are hardly less dangerous, Vix." Her comment firms Leonard's smirk in a point of contention. "Of all the creatures we might encounter, the ones out there are more predictable than the gangs in there." A hand motions towards the gates, the other towards the southeast. "For you, maybe, but remember I know the place," Vixen notes. "Things change a lot, but not everything." She smiles and shakes her head. "But anyway.. for now we're focused out there. I don't think I'd be any good at hunting anyway, cause all I got are military grade weapons. Most critters out there would get misted if I tried shooting them. And I dunno how to use those handguns."

Leonard chuckles as he nods. "They would nicely pre-cook any meat you shot, if they left anything at all. I'll remember to start carrying snacks with me, just in case. I'd rather not have to try and skin and cook anything, anyhow. When we do go out for our little foray, we won't go hungry."

Vixen grimaces faintly at that. "Well.. maybe we should try. If we could kill something, anyway. I mean, maybe we wouldn't want to, but we'd have to know how, wouldn't we? Cutting up some animal ain't my idea of a good time either. But when you gotta live, you do what you have to."

"We can try," Leonard rolls his shoulders lightly, "and there is plenty of material for a snare, or I might be able to take down something larger with an invocation, without reducing it to atoms. I'll still bring the picnic basket, just the same."

"A snare? Oh, like a rope.. and a bent tree or something like that. A little tree." The common cartoon image coming to Vixen's mind. "Could try that. That would be better than trying to toss a knife or stone at." She relaxes again. "Alright, so tell me more.. we got time until the rain stops." And she will listen to what he has to say about living out of doors. Offering her own casual comments from time to time as she has.