Jun 30 16:24:34 106 PA - Talking Up the Bird

From Chronicles

The current game time is: Thu Jun 30 16:24:34 106 PA.

At four PM in the afternoon, Vixen has decided to take in some air whilst doing her work. She's settled in the gazebo once more, sheltering from the light rain fall. She's taken to sitting on the floor this time around, umbrella folded up at her side, protected from the light wind that occasionally slants it to invade the open shelter. She's got her portable open on crossed legs, a data cord linking her to it, then it to the camera that's settled on her lap, the young woman working at it steadily.

Warm, realtively sunny, and only a light, cooling breeze. How, Leonard must ask, could such a pleasant alignment of factors also include the drizzle of rain. Still, it is a warm rain, and does not keep him indoors. He arrives under the shelter of his umbrella, enjoying his unhurried steps, especially now that they lack any limp or hinderance. The technophile in the gazebo is joined by a third soul, as the oft-absent raven alights upon the railing with a brief flutter of wings. Leonard is also quick to turn his attention towards the structure, but not quite so quick in arriving there.

Vixen hears the nearer flutter of wings before she sees Leo coming, turning her head a little towards Edgar in an unhurried dart. Her attention lingering before she glances down to her machine again. "To what do I owe the visit today?" A mix of casual and curious, for the moment oblivious to Leo's imminent arrival on the scene.

"Curiosity. Always." Not the most eloquent nor potentially expected of responses, but it /is/ coming from a speaking corvid that is not. Ebon eyes peer at Vixen in what might be considered a casual fashion, but it's not so easy to judge expressions or posture with Edgar. He's always peering at everything and everyone.

"I'm kinda curious too," Vixen replies. She pauses her work on her editing and compiling to look back up at the bird. Most of it is done, the editing program's display chock full of little previews and marked up moments of editing for effects and transitions. "Mostly where you fit in with Leo and me. With him, I know where he fits. And where I fit with him, mostly. But I dunno where you fit in. But you obviously gotta fit in somewhere. Righ?"

The computer display is of little concern to Edgar. "Leonard and I have an arrangement. This also applies to you, in a fashion, given that where you go, he is sure to follow. Why he intentionally curtails himself, I do not understand." Wings ruffle slightly in what could be an avian approximation of a humanoid gesture. "So long as the exchange remains equitable, our arrangement continues and we will 'fit.'"

"Then you're a mercenary. That I can deal with, cause I know mercs. As long as they're paid, they're usually pretty loyal. Usually," Vixen puts forward, considering the bird. "I assume that applies to you.. though I'm not really sure what you're being paid in particular." She grins a little. "As to why we're hooked up, you ever really wanted something before? Apply that to a person and you got the same kinda thing. I guess maybe you never felt that sort of thing for anyone before."

"He has an irrational need for you," Edgar responds, "that I do not understand. I have wanted and needed others, and Leonard is one example of this. I was not able to venture here without his assistance, and he benefits from my power. Each has what the other wants. His use for you is unclear."

Vixen smirks faintly at that and nods her head. "You won't understand it until you've felt it cause it isn't simple like the need for creds. But if you want to know everything like you think you do, you'll have to end up experiencing it." She considers the bird a moment before she notes, "I don't suppose you'll be looking for any girl birds. But I wonder what you really look like.. cause I'd assume the real you ain't a bird." Her brows lift slightly.

Edgar's head tilts slightly. "I have no need to procreate, although this body could do so. There is not the sensation in fornication that humans so desire. Perhaps it is that instinct that forces him to follow you around as he does." Speaking of the devil, Leonard finally arrives at the gazebo, which draws Edgar's ebon eyes in his direction. The umbrella is shaken slightly before being closed and set aside. "Afternoon, Vix. I didn't think this was a place for work?" A brow arches with the mild prodding.

"That ain't the whole thing, cause if it was, you could get that from anyone," Vixen corrects the bird, shaking her head slightly. "You won't get it now. You might be smart, but no one knows everything.. even the simple things sometimes." When Leo comes, she looks towards him and smiles broadly, a hand lifting towards him in invitation. "It's good for work when I want some air and relaxation when I'm doing it. Working on the refugees PDD. Ain't all sunny, so a little extra good feeling helps."

"Simple things?" Leonard now looks from one to the other, both brows lifting with no small amount curiosity. "Should I even ask what the two of you were discussing? I get the feeling that my ears should be burning." Obviously he's not so inherently joined with either of them that he knows all the transpires. "We were talking about love, Leo. He don't understand it," Vixen explains simply. "Not really something you can just describe, you know?" She grins a little and adds, "And we were talking about where he fits. I'm thinking to order my life a bit now and so I gotta know where certain things and certain people fit."

Leonard seems to relax somewhat and rolls his shoulders. "It could be an utterly foreign concept to him, at least on a personal level. Nor is it something you can easily convey understanding of, no." He looses a soft chuckle as he takes a seat on the bench. "You're organizing and you thought of Edgar? I'm ...surprised?"

"Why?" Vixen's brows lift as she turns her head to follow his path, pausing a moment to eye Edgar before she notes, "He's going to be around us for a while, so I gotta know where he stands with us. Way he describes things, he's like a mercenary." She considers, then wonders, "So knowledge is all you pay him with?"

"Well, you didn't exactly seem fond of him, initially, and then only barely tolerant, later." Leonard gives a minimal shrug that is followed by a grin. "I'm not complaining... and I suppose you could say that he is a merc, but very freelance. While it's in our mutual interests to look out for each other, he can fly where he pleases, and I try not be be too demanding. Considering knowledge as payment would be appropriate, I suppose."

"Well, if he wants to learn about some stuff, I could show him around," Vixen offers casually, glancing at Edgar. "About the refugees. Maybe he can learn a bit more about humans around them. And the Dregs in general, to learn a lot more. Maybe he can fly around to do that, but he won't get the inside feel of it cause there's a lot going on that you don't see just my looking down from above." She then grins at Leo and states, "I'm adaptable, even if I don't' always adapt instantly. You gotta be, coming out of the Dregs. Things there are always flowing."

Leonard nods with her suggestion and casts a brief look to Edgar. "Maybe he could, and so many in new surroundings would have the potential for a great deal of interesting events, I'm sure." When his attention returns to her, a smile is offered. "I know you're flexibile, Vix. I don't think you'd be able to tolerate me, otherwise."

Vixen grins a little at Leo and notes, "That's fortitude, not adaptability." Letting her eyes linger on him, lightly aused, before she looks at Edgar and asks him, "So.. what about the Refugees? You want to help me with them? Got any ways to be helpful there? Cause if I'm going to bring you around with me, there'd have to be something I get out of it, right?"

Edgar takes a few hops along the rail, closing towards Vixen. "What do you propose? What do you wish from me and what do you offer in return? I can already go where and when I wish." Leonard is initially occupied with a chuckle at Vixen's wit, and then looks between the two with similar curiosity as held on his arrival.

"You can go, sure, but you can't see the sort of interactions I get into easy," Vixen notes. "Dunno what you think about this sort of thing, but when it comes to understanding humans and other people like them, how they interact shows you a lot. Dunno if you really care about that, though. As to what I want.. that depends. I dunno what all you can do. Most of what I'm doing right now focuses on the refugees. Dealing with the gangs, building, getting them stable and working.. stuff like that."

"Interesting." Edgar takes a larger leap from the railing and half-glides to Vixen's shoulder. "I do not know how best I would assist, but I can perform any invocation or ritual which Leonard knows." The aforementioned Leonard merely watches the two of them for a moment, then smirks. "Are you two trying to cut out the middle-man?" Mirth is foremost in the question, and he appears to find the current situation rather intriguing.

"Only if Edgar learns how to cuddle just right, which don't seem likely if he remains a bird," Vixen tosses to Leo with a casual grin, barely flinching at the nearing of the bird.. but not bird? Still not clear on that. "I know some of his magic.. not all, but some. You got any yourself that you can do? I'm not real clear on magic, but I suppose we can figure each other out over time. Probably not a big rush, but you can let me know if you have something to offer, yeah?"

Leonard can't help but laugh at Vixen's reply. "So long as I'm still good for something, I suppose. I wouldn't mind having an easy time keeping an eye out on you, either, even if they're not in my head." Edgar either understands the concept of humor, or is thoroughly confused by the issue of cuddling. "I will inform you if I have a solution to a situation, yes."

"Good." Vixen turns her head to eye the bird as she says as much and then lifts her hand, extending a finger as if to shake his claw. "I don't trust easy, Edgar. I can't say I really trust you.. cause I still don't really understand you yet. But so long as we work ok together, that don't have to matter. As long as you're looking out for Leo, we don't got an argument." Her eys shift towards Leo, considering his reaction to the byplay.

After a moment of consideration, a taloned claw is lifted to rest on the finger for a moment in an awkward, if semi-formal, agreement. "I trust no one without need and reasonable expectation of cooperation. To that end, I have more reason to ensure Leonard is living than any desire to see him not." The third wheel in the moment shakes his head and chuckles. "I'm glad to see the two of you getting along, at least. I also feel very well cared for."

Vixen lets her finger rest there a moment before she lowers the hand, glancing towards Leo with a grin. "You know I love you, babe. We're a team, you and me. And I've got an eye out for our future and keeping us both safe. Like the security system I'm working up." She indicates her computer. "I've been running some ideas, working on a little custom program. A few UV signalers, motion sensors and video mounts and it'll be in the bag. Program a pair of little computers to be remotes and piggyback a signal off of a small radio.. I think I can do it all for less than ten thousand easy. Then we'll know if anyone gets in and have video of it."

"Does this mean we need to go shopping for parts?" Leonard never seemed to doubt Vixen's intentions nor feelings. "It's a good idea, and well worth the credits and time. If we should feel secure anywhere, it should be at home."

"I've already put out some inquires about parts of the whole," Vixen replies. "Seeing how much they might cost while I'm planning the backbone. I'm trying to make it simple so you don't have to screw around with it too much when you get home. A quick few moments would deactivate the system and we can turn parts of it on and off. Like just the front door when we're around the house. Or the whole thing at night, except the one that leads to our room. I'll give you the whole set up once I'm sure of what might be best."

Leonard nods to Vixen, eyes shifting briefly to the corvid on her shoulder. "We don't want alarms blaring accidentally in the middle of the night," he looks back to Vixen with a smirk, "nor recordings of us in the house that we don't need made."

Vixen laughs lightly. "Well, I can adjust it a bit for him." She glances towards Edgar a moment. "Or he can just not wander the house in the middle of the night or when we're not around. We'll see." She looks back to Leo as she notes, "The video will be off unless the system gets tripped. and all video will go to the computers. I'm thinking I'm going to start keeping a hard backup of everything hidden. That way the ones I use for Vixen's View can be destroyed without me losing any info. Security or otherwise. Cause if someone gets into our place, I wanna know. Hell, maybe I can get it to live stream video so we can look in before we go in."

"That would be a good idea." Leonard nods towards Edgar. "Well, all of it is, really. I don't expect strangers to be sneaking into our home, but I didn't expect friends to do it, either. It sounds a little paranoid," he offers her a wide grin, "but just a little."

"If I was paranoid, I'd try and set traps," Vixen notes with a casual glance towards Edgar. "Right? After all, I'm just doing some general covering of basis. A few strategic paths and the main rooms. Not like I'm putting motion sensors and cameras in the bathroom. That would be paranoid."

"Lethal traps at every point of entry would be secure," the words are Edgar's, this time, "but excessive. Warning should be sufficient." Leonard smirks in his direction as he notes, for Vixen's benefit, "I should warn you that Edgar can be rather ...witty, at times, and not always so endearing." Not that she hasn't had experience with that, of course.

"Nah, lethal traps are more trouble than they're worth," Vixen replies to Edgar. "The management of the place might overlook some non-harmful security, but they won't if I start lacing the place with grenades and such. Mostly this is to be aware. I like being aware of what's going on where I feel safe. Now, if I really wanted to protect something.. traps would be the ideal way, but we're not at that for now." She glances back towards Leo. "Unless you can make some magic traps that don't hurt people."

Leonard shakes his head. "Nothing of that sort somes to mind, unfortunately. Something to invest in for the future, maybe. I think the sensors and a few cameras would be fine, Vix." He's not the tech expert, but what she described seems more than enough to be cautious. "I don't need to blow myself up in the living room by accident, and I'd rather the worst risk was waking the neighbors."

"There will be an alarm too. Cause it don't help if it won't wake us when we're sleeping." Vixen grins at Leo and then considers Edgar a moment, seeming to have adjusted well to having him on her shoulder. "What sort of considerations might you want me to make for you? After all, if I don't cover the window, you could come in easy enough. Maybe leave a little room at the lower half to let you come in when you want, but make sure an intruder couldn't get in without tripping it."

"That would be enough." Edgar's evaluation is simple and concise. He is able to speak, but rarely has there been so much cause to do so. Most of his necessary communication hasn't required it. "I can enter so long as the window is unlatched, or you have one to replace it." Leonard remains quiet for the moment to allow the corvid to explain, since Vixen is engaging him in conversation.

"I think unlatched is ok.. maybe some kinda little door for ya or something. Small, for a bird to get through." Vixen looks to Leo. "Why don't you look into that. I can work my system around it a bit. Then we'd have a nice set up." Of course, later she'd let Leo know to have the option to lock the little door, but no need to bring that right out now. "This is going to be a nice little set up."

Leonard chuckles and shakes his head slightly. "Yes, dear. I don't consider myself much of a handy-man, but I think I can manage to install something without injuring myself too terribly much." After a moment, he asks, with a mix of prodding tease and genuine affection, "Should we build a little white fence while we're at it?" Edgar simply peers at Leo's question, refraining from comment on the relevance.

Vixen laughs lightly and shakes her head. "Nah, we don't need that. Though I might be getting a secure walkie talkie. Once I do, you should get one too, Then we can communicate. And be secure if we need to be. I figure that's as good as it gets when we're not together.. short of carrying tracers. But that can backfire." She winks.

"Oh?" Leonard's brow arches. "Have you been anywhere you wouldn't want me to know about? There are several magical means to locate others and I'd considered such, just as a precaution." There is no accusation in his tone, of course, especially as he shifts to the reverse. "Or was that a hint to behave myself?"

"Nah, I'm just thinking we don't need to go that far. That'd be paranoid," Vixen replies with a grin. "I trust you now, babe. Cause really.. you've been out there.. you know that there's a benefit to having strings attached. And you know there ain't nothing I wouldn't do for you." Her grin turning a bit sly at that. "Maybe you can teach this one here about that some day." Her head tilting a bit towards Edgar. "After all, he wants to know everything."

Leonard rises enough to place a hand on her other shoulder and his wit softens. "I know. I'm not sure how to even try and explain that with him, beyond sharing my thoughts and memories. If there is a way to repeat all that's happened just to demonstrate..." His head shakes. "I won't be participating. Once was more than enough." Now a more pleasant, and intriguing, thought strikes him. His gaze moves to Edgar, yet his words remain for Vixen. "It is unfortuante that you can't share the same link, as it's quite interesting, and often convenient. Since you will be escorting him."

Vixen glances towards Edgar, a slight frown coming to her. "To be honest, I don't like the sound of that. I don't like no one messing with my head.. what's in there I want control of." She looks to Leo. "Don't need someone just digging in or listening in when I don't want 'em too. If I had a way to lock all that mind junk out, I'd do it in a heart beat."

"It's not like that, Vix." Leonard shakes his head. "There's no messing around with anything. I thought I explained that already?" As he questions her, Edgar speaks up again, in a fashion. 'It is much more efficient than speaking aloud.' This time his words are direct to the mind a few inches from his perch, bypassing the auditory senses, whether biological or mechanical.

Vixen considers Leo thoughtfully up until the moment Edgar decides to slip his voice into her head. Her attention snaps towards him and she frowns darkly. "Stop it.. don't do that unless I say you can. Or life or death. I know how useful it can be, but that don't mean I want voices in my head whenever the hell. Leo I'd make an exception for, but I trust him."

Leonard is momentarily confused, until silently enlightened on the happenings unknown. "Ah... I think this is more his normal means of communication, Vix. No offense was meant, I'm sure." Edgar confirms this to Vixen with a return to quaint vibration of air molecules. "As you wish. It is less than effective in your case, regardless, as you cannot answer in the same fashion." "Right," Vixen replies to Edgar, eyeing him a moment longer before she notes, "Just keep it professional when you do it. That's all I'll ask for now." Pragmatic, if cautious. She looks to Leo then and notes, "Pity there is no interface of tech communication to.. this mental crap. Would work better that way, I think. Keep it where it belongs. An earpiece is easy to conceal." "There might be some way to craft such a device." Leonard rolls his shoulders slightly and offers a smile. "For now, it seems that speech will need to be enough, at least where Edgar is concerned. Although you should keep that to a minimum, as it's liable to provoke uncertain or unpleasant reactions."

"What do you mean by that?" Vixen's question to Leo's last. "And you look into things like that. I think I might be getting a bit more comfy with magic.. a little bit, anyway. Though its still a bit iffy. After all, can't easily disarm a mage or psychic like you can someone with a gun." She grins a little at that which she often notes when it comes to the subject.

Leonard gives Vixen's shoulder a soft squeeze and then release. "It's just a skill, a tool, with it's own rules, Vix. Not always as obvious when a threat, but there are still limitations." His head tips towards Edgar. "Do you remember how you first reacted when you heard him speak? If you'll be out and about with him, don't expect him to be very chatty, as it attracts far too much attention."

"Yeah, that's true," Vixen replies, glancing at Edgar. "Of course, riding on my shoulder is about the same, wouldn't you think?" She grins a little. She looks back to Leo and adds, "How about we talk limits, then? I know the advantages.. maybe I'd feel better if I knew how to fight it when someone's trying to magic me up. Or ways I can take the magic outta someone."

"Well, you've seen me conjure effects more than once." Leonard considers a moment, before his brow lifts and a hint of challenge creep into his tone. "Have you noticed any commonalities? There are a few, and therein lie your clues."

Vixen tilts her head a little, considering Leo for a few moments. She thinks back for a few moments before she murmurs, "Well, you do something with your hands.. and usually you say something I don't really understand. So.. I could stop a mage from casting by messing up their hands or making it so they can't talk?" The gears turning as she considers those two details in regards to magic.

A wide grin spreads across Leonard's face with his nod. "Exactly. While the gestures and words are merely a focus for concentrate, they are indispensible and common to most practitioners that I know of. Remove those, and options become very limited."

Vixen considers that. "Can't exactly go around breaking fingers all the time, though I suppose if some guy tries to attack me, that's a good place to start." This being said with a casualness that doesn't suggest jest. "Maybe some kind of smoke bomb.. or irritating spray. Not much with chemicals myself, though. Might have to find some help with that." She nods her head slightly. "I should get myself a good gas mask too. I'm gunna have enough cash for some good cyber too. Stinger set, sound filtration, radar detector, rad detector and some other stuff maybe." She grins. "Some nice outer tech too. I think I'll be set for almost anything."

Leonard blinks at the shopping list, and nearly forgets about the prior topic. "Restraint would do just as well... Will there be anything left of yuou after all that? I'm no expert, but that sounds like a rather large pile of metal..."

"Nah, its s mall stuff. The filtration would piggyback off my amped ear. Was thinking about getting an ultra ear too. So I can hear high frequency. The stinger is just a pair of needles in the thumb and forefinger." Vixen lifts her hand, indicating just where. "A little spot to put in the sleep juice I'm planning to get and I can jab people." She grins idly. "The sensors won't be much either, really. I was thinking about getting claws." She makes a little 'scratch' motion. "But I'd have to get a bionic hand. Ain't ready to go that far."

Leonard's hand returns to her shoulder. "Don't go too far, too quickly. I happen to like you just the way you are, but you know I'll not complain /too/ much, regardless of what you choose to do." He leans in a bit further to plant a brief kiss on her cheek. "Although the claws are a touch frightening, from my standpoint. You do have a temper, at times."

Vixen grins a little, lifting a hand to pass her fingers through his hair lightly. "I'm not in a rush to have metal outside.. or replace a whole limb. But I guess if it ever becomes something to do, I suppose I'd best get a nest egg so I don't have to go without for long." She shrugs her shoulders faintly and adds, "Not that I'm looking to get shot up." She turns her head a little more, to return the cheek peck more directly.

There are no objections on Leonard's end to the direct affections, but he keeps it pleasantly light. Heavy is for other times and places. "Please don't find that, whether or not you look for it. I expect that any nest eggs will be hatched for more pleasant uses. Edgar should be able to help keep you out of trouble, also." A pointed, if unnecessary, look is given the raven that is not to further convey the firm nature of that fact.

Vixen smirks a little at that and looks towards the bird. "Hope so. What good is all that knowledge if you don't put it to good use?" She lifts a brow at Edgar before she looks down to her computer. "I think I need a solid work break.. still have to commune with Emily before i finish up." She looks to Leo and smiles. "What say we go home and relax a bit?"

"I was thinking more along the lines of eating anyone who gave you trouble," Leonard chuckles, "but you have a valid point, yourself. Home is a wonderful idea. Are you feeling courageous enough to risk my cooking again?" He releases her to retrieve his umbrella, then offer his free hand.

Vixen smirks faintly at that and closes up her portable, slipping it into her bag. Once that is done and she has her umbrella in hand, she'll accept his assistance in rising. "If you don't try, you'll never learn. But I have a fallback for us just in case." Her grin lightly playful as she keeps the grip on his hand, moving in close to share his umbrella.

Leonard quirks a brow as he adjusts to shield them both from the weather and escort her out. "Whether it's delivery or your cooking, I know that it will surpass whatever I can concoct. I'm just glad that you have the fortitude to allow me to practice..."

"You think I was always ok at cooking?" Vixen grins a little as she sticks close, an arm around his own, taking some advantage of his healed state to rest some weight on him. "Once you get better, you're going to be doing your fair share for sure."

"Of course not." Leonard chuckles softly and accepts the extra weight without complaint. "How many casualties did you have in the process, though? I can't afford to poison anyone nor detonate the kitchen." Fortunately, he hasn't managed to do either. Yet.

"Just me," Vixen details. "I took care of myself a lot. Kind of forced me to get better cause I sure as heck didn't like eating burned food all the time. You get little enough of it in the Dregs most times. Wasting was something that you couldn't afford to do." Leonard nods, more somber this time. "Starvation and taste are powerful incentives to learn quickly. I'll do my best not make the food ...nostalgic for you, then." His grin flickers back to the forefront and he nudges her lightly with his body.

"It's ok, Leo. You don't gotta tread careful on what was," Vixen offers. "I mean, it was good in the long run. Made me get better. Learn what's what so I could look after myself." She smiles at him, leaning in a little closer after the nudge. "But now you'll have better cause you can learn without having to be stressed over it. And I'll help."

Despite the loss of shelter for himself, Leonard wraps his arm about her. "I already have better, even without the cooking. Your help is still most welcome, though. Someone has to make sure that I follow directions correctly, in all things. " In return, he will ensure that she makes it back home without getting unduly wet. Then the burning of salads and scorching of soups can begin.