Mar 03 08:25:34 106 PA
From Chronicles
Weather at Thu Mar 03 08:25:34 106 PA (2.21C, 35.97F): Massive clouds spew a incomprehensible mix of rain, sleet, and snow through churning winds. While the strange mix of water does not obstruct vision, it is nonetheless dark by virtue of the clouds themselves.
The Merchant's Plaza is always teeming with people and is in many respects one of Kingsdale's centers of activity. Several city blocks in size, it is a sprawling collection of structures both ramshackle and sturdy. One might find a elven mystic (offering psycic counselling services at that) sitting in a lean-to made of logs and brush right next to a chemically treated concrete structure that houses an automobile service station. Sometimes these structures are single-establishment buildings but there are several 'strip mall' style buildings that hold several different stores.
There are always people of all shapes, sizes, races and colors coming and going which makes both pedestrian and vehicle traffic heavy. The only exception to this is the Merchant's Plaza Park where those weary of mercantile pursuits can stop and take a rest.
It is said that anything can be found here, but that is largely a falsification. One can find -almost- anything here, except offensive (Read: MDC) weaponry. For that, one must go to The Gunnery in the south of the city. But anything else can absolutely be found here and not just items either. Of note is that the Merchant's Plaza is heavily patrolled by the KDPD who step in whenever problems occur but many believe the area still rife with criminals and pickpockets and wouldn't be caught dead in a dark alleyway here.
Dark emerges from 'Ye Alchemy Shoppe' with some glistening purchases disappearing underneath his robes as he moves. Looking about the man takes stock of the state of the street before continuing. When he does it is slowly, wandering deeper into the plaza and surveying the other stalls and shops as he moves. Eventually he stops in front of the gymnasium, arms folding over his chest to survey it in more detail.
Also browsing in the stalls is Caliopa, her red hair covered by a scarf, her body buried into her large coat. She has a bag, a few items clearly bought already. The unfriendly weather, however, make her unlikely to idle and she turns from the stalls, after finishing the purchase of a loaf, turning towards the shelter of the gym.
Darkseems to be distracted in his survey of the gym by Caliopa, apparently, his gaze turning in her direction. A few moments later his arms drop back down underneath his robe and he begins to walk unhurriedly towards her. Despite the weather there is business in the plaza... though not so much that Dark has to wind his way through a crowd. It is short work to make his way over near the woman. Clearly his attire is better suited to the weather than hers, it not seeming to phase him in the slightest. He pauses once he has reached her however, gaze turning back and forth down the lane before he steps nearer. "Good Morning M'Lady." he says softly, though the mechanical tones of his voice emitter take much of the softness away... it can still be felt.
Caliopa turns at being addressed, her hand rising to push her scarf back a little to peer up at the man who addresses her. "Uh, mornin'" She hesitates, frowning as she tries to place his face and then enlightenment shows, a lightbulb comes on. "Oh you're the bloke from the lake. Nice out today, ain't it?" She gives him a quick smile, glancing along the lane, the movement almost nervous. "Ain't good weather for hangin' around really, figured I'd get the shoppin' done before it really came on down but..."
Dark inclines his head for a moment, a movement almost indulgent as he splays his hands. Shifting a bit he leans forward conspiracy-like. "An often effective tactic I suppose. Yet you must be careful that the weather does not get the better of your plan." he says, as one hand gently brushes against Caliopa's shoulder, no more than a brushing of his fingers against her coat, and a blue spark jumps from him to her. The moment the spark touches her the cold and damp of the weather vanish. Well... not really. But they stop affecting her in the slightest. "And really... in a city like Kingsdale a Lady should not be unchaperoned. If you would allow me, I would be honored."
Taking a leisurely walk north Rasputin, *clicks* his cane as he walks. As always he is smartly dressed, with a fresh flower in his lapel. He whistles a soft song as he walks, most likely going on his morning constitutional.
Caliopa jumps, taking a step back, suspicion entering her eyes as the spark jumps. "What're you doin'?" The cold and the damp vanishing doesn't make her less wary and she folds her arms across her chest as she watches him. "It ain't like I'm wanderin' the back streets. I'll be headin' home anyhow,..." She shakes her head, "What did you do? Ain't sure I'd rather not be cold 'n' have some bloke doin' magic without askin' me." She frowns at him, shaking her head. "Ain't no need to walk me anywhere..."
Dark 's head turns and cocks to one side both, a curious manner displaying more emotion than a mask might usually be capable of. Then, bowing slightly, he speaks. "My dear, I would offer you an umbrella if you would be more comfortable with such? Surely you do not take offense to a gentleman sheltering a lady from the weather?" he says. Again he splays his hands, then as he straightens they drop underneath his robe once again. "I have no wish to offend."
The spark, the words, and the voice, all of these things catch Rasputin's eye, ear, and attention. His pace changes slightly as he swings towards someone he recognizes. His whistle changes to more of a loud hum, as he slides his left hand into his left pocket, pondering the actives ahead.
Caliopa hesitates, giving the man with her a thoughtful look. "Umbrellas don't get inside a person, 'n' meddle with them." She points out quietly, "I ain't sayin' you're doin' harm but you don't meddle with a person, not without askin' them." Her voice is soft but reveals, along with the expressive eyes and face, how shaken she is. "Jus' don't be doin' it to me without askin'." She pushes her hands into her pockets, as if they might still be cold, a small movement. "'n' it's Cali. Caliopa if you got to be all formal."
Dark raises one hand, pointing at Cali as he speaks. "Oh, you are still yourself I assure you. I should not wish to change a thing. Simply a little something between you and weather. And I remember your name. It is pleasant to see you again Miss."
Rasputin stops his humming and then comes to a halt, standing behind Dark but to the left, "Dobroe utro, Miss Cali, da?" His voice has a question in it, but what the hell is he saying? "The day finds you well, da?" He looks to Cali, with a raised eyebrow as his eye wanders towards the figure in the robes.
Caliopa frowns up at the man again, her face puzzled, a flash of frustration showing in her features. "I'm real sorry. I ain't got your name in my head." The blunt words come with a flush of embarrassment and a shake of her head. "Had an accident, stuff won't stay put nomore." Rasputin's arrival and greeting is met with a quick smile, a small amount of relief in her eyes. "Alright? You?" She glances between the two. "I'd introduce you, but I reckon you'd best do it yourselves."
Dark chuckles softly, shrugging his shoulders and making a dismissive gesture towards Cali. "No matter. I doubt I ever told you one, not that you are undeserving. Perhaps one day we can become better acquainted in that manner. Names however are a commodity of more value than the average person thinks. I shall treat yours as a sacred trust, so long as we are friends, I assure you." Then he turns and makes a slight bow towards Rasputin. "And to you Sir, I wish you the same. Good Day indeed." he says, inclining his head. Then back to Cali. "I am however curious what this malign influence upon your memory might be? Most such things can be remedied."
Rasputin takes a few steps around the knew acquaintance saying, "Spasibo, tis a good day, dus far, da." Now standing Cali's right, he faces the new person, "I being Rasputin, of Yukov's Deli near da Dregs. Tis being gooding to make your knowing." He only now lowers his eye brow, and then slightly scrunches his faces with a very odd looking smile. His left hand, which had been in his pocket is slowly pulled out and then tugs on his well groomed beard.
Caliopa's wariness returns and she takes a small step back, frowning. "You ain't gonna give me a name, 'n' you reckon I'll tell you what is goin' on in my head?" She shakes her head slowly, her lips tightening. "I ain't rightly keen on the mysterious stranger thin', ain't somethin' that makes me comfortable with a person." Unconsciously, she moves a little closer to Rasputin, safety in knowing a person's name not to be underestimated. "He makes sandwiches." She comments quietly.
Dark 's arms rest akimbo for a moment, annoyance clear for that brief second. Then he turns and looks Rasputin up and down for another long moment before speaking. "You, Sir, do not have the appearance one might expect of a Grocer. In fact quite contrary." A deep breath is taken before he turns back to Cali, gesturing once again as he speaks, his manner... almost courtly. "If you would have a confidence of a man it is best not to ask it in a public forum. Like a open air plaza for example. Hardly conducive to good negotiating under such circumstances."
Rasputin tugs on his beard a bit and then his face kind of calms and unsquishes , "Da, da. Mine Deli is gooding, but dressing is gooding too. Neating is importing, da." He smiles and then just rests his hands, on his cane in front of him, "Yzveenee, you are not saying your name, da? Tis being, wrong net? Private, da?" His voice has a measure of frustration in it, as he works on the correct words, "Interesting, da." He nods and his left hand tugs his beard again.
"I weren't aware we were negotiating." Caliopa points out softly, her forehead wrinkling into a frown. "Figured askin' someone's name, that is just normal every day thin' that ain't a normal need for a private negotiation." She shakes her head quickly, the scarf falling a little further down her hair, leaving it open to the dampness that would descend had he not magicked it away. "You don't want to tell, that ain't a real problem but ain't somethin' to make a person trust with stuff you want to know. Ain't noone that got a right to know what happened."
Dark 's hand grips tightly for a moment before he releases it to make another, softer, gesture of dismissal. "Your etiquette and mine are not the same, to put it mildly. Questions you would not consider personal I am prone to do so. For example I did not ask you why you were out in the weather and thus the largely empty streets this morning, though I do not think such wise for a lady, because it is impolite in my view to ask one what their business is. If they like, they will tell you. If they don't, and you ask... the perception is that you seek to annoy by asking something unvolunteered. Do you understand?" He speaks with a greater verve than before, his feeling obvious despite the mechanical modulation of his voice from the mask. Turning to Rasputin he speaks after a moment. "I could not agree more. Affectation is not the vice some might think it is."
Rasputin shrugs a bit and then rests his hands on his cane again, "Tis gooding weather, like mother Russia, da. She be saddness, da." He smiles and then looks up to Cali and then back to Dark, "Thinking da, my assistant be working on breakfast, would either of youing be wanting a late brake fasting?"
Caliopa's face is a picture of emotions, both confusion and irritation. "I get what you mean, I ain't stupid. I'm sorry to have been irritatin'." The words don't sound apologetic, but angry. "Reckon you'd do best to avoid me then, since I ain't graspin' the rules you live by. In my world, it is a piece of rude to use magic on folks without askin' them, mebbe even aggressive." Her cheeks are flushed a little with temper and she shakes her head abruptly at Rasputin. "No offense, Rasputin, the company ain't to my likin'." She turns then, to leave.
Dark shakes his head, folding his arms across his chest. "Apology accepted." he snaps, after a moment. "The rest of the drama in accompaniment is however not so well received." he mutters, his manner becoming more harsh and annoyed as he continues. "Despite my usual feelings on the matter for today I think perhaps you can chaperone yourself. Do run along."
Rasputin lifts his eyebrow a bit more as Cali starts to walk away. He nods to unnamed Dark, then turns back to Cali, "Do you be having a moment, may I be walking with you." He says, "I be having questions about da truck." He says, slightly twisting to prepare to follow Cali.
Caliopa turns for a moment, her hands moving to rest on her hips. "Didn't ask for you to chaperone, or put magic on me, nor anythin', as I recall. As a matter of fact, seems to me that I asked that you not do any of it all." She nods abruptly at Rasputin, almost stomping off, her hands shoved into her pockets. "Reckon you can walk with me." Emphasis on the You.
Kid is poking through the plaza slowly, her general mood one that sits on the edge of dazed. Distracted. she has a bag in hand, the shapeless contents swinging against her leg as she walks along. She pauses, looking towards a mixed clothing swap stall. She starts to turn towards it, then pauses. Her expression firms after a moment and she turns away from it firmly. Her lips pursed, she forges forward at a quicker pace then, her eyes flitting forward. Seeing a familiar face. Given that, she keeps her forward momentum steady.
Dark peers at Cali rather focused in manner now, taking a few steps forward. "Actually you didn't. Certainly not as you describe. We can break down the chronology if you wish, but I don't think it would be of much use. And if getting you out of the rain is such a crime, I'll be sure to remember how little you appreciatte chivalry. It, like most forms of kindness, is generally expected to be returned in kind, not really in obligation... but simply in manners. To instead have it returned with such derision is, ah, tactless? Rude? But at least if you are going to object so strongly, be factual. Making a false statement about a man is generally considered grounds for seeking satisfaction in one way or another. I would, generally speaking, advise you against it."
Rasputin looks to Cali then to the unnamed Dark, does this a few more times, "Do I be understanding?" He says as his face looks back to the unnamed Dark, as he slides his left hand into his pocket again, "Do you be using magiks on nyet willing? Crime being in Kingsdale, da. Nyet knowing, da?" His expression is slowly turning less happy, if not unpleasant.
Caliopa stops dead, turning on her heel slowly to face the man, not seeing Kid. "Did you ask? Before doin' magic on someone, did you ask?" She moves forward, her cheeks flushed. "I appreciate chivalry well enough, but I don't appreciate bein' meddled with, 'n' I got good reasons for that. It ain't derision, it is anger, because folks meddle 'n' never ask if you want it. Puttin' magic on someone without askin', it ain't right!" She is clearly angry, and not a little upset, a hint of real fear in her voice. "'n' satisfaction? I ain't got a clue what you're meanin' there, but it sounds rightly like a threat." Rasputin's words get him a glance and she shoves her hands into her pockets, huddling into her coat, her cheeks burning red, her eyes bright.
"Cali, I gotta talk to.." Kid pulls up short on that as her focus expands to note not just the nearness and attention of others, but some manner of tense talk. Her eyes flit towards Dark and the girl tenses slightly. Frowning, her attention shifts back to Cali, then to Rasputin, who receives a more basic moment of sizing up. So to speak. Amid Cali's response, Kid moves towards her slowly. Quietly, as if subtly backing up her arguments by shifting to her 'side'.
Dark 's attention is taken by Rasputin for a moment as he speaks, then Dark makes a firm and dismissive gesture towards the other man, a hand flicking in his direction. "I'd be surprised if you had much understanding of much at all. Go back to making sandwiches and certainly don't presume to start directing some pompous 'rightous anger' towards me. I'll have none of it." Then he turns back towards Cali just in time to catch the last of her outburst and see Kid 'backing her up'. "By all Olympus, what a pair. And such timing." he says, acidic tones carrying even through the voice emiter. "And you can take it however you like. It doesn't seem like you are very receptive to someone else's view, quite pointedly how this theatrical proceeding got it's start. Meaning I don't think it is worth my time to attempt to explain myself beyond the simple. Clear enough for you?"
Rasputin narrows his little normally very large and cheerful eyes, "Nyet, mine being nyet righteous. Nyet god controls mine." He says his accent becoming a bit more course, "Magiks, tis nyet allowed without permission. Unless, being of course, you are saying Cali attacked you. Da, then magiks being used. Like when I being killing dampire, with hand fire, Da." A very unpleasant tone now has crept into his voice, "I be nyet knowing Cali, but nyet ever using magik on another. Being understanding, this. And you will being much longer lived or least having large home than eight by eight cell, DA." His last 'da' is said with a good deal of emphasis.
"As I recall, got it's start from you puttin' magic on someone without askin'." Caliopa's reply is sturdy enough, her chin lifted. She shakes her head, turning to Kid questioningly, as if the topic was closed, her cheeks flushed. "You gotta talk to...?" Caliopa places her back to the man, her shoulders hunching slightly, her intent to ignore the man obvious. "Mebbe best go get somethin' to eat." She glances at Rasputin, the tone and words startling her. Her eyes widen slightly as she reassesses the sandwich man. "Uh... or mebbe he is busy..." She murmurs to Kid, stepping slightly away.
Kid's eyes narrow as Dark speaks his mind. Her disapproval is obvious enough, despite having a lack of background on the roll of events. She's never really let that sort of thing stop her and now is no exception. But for whatever reason, she leaves her own objections unsaid, save by that brief narrow eyed look. Cali's address seems to reawaken that need to speak within her. "Yeah.. 'bout the night you came over. Talk with you," she says lowly, half turning from the argument.
Dark turns on heel to face Rasputin directly, a cocked angle to his head and chin that betrays some intensity for a moment. "I'm not certain I understand all that mess, but I'm certain about enough of it to know you didn't listen. So. I'll be as clear as I can, and maybe we can avoid your nonsense in the future. While I do hold manners in a high esteem, I don't take that far enough that I actually care what 'you' think I should or shouldn't do. Even a little bit. So your veiled threats and intimation that I should keep to what you think is nice can be kept to yourself in the future, or we will cease to get along in a peacable manner... ever. I do however hate getting off on the wrong foot with an interesting new person. So... other than that, nice suit... interesting cane, and I like the beard. Just mind your verbage. Ta." And with that a very weary seeming Dark begins to make his way along the lane of the plaza, heading southward. He moves unhurriedly but pulls his cloak more tightly about himself as he goes. Almost as if the weather is getting to him.
Rasputin's frown deepens as he listens to the unnamed Dark spew from his mouth. Then he just watches him walk away. His left hand still in his pocket, not removing it until he is good and read. What does it have in its pockets? His head moves slightly, so that he can see Cali and Kid out of his peripheral vision, "We shall being going now, da? Da." He lifts his cane and motions north slightly, the tension in his voice not lessening.
Caliopa reaches out, hesitantly, to touch Rasputin's arm, half her attention on him, the other half on Kid. "Uh the night I came over..." She repeats blankly before enlightenment dawns, and she nods, "Oh the kid with the cat?" She nods quickly, nibbling on her lower lip, trying to balance Kid's demands with a desire to stop the angry sandwich maker. "Uh, I'm starvin', that offer of food still open?" She asks him bluntly, a touch of nervousness in her voice. "Uh da. Yeah..." She glances at Kid, eyes wide, the sandwich man seen in a different light.
Kid looks after Dark as he goes, waiting a moment before murmuring to Cali, "Some people just don't know when to shut the fuck up." An ironic comment coming from her, perhaps, but she sells it. She then takes in what Cali offers and gives her shoulders a casual sort of shrug, as if food were hardly something on her mind without saying no. "Yeah, that's the night." Of course, with her issues coming back to mind, she flicks her eyes towards Rasputin, considering him with a touch of the wary. Tags: caliopa, dark, kid, rasputin
